https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96CiaMiDx1o&t=49s
THE PURPLE ORCHID
Written by THIEN MARSHALL THACH
WGA #1366909
INT. HOTEL - BATH ROOM -DAY 1
Camera angles on a FAUCET filling water on three quarters
filled-bathtub.
CUT TO:
(BOTTOM VIEW) One PURPLE ORCHID lands on the water one at a
time.
CUT TO:
Sommer, a 22 years-old woman with agoraphobia, is embraced by
400 petals of PURPLE ORCHID (having a purple orchid bath).
A MENTAL RELIEVING MUSIC is heard as Sommer slides her entire
body into the orchids.
[This mental relieving music is the MOTIF of which is played
again in THE KILLING FIELDS scene].
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL BEDROOM - DAY.
Sommer dries her hair with a HOTEL WHITE TOWER and wraps
herself in HOTEL WHITE TOWEL as she enters hotel room whose
curtains are completely SHUT.
Camera slowly angles on a hotel PHONE off-hook.
A CALENDAR shows daily activities she is to follow, a
MEDICATION BOX, KERCOPES (MONKEY), and a LARGE PIECE OF CLOTH
(used as cocooning) displaying on bed.
CUT TO:
Sommer is sitting at a desk emailing her THERAPIST-MOTHER.
Next to her LAPTOP is a CRYSTAL CLEAR VASE, full of neatly
arranged PURPLE ORCHIDS.
SOMMER (V.O.)
Dear mother, how are you? I’m fine.
I arrived safely in the city of
Phnom Penh. The overnight VIP bus
from Siam Reap was most
comfortable. I checked into a
wonderful hotel situated in the
heart of the city. The plan has
been working well. The cocoon
therapy was well enclosed and
protected. The purple orchid bath
gets me feeling grandma’s presence.
(CONTINUED)
Sleeping pills helped me sleep on
the flight over the Pacific Ocean.
The pills also made the 5 hour-ride
from Siam Reap tranquil. KERCOPES
was of course on my back all the
time. I can’t imagine travel
without him.
Upon my arrival friendly hotel
staff welcomed me and walked me to
the hotel. I wish you were here so
we could have enjoyed the historic
attractions together.
Today is the last day of my trip. I
am about to attempt the impossible.
Riding on a tuktuk. I feel so
vulnerable. Its a short ride, so I
will not cocoon in public, too
embarrassing. No sleeping tablets
for such a short ride either. I
must stay cogent at all times.
The tuktuk ride is a nerve-racking
experience. The incomplete
enclosure traumatizes me, as danger
could come from any direction. You
know how it is when I become
anxious. But don’t worry Ill manage
it. I will tell you how it goes
tonight.
Love Sommer
CUT TO:
2 INT. HOTEL BEDROOM - DAY 2
Sommer slowly walks to the curtains. Through (REVERSE SHOT) a
crack-open, she peeks through the window. There is a few
TUKTUKs idling down on the street.
CUT TO:
3 INT. HOTEL BEDROOM -CONTINUE 3
Sommer inserts MODULAR CONNECTOR onto the phone and dials the
TELEPHONE on the NIGHT-STAND.
SOMMER
Hi, this is Sommer, room 201. I’d
like to book a tour of the city on
a tuktuk this afternoon.
(CONTINUED)
2.
FRONT DESK (V.O.)
Of course. I’m more than happy to
assist you. When do you plan to go?
Can it be ready in 30 minutes?
FRONT DESK (V.O.)
No problems. I’ll have a tuktuk in
the front waiting for you.
SOMMER
Thanks.
FRONT DESK
Thank you. I’m glad to be of your
services.
After she gets dressed, places Kercopes on her shoulders,
removes one of the orchids in the crystal vase, then
carefully places it in her pocket.
CUT TO:
4 EXT. IN FRONT OF HOTEL - NOON 4
Sommer with Kercopes on her back exits the main entrance
where is JAY, a CAMBODIAN MAN at his early 30s,
enthusiastically greeting her.
JAY
Good morning miss.
SOMMER
You meant “good afternoon”!
JAY
Yes, good afternoon! (Beat) My name
is Chhay, your tuktuk driver. You
can call me “JAY.”
SOMMER
Hi Jay.
They walk to a tuktuk (following shot).
(CONTINUED)
3.
JAY
What is your name? (Beat) May I
ask?
SOMMER
Sommer.
JAY
Miss “SUMMER.” Is it your first
time to Cambodia?
SOMMER
My name is SOMMER, not SUMMER.
Jay struggles pronouncing her name.
JAY
Sorry. Miss S...ou..mer.
SOMMER
Sommer! Just call me Sommer.
Handing a TOUR-MAP to Sommer as they are walking toward the
tuktuk (following shot).
JAY
Here are the city tour highlights.
We’ll visit Toul Sleng museum last.
(Beat) Do you know what Toul Sleng
museum is?
SOMMER
What...
JAY
It is the GENOCIDE museum...
SOMMER
No.
(CONTINUED)
4.
JAY
Really? Toul Sleng Genocide museum
is a must visit on the list.
SOMMER
No.
JAY
Here is my tuktuk.
Sommer stares the tuktuk, withdrawing.
JAY
Something wrong?
SOMMER
Can you get another one?
JAY
What’s wrong with this one?
SOMMER
It is... unsafe...
JAY
My tuktuk is safe as any tuktuks.
Pointing at a tuktuk nearby on which it has metal-wire
fencing around it.
SOMMER
I want something like that one.
JAY
That?
SOMMER
Yes.
JAY
You don’t like mine?
(CONTINUED)
5.
SOMMER
Not that I don’t like it, but...
JAY
Oh...huh... Let me see... wait a
second.
Jay unfolds the weather-covers and secures them onto the
tuktuk.
JAY
Is it OK now miss SUMMER?
SOMMER
Sommer!
JAY
(struggling)
Yes, miss Su....So...
SOMMER
Sommer please.
JAY
Please hop on.
Sommer slowly gets on the tuktuk.
JAY
You need help?
SOMMER
I’m all right.
Waiting until she completely gets on the tuktuk.
JAY
Ready?
SOMMER
Ready.
(CONTINUED)
6.
JAY
Enjoy the ride!
CUT TO:
5 EXT. STREET OF PHNOM PENH - DAY 5
A montage of the streets of Phnom Penh as the tuktuk passes
the Independent Monument, the Royal Palace, the River
Front...
Camera angles on Sommer’s hands -on one hand, it grabs very
tight to the tuktuk; on the other is on Kercopes.
CUT TO:
The tuktuk is circling the Wat Phnom, there suddenly a woman
on the street passes a NEATLY WRAPPED INFANT in a KROMA onto
Sommer’s arms. The woman quickly runs into an alley nearby.
Moment of fleshly contacting with the baby, Sommer feels
strong and empowered. Her fears and anxieties dissipates as
if this is her found healing.
After a moment of delightful experience, she shouts at Jay.
SOMMER
Jay! Jay! What is it?
Jay stops the tuktuk. Summer immediately jumps off the
tuktuk.
SOMMER
What? How did I do that?
Studying the baby.
SOMMER
It must be you.
JAY
What is this?
SOMMER
The baby! The baby! What am I going
to with the baby!
(CONTINUED)
7.
JAY
What?
SOMMER
Someone just tossed this baby at
me!
By this time we see the woman is about to disappear into an
alley nearby.
JAY
I’ll be right back.
Camera angles on the infant on Sommer’s arms, smiling.
The infant’s POV on Sommer’s delightful smiling face.
SOMMER
Hey pretty. What did you do to me?
JAY
Sorry miss SUMMER.
SOMMER
Sommer!
JAY
Yes, (struggling) miss
Suu.....oooomer, I couldn’t catch
her.
SOMMER
Call me SOMMER, please.
JAY
(frustration)
Sommer! Sommer! Sommer! I must
remember it.
SOMMER
What am I to do with the baby?
(Beat) hum... I was thinking of...
(CONTINUED)
8.
JAY
Right! Let’s bring the baby to a
nearby local authority. I know one
a few blocks from here.
SOMMER
OK.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Hey pretty. What am I to do with
you?
Sommer spots RASHES on the infant as she fixes the kroma.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Measles!
She feels the infant temperature.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Fever! She is having... Jay, the
baby is having fever!
JAY
What?
SOMMER
We need to bring her to see a
doctor! Do you know any?
JAY
A doctor?
SOMMER
Yeah, a doctor or a hospital nearby
or whatever...
JAY
OK.
CUT TO:
9.
6 EXT. NGO CLINIC, FRONT 6
Jay stops his tuktuk in front of an NGO (Non-Governmental
Organization) CLINIC.
JAY
This is it.
Sommer jumps off the tuktuk. Delightfully looking at the
baby.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
It must be you!
7 INT. NGO CLINIC, WAITING ROOM - DAY 7
Sommer strides into the waiting room. There is a ROSA, an
American nurse who is running the NGO clinic, talking to
someone on the phone, and a few patients, one of whom is a
non-Cambodian patient, in the room. Rosa signs Sommer to wait
while talking on the phone with someone.
ROSA
Absolutely, she is adorable. You
will love her. Sure, I’ll be seeing
both tomorrow.
Rosa hangs up the phone in a very good mood.
ROSA
(cheerfully)
Oh hi. I am nurse Rosa. What’s
wrong with the baby?
SOMMER
She’s having measles. I think she
is having chickenpox.
Visually checking on the baby.
ROSA
Oh my! Please follow me.
The NON-CAMBODIAN MAN suddenly gets off his seat, protesting.
(CONTINUED)
10.
NON-CAMBODIAN
Hey... What’s going on? I am having
diarrhea here.
