Network Draft - 10/18/22

TBD
Episode #202

Written by
Joanna Calo

Directed by
TBD

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INT. CHURCH - AL ANON MEETING - MORNING

On CARMY, sharing from the front of the room.

CARMY
Hi. Carmy. I’ve, um, actually been
dealing a lot with change. I was
focusing on keeping my side of the
street clean, and feeling really
good about it. But now...
everything’s different. It’s going
to be good change but... I like
consistency. You know? But maybe I
also need consistency... too much.
(then)
There’s this other thing that’s
been stuck in my head. A buddy of
mine asked me the other day he said
“when’s the last time you had fun?”
and I... I didn’t know. Nothing
comes to mind. Like fun. Losing
track of time, losing yourself,
kinda. It’s just... really been a
while. So maybe I should be
thinking about having the courage
to change... more? I don’t know...

He gives a little confused laugh. Off Carmy with a furrowed

brow, processing.

CUT TO:

INT. DINER - SAME TIME

SYDNEY sits across from her dad, EMMANUEL. They both have
diner coffee and two egg breakfasts. Emu is listening with
what means to be a smile but ends up a grimace.

SYDNEY
We’re still figuring out the menu
but it’s gonna be like a super
elevated, Michelin star spot.

EMMANUEL ADAMU
(nodding sweetly)
So are you paid the same, or--?

SYDNEY
Well, sort of. There’s salary for
me for a month but then we all
agree it makes more sense for me to
just put in sweat equity, you know,
for the good of the team...
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 2.

He’s not buying it, but he’s being gentle.

EMMANUEL ADAMU
Right. So you have a job for a
month, but then... no job, more of
an internship... for how long?

SYDNEY
About six months. And it’s not an
internship. But I have savings.

EMMANUEL ADAMU
Sydney...

SYDNEY
Dad...

EMMANUEL ADAMU SYDNEY (CONT’D)

... Savings to get your own Dad.
apartment.

EMMANUEL ADAMU (CONT’D)

I’m sorry. I’m -- I’m excited for
you, honey.

SYDNEY
Oh just say it.

EMMANUEL ADAMU
Say what?

SYDNEY
Whatever it is that you want to
say. Clearly.
(then)
Come on. Out with it.

EMMANUEL ADAMU
Just... how is this different than
last time?

This stings. As she processes.

EMMANUEL ADAMU (CONT’D)

You know that Cousin Monty always
has a job for you at Boeing.
Temporary or even... you know, if
you decide to make a change.

SYDNEY
It IS different than last time. I’m
different. I’m learning, but also
it’s not just me. I have a partner
now.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 3.

EMMANUEL ADAMU
Right. “Carmy”.

SYDNEY
Sorry he’s no Cousin Monty.

EMMANUEL ADAMU
No, he’s not.
(then, trying)
I just don’t want to see what
another failure will do to you. But
I will be there for you, okay?

She nods, holding in her hurt. They go back to eating their

eggs, forks clinking.

CUT TO:

INT. MARCUS’ MOM’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING

Meanwhile, across town, Marcus’ obnoxious cousin TJ holds

court with Marcus, his MOM, and two other young girl COUSINS.
Marcus makes a peanut butter sandwich for the plane.

TJ
Heavenly father, protect our
brother Marcus as he leaves the
country to do some sissy ass shit
in Europe.

MARCUS
TJ’s got some corny ass jokes--

TJ
And please forgive him, god, for
leaving his own invalid mother so
that he can go to a bakery--

ANIKA
Shut up. When’s the last time you
went to church?

MARCUS
Thanks Anika, but he’s just
jealous.

Marcus comes over to his mom, whose bed has been wheeled into
the space between the kitchen and the living room. He’s
trying to laugh TJ off but there’s worry in his eyes. His mom
pats his arm knowingly. I want you to go. He gives her a sad
smile. She extends her middle finger to TJ. They all laugh.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 4.

TJ MARCUS (CONT’D)
Oh shit-- Oh shit!

EXT. RIVER NORTH STREETS - MORNING

Sydney walks to work, lugging a heavy tote, crying. A COUPLE

passes her, concerned at the young crying woman. She shrugs
away from them, embarrassed. She swings the door open to The
Beef/The Bear.

INT. THE BEEF - CONTINUOUS

She wipes her tears angrily as she enters, turning her

sadness into rage. She grabs a box of nails and hurls it at
the wall.

SYDNEY
Fuck!!

Beat.

SWEEPS (O.S.)
I got it.

Carmy appears, catching the tail end.

CARMY
Syd. Hey.

She catches her breath, heads to the back. She is passed by

FAK, who is trailed by MANNY and ANGEL.

