CUT TO:
EXT. LOS ANGELES - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: K-OTIX - DO YOU WANNA BE AN MC?
The protagonist, Lui, goes around the city of Los Angeles…
Lost…
Lui is trying to be nice to people but gets yelled at…
Tired…
Lui surrounded by bullies…
Snapped…
Lui sits in the corner of darkness…
Regretted…
Condemned Hearts
SFX/MUSIC: SONG ENDS.
CUT TO:
BLACK SCREEN.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE.
Many tents are on an empty plot of dirt, far from the street. The tents are either traditional or made from random materials from garbage… The people are either sleeping, chatting, or sharing.
The protagonist is among the people, and he's getting out of his cardboard with a tarp tent… This is LUI, a skinny Cantonese teenager (17-18) who stands at 5'7". He looks dirty… He has messy, long black hair but no facial hair and a little scar on his left cheek… He's wearing a dirty beige, rolled up long, long-sleeved shirt, ripped black pants, and dirty white sports shoes. He's also wearing black-framed glasses.
Exiting his tent, he stretches both arms in the air while licking his lips… He takes a big bottle of water out of his tent to drink what's left at the very bottom of it… He tries to get more of it until he gives up and throws the bottle back into the tent…
SFX/MUSIC: LOST.
He leaves the shelter.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CITY - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
LUI wanders the active streets of late 1990s Los Angeles begging for money…
LUI
Hello, excuse me…
LUI is soft-spoken.
CUT TO:
LUI
May I have some money, please?
The people are ignoring him…
CUT TO:
LUI
Please? I-I need food and water…
LUI begs with his hands.
CUT TO:
GIRL 1
GET A JOB!
LUI
I-I'm sorry! I-
LUI struggles to explain…
CUT TO:
GUY 1
Get away from me!
LUI
O-Okay, okay! I'm sorry!
LUI steps back.
CUT TO:
GIRL 2
Perv!
LUI
I-
GUY 2
Stay the fuck away from my girl, creep!
The GUY 2 suddenly pushes LUI down to the ground.
LUI
Urgh! Wh- I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!
LUI apologizes as he's getting up…
CUT TO:
OLD GUY
H-Here you go, son.
The OLD GUY kindly gives some money to LUI with a smile on his face.
LUI
T-Thank you! I hope you'll have a good day!
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC ENDS.
LUI widely smiles when he receives the money, and the OLD GUY walks away. LUI is happily counting the money while a random (fat) janitor BIG GUY is menacingly walking up behind him until he arrives to grab both of his shoulders from behind. LUI's happy expression suddenly turns into fear.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. THE ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS.
The BIG GUY slams LUI to a wall.
LUI
Argh!
LUI falls to the ground.
LUI
W-Wait!
The BIG GUY takes this opportunity to stomp on his body as he's laughing maniacally…
LUI
Urgh…
LUI only stays quiet as he's getting beaten up until he's done and takes the money from him…
BIG GUY
Stay off the streets, you filthy Vietnamese fuck! Haha!
The BIG GUY happily walks away with the money while LUI struggles not to cry in pain…
LUI
U-Urgh…
LUI sits up on the wall while he's tightly holding the right side of his body… Taking deep, sharp breaths as he looks back at the streets… Taking a moment…
LUI
Arghhh…
LUI pulls himself up to get out of the alleyway…
CUT TO:
EXT. GOLDEN BURGERS - SUNSET, STREETLIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS.
LUI is at a popular permanent stall called Golden Burgers. LUI pays the cashier 7 dollars and 50 cents, and the cashier gives him a brown paper bag with the store's logo and name on it.
EMPLOYEE
Here you go, sir.
LUI smiles as he takes it.
LUI
Thank you.
LUI starts walking somewhere with the heavy bag of burgers until there's a familiar face about to walk past him and that familiar face is also familiar with LUI. So, they both stop at the same time to see each other.
GUY
Oh shit, I know you!
The GUY is surprised but confused, and so is LUI, except he's not confused.
LUI
Yeah. Back in high school.
GUY
Shit, yeah! I remember what you did for me but ugh I don't remember your name.
LUI
It's Lui (Louie).
GUY
Lui! Yeah, you helped me out with the test papers!
LUI
Yeah, I did.
LUI smiles.
GUY
Do you remember me???
LUI
Y-Yeah. Richie.
RICHIE is an average-build African American teenager (17-18) who stands at 5'10". He also looks dirty. He has Jheri curl black hair and a stubble mustache. He's wearing a grey tank top, blue jeans, and dirty white sneakers. He's also wearing silver chains.
RICHIE
Yeah! How you been, homie??? You look shit…
RICHIE looks at the condition of LUI and realizes.
LUI
U-Uhm… I'm homeless. Heh…
RICHIE
What happened???
LUI
Uhh… T-Things happened between me and my dad.
RICHIE
Oh you ran away too???
LUI is confused…
LUI
Y-Yeah. You ran too?
RICHIE
Yeah. Things got complicated with my mom and my big brother.
LUI
Oh… I'm sorry to hear that.
RICHIE
Yeah, it's whatever. Come on, let's sit down.
RICHIE goes to find a free table that is for Golden Burgers' customers only.
