Regenerade 1 (Pilot)
"A Fresh Start"
Scenes &
Script Excerpts
2021
Lauren and Mitch's marriage has been withering away but Lauren decides to give it one last try. The resuscitation seems to be working, but the success is short-lived. Their son Aidan (22) breaks the news to his her - Mitch is already with another woman.
SCENES:
1. Lauren & Friend backstage at rock concert. (Flashback 2000)
2. Lauren and Mitch arguing, and making up at his apartment. (Flashback 2000)
3. Lauren and Mitch awakened by early morning phone receiving the news of Lauren's mother's death. (Flashback 2000)
4. Lauren, Liz and Skylar at the yoga studio.
5. Lauren, Liz and Skylar in the sauna, discussing Lauren's marriage.
6. Lauren, Liz and Skylar talking to Lauren's son Aidan who's working in the reception at the gym.
8. Lauren, Liz and Mitch at Lauren's parents home after the funeral of Lauren's mother. (Flashback 2000)
9. Lauren in her kitchen, singing and dancing, with onlookers.
10. Lauren cooking in her kitchen with Aidan's best friend Josh, while Aidan checks his father Mitch's social media.
11. Mitch on a flight between SFO and LAX, reminiscing.
12. Mitch coming home to his (student) apartment and learning from Lauren that she's pregnant. (Flashback 2000)
13. Lauren partying at home with her son Aidan and his best friend Josh. Mitch coming home.
14. Aidan and Josh having a sincere conversation outside a rock club venue.
15. Lauren in bed, smelling Josh's shirt and reading a text from him.
16. Lauren and Mitch having an emotional conversation in the kitchen about the future of their marriage, ending with a make-out session.
17. Josh waiting tables at the restaurant and serving his girlfriend's family (and owners of the restaurant).
18. Aidan coming home and learning from his parents that they've decided to sell their home in LA and relocate to SF (a fresh start). Aidan confirming his suspicions of his father having an affair with another woman in SF.
19. MONTAGE - Josh talking to his "in-laws" at the restaurant / Mitch's girlfriend Ashley in her apartment / Mitch in a taxi bound for LAX / Aidan and Lauren at home by the pool, and Lauren having received the news of Mitch's infidelity, and Lauren throwing her diamond ring in the pool.
____________________
Excerpt
Scene E1:1
FADE IN:
INT. ROCK CLUB VENUE, OAKLAND, CA - NIGHT - (MILLENNIUM)
Soundtrack Music: Live Rock
LAUREN (age 21) and her female friend are caught in the packed crowd just beneath the stage at a rock concert. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, it’s sweaty and people are crowd surfing.
The band on stage is ramping it up as they’re finishing their set, all wild and frenzied and bare chested. After a blaring inferno of sound the lead singer shouts; ”Oakland! We fucki’n love you! We’ll be back for more!” He drops his mic on the floor and the band leaves the stage.
Part of the crowd begin to push backwards but a few try to remain close to the stage, shouting, hoping for an encore. Lauren clasps the hand of her friend and urge her to push forward with her towards the side of the stage where a roadie has already begun to gather up the instruments. As they reach the barricade Lauren begins to shout to the roadie on stage as loud as she can.
LAUREN
BRIAN!!!! BRIAN!!!!
The roadie BRIAN finally looks up holding a guitar in his hand, when his eyes land on LAUREN he lights up with
recognition and he moves to the edge of the stage.
BRIAN
Lauren!!! What are you doing here!?
LAUREN
(Shouting)
I’m at Berkeley now! How are you?!
Brian just points to the very side of the stage where a security guard is positioned and Lauren and her friend move towards him as Brian squats down to talk to the security guard who nods. Lauren and her friend are allowed to enter the stage and Lauren gives Brian a long hug.
BRIAN
It’s good to see you! I wondered where you’d disappeared? You wanna go backstage?
LAUREN
Hell yeah! But I’m with this guy...
(Beginning to scan the crowd)
BRIAN
They don’t want dudes back there, sorry...
FRIEND
(To Lauren)
You can find him later! Let’s go backstage!
LAUREN
(with some hesitation, but excited)
OK...Let’s do it!