Rosa turns around warning.
ROSA
Chicken pox!
NON-CAMBODIAN
What! Chicken pox?
The man blocks his nose and runs away.
CUT TO:
8 INT. CLINIC, EXAM ROOM -DAY 8
Sommer follows Rosa to an exam room.
SOMMER
I like your happy spirit. It is
surely contagious.
ROSA
That’s good right?
SOMMER
Yes it is.
Can’t hold on to her excitement.
ROSA
I’m commissioned to help an
American couple adopt a baby girl
in Cambodia.
SOMMER
That’s wonderful.
ROSA
They are very excited about it.
They are flying to Cambodia,
(pause).
(CONTINUED)
11.
They’ll actually be in Phnom Penh
tomorrow night. They can’t wait to
see the baby.
CUT TO:
9 INT. NGO CLINIC, EXAM-ROOM -DAY 9
They enter exam-room.
ROSA
Please place her here.
Visually checking on the infant’s skin, Rosa’s face seems
puzzling momentarily.
ROSA
Let me check her temperature.
Rosa inserts a THERMOMETER in the infant’s. Shortly, a BEEP
is heard.
SOMMER
How is it?
ROSA
39!
SOMMER
39?
ROSA
Oh, we’re using Celsius. It’s
around 102.
SOMMER
102?
ROSA
Right. Let me give her some liquid
Tylenol help bring her temperature
down. (Beat) Can you wait in the
waiting room. I’ll be right out in
a minute.
(CONTINUED)
12.
SOMMER
Sure.
CUT TO:
10 INT. NGO CLINIC, WAITING ROOM -DAY 10
Jay enters the room while Sommer is reading the Phnom Penh
Post.
JAY
What happened to the little girl?
SOMMER
She is not good. She is having
chickenpox.
JAY
Is she going to be OK?
SOMMER
I don’t know. I hope so.
JAY
Do you still need me?
SOMMER
Of course, I do.
JAY
I’ll be in the front waiting for
you.
SOMMER
You can stay, if you want.
JAY
OK.
Shortly after Jay settles on a chair, Rosa reappears.
(CONTINUED)
13.
ROSA
She is not well. I’ll keep her here
until she completely recovers.
(Beat)What part of the States are
you from?
SOMMER
Santa Barbara, California.
ROSA
Los Angeles, here. (Beat) What are
you to the infant?
SOMMER
Oh, nothing. My name is Sommer. I
am... It was just...
Jay chimes in.
JAY
Some crazy woman on the street
tossed this baby at her.
ROSA
Hah! I wouldn’t surprise. (Beat)
Are you sure you don’t know the
woman?
SOMMER
No. I don’t! I don’t even know how
she looks like. She approached the
tuktuk, and passed the baby onto my
arms, then quickly disappeared into
an alley nearby. This is Jay.
JAY
Hi, I’m her tuktuk driver.
ROSA
Hi Jay. I’m glad you guys brought
her here.
SOMMER
We should thank Jay rather.
(CONTINUED)
14.
JAY
I’m glad I can help.
SOMMER
How long do you think she must stay
here?
ROSA
That depends how fast she recovers.
It could be a couple of days. She
needs a lot of rest, liquid, and
liquid Tylenol every four hours.
SOMMER
I am not sure what to do with the
baby. Any suggestions? Maybe I
could bring her to a local
authority.
ROSA
There are many babies abandoned in
Cambodia every year. It’s very
unlikely she is a priority.
SOMMER
What am I to do with her?
ROSA
A home for orphanage is a choice.
SOMMER
Do you know any?
ROSA
A few!
SOMMER
And you can help?
ROSA
I could.
(CONTINUED)
15.
SOMMER
I wish I could do more.
ROSA
You have done a lot already.
SOMMER
Thank so much for your help.
ROSA
I’m doing my job.
SOMMER
I know that she’s ill, but I’d love
to visit her again this afternoon.
Is that OK?
ROSA
(reluctant)
Of course you can. We all love
kids, don’t we?
SOMMER
I believe so, but this one is
different.
ROSA
Yes, she is very different.
SOMMER
No, I mean different in a
mysterious way. (Beat) Can I bring
anything?
ROSA
What do you mean “mysterious way”?
SOMMER
I’m sure what it was but I’ll find
out later.
(CONTINUED)
16.
ROSA
I guest the Kingdom is full of
mysteries, isn’t it?.
SOMMER
I guest. (Beat) Can I bring
anything?
ROSA
Oh sure. Milk, baby water bottles.
Diapers would be nice. We accept
monetary donations as well.
SOMMER
I guess I can handle that. Can I
see her before I leave?
ROSA
Sure. Come on.
Rosa leads her to the room where the infant staying.
SOMMER
Hey little precious. I just want
you to know, I’ll come back to see
you later this afternoon.
Sommer wears her orchid onto the infant’s.
SOMMER
How about that? This is what my
grandmother wore on me when I was
having measles like you. She said
it would help accelerate my
recovery, and it did. I’m sure it
will work for you too. Hum... what
should I call you... “Orchid!” Yes,
that’s it.
ROSA
Orchid! That’s pretty name for a
girl.
SOMMER
It is my grandma’s.
(CONTINUED)
17.
ROSA
Oh, I see.
SOMMER
Isn’t she adorable?
ROSA
She’s precious!
SOMMER
All right. I’ll be back a few
hours. Maybe around 3. Of course
with the baby supplies.
ROSA
Thank you. I’ll see you later. Oh,
I need your contact information
just in case.
SOMMER
Good idea. I am staying at (PRODUCT
PLACEMENT, A BUSINESS CARD WITH
LOGO) hotel.
CUT TO:
11 INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY 11
Sommer sits in front of her laptop sending e-mail to her
mother.
SOMMER (V.O.)
Dear mother,
You wouldn’t believe how excited it
was today. While I was struggling
to remain calm on the ride, there a
strange woman approached the tuktuk
then tossed an infant girl into my
arms. The moment of having the
infant in my arms, it was like
magic. My anxieties and fears
immediately dissipated. I felt so
strong and empowered as if I could
confidently ride on an elephant.
There is a SOFT SOUND of a text message in her SUITCASE.
(CONTINUED)
18.
SOMMER
Mom!
She pulls her cell from the suitcase, and dials.
SOMMER
Mom.
MOTHER (V.O.)
How did it go love?
SOMMER
I...I did it mother!
MOTHER (V.O.)
You did! Oh that’s great! I am very
proud of you.
SOMMER
But not...not...entirely though.
MOTHER
What do you mean love?
Sommer tries to describe about the incident, but she is
emotionally unable to.
SOMMER
I’ll...I’ll... email you about it
mother.
MOTHER (V.O.)
Take a deep breath and relax...
SOMMER
I’m trying mother.
The HOTEL PHONE rings disrupting their conversation.
MOTHER
I am hearing phone ringing in the
background.
(CONTINUED)
19.
Sommer blocks her ears.
MOTHER (V.O.)
(urging)
Sommer! Don’t panic! Pick up the
phone and hang it up, quickly.
Sommer picks it up and slams quickly it back on the cradle.
MOTHER (V.O.)
Sommer. Are you all right? What is
going on honey?
SOMMER
Would...would you... excuse me
mother?
MOTHER (V.O.)
Sommer wait! What’s going on?
Sommer nervously dials the FRONT DESK.
FRONT DESK
Front desk, how can I help you?
SOMMER
This is Sommer, room 201. Did you
just call?
FRONT DESK (V.O.)
That was a phone call from someone
named Rosa.
SOMMER
Rosa?
Back to cell.
SOMMER
Mother, I’ll call you back?
MOTHER (V.O.)
Wait! You’re worrying me Sommer.
(CONTINUED)
20.
SOMMER
Mom, I’ll call you back!
Back to the FRONT DESK.
SOMMER
Could I talk to her?
FRONT DESK
She hang up. Just hold on a second,
I’ll call you back.
SOMMER
OK, thanks.
FRONT DESK
No problems.
Staring at the phone, very anxious.
Shortly, we hear the phone rings. Sommer quickly picks it up.
FRONT DESK
Here’s miss Rosa.
SOMMER
Please put her on. Thanks.
FRONT DESK
Sure.
ROSA (V.O.)
Sommer?
SOMMER
Yes.
ROSA (V.O.)
Hi, this is Rosa from the clinic.
SOMMER
Hi, is there something wrong?
(CONTINUED)
21.
ROSA (V.O.)
The baby has been stolen!
SOMMER
What? By who?
ROSA (V.O.)
By her mother.
SOMMER
Her mother? How do you know that
was her mother?
ROSA (V.O.)
She said so.
SOMMER
And you believe her?
ROSA (V.O.)
No! I don’t.
SOMMER
Did you call the police?
ROSA (V.O.)
Calling the police? You’re in
Cambodia remember? Children are the
least priority. Besides, I have
patients to care of.
SOMMER
What do we do?
ROSA (V.O.)
I wouldn’t worry. I’m sure she will
be OK with her mother.
SOMMER
But she’s having chickenpox.
(CONTINUED)
22.
ROSA
I know but...
SOMMER
Uh... I... I... need to find out
about... before I...
ROSA
She’s gonna be OK with her mother,
Sommer. She knows what to do.
SOMMER
No. Otherwise, she wouldn’t abandon
her child at the first place.
ROSA
You’ll be alright Sommer. I have to
take care of patients. I was nice
meeting you. You have a great trip
home.
SOMMER
But...
Rosa hangs up the phone.
Sommer redials the front desk.
SOMMER
Hi, this is Sommer, room 201. Is
Jay still around?
FRONT DESK
Who? Jay?