FAK
Let’s go let’s go! Top of the am,
fellas-- Hi Syd-- lots to do before
we deep clean.

Sweeps comes through, picking up the nails that Sydney threw

and listening to Fak’s directions.

FAK (CONT’D) SWEEPS

We’re gonna start by-- Ow--

FAK (CONT’D) SWEEPS (CONT’D)

Pulling everything out-- Ow--

FAK (CONT’D)
Sweeps, stop picking up the nails
from the sharp end--
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 5.

SWEEPS
You’re right. Rusty ass nails all
over the floor, that’s the move.

FAK
No, Gary, don’t twist my words. I’m
just trying to get us going here--

Richie waltzes in with a coffee, watching a loud youtube

video about sanding paint off walls.

RICHIE
Good morning, gentlemen. And Fak. I
want to start today by scraping any
peeling paint from the walls.
Essential to accomplish this step
before we deep clean. We got putty?

FAK
We need to take everything out
before we scrape, Richie.

RICHIE FAK (CONT’D)

Dude, slow down! We can’t
just rush into this the way
you rush to be first in line Oh, a fat guy joke, nice.
at the Super China.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
Take a breath with me--
(exhales)
We need to get it right. I’ll take
half the guys in the dining room
and you take the other half--

FAK
There’s only three guys. And I need
all hands to take the lockers out.

RICHIE FAK (CONT’D)

Fine, we’ll do it your way. That’s still your way!
You take two guys and I’ll
take one guy--

SUGAR (O.S.)
Oh my god, shut up!

She appears from the office.

RICHIE
Oh great. Hi, Natalie.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 6.

SUGAR
You can’t just show up late and
start bossing everyone around.

RICHIE
Respectfully, Sugar, you disagree.
Don’t know what they teach you
about leadership at the bank but
here? In this situation? What you
need is an alpha. And that’s not
Fak. They can smell his pheromones
and they’re weak as shit--

As Fak smells himself we cut to--

INT. THE BEEF/OFFICE - SAME

Sydney and Carmy sit in the office. She’s Indian style on the
desk with her Culinary Artistry book open next to her. He
sits on the chair, throwing a ball.

CARMY
You don’t want to talk about it.

SYDNEY
Nope.
(then)
My dad thinks I’m a loser, is all.

CARMY
Well my family is fucked so what do
I know but actually I’m pretty sure
he doesn’t think that about you.

SYDNEY
Let’s just not talk about it.

She plays with the Earth Cafe book, flipping the options.

SYDNEY (CONT’D)
(reading)
Beef. Smoke. Cherry.

CARMY
That’s actually not bad-- good to
think about dishes with at least
some of the same ingredients from
the sandwich window.

SYDNEY
Panzanella? Crispy bread, vinegar,
really good cheese, maybe from that
guy in Andersonville?
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 7.

CARMY
Dig that. And I was thinking a
tartare amuse, sort of an ode to
Keller, but with beef.

SYDNEY
An amuse bouche, really?

Outside the door, a loud CLANK.

CARMY
If we’re going for the star, yeah.

SYDNEY
But we’re still thinking chaos
menu, right? We can go for the star
and still be modern--

CLANK! Carmy throws the ball at the door in response--

CARMY SYDNEY (CONT’D)

Shut up! I mean, Giant, Animal,
Locust, whatever spot is hot
now that I haven’t heard of
yet-- chaos menus are the
future.

The ball bounces violently back at him.

CARMY (CONT’D)
Yeah, but, it’s so sloppy. So let’s
be post chaos. That’s the future.
The future future.

She laughs.

SYDNEY
You’re the chef, chef.

CARMY
Let me just write out what I’m
thinking, you’ll see.

He takes out a notebook and a pencil and starts to write--

CARMY (CONT’D)
The tartare amuse. Then a
progression of elevated antipasti,
some you’ll see have a French take--

CLANK! CLANK! THEN A SCREEECH OF METAL.

THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 8.

CARMY (CONT’D) SYDNEY

The plates don’t HAVE to be Raynaud? Carmen--
Raynaud, but--

FAK (O.S.) SYDNEY (CONT’D)

Use your legs, Manny, what But like what is it going to
are you-- BE?--

Carmy, growing agitated, finally bursts out of the office.

CARMY
Guys, guys, what the fuck is all
this racket?--

He opens the door to find Fak and Manny awkwardly wrenching

the lockers off the wall. Sweeps lays down on the bench, now
shoved aside, with a bandaged hand. He holds up the hand.

SWEEPS
I’m supervising. Hurt my hand
picking up Sydney’s nails.

SYDNEY CARMY
Oh shit, those were nails? (to Fak)
Are you done now?

All the lockers have been emptied and the doors swing open,
except for one, which is still locked. Manny looks at Carmy.

