FADE IN:

INT. TAXI CAB - MOVING - DAY

Rain falls on the rear window of a taxi parked in the taxi

zone of the Charles de Gualle Airport.

Aside from the incessant tapping of rain on the roof of the

cab we hear the sounds of the airport: the almost monotonic

loudspeaker declaring in French that loitering is not

permissible and that should any bags be left unattended that

they will be destroyed; the honking of the horns from other

automobiles; the unintelligible chatter of people as they get

their bearings. Inside the cab, playing on the radio, is

Angelique Kidjo's funky song "Batonga".

Then, the rear door to the cab opens and in an EXTREME CLOSE

UP we see ZED, a young man with wild, almost mesmerizing eyes

shielded by small round glasses, and with a head of nappy red

hair. His face has drops on it from the flurry outside.

He settles himself, then looks to the CAB DRIVER, an easy

going Senegalese/Frenchman, in the front seat.

ZED:

Hotel Mondial.

CAB DRIVER:

Le Mondial. Tres bien.

He starts driving.

CAB DRIVER:

Avec cette pluie ca risque de prendre un

moment. L'autoroute est ferme. A cause

du 14 Juillet.

He drives for a while.

CAB DRIVER:

[Do you mind the radio?]

Zed looks at the meter, francs are clicking away. He also

looks at the cab driver's license, his name is Moises Du

Bois.

CAB DRIVER:

[Do you want me to turn the radio off?]

ZED:

(realizing he's being asked a

question)

I don't speak French.

The driver turns around.

CAB DRIVER:

(in broken English)

Ah. American?

ZED:

That's right.

CAB DRIVER:

That's good because I speak a little

English.

Zed nods.

CAB DRIVER:

I asked if you mind the radio. Music.

You know.

Zed shakes his head "no".

CAB DRIVER:

(with a smile)

Super cool.

Zed adjusts his watch.

ZED:

What time is it?

CAB DRIVER:

Time, time, time. I don't know.

Daytime.

Zed forgets the adjustment for now.

CAB DRIVER:

Are you in town for business?

ZED:

Yes.

CAB DRIVER:

It's a nice hotel. Your hotel. Very big

rooms.

He looks at Zed in the rear view mirror.

CAB DRIVER:

Do you know Paris?

ZED:

I've been here once before. When I was

younger.

The cab driver smiles.

CAB DRIVER:

Those were the days.

They drive for a while.

CAB DRIVER:

Married?

ZED:

I beg your pardon?

CAB DRIVER:

Do you have a wife?

ZED:

No.

(then after thinking about it

for a while)

Why?

CAB DRIVER:

Well, if you need a wife for the night...

(searching for the right words

in French)

Une escorte. Pour vous faire visiter.

(then back to his broken

English)

For business. I give you my number.

Very nice girl. French. Like when you

were young.

He lifts his hand and shows his index and middle finger

tightly extended together, then he crosses them.

CAB DRIVER:

Know what I mean?

Zed smiles at this and nods.

CAB DRIVER:

Speaks the language of love. Take you to

heaven and back. You just tell me and I

set it up.

Zed shakes his head and laughs.

CAB DRIVER:

What you laughing at? You let Moises set

it up. She treat you right. She treat

you fine.

Zed can do nothing but smile at the thought of it.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOTEL - HALL - DAY

A long, empty hallway of a moderately priced hotel. From

around a corner comes a BELLBOY carrying Zed's one bag.

Zed is right behind him.

They come up to room 6A and the bellboy unlocks the door.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

The door to the room opens and the bellboy, followed by Zed,

walks into the room.

He puts Zed's bag onto one of those luggage holders and

proceeds to show him the room.

Sitting on the bed is a large air freight package.

BELLBOY:

(in broken English)

Your package...It arrived in the last

night of before last night.

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