Sweetbitter (2018) s02e07 Episode Script

1 WILL: Previously on Sweetbitter No one else would ever do this for me.
Thank you.
WILL: There might be some perks to being a manager.
We could spend some time together, get to know each other again.
I really, really understand what I did wrong.
I really did not want to see you.
I can't have you in my life.
[SNIFFLES.]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
TESS: I should want Will.
I just don't feel it.
I want Jake.
[GARAGE DOOR CREAKING.]
[EXHALES.]
Yeah.
Ignore the trucks.
Two-tops here.
Couple of banquets.
The bar will run the length of the wall.
You see it, right? And who exactly is coming to a truck depot in Bushwick for a mezcal cocktail? Oh, for fuck sakes, everyone.
Dude, you've been dragging your fucking feet for months.
And I'm telling you, this is the place.
[INTERPOL'S "SLOW HANDS".]
[CROWD YELLING, CHEERING.]
Yeah but nobody searches [CHEERING.]
Nobody cares somehow When the loving that you've wasted Comes raining from a hapless cloud And I might stop and look - Upon your face - [SINGING ALONG.]
Disappear in the sweet, sweet gaze See the living that surrounds me Dissipate in a violet blaze [WOMEN CHEER.]
Can't you see what you've done to my heart And soul? - This is a wasteland now - [SINGING ALONG.]
- We spies - [CROWD SINGING ALONG.]
We slow hands Put the weights all around yourself We spies oh yeah, we slow hands You put the weights all around yourself Now I submit my incentive is romance I watched the pole dance of the stars I'm just gonna go get a drink.
What's wrong with you? This is literally the best song.
I'll come back.
I'll come back.
From the distance of passing cars [EXHALES.]
Hi, can I get a water? Thank you.
We spies yeah, we slow hands Put the weights all around yourself Hey, can I get another one? You look like you might hurt someone out there.
Let me guess.
You don't dance.
Why are you here? I want to eat with you.
- Right now? - Yeah.
- [SOFT LAUGH.]
- I want to eat with you right now.
Alone.
[SOFT LAUGH.]
Let's go.
We spies Intimate slow hands killer for hire You know not yourself We spies intimate slow hands You let the face slap around herself [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[ROUSING PERCUSSIVE MUSIC.]
[UPBEAT FUNK MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY.]
Is this a date? [SOFT SCOFF.]
You like to label things? No.
Just curious if this qualifies as a date to you.
I don't know.
I just have a thing for shitty diners.
They're dependable, quiet.
You can hear yourself think.
And you can talk.
You wanna talk? We could talk if you wanted to talk.
I, uh, looked at a space today.
- A space? - A restaurant.
Or a bar.
I don't [INHALES.]
[SOFT LAUGH.]
I don't know, a bar with food.
That's what Scott calls it.
You and Scott? He wants to get out from Howard and Maddie's thumb, make his own food.
And I you know, I have the house.
- So - On the Cape.
Well, it's Simone's house, but it's part mine too, and if we sell it, I'll have a little money.
I think it's a really good idea.
Well, we'll see.
It'll probably never happen.
Uh, don't say anything to anybody.
Or to Simone.
She doesn't know.
[DOOR HINGES SQUEAK.]
Turkey club.
Steak and eggs.
- Enjoy.
- TESS: Thank you.
Charming.
We do the same job.
I'm looking around here and I'm thinking, like, that guy? He's like Nicky.
And she's like Simone.
- And - Ouch.
[SOFT LAUGH.]
Somewhere there's a Howard.
No, this place doesn't have a Howard.
It's not pretentious enough.
[SCOFFS.]
Caring isn't pretentious, Jake.
Apathy is.
Wow.
Listen, I know you think I'm an asshole or whatever, but I'm not pretending.
Howard's full of shit.
People like him are dangerous.
You know, ever since I got here, someone has been warning me about somebody else.
I can't tell you the amount of times I've been warned about you.
People are trying to protect you.
Maybe they don't have to.
When I first got here, I was borderline terrified.
So I watched and I listened.
I just wanted to fit in.
And now? And now I know that everyone in the restaurant has something to hide.
People don't say what they mean, even you.
And I don't have to hide.
Maybe it's 'cause I'm young, but I don't know, I hope I never do.
[R&B MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY.]
You're different.
- Different from what? - Than you were before.
Don't be condescending.
I'm complimenting you.
[RADIOHEAD'S "SAIL TO THE MOON".]
TESS: I've never wanted something that doesn't make any sense.
JAKE: You have to stop thinking so much.
Jake.
Not here.
Jake.
