NEST OF VIPERS - Episode Two
1 EXT. DUMP COMMUNITY. DAY
NICK dances with a WRINKLED OLD WOMAN and others in the community; against a backdrop of dwellings made from scrap metal, plastic, cardboard, wood.
ANGELA laughs as she takes photos. TWO WOMEN, both smiling happily, walk up to ANGELA, their arms outstretched. They want her to dance with them.
ANGELA laughs, shakes her head. They are insistent. She looks at:
NICK, who makes it quite clear that she should join them.
ANGELA gestures to her camera, as if her holding of it was a reason not to dance.
NICK walks up, takes her camera.
ANGELA succumbs, dances with the TWO WOMEN. She dances well. She glances back to NICK to see:
NICK handing her camera to a 13 YEAR OLD GIRL and teaching her how to use it.
ANGELA, overwhelmed, is not sure whether to be concerned or not about the safety of her camera.
2 INT. NICK’S 4WD. DAY
ANGELA laughs as she looks at photos on the LCD screen of her camera as NICK drives - his eyes shifting between ANGELA and the rear-vision mirror. Close on:
Photos, all tilted and oddly framed, are dynamic and speak volumes of the capacity of the members of this poor community to laugh and have fun. It is clear also from the photos of Angela that she enjoyed herself immensely.
ANGELA looks at NICK looking in the rear-vision mirror; looks back to see, over the top of a box of fruit on the back seat:
The black car with mirrored windows following them. NICK shakes his head, smiles, pulls over to the side of the road and reaches over to the back seat to grab something.
3 EXT. ROAD. DAY
NICK walks from his yellow 4 WD, parked at the side of the road, to the black car parked 20 feet behind.
He taps on the driver’s black tinted window. It opens. An unsmiling Khmer MAN IN A GREY SAFARI SUIT looks at him.
NICK reaches into his belt, as if for a gun, pulls out a banana, points it at GREY SAFARI SUIT, pulls the ‘trigger’.
GREY SAFARI SUIT stares at him, stony-faced. His PARTNER, also in a grey safari suit, smiles. NICK tosses him the banana. He catches it. NICK turns and begins to walk off.
MAN IN A GREY SAFARI SUIT
Hey.
NICK turns.
GREY SAFARI SUIT gestures for him to come back. NICK walks back. GREY SAFARI SUIT gestures to his PARTNER, peeling the banana; makes it clear he wants one also.
NICK smiles, holds up his finger: “One moment”.
4 INT. NICK’S 4WD. DAY
ANGELA laughs as NICK grabs a hand full of fruit from the box on the back seat.
NICK
I’m not sure if this constitutes bribery of a public official.
He beams a smile at ANGELA, steps out of the 4WD and makes his way back to the black sedan.
ANGELA’S phone rings (the opening bars of Beethoven’s 5th symphony). She looks at the screen to see who is calling. The smile disappears from her face.
5 EXT. RURAL CAMBODIA. SUNSET
The shiny white car, KEK visible in the passenger seat, drives through a picture post-card beautiful Cambodian rural landscape. The sky is lit up with a brilliant sunset.
6 INT. CAR. SUNSET
KEK sits in the passenger seat of the car, running her hands over the plush upholstery, fiddling with knobs; overawed by the interior of the car.
KEK (subtitled)
What is you name?
ANURAK (subtitled)
Anurak.
KEK (subtitled)
My name is Kek.
ANURAK (subtitled)
I know, Kek.
KEK (subtitled)
How do you know?
ANURAK (subtitled)
That’s my job. Knowing things.
KEK (subtitled)
Do you know that everyone calls me Monkey?
ANURAK smiles, shakes his head; turns to her:
ANURAK (subtitled)
No, I didn’t know that.
KEK (subtitled)
Then you don’t know everything!
ANURAK laughs.
ANURAK (subtitled)
No, I don’t know everything.
KEK this about this for a moment.
KEK (subtitled)
Can I look at my photo?
ANURAK, nods, hands her his mobile. KEK looks at the photo of herself:
Kek smiling happily
KEK laughs, holds the phone as if it were a precious thing.
7 EXT. SHOP. VILLAGE. SUNSET
DARYA, Kek’s brother, clutching a crisp US$20 bill, points to a tin of powdered baby formula milk in the ‘shop’ seen in the previous episode.
8 INT. RAMSHACKLE 3RD WORLD HUT. NIGHT
DARYA finishes pouring formula milk into a baby bottle.
MI, Kek’s mother, lying on a mat close by, watches as DARYA shakes the bottle, places the rubber teat in the baby’s mouth.
Close MI’s wet face, her eyes filling with tears.
