Lulu in LA LA Land by Elisabeth Wolf Read Free Book Online Page B

camera and instructs Lulu how to point and push the screen. Lulu pushes a few times, and Alexis grabs back her phone to look at the photos.
    LULU
    Now let’s go.
    ALEXIS
    Are you kidding? Right now you look like a reject from a Muppets casting call.
SCENE 3: WORKING OUT THE DETAILS
    INT. BRIGHT BLUE PRIUS—FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER
    Elana drives Lulu and Alexis through Bel-Air’s giant gates, past perfectly mowed grass, carefully shaped bushes, and huge houses.
    Wearing headphones, Alexis listens to music while checking her Facebook page.
    Lulu taps Alexis’s shoulder.
    LULU
    Are you mad at me?
    ALEXIS
    (sliding headphones off one ear)
    Here’s how it works with A-1 Hollywood party planners, stylists, and decorators. You get a few precious hours of their time, and they focus their mega talents on you. You drop everything to be available.
    LULU
    I’m totally in. Geez peas! It’s just that I didn’t know today was a WHOLE day of party shopping. Next time you book me for a Saturday, I’ll just tell Sophia I’m busy.
    ALEXIS
    (turns to look at Lulu)
    You’d tell Sophia that you’re too busy for a playdate because you gotta get ready for your birthday bash she’s not invited to?
    LULU
    (trying to not get frustrated)
    Not exactly gonna say that, Lex, because she’s gotta be invited! Sophia’s mom works all day on Saturdays so it’s always our play day. We harvest the salsa garden. We bake. Or sew. We just, ummmm…draw and make up games and stories—
    ALEXIS
    Fine. Then invent a story about why she can’t attend your très fab party.
    Stung by Alexis, Lulu is quiet a moment and looks out the window. She wonders how to make Alexis understand that NOT having Sophia is NOT an option.
    LULU
    Saying Sophia can’t come is like saying you have to spend a day without your iPhone. She’s part of me!
    ALEXIS
    Puhleese! Drama queen.
    Alexis plugs herself back into her iPhone and slides her headphones back over both ears.
    Elana expertly zooms the Prius through the Harrison gates, passing Sophia’s mother, EVE, exiting the grounds in her yellow Mini Cooper. Eve rolls down her window and waves. Her earth-toned gypsy blouse billows around her arm. Eve is a Japanese woman in her midthirties and naturally beautiful. Her tightly braided hair swings over her shoulders as she turns her head and backs down the driveway.
SCENE 4: NOT THE USUAL PLAY DATE
    INT. HARRISON HOME—CONTINUOUS

    CUT!! Here’s what you should know about going in and out of my house: you’re always putting shoes on and taking shoes off. Street shoes inside might scuff up the floors or get dirt specks on the precious antique carpets. My house is cleaner than any hospital. It’s dust free, bug free, and dirt free. Built-in humidifiers and air purifiers hum all the time. Fiona hates sneezes. If she can get rid of the dust in the house, she can control how much sneezing is going on. So, you can understand why I spend lots of time outside. Now, back to: ACTION!!
    Without taking off her shoes, Lulu bursts through the tall, front doors into the high-ceilinged entrance hall. Dark, polished wood floors look like the surface of a pond at night. A crystal chandelier glimmers high above a sweeping staircase.
    Shoeless, Sophia sits on the edge of the bottom stair. She reads a book called Good Bugs . Two jars sit next to her.
    LULU
    (panting)
    Hey, Soph.
    Looking up from her book, Sophia seems as if she needs to remember where she is. She looks very small, huddled on the stairs in the grand room.
    SOPHIA
    Hi, Lu.
    Lulu nabs a chip from her tote and munches. An awkward silence settles between the girls. Lulu’s sure this is the first time that’s ever happened.
    SOPHIA
    (tentatively)
    I brought them.
    Sophia glances at the jars sitting next to her.
    SOPHIA
    Looks like they’re slowing down. Probably getting hungry. They need to be let free.
    LULU
    Ummm…what? Oh, you brought them.