SHAMELESS
By
Paul Abbott
Current Revisions by
John Wells
in association with
Warner Horizon Television
SHAMELESS
FADE IN:
EXT. CHICAGO UPTOWN - NIGHT
Blazing fire. Public bonfire. POPS and BANGS of fireworks. A
MALE VOICE begins over luminous faces - adults and kids -
that the CAMERA picks out of the crowd in the bonding glow.
FRANK (V.O.)
Nobody's saying this neighborhood's
the Garden of Eden, hell some
people say God avoids this place
altogether, but it's been a good
home to us, to me and my kids, who
I'm proud of; 'cause every single
one of them reminds me a little bit
of me. Fiona, my rock, a huge help.
FIONA, attractive, but not gorgeous, eighteen, laughing.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Has all the best qualities of her
mother -- except she’s not a raging
psycho bitch.
QUICK-CUT to Fiona with two Kleenexs and two kids, put’s a
tissue to each kid’s nose and orders “Blow!”. They do.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Lip, smart as a whip. Straight A’s
and the honor roll. And people
thought when I dropped him on his
head it was a bad thing.
LIP, sixteen, handsome, athletic, drinking a brown-bagged
Pabst tallboy, no doubt lifted from some 7-11.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Boy’s definitely going somewhere --
QUICK-CUT of Lip, charging STRAIGHT AT and over us, followed
by two Chicago cops, in heated, sweaty pursuit.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Ian, industrious, conscientious,
ambitious, incredible work ethic.
IAN, fifteen, smiling, a little goofy, instantly likeable.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Don’t have a clue where he got that
from. I’m no biologist, but he
looks a bit like my brother, he and
the ex were close. Wants to be a
paratrooper.
QUICK-CUT of Ian in ROTC uniform, seriously working a wooden
rifle in close-order drills on a weedy playground.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Girls are going to love this guy.
Carl... Carl...
CARL, eleven. Shaved head, also drinking from a brown bag --
here’s hoping there’s a Fanta Orange hiding in there.
FRANK (CONT’D)
I don’t really know that much about
Carl... Oh, he’s got beautiful
hair, fetches top dollar at the wig
shop. We don’t tell the wig lady
he’s a magnet for lice. Debbie!
Sent by God, a total angel, don’t
know what we’d do without her.
DEBBIE, ten. Hooting and hollering at the fire, holding her
toddler brother, LIAM, in her arms.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Raises money for UNICEF year-round,
some of which she turns in.
QUICK-CUT of Debbie, sitting on her bed, shaking change out
of an upside down, much-used, orange UNICEF box.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Liam, gonna be a star --
QUICK-CUT to the toddler Liam, wearing a diaper and nothing
else, coming straight at us down a hallway, in the midst of a
SCREAMING, head-banging TANTRUM.
FRANK (CONT’D)
-- once Medicade agrees to cover
the Ritalin.
(and)
Kev and Veronica, fantastic
neighbors!
KEV, thirty, handsome, none too bright, arms wrapped tightly
around VERONICA. Thirty-four, black, sexy, vivacious, tank
top at least two sizes too small.
FRANK (CONT'D)
There’s nothing they won’t do for
each other...or too each other.
QUICK-CUT to Kev pulling a red ball out of his mouth,
Veronica behind him in leather Catwoman mask. He grins.
KEV
Didn’t hurt half as much as I
thought it would... Your turn.
FRANK (VO)
Love to fuck. I never realized how
little sex I was having ‘til V and
Kev moved in next door. And me...
Finally, a face to go with the voice. Forties, glassy-eyed.
Long, unkempt hair, Army surplus jacket, tattered Van Halen
World Tour ‘84 T-shirt. Hoisting his sixth or seventh 40 of
the night as SIRENS build in the distance.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Frank Gallagher, father, teacher,
mentor. Captain of our ship. We may
not have much, but the kids can all
think for ourselves, for which they
have me to thank, and all of us, to
a man, know first and foremost the
most vital necessity in this life --
we know how to party!
The SIRENS are closer now. The crowd finally begins to
disperse, Frank among the last to go. As the CAMERA pulls
away from him, we SLOWLY REVEAL - not a bonfire - but a
burning abandoned car! And they weren't fireworks but
exploding spray cans kids have been tossing into the blaze.
Fire engines and Chicago PD cars speed onto the scene as the
local community scatters to avoid arrest leave, flipping the
finger and yelling obscenities at the killjoy cops as we --
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Morning Chaos in the Gallagher House
INT. GALLAGHER HOUSE - MORNING
Fiona, in the mirror of the one cramped bathroom. T-shirt,
underwear, no make-up. She runs a quick brush through her
hair, stares at herself in the mirror, not great, but it’s
gonna have to do. Shoves her way out into the narrow hall --
BANGS on a door covered with Machine Head and Seether
posters, shoves it open to REVEAL her three sleeping brothers
packed into a room the size of a large closet --
FIONA
7:15 monkeys!
Doesn’t wait for a response, but the boys are stirring. On to
the next door, this one covered in Zac Efron and Jonas
Brothers. BANGS again, pushes it open to REVEAL --
Debbie, already up and dressed, pulling Liam from the crib
that butts up against Debbie’s small bed and neat, tidy desk.
FIONA (CONT’D)
7:15!
On to the next door, doesn’t bother to knock, it’s her room,
the smallest yet, barely big enough for her bed. No closet,
only an overflowing, makeshift clothes rack. Wiggles into
jeans, digs around on the floor for boots as we --
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Morning Mayhem in the Gallagher Kitchen
INT. GALLAGHER KITCHEN - MORNING
Fiona puts king-size Costco boxes of Kix and Corn Flakes on
the table, a stack of bowls, a fistful of spoons. Moves to
the fridge for the milk as she checks the calendar on the
door -- it’s covered in notes and reminders of what needs
doing, chores, school events, bills. Her finger finds today
and a scrawled “Electric” emphatically underlined.
FIONA
Shit...
Puts the milk carton on the table as Lip wanders in, half-
asleep. Pulls a small box out of a cupboard, grabs a bill off
the fridge and tosses it in the box along with some money.
Deftly retrieves the nearly empty milk carton from Lip before
he can pour it on his cereal, drops the box in front of him.
FIONA (CONT’D)
Electric...
She heads for the sink fills the plastic milk carton with
water from the tap as Ian wanders in, takes his seat next to
Lip. Lip drops cash into the box, passes it on to Ian.
LIP
Electric...
Carl appears sleepily as Fiona plops the now nearly full
carton of watered-down milk back onto the table. Lip takes it
without missing a beat, pours it on his cereal, hands the
milk to Ian, as Ian hands the box to Carl.
IAN
Electric...
Carl stares at the box as Debbie arrives, Liam on her hip.
Debbie straps Liam into a beat-up highchair and heads for the
coffee on the counter, pouring herself a big mug. Carl hands
Debbie the box without having put anything in.
CARL
Electric...
Debbie studies the bill, checks the money in the box, pulls a
few carefully folded dollars from her small purse. Fiona
moves to Carl, a quick perusal of his Foo Fighters T-shirt --
FIONA
No.
She snaps her fingers at him, motions for the shirt.
FIONA (CONT’D)
You’ve got a Happy Meal on the
front of that shirt.
Food stains. Carl pulls it off reluctantly as Ian pulls a
slip of paper from his pocket.
IAN
Field trip, I need Dad’s signature.
Debbie takes it. The boys are shoving cereal into their
mouths as if it’s their last meal. Fiona turns Carl’s dirty T-
shirt inside out.
FIONA
Arms up...
Slips the now inside-out T-shirt back onto Carl as Debbie
pushes the permission slip back to Ian, signed. Lip notices
the signature as it passes, is impressed.
LIP
That’s really getting good...
DEBBIE
I need something for show and tell.
LIP
Mr. Yublonski left his prosthetic
leg out in his yard again.
IAN
I’ve got some spunky boxer shorts
in my room.
Fiona WHACKS Ian on the back of the head, throws a load into
the washer, tosses in detergent, then inexplicably jams a
chair under the washer door handle and starts the machine.
FIONA
How much are we short?
She means the box. Debbie’s already figured it out.
DEBBIE
Eighteen dollars and thirty cents.
LIP
I’m tutoring after school, should
be able to kick in ten more.
IAN
Pay day at the store is Friday.
(grins)
Carl put in anything?
DEBBIE
No.
IAN
(to Carl)
You’re almost twelve, you’re gonna
have to start chippin’ in.
LIP
A real job, not just dipping into
the collection plate at St. Tim’s.
Fiona gathers up the cereal, milk. It’s almost time to go.
FIONA
I’m filling in for Candi again
today, I can cover the rest.
LIP
Extra kraut on mine.
IAN
No onions, only relish.
FIONA
It’s a day game, someone’s going to
have to stay home with Liam.
The boys stand, head for the sink with their bowls, pulling
on jackets, grabbing backpacks.
LIP
Calculus test and tutoring.
IAN
I’m working after school.
Fiona looks to Carl, he stares back blankly. That isn’t going
to work. A frustrated Debbie’s the last one standing.
DEBBIE
Show and tell?
Fiona thinks, then reaches across, pulls Liam from the
highchair, STICKS him in Debbie’s arms.
FIONA
Show them the birthmark on his
back. It looks like Latvia.
CUT TO:
EXT. GALLAGHER’S HOUSE - DAY
Lip, Ian, Carl and finally Debbie with Liam jammed into a
baby backpack, legs and arms flapping as she runs, all
bombing out of the house, scattering in different directions.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Game Day at the All Star Stand
INT/EXT. US CELLULAR FIELD - DAY
Fiona walks briskly along the concourse of the White Sox’s
home field passing legions of fans filing in, makes her way
to an All Star Stand - beer, nachos, and of course, hot dogs.
Swings under the counter, smiles at one of the women already
working as she grabs an apron and Sox cap from the rack.
WOMAN
No Candi again?
FIONA
Bobby’s got a bail hearing.
WOMAN
That kid’s going to be the death of
her. What is it this time?
