Ella and Damian sit down inside the vanity van with scripts in hand, preparing to run lines.
ELLA
(acting, trying to sound heartbroken)
Why is it always me? Why am I always the one who gets broken?
DAMIAN
(in character)
Rumy, I never meant to break your heart. It's all just a misunderstanding.
ELLA
(still acting)
It's better if we don't talk anymore.
DAMIAN
(drops character, sipping water)
You're actually improving.
ELLA
(smirking)
I know. So…
(pause)
DAMIAN
What?
ELLA
(softly)
Will you help me with my script now?
DAMIAN
(clears throat, getting serious)
Actually… I already talked to a few producers about it.
ELLA
(nervously)
And?
DAMIAN
Most of them rejected it.
(Ella's eyes well up, holding back tears)
But...
ELLA
But?
DAMIAN
(smiles gently)
One of them agreed to direct it.
ELLA
(eyes widen, smiling through tears)
Really?!
DAMIAN
Why are you crying?
ELLA
(sniffling, wiping her tears)
What about production?
DAMIAN
(smiling)
I'll produce it. I made a promise, remember?
ELLA
(overwhelmed)
Thank you!
(she stands, tempted to hug him but resists—then starts jumping in joy)( he notice her hands in hugging posture )
DAMIAN
(grinning)
Hey, calm down. Someone might think you've got a mental disorder.
ELLA
(laughs)
Thank you, Damian. I still can't believe it's really happening.
DAMIAN
(sincerely)
Is it that big of a deal to you?
ELLA
Yes. You won't understand how much I've struggled.
DAMIAN
(quietly, smile fading)
Yeah... I wouldn't understand.
ELLA
But if it weren't for you, it would've always stayed a dream.
(softly)
Thank you. Thank you so much.
[INT. CAR – NIGHT]
Damian scrolls through articles on his tablet. His face is calm, but his eyes are empty.
Article 1: Top Actor Damian Speculated to Join International Project...
Article 2: What Does Damian Really Like? Exclusive Talk With the Star...
Article 3: Fans Go Crazy Over Damian's New Interview...
Article 4: How Did Damian Reach Such Heights? Let's Ask the Man Himself...
He stares blankly at the screen, then turns it off with a sigh. He looks up through the rearview mirror and sees Ella, smiling to herself, full of excitement.
Damian (softly, to himself)
I wish I were her.
He pauses, then speaks.
Damian
Ella?
Ella (brightly)
Yeah?
Damian
Aren't you tired today?
Ella
I am.
Damian
You didn't seem like it.
Ella (teasing)
Why? Do you want me to be tired?
Damian
No… not really. (his voice is low, drained)
Ella (laughs)
Looks like someone else is tired.
Damian
Who?
Ella
You.
Damian
I'm never tired.
Ella
Hey, you're human too. Humans get tired.
You always act cool, but no camera's rolling here.
Damian (smiles faintly)
You're right… I am tired.
Ella (reaches into her bag and hands him a can of coffee)
Here. I bought this for myself, but I don't think I need it anymore.
Damian (accepting it)
Thanks.
(He opens the can quietly. The sound of the tab clicking echoes softly in the silent car. He takes a sip and lets his head rest back against the seat.)
Damian sits silently beside Mr. Mah, who's going over his schedule for tomorrow.