209. Set Crush - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• EXT. POOL - DAY


• MODELS in bikinis ring a large pool filled with shimmering blue water.


• The pool sits in the backyard of a home high in the Hollywood hills with the sprawl of LA far below and seemingly reaching into infinity.


• The deck area is filled with camera gear and crew.


• MARK leans against a C-Stand making sure the large light is secure.


• He is dressed in cargo shorts and a faded t-shirt; a small toolbelt containing measuring tape, clothespins, tape, and other assorted tools rings his waist.


• He pulls off a pair of gloves and clips them onto his belt.


• The FIRST AD steps past the sliding glass door of the house, where the director and producers are huddled.


• FIRST AD
• Take a break, get some water, we'll be back in twenty.


• He slips back into the house.


• Mark relaxes, and finds a place to sit on the deck near the light.


• VALERIE, one of the models walks up to him.


• VALERIE
• Hey, you mind if I ask you a question?


• MARK
• Go for it.


• VALERIE
• So I noticed that you are the only guy on the crew who hasn't been checking us out.


• MARK
• Want the honest truth?


• VALERIE
• Always. I can take it.


• MARK
• I love a bikini as much as any other guy, but, the model thing has never really done it for me. Sorry.


• VALERIE
• You know, even models have self-esteem issues.


• MARK
• Oh I believe it. And I'm sorry...


• VALERIE
• Well there's no accounting for taste.


• MARK
• It's true, I mean, beauty is such a subjective thing. Now I find you beautiful and sure, sexy...but that doesn't necessarily add up to the kind of beauty that attracts me.


• VALERIE
• So what does it for you?


• Mark looks around.


• MARK
• Wait just a sec.


• The pause and Val watches as his eyes travel across the set.


• TheY wait.


• AMY, one of the craft service PAs jogs across the set delivering water to the crew and background cast.


• MARK
• There, right there.


• Amy's dark hair cropped short and the hint of a tattoo peeks under her sleeves and reappears around her collar.


• Valerie wrinkles her brow.


• VALERIE
• Ok...


• MARK
• Just wait.


• He waves, catching Amy's attention.


• She turns and smiles, and the smile fills her face, the light catching her eyes.


• Mark turns to Valerie and nods.


• VALERIE
• Wow. You really are a great guy. Not many men would have waited long enough for that smile.


• MARK
• I think she's gorgeous with or without that smile...but boy does that seal the deal.


• Valerie leans over and kisses him on the cheek.


• VALERIE
• Wish there were more of you. Go get her.


• She smiles and glides away, her stilettos clipping against the tile, her body a beautiful brown, her thin body barely concealed by the swimsuit.


• Mark smiles at her but doesn't watch her go; he's busy looking for Amy.


• FADE TO BLACK.