VERTIGO POP!
BANGKOK
ISSUE 4 DRAFT 1
By
Jonathan Vankin
1.1 EXT. CHAO PHRAYA RIVER - - EARLY MORNING
First of all, this page is laid out in four panels, each of equal size, like a four-pane window. This, the first panel, echoes the two-page spread in Issue 1, on the Chao Phraya river. Except this time, it is Tuze and Taeng on the water taxi rolling along the river, and it is sunrise, not sunset. Obviously, this panel is much less expansive than the earlier spread. We see Tuze against the rail of the ferry, very frustrated with the petulant Taeng who refuses to even look at her. Taeng just sulks and scowls.
I was going to give Taeng her life back whether she wanted me to or not. I tried it Marz's way, within the system.
I could have got better results by banging my head on the floor.
1.2 INT. BROTHEL - - NIGHT
This panel picks up right where Issue 3 left off, several hours before the previous panel and the next one. We are in the burning brothel. Flames are everywhere, but Benny and Pinya face each other down, ignoring the extreme danger of the fire that Benny has started. This scene takes place a few moments after the final panel of issue 3. Kukrit is no longer in Pinya's arms but is kneeling on the floor, one hand to his head, one hand bracing himself on the floor so she doesn't keel over. He's in very bad shape, neurologically speaking. Benny is much bigger than Pinya, but the cross-dressing kick-boxer is not backing down. Pinya shows no fear at all. Potential violence just hangs in the air. Benny has flipped out. He's already set the place on fire and now he smiles an evil grin, relishing the idea of a fight with this much smaller transvestite.
1.2 CONTINUED
You can't use the system to fight the system. Doesn't work that way.
Hurt me? That's funny.
Now get your little katoey ass out of my way!
I learned it at an effective-protest teach-in -- you have to take direct action.
1.3 EXT. BANGKOK STREET - - EARLY MORNING
Marz and Julien and the elephant walk along a major street in Bangkok at dawn. Cars are just starting to crowd the thoroughfare. The sidewalks are mostly empty, except for a stray policeman who looks on curiously, and one or two passers-by. Marz is exhausted. They have been escorting this elephant across the city all night long. Julien appears somewhat more slovenly than usual, his cigarette drooping sloppily from his lips, cloud of smoke wafting into his eyes as always.
You have to be able to inspire others to self-sacrifice!
We've been walking with this elephant all night!
If we don't find that police station, I'm gonna pass out!
Hold on, Mate. Just another half kilometer or so.
PAGE ONE
1.4 INT. BROTHEL - NIGHT
The last panel shows us Moon, trapped inside her locked room, moments after we last saw her on page 21 of Issue 3. The room is almost filled with smoke and now flames are licking through the crack under the door. Moon covers her mouth and nose with her hands, trying to breath. She's getting desperate. Very desperate. She's coughing and her eyes are watering terribly from the smoke, She can barely see as she tries to find some kind of escape route.
Even then, sometimes your best plans hurt the people you try to help.
And you're not there to do anything about it.
PAGE TWO
2.1
SPLASH! Let's also get the CREDITS on this page, as unobtrusively as possible. We're back to the showdown between Pinya and Benny. Pimya's eyes are burning with rage now, but he's standing his ground, not moving, even as Benny shoves him on the shoulder with one beefy hand. Pinya doesn't give an inch. Benny, as in panel 1.2, is leering sadistically. The flames in the brothel have grown taller and more menacing. They are mostly around the edges of the room, just beginning to encroach on the center, near the door, where Benny and Pinya face off. Kukrit is still kneeling on the floor, very wobbly and ill from his head injury, getting worse by the minute.
SOUND EFFECT (BENNY'S SHOVE): BUP!
You heard me. Out of the way!
PAGE THREE
3.1
EXTREME CLOSE-UP on Kukrit's face, particularly his eyes, which through their mascara, eyeshadow and false lashes and fixed on Benny (who is much taller) like a cat on its prey.
3.2
PULL BACK to an action shot. Pinya swings a roundhouse, left-footed kick that lands squarely on Benny's right-side. Benny is completely surprised, stunned and in pain. Pinya, of course, is wearing pumps. But that doesn't seem to cause him any loss of power in his kicks.
