Sober Sisters
"Pilot"
by
Jeanne Leitenberg
ACT ONE
OVER BLACK
DARA (V.O.)
The thing I love most about
drinking is everything.
INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE - DAY
DARA (30), a girl who’s seen better days, sits on a couch
across from DR. RANDALL, a late 20’s court appointed shrink.
DR. RANDALL
But how does it make you feel when
you’re drinking?
Dara eyes her. Is that a serious question?
DARA
It makes me feel fucking great.
DR. RANDALL
But what about the consequences
that come from your drinking?
DARA
I don’t know what you’re talking
about.
But Dara knows exactly what Dr. Randall’s talking about.
EXT. JAMAICA PLAIN STREET - FLASHBACK
A drunk Dara sips from a bottle of VODKA while she sadly
stares into the large window of a house. Inside a GROUP OF
MADEWELL-CLAD WOMEN drink rosé and laugh. HEATHER, the
ringleader, catches Dara’s gaze through the window. Her smile
fades and her eyes widen. She mouths, “DARA?! WHAT THE FUCK?”
Shit!
DARA
Dara tries to hide behind a tree. But it’s not a big tree.
Heather and the women, including KELLY, exit the house.
HEATHER
You’re standing behind a poplar.
Just come out, Dara.
Dara slowly emerges from behind the tree.
DARA
You’re having book club without me?
2.
KELLY
It’s not book club, it’s-HEATHER
She’s too old to be lied to, Kelly.
(then, to Dara)
Yes, we’re having book club without
you.
Dara gets upset.
DARA
But I started book club.
HEATHER
Yeah, you did. But now you’re no
longer part of it.
Dara sobs. Everyone feels bad. Everyone except Heather.
HEATHER (CONT’D)
What do you expect? You’re a crazy
drunk no one wants to be around.
Dara wipe her tears with her sleeve and collects herself.
She’s not sad anymore. Now she’s mad. Very mad.
DARA
Well, you know what? Fuck you,
Heather! Fuck all of you! If it
weren’t for me, you assholes never
would’ve read any of those books
you read! Like Middlemarch? Yeah
fucking right! Without me, you
dummies never would’ve gotten to
experience the beauty that is Mary
Garth and Fred Vincy’s love!
Heather shakes her head. Point proven. Kelly still feels bad.
KELLY
Dara, we should talk about-DARA
Oh, go eat a fat dick, Kelly. It’s
the only thing you’re good at
anyway, you worthless whore.
Kelly is deeply offended. She was just trying to be nice!
HEATHER
See! That’s what I’m saying! You’re
a mean drunk. We’ve pleaded with
you to get help but you didn’t.
(MORE)
3.
HEATHER (CONT'D)
And now we don’t want you in our
lives anymore. You’re poisonous.
Dara gets sad again.
DARA
Wait. Does this mean you’re kicking
me out your house too?
HEATHER
I’ve been nice enough to let you
stay with me while you figure out
your shit. But I’m beginning to
think you’re never gonna figure out
your shit since the only thing you
wanna do is drink 24/7. It’s over.
Now Dara gets angry again.
DARA
Fine! I’ll move out of your shitty
house. Which, by the way, smells
like rotting vagina in most rooms.
You should get looked at.
(to the other girls)
I’ll get out of all your pathetic
and boring lives, you yuppie scum!
HEATHER
Who even says that anymore?
Dara ignores her as she gets in her car.
KELLY
But, Dara, you can’t drive!
Dara ignores her and drives. Kelly runs in front of the car.
Dara SWERVES to miss her. She SMASHES into the POPLAR TREE.
A LITTLE LATER
A COP takes away a handcuffed Dara. They pass the women.
DARA
Go eat a yogurt, Heather. It’ll
help your PH balance.
Heather rolls her eyes. The other women are more concerned.
INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE - AS WE LEFT THEM
DARA
You have to admit. It was rude for
them to kick me out of book club.
4.
Dr. Randall is silent. She’s waiting for Dara to admit guilt.
DARA (CONT’D)
I shouldn’t have gotten into the
car. That was my bad. Happy?
Dr. Randall looks down at Dara’s ankle which has a SCRAM
bracelet on it. Dara gets self-conscious and covers it up.
DR. RANDALL
How has it been not drinking?
Dara shrugs, fine, whatever.
DR. RANDALL (CONT’D)
And how are the AA meetings?
(off Dara’s look)
You need to go to them. The judge-DARA
Here’s the thing, Dr. Randall, and
like let’s be honest, it’s pretty
generous you’re allowed to call
yourself a doctor. I mean I
wouldn’t want you operating on me.
And I’m sure you wouldn’t want you
operating on you either, right?
Dr. Randall is taken aback.
DARA (CONT’D)
I’m not an alcoholic. I just like
the occasional glass of booze. Sue
me! Are we done for today?
DR. RANDALL
How’s it been living with your mom?
Dara rolls her eyes.
DARA
Now that’s something that’d be a
whole lot easier to do if I could
drink.
EXT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE - LATER
Dara smokes and checks/stalks her ex Pete’s Instagram. All
his photos are of him and a boring girl. He seems happy. Dara
looks at the tag. The girl’s handle is CDubs2. She clicks.
