City Traffic PuzzleA Screenplay by Gabriel Crow All Maya and Shield want is to make it big with their band. But with their new music producer Tom, Japan has gotten much harder in the music industry.
Previous Version This is a previous version of City Traffic Puzzle . EXT. AN EMPTY PARK NIGHT Powerful
rain and wind blow through the park while MAYA sits on a swing reading over
lyrics. She jumps off the swing and starts to walk home. She tries to fight the
wind, but it overcomes her and her lyrics that are on a scratch piece of paper
flies out of her hand and disappears into the dark. Cussing she chases after
it. But she is stopped in her tracks to see a tall figure in the dark lean downing
and picking it up. TOM starts to read the paper and laughs. He drops his cigarette
and put it out with his shoe. He looks down at MAYA who stares at him very
quietly. All she can see is two golden eyes peer at her from the dark. TOM
throws the papers down to MAYA’S feet. She leans down and picks them up. TOM Ha. Lyrics…? MAYA What do you
mean “Ha”? TOM Give it up
kid. This is armature writing. Trust me; I’m doing you a favor by telling you
to. MAYA Give…up…?
Hey now! Screw you buddy! First off, I’m not a “kid” and secondly you don’t
know what talent is if it kicked you in the a*s! TOM walks
away while lighting up a cigarette. TOM Kay kid. CUT TO: INT.
RECORDING STUDIO DAY MAYA and
her band mate SHIELD sit there waiting for the owner of the studio, LILY to
come. She is supposed to introduce them to some famous music producer today.
The studio smells of scented candles and has this hipster mixed with 80’s type
of feel to it. The walls are covered with golden records and pictures of LILY
with multiple famous Indie bands. To pass the time SHIELD is cleaning his
electric piano and MAYA writing stuff down in her notebook. SHIELD looks over
at MAYA because he hears a loud grunt and then sees her throw her notebook on
the couch. He hesitates but then walks over to MAYA and gently sits down by
her. SHIELD You doing
okay Maya? You look a bit irritated. MAYA It’s
because I am Shield! Ugh. So, some screw off was ripping on my song I wrote. I
didn’t even ask for his opinion. He just picked it up and told me to just give
up! What kind of person does that to a young ambitious young adult? SHIELD (Sighs deeply) Well you
know not everyone is going to like our music and that’s fine. I mean everyone
has their own taste in music. Don’t be discouraged. Not everyone is going to
like us when we get known. Bedsides Maya…I mean, there’s a reason I am the song
writer too. You’re still new to the whole thing. MAYA Yeah I know
that! It’s just…I dunno. I guess you’re right. I just wanted to be able to
write a good song and have it be a hit…But you know. I suck. SHIELD (Smirks then chuckles) Yeah kind
of… LILY walks
in with a tall, blonde, mid-aged male also known as TOM. TOM looks over his sunglasses
to clearly see MAYA who was sitting there with her mouth wide open. TOM smiled
and pushes up his glasses. LILY Shield, Maya,
this is Tom Samson. A world renowned music producer! He’s the best of the best
and he is very interested on hearing you two today. MAYA You got to
be kidding me… TOM Wow really.
Interesting. SHIELD looks
at MAYA confusingly and then looks at TOM) SHIELD So that’s
the Screw-off? TOM I’m a Screw-off?
Oh that’s very mature kid. MAYA I’m not a
kid, got it?! LILY hands TOM a CD case. LILY (Clears
her throat) Well…to
break up this awkward silence, here Tom, their CD. Their band is called City Traffic
Puzzle. I’d love you to consider them. TOM Well I
already had a little preview so I’m not too sure if I am interested… SHEILD holds up the paper
with the lyrics on them. SHIELD You read
this? These are…under construction lyrics written by a girl that doesn’t know
how to write. I am the song writer so don’t get the wrong impression cause of
her. SHIELD looks over at MAYA
and smiles evilly. MAYA What?! Hey!
I know how to write! I may not be the best, but I’m not bad…am I? TOM (Looks over glasses at MAYA) Very...and
alright I’ll listen to a couple tracks. TOM put the CD in the
CD-player and places the headphones on. For a while he sits there looking out
the window with no facial expression. SHIELD looks over at MAYA who was biting
on her notebook nervously. SHIELD nudges MAYA a couple times. SHIELD I can’t
read him… you think he likes it? MAYA He hates
me…so we’re dead. TOM takes off head phones
and looks over at MAYA and SHIELD. He gets up and gives LILY the CD-player. TOM Their
alright. They would need more work on the structure of the songs, so maybe more
band mates. But I would consider taking them to a couple gigs I know appreciate
this kind of music. Alternative indie-rock? Whatever you guys are. TOM looks over at MAYA TOM You have a
sweet voice, doesn’t match you so well. Perhaps a make-over. MAYA Excuse me?
