Cameron Crowe - Almost Famous scenes 28-32 lyrics

28 INT. DRESSING ROOM -- NIGHT 28 Dressing room activity swirls around him, as William simply listens. He holds a small microphone. His stoic look gives away little of the full body rush he's experiencing. As the other band members drift across frame, Russell Hammond, a true rock and roll believer, speaks as he straps on his guitar and gets ready for the show. To the kid, every word is reckless gem. RUSSELL ... and it's okay, because rock and roll is a LIFESTYLE... and a way of thinking and it's not about money and "popularity!" JEFF Some money would be nice. Jeff sprays some shaving cream into his palm, and rubs it into his scalp - poor man's mousse. RUSSELL - but it's a voice that says here I am... and fu*k YOU if you can't understand me. Russell smooths the strings of his guitar with a small cloth from his guitar case. The kid notices all these close-up details of rock. RUSSELL (cont'd) And one of those people is gonna save the world and that means that ROCK AND ROLL CAN SAVE THE WORLD -- all of us together. The kid's eyes dance. He checks to make sure he's getting the recording. He listens intently. JEFF And the chicks are great. RUSSELL But we didn't do it for that! We are here because we needed to f**in be here, not just 'cause we needed to away from Troy, Michigan, WHICH WE DID... but what it all comes down to is that thing. The Indefinable Thing, when people catch something from your music, the thing you put into it. I'm talking about... what am I talking about? WILLIAM (elegantly) The buzz? RUSSELL THE BUZZ! And the chicks, the whatever, is an off-shoot of THE BUZZ. And like -- you saying you liked "Fever Dog?" That is the f**ing buzz, man. All we get are these f**ing old-a** interviewers who don't understand, don't LISTEN, don't appreciate why we are here, which is the f**in' BUZZ. William nods, holds his microphone steady. Russell tunes his guitar, ripping through unamplified guitar licks as he speaks. Jeff hustles to reclaim his own connection to the interviewer. JEFF The next album will be even better. More texture. RUSSELL But... it's not what you put in, is it? It's what you leave out. Listen to... listen to Marvin Gaye... Russell's face grows rapturous as he discusses this piece of music. RUSSELL (cont'd) A song like "What's Going On." That single "woo" at the end of the second verse - you know that woo - that single "woo." WILLIAM (proudly) I know that, "woo." RUSSELL (he does it) That's what you remember. The silly things, the little things... there's only one, and it makes the song. It's what you leave out. That's rock and roll. William nods, says nothing, keeps the microphone pointed. Activity surrounds him. JEFF (impressed) We used to talk more about this stuff. RUSSELL Okay. See, this is maybe the most honest we've ever been in an interview because you know our music. You're the first press guy we've made friends with. We don't normally talk like this to them. And you're supposed to be The Enemy! What are you - 18? WILLIAM Yeah. RUSSELL There you go. Still young enough to be honest. DICK (walkie talkie crackling) Ten minutes 'till showtime, anyone who isn't in the band -- out! Russell takes a last swig of beer. A roadie whisks his guitar away. DICK (cont'd) All this luggage is going to L.A.! William is swept out in the chaos of the pre-show ritual, past the pile of luggage by the door. It's a colorful heap of suitcases, featuring colorful laminated band tags, each with a number. 29 INT. BACKSTAGE STEPS -- NIGHT -- MINUTES LATER 29 William sits on the backstage steps, writing feverishly in his notebook. Behind him, two steps higher, Penny Lane scoots into place. PENNY LANE I found you a pa**. WILLIAM (amped, distracted) Thanks. I got in with Stillwater. (as he writes) The guitarist, Russel Hammond, he just thoroughly opened up. He is by far the best and most honest interview I've ever done. (she nods) I've only done two, but you know. He's number one. PENNY LANE You're learning. They're much more fun on the way up. William nods, still scribbling. She eases down into place on the step next to him. Her proximity cause him to look at her, his eyebrows rising. She smooths them down with two single fingers. PENNY LANE (cont'd) How old are you? WILLIAM Eighteen. PENNY LANE Me too. (beat) How old are we really? WILLIAM Seventeen. PENNY LANE Me too. WILLIAM Actually I'm 16. PENNY LANE Me too. Isn't it funny? The truth just sounds Different. WILLIAM (confesses) I'm 15. PENNY LANE You want to know how old I really am? WILLIAM (immediately) No. She looks upstairs, soaking in the sound of another band tuning up. Music is her religion. WILLIAM (cont'd) How did you get started in all this? PENNY LANE It's a long story. WILLIAM (quick study) Right. Right. PENNY LANE We live in the same city. We should be friends. She takes his backstage pa** form his shirt and puts it on his thigh - the cooler location. Nearby, the dressing room door opens, and the Stillwater exits. Excitement level rises as they ma** in the hallway with instruments. We hear the amped voice of Russell growing nearer. RUSSELL The Enemy! He approaches, as William stands. Penny watches, hanging out of Russell's eyesight. Standing in the supercharged hallway, the kid is anxious to introduce his new friends. WILLIAM Russell, this is Penny Lane. PENNY LANE (stepping into view) Pleasure. RUSSELL