JUMP CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE AREA, ROCK VENUE, OAKLAND, CA - NIGHT - LATER
Lauren and her female friend are squished in close with band members, crew and a lot of fans, mostly girls, on some couches backstage, beers in hand. There’s a lot of liquor on the table and a cloud of thick smoke fills the air.
Lauren’s friend is sitting next to the lead singer who’s grinning contently with three other girls on his other side, all competing for his attention. Lauren sits next to the BASS PLAYER and
they’re trying to have a conversation through the noise.
LAUREN
(To the bass player)
You remember that gig you played at
the Old Seattle Brewery like three
years ago..?
Bass player is trying to recall.
LAUREN (CONT'D)
The Psycho Sharks were opening for
you!? And Mike smashed his guitar?!
It looked like a Stratocaster...
BASS PLAYER
Yeah yeah yeah!!! That was fucki’n sick! You were there?
LAUREN
I was! I was even backstage! I’ve talked to you before...
BASS PLAYER
(Amused, just a little embarrassed)
Did we just talk or...?
LAUREN
(Giggling)
Totally! Just talked! I was going out with the Psycho Sharks’ singer...
BASS PLAYER
What the fuck?! You were Chad’s
girlfriend?! What the fuck happened
to him...
LAUREN
He moved to the mid-west somewhere,
I think he’s some kind of sales
rep, I’m pretty sure he’s got a kid
and everything...
The Bass Player is laughing hard.
BASS PLAYER
Poor guy! Must have cut his hair
and removed all those brow
piercings...I mean he was fucki’n
wild, like always climbing shit and
throwing himself into the crowd...
LAUREN
I thought he was gonna kill himself
like, a million times, fucki’n
adrenalin junkie...
BASS PLAYER
Listen, we’re gonna head back to
our hotel in a little while, I
think you should come with us...
Lauren hesitates but smiles, then she hears someone calling her name.
BRIAN
Lauren!
(Comes up to her and leans in towards her)
Your boyfriend is hassling security
and they won’t let him through, you
better go out and talk to him...
The Bass Player quickly turns the other way to talk to someone else the second he hears the word ”boyfriend” and Lauren gets up and tries to get her friend’s attention.
LAUREN
(To her friend)
I’M LEAVING!
Lauren’s friend just waves at her indicating; *It’s OK, I’m staying*
Lauren walks back across the stage and finds her boyfriend MITCH (age 25) standing at the barricade arguing with bouncer but stepping back and flinging out his arms when he sees her approaching as in; *There you are! Where the hell have you been!?*
Lauren comes up to Mitch with an apologetic face and tries to put her hand on his arm but he shrugs it off.
LAUREN
Mitch! I really didn’t think you were still here...my phone’s dead and...
MITCH
(Angry)
I’ve been running around this place
looking for you!!! I was fucki’n worried sick about you!!!
LAUREN
Mitch, I’m so, so sorry...
MITCH
Yeah. Whatever Lauren. I’m going
home now.
(Turning on his heel and
walking quickly towards
the exit)
Lauren hurries and follows right behind him.
Excerpt
Scene E1:2
JUMP CUT TO:
INT. MITCH VAN BUREEN’S APARTMENT IN NORTH BERKELEY, CA -
LATE NIGHT - LATER (MILLENNIUM)
Mitch and Lauren come through the door of Mitch’s apartment.
Lauren sits down on the bed and looks at Mitch, he turns away from her and walks over to the couch while unbuttoning his RL Polo shirt.
LAUREN
(Pleading)
Mitch please. Please. I’m so, so sorry this happened. Can you just say something...
MITCH
I think it’s better if we talk tomorrow.
(Lying down on the couch and pulling up a blanket over himself)
LAUREN
So...you decide when we’ll talk?
And you’re punishing me...?
Mitch looks very annoyed, but also sad.
MITCH
All right. Fine. I’m starting to doubt we’re on the same page, especially maturity-wise...
LAUREN
(Interrupting)
Ohh! You’re so ”MATURE” now huh!?
Try ”SQUARE”! Try ”CONFORMIST”! Try ”REPRESSED”, Try...
MITCH
(interrupting, very angry)
Shut the FUCK UP!! You’re drunk!
Lauren goes quiet and looks stunned, and confused. She stares at Mitch and then she puts her head in her hands. After awhile she says;
LAUREN
You’re right Mitch. I am acting weird. I’m so fucki’n lost right now.