SOMMER
Yes, Jay, the tuktuk driver.
FRONT DESK
No, he is not at the moment. How
can I help you? What I can help you
with? Do you need a ride?
(CONTINUED)
23.
SOMMER
Yes, I do. I need Jay, sort of
urgent. Is he around?
FRONT DESK
Not really. Let me see what I can
do. I’ll call you right back.
SOMMER
I... I... think I should call you.
FRONT DESK
No problems. Just give me a few
minutes.
Walking back and forth in the room then the window. She
anxiously stares down on the street through a crack-open of
the curtains.
The phone rings again. She picks up the phone quickly.
SOMMER
I am supposed to call you!
JAY (V.O.)
Hi, this is Jay. Did you call?
SOMMER
(calmly)
Oh Jay. Can you take me back to the
clinic?
JAY
What? I thought you said around
3PM.
SOMMER
I know. Could you?
JAY
Of course. I’ll be there in 10
minutes.
(CONTINUED)
24.
SOMMER
Great, see you.
Back to her unfinished email, she types.
SOMMER
Sorry mother, something is coming
up. I’ll tell you all about it
later.
Love - Sommer.
CUT TO:
12 EXT. IN FRONT OF NGO CLINIC - DAY 12
Unlike last time with the baby, she gets on the tuktuk is not
as easy. Jay watching on.
JAY
Can I help?
CUT TO:
13 INT. NGO CLINIC, FRONT - AFTERNOON 13
Jay pulls to a complete stop in front of the clinic.
Sommer runs straight in.
SOMMER
Rosa! It’s me, Sommer.
She repeatedly fingers the BELL. Shortly, Rosa appears from
the back, appearing very upset.
ROSA
Oh, you again.
SOMMER
Did you hear anything about the
baby?
ROSA
No.
(CONTINUED)
25.
SOMMER
Do you know where she took the baby
to?
ROSA
I don’t Sommer. She came in and
said she was the mother of the
infant.
SOMMER
How did you know for sure she was
the mother?
ROSA
No, I didn’t. She came in and said
she was Orchid’s mother who passed
her baby to a Western woman on a
tuktuk this morning. (Beat) Does it
sound familiar to you?
SOMMER
What do you mean?
ROSA
That western woman must have been
you, right?
SOMMER
Did you tell about her Orchid’s
condition?
ROSA
(displeasure)
Of course! That’s my job. She was
very upset. She cried and said that
she made a mistake, and how bad she
felt after giving her baby away.
And she feared of her “alcoholic
abusive husband” who she said would
beat her up severely... blablba...
So I let her stay to attend Orchid
momentarily, but by the time I cam
back, ugh! (Beat) You wanna come
in?
(CONTINUED)
26.
SOMMER
Sure.
In the patient room, Sommer spots the orchid she wore on the
infant earlier on the floor, she picks it up.
SOMMER
I’m worrying for her. What do we
do? Shouldn’t you report to the
police about the kidnap?
ROSA
Bad things happen sometimes. My
advice to you is to go home and
forget all about it.
SOMMER
But...
CUT TO:
14 INT. NGO CLINIC, WAITING ROOM -AFTERNOON 14
As Sommer walks out of the exam-room.
JAY
Any luck?
(Overlap)
JAY
I’m so sorry miss.
SOMMER
Sommer!
JAY
What can I do to help?
SOMMER
Yes, you can help. Please take me
to the rest of the tour. We still
have time right?
JAY
Certainly.
As if she remembers something.
(CONTINUED)
27.
SOMMER
Jay can you wait a second.
She runs back to Rosa.
SOMMER
Rosa!
ROSA
I’m in here.
SOMMER
I need to talk to you.
ROSA
Do you?
CUT TO:
15 INT. NGO CLINIC, OFFICE - AFTERNOON 15
ROSA
Tell me what’s on your mind.
SOMMER
I... I mean Orchid is... Do you
believe in magic?
ROSA
What magic?
SOMMER
Magic. You know magic.
ROSA
No. I don’t!
SOMMER
You know sometimes things happen
with great surprises.
(CONTINUED)
28.
ROSA
(sarcastic)
Oh, you mean magic like Jesus
Christ heals the Canaanite woman.
Right?
SOMMER
(confused)
Yes... healing... something like
that.
ROSA
It’s never happened to me. So I
wouldn’t know.
SOMMER
Never?
ROSA
No.
Sommer looks around, pointing to an ILLUSTRATION OF BRAINS
posted on the wall.
SOMMER
How about that? That brain can not
speak but it can show, right?
ROSA
I’m a nurse. I’m not sure your
point.
SOMMER
OK. I am the... the... Canaada
woman.
ROSA
Canaanite (emphasis) woman! Not
Canaada woman.
SOMMER
I’m the Canaa...nite woman.
(CONTINUED)
29.
ROSA
Wait! Why you’re telling me this. I
ain’t no Jesus Christ, and I ain’t
give no miracle.
SOMMER
I am... a person with...
agoraphobia.
ROSA
Oh, agoraphobia! I couldn’t tell.
(Beat) But what is that to do with
anything?
SOMMER
You know it wasn’t easy for me to
fly across the Pacific Ocean just
to be here...
ROSA
So?
SOMMER
I need your help... please.
ROSA
What kind of help?
SOMMER
I’m sure you must have lived years
in Cambodia. You know the areas,
the people, and...
ROSA
You mean helping you to search for
the baby Orchid?
SOMMER
Didn’t I say that already?
ROSA
No. You did not.
(CONTINUED)
30.
SOMMER
I thought I did. Yes, could you?
ROSA
Didn’t I tell you to go home and
forget everything.
SOMMER
Go home? Of course, I am going home
but it’s tomorrow.
ROSA
This is Cambodia. This is not a
place for someone with agoraphobia.
SOMMER
What do you mean?
ROSA
What I mean is that (beat) did you
just have the HAPPY PIZZA.
SOMMER
Happy Pizza?
ROSA
Sure you did.
SOMMER
No. I don’t know what it is you’re
referring to.
ROSA
Because this is Cambodia! The
country that is full of dangers.
Kidnaps. Deceases. Chaos.
Uncertainties...(Stuttering)
corruption.
SOMMER
Exactly! That is all I want. I want
dangers! Kidnaps! Deceases! Chaos!
Uncertainties! And corruption!
(CONTINUED)
31.
(Reaction shot on Rosa)
ROSA
Go get some happy pizza. You will
get everything.
SOMMER
Sorry. I don’t eat pizza. (Beat)
Wait! We’re talking about helping
me to search for Orchid, right?
ROSA
Exactly. The happy pizza will help
you on the search.
SOMMER
Honestly, I...
ROSA
Come on. I have work to do.
SOMMER
I don’t know what it is but at the
moment of having Orchid in my arms.
I felt so strong and empowered. I
mean it was just like miracle. My
fears and anxieties suddenly
dissolved.
ROSA
Oh that. That’s called a
“sensational experience,” which is
very common.
SOMMER
A sensational experience?
ROSA
Who wouldn’t feel strong and
empowered by the little, soft,
fragile, and harmless of an infant
in her arms.
Studying Sommer’s skeptical look.
(CONTINUED)
32.
ROSA
Experiment it yourself, then tell
me how you feel.
SOMMER
Maybe... you’re right. (Beat) Can I
start from here?
ROSA
Legally, I don’t think it is a good
idea.
SOMMER
Where would you suggest if not
here?
ROSA
Anywhere. On the streets, at
Riverside, New Market or something.
I’m sure Jay can help you.
CUT TO:
16 EXT. RIVER FRONT, SIDEWALK, AFTERNOON 16
Sommer approaches a Cambodian couple with an INFANT in a
STROLLER.
SOMMER
Excuse me. Is it your first?
THE FATHER
Yes, he is our first.
Sommer sits down playing with the infant.
SOMMER
Hey handsome, how are you doing?
SOMMER (CONT’D)
How old is he?
THE FATHER
Eight months.
(CONTINUED)
33.
SOMMER
He’s so cute. Do you think... do
you mind if I could hold him for a
second? I love kids.
The father turns to his wife.
THE FATHER
(Khmer)
She asks if she could hold her.
THE MOTHER
(Khmer)
I don’t see that’s a problem.
The mother picks up the infant and gives her to Sommer.
SOMMER
My name is Sommer. What’s his name?
THE FATHER
Hanuman!
THE MOTHER
(Khmer)
Don’t call my child “monkey!”
SOMMER
What did she say?
THE FATHER
My wife doesn’t like me to call him
“monkey.” (Beat) oh you got one on
your back.
SOMMER
Its name is Kercopes.
THE FATHER
My son’s name is Seiha.
(CONTINUED)
34.
SOMMER
Seiha. Does it mean anything?
THE FATHER
It means I think is “August.”
SOMMER
That is a good name for boy.
(Giving the infant back the mother)
He is a good looking little man.
Thank you.
THE FATHER
Thank you.
SOMMER
Enjoy the walk.
Sommer by herself keeps strolling along the riverside until
she sees a woman carrying a baby girl.
SOMMER
Hi. Is that your pretty girl?
The woman smiles broadly.
THE WOMAN
(Khmer)
I don’t understand what you’re
saying.
JAY
(Khmer)
Is it a girl?
THE WOMAN
(Khmer)
She is.
She sticks her hands out.
(CONTINUED)
35.
SOMMER
May I?
The woman giggles, then passes the baby girl to Sommer.
Having the baby girl in her arms, she appears weary.
After giving the baby girl back to the mother, she heads back
to the tuktuk where Jay is waiting.
JAY
No? We can go to the children
hospital near Wat Phnom.
