el Ordinál

I spent a summer many moons ago in Cuernava, Mexico after which I decided to take some of my experiences there and write a thriller.  This is what came out.  Not exactly thrilling, but maybe interesting.

"El Ordinál"

Int. Passenger bus - dusk - weeks into the future

HENRY sits alone in a seat of an old run down passenger bus.  Henry is a young man in his early twenties, a Spanish student, skinny, blonde, white, and a massive drunk.  The bus travels slowly down the road in rural central Mexico.

The only other passengers on the bus are a young American couple, MATT and KENDRA. 

HENRY

If he stops for gas, I'm gonna lose it.

Kendra

I'm sure we won't.

Suddenly the bus slows and turns off the main road, towards a petrol station.

HENRY

We're stoppin' for gas.  I can't believe it!

Henry punches the seat.  He gets up and approaches the DRIVER, a small Mexican man.

HeNRY

Driver, do we have to stop for gas?

(in spanish)

Do we have to stop?

Henry reaches for his wallet and pulls it out and grabs the last bill he has and hands it to the driver.  The driver takes the bill and puts into his shirt.

Driver

(in spanish)

Thank you very much.  We just stop for gas.  Just for a moment.

Henry turns around and raises his arms high above his head giving the international signal of disgust.

HENRY

Argh!

Henry makes his way back to his seat and plops down in a huff as the bus pulls to a stop in the gas station.

Matt dressed in a ratty t-shirt and surfer's shorts, leans forward towards Henry.

Matt

It's an ordinál.

Henry lays his head on the bus window.

Int. small compact car - dAY - pRESENT

Henry sits nervously in the back seat of the rickety old vehicle as it recklessly flies through the downtown streets of Cuernavaca, Mexico.  Cuernavaca is a mid-size Mexican city that has a large weekend population of Mexico City residents who escape to Cuernavaca for obvious reasons. 

The car suddenly swerves, sending Henry crashing into the lap of the fat dark girl, PAULA, sitting next to him.  Paula wears a large poncho in the hopes of hiding her larger than average size.

Paula

(screams)

Ehh!

Henry

Whoa.  So who are these guys?

Paula makes puts her index finger on her lips to quiet Henry.

Henry regains his seating.

JULIO, the driver, speaks up.

Julio

(in Spanish)

What are you guys talking about?

PAULA

(in Spanish)

Nothing.

The car slows, caught in traffic.  Julio and the man in the passenger seat, MIGUEL, are almost interchangeable in looks.  They both are short, stocky, dark, with enormous guts.

Miguel sits in the passenger seat and pulls out his pistol.  He takes it apart and begins cleaning it with his handkerchief, using his large gut as a table.

The car moves slowly by a liquor shop, where a STORE OWNER, is sweeping his steps.

Julio and Miguel whisper some inaudible musings to each other as they eye the Store Owner.  The car continues to slowly move forward. 

The Store Owner throws down his broom and runs into the store. 

Julio, with Miguel, long since having put his gun back together, quickly pulls the car over onto the curb, causing many other cars to sound their horns.  They jump out of the car and run into the store.

Henry gives Paula an astonished look.

PAULA

They're with the secret police.

HENRY

They don't seem so secret to me.

Paula shrugs.

PAULA

I really like Julio.

HENRY

Which one is Julio?

PAULA

The driver.

The secret policemen jump back into the car and roar back into traffic, never bothering to signal.

Miguel has a wad of Pesos now bulging out of his breast shirt pocket.

Julio weaves through traffic like only a cop would.

Henry looks as if he is going to be ill.

HENRY

(in broken Spanish)

Uh, let me of the car.

JULIO

Que?

HENRY

Just let me out here.  I want out of this car now!

PAULA

He wants out of the car.

JuLIO

Si, si.

Julio pulls the car over to a nearby corner.

HenRY

(to Paula)

Why don't you come with me?  We'll have some beers.

PAULA

I'll be fine.

Henry stops for a second hoping his friend will change her mind.  She doesn't.  Julio and Miguel begin to get fidgety.

Henry sees Miguel rubbing his pistol with his grotesquely fat fingers.

Henry gets out of the car.

Paula rolls down her window while the car takes off.

PAULA

I'll see you tonight.  Bye.

She waves as the car disappears into the sea of V.W. Bugs.

Int. Burger Queen Bar - night

The bar/restaraunt is pretty crowded for a week night.  Most of the CROWD are American students, mixed in with Australians, South Africans, and Texans.  Sitting in a corner table are Henry's roommate, DAVE, Paula, IAN the South African, and CHRIS the effeminate southern (male) belle.  Dave is a tall lanky guy, a little older than the rest of the group.  Ian wears a tunic and sports curly blonde hair.  Chris, slightly less than fat, constantly looks towards the door anticipating the arrival of his childhood friend and unrequited love, Merideth.  Many large beer glasses sit on the table.

Henry walks up to the table carrying beers for everyone.  He sets them down carefully, but still manages to spill some beer on Chris.  Chris speaks with a southern accent straight out of "Gone With the Wind".

Chris

Well, that's real nice.

HENRY

Sorry, bud.

ChRIS

I ain't your bud.

Henry sits.  Chris takes his beer and gazes at the door.

Dave

Henry, tell 'em about this morning.

Henry rolls his eyes.

Dave laughs.

HENRY

All right.  Our house-father has a kid, he's like three.

DAVE

He's four.

HENRY

This morning, I'm in that kinda half-asleep, half-awake mode and I feel something, something etherial.  Like someone's watching me.  But I'm so tired, I don't wanna wake up.

He takes a drink of beer.

HENRY

Anyway, there's some rooster crowing and a cow mooing...

Ian

Wait, don't you guys live downtown.

Dave

Oh, yeah.

Henry

Yes, the neighbor's have chickens and a cow.  It was a surprise to me. 

Int. Pineda house, downtown - mORNING - flashBack

Henry lies in his bead.  MANUEL stands over him staring at Henry's face.

HENRY (V.O.)

So I open my eyes and Manuel, that's the kid's name, he's standing with his face two inches from mine.

Int. BurGER QUEEN BAR - nIGHT - Present

Henry puts his hand right beside his face to indicate how close.

HENRY

So I let out a scream.  Ah! And the kid doesn't move. 

Int. PINEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - mORNING - flashback

HENRY (V.O.)

He just cracks a big smile, pauses for a second and runs like lightening out of our room

HENRY

Ahh!

Manuel just smiles and then pitter-patters quickly out of the room.

Dave (V.O.)

They're not allowed in our room, supposedly.

Int. BURGER QUEEN BAR - nighT - Present

HENRY

Right.  So I get up, shower, what not, and I'm walking out to the door.  Everyone else is in the car waiting to take us to school. 

Int. PinEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - mORNING - Flashback

HENRY (V.O.)

It's a long narrow hallway to the front door and suddenly, the door opens and in comes little Manuel. 

Manuel opens the door and flies towards Henry, right hand cocked to land a blow.

Henry, slowed by last nights booze walks right into it.

Manuel

Hola!

Manuel's punch hits his target, directly into Henry's groin.

HENRY (V.O.)

And he punches me dead in the balls!

DaVE

Walked right into it.

Everyone laughs, except Chris.

HenRY

I just staggered out to the car and collapsed in the back seat.

Int. Pineda's car - moRNING - flashback

Manuel looks over the front seat and stares at Henry slumped in the back driver side seat.  Dave sits next to him.

Manuel points directly at Henry.

MANUEL

Henry esta crudo!

Dave laughs.

The sound of Everyone at Burger Queen laughing can be heard.

HENRY

Ugh!

Int. BURGER QUEEN BAR - niGHT

His friends continue to laugh.

HENRY

Hilarious.

A hot, but slutty looking American girl walks by the table.  Ian gets up and walks towards the girl.  Henry watches Ian as he heads towards the girl.

Dave taps Henry's shoulder.  Tell 'em about your first night.

The table's attention is beginning to wane.

HENRY

No thanks.

Int. PINEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - night - flasHBACK

Graphic:  "Two weeks earlier"

The fumbling of keys in the front door lock can be heard for some seconds.

Finally, the doors flies open crashing into the wall in the narrow hallway.

HENRY

(to himself)

Shit.

Henry is visibly drunk, but clean shaven, dressed in neatly pressed and clean clothes.  He stumbles his way down the hallway towards his new bedroom.  His plodding steps make a great deal of noise. 

Dave pokes his head out the bedroom and sees Henry. 

DAVE

(whispers)

Jesus, dude.  You all right?

Henry knocks a picture off the wall with his shoulder.

He heads quickly forward, towards the bathroom.  The bathroom door flies open and Henry lunges himself towards the toilet. Dave stands in the bedroom doorway as sounds of vomiting are heard.  

Dave sees Mr. Pineda, the head of the family they're staying with pop out of his bedroom and flops back into the bedroom. Mr. Pineda is a small, skinny, man of apparent Mayan descent. 

Mr. Pineda opens the door and sees Henry rinsing his face in the sink. 

Mr. Pineda

(in spanish)

Henry, are you all right?

Henry mumbles something unintelligible.

Mr. Pineda flops Henry's arm over his shoulder and guides him towards the bedroom.

MR. PINEDA

(in spanish)

It looks like you shouldn't drink.

Henry not understanding Mr. Pineda looks at him.

HENRY

Yeah, I'm just feeling a little under the weather. 

Mr. PINEDA

(in spanish)

Shhh.

Henry attempts to whisper.

HENRY

(slightly softer than before)

La influenza.

Mr. Pineda musters a small laugh.

Henry passes out on his bed.

Mr. Pineda heads back to the bathroom.  From the hallway, Mr. Pineda can be seen taking a towel and quietly and without emotion wiping up the vomit on the toilet and floor then rinsing out the towel in the sink. And then repeating it again.

Young boy (O.S.)

Chiclets!  Chiclets!

InT. bURGER QUEEN BAR - nIGHT - present

A young boy with a box full of Chiclets gum walks in between the tables announcing his product as he goes.  He is very dirty, with a well worn shirt, pants, and no shoes.

PAULA

(to Dave)

Oh, look.  He doesn't have any shoes.

MERIDETH, an overdressed southern belle arrives at the table.

Paula signals to the boy and begins pulling out pesos to buy some gum.

PAULA

Merideth, chip in with me to buy some gum from the boy.

There is no extra chair at the table.

Dave bobs his around looking for an empty chair.  He gets up from the table.

Merideth

Christopher, can you find me something to sit on?

Chris nods and starts to stand up when Dave arrives with a chair for Merideth.

MeRIDETH

Thanks, sugar.

She kisses Dave on the cheek.

DAVE

My pleasure.

PAULA

Merideth...

Merideth pulls out her purse and searches for what seems to be several minutes (its only a moment) for her wallet and some cash.  Finally, she pulls out a one hundred peso note and hands it towards Paula.

HENRY

The kid can't change a hundred.

Merideth gives Henry an angry look.

MeRIDETH

Well it's all I have.

PAULA

(to Merideth)

Never mind.

(to the boy

Yo tengo cinco.

YOUNG BOY

Cinco?

Paula nods and gives him a pile of change.

The boy begins to count it seeing the money is more than the price he tries to hand her back the extra coins.

PAULA

Guárdelo.

The Young Boy nods and shuffles away, smiling.

MeRIDETH

He's darling!

PAULA

Did you see he didn't have any shoes?

Merideth makes a disapproving face.

MerIDETH

I know.

ChRIS

We should buy him some sneakers.

Henry, just finishing a large beer, rolls his eyes.

PAULA

Yes!  Merideth, tomorrow let's go shopping.

MerIDETH

Now you're talking.

DAVE

I don't know if that's such a great idea.

PAULA

What?

BaRTENDER

Catorce.  Cartorce!

At the food counter/bar the BARTENDER places a burger on the bar.

Henry nudges Dave.

CHRIS

I don't see how doing a good deed could be bad.

Bartender

Catorce.

DAVE

That's my burger.

HenRY

How can you eat those things.

Dave, ignores Henry and gets up from the table to get his hamburger.

MeRIDETH

I saw the cutest little pair of cowboy boots the other day.

