Free Lulu in LA LA Land by Elisabeth Wolf

“barfy.”
    SOPHIA
    Lu, I think kids don’t like these bags.
    Sophia raises her bag and shakes the mess inside.
    LULU
    (wide smile spreads across her face)
    Well, I ordered these clear bags just so people CAN get grossed out by seeing what washes onto the beaches.
    MR. LING
    That’s clever as long as those who throw the trash come to help pick it up.
    The Pop Girls, dressed alike in black leggings and sleeveless blouses, come down the hall and stop to open their lockers. They sniff and then fake gag.
    LULU
    Hi, guys. I’m organizing a big beach cleanup, so we’re trying out these cool bags.
    JADE
    Just looking at those bags rates way high on the totes disgusting meter.
    JANA
    And going to the beach to get smelly trash sounds worse than going to the beach in the rain.
    LULU
    But it’s easy and important to pick up trash. Any plastic wrapper or bottle can be swept up by wind or the tide and carried into the ocean or a lake or stream. Ya know, all places trash shouldn’t be.
    JENNA
    (to Jade and Jana)
    Don’t you guys think it’s kinda funny that the bag says “THROW ME OUT”?
    JADE and JANA
    NO!
    JENNA
    Yeah, I guess. But I once saw a story about this island of trash floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. That was gross.
    LULU
    You’re right! It’s hundreds of miles wide and mostly made of plastic.
    Jade slams her locker.
    JADE
    Now that I think about it, you’re right, Lulu. Stinky garbage is way bad. How ’bout we all come over and plan the cleanup?
    MR. LING
    (looking at Jade, Jana, and Jenna)
    Well, judging from your recent test grades, you could all use extra credit.
    JADE
    K. We’re in.
    Lulu hesitates. Are the Pop Girls really asking her for plans?
    LULU
    Geez peas. Great. I always need more help.
    JADE
    Will text ya what day.
    LULU
    Sure. Anytime. My momny, I mean my, ummm, Elana picks me up every day. She can bring you guys over.
    Jade and Jana scurry down the hall. Jenna, seeing instant worry flash across Lulu’s face, lingers.
    JENNA
    Do you not want us to come over?
    LULU
    No, it’s just that, I’m not really a texter.
    JENNA
    Ohhh. OK, I’ll just call your house when they figure out the day.
    Jenna bolts down the hall to find her pals. Lulu looks at Sophia and shrugs.
    LULU
    That was muy loco.
    FADE OUT.
SCENE 10: PUTTING THE “SPA” in SPA-TACULAR
    INT. BEL-AIR HOTEL—SATURDAY, MORNING
    CAMERA PANS TO FOLLOW LULU AND ALEXIS as they enter the Bel-Air Hotel.
    They walk a winding path over a bridge, past fountains, then through courtyards full of azaleas and impatiens. Alexis pauses to check out sunbathers lounging around the huge pool. Lulu pauses to read room service menus hanging from hotel room doors.
    The Spa, tucked inside the hotel’s hillside European-style building, sits above stone steps.
    The girls enter. Lulu lies down on a bench.
    LULU
    Geez peas! I’ve just walked miles on empty. Lex, you gotta believe in lunch breaks.
    Lulu quickly looks around the spa’s reception area and notices dispensers filled with fruit-infused icy water.
    ALEXIS
    Stop complaining already!
    Alexis approaches the front desk.
    LULU
    If it wasn’t for my chips and salsa, I’d lift the lid off that glass water cooler, plunge my hand through the ice, and snatch the apple slices. I’d risk first-degree frostbite!
    Lulu grabs chips from her Save Earth tote and crunches.
    The spa’s director is a French woman named JOSETTE who glides over. She greets Lulu and Alexis with a kiss on each cheek (the European way). Josette wears fitted white trousers, a white silk blouse, and pointy high heels. Her hair is swept up into a bun. The French are always so stylish!! Alexis likes everything about Josette. Lulu wonders if Josette might have a good crêpe recipe.
    JOSETTE
    Bonjour, Harrisons. Welcome! We are a full-service spa for ladies and gentlemen to relax, refresh, and beautify.
    ALEXIS
    Sounds très fab!