Farewell the Dragon
By
Lee Barckmann
Based on the Novel "Farewell the Dragon" by Lee Barckmann
copyright # 1-13313878013
lee@barckwords.com
Farewell the Dragon
CREDITS:
OPENING CREDITS
MUSIC: Chinese style "Klezmer" music played on the Erhu and
Chinese percussion
SUPERIMPOSE: 3rd Century BC, Xianyang China
EXT. ANCIENT CHINESE SCENE
An outdoor scene, officials and women dressed in ancient
Chinese clothes, and (perhaps) a warrior with a sword, staff
or bow & arrow is exercising. Establish the scene in ancient
China.
Continue music and credits
SLIDE FROM EXTERIOR OF SMALL PALACE TO INTERIOR
INT. ANCIENT CHINESE STUDY (ERHU MUSIC AND CREDITS CONTINUE)
Two men, in an ancient Chinese study. A scroll is opened with
text in ancient Hebrew.
A man with Middle Eastern features, in Chinese robes
pointing with satisfaction to the text.
A sitting Chinese man also in robes is ascribing Chinese into
a clay tablet, nodding.
Establish by silent motions, or props, that a translation is
taking place. The decor of the room is a mixture of Jewish
and Chinese iconry.
MUSIC & CREDITS FINISH
FADE OUT AND IN
SUPERIMPOSE: BEIJING, FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE, JULY 1987
INT. NATE AND MOLLY'S 3 ROOM "SOVIET-STYLE" APARTMENT -
BEDROOM
Molly is hurriedly packing, half-dressed and frazzled.
MOLLY
(loud)
We have to get going soon!
(beat)
CUT TO:
INT. - KITCHEN
NATE is casually dressed for travel, drinking tea and eating
a bowl of yogurt.
NATE notices something on the end of the table.
CLOSEUP:AN OPENED FANNY PACK IS ON THE KITCHEN TABLE.
MOLLY (O.S.)
(louder, distraught)
Nate! did you call the taxi?
CLOSEUP:FOCUS INTO THE FANNY PACK - AN OPENED ENVELOPE.
After a hesitating, NATE fingers the letter.
` NATE
The taxi is waiting for us outside. MOLLY
Do you have the tickets? NATE coaxes the letter out, opens the letter.
A second note falls out of the letter. NATE Yes, I of course I have the tickets!
MOLLY (O.S.)
Dammit! Have you seen my fanny pack?
NATE reads the note.
NATE (V.O)
(AS NATE IMAGINES MOLLY'S FORMER BOYFRIEND'S VOICE)
Hey Babe!
Come home, all is forgiven! (Ha Ha! I
hope so anyway). This is Krazy!!!
Becky says you will be home soon. For
good! (Right?)
I just want my "cowgirl" back! You
know what I am saying! See you soon!
Caleb
NATE
(whispers to himself)
Cowgirl? NATE stuffs the letter and note back into the envelope
Then puts the letter back into the fanny pack, and zips it.
NATE (CONT'D)
(Aloud TO MOLLY)
Your fanny pack is here, on the
kitchen table. Are you ready to go
yet?
MOLLY
Almost.
(beat)
Yes - let's go!
CUT TO:
INT. TRAIN STATION
SUPERIMPOSE: BEIJING TRAIN STATION
NATE and MOLLY are sitting on a bench with their luggage
nearby.
MOLLY
I thought we were lost when he turned
into that alley!
NATE
I wasn't worried.
MOLLY
I didn't expect to be ravaged this
morning! (She leers, and leans in and
kisses him)
NATE
You were the ravager - Buckaroo style.
MOLLY looks at him and starts to say something and stops.
(beat)
MOLLY
I got a letter from my sister.
NATE
Everyone will be glad to see you.
MOLLY
Mom is upset that you aren't coming.
NATE
If we went back - together - we
probably wouldn't come back to China.
MOLLY
So what if we didn't?
NATE shakes his head.
NATE
Molly, Business is about to break open
here. This is an opportunity...
MOLLY
I know, I'm just...
NATE
Chinese market - think about those two
words.
MOLLY
Yeah - you are right - its big.
She leans over and kisses him.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
Remember the night we meet?
NATE
(laughs)
Yeah.
MOLLY
You had this - aura - or something.
