KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN

by

Leonard Schrader

FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

FIRST DRAFT
October 25, 1982

Converted to PDF by SCREENTALK

http://www.screentalk.org
EXT. HARBOR - DAY

The South American harbor is crammed with freight ships.

DOCKWORKERS climb the ramps with bags of coffee beans.
Cranes unload boxes of Japanese coffeemakers.

CUT TO:

EXT. BAR DISTRICT - DAY

The narrow street is lined with garish bars. Half-nude

HOOKERS lean over balconies and call down to passing
SHIPMATES. More hookers, escaping the tropical heat,
sit in doorways and fan themselves to the Salsa MUSIC
from all the bars.

CUT TO:

INT. RESTAURANT PATIO - DAY

Tapping to the music are a man's feet in sandals and a

gold ankle chain. His linen trousers are rolled up in
the heat. Dyed in his silk shirt are small faces of
Rita Hayworth.

He is LEWIS MOLINA, 58, an American who has lived here

since jumping ship at 19. His hair is tinted to hide
the gray. He has the weathered face of a man who has
seen it all, and been hurt by most of it.

As the camera moves from his feet to his face, we hear

Molina reading in a rather effeminate voice.

MOLINA
He says he can't come back for
Christmas like he promised ... and
he's very sorry he hasn't seen his
new son yet... and he loves you
with all his heart.

Spread across his table are envelopes and stamps. A

WOMAN of the district listens to him with quiet dignity.
She has a baby on her lap and a four-year-old boy at her
side.

WOMAN
So he won't come at all this year.
(MORE)
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WOMAN (CONT'D)
(holds back tears)
What about money for the children?

MOLINA
Sorry.

He doesn't say.

(turns to bar)
Gabriel! Did you forget my iced
tea?
(turns to woman)
Do you want to write him back?

The woman is too sad to answer. The boy fiddles with

his Star Wars toy. Molina moistens a pen with his tongue
and begins to write.

MOLINA
Dear Peter, the boys and I were
delighted to get your thoughtful
card ...

A ship horn BLARES over the music. As Molina writes, we

see the interior of his hang-out and 'office.'

The restaurant is divided by a folding partition, painted

with jungle leaves and spider webs. One side is a bar
with weary dockworkers. The other side is a modest dining
room with SHIPS OFFICERS at clean tablecloths.

GABRIEL, 35, a handsome waiter in a tunic, moves through

the tables with a tray of dirty dishes. His well-dressed
WIFE, waiting impatiently at the kitchen window, resumes
her harangue.

WIFE
I told you last week, the deadline
is today. If we don't pay by 5:30,
the girls will miss a whole
semester.

Saying nothing, Gabriel puts an iced tea on his tray.

WIFE
Are you listening!
(MORE)
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WIFE (CONT'D)
You know how I struggled to get
them accepted by that school!

Gabriel approaches Molina's table on the patio. Molina

glances up with a smile.

GABRIEL
Your tea, Molina. Sorry it took
so long.

MOLINA
That's okay.
(returns to letter)
Remember, dearest Peter, I am your
woman, who misses you more than
life itself, who lives only for
the blessed moment of your return.
I save all my love for you alone.
Your beloved --
(looks up)
What was your name, darling?

WOMAN
Please, Senhor Molina. I will
sign my own name.

Molina is miffed.

MOLINA
Okay. If you think that's better.

The woman pays the fee and leaves. Gabriel, waiting

nearby, looks uneasy as he leans forward.

GABRIEL
Molina, could I ask you a small
favor? It's only a hundred. For
my kid's school. (indicates wife)
She has the money, but she says a
father should provide these things.

Molina takes out a hundred, leaving only twenty for

himself. Gabriel accepts it with grateful dignity.

GABRIEL
Thank you, Molina. I'll pay you
back next month.
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Molina watches him approach his angry wife.

MOLINA
Bitch.

CUT TO:

EXT. BAR DISTRICT - NIGHT

Although the bars are closed, the narrow street still

swelters in the heat. Molina and Gabriel stroll past
hookers lingering in the shadows.

MOLINA
I'll never understand. How can a
man with your intelligence work in
a dump like that?

GABRIEL
It's life, Molina.

MOLINA
No, it's a shame. With your looks
and charm, you should work in a
chic restaurant. In a big
international hotel. Making three
times what you get in that
stinkhole.

GABRIEL
You think I haven't tried?

They turn a corner and approach the bus-stop.

MOLINA
Look, when I brought my mother
down from Miami, she worked the
switchboard at the Copacabana
Palace. She still knows the
manager. She'll introduce you,
and poof. A new life.

GABRIEL
Forget it, Lewis. I can't even
speak English.

The bus approaches.

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MOLINA
(quickly)
I'll pay for your lessons. We can
practice everyday. It's perfect,
you'll learn in no time.

GABRIEL
Talk is cheap, eh Molina?

MOLINA
I can afford it. Really.

GABRIEL
(boards the bus)
See you tomorrow.

MOLINA
Goodnight, Gabriel. Kiss the
children for me.

Molina watches the bus pull away. Several TOUGH TEENAGERS

stand in front of a run-down movie theater. One BOY,
16, stares at Molina. Their eyes meet.

CUT TO:

INT. MOLINA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Molina, exhausted, enters his dimly-lit parlor. The

late-night TV broadcasts a test pattern. His MOTHER,
81, wakes up on the sofa. They speak in English.

MOLINA
Mama, you should be in bed. Why
don't you listen to the doctor?

MOTHER
What time is it?

MOLINA
Long past your bedtime. Come,
I'll help you.

He takes her elbow. She hobbles toward her bedroom with

a cane.
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MOLINA
Do you know anyone who teaches
English?

MOTHER
Why are you so late, Lewis? Did
something happen?

MOLINA
Of course not, Mama. Just go to
sleep.

EXT. BAR/RESTAURANT - DAY

CUT TO:

Molina sips coffee at his regular "desk" on the patio.

A police car pulls to a stop. A POLICE OFFICER gets out
and approaches Molina's table.

OFFICER
Good morning, Molina. How's it
going?

MOLINA
Not bad.

The officer sits down and fingers Molina's papers and

pens.

OFFICER
How's business?

MOLINA
Slow.

I need more coffee. You want some?

OFFICER
You don't have time.
(points)
Recognize the kid in the car?

Molina squints at the police car. In the backseat is

the 16-year-old boy (from last night) with his FATHER.
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OFFICER
His father's been singing your
favorite song. Let's go.

Crestfallen, Molina stands up and gazes back into the

restaurant at Gabriel.

CUT TO:

EXT. PRISON - DAY

The old prison is massive. The stone walls are surrounded

by slums.

CUT TO:

INT. PRISON - DAY

The corridors are filthy. The floors are cracked. The

paint is peeling.

CUT TO:

INT. TORTURE ROOM - DAY

Shadows on the wall show a man being tortured. He

suddenly falls to the floor. His boots are spattered
with blood.

VOICE A
Is he dead?

VOICE B
No, I'll wake him up.

VOICE A
Forget it, I'm too tired. Just
haul him back to the cell.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

The stark cell door has a steel door and one small window
with bars. Molina sits on a prison bed and speaks
directly into the camera.
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MOLINA
When the tycoon discovers where
she is working, he buys the hotel
and fires her. Just when she needs
to pay for her lover's T.B.
treatment.

CUT TO:

INT. FISHERMAN'S SHACK - NIGHT (MEXICAN MOVIE)

We see the MOVIE that Molina is describing. The images

look like a cheap Mexican melodrama.

The tubercular YOUNG MAN is asleep on a humble bed in

the shanty.

VOICE OF MOLINA
She tells her lover nothing about
losing her job. She just wants
him to sleep.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL- NIGHT

Now we see that Molina is addressing someone. The CAMERA

PANS to the other bed.

His CELL-MATE wears the same blood-spattered boots seen

in the torture room. The CAMERA CONTINUES from boots to
head. The cell-mate appears to be sleeping, his face to
the wall.

MOLINA (O.S.)
She doesn't dare worry him when
he's so sick.

The cell-mate rolls over with his eyes open. He is

VALENTIN ARREGUI, 32, thin and unshaven. His arms show
the marks of torture. He has the intense look of a man
who has been hurt in more ways than one.

VALENTIN
Don't bother me. I need to sleep.

CUT TO:
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INT. FISHERMAN'S SHACK - NIGHT (MEXICAN MOVIE)

Coughing, the tubercular Young Man struggles to his feet

and puts on his coat.

VOICE OF MOLINA
One night her lover is feeling a
little better and decides to meet
her after work at the hotel.

Leaving, the young man blows out the candle.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOTEL - NIGHT (MEXICAN MOVIE)

The Young Man speaks to the DOORMAN at the large hotel.

The Doorman gives him a cigarette and matches.

VOICE OF MOLINA
The doorman tells him that she
hasn't worked there for quite a
while. He asks for a cigarette
even though he knows smoking is
suicide for a man with T.B.

CUT TO:

EXT. DARK STREET - NIGHT (MEXICAN MOVIE)

The gaunt Young Man sees several PROSTITUTES under a

street lamp, calling out to passing cars.

VOICE OF MOLINA
In desperation he walks street
after street until, finally, he
sees her on a corner. She is
wearing a gaudy outfit and flirting
with an old man in a car. He
suddenly realizes what she's been
hiding from him: she was selling
her body to save his life.

The young man, crying, takes a deep drag on his cigarette.

CUT TO:
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INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina, playing the role of the young man, pretends to

cry with a cigarette. Valentin struggles to his feet
and goes to the shit-bucket in the corner.

MOLINA
Do you like it?

VALENTIN
Leave me alone, man. I need to
build my strength.

MOLINA
Just tell me if you like it.

Valentin, exhausted by torture, leans against the wall

as he urinates.

VALENTIN
Now that it's over, it seems like
the lovers are dead.

MOLINA
It's not over yet, my dear.

VALENTIN
Shit.

CUT TO:

INT. FISHERMAN'S SHACK - NIGHT (MEXICAN MOVIE)

The WOMAN (who was dressed as a hooker) arrives home in

normal clothing. Seeing his empty bed, she rushes into
the kitchen.

On the table are a plate full of cigarette butts and an

empty bottle of rum. Then she sees his note by the
window.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Instantly she realizes that he
knows her secret. She finds his
note by the window.
(MORE)
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VOICE OF MOLINA (CONT'D)

Moonlight falls on his tearstained
words as she reads: "I love you so
much that I cannot go on being
such a burden to you. Please don't
look for me. If God wants us to
meet again, we'll find each other
without even looking."

The movie music swells: a sad, romantic BOLERO.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina is humming the same Bolero. Valentin stares at

the ceiling.

MOLINA
Isn't it wonderful!

VALENTIN
It helps pass the time.

MOLINA
Does that mean you like it?

5VALENTIN
It doesn't help the cause.

MOLINA
Blessed Mary, is that all you can
talk about? You must've studied
Political Philosophies in school.

Valentin looks at him with disgust.

VALENTIN
The Phrase is Political Science,
and the answer is -- no, I studied
Journalism.

MOLINA
Ah! So you can appreciate a good
story.

VALENTIN
And easily spot a cheap one.
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MOLINA
Don't worry, my dear. Tomorrow
morning Mother will show her best.
Better than any movie you'll ever
see.

VALENTIN
No, I can't be listening to this
junk during the day. I've got
important things to think about.

MOLINA
Tomorrow night, then. Sweet dreams.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - DAY

Valentin reads a paperback entitled Third World

Economics. Molina, like an actor, uses a mirror and
lipstick to apply a light rouge on his cheeks.

MOLINA
Tell me about your girlfriend.
You do have one, don't you?

VALENTIN
Leave me alone.

MOLINA
Of course, you do. What's the big
secret? Is she involved in a
scandal?

Valentin glares up from his book.

VALENTIN
It's none of your business.
(turns away)
That's my problem.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina is excited to be telling another movie.

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MOLINA
Imagine Paris during the Second
World War, such a wonderfully heroic
time. Proud soldiers march along
the broad avenues in a magnificent
Parade of Liberation.

CUT TO:

EXT. PARIS - DAY

The Parisian skyline. SOUNDS of crowds, military drums,

marching troops.

VOICE OF MOLINA
The air is charged with excitement
as they march under the Arch of
Triumph.

PAN DOWN the Arch of Triumph to reveal columns of NAZI

TROOPS.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Wearing their marvelous uniforms.
So perfect, so clean. Battalions
of totally blonde, invincible
supermen!

Through a series of shots, we move from the parade to an

average French working-class neighborhood.

The images look like a slapdash German film of the 1940's.

More specifically, a Nazi propaganda movie.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Forget what you read in the history
books. The truth is, the French
welcomed the Germans with open
arms.

As two FRENCHMEN unload a truck at a hardware store, a

NAZI CONVOY appears. German troops arrest the two men,
and find others hiding in the cellar. One is shot trying
to escape, the others surrender. They are Jews.
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VOICE OF MOLINA
Oh, there were a few who didn't
appreciate them, but for the most
part, the French cheered because
they were saving France from
disaster and starvation.

WERNER, a handsome Gestapo officer, whispers to an AIDE.

A neighborhood crowd spits on the smugglers. German
troops break open the cargo and distribute the contraband
food. A grateful OLD WOMAN kisses Werner's hand.

A pickup truck stops in an alley and watches the crowd.

