Search Party 1x01 - Pilot
Search Party 1x01 - Pilot
Search Party 1x01 - Pilot
Story by
Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers
& Michael Showalter
Teleplay by
Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers
3/27/15
PRESENT DAY, NEW YORK....
CUT TO:
DORY
Ow!
The Angry New Yorkers grow impatient with her as they hear
the train screeching to a halt.
DORY
Sorry... Whoops.
As she puts her wallet away she discovers she dropped her *
metro card on the other side of the jail-like bars. *
She sweetly asks the people she just fucked over for help. *
DORY (CONT’D) *
Excuse me - I’m so sorry. I - uh - *
I dropped my - it’s new. *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 2.
DORY (CONT’D) *
Could you? I’d go out but I swiped *
already... *
Once everyone has filed in, she exits the turnstile and picks *
up her bent and dirty-with-footprints metrocard. *
Camera pushes into the sign as Dory’s POV. All sound goes
quiet as Dory takes in this moment. She knows this woman. *
PAULETTE
And now I’d like to introduce you
to someone very special. When
Camilla Martinez first came to me,
she was living on the streets and
was socializing with - forgive me -
the wrong crowd.
She fiddles with her phone and we see her Facebook status
superimposed on the screen as she updates.
RIGHTEOUS WOMAN
(Whispers)
I’m sorry... Please put that away.
So bright.
PAULETTE
But I looked at Camilla and I could
see a girl with potential. A girl
who was much more willing to grow
than she ever wanted to let on. Cut
to six years later. Camilla
graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Princeton University and among many
other accomplishments, recently
began a prestigious internship with
the one and only Ted Kennedy.
PAULETTE (CONT’D)
(Playing the crowd)
I know. How did this happen?
Camilla, I invite you to share your
story. Ladies and ladies, Miss
Camilla Martinez. Hey sweetie...
DORY
Gah, three times a week and in the
evenings? Yikes - I’d love to be a
mentor, but easier said than done.
You know?
PAIGE
Well, (Looks at her name tag) Dory, *
it’s a commitment.
DORY
I know, and I wanna make it work
but my boyfriend and work and
obligations... It’s just a lot.
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 4.
PAIGE
What do you do?
DORY
Um. I work for the wife of a...
man.
PAIGE
And those are long hours?
DORY
Uhhh - na - yah - As long as I keep
my phone on....
DORY (CONT’D)
Whoa - I just realized I’m
exhausted - Good luck to us all.
And - yeah...
Dory gathers her things, ready to get the fuck out of there.
CAMILLA
Growth happens at that edge that
you think are your limits. But then
you just push one inch. There.
You’re that much stronger than you
thought. Most important thing I
learned through this program.
Dory has brunch with her friend ELLIOTT (27) gay, energetic
and a self-diagnosed narcissist and PORTIA (27) an emotional, *
opinionated actress with a major victim complex. *
ELLIOTT
So Kristine runs over to us with *
shards of glass still in her hair
and is all like “help me flip my *
car back over!” And we were like...
No, call the police!
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 5.
PORTIA *
Aww, I would have helped Kristine! *
DORY *
Do you guys remember that girl *
Chantal Witherbottom?
ELLIOTT *
Yeah, she sucked. *
DORY *
Why’d she suck? *
ELLIOTT *
She was just so like - didn’t have *
anything to offer. She was always *
like brushing her hair in public - *
it’s like... Brush it at home. *
PORTIA *
And I always got the feeling she *
was jealous of me... I was getting *
cast as a Freshman and she was *
clearly like not okay with that. *
DORY *
Well, she’s gone missing. *
PORTIA *
What do you mean? *
DORY *
There are flyers all over the *
subway! *
ELLIOTT *
Oh my god. I’m like about to cry! *
Elliott takes out his phone and posts, “In shock. Always *
admired this girl. Keep an eye out, people.” *
DORY
It’s crazy. We were friends, you *
know?
ELLIOTT
Friends!? I’m sorry, no. You just *
referred to her as “That girl, *
Chantal Witherbottom” *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 6.
DORY (V.O.)
Right but there was a period of *
time when we were close. She was my *
R.A. and she was really nice to me!
PORTIA (V.O.) *
Right but... it was kinda like her *
job to be nice to you. *
DORY (V.O.)
No! It was more than that. I was
struggling Freshman year and she
would go out of her way to make me
feel welcome and I haven’t
forgotten that, you know?
DORY (V.O.)
And inevitably we went different
ways but I still have a place for
her in my heart.
END FLASHBACK *
DORY *
What!? *
ELLIOTT *
You weren’t friends. *
PORTIA *
I’m sure she was nice I just always *
had to deal with her feeling *
threatened by me so my impression *
of her is a little more *
complicated. This is so sad though. *
ELLIOTT
Sorry - I have to take this. (He
answers) What’s wrong? No, you need
to tell them to enter through the
back! (Pause) Because the models
are skiddish and they can’t know.
(Pause) I’m in the middle of
something, figure it out.
He hangs up.
ELLIOTT (CONT’D)
The people working for me are
IDIOTS. And of course they’re not
paying me cause that’s not the way
it works...
DORY
Do you want help? I’m around, I’d
love to be involved!
ELLIOTT *
Mmmmm.... Nooooooo. You kinda need
to know the ins and outs.
DORY
I could -
ELLIOTT
No no - I’ve got it.
GAIL *
Good will. Good will. Oh this I’ve *
been saving for you! How cool is *
this, you wanna keep it? *
DORY *
Oh wowwww. Yeah, I’ll take it... *
GAIL *
I thought “Dory would love this” - *
Oh my god how on earth are you *
going to carry this ten blocks? *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 8.
DORY *
I think the best way would be to *
take an Uber. *
GAIL *
That’s perfect! Thank god for you. *
Why does everything have to be so *
hard? *
DORY *
I know. *
It’s not Chantal. It’s a chubby GAY MAN (45) with a huffy
attitude who runs his hand through his hair like Uncle Jesse. *
Dory browses the internet while Drew sits on the couch with
business text books splayed open on the coffee table.
REBECCA CHOW
Friends and family of Chantal
Witherbottom say she had so much to
look forward to. While pursuing an
MFA in poetry at Brooklyn College,
she finally achieved her goal of
self-publishing her collection of
poems - and then - she disappeared
under mysterious circumstances.
DREW *
Babe? Hey, babe? Babe? Baby? Babe? *
The clip shows the search party from the first scene: Passing
out waters to volunteers, dogs sniffing wooded areas, people
handing out flyers.
REBECCA CHOW
She was last seen at her sister’s
bridal shower at their family home
in Chappaqua, New York.
Witherbottom’s sister, Elizabeth,
told officials she had sent Chantal
on an errand to pick up cupcakes
but she never returned. *
Days later, Witherbottom’s car was
found in the woods bordering city
limits, but no trace of this young
grad student could be found. *
DREW
Babe! I need to eat! *
DREW
She tastes like heat and rain.
DORY
(Speaking over him)
You know what? I think I’m gonna do
the Leading Women to Lead thing. I
realized I’m actually really
excited about it. I want to change
someone’s life.
DREW
You don’t really want to go to that
party tomorrow, right? I’m pretty
behind on my Risk Management
homework.
(MORE)
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 10.
DREW (CONT'D)
I guess this is just my way of
saying I don’t want to go. Know
what I mean?
Dory and Drew have their version of sex. It’s terrible. They
lie next to each other while Drew furiously jerks himself off
until he’s “ready” while Dory feigns patience.
DORY
Do you want me to -
DREW
(heavy breathing)
No - Just let me get...
DREW (CONT’D)
I love you. *
DORY
Love you...
Dory and Drew get ready for bed. Dory BLOW DRIES her hair
while Drew brushes his teeth.
When Dory turns off the blow dryer they hear A COUPLE in the
middle of a vicious fight. They hear muffled yells like “GET
OUT!” And “DON’T TOUCH ME!!!!”
DORY
Should we do something?
DREW
There’s no point.
DORY
What if something really bad is
happening?
DREW
Something really bad is happening
somewhere, all the time.
11.
DORY
This is horrible.
DREW
If we hear a glass break or
something, I’ll go over there,
okay?
DORY
Oh my god!
DREW
What? That was nothing. Look, if
you want to go over there and get
entangled in that toxic story,
that’s on you.
DORY
I don’t know what to do.
Drew exits and turns off the light, leaving Dory in the dark.
DREW
No Dory, the thing is... bourbon is
always whiskey, right? But whiskey
isn’t always necessarily bourbon.
DORY
Okay well, I give up. Do you want
to get this or not?
DREW
Do you not want to know?
DORY
(Whispers)
Oh my god! Drew! That’s Chantal!
DREW
Who?
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 12.
DORY
Over there, by the reds!
DREW
No it’s not!
DORY
Uh - yeah it is!
DORY (CONT’D)
(Like it’s a secret)
Chantal! Are you okay? *
BITCHY BITCH (25) turns around and looks Dory up and down.
BITCHY BITCH
What?... *
DORY
Oh I’m so sorry - You look so much
like a friend of mine.
BITCHY BITCH
No. Not your friend.
Dory looks to Drew who gives her an “I told you so” look.
Dory and Drew arrive together and see Elliott. They wave from
across the crowd but he’s immersed in conversation.
DREW
Is there any place you think we can
stash this? I don’t want anyone
drinking it.
DORY
... But I want them to know that we
brought it.
DREW
Who cares - these people are rich.
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 13.
DORY
They’re not rich. They’re just
confident. *
ELLIOTT
... and THEN I get a call saying *
that Chelsea Clinton got locked in
the meat freezer and I’m like *
hiding under my bed.
CORINNE *
But so what’s your job title? *
ELLIOTT *
Well I wear a lot of hats so I’m *
kinda a multi-hyphenate. Right now *
I’m producing a show for an artist, *
can’t tell you who it is yet, but *
she’s huge. I’m a stylist, I’m a *
designer, I can act if I need to, I *
could curate. I just like projects. *
CORINNE *
I should introduce you to *
Martine... *
PORTIA *
That’s me getting make-up for the *
scene after my head gets bashed in. *
Doesn’t that look so real? My *
parents are so cute and excited - *
they’re huge fans of Surviving *
Essex so they get it finally, you *
know? Like, I’m doing it. *
KENDRA *
I don’t really watch TV. *
DORY *
Ugh. *
DREW *
I know, ugh. Do you wanna go? *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 14.
DORY *
What? No... I set a google alert *
for Chantal but it keeps updating *
me on this woman with the same name *
who just turned 116 in Miami. *
DREW *
Oh my god, let me see... I wonder *
what she eats... *
ELLIOTT *
Dory, do you know Kendra? *
DORY *
I don’t think so, hi! *
ELLIOTT *
Kendra is a chef at Glasserie. *
And this is Corinne, she’s a *
designer for Vogue. *
DORY *
Wow! *
ELLIOTT *
This is Dory, she’s my friend from *
college. *
ELLIOTT (CONT’D) *
What’s up? *
MARC *
... Can I talk to you for a moment. *
ELLIOTT *
... Scuse me... *
ELLIOTT (CONT’D)
(mouth full of chili) *
Marc, people expect me to flirt!
It’s part of my work, you have to *
be comfortable with that!
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 15.
MARC
But as your boyfriend...
ELLIOTT
Ah that word!
MARC
I swallow your cum and I take your
mom to lunch every Sunday. To me,
that says, “boyfriend”.
ELLIOTT
Look, I think what we have is so so
so special and the term ‘boyfriend’
does a disservice to our
philosophy. I can’t not be me and
if that upsets you, you should go
home.
MARC
But we’re in love!
ELLIOTT
I think we’re saying the same
thing.
MARC
If this is what you want, this is *
what you get! *
PORTIA
It’s weird - I feel like I should
feel something but I kind of don’t? *
I’m sure she’ll turn up. *
DORY *
Why are you sure of that?
PORTIA
First of all, calm down. And just
like, I don’t know she’s probably
just like. I don’t know. I just
have a feeling she’s fine.
DORY
I hope you’re right. *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 16.
Portia gasps. *
DORY (CONT’D) *
What? *
DORY (CONT’D) *
Shit. Do I say hi to him or does he *
say hi to me? *
PORTIA *
You have to cause you’re the one *
with a boyfriend. *
EIRICK *
Hey. *
DORY *
Hi. *
EIRICK *
Well, I’m gonna head out. *
DORY *
Seriously? You just got here... *
EIRICK *
I just realized I’m not up for *
this. *
DORY *
We should get coffee or dinner or *
something. *
EIRICK *
I thought you said spending time *
with me was confusing. *
DORY *
Right... *
Drew watches Eirick and Dory from across the roof, jealous. *
Eirick makes eye contact with Drew. Drew smiles big and *
waves, like everything is super cool between them. *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 17.
Eirick leaves and Dory returns to Drew. Drew hands her the *
drink he just made for her. *
DORY (CONT’D) *
Thanks. *
PAULETTE
Okay. So. Okay. Look, these girls
are a special breed. They’re very
smart, driven, passionate, focused,
skillful, multi-faceted, future-
minded leaders. You know some of
these girls, with the right
direction, have the potential to
take over the world. They need to
be challenged, and with you, I’m
sorry to say, they’d be bored out
of their minds!
Ouch.
PAULETTE (CONT’D)
Your personal statement paints a
portrait of someone who is
immobile. I read all four pages and
you’ve accomplished nothing. I
could barely glean a single thing
that you even like in life.
Sweetheart, do you have a passion?
One passion?
DORY
I guess I didn’t understand what *
you were looking for in the
personal statement. *
PAULETTE
No, no, no, no. We have plenty of
candidates who perfectly understood
the question.
(MORE)
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 18.
PAULETTE (CONT'D)
I mean, not to sound crass but
you’re not equipped to teach
Connect Four. *
DORY *
I’m sorry, I guess what I was *
trying to express um - was that - *
uh I’m sorry... (Nervous laughter) *
I’m having trouble finding my *
words, sorry. Um I’m sorry. I’m *
sorry. I’m so sorry. *
PAULETTE *
Jesus. It’s just not a good match. *
PAULETTE (CONT’D) *
Are you okay, sweetheart? *
DORY
I guess I’m just feeling kinda
lost. I didn’t even really want to
do this program but it would have
felt nice. It’s like everybody can
tell me what I can’t do but nobody
can tell me what I can do. *
DREW
How’d it go?
DORY
I didn’t get it.
DREW
What? That’s crazy! Do you think
they mixed up your application?
DORY
No, they just hated me.
DREW
Hey... (consoling) Let’s get ice
cream. We can get moose tracks...
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 19.
DORY
Drew, I obviously don’t want ice
cream right now!
DREW
Well what do you want? *
DORY
Just walk ten steps behind me. *
DREW
Hey! Just slow down, breathe, and *
it will all be okay! This isn’t the *
end of the world. *
DORY *
I know that. *
DREW *
When I get overwhelmed I find that *
it’s helpful to think about *
everything I’m grateful for... *
DORY
Please stop it. Please stop *
talking. *
DREW *
Well, hey here - C’mon, give me a *
hug. *
DORY *
I said please stop! I don’t want a *
hug right now. I don’t want to *
count my blessings. I don’t want *
ice cream. I just want you to shut. *
The fuck. Up. Please do that for *
me. *
DREW *
But, babe I - *
DORY *
I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP. SO WHY *
DON’T YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP? SHUT *
THE FUCK UP, SHUT THE FUCK UP, SHUT *
THE FUCK UP!!! *
ELLIOTT
Hi, Marc.
MARC
Oh my god, hi! Luke, this is my
friend Elliott.
ELLIOTT
Hi. You guys friends?
LUKE
We met last nigh -
ELLIOTT
Right right right. It’s just funny
cause like, this has been my yoga
class for the past three years and
so it seems like this guest
appearance is such a fun
coincidence when clearly it’s a
very calculated move.
MARC
It’s a good class.
ELLIOTT
Yeah, I love Danielle.
Drew enters the building and passes APRIL (30), a pretty but
hardened woman. She has a swollen, busted lip. Drew notices
but walks past her and up the stairs. April stops him.
APRIL
2A?
DREW
Um. Yeah...?
APRIL
This ended up in my mail box.
21.
DREW
Oh! Thanks.
APRIL
You owe me.
DREW
(Taking it to heart)
Okay...
PORTIA
Hiiii, is my mom in?
RECEPTIONIST
She is, go on in. And
congratulations!
PORTIA
Thank you!
PORTIA
Mom! Why are you eating, we’re
having lunch!
MARIEL
I’ll be ready in two.
PORTIA
That receptionist is so sweet to
congratulate me. I’m so embarrassed
you told everyone!
MARIEL
Congratulate you on what?
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 22.
PORTIA
Surviving Essex!
MARIEL
(Truly confused)
What?
ERIC
Alexa! Congratulations - Senior
Policy Advisor! That’s something
incredible!
PORTIA
Oh. No. Alexa’s my sister. I’m just
Portia.
ERIC
Oh! Right!
PORTIA
Mom, you have zero photos of me.
MARIEL
Not true!
MARIEL (CONT’D)
That’s you! (Realizing her mistake)
I mean that one... That one is you.
EIRICK *
Whoa. Hey! *
DORY *
Sorry... Is this weird? *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 23.
EIRICK *
Yeah. Come in. *
APRIL (O.S.) *
GET OUT!!!! YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE!!! *
DORY
Eirick... Can I ask you an annoying
question?
EIRICK
Here it comes... *
DORY *
What? *
EIRICK *
No. Sorry - what were you going to *
say? *
DORY
Well I was just gonna ask... What *
did you like about me when we were
together?
EIRICK *
(Patronizing, sarcastic) *
So much. There are so many great *
aspects to Dory. *
DORY *
I’m serious! *
EIRICK *
What do you want me to say? *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 24.
DORY *
Something nice! I’m just having a *
really bad day and forgive me for *
thinking you could offer me some *
comfort. *
EIRICK *
What happened? *
DORY *
No, I feel weird now, you don’t *
care. *
EIRICK *
I care. Tell me about your bad day. *
DORY *
Well that interview lady was a *
bitch to me. I don’t respect Drew *
right now. And the whole Chantal *
thing just makes me feel sick. *
EIRICK *
Wait... what does Chantal have to *
do with you? *
DORY *
Why does no one care about this?! *
EIRICK *
I mean you barely know her. Imagine *
if I opened up a newspaper and *
pointed at an obituary and said, “I *
want this to make me feel sick *
today.” That’s you! *
DORY *
Fine. You don’t get it. *
EIRICK *
You’re right, I don’t get it. *
DORY *
This is like... Devastating. Like *
where is she!? What happened? *
EIRICK *
She either ran away or she’s dead. *
That’s what happened. *
DORY *
And that’s so sad! *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 25.
EIRICK *
Sad for her, not sad for you. *
DORY *
You know what. I don’t know what *
I’m doing here, this was stupid and *
weird. I’ll leave you alone now. *
EIRICK *
I just feel like you and your *
friends are using this for cool *
points. *
DORY *
I CARE ABOUT HER! *
EIRICK *
I don’t think you do... *
DORY *
Well think what you want. *
EIRICK *
Okay. (Referring to the meal) Do *
you wanna take any of this home? *
APRIL
Hi.
DREW
Hey, uh. How’s it going?
APRIL
Fine. What’s up?
DREW
I wanted to thank you for handling
that mail switch up and say that
hey... If you feel like you just
need a safe place to hang out,
we’re right next door and we’ve got
a really comfy couch and a hot
shower and we’d like to help you
out. Listen, I know what it’s like *
when things get bad and that guy’s *
a total jerk and I know that it’s *
not your fault...
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 26.
APRIL
What’s the matter with you? You got
like some little dick or something?
DREW
Uh...
APRIL
You need to come over here and
pretend to be a man? (Mocks him)
“We got a really comfy couch -
wanna help you out” Fuck you! Get
the fuck out of my business, you
baby cock bitch.
DREW
I just wanted to -
APRIL
You don’t know what I want. You
don’t know anything.
DREW
I’m sorr -
APRIL
GET OUT OF HERE! Does baby speak
English?! Tuck your skinny dick
between your little Chihuahua legs
and crawl on home!
She slams the door in his face. Drew yelps. What a bad day. *
NANCY (60) directs her flashlight around the woods but spots *
something. This is new. She squints and walks toward it, *
cautiously. She takes a stick and tries to lift it up. She *
gasps. *
NANCY *
RIIICH! RICHAAARD! RIIIICH! *
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 27.
Dory watches Teenager exit and walk away. She turns back to
Chantal, who gathers herself and gets up, leaving the book on
the table.
RICHARD (60), REBECCA (60) and DOUG’s (60) ears perk up and *
listen to Nancy’s screams from the distance. *
NANCY (O.S.) *
Richaaarrd! *
DOUG *
Is that Nancy? *
RICHARD *
NAAAANCE? *
NANCY (O.S.) *
COME HERE! QUICK! *
RICHARD *
YOU GOT SOMETHING? *
Dory picks up the book Chantal left and b-lines toward her.
DORY
Chantal!
DORY (CONT’D)
Chantal! It’s Dory!
Blue (mm/dd/yyyy) 28.
CHANTAL
Sorry...
She escapes into the bathroom and slams the door shut.
Something is really off... Dory knocks on the door. *
DORY
Chantal, are you okay?!
She tries to open the door but it’s locked. She pushes the
door an inch, as far as the latch lock allows.
DORY (CONT’D)
Chantal! Is something wrong?!
(Trying something new) You left
your book! *
NANCY *
Look! Look, look, look! *
DORY
I’m coming in, okay?
BAKER
NO! *
Dory bursts through the door, but no one is there. It’s just
a tiny, empty bathroom. And one window, open just enough that
Chantal could have slipped through it.
NANCY (O.S.) *
That’s her blouse... That’s *
Chantal’s blouse... *
END PILOT *