Sideways Page #24

MILES:

Understanding of what?

JACK:

Like I might be in love with another

woman.

MILES:

In love? Twenty-four hours with some

wine-pourer chick and you think you're

in love? And give up everything?

JACK:

Look who's talking. You've been there.

MILES:

Yes I have, and do I look like a

happy man? Was all that drama with

Brenda a happy thing for me to do?

Huh? Was it? Is she a part of my

life now?

JACK:

This is totally different. I'm talking

about avoiding what you're talking

about. That's the distinction. I

have not made the commitment yet. I

am not married. I have not said the

words. In a few days, I might get

married, and if I do, then I won't

be doing stuff like this anymore.

Otherwise, what's the whole point of

getting married?

MILES:

And what about Stephanie? She's a

woman -- with a kid. A single mom.

What do you think she's looking for?

Huh?

JACK:

(interrupting)

Here's what I'm thinking. We move up

here, you and me, buy a vineyard.

You design your own wine; I'll handle

the business side. Then you get

inspired and write a new novel. As

for me, if an audition comes along,

hell, LA'S two hours away. Not even.

MILES:

You're crazy. You've gone crazy.

JACK:

What do you care anyway? You don't

even like Christine.

MILES:

What? Of course I like Christine.

JACK:

You said she was shallow. Yeah, and

a nouveau riche.

MILES:

That was three years ago after that

first party!

JACK:

Look, Miles, all I know is I'm an

actor. All I have is my instinct.

(his hand on his chest)

My intuition -- that's all I have.

And you're asking me to go against

it. And that's just wrong.

Just then Stephanie walks in. She cozies up to Jack, and he

kisses the top of her head.

STEPHANIE:

Hi, guys. We should probably get

going.

MILES:

Where?

INT. BOWLING ALLEY - DUSK

CLOSE ON A VIDEO GAME MONITOR

as a crazy car races through the obstacle-ridden track, often

leaving the road, much like Jack's libido.

ZOOM OUT:

to reveal six-year-old SIENA seated in Jack's lap as they

drive together. A delighted Siena laughs and giggles.

Miles sits nearby with Stephanie and her fifty-something,

two-pack-a-day MOTHER CARYL.

CARYL:

Stephanie's heard this a thousand

times, but if I'd done what I wanted

and I'd bought up in Santa Maria

when I had the chance, I would have

made a fortune when they put in that

outlet center and that Home Depot.

(a drag off her

cigarette, then to

Stephanie)

Your father knew it too, but he was

a f***ing chickenshit. Always was.

Caryl looks over her shoulder, her gaze drawn to Jack and

Siena, so completely happy together.

Caryl exhales a puff of smoke as she watches. Stephanie is

equally enthralled. Miles takes it all in, trying his best

not to shake his head in disgust.

INT. BOWLING ALLEY PARKING LOT - DUSK

Caryl is behind the wheel of her OLDSMOBILE as Stephanie

gets Siena buckled up in the backseat. Jack pulls Miles aside.

JACK:

Listen, I'm going to make sure Steph

and Siena get home safe, and then

maybe we'll hook up with you later,

okay?

MILES:

(dispirited)

Sure, whatever. Maybe I'll catch a

movie.

Stephanie kisses Miles's cheek before getting in the car

next to her mom.

STEPHANIE:

See you, Miles. You take care.

MILES:

Bye, Stephanie. Bye, Siena, Caryl.

SIENA AND CARYL:

Bye, Miles.

As he gets in the car --

JACK:

Call me on my cell if you go out.

MILES:

Yeah.

Miles watches them drive away, then heads toward his Saab.

INT. MINI-MART - DUSK

CLOSE ON THE COUNTER --

as Miles places a box of security ENVELOPES, a packet of

BEEF JERKY and some TROPICAL FRUIT SKITTLES.

WIDE --

Miles points over the CASHIER'S SHOULDER.

MILES:

And could I get a Barely Leqal?

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