The Backstory
Like a lot of restaurant people, it took me a while to start watching The Bear. Mostly, the feelings of stress, brought up by all that yelling in a kitchen, I just wasn’t ready for. I lived it. For many years.
But after a few years removed from restaurant work (and my wife working a stunt job out of town for a month), I picked it back up and devoured the whole thing. It deserves all the Emmys. And more. It’s an excellent show.
The episode where Richie discovers the beauty of hospitality was especially poignant for me, as I went through a similar evolution (except it took years, not a week in a fancy restaurant). I was a crying mess watching that one.
I now work in the wine industry. Wine was always a passion, but I got serious about it a few years ago, after making my second feature film. As the pandemic was making its awkward landing, I became a Wine Manager in the best retail wine shop in northern New Jersey.
One of the many podcasts I consume regularly is from VinePair, the leading “drinks industry” website. They did a whole episode about how wine is seemingly ignored in “The Bear” and how the wine industry is reacting. They said it would be difficult to make an episode about wine, as it doesn't translate well to TV. I took that as a challenge that I feel uniquely qualified for.
I worked in restaurants in NYC for over 15 years. I now work in the wine industry. I’ve written dozens of plays, screenplays, TV pilots, and made two feature films that have traveled the world and won many awards. But I’m not trying to sell anyone on why I should have written a spec script for The Bear about wine.
No one should ever write a spec script. No one asked for it, no one wants it, the TV industry doesn't even ask for them anymore. But I did anyway because I was inspired. So if you wanna read it, here it is:
INT. PODCAST STUDIO - DAY
Two podcast hosts, MICHAEL and KEVIN, are sitting comfortably, speaking into professional mics. A sign behind them reads “Chicago’s Very Own Eats.”
KEVIN: We’ve all heard about it, in the “wine world,” The Bear doesn’t have much of a wine focus.
MICHAEL: If they’re going for a star, and clearly they are, do they even need a solid wine program? I mean, are those days over? Is it all about the craft cocktails now?
KEVIN: Wine will never be over, just maybe out-of-fashion. Wine is like theatre, it’s been around since we started walking upright and will never die.
MICHAEL: Have you seen the wine list? At The Bear?
KEVIN: Eh, it’s fine. It’s good. It’s, you know what it is, it’s basic.
MICHAEL: A basic bitch wine list.
KEVIN: Basic bitch wine list. Like, no personal flair. And if The Bear wants a star...
MICHAEL: The Bear’s gotta have the flair.
KEVIN: The Bear’s gotta have the flair.
INT. THE BEAR/BAR - DAY
Richie is talking with Gary, trying to understand what Gary is teaching him. Fak is trying even harder.
RICHIE: Tell me about this one, I’ll sell it tonight, I swear to God.
GARY: What you’re gonna get on that is tertiary notes.
FAK: What’s that mean – tershery, tersher -
GARY: Tertiary. It’s the third thing that makes a wine taste a certain way. Age.
RICHIE: What does it taste like?
GARY: Wisdom.
RICHIE: Fuck you, wisdom. After service, we’re gonna drink an old wine and you’re gonna explain to me this tertiary.
GARY: Primary is the grapes, the vineyard, the terroir. Secondary is what the winemaker does in the cellar. Tertiary...
RICHIE: The third thing.
GARY: The evolution of the wine, how it’s aging. Where? What kind of vessel. That’s what you taste.
RICHIE:Wisdom.
GARY: That’s right, bro.
RICHIE: I love that, Sweeps, keep it up.
FAK: You think that’s gonna happen to me?
GARY: What?
FAK: You know, from aging. In this vessel. Wisdom.
GARY: I think it’s already happening, Fak.
FAK: Fuck yeah!
RICHIE: Go polish silver.
On his way to polish silver...
FAK: You hear that? My man’s poetic about wine. We got the best somm in the city!
Gary acknowledges the absurdity of that, looks at the bottle as he puts it away.
EXT. CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE - EVENING
1990s. Close-up on another bottle. A 40oz of St. Ives malt liquor. GARY’S DAD is drinking it.
GARY’S DAD: You see this, Lil’ G?
Teenage Gary (about 14) is sitting on the stoop next to his dad. He has his baseball uniform on still, post-game.
TEENAGE GARY: Yeah.
GARY’S DAD: This the fucking reason. This is what’s to blame. I mean, shit, I’m to blame. Let’s keep it real, I’m to blame. But this is, you know. And I try, I try to get there, man...
