Mexico City Confidential (2) against a lamppost. 17 ANGEL Nice haircut but you still look like shit! PACO Don’t you start. (they shake hands and PACO looks around in curiosity) Did you get me some wheels? ANGEL (half smile) You did say “anything” right? PACO looks at his friend with foreboding as he gestures to a ramshackle Florett mini-bike propped up against the garbage bin a few yards away. He looks back at ANGEL. ANGEL It was either that or the camel… PACO Does the camel have side mirrors? (ANGEL shakes his head laughing) Well I at least hope that thing eats less. (He shakes ANGEL’S hand again, and we see a garbage truck approaching behind them) I owe you one… ANGEL One! You must owe me a thousand by now! Get out of here and call me some time for a drink and a few laughs you are in danger of losing your sense of humor. As PACO turns to depart we see the garbage men getting ready to toss the Florett in their truck. PACO Hey you morons hands off! (he runs to take possession of his new vehicle) That is a sensitive piece of machinery! INT/DAY, RENATA’S HOUSE, (PACO’S MOTHER) In a rundown but tidy single dwelling in a poor neighborhood we see RENATA (late 60’s). A wiry woman she is very spry for her age. She is simultaneously stirring a pot on the stove, smoking a cigarette and reading the racing form. She tastes her sauce nodding in approval then turns off the gas burner. She goes to the refrigerator to get herself a beer. On the door is a photograph of RENATA with PACO and CARMELA held in place with a magnet She sits down at the table and studies the odds for that afternoon’s races. After a moment she gazes around her then gets up, beer in hand and removes a biscuit box from her cupboard. She opens it and 18 we discover her “stash”. There are cardboard dividers each neatly labeled: RENT, GROCERIES, UTILITIES, FUN MONEY… All of the compartments are empty except for utilities. She extracts the money and counts it carefully then squints at the electric bill that hangs on the refrigerator next to the photo. She grimaces. RENATA’S POV, we see the photograph, PACO seems to be looking right at her. RENATA What are you looking at! She moves the electric bill and sticks it over the photo then counts the money again. With a last glance at the racing form she makes up her mind. She shoves the money in her pocket, removes her apron, grabs her handbag and straightens her hair running for the door. She stops short and turns back to grab the racing form before she dashes out. EXT/DAY, MEXICO CITY STREETS PACO is now mounted on his mighty mini-bike put putting along as other drivers pass bombarding him with a variety of curses and obscene gestures. He has tied his sport coat around his head ala Laurence of Arabia and his bag is tied to the back of the bike with a frayed bungie cord. A few cars back we see the two GOONS on GOON 2’s motorcycle. GOON 2 struggles to control his bulky Africa Twin, it is not designed for such low speeds and they weave precariously evoking their own wave of curses from the other drivers. A a car cruises by, the driver’s side door opens, catches PACO from behind and knocks him off his bike A HOOD leans out and grabs PACO’s satchel. He slams the door and drives off. An incredibly long thin chain unravels from the satchel as the car roars off. PACO gets up and runs in the opposite direction. He wraps the chain around a lamp post twice and hangs on. The door of the car pops off, the satchel with the HOOD attached pops out of the front seat and into the path of an oncoming truck. PACO closes his eyes in distaste then presses a button at his wrist. The satchel comes scuttling back through traffic and jumps up into his hand. The 2 GOONS are there to brush off the dust. GOON 1 Lucky we were here. INT/DAY, “ELECTRIC CITY” ANITA patiently answers CARMELA’S questions despite the fact that the store is now literally teeming with customers. Suddenly a fuss 19 at the entrance draws their attention. The crowd parts like the Red Sea and CONCEPCION HUERTA (late 50’s) HANNIBAL’S wife enters flanked by two servants one loaded down with shopping bags the other being pulled along by three yapping dogs. She’s a good looking older woman, but she’s doing the menopausal crazies and her taste is atrocious. Her enormous Dior sunglasses make her look like she eats harmful insects. As she whizzes past ANITA bows respectfully and elbows CARMELA to do likewise. MADAM acknowledges the gesture from the corner of her eye and her lips curl in satisfaction however her nostrils flare as she takes stock of the new arrival. She heads straight for the employee’s elevator, barely large enough to accommodate her bulk. The two servants are forced to take the stairs. As soon as the door closes behind her the entire store breathes a sigh of relief. CARMELA What