FADE IN
INT. FLASHBACK TO LOUD, CROWDED COLLEGE BAR. A BLUES MUSICIAN
IS PLAYING THE HARMONICA
NATE is leaning on a post, talking to a couple of men,
watching.
MOLLY (V.O.)
I swear you had a glow about you. Like
you knew something nobody else did.
MOLLY is slowly dancing toward him. She bumps into him.
NATE (V.O.)
Yeah...I had just learned I had a job
teaching in China!
NATE looks at her. Smiling. She looks at him. They slowly
begin gyrating together to the music.
INT. TRAIN STATION
MOLLY
And the next morning you asked me to
come to China with you!
NATE
I had escaped! I was free - no more
tutoring bored undergraduates! Free
from the endless, nitpicking
criticism...
MOLLY
...of your history thesis.
NATE
Yeah. My department advisor didn't
like...
(beat)
Why did you say yes?
MOLLY
Why did I say I would come with you?
Because I didn't know you would only
make $40 a month.
NATE
(laughs)
China had been practically closed off
for almost 40 years. It was a chance
to explore a new world - almost.
Yeah.
MOLLY
You're right, its pretty cheap to live here...
...Its almost time. I'm gonna miss you -
be good!
NATE
You too. My train's right after yours.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
(in Chinese)
"THE TRAIN TO GUANGZHOU IS READY TO
BOARD."
FADE OUT
MOLLY
This it?
DEXTER, lurking in the crowd, is watching MOLLY and NATE.
NATE
(Standing up)
Yep. This is it.
CLOSEUP:MOLLY - FEAR, SADNESS, AND BEGRUDGING MIRTH.
MOLLY stands - They kiss. NATE gently pats her chest.
NATE (CONT'D)
Keep your money and passport tucked in
there safe.
MOLLY
Write me how its going!
MOLLY heads for the departure exit.
NATE makes a face as he watches her go.
A young Chinese woman catches his eye, and smiles at him.
NATE smiles back. She walks on.
NATE becomes thoughtful. Sits, time passes.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
(in Chinese)
"TRAIN TO XIAN IS READY TO BOARD."
NATE gets up and walks out of the waiting area in the
station.
CUT TO:
INT. (DAY) - TRAIN SLEEPING COMPARTMENT
NATE is looking out the window. Chinese countryside is
rushing by. The compartment door is open.
DEXTER walks by and looks in at NATE, then continues.
NATE does not notice DEXTER.
CUT TO:
EXT. DAY CROWDED STREET IN XIAN CHINA
NATE is lugging his heavy suitcase computer and backpack.
ZHANG and QUAN walk by NATE
QUAN stops and looks at NATE just as NATE notices him.
QUAN
Mr. Nate! Zhang look! It's Mr. Nate!
QUAN and ZHANG approach NATE.
NATE
Ni hao, Quan! What a coincidence!
NATE puts down his computer and shakes hands with QUAN.
QUAN
You are here! What is the word you
used? NATE
coincidence!
ZHANG
(petulantly)
Pengqiao.(碰巧.)
QUAN
Yes! We don't expect you here. My
colleague tell me that you left the
Kone company?
NATE
I sell computer software now.
QUAN
Software! No more medical equipment?
Do you continue teaching at the
Foreign language Institute?
NATE
(Nods)
Its summer vacation, no classes to
teach. Trying to make a little
money...I am here for a business
conference.
(NATE raises his voice)
Hello Zhang.
ZHANG
Ni hao Nate.
NATE and ZHANG stare uncomfortably at each other.
NATE
On vacation?
ZHANG
Yes, We are tourists this week.
QUAN
Time too short! I am flying to Los
Angeles next week. Because of your
help from the Kone company, I get this
chance for advanced training on the
latest imaging technology.
NATE
We should meet and perhaps eat
together tomorrow. I am at the Golden
Flower Hotel.
QUAN
I will contact you there tomorrow.
NATE
I look forward to it.
QUAN
Zhang's English has improved more than
mine. How that possible? I live in
America for six months and she still
speak better than I do!
I think your English lessons have
great success.
ZHANG
Yes. Nate has helped me to not forget
what I learned in class.
QUAN
We will let you rest now. Bye.
NATE
Zaijian.
Deep look from ZHANG as they leave. NATE is a bit shaken as
they depart.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL BAR
NATE is sitting at the bar. IRINA sits two stools down.