Lauren gets up and moves across the floor and kneels down by Mitch, now sitting up on the couch. Mitch’s look is softening, just a tiny bit.
LAUREN
We’re from different planets...
(Mitch and Lauren both nod slightly, in agreement)
But even if we don’t understand
each other, we should respect each
other...
(Whispering, with emphasis)
I’m sorry....
Mitch’s angry face is gone, but he looks even more sad.
MITCH
You’re great Lauren. I know you are. But....I can’t see...
LAUREN
...a future for us?
Mitch doesn’t answer.
LAUREN
We probably don’t really fit each other....it’s not like I can’t see that...
Lauren pauses, looks down for awhile, then looks up at Mitch.
LAUREN
Whatever happens now...I want you
to know...I think you’re a great guy Mitch Van Bureen...
Lauren reaches out for his hand and he takes it. They lock eyes and both look emotional. Lauren climbs up on the couch next to Mitch and puts her arms around him. Mitch leans his head towards her and closes his eyes, he then turns his face towards her and they begin to kiss, an intense, desperate kissing. Lauren pulls her top over her head and Mitch lays her down on the couch. They both eagerly pull off their clothes and within three seconds he’s inside of her.
_________
Excerpt 3
Scene E3:3
JUMP CUT TO:
INT. MITCH VAN BUREEN’S APARTMENT IN NORTH BERKELEY, CA -
NEXT MORNING (MILLENNIUM)
Mitch and Lauren lie entangled on the couch, they’re sleeping heavily. The phone (landline) starts to ring. It keeps
ringing for a long time before Mitch finally moves, gets up and grabs the phone.
MITCH
(Tired, slurring)
Yes...?
LIZ
(O.C)
Hi....is this Mitch?
MITCH
Yes. Who’s this?
LIZ
(Insecure, distressed)
I’m Lauren’s sister...Liz...is Lauren there?
MITCH
She is...she’s sleeping...
Lauren opens her eyes and says;
LAUREN
(dazed)
Who’s that...?
Mitch hands the phone to her.
MITCH
It’s your sister.
Lauren looks concerned and sits up suddenly as the grabs the phone.
LAUREN
Liz?!
LIZ
(quiet first, breathing heavily)
Mom.....
(begins to sob)
LAUREN
(panting, looking scared)
What?! Liz!!!
LIZ
(crying)
She’s gone....it happened so fast....
Lauren drops the phone and falls down on the floor like she’s losing control of her limbs, and she just cries out;
LAUREN
(With deep, guttural sounds)
Noooo...NOOOOO....NOOOO....NOOO.....NOOOOOOO!!!!
Mitch falls down on his knees next to Lauren and puts a hand on her while he picks up the phone with his other hand.
MITCH
(To Liz)
What’s happened? Is her mother...?
LIZ
(Hoarse, strained voice)
She died during the night...
MITCH
(Gasping)
Oh my God! I’m so sorry!
Mitch leans over Lauren and tries to hold her while she continues to moan in complete shock, repeating ”No” over and over.
MITCH
(To Liz)
She’s in shock here...
LIZ
Take care of her please, have her call me when she calms down...
MITCH
I will. OK...
Mitch ends the call and wraps his arms around Lauren who’s curled up on the floor, still repeating ”No, No, No” in
complete agony.
Mitch and Lauren stay on the floor and Lauren keeps crying out, primal sounds of devastation. In between the crying and moaning she keeps on repeating the ”No No No”, endlessly.
Mitch just holds her, and he doesn’t let go. After a long time Lauren quiets down a little bit and she whispers,
hoarsely;
LAUREN
Don’t leave me Mitch! Please don’t
leave me...
Mitch strokes and kisses her head.
MITCH
I won’t. I’ll stay with you. I’ll be here OK? I’ll stay with you.
Lauren remains curled up on the floor in something that resembles a yoga ”child’s pose”.
________
Script Excerpt E1
Scene E1:6
INT. FOUNTAIN HEALTH CLUB GYM, RECEPTION DESK - LATER
Lauren, Liz and Skylar walk up to the reception desk at the gym where AIDAN (22) is manning the reception. The three women look serious and a bit sullen as they look at Aidan and
lean on the desk.
