Open Mic S2.2 (draft)

EPISODE 2 SCENE 2

EXT. MAIN STREET - AFTERNOON

MIKE stands on an upturned wooden crate, guitar resting in his chest. He’s in the zone, leaning into a soulful, driving rhythm. A small crowd of eight or ten people has gathered around him. A couple of coins clink into his open guitar case.

Mike smiles and gives gratitude. The vibe is right.

Then, two people in the front row simultaneously raise their smartphones, holding them up at arm’s length to record.

Mike twitches, but he keeps playing.

LISA cuts through the far side of the sidewalk, carrying a brown paper shopping bag.

Mike spots her. His posture instantly stiffens. His right hand loses the groove, stumbling over a simple chord transition.

MIKE (singing, voice suddenly tight) "...and the road... it drives you... where a... uh... where the trees grow tall..."

He completely blanks on the second verse. He quickly pivots to an awkward, overly long instrumental jam, dancing nervously, pounding out frantic percussion on the body of his guitar and just ends it.

The small crowd gives a lukewarm round of applause and instantly disperses. The phone-recording duo walks off without dropping a cent into the case.

Lisa walks up with a soft, knowing smile.

LISA Hey. Nice jam.

MIKE (sighs, packing up his capo) Unbelievable. Absolute pressure.

LISA They were clapping!

MIKE Oh them? The ones filming? Without asking? Since when did it become open season to point a camera straight into someone's face while trying to play a song? Honestly, unless it’s a police bodycam or a crime scene or a civil conflict, nobody should have the right to film public matters without consent.

LISA Mike, they were just enjoying the music—

MIKE They think they’re doing me a favor! I get it. "Oh, let me help this artist with some free exposure!" Meanwhile, it’s shot at a like a toddler, the audio is total tin-can trash, and now some terrible low-class video is living on the internet making me look like a total amateur. It’s sabotage, Lisa.

Lisa laughs gently, leaning against a light post.

LISA Well, speaking of public conflicts... I officially quit the Red Fox. I was getting tired of trying to be nice to every lonely drunk guy.

MIKE You left Red Fox? Wow. I saw you there last week. What are you doing now?

LISA I took a gig managing shifts over at the Wing Shop. And, actually... I convinced the owner to let us run a new open mic night there on Mondays.

MIKE Who is running it?

LISA (smiling, tucked hair behind her ear) Yeah. Alan’s running it.

MIKE (squints) Alan? As in Alan from Sand Lion? The dude from high school who was ten years older who said he was going to live the dream in LA?

LISA The very same. He retired from touring, but he’s really focused on local music now. He wants to mentor up-and-comers and build a real community. He’s just... so grounded, you know? So intentional with his time.

Lisa looks down, a soft, subtle blush touching her cheeks. Mike catches it instantly. His stomach drops a couple of inches.

MIKE Right. Grounded. Alan. The dude who used to try and sell us...

LISA (stepping closer, laying a warm hand on Mike’s arm) But honestly, Mike... I told him he has to hear you. I told him you’re easily one of the most talented guys in town, and you just need the right break. Wing Shop is the perfect space. We have this section that never gets used. So I wanna move the tables out of the way on Mondays and get Alan to host a music night.

Mike looks at her hand on his arm, then into her eyes. A rush instantly takes over.

LISA (continuing, lingering a second too long) I want you there on Monday. I really want to see what you do with our Wing Shop stage.

MIKE (straightening up, clearing his throat) Yeah? Well... I suppose I could grace the Wing Shop with a set but only because I wanna support you.

LISA (grins, stepping back) That’s what I like to hear. Monday night at eight. And don’t worry—I’ll personally put up a sign about filming with a phone. Although, we could use the exposure.

She gives him a quick, playful wink before turning to walk down the street.

Mike watches her go, completely torn between intense romantic feelings he thought he had gotten over and a sudden, burning urge to write a new song.