FIONA
Tried tagging a cop car, with the
cops still in it.
Fiona steps up to the counter, smiles at a customer. A middle-
aged man in an A-Rod jersey and NY cap.
FIONA (CONT’D)
Yankees, huh? No need to buy a
beer, you’ll be wearing one soon
enough. What can I get ya, sir?
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Tutoring Tensions
EXT. SHEILA'S HOUSE - DAY
Lip approaches a small house. A middle aged woman, SHEILA,
opens the door microscopically. The outside world scares
her. But she's happy enough at the moment.
LIP
I’m here to help Karen study for
her mid-term.
SHEILA
Okay. Take your shoes off.
LIP
What?
KAREN'S MUM
I'll get you a plastic bag.
Which is a bit baffling for him, but what the hell.
INT. SHEILA'S DINING ROOM - DAY
We start on Lip’s white tube socks, shoes in a plastic A&P
bag hanging on the back of his chair next to his backpack.
He’s seated at a small dining room table drawing a diagram.
KAREN sits opposite. Sheila in the attached kitchen. Karen
whispers to Lip.
KAREN
She's got a thing about people
bringing dirt into the house.
LIP
Right.
KAREN
Agoraphobia.
LIP
Oh, right.
The whole room is invested with clown-motif objects -
tablemats, clocks, ornaments - clowns everywhere. Karen
studies Lip as he confidently completes a mnemonic diagram.
LIP (CONT’D)
If you remember it like this, the
formula's visible.
(turns it around to her)
Midget naked witch bending over and
she's crying 'cuz she's lost one
ear and she can't find it.
It's a tiny 'm' with a big 'V' in it's own box to denote
'squared'. He's clever. She looks grateful.
KAREN
How come you know all this?
LIP
Just something I like to fool
around with.
KAREN
Like a hobby?
LIP
More like a plan.
KAREN
Physics?
LIP
Sure.
(takes the paper back)
Have you done Newton's First? I've
got a great one for that.
He starts another diagram. He loves this, the science but
showing-off for her too. She’s smitten, physics excites her.
LIP (CONT'D)
'Every Body Continues In A State Of
Rest Or Uniform Motion Unless Acted
Upon By An External...
He lifts his head to address her...
LIP (CONT'D)
...Force'.
She's not there. Lip’s horror when he finds Karen rummaging
around his crotch under the table. Quietly:
LIP (CONT'D)
Hang on. Karen, come on, I'm not...
Urgent thought - where's her mom? Right there, visible on the
other side of the kitchen island, making dinner, TV on.
LIP (CONT'D)
Karen, I... I’m still going to have
to charge you.
Her head peeps curiously from under the table cloth.
KAREN
Charge me?
LIP
This isn't charity - I get paid for
tutoring.
KAREN
(smiles/then)
I know, science just turns me on.
A beat. Considers it for a moment, then:
LIP
Okay.
She vanishes under the table cloth again. He fidgets in fits
of bliss, keeping an eye on her mom's whereabouts.
SHEILA IN THE KITCHEN, obliviously, ritually following
instructions from Rachel Ray on the counter-top TV.
Lip stifles squeaks and grunts as he heads towards orgasm.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Secrets and Surprises
INT. GALLAGHER HOUSE BOYS' BEDROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
Lip drops his spunky undies, drags on a clean pair, slips his
jeans back on. The second he stuffs his soiled shorts down to
the bottom of a laundry sack. The --
Door flings open. Fiona in a new dress, price tag still
dangling from the back, her hair in a towel, prowling the
boys' bedroom for -
FIONA
Lip, can I borrow your deodorant?
LIP
I'm using Ian's.
She's about to leave then reaches for the laundry sack.
FIONA
If I stick this in the washer
before I go out, will you keep an
eye on it?
He snatches the laundry sack back.
LIP
Do it tomorrow.
FIONA
God, it stinks in here.
LIP
There's a T-shirt I need.
FIONA
You’re like chimps, you three!
VERONICA
Fiona!
Veronica appears in the doorway. She looks great, short
skirt, boots, low-cut blouse -- way too small, of course.
VERONICA (CONT'D)
We need to go if we're gonna get a
ride to the club.
FIONA
Five minutes.
Lip deftly retrieves his spunky undies, only seconds before
Fiona turns back to reclaim the laundry sack. Veronica spies
the price tag still hanging off the back of Fiona’s dress.
Goes to yank it off.
FIONA (CONT’D)
No...This has to go back tomorrow.
Veronica tears it off anyway.
VERONICA
I have a tag gun, we can put it
back on later.
(a tag gun?)
From when I worked at TJMaxx.
FIONA
(to Lip)
Hot dogs downstairs. Nachos too.
And they’re gone. Lip sags with relief. Scouts the room for a
hiding place for the undies - then shoves the shorts behind
the dresser. But dislodges something that drops to the floor.
He curses, fishes under the dresser to retrieve -- a study
folder, decorated with an (obviously) teenage male's collage
of Fergie's butt, Keira Knightly, pouting, etc. Somebody's
secret porn stash? One of his brothers' secret cache of...
Lip's face freezes as he unveils the contents -- naked
cowboys kissing?! Each OTHER?! Then cops! Sailors! -- plus
every other staple fantasy of your gay porn stash. He barely
has time to cope with the horror of it all, before...
Footsteps coming upstairs. Lip panics, conceals the study
folder behind his back. Then - PING! -- in bolts his brother,
Ian - a year younger, less 'worldy' than Lip... or so Lip had
always thought... until he's suddenly watching Ian hurriedly
strip out of school clothes, (shirt, shoes), into sneakers
and a ratty, favorite T-shirt.
IAN
Hey...
LIP
Hey...
As Ian stretches his arms through the sleeves, Lip, across
the room, is suddenly framing the guy against the huge
posters over Ian's bed - a horny Fergie poster and a Marine
recruiting poster, three incredibly handsome Marines in dress
blues with shiny phallic sabers, rigidly at attention.
Lip's shock. His brother's GAY?!!!
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
A Night of Dance and Disaster
INT. DOWNTOWN NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
Fiona, revelling in the heat and chaos, having a fantastic
time dancing with her friends.
STEVE, a young guy (23), standing on the balcony above,
looking down at her. He's conspicuous in these surroundings
because he's alone. All around him, groups of friends are
making the most of it. He's just a silent observer. Not
lonely, not unhappy. Just one of those guys who can look
happy in his own company.
His eyes focus on a GIRL dancing next to Fiona. Red hair, big
tits, obvious. Then watches Fiona herself, who doesn't see
him. Her eyes are anywhere but on Steve. She's actually
eyeballing a cruising SUITOR, who's dancing closer and closer
to her. The Suitor approaches, is now dancing with her.
ANGLE - Steve smiling nevertheless. Then something goes
wrong. We hear an almighty YELL. Fiona's yell --
FIONA
Hey!
Steve sees Fiona hit the deck, on her ass. Her 'suitor' is
actually a thief who does this often - swoons a girl with his
dancing eyes, then takes off with her purse. Which is where
we see the last of the guy - bolting towards a fire exit,
where an associate waits to jam the door open for him.
FIONA (CONT'D)
My purse! Bastard has my purse!!
Steve reacts like a true film hero. Spectacular dive across
the dance floor, skids on his belly, misses the thief by an
inch and ploughs into a table of drinks. This stuns onlookers
for all the wrong reasons - how CRAPPY was that!?
Genres:
["Drama","Crime","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Chaos in the Nightclub Parking Lot
EXT. DOWNTOWN NIGHTCLUB PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Fiona chases the suitor outside, but the thief and his
cronies escape in an anonymous sedan, only illuminating their
headlights once the license plate's too distant to read.
FIONA
Assholes!
Other clubbers have emerged to witness this, Steve too -
eventually. He's brushing glass and debris off his clothes.
STEVE
Sorry.
Veronica pushes through the crowd, glowing with admiration
for Steve's stunt.
VERONICA
That was fucking incredible. Truly,
honestly, one of the most heroic
things I've ever seen.
Steve beams with gratitude. She turns to Fiona.
VERONICA (CONT'D)
You see him?
(to Steve)
Stupid. But, man...! Heroic!
Fiona smiles, she saw it.
VERONICA (CONT’D)
My god, you’re bleeding.
She’s right, his forehead. He touches it. Smiles, his intro:
STEVE
Steve. I was gonna offer to buy you
a drink anyway.
Veronica's nodding consent on Fiona's behalf, which somehow
communicates how much she'd like her friend to find a guy
this nice. Which is also occurring to Fiona as a decent
compensation for this shitty night out. And, in the magic of
this moment, they turn back towards the club, until --
BOUNCER
(blocking them)
Where do you think you’re going?
VERONICA
Are you serious?
BOUNCER
Where’s his stamp?
VERONICA
His what?
(to Fiona, outraged)
Can you believe this fucking joker?
(to Bouncer)
If you were doing your job, he
wouldn't have had to.
BOUNCER
No stamp, no re-entry.
VERONICA
Is he for real?
(to Bouncer)
Fat useless prick!
BOUNCER
Fine. You're all barred.
FIONA
For what?
BOUNCER
(trumps up a charge)
Drugs.
FIONA
He probably let 'em get away
because he knows 'em.
BOUNCER
(alarmed/it's true)
Hey, shut up, skank.
STEVE
Watch your mouth.
BOUNCER
Or you'll be doing - what?
Bouncer looks ready to deck Steve, who is no match, not in a
million years. Fiona steps in.
FIONA
Forget it.
(to Veronica)
Lets get a cab.
(to Steve)
Thanks. Thanks anyway.
Steve stands down, waves delicately to the girls. The Bouncer
at ease. Then Steve suddenly spins and whacks the fat prick.
One hard punch, taking us and the Bouncer by surprise.
Then runs like the wind across traffic. The Bouncer takes off
after Steve but doesn't stand a chance, Steve’s fast.
ANGLE - Veronica and Fiona, shocked and amused, cheering
Steve on. The Bouncer won't risk the traffic. Gives up.