TEENAGE GARY: I know, Dad. I said it’s cool.
GARY’S DAD: I had the intention of being there today. I got distracted, then I got...
TEENAGE GARY: I know, Dad.
GARY’S DAD: But on the real though, you don’t need me out there, Lil’ G. You do better when I’m not there. I’m-a tell you why. Cause I show up, you see me, you get worried, your Moms gets worried...is he gonna be cool? I know how it is, I know. So how’d you do today?
TEENAGE GARY: (Smiles.) I won the game. I mean, the team won the game, but...
GARY’S DAD: For real? You strike everybody out?
TEENAGE GARY: Not everybody.
GARY’S DAD: Most of ‘em?
TEENAGE GARY: Most of ‘em, yeah.
GARY’S DAD: I’m telling you, son, you gonna be big, man. You not gonna have to worry about none of this. I’m not trying to tell you not to study and get good grades and all that. Your Moms would kill me. But I’m saying though, you gonna make it. So you know, don’t worry so much about grades. I ain’t say that though.
TEENAGE GARY: Thanks, Dad. I like school. I don’t mind studying and shit.
GARY’S DAD: Word. You know what though? You’re gonna be in the big leagues. I know it! My son in the big leagues!
Teenage Gary likes his dad’s excitement, but is a bit conflicted as well.
INT. THE BEAR/FLOOR - EVENING
Dinner rush is in full swing. The Bear is full and hectic. A table of four Rich Mother Fuckers, two couples, is staring straight up at Gary.
Gary has a bottle of wine in his hands, with his wine key. Another Server puts an ice bucket down on a stand next to him and walks off.
GARY: Okay, we have the Alzinger...Federspiel, Gruner Veltliner, 2022.
Gary is pretty pleased he got all that right, feeling confident. The Rich Mother Fuckers are still staring straight ahead at him, focused.
RICH GUY 1: Have you tasted this wine before?
GARY: Of course. I think it’s elegant and beautiful.
RICH GUY 2: Just like you ladies.
They chuckle and continue to stare as Gary starts to struggle with opening the bottle.
RICH GUY 1: Have you been to this winery? In the Wachau?
GARY: Oh, nah, not yet.
RICH GUY 1: We’ve been there. Remember, honey? Leo Alzinger, he showed us around the vineyard?
RICH LADY 1: I don’t know how he remembers all the different vineyards and wineries.
RICH GUY 1: It’s not easy, right Gary?
GARY: That’s right.
Gary is still struggling with the cork.
RICH GUY 1: Next time you’re in Austria, you must go.
GARY: No doubt.
RICH GUY 2: Are there any...amazing vineyards you’ve visited recently?
Gary pauses, holds the bottle by his side.
GARY: Well, I don’t want to bore you with stories of walking around looking at grape vines, so I’ll tell you one of the most interesting vineyards I’ve ever visited.
RICH LADY 2: Oooh, yeah.
RICH GUY 1: That’s what we’re here for.
GARY: I played minor league baseball.
RICH GUY 2: Dude, that’s what’s up.
GARY: We traveled a lot. One week we were in California and there was a vineyard right behind the ball field.
RICH GUY 1: Oh wow.
RICH LADY 1: That’s so California.
RICH LADY 2: Isn’t it?
Gary brings the bottle back up and tries to force the cork out.
RICH GUY 1: Home runs right into the vineyard, I bet.
GARY: Oh no sir, this was Triple A.
The table laughs, a very well-timed anecdote for Gary. He nailed it. But he can’t nail the opening of the cork. It breaks off, halfway.
GARY (CONT’D): (Under his breath.) Shit.
RICH GUY 1: Oooh, that’s not good.
RICH LADY 1: Is it dry? Is it a dry cork?
RICH GUY 2: The wine might be faulty.
RICH LADY 2: Yeah, that’s concerning. Who chose that bottle?
RICH GUY 2: (Points to Rich Guy 1) This guy!
They laugh, somewhat nervously.
GARY: Let me fix this for you, I’ll be right back.
RICH GUY 2: No worries, bro. This time you just...struck out.
They laugh, Gary laughs with them.
GARY: Good one!
He turns with the bottle and walks directly to the kitchen.
INT. THE BEAR/KITCHEN - EVENING
Gary gets to the expo table, bottle in front of him. Carmy and Sydney are working the line.
