Greenpoint Story

One man...

two countries...

three women.

fade in:

ext. US EMBASSY IN AN UNSPECIFIED FOREIGN CAPITAL - DAWN

In the gray morning mist, a dancing black CROW descends into a CIRCLE OF GREEN.

A TILT DOWN reveals a sycamore tree on a city street.

A further TILT DOWN the trunk of the tree shows a crowd of haggard faces under it.

A PULLBACK shows a vast still blanket of tightly packed heads extending up to the compounds protective fence. Suddenly, a low hum and a gentle movement spreads across the crowd.

A BLACK MARINE, carrying a folded US flag in his hands, appears at the compound's doorway atop a red carpet extending down the three entrance steps. He checks his watch.

VOICE FROM CROWD

Open ze door, fucking.

The Marine slowly unrolls the US flag and attaches it to a pole. Then, he strolls down the red carpeted steps, crosses the empty courtyard, goes up to the fence and unlocks the gate.

A flock of men floods into the courtyard area and races to the compound's glass door. There's pushing and shouting. Suddenly, there's the sound of SHATTERING glass.

cut to:

ext. US EMBASSY - DAY 1

Krzyś runs out of the compound. He runs across the street into a parking lot tightly packed with tiny little cars.

Bożena, a sweet blond girl, appears walking among the little cars.

Krzyś spots her, joyfully waves the passport, and starts running toward her.

Bożena smiles happily. She starts running toward Krzyś. Krzyś embraces her and exuberantly lifts her high up to the sky. His hand slips. She is jolted. Her smile dies.

A JET PLANE disappears behind a row of four and five story tenements.

A TILT down reveals a neighborhood street. The Manhattan skyline glistens in the distance. In the foreground appears a street corner sign: GREENPOINT AVE.

A further TILT down reveals Krzyś. He is standing on a street corner, in a suit, wearing a huge backpack. Krzyś moves back trying to compare the street corner sign with the crumbled piece of paper in his hand. A car HONKS at him. Krzyś turns the corner and starts walking down the street.

Krzyś comes to the street number written on the crumbled piece of paper but instead of a building there is... a hole in the ground. Krzyś double checks, then backtracks.

SUDDENLY, in front of him, a door squeals open, revealing a shovel that heaves broken bottles and glasses onto the street. Glimpses of MARYLKA'S streaked blond hair appear at the other end of the shovel. Krzyś walks by. Then he stops and goes back to Marylka.

Krzyś
Sorry, ... maybe I can help you?

Marylka (O.S.)
The bar is closed !
(the shovel retreats)
Wattaya... just got off a plane ?

Marylka (O.S.)
The bar is closed! You know the rules.
And the name is PANI Marylka.
(the shovel retreats)
Wattaya... just got off a plane ?

Marylka emerges in the full light. She is in her pretty, full blossomed thirties. She examines Krzyś carefully: with his backpack, hopelessly outfashioned suit and hiking shoes he poses an odd sight.

Marylka
Yea...
(smiles)
So...what is it ?

Krzyś
My friend ? He's supposed to live
(checks the address)
under street number 44... Here.

Krzyś points to the hole in the ground.

Marylka
It happens all the time. It's a huge country.

She disappears into the pitch darkness.

Marylka O.S.
What the guy's name?

Krzyś
(following her)
Richard...

int. GLORIA'S NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - DAY 4

The bar is dark. On the wall there is a yellowed poster of Lech Walesa in a Red/White/Blue cylinder hat, his finger pointed at YOU with the subtitle "SOLIDARITY WANTS YOU !" There is also a SANDINISTA poster. Marylka disappears behind the bar.

Krzyś (cont)
...Richard Różycki.

Marylka reappears pulling two garbage bags.

Krzyś
Here, let me help you...

Krzyś grabs a garbage bag and takes it outside.

Marylka
There's no Richard in these parts that I know of...You gotta ask around.
(pause)
... better yet, come back later, like around 11, 12, when the bar is full.

Krzyś
I can't wait. I've got to find a job.

Krzyś grabs the other garbage bag and heads toward the exit.

Krzyś
I can do anything...

Marylka
Give me that thing. You think I'm a church charity or whaaa...

cut to:
ext. GREENPOINT STREET - DAY 5

Back on the street, Krzyś walks until the street ends at a
WATERFRONT OVERLOOKING MANHATTAN

Krzyś takes off his knapsack and sits by the waterfront. He notices a WEIRDO (GOZDEK) in an olive coat sitting on a suitcase at the edge of the water. The man raises his head up and down as if comparing the color of the sky to the water.

Krzyś attempts to say something to the stranger in the olive coat, but the WEIRDO does not respond - he continues looking up and down at irregular intervals, as if trying to catch the heavens red handed.

Krzyś takes out a black and white ID photo of his wife Bożena, looks at it tenderly, then turns the photo towards the Manhattan skyline as if showing her the view.

ext. GLORIA'S BAR - NIGHT

The bar is at it's capacity. Except for Marylka bartending, the crowd is all men, all in their thirties. Most wear suitcoats, without the matching pants. Krzyś enters and takes a seat at the bar.

Marylka
(puts a beer in front of him)
Krzyś, you found your friend yet ?

Krzyś shakes his head at the beer.

Marylka
You're in luck. Mr.Czat, the owner of this place just ordered a half hour happy hour...

Janusz, a muscular man with mirrored glasses and the presence of an ex - bouncer, takes a bar stool next to Krzyś.

Janusz
So, you just came from the old country, huh.
(extends his hand)
Janusz.

Krzyś
Krzysiek.

They shake hands.

Janusz
Forget Krzysiek, Chris is Okay...
It don't mean we're different here...
It's just that...

Krzyś
...we're not in Poland anymore?

Janusz
It ain't Poland, it ain't America. It's...
(beat)
Greenpoint...
(pause)
Lemmi see that.

Janusz snatches a crumbled piece of paper from Krzyś' hand.

Janusz (cont)
(full blast)
Eya, guys, anybody know a ...
(reads from paper)
a Richard Różycky around here ?

The bar freezes for a moment; then resumes its usual clatter.

Marylka
You know, Krzyś, sometimes, they change their names.

Paul
Yea, like, they call me Paul around here, and in the old country I was a Powązka.

Janusz
Back there you were a man, Paul.

General laughter. Paul blushes like a true woman.

Krzyś
You must know him.

Paul
Maybe, he's going under Rich Rosenheim. Here it helps.

Janusz
(looking around the ceiling)
Rich... Rich... Rich...
(snaps his fingers)
How about that guy Rich Rose !
He's into women.
(hits Marylka in the arm)
Ain't that right, Marylka.

Marylka
Leave me out of it, or I'll have your shoes removed.

Janusz
Speaking of the wolf.

Rich O. S.
Krzysieeeek...

Everybody turns around. - In the doorway stands Rich, around 30, dressed to strike a cash deal on the spot with anyone - his legs astride, shoulders back, with a sudden jerk he pulls up on the belt of his pants with his thumbs.

Rich
I'm here.

Krzyś
Rysieeeeek...

Rich struts in with arms wide spread.

Rich
Ey, guys, meet my buddy here!
Haven't seen him for... how many years?

The two men engage in an jovial bear hug.

Rich
(inspecting Krzyś)
Did I change that much?

Krzyś
Did you get married ?

Rich
No. But I'm working on it. Now it makes good business sense.

ANGLE - Janusz is writing over the "Solidarity Wants You" Lech Wałęsa poster.

The new lettering slowly emerges: W H O...

Rich
Whats this about ?

Paul
Mrs. Gloria Czat is pregnant.

Janusz
About six months of it.

Rich
Is that right.

A pregnant pause. Janusz finishes the lettering. It now reads;

WHO DONNE IT...?

MICHAEL, the only Afro-American in the bar, is deeply perturnbed. He mills on sayng something, finally:

MICHAEL
Guys, thata not nice a...to do thisa to a... lady.

Another pause. The guys exchange dirty looks. They are on the verge of bursting into laughter.

Paul
Well don't look at me guys.

General laughter.

Rich
(uneasily to Krzyś)
Come on, I'll show you my wheels.

ext. GLORIA'S BAR - NIGHT 11

Rich, with two drinks in his hand exits the bar. Krzyś follows.

Rich
Look at her !

Krzyś
Where ?

Richie pounds his palm on the hood of a STRETCH LIMO.

Rich
My baby, this piece of Detroit steel.

Krzyś
This ah... is all yours ?

Rich
Every single inch of her. Get in. I'll give you the VIP treatment you deserve.

Richie opens the back door of the limo. Krzyś gets in.

int. LIMO - NIGHT 12,

Krzyś sits in the back seat. Rich sails off. Krzyś is wide eyed.

Krzyś
How do you get to drive a thing like this.

Rich
Forget it. It takes years. I just got radio'd that I'm going to Niagara Falls and back.

The Limo turns the corner.

Rich (cont)
So, why didn't you come with Bożena ? You couldn't be seen without her since kindergarden.

Krzyś
Well, here I am by myself.

Rich
So here you are.

He stops in front of Gloria's bar and unlocks the power-operated back doors. An awkward pause. Krzyś does not move.

Rich (CONT.)
I tell you, the only way to score here is to get yourself a RR.

Krzyś
A Rolls Royce ?

Rich
No, Right meaning Royal meaning Rich woman. And I mean RReally RRich.

Krzyś
(shaking his head)
Rich... You wouldn't know of some kind of a regular job...

Rich
How much've you got to spend.

Krzyś shrugs his shoulders with a sigh.

Rich (cont)
Gotta have money to make money.
(beat)
Tell you what. I'll drive you up to your cousin Stan. You can crash there real cheap and take it from there.

Rich locks the power locks, drives up half a block and stops by a shabby four story tenement. There is a click of unlocking doors again. Krzyś gets out of the limo and comes up to the driver's window.

Rich
So, you are here.

Krzyś
How can I get in touch with you?

Rich
I'll be around... Gotta split.

The electric window seals Krzyś outside the limo. The power locks click again.

ext GREENPOINT TENEMENT - NIGHT 13

Krzyś enters a dilapidated four story tenement.

int. TENEMENT STAIRCASE - NIGHT 14

Krzyś walks up the dark, shaky, wooden staircase. Before he makes it to the top floor, a door squeaks open, and a short middle-aged man peeks his head out. This is STAN.

Krzyś
(exited)
Stan, you haven't changed a bit!
So, how have you been?

Stan
Shhhhhh, easy now, didn't Richie tell you ? It's in the middle of the night for half the guys here.

He motions Krzyś to follow him. Stan navigates down a slimy and dark railroad apartment. Krzyś trips over a man sleeping on the floor.

Stan (cont)
Good you're here. Plenty of guys ready to pounce on your bed.

Stan comes up to a door and works on the combination lock. Krzyś stands quietly. We see faintly that there are many more SLEEPING MEN on the floor. A polyphony of sleeping sounds. Stan opens the door to a small room.

int. ROOM - NIGHT

A dim light coming through a small window is accompanied by SALSA music. The bed occupies almost half of the room. A couple of glossy centerfolds are pasted on a stained wall across from the bed.

Stan
Not much of a life, but it's a living.

Stan starts taking his centerfolds off the wall, and folds them one by one, gently. Krzyś, without taking his backpack off, sits on the bed and tests the springs.

Stan (cont)
It's the best bed in the whole place. Took me a year to get on it.
(beat)
Wouldn't be selling you this if I wasn't going back. (pause)
So, whattaya say. It ain't much living but still it's a life, and it's cheap.
(going for a closing)

Here, I'll throw in MISS ALASKA.

Krzyś is already sleeping on the bed with his backpack on.

Stan
(shaking Krzyś up)
Hey, that's 50 bucks a man a week.

Krzyś wakes up. He takes out his wallet, gives Stan a $50 bill, puts his wallet inside his pants and falls asleep. As the Salsa music wails off we DISSOLVE TO:

ext. BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN SKYLINE IN POLAND - NIGHT

A majestic snow covered mountain range extends across the horizon underneath a diamond sky. A picturesque township nests in the serene valley bellow.

cut to:
int. MODEST HOUSE - NIGHT

A contour of a snow covered mountain shaped like a giant sleeping man looms in the distance.

A narrow hallway doubles as a bedroom. Underneath a frosted window stands a narrow bed. In it lay Krzyś and Bożena.

Bożena turns her back on Krzyś. He tightly envelopes her body in his arms and gently strokes her golden hair and her pretty face.

Krzyś
I'm going for us, in our name.

She starts crying. He continues gently stroking her hair and her face. SALSA music filters in.
cut to:
int. THE ROOM - MORNING 15

The SALSA music is blaring full blast. Husky kicks Krzyś' bed. Krzyś is fast asleep.

Husky
Hey, wake up, you. My turn.

Krzyś is still asleep. Husky shakes him roughly.

Husky (cont)
Get the fuck atta my bed. I said.
It's my turn !