MANNY
Michael’s.

Carmy takes this in while everyone looks at him.

CARMY
Fak, you gotta, you gotta angle
grinder in your kit?

FAK
Yes, chef.

He hurries to get it from the counter nearby, and saws off

the lock. Everyone’s watching with bated breath as Carmy
opens the locker with that pleasing SHUNK! sound.

FAK (CONT’D)
Give him room!

Carmy opens the locker to reveal... nothing. It’s a little

dusty, empty. He reaches into the very back of the top level
and pulls out a squished old Beef hat. He looks at it.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 9.

CARMY
There you go, you can take em out.
(turning)
It’s gonna be too loud, let’s go.

Sydney nods. Carmy puts the hat down and leaves, greatly
pained, but pushing it away. Syd follows.

INT. CULINARY SCHOOL - DAY

Tina and Ebra walk through the hall of the Washburne Culinary
& Hospitality Institute. Groups of YOUNG PEOPLE fill the
halls. Tina is giving the side eye, hard.

TINA
It’s a helluva lot of Sydneys in
here.

EBRAHEIM
Don’t look them in the eyes.

He plows forward. She feints at a YOUNG GUY, who flinches.

INT. CULINARY SCHOOL - LOCKER ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Ebraheim, now in the mens locker room, looks at a folded

print out for guidance. He finds the locker assigned to him
and opens it. He pulls out the uniform: white jacket, silly
hat, even sillier pants. He sits on the locker room bench.

GUY (O.S.)
Hey, man. How you doing?

A GUY, many many years Ebra’s junior, enters with a smile.

Ebra, caught off guard, looks up at him. Eye contact.

EBRAHEIM
Hello.

Off Ebra, worry creeping over his face.

INT. CULINARY SCHOOL - LOCKER ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Ebraheim wearing the uniform, looking at himself in the

mirror. It’s too foreign and he hates it.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 10.

INT. CARMY’S APARTMENT - DAY

Carmy and Sydney enter his sad apartment with bags of

groceries. Carmy immediately starts setting up in the
kitchen. Sydney makes her way into the space taking it in.

SYDNEY
Chef. Bro. Your home is so sad.

Carmy laughs, he can’t deny it.

CARMY
(without looking up)
Sorry I don’t live with my dad.

SYDNEY
Oh! You got jokes...

CARMY
Too soon?

SYDNEY
No, no, I deserved it.

CARMY
C’mon.

BURNERS FIRE UP. WATER STARTS TO BOIL. WELL-WORN PLASTIC

CUTTING BOARDS SLAP ONTO THE CUPBOARD. OVER THIS SEQUENCE WE
HEAR HIM EXPLAIN HIS MENU DREAMS TO SYDNEY, OVERLAPPING
SNIPPETS OF IDEAS.

CARMY (V.O.)
Gonna do something with Corona
Beans... Five pastas... Three
proteins... simple, but super
refined... Elegant... sausages on
cannelinis with lemony greens...
Animal... French Laundry... Chez
Panisse... Next level Chicago
Italian... We’ll make our own
sausages. Salad with an addictive
dressing... Always wanted to do a
pate en croute, maybe a revolving
special.

CARMY POURS FLOUR INTO A PILE, HOLLOWS OUT THE MIDDLE AND
CRACKS AN EGG, STARTS GENTLY WHISKING IT WITH A FORK INTO A
DOUGH. SYDNEY CONSULTS CARMY’S NOTEBOOK.

SYDNEY
Okay if I try something a little
different with the Amatriciana?
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 11.

CARMY
Sure.

Carmy double wraps his dough with plastic wrap, then starts
to rummage for his steel pasta machine.

SYDNEY
Probably can’t afford to have a
fresh pasta program. That’s time,
which is money, and labor, which is
money...

CARMY
We gotta try. Gotta be next level.

SYDNEY
Heard, chef.
(then)
Last dinner I did with Sheridan
Road was a fundraiser at someone’s
house. I don’t know, maybe just PTA
or something. All I remember is the
lady was really mean. But she
insisted on fresh pasta and it just
got all dried out and crumbled-- I
served bolognese on Kings Hawaiian
rolls, like a sloppy Joe. Fucked.

CARMY
That sounds delicious. And this--
(gesturing to them)
Isn’t that. Maybe I don’t know what
it is yet, but it’s not going to be
like that.

She smiles. Chooses to believe.

SYDNEY
Next level.

CARMY
Next level.

INT. CULINARY SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY

On Ebra as he enters the classroom in his civvies. Everyone

else, including Tina, are in the dopey uniform. Her hat is on
the counter nearby. When she spots him:

TINA
Cabron, what the fuck?
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 12.

