sober living: pilot

7/30/2019 Sober Living: Pilot

1/30

SOBER LIVING

Written by

Mickey Gray

PILOT

AddressPhone Number


2/30

INT. BENNETTS APARTMENT - DAY

A hole in the wall studio apartment with a mattress in bothrooms. The kitchen area is filled with stagnant water andhigh pile of dishes. Clothes are hung from every side of theroom.

A large flat screen TV and lock box are the only items ofvalue. On the table is an opened package from the postalservice, with labels reading Refrigerate Immediately.

Sitting on his fold out futon smoking pot is REGGIE SIMONSON,20, frail and pale with bright orange hair. He watches arerun of the television show Breaking Bad

T.V.I am the danger!

Reggie takes a hit off the pipe and sets it on the table. He

opens a laptop computer.

INSERT: In bold black letters on the screen HOMEMADE GHB.

The door begins to open but is caught by the chain lock.

BENNETT (O.S.)Dude I told you-

REGGIEChill, we just got a package.

BENNETT

Aight. Well open up.

Reggie slowly rises wobbling and places his hand on the doorwall for support as he tries to open the door.

BENNETT CARTER, 19, skinny with an olive complexion andshaggy black hair forces his way past Reggie.

REGGIEWe got a package.

BENNETTYou already said that. I guessyouve dosed already.

REGGIEShits legit. Legits the shit.

BENNETTMother fucker we gotta get Shandrathe gallon untouched.


3/30

REGGIEShh- shh- shh. She never notices alittle water. Go ahead take pull.

Bennett sighs.

BENNETTYou know I hate that shit. Gimmepipes.

He takes a hit off of the pipe.

REGGIEYou need to go to the dispensarysoon.

BENNETTYou need to get your rec.

Reggie wobbles back to the couch.

REGGIESo are you going to call her.

Bennett pulls out his phone.

INT. SHANDRAS APARTMENT - DAY

Deep house music pulses as a chubby SHANDRA, 36, jerks herhead back from a rail of methamphetamine. She clears hernostrils and blinks heavily.

Her phone vibrates in her lap.

SHANDRAHey girl! Good good. Absolutely.You know you are my favorite,always punctual. Too bad you are-Oh stop, they all say that. Yourejust in it for the- I know I talkto much- Its Tina time! Ohreally! Yay! I love me some G! - Ohright! Sure 20 minutes is fine.Tonyll let you in. Byezies!

She hangs up her phone, and looks to TONY, 25, a muscular gayman with gold hot pants.

SHANDRABennetts coming with the G.

TONYGoodie goodie.

2.


4/30

EXT. SUNSET BLVD - NIGHT

The posh condo stretches to the sky. Bennett and Reggiestand shoulder to shoulder. Bennett presses a button on theplacard next to the door. After a moment the door pops open.

INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT

Through the black and white filter of a security camera whichis embedded into the ceiling of the elevator, Bennett andReggie stand. Bennett holds a messenger bag.

INT. SHANDRAS APARTMENT - NIGHT

Tony snorts a line of meth off a table that has a mirror asits entire surface.

Three rapid knocks followed by a brief pause followed by tworapid knocks followed by a brief pause followed by one knock.

Tony skips to the door, peeks into eye hole and afterunlocking several locks, lets Bennett and Reggie in.

TONYShandras busy. She said to leaveit with me.

BENNETTWhatever. Just give me the money.

TONYYoure grumpy

Reggie sways back and forth.

BENNETTIm on baby sitting duty.

REGGIEIm fine. Youre such a negativenacny.

BENNETTYou mean Nancy.

TONYThe liter is five hundred right.

BENNETTUsed to be 750.

3.


5/30

TONYThis stuff is weak.

BENNETTBut its pharmaceutical.Consistency is a premium.

TONYBitch, I like to party. So doesShandra.

BENNETTJust give me the money.

Tony hands an envelope to Bennett. They kiss cheek to cheek.Tony pinches Bennetts butt.

TONYYou should hang out more.

BENNETTIll call you in a week when get alittle more.


Bennett opens a locked box and drops the small wad of billsfrom the envelope in and locks it closed. Reggie lights acigarette.

REGGIE

How much is in there?

BENNETTWhat like 15.

REGGIESo we pay rent, woo-hoo, another

month in this shit hole.

BENNETTWell you can always go back toselling sunglasses or some shit.