It’s a private page. Ugh. Dara phone buzzes with a text from
Casey: hey, what’s up? She ignores it. As a Maxima pulls up,
Dara ashes her cigarette.
5.
I/E. JILL’S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Dara’s mom, JILL (55), well put together and serious, drives.
When Dara gets in, Jill sniffs the air. She takes out a
perfume bottle and sprays it. Dara gags and coughs.
DARA
Jesus, mom.
JILL
This car is not even six months
old. I will not let it stink like
disgusting cigarette smoke.
DARA
And you think the smell of J by
Jennifer Aniston is better?
Jill nods. Dara shakes her head. They sit in silence. Until-DARA (CONT’D)
I have to go to Target.
JILL
Amazon Prime whatever you need.
Please?
DARA
Jill shakes her head. Dara crosses her arms, annoyed.
JILL
Probably should’ve thought about
that before you got arrested, lost
your license, and were forced to
move back in with me, huh?
Dara shoots daggers at her mom whose eyes don’t leave the
road. Dara looks out the window. The car passes strip mall
after strip mall as well as one giant shopping mall. This is
suburban New York in all its zzz glory.
INT. JILL’S HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY
Dara sits on the floor with her laptop on her lap. She
Googles, “How to beat the SCRAM bracelet.” Dara reads.
Fuck me!
DARA
Dara slams her laptop shut, annoyed she can’t beat the
system. She reaches deep into a drawer and takes out a small
bottle of vodka. Dara takes off the cap and puts it to her
nose. She inhales a long whiff. Mmm.
6.
INT. JILL’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Dara lies on the couch watching House Hunters.
DARA
House #2! House #2!
HOME BUYER ON SCREEN
We’re gonna go with house #3!
DARA
Jerk offs! Hope your house gets
termites.
A dressed up Jill enters.
JILL
I’ll be back later.
Dara haphazardly waves. Her PHONE RINGS. Jill’s surprised.
JILL (CONT’D)
Well, this never happens.
Dara ignores her mom and looks at the phone. It’s CASEY. Jill
glances at it from behind her. Dara declines the call.
JILL (CONT’D)
Why are you ignoring your sister’s
call?
Dara apathetically shrugs.
JILL (CONT’D)
Great answer. Excited to hear more
later.
Jill exits. Dara doesn’t wave. She turns up the TV.
DARA
House Hunters in Hawaii, yassss.
INT. SAMSON INDUSTRY - EVENING
CASEY (28), a very pretty but disheveled party girl, sits
behind a desk on her cell even though the WORK PHONE RINGS.
Her BOSS passes. He nods to the ringing phones.
CASEY
So call me back. Love ya.
Casey hangs up. She answers the work phone and smiles at her
boss like a diligent worker.
7.
CASEY (CONT’D)
Samson Industry? This is Casey...
Hmm I’m just a temp so I have no
idea! Sorry! Have a nice evening.
Her Boss shakes his head and walks off. Casey’s PHONE BUZZES
with a text: Westside Tavern at 7? She smiles and shuts down
her computer. Work day’s officially done.
INT. WESTSIDE TAVERN - BATHROOM - LATER
In a stall, Casey takes out a vial of cocaine and spreads a
line on her finger. As she lowers her nose, Casey notices
graffiti that says “Smile Your Beautiful.” Casey gawks at the
grammatically incorrect words. Then she does the line.
INT. WESTSIDE TAVERN - LATER
Casey anxiously watches her phone like it’s a movie, waiting.
Finally, she gets a text: Sorry not gonna make it after all.
Casey “ughs.” What the fuck? She calls over the BARTENDER.
CASEY
Two whiskey shots, please.
He nods. Casey grabs her phone and immediately goes on
Tinder. She continually swipes right until she sees a VERY
WEIRD GUY at the end of the bar. He tips his drink to her.
The bartender brings over Casey’s shots. She pauses. Then
tips a shot to the weird guy.
INT. WESTSIDE TAVERN - BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER
In the stall again, Casey spreads a line of cocaine on her
finger. As she stares at the “Smile Your Beautiful” graffiti,
she does the line. Casey rubs her nose. She grabs a pen from
her purse. Casey adds an ‘ and an e to the word Your. It now
says, “Smile You’re Beautiful.” Casey grins at her fix.
INT. WESTSIDE TAVERN - SECONDS LATER
Casey steps out of the bathroom. Weird Guy waits for her.
CASEY
Let’s get out of here.
INT. CASEY’S STUDIO APARTMENT - EARLY MORNING
A dead asleep Casey is in the corner of her bed alone. She
slowly wakes up. Casey lifts the covers. She removes two used
condoms and throws them to the ground. Casey reaches for her
phone on the nightstand. It’s not there. Hmm. She grabs her
purse from beside the bed. No phone. No wallet.
8.
Damn it.
CASEY
This isn’t the first time she’s lost shit when drunk and
high. Casey sits back and glances around her small studio. It
feels emptier than usual. She notices the TV stand is missing
a TV. Casey sits up and realizes-CASEY (CONT’D)
Motherfucker!
INT. CASEY’S APARTMENT BUILDING - HALLWAY - SECONDS LATER
Casey knocks on her neighbor’s door. It opens and LIZ, dorky,
stand there. She widens the door for Casey to enter.
LIZ
Just come in and get it over with.