RICHIE
What did you get by the way?
RICHIE asks as they're sitting down.
LUI
I got three single cheeseburgers.
RICHIE is confused.
RICHIE
Why didn't you get a double cheeseburger instead?
LUI
Uhm. Two is for the people that I can give to.
RICHIE
For the other homeless people?
LUI
Yeah.
RICHIE
Ohh. You're a nice guy!
LUI slightly smiles.
LUI
I-I try.
RICHIE
Yeah, you're nice! Too nice!
LUI
Heh… D-Do you want one?
RICHIE
Nah, I'm good. Thanks. I'd rather get the double…
LUI
Okay.
RICHIE looks at the menu that is stapled on the table.
RICHIE
Oh yeah, how long have you been out here?
LUI
Uhh… A week after the test papers results. I've been out here for… One month and a half.
RICHIE
Huh, no wonder I didn't see you around after that. I've been out here for like three days now… Do you have a place?
LUI
Uhh, I guess.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - NIGHT, STREETLIGHTS, CAMPFIRES.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE.
RICHIE
This is the place?
They're walking to LUI's tent.
LUI
Yeah.
RICHIE
Why here?
RICHIE asks as he looks around.
LUI
I-I think this is the best place to live in.
RICHIE
Why?
LUI
It's under the sun.
RICHIE
I think there are other great places to live. Heheh.
LUI
I don't know where else though… And this is a safe place.
RICHIE
Safe? Hah. This is the opposite of safe!
LUI
W-We don't let anyone rob o-or kill here…
RICHIE
Really?
LUI
Yeah.
RICHIE
Huh, okay.
RICHIE looks at the people with thoughts in mind.
RICHIE
Where do you sleep?
LUI
Over here.
They stop at LUI's tent.
RICHIE
Shitt.
RICHIE takes a look at the tent…
LUI
Yeah. I-I can help you make a tent like mine.
RICHIE
Nah, I don't want a tent like yours. I want to get a real tent.
LUI
But that's expensive.
RICHIE
Then I'll get the money.
LUI
How much do you have?
RICHIE
Not much but I'll get the money.
RICHIE confidentially smiles while LUI is confused…
LUI
I-I can help you to get money.
RICHIE is confused but finds it funny.
RICHIE
You don't look like the type.
LUI is more confused than RICHIE.
LUI
W-What type?
RICHIE becomes more confused.
RICHIE
You don't look like a thief.
LUI widens his eyes in shock.
LUI
Y-You steal money???
RICHIE is beyond confused but he finds this funny.
RICHIE
Heh. Yeah, how else do I survive out here? I go around and beg? Fuck that. I ain't doing all that.
LUI
B-But you're stealing!
RICHIE
Yeah, so? I've been doing that shit with my gang in school for two years.
LUI
T-Two years?
RICHIE
Wait, you didn't know???
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
Y-Yeah, I guess I-I didn't know you've been stealing!
RICHIE
Oh. Haha! I have been doing more than stealing, Lui.
LUI is baffled…
LUI
Oh…
RICHIE
Hahaha! Wait, so, you've been begging random people on the streets this whole time?
LUI
I-I guess, yeah.
RICHIE sighs and shakes his head in disapproval…
RICHIE
Alright, you gotta make some money in the best way possible.
LUI
What is it?
CUT TO:
SFX/MUSIC: PREPARE.
They're on the sidewalk.
RICHIE
I'm gonna teach you how to pickpocket.
CUT TO:
RICHIE (PAST)
Back pockets.
LUI is just walking forward while RICHIE is up close to him until RICHIE stops. LUI keeps walking forward until he stops by himself and realizes the money in his back pocket is missing. Then, he sees RICHIE has his money with a smirk on his face.
CUT TO:
RICHIE (PAST)
Bumping.
LUI and RICHIE are walking toward each other until RICHIE purposely bumps into him but they continue walking until LUI reaches into his front pockets to find nothing… RICHIE has his money again.
RICHIE
Haha.
CUT TO:
RICHIE (PAST)
Try it on me.
LUI is attempting to pickpocket RICHIE's back pockets but the fear gets the best of him and he immediately gets caught by RICHIE.
LUI
Ah!
RICHIE
Got you. Haha!
CUT TO:
RICHIE (PAST)
Again.
LUI needs to bump into RICHIE and LUI starts to panic a little as he gets closer to him. When he bumps into him, he tries to get his hand reaching into RICHIE's front pockets but instead, his hand gets stuck when he wants to continue walking-
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS.
RICHIE
Woah! Hahaha!
LUI is rightfully embarrassed for this moment.
LUI
S-Sorry!!! L-Let me-
LUI is struggling to get his hand out of RICHIE's front pockets.
RICHIE
No, I got this.
RICHIE starts moving his body.
LUI
I-It's fine!
It's a funny moment where RICHIE is rotating his body to get LUI's hand out of his pockets but LUI is trying to get his hand out in the opposite rotation direction.
RICHIE
Jesus Christ, Lui!
LUI
I-I'm sorry! I-I'm almost there!
LUI finally gets his hand out of the pockets.
LUI
Urgh! I-I am so sorry about that.
RICHIE
Hahaha! You're all good, homie! That shit was hilarious.