SOMMER
Thanks. I’m really tired. Please
take me back to the hotel.
CUT TO:
17 EXT. HOTEL FRONT - LATER AFTERNOON 17
The tuktuk pulls to a complete stop in front of the hotel.
Sommer cautiously gets off the tuktuk, then hands two 20
dollar bills to Jay.
SOMMER
Is it OK?
JAY
It is more than OK mmm...
He is about to say “MISS,” but he leaves it unfinished.
SOMMER
Thank you.
JAY
(giggle)
Anytime.
SOMMER
Thanks for the tour.
(CONTINUED)
36.
JAY
Thank you.
She walks into the hotel entrance, Jay calls after.
JAY (CONT’D)
Are you sure you don’t want to
search for the baby?
SOMMER
Riding on a tuktuk, I am very
fulfilling. (Beat) I’ll be flying
home tomorrow.
JAY
Oh. You need a ride to the airport
tomorrow?
SOMMER
Oh. I am planning to take taxi to
the airport. Yeah on a tuktuk. Why
not?
JAY
What time is your flight?
SOMMER
4:25PM, but you need to be here by
1.
JAY
Sure. I’ll be here by 1PM.
Jay hands a business CARD with his cell number on.
JAY (CONT’D)
Here’s my number. Just in case.
SOMMER
Thanks.
37.
18 INT. HOTEL LOBBY - LATE AFTERNOON 18
Sommer walks toward the front desk to get the key to her
room.
SOMMER
Room 201 please.
FRONT DESK
You have a message from your
mother.
SOMMER
My mother?
The FRONT DESK nods, giving her a HAND WRITTEN MESSAGE and
the key.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Thanks.
CUT TO:
19 INT. HOTEL BED ROOM - LATER THAT DAY 19
Sommer dials her cell.
SOMMER
Mom!
MOTHER
Oh, I am so happy to hear from you.
Is there everything OK.
SOMMER
Yes. Everything is OK.
MOTHER
I was worrying about you.
SOMMER
Oh, nothing to worry about it
mother.
(CONTINUED)
38.
MOTHER
So tell me what happened with the
baby?
SOMMER
Oh, she has been taken care of
mother.
MOTHER
What about the magic you mentioned
on the e-mail?
SOMMER
Nothing mother.
MOTHER
Are you sure? It sounds wonderful,
you said you felt you could ride on
an “elephant.” You wouldn’t say
something like that unless...
SOMMER
It could be just my illusion.
MOTHER
Illusion? (Beat) How the tuktuk
ride?
SOMMER
(very emotional)
Great.
MOTHER
You did it?
SOMMER
Yes. I did.
MOTHER
That’s great accomplishment Sommer.
I am very proud of you.
(CONTINUED)
39.
MOTHER
I am very proud of you. I can’t
wait to hear all about it.
SOMMER
I’ll tell you more about it.
MOTHER
I’ll see you tomorrow.
SOMMER
Yes mother.
MOTHER
Call me anytime love.
SOMMER
I will.
Sommer walks back and forth in the room, unsettled.
Sommer intensely looks at the purple orchid in her hand.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
There is something about her.
She spots a SHOPPING BAG.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
The baby supplies! I forgot all
about this.
She nervously connects the phone cord into the jack, then
dials.
ROSA(V.O.)
Rosa here!
SOMMER
Oh, Rosa. This is Sommer.
(CONTINUED)
40.
ROSA
Oh Sommer! I am so happy that you
call. Any luck?
SOMMER
No. Not really.
ROSA
I’m sorry to hear that. What time
you’re leaving tomorrow?
SOMMER
I got the baby supplies, but I
forgot all about it. Can I could
drop it off later?
ROSA
That is very nice.
SOMMER
I’ll be there in an hour or so.
ROSA
No no... don’t worry. You can leave
it at the front desk. I’ll have
someone to pick it up tomorrow.
SOMMER
Please I insist. I don’t have
anything to do anyway. I’ll see
you.
ROSA
You don’t have to Sommer. Enjoy
your last day in Phnom Penh.
She hangs up, and calls Jay.
JAY (V.O.)
Hello.
(CONTINUED)
41.
SOMMER
Jay! This is Sommer. I need to go
back to the clinic.
JAY
Again?
SOMMER
Yes.
JAY
I am having customers now, but I’ll
be there maybe 20 minutes.
SOMMER
Please hurry.
CUT TO:
20 EXT. IN FRONT OF NGO CLINIC - LATE AFTERNOON 20
Sommer enters the clinic with the shopping bag.
SOMMER
Rosa.
SOMMER
No. Not at all. (Beat) Any news
from Orchid?
ROSA
No. Not a thing.
Behind them, we see Jay talking a few parents outside.
Sommer hands the shopping bag to Rosa.
ROSA
It should be that much trouble.
SOMMER
No. Not at all.
Jay runs in the waiting and shouts.
(CONTINUED)
42.
JAY
Cheoung Ek!
ROSA
What?
JAY
I know Choeung Ek. The mother took
her there.
Rosa stays frozen.
ROSA
Wait! Who... told you that?
JAY
One of the parents in the front. He
said he had a brief talk with the
mother whose name is Serey Pich,
and she lives in Cheoung Ek. It is
an hour from here. I can take her
there.
SOMMER
Where is Cheoung Ek?
JAY
An hour from here.
Rosa protests.
ROSA
No. Don’t listen to him. You...
don’t want to go to Cheoung Ek.
SOMMER
Why not?
To Jay.
ROSA
Jay. Why don’t you go out for a
cigarette?
(CONTINUED)
43.
JAY
I don’t smoke but eat happy pizza.
ROSA
Would you excuse us?
JAY
Sure.
Jay leaves the waiting room.
ROSA
Do you know what Cheoung Ek is?
SOMMER
Not really.
ROSA
Hold on a second.
Rosa returns with a PAMPHLET of Cheoung Ek.
ROSA
Here is Cheoung Ek.
Showing the pamphlet with images of bones and skulls on
abandon grounds.
Sommer looks away.
SOMMER
I thought it was about a movie?
ROSA
No. It’s not. It is an actual place
where hundreds of people were
executed by the Khmer Rouge.
Studying Sommer’s hiding her fears.
ROSA
I don’t think this is a place you
want to go.
(CONTINUED)
44.
SOMMER
But Jay will help me.
ROSA
Do you trust him?
SOMMER
I trust him.
ROSA
Being a person who lives and works
here long I wanna tell you this.
Cambodia rural is not a safe place.
Especially in this hour.
SOMMER
But Jay said it is an hour from
here.
ROSA
I know but I don’t want you to end
up death like...
SOMMER
You mean I shouldn’t go?
ROSA
Absolutely!
Jay runs in disrupting their talk.
JAY
Come on. It’s getting dark.
Rosa becomes furious.
ROSA
How are you gonna find her?
JAY
Oh, Cheoung Ek is a small village.
Everyone knows every one. We’ll
find her easily.
(CONTINUED)
45.
ROSA
But Sommer is a person with
agoraphobia.
JAY
Don’t worry. I know a short cut. I
may take 40 minutes or so.
ROSA
Do you know what agoraphobia is?
Jay looks puzzled.
SOMMER
Rosa, when was the last time you
fed her Tylenol?
ROSA
Sommer, you’re not listening to me.
SOMMER
How long do we have? Please.
ROSA
Three hours ago.
SOMMER
Jay, we have an hour.
JAY
OK. Let’s go.
SOMMER
Wait! I need my bag.
Jay quickly gives her a little TOTE BAG.
JAY
Here. I got one.
Sommer puts a few diapers and bottles of milk and water.
(CONTINUED)
46.
SOMMER
Jay, can I borrow your cell?
Studying Sommer.
SOMMER
Can I?
JAY
My is an old one.
SOMMER
Can I?
Sommer looks for the cell timer.
JAY
What are you trying to do?
SOMMER
I’m looking for the timer.
JAY
Timer? Hold on.
Jay runs to his tuktuk, return with a TIMER, and hands it to
Sommer.
JAY
One of my customers left it behind.
What do you want to do with it?
After setting a 60 minute time on the timer, she turns to
Rosa.
SOMMER
What about Tylenol? Can I have some
Tylenol?
ROSA
We’re short on Tylenol.
(CONTINUED)
47.
SOMMER
Come on Rosa. We’re trying to save
a life here.
ROSA
You can get it at any pharmacies.
After pressing “start” button on the timer, she hands it to
Jay.
SOMMER
Jay. We have sixty minutes.
CUT TO:
21 EXT. PHNOM PENH STREET - LATE AFTERNOON 21
The tuktuk is heading out of the city.
SOMMER
(shouting)
Jay, you said you knew a short cut?
JAY
Yes, we are heading there. Are you
doing OK back there?
SOMMER
I’m OK.
CUT TO:
22 EXT. SMALL VILLAGE NEAR RAILROAD - LATER 22
Ten minutes later, they arrive at a small village with a few
thatch-houses scattered along a look-like abandon RAILROAD.
SOMMER
What? Is this Cheoung Ek.
JAY
No, it is not.
(CONTINUED)
48.
SOMMER
So what is it?
Jay’s cousin, SARUEN, a man at his 20s, approaches them.
SARUEN
(Khmer)
How do you do cousin!
JAY
(Khmer)
Good! How about you?
SARUEN
Good! I got everything ready.
Turning to Sommer.
JAY
This is my cousin, Sareun.
Sareun broadly smiles.
SARUEN
(say in backward)
WHO ARE YOAW?
Sommer puzzles.
JAY
He said it “how are you” backward
in Cambodian way.
SOMMER
Oh. Fine. I am Sommer.