DEXTER, sitting at a table behind them, glances up, then
unobtrusively stares at a menu.
IRINA, A pretty Caucasian woman at the bar smiles at NATE.
IRINA
Need change in your luck?
NATE smiles and nods
NATE
What are you drinking?
IRINA
Screw driver. Strange name for drink,
no? (smiles). I'm Irina.
Nate looks at the bartender and points to her glass.
NATE
I'm Nate.
IRINA
American.
NATE
Yes - Russian?
IRINA
(Makes a face)
No. I am from Ukraine, Not Russian!
ZEV, late forties, tall and fit, casually dressed, enters the
bar spots IRINA and sits down. IRINA lets ZEV peck her on the
cheek.
IRINA (CONT'D)
This is my old American friend Nate.
Zev is soldier of fortune.
ZEV
Former soldier seeking a fortune. Not
quite the same thing Luv. Pleasure!
ZEV extends his hand which NATE shakes.
NATE
What fortune do you seek?
ZEV
Whoa! Direct questions! I like that.
What are you drinking Mate?
NATE
Vodka and lime.
ZEV
You mean a gimlet? Tommy -
ZEV points to NATE and IRINA (who chugs) then himself.
BARTENDER
Johnny Walker?
DEXTER strains to listen while reading the menu and is still
not noticed by NATE.
ZEV nods to BARTENDER
ZEV
(To NATE)
I am in antiquities. Checking out a dig nearby.
NATE
So you're a tomb robber! Where you from Zev?
ZEV
(laughs heartily)
Last known address in Brisbane. And before that - well - we all have a
past, don't we?
ZEV and NATE exchange business cards.
ZEV (CONT'D)
As to tomb robbing, no funny business.
I represent a small museum.
NATE
So nearby you say? Let me guess.
Xianyang - Near the Terra Cotta
soldiers and Qin's tomb right?
ZEV
(Smiles, nods)
Yeah. That's where the action is for
sure. I am just - an expediter. A
little muscle, a little hustle. What
do you do?
NATE
I sell software that writes Chinese.
And teach English on the side.
ZEV
Oh, computers! That's a comer! Irina,
why don't you find that friend of
yours to join us.
IRINA downs her 2nd drink and leaves.
DEXTER leaves, still not noticed by NATE.
NATE
So what are you finding at the dig?
ZEV holds his finger to his lips, and then pantomimes
headphones with his hands and points up.
ZEV
Are you staying here? Interested in Irina?
NATE
Thanks, but no.
ZEV
Oh, OK. Thinking about somebody else?
NATE
I just saw her with her fiancé.
ZEV
Well good luck with that.
(They ironically click glasses)
You said you teach at the Foreign Language School?
NATE nods ZEV Do you know a German woman named Erika?
NATE
Yeah. Erika Neubender. She an English
teacher.
ZEV
You mean German?
NATE
(LAUGHS)
No. She teaches English. ZEV Really?
NATE laughs.
ZEV (CONT'D)
I met her up in Shenyang last week.
NATE
Pretty thick German accent to teach
English, right? ZEV
Yes.
NATE
Yeah - (in German accent) Der Fräulein ist bery bery Korrect.
ZEV (LAUGHING)
(Brit accent) But with a touch of the Prim and proper.
NATE and ZEV laugh together in agreement.
ZEV
Well, maybe I'll see you in a few
weeks. She gave an open invitation to
come visit, so...
NATE
...So tell me what you found in
Xianyang?
ZEV hesitates, signals NATE to move closer.
ZEV
(Soto voce)
The diggers found a terracotta stele.
Ancient stuff, before Christ even. But
now you see it, now you don't! Seems
to have disappeared.
NATE
Disappeared?
ZEV
Clay fragments with inscriptions - One
piece though, is dead on, perfect. I
mean unbroken, legible.
But it is all rumors, so far - the
Chinese deny finding anything.
NATE
Wow.
ZEV takes a photo inside his jacket hands NATE a photo.
NATE stares at the photo. ZEV looks around nervously.
NATE (CONT'D)
Its old - The characters look like
those on those Zhou dynasty ceremonial
caldrons.
ZEV
Can you read it?
NATE
No.
NATE give the photo back to ZEV.
ZEV
I think it is in Beijing.
NATE nods.
NATE
I'll listen for any word about it.