I even got a new air freshener.
CASEY
Oh. I’m not here for that.
LIZ
Really? But you only come by when
you need to poop because some guy
spent the night.
CASEY
It’s a tiny studio, Liz. I can’t
take a shit when I have a...
visitor over. The whole place would
smell and it’d kill the mood.
LIZ
So you don’t need to defecate in my
bathroom. What do you want then?
CASEY
Did you happen to see a guy leave
my apartment this morning?
Liz shakes her head. Casey groans.
CASEY (CONT’D)
I think I was robbed.
Casey makes an innocent “eek” face while Liz’s eyes widen.
CASEY (CONT’D)
I woke up this morning and my phone
and wallet and TV and laptop were--
9.
LIZ
You let a thief into this
building?!
CASEY
If I’d known he was a thief...
LIZ
And he’s not even the first
questionable guy you’ve brought
home!
CASEY
Well, obviously. This is New York.
Most men here are kinda suspect.
LIZ
You are a danger to our building!
Bringing strangers in aside, you’ve
also almost burned down this place
twice. The curling wand incident.
The candle.
CASEY
It was a menorah.
LIZ
You’re not even Jewish!
CASEY
I’m half. So why don’t you ease up
on the anti-Semitism, ‘kay?
LIZ
That’s it. I’m calling Marcus.
Casey grows worried.
CASEY
No no no! Please don’t call Marcus.
He hates me. Mostly because one
time I drunkenly ate his edible
arrangement that was left by the
mailboxes. He said I had one strike
left or he’d evict me. Please, Liz.
LIZ
Sorry, Casey. You’ll have to find a
new place to poop at.
Liz slams the door. Casey puts her hands to her head. Fuck!
10.
EXT. JILL’S HOUSE - DAY
Dara smokes a cigarette on the front step. She stares at
Pete’s Instagram. There’s a new picture of him and his boring
girlfriend in front of a beautiful sunset. Dara gags.
DARA
You’re not as cute as you think you
are.
Dara throws her phone down. A WOMAN holding the hand of a
LITTLE GIRL and pushing a stroller with a TODDLER pass the
house. The little girl stares at Dara.
LITTLE GIRL
Mommy, what’s that thing in the
lady’s mouth?
WOMAN
It’s something that will kill you!
The woman shakes her head at Dara and continues to walk.
DARA
Hey, shouldn’t she be in school?
She’s way too old to spend her days
loitering around the neighborhood
like some punk.
But they don’t turn around. A PICK UP TRUCK pulls up to the
house. Dara’s confused. Then Casey hops out of it. FRANK, a
muscly and scary guy, gets out of the driver’s seat.
Hey, Dara!
CASEY
Casey waves to her surprised sister. She turns to the guy.
CASEY (CONT’D)
Thanks, Frank. And really if you
want the name of that psychic, I’m
happy to give it to you. You should
learn if Autumn is the one for you.
Casey hands some money to Frank and then begins to unload the
truck. He creepily smiles at Dara who immediately scoffs.
INT. JILL’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER
The sisters sit at the table. A pissed Jill paces, loudly.
JILL
What did I do wrong? Where did I
mess up with you two?
11.
CASEY
Everyone’s moving back home, mom.
It’s like the millennial way.
DARA
And I’m just here temporarily.
Jill grabs a bottle of room temp chardonnay on the counter.
She pours herself a glass. Dara gawks at the oddness.
JILL
You girls are too old to be acting
like this. You know Jan Rice’s
daughter recently opened her own
optometry practice.
DARA
Ew. Who wants to be an eye doctor?
The girls are unimpressed. Jill grunts as she exits with her
wine. Dara stands and goes over to the bottle of wine.
CASEY
Dara, you can’t!
Dara takes a whiff.
DARA
I just like smelling it. Even room
temperature wine would be great
right about now.
CASEY
Can I see it?
DARA
Sure, perv.
Dara moves her jean up to reveal the SCRAM. Casey is in awe.
CASEY
It actually adds some character to
your otherwise simple ankle. Not
hating it!
Dara sits back down at the table.
CASEY (CONT’D)
And like the second you take a sip
of alcohol it alerts the cops?
DARA
My probation officer.
12.
CASEY
Shit, you have a probation officer.
Casey takes it all in. She turns to her sister.
CASEY (CONT’D)
So, look, on my ride up here, Frank
and I talked a lot. I might’ve
found the guy on Craigslist but he
was surprisingly insightful.
DARA
You’re lucky you weren’t murdered.
CASEY
If I was murdered every time I met
someone off the internet, I’d get
murdered like all the time. Anyway,
we discussed that I should get
sober. Like you.
DARA
I’m not really getting sober. I’m
just on a drinking hiatus.
CASEY
Dara, you got in trouble. With the
law. And I know you need to go to
AA meetings. So how about I go with
you? Because I really need to stop
getting so drunk and high that I
have sex with thieves.
(leaning in)
The guy even stole my Swiffer. Hope
he uses it more than I did.
Dara shakes her head. That’s crazy.
CASEY (CONT’D)
Let’s get sober together!
Casey puts her hand over Dara’s and eagerly looks at her big
sister. Dara isn’t too happy about this. But whatever.
DARA
I guess since I have to go to the
meetings you can come with me
sometime? Or something. Whatever.