Fiona and V circumnavigate the Bouncer’s return to continue
in Steve's direction, howling abuse at the Bouncer from a
safe distance. Steve taunts the guy and flashes his ass for
the howling amusement of his newfound allies as we --
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy","Action"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Secrets and Vulnerabilities
INT. GALLAGHER BOYS' BEDROOM - NIGHT
Ian and Lip tucked in adjacent beds for the night. Lip is
quietly struggling with a task he's dreading to complete. But
he knows Ian's not quite asleep yet, so --
LIP
I got a hummer today.
Ian spools back that statement, hinges up on one arm, smiles
with amusement at this bullshit.
IAN
What's the law on sex with pets?
LIP
From Karen Jackson.
IAN
No way!
LIP
She got a C in Physics. Needs a B.
Lip slips out of bed and swaggers to the dresser by the
window to get away from the sleeping Carl in the bed closest
to the door. Carl's growling sinusitis and the soundproof
earplugs he wears as a routine, have protected him from
dozens of conversations this revealing. It's Carl's choice -
eavesdropping on the real world is a hobby he tends to avoid.
Ian joins Lip at the window, starts rolling a joint, studying
Lip to gauge the truth.
IAN
You wouldn't have waited this long
to tell me.
LIP
Five hours?
IAN
You’re full of shit.
Lip shrugs a 'couldn't care less'. Strategic pause.
LIP
You ever had a knob-job?
IAN
(can't help a chuckle)
Once or twice...
LIP
Didn't hear you rushing to tell me.
Ian shoots a tantalizing grin. His secret.
LIP (CONT'D)
If we tell each other everything...
Only now does Ian realize he's been expertly ambushed by this
conversation. Lip stares hard.
LIP (CONT'D)
'less you got it sucked by a guy?
(malevolent smile)
...for instance?
Ian is suddenly over-exposed. Lip reaches behind the dresser
for the porn, throws it to Ian. They hold a stare, until Ian
shrinks back to his bed, tucks the porn pointlessly under his
mattress. Tries crying quietly, but squeaks muffled distress.
Lip pans the room back to their third male sibling, Carl, to
make sure he’s still sound asleep in his bed.
Lip envies Carl's ignorance. UNTIL... raucous noise from
downstairs, voice, cackling, music --
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
A Night of Chaos and Care
INT. GALLAGHER LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Music pumping out at indecent volume from the stereo. Fiona
comes from the kitchen with a bowl of hot water.
FIONA
No kidding, Steve. You're dead if
he ever lays eyes on you. And I
mean...DEAD.
Veronica handles a sterile trauma kit used in ERs - swabs,
tweezers, saline, removes bits of glass from Steve's scalp.
VERONICA
I nearly peed myself when you hit
him... well I did a little.
She and Fiona laugh hysterically at this indiscretion. Steve
adjusts as Gallagher kids start appearing from upstairs -
Debbie, then Lip, then Carl. All here to investigate the din.
STEVE
How many of you live here?!
VERONICA
Not me, I'm one-down. But the old
guy next door died in March, which
I guess technically makes us next
door neighbors.
CARL
(droll)
Died March, found August.
Steve grimaces at the image, which somehow leads him to --
STEVE
So you're a nurse, Veronica?
VERONICA
Used to be.
FIONA
(amused)
Lying bitch!
LIP
She worked in housekeeping at Cook
County. Bedpans and shit sheets.
VERONICA
Fine! But I was offered a place in
the Nursing School.
FIONA
Fine, but it never happened.
(to Steve)
They fired her for selling medical
supplies on eBay.
VERONICA
Will you shut up! We don't even
know him.
(to Steve)
Sit still.
STEVE
I will. If you quit sticking your
tits in my back.
Veronica jabs him with tweezers. Steve does a cartoon yelp,
making the kids laugh. Steve turns to Carl.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Steve, by the way.
CARL
Carl.
LIP
Lip.
Debbie's too shy.
FIONA
Debbie.
STEVE
How you doin, Debbie?
Ian slides into the room, pointedly avoiding Lip's gaze.
FIONA
Plus Ian.
Ian nods, subdued.
STEVE
Hey Debbie, why do they call him
Lip?
Debbie doesn’t respond, so Lip does.
LIP
A) You smell like a drunk. B)
You're not as funny as you think
you are, and C) you decked a
bouncer so your days are numbered,
which is probably why - D) I've
already forgotten your name.
STEVE
So...Lip?
DEBBIE
His real name's Phillip.
A GUST OF COLD AIR as Kev (Veronica's husband) arrives from
outdoors, just finished work, carrying his jacket.
KEV
(to Veronica, irritated)
You've got my keys.
Kev clocks the semi-naked stranger.
KEV (CONT'D)
What’s goin’ on in here?
VERONICA
This is Steve. Decked the bouncer
at Purgatory to defend my honor...
FIONA
My honor.
Kev skeptically scans Steve's under-whelming physique.
KEV
He decked a bouncer with that?
VERONICA
Steve's a fully-fledged taxpayer so
we're taking good care of him.
KEV
Which bouncer?
FIONA
Ready for this...? Jimmy Clifton.
KEV
(impressed)
Jimmy Cl... Jesus, put it there!
(shakes Steve's hand)
Respect and congratulations, man!
STEVE
(bravado shrug)
Kind of guy just stands there...
KEV
You'll be his third conviction...
(to Veronica)
...third or fourth?
(back to Steve)
After that much practice, he
shoulda got the hang of Murder One.
No more fuck-ups - like, leaving
his Pops still breathin'!
STEVE
His own father?
KEV
(cackling)
Five YEARS, over an '87 Chrysler
with two-hundred thousand miles on
the dash! Fuckin' CHRYSLER!
(cackles again)
Re - SPECT!
Steve's blood pressure is sliding at his prospects as Fiona
claps efficiently toward the kids.
FIONA
Okay, come on guys, time for bed!
Up the wooden hill.
Veronica starts collecting her medical supplies as the
Gallagher kids peel off for the stairs.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Playful Banter Under the Stars
EXT. CHICAGO STREET - NIGHT
Veronica and Kev stroll the short journey home, sharing the
weight of her hefty bag of medical supplies. Kev spots
Steve's BMW in the street.
KEV
That's his?
VERONICA
Yeah. Well, company car.
KEV
Kinda company?
VERONICA
Internet start-up?
KEV
Earning - what?
She finds the question annoying, checking Kev's envy as
competitive male.
VERONICA
Coupla mil a year. Lost both
parents by the age of ten, high
school drop-out. Got a job as a
janitor at a small tech firm.
Within a year he owned it, made his
first billion by twenty. Two jets,
controlling interest in the Red
Wings... ten thousand employees
kissing his ass. Yes boss, no boss!
Kev’s feeling belittled by the story she's conjured up.
VERONICA (CONT'D)
So why shouldn't he ride around in
style?
Kev catches her smirking to herself.
KEV
You just made that up?
She chuckles at his rank gullibility.
KEV (CONT'D)
Why do you DO that?
VERONICA
(cackling now)
Your face!
KEV
How's that f... It's not funny!
She's laughing all the more.
VERONICA
How the fuck would I know what he
earns, you twisted dumb prick!?
Kev stops dead.
KEV
I am NOT a dumb prick.
VERONICA
Kevin, I met the guy an hour ago!
KEV
Take BACK dumb prick!
VERONICA
(princess-speak)
Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Veronica.
What's your pre-tax income?
KEV
Didn't mind watching the guy take
his shirt off, though, did you?
So there it is - amoebic, homosapien jealousy.
VERONICA
Not one bit! ‘fact, if you hadn't
walked in, Fiona and I were gonna
knock him down and tag-team him.
With which, she grabs Kev's butt with hardcore affection -
she’s flattered by his jealousy.
VERONICA (CONT’D)
Now I guess I’m stuck with you.
Kev grins back with a horny glint as they push through their
gate towards their house.
KEV
Fiona tag-team? Is that an option?
As she slaps his ass again, HARD, we --
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Quiet Moments in the Gallagher Kitchen
INT. GALLAGHER KITCHEN - NIGHT
Steve alone, checking handwritten messages on scraps of paper
stuck to the fridge door: 'Lip, DENTIST Monday!' 'Debbie,
bring your jacket home from school'. Plus stuff like:'Who's
eating all the Frosted Flakes?' 'Not me!' 'Yes you are Ian'
'Fuck off, Debbie' 'Quit swearing!' 'She started it!' etc.
On the table are several carry-out trays of still wrapped hot
dogs from the ballpark and a few mostly eaten piles of
congealing nachos. Fiona arrives from upstairs.
STEVE
All quiet up the 'wooden hill?'
FIONA
As quiet as it ever gets.
She's more self-conscious now it's just the two of them.
Starts cleaning up the hot dog mess, which looks incongruous
in her nightclub outfit. Steve watches her.
STEVE
Straight answer -- if I hadn't
busted my skull for you, would you
have looked at me twice?
FIONA
Who's saying I looked twice?
He shrugs this off with a grin. She looks back.
STEVE
You did then!
He catches her passing him. Goes in for a kiss. She lets him.
His hands roam under her blouse. She likes it.
FIONA
(off the window)
We can't.
He reaches for the lightswitch, turns it off. She chuckles at
his decisiveness, so Steve knows he's not way off-base here.
STEVE
Ninety percent of the world's
problems are caused by tiny words
that come in pairs.
Opens his belt. Starts undoing his jeans. One button.
STEVE (CONT'D)
We're healthy and happy but when
anybody asks, we say 'not bad'.
Two buttons.
STEVE (CONT'D)
When I saw you dancing the first
time - about a month back at the
Hard Rock - I was desperate to buy
you a drink. Normally, I'm shy, so
I told myself 'I can't'.
Three buttons.
STEVE (CONT'D)
'She wouldn't', 'We won't'. Then
tonight, you're there again. All
the indications being that I'm
getting a second chance to make a
good impression.
(the last button)
Say 'stop', I'll stop.