Do you have a bed? THOM: I sail to the moon I spoke too soon And how much Did it cost? I was dropped from Moonbeams And sailed on Shooting Stars I want you to touch me.
THOM: Sail us to The moon [HEAVY BREATHING.]
THOM: Sail us to [BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[DISTANT TRAFFIC HONKING.]
[LIGHTER CLICKS.]
[GENTLE AMBIENT MUSIC.]
[LIGHTER CLICKS.]
[DISTANT SILVERWARE CLINKING.]
[DISHWARE CLANKING LIGHTLY.]
SIMONE: Ariel.
[FREEZER DOOR SHUTS.]
I am not feeling very well, and I am interested in a treat.
This is the first time you've spoken directly to me in the five years we've worked together, and you want drugs? Do you not have them? Oh, I've got lots.
I just can't figure out if I'm annoyed or impressed.
What is wrong with you? I'm having a shitty few days, and I just need something to take the edge off.
[CLICK.]
One peach treat.
You know, I'm just so tickled that you have shitty days too.
Makes me feel less shitty about the day I'm having.
That one is on the house.
I always wondered why do you work here? What? Well, you haven't cashed a paycheck in 14 months.
It's interesting.
[SOFT LAUGH.]
Yeah, I just I can't believe we're not friends.
[SOFT AMBIENT MUSIC.]
[EXHALES.]
No way.
[STIRRING PIANO MUSIC.]
Yeah, I talked to him yesterday [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Sometimes it snows so much that they they shut down Fifth Avenue.
You can walk right down the center of it.
No cars, no buses.
It's quiet.
It's awesome.
- [SOFT LAUGH.]
- [SOFT LAUGH.]
- Um - So, um [DOOR CLOSES SOFTLY.]
- We should probably talk.
- Well, I gotta do the salt, but yeah, uh, I'll catch up.
[SILVERWARE CLATTERS.]
[LOW CHATTER.]
- Hey, Nick.
- Baltimore, baby.
[SOFT LAUGH.]
Yeah, the wife and kids are out of town? Train left an hour ago for a visit to the in-laws.
I am a free man.
I'm going to Home Bar.
- [SOFT LAUGH.]
- Who's in? Howard.
One time, baby.
I'm afraid I don't have a T-shirt.
[CHUCKLES.]
HOWARD: Will.
You seem to be enjoying your new position.
It's a little more complicated than I thought, but it feels worth it.
It is complicated.
I just want everyone to be happy, you know.
The guests, the front of house, the back of house.
Yourself.
Well, right.
Yeah.
Totally.
You have to take care of yourself.
If you don't, you won't survive.
And don't conflate your own interests with the interests of the restaurant.
No one can do it for you.
[AMBIENT MUSIC.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[SMOOTH MUSIC PLAYING VERY SOFTLY.]
[LIQUID POURS.]
[SOFT AMBIENT MUSIC.]
It's only for a minute.
- Sorry? - The snow.
I know it's beautiful, but nature doesn't win here.
It turns ugly.
It always does.
Are you feeling better? Me? Oh, I'm great.
[LAUGHS.]
How was your evening? Um, yeah.
It was good.
Um, the music was great.
Good group of people.
Um, yeah, Jake showed up.
It was good.
[LAUGHS.]
Wait a second.
Come here.
- Oh, my.
- [SOFT LAUGH.]
Oh, my.
Yeah.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
That happened quickly.
It surprised me.
[SOFT LAUGH.]
Hm.
He surprised me.
He's full of surprises.
Yeah.
Simone, look, I I know that you and Jake are family, and I would never want to intrude on that.
Our relationship, it means so much.
You worry too much.
Has anyone ever told you that? - SCOTT: Lamb chops - MAN: Here's the orecchiette.
Okay, the ten-top.
Let's double-check.
Scallops BOTH: We slow hands Put the waste all around yourself "Weights.
" Not "waste.
" You don't even know the fucking words.
[MUMBLING.]
And well done ARI: And where the fuck were you? I bought you a ticket.
You didn't even show up.
- I had plans.
- With who? With myself.
I'm building a board of vision.
Collage of everything I want.
The ultimate manifestation of The Secret.
When I am an American citizen, I'm gonna live in this house with my husband.
ARI: You ditched me for an elementary school art project.
Ari, leave him alone.
No.
You too.
You disappeared to go fuck that line cook.
[SOFT GIGGLE.]
There's nothing worse than women that ditch their friends for dicks.
- Okay - Pick up, you fucking morons! I didn't fuck him, okay? He walked me to the subway.
Yeah, it's all the same.
What are you even doing with him? He's my friend, Ari.
I admire him.
[SOFT LAUGH.]
Yeah, you admire him.
- Ariella, stop this nonsense.
