Like a Dog

Paloma, a skateboarder in her early 30s, is a free-spirited young woman living on the margins, aimlessly working at low-paying jobs and finding happiness in disreputable places. She struggles to have a relationship with her brother Peter, whose self-destructive drug addiction makes that nearly impossible—death by overdose is a constant threat, and Peter's irresponsible, erratic behavior often disrupts any attempt to spend time together. And yet, despite the pain of navigating a distressing sibling relationship and the havoc it wreaks on her emotional life, Paloma's outlook is generally playful and irreverent. Ruminating on the human condition as she daydreams about becoming a stand-up comedian, she offers up her philosophy on life: "Why can't we humans be more like dogs … wouldn't it be great if all a mother wanted was a butt scratch?"

When she lands a job with a local landscaper, Paloma finds herself enjoying the work and the casual, friendly relationship with her new boss. But Peter has connections with a pot grower in Humboldt County, and when he offers to bring Paloma into the operation she quits her job and begins to shine in her new role as a weed broker for celebrity clients. Making good money for the first time in her life, she suddenly has the freedom to consider her dream.

Tara Jepsen is a writer and actor living in Los Angeles. She's appeared in the award-winning series, Transparent, and her writing has been published by The Believer and elsewhere.