#jeff bebe

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HIGHLIGHT:

EXT. STAIRWAY - DAY

LESTER and WILLIAM are making their way up the steps.

LESTER So you're the kid sending me those articles from the school newspaper.

WILLIAM I've been doing stuff for a local underground paper.

LESTER What are you, the star of your school?

WILLIAM They hate me.

LESTER You'll meet them all again on their long journey to the middle.

WILLIAM doesn't know what to say to that.

LESTER Your writing is good. It's a shame you missed rock 'n roll. It's over.

WILLIAM Over?

LESTER It's over.

WILLIAM quickens his steps to keep up with LESTER.

LESTER You got here for the death rattle. Last gasp. Last grope.

WILLIAM At least I'm here for that.

LESTER What do you type on?

WILLIAM Smith-Corona Galaxis Deluxe.

LESTER stops walking and turns to WILLIAM.

LESTER And you like Lou Reed?

WILLIAM Early stuff. In his new stuff, he's trying to be Bowie.

WILLIAM adjusts the strap of the bag on his shoulder.

WILLIAM He should just be himself.

LESTER looks him over.

LESTER You take drugs?

WILLIAM No.

LESTER resumes walking.

LESTER Smart kid.

As they reach the corner, LESTER stops and turns to him.

LESTER I used to do speed.

He considers sharing the next bit of information.

LESTER And sometimes a little cough syrup. I'd stay up all night, just writing and writing. I mean, like 25 pages of dribble. You know, about the Faces, or Coltrane.

LESTER smiles and nods. WILLIAM mirrors him.

LESTER Just to ------- write.

He offers his hand to the kid.

LESTER All right. It's been nice to meet you.

They shake hands.

LESTER Keep sending me your stuff.

He considers his next move.

LESTER I can't stand here all day talking to my many fans.

WILLIAM I understand.

WILLIAM starts backing up, getting the message

INT. CAFE - DAY

LESTER and WILLIAM share a table. No one else is there, even staff. There is steam coming from the fresh pot of coffee behind the counter though.

LESTER Once you go to LA, you're gonna have friends like crazy. But they're gonna be fake friends. They're gonna try to corrupt you. You got an honest face, and they'll tell you everything. But you cannot make friends with the rock stars.

LESTER pauses and just stares at WILLIAM. Making sure that last bit of information is absorbed.

LESTER If you're gonna be a true journalist...you know, a rock journalist---Hm. First, you don't get paid much.

WILLIAM continues writing.

LESTER But you will get free records from the record company.

LESTER apprises his pupil, sighs, and shakes his head.

LESTER There's just ------- nothing about you that is controvertial, man.

The mentor chuckles. Still shaking his head.

LESTER God, it's gonna get ugly. They're gonna buy you drinks. You're gonna meet girls.

WILLIAM laughs.

LESTER They're gonna fly you places for free, offer you drugs. I know it sounds great, these people are not your friends. You know, these are people who want you to write sanctimonious stories about the genius of rock stars. And they will ruin rock 'n' roll, and strangle...everything we love about it, right?

WILLIAM nods. Hanging on to every word.

LESTER And then it just becomes an industry of....cool.

Insert: We get a glimpse of what WILLIAM has written on the page: Lester Bangs / 5-73 / Don't make friends w/ rock stars / Industry Of Cool

LESTER You're coming along at a very dangerous time for rock 'n' roll. So that's why I think you should turn around, go back, you know? And be a lawyer or something.

He takes a sip of his drink and the kid's face falls slightly.

LESTER I can tell from your face that you won't.

Hope flickers on WILLIAM's face.

LESTER I can give you 35 bucks. Give me a thousand words on Black Sabbath.

WILLIAM An assignment?

He sits up straighter as his face brightens.

LESTER can't help my smile. The kid's earnestess is infectious!

LESTER Yeah, yeah.

LESTER laughs.

WILLIAM is smiling widely now.

LESTER looks off to the distance, shaking his head.

He turns to WILLIAM and leans forward.

LESTER Hey.

All humour is drained from his face.

LESTER You have to make your reputation on being honest...and...you know, unmerciful.

WILLIAM Honest. Unmerciful.

The kid narrows his eyes and nods. Envisioning a duel in his future.

LESTER If you get into a jam, you can call me. I stay up late.

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My verdict of the film: 6/10

Link to the timestamp commentary: TBA