Moves slowly in. She glances back to check they can't be seen
from the window. Then returns the kiss. Gently, gently...
then ferociously. He’s amused, whispers --
STEVE (CONT'D)
Slower.
She tries.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Slower.
She calms down. They kiss more tenderly as we HARD CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Interrupted Passion
INT. GALLAGHER KITCHEN - NIGHT
Steve and Fiona in half-removed clothing, screwing on the
kitchen floor like famished wildlife. She's steering the show
- unwittingly slamming his head against the kitchen cupboards
as she lurches to orgasm. Steve see-saws between the pleasure
of the sex and the pain of head injury as he also nears...
FIONA
Almost. Almost. Almo...
LOUD KNOCK on the kitchen door. They freeze.
FIONA (CONT'D)
Shit!
Another KNOCK, louder. They scramble for clothes. She bolts
out of the kitchen, leaving Steve to untangle his jeans.
STEVE
Fuck!
Steve kicks socks, underwear and debris into a corner. Flicks
the lights on before opening the door to a young neighborhood
Chicago cop, TONY. Tony instantly spots Steve's bare feet.
TONY
(curt)
Is Fiona in?
STEVE
She's...upstairs. I'll...get her.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Urgent Encounters
INT. GALLAGHER STAIRCASE/LANDING - NIGHT
Steve bombs up the stairs as Fiona appears from a bedroom,
looking vaguely decent.
STEVE
Cops. Looking for you.
She's more embarrassed than disturbed by this. Brushes past
him to the stairs.
FIONA
Stay here.
Steve flounders for a sec or two. Then spots young Liam
emerging from a bedroom. Debbie behind him in pursuit.
DEBBIE
Liam! Back to bed or I’m showing
you The Hills Have Eyes again.
Liam yells fearfully, obeys. Steve stares at the disappearing
kid, tries deciphering the voices from downstairs.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
A Familiar Routine
INT. GALLAGHER KITCHEN - NIGHT
Tony and his partner COP struggle to heave the dead weight of
a paralytic middle-aged drunk (Frank, unconscious) through
the Gallagher’s door as Steve comes back down the stairs.
Fiona’s holding the door wide as the cops dump Frank in the
middle of floor. They efficiently turn him into recovery
position as they must have done a hundred times before.
TONY
I wouldn't put him anywhere near a
carpet til his pants dry a bit.
FIONA
Thanks, Tony.
TONY
See ya, Fiona.
Tony throws one final, wary, glance to Steve and off he goes,
as if from a casual event. Fiona turns to see Steve's shock.
STEVE
Who the fuck’s THAT?
By now, Fiona's way beyond apology - not to a stranger.
FIONA
My dad.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Bittersweet Farewell
INT. GALLAGHER LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (A FEW MOMENTS LATER)
Fiona’s stuffing Steve's blood-stained shirt into a plastic
grocery bag. Steve comes in, pulling his shoes and socks on.
STEVE
You leave him there all night?
FIONA
He's never there when I get up.
STEVE
Right.
(pause, of upstairs)
So who's the little guy? 'Liam'?
Inference being - is he hers? She resents the question.
FIONA
Liam's my brother.
She hands him the bag. He takes the cue to leave.
EXT. CHICAGO STREET - NIGHT
Steve ZAPS his car open, looks back towards the house. Can't
believe the night he's just had.
Sees Lip, Debbie, Ian and Carl watching his departure.
They're sorry he's leaving. He seemed nice.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
A Helping Hand
EXT/INT. HEART OF CHICAGO MOTEL - DAY
Fiona climbs the metal stairs of a clean but inexpensive, two-
story motel, Liam on her hip. Finds a maid’s cart parked
outside an open door, KNOCKS.
FIONA
Rita?
A Hispanic woman appears from the bathroom, yellow Playtex
gloves, toilet brush in hand, thirty, harried.
RITA
Anne’s school called, she’s sick.
She’s peeling off the gloves, handing the brush to Fiona.
RITA (CONT’D)
Everything up to 204’s clean. I
should be back in a couple hours.
FIONA
Raul won’t care?
RITA
Smoked his lunch again. He won’t
even know.
Rita grabs her jacket off the maid’s cart, pulls it on.
RITA (CONT’D)
Thanks for this. I’m making tamales
tonight, I’ll drop off a dozen.
(already out the door)
Oh, and take all the toilet paper
and soap you need.
And she’s gone. Fiona looks into the room, sighs, plops Liam
down on the bed. Turns on the TV for him to watch. As she
pulls on the yellow gloves and starts for the bathroom, we --
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Arcade Antics at The Elbow Room
INT. THE ELBOW ROOM BAR - AFTERNOON
A neighborhood joint, small kitchen in the back, a pool
table, lots of local sports memorabilia on the walls. A small
crowd is gathered around a battered arcade game (X-Men?
Terminator?), a man focused on the controls. Every so often,
a YELL goes up and the excitement builds. A regular, TOMMY,
saunters over to the bar where Kev, for his sins, is the
regular barman.
TOMMY
Worried?
KEV
(yes)
...Where is he?
TOMMY
Level 9.
KEV
He won’t get past the beast master.
Another rowdy YELL goes up. Kev sneaks an anxious look.
TOMMY
How long’s your record held?
KEV
Four and a half years.
TOMMY
Well, that’s something...
Another yell, it’s clear the guy’s getting close.
TOMMY (CONT’D)
I could sneak out back, flip the
breaker, say it’s a power outage.
KEV
(considers it, then)
Nah...
A huge GROAN from the crowd, the guy throws his hands up in
frustration and defeat. The crowd begins to disperse.
TOMMY
The beast master?
KEV
(grins)
Yep.
Frank enters, heads for the bar, in a magnanimous mood.
FRANK
Schlitz and a Makers. And...
(yells across the bar)
Billy, having one? Have one!
Whoever 'Billy' is, the guy ignores him. No reason. Just out
of Frank's league. Kev isn’t too happy to see Frank.
KEV
Go away, Frank.
Frank pulls out an envelope, and with a flourish, the check
that’s inside.
FRANK
A pen, barkeep. Disability day!
Kevin smirks, finds a pen by the register, hands it to Frank.
KEV
The disability people haven’t
caught up to you yet? I thought
they had a guy following you around
with a camera?
FRANK
They can follow me around all they
want, but they’ll have to catch me
actually doing something.
He hands the check over to Kevin. Frank notices how full the
joint is.
FRANK (CONT’D)
What’s with the crowd?
KEV
Layoff at the carburetor plant.
FRANK
That’s the problem with working.
Too much instability. Stress.
Kev returns from the register, hands Frank a few dollars.
FRANK (CONT’D)
What’s this?
KEV
That’s what’s left after I settled
out last month’s tab.
FRANK
(grins)
Better start a new one then.
(loudly)
Hey, a round for my friends from
the UAW!
A few heads turn, what?
KEV
Really?
FRANK
(scoffing)
Nah...
As Frank downs his shot and starts on his Schlitz we --
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Cynical Connections
INT. GALLAGHER KITCHEN - DAY
Fiona reads an ancient, crumpled US Weekly, killing time as
she keeps her foot wedged against the washer door. Washing
machine churns away happily, until... KNOCK at the back door.
As she abandons the washer, it grinds instantly to a stop.
She opens the back door, surprised to see Steve.
STEVE
Hiya!
She returns to the washer, jams her foot against the door, to
jump start the machine. Steve saunters in.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Wondering what your schedule's like
Friday?
FIONA
I've got a party.
STEVE
Want a chaperone?
Steve clocks the small pyramid of toilet paper rolls and pile
of tiny bars of wrapped motel soap on the kitchen table.
FIONA
You're not eligible.
STEVE
Right. Pre-nup chick thing?
No reply. She just stares at him cynically.
FIONA
Steve, you're not that desperate.
STEVE
(thrown)
Wanting to see you again's
desperate?
FIONA
Feeling like you have to. That's
desperate. You could get laid
anywhere.
STEVE
(scoffs)
So I'm only here for a fuck?
FIONA
Never crossed your mind?
She coldly dismisses him by moving to the freezer, removing
ingredients for a family meal.
STEVE
This is all a bit Hans Christian
Anderson. Just when you think you
collared your dream girl... her
incontinent, alcoholic father
appears, wrecks everything... And
she's blaming you!
FIONA
Dream girl? Please, we had drunken
sex on my kitchen floor.
STEVE
Stop pretending you don't even know
me. You weren't that drunk.
(which gets her attention)
If the only reason last night
happened was because it happened,
so what? At least something did.
It did for me.
Pause. They hold a look. She's genuinely thrown by his choice
of words. Or guts to use them. He's off her radar for the
kind of guys she's used to dealing with. Lip barges in from
the living room, dumping a lunch plate in the sink.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Hey, it's Phillip!
LIP
Hey, it's dead man walking! Jimmy
Clifton called looking for you.
STEVE
No school?
LIP
Couple teeth pulled this morning.
STEVE
Wisdom teeth?
LIP
Sugar rot.
STEVE
Little known fact: make sure you
don't just chew your food on one
side. It can buckle your jaw, which
can buckle your hips and affect
your posture.
LIP
That a fact?
STEVE
Skeletal fact.
Fiona moves back to her stork position against the washing
machine. It hums back into action. Steve clocks this small
mechanical blip.
FIONA
(sideglance)
Lip.
Mimes “fuck off”. Lip respects her privacy. As he exits --
LIP
(to Steve)
Talk out of your ass with that much
conviction, you end up needing a
much bigger toothbrush. Anal fact.
Exits grinning. Steve registers the variable intellects of
this neighborhood.
FIONA
Listen, thanks for trying to get my
purse back, and... stuff. But -
STEVE
'Stuff'?
FIONA
I'm not looking. Not right now.
STEVE
(pause)
Okay if I leave my number for when
you might be?
She shrugs indifferently. Steve finds a pen, scrap of paper.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Eccentric Hospitality
EXT. CHICAGO STREET - DAY
Lip pulls a reluctant Ian past houses, people and local
stores. He's on a mission.
