City of Joy Page #25

MAX:

But that's great.

(CONTINUED)

130.

CONTINUED:

RAM:

But it means I should go home tomy wife.

MAX:

I thought that's why we've beenwriting all these letters.

RAM:

Yes, of course, I love her from

here, yes; but, what if I go homeand find I don't love her from

there.

Shambu takes him by the hand and tugs him quickly to theedge of the tea shop. The little boy indicates Maxshould bend close. Max leans down.

SHAMBU:

Daddy needs gold, right?

Max nods. And Shambu brings his fist up from under thetable.

CLOSE ON SHAMBU'S HAND

He opens his hand to disclose what he scooped off theground during the fight: Max's necklace and Hebrew

letter.

SHAMBU:

Do you think this is pretend goldor real?

MAX AND SHAMBU:

Max stares at the little boy's hopeful face.

INT. PAL'S ROOM - FLOWER

We see the fully blossomed flower in the tea caddy andthen Hasari's fingers come INTO THE FRAME. He carefullysnips the flower free of its stalk.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

Amrita is dressed in the beautiful sari her father boughther. Father and daughter are alone. He hands her the

flower and adjusts her veil tenderly.

(CONTINUED)

131.

CONTINUED:

HASARI:

You never did belong to me. You

were only lent to me by God untilyou marry and continue the wheelof life.

Amrita stares at her loving father and slowly her armscome up around his neck, the flower against his curvedback. Tears fill Hasari's eyes, but a smile graces hislips.

EXT. SQUARE - DAY - EARLY EVENING

The procession to the courtyard begins when a BRASS BANDstrikes up, accompanied by singing and shouting. Tinylights have been strung over the street. We see Max and

Manubai. Margareta and a group of children. Joan with

Poomina. Anour, Meeta, Said. Everyone who's become partof the family is present.

EXT. CLINIC COURTYARD - DAY (DUSK)

The procession arrives and enters. Smoke from the chulas.

Light from a half dozen lamps.

Subash and his procession make their entrance. A ritual

veil is fixed to Subash's face. The Pujari waves forHasari to come to his place. Hasari turns to Max.

HASARI:

I would be pleased if you wouldstand with me in the place ofhonor to the right of my daughter.

Deeply touched, Max nods... and the two men step forward...

as Subash is motioned forward by the Pujari.

Subash sits beside Amrita.

THE CEREMONY:

A flame. The shyness of bride and groom as the ceremonyproceeds with the winding of the red thread. Hasari

looks on with unspeakable pride, Max beside him. We see

the faces of all our family again: Aloka, Manooj andShambu, Joan, Poomina, Surya, Selima, Aristotle John,

etc.

132.

THE WHEEL:

Turning. As Amrita and Subash, joined by the thread,

circle the flame... as we PULL BACK AND UP. Now we see

the clinic and school and the surrounding area, thealleys full of people and activity. As we continue to

PULL BACK, we see the entirety of the City of Joy andthen beyond -- Calcutta, its teeming streets -- life continuing

as the sun sets against an infinite sky and weROLL END CREDITS.

FADE OUT.

THE END:

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