60. OGIKUBO DISTRICT
They walk in silence, too hungry and tired to speak.
A drunk, convivial BUSINESSMAN emerges from a long, wooden bar.
BUSINESSMAN
(in JAPANESE)
[Come in, come in! Join us!]
61. INSIDE THE BAR/RESTAURANT
FRANK and BENNIE sit. They can't understand a word anyone says.
GREY-HAIRED MAN
(in JAPANESE) [I'm sorry. We're out of food.]
FRANK and BENNIE look at him, hopeful.
BENNIE
It sure smells good in here, Frank.
FRANK
It certainly does.
BUSINESSMANMAN
(in JAPANESE)
[Don't worry! Give them something to
drink!]
The GREY-HAIRED MAN pours out some sake for BENNIE and FRANK.
GREY-HAIRED MAN
(in JAPANESE)
[This is on the house! Seeing as how we're almost closed.]
BENNIE
It won't be long now.
FRANK
No. Drinks first. Typical Liverpool
style…
As they sit there expectantly, the REVELLERS put on coats, say their good nights, and leave.
Pause. The GREY-HAIRED MAN begins to shut off the LIGHTS.
BENNIE and FRANK look at each other.
62. ON THE STREET
BENNIE and FRANK exit the restaurant. The GREY-HAIRED MAN runs after them, gives them, to their surprise, an UMBRELLA and a FAN.
GREY-HAIRED MAN
(in JAPANESE)
[For luck.]
And he disappears back inside the darkened restaurant.
As BENNIE and FRANK stare after him, a "CEDRIC" TAXICAB pulls up. The DRIVER uses the MECHANICAL DOOR OPENER.
They look at each other. Get inside.
The TAXI drives away.
63. INSIDE THE TAXI – AS THEY DRIVE THROUGH THE STREETS
FRANK looks out the window. Absently FANS himself.
A VERY LONG PAUSE as the TAXI wends its way in and out of traffic.
A PAUSE so long, in fact, it might make you anxious —
ANOTHER RUMBLE OF THUNDER
FRANK cranes his neck up, trying to see the sky. He opens his mouth to speak. But reconsiders.
ANOTHER PAUSE.
FRANK
You know…
But once again, he decides against talking.
ANOTHER LONG PAUSE.
A FLASH OF LIGHTNING illuminates FRANK'S FACE. He rolls down the window and tilts his head up. Pulls back in, disappointed, and continues to stare outside.
BENNIE'S VOICE
(yawns)
All that stuff we drank…
(pause)
Sleepy…
BENNIE nods out, FALLING ASLEEP. After a few moments, FRANK FALLS ASLEEP, TOO.
The TAXI comes to a halt. SUNLIGHT fills the TAXI.
BENNIE suddenly WAKES.
BENNIE
What? WHAZZAT?
FRANK shakes himself awake as well.
64. AN IMMENSE DESERT – DAWN
BENNIE and FRANK get out of the TAXI. It drives away.
They look around.
BENNIE
Okay. That's it. Now it's time for
the BIG GUNS!
He pulls out his wallet and yanks out the PLUTONIUM CARD.
He waves it over his head.
65. DESERT ROADSIDE – EXT
BENNIE
DAD'll fix it!
FRANK
WHAT did you say?
BENNIE
I said THAT'll fix it! Sure,
I only get one emergency a year, but if this isn't an emergency, I don't
know what is!
UP AHEAD – A LONE PHONE on a telegraph pole.
BENNNIE heads for it.
FRANK
You said "Dad'll fix it."
BENNIE
What? Of course I didn't. "That"!
I said "that"! Why would I say
"DAD," for Christ's sake.
FRANK
I don't know. But you definitely did.
Absolutely.
BENNIE
(without heat)
You're crazy.
BENNIE reaches the PHONE BOX. Squints at the CARD.
BENNIE
Okay. Where's this baby's 800
number?
FRANK
If that's an American toll free number,
you're going to have to dial an access
code.
BENNIE
(dials triumphantly)
Hah! That's where you're wrong, buddy!
That's another SPECIAL FEATURE of the
PLUTONIUM CARD. A toll free number
with access from ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
Aha!
(holds out PHONE)
It's ringing.
PHONE
(from earphone)
WELCOME to Plutonium Emperor Card!