- No.
My friends are narcissistic, delusional assholes.
Good evening, everyone.
The salmon for you.
Here you go.
ARI: Strip steak for you.
- Enjoy your meal.
- Thank you.
[SOFTLY.]
Screw you, Ari.
Eddie has ambition.
He's got me thinking about what I want, - if I should go back to law school.
- You hated law school.
- Yeah, well - Guys.
I can't keep fucking around here forever.
- Oh, is that what we're doing? - WILL: Hey, hey.
- Shh.
- What is going on? BOTH: Nothing.
What's with all the drama tonight? Don't know.
- JAKE: Do you have - NICK: Yes.
[AMBIENT MUSIC.]
JAKE: [SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.]
[SMOOTH MUSIC PLAYING VERY SOFTLY.]
Glass of Sancerre, please.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
No, no.
In a coffee cup.
For me.
- What do you want? - Oh, you know me so well.
Yeah.
I do know you pretty fucking well.
Don't hassle me, Jake.
It's just a sip of wine.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Cheers.
What? Oh, nothing.
I don't want to talk to you about this.
Well, that's new.
What's that? What do you think it is? - Coffee? - No, it's not.
It's not coffee.
- Come on.
- No, no.
No.
Will has something that he'd like to say.
Say it, Will.
- You can't - I can't what? Are you gonna tell me that I can't drink wine on the floor during service? Because if you were, I I think you should go find another chore or errand to run.
[SOFT LAUGH.]
Or you could go off and humiliate yourself further, chasing after Tess.
Oh, I see he he doesn't know that you and Tess are fucking.
Come on, man.
Are you blind? You know what? I'm going home.
Oh, sorry.
Sorry, Will.
Why don't you cut me? It's still snowing outside.
The night is slowing down.
You can give my tables to Heather.
Come on, Will.
Come on, Will, cut me! [SLAMS HAND DOWN.]
Cut me, Will.
You're cut.
Good boy.
- Hey.
- [COUNTERTOP THUDS.]
HEATHER: Fuckin' Simone.
I still have one table finishing up.
Yeah, she was off tonight.
SASHA: Oh.
- [HEATHER SIGHS.]
- [SASHA CLEARS THROAT.]
Safe to enter? Sure.
[SASHA SNICKERS SOFTLY.]
[LOCKER DOORS OPENING.]
What do you guys need? Drugs? Clothes? Oh, cab fare? - Ari.
- I know what you need.
Come sit.
Tell me more about your boy problems.
I'll listen for fucking ever.
Damn, Ari.
What is wrong with you tonight? You.
- [SIGHS.]
- You're what's wrong with me.
All of you.
I'm a joke to you.
- That's not true.
- It is.
You're not nothing to me.
[AMBIENT MUSIC.]
You guys are everything.
That's why I'm here, why I work here.
You're more than friends.
I'd do anything for you.
But it's not the same.
You can't keep fucking around here.
[VOICE CRACKING.]
You're gonna leave me.
Yeah, you're all gonna leave me.
Hey, Ari.
No one is gonna leave you, okay? And you're right.
I hate law school.
[SIGHS.]
We all buried in this restaurant together.
Yeah.
[ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
You told her.
Who? Simone.
- She knew.
- She did not.
I don't see why it matters.
She's fine.
She's definitely not fine.
Did you see her today? Etienne messed with her.
- And this, us, whatever - Jake.
You can't do this.
You can't run away to take care of Simone.
I think you know that.
I know.
[LAUGHTER, MUSIC.]
Now, would you care to join me at a really cool spot? It's called Home Bar.
- It's the shitty diner of bars.
- [SOFT CHUCKLE.]
[UPBEAT ALTERNATIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
NICKY: Smells just like I remember.
All bars smell like this.
[ICE RATTLING.]
This yahoo is shaking my Manhattan.
Is he kidding me? He's fucking lazy.
It's gotta be stirred.
That's how the flavors from the rye come out.
Thanks, man.
Why don't you go sit with everyone else? I'm gonna grab another drink up here.
Okay, cool.
LAYLA: Tonight was my fourth shift this week.
WOMAN: Damn, four already? I worked two doubles and then tonight, so LAYLA: And the third floor was a shit-show tonight.
I'm not working it anymore.
I'm done.
Yeah, but you can't make that kind of money downstairs.
[SOFT SCOFF.]
It doesn't seem worth it to me.
- Just - I had a guy tonight cut his Where do you guys work? - Spotted Pig.
- Oh.
It's a great burger.
Place is always packed.
I hear it, uh, sucks for the servers though.
Where the fuck do you work? Oh.
It's more, uh, fine dining.
It's kind of an institution actually.