What are you saying? I’m ugly? TOM I’m just
saying if you want to be famous you better look like it. Here. Hands MAYA a business card TOM This guy
will clean you up and give the public eye something to look at. As for Shield,
he looks like someone I could see on stage. MAYA (Mumbles under breath) Yeah yeah
yeah. LILY You know
what Tom? They have a show tonight at six. It’s at the Willow’s Café. You
should come see them live. TOM We’ll see.
My schedule is rather busy. TOM starts to leave, but
looks over his shoulder one more time to look at SHIELD and MAYA. TOM Not too bad
for kids. CUT TO: INT. WILLOWS CAFÉ NIGHT The Willows Café is a very small café in the middle of the city.
Many locals walk in and find seats for the show. There is a small stage in the
middle of the café and it’s surrounded by little tables to order foods and
drinks. The lighting is rather dim, giving off a relaxed feeling in the room. MAYA
runs in with a giant hat on to cover her hair. SHIELD stops pacing the room when
he sees her. SHIELD Jesus!
There you are Maya! What took you so long? How was the make-over? Let me see
your hair! MAYA Well, it’s
bad…I mean…it’s…just different. SHIELD SHIELD tears off MAYA’s hat.
Her hair is about the same in length; long, blonde, and one pink stripe on the
left side. It is very thin, and has been obviously styled with hairspray and
teasing. SHIELD Oh wow
that’s actually not too bad! I like it Maya it’s you! MAYA (Chuckles nervously) You think? Thank
you Shield... Now, let’s get the equipment set up and let’s blow the top off of
this café. SHIELD and MAYA walk onto the stage
and set up the equipment. LILY sits in the back smiling and waving. More people
started to show up. MAYA looks out over the sea of heads looking around at
everyone. The lights start to dim and she picks up her guitar and stands in
front of the microphone. MAYA Hey we’re City
Traffic Puzzle! And we are happy to see the outcome tonight! So please sit back
and enjoy the show! We’d love you guys to also check out some merchandise in
the back! So here we go! Enjoy! The music starts to play and MAYA
sings a couple songs. Something catches her eyes, and she sees a familiar tall
figure in the back. TOM leans against the wall looks over his glasses. He puts
his cigarette out on the floor and then sits next to LILY. MAYA still singing
watches them talk for a bit then soon after TOM gets up and leaves. FADE OUT: CUT TO: INT. BACKSTAGE NIGHT SHIELD is sitting with MAYA
and enjoying some backstage food and cheap beer. The backstage is covered with
equipment, wires, and people cleaning up. LILY enters to room with a tall pile
of papers and one pen. She hands the piles to MAYA. LILY Well Tom would like to sponsor you
guys and try to get a couple tracks out on the air. You down? MAYA Wha-what!
Really?! Uh. Er… SHIELD Of course
we will! SHIELD grabs the paper and starts
to sign it. He looks up at MAYA and hands her a pen. SHIELD Are you
ready for this? MAYA (Smiling big) I am born
ready. MAYA signs the paper and gives it
back to LILY. LILY Alright.
Let’s get this thing rollin’! LEGEND: TWO WEEKS LATER. CUT TO: INT. RECORDING STUDIO DAY SHIELD and MAYA are sitting on the
couch and trying to write new songs. The quite room is soon interrupted by LILY
running in frantically scaring SHIELD and MAYA. LILY Guys! Guys!
Oh my gosh! I have awesome news! LILY stumbles over some of the
equipment to get over to them. SHIELD Hu? What!?
Spill it Lily! SHIELD and MAYA stand up and
go over to LILY. LILY Okay, so
Tom...He wants you guys to perform at this gig…Now get this. It’s in Japan! SHIELD Japan…?
Like…like…Japan?! MAYA light headily walks
into the drum set. She rubs her head. MAYA You’re
serious Lily? But Tom doesn’t even know us that well…don’t cha think? LILY Yeah I know
it all seems so rushed, hut he said the music you’re playing; Indie-Rock. It’s
a big thing in Japan right now and he’s confident that you guys are going to
hit it off big.So you guys down? SHIELD looks over at MAYA
nervously. SHIELD We’d have
to travel thousands of miles away with a stranger to an unknown land. MAYA …Yeah.