LUI smiles out of relief.
LUI
Heh…
RICHIE
Alright, try again.
LUI is unsure…
LUI
Eh… I-I don't know about this…
RICHIE
What do you mean?
LUI
I-I don't wanna do this kind of thing.
RICHIE
W-Why not???
LUI
It's wrong to steal…
RICHIE sighs.
RICHIE
Do you really wanna sit back and let the bad things happen to you?
LUI is confused.
LUI
N-No?
RICHIE
Then do something about it, goddammit.
LUI stays quiet as he thinks about it…
RICHIE
Come on, let's try this again.
LUI
O-Okay…
LUI continues to think for a quick moment before he continues to learn with RICHIE.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CITY - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/SERIOUS.
The streets are medium active and RICHIE is scouting for people to pickpocket while LUI is visibly unsure about this…
RICHIE
It's easy to pickpocket a fool who's distracted… Look at that one.
RICHIE points at a GUY trying to hook up with a GIRL.
RICHIE
Watch this.
They wait for them to pass by so that RICHIE can get behind the guy to pickpocket. He easily takes the guy's wallet out of his pocket and quietly runs away to LUI.
RICHIE
Haha! That was easy!
LUI awkwardly smiles.
LUI
Heh…
RICHIE
Okay, your turn.
RICHIE looks around.
LUI
R-Richie.
RICHIE
I see one.
RICHIE eyes on the same (fat) janitor BIG GUY that beat up LUI earlier today…
RICHIE
Let's go for that fat man.
LUI widens his eyes when he looks at him.
MUSIC/SFX: SUSPENSE.
LUI
W-Wait-
RICHIE
I'll distract him, and you can take his cash from behind. Let's go.
RICHIE goes for it without listening to LUI.
LUI
No! No… Why?
LUI looks at RICHIE running to the BIG GUY.
RICHIE
Yo, yo, yo. Wait!
RICHIE gets in front of him.
BIG GUY
Huh? What the fuck you want?
RICHIE
Vic, right?
LUI thinks for a moment as he's taking a sharp breath of nervousness…
BIG GUY
Who?
LUI groans before he makes up his mind to slowly sneak up on the big guy…
RICHIE
You're not Vic?
LUI arrives and he slowly reaches his hand into the BIG GUY's back pocket…
BIG GUY
Who the fuck is that? And who the fuck are you?
LUI is slowly pulling the wallet out of his pocket and suddenly.
BIG GUY
What the fu- What the fuck!
The BIG GUY felt what was going on and LUI quickly pulls out the wallet out of panic…
LUI
O-Oh no…
LUI drops the wallet to the ground as the BIG GUY turns around…
BIG GUY
You're robbing me, you Vietnamese piece of shit?!
LUI
W-W-Wait!
LUI steps back out of fear.
BIG GUY
You FUCK!
The BIG swings his right gigantic arm to LUI's left side of his face and with the force of the swing sends him into an alleyway.
EXT. THE ALLEYWAY - NIGHT, DARK.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS/CONTINUOUS.
LUI falls to the ground.
LUI
Argh!
LUI looks up to see a foot heading toward his face, and it kicks him in the jaw.
LUI
ARGH!!
BIG GUY
Piece of shit!
RICHIE
AHHH!
RICHIE comes to the rescue and pushes the BIG GUY from behind.
BIG GUY
Wah!
The BIG GUY tries to balance himself after getting a push but he falls to the ground on his stomach.
BIG GUY
Oof!
LUI
Urgh…
LUI holds his jaw…
RICHIE
Are you alright???
LUI
Y-Yeah… Argh…
BIG GUY
Motherfucker!
The BIG GUY is getting up.
RICHIE
Shit, get up, Lui! We gotta beat the shit out of him!
LUI
I-I… Agh…
When the BIG GUY is up, RICHIE runs to him for a punch in the face.
RICHIE
AHH!
BIG GUY
Oof! AH!
The BIG GUY swings his entire left arm at RICHIE, and RICHIE gets hit in the face.
RICHIE
Orgh!
RICHIE also gets thrown against the wall, and the BIG GUY immediately tackles him against it.
RICHIE
S-Shit! Lui! Help!
LUI
N-No… S-Strgh…
LUI pulls himself up…
LUI
S-Stop this! I-I'm sorry!
BIG GUY
Shut the fuck up-
RICHIE takes the chance to headbutt the BIG GUY.
BIG GUY & RICHIE
Argh!
The BIG GUY lets RICHIE go to take a step back when holding his head in pain.
RICHIE
AHHH!
RICHIE runs to the BIG GUY for an attack again.
LUI
Richie, don't!
BIG GUY
AH!
The BIG GUY swings his right fist into RICHIE's face and that puts him down to the ground, and it appears he's knocked out…
LUI
Richie!
The BIG GUY targets LUI next…
BIG GUY
Come here, you little shit!
The BIG GUY walks to LUI and LUI takes a step back away from him.
LUI
I-I-I-I'm sorry!!! I-I won't-
The BIG GUY grabs his throat with two of his hands and that's choking LUI… LUI falls to the ground on his back while the BIG GUY continues to choke him…
LUI
I-I-I'M SORRY!