PAULA

Maybe we should get something more comfortable...tennis shoes or something.

Henry shakes his head and gets up from the table.

Ext. BuRGER QUEEN BAR - NIGHT

Henry walks out of the bar and sits on a nearby curb.  He pulls out a cigarette and lights it.

On the street corner to his left he sees THREE YOUNG KIDS wrestling with each other.  Suddenly the Kids see something around the corner and run quickly in that direction.

Henry, curious, puts out his cigarette on the street with his foot and walks towards that corner. 

He arrives on the corner and looks down the street where the kids took off running.  Nothing.  The street is completely empty.

Henry reaches into pocket for another cigarette.  The pack is empty.  He wads it up and tosses in the gutter and leans against a sign post.

Suddenly, an official army looking car pulls up and out jump two Military men in army-esque uniforms.  They carry M-16 machine guns.

One of the men, MILITARY MAN 1, lowers his weapon and approaches Henry, entering into his personal space.  Henry becomes quite nervous.

Military man 1

(in spanish)

What are you doing here alone?  You looking for drugs?

The other soldier, MILITARY MAN 2, smiles.

Military man 2

He's asking you a question.  You better answer him.

HENRY

(with bad pronunciation)

Uh, Mas despacio, por favor.

Military man 1

(in spanish)

You think he's trying to give us some trouble?

The Military Man 2 shrugs.

Henry pulls out his wallet and opens it so its empty contents can be seen by the soldiers.

HENRY

No tengo dinero.  No dinero.  Sorry.  I'm sorry guys.

The crackle of the radio from the car is heard by the soldiers.  Military Man 2 motions to the Military Man 1 for them to go.

The Military Man 1 holds his gun close Henry's face.

MiLITARY MAN 1

(jokingly)

Buenas noches.

They get in their can and leave.

Henry exhales loudly and wipes the sweat off his brow with the sleeve of his t-shirt.

InT. bURGER QUEEN BAR - NIGHT

Henry walks back into the bar.  He sees Dave sitting by himself.

HENRY

Hey buddy, can I borrow some money?

Dave nods, but says nothing.  He reaches in his wallet and pulls out a bill and hands it to Henry.  Henry takes it.

HENRY

Thanks.

Henry puts the bill into his wallet.  He looks up and sees Dave is looking an unusual shade of blue.

HENRY

You OK?

Dave shakes his head no.

DAVE

I think I had some bad shrimp for lunch.

HENRY

It's probably that burger.

A half-eaten burger and an almost full glass of beer rests on the table in front of Dave.  The burger is a rather unusual shade of grey, with some white speckles on the meat.

DAVE

Nah.  It's not the burger.

HENRY

What's that white shit on it?

DAVE

Mayo.

HENRY

No.  In the burger, there's some white stuff.

Paula enters from behind Henry and puts her arms around Dave.

DAVE

OK.

HENRY

You got him a cab?

PAULA

I called Julio.

Dave groans.

DAVE

Oh, lord.

PAULA

C'mon let's go.

Dave slowly gets up and Paula leads him out of the bar.

HENRY

Later, guys.

Henry reaches over and grabs Dave's beer glass and chugs down the beer in one go.

IAN

Nice.

Henry turns and sees Ian the South African standing next to him.  Ian is a good looking surfer-dude type with a mop of curly blonde hair and much too tight t-shirt.

HENRY

You wanna beer?

IAN

Sure.

HENRY

Where's that chick?

IAN

What chick?

HenRY

Have a seat.

Henry walks to the bar to purchase some beers.

Int. SmALL COMPACT CAR CIRCA 1985 - nIGHT

The little car tumbles through the night streets slamming the passengers into the sides of the car as it careens through the city.

Dave sits slumped in the middle of the back seat between Merideth and Chris. Paula sits in the passenger seat with Julio driving.

Dave's face is devoid of color.  He has both arms wrapped around his midsection.

DAVE

Ohhh.  Ugh.

No one speaks as the car continues on its towards the local hospital.

DAVE

Ohhh.

INT. bURGER QUEEN BAR - NIGHT

The bar has thinned out a lot.  Only a few tables contain patrons.  Ian and Henry sit by themselves at the same large table as before.  In a corner of the bar four men in suits, GANGSTERS, sit while the owner, ARMANDO, stands and chats with them.

Henry and Ian sit quietly and methodically down their beers.

The Gangsters get up and Armando leads them towards Henry.

Armando speaks in broken English.

Armando

(to the Gangsters)

This is my favorite guy.  He's been here one month and has only TWO absences.

Armando holds two fingers up to the Gangsters.

ARMANDO

Two!

The Gangsters say nothing, appearing a bit miffed that at this apparent side road.

After a few tense moments of silence.  The Gangsters leave.

Armando slumps into a chair next to Henry.

IAN

You all right, mate?

ARMANDO

(to Henry)

Jeez.  Those guys scare the hell out of me.

HENRY

At least they didn't have machine guns.

ARMANDO

That's what you think.

IAN

Henry, you got any cigarettes?

HENRY

I'm out.

Ian gets up and leaves the bar, obstensively to get some smokes.

ARMANDO

I am in trouble, man.

HENRY

What's up?

ArMANDO

Eh?

(beat)

You are my friend?

HENRY

Of course, bro.

ARMANDO

Okie dokie.  I tell you.  These guys, they want more money.  You know?

Henry finishes another beer.

ARMANDO

You need another?

Henry nods.

Armando signals the barkeep.

HENRY

You pay those guys?

ARMANDO

I pay everybody, man.  I have to pay monthly tax to the city, to the governor.  The police need money, the secret police, too.  The landlord, he raises the rent.  Let's see...

Armando counts on his fingers.

ARMANDO

...four times this year.  And now those gangsters, they want more money.

HENRY

That's a lot of money.

ARMANDO

I don't have it, man.  I don't have any more money to give.

The bartender brings Henry a beer and a cocktail for Armando.

Armando chugs down half of his cocktail.

ARMANDO

I never drink.

Henry raises his glass.

HENRY

Cheers.

They clink glasses.  Armando chugs down the rest of drink.

ARMANDO

I never drink.

Henry nods and Armando gets up and heads towards the bar's back room.

Ian re-enters the bar and sits next to Henry and lights a cigarette.  He motions to Henry to offer him a cigarette.  Henry shakes his head no.

Ian takes a long drag on his cigarette.  He then takes the cigarette out his mouth and uses it to point with emphasis towards a table in front of them.

IAN

Look at that.

Henry looks and sees a regular looking GUY schmoozing with two sorority girl types.

IAN

Australian.

HENRY

So?

IAN

It's the accent, mate.  They love the accent.

HENRY

You've got an accent.

IAN

Ain't the same.  But, the Mexican girls they don't the difference. 

Henry's attention perks up.

HENRY

Really?

IAN

Oh, yeah.

HENRY

The disco?

IAN

That's where they go.

Henry nods.

ExT. downtown liquor store - nighT

Henry and Ian pop out of a tiny liquor store each holding pint sized bottles of liquor.

Ian puts the bottle into the crotch of his pants.

IAN

Just pop in the pants, mate.

Henry takes a swig from his bottle and follows suit, not tightening his bottle cap very tight.

Int. discotheque - niGHT

Ian and Henry enter the sparsely filled discotheque.  A large BOUNCER pats them down as walk in.  Ian calmly walks through after being searched, but Henry, worried, sweats twice as much as usual.

He raises his arms to be searched.  The bouncer pats him down and Henry continues to stand next to the bouncer with his arms up.

Ian grabs him and pulls him forward.

IAN

Come on in.

Henry nods.

Ian stops and scans the tables surrounding the dance floor.  The tables are half-full.  Most of the patrons are young Mexican girls.  Most sit quietly in the darkness at their tables.

The euro pop music blasts.  The dance floor has a smattering of dancers.

IAN

Let me do all the talking.

HENRY

No problem.

Ian, with Henry following, approaches a table with several Mexican girls.

Ian puts his hands on the table and leans forward.

IAN

Good evening.  I'm Ian from South Africa.  Would any of you like to dance with me or my friend?

Henry cringes.

The girls just stare at him.

Ian taps his knuckles on the table.

IAN

All right.

Ian turns around and heads towards another table.  Henry intercepts him.

HENRY

Uh, I hate to be critical since you're doing most of the work, but...

IAN

They're just shy.

HENRY

Uh, yeah.

IAN

The accent, mate.  The accent.

HENRY

OK.

Ian heads to another table where three young women sit and one older looking Mexican fellow sit.

IAN

Anyone want to dance?  Bailar?

Henry behind him, does a dancing motion.  Super white-guy like.

One of the girls, MARIA, smiles a bit. 

Ian takes a deep breath and walks away, Henry follows.

Ian quickly heads to the next table.

IAN

(speaks quickly)

I'm Ian the South African.  Any of you girls want to dance?

Silence.

Ian quickly heads to the last table full of girls.  Henry lags behind.

IAN

Dance?

Silence.

Ian shakes his head and heads to the bar.

They reach the bar.  Ian catches the bartender's attention.

IAN

(to the bartender.)

Dos Cocas!

HENRY

That went well.

IAN

(a bit perturbed)

It was too quick.  We needed to survey the room a bit.

Henry nods.

The bartender hands Ian the cokes.  Ian heads to the bathroom with his coke, so he can mix in the booze stored in his pants.

Henry takes a sip of his coke and sets it on the bar.  He makes his way towards an outside courtyard.  He doesn't notice that the liquor bottle stored in his pants has spilled, making a fairly large pee stain.

EXT. diSCOTHEQUE courtyard - nIGHT

Henry walks into the courtyard where several tables are set up.  A young girl, MARIA sits by herself at one of the tables.  Henry walks towards her.  Maria has long wavy black hair, full lips, and a model-like figure.  She wears a tight stylish t-shirt and a short skirt.

Henry takes a deep breath.

HENRY

Eh, Queiro, quiero?  Quiero bailar?

Maria smiles a bit, but shakes her head.

Frustrated Henry looks down and sees the liquor pee spot.

HENRY

Uh, that's, it's not what you think.

Maria laughs.

Henry sits down next to her.

He reaches into his crotch.

Maria pulls away in mock horror.

Henry pulls out the empty bottle.

HENRY

Rum.

He tosses the bottle into a bush.

MAria

(angry)

What are you doing?

HeNRY

You speak English.

MaRIA

This country is not your trash can, no matter what you think.

Henry suddenly dives into the bush and flails about trying to find the bottle.  He finds the bottle, but ends up on his back holding the bottle up.

HENRY

Found it!

Maria grabs the bottle from his hand and sets it on the table.

Henry, with much trouble, extracts himself from the bush, with many leaves flying about.

Maria shakes her head at him.

Henry crawls back into his chair, dusting himself off.

HENRY

Didn't I see you earlier?

MarIA

Maybe.

HENRY

What are you doing out here?

MarIA

Too many assholes in there.

HENRY

Tell me about it.

MarIA

Que?

HENRY

I really hate these kinds of places.

MarIA

Discotheques?

HENRY

Yeah.  Too loud.

MarIA

I agree.  But it can be fun if you have a bunch of friends.

HeNRY

Where's your entourage?

MarIA

Those girls are just my cousins.

Henry nods.  Maria sighs.  The moment of silence lingers on.

HENRY

It's a crazy country.

MarIA

How so?

HENRY

Well, it's been a weird day.

(beat)

Take Armando, he owns the Burger Queen.  You heard of it?

MarIA

No.

HENRY

It's right downtown, right off the square.

MarIA

I've never heard of such a place.

Henry nods.

HENRY

Anyway, Armando, he owns the place.  He owes money to everybody.  Secret Police, gangsters, government.  And they all keep raising the price.

Maria shrugs.

MarIA

It's the price of doing business here.

HENRY

Yeah, but there's gotta be something an honest man can do.

MarIA

Like what?

HENRY

I was thinking he could go to press.

MarIA

Press?

HENRY

Yeah, the newspaper or TV.

MArIA

Do you know who owns the media?

HENRY

No, but I'm sure there's some kind of investigative reporting going on.

MarIA

The media is owned by the same people to whom your friend owes money.

Henry sits back in his chair, perplexed.