LAUREN
We have some complaints.
AIDAN
(blank, disengaged)
Oh, you do?
LAUREN
Uh-huh. The sauna is too warm. And
the showers are too wet.
AIDAN
Right. Anything else?
LIZ
The gravitational pull is too strong in here.
AIDAN
Mmmm.
SKYLAR
I also find that the density of
pheromone-particles is too high, which is disrupting.
AIDAN
(even tone, expressionless)
You want a compensation in the form
of a reduced membership fee?
The women are nodding.
AIDAN
Well you’re shit outta luck on that
one. Suck it ladies. I’ll give you free samples of sublingual vitamin B12 tabs. Here you go.
(Placing three tiny sachets in front of them on the desk)
Have a wonderful day y’all.
The women look dead serious with just a hint of playfulness, rip open the sachets in one synchronized motion and place the tabs on their tongues.
SKYLAR
How long before they start to kick
in?
AIDAN
When you realize that the customer
is always wrong, you know they’re
working. It’s like a truth serum
basically.
Before they turn to leave Lauren says to Aidan;
LAUREN
Dad’s coming home at like seven,
remember? You’ll be home by then?
AIDAN
I will mom.
Lauren gives Aidan a warm smile and blows him a kiss, and the three women head for the exit.
_________
Excerpt
Scene E1:9
INT. THE VAN BUREEN HOME, ENCINO, CA, KITCHEN - EARLY EVENING
(PRESENT DAY)
Lauren is unpacking groceries, filling the fridge and laying other items on the kitchen counter.
She’s still in her yoga outfit and she looks happy. Her phone rings. It’s Mitch. She picks up immediately.
LAUREN
Hi honey!
MITCH
(O.C)
Hi Lauren.
LAUREN
You...should be mid-air now...?
MITCH
I’m gonna be late. Got caught up with a closure. I’ll be home at nine thirty instead.
LAUREN
(disappointed)
Oh. I had dinner planned, told Aidan to stay home...
MITCH
(a bit annoyed)
It’s not like I can help it.
(pause) So...I’ll see you later OK.
LAUREN
OK...
(Realizing Mitch already hung up on her, staring at her phone)
Lauren stands still, she keeps her phone in her hands but just stares into space. After a few seconds she snaps back to reality and mumbles to herself;
LAUREN
Ahh fuck it!
Lauren begins to scroll on her phone and turns on a Marshall speaker in the kitchen. RATM’s ”Killing in the Name” blasts out from the speaker on maximum volume. Lauren continues to
sort through the groceries while she nods her head to the beat and sings along. She unpacks a couple of lobsters, rinses them, places them on a board and grabs a big chef’s knife. As she’s stabbing the lobsters with the knife to split them in half she starts screaming out the lyrics aggressively, at the top of her lungs;
LAUREN
(Singing, loudly and aggressively)
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!
Motherfucker!!!”
She turns around from the counter and screams as she is startled to a point of a mild heart attack. Aidan and JOSH
(22) are standing there, watching her, both grinning with amusement. Lauren quickly grabs her phone and pauses the loud music, then she just collapses face-down on the kitchen counter, hiding her face with her arms, in complete embarrassment.
AIDAN
What are you doing mom? Releasing
your aggression?
Lauren keeps her head on the counter, shielded by her arms.
LAUREN
(muffled, covering her face)
You’re early...
AIDAN
(walking up to the lobsters)
Stabbing innocent lobsters are we?
Josh walks up to Lauren and puts his hand on her back.
JOSH
You’re OK Lauren?
LAUREN
Mmm hmmm.
JOSH
RATM therapy is healthy. I do it all the time.
Lauren peers up at Josh, she smiles and blushes.
LAUREN
Works best without an audience.
JOSH
(smiling warmly)
You just made my day.
LAUREN
(standing straight again)
Happy to entertain you. You want to
be fed too?
AIDAN
Yes please Mamacita. And you could
”pop open a bubbly” for us. We come
bearing good news.
Lauren just stares at Aidan and Josh with anticipation.
JOSH
I was accepted to UCSD Med School
today.
