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.
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