HENRY

Hmm.

He leans forward and sticks out his hand.

HENRY

I'm Henry, by the way.

She clasps his hand with hers.

MarIA

Maria.

HENRY

Maria.  You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

She rolls her eyes.

MarIA

Did you lose your glasses?

HENRY

Glasses  No, I mean it.  You wanna get out of here.  Go watch the sun rise or something?

The large older Mexican guy approaches Maria from the side and whispers something in her ear.

MarIA

I have to go.

HeNRY

What?  Look buddy, I'm talkin' to the girl here.

Maria puts her hand gently on Henry's arm to calm him down.

She pulls a pen out from her purse.  She grabs his hand, pulls it towards her and turns his palm towards her.

She takes the pen and writes her phone number on his palm.

She smiles.  He smiles the biggest smile of his life.

She gets up and leaves with the Older Looking Man.

THUNDER can be heard.  A storm is brewing.

Henry a cup off the table and drains the last few drops into his mouth.

He wipes his mouth and takes a deep breath.

Henry gets up and heads back into disco.

InT. dISCOTHEQUE - nIGHT

Henry walks back into the bar, it appears more crowded with people than before.

Henry stumbles around looking for Maria.  He sees a girl from the back that looks like Maria head towards the women's bathroom.  THREE TOUGH-LOOKING Mexican teenagers block his path.  Henry shoves one of them so he can get through, after busting through the group of guys, the girl turns around and it isn't Maria.  One the Toughs pushes Henry in the back.

HeNRY

Lo Siento.

Henry turns to leave and gets pushed in the back again.

Henry, flexing growing large beer muscles, turns and throws a punch at Tough in the middle.  The punch misses and Henry falls to the ground where the Three Toughs begins kicking him.

Tough 1

Arriba, pussy!

Henry curls up into a ball, absorbing the kicks of the toughs.

Eventually, two BOUNCERS arrive and push away the attackers and pick Henry by his armpits.  Henry spits at Tough 1.  Tough 1 and his buddies lunge at the bouncers, but the teenagers are no match form the bouncers, who calmly flick them aside and pick up Henry from the floor.

EXT. dISCOTHEQUE - night

The bouncers toss Henry onto the side walk.  A large thunder clap BOOMS.

HeNRY

Ow.

Henry gingerly touches his nose and feels blood slowly oozing from his nostrils.

He takes a deep breath and hocks a giant loogie towards the street.

Rain begins to beat down as it only can in the tropics.

HENRY

Fuck.

Henry gets up and runs toward the cab stand that sits on the corner of block. 

He dives into the front seat of the cab.

InT. cab - nIGHT

The cab driver is a skinny fellow with a bushy mustache.  The cab is an old V.W. Bug painted lime-green.

Cab driver

(in spanish)

Where do you want to go?

Henry soaking wet, looks at his hand, the phone number is starting to run.

HENRY

Shit.

CaB DRIVER

Shit?

HENRY

No, you got a pen?

CaB DRIVER

(in spanish)

I only speak a little English.

HENRY

Uh, la pluma?  Tenga la pluma?

CaB DRIVER

Si, si.

He reaches over to his clip board in between the seats and hands him a pen.  Henry thinks for a second then searches his pockets for something to write on. 

Henry reaches over and grabs the clip board.

HENRY

poco pedazo de papel?

Henry not waiting for a response from the driver rips off a tiny piece of paper from his clip board.

HENRY

Very important phone number.  Nombre importante.

Henry transcribes Maria's number from his hand to the small piece of paper. He folds the paper and puts it in his wallet.

The driver, becoming impatient puts the car in gear.

CaB DRIVER

Where...to go?

HENRY

Al centro, uh, a cerca de el caballo.  The horse statue.  You know where that is?

The driver takes off quickly.

CaB DRIVER

(to himself)

Caballero.

He glances over at Henry who is passed out.

They drive and drive and drive.

Finally the cab driver stops the car.

The jolt of the stop awakens Henry.  He looks out the window and wipes the sleep from his eyes and sees a giant statue of cowboy riding a bucking bronco.  The neighborhood is very clean, with big homes offset from the street and few shops.

HENRY

No!  No, no.  This isn't right.  Where are we?

CaB DRIVER

Que?

HeNRY

I  said caballo, not caballero!

CaB DRIVER

Si, Caballero.

HenRY

Where the hell are we?

CaB DRIVER

(in Spanish)

If this isn't the right location, I can take you any where you want to go.

Henry gets out of the car.

HENRY

No.  Forget it.  Cuantos?

CaB DRIVER

Diez mil.

HENRY

Diez mil pesos?  You're killing me.

He tosses a ten thousand peso bill at the driver and slams the door.

The driver, pissed, peels out and speeds off.

Henry shakes his head and looks around, trying to figure out which way to walk. 

He sees a BUM on the corner.

HENRY

Donde es al centro?

The slowly points to his right.

Henry nods.  He starts walking in that direction.  He walks for several blocks.

The neighborhood he's in slowly becomes more and more urban.  More shops less front yards.

HENRY

(to himself)

Hey, this looks familiar.

Henry smiles. He pulls out his wallet and takes out Maria's phone number. 

He looks at the piece of paper for a moment and tries to remember everything about Maria, the color of her hair, her clothes, her smell. 

He puts the tiny piece of paper back in his wallet and walks on.

From beside Henry, a little THIEF, leaps toward him.

Thief

(in Spanish)

Give me your money!

The Thief is short, skinny, wearing dirty jeans and old work boots.  He attempts to be menacing by leaning forward and hunching his shoulders.

Henry, scared shitless, alone in unfamiliar territory, reacts.  He punches the Thief square in the nose.  Blood spurts in all directions. 

The Thief falls to the ground in a bloody clump.

Henry runs and runs fast, as fast as he can which at this point isn't all that fast or technically proficient. 

He runs, his side starts to hurt and he slows a bit, but he still continues to run.

EXT. pINEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - dawn - minutes later

Henry runs down the main street in Cuernavaca and arrives at Pineda's front door.  He finally stops and turns around to see if anyone is behind him.  There is no one.  He looks to his left and sees the sun creeping up from behind the earth.  Morning.

Henry fumbles with his keys and opens the front door.

INT. PINEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - daWN

Henry enters the house to hear, Dave throwing up in the bathroom.  Henry smiles.

He walks over to the bathroom door, which is open, and sees Dave kneeled over the toilet.

HENRY

Rough night?

Dave, looking like death warmed over, glances at Henry.

DAVE

You don't know the half of it.

HENRY

Can't be any worse than my night, but at least I can hold my liquor.

Henry laughs at his own quip.

Dave continues to barf.

HENRY

Jeez, what the hell did you drink, buddy?

Mr. Pineda, in his work clothes nudges Henry out of the way.

Mr. PINEDA

(in Spanish)

David, we're taking you to the hospital.

DAVE

Hospital?

Mr. Pineda pats Dave on the head and moves to the sink and wets a rag.  He hands the rag to Dave and leads him out of the bathroom.  Henry still standing in the doorway, moves out of the way.

HENRY

Dave, are you really sick?

Mr. PINEDA

Infermo.

HENRY

Those damn burgers.

Dave and Mr. Pineda make their way down the hall.

DAVE (O.C.)

It wasn't the burger.

Henry slumps back on the wall.  A worried look overcomes him.

EXT. pINEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - day

Henry shoots baskets with the Pineda's adolescent age SON.  They are in the tiny back yard which is just a twenty by twelve foot dirt patch with an old wooden back board attached by nails to an old telephone pole.

Henry, although not a tall guy, is several inches taller than the Son and is many pounds lighter.  The Son though, is a big basketball fan, he wears basketball jerseys every day and shoots hoops every day as well.  On this day, Henry looks preoccupied as the Son tries to get Henry to give him a good game of one on one.

The Son shoots from the outside, missing.  Henry feigns an attempt for a rebound.  The Son gets the ball and drives past Henry, scoring with a lay-up. 

Son

(in Spanish)

C'mon, let's play.  New game.  Zero to zero.

Henry nods, not really understanding the Son.  He shoots from a ways out and misses.  Henry dives for the rebound falling the ground missing the ball.  The Son takes the ball and shoots a lay-up over Henry's horizontal body.

SON

Uno!

Henry nods and slowly raises from the ground as the Son takes a shot from about ten feet.  It swishes through the hoop.

SON

Dos!

ExT. Spanish language school - day

Mr. Pineda drops off Henry in front of the language school and drives off.  Henry begins to walk away from the school when he sees Paula walking towards him.

PaULA

Where've you been?

HENRY

Around.

PAULA

You miss any more class days, you're gonna get in trouble.

HENRY

What are they gonna do?

PAULA

They could send you home.

HENRY

Ooh, I'm scared.  I called and told 'em I was taking care of Dave.  No one seemed to mind.

PAULA

Oh.  I saw him yesterday.  Have you seen him?

HENRY

No, not yet.

Paula looks surprised.  She pushes Henry's shoulder.

PAULA

You're bad.

HENRY

He'll understand.  I met a girl.  Not just any girl...a girl.

Paula checks her watch. 

PAULA

Well, see ya later, stud.

HeNRY

Maybe I'll see ya at the Burger Queen.

Paula walking away, yells at Henry.

PAULA

Maybe, but I'm not eating there anymore!

Henry turns and confidently walks away from the school, towards the downtown.

EXT. bURGER QUEEN BAR - dAY

The sun beats down on an extraordinary sunny day.

Henry crosses the street and heads towards the Burger Queen's entrance.  He reaches for the door and pulls it back.  The door is locked, surprising Henry, almost knocking him off his feet.

Henry looks towards the street and sees a very familiar car parked up on the curb.

HENRY

What the?

Henry peers in the door's glass.  He sees Armando surrounded in the corner of the bar by Miguel and Julio.  They wave their guns in front of Armando's face.

Armando, very distressed takes out his wallet and tosses it to Julio. 

Julio opens the wallet and shakes his head at the small amount of pesos inside it.  Julio takes the bills and throws the wallet towards the bar. 

Julio pushes Armando into the wall.

Miguel punches him in the gut and Armando falls.

Henry raises his arm to bang on the door, but his fear prevents him from doing so.

Miguel kicks Armando while he's on the ground and makes his way towards the cash register behind the bar.  He opens the register and takes all the cash out of it, stuffing it into his pants pockets.  This takes a while since his pants are about two sizes too small and overflowing with his huge gut.

HENRY

Son of a bitch!

Miguel and Julio put their guns back into their shoulder harnesses that are dwarfed by their girth.

They head out of the bar.  

HENRY

Oh shit.

Henry steps aside as they walk out the door.

Julio stops and looks in both directions in the doorway before he continues.  He spots Henry and grows a big smile.

JULIO

Hola, amigo!

Miguel smiles and the two large gutted secret policemen make their way into their car. 

The car takes off into traffic, causing several cars on the street to almost wreck while trying to get out of Julio's way.

Henry beats on the front door.

HENRY

Armando!   It's me, Henry!  Armando!

After a few moments, Armando sees Henry in the doorway.  He limps towards the door.

Armando cracks open the door.

ARMANDO

We're closed, Man.

HENRY

You OK, buddy?

ARMANDO

Go home!

Armando tries to close the door, but Henry sticks his foot in the way.

Henry

I've gotta talk to you.

Armando backs up and let's Henry come on in.

ARMANDO

Si, Si.

InT. BurGER QUEEN BAR - DAY

Armando slumps onto a bar stool.  Henry sits next to him.

ArMANDO

(to himself)

Secret Police.

Henry leans towards Armando.

HENRY

What's going on with those guys?

Armando shakes his head.

HeNRY

Isn't there someone you could call.

Armando laughs.

ARMANDO

They're just pissed I paid Guti.

HENRY

Guti?

ArMANDO

Guys in suits?

Henry remembers the gangsters from the other day and nods.

HENRY

I kind of know those fat guys.  Maybe I could talk to them.

Armando grabs his arm very firmly.

ARMANDO

You wanna end up like this?

He points to his bruised face.

HENRY

I don't know, my friend Paula is dating one of those dudes.

ARMANDO

I beg you, please, just let it go.