VOICE OF MOLINA
A small truck watches from nearby.
Inside are these two French thugs
from the Resistance. The driver
is a hulking cross-eyed Flunky.
His boss is a grimy little Clubfoot.
Their truck is loaded with
delicacies like canned meats and
cognac. These Resistance goons
are shameless black-marketeers.
Simply shameless.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Valentin sits up.

VALENTIN
You mean the Nazis are the good
guys? Are you crazy?

MOLINA
So what, it's a movie I saw.

VALENTIN
Are you saying freedom fighters
are bad guys?

Molina, upset, kicks his rather effeminate speech into

overdrive.
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MOLINA
I don't explain my movies. It
just ruins the emotion.

VALENTIN
(turns away)
This movie's already ruined.

MOLINA
Now, the Clubfoot ...

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET - DAY (NAZI MOVIE)

The Clubfoot hobbles from his truck to a phone booth and

dials.

CLUBFOOT
Let me talk to Michelle.

CUT TO:

INT. CABARET - DAY (NAZI MOVIE)

A chorus line rehearses on the stage of a lavish

nightclub. MICHELLE, a blonde chorus-girl, runs offstage
to answer the phone.

BLONDE
Yes?

CLUBFOOT (O.S.)
(curt)
They got Jacob and Bernard. Did
you get the map?

BLONDE
No, there was no time to --

CLUBFOOT (O.S.)
No time! You better come through.
Or else.

BLONDE
Don't worry, I'll get it. After
work I'm going to -
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CLUBFOOT (O.S.)
Just get it. Nothing else matters.
Vive la France.

CUT TO:

INT. CABARET NIGHT - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

The Blonde dances in the chorus line. Elegant waiters

move along dimly-lit tables of German officers.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Every night, a ravishing young
chanteuse takes the stage and sings
to an audience filled with the
German High Command.

LENI, a stunning brunette dressed in elegant black,

appears in the spotlight.

VOICE OF MOLINA
She is Leni Lamaison. A Grace
Kelly with the voice of a Piaf.

VOICE OF VALENTIN
Grace who?

VOICE OF MOLINA
Anyway...
(sighs)
The lyrics portray a sweet innocent
nightingale, taken prisoner from
its nest by a fierce brutal eagle.
Can you imagine her courage, singing
this in public during the German
Occupation? And to top it off,
she descends the stage steps and
finishes her song right in front
of Werner's table. Werner! A man
no woman can resist. Totally
heartless. But inside, a volcano.
My God, so gorgeous, so blonde,
and --
(whispers)
the Chief of the Gestapo for all
France.
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Leni, singing, moves between tables of Nazi brass who

fidget at her bold lyrics. Werner whispers and gives an
AIDE his name-card engraved with a swastika.

Leni concludes face-to-face with Werner. Their eyes

lock. Silent tension fills the cabaret. Werner rises
slowly and begins to applaud. The audience bursts into
applause.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina, acting out Werner's applause, is totally immersed

in his movie. Valentin lies in his bunk.

MOLINA
(sighs)
Oh, Valentin, this movie is so
wonderful, but I've got to get
some sleep. Do you mind?

Molina waits for Valentin's reaction. Valentin just

stares at the door.

MOLINA
What's the matter?

VALENTIN
Nothing.

MOLINA
Well, something's bothering you.

VALENTIN
I can't understand why they stooped
my interrogation. It's been three
days.

MOLINA
And Mother thought her bedtime
story was helping you feel better.

VALENTIN
Yeah, a big help.
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MOLINA
Fine, we'll pick it up tomorrow
night. Isn't is romantic?

Valentin gazes at him with tight-lipped anger.

VALENTIN
Your Nazis are about as romantic
as the fucking Warden. That
bastard's been kicking and sticking
me more days than I can count, and
now I gotta listen to this crap.

MOLINA
I can imagine.

VALENTIN
No, you can't. You really like
those jackboot blondes.

MOLINA
Of course. I'm in love with Werner.
And you know why?
(gestures)
He's hung like a horse.

Valentin grimaces and rolls over, his face to the wall.

VALENTIN
Go to sleep.

MOLINA
What's wrong? Afraid to talk about
sex?

VALENTIN
You really want to know, Molina?
I find you boring. I know you
like a book.

Molina, angry, leans forward on his bed.

MOLINA
Darling, you don't know page one.
You know I'm a faggot? Well,
congratulations. You know I corrupt
minors?
(MORE)
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MOLINA (CONT'D)
Well, it's even on TV, film at
eleven. You know I go for little
boys who --

VALENTIN
Okay! Okay, Molina. Your movie
is terrific.

With naive hope, Molina picks up a candle to see

Valentin's face more clearly.

MOLINA
You really mean it?

VALENTIN
(looks at him)
Sure, it's better than a tampax
commercial. Let's mindfuck
everybody.

Molina recoils and quickly regroups.

MOLINA
But propaganda is just dandy when
it serves your stinking revolution.

VALENTIN
Now could you know anything about
revolution? You're just a damn
queen.

MOLINA
And how could you know anything if
you're so damn prejudiced?.

Valentin rolls back toward the wall.

MOLINA
Now what? Our liberated journalist
can't even say "no comment"? Has
our freedom fighter run into too
many fights or too many freedoms?
(sighs)
Just when my movie made me forget
this stinkhole. Why couldn't my
cell-mate be Werner?
(MORE)
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MOLINA (CONT'D)
(lays down)
Goodnight. Dream about my French
Blonde.

VALENTIN
(curt)
I have my own woman.

MOLINA
Because she fights for your piss-
ass revolution, I'm sure.

VALENTIN
No.

Because I love her.

(pause)
I'd hate to imagine who you dream
about?

MOLINA
The singer, darling. I'm always
the heroine. Sweet dreams.

CUT TO:

INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - DAWN

TWO GUARDS drag a limp p body into a cell and prop the
NEW PRISONER against a bunk. His head is hooded with a
cloth sack. His shirt is blood-stained. SOUND of a
muffled groan.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - DAWN

Valentin, kneeling by the door, peers through the foodslot

into the cell across the corridor. Molina, drowsy,
squints at him.

MOLINA
What's going on?
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VALENTIN
Quiet, they're bringing in someone
new.

Valentin SEES: the door being shut and the guards' feet
departing.

Molina rubs his eyes.

MOLINA
What time is it, anyway?

As Valentin whispers through the food-slot, a voice echoes

down the corridor.

VALENTIN
Hey... Hey..

GUARD (O.S.)
Who's looking for trouble?
(pause)
Then shut up!

MOLINA
(sitting up)
Holy Mary, it sounds like a train
station. How do they expect me to
get any sleep?

Valentin, deeply disturbed, moves toward the wash basin.

VALENTIN
He's really bleeding.

MOLINA
A political prisoner?

VALENTIN
They don't treat you like that for
stealing bananas.

MOLINA
Do you know him?

Valentin begins brushing his teeth.

CUT TO:
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INT. CELL - RIGHT

Molina seductively plays the role of Leni.

MOLINA
In her dressing-room, Leni changes
into a pink satin gown which makes
her look heavenly. Firm breasts.
Thin waist. Smooth hips. Her
skin smells of fresh lavender --

VALENTIN
What is this, Nazi propaganda or
Nazi porno?

MOLINA
Don't be ridiculous. Sometimes I
get a little carried away.
(resumes)
All of a sudden, Leni notices a
magnificent bouquet of flowers.

VALENTIN
Sent by your Gestapo Loverboy, I
suppose.

CUT TO:

INT. CABARET DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

Leni examines the flowers, finds Werner's name-card and

tosses it aside. The Blonde enters the dressing room.

BLONDE
What fabulous flowers! Who are
they from?

LENZ
Some filthy Kraut.

Leni pats the Blonde's stomach with a sympathetic smile.

BLONDE
Yes , soon I won' t be able to
dance. Can you imagine, unemployed
and pregnant?
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LENI
And pregnant by a German!

BLONDE
What can I do, Leni? Love has no
country.

The STAGE MANAGER opens the door.

STAGE MANAGER
Two minutes, Michelle.

The Blonde runs. Leni, alone, picks up Werner's name

card and stares at the bouquet.

SUPER-IMPOSE: The eyes of Werner.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Werner's eyes, his beautiful blue
eyes, began to burn into her soul.
Eyes like the claws of an eagle --
inescapable.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Valentin, wrapped in a blanket, shakes his head in

disgust.

VALENTIN
How can you just sit there and re-
write history like that?

MOLINA
Because this movie is divine, and
that's all that counts. If I don't
think about nice things, I could
go nuts in here -- like Charlotte
of Mexico, since I'll end up a
queen, no matter what.

VALENTIN
So you're just inventing all this
crap.
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MOLINA
No, I'm not, I swear. Well, some
things, I embroider a little, so
you can see them the way I did.
But it was showing everywhere before
the war was over.

VALENTIN
Jesus, don't you know anything
more recent?

MOLINA
Not with such exquisite romance
and perfect beauty. They don't
make them like that anymore.

VALENTIN
Thank God.

MOLINA
You atheists never stop mentioning
God.

VALENTIN
And you fagots never face facts.
Fantasies are no escape. Alienating
yourself like that can drive you
nuts, too, you know.

MOLINA
(points to door)
If you've got the keys, I'll gladly
follow. Otherwise I'll escape in
my own way, thank you.

VALENTIN
(disgusted)
Then your life is as trivial as
your movies. And so are you. I'm
going to sleep).

Valentin blows out his candle. Molina, thinking deeply,

blows out the other candle. The two candlewicks fade in
the darkness.

MOLINA
Goodnight, Valentin. Dream about
my French torch-singer.
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VALENTIN
Dream about your Gestapo goons.

CUT TO:

INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - DAWN

FOUR GUARDS are conducting the morning bed check. As

they open doors, we HEAR prisoners barking out their
names. At the fourth door, we SEE the two men standing
at attention.

VALENTIN
Valentin Arregui!

MOLINA
Lewis Molina!

The door is slammed shut.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - DAY

Molina mashes an avocado. Valentin reads in bed. Molina

approaches with avocado crackers and two cups of tea.

MOLINA
Have some. Mother's cleaning out
her cupboard. It's a long time
till lunch.

VALENTIN
No, I can't afford to get spoiled.

MOLINA
Mother of God, I offer you half of
my precious avocado, and this is
the thanks I get? You spit in my
face!

VALENTIN
Don't act like that. You get so
damn sensitive.

MOLINA
That's how I am, very sentimental.
(MORE)
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 26.

MOLINA (CONT'D)
You're so damn smart, tell me what
to do about it.

VALENTIN
I don't know, don't be so over-
sensitive. You sound just like a
...

MOLINA
Like a what? Say it, like a woman,
that's what you meant, isn't it?
(Valentin nods)
What's wrong with being weak like
a woman?

VALENTIN
Women aren't weak, that's just
your fantasy, and prejudice.

MOLINA
Why do only women get to be
sensitive? Why not a man, a faggot,
or any poor bastard? If more men
acted like women, there wouldn't
be so much violence.

Molina gestures at the welts on Valentin's arm.

VALENTIN
You've got a point there.
(looks up)
But what would you do in a world
with no men?

MOLINA
Touche.
(sits down)
You're right. Men are mostly
brutes, but I love them.

Molina sips his tea and sees Valentin grimace.

MOLINA
Why do you look at me that way?
You have no respect for me at all,
do you? You think I'm just trash.
Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 27.

VALENTIN
Look, Molina. I'm not feeling well.
(indicates opposite
cell)
Who knows when it's my turn again.

MOLINA
So build your strength. Have some
avocado.

VALENTIN
No thanks.

MOLINA
Do you really think eating this
avocado will make you spoiled and
weak? That much self-discipline
is ridiculous. Relax. Enjoy what
life offers you.

VALENTIN
When you join the revolution,
there's no time for pleasure.
Gratifying the senses becomes
secondary. The only thing I enjoy
is serving a cause that is noble.

MOLINA
What kind of a cause is that? One
that doesn't let you eat an avocado?

VALENTIN
(smiles)
Molina, you would never understand.

MOLINA
Try me.

VALENTIN
Look, in order to live with myself,
things must change in this country.
Working for that is my only
pleasure. And I can get that
pleasure anywhere, right here in
this cell, even during torture. If
you want me to spell it out in one
word, I'm a Marxist.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 28.

MOLINA
Marxist, Fascist, Capitalist. Who
cares? They're all just fancy
ways to hide your fear of pleasure.
The only important thing is what
you can see and touch. A hot cup
of tea, a soft bed, a warm lover.

VALENTIN
I knew you wouldn't understand.
Life is more important that a cup
of tea.

MOLINA
Well, maybe you're right, but I
only have only one life. How many
do you have?

VALENTIN
(bitter smile)
Touche.

Valentin turns away, deep in thought.

CUT TO:

INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - DAY

Two guards walk down the corridor and open a cell door.

GUARD
Let's go. The Warden wants to see
you. Today's your lucky day.

The man who steps out is Molina. He is led away.

CUT TO:

EXT. PRISON COURTYARD - DAY

A massive wall with small barred windows faces the

courtyard where prisoners are playing soccer.

At one window, two hands reach up and grab the bars.

Between the hands, Valentin's face slowly raises into
view.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 29.

VALENTIN
(stage whisper)
Rafael. Can you hear me? Rafael!
Are you okay?

