The Beach Page #2

There is the sound of a loud wolf-whistle.

Richard turns to the source of the whistle.

A beautiful European woman is smiling at him. This is

Francoise. She approaches and takes the key from his hand.

She turns the key in one direction, then the other, while

twisting the handle.

FRANCOIS:

Et voila.

The door swings gently open. She stands back

RICHARD:

Thank you.

Footsteps approach from the stairs.

Francoise is joined by a young man, ETIENNE, who catches up

with her. He nods at Richard as he takes her arm. They walk

away from Richard to the next door.

FRANCOISE:

Bonsoir.

RICHARD:

Eh - bonsoir.

ETIENNE:

Goodnight.

The couple reach their door. They enter their room and the

door is closed behind them.

Alone in the corridor again, Richard contemplates their

presence.

RICHARD (V.O.)

I was traveling alone for two reasons.

First of all, being alone allows you more

opportunity to absorb your experiences on

a personal level. Secondly, and this I

felt acutely at that moment, there was no

one who wanted to go with me.

INT RESTAURANT. NIGHT

Richard is in the restaurant which is quiet now.

He is alone at a table eating and drinking. On a high shelf

several feet away a Hollywood action film, all gunshots,

car chases, and explosions, plays on the television.

Most of the tables around him are empty.

Richard is interrupted by the man he met earlier, Daffy, who

pulls up a chair beside him.

DAFFY:

Excuse me.

RICHARD:

Yes?

DAFFY:

I'm Daffy.

RICHARD:

Richard. Hi.

DAFFY:

Look, I'm sorry to bother you but I

was wondering if you could help me

out.

RICHARD:

Help you out?

DAFFY:

Yeah; just ten or fifteen dollars maybe.

RICHARD:

I'm sorry, I don't think so.

DAFFY:

I'm waiting on some money coming through.

It's just that at the moment, you know,

I'm short. They're going to chuck me out.

On the street in Bangkok, that's bad.

RICHARD:

I'm really sorry but I just arrived; I'm

on a pretty tight budget myself. I just

can't afford it.

DAFFY:

Just five dollars, please.

He leans in close to Richard.

DAFFY:

(continuing)

I'll share something with you.

RICHARD:

I'm sorry. I can't lend you any money.

Daffy retreats.

Richard turns back to the video and his food.

Daffy approaches two young women sitting at a nearby table.

DAFFY:

Excuse me, ladies, is there any chance you

could help me out. I'm down on my luck at

the moment.

The two young women seem uncomfortable. Richard notices.

DAFFY:

(continuing)

If you could see your way to lending me some cash -

RICHARD:

Here.

He leans across and holds out a ten dollar note for Daffy.

DAFFY:

Thank you, sir. Thank you. I promise I

will repay you.

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