#leigh was like. stop tearing the set down for one sec i gotta do something

[zer0point5ive]

putting saw 2004 on to calm myself down. adam screaming. putting saw ii on to calm myself down. adam screaming. putting saw iii on to calm myself down. adam dying. putting saw 2004 on to c

[sceptilemasterr]

MW Act 3, Scene 4 - L.A.R.A.

Title: Most Wanted: The Hollywood Killer (A CIU Screenplay)

Main Pairings: Dave x Sam

Other Pairings: N/A

Genre: Full Rewrite

Rating: PG-13 for violence, blood, swearing, alcohol, and sexuality

Summary: At the L.A.R.A. gala, Sam and Dave are reunited and share a dance.

Previous Scene: It All Comes Together

Masterlist: Link

INT. L.A.R.A. BALLROOM - NIGHT

The L.A.R.A. gala, set within the historic Beijing Theater, is decorated lavishly, fit for a who’s who of Hollywood celebrities. Well-dressed men and women mix and mingle throughout the ballroom. Dave, Rebecca, and Rhea walk in through a side entrance, looking around for anything suspicious. Dave and Rebecca are both impeccably dressed Hollywood-style, while Rhea looks slightly uncomfortable in the old prom dress she is wearing. Rebecca places a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

REBECCA: Breathe. It’s okay. I know it’s a lot.

RHEA: I... oh my God! So many celebrities... I think I might faint--

REBECCA: Seriously. Just take a breath. We’re on a mission, remember?

RHEA: Oh, right! Sorry!

Rhea takes a deep breath, steadying herself.

REBECCA: Better?

RHEA: A little. Thanks!

REBECCA: Anytime. Now, let’s keep an eye out for...

Her voice trails off as she spots Dave making his way over to a poker table, where Ryan Summers and several other celebrities are fully engrossed in a heated game. Rebecca groans.

REBECCA: Dammit, Dave...

RHEA: What’s wrong? He might be able to get some good intel from those guys, right?

REBECCA: You’ve been spending too much time with Dave, haven’t you? He’ll be there all night if we let him. C’mon, let’s--

She is interrupted by a sudden commotion from outside. She and Rhea turn their gaze toward the entrance, where they see Cassandra Leigh emerging from a limo outside.

RHEA (excited): Wow! Is that the Cassandra Leigh?!

REBECCA (unimpressed): Do you have any idea how many celebrities are gonna be here tonight? If we stop to gawk at every single one of ‘em, we’ll be here all--

She stops talking and her jaw drops as Sam emerges from the limo behind Cassandra. Sam is nearly unrecognizable in a beautiful, flowing red dress that is the envy of every celebrity at the gala. Sam takes a pose with Cassandra, smiling and waving as the paparazzi swarm the two of them.

REBECCA: Is that--

RHEA: Sam?!

Dave looks up from his poker game and spots Sam. He is mesmerized by the sight of her.

DAVE (stunned): Holy...

RYAN (knowingly): No way. I know that look. Reyes, of all people?!

DAVE (annoyed): Don’t you say a word, Summers.

As everyone watches, Cassandra and Sam continue into the ballroom, pushing aside paparazzi as they do so. 

RHEA: Okay, Sam and Cassandra Leigh? I’ve gotta find out what’s going on there--

Rebecca rests a firm hand on Rhea’s shoulder.

REBECCA: Whatever Sam’s up to, she’s probably going for it undercover. I doubt we’d help by rushing in, guns a’blazin’.

Rhea starts to respond, then stops herself.

RHEA: ...You’re probably right. So, what now?

REBECCA: We mingle. Try and figure out who Hayley’s “enemies” might be... people Tull might think he’s “protecting” her from.

Rhea shrugs.

RHEA: Honestly? If I had to pick people Hayley Rose had a serious reason to be upset with... well, I’d just be listing the people Tull already got to. Who else could be left?

REBECCA: That’s what we’re here to find out. Come on, let’s go find some--oh. Oh no.

Rebecca suddenly looks out across the ballroom. Rhea follows her gaze--to see Dave walking straight toward the middle of the dance floor, where Sam is chatting with Aly Griffin and a few other well-dressed partygoers. Rhea cringes at the sight.

RHEA: This won’t end well.

REBECCA: Don’t I know it. (sighs) Better get over there before those two start drawin’ all the attention to themselves.

The two women make their way through the crowd as Dave approaches Sam.

ALY: Dave! Hey, glad you could make it! (turns to Sam) Where are my manners? Sam, this is--

SAM: I know who he is. Believe me.

ALY (awkwardly): Oh! Uh...

SAM: Dave, what the hell are you doing here?!