9 INT NICK’S 4 WD. PHNOM PENH STREET. EVENING
NICK and ANGELA drive down a busy street lined with bars, restaurants and foods stalls.
NICK
My original plan...plan number one...was to write a novel. (Angela laughs) Yes, a cliche, I know...novelist by inclination....journalist Of necessity...rent...food...survival...yadda, yadda, yadda.
ANGELA
Did you write it?
NICK
I started, but it’s...
ANGELA (laughs)
Crap?
10 EXT. STREET IN DOWNTOWN PHNOM PENH. EVENING
As NICK’S YELLOW 4WD pulls up in the background, a tiny pre-teen girl, VANNY, a tray of books slung around her neck, can be seen, in the foreground, holding a book out to a TOURIST.
NICK
Worse than crap.
VANNY
This one, history of Khmer Rouge.
The TOURIST shakes her head to VANNY.
As NICK and ANGELA get out of HIS 4 WD:
NICK
So I started on a few short stories.
VANNY persists with the TOURIST, referring to the book:
VANNY
Very funny. Tourists like very much.
The TOURIST shakes her head. VANNY spots NICK, bounds up, greets him with a smile; the book in her outstretched hand.
VANNY
You buy my book, Nick?
NICK (laughs)
I not buy your book, Vanny.
VANNY’S smiles turns into a frown. She sizes up ANGELA.
VANNY
Are you Nick’s new girlfriend?
ANGELA laughs, shakes her head.
ANGELA
What makes you think I’m his girlfriend?
VANNY
I might be young but I am not stupid.
NICK, ANGELA, camera in hand, and VANNY, tray of books around her neck, start to walk...
ANGELA
Well, I am a girl and I am Nick’s friend...
...down a crowded street filled with ‘Girlie Bars’ and food stalls.
ANGELA
...so I guess that makes me his girl friend.
VANNY rolls her eyes.
VANNY
You buy my book?
ANGELA
I don’t need any more books.
VANNY
If you not buy my book, I cannot eat.
NICK
Don’t believe a word she tells you. Vanny has a big shiny limousine parked around the corner and lives in a big house on the river and...
VANNY (laughs)
You one big liar, Nick.
NICK
Bigger than you? (A BEAT) You are the Queen. Queen Vanny.
VANNY (laughs)
I’m too young to be a queen.
VANNY takes ANGELA’S hand; holds it.
NICK
OK. Princess. (To Angela) Princess Vanny is putting herself through school so...
ANGELA
Nick has a lot of girlfriends?
VANNY raises her eyebrows theatrically, nods her head.
VANNY
Mega! (A BEAT) I’m Vanny.
ANGELA
I’m Angela. Pleased to meet you, Vanny.
VANNY
If you are pleased to meet me, you should buy my book. If you not buy my book I cannot feed my granny. She very old and sick. She needs medicine and...
NICK
OK, I buy your book. How much.
A game that NICK and VANNY have been through before.
VANNY
For you, special price. $6.
NICK
$4
VANNY
$5. My last price.
NICK
OK. $5.
VANNY beams a huge smile.
VANNY
OK, you choose book.
NICK ruffles her hair.
NICK
No, you keep the book.
VANNY
I am not a beggar.
NICK
It’s a present.
VANNY
OK.
In a wide shot, in the background, NICK, ANGELA and VANNY can be seen making their way down the crowded street as YOUNG KHMER WOMEN in tight short skirts, high heels and too much make-up, call out to Western men on the wrong side of 50 - on the prowl. This is the point of view of:
QUONG TRAN, an immaculately dressed and groomed Vietnamese man, mid-30s, standing outside “Pussy Galore”.
11 EXT. OUTDOOR BAR. NIGHT
NICK and ANGELA sit at a table on the street across the road from a busy ‘girlie bar’: 'Hot Stuff'. ANGELA is looking at photos on her camera as VANNY makes her way back down the crowded street looking for customers.
ANGELA
Do you think I can use this?
She holds the camera out to NICK. He looks at the photo of:
The Khmer Man reaching out to touch his dead daughter’s face.
NICK
Heart-breaking. A great photo...
A WAITRESS places two glasses of white wine on the table.
ANGELA
...but too...an invasion of...exploitation of...?
NICK
If you asked him...
ANGELA nods, takes the camera back; places it on the table.
NICK holds up his glass: cheers. ANGELA does likewise. As they clink their glasses NICK’s attention is caught by:
FRANCOISE - short of stature, eccentrically dressed, sporting a mane of flame red hair, late 20s - walking towards them. We have seen her before, briefly, but not like this!
NICK
Uh oh! Here’s trouble.