Henry folds his arms in defiance.

ARMANDO

So is that it?

HENRY

Huh?  Oh, yeah.  Listen, I met this awesome girl.

ArMANDO

Ooh.  This is great news.  I'm very happy for you.  I once was you sitting there, telling mi amigos about the most beautiful woman in the world.

HENRY

Huh.

ARMANDO

She became my wife.

HENRY

You're married?

ARMANDO

My wife, she lives with her parents in Mexico City.

Henry nods his head.

HENRY

Oh, yeah?  Maria, her name is Maria.  Where can I take her?  You know, a nice restaraunt or something.

ARMANDO

Restaurant?

HENRY

Yeah.

Armando puts his hand on his head to help his memory.

ARMANDO

La Atarraya.  You should take her there.

HENRY

Where's that at?

Before Henry can finish, Three suited gangsters, the same ones as before, burst into the joint.  Pushing Henry off his stool and dragging Armando out back.

Henry, dusts himself off and follows them out back.

EXT. Alley behind the bURGER QUEEN BAR - dAY

The alley way behind the Burger Queen is a dirty nasty, rat infested, foul smelling space.  The three gangsters punch Armando repeatedly.  The Main Gangster, dressed in a blue rather than grey suit as the others wear, steps back.

Main gangster

(in spanish)

You pay off the police before you pay us?

ArMANDO

No, no.

Henry leaps towards the men hoping to help Armando.

HENRY

The secret Police took all his money.

ARMANDO

No, Henry, no!

The Main Gangster grabs Henry and decks him in the jaw. Henry goes down for the count.

The other two continue punch Armando in the head and gut.  He says nothing. 

The two grey suited Gangsters step back and Armando collapses into a fetal position.

Main GANGSTER

(in spanish)

I want our money by Friday.

The two grey suited Gangsters turn and walk back into the bar.  The Main Gangster follows them, but not before giving Henry one last kick in the gut.

MaiN GANGSTER

(to the other gangsters)

Vamosnos.

The gangsters all head into the bar.  The front door is heard closing as they exit out the front door of the bar into the city.

Int. BURGER QUEEN BAR - day - one hour later

Henry and Armando sit at a table.  The only customers are Three AMERICANS who sit at a table together, away from Henry and Armando.  Henry and Armando are bandaged up and banged up.  A bottle of top shelf tequila sits on their table, half-full.

Henry picks up the bottle and attempts to fill Armando's glass.

ARMANDO

No, man.  I don't drink.

Henry nods and continues to fill the glass.

Henry fills his own glass as Armando takes a big sip of his tequila.

HENRY

I wanna find those guys.

ARMANDO

No.

HENRY

Yes.  Maybe I can offer them something.  I've got some time on my hands.

Armando sits back in his chair.

ARMANDO

What are YOU gonna do for THEM?

Henry finishes off his glass.

HENRY

There's gotta be something.

ArMANDO

(in Spanish)

Don't butt into things you know nothing about.

HENRY

What?

Armando leans towards him and uses his index finger to help emphasize his point.

ARMANDO

Stay out of other's business.  It's a lesson for life.

HENRY

Ah ha.

Henry raises his hand and slaps away an invisible foe.  He sees his watch for the first time and notices the time.

HENRY

Oh, shit.

Henry jumps up, pours some tequila into his glass and shoots it back.

HENRY

I'm late.

Henry quickly makes his way to the door, bumping into a SHORT AMERICAN GIRL, knocking her into a table.

HENRY

Sorry.

He doesn't help her up and runs out the door.

EXT. La atarraya restaraunt - nighT

Henry and Maria stand in a long line waiting to be seated at this popular local restaraunt.  The line is made up mostly of upper class LOCALS and some POORER folks out for a special occasion. 

Maria wears a small flowing summer dress with short hemline.  Henry, clean-shaven for once, wears a clean t-shirt and jeans.

HENRY

I feel a little under dressed.

Maria puts her arms around his right arm and pulls herself close to him.

MARIA

Don't worry about it.

The line they are standing in continues to remain stagnant.

The Matr'd taps approaches Henry.  The Matr'd is dressed in a nice suit and carrying two menus.

Matr'd

Señor, this way.

Henry looks surprised and speaks hesitantly.

HENRY

OK.

Henry and Maria follow the Matr'd past the line of people into the restaraunt.

HENRY

(to Maria)

What's going on?

Maria smiles and rolls her eyes, but doesn't answer as they follow the Matr'd towards there table.

HENRY

(to the Matr'd)

Why are we so special?

The Matr'd ignores Henry's inquiry and points to an empty table.

MatR'D

Please sit.

The Matr'd places the Menus on the table and leaves them alone.

MARIA

He thinks you have money.

HENRY

Why?

MARIA

You're white.

HENRY

Oh.  Really?

MARIA

Really.

HENRY

I'm gonna go to the bathroom.  Be right back.

Maria nods.

Henry gets up and walks towards the back of restaraunt, searching for the bathroom.  He doesn't see it right away.  He sees a waiter walking by.

HENRY

Pardon.  Uh, donde...el baño?

Waiter

Si.

The waiter points to his right.

Henry nods.

HENRY

Gracias.

Henry heads in the direction of the bathroom.

On his way he sees the three gangsters who beat up him and Armando.  The Main Gangster sees Henry and raises his glass towards him.

Henry quickly shuffles off into the bathroom.

EXT. sidewalk cafe - daY - one day later

An ambulance speeds by, siren blaring.

Henry sits a table alone facing the street with a cup of coffee in front of him.  He watches the ambulance as it speeds down the street.  His attention then goes back to across the street where a new black Mercedes Benz is parked.

Henry's three gangster friends walk out of the building across the street.

Henry starts to get up, but he is intercepted by Paula, Chris, and Merideth who happen to be walking by

PAULA

Henry!  There you are.  We haven't seen you in a week.

Henry shrugs, trying to keep his attention on the gangsters across the street.  They mill about, conversing with each other while the main gangster talks on his cell phone.

PAULA

I feel so bad for Dave.

HenrY

Yeah, me too.

CHRIS

It sucks having to go back home.

HENRY

Uh huh. Wait, back home?

MeRIDETH

Oh Henry, don't tell me you didn't know.

HENRY

I didn't know it was for sure.

PAULA

Uh huh.  Chris, show him the shoes we got for Pablo.

HENRY

Who?

MerIDETH

Pablo's the name we gave the little Chiclets boy.

HENRY

Couldn't you just ask him his name?

Chris holds up a pair of tiny Nike sneakers.

CHRIS

Pretty swift, don't you think?

HENRY

You guys know the kid is thirteen years old?

Chris, Merideth, and Paula sit down at the table.

PAULA

No, he's like six or seven.

Henry shakes his head disapprovingly. 

The gangsters start to wrap up their conversation, the main gangster hangs up his cell phone.

Henry gets up from his table.

HENRY

It's been real guys.  Later.

PAULA

Bye.

Henry makes his way across the busy street.

Merideth, Chris, and Paula sit at Henry's now vacant table.

MERIDETH

That boy is just rude.

ChrIS

He's just a drunk.

PAULA

Let me see those shoes again.

Chris hands them to her.

Paula looks over the sneakers for a second and sets them on the table.

Merideth scans around the cafe for a waiter.

Paula sighs.

MerIDETH

How do you get any service around here?

EXT. black Mercedes benz - daY

Henry walks up to the three gangsters.

HENRY

(in spanish)

Hello sirs.

gangster #1

(in spanish)

Get lost kid.

The main gangster puts his hand up.

MaiN GANGSTER

(in spanish)

Hold on.  How can I help you, muchacho?

Henry looks down at the pavement.

HENRY

I, uh, want to help Armando, from the Burger Queen.

The gangsters look bored.

HENRY

(in spanish)

I want to offer you my services to erase his debt.

Gangster #1

(in spanish)

I can barely understand him.  How is he gonna help us?

GANGSTER #2

(in spanish)

His Spanish isn't that bad.

GanGSTER #1

(in spanish)

What? 

The Main Gangster rolls his eyes.

MaIN GANGSTER

(in spanish)

(to Henry)

Did you have a good meal the other day?

Henry looks a bit confused.

HENRY

Uh, yeah.  Yes, I did.

MaiN GANGSTER

(in spanish)

I have an idea.

(to Gangster #1)

His girlfriend is the man we love to hate.

Gangster #1 nods.

Main GANGSTER

(in English)

You can meet us later?

Henry perks up and looks the Main Gangster in the eye.

HENRY

Sure.

Main GANGSTER

Meet there...

The Main Gangster points to the coffee shop across the street where Henry just came from.

MaiN GANGSTER

A las nueve.  Bien?

HENRY

Bien.

The two other gangsters laugh.

Henry walks away.

Int. BurGER QUEEN BAR - nighT

Paula hands the shoes to Pablo.  He hands her his Chiclets box and slips them on, without tying them, right there. 

Paula gives him back the Chiclets box.

Pablo runs out of the Burger Queen with a large smile on his face.

InT. PinEDA living room - niGHT

Henry sits on the couch next to Mr. Pineda.  Mr. Pineda watches the news on the television. 

A basketball being dribbled by the older son out back can be heard in the living room.

HENRY

Mr. Pineda?

Mr. PINEDA

Señor?

HENRY

A weird thing happened the other day.

Mr. PINEDA

En Español.

Henry nods.

HENRY

(in broken spanish)

The other day, at a restaraunt, there was a big line and they pulled me out of line and seated me ahead of all the other people.

Mr. PINEDA

(in spanish)

Everyone else was Mexican?

HENRY

I think so.

Mr. Pineda points to his bare forearm. 

Mr. PINEDA

(in spanish)

It's the color of your skin.  When you're dark like me, you always wait.

HENRY

Wait, uh...

(in Spanish)

But you have money.

Mr. Pineda points to his arm again.

Mr. PINEDA

(in spanish)

Only this seems to matter.

Henry leans back in couch and scratches his head.

Ext. dark alleyway - nighT

Little Pablo runs into a dark alley.  He is being chased by two bigger kids of similar social strata.  Their clothes are battered and torn in much the same way as Pablo's.  Pablo carries his Chiclets box.  The box contains all the money he has earned that day as well as the gum.

The alley is a dead end.  The two boys corner Pablo.

Pablo stands still, fists raised, in act of defiance.

The two larger boys overpower Pablo very quickly, tackling him to the ground and beating and kicking him.  Pablo's box falls to the alleyway ground several feet away from him, spilling out money and chiclets.

PAblo

No!

Boy #1 sits on top of Pablo, holding him down.

Boy #1

(in spanish)

Take his shoes!

The second boy, Boy #2, rips off Pablo's sneakers.  Boy #1 lets up on Pablo.  Pablo lunges at Boy #2 to try to retrieve his new sneakers, but Boy #1 punches him in the gut, dropping Pablo back to the ground again.

BoY #2

(in spanish)

What a great punch!

Boy #1 smiles and starts picking up the fallen money and Chiclets, putting them back into the box.  Boy #2 helps him.

Pablo's older sister walks up to the alley and sees her brother and the two boys.  She also is dressed in dirty tattered clothes.  For a girl of thirteen she is very small.  She appears to be no older than ten.

Sister

(in spanish)

My brother!

The two boys run out of the alley and past Pablo's sister.

She watches them escape for a moment and then runs as fast as she can towards Pablo's fallen body, writhing on the ground.

She reaches Pablo and puts her arms around him, cradling him.

Sister

(in spanish)

My brother!

She shakes him.

SISTER

(in spanish)

Did they take everything?

Pablo manages to nod.

SISTER

(in spanish)

How could you let them take the money....everything!  How could you?

Pablo doesn't answer.  His sister begins to tear up.

SiSTER

(in spanish)

It's not just you Señor's gonna beat up.  I'm going to get it, too.

Pablo looks at her, his only friend in the world.

PABLO

(in spanish)

I'm sorry.

His sister holds him tight as the night darkens and the clouds dissipate.

InT. PINEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - day

The Pineda family, Mother, and Grandma, is preparing for lunch in the kitchen, while Mr. Pineda and Manuel sit at the dinner table. 

The sound of a basketball being dribbled outside by the older son can heard.