He takes Krzyś by the backpack straps and places him against the wall. Then Husky timbers down on the bed and starts snoring in no time.

Krzyś, barely awake, walks out of the room. He tries to a navigate through a new shift of MEN fast asleep on the floor.

Paul emerges from the bathroom door. He races to the pay phone in the hallway and dials 911. Repeatedly grabbing his throat he feverishly gesticulates something to the receiver.

Krzyś goes to the bathroom. He stumbles on debris scattered on the floor of the bathroom, then looks up.

The entire ceiling of the bathroom has given in. The ceiling shower is lying on the floor. Something colorful is tied to it. Krzyś comes up and picks it up -- it's a necktie. In sudden horror Krzyś looks up to the side of the fallen ceiling stretching above the bathtub.

The sight makes him breathless - he drops his backpack.

The dead BODY OF MICHAEL is hanging by another necktie tied to a log sticking out of the edge of the fallen ceiling. His skin has turned from chocolate to purple black.

Paul O.S.
Don't just stand there.. Gimme a hand !!!

Paul closes the bathroom door behind him and hands Krzyś a kitchen knife. Then he climbs on the edge of the bathtub and holds the body in a tight bear-hug. Krzyś cuts the body off.

Paul (cont)
I don't know ... Michael.. Why...

For lack of a better place Paul gently places the black muscular body right in the bathtub underneath the fallen ceiling. The distant noise of a police siren can be heard.

Paul(cont)
(suddenly at Krzyś)
When he got mugged, he lost all his savings. Poor Michael, guess that musta killed him.

More sirens of Police cars approaching. The salsa music abruptly stops. Krzyś opens the bathroom door.

The men are running back and forth in their underwear all over the apartment. Krzyś nails one of them in the corridor.

Krzyś
Mother of God, what next ?

MAN IN UNDERWEAR
Lemme go for Chrissake. Can't you see. Immigration is coming...
(beat)
It's a raid !

The MAN IN UNDERWEAR breaks loose from Krzyś and runs for his life along with other men snatching portable belongings as they abandon the building.

CACOPHONOUS NOISES of various Police sirens and braking glass grow louder and louder. Krzyś runs up to a window and looks out.

POV FROM THE STREET (WIDE)

From the entire tenement, the pajama clad dwellers are frantically jumping out through the glass windows and onto the fire escapes like rats fleeing a sinking ship.

Krzyś' POV OF STREET (WIDE)

Except for a half open valise with contents scattered, the street is all empty by now. A single ambulance, its sirens turned off, slowly pulls underneath. Two paramedics take out stretchers and enter the building.

ext GREENPOINT STREETS - BRIGHT BEAUTIFUL DAY 16

MONTAGE SEQUENCE TO THEME MUSIC

Krzyś walks the neighborhood streets. He stops a man with a red nose and asks him something. The man points down the street, in explanation. Krzyś thanks him and walks down the street.

Krzyś slows down as he passes by a real estate store. In the store window there are scores of disposable paper plates with different offers and drastically reduced prices. Krzyś glances at some of the prices and accelerates his pace.

Krzyś enters "TURISTA EMPLOYMENT AGENCY". Signs advertise job placements from Alaska to Zaire. Krzyś talks with a SMOOTH-LOOKING GUY for a while, then pulls outs his passport. The smooth-looking guy points to a Red stamp next to US visa. It states "WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO WORK". Krzyś pushes the man's hand away and says something. In response, the smooth-looking guy makes a gesture as if counting money. Krzyś grabs his passport and exits.

A group of men are gathered in front of a neighborhood bulletin board. Krzyś joins the crowd. Krzyś asks one of the men something. The man doesn't bother to respond.

Krzyś stands in a line inside "LOIS' MEAT STORE". He hungrily looks at LOADS of tasty sausages and hams hanging all over the place. A LADY in front of him orders a two week supply of assorted meats. When Krzyś' turn comes to order, the counter boy just shrugs his shoulders. He calls another older man who listens to Krzyś and shakes his head.

Krzyś passes a church and stops in front a store window with a headless mannequin dressed in an elegant sheepskin coat. He enters the shop and says a few words to a SALESLADY. She points to the back of the shop. Krzyś walks into a local sweatshop passing by stacks of fur scraps. There are DOSENS OF MEN AND WOMEN sewing sheepskin coats together. Fur is flying through the air. Krzyś knocks at a door with a sign: J.W.P. An athletic man in his still florid fifties opens the door. Krzyś asks him something. Mr.Czat smiles and shakes his head. Krzyś makes an impassioned plea. Mr. Czat smiles again, shakes his head and closes the door on him. Krzyś is about to give up but knocks at the door again. A huge body guard opens the door and smiles. - Krzyś doesn't.

Krzyś stops by the open entrance door to "UNIVERSAL Travel Agency". In the window there is a dusty lay-out with US sightseeing attractions topped by a sign "It's a huge country." To support it on two strings hangs a half deflated balloon, shaped like an airplane with fallen wings. He stares at the plane for several seconds.

The plane stares back at him. Krzyś starts going through his - pockets. He grows more and more agitated. Finally he pulls out his plane ticket. He lets out a big sigh of relief. He unfolds it. There is a big stamp " OPEN " on it. He carefully folds it back up again, and continues to stroll down the street.

END OF MONTAGE SEQUENCE

ext GREENPOINT STREETS - SUNSET 17

Krzyś is still walking the streets. It's getting dark. His pace is markedly slower.

Krzyś is attracted to the recorded sound of bells tolling along with some static emanating from the CHURCH tower across the street. Krzyś crosses the street and attempts to enter the main church door. CLOSED. He tries the side entrance. OPEN.

int. SANCTUARY - DAY 18

Krzyś wearily opens the door and sees a LITTLE GIRL blindfolded, with her arms stretched straight forward, walking toward him. He steps aside to let her pass by, then walks inside. He notices a middle aged PRIEST standing right behind the door.

Krzyś
Yes, Father, I've just landed and I wondered if you know of some kind of a job...

Priest
(shakes his head)
You're better off going right back.

Krzyś
Yes, Father, I will. But first I have to make $2000 till Christmas so that my newlywed wife and I, we can move out of our aunt's place.

Priest
...a newlywed wife ?

Krzyś nods.

Priest(cont)
(to the basement ceiling)
Did you hear that ?
(to Krzyś)

Go back...

Krzyś
Yes, but first...

Priest
(cutting him in)
You don't get it, do you ?
(pauses and looks up)
Let me then put it to you this way...
(puts on a vicious look)
Job placement will cost your first week's salary, plus a $50 origination fee.

Krzyś
I know. The thing is, I need a job to pay for finding a job.

Priest
(spreads his arms)
You think this I'm an employment agency or what !
(beat)
If you don't have $ 250 you can't prove you seriousness of intent.

Krzyś
I don't have it.

Priest
So ? ...do you get it now ?
(returns to his regular soft spoken manner)
Please...go back...
(beat)
before you're here for good.

The Priest takes Krzyś' hand. Krzyś withdraws it.

Krzyś
No, please...I please you, maybe you have something...

The Priest doesn't answer. Krzyś turns around and slowly starts walking out. Suddenly he turns around again and walks backwards toward the exit.

Krzyś (cont)
...anything, just to get me started...

The Priest does not respond. Krzyś turns toward the exit again. He's about to go through the door, but halts in the doorway. The Little Girl is standing in his way, smiling. She motions Krzyś to take the scarf as if it were his turn to play blind man's bluff.

Priest O.S.
(to Krzyś)
What's your name ?
cut to:

int. WAREHOUSE - DAY 19

The rays of the morning sun pass through wired windows of an enormous warehouse. They fall on colorful stacks of clothing piled right up to the very ceiling. Krzyś finishes mopping the floor around the $1 a pound, and $2 a pound clothes baskets. The Priest walks around the baskets, visibly impressed. Somebody starts knocking at the door and shouting.

O. S.
Come on, wake up, Mike...OPEN UP !

The Priest suddenly looks at Krzyś as if he saw him for the first time in his life.

O.S.
Michael ! We don't have the whole day. Open up !

The Priest, opens the door to the warehouse, and lets in a bunch of women: BLACK GRANDMAMA'S, INNER CITY HISPANIC YOUTHS, SLAVIC PEASANT WOMEN, intermingled with ELEGANT BOUTIQUE OWNERS. The women rush in and start going through the clothing. Diving into the baskets, they make an absolute mess. The Priest looks thoughtfully at Krzyś.

Priest
...they they are now accepting applications for a taxi license, except...
(deliberate pause)
...except that you would need a... (grins)
...a social security number...

ext. GREENPOINT CEMETERY - DUSK 20

A WOODEN COFFIN IS BEING LOWERED int.O A GRAVE.

The priest ends a prayer and snaps shut the prayer book.

Priest
I promised, I would help you.

A carmelite sister is starting to sing the Polish funeral song in solo: Dobry Jezu a Nasz Panie. PRIEST and Krzyś join in. Slowly the song is picked up by hundreds of other voices.

A PULLBACK reveals, there are many, many mourners gathered by many other graves. It's NOV 1st., the "Day of the Dead" when Polish Catholics visit the graves of their deceased relatives. - The small cemetery glows with thousands of candles.

The Priest gives Krzyś a Social Security Card. The Carmelite sister sticks a computer printed sign on the completed grave: Michael Bernhard - died age 33.

Priest
(to himself)
I promised, Michael, I'd help you anyway...
(to Krzyś)
Anyway I can. God bless his soul.

The Priest resumes singing. Krzyś looks at the Social Security card and then at the grave.

Krzyś
Michael Bernhard. GOD !!!

Priest
What!

Krzyś
Nothing... GOD !!!
(pause)
...bless his soul.

The funeral song reverberates with the flickering of thousands of candles.

THE CAMERA TILTS UP - the trees following the aura from the candles which gives the autumn leaves a magical warmth.

THE CAMERA CONTINUES TILTING UP - The soft aura of the candles is sharply cut off by an elevated highway overhead. Thousands of red stop lights appear marking the cars stranded in the evening rush hour. The noise of thousands of idling engines completely drown out the Church funeral song.

THE CAMERA CLOSES IN ON A YELLOW TAXI - Inside, by the steering wheel sits Krzyś. On a dashboard is a TAXI LICENSE with his picture, made out to Michael Bernhard.

ext. ENTRANCE TO GLORIA'S BAR - DAY BREAK 21

Krzyś' cab comes to a slow stop in front of Gloria's. Marylka is shoveling the dirt out onto the street again. Krzyś crawls out of the Taxicab. With great effort he shuts the door of the cab and drags his feet into the bar.

int. GLORIA'S BAR - DAY BREAK 22

The bar is empty. Krzyś docks at a bar stool. Marylka drags out the garbage bags. When she returns, Krzyś is asleep.

Marylka
Ey, somebody's gonna steal you away.
(beat)
So, how did it go?

Krzyś
(waves his hand)
Twenty dollars after everything.

Marylka
Hey. That ain't bad.

Krzyś
You're telling me twenty dollars is a lot of money.

Marylka
On my first shift I was minus forty five.

Krzyś looks at his $20 bill with new found tenderness.

Krzyś
Give me two cognacs then.

Marylka
I don't drink ! You know that.
(eases off)
Besides, you don't buy cognac here.
It's too expensive.

Krzyś
Make that 2 Remi's.

Marylka goes up the ladder and takes out a dusty bottle of Remi from the shelf.

SUDDENLY an old fashioned black and white photo falls from behind the bottle and lands right on the bar counter. It's a picture of a three or four year old girl.

Marylka quickly comes down the ladder, snatches the picture, and hides it. Then she takes out a cognac glass and pours the Remi. Krzyś immediately downs it.

Krzyś
Daughter ?

Marylka pours Krzyś another drink, then takes out another cognac glass and pours one more drink. She takes the cognac glass and warms it with her hand. Krzyś suddenly realises something:

Krzyś
(checking his watch)
God. I was to call my wife. Overseas calls are supposed to be cheaper before five.

Marylka
(puts down the cognac)
Tell you what. Come early tomorrow. I'll show you a way to call real cheap.

ext. ROCKWAY BADLANDS BY JFK AIRPORT DAY22

As Krzyś is taking a leak on the back wheel of his taxi, he watches a plane take-off right above him.

int. TAXI - NIGHT 24

Krzyś' cab cruising down Lexington Ave.

voice of LADY
You're kidding ! My grandmother was born there ! She still speaks the language ... or so she says. You must speak some with her.
(pause)
Wow ! That'd be mighty cool. Nobody in my family believes she still speaks it. Say your name again ?

voice of Krzyś
Krzyśztof.

voice of LADY
Wow !
(tries to repeat the name)
"Krrr-azy...stoff." Oh, I'm Carol but friends call me K.

Krzyś' cab pulls up under a canopy.

voice of Krzyś
(courteously)
Nice to meet you K.

Krzyś eyes K. in the mirror. She's a very nice looking young lady with a pleasant All-American smile.