REGGIEWhat about cooking it ourselves.

BENNETTYou mean the G?

4.


6/30

REGGIERight now you pay 350 or so per.Turn it around for 500. I meanits easy, but fuck that margin.

BENNETT

You a chemist?

REGGIENah bro. But the fuckin internet.

He pulls a laptop wedged into the couch out. Bennett readsthe screen.

BENNETTGamma buterolacetone. Man I amfresh out of Gamma buterolacetone.

REGGIE

All this stuff it said can beextracted from stuff like paintthinner and shit.

BENNETTFalse.

REGGIENah true.

BENNETTI know you CAN do that.

REGGIEJust look. You go here, it tellsyou what all to order. Get thatshit sent to the box instead of thepharma shit. Its fuckin 200dollars less to yield at leasttwice as much.

BENNETTFine. We try it once.

INT. MAILBOX ETC. - NIGHT

A lone Korean CLERK stands in a room filled with P.O. boxesand packages.

Bennett enters with cloudy red eyes. He saunters to thedesk.

BENNETTPick up for this box.

5.


7/30

CLERKOne second.

The clerk picks up a piece of paper left by Bennett. Hewalks to the back and returns with three packages.

BENNETTAight. Deuces.

The clerk clucks as Bennett walks out packages under his arm.


A small spot on the kitchen counter has been cleaned, thestove has several small brand new pots.

BENNETTYoud think there were more

complicated things involved inthis.

REGGIELook Ive been reading all night.I got this. Now let me see that.

Bennett picks a bong off of the table, takes a massive ripand hands it to Reggie.

BENNETTOkay so I mixed the stuff with thebuterol with hyrod-whatever. And

it says to boil then strain throughmicron filter and freeze to...

He continues to read.

REGGIEYah yah. I got it dude, dont thinktoo hard.

Reggie picks up a measuring cup filled with blue powder andslowly teaspoons it into the boiling pot. Thick clouds ofcaustic smoke spew out.

BENNETT(coughing)

Woah chill on-

REGGIEIts all good.

After a moment the smoke billows out of the window.

6.


8/30

BENNETTOkay. Help me pour this stuff overthe filter.

They lift the pot and slowly drip the boiling liquid mixtureonto a filter below which lies a pan. The cloudy mixture

becomes clearer as residue cakes the filter.

REGGIEWe almost done now, son. Just like

mixing the Buetorol with thepurified other shit.

BENNETTAight well hold on lemme go take apiss. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING.

REGGIEI got this.

Bennett walks into the bedroom.

Reggie detaches the micron filter from the pan with thecleared liquid. As he does some of the sediment spills backinto the mixture.

Reggie panics and reaches for a ladle soaking in a bucketfilled with bleach which causes the mixture to sizzle. Hesuccessfully filters off the sediment which floats on top butnot without leaving a foul odor of improperly mixedchemicals.

Bennett walks out.

BENNETTWhat the fuck is that smell?

REGGIEI farted?

BENNETTYou are disgusting.

Bennett notices the detached micron filter.

REGGIEOkay we are ready to-

BENNETTI told you not to touch anything.

REGGIEDude its all good.

7.


9/30

Bennett sighs.

BENNETTWell the rest is pretty easy. Mixthose two together, mix throughlyat room temperature, bring to a

boil, let it cool in arefridgerator over night and-

REGGIEOkay Martha, sounds like you aregiving a recipe for your seasonalflavored douches

BENNETTYou are so stupid.

REGGIEBout to be stupid rich.

They mix the liquids together.

INT. SHANDRAS APARTMENT - DAY

Tony and two other TWINKS surround Shandra. After snortingseveral bumps of meth, they turn to Shandra.

SHANDRAI want you to hit me.

TONY

Do you have any more points.

SHANDRAYah. Lemme hit the G-spot first.

TONYI think we are out.

SHANDRAWasnt Benny just here Friday?

TONYYou drink it like water. Plus wedropped 3 quarters of it to Marcus,remember?

SHANDRAOh yes. Well gimme my phone.

Tony grabs Shandras cell phone.

8.


10/30


The bubbling mixture sits atop the stove smoldering with acaustic smoke. Bennett holds a rag in front of his face, andslowly stirs. Reggie sits in front of a lap top.

REGGIEAnother three minutes and thenflash freeze.

BENNETTSomething tells me it shouldnt besmoking. Are you sure you didntfuck with it?