EBRAHEIM
I don’t want to wear it.

TINA
No duh, you think I do? I look like
a fuckin jester.

EBRAHEIM
I do not need a costume to cook.

Ebra looks around, awkward as the only one NOT wearing the
stupid costume. But it’s when the INSTRUCTOR pulls up the
online blackboard that things really turn.

INSTRUCTOR
Welcome, everyone. Just a couple of
admin duties... you got your
student log in after the Zoom
orientation. Hopefully you had no
problem creating your student email
account. I’ll send you all a link
to the board so you can get the
notes at the end of each day.

Ebra takes in the board, the kids on their phones and

tablets, and shakes his head. In hushed tones:

EBRAHEIM
This is stupid, I’m leaving.

TINA
Ebra, stop.

EBRAHEIM
We’re better than this.

She sees the fear in his eyes.

TINA
I’m not.
(then)
We can do this.

INSTRUCTOR (O.S.)
Lesson one, culinary terms...

EBRAHEIM
No.

He leaves, scurrying out. She takes a look around, now the

oldest person in the room. She puts her stupid hat on, and
turns her attention to the front.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 13.

INT. THE BEEF/DINING ROOM - DAY

A cockroach scurries away until Sugar catches it with a glass

on the floor. She jumps back up -- only so brave.

SUGAR
Carm? CARM!

Fak comes out of the bathroom.

FAK
He left a little while ago...

SUGAR
Oh. I must’ve been out back. Here--

She hands him a bag of protective goggles from the hardware

store.

SUGAR (CONT’D)
Can you take care of the... thing?

They look at the bug in the glass. Neither want to deal.

FAK
Richie?!

INT. THE BEEF/KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

Sugar and Fak catch up with Richie who has commandeered the
operation. Sweeps writes notes as Richie dictates his
thoughts. Manny and Angel look on.

RICHIE
(gazing upwards)
... this is the third spot we’ve
found with this brown coloration on
the ceiling. Similar to the dining
room. Sort of a topaz--

SWEEPS RICHIE (CONT’D)

Topaz? Oh look who decided to show
back up!

FAK
I was in the bathroom for two
seconds.

RICHIE
Yeah it was TWO seconds wasn’t it.
Emphasis on the TWO.

Manny chuckles.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 14.

SUGAR RICHIE (CONT’D)

Oh Jesus christ. You like that Manny?

Manny shrugs, has to admit he did. Richie and Manny fist

bump.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
By the way, you guys missed the
inspection of the tile behind the
register-- it’s uneven and we might
have to pull it up.

FAK
I already knew that.

RICHIE
Oh yeah, where’s your proof?

SUGAR FAK
Guys, come on. I don’t need proof. This
isn’t a court of law.

RICHIE
He doesn’t have proof. Let’s
continue to the walk-in.

Richie heads off, but Fak goes the other way, grabbing a
nearby ladder.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
What are you doing? It’s not that
big of a deal.

FAK
I need a closer look. Checking to
see if it’s mold.
(then)
Sugar, will you spot me--

SUGAR
Yeah. Thanks, Fak, good idea.

Richie, annoyed, comes over as Fak ascends in his goggles.

FAK
Because if it’s mold, we are very
fucked.

RICHIE
It’s not mold. Michael was on drugs
but he wasn’t R-word.

FAK
Mold is the death knell.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 15.

RICHIE
Yeah, I know, that’s what I’m
saying. He would’ve known if it was
mold--
(then)
You’re both in such a fucking hurry
to tear him down, tear this place
down--

SUGAR
(you’re an idiot)
Richie, we’re renovating the space.

Fak is now flicking at the ceiling with his screwdriver,

trying to get some flakes into his hand. He’s put on an N-95,
acting like he’s in a toxic spill zone.

RICHIE
The ladder isn’t even in the right
spot.

He yanks on it, while Fak is still on it.

FAK SUGAR
Whoa! You ass.

RICHIE
Oh wait it was better before--

He yanks the ladder again. Fak scrambles down and they

started shoving the ladder back and forth, fighting through
the rungs.

SUGAR
C’mon, you guys-- never mind, fuck
you. Manny, Angel, come with me,
please. Sweeps... keep taking
notes.

Sugar, Manny and Angel go into the front of house area,

leaving the boys fighting. As the ladder starts to close:

RICHIE
Don’t pinch me--

FAK
You don’t pinch me!

We hear the SCREECH of the drink fridge then--

SUGAR (O.S.)
Oh, shit.
(then)
FAK! I need your hammer.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 16.

PRE-LAP: PERFECT CUBES OF GUANCIALE SIZZLE IN HOT OIL

Fak, then Richie, stop what they’re doing and go to Sugar.

