Work Text:
FADE IN:
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
INT. WEDDING VENUE – DAY
Establishing shot of an indoor wedding venue; high arched ceilings, tables draped in white cloth with flower pieces at the center. People are out of their seats, conversing, drinking, eating, etc.
A shot of the refreshments table with assorted food items, coolers, empty glasses, champagne, and wine bottles. The frame closes in on CLAIRE and CARMY. Carmy is standing beside Claire who is deep in conversation with another woman. Claire looks at Carmy, says something (unheard due to general chatter in the room). Carmy nods absently; his focus is directed somewhere else. We do not see what he is looking at.
The frame switches to SYDNEY sitting on a chair beside NATALIE who is beside DONNA. Natalie gets up, Sydney anxiously watches her leave. She looks at her hands, set on her lap. She contemplates getting up. Before she can, Donna moves to the newly empty seat beside Sydney. Sydney looks at her and smiles nervously.
The frame switches to Carmy again. He is still standing in front of the refreshments table; Claire is not present. Carmy continues to stare (we now know he is looking at Sydney and Donna conversing). A guest tries to initiate a conversation with Carmy. Carmy laughs nervously, painfully participating in the small talk. Carmy glances at Sydney amidst the conversation. The man, somewhat offended, cuts the conversation short and leaves.
Carmy looks around, coming to some kind of awareness of his surroundings. He realizes Claire has left. Claire is shown, at a distance, conversing with the bride and groom. Carmy looks her way, possibly considering joining her, but decides against it. Instead, he shifts his focus back to Sydney and Donna, narrowing his eyes, trying to overhear what they are saying.
The frame is on Sydney and Donna again. The animosity between them has disappeared. Sydney nods to indicate that she’s getting up. Donna nods back, smiling.
Frame focuses on Sydney as she walks away. She looks a little shaken; she places her thumb underneath her eye to check for tears. She takes a deep breath and approaches the refreshments table. She pours herself a glass of champagne, unaware of Carmy standing less than a meter away.
CARMY
Syd.
Sydney steps back, surprised at his proximity, almost drops the glass.
CARMY
Sorry. Hi.
Sydney smiles, a little uneasy. She takes a sip, then stares at her hand holding the champagne glass before looking back at Carmy.
SYDNEY
Hey, where have you been?
CARMY
I didn’t know you’d be here.
SYDNEY
Can I not be here?
Carmy blinks, pained, regretting his own words.
CARMY
No, it's not that. It’s good to see you, I’m glad you’re here.
Sydney laughs.
SYDNEY
Relax, I know what you mean. I don’t know these people. I wasn’t going to come but Nat wanted me to—since Pete was staying home with the baby and whatnot—she didn’t wanna go alone.
CARMY
I see. It’s good that you guys are in touch.
SYDNEY
Yeah.
(pause)
I’m sure we’d be in touch if you didn’t ignore my calls.
CARMY
Right. Sorry. I meant to call you back.
SYDNEY
I’m sure you did.
CARMY
Listen. My mom—did she say anything weird to you?
SYDNEY
(confused)
Weird? Like what?
CARMY
I don’t know. Anything? Most things that come out of her mouth don’t make sense.
Sydney shakes her head.
SYDNEY
Um, not really. Depends on what you consider weird. I think she wanted me to go back to working at The Bear—she was trying to be very subtle about it. Honestly, I was surprised she knew who I was.
CARMY
(annoyed)
Fuck. Why does she think she can get involved all of a sudden? Syd, I’m really sorry.
SYDNEY
It’s fine. I didn’t mind.
CARMY
I do respect your decision to leave. I wasn’t the one behind this, just so you know.
SYDNEY
I didn’t think you were.
CARMY
Yeah.
(pause)
Why didn't you come say hi?
SYDNEY
Oh…
SYDNEY
You were with Claire. I didn’t wanna bother you guys.
CARMY
You wouldn't be bothering me.
SYDNEY
So, you guys are okay now? You and Claire. Back together?
Carmy looks down, runs his hand through his hair.
CARMY
Um, no... I don't know.
SYDNEY
You don't know…?
CARMY
We talked. I apologized. We were still broken up after that. She asked me to go with her to this wedding, so I said yes. Does that mean we're together?
Sydney shrugs. Her expression looks hurt for a second, but it passes as soon as it comes.
SYDNEY
Why are you asking me, it's your relationship.
CARMY
This stuff’s never made sense to me honestly. I’ve given up trying to understand.
SYDNEY
You sure you should be saying that?