RAFAEL (O.S.)
Valentin.

VALENTIN
Are you okay?

The CAMERA PANS along the wall to the window of the next
cell. Rafael, 38, has the withdrawn face of a political
prisoner.

RAFAEL
They won't let me sleep.

VALENTIN (O.S.)
Who's the new guy across the hall?

RAFAEL
I don't know. I can't take this
much longer. I'm so afraid.

The CAMERA PANS back to Valentin's window.

VALENTIN
We're all afraid.

RAFAEL (O.S.)
No. I mean I'm afraid I'll talk.

Valentin's face fills with pain.

VALENTIN
You'll make it, Rafael. We are
stronger than them.

CUT TO:

MONTAGE: PRISON ROUTINE

--- A new guard enters the watch tower.

--- Prisoners sunbathe in the courtyard.

--- Molina talks to the Warden.

 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 30.

--- Prisoners mop the visiting-room floor.

--- A guard shoves letters inside cell doors.

--- Valentin picks up a letter and opens it.

--- The sun sets behind the prison walls.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Two bowls of black-bean stew are pushed through the food

slot in their cell door. Molina gets up, but Valentin
beats him to the door.

VALENTIN
Great. I'm starving.

Valentin offers one bowl to Molina.

MOLINA
No, you take the big one. It has
twice as much as yours.

VALENTIN
No, they want us to fight over it.

MOLINA
(insisting)
But you need your strength.

VALENTIN
Don't fight. That's what they
want. Besides, I hate this crap.

Molina, extremely disturbed, accepts the larger portion.

Valentin starts to eat and notices Molina toying with
his food.

VALENTIN
What's the matter? Not hungry?

MOLINA
No, no.

Molina swallows two spoonfuls of the stew. Valentin

opens his letter while eating.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 31.

MOLINA
Why won't you tell me who it's
from? Your mother, your sweetheart?
What's the big secret, anyway?

Valentin pockets the letter.

VALENTIN
Why did the warden want to see
you?

MOLINA
I told you. I may be paroled soon.

VALENTIN
A lawyer tells you that. Not the
Warden.

MOLINA
The Warden had just heard the rumor
himself. It's far from definite.
He called me in because my mother's
doctor phoned from the hospital.
She may be dying. I'd rather not
talk about it.
(sighs)
Imagine the shame of having a son
in prison. And the reason.

VALENTIN
Finish your stew. It'll make you
feel better.

MOLINA No, only one thing can help, to tell my movie.

Do you mind?

VALENTIN
(grudgingly)
Sure, man. Go ahead.

MOLINA
Man! Is there a man here? Don't
let him go. Where is he?

VALENTIN
(exasperated smile)
Okay, cut the crap and tell your
dumb movie.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 32.

Molina sets down his bowl and stands up.

MOLINA
Waiting in the moonlight behind
the cabaret is Werner's limousine.
Long, sleek, shiny... with two
crisp Nazi flags on the fenders.
Werner's eyes are fixed on the
stage door.

CUT TO:

INT. LIMOUSINE - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

Werner sees Leni and the Blonde step outside and wave
goodbye. As Leni approaches the limousine, Werner opens
the door.

WERNER
Thank you for accepting my
invitation.

LENI
(sitting down)
I need a drink.

Werner motions the chauffeur to drive and opens the wine

cabinet in his limo.

WERNER
Nothing is better than Rhein wine.
The finest in all Germany.

LENI
I prefer champagne. It's French.

Their eyes meet, testing each other's determination.

CUT TO:

EXT. PARIS STREET - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

The Blonde hurries along the wet sidewalk. A car follows

her in the darkness.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 33.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Meanwhile, the Blonde hurries to
meet a German Lieutenant, the father
of her unborn child. But the
Clubfoot has decided she is a
traitor, maybe even a spy, because
she cannot get a map to the secret
German arsenal. The Blonde looks
across the street and sees her
lover in a second floor window.
She steps off the curb. The car
suddenly accelerates, and hurtles
toward her. Turning in horror,
she sees the Clubfoot at the wheel.

The car races off into the darkness, leaving the Blonde's
lifeless body sprawled on the wet pavement.

We see the FACE of the horrified German Lieutenant in

the window.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Valentin's FACE: He is stunned but quickly hides it.

Molina, caught up in his story, does not notice.

MOLINA
The smoke-filled restaurant is
small, but extremely elegant...

CUT TO:

INT. CHIC RESTAURANT - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

Werner and Leni sip champagne, staring into each other's

eyes.

WERNER
(seductive smile)
This French Resistance of yours
can never do us real harm. But if
it doesn't stop, it will destroy
your country.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 34.

LENI
Perhaps. But nothing matters if
France cannot be free. And it
will be.

WERNER
(laughs)
I'm not offended. I like your
arrogance. Everyone loves their
country. If it were otherwise, I
wouldn't trust you.
(lifts his glass)
Here's to a great artiste.

Leni lifts her glass.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Valentin? Are you listening?

CUT TO:

INT. CELL NIGHT

Valentin is lost in his own thoughts. Molina stands up.

MOLINA
You do this just to spit in my
face, and you love it, don't you?
Why do you humiliate me so? How
can you leave me dangling like
this, all alone, flapping my arms
like some empty scarecrow.

Molina snaps his fingers near Valentin's face.

VALENTIN
Strange. When the Blonde was
killed, I -- . It was chilling.

Molina is elated to discover that Valentin's distraction

is a tribute to his story-telling prowess.

MOLINA
It's only a movie, Valentin. Just
one of Mother's many stories.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 35.

VALENTIN
Yeah. But I keep thinking about
my friend. The same thing could
happen to her.

MOLINA
Tell me about her. My lips are
sealed.

VALENTIN
I'm so helpless in here. With no
way to protect her.

MOLINA
So you have a heart after all.

VALENTIN
Sure, like a leaky faucet, a
weakness that can't be turned off.

MOLINA
Listen, it's not weakness. Write
to her, tell her how you feel,
tell her to stop taking chances.

VALENTIN
If you think like that, you'll
never change anything in this world.

MOLINA
Climb off your high horse, darling.
Really, don't be such a phony.

Valentin displays welts on his arm.

VALENTIN
You call this phony?

MOLINA
No, forgive me.

VALENTIN
Some day the struggle will be won.

MOLINA
Don't worry, you'll have your day,
I'm sure.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 36.

VALENTIN
No, my days are over. No one knows
where I am. I can't remember how
long I've been here. And if anyone
tries to save me, they'd hide my
secret arrest by killing me on the
spot.
(looks down)
I'm as good as dead already.

MOLINA
Valentin, please, don't say that.
Look at my hands, they're shaking.

VALENTIN
The same thing could be happening
to her. Right now.

MOLINA
Your true feelings, at last. You
love her very much, don't you?
Love should always come first.
It's so beautiful when lovers are
together for a lifetime. Why is
it always so impossible?

VALENTIN
(offended)
What are you talking about? Look
how you live. How can someone
like you know anything about true
love?

MOLINA
Please, you're not the only one
who's suffered. I'm no stranger
to true love. Do you know how
hard it is to find a real man?
One who's humble, and yet has
dignity?

CUT TO:

EXT. BAR DISTRICT - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

A listless Molina ambles the narrow street, his sad eyes

filled with emptiness. His companions, three middle-
aged HOMOSEXUALS, are cruising the crowd.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 37.

Their darting eyes scrutinize the passing teenage boys.

MOLINA (V.O.)
How many years was I searching.
When I jumped ship, I was hardly
more than a boy. How many days
did I write letters for the sad
and lonely. And how many nights
did I look into eyes filled with
scorn and deceit. So many nights,
so many faces. Night after night.
Year after year.

Molina glances into a restaurant and stops in his tracks.

His eyes are riveted on a waiter in a white tunic. It
is Gabriel.

MOLINA (V.O.)
And then, finally -- there he was...

Molina moves toward the Restaurant as if drawn by a

magnet. As his companions continue down the street, the
one named GRETA glances back.

GRETA
C'mon Louisa, your sister's in a
hurry.

MOLINA
(waving him off)
I'll see you tomorrow.

Molina enters the restaurant and sits at a table. Gabriel

approaches with a menu.

GABRIEL
Good evening, Senhor. Would you
care for a menu, or are you ready
to order?

Molina, too nervous to speak, accepts the menu. Gabriel

is called to another table by a woman patron, who is
extremely upset.

MOLINA (V.O.)
My heart was pounding in terror,
so afraid I would be disappointed
(MORE)
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 38.

MOLINA (V.O.) (CONT'D)

again. But when I saw how he
handled her, I knew I was right.
She cursed him over and over, but
nothing could break his composure.
He refused to be humiliated. Here,
in such a sleaze-hole, among these
bickering sluts, he maintained the
dignity of a Prince.

Gabriel returns to take Molina's order.

GABRIEL
Are you ready for me, senhor?

MOLINA
What do you suggest?

GABRIEL
Perhaps the lasagna and antipasto.

MOLINA
Don't you think lasagna might be
fattening?

GABRIEL
Perhaps senhor would prefer steak
and onion soup.

MOLINA
(returning the
menu)
Sounds wonderful.

Molina watches Gabriel walk to the kitchen window to

place the order.

MOLINA (V.O.)
I went back, night after night. I
began to order three dishes, then
four, then five, just to have him
near me.

CUT TO:
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 39.

INT. RESTAURANT - LATE NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

Molina is seated at a different table which is covered

with several entrees, all partially eaten. Gabriel
approaches to remove the dishes.

GABRIEL
Have you finished, Senhor Molina?

MOLINA
You work so hard, Gabriel. It's
almost closing time. Why don't
you take a break and join me for
coffee?

GABRIEL
(curt)
Sorry, I do not fraternize with
the clientele.

Molina watches Gabriel leave with the dirty dishes.

MOLINA (V.O.)
But I refused to give up. I went
back month after month. Until
finally, one night...

CUT TO:

EXT. BAR DISTRICT - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

The bars are closed. Molina is walking Gabriel to his

bus-stop.

GABRIEL
I'm too tired to talk, Senhor
Molina.

MOLINA
Can't you call me Lewis? We've
known each other more than a year.

GABRIEL
I'm too tired to talk, Lewis.

MOLINA
Tell me, Gabriel. Why do you always
look so unhappy?
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 40.

GABRIEL
Because I am. I hate my job. I
earn almost nothing.

MOLINA
I have some money. Let me help
you. As a friend.

GABRIEL
(firmly)
No thank you. I only like women.
Women are the best thing in the
world.

MOLINA
I totally agree. Women are the
best thing in the world. That's
why I want to be a woman.

Gabriel laughs affectionately. Molina smiles.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Valentin laughs affectionately. Molina smiles.

VALENTIN
You're a real character, Molina.

MOLINA
And finally, after more than a
year, we became friends. That was
three years ago.

VALENTIN
Jesus, did it take another year to
get him in the sack?

MOLINA
(stunned)
Are you out of your mind? Nothing
at all happened. Ever!

VALENTIN
You gotta be kidding.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 41.

MOLINA
Don't you understand anything at
all? He's straight. He's just
very lonely, so I have to satisfy
myself with being friends. I wish
I could make him not worry about
anything at all, nothing except
for himself, until he lost all
that sadness of his for good.
Wouldn't that be marvelous?

VALENTIN
Yeah, but not very realistic. I
don't believe this, here I am,
staying up all night thinking about
your boyfriend. Is he married?

MOLINA
Yes, but not to me. I wish he
were, for the rest of my life.

Valentin lays down and looks at the ceiling.

VALENTIN
Sounds like a real bind.
(indicates cell)
I know what you mean. All you can
do is take it like a man.

MOLINA
Not me, darling. I take it like a
woman. Always. That's why I want
a husband who's the boss.

VALENTIN
(grins)
You're just an old-fashioned
bourgeois sexist.

MOLINA
What else can I do?
(confiding)
I need to feel danger with man.
And it doesn't work unless he's
straight.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 42.

VALENTIN
I guess you're really fucked. Or
rather, not fucked.

MOLINA
Well, if that's your attitude --
(groans)
Oh my God.

Molina grabs his stomach and doubles over in pain.

VALENTIN
What's wrong?

MOLINA
My stomach. Stabbing pains. All
over my stomach.

VALENTIN
What is it, appendicitis?

MOLINA
No, I already had mine out.

VALENTIN
You gonna throw up? Maybe it's
the food.

MOLINA
No, it feels like my old ulcer
acting up again. I just got to
keep talking. Let me see, where
were we? Oh yes, you were upset
when the Blonde got run over.
Okay, one hour later...

With great effort, Molina lifts his head and resumes.

CUT TO:

EXT. LENI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

Leni stands at the front door, waving goodbye to Werner

in his limousine.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 43.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Leni lingers at the window, so
sad, so alone, so afraid that she
will fall in love...

Suddenly a hand reaches from the shadows and muffles her

scream. It is the Clubfoot.

CUT TO:

INT. LENI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

The Clubfoot sits on the sofa arm. Leni paces nervously.

CLUBFOOT
Your girlfriend was a traitor.
Now she's a dead traitor. And the
same for you, if you don't get the
map.

He suddenly grabs her wrist and embraces her. She does

not resist.

CLUBFOOT
That Kraut can't keep his hands
off you, eh Cheri? Next time he
touches you like this -- (fondling
her) -- and like this, think of
your country. And get the map.