They have pulled out the fridge, revealing that the cord is
shoved through a spackled over hole in the wall.

FAK
What the--

He hands Sugar his hammer and she rips at the hole with the
claw, putty and dry wall chipping all over. She opens the
wall, revealing that this whole time the fridge had been
plugged into a dangling power strip hidden in the wall.

SUGAR
SO janky.

She huffs in Richie’s direction. He raises his hands--

RICHIE
Well he was your brother.

SUGAR
And you were, what, just
blindfolded the whole time? Fak, we
need to rip this all out, see where
it goes--

RICHIE
Hey, now, just hold your horses,
sweetheart. Slow down. There might
be good reasons things are the way
they are and you just haven’t been
brought up to speed, or they’re not
in your purview--

FAK SWEEPS
Purview? Purview, that’s nice--

SUGAR
Richie, I think you and I need to
go talk, in the office, now--

RING!

SUGAR (CONT’D)
I said phones off--

RICHIE
Well I didn’t say that.

Richie grabs his ringing phone, checks, it’s the school--

THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 17.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
Shit, gotta take this.

He heads into the kitchen to talk.

INT. THE BEEF/KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Richie picks up, pacing as he talks.

RICHIE
Hello? Yes, this is he. Oh, poor
thing. Okay. And you tried her mom--
she’s stuck at work, got it. Yeah,
I’ll be there.

As he listens, Richie’s eyes fall onto Michael’s hat, the one

Carmy pulled from the locker.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
I’d say twenty five minutes. Thank
you.

Richie hangs up, grabs the flattened old hat, shoves it on

his head.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
(calling out)
I’ll be back!

He heads out the back.

INT. THE BEEF/FRONT OF HOUSE - SAME

On Sugar, exasperated.

SUGAR
Okay, thanks. Cool. Bye.

PRE-LAP: PEACHES POACHING IN RED LIQUID.

There’s a LOUD BANG from the dining room.

FAK (O.S.)
I’m okay!

Sugar rushes off to check, in over her head.

INT. CARMY'S APARTMENT - DAY

Sydney and Carmy jockey for position in his cramped kitchen.

THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 18.

SYDNEY
... no fucking way. Delfino’s. The
one right around the corner?

CARMY
Been there fifty years. Done.

SYDNEY
Pandemic?

CARMY
Probably. I dunno.
(then)
Behind!

He strains the pot of pasta in his tiny sink. Sydney

reorganizes herself as she works on the sauce, making room
for him to return. He adds the pasta to her pan, combining,
while she grabs plates. He plates the dish beautifully.

CARMY (CONT’D)
Okay--

They twist their forks, taste. It’s gorgeous, but-- Carmy

contorts his face. Sydney frowns.

SYDNEY
(full mouth)
Oh god.

Carmy struggles through his mouth full.

SYDNEY (CONT’D)
Fuck.

CARMY
I didn’t want to say anything, but,
the peaches?

SYDNEY
I poached them in red wine, I was
thinking pork and peach, you know--

CARMY
That is... not good.

He starts laughing, at her expense but in a good natured way.

SYDNEY
Damn. You’re right. Sorry to mess
up your recipe...
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 19.

Carmy grabs a glass of water to wash it down. As he does, he

makes a fist with his right hand and rubs it in a circle on
his chest. Syd notices.

SYDNEY (CONT’D)
Is it that bad?

CARMY
Oh no, no.
(re: his gesture)
It means I’m sorry in sign
language, something two of my old
chefs at a place in New York used
to do to each other. It meant “I’m
sorry, let’s talk about this
later”, when they didn’t have time
to fight or talk on the line. Even
if one of them tore the other one
to shreds over something, it would
get them through service.

SYDNEY
Yeah well, let’s never talk about
that dish again.

She throws out the peachy pork in the garbage.

CARMY
Heard, chef.

SYDNEY
I’ll redo it the way you wanted.

CARMY
Thank you, chef.
(then, re: oven)
Is the short rib ready?

She opens the door, eyeing the meat.

SYDNEY
Almost.

He checks the clock.

CARMY
Then c’mon, chef. Start again on
the guanciale, you need to redo
that sauce. I don’t need you
staying at my sad apartment all
day.

SYDNEY
Yes, chef.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 20.

CARMY
Let’s go.

She begins again.

INT. CHESTER’S CAR - AFTERNOON

Chester drives his Jeep Wagoneer with Marcus in the passenger

seat.

CHESTER
Just let me see it...

MARCUS
Okay, fine.

He pulls his spanking new passport from his backpack and

opens it so Chester can see.

CHESTER
So handsome. So well traveled.
Jetsetter--
(off the light)
Oh shit was that red?

MARCUS
Jetsetter... no stamps yet.

