La La Land Page #14

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Laura means it positively -- but Mia seems concerned...

MIA:

Do you think he's happy?

LAURA:

Is he happy?

MIA:

I mean with the band, the travel, all of it.

Revision 53.

Laura shrugs.

LAURA:

Our dad never got to do what he wanted.

We were always treading water, he took a

job running a washer-dryer store. But

every night at home he'd play his

clarinet along to a Benny Goodman record.

(a beat)

So I look at Sebastian... Playing music,

getting paid for it. I'm happy for him.

She notices Harry through the window, returning. Her thoughts

drift.

LAURA (CONT'D)

Dreams change.

A beat. She looks back at Mia. Sees her worry.

LAURA (CONT'D)

Don't overthink it. He'll be home soon.

Harry rejoins the table. Hands Laura a sponge cake.

LAURA (CONT'D)

I told you not to get me anything!

HARRY:

Oh, right -- I'll eat it I guess.

LAURA:

No -- I changed my mind.

They laugh. Kiss. Tender. Loving. Mia watches...

94 INT. DINER - NIGHT

Mia eats, her laptop next to her meal. She takes a bite, types.

We see her screen -- an e-mail draft, glimpses of words: "one-

woman show", "one night only", "7pm", "I would be thrilled..."

She thinks. Picks up her phone. Dials Sebastian. Waits. No

answer.

MIA:

Hey it's me... Not sure where you are --

maybe Boston? Or Dallas? Anyway... I

haven't heard from you in a while... I

miss you...

(a beat)

Ok... Bye...

She hangs up. Resumes typing.

Revision 54.

95 INT. SEBASTIAN'S APARTMENT COMPLEX / APARTMENT - NIGHT

Mia walks through the courtyard. Reaches the door. Then hears

something... Music -- LOUD, FAST JAZZ...

She enters -- has to jostle the door handle to do so --

-- and then freezes in place. Sebastian is sashaying around a

fully-decked table, lighting candles as he moves. He looks

up, sees her -- and grins.

SEBASTIAN:

Surprise.

She lights up. He lifts up silver serving trays, revealing

what he's cooked. Roast chicken. Pasta.

SEBASTIAN (CONT'D)

And...

(he hurries to the kitchen --

and holds up a big apple pie)

There's twenty-five pounds of apples in

it. It probably destroyed an ecosystem

but it tastes good.

Mia laughs. Can't believe it. Sebastian looks at her --

sincere now.

SEBASTIAN (CONT'D)

I have to head back in the morning but I

needed to see you.

Mia's eyes seem almost on the brink of tears. Beyond moved,

she runs into Sebastian's arms. A LONG, HEARTFELT KISS...

96 INT. SEBASTIAN'S APARTMENT - EVENING

CLOSE ON:
The record player. An old jazz track. We see Mia and

Sebastian seated at the table -- eating, drinking, laughing.

SEBASTIAN (CONT'D)

Feels so good to be home.

MIA:

Stay.

He smiles.

SEBASTIAN:

How's the play going?

MIA:

I'm nervous.

Revision 55.

SEBASTIAN:

Why?

MIA:

Because...

(a beat)

What if people show up?

SEBASTIAN:

F*** `em!

Laughter. Then --

SEBASTIAN (CONT'D)

You're nervous about what they think?

MIA:

I'm nervous to be up on a stage and

perform in front of people. I'm

terrified.

SEBASTIAN:

They should be so lucky to see it.

(then,)

It's going to be incredible. I can't

wait.

MIA:

I can.

A smile. Beat.

MIA (CONT'D)

What time do you leave in the morning?

SEBASTIAN:

6:
45.

MIA:

Ugh.

SEBASTIAN:

Yep. Boise.

MIA:

Boise?

SEBASTIAN:

(nods)

You should come.

MIA:

To Boise?

Revision 56.

SEBASTIAN:

Yeah, you could knock that off your

bucket list.

Mia laughs.

MIA:

Wish I could.

A beat.

SEBASTIAN:

Why can't you?

MIA:

Come to Boise?

SEBASTIAN:

Yeah.

MIA:

Because I have to rehearse.

SEBASTIAN:

Can't you rehearse anywhere?

She looks at him.

MIA:

You mean anywhere you are?

SEBASTIAN:

...I -- I guess...

MIA:

Well, all my stuff is here and my show's

in a few weeks and -- I don't know, it

doesn't seem practical...

SEBASTIAN:

Right... I just -- we're going to have to

do things so we can see each other. We

never see each other.

MIA:

I know, but when are you done?

SEBASTIAN:

...What do you mean?

MIA:

When are you done with the tour?

Revision 57.

SEBASTIAN:

But -- as soon as we're done with the

tour we go back and record, and then we

go back on tour.

Mia looks at him. Doesn't seem to understand.

SEBASTIAN (CONT'D)

We tour so we can make the record, and

then we go back on tour to sell the

record.

Beat. Mia takes this in.

MIA:

So it's...the long haul?

SEBASTIAN:

...What does that mean?

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