La La Land Page #11

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70 INT. LIGHTHOUSE CAFE - NIGHT

A Lighthouse JAM SESSION. Sebastian's at the keys, having a

blast. The place is again mostly empty, but Mia is dancing her

heart out. She shoots looks at Sebastian. He laughs, plays out

for her. The two of them are in their own world -- one of pure,

unadulterated JOY...

The song ends. Sebastian rises, joins Mia. They sit down as

the band strikes up a new tune, and kiss.

KEITH (O.S.)

Sebastian?

Mia and Sebastian look up, startled. A YOUNG MAN, 35, is

standing next to them. Tall, fierce eyes. This is KEITH.

SEBASTIAN:

Keith?

Revision 41.

KEITH:

Holy sh*t. Come here, man.

Sebastian gets up. Gives him a hug. But Mia can sense an

unease in Sebastian's eyes. It's a strained hug.

SEBASTIAN:

This is Mia. Mia, Keith.

(explaining to Mia)

We used to play together.

KEITH MIA

Hey, Mia. Hey...

Sebastian sits back down. Wants to end the conversation.

KEITH:

So how've you been?

SEBASTIAN:

Great. You?

KEITH:

Keeping busy. Got a new combo.

SEBASTIAN:

Good for you.

KEITH:

...Looking for keys.

SEBASTIAN:

(after a beat)

I'm good.

KEITH:

You sure? It pays.

Sebastian looks at Keith. A moment.

SEBASTIAN:

I'm good.

Keith almost smiles. Expected this.

KEITH:

Let's just grab a drink then. Call me.

It's been too long.

SEBASTIAN:

You bet.

KEITH:

Nice meeting you, Mia.

Revision 42.

MIA:

Nice meeting you.

Keith walks off. Mia and Sebastian look at each other. Then --

71 INT. SEBASTIAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

CLOSE ON MIA. She looks anxious. CLOSE ON Sebastian. He looks

head-over-heels in love.

SEBASTIAN:

It's beautiful.

MIA:

...You're just saying that.

SEBASTIAN:

No... I'm not.

We PULL BACK -- and see a script on Mia's lap. She's just

finished reading Sebastian her play.

MIA:

I don't know... Is the whole thing too

nostalgic?

SEBASTIAN:

That's the point.

MIA:

But do you think people will like it?

SEBASTIAN:

F*** `em.

MIA:

(laughs)

You always say that.

SEBASTIAN:

I truly believe it.

MIA:

Fine -- as long as you sit front-row

`cause I'll probably throw up on the

middle of the stage otherwise.

SEBASTIAN:

I'll be front-row.

Mia looks at him. Smiles. It genuinely means the world to

her. Then, a glow in her eyes, wants to reciprocate --

Revision 43.

MIA:

I made something for you.

She hops off the bed, fishes through a bag. Pulls out a

drawing.

SEBASTIAN:

What's that?

MIA:

It could be the name design. On the door.

SEBASTIAN:

Why does it say "Seb's"?

MIA:

That's what you should name it.

SEBASTIAN:

Never.

MIA:

Sebastian, no one's going to a club called

"Chicken on a Stick".

SEBASTIAN:

You don't get it. Charlie Parker got the name

"Bird" because he loved chicken. So my club's

gonna be old-school jazz and beer and

chicken. "Chicken on a Stick".

MIA:

No. Drop the chicken. Drinks and jazz.

(he rolls his eyes)

And it's time to start looking for other

places.

SEBASTIAN:

It's gotta be Van Beek. I can't let them

samba all over its history.

MIA:

Make your own history.

Sebastian looks at her. Appreciates that line. A beat. Then --

SEBASTIAN:

Your play's incredible.

Mia smiles. He approaches her, sits by her side.

SEBASTIAN (CONT'D)

The whole world from your bedroom? Who's

doing that?

Revision 44.

MIA:

I'm doing that.

They laugh.

MIA (CONT'D)

So who was that guy at the Lighthouse?

SEBASTIAN:

...Which guy?

MIA:

The one who offered you a gig.

SEBASTIAN:

You mean Keith? He's the worst.

MIA:

Why was it weird between you two?

SEBASTIAN:

It's always weird with him.

MIA:

He did offer you a job.

SEBASTIAN:

Right...

MIA:

Are you going to call him?

SEBASTIAN:

No.

A beat.

MIA:

Ok...

A moment passes. They lie down, side by side.

SEBASTIAN:

Here's what we know. It's definitely

Chicken on a Stick --

(Mia rolls her eyes)

-- and your play is going to be a

triumph.

She looks at him. He looks at her. A shared smile.

And on that --

Revision 45.

72 INT. SEBASTIAN'S APARTMENT - MORNING

The next morning. Sebastian is in bed. Hears snatches of Mia's

voice -- she's on her phone in the other room:

MIA (O.S.)

...No, Mom, it's a one-woman show... No,

I'm acting in it as well... No, I'm not

getting paid, I'm paying to do it...

(then,)

He's great... He's going to open his own

jazz club. It's going to be incredible...

(beat; then, softer --)

Well he has to get the money together

first, and... He's figuring it out...

Yeah, it's just been a little tricky

lately...

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