Casey squeals with excitement. Dara pulls her hand away and
politely smiles. She’s only doing this to appease her sister.
END OF ACT ONE
13.
ACT TWO
EXT. JILL’S HOUSE - MORNING
Dara smokes a cigarette. The woman from yesterday passes with
her kids. She gives Dara the stink eye. So Dara gives her the
finger. The woman hurries by. Jill exits dressed for work.
JILL
You constantly smoking on my front
step makes it seem like I’m running
a halfway house here.
DARA
Want me to put a sign on the lawn:
Jill Fishman’s Halfway Home for
Pitiful and Unprofessional Women?
Funny.
JILL
DARA
I must get it from you.
They fake smile. Jill gets into her car and drives off. Casey
exits the house. When she sees the smoke, she makes a face.
CASEY
Ugh, gross, Dara!
DARA
You snort a dangerous powder up
your nose and fuck total strangers
yet cigarettes are gross?
Casey ignores her and sits down next to her sister.
DARA (CONT’D)
Shouldn’t you be at your job?
CASEY
My temping gig just ended. And like
thank god. I was at the place for
five months and I still have no
idea what they did. Sales?
Printing? Ads? Who knows! Great
breakfast spread though.
(then)
So what do you do all day?
DARA
This. I’m not allowed to drive.
Casey smiles.
14.
INT. THE EXTRA CAR - DAY
Casey drives fast in a Civic. A scared Dara sits shotgun.
CASEY
I was singing with this band for a
few months. The Dirty Genes. It was
good to get back to doing what I
moved to the city to do, ya know?
DARA
Hey, you wanna slow down a little?
You’re going 60 in a 35.
CASEY
It’s the suburbs. They totally
don’t enforce that.
Dara latches onto the grab handle.
CASEY (CONT’D)
So then the band thing ended when I
inadvertently had sex with the bass
player after sort of dating the
drummer. It got messy. Men, right?!
(then)
What about you? Now that you’re not
teaching are you doing any writing?
DARA
Not really.
CASEY
But you’re so talented.
DARA
No one thinks that besides you.
CASEY
But you won those awards and-DARA
That was a long time ago.
CASEY
Oh. Okay. What about Pete? Do you
ever talk to him?
DARA
(uncomfortable)
When we ended things, we like ended
things.
Casey picks up on Dara’s uneasiness.
15.
CASEY
That’s probably for the best. I
actually saw a picture of him and
his boring ass girlfriend on
Facebook. She’s so basic that I bet
whenever they go out he loses her
in the crowd.
(pretending to search)
Is that my girlfriend? Wait, is
that her? Ah, I can’t tell because
her face is just so generic!
Dara can’t help but crack a smile. She’s appreciative.
DARA
Wait, Casey. There’s Target.
With that, Casey swerves across three lanes of traffic. Dara
has to catch her breath.
INT. TARGET - DAY
Dara and Casey enter the super store.
DARA
Remember our number one rule when
out in public in Stony Hill?
CASEY
Identify and avoid.
DARA
You spot someone you know and then
you do everything you can to avoid
them. Meet you at check out in 15?
30?
CASEY
Dara shakes her head. Casey groans, fine. The girls disperse.
INT. TARGET - TOILETRY SECTION - MOMENTS LATER
Carrying a red basket, Dara hesitantly steps in front of an
aisle. It’s empty. Phew. She quickly throws tampons into her
basket. Efficient.
INT. TARGET - SHOE SECTION - CONTINUOUS
Casey obliviously tries on shoes.
VOICE (O.S.)
Casey Fishman?!
16.
Casey looks up and sees LAUREN, a fellow party girl, in a
business casual suit. Busted.
CASEY
Lauren. Hiiii!
INT. TARGET - CHECK OUT - MOMENTS LATER
Dara holds her basket. She looks around. No Casey. Ugh.
INT. TARGET - SHOE SECTION - CONTINUOUS
Casey and Lauren catch up on the small stools.
LAUREN
My ass looks Shamu-esque in these
business caj suits but at least I
get an hour off for lunch every
day. Usually I come to Target. Or
get a mani/pedi. Sometimes I tan.
CASEY
Does Ali still work at Beach Body?!
Dara appears at the end of the aisle. She menacingly looks at
her sister. Casey shoots up. Lauren sees Dara.
LAUREN
Oh my god, Dara’s here too? Hey,
Dara! Still teaching in Boston?
DARA
No. I realized I hate kids and
people who don’t pronounce their
Rs.
Dara clears her throat. Ahem, Casey. Casey gets it.
CASEY
Sorry, Lauren. We gotta get going.
But great running into you!
LAUREN
Boo! I wanted you to help me pick
out a non-fug flat. But look, I’m
going to the Clubhouse at eight
with some friends tonight if you
wanna join. You can come too, Dara.
Nope.
DARA
LAUREN
Perf. See you then.
CASEY
That sounds fun.
17.
Casey waves and hurries towards Dara. As they go off-DARA
Identify and avoid. What don’t you
get about that?
CASEY
I got distracted by espadrilles!
EXT. STONY HILL HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Dara and Casey sit on the hood of the car drinking Dunkin’
Donuts’ iced coffees.
DARA
Lauren D’Arminio’s a cunt. And what
is she doing working in billing?