REGGIEIts fine. Chemistry is prettygnarly.

BENNETTBut its like green. The otherstuff-

REGGIEThe other stuff is knock offpharama shit. You know. This israw.

BENNETTYou gonna try it?

The phone rings, Reggie answers it.

REGGIEYes. Yes. Check it though, wegot some new stuff. Twice asstrong, twice as much. I knowright. I can have it ready intwenty four hours.

INT. SHANDRAS APARTMENT

Tony draws blood into the syringe lodged in to Shandras arm.

SHANDRAThats no bueno. Im hungry, mypeople are hungry. Ill paydouble, triple if you come throughtoday. You guys are the best!

Tony injects Shandra with the red and blue mixture.Shandras eyes widen.

9.


11/30


Reggie hangs up the phone.

REGGIEShe says shell double.

BENNETTThats a good chunk of change,considering we got two liters ifnot more.

REGGIEAight, the thing comes withsealable containers. She saidtoday.

BENNETTThat shit aint ready.

REGGIEAll we are doing is cooling itdown. Relax.

BENNETTLook if this shit is bunk, we arefucked.

REGGIEWe followed step by step. And

worse comes to worse we over nightsome pharma shit and we break even

on the whole thing.

BENNETTAight, well get over here.

Bennett picks up the pot and Reggie rushes over to grab theother side. They bring it over to the sink and gingerly pourit into two plastic containers.

Liquid splashes on the rubber seal, and tiny corrosivebubbles eat at it. They quickly seal the two containers.

BENNETTThat cant be good.

REGGIEDude relax. Well freeze it forlike an hour and then call thebitch.

BENNETTAight. Where is pipes?

10.


12/30

INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT

From the perspective of a security camera, Bennett and Reggienervously twitch. The bag they are holding is bursting at theseams.

INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY- NIGHT

Allen nervously raps on the door in the same rhythmic motion.The sound of several locks unhinging is followed the pulsingrhythm of pop music blaring from within as Tony swings thedoor open.

INT. SHANDRAS APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

Bennett and Reggie are ushered in. Several more TWINKS siton the couch groping each other.

TONYYou got my Gina?

REGGIEMy Georgia Home Boy got you.

TONYWhat?

REGGIEYou know like... G-H-B.

TONYOh right well I like my Tina with

my Gina.

BENNETTWhere is Shandra?

Tony gestures to the back room.

INT. SHANDRAS APARTMENT. BACK ROOM - NIGHT

Shandra sits on a plush purple sofa. On the table in frontof her is several hundred dollars and a slew of needles,pipes and baggies of crystal meth.

A JUNKIE finishes injecting Shandra.

JUNKIEThis is that Afghan shit. Itllkeep you cool.

11.


13/30

SHANDRAOh. Mmm. Yes. Yes it will.

JUNKIEI gotta run. I left the rest ofthe ounce in your drawer.

He pockets a small pile of cash which was lying on the table.Shandra lies back, purring. He unlocks a deadbolt and beginsto leave.

As he opens the door he is met by Bennetts fist in theprocess of knocking.

JUNKIEShes in here.

Bennett and Reggie pass into the room as the Junkiedisappears into the crowd-

Bennett looks at Shadra who takes a second to focus before-

SHANDRAHey- boys!

BENNETTSo look-

SHANDRAShh- Youre the hero of the day.Sit sit sit.

REGGIEThis shit is double the pleasure.Plus we got an extra liter.

He reaches into the bag. The mixture fizzes and looks likeit might eat through the plastic in which it is contained.

SHANDRAIts so- green.

BENNETTIts some new shit. Extra potent.But well give you the same rate.

REGGIEIn fact, if you take both, Illtake off fifty bucks.

SHANDRAYou dont have to hustle boy. The

money is in the drawer, can youpour me a little.

12.


14/30

BENNETTYou sure? You look faded.

SHANDRAPoquito. Gotta test it, little trybefore you buy.

Reggie picks up a small cup only slightly bigger than athimble and puts a few drops in it. He takes a cap full ofvodka and fills the rest of the glass up.

Bennett walks to the drawer, and his eyes nearly pop out ofhis head when he sees the ounce of heroin.

BENNETTThat some china you got?

SHANDRABoy just dropped it off today.

BENNETTI might walk out with a gram.

SHANDRAGo ahead, I trust you. Now gimme

my sippie.

