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.
YOU ARE READING
Take Me to Euroheaven
HumorAli travels to the host city to watch Eurovision live but the plots running backstage will test his friendships and a brand new fairytale romance. Listen to the soundtrack: tiny. cc/TMTE