SARUEN
I speak very little English.
(CONTINUED)
49.
SOMMER
You speak great! Nice meeting
you.(Beat) what are we doing here?
Jay and his cousin begin to place two PAIRS OF WHEEL on the
train track, secure a CRANK-SHAFT between them, then place a
BED-LIKE with an open-spot at one end.
Sommer watches them, and checks the timer.
SOMMER
46 minutes.
They carry a SMALL ENGINE and place it right in an open-slot
at one end of the bamboo-bed; then hook a belt from the
engine onto the crank-shaft.
They expertly assemble the pieces as if they’d done it many
times.
After a few cranks, the engine starts.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
What? Are we going to ride on this
thing?
JAY
We call it LORY. Some calls it
“bamboo bed.” Come on hop on.
SOMMER
No!
JAY
Come on. We don’t have time.
SOMMER
No! I can’t ride on this thing.
JAY
Why not? It’s going to be great!
SOMMER
No!
(CONTINUED)
50.
JAY
Come on! This is the only short
cut.
SOMMER
No! I thought we’d ride on the
tuktuk.
JAY
No. The tuktuk can’t go that far.
This is the only way.
SOMMER
No!
JAY
Come on. We are running out of
time. The baby needs medicine.
Jay jumps off the Lorry, extending an arm.
JAY
Come on. You can do it.
Sommer hesitates.
JAY (CONT’D)
There is no car in this village.
You have to get on.
SOMMER
You’re tricking me Jay. I thought
we’d ride on the tuktuk all the
way.
JAY
You’re right. I should have told
you.
SOMMER
I...I can’t.
(CONTINUED)
51.
JAY
Come on. You’ll be OK. I promise.
SOMMER
No!
JAY
What can I do to get you on the
bamboo?
SOMMER
Nothing.
SARUEN
(Khmer)
I don’t mind if you want to use my
motorbike.
JAY
What about riding on a motorbike?
SOMMER
A motorbike? No! No! No motorbike!
JAY
I understand it is sort of open,
but trust me. It is not that bad.
Just get on and close your eyes.
We’ll be there at no time. I
promise. Come on. (Insisting) Just
sit on it like you’re sitting on a
moving bed. That’s all. Come on.
Jay slowly and gently walks her to the bamboo train.
JAY (CONT’D)
See. It is not that bad. Right? Now
move a little bit to the middle.
Sommer closes her eyes tight.
JAY (CONT’D)
You’re doing OK.
(CONTINUED)
52.
Jay helps skid her to the middle.
JAY (CONT’D)
All right. Just sit tight and close
your eyes. I am starting the
engine.
The bamboo train begins to move slowly. She screams with a
panic attack.
Jay stops the engine and assists her off the bamboo.
JAY
I am sorry. What can I do?
Holding tight on Kercopes, she spots a PACKAGING PAPER BOX on
20 feet away on the ground.
SARUEN (KHMER)
That?
JAY
What?
CUT TO:
23 EXT. TRAIN TRACK - LATER 23
A DRONE SHOT angles on Jay and Sommer who sits in the
packaging paper box (PRODUCTION PLACEMENT).
CUT TO:
Sommer’s hands hold tight to the box, her eyes close tight,
experiences like riding on a “roller coaster.” After 3
minutes, she becomes calmer.
To ease her fears, Jay entertains her.
JAY
See. It is not that bad, right?
SOMMER
You said we’d be there in 20
minutes, right?
(CONTINUED)
53.
JAY
That’s right.
SOMMER
What would you do if the train is
coming?
JAY
Easy. We will stop and carry the
bamboo off the track, and let the
train pass.
SOMMER
Are you sure?
JAY
Sure. I grew up riding this thing
for a living. (Beat) do you want to
drive?
SOMMER
No! I don’t think so.
JAY
I am just curious. Why do you have
always carry the monkey on your
back?
SOMMER
Kercopes!
JAY
Kerc... we call it “hanuman.”
SOMMER
Kercopes.
JAY
Hanuman!
SOMMER
Kercopes!
(CONTINUED)
54.
JAY
OK...
FADE OUT.
24 EXT. CHEOUNG EK VILLAGE - SUNSET 24
The bamboo train slowly pulls to a complete stop in a small
village.
JAY
This is Cheoung Ek village.
After jumping off the bamboo, Jay assists her.
Her feet have already been on the ground, yet her eyes still
tightly close.
JAY (CONT’D)
Uh... we’re already on the ground.
You can open your eyes now.
Sommer can’t get up. Her legs become paralyzed.
Jay assists her to get up, unsuccessfully. He sits down next
to her, checks the timer counting down.
JAY
24 minutes. What do I do? Water!
He pulls one of baby bottles in the medical bag, and sprays
on Sommer’s face. Shortly, regaining her consciousness,
Sommer studies the surrounding.
SOMMER
Is it Cheoung Ek?
JAY (RELIEF)
Yes, it is.
Jay helps her get up.
JAY
This is the only street to the
railroad in the village. You can’t
get lost.
(CONTINUED)
55.
Sommer studies the dirt road both sides.
SOMMER
It is not what I imagined.
JAY
Like I said. It is very small.
Everyone knows everyone, I’m sure
we’ll find the mother at no time.
(Beat) are you ready?
Checking the timer.
JAY (CONT’D)
Hurry up. It’s getting dark.
After the word “dark”.
SOMMER
I want to sit down.
JAY
Let me help.
Sommer resists.
SOMMER
No, thanks. I need to sit down for
a minute.
CUT TO:
25 EXT. CHEOUNG EK, MAIN ROAD - BEFORE SUNSET 25
After a short walk, they stop at a LITTLE STORE along the
main road.
JAY
Let me ask.
There is seen SEREY PICH LITTLE (abusive husband’s second
wife) sitting behind a CIGARETTE COUNTER (PRODUCT PLACEMENT).
JAY (KHMER)
Hello. How are you?
(CONTINUED)
56.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
What can I sell you?
JAY (KHMER)
No, actually we’re looking for
Serey Pich. Do you know where she
lives?
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Here are two Srey Pichs in this
village. I am SEREY PICH OLDER
Little. What can I do for you?
To Sommer.
JAY
She’s SEREY PICH OLDER. Do you have
a little girl?
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Oh no. I have a baby boy. Maybe you
meant Serey Pich Older who has a
baby girl. She lives a few houses
down on the road.
JAY (KHMER)
That maybe her. (Beat) do you know
her?
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Know her? She is my husband second
wife.
JAY (KHMER)
What?
SEREY PICH LITTLE(KHMER)
Yeah. She is my husband’s second
wife. Poor Serey Pich. He always
beats her.
Turning to Sommer.
(CONTINUED)
57.
SEREY PICH LITTLE(KHMER)
Is this western woman from some
kind of family protection agency?
JAY (KHMER)
No, she is not.
SOMMER
What did she say about me?
JAY
She asked if you were working for
the woman protection agency.
SOMMER
I wish, I were.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Please help her if you can. I feel
very pity for her and her new born.
JAY (KHMER)
Can you tell us where we can find
her?
Serey Pich Little pulls Jay out of her store and points to
the end of the dirt road.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
It is the 8th house from here.
Right over there on your right.
JAY (KHMER)
Eighth house on my right. Thank
you.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
No problem.
SOMMER
Orkun.
(CONTINUED)
58.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Oh. Are you not going to buy
anything?
JAY
No. Not really. Thank you.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Come on. Buy something. How about a
pack of cigarette.
JAY
I don’t smoke. How about two
bottles of water (PRODUCT
PLACEMENT).
Jay hands $2000 Riels to Serey Pich Little.
JAY (KHMER)
Orkun.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Please help her. I am really sorry
for her.
CUT TO:
26 INT. SEREY PICH OLDER OLDER’S HOUSE -SUNSET 26
Jay and Sommer enter the house interior of which are a table,
a few chairs, a bed. It’s pretty dim.
JAY (KHMER)
Hello, is anyone home? SEREY PICH
OLDER, are you home?
A woman at her mid 20s who has a black eye and bruises on her
face, she obviously has been beaten, comes out from the back.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Who’s looking for her?
JAY (KHMER)
I am a tuktuk driver from Phnom
Penh.
(CONTINUED)
59.
Turning to Sommer.
JAY (CONT’D)
And this is (Jay skips saying her
name) my customer.
The mother steps back.
SEREY PICH OLDER (KHMER)
What can I do for you?
JAY(KHMER)
Are you the one that tossed an
infant at a Western woman this
morning?
SEREY PICH OLDER(KHMER)
No... That wasn’t me. You’re
mistaking with someone else.
JAY (KHMER)
Your child has measles, and it’s
contagious. We’re here to give her
medicine.
SEREY PICH OLDER (KHMER)
No. I’m sure you’re mistaking with
someone else.
JAY (KHMER)
There’s only Serey Pich with a
little baby girl in this village.
Everyone knows you.
SEREY PICH OLDER (KHMER)
I swear I was home whole day.
JAY (KHMER)
Your baby is sick. We’re here to
give her medicine.
(CONTINUED)
60.
SEREY PICH OLDER (KHMER)
No. I already told you. You’re
mistaking with someone else. It
wasn’t me.
JAY (KHMER)
Please. Let’s us give her medicine,
and bring her back to the clinic.
SEREY PICH OLDER (KHMER)
No. Please. You’re really mistaking
with someone else. Please leave
before my husband comes home.
SEREY PICH OLDER pushes the two out of her house.
SEREY PICH OLDER (KHMER)
Please leave.
Sommer shows her the medical kit.
SOMMER
Please, at least let me give her
medication.
Eyeing on the medical kit, very attempting, but still not
want to admit it.