DAVE: I’m--uh--

Aly looks curiously at Dave as he tries to come up with a response, shocked to see him outside of his usual confident demeanor. Sam stares at Dave as, behind him, Rebecca and Rhea approach.

DAVE: Look, it doesn’t--I think I should be the one asking you that question! Last I heard, you were storming off for a flight back to Texas!

SAM: Oh, is that what this is about? You just couldn’t wait to be rid of me, is that it?

DAVE: What?! No--

SAM: Well, too bad, pretty boy. Beckham or no, I’ve never left a case unfinished, and I ain’t about to change that now.

DAVE: I... not that I don’t sympathize, but this really isn’t the time for--

ALY: I’m sorry, you two know each other? Have I missed something?

Dave and Sam are both startled out of their argument, remembering Aly is still there. Dave lowers his voice and explains:

DAVE: Er, right, sorry. This is Sam Massey. U.S. Marshal and former partner with me on the Tull case.

SAM: Gotta be honest, I can’t say I realized you’d be here, Reyes. Can we go somewhere for a sec? Privately?

At a nod from Dave, Rebecca motions to Rhea, and they back off.

DAVE (sighs): Fine. Just don’t draw too much--

He is cut off as the music changes to an elegant waltz. A D.J. announces over the loudspeakers:

D.J. (ON SPEAKER): And bringing it down a little, here’s a nice and slow one for all you happy couples out on the dance floor!

As couples begin to pair up and begin slow dancing around them, Sam and Dave look at one another awkwardly. Sam coughs.

SAM: I, uh...

DAVE (whispering): Should we try to, uh, escape?

SAM (whispering): I think it’s too late for that.

Dave shrugs and clears his throat.

DAVE: In that case... ahem.

He bows dramatically and extends a hand toward Sam.

DAVE: Deputy Massey. May I have this dance?

ALY: Oh come on! Why is EVERY guy I’m into already taken?!

Sam struggles to keep from laughing as she takes his hand.

SAM: Why, of course, Detective Reyes.

The two of them begin waltzing, slightly awkwardly at first, before finding their footing. They fall into a smooth rhythm, resuming their conversation in hushed whispers as they dance.

DAVE (whispering): So. Mind explaining what you’re doing here? Did Beckham reassign you to the case?

SAM (whispering): Don’t I wish. Naw, I’m just a private citizen enjoying a gala. A gala where there happen to be plenty of celebrities who might be targets for our... mutual friend.

DAVE (whispering): Well... can’t say much, but let me tell you, you’re onto something. That notepad from the trailer... forensics ran it. They found “LARA” written on the top page.

At Dave’s words, Sam begins scanning the room covertly while they continue dancing.

SAM (whispering): Wanna make a promise? If either of us find a lead, we tell the other. Deal?

They dance several moments in silence while Dave deliberates.

DAVE (whispering): Deal. I may still be mad about that move you pulled in the trailer, but I won’t say no to some capable backup.

SAM (whispering): Same. Gotta admit, you ain’t half bad in a fight.

DAVE (whispering): Right back at you. (louder) And I have to say, you look... well... absolutely stunning.

This time, Sam allows herself to giggle a bit.

SAM (awkwardly): Oh! Thanks. And, well, uh... you don’t look so bad yourself.

They dance in silence for another moment or two, until...

D.J. (ON SPEAKER): Aaaaaand that’s enough of the slow dancing! Put your hands up for some hoppin’ beats!

The couples around them start splitting apart as they dance to the energetic EDM that starts playing next. Sam and Dave take advantage of the confusion to split off again. The camera follows Sam as she heads toward the bar, when she notices Hayley in the midst of a very heated argument with her agent.

HAYLEY: Ugh! You are so... How dare you?!

BROOKS: Hayley. You know I only want what’s best for you--

Hayley stomps her foot angrily.

HAYLEY: Bullshit! I know you’ve been talking with other starlets; you just wanna replace me!

BROOKS: Replace you? I would never--

HAYLEY: SHUT UP!

As Sam watches, Hayley bursts into tears and sprints away from her agent, straight toward the gala entrance. After a moment’s hesitation, Sam sprints after her, shoving patrons out of the way.

SAM: Hayley! Wait!

Hayley sobs as she rushes through the doors, completely oblivious to Sam’s shouts. As Sam approaches the exit, Dave approaches, jogging alongside her.

DAVE: Rebecca’s already calling in for backup to protect Brooks. He might be Tull’s next target!

SAM: Good thinkin’. We’ve gotta warn Hayley!

DAVE: Exactly. No tellin’ what a creep like Tull might do to her...

The two of them burst through the doors into the L.A. night air.

_______________________

Next: Street Pursuit

CIU Tag List: @brightpinkpeppercorn @endlesshero1122 @bbaba-yagaa @acidsugar0

MW Tag List: @griselda1121