CHESTER
Well that’s about to change.

MARCUS
I just never been anywhere before.

CHESTER
I bet your family is so pumped for
you? So sick.

MARCUS
(lying)
Yeah, they are. They’re excited.
(then)
Didn’t hear back yet from the guy
in Copenhagen, I still don’t know
what they’re gonna ask me to do. My
duties. Might be totally over my
head.

CHESTER
Naw, man, that’s the whole point.
To learn. But let me tell you
something, okay? I believe in you
with my whole heart.
(MORE)
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 21.
CHESTER (CONT’D)
And I’ve learned some Danish words
so we can still be connected when
you get back.

MARCUS
Okay let me hear em.

CHESTER
Flyvemaskine. Airplane.

MARCUS
That’s good.

CHESTER
Klimaanlaeg. Air conditioner.

MARCUS
Important, in winter.

CHESTER
You never know.

MARCUS
Just get me to the flyvemaskine.

Chester swerves, the mood lightened.

INT. RICHIE’S CAR/EXT. SUBURBAN STREETS - SAME

Richie fumbles with a booster seat latch as his daughter EVA,

6, waits patiently. She has fresh band aids on her hands.

RICHIE
Almost... wait a minute. This one,
right?

She nods.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
I don’t know, it’s jammed. You try.

She moves to open the latch but he stops her--

RICHIE (CONT’D)
Hold on hold on I’ll do it...

He goes back in for it, pressing hard and finally-- click. As

she gets out of the straps and grabs her bag--

RICHIE (CONT’D)
Make sure to give your mom that
note from the nurse, okay?
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 22.

She nods.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
How’s your mom doing, by the way?

EVA
Good.

RICHIE
They said she was stuck at work,
what’s that about?

EVA
She got a promotion.

RICHIE
Oh yeah?

EVA
We had a cake.

RICHIE
Oh wow.

EVA
Uncle Frank is really proud of her
and so am I so we had a little
party.

RICHIE
Still with Frank, huh?

EVA
And mom got a raise too, which is
why Frank got the good cake, from
Weber’s.

RICHIE
She got a promotion, that’s
awesome. She’s a hard worker,
that’s what’s important, right?

EVA
Yeah.
(then, parroting)
But you still have to pay child
support, because fair’s fair.

He is incensed, embarrassed, and squashes it all in an

instant. He leans down to give her a hug and a kiss.

RICHIE
I love taking care of you, baby.
And I always will.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 23.

EVA
I know daddy.
(then)
Psst.

Richie looks at her-- she has a secret. She puts her little
face near his head. In the smallest whisper:

EVA (CONT’D)
I’m really good at climbing.

RICHIE
(heart swelling)
I know you are, sweet girl. You’re
so strong. Okay.

He lets go of her and she heads into the house.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
I’ll call you later. Take care of
those hands. Give your mom that
note!

On him as he watches her go.

INT. CARMY'S APARTMENT - AFTERNOON

Carmy works on a fussy but beautiful green salad. A tall

stack of green ombre butter lettuce leaves with radicchio on
top. He’s putting dots of bright yellow dressing here and
there. As he finishes, Sydney finishes plating the short rib,
now more like a ragu with pappardelle noodles.

SYDNEY
I was thinking about going to
Kasama this week, maybe Giant too,
just to see what’s on their menus
these days...

CARMY
I’m down.

SYDNEY
Here.

She hands him a fork and they taste.

CARMY
That’s it, chef. It’s perfect.

SYDNEY
No shit.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 24.

CARMY
Yes, shit.

She’s really proud. Then, thinking.

SYDNEY
... and it would be too expensive
to have on the menu with a fresh
pasta program. Plus shipping of the
short rib?

CARMY
Well then let’s look into a
commissary kitchen to deliver pasta-

SYDNEY
Your salad, too, Carm. Unless we go
to lower quality produce, I don’t
know how we can afford all this.

CARMY
Then we get more money. Or we call
farms in Elsah or Galena. Make
connections, figure something out.
We just don’t give up, okay? If we
don’t give up, we can do this.

SYDNEY
Yeah, okay. You’re right.
(then)
Thank you for putting a version of
my dish on the menu. It’s nice.

CARMY
It’s not nice, Syd, it’s good.
Now show me how you made that
sauce.

They’re united and inspired as she begins to show him...

INT. THE BEEF/BATHROOM - SAME

Sugar sits on the ground of the bathroom with her earbuds in.

