Sideways Page #18

Miles looks at the water, takes it and drains it.

The girls now return to the table. The guys slide over.

MILES:

(trying to appear

sober)

Should we get dessert?

STEPHANIE:

We were thinking. Why don't we go

back to my place? I've got wine,

some insane cheeses, music, whatever.

Jack raises both arms like a football referee.

JACK:

Excellent idea. Waiter!

INT. SAAB - NIGHT

THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD --

Trees and bushes lit by the headlights show us we're headed

into the woods.

INSIDE --

Jack drives. Miles blinks heavily as he tries to make a sense

of A HAND-DRAWN MAP.

JACK:

(grabbing the map)

Let me see that.

EXT. STEPHANIE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

The Saab pulls into a gravel DRIVEWAY and comes to a stop

outside this wood-framed cottage.

Jack and Miles get out and head for the front door. On the

way, Jack reaches into his coat pocket and produces a string

of FOUR CONDOMS.

JACK:

(tearing)

Here. One for you, three for me.

Miles wordlessly takes his. Just before they climb the porch

steps --

MILES:

You sure you want to do this?

Jack stops and looks at him for a moment with almost hostile

incredulity.

THE FRONT DOOR is open. Jack knocks twice on the SCREEN DOOR

before going in.

INT. STEPHANIE'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

The boys enter this modest living room furnished with

weathered but charming old furniture. Scattered here and

there are CHILDREN'S TOYS. FINGER-PAINTINGS are taped to the

walls. CANDLES are lit, and MUSIC is playing.

JACK:

We're here!

Stephanie sails in.

STEPHANIE:

What happened to you guys?

JACK:

Couple of wrong turns.

(pointing a thumb at

Miles)

Thanks to Magellan, here.

After a brief hug, Stephanie and Jack peck-kiss.

JACK:

Hi.

STEPHANIE:

Hi.

(to Miles)

Maya's in the kitchen.

Miles hesitates a moment before Jack elbows him toward --

EXT. STEPHANIE'S KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Miles wanders in to find Maya squatting in front of a little

temperature-controlled WINE STORAGE UNIT.

MILES:

Hi.

MAYA:

Hey.

MILES:

She got anything good?

MAYA:

Oh, yeah. Steph's way into Pinots

and Syrahs.

(calling out)

Hey, Steph? You sure we can open

anything? Anything we want?

STEPHANIE (V.O.)

Anything but the Jayer Richebourg!

MILES:

She has a Richebourg? Mon dieu. I

have completely underestimated

Stephanie.

MAYA:

Who do you think you're dealing with

here?

Maya slips out a bottle of ESCHEVAUX.

MAYA:

How about this?

Miles nods vigorously. Maya looks back and forth between

Miles and the wine, her eyes narrowed. Then she slides it

back in.

MAYA:

Nope. I don't think we know each

other well enough.

(picking out another

bottle)

I'd say this guy's more our speed.

They rise, and Miles glances at the ANDREW MURRAY SYRAH and,

raising his eyebrows, agrees. Maya begins opening it.

MAYA:

So what gems do you have in your

collection?

MILES:

Not much of a collection really. I

haven't had the wallet for that, so

I sort of live bottle to bottle. But

I've got a couple things I'm saving.

I guess the star would be a 1961

Cheval Blanc.

MAYA:

You've got a '61 Cheval Blanc that's

just sitting there? Go get it.

(pushing him, playfully

stern)

Right now. Hurry up...

Miles laughs, fights back a bit.

MAYA:

Seriously, the '61s are peaking,

aren't they? At least that's what

I've read.

MILES:

Yeah, I know.

MAYA:

It might be too late already. What

are you waiting for?

MILES:

I don't know. Special occasion. With

the right person. It was supposed to

be for my tenth wedding anniversary.

Understanding, Maya considers her response.

MAYA:

The day you open a '61 Cheval Blanc,

that's the special occasion.

MILES:

How long have you been into wine?

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