Leni has grasped a statuette of 'Justice' from an

endtable. She hammers his skull and flees.

CUT TO:

EXT. PARIS STREET - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

Leni runs desperately through the dark street. The

Clubfoot hobbles after her, his face streaming blood.
She dashes toward a waiting taxi.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina sits on the edge of the bed, hunched over, both

arms wrapped around his stomach.
Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 44.

MOLINA
The taxi races into the night.
Leni pulls something from her
pocket. It is Werner's name card.
What can she do? Trapped between
the Enemy and the Killer. And
now, she ... she...
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 45.

Page missing from script:

A page or part of a page of the only available US copy

is missing here. This situation is not unusual', many of
the scripts held in the libraries or files of major
studios and production companies have missing material,
a fact that clearly illustrates the expendability of the
screenplay once the true text, the film itself, has been
made.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 46.

DOCTOR
That's what they all say. Get
going.

MOLINA
But it's important.

DOCTOR
Yeah, it always is.

He motions for two guards to escort Molina away. They

do.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina lies on his bunk, looking much better. Valentin,

building his strength, does sit-ups on the floor, but is
still too weak to do many without resting.

VALENTIN
One thing I don't understand. How
can you pass out from an ulcer?

MOLINA
I'm no spring chicken, darling. I
don't have your strength.

VALENTIN
(resumes sit-ups)
Neither do I. But it's coming
back.
(pause)
Did the Doctor say anything else?

MOLINA
Forget the Doctor. Would you be
happy to see your woman come through
this door, in the middle of the
night?

VALENTIN
Of course.

MOLINA
So was Werner.
(MORE)
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 47.

MOLINA (CONT'D)
Leni comes through the door like a
goddess, her evening gown revealing
her heaving bosom and full-bodied
figure...

Valentin stops exercising and stares out the window at

the night.

VALENTIN
No. She's thin, with long legs.

MOLINA
Not in this movie. That's all in
your head.

VALENTIN
If you can "embroider" it, so can
I.

MOLINA
Okay. Her, uh, thin body trembles
at the sight of Werner, descending
the marble staircase.

CUT TO:

INT. CHATEAU - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

Werner descends from the mezzanine in his baroque chateau.

Leni stands next to the BUTLER in the vestibule.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Their eyes meet. Leni says, "My
best friend has been killed. I
need a place to stay."

WERNER
(to butler)
Prepare the guest room.

Werner takes her hand and leads her into the salon.

CUT TO:
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 48.

INT. SALON - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

The lavish salon is filled with monumental Nazi sculptures

and paintings. Leni gazes at them in the candle-light.
SOUND of "Sigfried" by Wagner.

WERNER
Your hand is trembling. Are you
cold?

LENI
This music is magical. I feel
like I'm floating on air.

They continue toward an immense portrait of Hitler,

flanked by Nazi banners.

WERNER
The waves of violins are like the
waters of the German River which
is navigated by a Man-God. A man
who fears nothing ... because his
love for his Motherland makes him
as invincible as a god.

Hitler's eyes sparkle in the candlelight, as if alive.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Valentin, amused, sits up.

VALENTIN
You got it backwards , Molina.
Germans always say Fatherland.

MOLINA
This is Mother's movie, and she'll
tell it her way.

CUT TO:

INT. WERNER'S SALON - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

Leni stares hypnotically at Hitler's portrait. Werner

stands behind her, as if whispering in her ear. The
Wagner music swells.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 49.

Propaganda film images are SUPERIMPOSED over their faces:

Olympic athletes with massive physiques carrying torches;
endless columns of virile youth marching in perfect order;
a mass rally standing at rigid attention.

WERNER
The German Resurrection is a
masculine endeavor.

LENI
What about the women?

WERNER
A woman who bears five children
for the Reich makes a greater
contribution than the finest
scientist.

SUPERIMPOSE images of Nazi military power: tanks, armored

vehicles, marching soldiers, cheering throngs.

WERNER (V.O.)
Our army will liberate the entire
world from inferiority and
imperfection. From the Jews, from
the Communists, from the Vatican.
Until everyone worships this god
as their rightful Leader.

SUPERIMPOSE a film of Hitler making a speech. Then a

film of Hitler kissing a child.

END SUPERIMPOSITION. Leni is entranced. She turns to

Werner with a tentative kiss. His eyes brim with tears.

LENI
Oh, Werner. You have the
invincibility of a god, but your
tears --

They kiss again.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina sits on his bed in a trance, his arms embracing

empty space.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 50.

MOLINA
(playing Leni)
Your tears are proof that you have
the feelings of a man...

Valentin, kneeling by the door, peers through the food

slot.

VALENTIN
Quiet! I can't hear.

He SEES: Guards returning the Prisoner across the

corridor. The Prisoner wears only shoes, blood-stained
underpants and the hood. He has the legs of an old man.
His skin is covered with welts and cigarette burns.

Valentin bangs on the door with his metal cup.

VALENTIN
Killers! Fascist Killers!

The SOUND of more prisoners joining the protest.

Valentin sees the shoes of one Guard facing his own

doorway. Suddenly a stream of urine splashes through
the food slot.

Wiping his face, Valentin jumps to his feet and kicks

the steel door.

VALENTIN
Motherfuckers!

The SOUND of the guards laughing as they leave.

Valentin, furious, spins around and hurls his metal cup

at Molina's head. Molina ducks. Valentin stalks towards
him.

VALENTIN
You son of a bitch! They're killing
one of my Brothers, and what am I
doing? Listening to your fucking
Nazi movie!

Molina clutches his pillow to his chest. Valentin rips

it from his arms and flings it aside.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 51.

VALENTIN
Don't you know anything? Don't
you know what the Nazis did to
people -- Jews, Catholics, Marxists?

MOLINA
What do you take me for, an even
dumber broad than I am? Of course,
I know.

VALENTIN
(raises fist)
You don't know shit. And your
movie don't know shit. You wouldn't
know reality if it was stuck up
your ass.

Molina retreats from the fist, his back hitting the wall.

MOLINA
So what? Why should I think about
reality in a stinkhole like this?
Why should I get more depressed
than I am?

Valentin backs away, his anger turning ice-cold.

VALENTIN
You're worse than I thought. You
just use these movies to jerk
yourself off. And you want to
jerk off on me.

Molina retrieves his pillow and clutches it again.

MOLINA
If you don't stop, I will never
speak to you again. Not even 'good
morning.

VALENTIN
Is that a promise?

MOLINA
How can you treat me like this?
I'm just a harmless old woman.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 52.

VALENTIN
You're no woman. You're just a
cheap imitation.

Molina throws the pillow at Valentin.

MOLINA
I am a woman. I have everything a
woman has and more.

Molina drops his pants.

VALENTIN
(points)
And what's that? A giant clitoris?

Furious, Molina grabs his genitals and reaches for a

spoon.

MOLINA
This is an accident. Get me a
knife and I'll cut it off.

VALENTIN
Go ahead. you'd still be a man. A
naked man in a prison cell, just
like the homosexuals who the Nazis
shoved in the ovens.

On the brink of tears, Molina scoops up his trousers to

cover his genitals.

MOLINA
Leave me alone.

Molina throws the spoon at Valentin's feet and slumps on

his bunk, his face to the wall. Tears spill from his
eyes.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Tears stream down Molina's face. He is in handcuffs,

following his mother as TWO INTERNS wheel her along a
hospital corridor. Her face is half-concealed by an
oxygen mask.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 53.

MOLINA
Mama, forgive me, I know it's my
fault. I've given you nothing but
sorrow. I'll be out soon, Mama,
and I'll take care of you.

She is wheeled into the Emergency Room. The door is

shut in Molina's face.

CUT TO:

EXT. MONTAGE OF THE CITY - DAY

The sky is dark with black clouds. Lightning streaks

across the skyline. The entire city is drenched in
pouring rain.

--- Rain inundates ships at the empty docks.

--- Torrents of rainwater gush along the streets of the

Bar District.

--- Backed-up sewers flood a chic avenue.

--- Three women run to a bus with their shoes in their

hands.

--- Water cascades down hills covered with slum shacks.

--- Lightning explodes above the Prison.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina sits on his bunk, his back to the wall, wrapped

in his blanket. One plate of food comes through the
lot.

Valentin keeps reading while he eats. Molina watches

him in silence. Lightning flashes outside the window.

MOLINA
I haven't seen my mother for so
long. I wonder how she is. If
she died, they'd have to inform
me, right?
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 54.

Valentin keeps on eating.

MOLINA
I can't stand the silence. Say
something. Anything.

Valentin says nothing.

MOLINA
Look, Leni didn't want to fall in
love with Werner, but she did.
Haven't you ever loved someone you
didn't want to love?

VALENTIN
Leave me alone.

MOLINA
I can't take this silence anymore.
I will tell my movie even if you
hate me.

CUT TO:

INT. CABARET DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

The room is empty. SOUND of applause.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Leni finishes her last song to
thunderous applause.

She enters and starts to undress. Then she sees the

Clubfoot in the dressing-table mirror.

CLUBFOOT
Your time is up. Where's the map?

Leni says nothing. The Clubfoot pushes aside a rack of

gowns, revealing a SCHOOLBOY bound and gagged.

CLUBFOOT
You've got 48 hours. Or your cousin
will die.

Leni offers the Clubfoot her jewel box.

 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 55.

LENI
Here, take it. Take anything.
Just leave us alone.

CLUBFOOT
You know what I want.

LENI
Why do you do this? You say you
are fighting for France, but
everyone you kill is French!

CLUBFOOT
I didn't start this. They send
our people to the gas chamber every
day. And who puts them on the
train? Your sweet lover!

LENI
That's a lie! He would never do
anything like that.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - DARK, DAY

Valentin lies on his bunk, his face to the wall. Molina,

wrapped in his blanket, gazes at the back of Valentin's
head.

MOLINA
You see, Valentin? I know who
Werner is.

Valentin rolls over, clutching his stomach. His face is

chalk-white.

VALENTIN
Get me some water.

Molina rushes to kneel beside Valentin's bunk.

MOLINA
What is it? What's wrong?

VALENTIN
I don't know. My stomach.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 56.

MOLINA
How does it feel?

VALENTIN
Like a bomb exploding.

MOLINA
Mother of God, the same thing I
had.

Molina goes to pour a cup of water.

MOLINA
But when I had it, you thought it
was a joke.

Molina returns with the water. Valentin sits up.

VALENTIN
I think it's the food.
(groans)
Prison food is crap, but this feels
like dead rats and maggots.

Molina hands him the water and walks to the door.

MOLINA
You must go the Infirmary right
now.
(pounds door)
Guard!

VALENTIN
No! Stop.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 57.

Page missing from script:

A page or part of a page of the only available US copy

is missing here. This situation is not unusual; many of
the scripts held in the libraries or files of major
studios and production companies have missing material,
a fact that clearly illustrates the expendability of the
screenplay once the true text, the film itself, has been
made.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 58.

MOLINA
It's okay. Go to sleep.

VALENTIN
What time is it?

MOLINA
Just go to sleep.

Valentin closes his eyes. Molina tenderly adjusts the

blanket.

CUT TO:

INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - DAWN

The guards are conducting the morning bed check. The

door ovens. We SEE Valentin, pale and gaunt, hanging
onto Molina's shoulder.

MOLINA
Lewis Molina!

VALENTIN
(whispers)
Valentin Arregui ...

Molina keeps him from falling. The door clamps shut.

CUT TO:

INT. WARDEN'S OFFICE - DAY

The warden's office is a spacious room overlooking the

Prison courtyard. The WARDEN, 42, wearing a tropical
business suit, watches Molina using the phone on his
large desk.

MOLINA
(teary-eyed)
Don't worry, Mama. Soon we'll be
home, and it'll be just like before.

The Warden checks his wristwatch.

WARDEN
Enough, Molina. You'll just make
her weaker.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 59.

MOLINA
Mama, I have to say goodbye.
(pause)
I love you too, Mama.

Molina hangs up the phone and starts to leave.

MOLINA
(wiping his eyes)
Thank you, Warden. God bless you.

WARDEN
She must be happy to hear you might
be paroled.

MOLINA
She said she sent me some food.
Do you know where it is?

WARDEN
We haven't seen it. I'm sorry.

MOLINA
Aren't you making a mistake with
Valentin?

WARDEN
That's not your worry, Molina.
Worry about your mother.

The Warden motions Molina to leave. He does.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

A single meal stands near the food-slot. Molina and

Valentin stare at the steaming bowl. Despite his pain,
Valentin goes to pick it up.

MOLINA
You shouldn't eat that garbage,
while you're sick.

Valentin sniffs the food and examines it closely.

 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 60.

VALENTIN
It looks okay. They've boiled it
for hours.

MOLINA
Are you sure?

VALENTIN
(sitting)
I'm famished. I've gotta get my
strength back.

MOLINA
What if it make you worse?

VALENTIN
I've got no choice.

Molina, feeling helpless, watches him eat.

VALENTIN
Tastes like dog piss.

MOLINA
So don't eat it.

VALENTIN
If it's another bomb, I hope it
blows this pig-sty to bits.
(indicates prison)
I'd like to see the whole damn
thing disappear from the earth
forever.

Molina leans forward with a smile.