NICK stands to greet her.
FRANCOISE
Mon cherie, mon cherie.
She wraps her arms around NICK, kisses him on each cheek.
FRANCOISE
I so sorry I late. My day eet ees chatte...My boss ‘ee is chatte. Ee like to fuck the petit girl and I tell him...
FRANCOISE notices ANGELA. Her eyes light up.
FRANCOISE
‘Oo eez votre beaux ami?
She beams a white-toothed smile at ANGELA but before ANGELA has a chance to respond she turns back to NICK.
FRANCOISE
...and ee want to fuck ze not-so-petit girl....moi...and I want to kick him in the testicle but I need to work, tu comprends?
She spots two middle-aged POT-BELLIED MEN ogling the YOUNG WOMEN outside 'Hot Stuff'.
FRANCOISE
Like these men, my boss ees cock it should be cut off...
FRANCOISE glares at the two pot-bellied men (KEN and BAZZA), beer cans in hand, appraising the bodies of teen girls as VANNY tries, without success, to sell them a book.
FRANCOISE grabs ANGELA’s camera, lifts it, shouts:
FRANCOISE
Hey, deux sympa coq!
KEN and BAZZA turn as FRANCOISE (’click’) takes photos of their surprised faces.
FRANCOISE
You want ze blow job?”
Click! FRANCOISE purses her lips, blows in their direction. KEN and BAZZA stare at her in shock.
BAZZA makes his way towards FRANCOISE, his hand outstretched. FRANCOISE turns to ANGELA, smiles innocently.
BAZZA (Australian accent)
Hey, you!
BAZZA stands in front of FRANCOISE; looms over her.
FRANCOISE (insouciant)
Moi?
BAZZA
You delete those photos, cunt.
NICK stands, holds his hands up to BAZZA in an attempt to calm him down; turns to FRANCOISE:
NICK
Frannie! Stop! (A BEAT) Don’t!
FRANCOISE ignores NICK, picks up the camera, opens one of the photos, looks at it, smiles; holds it up for NICK to see.
NICK holds his hands up to let both FRANCOISE and BAZZA know that he is not buying into this confrontation!
BAZZA
Fucking give it to me, cunt!
FRANCOISE shakes her finger at him; warning him. ANGELA gently extricates the camera from FRANCOISE’S hands.
FRANCOISE
You should not call me a cunt, pig.
BAZZA
How about ‘Frog Cunt’?
BAZZA looks at KEN, who laughs.FRANCOISE stands, tiny compared to BAZZA. ANGELA takes a photo.
NICK
Frannie!
A small crowd of onlookers has gathered, including VANNY, as FRANCOISE gestures towards YOUNG BAR GIRLS in the crowd.
FRANCOISE
Zee petit frog cunt want to ask zee Aussie pig a question. You want to fuck zee little girl, why not you use your hand?
She makes a masturbation gesture with her hand. NICK shakes his head: (“Here we go again!”)
ANGELA, taking photos covertly, is not sure whether to laugh or be concerned for FRANCOISE’S safety as she turns her head; offers her cheek for BAZZA to hit.
FRANCOISE
Come on, big pig, show zee little girl you want to fuck how zee brave big Aussie pig man with the tiny penis treat zee frog woman cunt.
BAZZA raises his fist threateningly. FRANCOISE delivers a hard and fast kick-boxers kick to his groin. ‘Click’ ANGELA takes a photo. BAZZA collapses to the ground. ‘Click’ The BAR GIRLS and VANNY respond excitedly and approvingly.
FRANCOISE walks back to the table. BAZZA struggles to his feet in the background clutching his groin.
NICK
That was fucking stupid, Frannie!
FRANCOISE
“Silence in zee face of zee evil is itself evil. Not to speak ees to speak.”
(To Angela)
I am Francoise.
ANGELA
Hi, I’m...
NICK
You didn't speak! You fucking kicked him in the balls.
ANGELA
Angela...
FRANCOISE
“Not to act is to act.” Ca fait du bien to...how you say? To act.
NICK’S yellow mobile rings.
NICK
Adrenalin junkie!
NICK looks at the screen of his mobile.
FRANCOISE
You have your wine, I have my adrenalin.
NICK presses the green ‘accept’ icon, stands and walks into the street. FRANCOISE turns to ANGELA
FRANCOISE
And both are good for the libido, no?
ANGELA
Deitrich Boenhoffer, right? “Not to act...”(A BEAT) I studied him at university.
FRANCOISE (haughty)
I never go to zee university.
ANGELA
OK, but...fuck! That was awesome!
FRANCOISE
‘Fuck’ ees not exclamation. It ees a verb. It ees something you do.