Lauren’s face lights up and she moves towards Josh with her palm in the air. They hi-five and embrace and Josh lifts her slightly off the floor as she’s hanging with her arms around his neck. When he lets her go there’s a hint of
embarrassment registering in Lauren’s face.
LAUREN
I’m so proud of you! Both of you!
You’re gonna be DOCTORS!
JOSH
Aidan is. We’ll see about me...
LAUREN
Oh Josh of course you are.
JOSH
(interrupting)
One thing at a time...
LAUREN
All right. All right.
__________
Excerpt 5
Scene E1:10
I/E. MONTAGE - THE VAN BUREEN HOUSE, KITCHEN - EVENING -
MOMENTS LATER
Soundtrack: background music
A champagne cork shoots up from a bottle held by Aidan, some champange spills out from the bottle and Aidan quickly pours three glasses placed on the kitchen island. Aidan, Lauren and Josh each take a glass and clink them
together before all taking a long sip
--
Aidan is sitting at the kitchen island with his champagne glass while Josh and Lauren are at the counter preparing food, talking, joking, laughing....flirting?
Aidan is observing his friend and his mother, listening to their conversation and banter.
LAUREN
(to Josh, while opening a brown paper bag)
Look at these babies! Came all the
way from Bavaria!
Josh picks up a very fat white asparagus and studies it.
JOSH
(knowlingly, in a fake German accent)
Nein, this is not the achtung baby...it’s eine spezialen würst...
LAUREN
(breaking into hysterical laughter)
Most phallic vegetable ever!!!
(Bending over with giggles)
JOSH
(mock serious)
Prime produce like this should be
handled with care...
Lauren tries to contain herself but bursts out laughing again when she picks up the asparagus.
Aidan is rolling his eyes and begins to look slightly annoyed. He starts looking at his phone.
--
Josh and Lauren are by the stove. Josh is whisking into a saucepan while Lauren is slowly pouring melted butter into it.
LAUREN
Keep whisking, don’t stop!
JOSH
I’m whippi’n it! Whippi’n it real
good!
LAUREN
It’s comi’n, see? We want it thicker...
Aidan keeps observing them but he’s beginning to look a little bored, and left out.
--
Lauren and Josh are now standing by the big stainless steel barbeque grill outside on the patio. Lauren is just standing by the side of the grill, sipping her champagne and talking while
Josh is grilling the lobsters, turning them and glazing them.
LAUREN
(contemplative, serious)
But as long as people are unaware
of any alternatives they’re going along with it...
JOSH
Totally. There’s really nothing
there to challenge the dominant
ideology on this...
LAUREN
(a bit fired up)
God yes. The agenda is like
completely skewed. What people
don’t realize is that it will have
an impact on them sooner or
later...
--
Aidan is still sitting inside, scrolling on his phone. He’s checking his father Mitch’s social media account. Mitch’s
posts are mainly advertising high-end properties that are listed at the Van Bureen Real Estate Brokerage in San
Francisco. A few recent posts are more private. Almost all of them are views of the Golden Gate at sunset with captions such as ”Great evening run” ”This view never gets old”.
Aidan’s brow is furrowed. Why is his dad spending his evenings around Crissy Field when he lives in Bayside
Village?
Lauren and Josh are back at the kitchen counter plating food and chatting.
JOSH
(to Lauren)
Are we stacking here? Sauce as a
base or like, doused?
LAUREN
I’ll give you full creativity.
Should we pair this with a Riesling
or a Gewürtztraminer?
JOSH
Uuuh. Tough choice. What have you
got?
LAUREN
I’ll show you.
Aidan is now engrossed in his father’s posts. He keeps going back and checking all his social media activity during the last months. Every single ”like” or comment he checks, a
myriad of profiles. Aidan keeps checking although he doesn’t
know what he’s looking for. In the background, Josh and Lauren keep talking, ”playing restaurant”.
JOSH
(Yelling, to Lauren)
Where’s the starch!?
LAUREN
(by the deep fryer)
3 out on the fries!
JOSH
We need to run these now, they’re
gonna be dead plates!