MOLINA
How lucky you are, Cinderella.
Here is the fairy godmother who
will grant your wish. Her stories
can make anything vanish with a
poof.
(indicates prison)
Even this, my poor little Valentina.

VALENTIN
Don't call me Valentina. I'm not
a woman.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 61.

Molina eyeballs Valentin's crotch.

MOLINA
Well, I've never seen proof to the
contrary.

VALENTIN
And you never will.

MOLINA
Anyway... the Clubfoot had told
Leni that --

VALENTIN
Shit, don't you know any other
movies?

MOLINA
Not until I finish this one.

VALENTIN
Then cut it short. This one makes
me sick.

MOLINA
Don't worry, you'll like this part.

CUT TO:

INT. WERNER'S BEDROOM - DAY (NAZI MOVIE)

Leni awakes on silk sheets in a giant antique bed. She

reaches for Werner and realizes he is gone.

She notices the bedroom phone off the hook. Curious,

she steps to the window and picks up the receiver.

VOICE OF MOLINA
The mere sound of Werner's voice
makes her smile with adoration.
He is giving orders with crisp
efficiency. When she is about to
hang up, she hears him coldly order
the execution of a dozen French
freedom-fighters.

Leni drops the phone.

 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 62.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Her smile turns to horror. Her
sand-castle dreams are demolished
by a tidal wave of agony. The sad
beauty of her reflection in the
window is distorted by the raindrops
which resemble her tears. Suddenly,
Werner embraces her and proposes
marriage. Although she agrees,
her heart knows she can never love
a cold-hearted butcher. As he
wipes away her tears, she decides
to avenge her country by stealing
the map.

CUT TO:

INT. WERNER'S CHATEAU - DAY (NAZI MOVIE)

Werner hosts a gathering of German OFFICIALS and WIVES

in the glass-enclosed garden.

Leni is alone in Werner's adjacent office, singing at

the grand piano. As she concludes, the Germans applaud
for an encore.

Leni puts a record on the phonograph. The Germans, again

enraptured, are unaware that her performance is now a
recording. Quickly, Leni finds a key and unlocks Werner's
desk.

As she rifles through papers, Werner's old BUTLER

approaches the office. As he stops to adjust his watch,
Leni finds the map. She slips back to the piano and
resumes singing, just as the Butler enters the office.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina, acting the part of Leni, kneels at the foot of

Valentin's bed. As if playing a piano, he runs his
fingers along the metal frame.

MOLINA
As she plays the sad song, her
tears spill onto the piano keys.
(MORE)
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 63.

MOLINA (CONT'D)
The song grows more heart-breaking
as her hands tremble with the agony
of betraying the man she loved.

Valentin suddenly curls up with pain, then relaxes.

VALENTIN
Oh God... it's like nails being
hammered into my guts.
(pause)
That's better. Do me a favor and
stop all this crap about traitors
and betrayal.

Molina, shifting gears, opens his shirt in an effort to

make him laugh.

MOLINA
Leni's heart was beating so fast
that her swelling breasts popped
out of her low-cut gown. Like
luscious hors d'oeuvres on a silver
platter.

Molina uses his lipstick to draw a pair of breasts on

his chest. Valentin chuckles.

VALENTIN
Don't make me laugh. It hurts.

On his knees, Molina scoots around the bed to Valentin's

face.

MOLINA
Help yourself to a nice juicy tit,
senhor. Please have another. The
best places serve them in pairs.

Valentin breaks into laughter. Suddenly, his eyes snap

open in pain. He clutches his pants and nods at the
shit bucket in the corner.

VALENTIN
The bucket! Quick!

Molina dashes to get the bucket. Valentin struggles to

his feet and tugs at his zipper.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 64.

Diarrhea fills his trousers. Valentin collapses on the

floor, covering his face in shame.

VALENTIN
Oh no -- !

MOLINA
Are you okay? Holy Mary, what a
smell.

VALENTIN
(groaning)
I'm sorry. You can't imagine how
it hurts.

MOLINA
Of course, I can. Just let it all
out. It can't smell any worse
than it does already.

VALENTIN
(clenched fists)
God, I can't stand this.

Valentin trembles on the floor. Molina, seeing his anger,

stays a few steps away.

MOLINA
You've been through much worse, my
boy. You're the one always saying
take it like a man.

VALENTIN
But the shame. I hate it. I hate
myself.

Valentin unclenches his fists to hide his tears.

MOLINA
What's done is done. Just take
off your trousers and clean up.

Kneeling down, Molina slides off Valentin's soiled

trousers and underpants. He tosses them beside the shit-
bucket and grabs the short stack of folded toilet paper.

MOLINA
Here. Clean yourself.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 65.

Valentin struggles to remove the glob from his buttocks.

Molina wipes the brown liquid from his ankles.

Despondent, Valentin stops straining to reach behind his

back. Molina, taking over, cleans his thighs and buttocks
with maternal concern.

VALENTIN
(covering his
face)
Jesus, aren't you disgusted?

MOLINA
No, it breaks my heart to see you
like this. We're almost finished.
There. Now take off your shirt.
The shirttails are soiled.

Sitting up, Valentin removes his shirt. His back is

covered with black-and-blue welts. Molina pulls the
sheet from his own bed and moves to wrap it around
Valentin's naked body.

VALENTIN
No, it'll stink.

Tenderly insistent, Molina helps him struggle to his

feet.

MOLINA
Don't worry. My weekly shower is
tomorrow. I'll have everything
washed by noon. There you are,
just like a papoose.

Molina wraps the bed sheet around him like a toga and
helps him crawl back in bed.

MOLINA
Feel better?

VALENTIN
Yes, but I'm so cold.

MOLINA
I'll get you some tea.

Valentin, deeply touched, watches him pour a cup.

 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 66.

VALENTIN
You're very kind, honestly, I don't
know what to say.

MOLINA
This'll work wonders. Here.

Valentin takes the tin cup and points to the letter

protruding from his book.

VALENTIN
Thanks. Go ahead and read it. I
know you've been curious.

MOLINA
No, I detest politics. I only
read love letters.

VALENTIN
They've already censored the
Politics. It's from my girlfriend.

Molina scans the envelope and unfolds the pages.

MOLINA
Her name is Elsa?

VALENTIN
No, that's a false name.

MOLINA
Is her name Marta?

VALENTIN
Why do you say that?

MOLINA
That's what you mumbled in your
sleep.

VALENTIN
(worried)
What else do I mumble?

MOLINA
Nothing.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 67.

VALENTIN
Can you read her writing? She's
an architect. Pure bourgeoisie.
I'm such a bastard. I think I
only fell in love with her because
she's upper-class.

MOLINA
Love makes its own laws.

VALENTIN
So does the revolution. We could
only meet when there was a lull in
the struggle. Whenever I was forced
to leave, she suffered every day
until I got back. The same as I
am now.

CUT TO:

INT. MARTA'S APARTMENT - DAY (FLASHBACK)

MARTA, 28, is in bed, her face radiant in the sunlight.

The CAMERA PANS slowly down her nude body. Valentin is
kissing her side. As his hand slides down, her legs
slowly open.

VALENTIN (V.O.)
She wanted me to leave the movement.
But how could I do nothing when my
friends were disappearing, and the
military was destroying the last
freedoms we had left?

The lovers embrace. SOUND of the doorbell.

CUT TO:

INT. MARTA'S APARTMENT - DAY (FLASHBACK)

The front door is open with the safety chain locked.

Marta, in a bathrobe, addresses someone in the hall.

MARTA
No, we broke up. He never comes
here anymore. Please don't bother
me again.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 68.

As Marta closes the door, Valentin suddenly appears and

opens it.

VALENTIN
Rafael, is this really important?

RAFAEL
Yes.

It is the same Rafael from the next-door cell.

CUT TO:

INT. MARTA'S BATHROOM - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Valentin is brushing his teeth. Marta steps from the

shower and brushes her hair beside him. Valentin stops
and stares at her reflection.

CUT TO:

INT. MARTA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY (FLASEBACK)

They are eating breakfast on a glass coffee table. Marta

begins crying softly and tries to conceal it. Valentin,
deeply distressed, steps onto the terrace with his coffee
cup.

VALENTIN (V.O.)
We were trying to build a
relationship without exploitation.
But once again I made her suffer.
Once again, we argued. She, to
forget her fears. Me, to forget
my quilt.

Marta wipes her tears and joins him on the terrace.

VALENTIN
Come here. Kiss me. Things are
what they are. I'll be back in a
few days.

Marta moves forward to accept his kiss, then stops.

MARTA
Today I am crying, but never again.
I can't take any more of this.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 69.

Valentin embraces her.

MARTA
If you leave, don't come back.

AS they embrace, she begins crying softly on his shoulder.

Valentin's eyes brim with tears.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET -DAY (FLASHBACK)

Valentin walks through rush-hour crowds and approaches a

train station.

VALENTIN (V.O.)
I had to leave, but I knew she was
right. I didn't know how many
more days I would walk these crowded
streets ... Or how much longer I
could see these sad faces, all
these honest people plodding to
work in their worn-out suits.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAIN - DAY (FLASHBACK)

The CAMERA PANS across the tired faces of the COMMUTERS.

VALENTIN (V.O.)
I wondered why I was born in this
land where everyone became weak
and weary...

Valentin stares out the window at the passing slums.

VALENTIN (V.O.)
I wondered why our land was doomed
to so much misery and death. I
wondered if it would ever end.

THROUGH the train window: Beyond the slums are giant

factories. Xerox, Goodyear, Petrobras, Volkswagen,
Votorantin, Remington.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 70.

VALENTIN (V.O.)
As a journalist, I was always
hearing about the illegal arrests
and leaking this information abroad.
Although I no longer believed in
violence, my assignment was to
meet one of the last remaining
members of the armed opposition.
His code name was "Americo." He
needed my passport to leave the
country.

CUT TO:

EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Valentin steps onto the platform, looks around and

approaches an older man. AMERICO, 62, wears a worn-out
suit. They shake hands warmly.

VALENTIN
Are you okay?

AMERICO
A little tired.

VALENTIN
You should have left long ago,
Doctor Americo.

AMERICO
I don't know how to live anywhere
else.
(points down)
This is where I'm needed.

VALENTIN
I keep wondering if it's all worth
it -- when nothing changes.

AMERICO
My son, the main thing is to keep
trying. Or it will never change.

VALENTIN
But what have your guns
accomplished? Maybe our struggle
is just an impossible dream.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 71.

AMERICO
Maybe so. Maybe not. The only
thing that matters is never be
satisfied with things the way they
are.

A train enters the station. Valentin takes a brown

envelope from his pocket.

VALENTIN
Well, good luck. Here's the
passport. Take care of yourself.

They shake hands and Americo boards the train. As it

leaves, Valentin gets on the escalator.

VALENTIN (V.O.)
I wondered what kept him going. I
thought he was wrong, but I had to
respect him. I could see a candle
burning inside him that nothing in
the world could put out. I was
glad I could help him.

Reaching street level, Valentin steps from the station.

Parked nearby is a black car. Plain-clothes AGENTS jump
out with guns. Valentin tries to run but MORE MEN with
guns emerge from another car.

He stops and raises his arms. Grabbing him, they handcuff

his wrists behind his back and push him toward a truck.

Across the street, he SEES: Marta, Rafael and another

MAN are being pulled from a black car and shoved toward
the truck. Agents place a hood over Rafael's head and
shove him inside the truck.

Valentin, grief-stricken, gazes at Marta. As she returns

his gaze, Agents approach Valentin with a hood and put
it on. The SCREEN turns black.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Valentin lays in his bunk, wrapped in Molina's bedsheet.

He looks exhausted and depressed. Molina leans forward
from his own bed.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 72.

MOLINA
What happened to her?

Valentin stares at the ceiling in silence.

MOLINA
Where is she now?

Valentin covers his eyes with his hand.

VALENTIN
The letter doesn't say. I haven't
heard another word since that day.
(deep breath)
She's probably in prison. Totally
innocent. Her only guilt is loving
me. Loving this half-dead bastard
who made her suffer. I should
just go ahead and die.

MOLINA
Valentin, don't even say that.

Valentin covers his eyes with both hands.

VALENTIN
(tight-lipped)
Since my interrogation began,
there's been another kind of
torturer inside me, who keeps saying
this agony after agony is the last
thing I'll ever feel.
(chokes back tears)
I don't deserve to die in this
cell. I only confessed some code
names they already knew.

MOLINA
Just let it out.

VALENTIN
I can't take being a martyr, it
infuriates me. I don't want to be
a martyr...
(muffled sob)
I'll never see her again ... never
touch her, hold her ... my whole
life, a mistake.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 73.

Valentin finally uncovers his moist eyes. He looks at

Molina and extends his hand.

VALENTIN
Hold my hand.

Molina takes his hand and sits on the edge of the bed.

VALENTIN
I don't want to die, Molina. Don't
let me die.

MOLINA
You won't die.

VALENTIN
But look at me. What can I do?

MOLINA
Write her a letter. Tell her you
love her.
(standing up)
I'll get some paper. Tell me what
to say.

VALENTIN
"Dear Marta. Even if you never
receive this letter, please forgive
me ... " No, start over. "I have
no right to ask you to forgive me,
I love..." Start again.
(begins to cry)
I can't do it. I smell like a
sewer, my guts are on fire, my
skin itches all over.

MOLINA
You should take a bath. I'll warm
some water.