Didn’t you both fail freshman math?
CASEY
At least she has a job, right?
Dara rolls her eyes. TWO TEENAGED BFFS, tall and short, pass.
The sisters sit up, prepared to judge.
DARA
Any day now the tall girl’s gonna
grow into her lankiness and get too
cool for the little one.
CASEY
Shorty, you’s about to get ditched!
DARA
Kinda reminds me of how you ditched
Stacy Murphy for Lauren and her proana posse.
CASEY
They weren’t anorexic, they just
had very small appetites. Besides,
I couldn’t go through my whole life
being a part of Casey and Stacy!
DARA
All you cared about was being
skinny, pretty, and popular.
CASEY
And I was good at being all three.
DARA
You’re still skinny and pretty. And
you’re still popular with guys?
18.
CASEY
True. I do have a lot of sex. But
anyone can have a lot of sex.
DARA
I don’t have any sex.
CASEY
That’s because you don’t try. All
you gotta do is send a text.
DARA
You just send “wanna fuck” texts?
CASEY
Not quite. I sorta have this move.
(very proud)
So, I text a guy, “Hey, wanna
bang?” And then I count to fifteen
and text again, “OMG, I meant to
say, hey, wanna hang lol oops!”
DARA
And that works?!
CASEY
Always. You put the bang idea in
their heads and they’re up for it.
Literally.
Dara shakes her head at her ridiculous sister. Casey sighs.
CASEY (CONT’D)
But it’s become a problem. I like
need to have it. Sex, I mean.
(then)
Ha! Us and our addictive
personalities. Guess it really is
genetic.
DARA
I’ve told you. I’m-CASEY
Not an alcoholic. Yeah, you say
that yet you’ve stopped watching
Kathie Lee and Hoda because their
daily drinking makes you jealous.
(pauses)
Why do you think we are the way we
are, Dara?
Dara desperately wants to change the subject. A NERD passes.
19.
DARA
Okay, look at that dork. Today’s
nerd is tomorrow’s white privileged
man in the workforce. I bet he’ll-But Casey ignores her.
CASEY
Neither of us have careers. No
significant others. No apartments
of our own. Everything I own fit in
Frank’s pick up. And it wasn’t even
totally full.
Dara lowers her head, a bit ashamed.
DARA
I blame mom. She totally shut down
after the divorce. We needed
comfort. And she gave us nothing.
CASEY
Well, dad’s partly to blame for
that. The way he just left-DARA
When was the last time she told you
she loved you?
Casey thinks about it. She has no answer.
CASEY
But dad moved to Jersey. We saw him
twice a month for three hours. He
was busy with Ilene. And Sophie.
Dara doesn’t like hearing those names.
CASEY (CONT’D)
Do you follow Sophie on Instagram?
DARA
What? No. Do you?
CASEY
Yeah. I mean, she is our sister
after all. Her pictures are so
stupid. Neither funny or artistic.
And the bitch never likes my photos
so I never like hers back. Hag. You
know, she kinda looks just like
grandma Sylvia. It’s creepy.
The girls are silent for a moment until--
20.
CASEY (CONT’D)
Why’d you stop calling me? I know
you’re going through stuff but you
just like stopped talking to me.
Dara gets off the car. Doesn’t want to get into this.
CASEY (CONT’D)
I want to be there for you, Dara.
DARA
I need a cigarette so I’m gonna go
find a place where there aren’t
blatant “no smoking zone” signs.
Dara walks away. Off Casey, missing her sister.
INT. JILL’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Dara and Casey watch House Hunters.
House #1!
CASEY
House #3!
DARA
Jill passes through, dressed up.
CASEY
Hot date, mom?
JILL
Actually, yes.
Casey sits up, alarmed. She was joking. Dara’s surprised.
JILL (CONT’D)
Suppose I can’t keep it a secret
anymore. I have a boyfriend. His
name’s Marvin and we’ve been dating
for a year. See you two later. Oh,
and just so you know, House Hunters
is fake. The home they pick is the
one with no furniture in it.
With that, Jill leaves. Casey is scandalized.
CASEY
Mom has a boyfriend?
DARA
House Hunters is fake?
CASEY
Dara! Oh my god. Mom has sex with a
guy named Marvin.
21.
DARA
He’s definitely a giant loser.
Casey turns the TV off and jumps up.
Okay, we
mom goes
probably
Come on.
CASEY
cannot stay in while our
out on a date. And then
goes and bangs a rando.
We’re going out.
Dara shakes her head while Casey just nods.
INT. CLUBHOUSE BAR - NIGHT
A typical suburban dive bar. Darts, jukebox, cheap drinks.
Dara and Casey enter. An already drunk Lauren runs over.
LAUREN
Fuck yes! You guys came! I’m off
tomorrow so I am getting shit-tay!
DARA
But who will do the billing?
Casey nudges her sister.
LAUREN
Gary, duh! Go grab drinks, sluts!
CASEY
She can’t drink.
Dara nudges her sister. Casey nods to Dara’s ankle.
CASEY (CONT’D)
SCRAM bracelet.
LAUREN
Badass, Dara! And to think you used
to be such a kiss ass.
DARA
And to think you’re still such a-CASEY
We’ll be at the bar!