SEREY PICH OLDER(KHMER)
No. You’re mistaking me with
someone else.
From a distance from the outside, there is a voice of one of
the neighbors shouting.
NEIGHBOR (KHMER)
SEREY PICH OLDER, he’s coming.
Serey Pich Older becomes panicky.
SEREY PICH OLDER (KHMER)
Go! Go! Go hiding in the back. He’s
coming. He’s very violent.
(CONTINUED)
61.
Serey Pich Older pulls them through the back door, leading
them through an empty backyard into a small shack about 15
feet from her hut.
SEREY PICH OLDER (KHMER)
Please stay here and be quiet. I’ll
be right back.
In the shack, there have already been THREE FEMALES, ages 7,
16, and a late 20s, in a corner, nervously staring at them.
SOMMER
What is it? Where is this place?
Who are those girls?
JAY
I don’t know. (Beat) It could be...
a human traffic transit site.
SOMMER
What?
JAY
Shh...
Loud arguing, shouting, crying, and beating is heard coming
from the house.
JAY (CONT’D)
He’s beating her.
SOMMER
Why?
JAY
Didn’t you hear she said he’s a
very violent man?
SOMMER
So what are we going to do? (Beat)
How much time do we have?
Checking the timer.
(CONTINUED)
62.
JAY
15 minutes.
SOMMER
We need to feed Orchid soon.
There is more beating more screaming and crying.
There men’s footsteps are heard. Sommer peeks through a crack
open, seeing three men one of whom is about to slaughter a
hen.
After clearing partly feathers on the hen, he turns to Serey
Pich older’s ABUSIVE HUSBAND, a man in his late 30s.
MAN #2
Brother. Time for you to do the
honor.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND
Yeah! I am so ready.
The man #1 hands him a SHARP KNIFE.
MAN #2
Your honor.
Jay to Sommer.
JAY
Don’t look!
Sommer stays frozen as the abusive husband expertly slices
the knife through the hen’s throat. A stream of BLOOD at
first forcefully flows out.
They all laugh in excitement as Man #2 uses a large BOWL to
collect the blood.
Jay gently taps on her shoulder.
JAY
Can you wait here?
As if she just wakes up.
(CONTINUED)
63.
SOMMER
For what?
JAY
I’m going to find Orchid.
Suddenly, Serey Pich Older runs into the shack with Orchid.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Here’s my baby. Please help her.
Upon having Orchid in her arms, Sommer immediately feels
empowered.
SOMMER
Hey Orchid, I finally found you.
The infant smiles at her.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
That’s it.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Go! Go! Go! Go quick!
She pushes the two out of the shack, and points a small dirt
path.
SEREY PICH OLDER (CONT’D)
Follow this path, it will take you
to the main road. Quickly.
CUT TO:
27 EXT. SMALL DIRT WALK PATH - EARLY NIGHT 27
Jay navigates the way, Sommer with the infant on her arms
following.
SOMMER
Jay! I need to feed Orchid.
JAY
Let’s go a little further.
(CONTINUED)
64.
SOMMER
How long do we have to go? She
needs to be fed.
JAY
A bit more.
SOMMER
How’s the timing?
JAY
5 minutes.
SOMMER
Let’s stop here. I need to feed
her.
JAY
OK, if you said so.
SOMMER
What about those girls?
JAY
What about those girls?
SOMMER
Don’t you want to rescue them?
JAY
No. We are not here for them.
Besides we could get ourselves in
trouble.
They settle in a bush.
SOMMER
I’m feeding her. In the meanwhile,
would you go back to get those
girls?
(CONTINUED)
65.
JAY
What? We are not here for them. Let
feed the baby and go back to Phnom
Penh.
SOMMER
The baby is being taken care of.
She is safe now.
JAY
Are you sure you want to take those
girls along?
SOMMER
I can’t leave without them. You can
leave if you want.
JAY
What? How are going to ride the
bamboo? By yourself?
SOMMER
Having Orchid, I can ride on
anything.
JAY
But still...
SOMMER
Please.
JAY
I can’t leave you here alone with
Orchid.
SOMMER
Come on Jay.
JAY
OK, if you insist. I’ll go to get
them. You’ll stay here and feed the
baby. Deal?
(CONTINUED)
66.
SOMMER
Deal! Don’t be too long, though.
JAY
I won’t.
Jay heads back to the shack.
CUT TO:
28 EXT. SIDE OF THE DIRT PATH - NIGHT 28
Green-screen shot (VATICAN INTERIOR backdrop) of Sommer whose
hair is dressed in LADY WITH AN ERMINE.
Above her is a VOLUMETRIC LIGHT streaming from the left.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
I don’t know what it is about you
but I’ll find out once we’re back
to the clinic.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Having you in my arms, I feel so
empowered. I can’t wait to ride on
the bamboo back to the city.
CUT TO:
29 EXT. SIDE OF THE DIRT PATH -NIGHT 29
Sommer, in her previous dress, pulls out her COCOON, turning
it into a baby CARRIER, then properly securing Orchid in.
SOMMER
Why does it take Jay so long?
Looking at Orchid in her arms, she asks.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Orchid, should we go back for them
or leave without them?
Orchid smiles.
SOMMER
Yes! I love that smile!
(CONTINUED)
67.
Sommer heads back to the shack.
CUT TO:
30 EXT. SMALL SHACK - NIGHT 30
There is very loud laughter of a group of men, having a
party.
Sommer carefully studies its surrounding.
SOMMER
Jay, are you in there? Jay, do you
hear me?
She hears the movements in the shack.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Jay, this is sommer. Where are you?
Sommer pushes the broken door and enters.
In the dark, Jay, bruises all over his body, is blindfolded,
and the three girls strangely stare at Sommer.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Jay. What happened to you? I am
glad I came back.
Sommer signs for them to stay quiet as she unties Jay.
JAY
Why did you come back? You should
have gone back to Phnom Penh with
the baby.
SOMMER
Shh... Orchid is fine.
They sign for the girls to follow them, but the oldest woman
resists.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Come on! Come with us.
JAY
They don’t want to go.
(CONTINUED)
68.
SOMMER
Come on. Follow us. We’re going
back to Phnom Penh.
The oldest signs for them to leave.
JAY
They don’t want to go.
The youngest points at Kercupes.
YOUNGEST (KHMER)
Mom. I want that monkey!
OLDEST (KHMER)
It isn’t yours honey.
The youngest starts to shout.
YOUNGEST(KHMER)
But I want it! I want it! I want
the monkey.
The oldest covers her mouth.
OLDEST
Shh...
YOUNGEST
I want that monkey!!!
(OVERLAP)
JAY
Let’s go miss.
SOMMER
SOMMER!
The youngest screams louder.
YOUNGEST
I want the monkey!
(CONTINUED)
69.
SOMMER
All right, I’m going to let you
hold on to it. All right?
JAY
Don’t!
SOMMER
Don’t worry. I’m having Orchid.
Sommer ties Kercopes’s tail onto the girl.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Happy now?
The youngest stares at her, unsatisfying.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Sorry, you can’t have it all.
Sommer pulls Kercopes’s tail, the three reluctantly follow
her.
CUT TO:
31 EXT. SMALL DIRT PATH - NIGHT 31
They quietly move on the small dirt path, then through
bushes. Shortly, the youngest begins to whine. The laughing
and talking of the men begins to fade out.
YOUNGEST
Mom, I want the monkey. All for
myself!
JAY
Shh...
YOUNGEST
I want it! I want it!!!
OLDEST
Be quiet!
(CONTINUED)
70.
YOUNGEST
No! No! I want the monkey or I’ll
scream!!!
JAY
Uh!!!
SOMMER
It’s cool.
JAY
I thought you always needed the
monkey?
SOMMER
Kercopes!
Sommer unties Kercopes’s tail and gives to the youngest to
hold.
SOMMER (CONT’D)
Can you be quiet now?
JAY
This way.
After a long walk, heavy breaths (SFX) of cattle are heard.
JAY
Sh... Wait right here.
SOMMER
Jay, you stay here with them.
JAY
No, you’re having the baby.
SOMMER
Exactly.
Sommer cautiously approaches, seeing Serey Pich Little sits
on an OXCART.
(CONTINUED)
71.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Hey, over here.
SOMMER
Perfect, she’s coming just the
right time.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Come! Hop on!
JAY (KHMER)
Oh, bong Serey Pich. How did you
know?
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Come on. It is a quite distance.
SOMMER
Jay, you help them. I can handle it
myself.
Jay helps the women get on the oxcart. Sommer waits until
everyone is settled, then she hops right on.
Jay watches on, impressed by her strength.
CUT TO:
32 EXT. A WORN PATH -NIGHT. 32
The oxcart moves slowly in the night.
Suddenly, there are three men emerge from the bushes,
pointing a FLASHLIGHT at them.
With an alcoholic cracking voice.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
Where are you taking my girl?
Abusive Husband takes the baby back from Sommer as he talks
on his cell to Rosa on the other end.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
We got her.
(CONTINUED)
72.
ROSA (KHMER)
Do you see the medical kit?
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
Got it too.
ROSA (KHMER)
Take care of them as planned.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
As planned.
Turning to the oxcart, he demands.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
Come on, get off the cart!
Turning to Serey Pich Little.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
You can go! Wait for me at stupa.
SEREY PICH LITTLE (KHMER)
Sorry, he has my baby, too.
The oxcart heavily moves out of the scene.
CUT TO:
33 EXT. SOMEWHERE ON THE WORN-PATH - CONTINUE 33
Abusive husband orders man #2 and #3.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
Take the medical kit off her.