TIME CUT: The water basin is being heated on the small

kerosene burner. Molina's hands pick it up.

He brings it to Valentin's bed. Like a mother bathing

her child, Molina dips a cloth in the water and washes
Valentin's chest.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 74.

Valentin gazes at the shadows cast on the wall by the

burner. The camera pans to the flickering shadows.

VALENTIN (V.O.)
Look at the shadows on the wall.

MOLINA (O.S.)
Mmm, aren't they beautiful? I
always watch them.

VALENTIN (O.S.)
I'd never noticed.)

CUT TO:

INT. WARDEN'S OFFICE - DAY

The Warden leans back in his chair and watches the smoke
rise from his cigar. Molina stands in front of the large
desk.

WARDEN
Try to answer the question, Molina.
Have you heard anything at all?

MOLINA
No, sir. I can't rush it. If I'm
not careful, he'll get --

WARDEN
Don't worry, Molina. He'll never
get suspicious. That's why we
chose you.

Seated by a window is PEDRO, 26, an Undercover Agent

dressed like a grad student. He is the same Agent who
out the handcuffs on Valentin.

PEDRO
You're hiding something, aren't
you?

MOLINA
Me? Why would I do anything to
risk the pardon you promised me?
(almost in tears)
I nearly died of diarrhea.
(MORE)
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 75.

MOLINA (CONT'D)
That wasn't our arrangement. You
said the poison would be in the
new bowl, but the other bowl was
half-empty and he insisted I take
the full one. If I refused, he
would've become suspicious and --

The Warden pushes a Kleenex box across the desk.

WARDEN
We know, Molina. We're sorry it
happened. Have a seat.

Sitting down, Molina uses several tissues to wipe his

nose and dab his eyes.

MOLINA
How can you accuse me when you
know I almost died for you?

WARDEN
Cheer up, Molina. Your mother's
feeling a lot better since hearing
about your pardon. They told me
she's practically a new person.

Molina has to wipe his nose again. Pedro approaches.

PEDRO
What did Valentin say about his
cadre?

MOLINA
(puzzled)
His what?

PEDRO
His group. The movement. Who
they are, where they meet.

MOLINA
Nothing, sir. Not a word.

PEDRO
What does he talk about?
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 76.

MOLINA
Almost nothing. He gets weaker
every day. If eats gets any more
poison, I don't know what will
happen.

WARDEN
That's our business. Here.

The warden slides him a cup of coffee.

PEDRO
Did he show you the letter he got?

MOLINA
Yes, sir. It was personal. A
love letter.

PEDRO
Did you read the part about his
Uncle Americo?

MOLINA
Yes. He went to visit a farm or
something.

PEDRO
That's a code phrase, telling him
Americo has disappeared. How did
he react?

MOLINA
Nothing, sir.
(sips coffee)
So he was right. He knows that
you'd read it first. He told me.

PEDRO
Of course, you idiot. What did he
say about the new prisoner? The
one across the hall.

MOLINA
The one who's all messed up? He
went on and on about it. He says
no crime in the world justifies
that kind of treatment.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 77.

PEDRO
Did he tell you his name?

MOLINA
(puzzled)
Of course, sir. Valentin Arregui.

PEDRO
No, you idiot! The name of the
new prisoner!

MOLINA
(frightened)
Of course not. He's always wearing
a hood.

Pedro, furious, glares at the Warden.

PEDRO
Who put a hood on him?

WARDEN
(worried)
The guards. It's routine. He's
political.

PEDRO
Dammit, how do you expect him to
talk if he can't even see the
bastard's face?

WARDEN
It won't happen again.

Turning, Pedro sees Molina distracted by the remains of

last month's Christmas tinsel. Again it is difficult to
tell if Molina is really a fool -- or if, always an actor,
he sometimes plays the fool.

PEDRO
Molina. You remember when they
kidnapped the American Ambassador?
(Molina nods)
We looked like idiots in the foreign
press. We gotta know everything
they're planning. No matter how
small.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 78.

Pedro lifts Molina's chin and glares into his eyes.

PEDRO
As soon as he recognizes the old
guy across the hall, he'll spill
his guts. Remember every damn
word he says.

MOLINA
Yes, sir.

PEDRO
The quicker he talks , the quicker
you get out.
(steps back)
Now get back to work.

Molina stands up to leave, then hesitates.

MOLINA
One thing, Warden. He heard the
guard say my mother was visiting,
and I'd told him she always brings
me a bag of groceries.

The Warden checks with Pedro, then picks up his pen.

WARDEN
Okay, Molina. What does she bring?

MOLINA
Ah, wonderful. Let's see, two
roast chickens in butter, potato
salad, canned peaches, condensed
milk. Two boxes of tea -- one
regular, one chamomile -- uh, four
bars of toilet soap, a jar of
pickled herring. What else?
Blessed Mary, my mind's a blank.
Let me think ... æ°ß=8ß=

CUT TO:

INT. CELL DAY

A blanket, spread out on the floor, is covered with

culinary delicacies. Molina and Valentin are having a
picnic.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 79.

VALENTIN
(between bites)
I'm sure glad she's feeling better.

MOLINA
Yes, you mustn't eat prison food
anymore. At least not until you're
better.

Valentin keeps eating. Molina, beaming with delight,

hides something behind his back.

MOLINA
And now, la piece de resistance!
Close your eyes. Try to guess.

Valentin complies with a smile. Molina reveals a pastry.

VALENTIN
I have no idea.

MOLINA
Open your eyes.

VALENTIN
(beaming)
Baba au rum! I forgot such things
still exist.

Molina pulls it back, shaking a maternal finger.

MOLINA
Not so fast, young man. You can't
eat anything so rich until you're
better. I'll save it for you.

Valentin lights a cigarette and leans against the wall,

placing his face in the rectangle of sunlight from the
window. Molina slides beside him, leans back and rubs
skin cream on his sun-lit face.

MOLINA
(singing)
Wrinkles, wrinkles, go away.

VALENTIN
Ahhh. Good cigarettes, good food.
(MORE)
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VALENTIN (CONT'D)
I can't remember when I felt so
good. Only one thing is missing.

Molina, hands on hips, affects a theatrical pose.

MOLINA
Really! And they call me the
degenerate around here!

VALENTIN
(smiles)
No, I meant to wander the streets
and find a good movie.

MOLINA
Of course! Why didn't I think of
that!

VALENTIN
Your Nazi movie, how does it end?

MOLINA
I thought you hated it.

VALENTIN
Yeah, but I want to know how it
turns out, to study how they made
their propaganda.

MOLINA
Oh, stop complaining. Now, Leni
arranges to meet the Clubfoot in
an enormous museum filled with
dinosaur skeletons and...

CUT TO:

INT. MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY - DAY (NAZI MOVIE)

The Clubfoot, the Flunky and the hostage cousin wait

near a large window. As Leni approaches, her cousin
screams.

COUSIN
No, Leni! It's treason!
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 81.

The cousin grabs the Flunky and leaps out the third floor
window. People rush forward. In the confusion, Leni
flees with the map.

VOICE OF MOLINA
See what a good boy her cousin is?

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - DUSK

The sunlight is gone, but they still sit side-by-side

against the wall.

MOLINA
A real hero, huh?

VALENTIN
He double-crosses the freedom
fighters and you call it heroic?
The little shit is a Nazi
collaborator.

MOLINA
It's a movie. Don't take it so
seriously.

Valentin gets up and lays on his bed. Molina, acting

out Leni's role, reaches for his metal cup.

MOLINA
Racked with shock and guilt, Leni
returns to Werner's chateau. During
dinner, as he is noticing her cold
distance, she impulsively hurls
her wine glass across the room.

Molina flings his tin cup at the wall.

CUT TO:

INT. WERNER'S DININGROOM - NIGHT (NAZI MOVIE)

Molina's cup turns into Leni's broken goblet. She and

Werner sit at a majestic table.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 82.

LENI
(crying)
I refuse to love a man who is the
butcher of my country.

WERNER
Come with me and you'll understand.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina's FACE. He spins his tale in the candlelight.

MOLINA
Werner takes her to a government
archive of photos and documents
about famine throughout the world.
He shows her how the elite create
false shortages to enslave the
masses.

CUT TO:

EXT. NAZI HEADQUARTERS - DAY (NAZI MOVIE)

SUPER-IMPOSED on Molina's face: Leni and Werner exit

the headquarters, flanked by massive Doric columns and
Nazi flags.

MOLINA
From that moment on, Leni understood
Werner's mission to liberate
humanity from injustice and
domination.

END SUPER-IMPOSITION Molina's face. Leni and Werner

stand alone above the marble steps.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Leni begs him to forgive her and
promises to help ensare his enemies.

They embrace passionately. Nazi flags flap in the breeze.

CUT TO:
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EXT. FRENCH FARMHOUSE - DAY (NAZI MOVIE)

The Clubfoot's car drives through the rain to a small

farmhouse in a forest. He and Leni get out and enter
the house. Werner's limousine stops nearby.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Leni arranges a secret meeting
with the leader of the Resistance,
by insisting she will give the map
only to him.

CUT TO:

INT. FRENCH FARMHOUSE - DAY (NAZI MOVIE)

The LEADER studies the map in his upstairs office.

Smiling, he turns and violently slaps her face. She
lands on the sofa.

LEADER
This map is a fake.

As the Leader approaches, Leni shoves a small revolver

into his chest and fires point-blank. He drops to her
feet. She rushes down the narrow stairway.

From the top of the stairs, the Clubfoot shoots her in

the back. Werner appears at the foot of the stairs and
shoots the Clubfoot who topples forward.

Leni, gripping the railing, staggers down the stairs and

collapses in Werner's arms. His eyes fill with tears.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL NIGHT

Molina is in a trance. Valentin lights a cigarette with

the candle.

MOLINA
The last scene is in Germany, in
the magnificent Pantheon of Heroes.
Leni appears in a vision to Werner
and sings like never before.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 84.

VALENTIN
Yeah, in German.

MOLINA
She sings of her eternal love for
him and begs him not to cry, because
her sacrifice was not in vain.
The End.
(turns)
Well? Did you like it?

VALENTIN
No, but you're a pretty good
storyteller. Next time tell one I
like. I'm going to sleep.

Valentin blows out his candle. Molina smiles and blows

out the other candle.

CUT TO:

INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Two guards drag a limp body along the corridor. Making

excessive noise, they prop him against the wall and open
a cell door.

It is the tortured old man again, but without the hood.

It is Americo.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Valentin is on his knees at the food-slot. He SEES: The

guards' drag the old man into the cell and leave him on
the floor.

MOLINA
What's going on?

VALENTIN
(standing up)
That guy is Americo.

MOLINA
Who?
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 85.

VALENTIN
The man with my passport.
(turns away)
They don't know he's here.

MOLINA
Who doesn't know?

Valentin, depressed, leans back against the wall.

MOLINA
Please, Valentin. Maybe I can
help.

Valentin gazes into his eyes. Molina moves closer.

MOLINA
Next time my mother visits, maybe
I can get her to take out a message
for you.
(no response)
Tell me what to do. Don't you
trust me?

Molina waits. Valentin looks at the floor.

INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - DAY

A prison WORK CREW cleans out Americo's cell.

INT. CELL - DAY

Valentin wakes up. Molina is making tea.

MOLINA
Morning. Sleep well?

Valentin sits up and stretches.

VALENTIN
Great! Thanks to that food of
yours.
(glances down)
Turn the other way, will you?

MOLINA
Why?
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 86.

VALENTIN
Because you'll laugh.

MOLINA
At what?

VALENTIN
Something on any healthy man, that's
all. Especially when he first
wakes up and is getting stronger

MOLINA
A hard-on, well that's healthy.
(turns)
Should I close my eyes too?

Valentin grabs his trousers and tugs them on, then reaches
for his shoes.

VALENTIN
My legs are hardly weak at all.

MOLINA
Do you still have any dizziness?

VALENTIN
No, not a bit.
(looks up)
Hey, I missed breakfast. Why didn't
you wake me?

MOLINA
I told the guard not to bring
anything as long as our food holds
out.

VALENTIN
(stands)
Dammit, Molina, stop messing up my
life. I need my morning coffee,
even if it's made with dog piss.

Valentin kneels by the door and peers through the

foodslot. He SEES: prisoners tossing Americo's clothes
and effects in the trash cart.

VALENTIN
He's dead.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 87.

MOLINA
They already took him away. I
didn't want to wake you. I'll
make you some tea.

Valentin stands up, his face expressionless. Molina

takes a package from his grocery bag.

MOLINA
And now we open the little secret
I've been saving for our tea.
Marble cake!

VALENTIN
You eat it. I'm a prisoner, I'll
eat prison food.

MOLINA
Come on, let me spoil you a little
bit.

VALENTIN
Back off, Molina.

MOLINA
Don't take it out on me. It's not
my fault they killed your friend.

VALENTIN
You dam faggot! Shut up!

Valentin kicks the shit-bucket, which bounces off Molina's

arm and topples the small burner. Spilling kerosene
sends flames across the floor. Valentin grabs his blanket
and quickly puts them out.

VALENTIN
Jesus, I nearly ruined our stove.
(approaches)
Sorry, Molina. Did I hurt your
arm?

MOLINA
Don't touch me. Don't worry about
my arm. Understand?