LUI's face is becoming red.
BIG GUY
You think you could FUCK with me?! YOU CAN'T.
The BIG GUY is furious and emotional…
LUI
P-PLEASE!!!
LUI is about to pass out until a bottle shatters on the BIG GUY's head.
BIG GUY
AGH!
The BIG GUY let go of LUI's throat and LUI gasps for air… RICHIE saves him again by smashing an empty beer bottle on the BIG GUY's head, and he pulls the BIG GUY away from him.
RICHIE starts to beat the shit out of him by punching his face multiple times while LUI gets up to see the horrifying side of RICHIE…
LUI
ri-ri-richie…
LUI struggles to get his voice out…
LUI
Rich… Richie… Richie. RICHIE!
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS.
RICHIE stops punching him when he hears LUI's voice… The result of the BIG GUY's face is full of swells and bruises… RICHIE is panting…
LUI
H-He… I-Is he dead…?
RICHIE
No, he's not dead… He's out cold…
RICHIE gets up and LUI coughs while he's still on the ground… RICHIE offers his hand to get LUI up…
LUI
Thanks…
RICHIE sighs of disappointment…
RICHIE
Jesus Christ, Lui…
LUI
W-What?
RICHIE stays quiet as he just keeps looking at him of disappointment… LUI is visibly guilty…
LUI
I-I'm sorry, Richie…
RICHIE
It's whatever… You can't do this kind of thing.
Looking at the BIG GUY…
LUI
Yeah…
The disappointed and the guilty stare at each other in silence…
RICHIE
You're on your own here.
LUI doesn't say anything as RICHIE leaves the alleyway… LUI looks at the BIG GUY as he explores in his mind…
FADE IN:
BLACK SCREEN.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE CITY - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE.
LUI is begging for money from strangers again…
CUT TO:
EXT. GOLDEN BURGERS - BRIGHT AFTERNOON.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS.
When LUI is walking to the stall, he notices a lonely homeless girl around his age, her head resting on her arms on one of the messy tables with an umbrella above her protecting her from the harsh sun.
CUT TO:
An EMPLOYEE comes to her.
EMPLOYEE
Ahem.
The GIRL looks up to him with an exhausted expression.
EMPLOYEE
Get out of here.
GIRL
I'm already out here.
The GIRL gives him a sarcastic smile.
EMPLOYEE
Either buy something from us, or we'll make you leave.
The EMPLOYEE is not having it, and the GIRL takes a deep breath.
GIRL
Fuck off.
The GIRL sarcastically smiles, and just when the EMPLOYEE is about to raise his voice, LUI appears.
LUI
Excuse me.
The EMPLOYEE gives LUI the way for him to put a burger in the wrapper on the table for her.
LUI
That's for you. Take care.
LUI gives her a small smile before he walks away. The EMPLOYEE quietly leaves, while the girl is confused before she unwraps the burger, and she is shocked to find an actual burger. She turns her head to LUI.
GIRL
Hey!
LUI stops to turn around.
LUI
Yeah?
GIRL
Sit with me.
LUI takes a moment to respond.
LUI
Uhm, okay.
LUI sits across the table.
GIRL
What's your name?
The GIRL smiles.
LUI
Y-you can call me Lui. (Louie)
JILL
Lui. That's a cool name. I'm Jill. Jill Woods.
She's an average white American adult teenager (18-19) who is 5'5" and looks a little dirty. She has long, messy, brunette hair. She's wearing a grey T-shirt, grey shorts, a beige jacket wrapped around her waist to cover her shorts, and black and white sneakers.
LUI scratches his head as he looks down with a smile.
LUI
Thanks.
JILL
Can I come to your place?
LUI
I don't have a home. I'm homeless too.
JILL
I know. But I wanna go with you.
JILL smiles, and LUI tries to awkwardly smile back.
LUI
U-Uhm… O-Okay? But I-I don't know if you'd like the place where I'm staying.
JILL
Can I see?
CUT TO:
EXT. GHETTO TOWN - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS.
It's a quiet journey between them… No conversations or anything… Just walking…
CUT TO:
They're almost to the overpass.
CUT TO
Suddenly, a black-and-white livery four-door convertible lowrider appears in front of them. Four black gangsters are in it, loudly chatting, laughing, and listening to rap in full volume.
GANGSTER 1
Yo, yo, yo!
The GANGSTER 1 gets his homies' attention as he points at JILL.
GANGSTER 1
Look at that fine girl!
The gangsters take an interest in her. The gangsters are wearing a similar color scheme of clothes. Black & white.
GANGSTER 2
Drive up to her!
They speed up a little and stop near them.
SFX/MUSIC: SUSPENSE.
JILL immediately knows what's going on, so she quickly grabs onto LUI's arm and which caught him off guard a little and made him blush a little…
GANGSTER 3
Damnn, you look good, girl!!!
JILL looks at them with disgust as they continue to walk.
GANGSTER 3
Ay, come back here! Reverse!
The GANGSTER 4 goes in reverse to catch up to JILL. LUI becomes nervous, and he takes JILL with him to get a little farther from them…
GANGSTER 1
Ay, whatcha doin with that loser??? Come with us and have fun!