Henry sits on the living room couch, dialing the one phone in the house.

Mr. PINEDA

(in spanish)

Henry, are you staying for lunch?

Henry puts the receiver to his shoulder.

HENRY

(in spanish)

No thank you.  I'm meeting my girlfriend for lunch.

Mr. Pineda cracks a smile.

Mr. PINEDA

(in spanish)

(to the women in the kitchen)

He's eating with his girlfriend!

Mother (O.S.)

Bien.

Henry puts the phone back to his ear as the other line picks up.

HENRY

Maria.  How're you doing?  What are you doing later?...I was wondering if I could come by...Oh, they're out of town.  That could be fun....Huh, oh really...But yesterday, you said it would cool...but...All right.

Manuel throws a spoon at Henry and hits him in the head.

HENRY

Ow!...Oh, Nothing...

Mr. Pineda smacks Manuel lightly on the hand.

HENRY

Listen, I'll call you later...OK?...You know I'm crazy about you, right?...OK, I'll call you later.

Henry hangs up the phone.

Mr. PINEDA

(in spanish)

Lady problems?

Manuel laughs loudly.

HENRY

(in broken spanish)

Uh, could I possibly stay for lunch?

Mr. Pineda nods.

ManUEL

(screams)

Henry!

EXT. coffee shop - day - earlier that morning

The Main Gangster sits at an outside table with Henry.  He leans toward Henry and places an odd looking electronic device on the table.

Main GANGSTER

Your girlfriend?

HENRY

What about her?

MaiN GANGSTER

Her father is a business...associate of mine.

Henry sighs.

Main GANGSTER

He has an office.  An office in his house.  You place this...

He points to the device.

MaiN GANGSTER

This, listening device, out of sight and your friend Armando is free of debt for a month.

Henry sits up straight.

Main GANGSTER

There is only one camera in the room facing the door.  So you sit at the desk and...

The Main gangster takes the Bug and reaches under the coffee shop table.

MaiN GANGSTER

...And you stick it here.  Bien?

HENRY

Three months.

Main GANGSTER

Que?

HENRY

It's three or I'm not doing it.

The main gangster shakes his head.

Henry crosses his arms.

MaiN GANGSTER

Three, but only if you do a good job.

Henry puts his hands on the table.

HENRY

Have I ever let you down?

Ext. Maria's large house in the hills - day - preSENT

Henry walks up large hill towards Maria's place.  The house, a little larger than the other houses that surround it.  It sits at the top of the hill, guarded by trees on all sides as well as a large stucco wall.

Henry wears his old blue school backpack.

Henry, a bit out of breath, from the long climb approaches the front door and rings the bell.

After an interminably long wait, the door cracks open.

MaRIA

I told you not to come over.

HENRY

Do you always do what you're told?

Maria rolls her eyes.

MARIA

I'm not supposed to have anyone over while my parents are gone.

HENRY

Is this some kind of hard fast rule or is it just this particular time.

MARIA

I'm not sure what you just said, but only just now has he made such a rule.

Henry pulls out a bottle of good Tequila from his backpack.

HENRY

I could leave.

She laughs and opens the door, wide.

She eyes his backpack.

MARIA

You planning on staying awhile.

HENRY

It was a long trip.  It required snacks.

Henry enters the house.

Int. MaRIA'S LARGE HOUSE IN THE HILLS - DAY

Henry and Maria sit on large couch at the center of a huge open living room.  A long coffee table sits in front of them.

The bottle of Tequila sits on the table along with two glasses and a bag of marijuana.

Maria, dressed in short shorts and a tight babydoll t-shirt rolls a joint.  She lights the joint and hands it to Henry.

Henry slams back some tequila, sets down his glass, and grabs the joint from Maria.

He takes a long toke.  After exhaling, Maria leans towards him to take the joint, Henry plants a large long kiss on Maria. 

Maria climbs onto his lap.  She takes the joint from him, takes a toke, and then sets the joint on the coffee table.

They kiss again, this time Henry begins to fondle Maria's breasts.  She leans back, stands and removes her clothes. 

Maria bends at the waist and slowly pulls down Henry's jeans.  She tosses them aside and she sits back down onto his lap and starts grinding.

Maria slows for a second and puts her forehead to his.

MARIA

Do you have a condom?

Henry looks a bit surprised.

HENRY

Uh, no.

She squeezes his nose.

MARIA

Bad boy, very bad.

Maria gets off his lap and lays backward onto the couch, pulling him on top of her.

Int. MarIA'S LARGE HOUSE IN THE HILLS - DAY - an HOUR LATER

Maria, dressed only in panties, leads Henry, jeans (no shirt) down a long hallway in her house.

HENRY

So what's down here?

MarIA

Bedrooms.

She stops for a second and points out a door to her right.

MARIA

This is my father's office.

Henry takes a step towards the door.

HENRY

Ooh.  Can I look in?

Maria intercepts him with her arm.

MARIA

Hold on. 

She opens the door slowly and only halfway.

She points to the far corner of the room.

MARIA

Cameras.

Henry nods.

Maria turns away and heads slowly down the hall.

Henry grabs the door and peers in for a brief moment before closing it.

Maria stops and turns around.

MARIA

I want to take a shower.  Do you want to join in?

Henry hesitates for second.

HENRY

I don't think so.  I kinda wanted to have a smoke outside.

MARIA

I'm asking you to take a shower with me.

HENRY

I know. 

She pauses for a moment.

MARIA

All right.

HENRY

All right.

He puts his hands on her biceps and kisses her.

Maria pulls away.

MARIA

Go have your smoke.

Maria makes puts two fingers to her lips to simulate smoking a cigarette.

She heads quickly down the hallway towards the bathroom.

HENRY

What'd I do?

Henry, smiling, raises his arms in mock disbelief.

Henry, after Maria has closed the bathroom door, turns around and heads into the living room.  He grabs his backpack and heads out back, into the courtyard.

EXT. courtyard, MARIA'S HOuse - DAY

Henry walks outside of the house into the pool area.  The house is shaped in a "U" with a pool in to the middle.  Henry makes his way up the outside of the wing of the house he was just in.  He comes to a window and grabs the lower pane and pulls himself up with a pull-up to peer in the window.  He looks in.  It is not the office.

He walks down for two more windows.  This window is guarded by two bushes that sit directly beneath it.  Henry tries to reach the window pane, but the bushes scratch him.

HENRY

Ow.

Henry stops, brushes himself off a bit and looks around.  He grabs a plastic deck chair and brings it over to the window.  He places it directly in front of the bushes. He stands on one of the chairs.  He can now barely reach the window pane.

He leans forward and pulls himself up.  He sees that this is Maria's father's office.  He holds himself up with one arm and tries push up the window with the other.  It moves a bit.  He knocks over his chair out from under him, leaving him dangling from the window.  Henry pushes up the window a bit more, but falls into the bushes.

HENRY

Shit!  Ow!

Henry gets back up, pieces of bush and dirt hanging on him.  He jumps out of the bush and puts the chair back next to the bush.  He grabs his backpack and takes out the listening Bug.  He stuffs it into his pants pocket.  He stands on the chair again and pulls himself back up and this time through the open window. 

InT. office, Maria's House - day

Henry lands heavily onto the floor with a THUD.

He gets up and brushes himself off as best he can.

He walks quickly over to the desk and sits in the chair.

He sweats profusely.  Henry looks behind him and sees the security camera pointed at the door.

He shakes his head and picks up the phone receiver and sets it on his neck.  He pretends to dial with his right hand while pulling out the Bug from his pocket under with his left hand and sticking it under the desk.  Henry snatches the receiver from his neck and pretends to talk.

HENRY

(in spanish)

Is David there?...No...OK...Buenas tardes, señor.

Henry takes a deep breath.  Henry looks at the window, looks at the door, gets up, and closes the window.  He exits out the door leading to the hallway.

Int. Hallway, Maria's house - day

Henry makes his way down the hallway.  He appears relaxed.  He whistles an unknown tune.

Henry stops at the bathroom door and knocks.  There is no answer although the SHOWER can heard.

Henry opens the door and enters.

Int. Bathroom, Maria's house - dAY

Henry loses his pants and shoes and opens the shower door.

Maria doesn't appear too surprised.

MARIA

Hey,  What happened to you.

Henry has several little scratches and dirt marks on his face and torso.

HENRY

I slipped in a flower bed outside.

Maria shakes her head and motions for him to join her.  He does.

Henry puts his arms around Maria and holds her tight.

Maria reaches out and shuts the shower door.

Int. security room, maria's house - day - one day later

Maria's father, GARCIA sit in a chair facing a half dozen security screens.  Garcia is a handsome man in his early fifties, finely dressed with slicked back salt and pepper hair. 

A small skinny man, El Travieso, with a thin mustache stands in front of the screens with a remote in his hands.

EL TRavieso

(in spanish)

I think we found who planted the Bug.

El Travieso point the remote towards the screens and hits play.  On the middle screen Henry can be seen leaving Garcia's office.

Garcia

(in spanish)

Who is this man?

El Travieso hesitates, trying to avoid speaking his next sentence.

EL TRAVIESO

(in spanish)

He was with Maria.

Garcia

(in spanish)

I've told her a thousand times not to have anyone over when I'm away.

El Travieso shrugs.

Garcia leans in towards the screen.

GarCIA

(in spanish)

He's a gringo.

EL TRAVIESO

Si.

Garcia sighs and motions El Travieso away.

Ext.  StREET OUTSIDE THE BURGER QUEEN - day - a few days later

Garcia sits in the back seat of a black BMW across the street from the Burger Queen.  El Traviso is seated in the driver's seat.

Henry walks towards the Burger Queen.  Is is the same side of the street as the bar.  He gets a few buildings short of the Burger Queen and Garcia motions for El Travieso to go get Henry. 

El Travieso gets out of the car and quickly walks towards Henry.  El Travieso wears a grey suit and aviator sunglasses.  His out fit screams, "trouble".  Henry sees El Travieso crossing the street towards him and sensing trouble, he turns around and walks back the opposite way at a much quicker pace.

Henry turns around and sees El Travieso gaining on him.  El Travieso pulls out his pistol. 

Henry takes off running.  El Travvieso stops and turns towards Garcia, shrugging.

Garcia gets out of the car and walks quickly across the street, ignoring the heavy traffic, making the cars screech to avoid him.

GarCIA

(in Spanish)

Follow him!

El Travieso and Garcia begin to run after Henry, who has a decent head start.

Henry turns the corner and Garcia and El Travieso follow him at a brisk jog.

Henry cuts across the busy street and nearly gets clipped by a taxi cab, who lays on his HORN.

El Travieso and Garcia attempt to follow across the street, but a bus cuts them off.
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Garcia looks at El Travieso and raises his arms in disgust.

GarCIA

(in Spanish)

You should tell me there was a bus coming!

El Travieso shakes his head.  The bus stops suddenly and El Travieso and Garcia make their way around it.

Henry turns down a side street, running as fast as he can.

El Travieso and Garcia spot Henry.  El Travieso raises his pistol and fires twice in Henry's direction, only narrowly missing him. Henry heads down another street. 

El Travieso and Garcia split up to corner Henry.

Henry, tiring, glances behind him.  No sight of El Travieso and Garcia.  He stops and puts his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. 

ExT. Alleyway - dAY

Henry heads down a dark alleyway, walking, his head down.

He looks up, to see El Travieso standing at the end of the alley.  He turns around and sees Garcia behind him.

HENRY

(to himself)

Uh, oh.

El Travieso takes aim with his pistol and fires.  Henry ducks.  The bullet misses him by millimeters.  Henry could feel the hot wind of bullet on his arm as it passes by.

GarCIA

(in Spanish)

Ahh!  You fucking shot me!

Henry feels his arm and realizes El Travieso missed.

Garcia points to right shoulder which is now bleeding pretty good.

El TRAVIESO

(in Spanish)

Are you all right?

GarCIA

(in Spanish)

Just get this guy, would you?

El Travieso, puts his gun in his shoulder holster and jogs towards Henry. 

Henry, out of options, stands still.