Aidan has found a profile that keeps him lingering. Ashley Davis. Early-mid 30’s. Blonde. Attractive. Marketing, account executive and analyst. Fitness freak. Socialite. Apparently from Woodside. Aidan keeps looking at a picture of her posted 8 days earlier. She’s posing in runner’s tights and a
baseball cap at the Wave Organ. The sun is low. Aidan switches back to his dad’s account. Mitch has posted a
picture of himself at the exact same spot, at the exact same time. Who was the photographer? Mitch’s post has 62 ”likes” one of them is Ashley Davis. Aidan puts his phone down. He
looks tired and sad, leaning his head in his hand. Suddenly Lauren stands next to him, putting her arm around him and
giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
LAUREN
Don’t despair! Dinner’s ready now.
C’mon baby boy, let’s eat!
Aidan gives her a tired smile, gets up and follows her.
Excerpt
Scene E1:16
INT. THE VAN BUREEN HOME, ENCINO, CA, KITCHEN - MORNING -
(PRESENT DAY)
Lauren is sitting at the kitchen table writing on her laptop when Mitch walks in, wearing compression tights, shorts and a t-shirt.
LAUREN
(looking up from her computer, smiling)
Good morning! Sleep well?
MITCH
Good enough, thanks. Aidan not up?
LAUREN
He had a late night...
MITCH
(reaching for a mug and the coffee pot)
I’ll give him 10 minutes. I’m going with him to Fountain Health. He starts at 10.
LAUREN
Oh, good. You want eggs?
MITCH
Sure...
Lauren gets up and starts to pull out things from the fridge.
LAUREN
I just saw that you have a listing in Ashbury Heights!
MITCH
(disengaged)
Hmm yeah, that one...
LAUREN
It looked perfect! You remember how we used to fantasize about living there?
MITCH
Mmm. Well I really don’t have time to deal with these things yet. It’ll have to wait...
LAUREN
You’ve been in SF for 6 months already, and Aidan’s gonna head up to Stanford soon enough...my job can be done from there...I just want to get started...with the whole...process...
MITCH
And I’m telling you it’s too early cause I’m completely swamped. I’m still working day and night up there, getting our share of the market, trying to recruit top-end agents and to secure new
listings...
LAUREN
I know! But I’ll do the work Mitch.
You know that. How many houses have
we bought and sold? How many times
have we moved?! I know how to do this shit.
Lauren starts to whisk the eggs in a bowl and puts a pan on the stove. Mitch is standing leaning his back on the counter, arms crossed, looking lost in thought. Lauren suddenly stops whisking and looks at Mitch.
LAUREN
If you don’t want us to continue to live together, now is a good time to say so.
MITCH
(annoyed)
You always do this Lauren!
Lauren makes a gesture as if asking; *What?!*
MITCH
Like you're giving me some guilt trip when I can’t do a full 180 as fast as
you want me to...
Lauren looks doubtful but says nothing.
MITCH
It’s not like you’ve craved my company or anything...I thought you were happy here, in your own little world...
LAUREN
(upset)
In my ”LITTLE WORLD”?!
MITCH
Like when we had the Launch Party
back in November...
LAUREN
(interrupting)
I had the final deadline for Verdict S5! I’m actually a writer now! On top of everything else! I get paid to write!
MITCH
(slightly sarcastic)
That must be fulfilling Lauren. To be able to realize your professional dream. It’s a luxury not to be taken for granted.
Lauren says nothing, she just looks at Mitch with sadness.
MITCH
(Eyes diverting away)
You really don’t want to be there for me. Not for corporate events, not for...anything...And forgive me if I’m starting to get used to it.
Lauren walks up to Mitch and touches his arm.
Mitch doesn’t move but meets her eye, his expression softening just slightly.
LAUREN
This is why I want to move up to SF, I want us to...reconnect...
MITCH
You don’t want to be left here once
Aidan leaves, that’s what I think.
Lauren keeps looking at him, now with a vulnerable expression.
MITCH
You want to be close to him. And you’d like to share a house with me in Ashbury Heights. But you’d rather not sleep in my bed. Right?
LAUREN
Oh...Mitch.
(Her eyes soft, sad)
How am I to know if you want me to?
Lauren is standing right in front of Mitch, holding his gaze.
He uncrosses his arms and allows Lauren to hold his hand.