LUI gulps…
JILL
Do something!!!
JILL whispers to him, but LUI doesn't know what to say…
GANGSTER 2
Come on! Have fun with us!
JILL looks at them with disgust while LUI appears to be scared to make eye contact with one of them…
GANGSTER 1
Hey!
The GANGSTER 1 suddenly jumps out of the car to get in front of them and they stop…
GANGSTER 1
Whatcha doin with a pathetic guy like him, huh?
They only stay quiet as JILL stares at him with disgust, and LUI is not looking at him…
GANGSTER 1
You got nothing to say?
The GANGSTER 1 asks LUI, and JILL looks at LUI with confusion…
LUI
I-I-I.
LUI tries to look at the GANGSTER 1.
GANGSTER 1
I-I-I-I-I'm retarted? Is that what you were going to say?
The GANGSTER 1 and his friends laugh at the joke, and JILL becomes angry at LUI as she lightly kicks him on the leg.
LUI
C-Can you n-not bother us?
GANGSTER 1
I can bother you whenever I like, bitch. Let her go.
The other GANGSTERS agree.
LUI
N-N-N-
GANGSTER 1
Oh my god, this guy… Haha. Come on, let go of him, sweetheart. Let's get in the car. We'll have a party!
The GANGSTER 1 offers to JILL, and JILL has this furious face but can't say anything to him…
GANGSTER 1
I promise I'll take good care of you.
The GANGSTERS agree with him… JILL looks at him with confusion and anger…
JILL
Lui…
Suddenly, a police siren.
GANGSTER 4
Shit! It's the five-oh! Get in!
There's a police car with sirens going after the GANGSTERS.
GANGSTER 1
Fuck! I'll be back for you!
The GANGSTER 1 smiles at JILL before he jumps into the car and they speed away from the police and the police chases after them…
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC ENDS.
LUI deeply sighs with relief as he relaxes his body…
LUI
That was a close one-
JILL quickly pulls herself away from LUI, and she slaps him in the face.
LUI
Ow!
LUI holds his cheek…
JILL
You fucking coward!
LUI thinks…
LUI
I-I-I'm s-so sorry…
JILL
Whatever. I'm done with you.
When JILL is about to walk away, RICHIE arrives at the right moment. RICHIE appeared to be walking out of the overpass.
RICHIE
Woah, what the hell happened?
JILL instantly becomes scared of RICHIE, and LUI notices this.
LUI
It's okay. That's my- That's my friend, Richie.
JILL
So, he's not one of them?
RICHIE
Who's one of them?
LUI
There was a gang that wanted to take her…
RICHIE
Oh, Jesus Christ… Are you okay?
RICHIE asks JILL.
JILL
Yeah.
RICHIE
The next time you see them or anyone trying to get you. You let me know.
RICHIE smiles, and JILL returns it.
RICHIE
What's your name?
JILL
Jill. Jill Woods.
RICHIE
Jill? I like that name.
JILL smiles.
JILL
Thank you.
RICHIE smiles.
RICHIE
The name is Richie. I'm guessing Lui was taking you to the overpass.
JILL
Yeah.
RICHIE
Alright, let's go then.
RICHIE takes the lead and JILL follows while LUI follows behind…
RICHIE
So, why did you slap Lui for?
JILL
Ugh… Because he didn't do anything to protect me.
JILL looks back at LUI with disgust, and RICHIE only looks at him…
RICHIE
He… He's just like that…
ZOOM INTO LUI'S FACE.
RICHIE (IN HIS MIND)
He's just like that…
RICHIE (IN HIS MIND)
He's just like that…
RICHIE (IN HIS MIND)
He's just like that…
Those words echo in LUI's mind while he's pretending he didn't take it personally… Just emotionless…
SFX/MUSIC: LOST.
MATCH FADE IN:
EXT. THE CITY - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS/CONTINUOUS.
LUI is back at his routine… The people he encounters when begging are either asocial, rude, or nice… When he gets money, he becomes appreciative of them…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - NIGHT, STREETLIGHTS, CAMPFIRES.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
LUI comes back to the overpass with some burgers to give to his fellow homeless people, and they appreciate him…
CUT TO:
Shortly after sitting down on the ground with his back on the pillar to eat his burger, he spots RICHIE and JILL are bonding, chatting, and laughing together.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CITY - AFTERNOON.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
The usual routine but less nice people…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - NIGHT, STREETLIGHTS, CAMPFIRES.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
LUI has fewer burgers to give to his fellow people…
CUT TO:
RICHIE and JILL flirting with each other… They're also wearing new, fresh clothes… LUI thinks for a bit before he snaps out of it and lets out a small sigh…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CITY - SUNSET, STREETLIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
Less nice people, more asocial or rude people…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - NIGHT, STREETLIGHTS, CAMPFIRE.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
LUI can only give two burgers…
CUT TO:
He spots RICHIE and JILL holding hands as they go into an alleyway connected to the overpass. LUI looks down at the ground as he goes to explore in his deepest thoughts after they disappear into the alleyway…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CITY - NIGHT, STREETLIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
This time, things got bad with a group of people at his age…
TEENAGER 1
Ugh, you stink!
