Take Me to Euroheaven

SCENE 13

INT. LÁSZLÓ PAPP ARENA BACKSTAGE - DAY

Loukas and Mini are talking outside his dressing room.

MINI

You're gonna win your semi-final! It was great.

LOUKAS

Really?

MINI

Yeah, I loved it!

LOUKAS

What about your friend?

MINI

He loved it too!

Loukas looks at her intensely. Mini doesn't get it at first.

MINI

He did... Oh! (whispering) You like him?!

LOUKAS

He seems sweet.

MINI

He is very sweet! I didn't know you were gay.

LOUKAS

(shrugs) It has to be a secret for now. Wow, this is the first time I'm seeing you surprised by something around here.

MINI

You caught me off guard. But don't worry, you can trust me. And him! I'd love to see you two together!

Ali walks down the corridor to Mini.

ALI

Got my Euro Club pass. I'm ready to hear Fuego 10,000 times.

Ali recognizes Loukas. He stops, surprised.

MINI

Loukas, this is Ali, our blogger.

They shake hands. Loukas is suddenly surprised.

LOUKAS

Your name is Ali? You're Turkish?

ALI

Yeah.

LOUKAS

And your name is Ali.

ALI

It's a very common name.

LOUKAS

Of course. So is mine! I'm Loukas.

ALI

Nice to meet you too.

MINI

Ali, I have to get to the press center for a... personal thing. Why don't you guys talk and I'll be back in 10 minutes.

Ali is excited. Loukas smiles at Mini as she walks away.

LOUKAS

Thanks for your suggestion at the rehearsal. It really worked.

ALI

My pleasure. I'm happy to help.

LOUKAS

So are you from Istanbul?

ALI

Yeah, I live there.

LOUKAS

It's a very special city for me.

ALI

You should visit sometime. I--

Ali can't get the words out, as Loukas looks on.

ALI

I could-- show you around.

LOUKAS

I'd love that. I'll call you.

Ali is visibly shocked.

LOUKAS

Do you mind if I call you before I come to Istanbul?

ALI

Not at all... (pauses) This is not a press thing, right? I don't actually blog, I'm just staying with them.

LOUKAS

(smiling) No.

Very hot Polish contestant NADIA (23) walks by.

NADIA

Hey Loukas.

LOUKAS

Hey Nadia. (to Ali) This is Nadia, the Polish contestant.

ALI

I know, of course.

LOUKAS

What are you doing here? Rehearsals for the first semi-final were yesterday.

NADIA

I'm thinking about switching to the second semi-final. I don't like Tuesdays so much.

LOUKAS

I don't think you can do that.

NADIA

Yes I can. At the rehearsal, I was trying to decide if I should have my jacket on or off, you know.

She pulls her jacket down, revealing her cleavage.

NADIA

The guy there said he had another semi for me.

Loukas and Ali smile. Nadia tries the jacket on and off.

NADIA

So, what do you think?

ALI

Sounds like a hard decision.

Loukas smiles at Ali. Nadia nods her head and walks away.