Casey grabs Dara and leads her to the bar.
DARA
Lauren D’Arminio does not need to
know about my shit.
22.
CASEY
Who cares what Lauren D’Arminio
thinks about anything?
Casey motions for the BARTENDER’s attention. He appears.
CASEY (CONT’D)
A diet coke, please.
DARA
Two shots of tequila.
The bartender nods and goes off.
CASEY
Dara! We’re not drinking!
DARA
I just need to smell it.
Casey’s all, okay fine. The bartender brings them the drinks.
Dara smells her tequila. It smells so fucking good. She
pushes the other shot to her sister.
DARA (CONT’D)
Legally, you can. What’s one shot?
Casey eyes the shot. She reluctantly grabs it. Dara
devilishly smiles.
LATER
A drunk Casey hangs out with Lauren’s FRIENDS. Dara stands to
the side with her shot. As she smells it, she looks at Pete’s
Instagram. There’s a new selfie of him and his girlfriend at
a concert. Dara gets sad. Lauren comes over with BRIE.
LAUREN
Dara. This is Brie. Her cousin had
the ankle bracelet too.
BRIE
I know a trick.
INT. CLUBHOUSE BAR - BATHROOM - SECONDS LATER
Dara and Brie enter. Dara holds a plate with a sandwich.
BRIE
We’re so lucky they serve club
sandwiches here.
Brie grabs a piece of ham from the sandwich as Dara hikes up
her jean leg.
23.
DARA
You sure this is gonna work?
BRIE
My cousin drank constantly and
never got in trouble.
Brie sticks the ham in between the SCRAM and Dara’s ankle.
BRIE (CONT’D)
The ham acts like human skin.
They’ll never know it isn’t your
actual ankle touching the bracelet.
Dara looks at the ham touching her ankle. Nasty. Brie hands
Dara her Jack and Coke.
BRIE (CONT’D)
Drink up, bitch.
Dara puts the straw to her lips. She hesitates a moment. But
then takes a big sip. Mmm. Reunited.
INT. CLUBHOUSE BAR - LATER
Dara is already almost finished drinking a large vodka
cranberry at the bar. She’s finally happy. Casey approaches.
CASEY
Dara! You’re drinking?!
Dara proudly raises her jean to reveal the ham. Casey covers
her mouth in disgust.
DARA
Whatever works, right?
(off Casey’s look)
Okay, you can stop with the
judgemental grimaces. Thanks.
CASEY
I was just... It’s probably not the
smartest-DARA
Like you’re one to talk about
what’s smart. Tell me again about
how you boned a robber who stole
your Roku.
CASEY
You don’t need to be mean...
24.
DARA
Hey, aren’t you supposed to be
“sober” too?
Dara eyes Casey’s vodka soda.
DARA (CONT’D)
Thought so. Cheers, sis.
Dara clinks her drink with Casey’s and walks away. Casey
can’t help but be worried about her sister.
LATER
Dara happily sits at the bar still drinking. Casey, Lauren,
and friends dance by the jukebox. The bartender, ALEX, (30)
cute and affable, approaches with another drink. Dara throws
away the straw and puts the glass right to her lips.
DARA
Straws are for pussies.
Alex smiles. He nods over to Lauren and her friends.
ALEX
You friends with Lauren D’Arminio?
DARA
That is the rudest thing anyone has
ever said to me and one time
someone told me I looked like Kathy
Najimy. Lauren’s not a friend. We
just went to high school together.
ALEX
So a Stony Hill graduate. I’m a
teacher there.
DARA
Guess they don’t pay well.
ALEX
Yeah. Luckily, Wednesdays are so
empty here I get to grade papers.
Alex nods over to a stack of papers behind the bar.
DARA
I used to teach. US history. I
fucking hated it. The kids were so
awful they make me wish for the
apocalypse in the next few years so
they never become future world
leaders.
25.
ALEX
I think that sometimes too.
Dara chugs her drink. With her mouth full-DARA
Please tell me you’re not a science
teacher.
ALEX
God no. Spanish.
DARA
Good. Those guys are creeps. I saw
the biology teacher at my old
school jerk off in his Kia. Twice.
ALEX
Whenever a science teacher comes
into the lounge it’s suddenly time
to step outside to get fresh air.
The two smile at one another.
ALEX (CONT’D)
So what are you up to? Now that
you’re not teaching and all.
DARA
Um. Just figuring some stuff out.
Dara’s unsure if she should open up or not. But she’s drunk.
DARA (CONT’D)
I wrote a book. A historical bio. I
wanted to be a historian. Like
Doris Kearns Goodwin.
ALEX
Still haven’t finished Team of
Rivals. Who’s your book about?
DARA
Rutherford B. Hayes.
ALEX
Sounds sorta familiar?
DARA
Yeah, exactly. No one wants to read
about someone who sounds sorta
familiar. The book didn’t sell. He
was a president, by the way.
26.
ALEX
Surely there are other people-DARA
I spent like six years on it. I
can’t do that all again.
Dara gets sad and downs her drink. Alex pours them shots.
ALEX
On the house.
They cheers and down them.
LATER
A very drunk Dara waits outside the bathroom. She holds her
phone and looks at Pete’s name in the address book. Dara
stops herself. She bangs on the locked bathroom door.