SOUND EFFECT: WHHMMP!
3.3
Benny doubles over, clutching his kidney. But that's not the worst of his problems. With Benny bent over to about Pinya's eye-level, Pinya lands a straight right hand to the side of his face, snapping Benny's head around with the impact. Benny's glasses fly off his face.
SOUND EFFECT: KRAK!
3.4
One final kick. This is a reverse roundhouse kick. Pinya spins around and connects with his right foot to Benny's temple. This is the coup de grace. Benny is out cold with this one.
SOUND EFFECT: PAAWT!
3.5
With Benny collapsed on the floor and the flames moving ever closer to the center of the room. Pinya helps the nearly disabled Kukrit to the door. Pinya's got both his arms around Kukrit, supporting him. Kukrit has trouble staying on his feet.
We go! Too much fire!
PAGE THREE
3.6
Even though he can barely walk a straight line, and his head is throbbing like it's going to explode, Kukrit has broken free of Pinya and is dashing - - or at least stumbling as fast as can - - back into the burning brothel. Pinya watches, astounded.
Wait!
PAGE FOUR
4.1
Kukrit has made his way down the hallway to the one door that remains closed. He covers his mouth with his arm as, with his other hand, he reaches for the keys that were in his pocket. Flames loom menacingly just feet away from him.
4.2
CUT TO inside Moon's room. It's filled with smoke. She is cowering against a wall waiting for help - - that has now arrived! Kukrit throws the door open.
4.3
Our POV is from the hallway again. Moon dashes out of the room, past Kukrit. She doesn't know if he's come to save her or kill her. Given her experience, it could easily be the latter. But Kukrit is in no position to do anything. Moon looks back over her shoulder at him, horrified, as he clutches his head. He is in the process if crumbling to his knees. The flames are at his back now. If he doesn't move, he'll be burned alive.
Aarrr! My head!
4.4
MEDIUM SHOT on Kukrit. The flames have caught him. His clothes and hair are consumed by fire. He screams in extreme pain (though we'll keep his scream Òsilent,Ó with no voice balloon - - the visuals should say it all).
4.5
CLOSE reaction shot of Moon as she watches in horror as Kukrit is engulfed in flames.
4.6
Moon races toward the main door of the brothel, stepping over Benny who lies unconscious, a little bit of blood trickling from his mouth and nose. She barely notices him lying there. Her only thought is to get the hell out of there.
PAGE FIVE
5.1
On the landing of the stairwell, Moon has rushed into Pinya's arms. It's an odd sight, the damsel in distress rushing to the comfort of a transvestite. But ladies' apparel and all, Pinya's her only hope for a savior. The flames have not reached onto the stairwell yet, but smoke is wafting out of the brothel onto the stairs. Pinya looks back toward the brothel.
Quickly! Before the fire comes!
5.2
MEDIUM CLOSE on Pinya, still gazing back inhto the smoke and flames.
You go! I will follow.
Go!
5.3
With the whole place burning and smoky, Pinya heads back into the brothel. He can barely see through the smoke and can barely breathe. Flames are licking perilously close to him.
5.4
CUT TO the go-go club on the floor below the brothel. Moon has just burst into the room from the back stairwell. Some of the other little Thai prostitutes who escaped the brothel moments earlier, before Benny torched it, are still running through the crowd, panicked. The patrons and the nude performers on stage are shocked by the chaos. Any second now, there could be panic.
Fire! Help!
FIRE!!
5.5
CUT BACK TO the brothel. We are CLOSE on Benny, lying on the floor, just starting to wake up. Pinya's hand is grabbing him by the collar.
5.6
Pinya is dragging the semi-conscious Benny to safety, just hauling him off and out of the brothel, out the fire that he started. Pinya is saving Benny's life. Our POV here is from inside the brothel, peering through the smoke into the stairwell, as Pinya hauls the much larger Benny out of there.
