Juno Page #23

MARK:

Her name was Cynthia Vogel and she

was a good dance partner. Even let

me put my hands on her butt.

JUNO:

Oh man, I can just picture you slow

dancing like a dork!

She mockingly places her hands on Mark's waist and moves

back and forth stiffly.

MARK:

No, I put my hands on your waist.

Then you put your arms around my

neck. That's how we did it in '88.

Mark puts his hands on what remains of Juno's waist. She

drapes her arms around his neck self-consciously.

JUNO:

Oh, okay. Like this.

MARK:

You've never been to a dance, have

you?

JUNO:

(casually defensive)

Only squares and nerds go to dances.

MARK:

What are you?

JUNO:

I don't know.

They SWAY slowly to the music. Juno's belly bumps up against

Mark.

MARK:

I feel like there's something between

us.

They laugh.

Juno rests her head on Mark's chest. They dance in silence

for a few moments, then stop moving. Mark pulls Juno as close

as he possibly can, given her expanding girth.

MARK:

I'm leaving Vanessa.

JUNO:

(quiet at first)

What?

MARK:

It's just not working out, but I'm

getting my own place in the city...

and I've got it all planned out.

It's something I've wanted to do for

a long time...

Juno backs away.

JUNO:

(growing)

No.

MARK:

No?

JUNO:

No. No, you definitely cannot do

that, Mark. That's a big, fat sack

of no!

MARK:

What's the matter?

JUNO:

This isn't what we agreed on. You

guys have to take care of... this!

You are the chosen custodians of the

big-ass bump!

She GESTURES wildly to her belly. Suddenly, something matters

to her far more than the approval of an older guy.

MARK:

But I thought you'd be cool if...

JUNO:

(interrupting)

I want you guys to adopt the Buglet.

I wanted everything to be perfect.

Not shitty and broken like everyone

else's family. Listen, once I have

the baby, Vanessa is going to finally

be happy, and everything will be all

right. Believe me on this one!

MARK:

A baby is not going to fix everything.

Besides, I don't know if I'm ready

to be a father.

JUNO:

(aghast)

But you're old!

MARK:

I... How do you think of me, Juno?

Why are you here?

JUNO:

I don't know. I just liked being

your friend. I sort of liked becoming

furniture in your weird life.

MARK:

This...

(he gestures to the

dank surrounding

room)

...this is what my life has become.

Stuff in boxes. Stuff underground.

Is that so appealing to you?

JUNO:

Yeah, I guess... Is this my fault?

Is Vanessa mad at you because of me?

MARK:

That's not the point. We're just not

in love anymore.

JUNO:

Yeah, but didn't you love Vanessa

when you married her? If you love

someone once, you can love them again,

I know it. My friend Leah has gone

out with the same guy, like, four

times. You're just not trying.

Mark suddenly sees Juno for what she is -- a teenage girl.

MARK:

I'm such an idiot. I can't believe

what an idiot I am.

He paces over to the wall and KICKS it softly.

JUNO:

Please don't get a divorce! God,

Mark, just do me a solid and stay

with your wife.

MARK:

God, you're so young.

JUNO:

Not really. I'm sixteen. I'm old

enough to tell when people are acting

like total a-holes!

Juno turns to leave, then shoots one furious look back at

Mark.

JUNO:

Oh and by the way, I bought another

Sonic Youth album and it's the worst

thing I've ever heard! It's just

noise, man!

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