was that? ANITA It is better not to ask just grovel whenever you see her and everything will be fine. CARMELA looks at ANITA questioning but she spares no further details. INT/DAY, HANNIBAL’S OFFICE, 10th FLOOR Behind his vast desk HANNIBAL has his own private set of closed circuit monitors complete with remote zoom allowing him to keep tabs on the more nubile members of his staff. Having already mapped out the areas of interest he occupies himself with a relaxed zapping session that is until his office door bursts open and his wife’s shadow darkens the threshold. Smiling self-consciously at his wife he tries blindly to switch off the monitors fiddling with the remote however as MADAM HUERTA approaches her face clouds: he has accidentally zoomed in on an unidentified décolleté. The nametag on the full breast reads “Hi My Name Is Carmela”. HANNIBAL hits the manual power switch laughing awkwardly and scurries around to kiss his “beloved” wife. MADAM So that is what you did with all that money my father gave you. 20 HANNIBAL Don’t be like that darling, I assure you it is essential for security. You can not imagine how many we have caught trying to steal from us. Come let me look at you my beauty… He kisses her tenderly on the cheek and she softens giggling like a schoolgirl. Just as her two servants arrive outside the door she closes it in their faces. Then turns towards her husband with a lustful expression. A look of quiet desperation spreads over HANNIBAL’S face as she pushes him back onto the overstuffed sofa next to his desk. EXT/AFT, RACE TRACK Pandemonium prevails in the stands as the horses fly around the track. RENATA hangs on the rail along with a few thousand other fanatics each one screaming for their horse to come in first. A middle-aged man next to her shouts for his horse and RENATA elbows him in the ribs. RENATA Shut up already I can’t concentrate! Come on you bag of bones otherwise it’s off to the butcher with you! Despite the fervor with which she pounds on the rail her horse doesn’t even show. She tears up her betting slip and climbs off the rail muttering under her breath. RENATA Damned dog food… As she walks towards the exit she suddenly spots a 20 on the ground. She trots over and stands on it looking from side to side before she picks it up and gleefully trots back to the betting window. We see posters announcing the up coming end of season gala. INT/NIGHT, PACO’S APARTMENT CARMELA eagerly awaits her beloved’s return anxious to share with him all the details of her first day on the job. When the door finally opens and PACO drags himself in she nearly knocks him to the floor in her haste to embrace him. CARMELA Oh sweetie! Where have you been? I saw the Yugo out front and thought you were home already… 21 PACO (slumps down on the sofa) The Yugo’s comatose and so am I… CARMELA My poor baby… did you have a lot of work today? PACO (gazes at her blankly) I have a lot of work everyday, today was attempted murder but I foiled him once again… CARMELA doesn’t quite get what he’s driving at but he is too exhausted to explain further. She plops down next to him and ruffles his hair bubbling over with excitement. CARMELA So where are you taking me tonight? PACO gazes at her in disbelief his jaw dangling from his skull. PACO Carmela, baby, look at me for a minute… couldn’t we celebrate here tonight? Her face suddenly clouds and her lower lip protrudes provocatively. She stands and paces before turning to face him. CARMELA You promised. PACO I know it’s just I’m really dead tired… He gazes at her pleading but she doesn’t budge biting down on her lower lip hands on hips. PACO laughs shaking his head in resignation. PACO And I thought Italian women were stubborn. Suppose I might as well face it if he doesn’t kill me you will. OK baby you win… Her face suddenly lights up and she nearly smothers him with kisses. He laughs and gently pushes her away. PACO Hold on a minute let me catch my breath kid! I will take you out on one condition. 22 CARMELA Your wish is my command. PACO OK, Sheherezahd, then run me a HOT bath and pour me a stiff drink, I’ll try to resurrect myself. She smiles and gives him a stereophonic kiss on the forehead before trotting off happily to do his bidding. He gives her a playful slap on the rump and loosens his tie. We follow CARMELA as she enters the bathroom and singing softly opens the tap. She pauses to check her hair and make-up then moves on to the tiny kitchen to fix PACO’S drink. Setting a glass on the counter she gazes ruefully at the antiquated GE refrigerator. She opens the door with determination and purses her lips as she sees the miniature glaciers that surround the tiny door to the freezer. Gripping the handle with both hands and placing her foot against the crisper she yanks with all her