The Beach Page #6

EXT. SEA. DAY.

The bow of a passenger ferry crashes through a wave.

EXT. BOAT DAY.

The decks are crowded with travelers and their packs. Amongst

them are Richard, Francoise, and Etienne. Maps and guidebooks

are being studied by many. The noise of the engines and the

wind deters conversation.

RICHARD (V.O.)

Thanks to him we hit the final stop on

the tourist trail inside twenty-four

hours, where, Etienne assured me, we would

hire what he called a "local fisherman" to

take us on the last stage of our journey.

INT EXT. TRUCK. DAY

Inside back of a covered, converted pick-up, four people are

seated down each side, amongst them Richard, Francoise, and

Etienne.

Behind them as they bump along, can be seen the dusty red

road bordered with dense green shrubs.

The truck stops.

EXT. ROAD. DAY.

Richard unloads the final of the three rucksacks from the

roof of the truck, passing it down to Etienne who stands at

the back with Francoise.

The truck pulls away, revealing as sign, "Seashell

Bungalows".

EXT. BUNGALOW. DAY.

A simple wooden shack on stilts, one of several standing in

a line at the edge of the beach. There is a small porch to

the front.

INT. BUNGALOW. DAY

A spartan room:
bed, mosquito nets, chair, cupboard, fan.

Richard dumps his rucksack.

Ext. SEA/BEACH. DAY.

A long inflatable tube is towed past by a motorboat, its

passengers whooping with delight.

As it passes, Francoise is revealed, standing in the water,

looking in towards the shore. She begins to walk in.

On the beach there are sunbathers, games of beach volley

ball, and vendors selling food and sunglasses.

RICHARD (V.O.)

This was just the kind of place I didn't

want to hang around. Not that it's lacking

in comfort. Quite the opposite. It's got

everything. Everything you could possibly

need to make you feel at home. And what's

the point of that.

On the beach Francoise picks up a towel.

EXT. BEACH RESTAURANT. DAY.

The restaurant fronts on to the beach. At the back there is

a bar.

Richard sits alone at a table with a drink, watching the

scene on the beach, including Francoise.

Etienne pulls up a chair and sits down.

Francoise will join them as the dialogue proceeds.

ETIENNE:

It's arranged. Tomorrow morning. Eight

hundred bath.

RICHARD:

Nice work.

ETIENNE:

There is one problem.

Etienne opens the map on the table.

ETIENNE:

He will not take us to the island. It's

in the National Park and it is forbidden

to go there. But we are allowed to travel

to this one to stay for one night.

RICHARD:

That's the wrong one.

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