CUT TO:
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INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - DAY

Two guards escort Molina down the hallway and open his
cell door. He carries a new bag of groceries.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - DAY

Molina puts down the bag and takes out a heart-shaped

box.

MOLINA
Look at the wonderful things Mama
brought me. Glazed fruit!

Valentin, watching him, remains silent on his bunk.

MOLINA
What's this? You don't like candy?

VALENTIN
About this morning... about my
temper, I'm really sorry.

MOLINA
Nonsense.

VALENTIN
It wasn't even you I was mad at,
but now I've been thinking maybe I
am mad at you.

MOLINA
Why?

VALENTIN
Well, because you're so kind. I
don't want to feel obligated to
treat you the same way.

Molina approaches and opens the heart-shaped box of candy.

Valentin motions for him to stop.

MOLINA
(sing-song)
"Unable to take, unable to give."
(MORE)
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 89.

MOLINA (CONT'D)
(offers candy)
Just save me the pumpkin ones.
They're my favorite.

As Molina watches Valentin choose one, we hear Molina's

voice but his lips do not move.

VOICE OF MOLINA
Everyday he opens up more and more
with me.

NOTE: We leave and return to the candy in the cell as

Molina recalls his latest meeting with the Warden.

CUT TO:

INT. WARDEN'S OFFICE - DAY

The curtains are drawn. Molina faces the large desk.

MOLINA
(continues)
Just give me a few more days. I'm
sure I'll get the information.

The Warden and Pedro approach.

PEDRO
If you don't, he'll have to be
interrogated again, and thoroughly.
You understand my meaning?

MOLINA
Yes, sir.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - DAY

Valentin and Molina sit on Valentin's bed with their

backs against the wall. The heart-shaped box is between
them.

MOLINA
Well, that anyone involved in a
struggle the way you are, you're
(MORE)
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 90.

MOLINA (CONT'D)
not supposed to become attached to
any friends.
(Valentin nods)
See, sometimes I really do
understand what you tell me.

VALENTIN
(indicates cell)
But in this case, there is no
struggle, no fight to win. The
oppressors are out there.
(indicates door)
In here, no one oppresses the other.
So there's no reason for us to be
controlled by all the things wrong
with the world, all the things I
want to change.

MOLINA
(nibbling candy)
I don't follow you.

VALENTIN
Look, here we are, two of us locked
up ail alone, so when it comes to
our relationship, how should I put
it? we could make any damn thing
out of it we want.

INT. WARDEN'S OFFICE - DAY

Molina faces the Warden and Pedro.

MOLINA
He's too weak to be tortured, and
if he drops dead, we all lose out.

WARDEN
So make him talk.

MOLINA
Well, there might be a way to speed
this up... it's hard to say...
it's just a hunch...
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 91.

WARDEN
(exasperated)
Say it straight, Molina! If we're
not straight with each other, we
won't get anywhere.

MOLINA
You know inmates, sir. When a
cell-mate leaves, they feel all
sentimental and helpless. Well,
he's gotten a bit attached to me,
so if he thinks I'm being released,
he's bound to open up and talk.
Get a few things off his chest.

WARDEN
(to Pedro)
What do you think?

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

The heart-shaped box is almost empty. The dim lightbulb

is on. They are still seated on Valentin's bed.

VALENTIN
Like I said, the problem for me is
that -- through exhaustion or
conditioning or whatever -- I can't
take someone being nice to me
without asking anything in return.

MOLINA
Well, if I'm nice, it's because I
want your friendship, and, why not
say it?... your affection. The
same as I want to be good to my
mother who's never harmed anyone,
and who takes me for what I am and
loves me. It's like a gift from
heaven, and the only thing that
keeps me going, the only thing.
And you too are a very good person,
very selfless and devoted, risking
your life for a noble ideal, ready
to die even in here for what you
(MORE)
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 92.

MOLINA (CONT'D)
care about. Am I embarrassing
you?

VALENTIN
Yeah, a little.

MOLINA
So that's why I respect you and
like you, and hope you feel the
same way about me. I really admire
you, so I want us to always be
friends.

VALENTIN
Sure.

MOLINA
The reason I wanted to get this in
the open is that I might be leaving,
because I just heard that I may be
paroled.

VALENTIN
When?

Molina puts his hand on Valentin's shoulder.

CUT TO:

INT. WARDEN'S OFFICE - DAY

Pedro paces the room, then approaches Molina's chair.

PEDRO
Okay, do it. Tell him you're up
for parole, so we're changing your
cell in 24 hours.

MOLINA
Yes, sir.

WARDEN
I'll tell you something
confidential, Molina. We're being
pressured right from the top.
From the Ministry itself.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 93.

MOLINA
Blessed Mary, what a responsibility.

WARDEN
That's right, and this is your
last chance, so get going. You
got 24 hours.

MOLINA
One thing, sir. You can't catch a
fish without bait. I need more
food to set the hook.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

Molina still has his hand on Valentin's shoulder.

MOLINA
They'll probably move me to another
cell in 24 hours. My lawyer says
that's the procedure.

Valentin turns away. Molina goes to his grocery bag.

MOLINA
I don't want to get my hopes too
high. You want a baked apple?

VALENTIN
No, I've lost my appetite. I guess
I should be happy, but uh -- I
don't know.

Molina sits on his own bed.

MOLINA
Yes, all I wanted in life was to
get out of here and take care of
my mother. Everything else came
second, but now that my wish might
be granted...

Valentin sits up on the edge of his bed.

 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 94.

VALENTIN
Be happy, dammit. I'd give anything
to get out.

MOLINA
But is it fair?

VALENTIN
What?

MOLINA
That I always end up with nothing.
That I don't have anything truly
my own in life.

VALENTIN
You've got your mother.

Molina gets up and sits beside him.

MOLINA
Listen, though. She's already had
a life and lived it. She had a
husband and a son, but I'm still
waiting.

VALENTIN
At least she's still alive.

MOLINA
But so am I. When is my life
supposed to begin? When do I strike
it lucky and have something for my
own?

VALENTIN
Right now. You just got lucky,
you're probably getting out. Take
advantage of it.

MOLINA
And do what? Hang out with my
friends, a bunch of silly old queens
like me? Have a few laughs until
I can't stand the sight of them,
because they're a bunch of mirrors
that send me running for my life?
(MORE)
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 95.

MOLINA (CONT'D)
(almost in tears)
My life of waiting for nothing.

The lights are turned off. They sit in the darkness

SOUND of Molina choking back his sobs.

VALENTIN
Maybe you'll feel better if you
tell a movie.

No answer. The camera moves toward Molina's face in the

darkness. He finally clears his throat and begins.

MOLINA
Once upon a time, on a tropical
island far away, there lived a
strange woman ...

CUT TO:

EXT. TROPICAL ISLAND - DAY (SPIDER MOVIE)

A narrow beach stretches between the ocean and the dense

Jungle.

VOICE OF MOLINA
She wore a long sleek dress of
silver lame that fit her like a
glove. But the poor thing couldn't
move through the jungle forest,
because she was caught in a giant
spider web which grew from her own
body.

The camera slithers past lush plants and exotic creatures

until we SEE, barely visible in the dense foliage, the
SPIDER WOMAN in her web.

VOICE OF MOLINA
One day a shipwrecked man drifted
onto the beach.

The SHIPWRECKED MAN topples out of a water-logged rowboat

onto the sandy beach.

CUT TO:
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INT. TREE HOUSE DAY (SPIDER MOVIE)

The Spider Woman kneels beside the man who is sleeping

on a bed of palm leaves.

VOICE OF MOLINA
She fed him and cared for his
wounds. She nourished him with
love and nursed him back to life.

The man awakes and looks up at her. The Spider woman

wears a mask.

VOICE OF MOLINA
When he awoke, he gazed up at the
Spider Woman and saw a perfect
tear slide from under her mask.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - NIGHT

The lush junge foliage blends with Valentin's face in

the darkness. Only one candle is lit.

VALENTIN
Why is she crying?

Molina, playing the Spider Woman, is on the brink of

tears.

MOLINA
I don't know. Why do you always
need explanations?
(sad sigh)
I'm tired, Valentin. Tired of
suffering. You're not the only
one they've hurt. You don't know,
I hurt so much inside.

VALENTIN
Where does it hurt you?

MOLINA
In my throat and shoulders. Why
does the sadness always jam up in
the same spot?
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 97.

Valentin moves closer to massages his shoulders. Molina

tightens up.

MOLINA
Please.

Don't touch me.

VALENTIN
Can't a friend even pat your back?

MOLINA
It makes me feel worse.

VALENTIN
Why?

Molina, dropping his many masks, speaks with stark

vulnerability.

MOLINA
I've fallen in love with you. I'm
sorry, Valentin. I wish it hadn't
happened.

VALENTIN
I understand, Molina. Don't be
ashamed.

Both are silent. Valentin finally speaks with difficulty.

VALENTIN
Can I touch you?

MOLINA
if it doesn't disgust you.
(pause)
I'd like you to.

Valentin wraps his arm warmly around Molina's shoulders.

MOLINA
Can I touch your scar?

VALENTIN
Sure.

Molina gently caresses the scar near his eyebrow.

 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 98.

MOLINA
You're so kind to me.

VALENTIN
No, you're the one who's kind.

Valentin stands and removes his shirt, then moistens his

fingers and squeezes out the candle.

The cell is dark. The camera lingers on the candle-spark

amid whips of smoke.

MOLINA (O.S.)
I'm squeezed against the wall a
little that's better.
(pause)
No, wait, let me lift my legs.
(pause)
I can't see at all, not at all.

VALENTIN (O.S.)
It's better if it's quiet.

MOLINA (O.S.)
For a moment I felt so strange,
like I wasn't me anymore. As if
somehow... I was you.

The spark has faded. The screen is BLACK.

CUT TO:

INT. CELL - DAY

Valentin sips tea in bed. Molina is making breakfast.

MOLINA
My friends and myself, we don't
put much faith in each other,
because we're so easily scared and
wishy-washy, and we're always
waiting for a more serious
friendship. With a man, of course.
We're normal women. We sleep with
men.

VALENTIN
And all homosexuals are that way?
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 99.

MOLINA
No, some fall in love with each
other, but that's strictly for
homos, not queens
(pause)
Let's not discuss this. Let's not
talk about anything. Just for
this morning I'm asking.

VALENTIN
Why?

MOLINA
Because I feel happy, really happy,
and I don't want to spoil it. The
best thing about feeling happy is
that you think you'll never feel
unhappy again.

VALENTIN
I don't understand this very much,
but there's something I want to
say.

MOLINA
I'm listening.

VALENTIN
If you enjoy being a woman, well,
you shouldn't feel any less because
of it.

MOLINA
You say the nicest things.

VALENTIN
(firm)
I mean it. Don't let yourself be
scared or exploited.

CUT TO:

INT. WARDEN'S OFFICE - DAY

A bright lamp shines on Molina's face. The rest of the

office is dark.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 100.

PEDRO
(seething)
You shit-face motherfuck. Talk!

MOLINA
(terrified)
He's not human ... he's like a
graveyard ...

Pedro grabs Molina's shirt and shakes a fist in his face.

PEDRO
Graveyard? If you don't talk,
you'll be a graveyard. I'll bury
your pussy under six feet of chicken
shit.

Molina's mouth begins to tremble, then his whole body.

The warden pulls a chair beside him in the circle of
light.

WARDEN
Let me handle him.
(leans close)
Look at me, Molina. Are you afraid
his group will shoot you? Is that
it?

MOLINA
No sir. I want to help you.

WARDEN
So what did he say?

MOLINA
Nothing.
(wipes tears)
Wouldn't it be worse if I made up
something that wasn't true?

WARDEN
I'll have to move you to another
cell, Molina.

The warden steps out of the circle of light.

 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 101.

MOLINA
Please, sir. Don't do that. As
long as I'm with him, there's still
hope that he'll talk.

Pedro, with a sudden kick, sends Molina and the chair

sprawling on the floor.

PEDRO
You faggot piece of shit! You
fell in love with that motherfucker!

WARDEN
Okay, Molina. You can go.

Molina struggles to his feet and wipes his eyes.

WARDEN
Get your things ready. You're
leaving today. Here, the Ministry
approved your parole.

The Warden hands him the document and leads him to the
door. Molina kisses the Warden's hand.

MOLINA
Oh thank you, sir. Thank you.

WARDEN
And no more hanky-panky with the
little boys.

MOLINA
Oh no, sir. I swear.

Molina leaves. The Warden shuts the door.

PEDRO
You watch, that stupid cunt will
lead us right to the bastards.

WARDEN
I hope so. You never know what
those damned queers will do.

CUT TO:
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INT. CELL - DAY

Molina is packing his small suitcase. Valentin hovers

nearby.

VALENTIN
But there's no risk at all.

MOLINA
Don't be crazy. I can't do it.
I'm too weak, Valentin.

VALENTIN
All you have to do is give them a
message. From any public phone.

MOLINA
No! Please. Don't tell me any
names, phone numbers -- nothing.
I'm terrified of the police.

Valentin thinks a moment.

VALENTIN
You're right. It's not fair to
drag you into this. Forget it.

MOLINA
I swear to you, Valentin, my only
desire is to stay here with you.

Molina closes the suitcase.

VALENTIN
Take care of yourself, Molina.

MOLINA
Valentin, the only two people I've
ever loved are my mother and you.