A metal door opens near Henry and a RESTAURANT WORKER tosses a garbage bag into a trash bin near the door.

Henry, makes a dash for the open door.

Int. Diner kitchen - daY

El Travieso does as well, but runs into the Restaurant worker.  Knocking him over.  Henry makes his way quickly through the restaurant kitchen, as does El Travieso and Garcia, eventually.

Int. DinER, dining room - day

Henry runs through the diner-like establishment, slamming into a table of TWO.  El Travieso pulls out his gun again and the SEVEN OR EIGHT CUSTOMERS plus the one WAITRESS duck out of the way.  Several of the customers scream unintelligible Spanish exclamations.

EXT. stREET OUTSIDE THE diner - dAY

Henry makes it outside the restaurant and turns right down the busy city street.

El Travieso, with gun raised, makes it to the sidewalk and points his gun down the street towards Henry.  There are too many people on the street to get a good shot, though.  Garcia hobbles out of the restaurant, bleeding even more now.

El Travieso looks around and sees Garcia bent over.  He puts his gun away and attends to him.

SEVERAL PASSERSBY stop and encircle El Travieso and Garcia.

El Travieso stands up and eyes some of the onlookers.

EL TRAVIESO

(in Spanish)

This is none of your business!

El Travieso opens his coat to show off his gun holster.  He spins around so all can see his piece.  The onlookers, disperse.

Henry, up on the next block, flags down a cab and gets in.  The cab heads back towards El Travieso and Garcia. 

Int. Taxi cab - day

Henry ducks down in the cab as they pass by El Travieso and Garcia.  The CAB DRIVER is an obese woman in her middle age years.  Henry looks up when he thinks the danger has passed. 

EXT. sTREET OUTSIDE THE DINER - dAY

Henry's head pops up in the backseat window of the V.W. Bug taxi.  Suddenly the taxi stops at the light.  El Travieso looks up sees Henry, not thirty feet away.

EL TRAVIESO

(in Spanish)

Gotcha!

Garcia raises his good arm at Henry.

GarCIA

(in Spanish)

Shoot him.

INT. TAXI CAB - DAY

Henry reaches into his pocket and pulls out several bills of Mexican money and tosses it towards the driver.

HENRY

Go.  Go, now!

The Cab Driver, glances at the bills and guns the little V.W. around the cars in front it, running the red light before El Travieso can fire his gun.

They drive for a few blocks until Henry sees a familiar figure standing on a street corner.  It's Paula.

HENRY

Stop here.  Here.

He points to the corner.

EXT. city STREET corner - daY

Paula watches Henry slink out of the taxi. His clothes awry, his hair tussled, and breathing heavily

She runs towards him.

PAULA

Henry!  What's the matter?  Are you OK?

A beat up old compact Nissan screeches to a halt up onto the curb nearly striking Henry and Paula.

Paula puts her arms around Henry and pulls him a way from the car.

PAULA

Finally.

Julio leans towards the passenger window.

JULIO

(in Spanish)

What's happening, baby? 

Paula pushes Henry into back seat of the car.  She hops in as well.

Int. smALL COMPACT CAR CIRCA 1985 - day

Julio sees Henry's injury and lurches his huge torso towards the back seat.

JULIO

(in Spanish)

(to Henry)

How are doing my friend? 

HenRY

I'm all right.  Normal day, gangsters chasing me around, shooting pedestrians.

JULIO

Que?

PAULA

(to Julio)

(in Spanish)

He says gangsters were chasing him and shooting guns.

Julio motions with his hands and whistles loudly.

Henry nods.

JuLIO

(in broken English)

Who.  Who does this?

HENRY

Garcia.  I don't know his first name.  Señor Garcia.

Julio smiles really big and slaps Miguel on the Shoulder.

JULIO

Garcia!

Julio leans towards Henry.

JULIO

Where?  Where Garcia is?

Henry leans back in his seat and raises his hand to point.

HENRY

Burger Queen.  That's where his car was.

The tires of the car squeal and Julio puts the car into drive.  They take off at top speed. 

Ext.  downtown streets - daY

Henry and Paula hang on for dear life as Julio maneuvers the vehicle through traffic onto sidewalks and through red lights.  They travel for about eight blocks.

Int. small compact car - dAY

The car skids to a stop half a block away from the Burger Queen and half a block away from Garcia's car. 

Garcia's BMW is parked facing Julio and Miguel on the other side of the street across from the Burger Queen bar.

El Travieso can be seen through the windshield of Nissan helping Garcia into the back of the black BMW.

JULIO

Ay Caramba!

Julio and Miguel hop out of the car rather nimbly.  Julio yells back to Henry and Paula while making his way towards Garcia's car.

JULIO

(in Spanish)

Stay in the car!

Henry reaches for the door handle.  Paula nearly crushes him as she leaps on top of him and grabs his hand and pulls it off the door handle.  Paula yells loudly, her face a few inches from Henry showing a terror that .

PaULA

He said to stay in the car!

HENRY

Yeah, I know what he said.  I'm not that stupid.

Paula pushes herself off of Henry just enough for Henry to open his door and slither out of the car.

Ext. Garcia's car, outside the front of the Burger queen - dAY

El Travieso opens the driver's side door of car. 

Julio and Miguel are on the right side of street.   They run towards El Travieso's car.

JuLIO

Freeze!

Miguel raises his badge in his left hand as he points his pistol with his right.

El Travieso doesn't hesitate and pulls out his pistol and fires three shots, using his door as a barricade.

Henry ducks behind the Nissan.

Garcia screams from inside the car.

GarCIA (O.C.)

(in Spanish)

Let's get out of here!

One of the shots nails Miguel in his enormous gut.

GarCIA (O.C.)

(in Spanish)

Get in the fucking car!

Miguel

Ahh!

Miguel hits the pavement on the sidewalk as cars continue to scream down the busy street.

Henry pokes his head over the car hood and sees Miguel face down on the pavement.

Paula can be heard crying from inside the Nissan.

El Travieso continues to fire missing Julio.  One shot strikes a car travelling in between them.

GarCIA (O.C.)

(in Spanish)

Get in the car now!

Julio fires his pistol, ignoring the cars careening between them.  The bullets do not smash the bullet-proof glass on Garcia's car.  There are no pedestrians around them.

El Travieso's pistol runs out of bullets and he stops to reload the magazine with a full one in his jacket.

Henry crawls around to the back of the car and snakes his way over to Miguel.  Henry, on his stomach reaches towards Miguel and shakes his arm.

HENRY

You OK?  OK?

Miguel only moans in pain.

Garcia pops his head up over the back seat.

GarCIA

(in Spanish)

My friend, we have got to get out here.

A bullet whizzes past Garcia's head and he ducks back down.

Julio continues to unload his pistol's magazine.  The last two bullets in his gun strike El Travieso.  One in the arm and one in the temple, killing him.

Int. Garcia's CAR, OUTSIDE THE FRONT OF THE BURGER QUEEN - day

Garcia manages to crawl into the front seat, a trail of blood follows him.  He looks around for the key, it isn't in the ignition.

GarcIA

(in Spanish)

Shit.

Julio buries the barrel of his gun into Garcia's temple and tosses Miguel's badge onto Garcia's lap.

Garcia slowly raises his one good arm in surrender.

JULIO

Señor Garcia?

Garcia rolls his eyes and nods.

Ext. GARCIA'S CAR, OUTSIDE THE FRONT OF THE BURGER QUEEN - dAY

Miguel rolls back and forth with his hands on the wound in his gut.  Henry leans over his body.

HENRY

Lie still, man.  Still.  Uh, don't move.  No move-oh.

Henry shakes his head in disgust of his own ignorance.

Int. Cuernavaca Hospital - nIGHT

An elevator's doors swing open.  Maria walks out of the elevator and takes a few steps into the hallway.  In front of  her is a nurse's station with two long hallways to her right and left.

At the station   a NURSE sits behind a desk watching a small television that sits on her desk in front her.  The TV is tuned to a telenovella with the Nurse devoting all of her attention to it. 

Maria turns to her right and sees two large POLICEMEN with machine guns at the ready guarding the hallway entrance.  She heads towards them.  She tries walking past them, pretending they aren't there.  A Mustached Policeman sticks out his arm and prevents her from passing him.

Mustached Policeman

(in Spanish)

You cannot enter this hallway.

MARIA

(in Spanish)

My father.  I want to see my father!

The Other Policeman moves himself next to the Mustached Policeman to further block her progress.

MusTACHED POLICEMAN

(in spanish)

No one is allowed in.

Maria struggles to get past the policemen, to no avail.

MaRIA

My father is in there.  Why can't I see him.  Why!
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Maria begins to cry.

MARIA

(in Spanish)

Why!

The Mustached Policeman grabs her arm and drags her towards the elevator.

MarIA

(screaming)

(in Spanish)

Why!

The Mustached Policeman glances over at the nurse, who is still entranced in her telenovella.

MusTACHED POLICEMAN

(in Spanish)

Hey.

The nurse ignores him.

MusTACHED POLICEMAN

Señora, Señora!

(in Spanish)

(to the nurse)

I thought this elevator wasn't supposed to stop on this floor.

The nurse looks up and shrugs.

Nurse

(in Spanish)

That's what I was told.

The Mustached Policeman shakes his head as Maria squirms to try to relinquish his grasp.

The Other Policeman pushes the elevator button and the doors open.  The Mustached Policeman pushes her into the elevator.

Int. Hospital elevator - nighT

Maria

(in Spanish)

Don't you know who I am? 

She rushes towards the two policeman who stand blocking any exit from the elevator.  She slams against them and bounces back into the elevator.

MARIA

(in Spanish)

Do you know who my father is?

The Mustached Policeman laughs while the Other Policeman merely shakes his head.

The elevator doors begin to close.

MarIA

(in Spanish)

I'm gonna have your job!

The Mustached Policeman laughs louder as the elevator doors close as Maria collapses to the elevator floor.

Ext. bURGER QUEEN BAR - nIGHT

The bar is fairly crowded tonight with a steady stream FOLKS making their way in and out.

Boy #1, sporting a clean new shirt, stands outside the front door hocking Chiclets.  Merideth walks out of the bar, her purse draped over her shoulder.  The Boy #1 tugs at her purse and the young girl stops.

BoY #1

Chiclets?

Merideth bends down to get a good a look at the boy.

MerIDETH

You're a new one aren't you.

Boy #1 holds up the Chiclets box.

MerIDETH

Well aren't you precious.

She pats him on the head and reaches into her purse, pulling out a bill.

MerIDETH

One, uh, uno.

She holds up her index finger signalling, "one".

The boy takes her bill and stuffs it into his pants pocket. 

Merideth waits for a second and then holds out her hand.

MerIDETH

My change?  Change?

The reaches into the Chiclets box and pulls out a few peso coins and drops them into her outstretched hand.

MerIDETH

Gra-ci-ass.

She heads back into the bar.  The Boy waits a moment and then heads into the bar as well, the door closing on his rear, knocking him forward a bit.

Ext. PinEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - nighT

Henry, sporting bed head and looking visibly tired, stands outside wearing a t-shirt and jeans. 

He anxiously looks around on either side of him.  There is a bit of chill in the air.

Suddenly, Maria appears from around the corner.

MaRIA

Henry.  Henry!

She runs towards Henry.  Henry appears unsure what will happen next.  He braces himself for something violent.

She throws her arms around him and hugs him.

MarIA

Did you hear what happened?  Oh, God.  They shot him.

HENRY

(carefully)

Who shot...who?

MARIA

Mi padre.  They shot my father.  The fucking corrupt government.  They shot him and now they are trying to make him into some kind of a criminal.

Henry, sighs in relief and rubs her back.

HENRY

They'll frame him.

Maria pulls away from him

MARIA

Que?

HenRY

Frame him.  Make him look like a criminal.

MarIA

That's what I said.

HENRY

Right.  So is he all right?

MARIA

What do you mean?

Mr. Pineda opens the front door of his house and sees Henry and Maria.

Mr. PINEDA

(in Spanish)

Henry, is everything OK? 

HENRY

Everything's fine.  Are we too loud?

Mr. PINEDA

No, no.  It's a bit chilly out here.