LIP
Just keep talking about science.
IAN
I don’t know anything about
science!
LIP
So, just read from the table of
elements!
INT. SHEILA'S HOUSE - DAY
Karen's mom Sheila widening the door for Lip and Ian.
LIP
Mrs. Jackson!
SHEILA
Oh Karen's thrilled with you! Got
an A on her Physics mid-term.
(yells upstairs)
Karen! It's your little helper!
(to the boys)
I'm out of grocery bags. Why don’t
you leave your shoes out here where
they can breathe.
Ian bemused. Lip's already inured by the crazy Mrs. J.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Chaos in the Living Room
INT. SHEILA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
Looking to kitchen where Sheila sits on a bar stool, peeling
potatoes, lost in The Food Network on her counter top TV. To
Sheila, the hosts are like lifelong buddies.
CAMERA pans round to the table in the living room. Lip
diligently doing Karen's homework.
Ian reads from the table of elements with increasing
difficulty and, of course, Karen is nowhere to be seen.
IAN
Erbium...Cerium...Praseodymium..
SHEILA
(still watching the TV)
You kids want some Hot Pockets?
LIP
Ah...no thank you, we’re good...
Ian reacts to his dick being mauled beneath the table by the
industrious Karen.
At which point, Eddie Jackson, patriarch, arrives from
upstairs in his CTA uniform. Lip and Ian surprised. They
hadn't counted on a second parent, two parents are rare
around heren.
EDDIE
Right. I'm off to work.
(nods to the boys)
How's it goin' fellas? Where's
Karen?
Ian has a little freaked-out convulsion.
LIP
Her room, I think. Google Earth -
for a GPS reference for the house
Isaac Newton was born in.
Eddie's pleased that Karen's showing an interest these days.
He proceeds to kitchen, where we can see him and Sheila thru'
the hatch. Sheila is merrily preparing his lunchpail.
SHEILA
Guess what I've made for you!
EDDIE
(irritated, so wilfully
inaccurate)
Cornish game hen and Asian pear?
SHEILA
No!
EDDIE
Wild salmon with honey glazed baby
carrots?
SHEILA
(thrill mounting)
Nope! Kiss and I'll tell.
She awaits physical contact - little kiss, that's all.
Please. But no. Miserable Eddie snatches up the lunch pail.
EDDIE
I'll find out what I've got when I
open the damn box, alright?
He doesn't kiss, won't kiss. Sheila sags with disappointment.
His forensic lack of affection baffles her.
EDDIE (CONT'D)
(yells upstairs)
Karen! I'm late, honey so - see you
in the morning!
Then, as he turns to leave for work, his lunch pail clips a
vegetable strainer on the counter. A peeled potato drops
into the living room. The potato rolls dangerously close to
the dining table where Lip and Ian are sitting.
The predictability of what happens next, registers with
abject panic on Lip's face and shatters his smile.
Eddie goes to pick up the potato... Sees his daughter’s shoes
sticking out from under the table on Ian's side.
EDDIE (CONT'D)
(amused)
What's she hiding for?
(then puzzled)
What ya' hiding for?
He then clocks the terror on both boys' faces and the sordid
reality dawns on him. He screams with outrage.
EDDIE (CONT'D)
Oh, sweet Jesus!
Karen's face appears from under the tablecloth, and Ian doing
up his zipper, confirms the very worst.
EDDIE (CONT'D)
No?!
And, in a mighty, single sweep, Eddie yanks the table back.
Ian scrambles to avoid the assault. Lip darts the other way.
Karen bolts for the safety of her mom as Eddie lunges
manically for either intruder. He'll kill 'em.
Lip just avoids being caught. Ian darts behind Eddie and into
the kitchen, slamming out the back door. Lip darts into the
hall, stumbles over a bicycle, bolts upstairs.
ANGLE - EDDIE trying to decide who to go after.
SHEILA
What's set him off now?
Karen scurries behind Sheila. Eddie takes off after Lip.
SHEILA (CONT'D)
It's just a study group, honey!
After all the mayhem, there's suddenly an eerie silence.
Followed by a loud THUMP from upstairs.
KAREN
He's caught Lip!
EXT. SHEILA'S HOUSE - DAY
Lip falls from the sky into the front yard. Landing with a
crippling THUD. Ouch! Was he pushed? No, his eyes dart up to
a bedroom window, Eddie looking down, growling rage.
EDDIE (OS)
Further you go, more I'll kill you.
Lip leaps to his feet, races to catch up with Ian in the
distance, who's carrying both their sneakers, urgently
rescued from the doorstep. Lip limping all the way.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Under Pressure
INT. GALLAGHER BOYS' BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
Lip’s writhing in agony on his bed. Ian watches Fiona conduct
standard triage on the ankle. Fiona’s incredulous:
FIONA
An old lady on the train?
IAN
The door was closing on her walker,
Lip barely got his foot in the door
in time to stop it --
She rattles Lip’s toes. Lip YELPS in pain.
FIONA
I've forgotten whether that's good
or bad.
(MORE)
FIONA(CONT'D)
(their unbelievable story)
More like you two jumped the
turnstiles again and he twisted it
trying to outrun the transit cops.
Veronica arrives like a field surgeon, but empty-handed, no
medical supplies.
VERONICA
No-no! Always elevate extremities!
(nudging Fiona aside)
Move! ...Before you give him a
fucking embolism!
(to Lip)
You okay Lip? Sweetheart?
LIP
Don't touch it! Please...
He yelps as she yanks off his sock in a professional SWOOSH.
Scrutinizes the foot with all the intensity of an orthopod.
VERONICA
Wiggle your toes?
He tries. Fraction of movement. She doesn't look hopeful.
VERONICA (CONT'D)
(instantly to Ian)
Go to my house. Top of the freezer?
IAN
Yeah.
VERONICA
Two ice packs.
IAN
Okay.
VERONICA
Second cupboard above the sink?
IAN
Yeah.
VERONICA
Liquid ibuprofen, freeze spray, ace
bandages.
FIONA
Shouldn't we get it X-rayed?
VERONICA
Please. No insurance? You’ll be in
the ER forever, and for what?
(mimics gay ER doc)
'Sub-metatarsal hematoma’ Thanks!
Tell us something we didn't know
five hours ago! Fuck off!
(blocks Ian's departure)
My bedroom?
(he nods)
Top of the TV?
IAN
Yeah.
VERONICA
Pack of smokes and a lighter.
Ian dives out. Veronica rolls her sleeves up, moving towards
Lip like an expert. Until there’s --
A LOUD KNOCK AT THE FRONT DOOR.
Lip bounces up scurries to hide under the bed.
LIP
I'm not here! I'm not HERE!!
Ian scrambles back into the room from the stairs.
IAN
You've never heard of us, Fiona!
Fiona suddenly rails against being lied to about all this.
FIONA
What. Have. You. DONE?! WHAT HAVE
YOU DONE?
No time to wait for reply. Another LOUD KNOCK. Fiona has to
venture downstairs.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Unexpected Delivery
INT. GALLAGHER FRONT DOOR - AFTERNOON
Carl skulking at safe distance behind Fiona, who approaches
the front door with trepidation. Finally opens it to...
A smiling DELIVERY MAN with a huge 'Sears' logo’ed carton.
DELIVERY MAN
Can I get it through here, or is it
better coming around the back?
(MORE)
DELIVERY MAN(CONT'D)
(off her stumped
expression)
Washer-dryer?
FIONA
Not me.
DELIVERY MAN
Gallagher? Number 2?
FIONA
Yeah, but it's not ours.
DELIVERY MAN
It's paid for. You want me to hook
it up or not?
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Forbidden Curiosity
INT. VERONICA'S HOUSE BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
Ian with accumulated handsful of medical supplies. He dives
into the bedroom, seeking Veronica's smokes and lighter on
top of the big flatscreen.
But - Kev's in bed asleep. Kev stirs and kicks the duvet off,
crotch exhibited.
Ian spots this reflected in the TV screen. He knows looking
is forbidden. Knows he shouldn’t, shouldn’t... So, finally he
grabs the smokes and makes to exit... when --
KEV
Where you goin’ with those?
IAN
Veronica wants 'em.
We think for a second that Ian's been caught looking. But no.
KEV
Throw me one.
Ian has to hand Kev a smoke and light it for him, and resist
the compulsion to stare at a grown-guy's dick as Kev lets his
legs spread nonachalantly across the leopard sheets. Kev
takes a big drag and then melts back into his sleepy nest.
Ian bolts without explanation.
C/U Kev for a second longer and then his 5pm radio-alarm
clicks on, Kev sleepily whacks the 'snooze' button. Does a
half-hearted sing-a-long to whichever Karen Carpenter song he
just silenced.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Unexpected Gifts and Surprises
INT. GALLAGHER KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
Veronica arrives from upstairs with her hallmark medical bag,
chaperoning Lip to the ground floor, both perplexed by the
Sears guy installing a brand-spanking washing machine.
The Sears guy looks unduly pressurized by the expanding
audience - Ian, Fiona, Carl, Debbie, Liam, now Lip and
Veronica, like this is a rare event. Which it is.
VERONICA
(to Fiona)
I thought you were broke?
IAN
That's what I said!
Fiona, equally baffled, reaches into the basin where she's
put a bouquet of flowers.
FIONA
These were inside the washer.
She shows Veronica the message tag. 'XOXO STEVE'
VERONICA
(flabbergasted)
Steve? No!!
FIONA
Yeah!
VERONICA
(beat: puzzled)
Who's 'Steve'?
FIONA
Other night!
VERONICA
(it dawning)
No!!?
FIONA
I know!
But the sheer thrill of romantic novelty on Fiona's face says
the strategy has worked.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
The Final Departure
INT. SHEILA'S LIVING/DINING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
Eddie is leaving the family - for good. Aggressively boxing-
up every clown motif object in the house - clocks, ornaments,
paintings, etc., they belong to him, not mad Sheila. Sheila
is beside herself with the distress of desertion.