Krzyś
That will be $ 4.40.
K's hand proffers a hundred dollar bill.

Krzyś
I don't have that kind of change.

K.
Why don't you come up. I'll get you the change.

Krzyś
No, truly. I can't waste any time. I'm paying seventy five a night just for the rental. If I don't make money, I lose money.

K.
Hey, don't worry about it. I'll take care of it.

Krzyś
Absolutely not. Really. I must finish earlier tonight. It's...
(looks at his watch)
eleven minus six...
(beat)
It's high time.

K.
(playfully)
You'll lose your fare ?

Krzyś
That's OK. You can pay me some other time, perhaps.

K.
There IS no other time. You know that.

Krzyś does not. K. gets out of the cab. As Krzyś' cab peels off, she gives the departing cab her All-American smile.

ext. GLORIA'S BAR - DAWN 25

Krzyś' cab stops in front of GLORIA'S. Krzyś rushes inside.

int. GLORIA'S BAR - DAWN 26

Marylka is on the phone inside one of two adjoining telephone booths.

Marylka
Yes...yes, please charge it to...
(reads off the number of the adjoining telephone)
...718 - 389-3674

Krzyś dashes into the bar. Marylka motions Krzyś to get into the other phone booth. The telephone in Krzyś' booth rings. Krzyś picks it up. Marylka motions Krzyś to say "yes".

Krzyś
Yes, operator. I accept the charges.

He hangs up.

Marylka
(covering her receiver)
Ok now, what about your freebie ?

Krzyś holds up a wooden pen box and shakes it. The pen box rattles with taxi change. Krzyś seals himself in his booth. Marylka seals herself in hers. In a short while they are talking in stereo, Krzyś to his wife, Marylka to her daughter, but curiously, sometimes it seems they are talking to each other.

Krzyś
Hallo Bożena my love ? How are you, Kochanie, Yes. Yes on a taxi, yes, making a bundle. It's incredible here. Hard to imagine...
(beat)
Yea..I confirmed the return flight...
Yes, just like the song says, "We're just between two flights".

Inadvertently, Krzyś catches the eye of Marylka behind the glass partition dividing the twin booths. He eyes his wristwatch.

Krzyś (cont)
Ya, I still keep your time, I kinda wanna know what you are doing at any given moment..

Behind the glass partition, Marylka is lipping little kisses. Then she hangs up.

Krzyś
OK, I'm finishing, Bozenka, Bye.
(lips a loud kiss)
Bye, (kiss) ya, OK. Bye. (kiss) Bye, bye.

(he's about to hang up but brings the phone back to his ear) Ya, BYE.

He hangs up, comes out of the booth. Both Krzyś and Marylka are beaming.

Marylka
My little girl ! She's got her own passport !
(pause)
What kills me is that to get her out, the lawyer told me, I gotta play it nice and clean, like the marriage was still on. God, the monies I send that bastard, sometimes I feel I'm ransoming her out.

Krzyś
Why did you leave her in the first place ?

Marylka
Well, I had this uncle who kept asking me to come to America...you know, to help him with the house. And my marriage was going sour, so, I figured, what the heck, couple of months won't hurt. The money won't hurt either. I thought maybe even things would get better with a little distance.

Marylka pauses.

Marylka (cont)
Well, they didn't. So, I decided to bring my girl over here.
(beat)
You know, she doesn't even know the word mama...

Marylka is overtaken by emotion. Krzyś' eyes become watery too, but it's difficult to figure out if it's out of compassion or lack of sleep.

Marylka(cont)
I don't know why I'm telling you all this...
(pause)
I guess you're different... You see, those men at the bar would do anyhting for a...thing...

int. GLORIA'S - NIGHT VIEW OF Richie's CONTENTED FACE Rich
So how did it go ?

Rich is addressing Krzyś, who is sleeping on the same stool we left him in the previous scene. Except that now the bar is full.

Rich (cont)
(shaking Krzyś up)
Come on. Did you make an insert ?

Krzyś
(only now realizing)
Rich, I'm not into those things.

Rich
You must be doing something wrong.

Krzyś
Yes. I made ninety dollars last night.

Rich Man, gotta get laid. Gotta keep fit. Practice the ORGANS, so when the RR girl comes ...
(pretends his hand is an ax)...ciaaaaaach.

Krzyś
Rich, looks like the only organ you ever use is your big mouth !

Rich
And this is a very serious organ. Why, tomorrow in an elevator you might be breathing down the neck of the woman of your life !

By now nobody is listening to Rich's familiar tune.

Rich(cont)
Gotta have a nice one-liner always ready at hand.
(beat) A new pick-up line anyone ? Rich turns to Krzyś but Krzyś is busy scribbling a letter.

Rich
Marylka...what would you say if I'd stop you on the street and asked you which way is..New York ?

Marylka
I'd tell you to go to hell.

Rich
Oh come on, let me buy you a drink for Christsake, don't you ever wanna be picked up ?

Marylka
By what ?

Krzyś suddenly lifts his head from his letter.

Krzyś
Marylka, you forgot something.

Marylka
Like what ?

Krzyś
You forgot to give us your smile.

Marylka can not help but smile.

Krzyś
You know ? A smile is like half of a kiss.

Marylka smiles again, almost not realizing it.

Krzyś
Now that we kissed, maybe we should get a little bit more acquainted.

Marylka smiles...Richie is wide mouthed. Her smile abruptly dies. The whole bar grows silent.

Suddenly, the men stand up, face Marylka, and sing Happy Birthday.

Marylka
(shouting over the singing)
What's the big occasion ?

Janusz
Happy Namesday, Marylka.

Marylka
Guys, guys, you got it wrong. It's Maria's...I celebrate in June.

Janusz
Oh...So what. Here we celebrate it today...

Janusz' words are drowned by a song.

Marek walks in with a bucket filled with red carnations. Marylka can not help feeling flattered. The men form a single line. Each man wishes Marylka all the best placing three awkward kisses on her cheek. Then, each man gives her a carnation taken from Mark's bucket.

Marylka, in turn, accepts the flowers, reluctantly kisses the air three times per each man and then puts each flower one by oneback into the bucket. She is growing progressively more irritated as the ritual continues. Mark takes out a harmonica and the men start singing a hillbilly song "Don't You Miss the Silver Mountains." In the weeping timbre of their high pitched voices, one can detect a certain sweetness, a longing, for the Marylkas they left behind.

Rich
(holds up his glass)
Needles and pins, the one who drinks more wins. To the unending health of our Marylka, for the first time. Everybody now...
(looks around)
Eya Krzyś ! I said everybody !

Krzyś is still engrossed in his writing.

Rich(cont)
Krzyś ?..................Aaaahhh
(waves his hand, giving up on Krzyś)
Cheers.

Rich downs the drink. The other men follow.

Marylka is slowly getting fed up with the men as they continue to outdrink one another. The next toast promises to bring in the final solution.

Janusz
(holding up his glass)
Winner takes it all...To the unending health of our Marylka, for the first time.Ok, everybody now...
(beat)
Eh, Major, you a spy or something ?

MAJOR, an elderly man with a vintage military cap holds up his glass.

Major
To the battleground.

Without waiting for the others, Major downs the drink and then eats the shotglass. Janusz still holding his glass makes sure everybody participates in the toast. He spots Paul hiding in the corner.

Janusz
Paul. You a virgin or what ?!

Paul obediently holds up his glass. But there seem to be some thoughts of desertion in the ranks. The alcohol is evidently exerting its toll.

Rich
Oh...I forgot, I'm supposed to be someplace.

Rich puts down his drink, points at his watch and rushes out of the bar.

Paul also puts down his glass and rushes to the phone.

Marek
(taking the initiative)
Ok, now......Cheers.

Marek gulps his shot first. The other men follow through.

Marek cannot catch his breath, but it is Janusz who falls under the bar.

Mark is victorious. He gives Marylka a triumphant smile. Unexpectedly his smile dies out. He puts his hand to his mouth and stumbles his way toward the bathroom.

Paul
(from the phone booth)
The bathroom's busy !

Marek changes course mid-stream and putting his hand to his mouth charges out the door.

Marylka
(slowly erupting)
You bastards, you...

Janusz
(picking himself from the floor)
Marylka, what got into you.

Marylka
Can't you see anything.
(beat)
Can't you see anything outside your...beerbellies ?

No one can believe that Marylka is acting this way.

Janusz
We didn't mean no harm.

Janusz takes off his mirrored glasses and puts them on the bar table in front of Marylka.

Janusz
Here, break my glasses if you want.

Lee
(emerging from the bathroom)
Hey, let's have a conciliatory drink.

Marylka
That's right, just continue getting drunk like animals.
(all out)
They pay me to get you drunk looking at me, you garbage !!!

Lee
(holding a drink)
Cheers.

It's useless. Lee downs the drink. The others follow.

Marylka
(pointing at the men)

This is your circus and these are the apes !!! The bar is closed as of...
(looks at watch)
an hour ago. Out I said, or I'll call on Czat.

Marylka swiftly manages to throw the men out. There is still some locomotion and knocking behind the door but it eventually subsides.

Marylka gives out a sigh of relief resting her back against the door. Only after a while does she realize that Krzyś is still inside, scribbling feverishly, oblivious to the world outside. Marylka smiles to herself. Then smiles again realizing she is smiling.

Marylka
Krzyś, the bar is closed.

Krzyś
Yes, yes,...I am finished too.
(sighs the letter)

Marylka
Move it, then...
(Krzyś gets up)
Better yet...help me move something...

ext GLORIA'S BAR - NIGHT 28

Marylka locks the joint up. Krzyś stands by the corner with the bucket full of carnations.

Marylka
Gimme the flowers... Now go first...
(beat)
Come on, go ahead of me.

Krzyś still does not move.

Marylka (cont)
Look ! The lawyer told me if I wanna see my daughter again...My reputation be better clean, clean like a birdee.
(looking around)
Word spreads real fast around here, you know.

Krzyś starts walking down the street. Marylka follows, a "safe" distance behind. cut to:

int. Marylka's FIRST STORY APARTMENT - NIGHT

It's a railroad flat. Meticulously clean and abounding with with well-watered beautiful flowers in clay pots and all those warm, cozy, women's touches and sweet smells of home - everything a lone deprived male living in a time shared bed could long for. And everything is impeccably prepared and thoughtfully placed for the child's arrival - everything, except for a small bed, which stands diagonally in the kitchen.

Krzyś helps Marylka move the bed into the child's room. It won't fit. They try again. No use. It won't go in because there is already a cradle and a large crib inside. Finally, they opt for placing the bed in the kid's play room. Then Marylka goes to the kitchen and takes out a pot from the freezer.

Marylka
I've made this hunter's stew.
(puts it on stove)
Why don't you take a shower...

Krzyś
Could I ?

She throws a towel at him. Krzyś enters the shower only to find yet another bed standing upright by the bathroom wall.

Krzyś
(inspecting a razor)
You finished and done the whole house all by yourself ?

Marylka
Well no, this girlfriend roommate of mine, she helped me, but I let her go, cause my kid is coming any day now.

int. Marylka's APARTMENT (LATER) - NIGHT 30

Krzyś steps out of the shower, walks to the stove and smells the hunter's stew. It's starting to thaw.

Krzyś
(squeezing Marylka against the stove)
Mmmm. I'm gonna eat it cold.

Marylka
Don't. It takes time to thaw.

Marylka pours Krzyś a glass of Remi.

Marylka
To my health.

Krzyś
(hesitates)
What about you ?

Marylka
I don't drink. You know that.

Krzyś swigs the cognac and takes a seat. She pours him another drink.

Krzyś
So, why you need all those cribs and beds then.

A long pause. She looks at the cognac.

Marylka
It's funny but you see, each time I thought my baby is comming I would buy one...

Marylka makes a sad face. Krzyś swings a drink.

Krzyś
So, you did it all with your girlfriend, huh ?

Marylka
Ya, actually, you're the first man in this apartment.

Krzyś
Well, I tell you, I really wonder how you keep those men at bay.

Marylka
At the bar ?

Krzyś
Yea, I'd be scared that one day, one of those husky Januszes would try to steal a kiss, you know... the hard way.

Marylka
Oh, that's simple.

Krzyś
Oh, yea..?

Marylka
Yea, come on, I'll show you. Say, pretend you're coming on like that, come on, try to corner me. I'll show you.

Krzyś
I know, you kick them in...

Krzyś points to his balls.

Marylka
No, that was the old way. Come on, I'll show you how they do it here. Come on, really try to kiss me.

Krzyś makes a motion to that effect.

Marylka(cont)
Come on, it doesn't really work if you don't try to kiss me.

They kiss. NOTHING HAPPENS, except that both are swept away by the passionate kiss.

Marylka
(while kissing)
...Was supposed... to bite off your tongue.

They continue to kiss when suddenly Marylka pushes Krzyś to an arm's length.

Marylka
So you would. Wouldn't you.