It's, uh, pink chairs Oh, I love that place.
- We go every year for my mom's birthday.
- Mm.
I applied there when I first moved to the city.
- ARI: Excuse me, sorry.
- Oh.
What are you drinking? He's the best, this guy.
- [LAUGHS.]
- Thank you, Ari.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
I'm buying shots.
I got it, I got it, I got it.
Oof.
Great, like she needs them.
- Cheers! - Jesus.
TESS: Yeah, she's kind of a mess, huh? Have you been to the brownstone where she lives? Thousands upon thousands of empty square feet.
It's haunted.
HEATHER: Her parents own it but live in London.
They basically abandoned her.
Still pay the nanny that raised her to live with her.
SCOTT: No wonder she likes all the drama.
- TESS: Kind of feel for her.
- HEATHER: Yeah, I do too.
But [SIGHS.]
I mean, when I leave, am I really still going to be friends with Ari? SCOTT: [SCOFFS.]
That's harsh.
I'm just being honest, okay? In law school, I'm not gonna be keeping Ari hours.
Look, I know we all want to be friends forever, but what do we really have in common besides this job? Look, this whole thing is temporary.
It's supposed to be.
Except for Nicky.
I mean, yeah.
It doesn't have to be temporary.
But it is just a job.
I own my house, take my kids to school every day.
It's good.
Let's buy this old man a shots.
TESS: [SOFT LAUGH.]
I I think Ari was taking care of that.
- SASHA: Oh, boy.
- I'll get the drinks.
NICKY: Wouldn't want to be her in the morning.
- HEATHER: Jesus.
- You should talk to him.
He knows.
Oh, come on, you wouldn't [INDISTINCT TALKING.]
[LAUGHTER.]
Hey.
Oh, don't bother.
I'm familiar with how you apologize, okay? I know it's not your fault and you don't know what you're doing.
- I know the whole act.
- Okay, it's not an act.
Will, I do know what I'm doing.
I jus I [SIGHS.]
I'm sorry.
I do care about you.
So much.
It's I it's confusing.
No, it's not.
It's actually really simple.
You're not who I thought you were.
Actually, you're a lot like him.
I think you guys'll be great together.
Hey, I think we have to take Ari home.
She's getting bad.
[DOOR SWINGS OPEN.]
[VOMITS.]
[COUGHS.]
SASHA: Oh, my God.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
I'll get a cab.
I don't miss this one bit.
You know what I miss? I miss my bed.
Night-night.
Uh, I should probably go help with Ari.
Cool.
You wanna have breakfast tomorrow? Sure.
[GENTLE AMBIENT MUSIC.]
WILL: So you you majored in French? Ugh, yeah, I don't use it.
Well, I tutor.
Basically I just read this textbook to this 14-year-old, and she sucks, so No, you know, we are always, uh, accepting applications at the restaurant.
Yeah, that's a slush pile.
But I could, uh, could keep an eye out for it.
I I mean, actually I'm a manager.
Are you? [KISSING.]
[HEAVY BREATHING.]
[SOFT MOANING.]
[MOANS.]
[GENTLE PIANO MUSIC.]
[DISHWARE CLANKING LIGHTLY.]
[LAUGHS.]
Yes, at like 10:30.
And I never do that.
She wanted to come.
You don't have to speak for me.
- JAKE: Really? - SIMONE: Mm-mm.
I wanted to apologize about last night.
I was, uh, not myself.
And it had nothing to do with you.
And I am sorry if I haven't always been the most supportive of this.
But it was only because I feel very protective.
I care about both of you.
Deeply.
Don't want anyone to get hurt.
- Thank you.
- [PAT.]
I looked at a space.
For a bar.
Oh, this again? He's doing it with Scott.
JAKE: With money from the house.
Great.
Well, I look forward to discussing it.
You hated that turkey club.
I did.
[SOFT LAUGH.]
Um, I'll get steak and eggs, please.
- TESS: And a coffee.
- And two beers.
Um, three beers.
JAKE: What? You're working.
I discovered that being tipsy while at work is the best.
Who knew? Everyone.
Right? Like, literally everyone.
- Seriously? - Yeah.
You've been keeping it a secret, I see.
IRA: Don't you think we've suffered enough? [SIMONE LAUGHS.]
[YO LA TENGO'S "MR.
TOUGH".]
IRA: Why don't you meet me on the dance floor When it's Toddophonic time? And if you need to tell me something once You won't have to say it twice And if you ask for a nickel I'm gonna hand you a dime And we'll forget about our problems Ignore them for a little while And leave our worries in the corner Leave them in a big big pile Pretend Everything can be all right Pretend Everything can be all right