HENRY

Si.

MR. PINEDA

Buenas noches, señor and señorita.

He retreats back inside and closes the door.

HENRY

Uh, so how is he feeling?

MarIA

How is he supposed to feel?  They fucking shot him and then they arrested him.

HENRY

Wow.  I'm so sorry, Maria. 

Henry caresses her arms.

HENRY

Is there anything I can do?

MARIA

No. No. No.

Maria falls to her knees, crying.

Henry tries to catch her.  Failing, he puts his arms around her.

MarIA

I can't even see if he's all right.

HENRY

He'll be fine.  There has to be something we could do.

Maria looks up at him.

MARIA

There is nothing.

HENRY

Why...why don't we go out of town.  Leave for a while until everything, everyone cools down.

MarIA

I don't know.

HENRY

Maria, you might be in danger.

MARIA

I have been thinking of that.

HenRY

If the police are after him, well maybe they might need you, too.

MARIA

I know a place.  My mother used to take me there when I was young.

HENRY

Let's go.

MarIA

I didn't even say where it was.

HENRY

Where is it?

MARIA

In the mountains.  A silver mining town.  My mother, she used to buy me trinkets there.

Henry kisses her on the forehead.

HENRY

That's perfect.

Maria rests her head on Henry's chest.

HENRY

Tomorrow morning.

MarIA

Bright and early.

HENRY

Si, señorita.

They sit silently while the night moves on.  Cars stream by on the busy city street.  The Pineda's house is one of the few residential units on this mostly commercial block.

HENRY

I'll take you home.

MarIA

There are some places I have to go first.  I'll meet you at the bus station downtown.

HENRY

Bus?

MarIA

The police confiscated all our automobiles.

Henry nods his head.

HeNRY

Nine O'clock?

MarIA

Make it eight.  It's a long trip.

HenRY

Eight.

Maria gets up and hails a cab.  A cab stops instantly. 

Henry looks on in amazement at the Maria's striking beauty. 

Her cab pulls away and Henry buries his head into his hands.

Int. PINEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - moRNING

An old wind-up alarm clock RINGS. It sits on the night stand next to Henry's bed.  The room has two beds.  Dave's bed and his side of the room is empty.  Henry has clothes, bags, books, etc... spread out around his bed.

The alarm continues to RING.  Henry's still body begins to stir.  His arm emerges from under the covers and smacks the arm clock, turning it off and knocking it off the night stand.

Henry turns over on his side and falls back asleep.

Int. PINEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - mORNING - an hour later

A cow that lives next door MOOS loudly.

Henry wakes and MOANS.  He turns over and slowly opens his eyes and sees the clock on the floor.

HenRY

Ugh.

He reaches down and grabs the clock off the floor as he lies on his back.  He raises the clock over his head, in front of his face. 

HENRY

Ugh!

He sets the clock on the night stand and rubs his face with his hands.  He rises slowly dressed only in a t-shirt and shorts.  He grabs a towel off a pile of clothes next to his bed and trudges out the bedroom door towards the bathroom one door to the left.

The bathroom door is ajar. Henry knocks on the door.  There is no response.

Henry smiles.  This must be his lucky day.  Henry pushes the door wide open and yawns.

Suddenly out of nowhere, Manuel flies past Henry and through the bathroom doorway.

Henry grabs him by the arm, stopping his progress into the bathroom.

ManUEL

Hey!

Manuel struggles to release Henry's grip.

HENRY

Manuel, I've got to use the shower now.  I'm late.  Soy tarde.  El baño necesito.  Ahora.

Manuel stops struggling.

Henry lets go of Manuel.

ManUEL

Si, si.  No problema.

Henry nods.

Manuel lurches forward into the bathroom, closes and locks the door before Henry, still half-asleep can react.

HENRY

No, Manuel.  No!

Henry bangs on the bathroom door.

HENRY

Manuel.  Por favor!  Manuel

He bangs on the door again to no avail.

Henry turns his back to the door and leans against it.  His body slides down the door until his butt hits the ground.  Henry's head drops in defeat.

Mr. Pineda, fully dressed, looking refreshed makes his past the bathroom, stopping in front of Henry.

MR. PINEDA

(in Spanish)

Are you all right, Henry?

Henry nods and speaks softly.

HENRY

Si.

Mr. PINEDA

(in Spanish)

My wife made you sandwiches for trip.

HENRY

Gracias.  Gracias.

Mr. Pineda walks down the hallway.

Mr. PINEDA

De nada.

Mr. Pineda turns into the kitchen.

Henry slams his head, hard, into the bathroom door.

The door opens quickly and Manuel hops around Henry.

ManUEL

Lo siento!

Manuel runs towards the kitchen.

Henry gets up as quickly as he can and enters the bathroom.  He shuts the door behind him.

EXT. cuERNAVACA bus terminal - daY

Many people rush in and out of the busy downtown bus terminal.

Henry hustles through the crowd, bumping into a few people (he doesn't apologize).  He wears sunglasses, jeans, and a button up short sleeve shirt that is misbuttoned.  He doesn't seem to care.  He carries a small schoolboy backpack flopped over his shoulder.

As he walks through the crowd, Henry looks frantically around for Maria.

INT. cuERNAVACA BUS TERMINAL - dAY

Henry walks towards the opposite end of the terminal.  Where the buses are parked.

He thinks he sees Maria, but it isn't her.

He continues to walk towards the buses, again thinking he has spotted Maria.  It is not her, but another young MEXICAN WOMAN.

HENRY

(to himself)

Shit!  Where the hell is she?

He looks at his watch.  It says 8:30 a.m.  He looks around turning three hundred sixty degrees.  No Maria. 

Henry shakes his head, angrily.

HENRY

(to himself)

Dammit.

Losing control he walks, double time from one end of the terminal to the other, running into people, nudging others out of the way.

He ends up near the entrance of the terminal.  He sees no sign of Maria.

Having lost his temper fully, he slaps his hands together loudly and screams.

HENRY

Fuck!

He falls backwards and knocks over an INDIGENOUS woman's little tortilla stand.

Henry turns around quickly and sees Maria standing opposite him.

Henry stands up straight.

HENRY

Oh, hey!  There you are.

Maria shakes her head, bends down and helps the woman pick up her stuff.

MARIA

(in Spanish)

I'm so very sorry, ma'am.  My boyfriend, he can be a real asshole.  I'm sure he's very sorry, too.

The Indigenous Woman looks at Henry and cracks a small smile.

Henry smiles back and helps the Woman stand up with her stuff.

HENRY

What did you say to her?

MarIA

(to the woman

(in Spanish)

Are you gonna be OK?

The Woman nods her head.

Henry, pulls out a 100 peso bill from his pocket, it's a bit wadded up, and holds it in front of the Woman.

HENRY

Here you go.

MarIA

(to herself)

Good lord!

The Woman slowly takes the money from his hand.

Henry takes a couple of steps towards Maria and stands in front of her.

HENRY

Sorry about that.

MaRIA

(sarcastically)

Uh huh.

He puts his arms around her.  She halfheartedly complies at first.

A moment later, Maria pulls away from the embrace and gives Henry a visual once over.

MarIA

You...uh, you've got a...

She motions up and down her chest.

HENRY

I've got a what?

Maria sighs and turns around heading for the buses.

MarIA

Never mind.

Henry jogs to catch up with her as she walks.

HENRY

What?

She looks over her shoulder at him.

MaRIA

Nothing!

Henry rolls his eyes.

They arrive at the buses.  There are old electronic signs above the buses with departure and arrival information.  They both search the boards for the latest information.

Henry points at the board.

HENRY

There's a bus leaving for Taxco in three minutes.

MarIA

Where?

HENRY

Right there.  Eight thirty-five, Taxco.

Maria gently pulls Henry's arm down.

MARIA

That's an ordinál.  It will take forever to get there.  We don't want that one.

HENRY

Oh.

Maria's attention returns to the board. 

A moment passes before she squeezes Henry's arm.

MarIA

There's an express a few minutes later.  We should take that.  The ordinál.  That is no good.

She smiles, her big smile at him.  Overwhelmed by their love for each other, they kiss.

The kiss lasts just seconds. 

Henry adjusts his backpack on his shoulder.

HENRY

The express should be good.

Maria nods.

A overpowering thought engulfs Henry's brain.

HENRY

Ooh.  I've got sandwiches

MarIA

That should be good.

Henry shrugs his shoulders.

InT. pasSENGER BUS - day - a half an hour later

Maria and Henry sit on the overcrowded bus.  Maria by the window, Henry on the aisle. 

The bus travels slowly through the Mexican countryside dotted with large farms.  They have yet to hit the mountains.

Henry turns to Maria.

HENRY

This is the express?

Maria nods.

Henry smirks and then nods.

HENRY

I think we've gone about five miles.

MARIA

Maybe six.

Henry nods then he straightens up.

HENRY

Oh!

Henry bends down and reaches into his backpack that he has stuffed under his seat.  He searches around in his bag for a moment.

MARIA

What?

Henry pulls out a wrinkled brown paper bag and sits up. He holds up the bag at head level.

HENRY

You hungry.

MaRIA

Ooh, the sandwiches.

Henry reaches into the paper bag and pulls out one sandwich, wrapped in cellophane.  He hands it to Maria, who takes it and unwraps it.

MARIA

Gracias, Señora Pineda.

She takes a bite of her sandwich.  Henry takes his sandwich out of the bag and unwraps it.

HENRY

Gracias.

Maria swallows her first bite of the sandwich.

MARIA

Bien!

Henry bites into his sandwich.  He chews once or twice and stops.  His face winces.  He quickly chews more and swallows the first bite.

HENRY

Dammit!

MARIA

What's the matter?

Henry sighs and turns towards Maria holding up his sandwich like a piece of evidence at a jury trial.

HENRY

Frijoles!  She put re-fried beans on it.  Argh!

Maria tries to hold back a smile.

MARIA

It's good like that.

HENRY

But I specifically asked her not to put beans on it.

Maria chuckles.

MARIA

Maybe she misunderstood you.

Henry leans back in his seat dropping his hand holding the sandwich into his lap.

HenRY

I doubt it. 

Int. PINEDA HOUSE, DOWNTOWN - day - several weeks before

Mr. Pineda, his wife, their teenage son, Manuel, Dave, and Henry sit around a small dinner table.  Dave and Henry appear very nervous.

Full plates of food sit in front of everyone.

Mr. Pineda turns to Henry, who sits to Mr. Pineda's left.

Mr. PINEDA

(in Spanish)

Henry, Dave, please eat.  Do either of you boys have any allergies or foods you can't eat?

Henry, his wide open with that unmistakable look of, "I don't understand what you're saying".

Henry thinks for a second.  Then another.  A look frustration overcomes him and he turns to Dave.

HENRY

What's he saying?

DAVE

Any foods you can't eat, don't like?

(to Mr. Pineda in Spanish)

I like everything sir.

Mr. Pineda nods and smiles.

HenRY

I..I really don't like re-fried beans...uh, no frijoles.

Mr. Pineda gets a serious look on his face.

HENRY

Oh, and I can't handle really spicy stuff.  Uh, no comida caliente.

Mr. Pineda laughs.  So does everyone else in the Pineda family.

Mrs. Pineda gets up and takes a spoon and spoons some food from a bowl onto Henry's plate.

Mr. Pineda motions at Henry to eat up.

Mr. PINEDA

(in Spanish)

Please eat this.  You'll like it very much.

Henry nods his head in a "When in Rome" fashion.  He picks up his fork and digs into the food that Mrs. Pineda has given to him and eats it.

Henry smiles and then suddenly his face begins to turn red.

Henry, his taste buds on fire, lets out a yelp.

HENRY

Whooh!

Everyone, including Dave let out barrel laughs.

Henry grabs his glass of water and drinks it all down.

Mr. PINEDA

(to Henry

(in Spanish)

You want some more water?

Henry bows his head and shakes it slowly back and forth.

Int. paSSENGER BUS - DAY - presENT

HENRY

It's just their idea of a little joke.

Maria rolls her eyes and continues eating.

MARIA

It's pretty funny.

HENRY

Hilarious.