Krzyś is kissing the air between them, oblivious to what she is saying. Marylka resumes kissing - It is only when they fall on one of the little beds that Krzyś takes in what Marylka meant. He panics.

Krzyś
God...
(he points at his wristwatch)
My... night shift...

Krzyś gets up and rushes for the door.

Marylka
I thought you had the night off. I wouldn't... I wouldn't have let'ya drink that much.

Krzyś is already out of the apartment.
cut to:

ext GREENPOINT STR NIGHT

Krzyś runs down the street. He slows down as he approaches TERRACE POLONAISE. It's a catering hall, with brightly lit large glass windows and doors. The kitschy lobby with fake high gloss furniture is reminiscent of a funeral parlor. Krzyś passes under the hissing neon sign.

Stan's V. O.
Eya, Cousin! What you doing here?

Stan emerges from the back seat door of one of the limos moored in front of the establishment. He's drunk.

Krzyś
It's my night off ! But you....
... you were supposed to go back...

WOMAN'S V.O.
Stasiuuuuuu....

A hand with Stan'S chauffeur's cap, stretches out of the limo's half-rolled window. Glimpses of a PLAIN LOOKING Woman can be seen inside. Stan is ill at ease. He grabs his chauffeur's cap and points it toward the entrance.

Stan
Krzyś, you want, you're invited. It's a christening. They went cheap on the food but there's plenty to drink, and all FREE.

Krzyś shakes his head. At that moment he notices the PRIEST dancing in front of two girls inside the glass lobby. Krzyś walks in through the glass door.

int. LOBBY OF TERRACE POLONAISE NIGHT 32

Priest
... and now girls, I'll show you a Polka step.

Unlike Krzyś, the Priest is in a good mood. He goes into another elaborate Polka spin.

Krzyś
Good evening father, I wanted..

Priest
(still spinning)
Now it's too late.

Krzyś looks at his watch a little bit bewildered.

Priest (cont.)
You've already landed, my son.

Krzyś
Oh, no, I don't need help. I just...

Priest
(stops the demonstration)
OK. Tell me then just how CAN'T I help you.

Krzyś
I just need to talk to you.
(beat)
Generally.

Priest
(pointing his finger up)
Ahaaa..!!!
(to the girls)
Go ahead girls. Be good.

The Priest motions Krzyś to follow him.

int. HALL OF TERRACE POLONAISE - NIGHT

There are a dozen round tables. Each packed with about a dozen hillbillies dressed in their Sunday best. There are more men standing by the walls. By Greenpoint standards there are unexpectedly many WOMEN, almost one to a table.

Mr. Czat, the Godfather of this christening is saying something over the microphone, but every time he says more than a word, the microphone produces a hauling feedback. The real PARENTS of the infant stand patiently next to him. Krzyś and the PRIEST settle by the bar.

Priest
Well..what is it ?

Krzyś
What ?

Priest
(giving up on going
straight to the point)
Waiter ! A peach juice and a...

Applause. Czat announces a Polonaise. The men jump up, race to the few women and almost in unison ask the them to dance.

Krzyś
I can't believe ..All those men, coming here... I mean they all have wives, families...

The Priest unfolds a crumpled envelope and takes out an old fashioned black and white photograph. He puts it in Krzyś' hand.

Krzyś
Who is he ?

Priest
He comes to America leaving behind his wife, and say ah..three kids. First he pretends he can't make the money, then...
(waves the letter)
he simply vanishes.

An UGLY LADY is particularly picky, turning down one dance hopeful after another. Despite it, a line forms in front of her.

Priest
So he works real hard...at finding a lady here. And this lady also works hard...at pretending to bring her family over, but of course, first they overstay their turist visas so that bringing their families will take years.
(pause)
And, in the meantime our generic couple lives here like husband and wife. A marriage outside of marriage, outside of this country or that.
(beat)
Outside of God.

The Polonaise-line of dancers is slowly forming. An argument ensues at the FIRST table, where MRS. GLORIA CZAT is seated. She is a distinguished looking lady in her late, well-endowed, thirties.

MAN WITH ORANGE TIE
But I was first.

Rich
But she promised the dance to me first.

The quarrel attracts the attention of Mr. Czat who is still fighting the microphone. MRS. GLORIA CZAT notices her husband's watchful eye.

MRS. GLORIA CZAT
You're all in the wrong. I promised this dance to...Gozdek.

Mrs. Gloria Czat and Gozdek - the WEIRDO, still wearing his olive coat, form the first pair. It's only now that we see that Gloria is pregnant. The Polonaise of oddly matched couples commences.

Priest
You know how the guys call these.. Godless relationships. (beat) Quote, unquote, Greenpoint Marriages.

Krzyś
But it doesn't happen to everybody.

Priest
Back at the rectory I have two dosen pictures like this...

The Polonaise line cuts between Krzyś and Priest, then goes through the bar, the Powder Room and into the kitchen. The couples complain, but follow Gozdek's search for some extra food.

Krzyś
(quite drunk, by now)
Well, can't they just have something on the side, without getting involved in a Greenpoint thing ?

Priest
I can't tell you that, but I can tell you, you can't change your fate.

Krzyś
But father, like on a one time basis and with somebody you'd never have a relationship with, what harm would that do ? Priest
How should I put it to you ? What will be will be, and what won't be, still will be so, regardless.
(looking Krzyś in the eye)
Besides, how can you not have a... relationship if you already have a relationship?

Krzyś
(wiping his lips)
Me? NO, I know what I'm doing. It won't happen to me.

Priest
It already has. Face it, whatever you do, you can't change your...

Krzyś
Oh, yes I CAN.

ext. STREET - NIGHT

Krzyś rushes out. The Polonaise line goes out through the lobby, through the back seat Stan's limo, out across the street and finally disperses in an all-night McDonald's where the couples dig into the various Burgers.

ext. GREENPOINT STREET - NIGHT (DRIVING)

Krzyś' taxi cruises down Marylka's block. The light in her apartment window is still on. The cab passes by her apartment and continues driving down the block.

Krzyś' taxi appears again on Marylka's block. The cab again passes by Marylka's apartment. It again does not stop.

For the third time Krzyś' taxi slowly approaches Marylka's apartment. Krzyś takes a swig from a bottle. The light in her room is still on. The taxi is coming to a halt.

Suddenly with great determination Krzyś floors the accelerator. The car flees the scene leaving some rubber on the ground.

cut to:
ext. QUEENSBOROUGH BRIDGE - NIGHT

Krzyś' taxi speeds toward Manhattan. The tires bite the steel pavement giving out a loud, high-pitched howl. Krzyś, takes a last swig at a bottle and throws it out of the window.

cut to:
ext. SECOND AVE - NIGHT

Krzyś' cab accelerates straight toward the hordes of people trying to hail a cab after the late show at the Odeon. The people panic and jump back onto the pavement. The cab speeds downtown.

ext. WEST 13 TH STREET- NIGHT

A Woman, breaks free of two men holding her by her arms. She runs out onto the middle of the street and hails Krzyś' cab.

The cab at the very last moment manages to weave around her, It goes into a halfspin and an abrupt halt.

As the woman reaches to the back door of the cab, it suddenly squeals off. Then, after a few car's lengths the cab hits the breaks again and comes to a stop.

Then, slowly, it starts to reverse. The woman jumps into the cab.

Lucy
JFK. Quick, drive off.

Krzyś
Airport ? At this hour ?

Lucy
(looking at the men closing in)
Just go, man, GO !

The cab squeals off, leaving the men behind.

Krzyś
You'll get yourself killed.

Lucy
(on a high)
As long as I take those bastards down with me.

He eyes the rear view mirror. Lucy is young, tan skinned and all-your-dreams-come-true beautiful. She rolls down the window and shouts back at the men.

Lucy
Fuck you guys. Why don't you go and fuck a pole? Krzyś adjusts the mirror. He has trouble figuring out how such words can come out of such an angelically beautiful a creature.

Lucy
(settles in back seat)
Bastards...I just love to get them red and hot, make them want me and then...just leave them on the street corner with their dicks in their hands.
(beat)
The only problem is that I get red-hot, too.
(another moan)
Don't you, Driver?...
(pause)
Shit, they put something in my drink.
(moaning straight into Krzyś' ear)
Well...don't you, get red-hot, hearing what people do in your back seat, driver ? Answer me!

Krzyś
Last plane left JFK at one A.M.

Lucy
Well, where do you wanna take me.

ext. HIGHWAY - NIGHT

The taxi glides past "JFK - KEEP LEFT" sign but neglects to take the JFK exit.

ext. TAXI (MOVING) - NIGHT

The woman takes notice of this and wraps her long black GLOVE around Krzyś.

Lucy
(enjoying it)
So, how you wanna do me.

Krzyś
WHAT ?

Lucy
If you wanna do me...
(moans into Krzyś' ear)
you gotta first tell me exactly HOW... you wanna do me.

Krzyś
(his voice thickened)
I don't want to... do you... You wanna do me.

Lucy
I wanna do you. Nooo, you wanna do ME.

Krzyś
No, I, me no, YOU do me.

ext. FAR ROCKWAY BADLANDS BY JFK AIRPORT - NIGHT

The cab abruptly stops. The front door swings wide open and with a savage shriek Krzyś and woman fall out of the front seat.

All hot and bound to each other, they land on the shoulder of the dirt road.

Suddenly Lucy starts fighting for her breath. It takes a while for the Krzyś to take in what is happening. Lucy is breathless.

Krzyś makes a Heimlich manuvear. It helps. Lucy regains her breath only to bursts into tears. She starts crying like a little baby for no apparent reason.

Lucy
(crying)
Just hold me, don't let me go.

Krzyś
I don't even know your name.

Lucy
Please.. don't go, not NOW. Lucy, Ok? Krzyś
Ok.

Lucy clings to Krzyś even tighter. She starts trembling. A seagull squeals in the distance.

Krzyś
Listen. It's... getting light... Morning. I'd better get going.

Lucy's trembling becomes more and more spasmodic. She puts the glove between her teeth so they don't grind and folds her arms trying to control their delirious twists and turns. Another seagull squeals somewhere very close by.

Krzyś
The morning bird... I gotta go.

Lucy
(takes the glove out)
Can't you see. It's a bad trip. Help me, for ChrissAAHHH!!

Lucy almost bites her tongue off. She puts the glove back between her teeth. Only now does Krzyś realize the full extent of what is happening.

Krzyś
What did they give you, God, let me drive you to the the hospital, police... something.

Lucy
(through the glove)
No, please, it'll wear off. Just hold me.

She turns her back on Krzyś, takes his arms and tightly envelopes her contorted body with them. The seagulls are starting their morning rounds. Krzyś starts gently stroking the Lucy's hair and face.

cut to:
ext. FAR ROCKWAY BADLANDS - DAWN

It's early dawn -- blue light filters through clouds. A snow white mist blankets the Far Rockway flatland at about three feet above the ground.

The only thing disrupting the flatness is Krzyś' figure. He is still holding Lucy in the same position, her back turned toward him, his arms tightly enveloping her body. And he still continues stroking her hair and her face, as if she were a little puppy. The first morning plane takes off right over them.

POV OF PLANE. The yellow taxi is rapidly diminishing in size until it disappears in the maze of the Rockway wasteland.

cut to:
ext. GLORIA'S. - DAY

Krzyś' cab breaks in front of Gloria's. Before Krzyś can get out of the car Rich thrusts his head through the cab's window.

Rich
Where the fuck were you? Marylka here dragged me out of bed.. We started calling the local hospitals...
(beat)

A LAY???

Krzyś
It wasn't a lay.

Rich
I'll be damned, a real fuck.

Krzyś
Told you not to call it that.

Rich
I can't believe it. I'll be damned. Why didn't it ever happen to me ?

int. GLORIA'S - DAY

Krzyś and Rich enter GLORIA'S. Inside, beside Marylka stands an oriental man, who happens to be Krzyś' dayshift DRIVER. He comes up to Krzyś real close.

DRIVER
Four hours late. Who's gonna pay me for that ? Huh?

Krzyś
I'll cover it.

Marylka
From what ? From the money you did NOT make today?

The DRIVER, seeing that the conversation is going nowhere, just takes the Taxi registration card from Krzyś and heads for the door.

Krzyś
(to Marylka)
I'm sorry, I got held back.

Rich
You got held back.

Krzyś
(still to Marylka)
I got held back.

Rich
(to Marylka)
He got DE-LAYED..

Krzyś
(to Rich) Now. why I am explaining myself away, apologizzzz...

Krzyś notices a nicely set-up booth table with a kitschy "HAPPY THANKSGIVING" sign shaped as a turkey.

Krzyś(cont)
... ssshit,... a dinner.

Marylka
Forget it. The bird is long cold...
(beat)
Your wife called..
(pause)
Remember this ?

Marylka hands Krzyś a postcard with a view of a snowy mountain.

Marylka (cont)
And if you don't write back to your wife, I will.