All of our operators are currently
helping other customers. PLEASE
stay on the line. YOUR CALL IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. This is the
last recorded message you will hear.
A MUZAK VERSION OF "GOD REST YE, MERRY GENTLEMEN" PLAYS.
FRANK
That's Christmas music.
BENNIE
So? I think it's got kind of a
friendly sound to it.
FRANK
Bennie, it's not Christmas.
BENNIE
It's near Christmas.
FRANK
Bennie, all over the world, the Christmas
decorations have been taken down.
The PHONE MESSAGE repeats.
BENNIE
What's your point?
FRANK
I don't have a good feeling about this,
Bennie.
The PHONE MESSAGE repeats.
FRANK
Where's their home office.
BENNIE
(defensively)
L.A.
66. LOS ANGELES – IN A ROOM – DAYLIGHT
CLOSE ON a DUSTY ANSWERING MACHINE —
ANSWERING MACHINE
WELCOME to Plutonium Emperor Card! All
of our operators are currently helping
other customers. PLEASE stay on the
line. YOUR CALL IS VERY IMPORTANT TO
US. This is the last recorded message you will here.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL —
— a stripped, deserted OFICE. All that's left are: the ANSWERING MACHINE.
And a CHRISTMAS TREE AIR FRESHENER.
67. IN THE DESERT – AT THE PHONE BOOTH – DAWN
BENNIE stares, stricken, at the phone. He looks as if he's GOING TO CRY.
FRANK sighs.
FRANK
Come on, Bennie.
He turns to set out ACROSS THE DESERT.
BENNIE groans.
68. ACROSS THE DESERT – DAWN
BENNIE and FRANK walk and walk across the RUGGED COUNTRYSIDE.
A THIRD BUSINESSMAN, LEROY, unseen by them, appears.
69. FARTHER ALONG ON THEIR TREK
A WOODEN CART PULLED BY A BURRO appears.
BENNIE
Frank! Look!
BENNIE and FRANK stare at it for a moment, then run after it, clamber onto the back.
70. ON THE BACK OF THE WOODEN CART
BENNIE and FRANK sit, side by side.
FRANK
You know, Bennie — you're right.
There are some nice things in the
world. Like just now. When we
were in that cab, I was thinking
about upward lightning. Do you
know what that is? Not too many
people have heard of it yet — it was only definitively discovered in 1989. Lightning that happens OVER the clouds during a storm. Red balls
and blue streamers. Sprites and jets,
they call them. Which is a silly kind
of name, really.
(pause; even more excited)
But just think about it, Bennie. It's
a whole new thing we've learned in our
lifetime. It's something that our
parents didn't know. Like that a
giant comet hit the earth 65 million
years ago. And that dinosaurs are
related to birds. And that there are
THIRTEEN PLANETS.
Pause. BENNIE looks at FRANK, fascinated.
BENNIE
You like public transportation, don't
you, Frank? I notice it's the only
place where you really open up.
FRANK sighs with unexplained contentment.
71. AT THE EDGE OF A SMALL DESERT TOWN
The LIGHT comes up over the whitewashed houses.
FRANK and BENNIE approach out of the desert.
72. DESERT TOWN
The awareness dawns that they are VERY LOST.
BENNIE
You know what this means, Frank.
FRANK
What.
BENNIE
We're going to have to break down
and ask for directions.
FRANK
No way.
They continue up the street.
The THIRD BUSINESSMAN — LEROY JASPER — appears. He holds a BOX under one arm. Peers worriedly at STREET SIGNS as he approaches BENNIE and FRANK.
LEROY
Excuse me. Do you speak English?
BENNIE
Well, of course we do! This is an
English-speaking country.
LEROY
I don't know what happened. I went
out last night looking for a toy for
my kid's birthday. His birthday's
right after Christmas, so I try to
make an effort. Anyway, he wanted
a model of the MIR SPACE STATION.
See?
He holds out the BOX. BENNIE admires it.
LEROY
I had a real time finding it, I can
tell you. Went from store to store
to store. Then somehow — I got
lost.
CHURCH BELLS ring.
A MOMENT'S SILENCE while all contemplate their mutual predicament.
BENNIE holds out his hand.
BENNIE
Bennie Reyes.
(points to FRANK)
This is Frank King.
