Juno Page #10

MARK:

Like the city in Alaska?

JUNO:

No.

MARK:

Cool. Well, let's sit down and get

to know each other a bit.

VANESSA:

I'll get drinks. What would everyone

like? I've got Pellegrino, Vitamin

Water...

JUNO:

A Maker's Mark, please. Up.

MAC:

She's joking. Junebug has a wonderful

sense of humor, which is just one of

her many genetic gifts.

JUNO:

I also have good teeth. No cavities.

We finally got fluoridated water in

Dancing Elk.

She bares them frighteningly to demonstrate.

Vanessa stares, unflappable.

MAC:

We're fine, thank you.

Mac and Juno join Mark and Gerta Rauss on the couch.

GERTA:

So, Juno. First off, how far along

are you?

JUNO:

I'm a junior.

GERTA:

No, I mean in your pregnancy.

JUNO:

Oh. Uh, my stepmom took me to the

doctor yesterday and they said I was

twelve weeks.

Vanessa enters with the refreshments on a tray.

VANESSA:

Oh, that's marvelous. So you're almost

into your second trimester, then?

JUNO:

Yeah, apparently. I'm having it on

May 4.

VANESSA:

The tough part's almost over for

you. I mean, my girlfriends always

tell me the first couple months are

the hardest.

JUNO:

Yeah, but I hardly noticed it. I'm

more worried about the part where I

have to start wearing jeans with an

elastic panel in the front.

VANESSA:

I think pregnancy is beautiful.

JUNO:

Well, you're lucky it's not you.

Vanessa's looks to the ceiling.

MARK:

(clearing throat)

So, let's discuss how we're gonna do

this... thing.

JUNO:

Well, I just have the baby and give

it to you, right?

GERTA:

Mark and Vanessa are willing to

negotiate an open adoption.

MAC:

(protective)

Wait. What does that mean?

GERTA:

It means they'd send annual updates,

photos, let Juno know how the baby

is doing as he or she grows up. Of

course, Juno's legal rights would be

terminated...

JUNO:

Whoah. I don't want to see pictures.

I don't need to be notified of

anything. Can't we just kick it old

school? I could just put the baby in

a basket and send it your way. You

know, like Moses in the reeds.

MARK:

Technically, that would be kickin'

it Old Testament.

Mark and Juno lock eyes.

JUNO:

Yeah. Yeah! The way people used to

do it. Quick and dirty, like ripping

off a Band-Aid.

GERTA:

Well, then we agree a traditional

closed adoption would be best for

all involved, then?

JUNO:

Sh*t, yeah. Close it up.

Vanessa is clearly ecstatic.

MARK:

Obviously, we'll compensate you for

your medical expenses.

VANESSA:

Are you looking for any other

compensation?

MAC:

Excuse me?

JUNO:

Well, no... I'm not going to sell

the baby. I just want it to grow up

with people who are ready to love it

and be parents. I'm in high school,

dude. I'm ill-equipped.

VANESSA:

You're doing an amazing and selfless

thing for us.

MARK:

Vanessa has wanted a baby since we

got married.

VANESSA:

I want to be a mommy so badly!

Juno and Mac stare at her.

MAC:

You don't say.

VANESSA:

Well, haven't you ever felt like you

were born to do something?

MAC:

Yes. Heating and air conditioning.

VANESSA:

Well, I was born to be a mother.

Some of us are.

JUNO:

Mark, are you looking forward to

being a dad?

Mark is caught off guard.

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