Sommer senses the trouble is coming.
SOMMER
Wait!
Sommer comes over to the youngest, taking Kercopes back, but
the youngest runs away.
(CONTINUED)
73.
JAY (KHMER)
Leave her alone. She’s just trying
to help your sick baby.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND
Shut this freak up!
Man #3 blows an elbow on Jay’s head.
MAN #3
Don’t you know how to shut up!
Jay gets up and comes to assist Sommer, but man #3 gives him
another hard blow.
CUT TO:
34 EXT. SOMEWHERE ON THE WORN-PATH -CONTINUE 34
There is an ABANDON HUT 30 feet from the worn-path.
Abusive husband orders his men.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
We don’t need the Westerner. Throw
her in the hut. Let her find her
way back.
JAY
The baby is sick. She can help the
baby with the medication.
MAN #3
Shut up! Have you not learned your
lesson?
JAY (KHMER)
But the baby needs help!
Another hard blows onto the ground, man #3 ties his hands
behind.
Talking to Rosa on the cell.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
We’re heading back with an extra.
(CONTINUED)
74.
ROSA
How is the girl?
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
She looks good.
ROSA (KHMER)
Bring her back to me.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
Will you pay me the rest?
ROSA (KHMER)
Of course, but make sure to watch
out for your wife. She’s too much
trouble.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
Don’t worry. I sure will break her
legs if I have to.
ROSA (KHMER)
What happened to the Western?
ABUSIVE HUSBAND
She’s passed out.
ROSA (KHMER)
Is she with you now?
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
No. I left her in an abandon hut.
She will find her way back when she
wakes up.
ROSA (KHMER)
Good job. See you in the morning.
ABUSIVE HUSBAND (KHMER)
With the rest of my payment!
(CONTINUED)
75.
They head back to the transit site with Jay and three girls.
CUT TO:
35 EXT. ABANDON HUT -NIGHT 35
Both Man #2 and Man #3 forcefully drag Sommer to the abandon
hut.
They open the door and throw her in.
Sommer is completely passed out.
TURN TO BLACK
36 EXT. LOTUS POND - LATER 36
In the middle of a LOTUS POND, there lies Sommer who has
become Ophelia with DISHEVELED hair (state of madness)in her
DRESS and a DECORATIVE WILD FLOWER HEADBAND, and her body is
partially submerged in the water.
1. In her POV (Extreme Close-up), she vaguely sees PINK LOTUS
PETALS wiggling in front of her eyes.
2. Slowly she sits up, in front of her is an endless rows of
lotus flowers.
3. She begins to hum OPHELLIA-SHAKESPEARE’s words (Ophelia
song by Elizabeth Maconchy) as she collects lotus flowers.
4. She starts counting numbers of lotus as she braids and
forms them SERPENT HEADs, each has 7 heads as seen at the
south entrance of the Angkor Thom.
5. After she finishes two cobra heads, she uses the remaining
of the 50 lotus, braiding them into two bodies OF the
SERPENT.
6. (This 108 number represents 54 gods (Asuras) and 54
demons(Devas) as seen the south gate of the Angkor Thom, and
the bas relief on the wall of Angkor Wat.
7. She works to her exhaustion, laying down on the ground,
and falling asleep.
TURN TO BLACK
37 EXT. HEAVEN GROUND - TIMELESSNESS 37
In total darkness, there is a sound of Khmer Apsara music
slowly and distinctively crescendoes in the darkness.
CUT TO:
76.
38 EXT. HEAVEN GROUND - TIMELESSNESS 38
ECU/POV, an unrecognizable figure is seen as she blinks her
eyes.
Momentarily she shuts her eyes again.
It returns to the darkness.
FADE OUT.
39 EXT. HEAVEN GROUND - TIMELESSNESS 39
A HANUMAN (monkey king is also Kercupes) figure is seen
dancing its monkey movements.
After his dance, he begins to lean his back onto Sommer’s, a
gesture of which is similar to Kercopes on Sommer’s. Sommer
is now seen in an apsara costume.
Shortly, there emerges a 7 Apsara troupe dancing as they
enter into the scene, and Hanuman yields his way to the
apsara troupe who gently assists Sommer to get up.
As if an apsara who loses her memories. Sommer follows the
troupe full puzzle.
The troupe helps with the movements. They eventually perform
a segment of “Churning of The Ocean of Milk.
[THE REST of the scene WILL BE COORDINATED WITH THE APSARA
TROUPE to bring Sommer back to the lotus pond.]
CUT TO:
40 EXT. LOTUS POND - EVENING 40
This scene is shot on DRONE which shows Sommer laying in the
middle of the pond in Ophelia.
As the drone descending, Ophelia is seen sitting up. She is
surrounded by a fields of skulls and bones (The Killing
Fields).
Her eyes are shut, breathing heavily to control her fears.
She starts to search in her pocket for the purple orchid,
placing in her mouth, and diving into “THE KILLING FIELDS.”
CUT TO:
77.
41 EXT. UNDER WATER - NIGHT 41
As soon as her body merges into the water, there is MENTAL
RELIEVING MOTIF music is PLAYED as seen earlier in the
bathtub.
Under water shots, we see every stroke of hers becomes a
stream of the purple orchids following her as she swims.
CUT TO:
42 EXT. LOTUS POND EDGE -NIGHT 42
Sommer is seen full of energy, drying herself, and getting
ready to return to the shack.
CUT TO:
43 EXT. THE VILLAGE MAIN ROAD - NIGHT 43
After locating where she is at, she strides toward Serey Pich
Older’s home.
CUT TO:
44 EXT. SEREY PICH OLDER’S HOME - NIGHT 44
Sommer stealthily goes around in the back of the house. Dark,
cool, soundless, but her foot steps.
Sommer enters the shack, unties Serey Pich Older’s hands.
SOMMER
Shh... You know where Jay is?
Serey Pich Older points to a dark path.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Come.
CUT TO:
45 EXT. STUPA TOWER AREA -NIGHT 45
(Khmer characters interact in Khmer)
After a 15 minute walk through the bushes, the two women
arrive to Angkor replica temple with four towers Each side of
which has and entrance.
(CONTINUED)
78.
They approach closer to have a better look from the bushes.
There is Man #3 sitting on the platform of a tower, smoking
(weed).
SOMMER
What do we do? (Beat) You stay
here. I’ll go.
SEREY PICH OLDER
(broken English)
You stay. I go.
SOMMER
No. You stay. I go.
Serey Pich grabs Sommer’s arm.
SEREY PICH OLDER
I go. You stay. My baby.
SOMMER
My baby too.
Serey Pich points at a back entrance.
SEREY PICH OLDER
You go. I go (in front).
SOMMER
We go together.
Sommer pulls Serey Pich as she walks toward the back
entrance.
SEREY PICH OLDER
No. You go. I go here.
CUT TO:
46 EXT. STUPA #1 - NIGHT 46
Serey Pich Older walks toward Man #2, slowly unbuttoning her
shirt. In this scene, Serey Pich Older and man #2 interact
in Khmer.
(CONTINUED)
79.
MAN #2
Who is it?
Man #2 jumps off the platform, defensively, then he drops his
jaw as if he sees a ghost.
MAN #2
Is... is that you Serey Pich Older?
I... I... thought you were...
SEREY PICH OLDER
What do you see?
Man #2 looks away.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Come on! Look at me.
MAN #2
No.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Come on. What do you care?
MAN #2
No...no...
SEREY PICH OLDER
Do you want me?
MAN #2
He’ll kill me.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Just you and I. He wouldn’t know.
Man #2 quickly glances at her breasts then turns away.
MAN #2
What do you want from me?
(CONTINUED)
80.
SEREY PICH OLDER
My baby, that’s all I want.
CUT TO:
47 INT. STUPA #2, REAR ENTRANCE -NIGHT 47
Sommer watchfully enters the tower from rear entrance while
Serey Pich keeps distracting Man #2.
Sommer enters stupa #2. The three women sleep on a mat in a
corner.
Tiptoeing.
SOMMER
Jay. It’s me. Sommer.
She unties Jays.
JAY
How did you...
SOMMER
Shh... don’t wake them up.
CUT TO:
48 EXT. STUPA #1 -NIGHT 48
MAN #2
I thought I tied you on the ground.
SEREY PICH OLDER
You did but I have magic.
MAN #2
What do you want?
SEREY PICH OLDER
I want my daughter. That’s all.
MAN #2
She isn’t here.
(CONTINUED)
81.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Tell me. Where she is. I’ll let you
touch.
Man #2 becomes nervous as Serey Pich Older pointing her
breasts toward him.
MAN #2
Please don’t.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Why not?
MAN #2
I... I... can’t.
SEREY PICH OLDER
I know you always want to touch my
breasts? Here they are. Touch them.
Then tell me where my daughter is.
MAN #2
I... I... can’t.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Come on.
MAN #2
Are you... sure... I can touch...
them?
SEREY PICH OLDER
Yeah, why not.
MAN #2
Would you tell him?
SEREY PICH OLDER
No. I won’t. Tell me first then you
can touch.
(CONTINUED)
82.
MAN #2
She is... with him.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Where?
MAN #2
Can... I... touch them first.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Where?
Man #2 turns his head around, looking at the breasts.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Come on. Tell me then I let you
touch them.
MAN #2
No... I... can’t.
Serey Pich grabs his hand and puts it on her breast. Man #2
quickly withdraws.
MAN #2
OK. They are in the back tower.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Which one.
He hesitatingly points at stupa #3. Sommer lets man #3 touch
her breasts.
SEREY PICH OLDER
I have to go.
MAN #2
Can... can I touch one you more
time.