Henry guts it up and picks up his sandwich and eats, wincing all the while.

The bus rolls to a stop.

HENRY

We're stopping?

MarIA

I guess so.

The Bus Driver, a short, old, and fat Mexican man dressed in an old dictator shirt and jeans, opens the buses door.

HENRY

(to Maria)

We're in the middle of nowhere.

Outside, in the fields are several Workers in the fields.

The bus driver whistles at the workers and three middle aged farm workers come towards the bus.

Bus driver

Hola amigos! 

(in Spanish)

What's going on?

Worker #1

Not much, we're just finishing up here.  You going to Taxco today.

BuS DRIVER

Yes.  Heading up to Taxco.  You guys need a ride? 

WoRKER #1

Yeah, sure.

The worker and his two friends get on the bus.  The workers, with no place to sit, stand with the sever other people already standing.  The worker  #1 makes his way a few rows from the front and stops in the aisle right next to Henry.

The bus starts to get going.

The worker #1 raises his arm and grabs the strap hanging from the ceiling. 

Henry, his face close to the worker's armpit, puts his hand over his face and quickly turns towards Maria.

HENRY

(whispers)

That's the worst B.O. I have ever smelled.

MarIA

(whispers)

I don't smell anything.

Henry, now thinking he has made a big deal over nothing, turns towards the worker and breathes in.  Henry then tries to hold back a gag.  Henry turns back towards Maria.  This time he leans further towards her.

HENRY

Good lord.  Maybe they're just riding for a stop or two.

Maria shrugs.

MARIA

Maybe.  I still don't smell anything.

Henry pinches his nose making his voice nasally.

HENRY

What're you hard of smelling?

Maria chooses not to respond and finishes her sandwich.

The bus continues on with Henry looking quite miserable.

EXT. bus station, taxco - daY - hours later

Maria and Henry exit the bus with the other PASSENGERS. They walk across the station towards the board that lists the bus schedule.

HENRY

Man, forty miles in four and a half hours.

MarIA

My legs are killing me.

They reach the posted schedule.  Maria takes the initiative and scans the schedule.  Henry plops down on the floor and sits Indian style.

Maria turns from the schedule and looks forward.  No Henry.  After a moment of scanning the room she looks down and sees Henry on the floor.

MarIA

The last train back is at seven-thirty.

Henry nods.

MARIA

Let's walk around.

Henry nods and slowly rises.  They leave the bus station.

EXT. adora's resaurant - day

Henry and Maria stand outside of the resaurant, beneath the overhanging sign that reads, "Adora's".

HENRY

You hungry?

Maria appears impatient.

MARIA

Not really.

HENRY

C'mon, I'll eat something and we'll have some drinks.  It'll be good.

Maria grabs Henry by the collar and pulls him towards her. Her face millimeters from his. Henry appears surprised.

MARIA

OK, but then we look at shops!

Henry gazes into her eyes.

HENRY

Deal.

Maria kisses Henry.

EXT. streets of taxco - daY - an HOUR LATER

Maria and Henry browse amidst the outdoor silver selling booths that line the streets during the day. Trinkets, jewelry, arts, crafts, and whatever you else you can think of are sold.

MARIA

I'm so full.

HENRY

Yeah, but that was just about the best meal I've had since I've been in Mexico.

Maria eyes a pair of silver earrings.

HENRY

Those are nice.

Maria glances at Henry.

MARIA

You sure?

Henry nods.

HENRY

So what were you and Adora talking about back there before lunch?

Maria puts the earrings down.

MARIA

Her husband died.

Henry nods again.

HENRY

Makes sense.

MarIA

It's so sad.  They were married for forty years.

HENRY

Wow.

MaRIA

She thought he was going to be OK.

HENRY

Sometimes it seems there's always more time.  And then...then there's not.

(beat)

Hey, there's a bunch more stuff down there.

Henry points down the hill at more shops.  Taxco is a city built on the side of one giant hill/mountain.

Maria rubs her eyes.

MarIA

Sure.

Int. AdORA'S RESAURANT - dAY - an hour earlier

Maria and Henry slowly walk into the small restaurant.  There are about eight tables, all empty.  No waitress in sight.

MARIA

I think they are closed.

Henry walks in front of Maria advancing into the dining room.

HENRY

Hang on, I'll find out.

MaRIA

You don't have to, we can find somewhere else.

Henry ignores Maria and looks around the dining room. He spots the kitchen and hears some activity in there.  He sticks his head into the open kitchen doorway.

HENRY

Hola!

Henry turns around to Maria and shrugs.

HENRY

Maybe you're right.

Suddenly, ADORA, a middle-aged woman, modestly dressed, taps Henry on the shoulder.

Henry jumps a bit, surprised.

Adora

(in Spanish)

Can I help you?

Maria walks towards Henry and Adora.

Henry turns around and tries to think of something appropriate in Spanish.

MARIA

He doesn't speak much Spanish.  Are you open?

Adora rolls her eyes.

AdORA

(in Spanish)

He doesn't speak Spanish.  What are you doing with this boy?  Is he rich?

Henry leans towards Maria.

HENRY

What'd she say?

MarIA

She says we can sit down and order.

Henry and Maria sit at the closest table, while Adora fetches two menus from the front of the restaurant.

HENRY

Is that all she said?

MARIA

She thinks you should learn more Spanish.

Henry nods sarcastically.

Adora returns and hands the couple the menus.

Adora sighs.  She looks on the verge of tears. 

Maria reaches up and grabs Adora's arm.

MaRIA

(in Spanish)

Senora, are you OK?  You look very sad, why don't you sit with us and tell us what is the matter?

AdORA

(in Spanish)

I don't know.

(beat)

Well, OK, I will.

Adora sits next to Maria.

HENRY

What'd she say?

MARIA

(in Spanish

(to Adora)

Is something wrong?

AdORA

It's been a bad day.  My husband, Arturro, has been in and out of the hospital.  The closest hospital is in Cuernavaca, you know.  Well it's a long ways away.  Anyhow, I visited him yesterday and the doctor, he said he was doing better and might be able to come in a few days, so I came home to last night to open the restaurant, and today the hospital calls...and...

Adora breaks down with a few tears.

Maria's eyes well up.

HeNRY

What, what's wrong?

Maria rubs the older woman's shoulder.

MarIA

(in Spanish

(to Maria)

I'm so sorry.  I'm so sorry.

AdORA

(in Spanish)

He died and I wasn't there with him. 

Adora tries to hold it together.

MARIA

(in spanish)

We can go somewhere else.  I feel like we're bothering you.

Adora raises her head and looks Maria straight in the eye.

AdORA

(in Spanish)

No.  I'll make you my specialty.  It's been so slow today.

(beat)

  Please stay.

MarIA

(in Spanish)

All right, but if you're not up to it, just tell us.  We don't want to make things any harder for you.

Adora nods and heads back into the kitchen.

HENRY

What's the deal with her?

Maria shakes her head slowly.

MARIA

She, she's gonna make us something special.

Henry slumps back in his chair.

HENRY

I hope it doesn't have re-fried beans.  I've had enough of that today.

Maria stares towards the front door, a tear streams down her cheek.

HENRY

What's the matter, baby?

He leans forward and grabs her hand with his, holding on tight.

Ext. stREETS OF TAXCO - DAY - pRESENT

Maria and Henry walk through the narrow side streets. 

Suddenly, the sound of a GUNSHOT can be heard.

Then ANOTHER.

Henry's ears prick up.

HENRY

Is that what I think it is?

Maria, a scared look in her eyes, stands silent.

Henry makes his way a few steps to the street corner and peers around.

HENRY

Holy shit!

Maria runs towards him.  She sees Adora, wounded in the leg, on the ground in the main street.  She is caught in the middle of a gunfight between two warring gangster groups, perhaps fighting for control of territory once controlled by Maria's father.

Maria lunges forward.  Henry's arm catches her and pulls her back.

MARIA

Adora!

Adora doesn't move, a spilled grocery sack lies next to her.

The GUNSHOTS continue to volley back and forth.  The gangsters fire behind cars parked on either side of the street.

Henry, drops his backpack, looks at Maria, and runs towards Adora as the bullets whiz by his head.

Maria SCREAMS.

Henry reaches the older woman and attempts to drag her out of the fray.  He gets a few feet, but steps on a rock on the road and twists his ankle.

HENRY

Argh!

Maria runs towards Henry and Adora.

HENRY

No, Maria!

The GUNSHOTS stop for a moment.

Henry, lying on the ground with Adora watches as Maria approaches them.

MARIA

Is she hurt?

Henry looks at Adora, she doesn't breath.

A GUNSHOT rings out.

HENRY

She's not breathing.

Maria drops to her knees and blood begins spread on the front of her chest.

Henry lunges towards her and lies her gently to the ground.

SIRENS can be heard in the background.

The Gangsters run down the side roads, away from each other.

Henry slaps Maria's face, trying to awaken her.

HENRY

Maria!

He shakes her.  No response.  She is dead. 

Tears stream down his face and he kisses her forehead.

The SIRENS become louder.

A look of panic encompasses Henry.

He raises up and stands.  Adora rustles and moans in pain.

Henry limps off towards his backpack.  He picks it up and continues on.

Ext. StrEETS OF TAXCO - near dusk

Henry stops in a back alley and removes his blood stained shirt.  He reaches into his back pack and pulls out a clean t-shirt and puts it on.  He stuffs the tainted one into his bag.  He walks another block and comes upon the bus terminal. 

He looks at the board of arrivals and departures.  There is one last bus to Cuernavaca at seven o'clock.

Henry glances at the large clock next to arrivals and departures board.  It reads, seven fifty-five.  He rushes to the ticket counter.

There is no one in line at the counter.  There is a young, stocky, girl working the ticket counter.  She speaks very quickly.

Henry drops his bag at his feet and leans against the counter.

TICket counter girl

Buenas tardes.

HENRY

Uhh.  Uno boleto a la Cuernavaca.

TiCKET COUNTER GIRL

(in Spanish)

We have a bus to Cuernavaca that is leaving very soon so you have to hurry.  How many tickets would like to buy.

HenRY

(not understanding a word of what she said)

Uhh.  Uno boleto a Cuernavaca.

TiCKET COUNTER GIRL

Yes.  Would you like to buy a ticket for the bus leaving at seven o'clock or would you prefer to purchase a ticket for first thing in the morning?

HENRY

Look, here.

He hands her a a wad of money.

HENRY

One ticket.  Cuernavaca.  Now!

She nods and hands him a ticket.

TiCKET COUNTER GIRL

(in Spanish)

You don't have to be rude to me sir.  I'm just doing my job, if you have a problem with our service, you are welcome to talk to the manager.  He isn't here today, but he will be in tomorrow at eight o'clock sharp.

Henry, not understanding a word she is saying, just stares at her and shakes his head.

He grabs his ticket from her hand.

HENRY

Whatever.

He picks up his bag and hurries over to the bus.

InT. bus - dusK

Henry hops onto the bus and shows his ticket the DRIVER.

He looks down the aisle and sees the bus is empty, excepting an American looking couple, Matt and Kendra, sitting in the back.  Henry makes his way down the aisle and sits in the seat across from them.

Henry slams his head back into the seat and sighs. Matt, sporting a full beard and a leather necklace leans towards Henry.

MUSIC: The first few notes of "Over and Over" by the MC5 chime in.

Matt

Hey, dude.  Don't get too, comfy.  This an ordinál. 

Henry speaks without looking at Matt.

HENRY

If the driver stops for gas, I'm gonna lose it.

The bus leaves the station.

MUSIC: "Over and Over" blasts up full.

The bus makes it way out of the mountains and through the farmland that lies in between Taxco and Cuernavaca.

Henry has fallen asleep.  The Matt and Kendra are also asleep in each other's arms.

Slowly the bus comes upon a small village and turns into a gas station. 

Henry awakens.  He looks over and sees Matt and Kendra in a sleeping embrace.  He looks out the window and see the bus pulling into the gas station.  His head drops.

MUSIC:  "Over and Over" continues to play.

FADE OUT.

Graphic:  A smiling portrait of George W. Bush fades in.

FADE TO BLACK.

The end.