Dude. SHIELD Dude… MAYA Let’s do
it. MAYA grabs SHIELD’S hand and shook
it. FADE
OUT: CUT
TO: INT. AIRPLANE NIGHT MAYA is looking out the window of
the airplane. She is listening to her songs, and is lipping them out. The plane
is very small and very empty. SHIELD has his face pressed against the window
and it is covered in his drool. TOM has not moved at all ever since the plane
took off. He sits there reading a book between LILY and MAYA. LILY is yelling
at the flight attendants asking for a movie, or at least food. TOM closes his
book and looks over at LILY. TOM Don’t you
have something better to do? Like sleep? Or maybe, not talk? LILY Well I’m
starving here and I’ve been waiting for my food forever. And we’ve been on this
damn plane for over nine hours! How hard is it to make a salad? Good gracious. TOM Right. Well
I don’t see city lights, so we must be over water now. TOM looks over at MAYA and pulls
out one of her earphones. TOM Have you ever
been to Japan? MAYA Oh hm. No I
haven’t. I haven’t even left the U.S.A before… TOM You’re
kidding… MAYA Nope! Ha ha!
I am really excited though. I heard it’s very beautiful. TOM It is. MAYA You’ve
been? TOM (Smiling) Well I was
born and raised there. TOM lights up his cigarette and MAYA
takes out her other earphone and looks over at him with a surprised look. MAYA Really!?
But…uhh. You’re white. In fact; you’re glowing. Nothing about you says “I’m Japanese.” TOM Well I am
only have a little bit in me, so obviously it’s not very noticeable. MAYA (Chuckling) I guess
not. That’s cool though. We need someone that can help us out and speak the
language. TOM That’s not
needed. Places we’re going to, most of the population knows American. MAYA watches TOM flick his
cigarette bud into a water bottle. MAYA When are
you not smoking? TOM When I’m
sleeping. MAYA Well...you
know… TOM What? That
it’s bad and I should quit? I know this already. I just don’t give two flying- The FLIGHT ATTENDANT comes out with
a plate of salad. FLIGHT
ATTENDANT I have a
salad here for…Lily. Who’s Lily? LILY reaches over TOM and MAYA. LILY Thank you
GOD! I swear I was going to die over here. CUT TO: INT. JAPANESE AIRPORT NIGHT The airport is pact to the top with
thousands of people. The neon signs to point out sections of the airport glow
extra bright at night from the reflections on the windows. Over the intercom
the low mumble of fast Japanese comes out of it. But it’s hard to hear over the
screeching of shoes, the sound of the monorail and the sound of cell phones
going off. SHIELD, MAYA, TOM, and LILY find their way to the baggage return and
are waiting for their bags. MAYA, LILY, and SHIELD stand there dumb founded at
all the surroundings. As if they have never seen something so hectic before. TOM
stands there reading his book. He closes it and looks over at the three. TOM Our bags
are here. Stop standing around like dumb a*s tourists. LILY Hey, where
new to all of this, so let us be stupid tourists! OoOooOoh! LILY nudges SHIELD in excitement. LILY Hey look! A
sushi bar in the airport! We didn’t even have one of these in the state of
Michigan! SHIELD Oh my gosh!
This is like…awesome! I’ve never had sushi before awh yay! TOM (Rolls eyes) You guys are
pathetic. TOM grabs the rest of the bags and
puts them on a carrier. He checks his wallet and pulls out some Yens. TOM Let’s get
go get some food. I’m starving. SHIELD Man food
sounds amazing but I am pretty drained from all the traveling so I might just
go hit the sack. What about you Maya? MAYA Well I
guess I can get a bite to eat before I go to the hotel. I didn’t eat all day. Lily? LILY I’m not too
tired, but I’m not hungry. I might as well go and get drunk. TOM Alright.