TEENAGER 2
Yeah, go to shower!
TEENAGER 3
Get a job!!!
TEENAGER 4
Loser!!
TEENAGER 5
Look at the money we have!!! Haha!
The TEENAGERS make fun of the scared LUI, who is slowly trying to escape that situation.
TEENAGER 1
HEY! LISTEN TO US!
TEENAGER 2
GET THIS MOTHERFUCKER!
They suddenly drag LUI into a nearby alleyway…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE ALLEYWAY - NIGHT, DARK.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS/CONTINUOUS.
This is the aftermath of the beatup where LUI is sitting on the ground with his back leaning on the wall… LUI appears to be stressing his mind out as he's tightly holding his head while looking down at the ground with wide eyes…
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC ENDS.
BULLY 1 (IN HIS MIND)
You like that shit???
CUT TO:
FLASHES OF THE PAST.
In his school days, LUI was made fun of and beaten up by people…
BULLY 2
Give me everything you got!
BULLY 3
Pathetic!
BULLY 4
Go back to China where you belonged!
BULLY 5
Kill yourself!
The flashes intensify.
FADE IN:
BLACK SCREEN.
JILL (ECHO)
You fucking coward!!!
RICHIE (ECHO)
He's just like that.
FADE IN:
REALITY.
LUI is looking at his shaky hands until he tries to calm himself down by holding his own hands… He takes a sharp deep breath… He stays where he is for a while…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - NIGHT, STREETLIGHTS, CAMPFIRE.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE.
LUI comes back to the overpass with nothing… He's defeated by everything…
RICHIE (O.S)
Jill!
LUI stops to see what's going on between RICHIE and JILL… JILL is furiously walking away from RICHIE, who's in the alleyway.
RICHIE
Come on, baby! Come back!
RICHIE is worried while JILL is not having any of him… JILL just walks out of the overpass.
RICHIE
JILL! Ugh…
RICHIE softly face palms out of stress… LUI is confused…
CUT TO:
LUI is sleeping in his tent…
RICHIE (O.S)
Lui?
LUI instantly wakes up because of the visitation.
LUI
Y-Yeah?
LUI rubs his eyes before he gets glasses.
RICHIE (O.S)
Can we talk?
LUI is confused.
LUI
Uhm. S-Sure?
CUT TO:
LUI comes out of his tent to talk with RICHIE. RICHIE is also wearing new, fresh clothes. He's wearing a dark grey sleeveless shirt, black jeans, and clean white sneakers.
RICHIE
Hey.
RICHIE smiles.
LUI
Hey.
Things get awkward between them.
RICHIE
So, uhm… First of all, I just wanna apologize for abandoning you.
LUI looks down at the ground…
LUI
I-It's fine…
RICHIE
Nah, it's not, man, and I'm sorry. I just abandoned you because I liked Jill. A lot.
LUI
I know.
RICHIE
I'll make it up to you, but I need your help.
LUI
With what?
RICHIE
To get Jill back here. I need her back tonight… Maybe you can talk to her? If you can find her.
LUI looks at one place before he turns back to RICHIE.
LUI
Uhm… O-Okay, I'll try my best to talk to her.
RICHIE smiles.
RICHIE
Thanks, man. I'll be at my place. Just go to that alleyway and you'll see where I live.
RICHIE points at the alleyway where RICHIE took JILL in the other day…
LUI
Okay.
RICHIE
See you soon.
RICHIE confidently smiles at LUI before he walks to the alleyway.
LUI
See you.
LUI turns around to walk somewhere else…
CUT TO:
JILL is sleeping on top of flattened cardboard and using another flattened cardboard as a blanket… When LUI approaches her, she instantly wakes up, she wasn't sleeping this whole time…
JILL
Ah!
LUI
Ah! S-Sorry.
LUI awkwardly smiles.
JILL
Oh, it's you… What do you want?
JILL is not happy to see him… JILL slowly sits up.
LUI
R-Richie is looking for you-
JILL
No. Tell him to fuck off.
LUI
But-
JILL
No. Tell him to fuck off. In fact, why don't you fuck off too?
JILL is visibly shaken and LUI becomes worried…
LUI
W-What happened?
JILL thinks for a moment…
JILL
Ugh… Remember those boys days ago? The ones that are trying to get me?
LUI
Yeah?
JILL
Richie was friends with them this whole fucking time and now he wants me to… Fuck his buddies.
LUI is shocked.
LUI
W-Why??
JILL
Just for a better life… But fuck that, I'm not fucking everyone for that. So, tell him to fuck off.
Things quickly became awkward between them…
LUI
Uh… Well, okay. I-I'll just tell Richie that you hate it.
JILL
Yeah, whatever… Just leave me alone…
LUI
O-Okay… Take care.
LUI awkwardly leaves.
CUT TO:
LUI looks at the alleyway as he thinks about it before he walks in…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE ALLEYWAY - NIGHT, DARK.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE.
The wide alleyway is just between some tall walls and abandoned buildings; there's also another pathway to the streets, but there's a locked gate. RICHIE is sitting on top of an abandoned car next to a garage with the door slightly opened, and inside that garage, there are dim orange lights. RICHIE's expression becomes scared.
RICHIE
You couldn't find her???