PAGE SIX
6.1 EXT. BANGKOK STREET - - EARLY MORNING
We are outside a major police station. It's a big, concrete building on a major avenue, but the entranceway is framed by an A-frame archway, giving the building the appearance of a temple. Marz and Julien have brought the elephant to Captain Treerat, who remains disagreeable and confrontational. Marz, exhausted, sleepless and haggard from hiking across Bangkok all night, is in no mood to put up with this. He's titally exasperated.
Why you bring chang samkhan here? Police station not a zoo!
Where the hell were we supposed to bring the goddam thing?!
6.2
Julien has stepped between Marz and Treerat. He's also very tired, but more composed than Marz. He's attempting to defuse the situation. Treerat seems somewhat more ready to listen to him, but he still scowls. Marz stands in the background, at the end of his rope.
Look here, Captain. We led this beast halfway Ôcross the city, through the night. You wanted it. You take it.
PAGE SIX
6.3
Marz pushes over Julien's shoulder. Julien tries to hold him back. But the now-short-tempered Marz is sticking his finger toward Treerat's face.
And you better make sure it's treated well - - or my girlfriend's gonna kill me!
Steady on, Mate!
I don't think the officer troubles himself with your love life.
6.4
MEDIUM CLOSE on Treerat, his arms folded as he figures out how to make this situation even more difficult.
Okay, okay. But elephant is only half the deal!
6.5
Treerat in inspired now. With all the disagreeableness in his sytem, he points accusingly at Marz, who is appalled by what Treerat tells him here. Julien also appears startled.
You must also return other girl!
What? No way! No fuckingÑ
Or you under arrest for kidnap!
PAGE SEVEN
7.1
A three-shot with Treerat in the foreground glowering at Marz in his most menacing fashion. Marz in the background. He grabs his crotch, defiantly. Julien is in the middle, trying to stay between the two. He holds a hand in back of him, gesturing to Marz to back off. Meanwhile, he speaks straight to Treerat (through his usual cloud of smoke, of course). He's attempting to be the peacemaker while also standing up to Treerat.
Arrest this!
Be fair, Captain! The elephant wipes the slate clean, you said.
7.2
MEDIUM TWO SHOT of Julien and Treerat. They're staring each other down. Julien has suddenly become very suspicious.
Hold on! You're on his payroll, aren't you?
Who payroll?
You know who!
7.3
PULL BACK. Treerat has spun Julien around and is pushing him against the elephant, as if the elephant were the side of a building. Treerat has Julien's arms behind him and the side of Julien's face is presses flat against the elephant's considerable belly. It's an Òup against the wallÓ move, except it's an elephant instead of a wall. Marz is astonished by this, but the elephant appears nothing more than bemused, nonchalantly turning its head to see what the disturbance is.
PAGE SEVEN
7.3 CONTINUED
I arresting you! Up against the elephant!
What for? You want an international incident?
Shut up!
7.4
CLOSER on the three humans in this panel. Julien is absolutely defiant and seemingly unafraid. Marz can't believe what he's seeing.
Ha! No one help you now!
Think I've never been in jail? Don't make me laugh!
7.5
EVEN CLOSER on Julien and Treerat, who is pushing as close to Julien as he can, trying to intimidate him (though Treerat is much shorter).
The big man's not getting that little girl, no matter what he pays you.
So come on, Mate. Do your worst!
7.6
VERY CLOSE on the face of Treerat. He is thinking, contemplating what he's going to do here. And we cannot read from his expression what it's going to be. The caption comes at the bottom right of the panel. It's Tuze's narration kicking in, leading us to the following scene.
We were so close to winning, it called for a celebration.
8.1 INT. ORIENTAL HOTEL COURTYARD - - MID-MORNING
Tuze and Taeng sit on a bench amidst the lush vegetation. If they weren't in a hotel, they could be in the jungle. A paved path leads through the courtyard. The lobby is visible behind them through a wall-size pane of glass. Taeng is petulant as usual. Tuze is looking back into the lobby, obviously expecting someone. She does her best to be patient with Taeng.
We still had the Oriental, so why not wait there?
Where Moon? You say she be here!
We're waiting for her. She's just not here yet.
Actually, I was getting kind of curious about that myself.