CARMY
(quietly)
Probably not.
Sydney finishes her drink with one gulp and sets the glass next to the other empty ones.
SYDNEY
Listen. I don’t wanna keep you for too long. You should go join her, have fun. It was nice seeing you again.
CARMY
Hey, wait. You’re leaving this early?
SYDNEY
Leaving… as in leaving the wedding? No, I’m just…
Sydney points to her seat, at a distance.
Going to sit down for a bit.
CARMY
Do you wanna go somewhere quieter? I—we haven’t talked in a while, so—
SYDNEY
(unsure)
Okay… where?
CARMY
A two-minute walk from here, there’s a garden with a few benches. I think they use it for taking pictures, but it should be empty now.
SYDNEY
Claire won’t mind that you’re gone?
CARMY
She’s talking to Tiff, she’s better off without me. Those two are close. I’d just make things awkward.
SYDNEY
Oh, okay. Lead the way then.
EXT. WEDDING VENUE – DAY
Carmy starts walking; Sydney follows him along a paved trail.
CARMY
I’ve been here before, this venue. It was some relative’s second wedding, Uncle Peluso—we’re not in contact with him anymore, I forgot why. Anyway, I was pretty young then, around ten, and I was mad at Sugar—probably some stupid argument—and I ran off…
Carmy turns to look at Sydney, walking beside him.
CARMY
Am I boring you? I don’t even know why I’m telling you this.
Sydney shakes her head.
SYDNEY
No, go on.
CARMY
Um—what was I saying? Yeah, so, I ran off and ended up at this garden somehow and just chilled there for a while. Apparently, I was gone for over an hour, no one knew where I was, everyone was looking for me. Obviously, when they found me, you can guess I was in a lot of trouble. Everyone was really pissed. Uncle Peluso started going off at me, saying something about ruining the ceremony. And then, right in the middle, Mikey just starts laughing. It kind of calmed the situation down, they all eventually realized how funny it all was.
They approach a garden with colorful flower patches, rose bushes, wooden benches, and a little pond.
CARMY
So, yeah, it just reminded me of that.
SYDNEY
A lot of pressure for a ten-year-old, everyone looking for you.
Carmy laughs.
CARMY
Yeah, it was traumatizing.
Sydney and Carmy sit down on a wooden bench. Sydney leans back, crosses her arms, and looks around.
SYDNEY
It’s nice.
CARMY
Right.
They sit in silence for a few minutes.
CARMY
I’m sorry. About the calls. I really did plan to call you back.
SYDNEY
It wasn’t anything serious, I just wanted to know how you were.
CARMY
Just really busy these days.
SYDNEY
Yeah, I get that.
(pause)
Sorry to ask this, but, did Claire have anything to do with it?
CARMY
What? No, why would she?
SYDNEY
I don’t know, forget I asked that actually.
CARMY
I think I was just scared at the idea of talking to you again.
SYDNEY
Scared?
CARMY
Like if you were holding in some pent-up resentment, and it came out while we talked. Then it would be like ‘Wow, I really did fuck up. You actually do hate me now,’ you know?
SYDNEY
Carm, that makes no sense. None at all.
CARMY
Yeah, I know.
SYDNEY
We’re good by the way. Whatever happened happened.
Carmy nods.
SYDNEY
So… now that that’s out of the way, how are things with you?
CARMY
Uh, well, I just remembered I told Nat I’d go over some timetable stuff—I haven’t done that yet. The menu’s a lot simpler, more focused on profit, just trying to keep everything running. We’re in the process of hiring another line cook—
SYDNEY
We don’t have to talk about the restaurant. I asked what you’re up to?
CARMY
Nice of you to assume I have a life outside of The Bear.
SYDNEY
I mean, you’re literally an uncle now.
Carmy smiles, a warm private smile.
CARMY
Yeah, there’s that.
SYDNEY
What do you mean that?
CARMY
Nothing, it’s nice. I think that’s my only source of joy these days.
SYDNEY
That sounds depressing.
CARMY
Wanna see pictures?
SYDNEY
Fuck yeah.
Carmy pulls out his phone, Sydney leans close to look at the pictures. Carmy hands her the phone so she can continue to flip through them. Carmy watches her as she does so.
SYDNEY
She kind of has your eyes.
CARMY
That’s what Nat said.
SYDNEY
Look at me.
Carmy is already looking at her. Sydney looks between Carmy and the picture on his phone.
SYDNEY
Yep. Definitely.
CARMY
I didn’t ask what you’ve been up to yet.