Marylka makes a U-turn, locks herself up in the phone booth and dials some numbers. Krzyś goes up to a juke box, throws in a quarter and selects a number. Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" soon fills the empty bar. Krzyś looks at Richie with disgust - Richie is giving him a dirty look jabbing his mid finger at the air. Suddenly Krzyś charges to his own phone booth. He dials some numbers. Richie shrugs his shoulders and leaves the bar.

Krzyś talks to his wife to the sounds of "White Christmas." At one moment Krzyś catches Marylka's eye, as she is shouting something to her receiver.

Suddenly Krzyś hears something disturbing over the receiver. He gets agitated. As Krzyś finishes his conversation, Marylka opens his telephone booth door. "White Christmas" abroptly ends...

Krzyś
I'll be needing some extra money...

Marylka
The bastard says my girl can't get an American Visa...

On Marylka's last words the violent sound of a flushing toilet can be heard. They stop talking. MARK stumbles out of the bathroom. He's drunk as hell. He wipes his mouth and smiles wickedly at Marylka and Krzyś.

ext. BACK YARD OF UNIVERSAL TRAVEL AGENCY - DAY

A dilapidated van is parked in the back yard of the agency. Over some old construction company lettering there is a new, white painted sign: TAKE THE VAN TO THE SHIP. The DEPARTING MEN are feverishly loading the van with their belongings and parcels for friends. There is also a group of REMAINING MEN & WOMEN led by Janusz, who crowd around the van trying to give the departing men ADDITIONAL Christmas parcels for their families back home.

The REMAINING MEN give to the DEPARTING MEN all the parcels the DEPARTING MEN are willing to take. Then, the REMAINING MEN turn for help to Stan, the evident organizer of the expedition. Stan takes in two extra parcels but there are many more parcels left on the ground.

Krzyś' cab pulls up right next to the van. Stan takes this opportunity to walk away from the nagging men.

Stan
Howdee, Cousin. I tell ya...
(beat)
...now that I think of it I don't know how I could've ever lived a single day there.

Krzyś produces an envelope, takes out a bundle of money out of it and gives it to Stan.

Stan
(weighs it.)
Not bad..

Krzyś
Count it.

Stan swiftly counts the money.

Stan
A clean thou. Hey, who lent you that much ?

Krzyś
Remember, give it to Bożena, NOT her aunt.

Stan puts the money back in the envelope, seals it and goes back to the van. The men have finished loading. The van is filled almost up to the very roof. The departing men put a blanket over the packages and luggage and, lowering their heads climb over it.

The back doors of the van do not close. Stan pushes the last two men further into the van. He attempts to shut the back door: no way. Stan pushes the men in even further. Squashed like sardines, the men don't look too happy.

Stan
What's the matter, guys ? Eya, we're going back home.

The men's mood does not improve. Stan forcefully shuts the door, smashing the last man flat against the back window.

Still, there are a number of packages left on the ground that the remaining men wanted Stan to take. Janusz is one of the guys whose packages got left behind.

Janusz
(holding up a gift wrapped package)
Stan, could you still take this little thing ?

Stan
(walking to the driver's door)
I took what I could. Now it's a dollar a pound.

Janusz
You kidding !

Stan gets into the driver's cab. It's relatively empty. There is even room for a sixpack and two of Stan's favorite centerfolds.

Stan
Look, you will continue making money here. So. You can afford it. I am going back for life.

Janusz
I hope you get stuck there for life.

Stan
(starts the engine)
The way things are going back there now. Hey, with what I made, I'm gonna become a big capitalist... and you..

Janusz
Fuck you!

Stan
YOU gonna stay stuck in this..

PLAIN LOOKING Woman
(pleadingly)
Stasiu, don't say that.

Stan
(stepping on the accelerator)
... garbage life.

Janusz and few other REMAINING MEN attempt to chase the van. Stan gives everybody a broad "up yours" sign.

PLAIN LOOKING Woman
STAAAAAAAAN!!!

She bursts into a loud howl, and blindly starts running away from the departing van. Suddenly, she falls into Krzyś' arms.

ext. FAR ROCKWAY BADLANDS BY JFK AIRPORT

Krzyś is throwing garbage out of his taxi. Loads of coffee cups, paper plates and the like. He pockets some nickels and dimes laying on the taxi floor. Unexpectedly, Krzyś finds Lucy's black glove. It has a silver lining and fake diamonds throughout its entire length.
As a plane takes off above him Krzyś tries the glove on, smells it, then finishes cleaning the taxi. With his gloved hand he ties a Christmas ornament to the rear view mirror and puts the postcard from his wife on the dashboard.

ext. WEST 13-th - NIGHT

Over THEME MUSIC, Krzyś' cab drops off a passenger on the very same block where he picked up LUCY. Krzyś looks around. All quiet.

Suddenly an unmarked DOOR of a tenement swings open, letting out a stream of noise and a bunch of bizarre looking types. Krzyś takes Lucy's glove, his wooden pen box, locks the cab, and goes through the unmarked door.

cut to: int. HELLFIRE CLUB HALLWAY - NIGHT

Over THEME MUSIC, Krzyś enters the large industrial hallway leading to a freight elevator door branded with the words: HELLFIRE - TOP FLOOR.

TWO OVERWEIGHT PUNKISH BOUNCERS are guarding the elevator. Krzyś shows them the glove and asks them something and the bouncers answer something. A further exchange of words develops during which the bouncers start touching Krzyś. It develops into a casual, yet quite noticeable body search.

Then, one of the bouncers takes Krzyś by sleeve to a small table by the elevator. On the table there is a large, medieval looking BOOK with a lock. The bouncer opens the iron clad book. In it, there are two boxes to be checked off: One for guilty; one for not guilty. Krzyś gives the Bouncer a questioning look.

THEME MUSIC ends.

Bouncer #1
Crime and Punishment night. Gotta write guilty.

Krzyś
An English joke, right?

Bouncer #2
English, French, Greek...You gotta sign in to get in, Pal.

Krzyś
Good practical joke, OK, no problem.

Before Krzyś knows it, the bouncer takes Krzyś' finger and presses it to a red ink stamp pad. Then the bouncer motions Krzyś to make an imprint in one of the boxes. Krzyś chooses the "guilty" box, but then signs underneath ...Michael Bernhard.

Bouncer #2
$50 for guilty.

Krzyś
What! It's...not worth it.

Krzyś raises his pen box as if to hit the bouncer. But instead, as if trying to make sure of the contents inside, Krzyś starts SHAKING the box in mid air.

cut to:
int. GLORIA'S BAR - DAY

The SHAKING box lands on the bar counter. Krzyś takes the greasy and crumpled bills out of the pen-box. He counts them aloud.

Krzyś
..142, 143...144 !
(gives the bills to Marylka)
Marylka, it's my shift record !

Marylka
You're averaging out, alright.

Krzyś
The way I'm going now, I'll hit my $2000 mark two weeks before Christmas, just like I said.

Marylka, comes up to the bar counter, looks around, lifts a tray of cakes, puts the bills into the hollow cake stand filled with other bills. Then she puts the tray of cakes back on the stand and gives Krzyś a piece of Chocolate cake.

Krzyś goes up to a juke box, throws in a quarter and selects a number, returns to the bar and digs into the cake. Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" again fills the empty bar.

Krzyś (cont)
I could even stay a week longer, make some extra money for Christmas presents from American Santa.
(beat)
...and I could maybe see something in America... so I have something... exotic to tell friends back home.

ext. 13 TH STREET - NIGHT

Krzyś, dressed in his suit, stands on the pavement. He counts his money, pours some high octane alcohol into a pocket flask with a green "Wolfshmitt" label, then turns the corner and decisively walks toward HELLFIRE entrance.

int. HELLFIRE CLUB - NIGHT

Krzyś carefully navigates through bizarre, punkish creatures, many with clear S&M overtones. Lucy is nowhere to be found. Krzyś peeks into something resembling a dressing room. The room has a broken mirror with many cords of blinking Christmas lights wrapped around it.

Suddenly a woman's bloodless face appears in the mirror. It's LUCY. She puts on a silver wig, a few napkins under her breasts and some "early Madonna" cross earrings. A wacko band starts playing. Lucy jumps on the bar table and sings a rock song. Then she jumps into a giant birdcage, which starts ascending up to the ceiling as she performs a dance which is a mixture of punk and bellydance. After another daring and defiant number the birdcage descends and Lucy mixes with the men at the bar.

Krzyś asks the bartender something, pointing to Lucy. The bartender routinely fixes Krzyś a Double Bloody Mary. At that very moment Lucy throws a Bloody Mary in the face of a MAN. The man calmly takes the emptied glass and goes to get her another drink.

Krzyś gulps the Bloody Mary himself. He wipes his lips and uneasily walks up to Lucy. He taps her shoulder.

Lucy turns around. She stares at Krzyś point blank. Krzyś is suddenly very self conscious. Time passes.

Krzyś
..we know each other...We together....

Krzyś produces Lucy's black glove as proof. Lucy is not impressed.

Lucy
(real loud)
If you're a man I know you. (addressing the entire bar) You're all alike.
(beat)
Apes that just came off the trees. The wacko band starts blaring HAIRSPLITTING NOISE.

Krzyś motions to the bartender for drinks. - Lucy's drink costs twice as much as his.

int. HELLFIRE CLUB (MANY, MANY DRINKS LATER)- NIGHT

Krzyś appears in the door with a huge sign "TOILET TRAINING" above. He is very pale, his eyes are bloodshot and his hair and face are all wet. He wipes his face and looks around. Lucy is gone and the bar is completely deserted, save for the bartender, meticulously cleaning a Bloody Mary glass. Krzyś looks around again and walks out of the bar.

ext. WEST 13 TH STREET - DAYBREAK

In the morning light Krzyś walks down the street. He goes through his pockets searching for spare change. He snatches a local daily, from a newsstand and approaches the LL Line subway entrance.

int. SUBWAY STATION - DAY

Krzyś stumbles down subway steps, successfully jumps the turnstile but bumps into one of those large cement columns supporting the platform ceiling. Knocked out by the encounter, he slides down into a more comfortable position.

Krzyś focuses on the only other human soul on the platform, a SAX PLAYER, playing a heartbreaking tune. Krzyś turns to the front page of the paper. Suddenly, he jumps up COMPLETELY SOBER.

Krzyś
(to the sax player)
God, did you read this!

The sax player takes a look at the headline.

SAX PLAYER
(good-naturedly)
Si, senor.

Krzyś
The van was robbed!

The sax player replies by mimicking Krzyś's intonation on his blowpiece.

Krzyś(cont)
(reading)
Van-robbed en-routeee-to-liner. Do you get that !

The sax seconds Krzyś' explication.

Krzyś(cont)
(breaking down)
Stan was on that van ! My $1000 was on that van !
(beat)
God, this is just too much.

The sax sounding an all time low note tends to agree. Krzyś throws the paper away and pulls himself up to a row of pay phones.

Krzyś
International operator please... yes charge it to...
(reads off the phone # of an adjacent pay phone)
864-7097..yes, my name is Michael Bernhard.

In a moment the adjacent phone rings. The sax engages in a soliloquy.

Krzyś(cont)
Yes. Yes, yes, I accept the charges.

Krzyś hangs up and returns to the first phone.

Krzyś (cont)
Kochanie! Oh, Bożena...
(bursts into tears)
I wanna go back so baaaaad...
(pulling himself together)
Bożenka. I AM going back. Right away, I mean, this is useless..you know..the money that I sent though Stan ? ...Hallo Kochanie..? Oh, aunt.
(stiffens up)
Yes.. Good morning Mrs. Kalt.
What...A JAZZ FESTIVAL? Oh this sax...Yes, incredible, yes, it's an unending jazz festival here... Give me Bożena... She's not there ?
(pause)
SHE MOVED OUT ! Where ?
A noise of a far away train can be heard.

Krzyś(cont)
YOU DON'T KNOW ! You kicked her out on the street. You...you. What Money ? What about the money ?

The approaching train is drowning out the sax as well as the conversation.

Krzyś (cont)
(in a sudden surge of emotion)
Money yes, the money is on its way. WHAT ? Yes, YES, YEEEES, the streets of America are paved with gold.

The NERVE-SPLITTING NOISE of the train's breaks suddenly stops. Silence....

cut to:

int. CZAT'S SWEATSHOP - DAY

Krzyś and Rich enter a Greenpoint sweatshop. They walk along stacks of fur scraps among which dozens of men and women are sewing sheepskin coats together. Fur is flying in the air.

int. GUEST ROOM OF MR.& MRS.CZAT'S GREENPOINT RESIDENCE. DAY.

Krzyś
You told me the money was safe !

Rich
[grabbing his head]
Sheeeee. You know I also drank my share when we heard the news...

Krzyś and Rich are comfortably seated in lucious red velvet armchairs on either side of a triangular lucite coffee table. Behind the coffee table stands a huge grandfather clock. The room also features a white piano and a mock white marble staircase leading to the second floor, where a off key soprano can be heard.