There’s a tension between them, both of them uncertain of how to act, hesitating to make a move, then Lauren puts her hand on his chest and lets it travel up to his neck. It triggers an almost explosive reaction from Mitch who forcefully pulls her close to him and kisses her, and Lauren wraps her arms around his neck and presses up against him. They kiss with intensity, urgency, and they both start to tug at each other’s clothes as they breathe heavily. Suddenly Lauren pushes herself away from Mitch as she sees Aidan come in. She looks at Aidan just as his startled face registers a mix of
surprise, disgust and embarrassment.
AIDAN
(with slight repulsion)
Awww my God...
(He turns on his heel to walk away)
LAUREN
No! Come back! I’m making eggs and
toast!
AIDAN
(Already out of the room)
Don’t have time for that mom.
Mitch quickly downs his coffee and gives Lauren a stiff smile. He turns but then freezes and decides to give Lauren a peck on the cheek, somewhat awkwardly. He mumbles;
MITCH
See you later...
Mitch follows Aidan and Lauren is left alone in the kitchen, looking puzzled and breathless. She absentmindedly smooths her hair with her hands and stares at the kitchen entryway.
Then she seems to snap back and turns to continue her egg-whisking.
__________
Excerpt
Scene E1:17
INT. L’ANGOLO RESTAURANT, LA - EVENING (PRESENT DAY)
Josh is waiting tables at L’Angolo. He’s taking orders at a large table, collecting the menus from the guests.
He’s repeating some of the orders back to them to make sure he’s getting it right.
JOSH
(Looking at a guest at the table)
That’s a medium-rare tenderloin, sauce on the side...
(Looking at another guest)
Extra veg, no fries...and I’ll be bringing you the drinks right away, OK?
Josh is smiling at the guests and turns to walk away carrying the menus when he is stopped by the Maître d’.
MAÎTRE D’
You’re switching stations with Ana.
(Seeing Josh’s questioning look)
You need to wax table 2. Owners and
family just arrived. Your girlfriend’s in the party...
JOSH
(surprised, a bit concerned)
I didn’t know they were coming in...?
MAÎTRE D’
They weren’t booked, I had do a
brutal turn & burn to accommodate them...
JOSH
OK. I’ll take them. They got menus?
The Maître d’ nods.
Josh walks up to the large table where the restaurant owner GIUSEPPE is seated with Josh’s girlfriend FRANCESCA, her dad LUCA, among several other family members. Josh kind of braces himself and speaks up to break through the chatter.
JOSH
Good evening folks. How are we doing here?
LUCA
(loud, self-assertive)
Jason! Good to see you!
(extending his big hand towards Josh)
FRANCESCA
(embarrassed)
Dad!!! It’s JOSH!!!
LUCA
(as Josh shakes his hand)
Apologies! Josh! How are you son?
JOSH
Very well, thank you sir.
Josh takes a step towards Francesca and gives her a smile and quick peck on the cheek. She’s beaming.
LUCA
Francesca tells us you’re going to med school?!
JOSH
Well, yeah...
LUCA
Congratulations! Good to hear you’re not planning on waiting tables here forever huh?!
(Gesturing towards his brother Giuseppe)
JOSH
No, but I am tonight, so I’m happy to take your orders if you’re ready?
(Looking around the table)
As you can see we have two specials...
LUCA
(interrupting)
Why is there no Veal Piccata on the menu?!
(shouting to his brother across the table)
Giuseppe! Why no piccata!?
Giuseppe just shrugs indifferently. Luca turns to Josh again.
LUCA
Why take something like that off the menu?! Everybody LOVES piccata, no?!
JOSH
I will ask the kitchen if they can make the piccata, if that’s what you’d like to have?
LUCA’S WIFE
Nooo!!! He can’t have piccata!!!
Luca!! Your cholesterol!!!
GIUSEPPE
(shouting to Josh)
Give us four bottles of Nebbiolo Josh!
LUCA’S WIFE
He’ll have the fish! The halibut!
Josh is just nodding in all directions, trying to keep up.
LUCA
Nooo! Shush! I want ravioli! OK, Josh?!
GIUSEPPE
Me too! Make them bring out a bowl
of freshly grated PR, and white truffle oil!
GIUSEPPE’S WIFE
Excuse me! Can I have the Halibut?!
Sauce on the side.
LUCA
(gesturing with his arms)
Why don’t you sit down with us Josh?! We’d like to get to know you better...
