Free Lulu in LA LA Land by Elisabeth Wolf Page A

It’s my sister’s birthday, and I’m planning her party at our house.
    Alexis shakes her small wrist, weighed down with a pile of gold bracelets, in the direction of the house. Her bangles clank against her large flashy watch that’s never set to the right time.
    ALEXIS
    I wanted to see if you’d do the party.
    JOSETTE
    Oh, oui. I can create a highly personalized spa experience. Of course, I just adore your parents!
    (totally ignoring Lulu)
    Alexis, please tell them that Bel-Air Spa is at their service.
    LULU
    Gracias, Josette.
    (concerned voice)
    Hey, Lex, about our parents. Have you checked if they’re coming?
    ALEXIS
    Just CHILL. This will be a way-perfect bash.
    (to Josette)
    So, can we pick treatments for tweeny girls?
    JOSETTE
    Oui.
    Josette hands Alexis the spa menu and a gold pen.
    Lulu checks her watch.
    LULU
    How long are we gonna be here? I don’t want to be late for Sophia again.
    ALEXIS
    If you’d use a cell phone, you could call, text, or email her. What do you guys use, smoke signals? Sundials?
    Josette interrupts. Bickering does not suit the spa’s peaceful mood.
    JOSETTE
    Lulu, mon cherie, please tell me what treatments you’d like? Massage? We have caviar, Swedish, deep tissue, stone, aromatherapy, reflexology.
    LULU
    What? Caviar? People slather stinky fish eggs all over their skin?
    JOSETTE
    (smiling)
    No, it’s not actual fish eggs. The creams we use have rare beads that only resemble caviar eggs.
    ALEXIS
    What about facials?
    JOSETTE
    Of course, there’s a facial with white caviar. I also offer caviar manicures and pedicures.
    Josette points out the facial and massage options on the spa menu.
    ALEXIS
    Do you have the staff for this?
    JOSETTE
    For the Harrisons, I do whatever it takes. I recommend reflexology as the massage, so the girls don’t have to get completely undressed.
    LULU
    I positively do NOT want to take my clothes off!
    JOSETTE
    I’m sure Alexis figures something out.
    Alexis beams at the compliment.
    JOSETTE
    What about hair? All girls like to get their hair done.
    ALEXIS
    Well, judging from Lulu’s locks, not ALL girls.
    They turn toward Lulu, who’s now exploring a mirrored, closet-sized room filled with lotions and potions. Lulu sniffs and squeezes every tube.
    LULU
    (yells out)
    Are these organic? I hope nothing’s tested on animals.
    ALEXIS
    (embarrassed by Lulu)
    SHHH! News flash: you’re in a quiet, relaxing place!
    Lulu walks toward the spa’s entrance.
    LULU
    I’m gonna wait in front for Elana to take me home.
    Lulu pushes open the doors.
    JOSETTE
    (calling after Lulu)
    Not to worry. Everything will be taken care of!
    LULU
    (stops and calls back to Josette)
    Bonjour, bon voyage.
SCENE 11: FRIENDSHIP FLUBBED
    INT. HARRISON HOUSE—FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER
    LULU’S POINT OF VIEW as she jogs through the grand front entrance, up the winding mahogany wood stairs, and down a long hallway lined with silver-framed black-and-white photographs of relatives. She shoves open the door to her room, puffing and sweating, then collapses across the foot of her bed.
    Lulu’s room is the only part of the house that looks different. Walls are painted orange. Lulu somehow convinced her mother they’d look perfect colored like a Hermès bag. Bursting bookcases line the walls. Ivy garland winds up the posts of a canopy bed that’s covered with a ladybug-embroidered duvet. Butterfly shaped pillows rest against the headboard. Watson, wearing his new “FEED ME” shirt, lies on Lulu’s pillows doing his best impression of a stuffed animal.
    French message boards decorate the walls, onto which Lulu has stuck drawings, postcards, animal pictures, and any kind of paper souvenir. Lulu herself ordered the orange furry beanbag chair and the wood sign on the ceiling that reads, “DREAM.”
    Sophia sits on the floor, knees pulled up to her chest. She’s clearly made an effort to make herself as