City of Joy Page #19

No one. We're talking about rapt attention. We hear

NUTS CRACKING. Max smiles.

EXT. STREET - NEAR CITY OF JOY - NIGHT

Max and the boys walking home after the movie, the boysdancing around each other, acting out the fight sequences,

all of the sword-fighting against Max, who battles themall over the street, in and around cars, Poomina and Amrita

looking on shyly, as El Max fights to save their honor.

MANOOJ:

I can't decide if I want to be

Kumar Kapur or a doctor.

MAX:

Ha ha! You can be both! ManoojPal, swashbuckling physician!

MANOOJ:

You're so much fun, El Max. I

wish my daddy were as much fun as

you.

Max stops the fight, takes Manooj by the shoulders.

MAX:

I wish my father loved me likeyour father loves you. Your dad's

a very special man. And now, en

garde!

As the battle continues, the bright beams of a truckcome at them.

MAX:

Time out, men. Off the street

till this truck passes.

(CONTINUED)

99.

CONTINUED:

The kids move toward the wall of the building they'repassing, but the truck seems to turn toward them, seeming

not to intend to pass, but to hit them.

The look on Max's face lets us know he senses somethingterrible is in the offing here. He shouts for the kids

to get out of the way, shoving the kids closest to himinto a doorway. He turns to Shambu, who's behind him,

calls to him.

But in a panic, Shambu doesn't move into the shelter ofthe building on his right... but tries to run across the

street. Max leaps for the little boy too late... as thetruck just misses Max and clips Shambu hard, sending thelittle boy flying.

EXT. SQUARE - NIGHT

Manooj runs ahead of everyone as he charges into Ram'shut, crying for his father. Behind Manooj come theothers, Max carrying Shambu in his arms. Hasari and

Aloka, Ram, Joan, others in the square hurtle out oftheir huts.

MAX:

I can't do anything here. He's

got a compound fracture, hehemorrhaging. We've got to getto a hospital -- now!

JOAN:

You'll never get a taxi at thishour.

EXT STREET - HASARI'S FEET - DAY (EARLY EVENING)

He pounds along, the wheels wobbling and squeaking,

urging people out of his way. Max runs alongside Hasari.

Aloka sits on the seat with Shambu, whose quiet moaningfills her ears. Blood drips down the rickshaw.

EXT. PARK STREET - FROM THE RICKSHAW - DAY

Several taxis waiting for clients outside a row of

restaurants. Hasari and Aloka watch as Max argues withthe drivers. They won't take a bleeding passenger.

SAME STREET - MOMENTS LATER

The race to the hospital continues.

100.

EXT. MEDWAR PINE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - NIGHT

The arrive at the gates of the huge, Victorian hospital.

People sleep outside the gates.

INT. HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR - SIDE ROOM - DAY

The wards are full, as are the corridors. Patients on

beds and stretchers everywhere. Most have at least one

member of their family to look over them. In a side

room, Max is arguing with a porter who tells him he can'thelp him. Max slaps some rupees into the porter's hand,

tells him to take him to the person in charge.

Shambu is fading. Aloka smooths the sweat from his brow,

trying to keep Shambu alive by force of will and love.

Then Max is back, standing over her with another man. It

may take a moment before we recognize the ATTENDANT fromthe Blood Bank.

MAX:

They'll admit him, but we have topay for the blood. I gave him allI had. He wants more. Do you haveanything?

ALOKA:

Sister Joan gave me this.

Aloka holds out a fistful of rupees. The Attendant blows

through his lips, indicating it's a paltry sum. Max

grabs the money and shoves it at the Attendant.

MAX:

We haven't got any more!

The Attendant doesn't move... until he sees Max is about

to explode.

MAX:

If this child dies while youstand here, I'll kill you.

The Attendant is smart enough not to push any further.

MAX:

Now, I need an X-ray room and Ineed an O.R. nurse.

ATTENDANT:

Not possible. You can't givecare, you're an American. You

must be an Indian doctor.

(CONTINUED)

101.

CONTINUED:

MAX:

Then take me to one!

As Max takes flight with the Attendant, Aloka strokesShambu and Hasari hovers. We CLOSE IN ON Shambu's

inanimate face and HOLD a moment.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

Max hurtles down the corridor with a young INTERN in

tow. Almost a kid, he's been up for days. But he's

going to help.

INTERN:

This way, please.

Max scoops Shambu up and rushes down the corridor behindthe Intern, leaving Hasari and Aloka looking after him.

His arm comes around her shoulders.

EXT. HOSPTIAL - DAY (DAWN)

Hasari and Aloka wait. People are starting to move about.

HASARI:

You're my wife, Aloka, you and mychildren are all my wealth. But

if Max Daddah and Big Sister Joanhave need of you, you may go tothem.

Max comes out of the hospital. The two Pals stare at

him.

MAX:

We pinned his leg. Couple ofmonths, he'll be better than

ever. They want to keep himtoday. We're a good team.

Gimme five.

He smiles, holds out a palm for them to slap. Theylook at the palm, unsure what this means. Yet, each

takes Max's hand.

EXT. CLINIC - COURTYARD - DAY

The whole community is here, around the tree.

(CONTINUED)

102.

CONTINUED:

JOAN:

I don't think it was an accident.

I think they were aiming for Max.

So, what we have to ask ourselves

is whether his presence isendangering all of us.

ANOUAR:

Even from my low vantage point, I

know this:
It's the son. He's

mad.

HASARI:

Max Daddah is our friend. If

they're trying to harm him, thenthey're trying to harm all of us.

We must stand by him as one.

INT. SHED - CLOSE ON TWO PAINTBRUSHES - NIGHT

dip into a little box of paints. The boys look on as thetwo men paint an intricate design on the shafts. Shambu

sits in the rickshaw seat. He wears an ankle to hip

cast. Manooj is spelling words and urging Shambu tofollow suit. Aloka is putting out a tray of food. Ram,

Ramatullah, and Chomotkar slip in, quickly close thedoor. The two pullers focus on the rickshaw, Ram on Max.

RAM:

Doctor Daddah, please, veryimportant, only one moment.

MAX:

This is going to cost me everyrupee I didn't make today.

Ram thrusts an envelope into Max's hand.

MAX:

A letter from your wife.

Ram nods nervously. Max looks at the postmark as heslices it open with a finger.

MAX:

This is postmarked six weeks ago.

RAM:

So?

(CONTINUED)

103.

CONTINUED:

MAX:

So, what have you been doing -incubating

it?

RAM:

I was afraid.

Ram waits, his hands twisting each other.

MAX:

'My dear husband...'

RAM:

Oh that's very hopeful so far!

MAX:

'Your words brought tears of joyto my arid eyes.'

RAM:

Oh, I'm in love! My wordsbrought tears to her arid eyes!

(then fearful)

What does that mean -- arid?

Manooj throws his hand up.

MANOOJ:

I know! Dry.

MAX:

Correct. Her eyes were dry, yourletter irrigated them.

RAM:

Aaah!

He snatches the letter, crushes it to his heart. Notices

the finish work on the rickshaw.

CHOMOTKAR:

This is a puka nasgar. What a

curse that you can't use it.

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