Penny Lane? Like the song, right? PENNY LANE Have we met? THEY SHAKE And do not let go, for too long. There is history in their shake. Their eyes tell all. Shot takes us to William, who puts two and two together. It isn't hard. They clearly know each other. Well. WILLIAM Well, I guess you've... you've met. DICK Penny Lane! God's gift to rock and roll!! You're back! (privately) Marc Bolan. Please. Other band members pa**, adjusting clothes for show time, waiting in the hallway... and now singing the Beatles song "Penny Lane." RUSSELL Come on, let's go. (noting kid's shyness) Both of you. 30 INT. BACKSTAGE -- NIGHT 30 House lights go down. Cheers rise. Dick's flashlight dances on the ground just in front of them, guiding their way in the dark to the stage steps. RUSSELL - get in the huddle. Russell pulls William into the band's huddle. SHOT LOOKING UP AT THEM Their band ritual, psyching together, arms on each other's shoulders in a circle. They sing a dew lines of the cla**ic "Train Kept A-Rollin'" (or "Go See Cal" from the Cal Worthington ad) They all touch feet, and then break, heading for the stage. Russell directs Penny to his side of the stage. The kid follows. Plugging in, still in darkness, Russell hits a practice chord -- thwack. He steps on effects pedal. Applause. (Adlib onstage private patter, between members, goading each other -- the stuff no audience ever hears) Twenty feet away, Dick prepares to address the crowd from the darkened stage. It is his favorite moment of the evening, the highlight of his job. DICK From Troy, Michigan. Please welcome -- (importantly) Stillwater. Light hits the stage, and the band launches into their opening song, "If You Say Nothing." Audience response is strong. Shot lingers on the face of William as he soaks in the most undeniably exciting moment of any concert, the first thirty seconds. Jeff the singer grabs the microphone and launches into some vocal pyrotechnics. Russell looks over to Penny and William, at stage right, grinning, pretending to trip on his cord, an elegant show-off move of a musician who is now where he belongs... before seriously stepping forward for the first guitar lead of the night. The kid looks over to see Penny watching Russell. 31 EXT. BACKSTAGE -- NIGHT -- LATER 31 Cases are shut and rolled toward the trucks. Stillwater heads for their bus. Jeff the singer says goodbye to Estrella Starr, like a sailor leaving port. Russell lingers behind, saying goodbye to William, loading his own equipment. Black Sabbath pa**es with entourage, heading to the stage. RUSSELL (privately) So. You want to come up to L.A., we'll be at the "Riot House" all week. WILLIAM "The Riot House?" RUSSELL The Continental Hyatt House! It's on Sunset Strip. WILLIAM (attempting cool) Right. Right. All the while, just over the kid's shoulder, Russell scans the backstage crowd of hangers-on. Looking perhaps for Penny Lane. DICK Let's blow this burg! RUSSELL (exiting) Well tell your friend Miss Penny Lane to Call Me. Tell her "It ain't California without her. We want her around like last summer." Say it like that. WILLIAM Got it. RUSSELL (returns, whispers) Oh, I'm under the name - Harry Houdini. JEFF (exiting, to William) The Enemy!! Yeah!! Come to L.A., we'll take some more. Russell joins Jeff, exiting and laughing. A good show is still in the air. WILLIAM Later Jeff! See you, Dick. Larry. Ed. (and now the roadies) Mick, Gregg, Red Dog, Scully, Frosty, Estrella, The Wheel! ROADIES DICK Laterrrr! We'll see you down the line. William is deliriously happy, hands upraised. He turns to see Penny. WILLIAM PENNY! PENNY (calming him) Hey. Hey. Be cool. WILLIAM You just missed Russell! He says he's at the "Riot House" all week and to call him. He's under the name Harry Houdini. Do you know about the "Riot House?" PENNY LANE I think I've heard of it. WILLIAM He had a message for you! He said, "It's not California without you. We want you around like last summer." (consults notebook) Actually he said "ain't." "It ain't California - " PENNY LANE I get the gist. WILLIAM How well do you guys know each other? She smiles privately. WILLIAM (cont'd) I got it. No problem. Long story. Alright! I gotta go. Elsewhere in the arena, Black Sabbath is performing "Sweet Leaf." The kid could care less. He has bonded with Stillwater. He heads for the door. Penny walks with him. He's loving it. They pa** a still-scowling Scotty, flashing pa**es, as they exit out into the ramp area. 32 EXT. SPORTS ARENA -- NIGHT 32 Penny takes out an eyeliner pencil, writes her number on the back of his green notebook. PENNY LANE Call me if you need a rescue. We live in the same city. WILLIAM I think I live in a different world. They stand in the night air. The parking lot is largely silent now, save for the thudding ba** sounds of Black Sabbath. In the distance, we hear Elaine's insistent whistle. PENNY Speaking of the world. I've made a decision. (a very serious secret) I'm going to live in Morocco for one year. I need a new crowd. He nods. He is a rapt audience for this flashy girl. PENNY (cont'd) Do you want to come? WILLIAM Yes. In the distance, we hear the family whistle growing louder. PENNY It's a plan. You've got to call me. WILLIAM Okay. PENNY It's all happening. WILLIAM It's all happening. He nods coolly. He waits until she turns, and the sprints through the parking lot, to the distant family whistle.