Hotel Rwanda Page #2

The driver of the forklift, anxiously, spins the machine to return the

crate but it slides off and CRASHES onto the floor: MACHETES, hundreds

of them, spill out.

An awkward moment then George picks one of the crude blades.

GEORGE:

A bargain buy, from China. Ten cents

each, I'll get a dollar.

PAUL:

At least.

Off Zozo terrified.

EXT. KIGALI AIRPORT TARMAC. DAY

A Sabena airliner lands. Passengers disembark via a roll-up staircase.

Paul's van pulls up by the luggage belt.

A large polystyrene box comes down the conveyor belt. It has Brussels -

Kigali destination stickers all over it.

As Zozo picks it up, water sloshes from the lid.

PAUL:

The ice has melted!

Zozo goes to open it.

PAUL (CONT'D)

Don't. Let's go.

Paul slips money to two customs officials.

EXT. KIGALI STREETS. DAY

The van speeds through traffic. More traffic jams, Zozo edges up on the

sidewalk. Then at an intersection they see.

THE INTERAHAMWE PARADE - a mass of young men and women, most in the

same colorful uniform. Line after line, waves all performing the

INTERAHAMWE war dance, in wild hypnotic sync, many wave sticks, spears,

wooden imitation guns. A large banner reads, "Hutu Power."

A flatbed truck, speakers blare drumbeat music. On it GEORGE RUTAGUNDA

dances the DANCE and waves a machete to the crowd.

Zozo sinks down behind the wheel.

PAUL:

Sit up, smile, Zozo, don't attract

attention to yourself.

ZOZO:

Boss, some of those men are my neighbors,

they know I'm Tutsi.

The parade passes. As they wait Paul takes out the wad of notes George

gave him, peels off a few dollars.

PAUL:

Here, Zozo, for your trouble.

Zozo takes it.

EXT. HOTEL ENTRANCE. DAY

The van turns off the street into The Milles Collines Hotel driveway

and HONKS twice as it pulls down a short drive lined with tall shrubs.

An ARMED GUARD rushes from his booth and lifts the gate. Perfectly

timed. The van doesn't even have to slow as it passes. A sign on the

guard house reads "WELCOME TO THE HOTEL MILLE COLLINES".

EXT. HOTEL FORECOURT. DAY

Lush tropical gardens, peacocks wander the well-manicured lawns,an

exotic African paradise. The van heads to a magnificent colonial

building.

PAUL (V.O.)

Pull up at the front door.

A valet opens the front door of the hotel and looks shocked. It's

unheard of for a service van to stop out front.

PAUL (CONT'D)

(urgent, to the valet)

Help Zozo.

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