LEROY shakes hands all around.
LEROY
Leroy Jasper. Bennie. Frank.
Pleased to meet you.
(pause)
That's funny.
BENNIE
What?
LEROY
Well. We're three kings.
(points)
King. Reyes is kings in Spanish,
am I right? And Leroy means 'the
king' in French.
BENNIE
Hey. That is funny.
LEROY
Synchronicity.
BENNIE
Did you see that bust of Carl Jung
in Mathew Street?
LEROY
There's a bust of Carl Jung in Chicago?
BENNIE
No. Liverpool.
LEROY
(shakes his head)
Liverpool. No.
The THREE turn and continue down the street together.
LEROY
I'll tell you what. I sure am
hungry.
BENNIE
Boy, you and us both.
FRANK sniffs the air.
FRANK
This way, I think.
73. DOWN THE STREET – A SIDEWALK FOOD STAND
A beautiful woman fries corn tortillas in lard. This is JOSEFINA.
BENNIE
Mm-mm.
LEROY
I smell pork fat.
BENNIE
(points at FRANK)
He's a vegetarian.
But FRANK already heads for the stand.
FRANK
It's all right, Bennie.
BENNIE
Frank, if there's nothing there you
can eat…
FRANK
It's all right.
BENNIE
Excuse me, miss. Do you serve any
vegetarian dishes?
FRANK
Bennie.
LEROY
I think she might only speak Spanish.
That seems to be the main language in
this neighborhood.
JOSEFINA turns and wipes her hair back impatiently.
JOSEFINA
I speak good English. I have to.
I'm a businessman.
BENNIE
Businesswoman.
She GLARES at him.
FRANK
(hisses)
Bennie.
BENNIE
Sorry.
(to JOSEFINA; lamely)
Sorry.
Pause.
JOSEFINA You guys want to eat, or what?
FRANK
Yes. We definitely want to eat.
LEROY
Please.
She slaps two fried tortillas on a plate, spoons beans over, slides two fried eggs on top, and ladles it all with salsa.
She puts this in front of FRANK, and starts on BENNIE'S PLATE.
LEROY stares hungrily.
BENNIE
(whispers to FRANK)
But Frank — I don't like refried
beans.
FRANK
(sotto voce)
Just eat it and be grateful, Bennie.
BENNIE
No. You're right, Frank. You're
right.
JOSEFINA slaps BENNIE'S PLATE down in front of him. It steams appetizingly.
LEROY
(in a loud voice)
I eat ANYTHING, myself.
JOSEFINA gives him his plate.
The THREE MEN eat with steady concentration.
A WOMAN'S VOICE calls from the BACK OF THE HOUSE.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Fina! Fina! JOSEFINA!
JOSEFINA
Si, Guadalupe. Momentito.
BENNIE
May I have the salt?
(pause; JOSEFINA glares)
Please?
She puts a coffee can with holes punched in the lid in front of him. He shakes SALT over his food as SHE DISAPPEARS.
The SALT FALLS DOWN LIKE SNOW.
BENNIE
Kind of fierce, ain't she guv'nor?
Nobody answers. They go on EATING.
74. CAFETERIA – A FEW MINUTES LATER
The THREE MEN sit in silence after their breakfast.
BENNIE
I was scared there for a minute.
But then everything turned out all right.
FRANK
(exasperated)
What were you scared of, for God's sake,
Bennie?
BENNIE
I don't know. It always makes me
anxious.
FRANK
WHAT does?
BENNIE
Getting what I want.
We hear — though we don't see — A LARGE FLOCK OF SHEEP trotting down the street in front of them.
BENNIE
Well, will you look at that!
THEIR EYES FOLLOW THE SHEEP UP THE STREET.
LEROY
That's something you don't see
everyday. A flock of sheep in the
middle of the city.
FRANK
Bennie —
BENNIE
Maybe it's some sort of harvest festival
event.
FRANK
Bennie. I think this means we're not in
Liverpool anymore.
BENNIE ignores this. He and LEROY go on talking.
LEROY
Oh, yeah. Like a chamber of commerce type thing.
BENNIE
That's probably it. Some publicity
stunt in support of the wool industry.
LEROY nods.
Pause.
FRANK checks his WATCH.
FRANK
I should be getting back. I have a
full day of meetings.
