Sideways Page #23

EXT. BUCOLIC ROAD - DAY

Miles gets out of his car just in time to see --

A DOG:

scampering into the nearby woods. Miles looks around -- has

anyone seen him? Is there a nearby residence? Finding nothing,

Miles momentarily weighs his options before finally GIVING

CHASE.

He follows the path of the dog into --

EXT. ROADSIDE WOODS - CONTINUOUS

Still hearing occasional distant barking, Miles finds his

way among the trees and bushes, looking in vain for the ill-

fated cur.

After a frenetic search, Miles reluctantly gives up and heads

back.

OMIT.

EXT. BUCOLIC ROAD - DAY

Miles has returned to where he hit the dog. Just then, Miles

notices TWO MEXICAN CHILDREN watching him from just down the

road. They disappear into the bushes.

Looking like a criminal, Miles trots back to the Saab climbs

behind the wheel and speeds away.

EXT. WINDMILL INN - DAY

The Saab pulls into the parking lot.

EXT./INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY

Miles trudges up the stops to the room. He opens the door

and sees --

JACK:

atop Stephanie, plowing her fertile fields. Despite the

interruption, their pace does not alter.

JACK:

Not now! Not now!

Miles quickly shuts the door.

INT. WINDMILL SPORTS BAR LOUNGE - DAY

Miles pours himself another glass of Pinot. Jack comes in

and spots his morose friend.

JACK:

Hey, there you are.

MILES:

Yep.

JACK:

What're you drinking?

Jack reaches over to check out the bottle's label. Miles

remains cool to Jack's amiability.

JACK:

Any good?

Miles shrugs.

JACK:

(to the bartender)

Could I get a glass please?

(to Miles)

Stephanie took me out into the Pinot

fields today. It was awesome. I think

I finally got a handle on the whole

process, from the soil to the vine

to the -- what do you call it? --

selection and harvest. And the whole,

you know, big containers where they

mix it. We even ate Pinot grapes

right off the vine.

(the new expert)

Still a little sour but already

showing potential for great structure.

Stephanie really knows her sh*t,

Miles.

Jack now has his glass and pours himself some wine.

MILES:

Where is Stephanie?

JACK:

Upstairs. Getting cleaned up.

MILES:

What the f*** are you doing?

JACK:

What?

MILES:

With this chick.

Jack just looks at him.

MILES:

Does she know about Saturday?

JACK:

Um... not exactly. But I've been

honest. I haven't told her I'm

available. And she knows this trip

up here is only for a few days.

Besides...

Jack stops short in a rare instance of self-censorship.

MILES:

Besides what?

JACK:

Well... I don't know, just... the

wedding.

MILES:

What?

JACK:

Well, I've been doing some thinking.

MILES:

Oh, you've been thinking. And?

JACK:

I may have to put the wedding on

hold is all.

Miles looks at him with incredulity.

JACK:

I fully realize that making a change

like that might be tricky for certain

people to accept at first, but life

is short, Miles. I've got to be sure

I'm doing the right thing before

taking such a big step. And not just

for my sake. I'm thinking about

Christine's feelings too. I take

marriage very seriously -- always

have. That's why I've never done it

before. The day I get married, it's

going to be the real thing.

Miles just looks at his friend, waiting for more.

JACK:

Being with Stephanie has opened my

eyes. She's not uptight or

controlling. She's just cool. Things

are so easy with her. Smells

different. Tastes different. Fucks

different. Fucks like an animal. I'm

telling you, I went deep last night,

Miles. Deep.

MILES:

Deep.

Miles draws a long sigh.

JACK:

Don't get all judgmental on me. This

is my deal. It's my life, and it's

my call.

They fall silent for a moment. Then --

JACK:

I was hoping to get some understanding

from you. And I'm not getting it.

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