8.2
Reverse angle on Tuze, and CLOSER. We are facing her now, as she has jumped to her feet, pointing toward the lobby. She is very excited, elated even.
Look! They're here!
My plan worked. Never doubted it for a moment.
8.3
CUT TO the lobby, at the entrance. One of the immaculately clad - - white hat, white gloves, white jacket with gold trim - - doormen is trying to stop Pinya at the door. Transvestites aren't great for the hotel's image. Moon stands a couple of steps behind, weary and worried. But the second doorman has recognized Pinya, and he's thrilled. The first doorman is not acting nasty. He's low-key, but firm. Pinya looks much better. He/she has cleaned him/herself up. Only his dress shows signs of last night's struggle, still singed from the heat.
8.3 CONTINUED
Sorry. This is not a hotel for katoey!
Let him in! That's Pinya, the boxer!
8.4
The scene is considerably different now. Doorman Number Two has handed Pinya a notepad and a pen. Pinya is signing an autograph. In the background we see Tuze and Taeng jogging toward them. Tuze is ahead, holding Taeng's hand, kind of dragging her behind. Moon is standing off to one side. The sisters have not noticed each other yet. Tuze is overjoyed.
You are a great fighter! I won five thousand baht on you last month!
Moon!
8.5
Taeng and Moon leap into each other's arms, tearful with joy. Tuze watches, beaming with pride.
TAENG
AND MOON
(in unison)
Sister!!
PAGE NINE
9.1
Tuze has taken Pinya off to one side. She has a wad of cash in her hand. She hands about a third of the stack of bills to Pinya. In the background, Moon and Taeng chatter away the way teenage sisters do, delighted to be back together.
I don't know how to thank you -- but here's the money I promised.
That's 50,000 baht for the breast implants.
9.2
Tuze hands Pinya the rest of the money. She's a little uncomfortable with this. She's lowering her eyes, as if looking in the area of Pinya's soon-to-be-eradicated genitalia. The thought makes her a little uneasy. Pinya, on the other hand, could not be more happy.
And here's 85,000 for the, uh, rest of the job.
You know, down there.
Oh, thank you! Now Pinya never need box again!!
I was spreading joy and happiness all over.
9.3
Pinya clutches the money to his chest, enraptured, perhaps imagining what his chest will look like very soon. Tuze appears happy for him, but concerned.
Be careful! Get a good doctor.
Oh, I forgot to ask. . .
9.4
With this question from Tuze, Pinya's happiness has suddenly faded - - and turned to weepy sadness. He still holds the money to his chest, but tears are dripping from his eyes.
Did you have any trouble with Kukrit?
Kukrit?
He dead!
9.5
CLOSE on Tuze. Her face has gone blank and ashen. She is stunned. For the first time, despite everything that she's gone through (and out others through) in the past few days, the enormity of what's happening has finally hit her. She has no words at all. She is just devastated.
Yep. Joy and happiness. All over the place.
PAGE TEN
10.1 INT. KHAO SAN ROAD TRAVEL AGENCY - - LATE MORNING
Before we see the surroundings here, we are CLOSE on Marz. He hasn't slept since yesterday morning, and he hasn't had the most relaxing time in the interim. He's got a pretty good
growth of stubble in addition to his goatee and dark circles have formed under his eyes. He's on the verge of losing it. And he is very angry at Tuze. He is looking slightly downward, yelling at her. As we'll see in the next panel, she is sitting ad he is standing. (Giuseppe, a little more photo reference on Khao San can be found here: http://www.hellosiam.com/html/Bangkok/Bangkok%20-%20Khao_san.htm.)
You gave him 2,700 bucks of my money --
--to get what?!?
