Hotel Rwanda Page #18

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

(laughs) The United Nations. Madmen are

on the streets, Paul. But I will take

care of you. (chugs his drink) Your

cellar is well-stocked, right?

PAUL:

Yes, General. I am glad you came by. I

overheard something that I think you

should know about.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

What did you overhear?

PAUL:

A discussion between an American Embassy

official and a UN Colonel.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

What did they say?

PAUL:

The American assured the colonel that

they would watch everything.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

Watch everything? How? They are gone.

Paul points surreptitiously to the sky. The General looks up.

PAUL:

Satellites.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

Satellites?

PAUL:

Yes, they can photograph the epaulets on

your shoulder.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

And what will they do with these

satellites?

PAUL:

The American said intervention is too

costly, better to get photographic

evidence and snatch up the high command.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

The high command? Our high command?

PAUL:

'Snatch them up and put on a war crimes

trial. Lock them all away forever. No

political risk, and big publicity.'

That's what he said. (a beat) I thought

I'd better tell you.

The General looks again to the sky then.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

The Americans! Who are they to put us on

trial. Let us imagine Paul when their

president Kennedy was shot, they said it

was a black man. Then their politicians,

their radio stations gave orders ‘we must

wipe out these black people before they

wipe out us.’ What do you think would

have happened? No different.

PAUL (CONT'D)

Indeed, general. Excuse me momentarily.

INT. HOTEL CELLAR. DAY

Paul fills Bizimungu's briefcase with scotch, hands two six-packs of

beer to Zozo. Paul notes his once packed storeroom, now considerably

dwindled in stock.

PAUL:

Where has all our beer gone?

ZOZO:

Sir, Gregoire has been taking beers.

PAUL:

How much beer?

ZOZO:

Many beers.

EXT. HOTEL POOL TERRACE. AFTERNOON

Paul arrives back at the pool, hands Bizimungu his briefcase. Zozo

gives the beer to the soldiers.

PAUL:

I am worried about thieves and criminals

coming into the hotel. Perhaps you could

arrange for some police to guard us.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

The police are very busy.

PAUL:

I understand General, but when I last

talked to the president of Sabena he

promised me that anyone who helped

protect Belgian property would be

rewarded.

Bizimungu understands this is a financial proposition.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

He did.

PAUL:

“Well rewarded” Those were his words.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

If I were to spare a few policemen, where

would I station them?

PAUL:

The front gate would be best, General.

They could check all guests.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

I will see what I can do.

PAUL:

I admire you, General. How do you keep

command of your men amidst such madness?

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

I am strong, Paul, like a lion.

PAUL:

I wish I were like you. Look at my staff,

they won't work, they listen to no one.

Paul nods over toward Gregoire.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU

He is staff?

The General gets up.

Gregoire, who is lying face down on the deck chair, doesn't see him

approach. The General pulls the deck chair from underneath Gregoire and

throws it into the pool. As Gregoire tries to scramble to his feet, the

General propels him forward with a massive kick up the ass.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU (CONT'D)

Get to work, you slug.

Gregoire races from the pool, followed by his girlfriend.

The General clicks his fingers and his soldiers follow.

GENERAL BIZIMUNGU (CONT'D)

Make sure, Paul, your guests are

generous.

INT. LOBBY. DAY

Benedict greets Paul in the lobby.

BENEDICT:

Paul, we would like to speak to you in

your office.

PAUL:

We, who is we?

BENEDICT:

A delegation.

INT. HOTEL MANAGER'S OFFICE. DAY

Paul walks in and discovers the office packed with the elite Tutsi

refugees including Xavier, Odette and Jean Baptiste. Paul's puzzled,

there's an air of tension in the room.

PAUL:

Yes.

A brief silence, then a Tutsi bank manager speaks.

BANKER:

You have no right to charge us rent.

PAUL:

Why not?

BANKER:

This is no longer a hotel, it is a prison

and you are profiteering from our misery.

ODETTE:

That is not true.

Another accuser speaks up.

TUTSI ACCUSER:

Yes it is. He charges for food, for

everything. Where is all this money

going? We hear he has a deal with

Bizimungu.

TUTSI ACCUSER #2

It is said that you work for the murderer

George Rutagunda.

Murmurs of agreement. Paul has heard enough.

PAUL:

I confess. ( a beat) It's true I have a

deal with General Bizimungu. He was just

here. I worked out another money making

scheme for him. New arrivals will be

taxed at the gate.

Silence.

PAUL (CONT'D)

Do you know what my deal is with

Bizimungu. I pay him and he keeps you

alive. Anyone want to take their money

back?

Paul pulls money from his pocket, hands it around, offers it.

PAUL (CONT'D)

Here, here take it. And you don't have to

pay your bill. I will move you into the

ballroom or out into the gardens.

Rate this script:2.0 / 2 votes