Mulholland Dr.

INT. - RECORDING STUDIO - DAY

We see what looks like a recording studio right out of the
1960's. We're looking through a plate of glass. A blonde
girl is standing at a vintage microphone. Behind her are
three back-up male vocalists dressed in three tone, shiny
60's suits. We hear strings soar up and the blonde girl
begins to sing SIXTEEN REASONS by Connie Stevens. The male
vocalists backing her up flawlessly.

We move back and realize we are on a movie set inside a sound
stage. A screen test is being shot of the girl and as we
continue moving back we see the director Adam Kesher
surrounded by his crew. Behind them there are many people
standing, eating, watching, working. The stage is full and
bustling. The song plays loudly over. Sarah and Nicki bring
Betty into this scene through a giant stage door. A guard
mimes for them to be quiet as they approach the set. The
song continues to play over.

As Sarah leads Betty up close Adam turns and his eyes fall on
the beautiful face of Betty Elms. Sensing something Betty
turns and sees Adam. They each seem to feel the thrill of
the thunderbolt, but each embarrassed to stare longer than
they already have turn back and watch the girl finish the
song.

ADAM
(calling out through an
electronic megaphone)
Cut it!

He gets out of his chair and walks into the set - up to the
blonde girl. He shakes her hand.

ADAM (cont'd)
Thank you very much, Carol. It was really
great of you to come in. I know how busy
you are.

CAROL
Oh, man, are you kidding? I love this
script! Where do I sign?

ADAM
Look... I love you, but there's no way
they're gonna let me cast this thing
until I've seen everyone. I'll let you
know as soon as I can.

CAROL
I know you will ... cause my manager's
gonna bug you day and night ... me too.

ADAM
It'll be my pleasure. Now, get out of
here.

CAROL
Oh, you're just so cruel... don't forget
me. I'm the girl that's going to play
this part.

ADAM
(lightly pinching her cheek)
See ya later.

Adam turns and goes back out of the set onto the stage floor.
He looks around. He sees Betty being introduced by Sarah to
some of the studio executives. He goes over to his Assistant
Director and looks down at the man's notepad.

ADAM (cont'd)
Who's next, Hank?

HANK
Camilla Rhodes.

Adam wonders - worries.

ADAM
Is she ready?

HANK
All ready.

ADAM
Bring her out.

Hank speaks into his walkie-talkie headset. The sound of his
voice can be heard in several locations throughout the stage.

HANK
(through walkie-talkie)
Camilla Rhodes next!

Adam looks up - a beautiful blonde steps into the set in
front of the microphone. IT IS THE GIRL! The back-up
singers step in behind her.

Adam nods to Hank.

HANK (cont'd)
Turn over!

The cameraman calls out, "Speed".

ADAM
(through megaphone)
Playback!

Countdown before the music begins.

ADAM (cont'd)
ACTION!

The strings soar up and Camilla Rhodes begins to sing.

On the set Betty hears the song again and turns and watches.
Once again her eyes find Adam as his eyes are finding hers.
This time Adam turns away. He watches Camilla for a moment.
She is passable, but not spectacular. Adam reaches out and
pulls Hank over to him.

HANK
Yeah?

Adam pauses.

ADAM
Get Jason over here.

Hank gets on his walkie-talkie.

HANK
Cindy ... Adam wants to see Jason.

Adam continues to watch Camilla Rhodes sing. JASON GOLDWYN,
a tall sixty year old silver-haired man, comes through the
crowd and stops at Adam's side. He looks down at Adam, but
Adam continues watching Camilla Rhodes. Jason follows Adam's
gaze and he watches Camilla sing then turns back to Adam.
Adam slowly looks up right into Jason's eyes - wondering how
much Jason knows, but Jason's face doesn't give away a thing.

JASON
Did you want to tell me something, Adam?

ADAM
This is the girl!

At that moment Ray, having overheard, comes to Jason's side.
He smiles at Adam.

RAY
Excellent choice, Adam.

Adam is sick with himself.

Across the room Betty panics when she looks at her watch.

BETTY
Oh ... oh...I have to be somewhere. I
promised a friend.

She quickly shakes Sarah's and Nicki's hands saying, "I'm
sorry, I'm sorry" and runs off like Cinderella.

Adam turns and sees her running off out of his world.

Chris Isaak's song "Except The New Girl" segues in over
Connie Stevens and plays as Adam, Sarah and Nicki watch Betty
disappear out the sound stage door.

CUT TO:

EXT. 1612 HAVENHURST - STREET - DAY

Chris Isaak song "Except The New Girl" continues.

An idling cab sits waiting with back door open.

CUT TO:

COURTYARD - 1612 HAVENHURST DAY

Chris Isaak song segues to the sounds of a blues saxophone.

Betty and Rita come out of Aunt Ruth's apartment. Betty is
laughing, pulling on Rita.

BETTY
C'mom. There's nothing to be afraid of.

Across the courtyard CORNELL DUMONT, a strikingly handsome
young black musician, is on his balcony playing the
saxophone. He stops playing when he sees the girls. He
stands and looks as if recognizing someone.

CORNELL DUMONT
Hey!

Betty and Rita stop and look up, shielding their eyes from
the sun.

CORNELL DUMONT (cont'd)
Hey, how's Sol?

BETTY
Sol?

CORNELL DUMONT
No ... not you...
(to Rita)
I'm sorry... I forget your name.

RITA
(almost inaudible)
Rita.

CORNELL DUMONT
Yeah. Well, I haven't seen Sol lately.
Tell him to come by the club.

Rita nods ... biting her lip. Cornell smiles and picks up his
sax.

BETTY
And what's your name?

CORNELL DUMONT
(big smile)
Cornell Dumont.

He begins to blow some sweet jazz that flows smooth as syrup.

BETTY
(whispering)
Ask him who Sol is ...

Rita hurriedly starts for the gate.

BETTY (cont'd)
Maybe he could help...