10.2
PULL BACK to see the whole scene. We are inside one of the two dozen or so tiny travel agencies on Khao San Road. The whole business takes up one room. In the front, near the entrance, are a couple of folding chairs and a small table stacked high with flyers advertising various travel bargains and tour packages. Behind that, a desk where a neatly, but casually dressed Thai woman of about age 35 sits. She's the travel agent. She's got a phone, an antiquated old computer and lots of papers scattered around on her desk. Posters plasterthe wall, advertising more tour packages and bargains, usually with a colorful picture of an exotic island or jungle locale, an ancient Buddhist temple or a sumptuous hotel. ÒPattaya: 7540 baht!Ó ÒChiang Mai By Bus! 2435 baht!Ó ÒVisit Exotic Koh Samui!Ó ÒThree Temples in One Day!Ó And so on. Tuze, sullen, sits on one of the plastic folding chairs. She doesn't even bother to look up at Marz. She's still in a bit of a daze. Marz is standing over her, his arms out in a Òwhat the hell is going on around hereÓ gesture. Behind them, Mrs. Loy, the ÒFriends of Sex WorkersÓ volunteer whom we met on page 17 of issue 3, is at the travel agent's desk with Taeng and Moon, making some sort of arrangements for them.
PAGE TEN
10.2 CONTINUED
At least he's happy. Did you hear me before?
Kukrit burned to death in the fire!
Sorry to hear it, but he was an asshole!
And you spent almost my whole Showtime check!
10.3
In the foreground of this panel we see the travel agent handing a pair of tickets to Mrs. Loy, who inspects them carefully. Taeng and Moon, watch expectantly. At least, Moon is expectant. Taeng is less than enthusiastic. But in the background, Tuze has raised her eyes to address Marz. We can see that she's getting a little bit of her self-righteousness back.
It's because of Pinya and Kukrit that those two girls are alive and free!
Oh, is it? I say it's because of your best friend out there!
PAGE TEN
10.4 EXT. KHAO SAN ROAD - - SAME TIME
CUT TO just outside the travel agency. Julien leans against the wall, next to the storefront which is also plastered with posters, similar to the ones inside. The first thing we notice about him is a severely swollen eye - - a shiner. His shirt is shredded. His right arm is bent, held in front of his chest in an awkward position. His lip is split open. But none of this seems to affect him. He stands nonchalantly under a sign that hangs just above his head that reads ÒPrime Thai Travel Agent.Ó He actually holds his cigarette in his fingers this time, rather than just dangling it from his lips, exhaling a long stream of smoke as he gazes off into space. Marz's voice balloon comes from inside.
PAGE TEN
10.4 CONTINUED
He took a hell of a beating Ôcause he wouldn't give up where we had Taeng.
Never even fought back. Just took it.
10.5
CLOSE on TUZE. She is very sad, about to cry.
Moon and Taeng are going home. I should be happy.
10.6
PULL BACK. Tuze - - in an uncharacteristic moment of vulnerability - - has leaped to her feet and thrown her arms around the startled Marz, looking for some comfort. She is very distraught. Martz can't be angry with her anymore.
But I'm not!
PAGE ELEVEN
11.1
Mrs. Loy has purchased the tickets. Now she is addressing the two girls directly, speaking to them in a stern tone. Moon is very pleased by everything, but Taeng appears, at best, neutral. She lets Moon do her talking for her. Moon is thanking Mrs Loy formally, making Òwai,Ó that is, folding her hands in front of her in a ÒprayerÓ position, palms together and fingers pointing straight up - - and bowing her head slightly.
Are you girls certain you wish to return to Chiang Mai?
Life could be very difficult for you. We will check on you in six months, butÑ
We are certain! Thank you for your help!
11.2
Tuze has regained her composure. Mostly, anyway. She wipes some wetness off her eyes with the back of her hand. She has let go of Marz, who stands there, not quite sure what to do or say. He's just tired and overwhelmed. Mrs. Loy shoots Tuze an extremely judgmental, disapproving look.
Thank your farang friends!
Though I do not approve of their methods!
11.3
A van has pulled up. It's not a bus, more like a mini-bus. Seats eight or nine passengers. We can see through the window that there are already a few passengers on board, mostly backpacker and low-budget tourist types. Taeng and Moon, tickets in hand, prepare to get on board. But Taeng seems strangely hesitant. Moon is very happy, and in her happiness, she's oblivious to her sister's doubts.
11.3 CONTINUED
But Moon, what about Benny? Maybe I call him.
You are free of him forever, Sister! Let's go home!