REGGIEWere starting out small, cause itssupposed to be strong.

SHANDRA

Dont gimme that bullshit, I canhandle.

REGGIEIf you say so.

He uses the dropper to top off the glasses with another bitof the chemical and hands the glass to Shandra. She tips thedrink back slowly.

After finishing the shot, she tries to set the drink down andit falls from her hand before it reaches the glass table.

Reggie peers in at her.

REGGIEYou okay?

Shandra, now a light shade of blue, gasps slightly.

SHANDRAI-

13.


15/30

She collapses forward.

REGGIEDude- dude.

Bennett plays with the giant bag of heroin

BENNETTWhat?

Reggie leans into Shandra and lightly slaps her face.

REGGIEShes out.

BENNETTWhat!?

Bennett rushes to the couch and softly slaps Shandra.

BENNETTWake up!

Shandra responds by foaming at the mouth and falling over onher side.

REGGIELie her on the floor.

They both try to pick her up and she rolls onto the floorface down.

BENNETTShit shit shit. Do you know CPR?

REGGIESuck blow suck blow some shit.

Bennett growls in frustration.

BENNETTI told you this shit was dangerous.

They roll her over. She is now a much darker shade of blue,with a constant stream of fizz coming from her mouth.

REGGIEWhat do we do.

BENNETTTry and get her to breath.

Reggie leans in and puts his mouth on hers and tries to blowwhile pinching her nose.

14.


16/30

He immediately recoils.

REGGIEShe vomited a little when sheexhaled.

BENNETTLook, lets jet and call the copsfrom the street.

REGGIEBitch is dead. No doubt.

They stare at each other, then look at the plethora of drugs,money and paraphernalia. Bennett pokes Shandra, there is noresponse.

They slowly stand up, Bennett tiptoes to the drawer andslowly slides the drawer open. He grabs stacks of cash and

the ounce of heroin.

Reggie grabs smaller bags of meth and different pipes and bagof clean syringes.

He kicks her lightly with his shoe.

REGGIEDefinitely dead.

BENNETTAhh fuck. Lets bounce.

They creak open the door and try to slide out unnoticed.


The beat from the stereo pulsates. Twinks embrace eachother. Tony takes a hit off of a bulbous meth pipe. When hesees Bennett and Reggie walk out, he attempts to corner themas they Bee-line towards the door.

TONYWheres my Gina, bitch?

BENNETTIts in there but-

TONYBut nothing, I am grinding hard.Need to chill a bit.

15.


17/30

REGGIEShandra was saying she wanted tolie down for a few minutes.

TONYOh yah? Ill make her a shot.

BENNETTWe gotta- we gotta run.

Tony grinds up against Bennett.

TONYBut you never stay and play.

Bennett reciprocates briefly.

BENNETTNever mix business with pleasure.

Tony pouts. They continue their journey through dancingsweaty Twinks to the door which seems miles away.

EXT. SUNSET BLVD - NIGHT

Bennett and Reggie sprint from the front of Shandrasbuilding. PATRONS crowd around a small bar on the strip.

As Reggie and Bennett disappear into the crowd, the pulse ofthe music within intensifies.

INT. THE ROXY - NIGHT

After working their way to a somewhat isolated corner of thebar, they order a couple of drinks and head upstairs.

INT. THE ROXY. UPSTAIRS - NIGHT

They sit across from each other on a plush sofa.

BENNETTWhatd you do with the bag.

REGGIEIts safe. Back in a dumpsterbehind the building.

BENNETTHow much cash and shit did you get.

16.


18/30

REGGIEAt least two maybe three. And whatlike two three grams of tweak.

BENNETTDude. An ounce of brown. Shit

maybe more.

Reggie laughs.

REGGIEIts fucked, but I think we mightbe set. Whats the plan?

BENNETTI dunno. You go one way, I go theother, and we meet at the cribtomorrow.

REGGIEAight. Ill head into Hollyhood.Find a room. Best Western.

BENNETTIll post up at the Standard andcall you. So look lets try tosplit this fifty fifty so if one ofus goes down, its not a totalbust.

REGGIEYeah. Okay. Ill call you.

INT. SHANDRAS APARTMENT. BACK ROOM - NIGHT

Tony shouts in horror at the now completely blue and bloatedShandra, face down on the floor, vomit oozing from the sideof her mouth.