SYDNEY (O.S.): How’s my cavatelli?
TINA (O.S.): Working Chef!
CARMY: What’s going on, Sweeps? What are you doing?
GARY: I just need a place to say fuck. Can’t say it on the floor.
CARMY: No you can’t.
GARY: Fuck all these fucks, man.
CARMY: Back of house, fucks all day long. Can I show you?
Gary nods, gives Carmy his wine key. Carmy opens the bottle.
CARMY (CONT’D): First, don’t be scared of a broken cork. Do the same thing, but more carefully. Make sure you stab gently, right in the middle and twist. Do not push down, at all, just twist. Got it? Once you have it hooked, you reel it in.
Carmy pulls the cork cleanly.
GARY: Thanks, Chef.
CARMY: Get the fuck outta the kitchen.
GARY: Yes, Chef.
Gary takes the bottle back onto the floor.
INT. MINOR LEAGUE LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Early 2000s. Close-up on a bottle of Cava, being popped open by Gary.
GARY: Playoffs, baby!
TEAMMATE 1: We’re going to Oklahoma, mother fuckers!!!
Gary pops the bottle, it spills over a little bit.
TEAMMATE 2: When did you get Champagne, Sweeps?
GARY: Coach got it.
COACH steps in, older and wiser, fatherly.
COACH: It’s called “Cava.” Not Champagne. We’re still on a budget here.
TEAMMATE 2: You shoulda got the good stuff, Coach, cause this guy’s getting called up, I know it!
TEAMMATE 3: That’s right, Sweeps!
Teammate 3 has a cheap beer in hand. Gary sees that all the other players have a cheap beer in hand.
GARY: Come on, someone’s gotta drink this fucking Cah-vah.
Coach gets a phone call on his Blackberry. Gary watches him take it and talk discreetly in the corner.
TEAMMATE 3: Yo, Sweeps, have a beer. One drink. To celebrate.
GARY: I’m good, man.
Gary is focused on watching Coach on his phone call while his Teammates celebrate. Someone takes the bottle from him.
CUT TO:
INT. OUTSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Gary is talking to Coach privately in the hall, while the rest of the team celebrates. He’s giving him the worst news possible. Gary is taking it hard.
INT. HOTEL BAR - NIGHT
Gary is at the bar, eating a hamburger. There’s an untouched glass of whiskey, neat, in front of him. The BARTENDER, attractive female, older, motherly, walks to him.
BARTENDER: Was gonna ask if you wanted another one, but you haven’t touched that one.
GARY: I don’t drink.
BARTENDER: Interesting order then.
GARY: My dad drank.
BARTENDER: Want me to clear that for you?
GARY: No. I think tonight’s the night.
Gary grabs the whiskey and takes a sip. He reacts, as someone would, who has never had whiskey before.
GARY (CONT’D): Oh my God!
BARTENDER: Okay. Look, some people should not, cannot, drink. And I’m sensitive to that. But if tonight’s the night...
Bartender reaches back and pours a glass of California pinot noir.
BARTENDER (CONT’D): I’ll give you what I love. California, Central Coast, Pinot Noir. Something to soften the blow of...whatever’s going on in that head.
She switches out the drinks.
GARY: Thank you.
BARTENDER: What brings you to town?
GARY: Passing through. On my way back to Chicago.
BARTENDER: Was that really your first drink of alcohol ever?
GARY: Yeah, I’m a - I’ve been a professional athlete.
BARTENDER: But not anymore?
GARY: Ironically, it was drugs, like, uh, you know, steroid...stupid shit. I failed a test, I’m out.
BARTENDER: Then it looks like you have some adventure ahead of you.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
A bottle of wine sits on the dresser. Gary sits on the bed, drinking out of a hotel cup, in his underwear.
Bartender is nearby, getting dressed. She grabs his head gently, romantically.
BARTENDER: What do you think?
GARY: About what?
BARTENDER: This wine.
GARY: Softens the blow.
EXT. THE LOOP - EVENING
Early evening, Gary walks to “Good Funk” wine bar. He’s a little nervous.
INT. GOOD FUNK - EVENING
Gary is at the bar, looking at the list, trying to make sense of it all. The bartender, JORDAN (40s), black, puts a napkin down in front of him.
JORDAN: Whatchu looking for tonight, maybe Moscato? Lambrusco? Something sweet.
GARY: Really? You gonna stereotype me like that?