JOSH
(trying to remain calm and polite)
Thank you Mr. Cappellano. First I need to make sure you get your drinks and that they’re firing everything in the kitchen. I’ll be right back.
Josh walks away promptly and when he reaches the wine cabinets at the back of the restaurant he realizes Francesca has followed him there.
FRANCESCA
(Smiling, eyes glowing, touching his arm)
Hi....
Josh smiles and glances over her shoulder before he quickly cups his hand behind her head and kisses her.
JOSH
Didn’t know you were coming...
FRANCESCA
Neither did I. Dad just said he wants you to come to dinner at our house, maybe you can get next Sunday off...
JOSH
(efficiently looking through the wine cabinet, pulling out bottles, checking the vintage)
OK...that’s nice. Doubt I’ll be able to change shifts with such short notice...
FRANCESCA
It would mean a lot to me if you did...the fact that they want you to come...
JOSH
Well, they’ve waited almost a year to invite me, so perhaps they can wait
another few weeks...
FRANCESCA
But Josh you know...
JOSH
(interrupting)
And perhaps by then your dad would
have actually learned my name...
FRANCESCA
Oh, don’t take it personally, he’s got early-onset dementia...
JOSH
But he did remember that I’ve been
accepted to med school...
FRANCESCA
(a bit wounded)
They’re beginning to realize that we’re serious, and they want to welcome you into our family...y’know the big crazy OTT stereotypical family...the one you
actually told me you were jealous of...
JOSH
(smiling warmly)
I need to get them their wine before they start to have second thoughts all right?
Josh and Francesca walk back to the table with the wine. Francesca sits down and Josh skillfully opens the bottles with his wine key and pours a taste for Giuseppe who just motions for him to pour him a full glass. As Josh continues to pour wine for the other family members around the table Luca observes him closely and asks him loudly;
LUCA
So is your father also a doctor Josh?
Josh tenses up a little bit, only noticeable to Francesca.
JOSH
(Smiling politely)
No he’s not.
FRANCESCA
Why didn’t you ask him if his MOTHER is a doctor? Huh dad?
LUCA
Oh! Is she?
JOSH
No.
LUCA
See this is what you’re gonna have to put up with Josh,
(Smiling and motioning towards his daughter)
Our little ”principessa”, always demanding equality!
Josh just smiles stiffly. Francesca looks sullen.
LUCA
Two years of graduate school!
Studying...these ideas that defy the laws of nature!!! Huh!?! Pazzia!
(Looking at Giuseppe for
countenance, gesturing with one hand)
Women are wasting all this energy fighting for things they don’t really want, and all this ”equality” is actually harming women. And it’s making everybody insecure! The man’s role is to provide and protect! And women are
designed to have babies. As long as
there’s mutual respect there is no
problem.
Francesca is rolling her eyes and putting her head in her hands while Luca looks at Josh who’s pouring the last glass.
LUCA
You see what I mean, right Josh?
JOSH
Absolutely sir. That’s why it’s important for women to have equal opportunities when they’re disrespectfully left to raise their children on their own, like my
mother had to do.
(Looking around the table and smiling politely)
You need anything else right now?
GIUSEPPE
Ask the kitchen if they have some pickled artichokes will you?
(turning to his wife)
My digestion is completely shot...
JOSH
Will do.
Josh exchanges a glance with Francesca and hurries back to the kitchen where there’s energetic activity. It’s noisy, hot and crowded.
RESTAURANT KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
JOSH
(To the head chef)
How’re we doi’n on table 2?
HEAD CHEF
They’re coming in 5.
JOSH
Giuseppe wants pickled artichokes,
we’ve got them?
A junior cook runs to the pantry. Josh meets the eye of NATE (31) who’s at the grill.
NATE
(almost yelling)
Heard you’re serving your in-laws out there! (grinning)
Josh shakes his head.
JOSH
I need a smoke Nate. Can we have one?
NATE
We’re in the weeds here. Later bro.
(Glancing back at Josh from the grill, a bit concerned)
You’re OK there?
JOSH
Yeah. Unless you can give me a fast-
acting Xanax, I’m gonna have to be.
Josh grabs the bowl of pickled artichokes and returns to the dining room.
___________