TONY(Into the front room)

Okay. Everybody out! Now!


Tony rushes around, pushing half dazed Twinks out the door.

TONYTake a parting gift.

TWINK #1Huh what?

17.


19/30

TONYLook just get the fuck out of hereand take whatever glass and shityou can find.

TWINK #2

Oh my god! Whats going on.

TONYIts Shan- shes dead. Im callingthe police.

Gasps. Within seconds though the places is cleared, Twinksgrabbing anything they can shove in their pockets.


Tony scrambles around the room. Looking for and throwing

into the trash anything drug related. He tries to pushShandra into a more upright position, but collapses beneathher weight.

He picks up his phone.

TONYYes. Umm I have a dead girl at um-

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. SHANDRAS APARTMENT - EARLY MORNING

PARAMEDICS wheel out a stretch draped in a long white sheet.

A stern POLICE OFFICER questions Tony.

TONYI think she umm liked to umm do ummparty drugs. But I didnt knowreally umm much about it.

POLICE OFFICER #1Who was the last person seen withher?

TONYThese two guys, one first namedBennett. Two Ns two Ts. Hesreal handsome and tall and likeolive complexion kinda. I dontknow the other kids name.

18.


20/30

POLICE OFFICER #1They from around here.

TONYI think they have one bedroom inWeHo, but like Ive never been

there.

POLICE OFFICER #1Thanks. Well be in touch withfollow up questions.

Tony, all but sprints from the scene, looking behind him tomake sure he is left alone.

The police officer talks into a radio.

POLICE OFFICER #1I need an all points on a-

INT. STANDARD LOBBY - EARLY MORNING

A POLICE OFFICER stands in front of the desk, next to theCONCIERGE.

POLICE OFFICER #2You know its such shit, gettingthis. Its like do you guys evenneed cops.

CONCIERGE

Least its almost dawn. Im offearly too.

His radio crackles-

POLICER OFFICER #1 (V.O.)(Over radio)

All points on a young male,caucasian, early 20s, olivecomplexion, 60. First nameBennett. Connected to a potentialhomicide.

CONCIERGEYou know-

INT. BENNETTS HOTEL ROOM - EARLY MORNING

Hotel cutlery has been used to cook heroin shots, the tableis covered with an assortment of drugs. Bennett shakes

mildly, reeling from snorting a line of meth.

19.


21/30

He picks up his phone and dials.

REGGIE (V.O.)(On speaker phone)

Ay. You know whats good.

Beep.

BENNETTOkay. Look I didnt sleep. I gottaget out of this room. Im well,Im trapped and I dont want toknow whats on the other side ofthe wall. Because, its like thereis light on the other end of thetunnel, but if I open the door- Iopen the door - I.

He presses a button on the phone.

PHONE (V.O.)Message erased. To rerecord your

message-

There is a thunderous knock on the door. Bennett throws hisphone against the wall.

POLICE OFFICER (O.S.)West Hollywood Sheriff! Open up!

Bennett makes a hurried sprint to the bathroom holding whatremains of the drugs he has on him.

POLICE OFFICER (0.S.)Bennett Carter we know you are inthere.

Bennett nearly yells in exasperation. The pounding on thedoor becomes more fierce. Bennett finishes flushing a

majority of the drugs.

Silence. Brought into focus is an uncapped syringe on thenight stand next to Bennetts tousled bed.

A steel battering ram is followed by a pair of policeofficers. They point guns at Bennett forcing him against the

wall.

POLICE OFFICERIs there anyone else in here?

Bennett shakes his head.

20.


22/30

POLICE OFFICER #2Wheres the dope.


POLICE OFFICER

Look this either becomes reallyhard for you, or really easy.Where are the drugs?


One officer checks the bathroom, and after a moment, walksout with an empty wet plastic bag.

POLICE OFFICER #2Looks like he flushed it. You know

what this is.


Finally one of the notices the used syringe.

POLICE OFFICER(Brandishing the syringe)

Gotcha you son of a bitch. Whatsthis.


POLICE OFFICER #2Stand him up.

POLICE OFFICERYou have the right to remainsilent. You have the right -


Lights and a television are on, but no one is in the house.Deadbolts unlock. The door slowly cracks open. Reggie walksin, looking over his shoulder out of the door and then intothe apartment.

He gingerly closes the door behind him as he closes the door.

REGGIEAy Ben. Ben?

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone, which atthis point is dead.