Should I mention you to Erika?
ZEV
I'd rather you not. Spoil the
surprise.
NATE and ZEV shake hands.
ZEV (CONT'D)
Good meeting you.
NATE
Thanks for the drink. Maybe see you in
Beijing.
ZEV
Yeah, you will.
NATE shakes ZEV's hand.
CUT TO:
EXT. DAY OUTDOOR MARKET
Uyghurs are selling shishkabobs, Chinese are frying cakes,
and steaming buns.
An old Chinese man in tattered clothes is intensely bowing a
slender two-stringed instrument. The sound of his Erhu is
continuously playing above the hubbub of the market.
QUAN, ZHANG, are walking among the merchants.
NATE is buying shishkabobs from a Uyghur.
NATE
(Chinese - subtitles)
Three. Yes.
KORBIN
(In English)
Where you from?
NATE
America.
KORBIN
America great. Uyghurs love America!
KORBIN passes NATE three shishkabobs sticks.
NATE
(whispers)
Hashish?
KORBIN Laughs - but looks around and becomes very serious.
KORBIN
I give you!
KORBIN passes NATE a lump wrapped in a newspaper.
NATE tries to hand him more money, but KORBIN waves it off
and holds his finger to his lips.
NATE
Thank you!
The Erhu player falters, and his playing comes to a stop.
The Erhu Player is obviously blind.
ZHANG approaches the old musician, and they talk.
NATE walks over and passes shishkabobs to Quan.
QUAN
That old man is Gang Xunzhu. He was
famous erhu musician before the
Cultural Revolution... He is hero to Zhang.
QUAN and NATE watch ZHANG talk to GANG, and eat in silence.
ZHANG returns. QUAN gives her the shishkabob.
ZHANG and QUAN speak softly together, and seem to argue in
Chinese out of earshot.
ZHANG emphatically gets the last word and QUAN is chastened.
ZHANG
I am going to help him now.
(to Quan - In Chinese - subtitles)
I will meet you back at the hotel.
NATE
Why is the old man leaving?
ZHANG
He said he could 'smell' a foreigner.
He is not well.
NATE looks around and sees that his is the only Western face.
NATE
I need to return to my hotel now. I
have a meeting later this afternoon.
ZHANG
It was nice to see you. Goodbye.
NATE and QUAN goes separate ways as ZHANG helps GANG.
TRANSITION TO:
EXT. MORNING - OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC SHOWER BUILDING
NATE, in his bathrobe, walking quickly across the college
campus, carrying his soap razor etc. in a bag.
NATE enters the concrete shower building.
CUT TO:
INT. PUBLIC SHOWER BUILDING
Finishing his shower, and drying himself, NATE comes out of
the shower into the dressing area.
DAGMAR and ERIKA have just arrived.
The two German women begin to casually undress.
ERIKA
Nate! Where have you been?
NATE
I just got back from a business trip.
ERIKA
Molly is gone, no?
NATE
Yes. Back to the States for a month.
ERIKA
I went to Shenyang recently.
NATE
So did you take the Kim Boys with you?
ERIKA
Only two of them.
DAGMAR
She had other adventures too.
ERIKA
Stop it!
NATE and DAGMAR smile at each other.
DAGMAR and ERIKA continue to undress, unfazed by NATE's
presence.
ERIKA (CONT'D)
No - I went for the food. Not all
North Koreans are named Kim, by the
way.
NATE
How was the boiled pork and cabbage?
(looking at DAGMAR)
I don't believe we have met...
ERIKA
I am sorry! I am forgetting my
manners. This is Dagmar. She is from
the East! Berlin!
NATE
Ah, the old capitol.
DAGMAR
Its still the capitol. I am from the
Democratic side. You are Amerikan, no?
NATE
Yes, or as the Ayatollah calls us, The
Great Satan.
ERIKA
There is no such thing as Satan.
NATE
Lucky for you.
DAGMAR
Your wife is gone, No?
NATE
No - just vacation. She isn't actually
my wife...
DAGMAR
That must be hard for you...
ERIKA
I am sure it is very hard, isn't it
Nate? (Smirks)
NATE
(Closes his robe, embarrassed)
It is sometimes difficult, yes. But
being alone is nice too - sometimes.
DAGMAR
Yes! Sometimes...
NATE looks at DAGMAR.
