Jamie, where have you been?
You've been completely M.I.A
Not to mention you missed the auditions
Your dad is pissed!
Hello? Did you hear what I just said?
Your dad is pissed!
You would not believe what
Just happened at the diner
You were at the diner this whole time?
Yes
Well, no
Well, which is it?
You're not gonna believe what just happened
You found your next star?
No
The complete opposite
I'm not following
Lewis, I just met a girl
Yeah, go on
And she had no idea who I was
And you're telling me this because?
It was absolutely amazing
She asked for my name and everything
It was like I was a completely different person
Like I was normal
What girl in this town
Doesn't know who you are?
Exactly
So, who is she?
Her name's Clarice
She's a waitress at Mike's Diner
So...is she a waitress that sings
The Sunday specials to you or something?
What? No
Then I fail to see how this is great news
Don't you get it?
It's been years since I've
Felt like a normal person
Nobody has bothered to ask
My name since I was a kid until today
It felt so refreshing
Well, it's nice that you had
Your moment, but we have
To go over the audition list
Since it's been rescheduled
For later tonight
Now, there's about one hundred thirty people
We have to see in the span of three hours
I'm not going to the auditions
Jamie, c'mon now
You can't be serious
I am. I'm not going
I have plans tonight
What kind of plans?
No, no, no, no!
Your father is going to murder
Me if you skip these auditions!
But Lewis, I have to talk to her again
Do you know how long
It's been since I've been
Able to actually meet people?
People that won't try to sell my
Hair on ebay and scream
When they see me in public?
I can't remember the last time
I went to the mall without
Being torn to shreds
Look, I get that you want some air
I do, But we came here to do a job
The sooner you find a singer
That you can produce the sooner
We can go back to California
There is plenty of fresh
Air at the studio there
But there isn't
Whenever I'm there my dad
Is always on me about building
His business and not letting it fail
It's all about "it's all on you to keep the family
Business alive, don't screw it up"!
Being on a search tour around
The country is the only way I've
Been able to get away from him
Is that why you haven't
Selected anyone?
Because once the search is
Over you have to go back?
I'm just sick of everyone
Expecting me to be a producer twenty-four seven
I love making music, but I
Want to have a life outside of the studio
I don't want to be like my
Dad and not have time for anyone else
Alright, I understand
I'll call off the auditions tonight
But on one condition
What's that?
From now on I want you to keep an open mind
There is talent here in New York
There's people here that deserve a chance
Don't rob them of that opportunity because you
Don't want to go back. It's not fair to them
And when your dad kills me
You better throw me a nice funeral
Don't worry
I'll deal with him later
So, how'd you end up
Talking to this girl?
It's kinda funny, actually
She was my waitress at the diner
At first, I thought she was
Just being polite and not
Asking me any questions, but
The more we talked I realized
She was looking at me
Like a normal person
A little later some fans and
Paparazzi showed up and she
Snuck me out the back door
From there we just kept talking
And when she asked me what
My name was...well, you could've
Knocked me over with a feather
You are truly hopeless
What?
You're talking about this girl like you're into her
I mean, I dunno
She's cute
But you already know I don't date
Period
Oh, yeah?
Tell me, when are you seeing her again?
C'mon, go ahead and tell me
Yeah, about that
She kinda rejected me
No way
What kind of girl rejects you?
That's exactly why she fascinates
Me, because she's not looking
At me as Jamie Jackson
But now what?
She rejected you
Yes, but I told her that if she
Changed her mind to meet
Me at seven in Central Park
Yeah? And you're still gonna go?
Yep
What makes you so sure she'll show up?
I'm not quite sure
But if she does, it'll be
Such a relief from all of this
Hey, you know what?
Whatever makes you happy
Hey, you wanna see some
Lyrics I've been working on?
Yeah, sure. Lay it on me
My momma said
You don't have to fear
The road that lies ahead
You'll find your way
Don't let anyone tell you
How to live your days
Dude, this is really good
Who are you writing it for?
I don't know yet
I don't have anyone in mind
I'm sure whatever direction
You take it in it'll be a hit
It's your Dad
Don't answer
What do you mean don't answer?
That's kinda my job
Hyello!
Lewis McCallister speaking!
How may I take your call?
Oh, hi Mr. Jackson
You're looking for Jamie?
Tell him I'm not here!
Jamie's not here...he's
Taking a bath
When will he be out?
Um...I'm not sure
I'm thinking it's gonna be a while
Oh, the search has been going great
He's actually taken an interest
In a few people here in New York
Yeah, I'll make sure to let him know
It was nice hearing from ya
Alright, alright ba-bye now!
Well?
Your father would like you to call him
No, really?
Look, he's losing his patience
It wouldn't hurt for you to just
Tell him how you feel
You know, the truth?
Easy for you to say
He just doesn't get it
His work is his life
Trust me, I'd know
You know he never made it
To any of my baseball games growing up?
I played from first grade all the
Way through senior year and
The man never made it to one game
Or when he promised he'd come
See my high school choir sing at nationals?
Or when I absolutely blundered
My solo at the winter concert
My sophomore year? You know who was
There for all of that?
Look...I know you miss your mom
But she wouldn't want to see you like this
She'd want you to be happy
Yeah, I know
Things just never really
Got better after they got worse
Take this as an opportunity
To show your dad what you can do
Find the next Celine Dion or
Whitney Houston out there
Prove that you don't need
Him to do what you do
You make a good point
Well, I have a bunch of
Phone calls to make
One hundred thirty four, to be exact
Don't get too distracted tonight, alright?
You're the best
I know. Don't forget it
Where are you heading off to now?
I'm gonna head back to
The apartment and get ready
Maybe I'll work on that song a bit more
Alright
Take it easy dude
I'll see you when you get home
This is for you, mom