City of Joy Page #22

Water pouring off the room into the courtyard. Hasari

locks his rickshaw into the shed and turns out, attention

to Max, Aloka, Joan, Poomina, Margareta, Mehboub, severalothers trying to patch leaking roof tiles and keepsupplies high and dry.

INT. CLINIC ROOM

Hasari enters. Max looks at him, doesn't like the look

of the obviously exhausted man.

HASARI:

How can I help?

EXT. CIRCULAR ROAD - FISTFUL OF RUPEES (RUNNING MONTAGE)

-DAY

An Anglo couple jockeying for preference. Hasari selects

them from a crowd. This is the beginning of RUNNINGMONTAGE.

A)

He runs AT us from different directions with riders

-- pushing, pushing -- the water getting higher, ourFOCUS VARIOUSLY IN NORMAL AND SLOW MOTION ON his

feet, his tensed muscles; for a moment, we hear onlyhis breathing, the sound of his feet on the pavement,

the RAIN AGAINST the CANOPY of the rickshaw.

B)

He drags up with an entire, well-to-do family of six,

packed into the rickshaw.

C)

He stumbles to a stop outside the emergency entranceto the hospital, carrying a mother and her sickchild.

(CONTINUED)

115.

CONTINUED:

D)

An upper-crust Brahmin dressed in crisp white, anumbrella protecting him against the harsh elements.

E)

Four uniformed school children huddled, laughingtogether under the rickshaw's canopy.

INT. LEPER COLONY - MEETA'S ROOM - DAY

The rain continues, as does the work in the clinic. Max

is working on Anouar, Aloka assisting. Meeta and the

baby (now 6 months old) in the b.g.

ANOUAR:

I think Aloka would have a gentlertouch than you, Max Daddah. Maybeshe should perform this surgery onher own.

Aloka ducks her eyes, embarrassed.

MAX:

Last time you told me you weremore than two women could manage.

ANOUAR:

Yes, but given a choice between oneand none, I will accept the one.

Max lifts Anouar off the table and places him on his

cart.

MAX:

Okay, you ought to be good foranother few days. Send in the

next patient.

Anouar scoots out. Max and Aloka both turn to the

instruments lying on the table and knock a pair ofscissors to the floor. Simultaneously, they bend to pickit up and bang heads.

LOW ANGLE:

The first impulse of each is to touch the other's head.

But almost simultaneously, their hands freeze short oftouching. Several months ago, Max might have tried tokiss her; now, though, there is friendship and affection.

FROM here, we see a pair of bare feet. We COME WITH Max

and Aloka UP.

116.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

Shoba, a deeply concerned look on his face. Slowly hishands come forward, holding his parrot, with a brokenwing. He puts the parrot on the examining table.

INT. POST OFFICE - DAY

Hasari seals a letter and a money order into an envelope,

seals, and puts it into the slot. He is clearlyexhausted. Outside he can see two Sikh merchants at his

rickshaw, looking around in the rain for him. He hurries

toward the door.

HASARI:

Here! I'm here!

INT. SUBASH'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Aloka and three women huddled beside a window, Amrita

half hidden behind them. We PAN ACROSS a staircase TO

another window, THROUGH which we see a doorway. In the

doorway, Subash turns to smile a shy smile at Amrita; heshrugs. PAST him now, we see Hasari facing SUBASH'SFATHER and three UNCLES, surly men with hair matted withmustard oil. The Ghoshes are all seated on low chairs

and stools. Hasari is standing.

INT. ROOM - NIGHT

Mr. Ghosh and the Uncles stare at Hasari, who stands

politely and hopefully before them.

MR. GHOSH (SUBASH'S FATHER)

You're a rickshaw puller, am Icorrect?

HASARI:

Yes, that's correct.

He looks at his brothers, on either side. They look athim.

MR. GHOSH

And I a partner in the workshopwhere your daughter is employed.

Were you aware of that?

HASARI:

Yes, yes, I was, my daughter toldme, thank you.

(CONTINUED)

117.

CONTINUED:

MR. GHOSH

Yes, well then, perhaps you cantell me why I would permit my sonto marry your daughter.

Mr. Ghosh raises his palms. It's all over as far as

he's concerned.

UNCLE #1

Just a moment, please.

The brothers huddle, whisper just loudly enough forHasari to hear.

UNCLE #1

Are you saying there's no wayyou'd consider this match?

Mr. Ghosh shakes his head, shrugs his palms.

UNCLE #1

Perhaps some inducement? Would

that be of any help?

MR. GHOSH

(considering this)

What could he possibly offer?

UNCLE #1

Probably nothing. But perhaps,

in fairness, we should find out.

Mr. Ghosh shrugs. The huddle breaks. All five men

stare at Hasari.

EXT. STREETS - DAY

Hasari, mouth half open, flecked with spume, pulls ahuge Marwari. He's pouring sweat, his eyes are bloodshot.

He has never looked more like a horse.

They arrive at a cross street. The Marwari gets downand pays Hasari. Hasari slumps against the rickshawand, while he awaits his next rider, counts his crumpled

pile of notes and coins.

EXT. CLINIC - DAY

Max, Joan, Aristotle John, Margareta, Mehboub, perhapsa dozen others trying to raise the level of the lowwall at the entrance with bricks. The wall caves in.

Other people in the neighborhood rush to rebuild it.

(CONTINUED)

118.

CONTINUED:

MAX:

(shouting to the

others)

My dear friends, it's justoccurred to me what inspired meto stay here.

Thinking he's about to make some cogent remark aboutthis unified effort...

MARGARETA:

What's that, Doctor Big Brother?

MAX:

The opportunity to acquirewaterfront property at a reasonableprice.

Joan begins to laugh; the others don't get it, queryeach other as to what's funny about that.

JOAN:

I hate to admit it, junior, butthat was actually quite witty.

She whacks him on the shoulder with a wet, muddy paw.

JOAN:

Ut-nobody laugh; it's a naturaldisaster -- we have guests.

Everyone turns to...

ANOTHER ANGLE:

Manubai and Ravi, their car parked at the entryway tothe clinic. A big puddle separates them.

MAX:

I'd throw my cape down, but I'mall out of dry capes.

He sloshes through the water to them, wiping his muddyhands on his pants. He offers a semi-clean hand to

each in turn.

MAX:

It's very nice to see you. Both

of you.

RAVI:

We heard you were still here.

Vijay wanted to send some things.

(CONTINUED)

119.

CONTINUED:

She indicates the car, which is packed with dry foodand such.

MAX:

Shall we unload the car?

RAVI:

Yes, yes, by all means.

Max whistles, indicates the car. People come and startunloading it, Ravi showing the way, leaving Max andManubai alone a moment, Aloka flicking her eyes at thetwo of them.

MANUBAI:

I'm surprised. I really didn'tthink you'd stick it out.

MAX:

People grow older; sometimes they

even grow up.

He smiles a sweet smile at her. She smiles back at him.

EXT. MUD BANK - WIDE SHOT - DAY

Anouar on Said's shoulders. The big mute runs, followedby Hasari and a phalanx of rickshaw pullers: Chomotkar,

Rassoul, Ramatullah-Joan, Aloka, Manooj, several othersin the rickshaws, Max and Sunil, each with his doctor bag-- all of them running in silhouette along the embankmentin the rain.

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