JORDAN: (Laughs.) I’m fucking with you, bro. I know who you are.
GARY: You know who I am?
JORDAN: Everybody knows who everybody is. And by the way, I love Lambrusco, so don’t talk shit about it. I’m Jordan.
GARY: Sweeps. I guess you know that already.
JORDAN: The Bear. Yo, that’s...I’m hearing good stuff. How you feeling about it?
GARY: I feel like I have a lot to learn.
JORDAN: Yeah, but this time you’re in, when it’s new and exciting, you’ll eventually want it back.
Gary looks over the wine list.
GARY: I need to try something different.
JORDAN: I gotchu. How about a dry Hungarian Furmint?
Gary isn’t sure what to say to that.
JORDAN (CONT’D): All right, come on, let’s taste some stuff.
MONTAGE of Jordan pouring bottles for Gary and them talking about the wines. Ending with them both drinking an Elio Altare Barolo.
JORDAN (CONT’D): Barolo.
GARY: King of Wines.
JORDAN: That’s right. One of the original “Barolo Boys.” Oh, speaking of, are you going to the Piedmont tasting?
GARY: When?
JORDAN: Tomorrow morning.
GARY: Shit, really? In the morning?
JORDAN: Hey, man, the life you chose.
GARY: I don’t think I was invited.
JORDAN: (Laughs.) My dude, you’re invited. Lemme break it down for you. At the table, you’re selling wine. Everywhere else, you’re being sold to. They want you to taste everything. You’re in a position of power. You’re on the mound and you’re deciding what to pitch.
Gary looks at him confused.
JORDAN (CONT’D): Everybody knows who everybody is.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Around 2010 or so. Gary is heading into a dive bar where he’s become a regular. The bar is for serious drinkers.
INT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Gary walks in and the BARTENDER knows who he is and what he wants.
A little later, Gary is seated by himself, drinking an Old Style, an empty shot glass next to it. Things aren’t going great for Gary.
An ALT GIRL, tattooed, nothing but trouble, appears next to Gary, very intentionally, staring at him.
ALT GIRL: Hi.
GARY: (Skeptical) Hello.
ALT GIRL: Wanna hang out?
Gary takes a better look at her.
GARY: Maybe.
ALT GIRL: Come meet my friends.
She gestures to a table of very random people; a BUSINESSMAN, a STREET DUDE, a WOMAN with a lot of plastic surgery.
GARY: Those are your friends?
ALT GIRL: I’m not fucking any of them, don’t worry. I mean, not at the moment.
Gary is still confused.
ALT GIRL (CONT’D): Come to the bathroom with me.
Gary is surprised by that offer.
ALT GIRL (CONT’D): Relax, dude. I’m here for a good time. You wanna have a good time?
INT. DIVE BAR BATHROOM - NIGHT
Gary is making out with Alt Girl in the dirty bathroom. She backs up and pulls out a small bag of coke.
GARY: Oh. Okay.
She starts digging her long fingernail into the bag.
INT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Later, Gary is fully immersed in this group of “friends.” They’re all talking fast, over each other, in fast motion, very pumped about what they’re talking about.
CUT TO:
INT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Another night in the near future, Gary walks into the bar and sees the group of friends, now his group of “friends.” Alt Girl gets up and leads him to the bathroom.
INT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Another night in the near future, Gary is sitting with the group, looking strung out, not healthy. Alt Girl comes out of the bathroom, with BUSINESSMAN following behind her. Gary looks hurt, but also way too messed up to deal with any real emotion.
INT. OFFICE SPACE IN THE LOOP - DAY
A pristine office space, with tables set up for a wine tasting. Bottles everywhere, people dressed very well. Wine professionals are tasting and spitting.
Gary is inching his way towards a table, but not given any space to get to it. He listens to the two SOMMS talking.
SOMM 1: Well, this vintage had more challenging conditions...
SOMM 2: Lower yields.
SOMM 1: Lower yields, but higher quality.
SOMM 2: That’s the way it goes, right?
They taste in front of Gary, then each spit into the bucket.
SOMM 1: Hm.
SOMM 2: Hm.
SOMM 1: Yeah.
SOMM 2: Right?
Gary gives up trying to get to that table. He wanders to an open spot at a different table.
ITALIAN WINEMAKER is there, smiling, ready to pour Gary his first wine.
ITALIAN WINEMAKER: Ciao.
GARY: Hey. Ciao. Can I taste?
