Up in the Air Page #10

60.

ALEX RYAN:

It’s alright. None taken.

NATALIE:

When I was sixteen, I thought by

twenty three, I would be married,

maybe have a kid... Corner office

by day, entertaining at night. I

was supposed to be driving a Grand

Cherokee by now.

ALEX:

Life can underwhelm you that way.

NATALIE:

Now I have my sights on twenty

nine, because thirty is just way

too... apocalyptic. I mean, where

did you think you’d be by...

Natalie catches herself, having no idea how old Alex is.

ALEX:

It doesn’t work that way.

RYAN:

At a certain point, you stop with

the deadlines.

ALEX:

They can be a little counterproductive.

NATALIE:

I don’t want to say anything

that’s... anti-feminist. I mean, I

really appreciate everything your

generation did for me.

ALEX:

(my generation?)

It was our pleasure.

RYAN:

Well done.

NATALIE:

But sometimes it feels like no

matter how much success I have, it

all won’t matter until I find the

right guy.

ALEX:

You really thought this guy was the one.

61.

NATALIE:

Yeah, I guess. I don’t know. I

could have made it work. He just

really fit the bill.

RYAN:

The bill?

NATALIE:

My type. You know, white collar.

College grad. Loves dogs. Likes funny

movies. Six foot one. Brown hair.

Kind eyes. Works in finance but is

Outdoorsy, you know, on the weekends.

(we think she’s done)

I always imagined he’d have a

single syllable name like Matt or

John or... Dave. In a perfect

world, he drives a Four Runner and

the only thing he loves more than

me is his golden lab. Oh... and a

nice smile.

(back to Alex and Ryan)

How about you?

This catches both Alex and Ryan off guard.

RYAN:

I’m not sure if...

NATALIE:

I meant Alex...

RYAN:

Right.

ALEX:

Huh, let me think for a sec.

(mulls it over)

Well, by the time you’re thirty four,

all the physical requirements are

pretty much out the window. I mean you

secretly prey he’ll be taller than you.

Ryan smiles.

ALEX (CONT’D)

Not an a**hole would be nice? Just

someone who enjoys my company. Comes

from a good family - You don’t think

about that when you’re younger.

(thinking)

Wants kids... Likes kids...

(MORE)

62.

ALEX (CONT’D)

Wants kids. Healthy enough to play

catch with his future son one day.

We can tell Ryan is taking a serious interest in this.

ALEX (CONT’D)

Please let him earn more than I do.

That doesn’t make sense now, but

believe me, it will one day. Otherwise

it’s just a recipe for disaster.

(reaching)

Hopefully some hair on his head...?

But it’s not exactly a deal-breaker

anymore. Nice smile... Yep, a nice

smile just might do it.

Alex looks to Ryan. He has a nice smile.

NATALIE:

Wow. That was depressing.

Alex and Ryan react -It’s not that bad.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

I should just date lesbians.

ALEX:

Tried it. We’re no picnic

ourselves.

Natalie looks worse than when the conversation started.

NATALIE:

I don’t mind being married to my

career, and I don’t expect it to

hold me in bed as I fall asleep.

(looks up)

I just don’t want to settle.

ALEX:

You’re young. Right now you see

settling as some sort of failure.

NATALIE:

It is. By definition.

ALEX:

Don’t worry, by the time someone is

right for you, it won’t feel like

settling... And the only person

left to judge you will be the

twenty four year old girl with a

target on your back.

63.

Natalie cracks a smile.

Ryan looks to Alex. They’ve grown closer.

INT. LOBBY LOUNGE, MIAMI HILTON - DAY

Ryan, Alex, and Natalie wheel their ROLL-AWAYS towards the

elevator.

NATALIE:

So, what’s the plan for this

evening?

Ryan and Alex share an uncomfortable silence.

NATALIE:

What...? Oh, is it illicit?

RYAN:

(quickly)

No...

ALEX:

It’s nothing like that.

NATALIE:

We are in Miami.

RYAN:

... We were going to hit that party

for the tech conference in the hotel.

Natalie notices a group of SOFTWARE TYPES mingling with

badges around their necks.

NATALIE:

I didn’t know you could just attend

those...

ALEX:

Well, I mean...

NATALIE:

(eyes widen)

You’re going to crash it?

RYAN ALEX:

I mean, I don’t know if... More money than they know

These guy put on a quite a what to do with...

party...

NATALIE:

No, I get it. I’m in!

64.

INT. CONFERENCE CORRIDOR, MIAMI HILTON - NIGHT

Ryan, Alex, and Natalie confidently walk up to the CHECK-IN

TABLE and take BADGES.

They turn the corner. Alex reads Natalie’s badge.

ALEX:

Jennifer Chu?

NATALIE:

Oh sh*t!

RYAN:

It’s going to be fine.

INT. SOFTWARE CONVENTION PARTY, MIAMI HILTON - NIGHT

Corporate color balloons. Lots of guys in LOGO POLOS. That

great hip hop song from 1998 is playing over the PA.

We find Ryan, Alex, and Natalie at a stand up table. They’re now

wearing badges. Natalie is pretty tipsy at this point.

RYAN:

(to Natalie)

You okay there?

NATALIE:

Oh yeah... This was a great idea.

(to Alex)

You are so pretty. You’re exactly what

I want to look like in fifteen years.

ALEX:

Thank you, Natalie.

A CONFERENCE LEADER steps up to an on stage MIC.

CONFERENCE LEADER

How’s everyone doing out there?!

People cheer. So do Ryan, Alex, and particularly Natalie.

CONFERENCE LEADER

I’m going to need you to all put

your hands together for a very

special guest - YOUNG... M... C!

The opening beats of the 90’s jam “Bust-A-Move” blast over

the speakers and sure enough, now-40-year-old rapper, Young

MC steps out and starts rapping.

65.

YOUNG MC:

THIS HERE’S A TALE FOR ALL THE

FELLAS... TRY TO DO WHAT THOSE

LADIES TELL US... GET SHOT DOWN

CAUSE YOU’RE OVERZEALOUS... PLAY

HARD TO GET, FEMALES GET JEALOUS...

Everyone goes crazy and starts dancing.

Ryan and Alex make it out to the dance floor. They’re awful

dancers, but they’re having fun.

RYAN:

Think she’ll be okay?

ALEX:

Look...

Natalie has already found a dancing partner, who can’t

believe his luck. She’s all over him. Ryan smiles.

EXT. BOAT - NIGHT

A nice two story yacht that was obviously purchased before

the bubble popped. Inside the galley, a group is playing

karaoke. NATALIE, wearing BADGES like Mardi Gras beads, is

singing “Time After Time”.

Meanwhile, near the back, Ryan and Alex sit with their legs

hanging off the back of the hull.

ALEX:

Back home, I don’t get to act the way

I do with you.

RYAN:

That’s why I don’t have a “back home”.

ALEX:

I know. You’re so cool. “Mr. Empty

Back Pack”.

Ryan emotionally stumbles.

RYAN:

You know about the back pack?

ALEX:

I googled you.

RYAN:

You did?

66.

ALEX:

It’s what us modern girls do when

we have a crush.

RYAN:

Did it bother you?

ALEX:

Well, that depends. Is the bag

empty because you hate people or

just the baggage they bring along?

RYAN:

I don’t hate people. I’m not

exactly a hermit.

ALEX:

You just don’t want to be tied down?

The whole responsibility thing.

RYAN:

I don’t think it’s even that...

I... First time I ever flew, I was

sixteen.

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