might. With a loud crack the door opens and she flies back with a huff. Her eyes suddenly grow wide as she looks at her hands. CARMELA SHIT! God damn it! Her face reddens and she kicks the refrigerator. On closer inspection we see she has broken a sculptured nail. CARMELA OK, Carmela, relax… Nothing is going to spoil this night. She extracts a bottle of Vodka and then bangs an ice tray on the counter until she forces two cubes loose. She pours the drink, puts the booze and the cubes back in the freezer then bangs on the freezer door until it nestles into the glacial ice. She smiles as she spots a lemon in the fridge but when she picks it up the underside is green and fuzzy. She tosses it in the sink. CARMELA Eww blech!! She picks up the drink kicks the fridge door shut and heads for the living room ice cubes tinkling. FRONTAL POV as she enters the living room. Her face suddenly drops and she crosses her arms in disgust. 23 CARMELA I don’t believe this… A loud snore draws camera’s attention to the sofa where PACO has passed out in a dead sleep. CARMELA approaches the corpse and her first reaction is to toss the drink at him but when she sees how tired his features are she can’t bring herself to do it. She sets down the glass removes his shoes and sets his feet on the sofa gazing down at him with a sad smile. Suddenly she remembers… CARMELA Oh shit the bath water! She dashes to the bath just as the tub is about to overflow. With a heavy sigh she returns to the living room. She picks up the glass and sits in the worn armchair raising the glass in tribute. CARMELA Here’s to you! She drains the contents with a grimace then stands. Leaning over PACO she kisses him tenderly. Seeing his bag still hanging from his shoulder she tries to remove it but PACO hugs it to him in reflex. She jumps back and looks at him, wondering for a moment if he might be pulling her leg, however a loud snore removes all doubt. CARMELA He doesn’t leave much of you for me. She turns out the light and leaves. INT/AM, ELECTRIC CITY As CARMELA enters in high spirits she sees ANITA posting a notice for the upcoming company party. CARMELA Hi what’s that? Good news I hope… ANITA (smiles) Once a year the boss dips a hand in that deep pocket of his and treats us to a Nile cruise on his yacht. For him it’s all a tax write off of course but for us it’s an opportunity to drink all those damned withholdings from our paychecks! CARMELA (laughs) 24 That is good news! ANITA (whispers) You doing anything for lunch? CARMELA (looks around puzzled, whispers too) I was just going to grab a burrito… Why? ANITA I usually have lunch delivered to my office but today… I wanted to slip out and buy myself a new dress and, well I’m a little embarrassed to admit it but it’s so long since I’ve shopped for myself… I could really use a second opinion. CARMELA’S eyes light up. She adores shopping and it doesn’t matter for whom. CARMELA Sure! I’d love to come along. (looks Anita up and down with an expert eye walking around her) You have anything specific in mind? ANITA (self-conscious) Not really… I guess something simple, but elegant… and… nah… (laughs) CARMELA (winks) Sexy? ANITA giggles like a schoolgirl but is taken aback when CARMELA snatches her glasses and tousles her hair. CARMELA Can I do your hair and make-up the night of the party? ANITA looks at her in disbelief but CARMELA nods enthusiastically. ANITA (laughing) Why not… CARMELA (Extending her hand) 25 It’s a deal then! ANITA takes her hand and playfully snatches her glasses back. ANITA Enough girl talk the doors will open any minute… EXT/DAY, MEXICO CITY STREET The traffic is at a complete standstill so PACO drives down the sidewalk with his borrowed bike. Today he has dressed more sensibly for the conditions of his rounds wearing a short sleeved shirt and a Panama hat. The two GOONS follow at a distance as usual however PACO’S new mode of transportation makes it all the more difficult for them to remain inconspicuous. Despite all PACO appears oblivious to their presence. Further down the street a portion of the sidewalk has been cordoned off. PACO stops and leans the bike against a garbage bin. He thinks better of it and leans it against a lamppost instead. A hand reaches up out of a manhole and grabs his ankle. PACO shakes himself loose, but loses his left shoe. He tries walking with one shoe on, but that doesn’t work. He takes his right shoe off and throws it in the gutter. At that point, his left shoe comes sailing out of the manhole. PACO retrieves both shoes and walks up to the bank carrying them. PACO approaches the GUARD who directs pedestrians to the other side of the street. We see that the cordoned area is in front of the entrance to a branch of the National Bank of Egypt. The Guard looks at the shoes in PACO’s hand. PACO New shoes, they’re kind of stiff. GUARD Ah! PACO Mornin’! What’s up? Somebody rob the place? GUARD You could say that… It’s those crazy TV people making our lives difficult again. 