EDDIE
(outraged)
Fifteen years, I've done everything
in my power to...
(to Sheila)
What did I say? What did I tell
you?
(to Karen)
Sow and thou shalt reap.
(to Sheila)
Well she didn't reap that from ME,
did she?
SHEILA
Reap WHAT? What you reaping NOW?
Karen's hovering in the kitchen door, upset.
SHEILA (CONT'D)
Eddie, whatever it is, I'll try.
I’ll try... really TRY.
But he continues packing without forgiveness.
KAREN
Mom, don't beg him! If he can do
this, the bastard's not worth it.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Confrontation on Sheila's Street
EXT. SHEILA'S STREET - LATE AFTERNOON
Eddie has just stepped outside with a box as he hears that
last line, spinning on the expletive --
EDDIE
Hey, you watch your mouth!
KAREN
GET! FUCKED!
He races for the front door.
EDDIE
Don't try blaming me for this!
But Karen kicks the door shut in his face. Locks it.
Eddie dives to the front window, where a new testament sign
proclaims'JESUS SAID: I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT'
EDDIE (CONT'D)
You are your own worst enemies, you
two! They say bad things come in
threes. They don't. Twos! YOU two!
He ducks suddenly as a clown lamp comes flying through the
window, demolishing the new testament sentiment.
Eddie rescues the clown, packs it with finality into his
rental car, parked outside.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Heavy Lifting and Light Banter
EXT. GALLAGHER'S STREET - LATE AFTERNOON
Veronica and Kev hand-carry the heavy old washing machine
from the Gallaghers to their house two doors up the street.
both smoking, yelling garbled instructions to each other.
VERONICA
Steve.
KEV
Kitchen floor Steve?
VERONICA
Yeah.
KEV
Hey, maybe you could do him, we
need a new microwave.
NOTE: The house immediately next to the GALLAGHERS' is ply-
boarded with a hand-painted sign 'Grandad's dead. There is
nothing else to steal from this house. So FUCK OFF!'
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Family Tensions at Kash and Karry
INT. KASH AND KARRY STORE - LATE AFTERNOON
Ian works at the corner store. Right now he’s re-stocking the
refrigerator case in the back with cheap beer. KASH (owner)
is at the register, generally despising his lifestyle. A
gigantic American flag hangs behind the counter.
Kash's wife, LINDA, (white by way of Wisconsin) blasts into
frame, wearing a Muslim head-scarf and floor length skirt.
LINDA
Let me smell your breath.
He breathes into her face. She looks dubious.
LINDA (CONT’D)
Pork Rinds.
KASH
No.
Linda produces a near empty bag of pork rinds from behind the
counter. Exhibit-A.
IAN
Those are mine.
KASH
See! And hey, since when did Pork
Rinds actually come from a pig?
LINDA
Ian, I'm the one who signs your
check. What's bad for him, is
really bad for you if you're stupid
enough to start lying for him.
IAN
They’re just corn chips with fake
hair. Fake corn, even.
LINDA
Last warning - get yourself to that
mosque so your Dad stops blaming ME
for the fact that we’re all going
to hell. And talk to your mother.
KASH
She won’t talk to me. I can’t force
her to take her meds.
LINDA
I don’t want the cops dragging me
out of bed again at 4am because
she’s in the alley yelling about
the CIA stealing her trash.
IAN
But... that happened, didn’t it?
LINDA
(concedes a nod, sardonic)
Once. Four years ago. But now she’s
locked in the basement building a
helmet out of tinfoil. Enough’s
enough.
She gathers up their two immaculate, cherished blonde kids
and starts for the door.
LINDA (CONT’D)
I have to get the boys to Cub
Scouts at the mosque before all the
carpets are taken.
(exiting)
She’s your mother, get her to take
her Thorazin!
They climb into the Toyota flatbed truck at the curb outside.
Kash sighs in relief in the aftermath. Sees Ian chuckling at
Kash’s expense. Kash holds a stare.
KASH
Least my family registers as human
protein on a DNA test.
Not offensive. Ian laughs. Just banter between the two of
them as Ian resumes his beer-stacking task.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
The Washer-Dryer Dilemma
INT. THE CORNER BAR - EVENING
ANGLE - FIONA on the payphone, clutching that scrap of paper
with Steve's name on it.
FIONA
How much did you pay for it?
We INTERCUT with Steve on his cellphone, in some kind of
grimy auto shop, sparks from a grinder fly in the background.
STEVE
I'm not telling you that. It's a
gift. So you'd remember the phone
number. Which obviously worked.
FIONA
Your washer-dry's in the backyard.
We don't need it, I don't want it.
So you need to come get it before
it starts rusting.
Pause.
STEVE
Is it?
Pause.
FIONA
No.
STEVE
Did the guy connect it?
FIONA
(reluctantly)
Yes.
STEVE
It's working okay?
FIONA
Not my favorite color...
STEVE
(more to the point)
So you've tried it?
She's put herself on the spot. Pause. Hangs up. Off Steve,
closing his cellphone, smiling.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
Shadows of Responsibility
INT. GALLAGHER HOUSE - NIGHT
Dead of night. Fiona heads for the kitchen. Peers into the
refrigerator. A chicken that’s all bone, what’s left of
Rita’s tamales. A case of beer and big bottle of Vodka next
to Liam’s sippy cup and boxes of juice. Grabs the sippy cup.
Spots Ian sitting in the dark with a box of tissues. Has he
been crying? Joins him in the shadows, sensing trouble.
FIONA
Just tell me you haven't gone and
gotten some girl pregnant.
IAN
No worries!
He glances across the floor to where Frank's unconscious,
flat on his back, mouth open. Ian is (and has been) trying to
flick small balls of tissue into Frank's gaping mouth.
IAN (CONT'D)
(beat)
He hates me.
She studies Ian, decides to throw him a line.
FIONA
You look more like mom than any of
the rest of us.
Which suddenly makes sense to Ian. Too late, and nowhere near
justifying the shit he gets for this.
FIONA (CONT'D)
You probably scare him.
IAN
Yeah?
(perverse smile)
He ain't seen nothin yet.
FIONA
Did he give you money for the field
trip?
IAN
(truculent)
I'll pay my own way.
FIONA
No you won't.
Fiona crawls over to horizontal Frank, raises one of his legs
until coins rolls out of his pocket. It’s an essential form
of mugging she's perfected over years. Frank remains
oblivious. Ian takes the cash, amused by her talents.
IAN
You must be sick of having to think
for everybody.
FIONA
Least I can. Proves I'm wanted.
IAN
(shrugs it off)
If all you want is being needed,
congratulations, Fiona...
He finally gets a ball of Kleenex into Frank's gaping mouth.
IAN (CONT'D)
...you got yourself a job for life
with this joker.
Ian quietly heads back to bed, leaving Fiona to dwell on that
prospect, Frank still unconscious across the room.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
A Moment of Connection
INT. CARWASH - DAY
C/U STEVE, but framed against what appear to be 'clouds'. Guy
with big things on his mind. His cellphone goes off to pull
him back from his reverie.
INT. THE CORNER BAR - DAY
Fiona back at the bar's payphone, almost exactly positioned
as she was the last time she rang Steve. Different clothes.
But this is more or less how she postures for outgoing calls,
because she always makes them from here.
FIONA
If that wasn't a pile of bull...
What was I wearing?
STEVE
Huh?
This is way out of the blue for him.
FIONA
The first time you saw me?
(beat)
If that wasn't a lie?
NOTE: ONCE WE START INTERCUTTING WITH STEVE IN THE CARWASH,
IT'LL BECOME OBVIOUS THAT THE 'CLOUDS' ARE DETERGENT FOAM ON
HIS WINDSHIELD. BUT HOPEFULLY NO LESS MAGICAL AN EFFECT FOR
THIS CONVERSATION.
STEVE
Pink shirt, black trousers, thin
shoes... straps... sandals! With
your hair pinned high. Dangly 'O'-
shaped earrings that made me smile.
BRIEF FLASHBACK to Fiona dancing in the nighclub that night,
exactly as he's describing her.
When we flit back to Fiona, FADE OUT SOUND on the bustle from
the bar. Her ears now tuned to Steve's voice. Probably the
nicest, most special thing anyone's ever said to her --
STEVE (CONT'D)
A big watch - too big, so it slid
up your arm, looked great. You were
dancing next to a red-haired girl
in a green dress.
FIONA
Jenna. It was Jenna's birthday. So
you're watching her, who's a lot
better looking than me...
STEVE
Think so? Really?
FIONA
So how come you're not stalking
Jenna?
STEVE
Because you... you think like that,
and Jenna doesn't. She dances for
an audience and you dance like
there's nobody else in the room.
As if someone just crashed through the doors of the bar, a
non-naturalistic breeze wafts her hair. She's soaking up the
flattery.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Your life's not simple Fiona. And
you can't stop it from showing.
'Cuz you're no fake, you're not
vain. You're not lost, so you don't
need finding. This whole fucking
city belongs to the Jennas of this
world, but I'm sick of them. I
swear, Fiona, you're nothing like
anyone I ever met. You make me want
to enjoy my life.
(makes himself smile at
this realization)
You still there? Hello? Fiona?
EXT. EL STATION PLATFORM - DAY
Steve sprints up the stairs and out onto the platform. He
gasps for breath as he looks around, but it's empty. He's
late. Thinks he's missed her. Curses himself.
Then a train on the opposite track clears. And there she is,
smiling, just as he remembered her. He jogs down the stairs
onto the elevated walkway that leads to the other platform.
Halfway across, she appears. He slows, walks to her. Kisses
her gently. She returns it carefully, but with increasingly
rare and satisfying confidence. Such a big first for Fiona.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Trust Issues at Charlie Trotters
INT. CHARLIE TROTTERS - EVENING
By now, they're clearing dessert. Fiona and Steve's faces
inches apart across their table. Her scepticism about men is
already commencing its 'self-fulfilling-prophecy' pattern.