DARA
Open the fuck up. You’ve been in
there forever!
There’s no answer. Dara looks at Pete’s name in her phone
again. Finally, she presses his name. It rings. And rings.
PETE’S VOICEMAIL
Hi, it’s Pete. Leave a message.
BEEP. Dara hesitates.
DARA
I miss you, Pete.
(crying)
Why did you leave? Why don’t you
love me anymore?
Dara wipes her tears. Now she gets mad.
DARA (CONT’D)
And why do you now love that busted
girl? CDubs2. I don’t know her real
name since her Instagram’s private
but it’s probably dumb. Like you.
The bathroom door opens. CASEY stands there with a DUDE. She
wipes her nose. Dara doesn’t notice her sister.
DARA (CONT’D)
I hope you and CDubs2 fall off one
of those mountains you two are
always hiking.
(MORE)
27.
DARA (CONT’D)
Or you choke on some of the craft
beer you’re always tasting. I hate
you! I hate you so fucking much!
Dara throws her phone to the ground. It SHATTERS. She looks
up to see a shocked Casey and Dude staring.
DUDE
Damn, girl. You’re at a ten. You
need to lower it to a-Dara eyes him. Not in the mood. Dude gets it and walks off.
CASEY
Dara, are you okay?
DARA
Did you just fuck that guy?
CASEY
Not for lack of trying! But he had
coke dick. So that thing was like
down for the count and-DARA
(please stop talking)
I wanna go home.
CASEY
Well I can’t drive.
The sisters look at one another. Fuck.
EXT. CLUBHOUSE BAR - A LITTLE LATER
Dara and Casey wait outside. Jill’s car pulls up. She’s in
her PJ’s and is PISSSSSED.
CASEY
Probably can’t ask her to take us
to White Castle, huh?
I/E. JILL’S CAR - CONTINUOUS
The girls get in the car. Jill gags and holds her nose.
JILL
Ewww, it reeks of ham!
Jill grabs her J by Jennifer Aniston perfume and angrily
sprays. Dara and Casey start giggling like crazy.
END OF ACT TWO
28.
ACT THREE
INT. JILL’S HOUSE - HALLWAY - MORNING
Dara and a hungover Casey exit their rooms at the same time.
CASEY
I want to die. How’re you feeling?
DARA
Finally normal.
CASEY
We really shouldn’t have done what
we did last night. It was-But Casey’s interrupted when the bathroom door opens. MARVIN
(50’s), a very good looking black man, stands there. He’s in
pajama pants and a tee. Dara and Casey are confused.
MARVIN
Oh, sorry. Hi. I didn’t realize
anyone was out here. I’m Marvin.
Please don’t tell your mom we’re
meeting like this. She’d kill me.
Just pretend you never saw me.
The girls nod as Marvin scurries off to Jill’s bedroom. Dara
and Casey look at one another. That’s Marvin???
EXT. BAR - DAY
Dara and Casey get out of a cab. They begin to walk over to
the extra car which was parked in the lot overnight. Casey
stops and pukes into a bush.
DARA
(small)
Amateur.
Casey stands straight and wipes her mouth. The girls get in.
I/E. THE EXTRA CAR - CONTINUOUS
Casey starts the car. Dara puts on her seatbelt. They drive.
DARA
Will you take me to the AT&T store?
I need to... Well, you know.
Casey nods. She looks over at her sister who stares outside.
There’s something on Casey’s mind.
29.
CASEY
So. Maybe after AT&T, we could, I
don’t know, check out an AA
meeting? And like actually stay.
I’ll treat you to Chili’s after.
DARA
What’s the point of Chili’s if you
can’t get two for ones?
CASEY
Dara, please.
Casey drives fast again. Dara holds onto the grab handle,
annoyed by her sister’s driving and her words.
CASEY (CONT’D)
Look. Last night, seeing you drunk
and screaming all those crazy
things at Pete’s voicemail was...
It was scary.
(on the verge of tears)
What’s happened? We used to be so
close. But now it’s like I don’t
even know you anymore.
DARA
Oh, grow up, Casey.
CASEY
It’s sad. You’re miserable. You
have no life.
Dara closes her eyes, angry. Casey continues to drive fast.
CASEY (CONT’D)
You need help.
DARA
What I need is for you to slow the
hell down!
But Casey doesn’t.
CASEY
And I get it. I know I’m far from
perfect but I also know that life
doesn’t have to be this way. We can
still do something with our lives.
DARA
Then go do something. Go fuck guys
from Tinder. Go sing in a band.
(MORE)
30.
DARA (CONT'D)
Or just go stand around being
pretty like you’ve done your whole
life. But as for me? I don’t wanna
do anything!
CASEY
I don’t get it. You used to have so
much ambition. It made me sick!
Being Dara Fishman’s younger sister
wasn’t easy. In fact, it sucked! I
only wish I was half as smart and
talented as you are. But I’m not.
I’m just-DARA
A gorgeous girl who’s coasted her
way through life. So don’t act like
you’re some sad sack victim.
CASEY
I.... I only want to-DARA
Just leave me alone!
Dara screams. All of a sudden, there are COP SIRENS.
Shit.
CASEY
Casey looks in the rearview mirror. A cop car is behind them.
Casey pulls over. When she’s stopped, Dara gets out.