26 PACO Yeah! What are they shooting? GUARD New episodes for “Victory of Justice”… PACO Hmm… I’ve got to go to the bank… GUARD If you can wait a few minutes I can let you pass. PACO Thanks… PACO notices the jewelry shop window next to him. A wistful look comes over his face. He pops inside and talks to the sales clerk gesturing to something he saw in the window. A moment later he walks out again crestfallen. A voice shouts through a bull horn “QUIET we’re going for a take” and after a moment another voice shouts “ACTION!” Suddenly three masked figures burst out of the bank carrying sacks full of “loot”. A car screeches to a halt in front of the bank (the reason for the stopped traffic) and the protagonist of the series, a dark macho moustached type bounds out of the car vaults over the hood and guns blazing apprehends the bad guys. The director shouts, “CUT” and on lookers applaud. The protagonist waves to his fans with a cheesy grin. The director shouts through the bullhorn… DIRECTOR “ONE MORE TIME! Julio can you give me a little more conviction this isn’t a fucking beauty pageant!” The protagonist stomps off toward the van/dressing room in a huff. A short chunky blonde woman, the PRODUCTION MANAGER barks over the bullhorn… PRODUCTION MANAGER “Ten Minutes till shot, lets go people!” GUARD Now’s your chance. He raises the cordon and PACO salutes in thanks. A moment later the two GOONS try to cross the cordon but the GUARD stops them. 27 Inside the bank PACO shakes hands with the MANAGER and sits across from him and extracts the “invoice block” from his bag. INTERCUT With The Following Scenes EXT/NIGHT, CINEMA, MEXICO CITY STREET PACO and CARMELA emerge from the cinema arm in arm and walk off down the street. They enter a neighborhood tavern. EXT/NIGHT, OPERA HOUSE HANNIBAL’S limousine pulls up and MUNGO opens the door for MADAM. She gets out of the car MUNGO pulling and HANNIBAL pushing. Her vast décolleté sports enough rocks to drown an elephant and HANNIBAL swats her ostrich plumage from his face in disgust. HANNIBAL nods to MUNGO as they head up the steps and MUNGO responds with a conspiratory wink. INT/NIGHT, RENATA’S HOUSE A disgruntled Renata squints at the next day’s racing form by candlelight. A saucepan simmers behind her on the gas stove. INT/NIGHT, ANITA’S APT. ANITA enters her very feminine, almost girlish boudoir holding a glass of wine and humming happily. She proceeds to try on her slinky new cocktail dress that CARMELA helped her pick out. She giggles in glee as she admires herself in the full-length mirror; she really has a stunning figure out of her austere suit. (opera music, bridge from here ) INT/NIGHT, OPERA, HANNIBAL’S PRIVATE BOX MADAM is already teary eyed enrapt in the melodrama of the opera. HANNIBAL sits as if on hot coals. A look of relief sweeps over his face as an usher appears and whispers something in his ear. With an air of mock disappointment he nudges his wife and whispers something in her ear. Her lips curve into a frown but she nods with a dismissive air and turns back to the spectacle. Outside the box HANNIBAL slips the usher a bill of impressive denomination and heads off down the corridor. EXT/NIGHT, OPERA HOUSE HANNIBAL trots down the steps with a coltish gait. The big Mercedes waits for him and MUNGO opens the door with a flourish. 28 POV HANNIBAL his eyes follow a pair of shapely legs up to a heavenly torso and pretty face framed by angelic blonde curls. HANNIBAL (licking his lips) Good evening my angel… He climbs into the limo and MUNGO takes the helm. EXT/NIGHT, PACO’S APARTMENT BUILDING PACO and CARMELA stroll up to the building pausing for a kiss. In the darkness a window can be heard opening. PACO Goodnight Mrs. Miranda The window slams shut and the two of them laugh as they trot up the steps. INT/NIGHT, PACO’S APARTMENT CARMELA lights candles as PACO emerges from the kitchen with two glasses and a bottle of beer. He ceremoniously unscrews the cap as CARMELA holds up the glasses. INT/NIGHT, PRESIDENTIAL SUITE, FIVE STAR HOTEL HANNIBAL pops the cork on a bottle of expensive French champagne as the voluptuous blonde provocatively holds out the glasses. INT/NIGHT, OPERA The final curtain falls on the performance, the house lights come up and MADAM gazes at her husband’s empty seat with a snort. The usher appears to take MADAM’S arm and escort her out of the opera house. INT/NIGHT, PACO’S APARTMENT PACO and CARMELA are locked in a passionate embrace. PACO stands carrying Carmela with him and playfully steers her towards the bedroom. INT/NIGHT, PRESIDENTIAL SUITE HANNIBAL is in his skivvies on all fours, the