Sounds like a plan. Let’s go, I need a smoke. CUT TO: INT. GAIJIN TONIC BAR NIGHT The Gaijin Tonic Bar is small, but
classy bar hid in the side streets of Tokyo. It’s surrounded by trees and the
inside theme is very original, cherry blossoms with bamboo. There is always a
drunk man on the karaoke stage sing an American song. Tonight special was “AMERICAN
WOMAN” by THE GUESS WHO, but sung by a Japanese man who had one too many. TOM
sits far from the stage in the dimed part of the bar, also known as the smoking
section. LILY finds the bar, and then finds the pool table. MAYA is sitting
with TOM splitting some Udon noodles. TOM You should
go up there and sing. TOM points over at the karaoke
stage where the drunken business man had fallen off the stage and is being
dragged off by security. MAYA (Slurping up noodles) No way! I
am way too hungry and way too sober to go up there. Why don’t you? Mister, music
producer. TOM Oh you’re going
to throw that card down on me? Fine, alright. I’ll sing if you join me. TOM puts out his cigarette. MAYA Fine! TOM Yes…fine.
So common. TOM grabs MAYA wrist and drags her
up onto the stage. After finding a song, he places a microphone into MAYA’S
hand and walks off stage to sits back down. He re-lights his cigarette and the
music starts to play. TOM Psht. Have
fun! MAYA (Into microphone) Wha-what!?
Hey now! You were supposed to join me? TOM I know
right? Gosh, I’m such a terrible person. Now sing! You’re wasting you and your
drunken audience is waiting. MAYA looks down at the lyrics on
the TV screen. It was “LOVE SONG” by SARA BAREILLES. She picks up where it left
off and glares at TOM who was smiling back at her from across the room. After
the song she got drunken claps and she sits down next to TOM who is having his
fair share of Sake. TOM You know
Sake gives the worst hangovers. MAYA Really?
Well good. You deserve it screw-off. TOM Again with
that name? Very immature. Besides it’s a bar, have fun, let lose. Look at LILY,
she’s a living example of a good time. LILY starts to climb on the
barstool, and soon they all get kicked out for being reckless drinkers. CUT
TO: EXT. GAIJIN TONIC BAR ALLEY NIGHT MAYA and TOM are helping LILY walk
down the alley which was filled with empty beer bottles and boxes. She starts
to yell and slur her words out. TOM calls for a taxi and they wait for it to
come. TOM lays LILY against the wall. She slumps onto MAYA. MAYA Man, that
girl can drink. TOM Ha, well
she’s really going to hate it in the morning. Like I said. Sake hangovers, are
the worst. MAYA Oh well, she’s
always been like this. Get over excited and drink too much. TOM MAYA Well for
about four years. She is Shield’s step sister. So she has some crazy traits in
her veins like him. What about you? Any crazy siblings? TOM (Mumbling) I don’t
have much to say about my family. MAYA I see.
Well, at least I am not the only one then. TOM Oh really
now. How did your family take to the news that you’re going thousands of miles
away to perform music? MAYA They don’t
know, so it’s nothing. It’s whatever. TOM looks over his glasses to see MAYA’S
face clearly. TOM They don’t
know? That’s usually a big deal don’t you think…interesting, kid. MAYA Well first
off, I’m not and kid. And secondly I would tell them if they were still around.
You know? TOM pushes his glasses back up and
looks out on the town. Spring had emerged so there are many pink flower buds
everywhere from the cherry blossoms, it looks like it had snowed pink. TOM Something
about Japan is very comforting. I am sure you will love it just as much as me. The taxi pulls up, MAYA and TOM
drag LILY in and the taxi takes them back to the hotel. CUT
TO: INT. KEIKO HOTEL MORNING. The hotel room is just like any
other Japanese hotel. Small, cramped and confusing. The beds are stacked on top
of each other in these coffin like spaces. It only has room to slide in, and
lay perfectly still with both hands by your side. The hotel is along the coast
side so the wall which is a big window shows off the view ever so nicely. SHIELD
gets up in the morning and starts to make tea since the room doesn’t have
coffee. SHIELD sits down and LILY joins him on the couch. They watch the new
with no idea what the anchor men are saying. SHIELD I feel like
a reversed vampire, crawling out of my coffin at the peak of sunlight. LILY (Moans) This tea is
flat. Ugh…my head. SHIELD What did
you guys do last night? LILY No idea…something
about Sake? I’m gonna hurl. LILY gets up and walks over to the
bathroom quickly. LILY (Groans) Ahh if
Japan wasn’t so beautiful I’d call it Hell. TOM is woken by LILY’S moans and
groans. He crawls out of his bed and pours himself a cup of tea. He goes
outside to smoke. SHIELD Jez. He
must have an iron lung. TOM (From outside) Now I have
two. SHIELD goes over to MAYA’S sleeping
slot and knocks on her plastic door. SHIELD Wake up Maya!