Krzyś
[in lowered voice]
Answer me !

Rich
The money was safe. He's also your cousin. How could I have known.

Krzyś
They say it was an inside job.

Rich
[perturbed]
Stan was stingy, everybody knew that. But a stealer !? ...something stinks here.

Krzyś
And you're responsible for this stink, my man. You got me into this mess. It's all because of you !

Rich
[holding his head with both hands]
Sheeeeee. Easy. We already talked about it. That's way we're here.

Krzyś
...and I don't care how you raise the money. And I don't care how long it takes to pay it back, but if you don't get me the money right away... why... my wife will be walking the streets. YOU OWE ME...

Rich
AAAA.alright, Sheeee. It's ARRANGED

Gloria O.S.
Good afternoon, boys.

Both men, holding both of their heads with both of their hands look up. Mrs. Gloria Czat makes a studied appearance at the top of the staircase. She is featuring a sensuous white skimpy robeee put-on of an outfit and and a flower in her hair. This is definitely her domain. Her attire though is somehow out of place with her fatish babushka to be body.

Rich
[swallowing something hard]
Gut - afternoon.

Gloria
Rysiaczku.

She takes a platter steps down, slowly, almost ceremonially. One can not help feeling she doesn't mind exposing her body. This feeling of profanity is enhanced when at the bottom of the steps we realize the extent of the pregnancy had been obscured by the platter.

Gloria
Boys, I just know how you must feel. It really should be milk and wine but... Here.

She puts down on the table a chrome plate with a quart of buttermilk and a fifth of wiskey. The "boys" simultaneously reach out for the heavenly liquids, but can not reach them seated too deeply in the comphy armchairs.

Gloria
Spokojnie, easy does it, boys. First rule for hangovers is to take it nice and easy. Have the room quiet, the lights dimmed down.

She goes to the huge varnished cabinet exhibiting colored crystal vases and table wear.

Gloria[cont]
[taking out crystal glasses]
I have great experience in curing hangovers. As a matter of fact I know this special cure...

GLORIA puts the glasses on the triangular table and looks around. Suddenly Krzyś springs up from his seat.GLORIA gives him a questioning look.

Krzyś
Won't you sit down.

Only now GLORIA realizes there is no other place to sit.

Gloria
Oh, no thank you, that's very sweet of you. I'll just pop in with Rysiu here. I never invite more than one guest but it's exciting to have you with us.

She attempts to sit unobtrusive next to Rich, squeezing him almost out of the armchair.

Gloria[cont]
Oh and I intervened on your behalf to Władysław. It's all arranged. I'd give you the money personally except I don't have, keep money. I somehow do everything without it.

Krzyś
That's very kind of your side, Mrs.Gloria.

Gloria
So..., what was I saying , OH yes, yes, yes. This special cure..goes like this...First you massage the forehand from the center out..like this.

She engages in quiet massage of Rich's forehead. Rich is first very stilted but slowly gives in to the evidently inordinate pleasures inflicted on him by the steadily progressing masseuse. Soon it develops into outright necking at least on her part. Gloria seems not to mind that Krzyś is looking, and that her skimpy robe kind of started unrobeing.

Krzyś looks at it all growing more and more uncomfortable in the comfy armchair until in the quiet ticking of the clock the painful idea why he is there slowly starts downing at him.

Mrs. Gloria Czat, almost completely naked, is making love to Rich in front of Krzyś.

Suddenly, the grandpa clock strikes eleven. Krzyś looks at his watch for a second. The couple freezes for a moment. Then a cuckoo door opens with a tremendous cuckoo bird shrill.

Krzyś
[jumping up]
For Chrissssake, is there any way to stop this thing.

The cuckoo bird cuckoo's ten more cuckoo times before the cuckoo door finally closes.

cut to:
int. CZAT'S SWEATSHOP - DAY

Krzyś and Rich enter a Greenpoint sweatshop. They walk along stacks of fur scraps among which dozens of men and women are sewing sheepskin coats together. Fur is flying in the air. The door with the sign: "J.W.P. Mr. Czat" opens. They walk in.

int. CZAT'S OFFICE - DAY

Mr. Czat's office features loads of framed pictures: Mr Chat with Sinatra, Mr. Czat with Ed Koch, with this bozo and that, and by the desk is the man himself - athletic - in his still florid fifties.

Mr. Czat
(spreads his arms)
Ey...Richie. What brings you here ?

Rich
Why don't you meet a very good friend of mine.

Mr. Czat
A friend of a friend of mine is my friend as well. How can I help you, young man ? Rich
He needs a little loan...
(beat)
a little thou...

Mr. Czat
Who are you ?

Rich
Michael Bernhard.

Rich takes Krzyś' taxi license from Krzyś' pocket and places it on Mr. Czat's desk.

Mr. Czat
How you gonna pay me back ? Krzyś
I'll take a double shift.

Rich
He'll take a double shift.

Czat takes the taxi license and casually strikes his forefinger against Krzyś' picture. He smiles satisfied.

Mr. Czat
Well, if Richie here vouches for you...
(beat)
1000 for 1500 till Christmas...

Krzyś looks at Rich. Rich is chalk white.

Rich
I, ah can't, don't vouch for anyone.

Mr. Czat
You, you trying to tell me you want me to help your friend here...and you can't even vouch for him.
(grabs Rich by the collar)
You trying to disrespect me.

Rich
No, no. That's not what I meant. I meant, generally, I don't vouch, but..this..this is my buddy. We grew up together.

Mr. Czat
(letting go of Rich)
Your neck is on the line...huh...

Czat opens a drawer and takes out a bundle of money, spits on his index finger and counts out some bills.

Mr. Czat
You see young man, around here it's the green...
(beat) the green in hand that counts.

Krzyś
I'll be driving...

Mr. Czat
You'll be driving in my fleet.

Czat hands Krzyś the bills. Krzyś counts them.

Krzyś
You gave me fifteen hundred.

Mr. Czat
You need an extra 500 for a security deposit. At cost of 50 cents to a dollar as well, of course.

Krzyś' face stiffens.

Mr. Czat (cont.)
Anything wrong...
(not waiting for an answer)

Till Christmas, then...
(squeezing Krzyś' hand real tight)

And, you'd better be good on your word Mr... Michael Bernhard or... In the lethal silence we can only hear the bones of Krzyś' hand being crushed.

cut to:

ext. MANHATTAN STREETS - DAY

A montage sequence of New Yorkers from all walks of life trying to hail a cab. The Camera, as if following the POW of a taxi, spots the raised hand of the prospective fare in the crowd, slowly pulls up to the fare, and comes to a freeze frame of a CU of the fare's face. In this fashion, we repeatedly zero-in on New Yorkers from all walks of life.

The last fare, is a Woman WITH A NET-GLOVED HAND hailing the cab. This time, the camera, representing POW of the taxi, pulls suddenly away, as if the taxi had started to flee.

ext. MANHATTAN STREET - NIGHT

Krzyś' cab stops on an empty street and picks up a fare.

int. Krzyś' CAB (LATER) - NIGHT

Krzyś' cab comes to a full stop.

Krzyś
That's 5 dollars even.

Krzyś extends his bandaged hand for the money. The fare gets out of the cab, and matter of factly starts walking away.

Krzyś
Eya, my money !

Krzyś gets out of the cab. The fare begins to run. Krzyś gives him a chase. The fare had a head start, but in a matter of seconds Krzyś grabs him by the collar with both of his hands.

Krzyś
You give me my money.

The Fare is about to shout something back but notices blood spreading on Krzyś' bandaged hand.

FARE
(panicky)
Ok, ok, ok, ok, okeeeeeeeey.

Trembling, the fare gives Krzyś a crumbled up bill and makes a run for it. Only a while later does Krzyś realize that the bill is a... $50 !!!

ext. GREENPOINT STREET - NEIGHBORHOOD PARK - DAY

Krzyś' cab pulls over by a neighborhood park. Krzyś gets out of the cab, stretches, then walks to Marylka who is sitting on a bench nearby. A few children play in the playground.

Marylka
(gives him a receipt)
I sent that thousand to your wife.
(uneasy silence)
How long do you think, you can drive around the clock like this. Huh ?

Instead of answering Marylka, Krzyś smiles and caresses a prominent bulge by his crotch.

Krzyś
That ain't single dollar bills either.

Marylka looks at the crotch unabashed. Krzyś sits down next to her, takes out the bills and counts them. Marylka takes out a piece of paper with rows of numbers on it.

Marylka
Look, I counted it all up.
(Krzyś doesn't look)
Even if you can bust your balls and drive yourself to death...
(pause)
You'd better face it now, pink pad - you are not gonna make it for Christmas.

Krzyś
With a little bit of luck...I just might. Marylka
You won't !

Marylka is surprised by the fierceness of her own reaction. She takes a long look at the children playing.

Marylka (cont)
Listen, I got a couple of free tickets to this Christmas Eve dinner party being held at Gloria's...

She hands Krzyś a ticket as he is compulsively recounting the money.

Marylka(cont)
It's gonna be my first Christmas with my little girl, you now, she got her visa and...
(beat)
all I'm saying is that...in case you're still around...
(beat)
Why don't you just hold on to one for now. At thirty bucks a piece... they are going fast...

Krzyś gives Marylka most of the bills, then inspects the ticket.

Marylka (cont)
Hey, you can always give it away...like to a stranded traveller...or somebody...

Krzyś returns the ticket to Marylka, gets up and goes to his taxi. Unexpectedly, he reappears with a bunch of clay pots for plants.

Krzyś
(awkwardly)
Found them. Thought you might find them useful for your apartment.

Krzyś returns to his taxi and drives off.

cut to:
ext WEST 13 TH STREET - NIGHT

Krzyś' cab approaches the entrance to the "Hellfire" club. This time there is a line of taxis in front of the inconspicuous door. Krzyś' cab joins the line. It's late and not too many fares are getting out of the club.

Krzyś looks at his watch and is about to drive off when Lucy and two freakish gentlemen roll out of the joint. Krzyś jumps the line with his cab and picks them up.

All three passengers are stoned. They scramble inside sandwiching Lucy in the middle. Krzyś' cab drives off amidst the honking of other cabs.

John
West 71st.

Don

Driver, make that East 81st first stop

Lucy
Thompson, corner Bleeker.

John
Don, why don't we drop you off first.

Don
No John, why don't we drop you first. It's on our way.

They continue to argue as Krzyś' CAB SPEEDS THROUGH DOWNTOWN STREETS

Krzyś
Left or right hand side on Thompson.

Lucy
By the hydrant. Thank you, driver.
(beat)
Eya, don't I know you.

Krzyś
If you're a woman I know you.

They regard each other for a moment.

John
Come on driver, we don't have the whole night.

Krzyś' cab drives off. We PAN UP a tenement.

The lights on the staircase turn on one by one as Lucy goes up to the third floor. We see Lucy take off her clothes and come up to the window. WE PAN DOWN.

Down on the street Krzyś' cab comes to a halt in exactly the same place it took off from. By now the men in the back of the car are gone. Krzyś turns the ignition off, and opens the door of his cab but gives it a second thought.

From behind the wind shield he takes out the postcard with the silver-white mountain, which he had received from his wife. He takes a long look at it, puts it back into a more prominent place on the dashboard.

He turns on the ignition and is about to drive off when a black scarf tied to a set of keys falls on the hood of his cab.

cut to:

LUCY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Chris enters Lucy's apartment. It has a loftbed and a white plastic portable shower in the dead center of the room.

Lucy is dressed in a new, skimpy outfit. But it is the view through the windows that catches Krzyś' attention.

It's a commanding view of the starry sky. The firmament extends to the very bottom of the windows. It's almost as if it were a view from of a mountain top, fairy tale castle.

Krzyś
..strange..
(beat)
the small dipper is as though you were looking straight up to heaven.

Lucy
It's only the reflection of heaven.

Krzyś
Yes, but heavens are vice... how you say it...vicaversa ? flipside, you know..

Lucy
How do you know that ? Krzyś comes up to the windows. It turns out the stars are reflected in mirrors placed outside on the fire escape.

Krzyś
I would lie in a sleeping bag high in the mountains and look the diamond sky in the eye, eye to eye.
(beat)
Like this.

Chris looks Lucy straight into the eye.

Lucy
So, you're the romantic type.

Lucy climbs up to the loftbed and lies down. She throws her head back over the edge and looks upside down at the window so that now the stars are right side up.

Lucy
I had this fantacy...

As Lucy talks Krzyś slowly goes up the ladder, settles on the bed and starts devouring her shapely body. Her head hung over the edge of the bed is not visible as she continues to watch the sky.

LUCY (cont)
That night I was in your taxi in those swamps down there ? I dreamt your taxi started slowly sinking into that swamp.
(pause)
And I wanted to grab on to something, but there was nothing to grab on to. Not even a lousy bush in sight. So I tried to grab on to one of them passing planes, or to grab one of those shitty seagulls, I mean just anything, to hold on to. And then....