STEVE
What have I ever done... to
anybody, nevermind you... to look
'unreliable'... Unreliable?
She nods. That's her word.
FIONA
People like you are way-too-used to
getting your own way.
STEVE
'People like me' being people
like... what?
She shrugs, tries putting a finger on it.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Okay, wait. Yes-No. All you have to
do is, agree or disagree:
(mimics the 'ping' of a
quiz show bell)
'He thinks the sun shines out of
his own ass.'
She laughs.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Agree, or d...
FIONA
Agree.
STEVE
‘He's overly-generous and that bugs
me.’
FIONA
Agree.
STEVE
'Cuz I'm not...
FIONA
Actually, very agree.
STEVE
'Cuz I'm not used to being
spoiled?'
Beat. Fine.
FIONA
Agree.
STEVE
'So I lose respect for people like
Steve, cuz people UNLIKE Steve...
or, people diametrically opposite
to Steve, have always let me down?'
She's frowning, resents his smart-ass phrasing.
STEVE (CONT'D)
'So, deciding the guy's over-
educated, with more money than
sense... is somehow more socially
acceptable than asking, for
instance, why the men I always meet
treat me like shit?'
Bang on the nerve.
FIONA
Fuck you!
STEVE
It's a question.
FIONA
Fuck YOU!
STEVE
Either-Or.
She's grabbing her purse, about to flee... Stops. Turns.
FIONA
Agree.
STEVE
'He's had an easy life.'
FIONA
Definitely.
STEVE
And you prefer a guy who's been
around the block a few times?
FIONA
What if I did?
STEVE
Say, D-Block of a maximum security
prison? With a name you'd know
from the news?
FIONA
(truculent smirk)
If they knew how to have fun, sure!
He melts into his chair hopelessly.
STEVE
Fiona. I can't help my upbringing.
FIONA
So how come it's me again, having
to apologize for MINE?
STEVE
Who's ASKING you too?
His volume turns heads in the restaurant. She absentmindedly
perches back onto her seat. The destructive power of her
'self-fulfilling-prophecy' ritual suddenly dawns on her.
WAITRESS
We finished here, guys?
Steve looks up to a WAITRESS hovering.
STEVE
(of Fiona)
We're working on it.
Waitress begins to clear plates.
STEVE (CONT'D)
You wanna wait outside while I pay
the bill?
FIONA
Sure.
She collects her purse, leaves. Steve manipulates the
waitress's wrist to check the time. A very intimate thing to
do to someone he doesn't know but she doesn't flinch.
STEVE
He’s on break?
WAITRESS
Any second now.
He winks, pulls a fat envelope out of his pocket, slips it to
her. She smiles. Do they know each other?
INT. CHARLIE TROTTERS COAT CHECK - EVENING
Steve waits by the bathrooms, watches as an older man in a
green parking valet’s waistcoat walks past him, disappears
into the men’s room. Steve turns to the coat check window,
where the waitress quickly hands him a green valet jacket.
As he pulls it on --
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
A Night of Thrills and Deception
EXT. CHARLIE TROTTERS RESTAURANT - EVENING
Fiona waits alone, smoking self-consciously.
Steve appears from inside, now wearing the green valet’s
waistcoat. Name tag, everything.
Nods to the young remaining valet who quickly jogs off as if
to get another car just as a sleek ASTON MARTIN pulls up. An
elegant couple leave their car door open for valet parking.
Steve boldly slings his own jacket over the arm of a shocked
Fiona, greets the couple with a beaming, servile smile.
STEVE
Welcome to Charlie Trotters.
The gent hands over his keys, shepherds his wife into the
restaurant. Steve hops in behind the wheel and spins off
leaving Fiona watching, breathless.
Now what? Silence. She waits. And waits.
A CELLPHONE starts ringing in Steve's jacket. Rings and
rings. Eventually, Fiona realizes, answers it.
STEVE (VO) (CONT'D)
I've confused you. I’m sorry. I
don't 'buy and sell' cars. I just
sell 'em. But the cars I sell are
mainly... not mine.
Pause. She urgently calculates the reality of who and what
Steve is. The Aston Martin backs up into frame beside her.
STEVE (CONT’D)
Coming or not?
(ups the revs)
Still looking for fun, Fiona?
She legs it to climb into the car. Steve shoves his own CD
into the player and they’re gone.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Repairs and Revelations
INT. SHEILA'S LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
A contrite Lip’s been transformed into a handyman, ankle
wrapped by Veronica.
He's helpfully replacing the broken front window with a sheet
of plyboard. He's currently sawing the plywood to the
window's dimensions. Karen steadies the wood.
REVEAL Sheila on the couch, mortified that they're wearing
outdoor footwear, inside the house.
KAREN
(radar on red alert)
Mom, we have to wear shoes. There’s
bits of glass all over the floor.
Sheila nods rare concession.
Lip finally slots the ply sheet up to window aperture. Only
now do we see that he's pilfered from the derelict house
adjacent to the Gallaghers'... 'Grandad's dead. There is
nothing else to steal from this house. So please FUCK OFF!
KAREN (CONT'D)
Maybe Lip could do with a drink?
Sheila bounces to her feet, glad of a task.
SHEILA
Sorry, yeah... Sorry, Lip, I’m a...
bit off today, aren’t I, Karen?
So! Vodka, some tonic... plenty of
tequila but I'm out of lime, gin
definitely...
KAREN
Just a couple of Cokes, mom.
SHEILA
...and a few beers.
LIP
Beer's great, Sheila, thanks.
Sheila disappears into the kitchen. Sotto to Karen:
LIP (CONT'D)
What if your dad comes back and
sees me here?
KAREN
He won't.
LIP
That's my fault?
KAREN
He's been looking for an excuse for
months.
Lip lifts the plywoood up to the window, struggling with his
bad ankle. Karen helpfully assists, handing him nails etc.
LIP
Thanks.
(he builds awkwardly to
asking)
What kind of impression did you get
of my brother?
KAREN
Ian? Seems nice.
LIP
But... did he get hard?
KAREN
Huh?
LIP
Did you MAKE him... hard?
Karen has to think back.
KAREN
Ever try to play pool with a rope?
Lip wilts.
CUT TO:
INT. GALLAGHER KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
Frank stands at the end of the kitchen like he just had a
stroke. Gawking.
ANGLE - on the new washing machine. Alien presence.
INT. GALLAGHER LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Frank on the sofa. Still catatonic. Cigarette going. TV is on
but his head's at right-angles. To the vase of flowers. No,
not a vase - they've stuck the bouquet in the fish bowl.
One solitary goldfish in a shrunken homestead.
FRANK
Now you know what I feel like!
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Unexpected Revelations
EXT. KASH'S SHOP - LATE AFTERNOON
Lip’s returning the saw and hammer. Shop’s door locked.
Clocks a hand-scribbled sign: 'CLOSED FOR INVENTORY'
Lip checks his watch. That doesn't sound right. Plus the
lights are on but there's no-one to be seen. He knocks.
Nothing. Walks round the block.
INT. KASH'S SHOP - LATE AFTERNOON
Looking into the empty shop to the counter. Sounds of sex.
Back door slams. Sex stops abruptly.
Lip comes in from the back with the hammer and saw. No signs
of life. Odd. He walks around to check.
Ian and Kash emerge from the stockroom with a sweat on,
carting boxes.
KASH
(bossy)
You stack the sodas, I'll do the
snacks...
(then feigns shock at the
sight of)
Jeez! Lip! Christ!
LIP
Sorry, I just...
(of the tools)
Thanks for the tools, Kash.
KASH
Anytime, long as I get 'em back.
But something's wrong. Lip knows something's wrong. Ian and
Kash go through the pantomime of counting stock.
Then it strikes Lip like a thunderbolt.
LIP
You must be joking!
Ian looks up, like a social X-ray.
LIP (CONT'D)
You're fucking him?! HIM?!
Kash shrivels. How could Lip know? How?
Lip glances to their feet. They're each wearing odd sneakers,
one of each other's.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
Confrontation and Confession
INT. GALLAGHER BOYS' BEDROOM - NIGHT
Lip on his bed, seething. Ian bounds upstairs and bounces in.
Sits on his bed. Nervous. Lip looks at Ian’s new sneakers.
LIP
He bought them for you. Didn't he?
Ian reluctantly nods.
LIP (CONT'D)
He's married. With kids! What else
does he buy you, Ian?
IAN
Stuff. Now and again.
LIP
And you're happy with that?
(off Ian's shrug)
What's that make you?
(another shrug)
Fucking kept boy, at best.
Ian flies for Lip's throat. They've fought before but this
intensity from Ian is unprecedented.
IAN
Listen to me, stupid! You think you
know everything, and you don’t know
shit. Ask me what I've bought him.
Ask me!
Lip's going blue. They're both tugging at each other's
throats and clothes.
IAN (CONT'D)
CDs, dozens of CDs, stuff he's
never heard of, stuff I think he'll
like, because I want him to like
stuff that I like. Plus - two Sox
tickets for his birthday. Limited-
edition team posters for Christmas.
So what's that make you, Lip? Eh?
Makes you WRONG, you smart asshole!
(and with a final dig)
Go back there now. Promise Kash
you'll keep your mouth shut. Cuz
he's shitting himself. And he's
done nothing... understand?
Absolutely nothing to be sorry for.
A chastised Lip gets to his feet, nurses his throat and and
indignantly straightens his clothing. Long pause as he
absorbs that this is a fully consenting relationship.
LIP
(a newspaper headline)
Fake Muslim cheats on white
fundamentalist wife with gutless
gayboy.
(even more tragic)
Says more about White Sox fans than
it does the rest of us.
Lip dodges a lunge from Ian, heads out.
CUT TO:
INT. KASH'S SHOP - NIGHT
Shop lights out, only light comes from the stockroom.
Through a half open door, we see Kash, Ian and Lip -
questions and answers. Kash is devastated, crying,
confessing. Ian is volubly explaining to Lip that Kash is as
stuck with the bigotry of being round here, but worse. Much
worse. As Lip digests this --
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
Locked In Laughter
INT. GALLAGHER KITCHEN - NIGHT
Fiona leads Steve into the kitchen, starts to kiss him.