11.4
The van has pulled away. It is now about 20 meters up the street. Taeng and Moon press their faces against the back window of the van as Tuze, Marz and Mrs. Loy watch them depart. Moon is waving happily. Taeng just stares. Tuze waves back. Marz just watches, hands on his hips. Mrs. Loy stares at Tuze.
Good bye, Sweethearts.
You should think about what you have done, interfering in lives you know little about.
11.5
CLOSER on Moon and Taeng in the back of the van as it pulls away into the Khao San Road traffic. They look the same as in the previous panel, but we can see them much more clearly. Mrs. Loy's voice balloon comes from out-of-panel.
Bangkok girls are not like you Americans. One day, you will understand.
PAGE TWELVE
12.1
Back in front of the travel agency, Julien has been inside the agency and now, in this panel, emerges cheerfully brandishing a ticket of his own, in his good hand. Mrs. Loy is walking away. Tuze turns her head to listen to Julien. Both she and Marz are surprised to see him holding a ticket out of Bangkok.
And now, oh my children, shed no tears! It is Julien Whittam's turn for farewell.
Huh? You're leaving?
12.2
Julien continues his speech, to the full attention of Marz and Tuze. Tuze stares at him with same contempt she has always shown him.
I can't stay in Bangkok. I've now come the attention of the police.
They'll soon find reason to arrest me - - and God knows, they needn't look hard.
12.3
Tuze drips contempt and sarcasm at Julien. As usual, Julien is unfazed, but Marz is becoming irritable again.
Don't they have laws against sex with children in England, too?
Jesus, Tuze! Show the man a little gratitude!
12.4
MEDIUM SHOT of Julien, utterly unaffected by Tuze's attitude toward him, or for that matter, Marz's defense of him. He simply cares about nothing but himself - - or so he would like everyone to think.
12.4 CONTINUED
England? Who said anything about England?
I'm off to our neighbor to the east, Cambodia! A magical land where a lunchtime shag of an inviting 13-year-old costs just two of your American dollars!
12.5
Julien is walking away. He had walked about 20 yards down the street, striding out of their lives forever as Marz and Tuze stand and watch him, dumbfounded. Without turning around, he waves farewell, waving his ticket to Cambodia in his hand.
Don't try to stop me! My mind is quite made up!
Pleasure to have made your acquaintance. Good bye.
I wanted to chase him, tackle him. Give him to the cops myself. But what was one pedophile, more or less, in Bangkok? Or Cambodia?
Why was I feeling so empty?
PAGE THIRTEEN
13.1 INT. ORIENTAL HOTEL ROOM - AFTERNOON
Back in their room at the Oriental. We are MEDIUM CLOSE on Tuze, looking over Marz's shoulder. They're having sex in some kind of upright position it seems, though we can't tell exactly from this tight shot. (For the record, they are nude.) We see Tuze leaning back, her head turned about one-quarter to the right and her eyes closed. Her right arm is thrown over the back of the sofa. As we'll see in the upcoming panels, this the same sofa where they left Taeng to nap when they went off to the Oriental spa (on page 13 of issue 3). All we see of Marz is the back of his left shoulder and the back of his head - - the left half of it, anyway.
We went back to the Oriental where what was supposed to be celebratory lovemaking. . .
13.2
Reverse the angel here so we are looking over Tuze at Marz. Marz is into it, concentrating on the act at hand, looking down at Tuze's body. But Tuze's head is turned away, to the point where she's looking at us - - more importantly, away from him. She leans back on the sofa, but her expression is not registering pleasure. It's closer to sadness. A kind of melancholy. We can tell that her mind is elsewhere. Marz, at this point, is oblivious to her quickly diminishing interest.
. . .felt more like consolation sex. A sad kind of sex.
13.3
PULL BACK. Our POV is from behind Marz, from across the room. We see the whole scene. He is on his knees at the edge of the couch. Tuze is lying back on the couch, her legs pushed forward, one leg extending on each side of him. Her head is still back on the sofa, as in the last panel, but she is shielding her eyes with her right hand. Her hand is on her forehead, as if she has a headache.
But after a few minutes. . .