SUGAR (INTO PHONE)

I mean I don’t even really know.
Mikey died and I just never wanted
to be in this place at all but then
my other brother started running
the place and now it’s like I just
want to be here all the time and is
that even healthy?
(MORE)
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 25.
SUGAR (INTO PHONE) (CONT'D)
But then I feel like I actually
could be good at this, you know?
And as adults we never try new
things, because it becomes so easy
to just do the same exact thing
with the same exact people... and
who doesn’t want easy? Who doesn’t
want to just be okay--
(off phone)
There, the photos should have
uploaded.
(then)
No, I definitely already sent one
of the flush valve gasket, and I
don’t even think that’s where the
issue is, because the drip is
coming from the shut off valve--
okay, fine. I know, Gene. You’re
the plumber. I’ll send it over.
Bye.

She gets on her hands and knees under the toilet to take
pictures of the busted toilet, then slumps against the side.
Looks around, like what am I doing. Her phone RINGS--

SUGAR (INTO PHONE) (CONT’D)

Cicero, hi-- okay, slow down,
what?!

INT. CARMY'S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER

Carmy and Sydney are still happily cooking away when his
phone rings.

CARMY (INTO PHONE)

Hey Sug, we were just saying-- can
you look into commissary--

SUGAR
Carmy, shut up--

CARMY
What?

SUGAR
I called you. You can’t just start
talking about your shit--

CARMY SUGAR (CONT’D)

Well I thought, since you
appointed yourself to work at Whoa!!
the restaurant, that my shit
was now your shit--
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 26.

SYDNEY
That’s not fair, I asked her to.

SUGAR
I don’t have time for whatever
trigger response that was, so let
me just get to it, you’re an idiot.

CARMY
Wow, great, thanks for calling.

SUGAR
Cicero just called me, pissed,
because a guy he knows at City Hall
tipped him off that we tried to
renew our DBA with a new name,
which is only a problem because we--
they-- Mikey-- never had a business
account filed in the first place.
So now it’s a huge mess and we have
to pay a huge fine.

CARMY SUGAR (CONT’D)

Oh shit... so now... Cicero kept saying that it’s
all on me, that you’re all
morons so it’s on me to stop
things from falling through
the cracks.

CARMY (CONT’D)
I don’t necessarily disagree...

SUGAR
But I just need to know there are
going to be a few less cracks.

CARMY
Less cracks. Heard. What can I do?

SUGAR
Cicero thinks he can get this guy
to throw away the application to
renew, if you go down to City Hall
and fill out an application for a
new license, today. Before they
close.

Carmy and Sugar look at the time.

CARMY
Okay, gotta go--

SUGAR
Don’t wear some gross t-shirt--!
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 27.

He hangs up and runs into his room. He returns, buttoning up

a shirt.

CARMY
(to Syd)
I don’t know when I’ll be back--

SYDNEY
All good, chef. I’ll clean up.

And he runs out.

INT. THE BEEF/FRONT OF HOUSE - SAME

Fak is setting up a commercial grade cleaner when Richie

rushes in.

RICHIE
What are you guys all just standing
around for?

Sugar enters the room.

FAK
Jesus, dude, what? You’ve been
telling us to hold off, go slow--

RICHIE
I said we needed to pull up the
floors.

He goes to the tool box, grabs a hammer and a chisel, and

starts to chip at it cathartically. Fak and Sugar look at
each other, this fuckin’ guy, but then:

SUGAR
You know what? Sounds great.

She grabs a tool and joins him, hacking at the floor.

EXT. CHICAGO STREETS - MAGIC HOUR

Carmy walks on Clark St, having made it to city hall in time

and filled out the new application. He turns right towards
the loop, the orange sunset causing him to shut his eyes.
He’s enjoying the rare feeling of sun on his face when--

CARMY
Shit.

He stops in his tracks, staring at a WOMAN in her late 60s

talking to a MAN across the street.
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 28.

Carmy can only see her from 3/4 view but she’s blonde, with
her hair just so, and with a familiar posture. She’s
laughing, and the man smiles. Carmy is 99% sure it’s his
mother, and she’s happy. It’s disorienting and he’s staring
until —-

CLAIRE (O.S.)
Carmy?

CARMY
Yes--?

Carmy turns to see CLAIRE, surprising, his age. She clearly

recognizes him.

CLAIRE
It is you. I’d heard you were back--

He still can’t place her...

CLAIRE (CONT’D) CARMY

I’m Aemon’s sister? We were
neighbors in Elk Grove. In Elk Grove, of course.

CARMY (CONT’D)
Wow, it’s really nice to see you.
How long as it been?

Happy for the distraction, he turns away from the woman on

the street.

CLAIRE
Ten, maybe twelve years?

CARMY
How’s Aemon?

CLAIRE
Oh, bad. He became a 9-11 truther
and collects Reader’s Digests.

CARMY
Oh shit, I’m sorry--

CLAIRE
Oh I’m just kidding. I gotta catch
the L, are you..?

