Nicole scene from Whiplash, practice script

NICOLE

This is a nice place.

ANDREW

Yeah, I come here a lot... They have nice music, so I - it’s not just the food... This is Artie Shaw, "Begin the Beguine". July 24th, 1938. Cliff Leeman on drums.

NICOLE

Are you trying to impress me?

ANDREW

No - sorry - I didn’t mean - They have like - ten songs they loop through. They’re always playing the same thing.

NICOLE

And you know the dates to all ten?

ANDREW

...Yeah.

NICOLE

You know every time I saw you in the theater you always had your eyes pointed to the floor.

ANDREW

Really?

NICOLE

Like you were fascinated by the soda stains on the carpet.

ANDREW

My dad tells me I have a problem making eye contact.

NICOLE

My parents like to criticize me too. When I was growing up my mom

NICOLE (cont’d)

told me my chin was too big and that that’s why guys wouldn’t like me. Said my dad had cursed me with a big chin.

ANDREW

What?

NICOLE

Yeah it’s - look--

NICOLE (CONT’D)

It’s Jay Leno! She keeps asking me if I have a boyfriend yet, and then blames the chin.

ANDREW

She sounds insane.

NICOLE

She wanted to be an actress when she was my age.

ANDREW

And you? What do you do?

NICOLE

You mean other than serving you popcorn?

ANDREW

What do you want to do with your life?

NICOLE

(a bit taken aback)

I go to Fordham... I’m not sure.

ANDREW

What’s your major?

NICOLE

I don’t have one yet.

ANDREW

Right, I mean, what will be your major?

NICOLE

I don’t know yet.

ANDREW

Well, what did you come here to study?

NICOLE

I just came for general education.

ANDREW

Right, but you picked Forham for a reason. Why Fordham?

NICOLE

I applied to a bunch of schools. Fordham let me in. Why’d you pick Shaffer?

ANDREW

It’s the best music school in the country.

NICOLE

Well... Forham was... Fordham. I don’t love it there, to be honest.

ANDREW

No?

NICOLE

I mean - the people there... I don’t think they like me. I’m from Arizona and - I don’t know, I think they see it in me.

ANDREW

I don’t like the people at Shaffer either. But I think it just takes time. Things change, you know?

NICOLE

I know. I feel homesick sometimes. You know? I hate how people in college pretend they never feel homesick. Or maybe I’m literally the only one, but... I don’t think so.

ANDREW

I know exactly how you feel. I still go to the movies with my dad.

NICOLE

... I like this song.

ANDREW

Yeah - this part’s great - here - (listens for a moment) There...