ERIKA
Perhaps Molly will see her old boy
friend on her vacation..
DAGMAR
I saw your Cossack Dance with the
Russians last spring. it was very -
what is the word? Notorious.
NATE
Too much vodka.
NATE and DAGMAR look at each other.
ERIKA
You must come out more Nate!
NATE shrugs.
DAGMAR
Maybe I will pay you a call.
NATE
That would be great. I'll see you later.
NATE smirks at ERIKA as he leaves.
TRANSITION TO NATE'S APARTMENT
INT. NATE AND MOLLY'S APARTMENT
NATE, dressed, sits in front of his "suitcase" Portable
Compaq 286 computer, staring at its small LCD screen.
NATE pulls out the hashish he bought in Xian, still wrapped
in newspaper. He crumbles some and rolls a cigarette mixing
the crumbled hashish with the tobacco.
NATE wraps up the joint and puts it in his pocket.
NATE shuts down his computer, slings his small backpack on
his shoulder, and heads for the door lugging his computer.
CUT TO:
EXT. DAY - OUTSIDE NATE'S APARTMENT
NATE walks out his door, into the alley.
NATE glances up at the campus noontime "nap" preparation.
In windows in the apartments above, Chinese couples are in
various stages of undress. Shades are being drawn.
As NATE walks outside into the noon day summer sun, old
people, some holding small children by the hand, amble in
wide round sunhats, or sit fanning themselves.
Across the courtyard DAGMAR comes ambling toward NATE.
She wears a green tee-shirt imprinted with the Albrecht Durer
engraving "MELANCHOLIA"
NATE
Nice shirt. Innocence lost in the
worker's paradise?
CLOSE UP: DAGMAR'S TEE SHIRT
She is not wearing a bra.
DAGMAR
Looks down at her shirt
Perhaps they are Asian factory
worker's taking a rest from making
sport shoes for rich Americans.
NATE
(Beat)
So?
DAGMAR
So.
NATE looks away
DAGMAR
I am told that brick keeps these
apartments cool in the afternoon.
NATE
Yes. It is true. The are cooler.
DAGMAR
It is so hot.
(beat)
NATE looks at his watch.
NATE
Yes...but I have to meet someone right
now...
NATE lifts his suitcase computer.
...Business...What about later?
DAGMAR
Later.
(beat)
DAGMAR pouts.
Who knows?
DAGMAR turns and walks away.
NATE stares at her with regret.
CUT TO:
INT. CHINESE BUSINESS OFFICE
NATE, lugs his computer into the nearly deserted office
A picture of DENG XIAOPING is prominent.
A couple of Technicians are sleeping with their heads on
desks by computers.
LING YE, wearing a "Dr. Evil" style Mao Zedong suit, sees
NATE and walks out of his office and approaches him.
LING YE
Hello Nate. Big news! I received a
fax. I think we have big opportunity.
Mr. TAI, A very dapper, western dressed, middle aged Chinese
man comes out of the corner office and walks up to NATE and LING
LING YE (CONT'D)
(Chinese - subtitles)
Oh! Leader Tai! I was telling Nate
about the new customer!
TAI ignores LING YE
TAI
Nate, Please come into my office.
NATE follows TAI back to his office
TAI (CONT'D)
Please sit!
NATE
Thank you.
TAI
You have been with the company for
only 6 months and sales have increased
significantly.
NATE
We have had some success.
TAI
Yes. Your strategy was sound. I have
discussed it with the board of
directors back in Vancouver. You
remember the salary we discussed? We
will provide a nice apartment as well.
NATE
That is great!
TAI
So we agree? You start Oct 15?
NATE
I should talk to my wife - or actually
my girl friend - she is in the US now
- so...
TAI
We need to know. Do you want the job?
NATE
(beat)
Yeah - Yeah. OK. Its a deal.
NATE and TAI shake hands.
TAI
I'll see that the paperwork gets started.
NATE returns to where LING YE is waiting.
LING YE
So -
LING YE waits in vain for NATE to tell him what TAI said.
NATE
Tell me about this new customer.
LING YE
He is an important businessman from
America! He sent a fax to our number.
NATE
Can I see the fax?
LING YE
I'll have Pan make a copy for you.
CUT AWAY:
PAN is filing her nails, reading a beauty magazine.
CUT BACK:
LING YE
This American says he will place many
orders.