21.


23/30

REGGIEYou here?

He walks into the bed room, he returns to the couch and pullsout a thin black wire to plug in his phone. He powers on thephone and looks at the screen.

INSERT: 15 new voicemails is displayed on the screen.

REGGIEShit.

He presses a button.

PHONE (V.O.)First unheard message.

BENNETT (V.O.)(on phone)

Dude. Dude answer your fuckingphone. Im- Im.

The message cuts out as a generic two tone ring tone cuts in.Reggie presses a button.

AUTOMATED VOICE (V.O.)This is the Los Angeles City Jailautomated dialing service with acall for Reggie Simonson fromBennett Carter. There is a 15dollar surcharge. Press one toaccept.

Reggie inhales deeply and presses a button on the phone.

BENNETT (V.O.)Hey dude you there.

REGGIEYeah. Yeah Im here.

BENNETT (V.O.)If you are at the place, you betterfuckin bolt. Grab the box, grab

whatever. Im sure theyll bethere soon.

REGGIEWhere are you.

BENNETT (V.O.)Im in holding downtown.

22.


24/30

REGGIEIll get some scratch, well getyou out.

BENNETT (V.O.)If I were you I would stay the fuck

away from here.

REGGIEIm not going to let you rot.

INT. LOS ANGELES COUNTY HOLDING - DAY

Bennett stands out of ear shot of a couple of GUARDS. He isin blue fatigues.

BENNETTAll they really have is

paraphernalia. Im sure I can copsomething or something. Ill beout quick. Just hold on to whatyou can and get the fuck out ofthere.

A guard walks up to him.

GUARD #1Times up.

Bennett slams the phone down before he gets any closer.

EXT. BENNETTS APARTMENT - DAY

As Reggie closes the door holding a small black safe and alarge napsack, he looks to the parking lot to see a number ofpolice cars pulling in.

He dashes down the back stair case and disappears. Policeofficers arrive moments later outside of the apartment.

POLICE OFFICE #3Apartment 306 right?

POLICE OFFICER #4Sounds right.

After rapping on the door, they break it in and swarm in oneafter the other.

POLICE OFFICE #3 (O.S.)Cleared.

23.


25/30

INT. DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE - DAY

Bennett sits next to a PUBLIC DEFENDER in an office. Theysit across from JACKIE JACKSON, a stern black woman in her50s, the district attorney for Los Angeles.

JACKIE JACKSONYoure looking at some seriouscharges, son.

PUBLIC DEFENDERAs far as my client and I areconcerned, there is really only aparaphernalia charge, firstoffense.

JACKIE JACKSONIts not a stretch to connect Mr.Carter here to the death of Shandra

Gomez. Manslaughter 10 years easy.

Bennett whispers to his lawyer.

PUBLIC DEFENDERHe didnt do it. But he knows hedoes.

JACKIE JACKSONWe are not dropping culpability inthis. It was his apartment tracesof the ingredients were found in.We have him in an elevator next to

an accomplice.

PUBLIC DEFENDERMy client would like to go onrecord that he had nothing to do

with chemistry.

JACKIE JACKSONStill distribution of a dangeroussubstance, and accessory

manslaughter.

PUBLIC DEFENDERWhat if we gave you the accomplice.The chemist.

JACKIE JACKSONI could see first offenseparaphernalia and prop 36 being onthe table.

Bennett whispers to his lawyer.

24.


26/30

PUBLIC DEFENDERMy client requests release on hison recognizance, so as to meet withMr. Simonson.

JACKIE JACKSON

Well have him escorted, but policepresence will be plainclothes. Butexpect the arrest to be made onsight.

Bennett grimaces, whispers to his lawyer.

PUBLIC DEFENDERAnd you are guaranteeing noculpability in the manslaughter,only prop 36 for paraphernaliapossession?

Jackie nods.

EXT. THE GROVE - DAY

Bennett stands in the middle of a fairly crowded shoppingmall. He checks his phone. He looks over his shoulder.After a moment of palpable silence, his phone buzzes.

BENNETTHey dude. Im outside the Barnesand Noble. I know. Its just...safe. Okay.

He hangs up. Another long silence. Reggie walks around thecorner. He is carrying a small bag. They embrace briefly.

REGGIEI got what you asked for. Howdyou get out?

BENNETTUmm- ahh- My own recognizance.They only have a small chargeagainst me.