We got things to do today! MAYA startled from the loud sounds
shoots up but smacks the top of her bed space. She grabs her head and lays back
down moaning from the pain. MAYA Awh! My
head! Really Shield? SHIELD Sorry
love…time to get up. MAYA Uh…alright,
alright… CUT TO: INT. SHOJI STUDIO DAY Shoji Studio is one of the biggest
studios in Japan. They produce music, air music, record music, and even preform
concerts there. The building is dome shaped and the top opens on concert
nights. The interior is a dojo theme so the outside is surrounded with cherry
trees. TOM starts to record MAYA and SHIELD’S
old songs while LILY decides to stay at the hotel and sleep off her hangover. TOM I’d say
three songs are enough for today. You guys aren’t doing too bad. Usually people
who are new to all of this over stress and get irritated. Not hearing TOM, MAYA yells through
the glass MAYA I am
irritated! Ahh! This is so much! TOM pushes a button and speaks into
the microphone. TOM Ha, what a
kid. MAYA I’ve said
this before. I’m not a kid! SHIELD Oh gosh.
You two stop fighting! Always butting heads. I’m way too tired for all of this. TOM SHIELD we
have coffee in the back. Why don’t you go make some and relax? SHIELD Awh that
sounds perfect! Thanks! TOM No problem
bud. MAYA watches SHIELD leave the
recording studio. She glares over at TOM through the soundproof glass. MAYA You’re such
an a*****e. TOM smirks and speaks into his microphone.
TOM What? I
can’t hear you? Speak into that microphone… MAYA grabs the microphone and yells
into it. MAYA I
said…YOU’RE AN A*****E! TOM (Smiling) Oh, so you
promoted me from Screw-Off to A*****e? I’m deeply honored. MAYA walks out of the recording
studio, and enters the room where TOM sits there smoking. She yanks the
cigarette out of his hand and puts it in her mouth. MAYA See! I’m
not a kid I can smoke just like you, just like an adult. TOM Still
juvenile… MAYA (Coughing hard) Ugh! Is
there anything I can do to change your mind about me being a kid?! TOM Why do you
care? MAYA forcefully stops her coughing.
TOM Why would
you care about some stranger’s opinion about you? You’re way too
self-conscious. I’m entitled to my opinion of you being a kid. And you’re entitled
to your opinion of me being a screw-off a*****e. You don’t see me taking it
personal or being over dramatic. MAYA’S turns her back to TOM and
crosses her arms. She looks down at her shoes. MAYA I don’t
know, I guess I just care too much. TOM Well don’t,
you’ll be less disappointed. MAYA Well I am
not you TOM. I can’t sit, smoke, and hate. TOM It’s
because you like me isn’t it. MAYA turns back to him, her face
flushed by anger and embarrassment. MAYA What!
That’s ridiculous! You’re rude, a chain smoker, possible alcoholic, and your
personality is dead. TOM gets up and grabs this
cigarette from MAYA’S mouth. He looks down at her. TOM (Angrily) I’m not an
alcoholic. TOM leans in and lightly kisses
her. TOM Now stop
being immature. TOM leaves the room, and SHIELD walks
in passing TOM. They exchange nods and SHIELD goes over to MAYA. SHIELD LILY is
sobered up, so she wants us to go out to eat. You down? MAYA Uh…Yes!
Yes! Okay! Sure! Sounds dandy. SHIELD You okay Maya? MAYA Oh me? I’m
fine… Let’s get going! Come, I’m fine. CUT TO: INT. KEIKO HOTEL DAY LILY is getting applying her make
up with the radio blaring out some Japanese music. MAYA and SHIELD walk into
the room. LILY
(Sings to her hair brush) La la! Oh
yeah! La la! SHIELD (Yells over music) Lily…Lily!
...HEY! Lily! MAYA turns off the radio. LILY Oh…Ha ha!
Hey guys! This is awkward! SHIELD Gosh you’re
so odd. MAYA Are we
going out to lunch Lily? LILY LILY holds up a bag of food while
grinning. Nope! I
already got some when you guys were out! I bought sushi! SHIELD grabs the bag and rips it
open. SHIELD Awh! We got
sushi!? I am so excited! They open their Bento boxes and
stare at their chop sticks. They attempt to use them, and then grab forks. LILY (Mouth full of food) Hey guys. I
actually have to tell you something as well… SHIELD Yeah? What
is it sis? LILY Well I did
my job and got you guys a sponsor and multiple gigs. My job is done, and I need
to go back home to Michigan and work at my studio. MAYA What!