Serey Pich intensely stares at him.
(CONTINUED)
83.
MAN #2
I’ll stay quiet.
OLDER SEREY PICH
Promise?
MAN #2
Promise!
Serey Pich comes closer to Man #2 as she unbuttons her shirt.
Man #2 still looking away, Older Serey Pich grabs his hands
and places them on her breasts.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Happy now?
MAN #2
Yeah... I... am very happy.
Man #2 collapses.
BACK TO SOMMER:
49 INT. STUPA #1 -NIGHT 49
SOMMER
Follow me.
She spots the youngest with Kercopes sleeping.
SOMMER
Wait!
JAY
I’ll get it.
Jay carefully frees Kercopes on her shoulders, then passes to
her.
SOMMER
Thank you.
(CONTINUED)
84.
SOMMER
Do you know where the baby is?
JAY
I don’t. (Beat) Are you not going
to take those girls this time?
SOMMER
No. We’ll be back for them later.
JAY
Where are we going?
SOMMER
Help Serey Pich Older locate the
baby.
Jay looks at 3 more stupes, each is 600 feet away.
JAY
Which one?
SOMMER
Let’s split.
JAY
No. Let’s stick together.
SOMMER
You’re fast. You go to the remote
one. If you can’t find her, meet me
on the second.
JAY
OK. I’ll see you.
CUT TO:
50 EXT. STUPA #3 - NIGHT 50
Serey Pich Older tiptoes up the steps into the EAST entrance.
In very dimming light, there a baby comfortably sleeps on a
haystack.
(CONTINUED)
85.
Serey Pich Older studies the room. There she spots Serey Pich
Little sleeping with her Abusive Husband. She cautiously
crawls into the room.
She quietly picks up the baby and slowly retrieves.
On the way out, she bumps into Sommer.
SOMMER
You’ve got the baby?
Serey Pick Older nods.
SOMMER
Let’s go.
Two women with the baby run out into the bushes.
SOMMER
Wait. Let’s wait for Jay.
Suddenly there is shouting of first of female then all three
men.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Run.
Sommer hesitates momentarily but follows her.
Jay is also being chased but in a different direction.
SOMMER
Wait for Jay.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Jay OK.
Serey Pich Older drags Summer as the shouting and cursing
behind them is heard.
CUT TO:
51 EXT. RAILROAD -NIGHT 51
Once they both reach to the Railroad where the bamboo train
parks, they no longer hear the men’s.
(CONTINUED)
86.
SOMMER
That was a good run.
SEREY PICH OLDER
No? No chasing?
SOMMER
No more chasing. (Beat) How’s the
baby? Here is the carrier.
In the dark night, Serey Pich Older checks on the baby in her
arms.
SEREY PICH OLDER
What?
SOMMER
What’s wrong?
SEREY PICH OLDER
No my baby.
SOMMER
What?
SEREY PICH OLDER
No my baby.
SOMMER
What? No your baby?
She staggers back a few steps in shock.
SEREY PICH OLDER
No my baby. I have to go back.
Sommer drops on the ground, grieving.
SEREY PICH OLDER
You stay. I go.
(CONTINUED)
87.
SOMMER
I’ll go with you.
SEREY PICH OLDER
My baby! You stay! I go!
There is sound of screaming in grief from a distance.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Shh...
SOMMER
What’s it?
SEREY PICH OLDER
Her baby.
Older Serey Pich quickly runs back, leaving Sommer alone
sitting on the ground.
Shortly, we see Serey Pich Older returns in excitement.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Jay has my baby!
SOMMER
Who? Jay?
SEREY PICH OLDER
Yes. Jay has my baby!
SOMMER
I hope he is OK.
CUT TO:
52 EXT. RAILROAD -NIGHT 52
SOMMER
Can you help me assemble the
bamboo?
Serey Pich nods, picks up the wheels, and places on the rail.
(CONTINUED)
88.
Sommer follows, carries the wheels, and places on the other
end.
After they properly place the bamboo bed on the top of the
wheels.
SEREY PICH OLDER
You stay here. I go to Jay. My
baby.
SOMMER
No. I’ll go with you. I want to see
the baby too.
Serey Pich pulls her hand, pushes her to seat on the lorry,
and shows her how to start the engine.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Easy?
To prevent the engine moves forward, Serey Pich blocks the
engine with a WOODEN STICK.
SEREY PICH OLDER
OK?
SOMMER
No. I’ll go with you.
SEREY PICH OLDER
No. You stay! I go getting my baby.
Serey Pich Older quickly runs off into the worn path. Leaving
Sommer alone figuring how to operate the lory.
Shortly, the youngest dashes out from bushes, running over
and pulling Kercopes off Sommer. She quickly knocks the brake
off the wheel.
YOUNGEST
My monkey! My monkey! My monkey!
Screaming victoriously, she runs into the bushes.
CUT TO:
89.
53 EXT. TRAIN TRACK - NIGHT 53
Sommer still sits motionless on the moving bamboo train.
Shortly, we see Jay with Orchid in his arms being chased by
the mop.
He keeps running after the moving bamboo train as she calls
out for Sommer.
JAY
Somm....merrrrrrrrr!!! Catch the
baby!
Jay tries desperately to catch the moving bamboo.
JAY (CONT’D)
Here’s Orchid! Please catch her!
Gradually loses his strength.
JAY
(out of his lungs)
MISS SUUUUUUUUUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!
As soon as she hears her name is called “SUMMER,” she
immediately turns around.
SOMMER
Don’t call me...
Wasting no time, Jay passes the infant onto her arms.
The moment of physical contact with Orchid, Sommer
immediately becomes strong and empowered.
Reaching out to Jay.
JAY
Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you
in Phnom Penh.
SOMMER
OK. I’ll see you in Phnom Penh.
(CONTINUED)
90.
Jay runs into the bushes. Behind him the mop is also out of
breaths.
CUT TO:
54 EXT. RAILROAD - NIGHT 54
Still sitting on the lorry, Sommer checks on the infant’s.
Her measles have already faded out.
SOMMER
Hah! My little Orchid. You’re
getting better.
The infant giggles as Sommer holds her tight in her arms.
Sommer pulls up the gas bar. She obviously enjoys her ride.
CUT TO:
55 EXT. RAILROAD - NIGHT 55
A rushing train is heard from a distance.
SOMMER
Shoot! Is that a coming train?
Sommer turns her head around trying to locate the direction
of the coming train.
She sees a HEADLIGHT moving toward her.
She exerts a strong force onto the wooden-brake, then jumps
off the bamboo train. She carries Orchid to safety, far away
from the tracks.
There bamboo train keeps moving in the dark -silently, as the
headlight keeps moving forward.
As the coming forward headlight comes closer, it turns out to
be a headlight of a motorbike.
Looking at Orchid in her arms, happily.
SOMMER
It’s all in my head.
CUT TO:
91.
56 EXT. TRAIN TRACK - SUNRISE 56
From a distance, we see a SILHOUETTE FIGURE of Sommer holding
Orchid. In front of her, the sun is rising.
CUT TO:
57 INT. WAT LANKA - PHNOM PENH - EARLY MORNING 57
An extreme close up on a TATTOO NEEDLE pricking on Sommer’s
flesh.
CUT TO:
We see Sommer, Jay, Serey Pich Older with her baby, and a
Buddhist monk who indecipherably chanting and water-blessing
them with HOLY WATER from a COPPER BOWL.
SOMMER (V.O.)
Dear mother,
When the mother gave birth to
Orchid, she said, Orchid was very
sick and believed to have died. The
mother brought her to this Buddhist
monk to be blessed. Minutes after
the blessing, she was surprisingly
recovered. To mark her revival, the
Buddhist monk gave her a little
beautiful purple-orchid tattoo on
her tiny shoulder, which was to
remind her that she was a purple
orchid -a symbol of LOVE, BEAUTY,
SURVIVAL, and STRENGTH.
After the blessing tattoo, Sommer takes the purple orchid out
of her pocket -with both of her palms, she let go of it. The
purple orchid slowly lands into the copper bowl.
Sommer pulls out 3 envelops. Palms together in Cambodian
fashion, Sommer offers an envelop to the Buddhist monk, then
SEREY PICH OLDER Older, and Jay.
SOMMER
Orkun.
SEREY PICH OLDER
Wait!
SEREY PICH OLDER Older pulls Kercupes in her BABY BAG.
(CONTINUED)
92.
SOMMER
Kercopes! Thank you. How did you
get it?
SEREY PICH OLDER (KHMER)
From the brat!
As usual, she wears Kercopes on her back, but this time she
wears it “UPSIDE DOWN.”
58 EXT. NGO CLINIC, FRONT -MORNING 58
There is a local REPORTER with a MIC.
REPORTER (KHMER)
The government just made arrest of
a NGO nurse who was illegally
operating an adoption agency
without license...
As Rosa is led by 2 PLAIN-CLOTH POLICE out of the clinic, the
Non-Cambodian man suddenly appears behind.
NON-CAMBODIAN
Hey what’s going on? I am having
diarrhea here.
CUT TO:
59 EXT. WAT LANKA -DAY 59
Sommer heads out to the tuktuk, Jay is a few steps behind.
JAY
Are you sure you don’t want to go
for an elephant ride...
Slowly she turns about to correct his SUMMER pronunciation.
JAY
(GIGGLE)
“SOMMER,” of course.
With a mysterious smile.
(CONTINUED)
93.
SOMMER
Maybe next time...
CUT TO:
60 EXT. PHNOM PENH STREET -DAY 60
A montage of Phnom Penh that is shot on DRONE as the tuktuk
heading to the airport.
SCROLLING CREDIT