NATE
OK. I'll go and meet him.
LING YE
(Chinese - subtitles)
It should be easy to find him, he is
staying at the Friendship Hotel. Here
is his room number.
LING YE hands NATE a note.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESTON'S APARTMENT - BUILDING HALLWAY
NATE knocks at an apartment door. An older white lady wearing
a white dress with blue polka dots opens the door.
MARTHA
Preston!
PRESTON
(voice muffled from down the hall)
Come in! Come in!
NATE walks down the hall into the living room.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESTON'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM
The room is very middle American, with straight-backed
imitation Chippendale chairs and a large, dark Queen Ann
table. A brown-stained antique cupboard filled with Americana
knick-knacks hovers over the table.
A Chinese man and woman sit at the table, which is covered
with reports, letters and contracts.
PRESTON
These are my interpreters Paul and Hanna.
Would you like a ginger ale?
NATE
No thank you.
PRESTON
(Yells)
Martha, bring me a glass of ginger ale.
They sit quietly as MARTHA brings the drink, and then leaves
PRESTON (CONT'D)
So you are Nathan? That is a good
name. He was a great prophet!
NATE
Actually it's Nathaniel.
PRESTON
I see. Well to the task at hand. I
have discovered that the Chinese have
a deep respect for the written word.
Did you know they have been keeping
records for thousands of years?
NATE
Hmm. Yes, I read that somewhere.
PRESTON
I need documents to do business with
these people! I need your...
PRESTON has a coughing fit, then settles himself, and emits a
mirthless chuckle.
I understand you have a computer program that can print Chinese?
NATE looks around and spots a cheap clone PC in the corner. NATE
Yes.
PRESTON
I'm going to build a modern office
building near here from which to run
an interlocking group of joint
ventures dealing with oil, natural
gas, and manufacturing.
NATE Wow.
PRESTON
I have been called to China.
NATE Called?
PRESTON
Opportunity is about to explode. Every
company I know is about to build
factories here.
NATE
Do you think China is ready?
PRESTON
In more ways than one! Yes - they are
ready! You know who the Chinese are
don't you?
NATE Ah-mm...
PRESTON
They are the lost tribe of Israel!
They are Jews!
NATE
Umm, Oh, I didn't...
PRESTON
You will see! What would you say if I
told you that an ancient fragment of
Chinese text quoting the Bible has
been discovered and will soon be
revealed to the world.
NATE Huh? Fragment?
PRESTON
Terracotta. Obviously part of a larger
archaeological trove!
NATE
Obviously? I mean...
PRESTON
Its called a stele. Have you heard of
such a thing?
NATE
Well...Yes - I have I suppose anything
is possible...
So you want to buy our software?
PRESTON
I also believe that anything is
possible!
NATE Well...
PRESTON
I have many irons in the fire. Many
irons! Here - look at this...
PRESTON passes NATE what appears to be a telegram.
CLOSE UP: A TELEGRAM:
NATE (READS)
...all necessary instruments ... as
prescribed by the laws of
Oklahoma...etc. etc.... The transfer
of $704,526.00 to Mr. Preston Newhouse
of Beijing, China, has been approved.
Etc.
PRESTON
That is only the beginning.
NATE Wow.
PRESTON
When can you deliver the software.
NATE
I can deliver one now and the rest
next week. Install it on that
computer?
PRESTON
Yes! Excellent! I will pay you for
five copies now! $3500?
NATE Yes.
PRESTON opens an old fashion checkbook and ledger, and
elaborately writes out a check, tears it out.
PRESTON
We will be moving to more prestigious
offices, more staff, more everything!
NATE takes the check, looks at it and nods.
He sits in front of PRESTON's computer.
CUT TO:
EXT. LATE AFTERNOON SWIMMING POOL
NATE in street clothes, carrying his heavy suitcase computer,
enters the crowded swimming pool deck.
The Russians YEVGENY, BORIS are diving.
ERIKA, DAGMAR and MONIQUE, a French girl, and XIMENA, a black
Cuban woman, sit on the edge of the pool, dangling their feet
and holding up fingers to signify scores for the dives.
SANDOR and GREGOR lounge back by the fence, in the shade.
On the other side of the pool, JUDY and MARGIE, young
American tourists, sit in lounge chairs, watching the action.