You’re leaving?! But…you’re supposed to be here with us. MAYA places a hand on top of LILY’S. LILY I know, but
Tom will take care of you now, and besides I have to help other ambitious
musicians. You guys made me very proud though… MAYA (Smiles at LILY) Yeah I
know, I guess I will just miss your crazy drunk moments, and you being there at
our shows. SHIELD When are
you leaving? What day? LILY Tomorrow
morning, but I have to leave the hotel tonight. Tom said it takes a couple
hours to go through the airport. It’s crazy. SHIELD Oh…Well
have one more shot with your brother? Fills up a glass shot-glass with
warm Sake and hands it to LILY. He also pours himself and MAYA a glass. They
clinch their glasses together and drink it. LILY Oh god…it
tastes like my puke. Screw hangovers. CUT TO: LEGEND: 5 MONTHS LATER. INT. GAIJIN TONIC BAR AFTERNOON SHIELD and MAYA are snacking on
some onion rings and some beer. MAYA (Mouth full of food) Hey Shield?
I think I have to tell you something. SHIELD puts a onion ring in his
mouth. SHIELD Hmmm?
Shoot. MAYA I don’t
know how to say this and not make it sound awkward… MAYA leans across the table and
whispers into his ears. His eyes widen and pull back with a shocked look on his
face. SHIELD You and Tom,
are hooking up?! Have you two…you know? MAYA starts to choke on her food. MAYA (Coughing) Wha-what?! SHIELD You so
have! What! What! No! Gross! He’s such an a*****e, why? MAYA I don’t
know…it just happened I guess. We haven’t gave it labels or anything but… SHIELD Does he
make you happy at least? MAYA (Lightly smiles) Even though
we bicker a lot, yeah; I guess he does… SHIELD smiles and sighs deeply.
Gazing out the window SHIELD watches a girl get out of a taxi with a suitcase
in her hands. She looks extremely Japanese, small, black hair, brown eyes, and
a simple face that was flawless. She walks into the bar and sits at the bar counter alone. SHIELD smiles. SHIELD Awh, speaking
of being with someone…Japanese girls are so damn gorgeous. MAYA You talking
about that girl? SHIELD (Sighs) Yes mam’… MAYA You should
go talk to her. SHIELD Are you
kidding? She’d just see me as a American, and probably wouldn’t be interested. MAYA Whatever!
Many Asian girls like American boys, and you can impress her with your
Japanese! It’ almost spot on! Go say hi! Go! MAYA pushes SHIELD out of the booth
and she fixes his hair and straightens his clothes. MAYA There! See,
you’re handsome! SHIELD You think
I’m handsome? MAYA playfully pushes him over to
the bar counter. MAYA Just go
lover boy. SHIELD walks over to the girl. He
sits down next to her and looks over at her. SHIELD (Clears throat) Konnichiwa!
RINA Hello. SHIELD You know
English? RINA Most
Japanese people from Tokyo do. SHIELD Oh, yes,
very true! I am Shield! He sticks his hand out. She looks
down at it and then shakes it slowly. RINA Shield?
That doesn’t sound like an American name…or any name at that. I’m Rina. SHIELD Yeah, ha! I
don’t know what my parents were thinking, but it works for me! RINA Yes, it
kind of does. SHIELD Can I get
you something to drink? Tea? Sake? Water? RINA No thank
you. I’m waiting for someone. SHIELD looks down at her bag. SHIELD You going
somewhere? RINA Well, no. I
just arrived here in Tokyo today. I am supposed to meet my fiancé for the first
time. My parents arranged my marriage. But I don’t think my fiancé will like
me. SHIELD He’d have
to be stupid or blind! You seem like a very polite woman. I’m jealous! RINA Really…?
Oh, wow. Thank you! You are quite kind yourself. SHIELD Of course I
am! All ladies are treated like gods when they’re with me. SHIELD looks back at MAYA who was
shaking her head and laughing. SHIELD So who’s
the lucky man? Your fiancé? RINA I don’t
know his name. His family kept it from me, but they gave me this picture. RINA holds onto her locket. SHIELD Well let’s
see this lucky dog! RINA opens the locket and holds it
up to SHIELD. It’s a picture of TOM sitting there reading. SHIELD’S eyes widen
while he turns to look over at MAYA who was still shoving her face with food.
