Lulu in LA LA Land (7 page)

As if this day could get worse! Between dealing with Alexis and the Spa-tacular and worrying about Sophia, Lulu's done, wiped. Her stomach starts its nervous swirling.

LULU

Soph, I've gotta lie down.

Lulu drops the watering can she'd been holding and sinks onto the thick, freshly cut, Technicolor-green grass.

For a moment, Sophia is puzzled. Then Sophia falls to the ground next to her friend.

TIGHT SHOT ON THE GIRLS as they rest on their backs watching the bright blue sky. Not a cloud to be seen.

LULU

There's nothing in the sky except sunlight and ultraviolet light that we can't see with our naked eyes.

SOPHIA

I remember when Mr. Ling taught us that last year. You were SO excited to learn about rainbows!

LULU

How 'bout we lie here until ten things, anythings, fly or float in the sky above us.

SOPHIA

Ok. There's a scrub jay.

LULU

Oh, there's a golden-crowned sparrow.

SOPHIA

Two!

LULU

Remember when we used to count fairy clues?

SOPHIA

Yeah. We'd hunt around the garden looking for signs that fairies lived here.

LULU

And when we found eight clues, we were convinced they were here because a sideways eight looks like fairy wings.

The girls lie on their sides, tracing their fingers through soft grass, lost in the world of fairy figure eights. WATSON shuffles up and licks their faces. They giggle.

A tall, lean man, JOHNNY WALKER, leans over and scoops up puggy. He's wearing purple corduroy pants and a blue satin blazer. Johnny adores dressing up, even though he deals with Watson all day.

CUT!! Really super quick. I wanna tell you that Watson's manny, Johnny, is SO amazing. He ALWAYS seems to know what's going on. He understands dogs AND people perfectly. And he can handle any situation. He plays with, cooks for, cleans up after, and exercises Watson, plus he does anything for the family that Elana needs help doing. Back to: ACTION!!

JOHNNY

(voice is playful, like he's suppressing a laugh.)

Oooh, I love when Watson makes his surprise slurp attack! C'mon, Dream Team, stop lollying around and do something useful. Let's go shopping! Watson needs his summer wardrobe.

Lulu and Sophia pull each other up. They follow Johnny and a waddling Watson to Johnny's Canine Cruiser, an old Cadillac painted red with silver magnetic paws slapped on the trunk and hood.

The girls dive into the back seat with Watson. Johnny puts on his red driving cap. The girls smile. An afternoon with Johnny Walker is just what the doctor ordered!

INT. CHATEAU MARMUTT—LATER THAT AFTERNOON

Lulu, Sophia, Alexis, and Johnny Walker with Watson strapped onto him in a baby sling walk into Chateau Marmutt. Alexis had to be picked up at Robbie's house. She almost fainted from embarrassment when the canine cruiser pulled up.

Chateau Marmutt looks like a mini-castle, with chandeliers and a back wall painted with country scenery. It's a place a dog can be treated royally.

Chateau Marmutt offers dog aromatherapy, grooming, haircuts, brush outs, fresh-breath treatment, and nail cutting.

Lulu picks up a flier advertising “Marmutt Spa's Private Parties.” Lulu files that idea away for Watson's next birthday. If she's doing a spa party, so should puggy!

Dog clothes hang or are neatly folded around the store. Lulu sorts through doggie shirts stacked under a sign that boasts the clothing is “eco-friendly, zero waste, locally made.”

SOPHIA

(shyly)

Does Watson need summer clothes? It's never really cold.

JOHNNY

It's got nothing to do with COLD, darling Sophia. It has everything to do with COOL! Alexis, don't you think so?

Alexis glances up from her iPad.

ALEXIS

Johnny, you could make any furry-legged creature win an Oscar for Best Dressed.

JOHNNY

(responding quickly and brightly)

You're right-o. And it doesn't need to be furry. If Wilbur was ever up for Best Actor in
Charlotte's Web
, I'd do wonders for that little piggy!

Johnny holds up a black cashmere sweater with matching beanie.

JOHNNY

Just look at this number!

Lulu and Sophia crack up, not only because of the idea of a pig in a swanky sweater, but because of the way Johnny poses while holding the pieces.

ALEXIS

Ya know, this shopping spree reminds me, Lulu. You should find something Watson can wear to your chi-chi party.

Sophia shoots Lulu a confused look. Johnny jumps in and covers for Lulu, whose face has clouded with worry.

JOHNNY

Oh, puhleeeeese! If Watson ever attends a VIP party, I'm making his outfit. And, of course, I'll be coming in a matching one!

Sophia remains silent and pretends to study the bakery display filled with doggie doughnuts and hand-painted cookies shaped like squirrels and fire hydrants.

LULU

Soph, why DON'T we make Watson's clothes? You're awesome with a needle and thread.

SOPHIA

(quietly)

I don't think I could finish clothes for Watson in time for your party.

LULU

Oh, forget my birthday. I meant to wear anytime.

ALEXIS

(to Lulu)

Speaking of your birthday, we've gotta ramp up party clothes shopping.

