Asylum Page #2

Doug drinks, Chris smokes and Katka listens. PAN Audience.

HOLLY(OS)

She has no reason for discontent and

less for hope of what love could be

in a privileged world. Her eyes wander

once more and her hand follows, down his

spine. The nails that hide no blood run

down the valley of his buttocks, stroking

electric hairs that lead to his well of

life and reason. As the tendons in

her fingers tighten her Adonis wakes

and her eyes turn to the sky and a

life through netted curtains.

Holly closes notebook and tentative applause begins as she moves back

to Josh who is clapping politely

JOSH:

When the hell did you write that?

HOLLY:

Just yesterday.

JOSH:

Sh*t Honey, you could've told me.

People might think it's about us!

HOLLY:

Maybe it is!

ANGLE M.C. up front.

M.C.

Okay let's take a break there...

M.C. looks at the clipboard.

M.C.(Cont'd)

We've only got three readers for the

second half so sign-up in the break

if you're interested - Does anyone

have any announcements to make?

A few acknowledgments are heard and a wildly-dressed American girl

named ANN comes up front and the M.C. moves to one side.

ANN:

I'm looking for an apartment, my name's

Ann and I'd appreciate any leads, thanks!

Ann scurries off. ANGLE a GIRL getting up from a small group of bulky

young ladies.

GIRL:

Can I just say....We're looking for

nude males for our live art drawing

classes on Wednesday afternoon, if

anyone's interested talk to us - there's

no money but plenty of vegie food and wine.

Cat-calls and laughs from the audience as the Girl sits down.

M.C.

Anything else?

ANGLE JOSH:

JOSH:

Yeah!........................

I'd just like to repeat last weeks note

about the upcoming deadline for entries

in "Reflections", the American Centre's

yearly expose of Western culture here.

If any of you think you're good enough

and would like to see some of your stuff

in print, just see me, Josh.

Show lack of audience interest.

M.C.

That it? Okay, let's take fifteen.

ANGLE audience members getting up and heading to the bar and mingling.

ON DOUG/KATKA/CHRIS.

DOUG:

There you go Chris, do a bit of

modelling on the side.

CHRIS:

No way, you wouldn't catch me with

a rose between my teeth and my pants

in the next room.

DOUG:

What is it with that Josh guy? Who

does he think he is shoving that

Reflections rag down our throats?

CHRIS:

Son of the American ambassador and a

banker - good enough?

DOUG:

Wanker more like, what does he know

about writing.

Doug finishes off his beer.

CHRIS:

How to make a buck!

DOUG:

Yeah right!....I don't know, something

isn't right with this place, it's all

too sterile and staged. Do you ever

wonder why there's no Czechs here?

CHRIS:

Because it's in English?

DOUG:

Yeah, but it's not just that. To the

Czech mind, any movement, whether

political or literary should be

underground. If it isn't, then it's

not radical and not worthy of a look-in.

CHRIS:

But we are underground?

DOUG:

No you don't get it. Every cabby in

town knows this joint. So where's the

mystery, the danger?

KATKA:

Why don't you read something after the

break?

DOUG:

What here? Weren't you listening to

what I just said?

KATKA:

You used to read.

DOUG:

Well not any more, now I'm a serious

writer and above this crap.

CHRIS:

Yeah, very serious and very part-time.

DOUG:

Inspirations a fickle thing, you don't

realise you had it till it's gone.

CHRIS:

And not even then sometimes.

KATKA:

That's true Doug, writers are supposed

to write.

CHRIS:

And pay for their drinks occasionally.

DOUG:

You guys having a go a me or what?

CHRIS:

We're only joking.....It is your round

though!

DOUG:

Well, this place is too expensive so

you've had it.

KATKA:

Doug, that's not nice.

You had some money earlier?

Katka gets some money out of a purse.

KATKA:

Well, get me and Chris a drink then.

DOUG:

I'll get the drinks, but not here. Let's

split. I can't stand this any more,

it's murdering my respect for literature.

KATKA:

But I don't want to go, I am enjoying it.

DOUG:

How about you Brutus?

CHRIS:

Sorry Katka, but I'm with Doug on this.

DOUG:

You're outnumbered Kat two to one,

got to go with the majority, that's

democracy.

Doug, Katka and Chris gather their belongings and meander through the

crowded audience to the exit. ANGLE Josh arguing with Holly.

JOSH:

All I'm saying Honey is run the thing

past me for Christ's sake before you

get up and broadcast the crap.

HOLLY:

Oh that's it? Everything I do is crap!

EXT - PRAGUE STREETS - DOUG/KATKA/CHRIS - NIGHT

They stand at a crossroads away from the nightclub.

DOUG:

So what's it going to be, Coogan's

or U Vayvudoo?

KATKA:

I don't care. I'm not staying out

late Doug.

CHRIS:

What about that squat bar you showed me,

is that open on a Sunday?

DOUG:

Yeah, let's check out the low-life.

Chris starts to walk with Doug but Katka stands still. Doug turns.

KATKA:

I think I'll go home.

Doug moves close to Katka

DOUG:

Come on Kat we'll just have a couple of

drinks. I can't just leave Chris on

his own!

Doug embraces Katka.

KATKA:

I'm not staying out late and

I can't come back to your place.

DOUG:

Whatever!

The three of them walk briskly through Prague's Old Town streets and

alleys. They cross a tram line. Show tram stop and a corner clock,

time is now 8.10 pm. Chris offers Doug a cigarette and they share

Doug's zippo lighter. Doug breaks away to check a rubbish skip.

CHRIS:

Anything in it?

DOUG:

No, just crap. I want some picture

frames.

CHRIS:

Never heard of K-MART?

SHOW a building under refurbishment for Western client.

DOUG:

I don't have the money for those Bourgeois

traps. Hell, I'm making what a Czech

earns.

CHRIS:

Yeah and they manage to go to

bourgeois joints!

An old LADY passes by walking a small DOG. A Tram passes with Western

cigarette advertising.

DOUG:

It all comes down to ideology and

they've lost theirs. If I'd been

here ten years ago, maybe they

wouldn't be in the mess they are today.

CHRIS:

What's that? Free!

DOUG:

Just because they've got a choice of four

McDonalds, doesn't mean they can afford a

cheeseburger.

CHRIS:

Give'em a break Doug, all it takes is

a little work.

KATKA:

Maybe you should try working more and

show us Czechs how it's done.

Doug moves from Katka and puts his arm around Chris.

DOUG:

A word of advice my celibate friend.

These Czech girls look like dynamite

and go like it, but don't be fooled;

there's a price to be paid and it's

going up fast. Right Kat?

KATKA:

What?

DOUG:

You're everything a guy could want.

Doug kisses Katka. They turn down a narrow street with some boarded

up buildings and cut through an alleyway into another street. They

approach an old decrepid apartment building, some windows dimly lit

above. Faint rock music. They pass through the heavy main door into

a dark passage and enter a bar.

INT - SQUAT BAR - DOUG/KATKA/CHRIS - NIGHT

Well-lit, moderately loud music and much smoke. Rough-looking bar is

at one end of a room with some tables and benches set up. Occupants

are social dregs. Doug, Katka and Chris move to the bar.

DOUG:

I love it! Freedom of expression

suppressed by mental paralysis.

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