Lucy's body stretches.

Lucy(cont)
...and then I didn't care. I didn't want to get out of the cab anymore. We started making love. And the cab sank deeper and deeper, and we just made love in this pocket of air sinking deeper and deeper into this land. And then... I woke up.
(pause)
Listen, can you a...lend me a hundred bucks.

Chris almost falls off the bed.

Lucy (cont)
Hey, no big deal. I'll give it back to you tomorrow outside the club, same time.

Krzyś
Sure, I guess.

Chris counts out the bills still not quite sure how all this came about.

Lucy (cont)
Tomorrow, 5 AM on the dot.

He hands her the money. There is a knock at the door.

Lucy
(absolutely terrified)
Listen, take the fire escape, I'll tell you everything later.

Krzyś
What?

The knocking grows violent. Lucy is petrified.

Lucy
Tell you later, man. Now please go. It's better this way, please trust me. Please, oh, PLEASE.

Krzyś
You'd better be for real.

Chris comes up to the window, slides the stars aside and jumps into the black hole in the sky.

cut to:
int. GLORIA'S - DAY

Chris walks into Gloria's.

Marylka
You late. What happened this time, pink pad?

Marylka lifts the cake plate and stretches her hand expecting the money. Krzyś puts $ 15.80 in her palm.

Krzyś
I lent the rest to... to a friend.

Marylka
Spent it on on a... friend !? (beat) You're just like the rest of them. screw-up artists.

Krzyś
I wasn't spending, I was borrowing.

Marylka
Lend my ass.

A LONE CUSTOMER eating his morning breakfast special gives Marylka and her ass a not too casual a look. Marylka tries a different approach.

Marylka
Better tell me about your wife. How is she doing? Did she get your money yet?

Krzyś
She's doing fine...Why ?

Marylka
Cause, Stan called me the other day, He said he saw your wife with a ... bearded man.

Krzyś
Bearded ! So what ! It... could have been...anybody.

Marylka
Oh, you're right, there are many bearded men...and all.
(pause)
Except that he saw her entering the "Giewont" hotel.

Chris spills his coffee. Chris gives her a vile semblance of a smile and walks out.

cut to:
ext WEST 13 TH STREET - NIGHT

Chris' cab drives up the street, and parks across from the club entrance. Chris switches on an "off-duty" light. He waits in the cab. He drums his fingers on the steering wheel.

Chris gets out of the cab and goes into a nearby phone booth. He dials some numbers and starts talking on the phone , all this time keeping a watchful eye on the club's entrance.

Krzyś
...that's Giewont hotel, yes.....

The club door excretes some last remains of the night life flock onto the street...but not Lucy. Chris checks his watch: it's 5:15 AM... NY Eastern Standard time.

Krzyś (cont)
...yes ? yes.. could you tell me if you have a hotel guest by the name of Bożena PTAK, yes PTAK...

Chris looks up and sees Lucy run out of the club.

DON and JOHN appear by the door and give Lucy a chase. Lucy gives out a shriek of victory, but she trips and is about fall into the gutter when she is swept away by Chris.

In the foreground the CAMERA focuses on the telephone receiver dangling on its cord. We hear the operator's "Hallo, hallo!"

Chris places Lucy in the back seat of his cab. The two men make a run for the taxi. Lucy looks at the back window as the men close in. Chris steps on the accelerator. The men are left behind.

Lucy
Sorry, I got...tied...up there a bit.

Krzyś
God. They were all worked up. What if I didn't show up ?

Lucy
You guys, you always show up.

Krzyś
You can't always count on that, you know. What if I didn't come.

Lucy
But you came, didn't you?

Lucy puts her hand between Chris' thighs.

Krzyś
What the heck...

Chris tries to take her hand out from between his thighs but is surprised to find...a bundle of moist bills there...

Krzyś (cont)
...is this?

Lucy
I owed you...

Before Chris can answer, Lucy falls asleep
cut to:

ext THOMPSON STREET IN FRONT OF LUCY'S APT. (LATER) - NIGHT

The cab pulls over by the hydrant. Krzyś pulls Lucy out of the cab and tries to put her in a vertical position. Suddenly she clings to Chris. She slowly wakes up and catches up with the basic geography of the region.

Lucy
Where are we ?

Krzyś
You're OK now, we're home.

The moment Chris' last words sink in, Lucy panics. She breaks away from Krzyś and dashes right back into the cab locking the cab's door.

Krzyś
Lucy, it's OK. You're safe now.

Lucy
(trembling)
I can't go in. They'll be waiting. I can't go. No, no way.

She passes out into oblivion again. Chris comes around to the driver's door and tries to open it - closed. Suddenly her realises that his car keys are in the ignition. He tries the back door - closed - Lucy has locked ALL the doors! He knocks at the door but Lucy is fast asleep! He knocks again and puts his face to the car window.

Lucy is stretched out comfortably, her legs all over the place and her pretty face pressed into his sweater, restful and happy. He stops knocking and pushes the cab down the street towards a more secluded spot on the side pavement.

A MONGAGE SEQUENCE:

- Chris is sitting on the curb, counting the money Lucy gave him - he smiles - she gave him too much. He takes a leak and starts going back and forth arguing with himself. Finally he calms down.

- Chris checks on Lucy. She is sleeping in a delicious pose exposing her funky bra.

- Chris notices two men enter Lucy's apartament building. After a few minutes they exit the building.

- Chris is sitting on the hood of the car shivering from cold. It's dawning. He checks on Lucy again gluing his face to the frosty windshield.: Lucy is sleeping in a cosy pose sucking her thumb like a little baby. Despite the bitter cold Chris is all smiles.

int. DEPARTMENT STORE SAK'S FIFTH AVE - DAY

Chris is trying on a stylish Versace suit, grooms his hair. He looks smashing - almost a different man.

Krzyś
(pointing at the mirror)
It's on sale.

SALESMAN
Originally 39 hundred, marked down to one nine nine nine, ninety nine.

Krzyś
One nine nine...

SALESPERSON
...NINE, ninety nine. A steal..

Krzyś (painful exhale) ...can't...steal.

int. CHRIS' TAXI MANHATTAN STREETS (MOVING) - NIGHT

Chris is driving Lucy again. This time she is dressed in a belly dancers outfit.

Chris
Listen, you gave me back too much. I don't charge interest, you know.

Lucy
(streaching sleepily)
Funny you should mention it, cause I wondered if you could lend me some money again? I'll return it by Friday, that's when I'll be getting paid for that Christmas gig.

Chris
Yes, but that was just hours ago. I mean, if I give it back to you it would be like if you hadn't returned the money to me at all.

Lucy
I returned the money, didn't I... Ever heard of a concept of a credit rating?

Long silence. They are approaching Lucy's apartment on Thomson street. Chris glances in the rear view mirror - Lucy is fast asleep.

Chris bypasses Lucy's apartment.
cut to:

int. Krzyś' TENEMENT IN GREENPOINT - NIGHT

Cradling Lucy in his arms Chris walks up the shaky staircase. SALSA music is blaring from across the alley. Lucy is fast asleep.

Krzyś enters the apartment and walks over Sleeping MEN -- It's yet another set of faces. Kazik seems to be the only one awake. - He looks at Chris and Lucy as if he could not believe what he sees.

Chris walks into his room, kicks Paul out of bed and places Lucy in the still warm sheets. Then he pulls up a metal folding chair and sits by her side. Chris just sits there devouring her divinely shapely body. He starts slowly taking his clothes of, looking at her all the time.

While asleep, Lucy turns to her side, effectively turning her back to Chris ... and also exposing a crumpled picture of Bożena under Chris'pillow. Chris picks up the picture. His body starts trembling. He tries to subdue the violent shaking. No use. He jumps from the chair, grabs a tie and runs toward the bathroom.

A noise of a running shower can be heard. Chris returns from the bathroom still all wet but sporting his old suit and tie.

MONTAGE SEQUENCE TO PATHETIC SYMPHONIC MUSIC

ext MANHATTAN STREETS - DAY

In his suit, Chris is driving through Manhattan streets. He bypasses scores of raised hands outside Lincoln Center. He passes another forest of raised hands outside Radio City. In both cases, he does not stop.

It becomes evident he's driving, without any apparent destination or aim, going wherever the traffic takes him. On a red light somebody opens the door of his cab and tries to get in. Chris squeals off leaving the passenger cursing behind.

Chris slows down as he bypasses Marylka's apartament, then takes the entrance to the expressway.

ext EXPRESSWAY - EVE CONT. OF MONTAGES SEQUENCE

Chris' cab glides down BROOKLYN QUEENS EXPRESSWAY. He bypasses the cemetery where he got his papers. The view from the Highway extends from the cemetery to the misty MANHATTAN skyline. A road sign states : GREENPOINT AVE - LAST EXIT IN BROOKLYN. Chris drives straight ahead.

ext MANHATTAN STREETS - NIGHT CONT. OF MONTAGES SEQUENCE

It's night. Chris is still cruising the streets. It's starting to rain. The cab glides down a highway. The landscape becomes less and less urban, and more and more hilly.

The cab enters the ramp to a bridge over the Hudson river. It bypasses the sign: LEAVING NEW YORK STATE. The other side seems mountainous and misty.

Chris is driving on a deserted two way small town street. The meter reads $611. The rain has stopped. The street is deserted. - Chris' face is weary, his eyes watery and staring blankly ahead at the empty distance swallowing.

Chris' cab is on a deserted stretch of a two lane, two way Thruway. It's raining again. Chris cab is in the left center lane, for the quicker traffic. BUT...Chris' cab is not moving.It stands completely still. Chris is inside the cab, acting as if the cab is in motion and he is driving it.

END OF MONTAGE SEQUENCE TO PATHETIC SYMPHONIC MUSIC

cut to:
int. Krzyś' TAXI - SUNNY DAY

In heavy traffic Chris' cab approaches the Queensborough bridge. Lucy is sitting right next to Krzyś in the front seat. Krzyś enters the bridge. It is clogged and soon they get stuck in traffic.

It's bumper to bumper now. The cars start honking. The driver of the car stuck in an adjacent lane gives Chris a frustrated look. Chris gives him a broad smile.

Krzyś
OK, now you going to tell me what're you all about...everything.

Lucy makes a grimace.

Krzyś(cont)
Now, just don't start your crying tricks again. Let's hear the sad story, but don't make it too sad now.

Lucy realizes she won't get off the hook easily this time.

Lucy
I don't want to talk about it.

Krzyś
(at top of his lungs)
Well, for Chrissake, tell me why all this running away.

There is a long pause.

Lucy
Birdieee...you ever played Birdie, when you were a little baby ?

Lucy lifts the palm of her hand high up in the air, forming a kind of a cone with her fingers.

Lucy (CONT)
This is like a birdie flying with a worm in her beak.

Krzyś
What does it have to do with...

Lucy
Shiuuuuuuu....

Lucy nose-dives her palm in dive-bomber fashion and lands it straight into Chris' unsuspecting mouth.

Lucy (cont)
And this is a nest with little birdieeees.

Lucy continues playing birdie with Chris.

Krzyś
Listen, you'd better tell me ! This money, what is it for...ah.

Lucy
Come on, open your mouth, and birdie with me.

Lucy descends on Chris' mouth again. She is all over Chris now, overtly trying to prevent him from talking. Chris does not give in.

Krzyś
(sarcastic)
What, you're paying ransom for...

Lucy
Why don't you SHUT UP and open your mouth !!!!!!!

V.O.
Eya, Yo.. Need any help.

They stop. The voice belongs to the driver in the next lane. A prolonged pause.

Krzyś
How much you need ?

Lucy
For...everything ?

Krzyś
Everything.

Lucy
500.

Krzyś grins to the driver in the next lane.

Krzyś
(to himself)
Crazy, absolutely crazy.

Chris suddenly cuts in front of another car and manages to make an ingenious "U" turn in the middle of the bridge. Lucy sinks deeper into her seat.

Krzyś
I don't care what it takes. I MUST know what you're really all about.

Lucy
(starts sobbing)
You will?

Krzyś
I said I will, now you stop this crying...

Lucy
I swear I'll pay you back from my first dollar...

(beat)
...you really will ?

Krzyś
I said stop this baby crying.

Trying to stop crying Lucy grabs the postcard pinned to the dashboard.

Lucy
(still crying)
What is this ?

Krzyś
A mountain.

Chris looks at Lucy. She is beaming and tightly embracing him.

Krzyś (cont)
This mountain it only looks like a mountain. You see, it's really a... (lowers his voice) a giant sleeping white knight.

Lucy
(delighted)
I don't see a white knight. I see a white mountain.

Krzyś
Look. This is his head, neck and torso. One day he will wake up and save...

Lucy
I won't ever forget what you did ... this money... here... men here don't part with money like this...

int. GLORIA'S - NIGHT

The usual Saturday night crowd. Krzyś is sitting by a booth table.