ITALIAN WINEMAKER: Of course, of course. Langhe white wine, Arneis. Number one.
He pours Gary a small taste. Gary swirls it around his mouth a little, then looks for a spit bucket. He doesn’t see one at first, then grabs it from near the Italian Winemaker.
Gary spits into the bucket, which has quite a bit of liquid in it already, which confuses Gary.
ITALIAN WINEMAKER (CONT’D): Ah, oh, that is...no, that is...the ice, for the wine. My ice bucket.
It’s clear now what Gary did. Italian Winemaker is disturbed by this, but tries to remain professional. Gary sees a few people looking at him.
GARY: Oh. Sorry.
ITALIAN WINEMAKER: Em, okay, okay.
Italian Winemaker takes his ice bucket and looks for a place to dump it or someone to help him. As he does, Gary backs away and walks off in shame.
INT. OFFICE SPACE IN THE LOOP - DAY
A little later, Gary is at the cheese and charcuterie spread. Jordan approaches him.
JORDAN: Nothing like a cheese plate for lunch, huh?
GARY: Could be worse.
JORDAN: True, the one I was at this morning didn’t have anything.
GARY: You go to a lot of these?
JORDAN: Not as many as I used to.
GARY: I just feel out of my element, man.
JORDAN: Yeah, we all saw you spit in that guy’s ice bucket.
Jordan laughs at him. Gary cracks a smile.
GARY: I didn’t come from this world, bro.
JORDAN: None of us did. Well, some of us totally did. Like that asshole.
He refers to a pretentious looking Somm.
JORDAN (CONT’D): I grew up in a small town in North Carolina. If someone brought over Heineken we thought it was fancy.
GARY: So how do you deal with the pressure? When you got a table of rich assholes staring at you, watching you with their expensive ass bottle?
JORDAN: My first couple years, you know what I did? I had this trick, when I felt nervous at a table.
MONTAGE: As Jordan talks, flashes of the journey of a wine, from growing grapes, winemaking in the cellar, years of aging in barrels, getting delivered off a truck in the city, and being poured at a table in a restaurant.
JORDAN (CONT’D): I would think about the juice in the bottle and the journey it took to get to this moment. Years and years. Until finally, it made its way to me, pouring it for this dinner right now. The beauty of that journey and how special it was. Even if they never appreciate it. Helped take the pressure off, you know?
GARY: Yeah, that’s pretty dope.
JORDAN: How many wineries have you visited?
GARY: Just, like, a couple.
JORDAN: None?
GARY: None.
JORDAN: You should go. We deal with all this, money and mark-ups and knowing your regions, getting your certifications. Cheese plates. But for me, it was eye-opening to actually go to the source.
GARY: No doubt.
JORDAN: Did you try the Arpepe yet?
Gary shakes his head.
JORDAN (CONT’D): Come on, I’ll try them again with you, they’re straight fire.
EXT. BEHIND THE BEEF - DAY
2010s. Michael is behind The Beef, smoking a cigarette, looking around, a little nervous.
Gary, looking rough, disheveled, walks up to him, nervous as well. He stops in front of Michael.
Michael stares at him, then starts shaking his head and holds out his hand to stop him.
MICHAEL: Nah, man.
GARY: What? You think I’m a cop? Look how skinny I am, man.
MICHAEL: I do this with...finance guys, college kids. Know what I’m saying? They’re gonna be all right.
GARY: So, what - you’re not gonna sell to me?
MICHAEL: Nah. I’m not. I’ve seen you around here. The way you talk. You’re not, you’re not this, brother. I don’t know what you are, but it’s not this.
GARY: I just want a bag, man. I got friends waiting for me.
MICHAEL: No. Do you have a job?
GARY: In between right now, so what? I got money.
MICHAEL: Look, you gotta kick this. It’s gonna be very difficult. Trust me. I can see it in your eyes, bro, you wanna get back to who you were before this, right?
GARY: Yeah, well, I can’t, so...
MICHAEL: Yeah, you can. You just have to do the hard thing. Make the hardest choice. I’ll see you around.
Michael puts out his cigarette and walks back into The Beef.
GARY: Oh fuck you, man, come on. Goddammit.
INT. THE BEAR/FLOOR - DAY
Morning hours. Gary is at a table studying, a couple unopened bottles on the table, Oxford Companion to Wine splayed open.
Carmen is walking to the kitchen with some fresh produce.
GARY: Carmy.
