ACT I: Bargain | Part 2

GOH

I see. You don't have to worry

about us interfering sir. We're

very grateful for your help.

GUARDIAN ANGEL

It's a deal then Franklin. I hope

you change your mind by the end of

this journey, but even if you don't

I will honor our bargain.

FRANKLIN

Whatever dude.

Goh looks away in defeat. Sumi frowns at Franklin's rudeness.

FADE TO:

INT. PAST MEMORIES BAR - NIGHT

Full shot behind the back of three men sitting at a bar,

immersed in conversation and laughing. Franklin, 20's, is

sitting between two other men his age, Finn and Armin.

ARMIN (chuckling)

I'm just glad we get to leave our

miserable jobs and nagging wives

behind.

Nobody laughs. The room is silent as Franklin and Finn sip

their drinks.

FINN

I like my job.

FRANKLIN

I love my wife.

Armin lets out an awkward cough and brings his drink up to

his lips. His hand is shaking and he spills it on his shirt.

ARMIN

Well there goes another reason my

wife won't be happy.

Franklin glances down at Armin's trembling hand.

FRANKLIN

I'm scared too.

Armin acts surprised.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

FRANKLIN

Oh you've got to be kidding me.

I'm about to traverse a war torn

country littered with soldiers who

will hunt me down for being a

deserter. What happened to our

deal?

GOH

Sir, you don't have to feel that

way. Our deal still stands. We'll

lead you to her right now.

GUARDIAN ANGEL

I'm not responsible for you dying

to other causes. Just make sure

you're not suicidal for a couple

days, honor our deal okay?

Franklin paces around in anger, looking for something to

throw or punch. He looks down at the bag. Goh shakes his head

in defeat, Sumi covers her eyes.

Franklin kicks it several times, fuming in anger, muttering

curses.

FRANKLIN

Oh you make me so mad! You realize

how-

He looks up. The angel is gone. He looks around at the scene

he's caused. Awkwardly, he clears his throat, picks up the

bag, and looks to Goh and Sumi who are huddled together.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

I uh... had to let off a little

steam. Lead the way.

Sumi pushes Goh down the street and Franklin follows behind

them. With each step he takes, the broken tea kettle makes a

noise and Goh's frown grows deeper. Franklin looks over his

shoulder at where the angel was and shakes his head.

CUT TO:

EXT. RURAL HILLSIDE TOWN - DAY

Goh, Sumi, and Franklin are hiking up a hill. Franklin has to

help push Goh up on his wheelchair. Gunshots and explosions

can be heard in the distant city behind them. When they reach

the top of the hill both Franklin and Sumi are out of breath.

FRANKLIN

We should rest for a bit.

Franklin and Sumi slouch down on the ground. Goh starts

unpacking the bag and tries to piece together the broken tea

pot.

Beat.

Sumi's stomach growls. Goh has finished piecing together the

pot. Franklin raises a questioning look at the large bag he's

been carrying.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

There's got to be some food in

there.

GOH

Just tea.

Franklin lets out a disappointed laugh and shakes his head.

FRANKLIN

Unbelievable.

Sumi rubs her tummy and looks at Franklin, pointing at her

mouth.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

What do you want me to do? We don't

have anything.

Goh looks at the forest behind them and gestures towards it.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

What, you want me to go out

hunting?

Goh shakes his head.

GOH

I've heard that there are wild

strawberries in this area.

They both stare at each other. Goh looking up from his

wheelchair at Franklin expectedly and Franklin in awe at the

audacity of the situation.

Franklin sighs and gets up to leave; Sumi follows behind in

excitement. Franklin glances back at her.

FRANKLIN

Just don't get in my way.

Sumi nods enthusiastically.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST - DAY

Franklin is picking strawberries and placing them into a tea

pot. Sumi's mouth and hands are smeared with berry juice as

she consumes them in a frenzy. Bees start to buzz around her,

we see one land on her neck and sting her.

SUMI

Ow!

Sumi smacks her neck.

FRANKLIN

Ow? Wait a minute...

Sumi looks down at her palm and places her other hand on top

of her mouth to muffle her scream when she sees the squished

bee.

SUMI (muffled)

Help me!

Franklin examines her neck and wipes the bee off her palm

with his sleeve. He pulls out the stinger and pats her

shoulder as she lets out a stifled cry.

FRANKLIN

It's just a bee sting, you'll be

alright.

They stay there awkwardly for a beat. Sumi is crying but

avoiding to make verbal sounds with her hand still over her

mouth. Franklin watches her curiously.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

So... You can speak?

Sumi abruptly stops crying and her hand that was over her

mouth turns into a finger pressed over her lips.

SUMI

Shhh

FRANKLIN (whispering)

What?

SUMI (whispering)

He's watching...

She points behind them where Goh is far off beyond the

forest.

FRANKLIN

He's far away Sumi. You have to

tell me what's going on, why are

you pretending to be mute?

Sumi shakes her head and slowly turns around to face away

from him. She rubs her neck and starts walking over to the

tea pot.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

Sumi... You can't just-

Sumi ignores him, picks up the tea pot, picks a few more

strawberries to fill it, and starts walking away.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

Hey!

He grabs her wrist. We see a close up of Franklin's wedding

ring.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

Do you want me to ask Goh about

this?

Sumi stops and turns around with a panicked expression.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

I thought so. Now, you're going to

tell me what the hell is going on

between you and your father.

Sumi glances down at Franklin's hand that is still holding

her wrist. She notices the ring.

SUMI

How much did you love your wife?

Franklin pauses, taken back by the question. A beat passes.

FRANKLIN

I... loved her very much.

SUMI

Father loved mom a little too much.

More than our tea shop. More than

himself... more than... me.