City of Joy Page #5

He turns on the tap and a stream of brown WATER GURGLES

out. The Pals are hypnotized, the fists around theirhearts begin to ease.

GANGOOLY:

Holy water from the Ganges! Flows

out forever. Come -- touch it.

Manooj and Shambu put their hands under the tap.

GANGOOLY:

Drink! It's as pure as the dew onShiva's lips.

They drink. Gangooly claps in delight... and beckonsHasari aside.

FAVORING GANGOOLY AND HASARI

GANGOOLY:

Now, this place is yours for twoweeks. My cousin, Moti, is away,

traveling. Normally, the renttakes fifty rupees for a week, butfor a brother, forty. No, don't

thank me.

Hasari pulls out his little screw of money.

HASARI:

I have only seventy-five, but assoon as I have work...

GANGOOLY:

Give me the fifty, pay the restnext week. You'll find work, I

trust you. Aren't I from Bihar,

too? Yes.

And the money is in his hand. He joins his handstogether.

GANGOOLY:

You are pleased? Then Mr. Gangoolyis pleased. It's how I am.

(CONTINUED)

11.

CONTINUED:

He turns on his heel and he's gone. For a moment, the

Pals are still, swept from the brink of catastrophe tosalvation... and now, as one, they release their sheerand utter joy.

INT. CHATTERGEE STAIRCASE - DAY

Ravi and Veejay leading Max up the grand staircase,

Manubai in the foyer, looking after them.

INT. GUEST ROOM - DAY

Ravi leads the way into a lovely guest bedroom.

RAVI:

I hope this is all right. The

room hasn't been aired or the bed

turned, but -

VEEJAY:

Oh, he doesn't care about that, do

you, Max? Here, look here.

Veejay opens a little cupboard, stocked with liquor.

VEEJAY:

Help yourself. Be comfortable.

Ravi, come on, go, go, let's leavethe young man to himself.

Obediently, Ravi goes. Veejay follows. Max goes to thewindow.

HIS POV:

The beautiful Manubai in the garden.

MAX:

He lies down on the bed. He's found Nirvana.

INT. MAIN ROOM - DAY

It's Hasari who watches now. There's LAUGHTER from Aloka

and Amrita. Joyful SHOUTS from the boys. Hasari is

alone in the main room, on his knees, in front of the

pile of their baggage and bundles. He turns his attention

from the laughter to a just-opened, old suitcase.

He takes out a small tea box. Opens it delicately.

(CONTINUED)

12.

CONTINUED:

It's full of something brown. He pushes his fingers inand feels this bit of earth with a tenderness that's

almost religious, puts a pinch to his nose and breathesit in. The LAUGHTER and SHOUTING from the bathing areais GROWING.

INT. BATHING AREA

Shambu is paddling near the tap. Aloka is bending overthe drain and Amrita is rinsing her heavy, dark hairwith a pot. Manooj is nearby, rubbing himself with anold towel. Hasari enters unnoticed and looks at the

group with tenderness... and with gratitude for theirgood fortune.

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