CARMY: What’s up?
GARY: I’d like to go visit the Finger Lakes.
CARMY: Oh yeah? Cool.
GARY: I mean, like now. Next week. When we’re closed. And a day before, a day after.
CARMY: What’s in the Finger Lakes? I mean, I know, wine, but...
GARY: I’ve never even been to a winery, bro.
CARMY: I gotchu. How you gonna get there?
GARY: I got my license back.
CARMY: Oh nice.
GARY: I’ll have to rent a car, but...
CARMY: Yeah, yeah. I think it’s a great idea. We’ll check with Richie about schedule, and...
GARY: Of course, thanks Carmy.
Carmen puts the produce down to talk more in depth.
CARMY: How you feeling about all this, Sweeps?
GARY: All what?
CARMY: Being a wine guy now and whatever.
GARY: It’s weird, man, I didn’t grow up drinking, you know, never had any interest. Then I had way too much interest, but not because I liked it. But there was always these little moments that I had, with wine specifically, that were like, Okay, something different is going on here.
MONTAGE of a younger Gary:
As a busboy at some middle-of-the-road restaurant. He’s cleaning up the table of some business guys. They’ve left a good amount of a red wine, he pours a little in a coffee cup, along with another BUSBOY. The other Busboy drinks it fast, like a shot, back to clearing plates. Gary takes his and really tastes it. He’s blown away by it. He looks at the label. It’s a Lopez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva.
The office at The Beef, after hours, Michael has a bottle on the desk. It’s just him and Gary in the office. He pours them two small glasses. Michael is telling him about this wine. They toast. Gary drinks it, is blown away. It’s a Hugel & Fils Gewurztraminer Selection de Grains Nobles.
GARY (CONT’D): Sorry, I can’t really explain it.
CARMY: Gary, if we didn’t understand that, none of us would be here.
EXT. HIGHWAY - MORNING
Gary is driving a rental car from Chicago to New York, feeling the freedom of the open road.
EXT. HERMAN J. WIEMER WINERY - DAY
Gary walks into the winery tasting room. He’s greeted as an honored guest from the HOST, co-owner of the winery, who’s in a nice suit.
Later, Gary is seated, with a flight of tastes in front of him, the Host is chatting him up. Gary looks around and sees the same types of wealthy, sophisticated people that eat at The Bear.
He’s disappointed. This isn’t what he’s looking for.
HOST: You wanna go meet the winemaker?
Gary perks up.
EXT. THE VINEYARD - DAY
Gary walks past the vineyard, breathing fresh air, enjoying the view, and nature.
WINEMAKER, a pretty simple farmer type, is standing near his barn. He waves to Gary and smiles.
Another part of the vineyard, Winemaker is showing Gary around, Gary is taking it all in. It’s a beautiful day.
Another part of the vineyard, Winemaker is holding some dirt in his hand and letting it sift through his fingers, talking about the soil to Gary.
Another part, they are walking through the vines.
WINEMAKER:Yeah, exactly, it’s a living, breathing agricultural product. I hate to say it and I’ll deny I ever did, but most of the people in there, and the people in fancy restaurants, they kinda don’t get it. Wine has been here a long time and will continue to be here long after all the restaurants we know are gone.
GARY: Does it ever feel wrong to be...making alcohol with all this? Sometimes I’m in my head about that.
WINEMAKER: I know what you mean. You don’t wanna cause any harm. And technically, we’re making something here that could cause harm. But you just hope it finds people who have a healthy relationship with alcohol.
GARY: Yeah. I like that.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Back around 2010, Gary is walking slowly in front of the bar. Alt Girl is outside, smoking a cigarette, with a new SCHMUCK, flirting with him.
Gary watches Alt Girl drag Schmuck into the bar. Alt Girl sees Gary and lights up, waving him in to follow them.
Gary takes a breath. He turns, and walks away.
He walks down the street a bit, then stops.
He turns back to the bar and walks to it.
Suddenly determined, he stops. He takes another breath and turns back. He walks a little faster away from the bar.
He stops. He doesn’t turn around. He continues walking away from the bar, proud of himself. He did the hardest thing.
EXT. BEHIND THE BEEF - DAY
2010s. Michael is having a cigarette with Richie. Gary approaches, nervously.
Richie takes it as a cue and puts out his cigarette.
RICHIE: All right, I’ll see you in there.
Michael looks at Gary, ready to deny him again.