JOHNNY

Excuuuuuse moi. This shopping excursion is about Watson. OK, how cutie-pie are these?

Johnny holds up two dog outfits, a black T-shirt that says “FEED ME” in rhinestones and a red sweater. THE CASHIER rings them up.

JOHNNY

Next, we have to stop for some organic beef, ground especially for Watson's raw diet. The smell in that place! Putrid!!

ALEXIS

You can drop me and Lu to shop at Fred Segal. Sophia, you can come.

LULU

I'd rather watch Watson's beef get ground.

SOPHIA

Me too.

INT. CROSSWINDS SCHOOL CAFETERIA—MONDAY LUNCH

CUT!! You're gonna think I'm super strange after I tell you this: I'm the opposite of every other fifth grader because
I
like
classes
more
than
recess
and
lunch
! Recess is when the Pop Girls troll around like a pack of hyenas, giggling at anyone who crosses their path. Lunch is when you're judged by where your fanny lands. If you sit with goof-offs, you're considered a troublemaker. If you sit with sports lovers, you're a jock. Of course, the Pop Girls table is by invitation ONLY.

None of this bothers me and Sophia because we're meant to be together. Our second grade teacher called us “shoes and laces.” When Sophia and I go to the cafeteria, no one saves us spots. We always find each other and sit wherever there's room. Back to: ACTION!!

CAMERA PANS TO FOLLOW Lulu as she wanders around the Crosswinds cafeteria, looking for Sophia.

JANA

Hey, Lulu!

Lulu, unsure Jana really means to call
her
, walks slowly to the Pop Girls' table.

LULU

(caught off guard)

Oh, hi, Jana. Hi, guys.

Lulu glances around the Pop Girl table, AKA, Pop Girl Island.

JADE

Party info, puhleese.

JENNA

Yeah…so spa day, cool. You're doing facials, right? What else?

JANA

Mani-pedis?

Jana rolls her eyes toward Jade after spotting Lulu's unpolished, uneven nails.

JANA

Well, maybe not.

LULU

Oh sure, there'll be all that. Alexis, ya know, my sister, is arranging everything.

Pop Girls exchange interested looks. Noticing this, Lulu plunges onward, though she's also scanning the lunchroom for Sophia.

LULU

Yeah, Lex is my party-planning professional.

JADE

What hair stuff? I'm supposed to have my hair straightened this weekend, but if you're having a full salon, I'll wait. Who's the stylist?

Having made eye contact with Sophia, Lulu now wants to join her friend. She also wants this conversation over because she doesn't have answers.

LULU

Oh, sure, ummmm, yeah, we're doing hair.

JENNA

More than braiding with beads?

JADE

Hey, we did that for my fifth birthday party. Remember that one? We had the henna tattoo lady, and Jana wanted a henna tattoo on her bum?!

Pop Girls snicker. Jana giggles the loudest, trying to hide her obvious embarrassment at the memory.

LULU

Well, I hope you guys can come.

(pauses)

See ya, gonna have lunch now.

JADE

You can eat here. Jana, move over.

(Jana scootches but isn't pleased)

Hey, what's the chow at the fête?

LULU

Well, Lex has that covered too. Third, ummm, not Third Street Promenade…something on Third.

Lulu makes no move to sit down.

JENNA

You mean Joan's on Third?

LULU

Right! All that low-fat stuff. Hey, listen, talking about food, I'm pretty hungry and wanna get Sophia. Can we fit one more? Great!

Lulu doesn't wait for an answer. She leaves her “Go Green” lunchbox on Pop Girl Island and dashes off to get Sophia.

Lulu finds Sophia. There's an empty spot, clearly where Lulu is expected to sit. Not that anyone else would sit next to Sophia. She's known as the quiet, boring kid who's really smart in English.

LULU

(unsure)

I came to get you. Let's sit at Pop Girl Island today.

SOPHIA

Are you kidding?

(waving at the empty space)

We both have room here.

LULU

I know it's weird, but they invited us to sit there.

SOPHIA

Oh no they didn't. Maybe they asked you, but there's no way they said, “bring your geeky friend.”

LULU

Soph, they didn't say THAT.

SOPHIA

Look, I understand why they want you. It's OK.

Suddenly, Lulu is sure Sophia knows about the Spa-tacular. She should have invited her already! Panic smacks her! Red bursts through her freckled face. How'd it slip out? Her stomach flips so many times she thinks she'll never be hungry again.

SOPHIA

It's not your fault, so don't feel s'bad.

Hearing Sophia use their secret, made up word makes Lulu feel very sad and bad.

LULU

It wasn't my fault, I mean—

SOPHIA

(understanding)

Just go sit with the Pop Girls today. I know they want to talk about your dad's Academy Award nomination. It's so exciting. It moves the Pop Girl's Cool Meter.

LULU

(panic passing)

Oh, I'm sure you're right!

SOPHIA

Yeah. I didn't think Jana waved you over to get your frosted lemon squares recipe. Those girls are so skinny, I'll bet they think lettuce with dressing is a dessert.