VALENTIN
It's gonna be hard to fall asleep
without your movies.

MOLINA
And every time I see glazed candy,
I'll think of you.
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Molina places the suitcase on the floor.

MOLINA
Valentin. I want to ask you for
something you've never done. Aside
from the fact that we've done much
more.
(pause)
A kiss.

Valentin is taken by surprise.

VALENTIN
Okay. But first promise me
something.

MOLINA
I told you, I can't. I'm sorry.

VALENTIN
No, no. Promise that you'll never
let anyone humiliate you again,
that you'll make them respect you
that you never let anyone exploit
you. No one has the right to do
that to anyone.

MOLINA
(deeply moved)
I promise. Thank You.
(pause)
Valentin?

VALENTIN
What? The kiss?

MOLINA
No. The phone number

VALENTIN
You're wonderful, Molina.
Wonderful.
(moves closer)
Wait a few days. Dial two times
and hang up. The third time, tell
them...

Valentin whispers in his ear. Molina nods twice.

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Valentin looks in his eyes, then kisses him tenderly on

the mouth, then passionately. They lock in a warm
embrace. SOUND of guards approaching.

VALENTIN
Good luck, Molina.

The door opens. Molina picks up his suitcase and the

heart-shaped box, then steps into the corridor and glances
back. The door is slammed shut.

CUT TO:

EXT. PRISON GATE - DAY

The electronic gate opens. A guard with a machine-gun

escorts Molina across the courtyard and through the final
check-point to the street. Molina lingers for a last
look at the massive prison walls.

CUT TO:

EXT. CELL - DAY

Valentin, gripping the window bars, pulls his face into

view.

VALENTIN
Rafael! Can you hear me?

The camera moves to the next window, revealing that Rafael

has hung himself.

VALENTIN (O.S.)
Rafael! Are you okay?

CUT TO:

EXT. PRISON GATE - DAY

Molina boards a bus. As it drives away, a BLACK SEDAN

pulls out of an alley and follows.

CUT TO:
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INT. BUS - DAY

Molina, sitting among kids and housewives, stares out at

the slum neighborhood. A samba band of costumed dancers
is rehearsing for the Carnival.

CUT TO:

EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - DAY

Molina nervously crosses a tree-lined avenue of fast-

moving cars and is nearly run over. Safe on the sidewalk,
he stares at a red phone booth, then notices the black
sedan parked behind him and walks on.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Molina follows a nurse through the hospital corridor to

a 60-bed charity ward. He slowly approaches his mother,
then sits on the bed and holds her hand.

MOLINA
Mama. I told you the time would
fly. I'm back, Mama.

He kisses her lovingly on the forehead. She finally

recognizes him and smiles weakly.

MOLINA
Now everything will be like before.
You'll be better soon, and we'll
go home.

She touches his face.

CUT TO:

EXT. BAR DISTRICT - NIGHT

Molina, dressed in his best, strolls past the bars and

prostitutes. He sees the black sedan reflected in a bar
window. He enters a neon-lit cabaret.

CUT TO:
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INT. CABARET - NIGHT

Molina crosses the smoke-filled room to a table of MIDDLE-

AGED HOMOSEXUALS near the tiny stage. They explode with
elation, embracing him with campy flair and showering
him with gossip.

GROUP VOICES
-- Louisa, darling!
-- Miss thing, where have you been?
-- I hate to dish, but you've put
on weight.
-- Wait till you hear who Carmen's
living with.

The commotion causes the Transvestite on stage to stop

singing. It is Greta. He uses the microphone to address
the crowd.

GRETA
Dearest fans, I'd like to welcome
home a cherished sister, who
sacrificed lordknows-how-many
precious nights to pay a stupid
debt to a hypocritical society.

Molina, embarrassed, sits among his friends.

GRETA
Now that she's back with us, I
dedicate my next song to her.

Loud cheers and applause. Molina timidly half-rises in

acknowledgment. As Greta begins to sing, Molina appears
touched.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOLINA'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

The black sedan is parked across the street. Seated

beside the driver is Pedro. His lips do not move, but
we hear him filing a police report. He lifts his
binoculars and stares at Molina in the window.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 107.

PEDRO (V.O.)
Subsequent surveillance reveals
that the suspect has left his
residence only once since release.
Suspect has answered no phone calls,
has not returned to work, and has
seen no one, with the exception of
a single visit to his mother in
the hospital. He seems withdrawn
and depressed, and spends
approximately one hour each
afternoon staring out a window
facing south.

Molina remains motionless at the window. His sad eyes

gaze across the city rooftops at the distant prison.

CUT TO:

EXT. RESTAURANT PATIO - DAY

Molina, unshaven and unkept, sits at his regular table

on the patio. Gabriel serves him coffee.

GABRIEL
You sure you won't eat something?

MOLINA
Just coffee.

GABRIEL
Do you want to talk? Is something
wrong?

Molina sips his coffee and glances at the black sedan

nearby.

MOLINA
No, I just can't see you for awhile.
I'm going away.

GABRIEL
When will you be back?

MOLINA
(glances at sedan)
I don't know.
(MORE)
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MOLINA (CONT'D)
Just leave me alone.

CUT TO:

INT. MOLINA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Molina gazes out the window from his armchair. The

phonograph plays the same sad BOLERO from his Mexican
movie. He checks his wristwatch, then gets up and leaves,
locking the door.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Molina enters a Phone booth. Twice he dials a number,

lets it ring and hangs up.

Swirling around the booth is a mob of Carnival merrymakers

in phantasmagoric costumes. The third time, he speaks
into the phone.

MOLINA
I have a message from Valentin
Arregui.
(pause)
Yes, a pay phone
(glances around)
I think I lost them in the crowd.
(long pause)
Is that necessary?
(short pause)
Okay. I'll be wearing a red scarf.

He hangs up and disappears in the mob.

CUT TO:

INT. BANK - DAY

The BANK TELLER looks askance at Molina's appearance.

TELLER
You don't have to close your
account. There's no Penalty if
you maintain a minimum balance of --
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MOLINA
(leaving)
Thank you.

He slips the money in a brown envelope.

EXT. PARK - DAY

Molina meets Greta by the duck pond.

GRETA
Darling, what's happened to you?
I've called five million times.
Carnival is finally here, and look
at you! And now you feed me this
dish about a trip?

MOLINA
Greta, darling, I trust you. Please
trust me. I know what I'm doing.
(hands brown
envelope)
For Mama. This will take care of
her while I'm gone. Please.

GRETA
All right, I'll handle it. Wherever
you're going, it's probably for
the best. But please, Louisa, at
least take a bath.

CUT TO:

INT. MOLINA'S BATHROOM - DAY

Molina steps from the steamy shower, checks his wrinkles

in the mirror and dabs shaving cream on his face.

CUT TO:

INT. MOLINA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Molina, dressed in his finest, scrutinizes himself in a

full-length mirror. He is clean shaven and immaculately
groomed. He carefully adjusts a red scarf around his
neck. Finally satisfied, he leaves his apartment.

CUT TO:
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INT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Molina sits beside his sleeping mother.

MOLINA
Mama, you look so beautiful.
(whispers)
You remember, Mama, when I was
little and you'd come into my room
to kiss me good-night.
(kisses her cheek)
I always pretended to be asleep,
but I was waiting for your kiss.
Although you're sleeping now, I
know you understand me.
(touches her face)
It's time for me to take care of
my own life. You do understand,
don't you, Mama? Please don't be
sad.

A NURSE approaches.

NURSE
She's been in a coma for two days.

MOLINA
I know. Leave us, please.

He kisses his mother on the forehead.

CUT TO:

INT. BLACK SEDAN - DAY

The black sedan creeps through dense carnival throngs.

Pedro, straining, watches Molina thread his way through
the crowd.

PEDRO (V.O.)
Subsequent surveillance reveals
the suspect has engaged in a number
of erratic activities. One, suspect
executed a power-of-attorney to a
homosexual cabaret singer known as
Greta, who is now under
investigation.
(MORE)
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PEDRO (V.O.) (CONT'D)

Two, suspect sent a letter to a
waiter, Gabriel Montes, who has
been picked up for interrogation.
Three, suspect closed out his bank
account...

PEDRO
spots Molina turning into a shopping
arcade.

CUT TO:

EXT. ARCADE - DAY

Molina runs along the mall and ducks into a boutique.

Looking in a display mirror, he SEES: the black sedan
stops at the arcade entrance; one MAN gets out; the car
drives away.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET - DAY

The street is a cacophony of fire-crackers and Samba

bands. Molina pushes through dancing throngs in their
exotic costumes. A costumed STREET PEDDLER tries to
badger him.

PEDDLER
Take home a Grate-All for the little
lady! The great Grate-All grates
anything -- cheese, soap, potatoes,
even your mother-in-law.

Molina pushes an to the edge of the plaza.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLAZA - DAY

Molina sees a young woman step from a car across the

plaza. He hurries forward. She kisses the driver who
pulls away.

Molina stops at the plaza fountain, wipes the sweat from

his face and scans the crowd.
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A taxi stops near the fountain. The two passengers are

a YOUNG MAN and YOUNG WOMAN. They smile and wave for
him to approach.

Molina stens forward nervously. He leans toward the

window and sees the Young Man holds a pistol.

YOUNG MAN
Who are you?

MOLINA
I have a message from Valentin.

YOUNG MAN
Get in. Quick.

Molina grabs the doorknob. But the Street Peddler,

leaping forward, plows him aside and thrusts a revolver
in the window.

The Young Man fires two quick shots, twisting the Peddler
sideways and slamming him to the pavement. Molina
stumbles into the stunned crowd.

The taxi bolts away. Undercover Agents rush forward and

shoot rapid-fire at the taxi careening through horrified
merrymakers.

CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEY - DAY

Molina, limping, hurries along the dark alley. Pedro

and three Agents round the corner and chase him with
their guns drawn.

PEDRO
Stop! Molina!

Bystanders scatter. Molina keeps moving. Pedro

rapidfires three shots. Molina blasted twice in the
back, plunges to his hands and knees. Pedro dashes to
catch up.

Molina, gasping, struggles to his feet and staggers along

the dark wall to the sun-lit street.
 Converted to PDF by www.screentalk.org 113.

Pedro's Agents swarm forward and hustle him into the

backseat of a black sedan. As Pedro jumps in, the car
lurches away.

CUT TO:

INT. BLACK SEDAN - DAY

Molina moans on the backseat floor. Pedro straddles his

waist and shouts in his ear.

PEDRO
The phone number. Tell me the
number and you go to the hospital
I As Pedro shakes him, Molina spits
up foamy blood.

PEDRO
The number! Talk, you fucking
fag! Tell me that number!

Molina looks calm. All NOISES fade away. The only SOUND
is his sad bolero and his quiet voice.

VOICE OF MOLINA
What have they done to you,
Valentin?

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY

A dog sniffs a pile of slum rubbish. Tires screech; a

car door flings open; a body tumbles onto the rubbish.

The car roars away. The dog returns and sniffs the
corpse. It is Molina.

VOICE OF VALENTIN
What have they done to you, Molina?

CUT TO:

INT. PRISON INFIRMARY - DAY

Valentin, delirious, lies on a cot in the small first

aid room. His face is swollen with bruises. His chest
is disfigured by third-degree burns.
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A male INTERN approaches with a hypodermic needle.

INTERN
It's morphine. It'll make it hurt
less, so you can get some rest.
Nod your head if you want it.
(Valentine nods)
Okay, count to forty. Listen,
don't tell about this or I'll lose
my job. God, the way they worked
you over, it's barbaric.
(finishes)
There. It'll ease the pain in
just a minute and you'll be able
to sleep.

VOICE OF VALENTIN
Twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one,
thirty-uh... thirty...

Valentin smiles slightly. His arm, folded to hold the

cotton-ball, slumps down. His hand is clasped by a
woman's hand.

VOICE OF MARTA
Valentin, don't be afraid.

VOICE OF VALENTIN
Marta.

Her hand tugs his toward the door.

CUT TO:

INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - SURREAL

The prison corridor, like a long tunnel, is strangely

dark with a door of glowing light at the end.

The shadowy nude silhouettes of Valentin and Marta move

toward the light.

VOICE OF MARTA
Come, Valentin, come with me.
Don't be afraid. You won't wake
up in a cell.
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The light is filtered through dense jungle plants. Marta

leads him out the door into the foliage.

CUT TO:

EXT. JUNGLE BEACH - DAY

Their silhouettes push through the shadowy leaves. It

is the same jungle that was in Molina's movie about the
Spider Woman.

VOICE OF MARTA
Hurry, Valentin. They won't find
you here.

VOICE OF VALENTIN
But Molina is dead.

VOICE OF MARTA
Don't be sad, my love. Only he
knows if he died sad or happy.

Still holding hands, they emerge from the jungle and see
the beautiful sun-lit beach with the water-logged rowboat.

Their silhouettes run across the beach into the ocean.

They embrace in the water.

VOICE OF VALENTIN
Don't leave me.

VOICE OF MARTA
Nothing can separate us now.

VOICE OF VALENTIN
Oh how much I love you. That's
the one thing I've never said,
because I'm so afraid of losing
your love forever.

VOICE OF MARTA
That will never happen here. This
dream is short, but this dream is
happy.

They kiss again, then gaze at the sparkling horizon.

THE END