SYDNEY
I’m trying to rebuild my apartment from scratch. Or at least it feels that way. A really bad attempt at renovating.
CARMY
By yourself?
SYDNEY
Mostly. Marcus came over to help once. Nat told me I should ask Fak but…
CARMY
Yeah, don’t ask Fak. I can try and help when you need.
SYDNEY
I’ll let you know if I do.
Carmy continues to stare at Sydney for a long minute.
SYDNEY
What?
CARMY
No, nothing.
SYDNEY
Do I have something on my face?
CARMY
No…you look good.
Sydney subconsciously touches her hair.
SYDNEY
Oh. Thanks.
(pause)
So do you.
CARMY
Huh?
Carmy blinks, taking a few seconds to process the compliment.
SYDNEY
Yeah, your hair looks great, did you change your hair care routine or something?
Carmy brushes the front strands of his hair with his fingers.
CARMY
This is just what it looks like without restaurant air.
Sydney watches him and nods slowly.
SYDNEY
Cool.
SYDNEY
What time is it by the way, should we get back?
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
EXT. NEIGHBOURHOOD STREET – NIGHT
A shot of a car from behind. Carmy is standing outside the car, in front of the driver’s seat. Claire, sitting in the driver’s seat, has her window down.
CLAIRE
You’re fine to walk from here?
CARMY
Yeah, thanks.
Claire sighs.
CLAIRE
Well, it was worth a shot.
CARMY
What?
CLAIRE
It's good that we tried once, but I mean, you probably know better than I do, it's time to move on.
CARMY
What are you talking about? I thought today was good. Did I do something wrong?
CLAIRE
You’re really asking me that?
CARMY
Who else am I supposed to ask?
Claire gets out of the car, closes the door behind her.
CLAIRE
When I said I wanted to go to the wedding together, I actually meant together.
CARMY
And… did we not?
CLAIRE
I’m too tired to explain. It was a nice run, us, really—
CARMY
So, you’re just not gonna tell me?
CLAIRE
Why should I explain? I feel like if anything, you owe me an explanation.
CARMY
About what?
CLAIRE
You were with someone else the whole time.
CARMY
What? This is about Sydney?
CLAIRE
What do you think?
CARMY
You’re mad because I took ten minutes to catch up with her?
CLAIRE
You were gone for an hour.
CARMY
No….
CLAIRE
Yeah.
CARMY
Okay. Yeah, sorry, my bad. Lost track of time.
CLAIRE
It was humiliating Carmy. People asked me where you were, and I didn’t know what to say.
CARMY
You could have called me or texted me. I would have been back; I was like two minutes away.
CLAIRE
It’s not just that. You kept looking at her the whole time. While you were with me. Right in front of everybody. You know how bad that looks?
CARMY
What? No, I wasn't.
CLAIRE
You were. Other people noticed. Do you wanna call Richie right now and ask?
CARMY
No, no, don't call Richie. Okay, okay fine. So what? I still feel bad about what happened. The guilt’s been eating away at me. What am I supposed to do about that?
CLAIRE
Oh, it was more than guilt.
CARMY
What more would it be?
CLAIRE
I'm just saying, if you wanted to go with someone else, you should have told me.
CARMY
What the fuck are you talking about?
CLAIRE
Don't act stupid.
CARMY
I’m getting really sick of you not elaborating on anything and expecting me to know what you’re talking about.
CLAIRE
Okay, first of all—
Claire points back and forth between herself and Carmy.
This. This is textbook gaslighting. Because I do make perfect sense. You just don’t wanna accept it. Some advice Carmy, don't date anyone until you're over your feelings for her.
CARMY
Who? Syd?
CLAIRE
Obviously. Does Sydney know? Have you told her yet? Did you come to me before or after she rejected you?
CARMY
Claire, just fucking quit it.
CLAIRE
She doesn't know then?
CARMY
(yelling)
There's nothing going on! We're barely friends!
CLAIRE
(yelling)
Okay, sure! Look me in the eye and tell me you feel nothing for her!
CARMY
(under his breath)
This is so stupid.
Claire crosses her arms.
CLAIRE
Just say it.
CARMY
Do you know how ridiculous you sound?
CLAIRE
Fucking say it then. Prove me wrong.
CARMY
(voice shaking)
I feel nothing for her.
CLAIRE
Then why are you crying?
CARMY
(crying)
Fuck, I'm not—
Carmy lowers his head, presses his palms over his eyes.
CLAIRE
Carmy?
CLAIRE
(softly)
How long do you plan to keep running?