Act 1: Part 3
Armin acts surprised.
10.
ARMIN
Scared? I'm not scared. Wait you're
scared?
FRANKLIN
You know what guys, we don't have
to leave. Why can't we just stay?
I'm happy to be here for the rest
of our lives.
FINN
Oh great, you want us to be one of
those daring deserters that end up
getting themselves killed. Do you
want us to die together?
FRANKLIN
Don't be stupid.
FINN
I didn't ask a stupid question, you
did. You know we don't have a
choice. They'll go after our
family.
ARMIN
Ha! Nobody's coming for our wives.
We wouldn't be here at the bar if
that were the case.
FINN
Yeah your wife maybe. I have to
fend off ten men on the way to the
market when they see my beautiful
wife.
FRANKLIN
We're not fighting for family,
we're leaving them. If we're
winning this war for certain, they
can do that with or without us.
ARMIN
Franklin, it's not the war we fight
that protects our family, its the
war we don't fight. If we desert
this war, we're deserting our
family. They'll kill us all.
FINN
Can't be having that now can we
Franklin? Stop sulking and thinking
too hard with that soft brain of
yours.
(MORE)
11.
FINN (CONT'D)
Besides, I need some war stories to
tell my kids and customers when I'm
older. Being a boring bartender is
bad for business.
Finn lights a cigarette and hands one to Armin. When Franklin
is offered one he refuses and returns his attention to the
window, still visibly disturbed.
ARMIN
Alright, that's it.
Armin lifts Franklin off the ground with little effort and
places him standing on top of a table.
ARMIN (CONT'D)
You see that Finn? That's going to
be our war hero out there. Look at
him. Wow. So majestic. So big and
strong. Mmm that's my kinda
soldier.
FINN
Yeah that's right. Wait, why can't
I be the hero? What, you think
delivering mail is more heroic than
being a bartender?
They all laugh. Armin puts his arms around their shoulders
and brings them in for a hug.
ARMIN
We might be leaving our beloved
wives and precious jobs behind; but
one thing we're never leaving is
each other. Remember that out
there. No matter what, we'll have
each other.
FADE TO:
INT. TEA SHOP - DAY
Close up shot of three dog tags around Franklin's neck. We
pan out to reveal him sleeping on a couch in a small oriental
tea shop. Sumi slowly approaches him and gently shakes him
awake. He wakes up startled and Sumi shrinks away in fear.
FRANKLIN
I'm sorry... How long was I asleep
for?
12.
Sumi shakes her head. Franklin turns to look at Goh who is
frantically packing his bags from behind the counter of the
tea shop.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
Hey is your daughter deaf? She
hasn't spoken a word since-
GOH
Mute sir... she's mute.
Franklin looks over at Sumi who looks away, cheeks flushed
and visibly flustered.
FRANKLIN
Oh I didn't mean to..
He palms his face and shakes his head in embarrassment.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
Hey we should get going. It's only
three days, no need to pack heavy.
It'll take longer to travel if you-
Franklin stops and sniffs the air.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
Is that mint tea?
GOH
Yes sir. Just brewing some before
we head out. What type of tea do
you like? It's on the house.
FRANKLIN
Oh I never liked tea. My wife did.
GOH
Was mint her favorite?
FRANKLIN
Yes.
Goh pours three cups out, and hands two to Sumi. She brings
it over to Franklin.
GOH
That's a great choice. Did your
wife have indigestion?
FRANKLIN
Excuse me?
13.
GOH
Your wife. Did she have trouble
eating certain foods?
FRANKLIN
Yeah... she did actually... How did
you know?
Goh sips on his tea and Sumi does the same. Franklin sets his
cup aside.
GOH
I opened this place up to open up
to others. Getting to know people.
That's my favorite part about
sharing a drink with someone. What
do you drink?
FRANKLIN
Beer.
GOH
I have some out back.
FRANKLIN
I don't drink anymore.
Goh nods and glances at the dog tags hanging out of
Franklin's shirt. Franklin tucks it back in to hide it from
view and gets up to leave.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
We should get going, hand me your
bags, I'll carry them.
Franklin picks up the giant bag handed to him and slings it
over his shoulder. He has to catch his balance from the
weight.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
What do you have in this bag that's
making it so heavy?
GOH
(embarrassed)
Tea.
Franklin rolls his eyes and throws the bag on the ground,
unzipping it to unpack all the tea. Sumi rushes over and
places her hands on his. He looks into her eyes and she
shakes her head pleadingly.
14.
He sighs. Looks down at the bag and back up at Sumi. She
keeps one hand on his, pulls out clothes and other
miscellaneous supplies; and zips it back up.
FRANKLIN
You guys really love your tea huh?
Sumi smiles and nods enthusiastically. Franklin reluctantly
slings the bag back over his shoulder. It's still visibly
very heavy but he grunts and continues out the door. The
guardian angel is outside waiting for him beside the door,
Franklin doesn't notice him.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
Awww you're so sweet. Carrying
their tea. Helping them go places.
You know, I think you've really
changed for the better. No need to
end your life anymore am I right?
Franklin jumps in surprise. When he realizes who it is his
expression turns sour and he drops the bag in anger.
GOH
Sir there are fragile tea cups in
the bag, if you wouldn't mind being
gentle with it-
FRANKLIN
(towards the angel)
Great, just when things are going
well you decide to show up and make
crude remarks.
Sumi and Goh look at each other, confused.
GOH
Sir I didn't mean to-
GUARDIAN ANGEL
Oh well, I just wanted to ask If I
could take some much needed time
off. I've been talking to my angel
friends and they don't have to do
half as much as I do. You're a
handful. Yesterday was enough
guardian-ing for a years worth.