CARMY
I’m walking that way.

They turn and head off.

THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 29.

CLAIRE
Aemon’s a commercial realtor now.

CARMY CLAIRE (CONT’D)

Damn, that’s awful-- I know!

We leave this sweetness and POP TO:

EXT. CARMY’S APARTMENT - SAME

Sydney walks home. Determined.

INT. AIRPLANE - SAME

Marcus, settling into his seat. Nervous. Life about to

change.

INT. CULINARY SCHOOL - SAME

Tina listens intently as the teacher drones, her knife kit

unfurled in front of her.

INSTRUCTOR
... this is the knife you’ll use
for onions. I’ll teach you six ways
to cut an onion but let’s start
with the most traditional. And yes,
this will be on the test.

EXT. CHICAGO STREETS - MAGIC HOUR

Carmy and Claire walk to the El, reminiscing.

CARMY
I haven’t thought about this in
years but do you remember that lady
who lived at the end of the block?
Mrs... um...

CLAIRE CARMY (CONT’D)

Mrs. Carol Kelly.
Mrs. Carol Kelly!
(then)
She always hated us.

CLAIRE (CONT’D)
In fairness, we hid in her backyard
all the time and trashed her
flowers--
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 30.

CARMY CLAIRE (CONT’D)

It was a good hiding spot. Really good.

CARMY (CONT’D)
She used to yell at me from down
the street, just “you’ll never
amount to anything!”

They laugh.

CARMY (CONT’D)
I was like don’t worry lady, I get
that enough at home, I’m sure
you’re right.

A beat. It’s funny but Claire knows he means it.

CLAIRE
So what are you doing?

CARMY
... I am opening a restaurant. A
new one.

CLAIRE
Wow, seriously? Need a good
realtor? Because I don’t know one.
(they laugh, then)
No really... That’s amazing.

He looks at her, takes it in. Feels good.

CARMY
Thanks.

CLAIRE
Let me guess... it’s called The
Bear?
(off Carmy’s surprise)
I remember.

This means a lot to him.

CARMY
Yeah. Yeah.
(then)
So tell me about you, what have you
been doing for the last twelve
years...

WE CUT BACK TO:

THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 31.

INT. THE BEEF/FRONT OF HOUSE - SAME

Fak, Sugar and Richie chip away at tile. Sweeps and Angel
sweep up the pieces. Manny eats a slice of pizza, on break.
Music plays from an old boom box.

RICHIE SWEEPS
Hey Gary, you remember that
guy Wayne that used to come
in all the time? I wonder Wayne?
what he’s gonna do now.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
(snapping fingers)
Um, you know, Can Man.

SWEEPS
Oh shit, Can Man.

Richie eases into some reminiscing as they keep working.

RICHIE
That’s just what he did for a job,
he collected cans all over the
city. And there was nothing wrong
with that. He would come in like
once a week and get a hot dipped
beef and that was his life-- that’s
what he did. Always sat right in
that corner. I asked him one day
what it was all about, what he
wanted from life. And he said
“Well, Richie, I’d really like to
find a good Can Woman.”

They laugh. Otis Redding’s “These Arms of Mine” plays on the

radio. The crew has chipped back tile on both sides of the
lane behind the counter, revealing the hard wood floor
underneath. The tiled area directly behind the cash register
is still on the floor. Richie stands, puts down his tools and
wipes his brow.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
Anyone else want a slice?

He steps forward onto the tile, suddenly plunging through the

floor and into the basement.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
What the fuck!

SUGAR FAK
Oh shit-- Oh shit--
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 32.

SWEEPS
Oh shit--

Richie is groaning.

RICHIE
... Neil!

Fak runs around the counter and to the back, heading to the
basement. Richie looks up through the hole in the floor.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
What the fuck happened?

Sugar stifles a laugh. Fak comes to help Richie, but he just

grumpily shrugs him off.

RICHIE (CONT’D)
I’m fine.

Fak piles up crates and pokes his head through the floor. He
pulls back the rest of the tile with his screwdriver,
revealing disintegrating wood.

SUGAR
So what the fuck happened?

FAK
Looks like the wood rotted.
Waterlogged from bad drainage
probably. Not new.

SWEEPS
So it’s just been that thin layer
of tile this whole time? No floor?

FAK
Not much floor.

SUGAR
But the foundation’s okay... ?

FAK
(no)
Yeah, maybe. Let’s see.

Off our hard working, sweaty crew, taking this in, and Sugar
immediately dialing Carmy, we POP BACK TO:
THE BEAR #202 Network Draft - 10/18/22 33.

EXT. CHICAGO STREETS - SUNSET

Carmy and Claire, walking up the steps to the L as the sun

sets.

END OF EPISODE.