blonde astride him with a haughty air. 29 INT/NIGHT, PACO’S BEDROOM PACO and CARMELA make love. INT/NIGHT, PRESIDENTIAL SUITE HANNIBAL is stretched out on the bed snoring noisily. The blonde quickly dresses then with fleeting glances at HANNIBAL she begins rifling his pockets. Finding nothing she curses under her breath and leaves in a huff. As the door closes HANNIBAL sits up with a wicked grin. INT/NIGHT, PACO’S BEDROOM PACO and CARMELA sleep peacefully entwined in each other’s arms their bodies illuminated by pale moonlight from the window. EXT/DAWN, MEXICO CITY STREET NEAR ELECTRIC CITY As the sun rises the city awakens. PACO strolls down the street in the relative calm pausing at a newsstand to peruse the headlines. He buys an English language paper and a pack of cigarettes and heads towards the entrance to Electric City. INT/DAWN, GROUND FLOOR SHOWROOM ELECTRIC CITY As PACO enters the housekeeping staff is still washing windows and polishing floors. ANITA emerges from her office with a start. ANITA Oh it’s you! Can I get you a cup of coffee? PACO (smiles) That would be great. What are you doing here so early? ANITA (hands him a mug) I come in early everyday it is the only time there is any peace and quiet. Will you be at the party tonight? PACO Would I miss a chance to drink on HANNIBAL’S tab! He makes his way to the elevator. ANITA sighs and returns to her office. INT/AM, CONFERENCE ROOM, 10th FLOOR 30 As PACO enters removing the wrapper from his cigarette pack the janitor is just winding up the cord on the vacuum cleaner. PACO tosses the wrapper in the garbage bag on the Janitor’s cart and the older man hands him a small aluminum ashtray with a nod towards the no smoking signs. PACO smiles in appreciation as the old fellow rushes the cart out into the corridor. PACO takes his seat in the now empty conference room. Sipping his coffee he begins to flip through the paper to find the leisure section. He comes across a two-page travel segment featuring the Greek Island of Corfu. As he gazes at the pictures of castles and beaches he is lost in reverie. Lighting a cigarette he begins to fantasize. EXT/SUNSET, PACO’S FANTASY, CORFU PACO and CARMELA scamper downs a long series of steps to the sea. They run and frolic on the empty beach playfully tossing away their clothes. They run and dive into the water splashing among the waves. Lying in the sand at the water’s edge they embrace and kiss passionately ala “From Here to Eternity” HANNIBAL (VO) That’s a one hundred-dollar penalty for smoking outside the designated area! INT/AM, CONFERENCE ROOM PACO is abruptly jerked back to reality and so startled that he drops his cigarette and spills his coffee on his trousers. The chairs around him are now full and HANNIBAL glares down at him from the podium. INT/AM, GROUNDFLOOR SHOWROOM CARMELA walks in and greets ANITA who is in very high spirits. CARMELA You are sure full of energy this morning. ANITA Funny but it’s been ages since I’ve looked forward to an outing this much. CARMELA What time can you come over? 31 ANITA Hmm, couldn’t we do it at my place? CARMELA Well… you haven’t seen the size of my hair and make-up kit. ANITA (laughs) I understand. Could we just grab a cab together after work then? CARMELA Sure. Don’t let my family frighten you when we get there. They are loud and obnoxious but basically harmless. ANITA (wry smile) That’s comforting. EXT/AM, RENATA’S HOUSE PACO pulls up outside the ramshackle dwelling and rings the bell. We can hear a series of locks being turned from the inside and the door opens a crack held by a thick chain. RENATA’S eyes grow wide as she sees her son. RENATA PACO! What are you doing here? PACO I just need to get cleaned up Ma your place was on my way. RENATA (hesitant) Hang on a minute. PACO is puzzled as she closes the door in his face. INT/AM, RENATA’S HOUSE RENATA scurries to hide the “evidence”. She shoves the racing form under a pile of laundry for ironing and goes back to the door. PACO Are you OK Ma? Why is it so dark in here? 32 He tries the light switch, no response. Then another and another moving from room to room until he reaches the kitchen. PACO Aww, Ma I gave you the money last week didn’t you pay the… He sees the bill hanging on the fridge then looks at his mother in disappointment. He empties his pants pockets and removes his trousers going to the sink. RENATA Sorry PACO but things just keep coming up… He scrubs at the coffee stain with agitation. PACO Sometimes between the two of you I don’t know who’s worse, you or dad. RENATA That’s a cheap shot! He gives up on the stain and puts his trousers back on as is cringing at the dampness. He refills his pockets and opens the fridge it is pretty full. He snatches the bill off the door and shoves it his pocket.
Copyright © 2000 Victoria King |