BENNIE
Gosh, me, too.
LEROY
We've got to pay.
BENNIE
Where'd she go?
FRANK
Let's just wait a minute.
Pause. All THREE sit, awkwardly waiting.
FRANK can't stand it any longer. He stands and peers through the DOOR to the back, pulling a WAD OF MONEY out of his wallet.
FRANK
Excuse me? Miss? Could we have our
bill, please?
He disappears. BENNIE and LEROY shift nervously.
FRANK'S VOICE
OUCH!
BENNIE
Frank? FRANK!
BENNIE and LEROY hurry in after him.
75. IN A PITCH BLACK HALLWAY
FRANK'S VOICE Somebody closed the door. I bashed
my head into a beam or something.
BENNIE'S VOICE
I've got a flashlight here in my
pocket somewhere.
FRANK'S VOICE
A FLASHLIGHT?
BENNIE'S VOICE
Never know when it'll come in handy.
(pause)
No, that's not it.
(pause)
No.
The SOUND OF A LIGHTER flicking on.
LEROY holds a FLAME.
BENNIE
Thanks, man.
LEROY
No problem.
FRANK gropes toward the door at the end of the hall.
HE PUSHES THE DOOR OPEN —
— A FLOOD OF LIGHT STREAMS INTO THE HALL.
THE THREE MEN STEP BACK, MOMENTARILY DAZZLED. THEN SLOWLY MOVE TOWARD THE LIGHT, PAST A DONKEY —
— INTO THE BACK ROOM
DRIED HERBS hang from the ceiling.
ON A WALLBOARD – A PORTRAIT OF EMILIANO ZAPATA.
There is the SOUND OF WOMEN MURMURING OVER A BABY.
The THREE MEN enter and see —
JOSEFINA with a WOMAN AND CHILD.
This is GUADALUPE and her BABY GIRL.
GUADALUPE changes her diaper.
As the MEN approach, the WOMEN look up.
They stand around the BABY.
JOSEFINA
My nephew.
(shakes her head)
No. I mean — my niece.
(pause)
She's twelve days old.
LONG PAUSE.
FRANK
Where's her father?
JOSEFINA
In the south.
(pause)
Looking for work.
LEROY
There's no work in the south.
He looks surprised at himself. As if he doesn't know why he spoke. Confused, he holds out his model of the MIR.
GUADALUPE
Gracias.
LEROY
De nada.
He looks surprised at himself again.
FRANK holds out the MONEY to JOSEFINA.
GUADALUPE
Gracias.
FRANK
De nada.
BENNIE looks around, anxious. Can't think of anything to say. HOLDS OUT THE BUNDLE OF SAGE.
GUADALUPE
Gracias.
BENNIE
De nada.
The THREE MEN cluster around JOSEFINA, the MOTHER and CHILD.
ALL FALL INTO THE PLACES OF THE TRADITIONAL NATIVITY SCENE.
CUT TO —
76. A CHILD'S HAND TAKING THE THREE KINGS OUT OF A CHRISTMAS
CRIB DISPLAY.
CUT TO —
77. ON THE STREET OUTSIDE
FRANK, BENNIE, and LEROY exit onto the street. They walk on in silence.
AFTER A MOMENT — ALL THREE TRY TO SPEAK AT ONCE.
FRANK
Did you….
BENNIE
Did it seem to you….
LEROY
Did you guys notice….
Then, simultaneously, they decide IT CAN'T BE.
ALL SHAKE THEIR HEADS.
And WALK ON.
FRANK
(murmurs)
I've really got to get back….
BENNIE
(same)
Another day, another five francs….
LEROY
(same)
I should call my office….
BENNIE
(points)
Frank! Look! MATHEW STREET!
Up ahead, at the corner, a STREET SIGN. 'MATHEW STREET'.
BENNIE
What about you, Leroy?
LEROY
I think I see Lakeshore Drive up ahead.
AT THE CORNER OF MATHEW STREET
BENNIE, FRANK, and LEROY shake hands.
LEROY heads farther up the street.
BENNIE and FRANK turn down MATHEW STREET.
ON THE WALL BESIDE THEM, SINGING STAR POSTERS, old and tattered.
JOSEFINA walks up and starts tearing the POSTERS down.
And BENNIE and FRANK disappear into the distance.
THE END