He looks back at RINA who looks confused.
RINA What’s
wrong? You look shocked? Did I do something wrong? SHIELD Of course
not! You didn’t do anything…So this guy, he’s coming? Here? Like now? RINA Well…no. SHIELD No?
Wait…why? RINA Well…you
see I ran away from home to find him. I heard he had been back in Japan, so I
hitch-hiked my way here. I remember his brother telling me he always goes here
to smoke and drink every day after work. So, here I am. SHIELD’S eyes widen even bigger. He
turns around at MAYA who was smiling and giving him thumbs up. He gives her
this cheesy concerned smile, a thumb up, and turns back to RINA. MAYA tilts her
head. RINA You
probably think I am some dumb hopeless romantic girl…I usually don’t do crazy
things like this…I just wanted to meet him finally. You know? He’s a music
producer so he’s always traveling…It was perfect timing I guess. SHIELD Ha…ha. Yeah
I understand that. Love makes us do…pretty crazy stuff. Here, take my number I
have to get leaving it’s late and I’m…er… wasted… Yeah! I’m crazy smashed! SHIELD hands RINA a piece of paper
with his number. SHIELD If he
doesn’t come, call me, you’ll need a place to sleep. RINA Thank you Shield! SHIELD gets up in a hurry and grabs
MAYA by her wrist. MAYA How was- SHIELD Oh, we
gotta go, now! SHIELD drags her out of the bar in
a hurry. CUT
TO: INT. SHOJI STUDIO NIGHT MAYA and SHIELD show up to the
studio to see TOM filing. SHIELD Hey Tom.
You’re here late…isn’t there some place you need to be? TOM No…? TOM looks at SHIELD and then looks
over at MAYA. TOM He looks a
bit on edge. What’s wrong with him? MAYA Yeah, he
does, doesn’t he? Shield what’s wrong? Is it because I told you about…you know. MAYA nudged her head towards TOM. TOM Hmm? Oh.
Whatever. SHIELD No, no, no.
It’s not that. Its just…Tom do you know a- TOM’S sectary FRANCIS, opens the
door and walks in with DYLAN, TOM’S brother and RINA. FRANCIS Tom, you
have some visitors. SHIELD Oh s**t… TOM Oh,
interesting. DYLAN TOMMY boy!
Hey, we’ve been looking for you. FRANCIS (Coughs into hand) Okay…well I
am going to step out now. FRANCIS leaves the room quickly. RINA Tom…is it
really you…? RINA drops her bag and runs over to
him. She greets him with a long hug. MAYA (Under her breath) The girl
from the bar? MAYA Who’s this…Tom? TOM Oh, this is
my fiancé Rina. SHIELD (Sighs deeply) Oh jezz. MAYA Wha…what?!
You have…have a fiancé?! TOM Well kind
of. I’ve never met her before. TOM looks down at RINA TOM What are
you doing here Rina? RINA pulls away from TOM nervously
and looks up at him. RINA I’m sorry Tom…I
ran away from home to find you. I heard you were here… TOM (In an angry tone) Who told
you?! DYLAN Guilty…ha,
ha! TOM glares at DYLAN. TOM rubs his
head and lights up a cigarette. TOM Well, I am going home. Common Rina. TOM puts an arm around RINA
and leaves the room with her. SHIELD looks at MAYA. SHIELD You okay sweetie? MAYA I just want to go back the apartment. DYLAN What’s wrong pretty lady? MAYA walks out of the room. SHIELD Maya and Tom
have been “together.” So I don’t know what will come of them now…? DYLAN Oh jezz.
That’s awkward… but not uncommon. Tom likes to sleep around with little pop
stars. SHIELD What?
Really? Maya is not a little pop star. She’s an amazing woman. DYLAN How long
have they been hooking up. SHIELD I don’t
know. I found out about it today. Maybe almost half a year…? DYLAN Hmm that’s
uncommon. Usually he only has them around for a week or so. She’s that awesome
hu? Maybe she will move on to bigger and better things. Like me. She’s not that
bad, in fact, one of the cuter ones Tom has had. SHIELD I know she
is. It’s just odd. You don’t seem like anything like your brother. In fact,
I’ve never heard him mention him having a brother. DYLAN sits down at TOM’S desk. He
picks up a lighter which has a photo-booth stick on it with MAYA on TOM on it.