CASEY (CONT’D)
Where are you going?
Dara doesn’t answer. The COP exits his car.
DARA
Give her a very expensive ticket.
Dara walks off. The cop is confused.
EXT. JILL’S HOUSE - LATER
A tired and sweaty Dara walks up to the house. An Oldsmobile
is parked in the driveway. She raises an eyebrow.
INT. JILL’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - SECONDS LATER
Dara enters to find Jill and KEN, her probation officer.
DARA
Ken. Hi. What are you doing here?
31.
KEN
I think you know, Dara. Your SCRAM
bracelet detected massive amounts
of alcohol early this morning.
DARA
Oh. I think it’s because I just
switched lotions. The new one must
have some weird ingredient in it.
Ken shakes his head. He puts his hands on his hips, stern.
Dara bites her lip.
KEN
I can arrest you, you know.
JILL
That might be a good idea.
Dara’s mouth drops. She turns to her mom.
DARA
Are you fucking kidding me?
JILL
I just want what’s best for you.
DARA
Yeah right. You hate me.
Jill lets out a tired sigh.
JILL
Dara. I do not hate you. I don’t
know where you get that from.
DARA
Um. Hmm. Let me think.
(to Ken)
She never tells me she loves me.
Ken is awkward. This is way above his pay grade.
JILL
Of course I love you, Dara. I’m
just disappointed in you.
Dara holds back tears. She really doesn’t want to hear it.
JILL (CONT’D)
You had so much going for you. Your
book. Teaching. Pete. But then you
just quit it all to drink and be
unhappy.
32.
Dara begins to break down.
DARA
I didn’t quit. I failed! Why can’t
anyone see that? I tried. I tried
really hard and it didn’t work out.
Nothing worked out. So what’s the
point of anything anymore?
JILL
Because that’s what being an adult
is about. Getting back on the
horse.
Dara wipes her tears.
DARA
Like you’re some expert. Dad left
and you fucking crumbled. You could
barely get out of bed for years!
This stings Jill. Ken goes to leave.
KEN
I can just come back at another-JILL
You’re right. And I don’t want my
mistakes to trickle down to my
daughters.
DARA
Well, sorry to break it to you but
they already have. Maybe none of
this would’ve happened if you just
let me live with dad when I wanted
to after the divorce.
Jill laughs.
JILL
Oh, your dad. Why you put him on a
pedestal is beyond me.
DARA
At least he supports me.
JILL
Financially. He supports you
financially. But other than that,
is he really so present in you and
Casey’s lives?
Dara steams.
33.
DARA
I just wish I could live with him.
JILL
Then go live with him.
Fine.
DARA
Dara takes out her cell phone. She calls her dad. It rings.
KEN
Okay, Dara, I will-Dara’s dad picks up.
DARA
Dad. Hi. It’s Dara... Yes, I’m
doing okay. I mean I’ve been better
but... So as you know, your exwife/my mother can be pretty
unbearable. And I was wondering if
I could come stay like with you for
a little bit.
Dara waits. Her face starts to fall.
DARA (CONT’D)
I mean not that long but...
Dara’s face goes white.
DARA (CONT’D)
Yep. I understand... Love you too.
Bye.
Dara hangs up. Jill wants to gloat but she truly feels bad.
DARA (CONT’D)
Ilene’s been having bad migraines
recently. And they’re remodeling
the downstairs bathroom. So.
Dara holds back tears. It’s awkward. Ken steps forward.
KEN
Listen, Dara. I’m not going to
arrest you but I will have to put
this in your file. And you need to
keep going to Dr. Randall. As well
as to AA meetings. Got that?
(off Dara’s nod)
I’ll check up on you next week.
Call me if you need anything.
34.
Ken hurries off, thankful to get the fuck out of there. Jill
puts a sympathetic hand on Dara’s shoulder. Dara quickly
pushes it off. Jill walks away. Off Dara, fuck her life.
EXT. JILL’S HOUSE - A LITTLE LATER
Dara exits with an unlit cigarette dangling from her mouth.
Just then the woman and her kids walk by again. The woman
groans - thought she was in the clear. Dara puts a
surrendered hand up. She doesn’t want any trouble. The
toddler daughter, out of the stroller, holds the hand of the
three year old. Dara stares at the sisters. The older one is
maternal to her younger sister. Dara grunts. Jesus!
INT. AMERICAN LEGION HALL - LATER
Casey sits in a circle in the basement of an American Legion
Hall. She stress binges a donut. PEOPLE file in. NEIL, the
leader, stands in the middle of the circle.
NEIL
If everyone can please take a seat,
we’re gonna begin now.
People sit down next to Casey. She smiles at them.
NEIL (CONT’D)
It’s nice to see some new faces.
Casey
Casey
still
takes
proudly bows her head. She’s a new face. Just then,
spots DARA at the door. Casey’s face lights up. Dara’s
sullen but she slowly makes her way to the circle. She
a seat opposite her sister and next to a BIG BIKER.
Dara and Casey share a serious look. Then Casey mouths and
nods to the biker: “Is that your sexxxy boyfriend?” She
purrs. Dara lets out a small smile. Casey’s happy Dara’s
there. Dara’s nervous about what this all means. Both are
anxious about the future.
END OF PILOT