GARY: I did that hard thing. Like you said.
MICHAEL: The hardest thing.
GARY: Right, the hardest thing. I did it.
MICHAEL: Then what do you want, bro?
GARY: A job. Everybody loves The Beef. I don’t know if you need someone.
MICHAEL: What can you do?
GARY: Anything, man.
MICHAEL: Sweep?
Gary smiles.
GARY: That’s funny. That’s my nickname.
MICHAEL: Your nickname is Sweep?
GARY: Sweeps. Cause I swept teams in, uh, yeah, I can sweep, mop, whatever.
MICHAEL: Yeah, we need somebody. But if you’re ever doing coke again-
GARY: I know, man, I know. And I’m not. I’m not doing anything like that.
MICHAEL: Yeah, well, it’s not a fucking church, I’m just saying you can’t work here and do the hard stuff. I mean, we’re all just doing our best, right?
GARY: Wanna show me the broom?
INT. GARY’S DAD’S HOUSE - DAY
Present day. GARY’S DAD is now an old man. He lets Gary in the front door.
INT. GARY’S DAD’S KITCHEN - DAY
Gary is seated at the table. Gary’s Dad sets a cup of drop coffee down for him.
GARY: Thanks.
GARY’S DAD: Been a long time.
GARY: Not that long.
GARY’S DAD: Couple years.
GARY: How you doing, old man?
GARY’S DAD: Eh, you know.
GARY: Listen, before we...I gotta, um, say things.
GARY’S DAD: Say things then.
GARY: I always kept it cool, you know, my dad’s an alcoholic, whatever, it’s the hood, right? Everybody’s got problems. You didn’t come to my games, you weren’t really there for me, not really present.
GARY’S DAD: Look, I’ve made amends...
GARY: I know you have, Dad. I don’t want you to feel guilty right now, but I spent my life making sure you didn’t feel guilty. Instead, I pushed everything down. I never learned how to express myself. How to tell someone to stop, cause I just grew up scared. Scared of drinking, scared of authority figures, scared of letting everyone down. And guess what? I did. I let everyone down anyway. I didn’t become a superstar, Dad.
GARY’S DAD: That’s okay, Gary.
GARY: I know it is. But I have to say it. I didn’t do it. I failed.
GARY’S DAD: You didn’t-
GARY: I failed at so many things. So many times. I put all this pressure on myself to be a fucking major league pitcher and then I failed at it. And then I just kept failing. And nothing I did seemed to matter.
GARY’S DAD: I’m so sorry, son.
GARY: Even when things started going better, I didn’t really do anything, man, it’s all just other people succeeding around me and me just...
GARY’S DAD: I failed you, Gary, that’s who failed, not you. I failed. But I changed.
GARY: I know you did, Dad, and I’m happy-
GARY’S DAD: I failed you.
GARY: No, Dad, let me talk. This is about how I feel, not about what happened in the past. I wanted to tell you how I feel because it’s important. So that we can move on. And I want to tell you that I have something going on now. I found a healthy relationship with alcohol and it turns out that I have a real passion for...wine.
GARY’S DAD: What do you mean?
GARY: Wine. Like...
GARY’S DAD: I know what wine is.
GARY: I work in the wine industry now. I’m a, a...sommelier. The restaurant, the beef place I was working at, turned into a nice restaurant. It’s a long story, but the important part is, Dad, I’m working at something now that makes me feel kind of important. Like, smart, cool, all those things. And not just like a failure. I just want to tell you that.
GARY’S DAD: I’m proud of you.
GARY: And if you want to come see me work - of course we have non-alcoholic drinks for you – you’re invited to do that.
GARY’S DAD: I don’t think I got nice enough clothes.
GARY: We’ll go shopping.
INT. THE BEAR/FLOOR - DAY
Pre-shift meeting. Everyone is in place. Gary comes in a little late.
CARMY: How was the Finger Lakes?
GARY: Yeah, awesome, what’s...?
CARMY: We got a letter.
Carmy holds a letter in his hand.
CARMY (CONT’D): An invitation. World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
RICHIE: Apparently, we’re one of ‘em.
FAK: Number one, baby.
CARMY: Nah, that’s, you gotta climb the list, dude, you don’t just-
FAK: Right, right.
GARY: I gotta work on the wine list.
RICHIE: So what are you waiting for, Sweeps?
GARY: Nothing.
Gary walks back out.
Got Something to Say?
Say it here: