Buddies

A formerly prominent businessman David Bitman has to rethink his whole life once his wife of 14 years takes everything in a divorce, leaving him for an old friend of theirs. Searching for a way to get back on his feet, David reunites with a free-spirited old classmate Cassie to help him open up a dispensary.

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The show starts with a phone ringing. A groggy David struggles to find the phone under all the fast food wrappers surrounding him in his one-bedroom apartment. He eventually finds it and starts to place an order out of habit.

David: “Hi, I’d like to place an order for delivery.”

Gail: “Hello, this is Gail with SeaBay Water Treatment. Can I speak to David Bitman, please?”

The call is a phone video interview David forgot he had that day.

David: “Oh, hey! Hi! This is David.”

David accidentally answers the video call with the rear camera, revealing his junky apartment.

Gail: “I see you’re in an abandoned apartment. Is this a good time for the interview we scheduled?”

David: “Oh no, this is my… my friend’s place. I’m just helping him move.”

Gail: “Move trash?”

David: “…He died…”

Gail: “…O-okay… So Mr. Bitman, how about you tell me a little bit about yourself.”

David’s recent life flashes in his mind. His devotion to his software company. His marriage falling apart. His software company becoming popular His wife divorcing him. Then his business falling apart.

The thought of having to work for someone else after so much previous success becomes too much. He hangs up the call.

David turns on the television and flips through the channels until he gets to a news station talking about the widespread legalization of marijuana. The news anchor continues, stating that the business is a lucrative one and is growing each year. He sees the corner of an old yearbook he was looking at the night before. He picks it back up and takes another look at the class picture. Under him standing with his now ex-wife, he notices Cassie, an old classmate who smoked regularly doing the Generation X Suck It pose in the photo.

David’s mind contemplates all the potential a dispensary could have. The thrill of growing another business rises within him. With the idea still churning in his head, he swipes away all the notifications of declined auto-payments piled on his phone screen and tracks down Cassie on social media.

After some time searching, David finds Cassie’s profile, which shows a post about her having to go to court that day. “Bad luck, I guess. It floats around. It’s got to land on somebody. It was my turn, that’s all. I was in the path of the tornado. I just didn’t expect the storm would last as long as it has. #JailBird #Oppressed”

David races down to the courthouse to get there before it's too late. He comes in right as the judge is going over Cassie’s charges.

Judge: “Cassandra Wells, you have been accused of loitering, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, and resisting arrest. How do you plea?”

Cassie: “The fifth, your highness. That bottle said 30% free. That’s not stealing.”

Judge: “You’ve been in here three times this month. I’m getting tired of seeing you.”

Cassie: “Then how about you tell your stormtroopers to leave me alone?”

The arresting officers throw a nearby water bottle at Cassie but miss her.

Judge: “Ms. Wells, the store is willing to drop the charges if you pay $25 for what you took and never return there again. Just pay the fine and you can go.”

Cassie: “I’m not paying those bastards! It wasn’t theirs. They only sell it!”

The judge motions for the bailiff to arrest Cassie while she yells at them in protest. David has to quickly decide if he will use the last of his money to help Cassie or just turn around and forget the whole thing. He chooses to help her.

David and Cassie leave the courthouse and catch up.

Cassie: “Bitman, you saved my life. If it wasn’t for you, they were going to lock me up 25 to life.”

David: “Umm… Maybe a little less.”

Cassie: “I dunno how to thank you, man. You want some lotion? I got some Ziplocs at the house.”

David: “No, I’m pretty moistened. Hey, listen. I do want to talk to you about something. Do you still smoke?”

Cassie: “Smoke what?? Who you been talkin’ to??”

Cassie checks for wires or witnesses.

David: “No, I just recently got very interested in the marijuana business. I wanted to see if-”

Cassie: *gasp* “And you thought of me? Oh Bitman, you’re truly a rad dude.”

David: “So you’re interested?”

Cassie: “Hell yeah, I’m interested! Let's do thiiiis Davey Boy!”

David and Cassie set off to discuss the details, but quickly realized they don’t have any idea how to start the company. The two look through their contacts for some help. David is searching for initial funds while Cassie is looking to get some product. An old friend of Davids's said he could lend him some money, but it isn’t enough to lease a building. Cassie was able to find someone with the product.

They retrieve the money from David’s friend but after having to give some of the money to Cassie’s friend, they are left with a large amount of product but nowhere to go. While heading back to David’s apartment, Cassie spots a small busted-up food truck near a restaurant.

David thinks the idea of a dispensary food truck wouldn’t work. Cassie talks him into trying. They find the owner inside the restaurant and ask if the truck was for sale. The owner tells them it isn’t. David started to walk away, but to his surprise, Cassie’s charismatic personality won them a lease agreement with the owner.

David and Cassie look over their newly acquired food truck.

Cassie: “See Bitman, just gotta have a little faith. All this thing needs is a little spit shine and we’ll be on the Daytona 500 list in no time.”

David: “I can’t tell which wrong you are right now. But you know, I can honestly say this feels pretty good. I’m glad we’re doing this together, Cassie.”

Cassie: “Hell yeah! I can smell the success already!”

David: “I’m pretty sure that’s the backpack. What do you say we lock this up and get started in the morning? Maybe by then, we’ll figure out a name for us.”

Cassie: “I know who we are. Buddies.”