LUI
I did find her and… And…
LUI struggles to get what he wants to say…
RICHIE
You couldn't convince her? Shit…
RICHIE thinks for a moment…
RICHIE
Alright… Where is she?
LUI
I-I didn't want to convince her.
RICHIE is confused.
RICHIE
Why not???
LUI gulps.
LUI
S-s-she told me that- That you were friends with those guys this whole time and- A-and you want them to s-screw her.
RICHIE is baffled.
RICHIE
W-what?! What the fuck was she talking about??? Well- Yeah, I was friends with them this whole time, but I didn't know it was them at the time. I-I'm not gonna hand her over to my friends like that… I-I didn't say that…
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
Y-You're lying…
RICHIE
No, she's overreacting.
LUI
N-No… I-I'm not gonna tell you where she is…
RICHIE
I-I just need her back. I-I won't let anyone fuck her…
LUI
Y-You're using her…
RICHIE is becoming impatient…
SFX/MUSIC: SUSPENSE.
RICHIE
Lui, if you don't tell me where she is.
LUI
Oh no…
LUI takes a step back out of fear…
RICHIE
Lui. Tell me where she is.
Things get intense as they just stare at each other until RICHIE runs after him.
LUI
WAIT!
LUI runs for his life until he hits the end of the alleyway, and they both stop, far apart.
RICHIE
There's nowhere else to run, Lui!
LUI
Y-You don't have to do this!!
RICHIE
I have to!
LUI is trying to find/get a way through without RICHIE catching him. LUI then sprints for it, and RICHIE grabs LUI for one second because RICHIE's hand slips but that causes LUI to trip to the ground a bit far from RICHIE.
LUI
Ugh!
RICHIE runs after him, and LUI sees the slightly open garage door and gets the idea to run in.
INT. THE GARAGE HOME - DIM ORANGE CANDLES.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET/CONTINUOUS.
The garage is clean, there's a coffee table, a clean queen-size bed with two pillows and a blanket, and a short bedside table next to the bed that has a radio and magazine books. There's also a basket with fresh clothes.
LUI goes through the creek of the garage door and tries to slide it closed before RICHIE gets in. Unfortunately, RICHIE gets in at the last second.
LUI
NO!
LUI quickly walks backwards until his back hits the wall.
RICHIE
You're stuck in here now.
RICHIE walks to LUI, and LUI tries to run past him but RICHIE tackles him against the wall.
LUI
Agh!
RICHIE pins LUI against the wall with his left arm on LUI's chest.
RICHIE
Stop moving and tell me where she is.
LUI is not saying a word to him…
RICHIE
Tell me.
RICHIE says as he makes a fist on his right hand, but LUI is staying strong… RICHIE punches LUI in the face.
LUI
Urgh!
RICHIE
TELL ME!
RICHIE punches him again, and his nose starts to bleed.
RICHIE
WHERE IS SHE!!!
RICHIE punches him again, and LUI's left lens of his glasses breaks.
RICHIE
WHERE!!!
LUI
Ugh… W-W-Wh-
RICHIE
Tell me!
LUI
W-Why are you… Why are you doing this???
RICHIE takes a moment…
RICHIE
I wanna go back where I belong… But I need her. So, tell me where she is right now!
LUI
N-No…
RICHIE
Ugh… You fucking idiot!
RICHIE is about to punch him again, but LUI quickly uses his right knee to kick him in the crotch.
RICHIE
OOF!
RICHIE holds his crotch in pain, and LUI takes the chance to push him away.
RICHIE
HARGH!
RICHIE falls on top of the coffee table, and he breaks it in half.
LUI
Urgh… I-I don't wanna fight!
LUI tightly holds his left side of his face…
RICHIE
You fucker!
RICHIE quickly gets up to give LUI another punch, but LUI quickly moves out of the way, and RICHIE's punch lands on the wall, breaking his hand.
RICHIE
OW! FUCK!!!
RICHIE holds his right hand.
LUI
S-Shit…
RICHIE
STOP MOVING!
RICHIE charges toward LUI with his left arm swinging, but LUI dodges him again, and he trips to the floor.
LUI
Urgh!
LUI dodges a kick from RICHIE, and he quickly gets up to escape the garage. When he's sliding the garage door open, RICHIE pushes him to the corner.
LUI
Urgh! WAIT!
RICHIE punches him with his left hand in the face, and that punch pushes LUI to the wall with the back of his head…
SLOW MOTION.
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS.
LUI hears the voices of the past… Hurtful words… LUI's face of agony and fear slowly becomes furious…
NORMAL SPEED.
LUI headbutts RICHIE in the head.
RICHIE
Urgh!
While RICHIE is stunned, LUI suddenly swings his entire right arm to punch RICHIE in the face.
RICHIE
AGH!
After that, LUI punches him another before he pushes him against the wall.
LUI
YOU…
LUI suddenly grabs RICHIE's hair and starts banging his head against the wall. He keeps going out of anger… Suddenly there's a splat of blood on the wall from RICHIE's head and LUI stops as he loudly gasps…
RICHIE
Urghhh!!! Fuuck!
RICHIE tightly holds his head with his left hand…
RICHIE
M-My head… My head hurts… Ugh!!!