FIONA
Sounds like they're all in bed.
With which, Frank swooshes in from the living room, in a
fairly flowery mood.
FRANK
Gotcha!
(grins, then cryptically)
Who's been eating my porridge?
Fiona skillfully scans Frank's mood. Senses instinctively
that tonight he's harmless.
FIONA
Hiya dad. This's Steve.
STEVE
We've met before, but you weren't
exactly...
Fiona silences Steve with a nudge, Frank goes to shake hands.
FRANK
How much do you weigh?
STEVE
I don’t know.
FRANK
(Steve's jacket)
That'd fit me.
FIONA
Ignore him.
(to Frank)
Move!
She nudges him out of the way to reach the fridge.
STEVE
Listen, I should leave you to get
to bed.
(to Fiona)
Thanks. That was really nice.
FIONA
You too.
And really means that.
She's walking him to the door. Despite Frank, they go in for
a kiss but Frank comes charging over, slams the kitchen door,
locking them in and hanging on to the key. Skips to the
washing machine, pats it like a dog,
FRANK
I want to know who paid for this?
Then into the living room waving the key.
STEVE
What the hell's he on?
FIONA
(shrugs hopelessly)
He'll think he bought X. But the
only dealer he gets credit from is
a schizophrenic.
They dare a giggle.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
After-Hours Chaos
INT. GALLAGHER LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The B-52’s, Love Shack, thumping away on the stereo. It’s
half-an-hour later and Frank's coming down, smoothing out.
Steve now has his jacket off, Frank's topping their glasses
off. It's developed the verve of an after-hours party. You'd
never guess there were kids in the house.
FRANK
Not a case of whether I agree.
It's a fact. If I was a single
parent, we'd be on...
Fiona walks in with a packet of rolling papers.
STEVE
Aren't you a single parent?
FIONA
(heard it all before)
'yeah, but if I had a pair of
tits...'
FRANK
(oblivious)
Yeah, but if I had tits, Steve,
they'd double the money. With a
guy, they don't wanna fucking know.
STEVE
(encouraging him)
I get it, Frank, so it's...
(gestures yak yak yak)
'Prove you're looking for work?'
FIONA
He’s on disability.
STEVE
Yeah? For what?
FRANK
A tragedy really, I gave my life to
that company.
FIONA
You worked there a week.
STEVE
What happened?
FRANK
Dangerous workplace, doing my job,
unsuspecting, when out of nowhere,
I’m smashed in the ribs by a flying
chicken. I was lucky, it almost
missed me. And what do I get for my
pain and suffering? Followed around
by a video camera. Where’s the
trust, Steve? The sacred covenant
between employer and employee.
(a beat)
Gone, Steve. It’s gone.
Steve's nodding, even though he can't find a link. Fiona's
smiling, water off a duck's back, reaches into Steve's pocket
for a lump of dope, rolling papers. Steve eggs Frank on.
STEVE
Not, 'How's a guy supposed to work,
hurt, with kids this age?'
FRANK
Correct! Hello?!
(seeing the dope)
Excellent!
(to Steve)
Cuz her mom, God rest her soul...
FIONA
Dad, don't start!
FRANK
‘cuz she'd better be dead, the
bitch.
Fiona whacks him, hard, and means it.
FIONA
Cut it out!
It has no impact. Frank amused, holds Fiona at bay.
FRANK
Four month old baby... 14 year old
girl just had her appendix out, 11
year old Lip, 10 year old Ian.
And all the while, Fiona's punching his arm.
FRANK (CONT'D)
..seven year old and a five year
old. Oh, and a Dodge Astro van.
Calypso blue. What's the thing we
needed most? One word? One thing?
STEVE
Sterilization?
Fiona laughs, concentrates on rolling the joint.
FRANK
Continuity. Contin-uity. One
Tuesday, we're out of bread. So I
send her down to the corner. She
grabs the van keys.
(throws his hands up)
Not seen it since. And we haven't a
fucking clue where she is.
(to Fiona)
Have we? So, what...
(of the song)
Oh, I love this...
Turns the music UP, Aerosmith, relishing the chorus. Steve
turns to find Fiona studying him, like all this is still part
of a test.
FRANK (CONT'D)
I mean, what could I do, Steve?
FIONA
Disappear for three weeks?
FRANK
(ignoring her)
I had a breakdown.
FIONA
You moved in with Tommy and went on
a bender.
FRANK
Fuck off! Nervous - BREAKDOWN.
LOUD BANGING on front window. Steve spins, alarmed.
FIONA
(unruffled)
Dad. Key.
Frank chucks the key to Steve, who deducts that he should get
the door, then.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
Late Night Chaos
INT. GALLAGHER KITCHEN - NIGHT
Steve lets in an angry Kev, in only a T-shirt and boxers.
KEV
Know what time it is?!
STEVE
Sorry, Kev, it's Frank, he's...
Kev bounces past him into the living room carrying a CD case.
Steve goes to shut the door but it gets pushed open by
Veronica -dressing gown, bare feet. She's carrying a bottle
of vodka. Grabs a few glasses from one of the cupboards and
follows Kev into the living room.
KEV
(aggressive to Frank)
What've I told you?
Kev turns the music OFF. Steve returns, expecting trouble.
FRANK
Here we go. Neighbors of Satan!
Kev proceeds to pull the Aerosmith CD from the player and
toss it across the room, replacing it with one of his own.
KEV
The day you pay rent like the rest
of us Frank, you can play whatever
shit you want.
(MORE)
KEV(CONT'D)
Til then, if you're pumping it out
at this time of night, you pump out
stuff that we like. 'Kay?
Fergie. Kev's music. Turned up loud. Frank loves being abused
by Kev. It flatters him. The evening becomes a messy
impromptu party, with Veronica circulating the vodka.
BOOM BOOM BOOM. Off Steve, smiling at the madness --
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
Quiet Moments Amidst the Chaos
INT. FIONA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Fiona and Steve rigidly next to each other in bed. Music
still thumping from downstairs.
STEVE
He made me follow you up.
FIONA
Well he's right. You can't drive
now, but...
Fiona raises her duvet to release a muffled snoring sound.
FIONA (CONT'D)
Liam's in here somewhere.
STEVE
Don't the kids wake up?
FIONA
Would you?
He laughs. He takes her hand, plays with her fingers, wraps
his fingers around hers. She lets her eyes shut. She’s safe.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
Brotherly Banter
INT. GALLAGHER BOYS' BEDROOM - MORNING
Carl reluctantly drags his school clothes on. Lip comes up
from downstairs.
LIP
Seen Ian?
CARL
Gone when I woke up.
Lip puzzled, goes to the window. His POV: Smoke rising from
the Astrovan window.
BACK ON Lip, checking that Carl's distracted before reaching
under Ian's mattress for that porn file.
INT. VAN - MORNING
Ian’s struggling with his own thoughts when there’s a RAP on
the window. Lip climbs in. Ian throws him a hard look. Lip
slaps an open gay porn mag down between them.
LIP
How can that be good for you?
Ian won't dignify it with a response. Lip turns a page.
LIP (CONT'D)
Or that?
Ian aggressively snatches the mag.
IAN
Know what's not funny? You. Ever.
Lip takes seconds on Ian's cigarette.
LIP
Anybody before Kash?
IAN
One.
LIP
Who?
IAN
I'm not telling you.
LIP
Name a single time I've let you
down.
Ian's reaction. Lip hasn't, ever.
IAN
Kid at school.
(then, second thoughts)
Well it's no big deal any more.
He's long gone. Roger Spikey.
LIP
The original beef meister? Donkey
dick? Or did he start that rumor?
IAN
(twitch of the eyebrows)
Not a rumor.
LIP
Hey that looked a bit gay.
(does the eyebrows)
Wanna watch yourself with that.
(more intrigued about)
And actually? Up the ass?
Ian refuses to get drawn.
LIP (CONT'D)
Do you get used to that? Can you?
Whole point of the digestive
system's one-way traffic.
(drags hard on cigarette)
Just is.
Ian smiles ironically, then a laugh erupts.
LIP (CONT'D)
What?
(lets the smoke go)
What!?
IAN
(mimics)
'Just is!' Like we're only given a
pair of fuckin’ lungs to smoke!
They both laugh too loud, then quiet, and finally, smile.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
43 -
A Chaotic Breakfast Celebration
INT. GALLAGHER STAIRS/KITCHEN - DAY
Fiona makes her way down the stairs in her robe, following
the sound of the usual tribal breakfast chaos. Steps into the
kitchen, surprised to see all the kids carrying food to the
table - eggs, toast, juice.
FIONA
What’s all this?
Steve at the stove, frying up a skillet full of bacon.
STEVE
Debbie's the only person I know
wakes up earlier than I do. I told
her I never eat breakfast but she
said it's her favorite meal. And
since it's her birthday, I thought
we should...
The others all swing a look to Debbie.
FIONA
No, it's not!
DEBBIE
(bare-faced lie)
I never said it was. I said I
wished it was!
STEVE
Ah, right! She 'wished it was!'.
Sorry, Debs, totally misheard that.
Perforated eardrum on the right.
Fiona’s loving all this, but --
FIONA
You've got 15 minutes before
school, tops. Ian, Lip, your turn
to do the dishes soon as you’re
done. Debbie, Carl, you need to
take the trash out.
So, fine then. The most hectic part of Fiona's day's been
rendered manageable by Steve's apparently effortless
contribution. Steve goes to sit down to eat, but his chair's
obstructed.
ANGLE - Frank flat out on the floor from the night before.
People walking round him all morning, like a carpet tumor.
Steve without making a fuss, delicately crosses Frank's legs
to make him look like a sunbather. As Steve finally tucks in
his own chair and starts to eat, the family happily digging
into the breakfast feast, talking, yelling, laughing as we --
FADE OUT.
THE END