Nearby two young Chinese women, CHEN and ZHOU, wade in the
shallow end.
RENNIE, ZHOU's American boy friend watches from poolside.
NATE leans over and is splashes water around his face and
armpits.
DAGMAR slowly approaches NATE.
DAGMAR
How's business?
NATE shakes his head.
NATE
Actually, it is good - I guess. But I
am feeling bad about it for some
reason.
DAGMAR
Capitalist regret? Oh that is a pity.
NATE
Yeah - I have regrets.
DAGMAR
What do you regret?
NATE
I regret thinking business before
pleasure is always the smart choice.
DAGMAR laughs
YEVGENY butterflies through the water toward them.
YEVGENY
Come in the pool! We can have battle!
DAGMAR smiling, shakes her head no.
YEVGENY (CONT'D)
Come on! It will heal your spirit!
DAGMAR pulls off her tee-shirt and takes off her shoes, and
is wearing a bathing suit.
YEVGENY looks at NATE
How about you? Come join us!
NATE
No swimming today.
DAGMAR jumps into the pool and climbs on YEVGENY's shoulders.
CHEN climbs on BORIS' shoulders.
NATE signals the WAITER who nods knowing what he wants.
NATE retreats to sits with GREGOR and SANDOR.
GREGOR
...if that pig Russian keeps putting
his hand on Chen's ass, I am going to
make something bad happen to him.
SANDOR
You're not jealous are you?
GREGOR
Psst. I just hate Russians.
SANDOR laughs and shakes his head.
GREGOR (CONT'D)
Nate, I am sorry to hear your
beautiful wife is gone for the summer.
We all love watching her swim!
NATE
How come you are not in the water with
Chen?
GREGOR
She tired me out this morning. GREGOR makes a fucking gesture with his hips.
GREGOR (CONT) But I still can't understand her. She
must be the only Chinese woman in
Beijing who can't speak English.
NATE
Chen's father is some big shot, right?
GREGOR
Big Korean War hero. Now he's
quartermaster for the Red Army. Or
part of it. He took us to one of his
armories outside the city. You have
never seen so many AK-47s, Grenades,
mortars, pistols - Its all just lying
in boxes.
SANDOR
Gregor sees dollar signs.
GREGOR
(laughs)
The Chicken fight is heating up.
MONIQUE gets on XIMENA and they proceed to knock DAGMAR off
YEVGENY.
ERIKA, wearing a towel covering her bathing suit, enters the
pool area and approaches them.
ERIKA
Can I join the boys club?
SANDOR Please, sit!
At poolside, YEVGENY and DAGMAR sit on the side together and
watch the Chicken fight. He kisses and fondles her.
GREGOR
I thought Dagmar was going to stop sleeping with Russians.
SANDOR
Yevgeny is from Ukraine.
MONIQUE and XIMENA bowl over CHEN and BORIS to win the
chicken fight.
ERIKA
Dagmar is giving him a bump in his
bathing trunks ...This is what is
wrong with Communism. She has no self-
respect.
NATE looks at ERIKA above his sunglasses
ERIKA (CONT'D)
She is a Schlampe! What is the word in
English?
SANDOR
Slut.
ERIKA
Yes. I know what you are thinking. But
no I am not a slut! I am in control.
SANDOR, GREGOR and NATE laugh.
The WAITER brings NATE his gimlet.
ERIKA maintains a severe sang-froid
ERIKA (CONT'D)
The Kim boys, as you call them, do
exactly what I say!
NATE looks at SANDOR
NATE
Control.
SANDOR
Yes. Control.
ERIKA
Dagmar can't control herself! That is a slut.
NATE continues to look at ERIKA over the top of his
sunglasses and shakes the ice in his glass.
ERIKA does not smile.
DEXTER walks by outside the pool area, glancing in.
ERIKA (CONT'D)
Nate - You aren't missing Molly are you?
NATE smiles but says nothing.
ERIKA (CONT'D)
Maybe you should get in line for
Dagmar.
NATE
I don't need to get in line.
ERIKA laughs.
ERIKA
Not like you'd be the first.
NATE downs his drink.
NATE
I'm going to go. Maybe I'll see you
guys tonight.
ERIKA
Maybe when Dagmar finishes with the
Russians, you can enjoy her.
NATE gets up and waves to the people by the pool as he leaves.
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