ANGELA
Sorry, I...
FRANCOISE
Never you say ‘sorry’, mon cherie! It make you look like a little girl. (A BEAT) You like to fuck?
ANGELA
Ummm...
FRANCOISE
And your boyfriend,
(She gestures to Nick)
‘ee is good with ‘is tongue?
ANGELA looks at NICK, talking animatedly on his phone.
ANGELA
Um...
FRANCOISE
You are not sure?
NICK finishes his phone call, walks back to the table.
FRANCOISE
You want me to test ‘im? See ‘ow good ‘ee is? I joking, mon cherie. I think ‘e is good.
NICK
Good at what?
FRANCOISE pokes her tongue in and out of her mouth suggestively. NICK laughs.
FRANCOISE
Neekolas, why you not tell me you ‘ve zee nouveau partenaire; zee ton amoureux.
(To Angela)
I think ‘ee afraid I steal you from ‘im.
ANGELA
I am not ‘Neekolas’ lover. I am his ‘girl friend’.
FRANCOISE
So zere is ‘ope por moi?
NICK
Angela, meet Francoise.
ANGELA
Hurricane Francoise.
FRANCOISE laughs, leans forward, kisses ANGELA on both cheeks; then on her lips. NICK smiles, shakes his head. FRANCOISE indicates Angela’s glass of white wine.
FRANCOISE
You drink se vin blanc!
(Angela nods) )
You must drink zee red.
ANGELA
Why?
FRANCOISE
Because zee red wine eet ‘as the ‘igh level of polyphenols, which ees antioxidant to make blood vessels expand. Eet increase blood flow so your vagin become more wet, tu comprends?
ANGELA
Vagin!?
FRANCOISE
Vagina. Cunt. But Just one glass, comprenez vous. More and your libido...
She makes of ‘down’ gesture, picks up ANGELA’s camera, looks at the photo of Ken and Bazza looking at her in shock.
FRANCOISE
Deux grenouille. I think ‘ees libido it go down for a few days.
ANGELA smiles, leans close, looks at the photo. FRANCOISE looks at ANGELA with barely disguised lustful intent. ANGELA blushes, looks away.
FRANCOISE
Neekolas, I want to eat ‘er all up but I cannot...because I eez vegetarian.
She smiles at ANGELA, leans forward, kisses her on the lips.
FRANCOISE
You have zee beautiful lip. Why you with zis man? Zis Nicholas? Why are you ‘ere in Cambodge?
ANGELA
Je suis un photographe.
FRANCOISE undresses ANGELA with her eyes approvingly. NICK smiles as his yellow mobile announces the arrival of a text.
ANGELA
And you, Frannie?
FRANCOISE
Francoise. I am zee trainer. Physical. And zee masseuse. And zee physio-therapist.
ANGELA
The rapist!
FRANCOISE (laughs)
Yes, sometimes.
She looks directly into ANGELA’S eyes for a long moment.
NICK reads his text message, responds with shock.
FRANCOISE
I will show you. (A BEAT) Yes, I sink one day I will show you.
NICK
We’ve got to go.
ANGELA
Why?
NICK stands; impatient to be gone.
FRANCOISE
Neekolas, you are so impétueux
NICK
I’ll explain en route
ANGELA turns back to FRANCOISE as she is pulled away.
ANGELA
Au revoir.
FRANCOISE smiles, pokes her tongue out suggestively.
NICK and ANGELA walk off, fast. FRANCOISE looks at BAZZA, leaning over a tiny TEENAGE BAR GIRL in a micro-miniskirt outside “Hot Stuff”; running his hand over her bottom.
FRANCOISE’S eyes narrow in anger.
12. INT. NICK’S 4WD. NIGHT
NICK hands his yellow mobile phone to ANGELA as he pulls out from the curb.
NICK
The last text message.
ANGELA looks at the screen. A password is required.
ANGELA
Password?
NICK
K C I N
ANGELA shakes her head, smiles; taps in the password.
ANGELA
No one would ever guess that!
NICK smiles. ANGELA looks at the screen:
A photo of the palatial home seen through the windscreen, with the word TOONITE written under it, and a street address.
ANGELA
Tonight what?
NICK shrugs, shakes his head.
NICK
Look at who sent it.
ANGELA uses her fingers to expand the image. Close on:
SENDER Riliable Sauce
ANGELA (smiles)
‘Riliable sauce’!
NICK
Someone who feeds me stuff.
ANGELA
Reliable?
NICK
Mostly.
ANGELA
Any idea who it is?
NICK
Ideas, yes, but...no.
…to be continued…
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