DYALN smiles and lays it down. DYLAN Tom is to
himself. He doesn’t really open up, even to me. I’m his polar opposite. I’m
more loud and I actually have fun. Oh and my lungs aren’t full with tar either.
I drink. SHIELD Oh boy ha!
Well you oddly look like him. SHIELD starts to circle DYLAN. SHIELD So odd…so
hey…do you think Rina and Tom will actually…get married?! DYLAN Nope. Tom
doesn’t do the whole tide down thing. And she’s way too nice, she’ll get sick
of his douchebagness. SHIELD That’s not
even a word. DYLAN Well I’m
not American, how am I supposed to know that? SHIELD Ha! No
idea! You both look very American, so I figured! DYLAN Yeah our
mom is a white cracker. SHIELD Oh I see!
Well I got to get going man. It was nice meeting you! DYLAN Yeah dude!
See you later! SHIELD and DYLAN walk off. FADE
OUT: CUT
TO: EXT. TOM’S HOUSE NIGHT TOM’S house is rested on top of a
hill looking over the city of Tokyo. His house has a metal, chrome look to it,
and bushes, flowers, and trees cover the view of the house from the drive way.
It rains heavily as MAYA pulls up in a taxi and gets out. She walks up to the door and pushes
a button, she talks into it. MAYA Tom it’s Maya.
Open up! TOM (Over the intercom) I thought
you have a key kiddo? MAYA No, it’s in
my room somewhere! Open up! I need to talk to you! TOM Hm hold on,
I will come out there I need a smoke. With a loud buzz the door unlocks,
and TOM walks out. He lights up another cigarette looks over at MAYA who glares
up at him. TOM What’s with
the sour look? MAYA Well I don’t
know. Maybe you should have specified with me that you have multiple lovers. Are
there any other girls I should know about? TOM (Frowns) Okay Maya,
we never gave us labels so technically we’re nothing. If I didn’t care, or if I
got bored, you’d leave you. MAYA So, that’s
all I am to you. Just another girl. TOM No, no, no.
I never said that. MAYA What am I Tom?
A squeeze? TOM Are you
even listening Maya?! TOM throws down his cigarette. TOM I’m not
marring Rina. MAYA But, you
have to…? Don’t you? TOM (Sighs deeply) It’s not
1800’s. I’ll be with anyone I want to. She is whom my Father picked out as the
best possible spouse, but I don’t do the marriage thing. MAYA Then why
lead her on like this? Why bring her to your place? TOM I will not
leave her without a home. I called her Mother, and she’s coming to get her in
the morning. MAYA Oh… TOM See once
again you prove how self-conscious you really are. MAYA No, I’m
just scared. TOM tilts his head. He lights up
another cigarette. He hands the cigarette to MAYA. TOM Fear is all
in the mind. Don’t let every little thing get to you. That’s how the world will
eat you alive. MAYA takes a small drag off the
cigarette and quickly gives it back to TOM. She gazes out on the city. MAYA When is our
next gig? TOM I scheduled
you in for one next month at the Tokyo Center. It will be my last with you. MAYA quickly turns to TOM. MAYA Wha-what! Excuse
me? Why? TOM I’ve been
working with you guys for over half a year now. People are scraping at your
front door to have you perform at their show. You don’t need me now. Besides, I
have some new kids to look at in London. Some under ground rock s**t. TOM puts out his cigarette. MAYA But, Tom, I
don’t want you to leave me… TOM It’s part
of life. The word goodbye is ironic. MAYA But Tom, I…I
love you. TOM (Sighs) No Maya. MAYA What? TOM You don’t. MAYA You can’t
tell me how to feel! Tom Samson, I am in love with you. TOM When you’re
twenty-three, love can be brought on by anything. So easy, so simple, but when
you’re thirty-eight, love dies. You cannot be in love with someone that doesn’t
love you. End of story Maya. MAYA How long
will you be in London? TOM Only a
month or less. Goodnight Maya. TOM kisses her forehead and closes
the door behind him. It starts to rain and MAYA walks off with her hands in her
pocket. FADE
OUT: CUT
TO: LEDGEN: ONE MONTH LATER. INT. TOKYO CENTER NIGHT © 2011 Gabriel CrowAuthor's Note
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