RICHIE walks forward… Walking somewhere… LUI is shocked and terrified that he falls to the floor on his butt… Watching him stumble…
RICHIE
Fuck, Lui… Y-You bashed my head against the fucking wall…
RICHIE touches the back of his head and sees the blood on his hand… RICHIE looks at LUI.
RICHIE
Y-You know what, Lui… Even though I-I hate you right now… Y-Y-You make me… You make me proud…
RICHIE smiles at the confused LUI before his eyes go up and his body falls to the floor.
LUI
Oh shit! Richie!
LUI quickly crawls to RICHIE, who's having a seizure with a foam in his mouth…
LUI
Richie!!!
LUI holds his body for a moment before he goes to cover the back of his head to stop the bleeding… But other than that there's nothing else he can do to help until he stops moving…
LUI
Richie???
RICHIE's eyes are still open… LUI goes to hear his breathing from his mouth.
LUI
Oh no no no… Richie!
LUI starts doing chest compression with his bloody hands…
LUI
Wake up!!!
Nothing…
LUI
No! Shit!! No!!!
LUI stops doing the chest compression…
LUI
Richie… I-I-I am so sorry…
SFX/MUSIC: HORROR.
LUI is lost and guilty in this moment… He sits on the floor while he's looking at his shaky bloody hands…
LUI
I am so sorry… I am so sorry…
LUI sits there… Apologizing over and over…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE ALLEYWAY - NIGHT, DARK.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE.
The shaken LUI gets out of the garage and closes the door… He takes a deep, sharp breath… He wipes the blood off his nose before he starts walking to the overpass…
SFX/MUSIC: SUSPENSE.
Suddenly, a muscle car engine can be heard on his left, bright headlights are on his left… There's a black & white livery muscle car (1968 Dodge Coronet) driving up on his left… It came from the streets, on another pathway… The gate is wide open…
LUI
Oh no…
LUI instinctively raises both of his arms above his head… The black DRIVER and black PASSENGER get out of the car in confusion with pistols (Glock 17) in their hands.
DRIVER
Who are you?
LUI gulps.
LUI
L-Lui…
They walk up to him.
DRIVER
Where's Richie, Lui?
LUI stays quiet while he looks down at the ground, but the DRIVER sees the garage door with small windows on top.
DRIVER
Check that out.
The PASSENGER goes to the garage and LUI nervously watches him go in…
PASSENGER (O.S)
Oh shit. He's dead! Richie's dead!
The DRIVER is shocked but impressed at the same time…
DRIVER
You killed him?
LUI gulps.
LUI
Y-Y-Yeah…
The PASSENGER comes back.
DRIVER
I have a good guess what happened here. You saved the girl from him?
LUI
Yeah…
The DRIVER just observes him…
DRIVER
That was stupid.
PASSENGER
Want me to cap this fool?
LUI
W-Wait!
DRIVER
Not yet.
LUI sighs of relief…
DRIVER
I'm going to make you two offers you can't refuse.
LUI slowly looks at the DRIVER.
DRIVER
First, you go get the blondie back to us. Second, I need you to infiltrate a Triad gang called Western Amber Reapers. Do these and I'll let you live.
LUI is shocked to hear about the gang.
LUI
W-Why them???
DRIVER
I'll answer your questions later if you're in.
LUI looks at the PASSENGER's pistol…
LUI
Y-Yeah…
The DRIVER smiles.
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS.
DRIVER
Good.
LUI slowly puts his hands down…
LUI
B-But I-I won't look for J-Ji- I won't l-look for her…
SFX/MUSIC: SUSPENSE.
LUI is shaking out of fear…
DRIVER
You do know what will happen if you don't do what exactly as I say.
LUI gulps…
LUI
I-I know… B-But if you kill me, I-I won't be able to get in the gang…
The DRIVER thinks for a moment as he stares at the nervous, determined LUI…
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS.
DRIVER
Hahaha… You sure are stupid, but you're determined, I like that. But this will be your second and final warning to be stupid. If you do anything stupid again. You'll wish for a quick death and a proper burial. Got it?
LUI has mixed emotions…
LUI
I-I got it.
DRIVER
Good. Don't disappoint me.
LUI
I won't…
The DRIVER stares…
CUT TO:
The dead body of RICHIE with newspaper wrapped around his head is placed in the trunk of the muscle car and the PASSENGER closes it. While the DRIVER and LUI are in front of the garage.
DRIVER
This garage is your place now. If you choose to leave this place without telling me anything. You'll know what will happen.
LUI
Y-Yeah…
The DRIVER stares…
DRIVER
I'll see you in five days, Lui.
Even though the DRIVER hasn't introduced himself to LUI. I'll make the introduction of him to you. This is FRANKLIN, He's a thin black American mid-20s man who stands at 5'11. His black hair is short, clean shaven. He's wearing a baggy black & white jersey, black jeans, and white sneakers. He's also wearing silver rings on both of his hands.
FRANKLIN
Let's go.
FRANKLIN and the PASSENGER are going back into the car… LUI watches them leave as they reverse through the alleyway to the streets… And the lights fade away…
FADE TO:
BLACK SCREEN.