REGGIESo they dont know what happened toShandra?

BENNETTNo. But they keep asking shit.

REGGIELook, I- I feel terrible.

25.


27/30

BENNETTWhat?

REGGIEWhen we were cooking, I- I- fuck.I spilled some shit. And thats

when it got all fucked.

BENNETTWhat?

REGGIERemember when-

BENNETTFuck I remember. But you- God damnit. The bitch would probably stillbe alive.

REGGIEI know. I know- Its-

BENNETTI dont want to hear anymore. Imdone.

Bennett walks off.

REGGIEYou dont want your care package.

BENNETT

(Over his shoulder)Keep it. Youll need it.

Silence. As Bennett turns the corner, several plain clothespolice officers surround Reggie, who drops the bag and putshis hands behind his head.

INT. DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE - DAY

Jackie signs a number of papers as Bennett and his attorneystand before her.

JACKIE JACKSONWe are looking at a suspendedprobation around 15 months. Three

months in an inpatient facility,and the remainder of the time in asober living of his choosing.

26.


28/30

PUBLIC DEFENDERMy client has requested a rehabfacility specifically for uhm gays.

JACKIE JACKSONIll make note of that. I know of

a couple in the Hollywood area thatreally have good success rates.

PUBLIC DEFENDERAlso, 15 months of suspendedprobation is-

JACKIE JACKSONIts still not too late to throwhim in the mix on the homicide ofShandra Gomez. In fact wellprobably have to bring him in fortestimony. So dont push it.

PUBLIC DEFENDERYes Maam.

JACKIE JACKSONOkay son. One more night incounty, while we contact a fewplaces.

BENNETTThank you.

EXT. HOPE HOUSE - DAY

Bennett steps out of the rear of an unmarked white CrownVictoria. He carries a single suitcase. As soon as he stepsonto the curb the car pulls off.

Standing in front of him is ED BROOKS, 60s, heavy set andbalding.

ED BROOKSWelcome to hope house, son. Remind

me of your name.

BENNETTBennett Carter.

ED BROOKSThats right. Names Ed Brooks.Im the head counsellor here atHope House. Youve been in countyright?

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29/30

BENNETTYes sir.

ED BROOKSWell Ill show you to your bed.Itll be a slight upgrade Im sure.

INT. HOPE HOUSE. INTAKE - DAY

Ed sits at a desk in front of Bennett, while he fills outreams of paper work.

ED BROOKSSo we have a year long program,

which we strongly recommendeverybody finish. Clients who dofinish end up nearly all stayingsober for long periods of time. We

house twelve men. You are veryfortunate, because we just had arelapse. Normally the wait forthis place is weeks. Lets see-Groups. You will be a part ofthree daily groups that focus ondifferent aspects of your recovery.Evenings we go by van to different12 step meetings. There will beextensive writing based onliterature in the meetings andgroups. Youll find a tight knitgroup of guys all trying to do what

you are doing- trying to turn theirlives around. Lets see- ah whattime is it.

He checks he watch.

ED BROOKSPerfect! Group begins in a coupleof minutes. A great way tointroduce you to your trudgingbuddies!

Bennett signs a number of different papers and Ed grabs themfrom him and places them in a folder that he sticks in afiling cabinet.

ED BROOKSAlright then. This way - Ben wasit?

BENNETTBennett.

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30/30

INT. HOPE HOUSE. GROUP ROOM - DAY

Eleven ADDICTS sit in chairs, some nervously twitch, theothers making small gossip.

TOM SELTZER, 60 but in great shape, sits somewhere in the

middle of the circle of chairs. He shuffles through looseleaf pages with nearly illegible handwriting.

After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Ed walks in anddirects Bennett towards the first open chair immediately nextto his.

Bennett scans the room, somewhat taken aback by the range ofpeople he sees. His eyes eventually lock on Toms.

Tom forces him into a stare down, which after a momentBennett gives and tries to look away.

ED BROOKSOkay everyone! Lets get going.First up, new client. This isBennett. Hell be doing hisbiography next week. Whos upthis week. Its Tom right? Okaylets just go around the room andeveryone can introduce themselves.

A number of addicts mumble their names and look away. Whenthe slow moving circle reaches Tom, he holds all of his focuson Bennett.

TOMMy name is Tom Seltzer and I am acrystal meth addict-

FADE OUT.

29.

sober living: pilot

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