Krzyś
(to Marylka)
I need 2 tickets to that Christmas eve thing...

Marylka
(sarcastic)
So you have a girlfriend ...

Krzyś
I don't, and even if I did, what is it to you.

Marylka
(sustaining her cool)
Now you sit down and listen carefully.

Krzyś is already sitting. It is Marylka who grabs a chair and sits by Krzyś' booth.

Marylka (cont)
When I learned you're wasting all this time and money on this...
(controlling herself)
On this ! I decided I would tell your wife about it.

Krzyś
Oh, Marylka, come on...

Marylka
...Tell her that this guy, who was supposed to be so clean, so loving, so everything - that this guy, who was to prove everyone wrong, ended up like the rest of them fuck up artists.

Krzyś
You wouldn't...

Marylka
And just why not ! Your wife is better off this way. She's better off finding all about you right away, instead of waiting down there. Waiting and hoping something will come out of the marriage - like I did.

Krzyś
You wouldn't dare, YOU...........

Krzyś stops short of saying the word, but the pause is just as telling.

Marylka
(swallowing it, for now)
That... was what I thought I would do...

Krzyś does not get it. Marylka continues.

Marylka
And just then, weirdo Gozdek comes out of this here phone booth and tells me that your wife called... that with the money she got... she got you guys a new apartment.
(pause)
...And then I started thinking that I guess I was wrong.. And that ah... perhaps it was me, who led you astray, away from your wife...
(beat)
Anyway here..

She gives him a piece of paper with some numbers written on it.

Marylka(cont)
This is your phone number in your new apartment...
(pause)
Go ahead, call her..

Krzyś, after this emotional rollercoaster of a ride is slow to touch base with ground again.

Krzyś
You mean, you didn't...she doesn't..

Marylka
NOTHING HAPPENED...yet. Now, just go ahead and call her.

Krzyś takes piece of paper from Marylka.

Krzyś
Marylka, I love you.

Krzyś rushes toward the twin phone booths. He dials some numbers but gets a strange three tone signal. Gloria's entrance door abruptly opens letting in CZAT with his cortege lead by Roman in its full, deadly force.

Paul
(toasting Czat)
Welcome to the happy father to be ! Czat looks at Roman. Roman looks at his men. Suddenly Roman kicks Paul in the face and stomach and in the face again. All the men at the bar are stunned.

CZAT
Nobody DARE to blindwash me again. I wanna know whose child is it and I want to know it now.

Everybody ducks their eyes into their drinks.

Paul
Why don't you ask Gloria yourseEEEE !!!

Before Paul can finish the sentence, Roman places another blow on his stomach.

CZAT
(restrains Roman)
Wait, this one's on me.

Czat grabs Paul by the shirt collar places a personal, thundering blow on Paul's jaw. Paul tries to seek cover. Czat persues Paul beating him all around the bar.

Paul
Why me ?

CZAT
Just because.

Paul
I didn't do it, I'm gay, I like men, you know that !

CZAT
That's why you gonna tell me, who dunne it.

CZAT corners Paul in one of the twin phone booths. Krzyś is still sealed in the other one.

The men in the bar look at one other. Some are pale green, some are itchy, but nobody moves.

Paul
(in desperation)
It could have been anybody. All are cousins.
(beat)
Roman's a cousin ! He did it too.

Czat looks at Roman.

ROMAN
(pushing Czat away)
Give'im to me.

He attacks Paul methodically, placing even spaced blows on Paul's jaw and abdomen.

CZAT
(thundering)
You, I let my wife here help you guys with this relief agency thing and you..
(beat)
You supposed to fuck Marylka not Gloria !!!

The men at the bar are brimming yet there is no one in their ranks who would be the first to stand up to Czat.

The folding door of Krzyś's phone booth noisily swings wide open and Krzyś springs out, his face pulsating.

Krzyś
Something happened in Poland. All the lines are cut.

CZAT
I don't care, I'm gonna cut the throats of every single one of you, one by one, if you don't find me the guy responsible.

Roman picks up Paul from the phone booth floor and throws onto the pool table.

CZAT(cont)
Gloria days are over.

He kicks Paul one more time, picks up his things and exits the bar followed by his cortege.

A ext.TAXI Stand AT JFK AIRPORT NIGHT 74

The JFK taxi stand by the main terminal is really a huge parking lot filled to the brim with yellow cabs. Krzyś' taxi parks his cab at the end of the line and dashes to a nearby row of pay phones. He takes out the piece of paper that Marylka has given him and dials some numbers. There is no answer.

Krzyś
Bożena ?

No answer. Only some static. The phone keeps on ringing.

Krzyś
Bożena. Bożena. Bożena.

Each compulsive declaration of love is stated with an ever increasing abandon.

Krzyś
BOŻE-NABOŻE-NA-BO-ŻE-NA-BOŻE

Now, it's more rhythmic...more guttural...more...climactic.

Krzyś looks at his wristwatch.

Krzyś
Nine plus six...that's 4 am.
(beat)
4 AM ! ? Bożena where are you? (pause)
NA BOŻE !!!!!

Krzyś fans himself with the piece of paper with the telephone numbers on it. Suddenly he realizes the piece of paper is really a valid ticket to the Christmas Eve dinner at Gloria's. He throws the ticket away from himself as if the ticket were devil himself and frantically starts searching for his airline ticket. Finds it and bursts out of the phone booth.

JFK AIRPORT. AIRLINE TICKETING COUNTER

His airplane ticket in hand, Krzyś is gesticulating excitedly in front of the ticket counter. On the other side of the counter stands an Airline OFFICIAL with a sad face.

OFFICIAL
Please hold...
(punching in stuff into ticketing computer)
...you don't have a reservation and you're not even on standby and the plane departs in 25 minutes...

Krzyś
(frantically)
I have to go. God knows what she might be doing now.

OFFICIAL
You're in luck, mister. We have two no-shows. Smoking or non smoking ?

Krzyś
What ?

OFFICIAL
Come on, you're luggage, please. The plane will be airborne in 20 min.

Krzyś
(deadpan)
You're kidding..

OFFICIAL
You want it or what ?

Krzyś
No, I aaa. not ready yet... I have..to much...I have a my taxi..standing
(angry at himself)
Just make sure I have that reservation for Christmas.

OFFICIAL
(disgusted)
We went through this already a hundred times, Mr. Ptak.
(beat)
It's bullet proof, OK ?

Krzyś
(calming down)
OK,
(pointing again to official)
It's ok.
(to himself)
OK. It's OK. It better be (pointing again to official as he walks away)
It better be.
(calming himself down)
It's ok.

ext. LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY CLOGGED BOTH WAYS - NIGHT

Krzyś (V.O.)
It's ok.

The parkway is clogged both ways in a pre-Christmas traffic jam. The sign above the highway reads "JFK -ALTERNATE ROUTE KEEP RIGHT" On both sides of the Parkway are the Rockway swamps. It's a virtual standstill.

ANGLE on Krzyś, trying to sit it out in his taxi:

Krzyś
(wispering)
It's ok....it's ok.

Rich (V.O.)
It's not Ok!

cut to:
ext DAY QUEENSBOROUGH BRIDGE DAY

Krzyś's cab exits the bridge and heads toward Manhattan. Rich is sitting shotgun..

Rich
It's not ok to lend so much money to a lady... You'r crazy.

Krzyś does not respond...

Rich (cont)
(shakes his head)
If.. if I wouldn't have raised the money through Gloria you simply wouldn't have the money to give and CZAT wouldn't be suspecting me.

Krzyś
If you wouldn't tell me to send the money through Stan, we wouldn't have to go through Gloria for the extra money, and Chat would have been nicely paid up by now.

Krzyś's cab speeds through the bridge toward Manhattan.

Rich
Well, if I hadn't gotten you on a cab through Czat in the first place you wouldn't have any money till now.

Krzyś
Well, if I didn't end up in Greenpoint maybe I would be somewhere by now.

Rich
Well, if I didn't invite you to come here you wouldn't be anywhere.

Krzyś
Well, but if I didn't lend you money for that supposed abortion in Poland seven years ago you.. wouldn't have the money to come here to start with.

Krzyś's cab enters the bridge from the Brooklyn side.

Rich
Ha, if only I had known before the fact that she doesn't do abortions I wouldn't have to run away to America.

Krzyś
Well IF you didn't know that and IF you didn't think seriously about her you didn't have to get her pregnant IF you really just wanted to come to America in the first place.

Rich
(throwing hands in the air)
Ok, ok, if .if..if a babushka had a beard she would had been a grandfather.

Chris' cab stands still in the center lane of the bridge. Even though the cab is standing still the two friends seem to think they are moving.

cut to:
int. CORRIDOR OF LUCY'S APARTMENT (DAY)

Krzyś knocks at the door. Richie knocks again. Nothing. A notice of eviction is pasted on top of the eyehole.

Rich
I tell you, she's using you. Czat's gonna kill us !

Krzyś
She returned the money last time.

Rich
You're a Rockefeller or what ? A lady should be somebody giving you... opportunities in life.

Krzyś
Like Gloria. And end up like you ? Rich She's not an opportunity - she's married.
(pause)
Look. You'll have to bring everything for the Christmas Eve party then.

Krzyś
I'll have all the money by then.

Rich
Remember that's the deadline. And with Czat you gotta have the whole amount or....

Rich stretches his hands to Krzyś's throat and simulates a sound of a head being removed from the neck.

ext. WEST 13TH STREET HELLFIRE ENTRANCE - NIGHT

Krzyś parks his car and attempts to sneak past the BOUNCERS.

Bouncer
Yo. She ain't coming in today.

Krzyś
She owes me...

Bouncer
Jo, you find her, you tell her. We want her. Now.

cut to:

int. ENTRANCE TO LUCY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Krzyś knocks at Lucy's door. And again. No response. He puts his ear to the door.

There seems to be a faint but distinct little girl's crying coming from inside. He pounds the door.

Krzyś
Lucy, you in there.

He puts his ear to the door again. The crying seems to have stopped. He runs downstairs.
cut to:

ext. Lucy's TENEMENT- NIGHT

Krzyś swiftly ascends the fire escape of Lucy's brownstone.He can not get up to Lucy's window because her mirrors on the fire escape block the passage. Krzyś tries to get around them. He can't. He tries to move them. He can't.

Suddenly, with a great crash the mirrors fall down the fire escape, shatter on Krzyś' cab and burst in thousands of pieces on the pavement. A serenade of obscenities in Spanish streams from a window across the street.

Krzyś slips through the window into Lucy's apartment.

int. Lucy's APARTMENT- NIGHT

Krzyś' eyes slowly adjust to the darkness. He notices a motionless body on the floor. It's Lucy. He grabs her and shakes her with all his might.

Krzyś
Lucy. You alive ? Krzyś slaps her on the face. She remains unconscious. Krzyś notices purple retainer spots on her half naked body.

Krzyś
Don't you die on me you hear...
(slaps her)
You hear me. Wake up.

Nothing. In desperation Krzyś slaps her again.

Lucy gives out a moan. Infuriated, Krzyś slaps her again. She mutters something.

Krzyś
Why do you live such life ?
(beat)
Can't you just leave all this... Disappear. It's a huge country.

Lucy
(regaining her composure)
It's all your faut. You shouldn't have come.

Krzyś
You'd rot to death here, if I hadn't come.

Lucy
You got me into this. You're killing me.

Krzyś
Oh, yea, now how's that ? Lucy
You made me become dependant on you. And it makes me do things I'd never do if I didn't know you were coming here.

Krzyś
I didn't have to come.

Lucy
But you CAME.
(beat)
- can't you see it. Knowing that you will come and save me makes me...

Krzyś
Makes you what ?

Lucy
Oh, never mind.

Krzyś comes up to Lucy real close.

Krzyś
(agressive)
Now you listen...You !

Lucy
(truly frightened)
Listen, I don't have money yet, but..I got this Christmas Special gig tomorrow. So, I bring the money to that Polack Christmas Eve party. I'm still invited, ain't I ?

Krzyś grabs by the arms.

Lucy (cont)
(panics)
On the life of my baby I'll bring it I promise !!!!

Krzyś lets go of her. Without a word he takes out the Christmas Eve Ticket and gives it to Lucy. We see Bożena's telephone number on the reverse side of it. Silence. A Spanish version of "Silent Night" can be heard coming from the window.

Lucy (cont)
God, you're worse than coke ! With coke at least you know when you're getting hooked. This can kill me.

Krzyś
If I save you I kill you, and if I don't save you, but let you die, then I'll save you, right ?
(extended pause)
You can count me out. That's what can save you anyway, RIGHT ? Lucy
YES, that's right, and make sure I never bump into you again.

Krzyś
Don't worry, except for that Christmas party, I won't see you again.

Lucy
You won't.

Krzyś
I won't.

Lucy
Well, don't.

Krzyś
I won't