LOST IN TRANSLATION
Written by
Sofia Coppola
Shooting Draft
Lost in Translation, Inc.
September 2, 2002
FADE IN:
EXT. NARITA AIRPORT - NIGHT
We hear the sound of a plane landing over black.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S ROOM - NIGHT
The back of a GIRL in pink underwear, she leans at a big
window, looking out over Tokyo.
CUT TO:
Melodramatic music swells over the Girl's butt in pink sheer
underwear as she lies on the bed.
TITLE CARDS OVER IMAGE.
LOST IN TRANSLATION
INT. CAR - NIGHT
POV from a car window - the colors and lights of Tokyo neon
at night blur by.
CUT TO:
In the backseat of a Presidential limousine, BOB (late-
forties), tired and depressed, leans against a little doily,
staring out the window.
P.O.V. from car window- We see buildings covered in bright
signs, a billboard of Brad Pitt selling jeans, another of
Bob in black & white,looking distinguished with a bottle of
whiskey in a Suntory ad... more signs, a huge TV with perky
Japanese pop stars singing.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK HYATT - NIGHT
Bob's black Presidential (looks like a 60's diplomat's car)
pulls up at the entrance of the Park Hyatt, a modern sky
rise.
The automatic doors open on the car, as Bob gets out. Eager
BELLHOPS with white gloves approach at the sight of the car,
welcoming Bob and helping him with his bags.
CUT TO:
INT. PARK HYATT - NIGHT
Bob stands in the back of a crowded elevator surrounded by
Japanese businessmen below his shoulders.
The elevator stops at the 50th floor and the doors open onto
the massive, streamline lobby of the Park Hyatt.
Bob follows the JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN out into the marble and
glass lobby that frames the view of Tokyo.
The CONCIERGE and several eager HOTEL MANAGERS greet Bob. He
just wants to sleep, but more STAFF continue to greet him,
ask him about his fright. They lead him to reception.
INT. HOTEL RECEPTION - NIGHT
At the reception area four JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN and two WOMEN
quickly sit up from their seats on sight of Bob, and extend
handshakes and gifts. They bow and introduce themselves from
the commercial company, extend name cards and welcome him
enthusiastically.
More staff welcomes him and offer their service during his
stay.
One of them presents a fax that has come for him.
INSERT -
"TO: BOB HARRIS
FROM: LYDIA HARRIS
YOU FORGOT ADAM'S BIRTHDAY.
I'M SURE HE'LL UNDERSTAND.
HAVE A GOOD TRIP, L"
He doesn't know what to do with it, and stuffs it in his
pocket.
The commercial people tell him when they'll be picking him
up, and ask if he needs anything else.
Some JAPANESE ROCK STARS with shag haircuts and skinny leather
pants pass by. Each commercial person has to shake Bob's
hand before leaving.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Bob sits on the end of the bed in a too small hotel kimono.
INT. PARK HYATT BAR - NIGHT
Bob sits at the bar. A few minutes pass as he sits in silence
looking around, drinking a scotch. Chet Baker sings "The
Thrill is Gone" over the stereo.
We see Bob's POV of tables of people talking. JAPANESE WOMEN
SMOKING, AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN tying one on, talking about
software sales. A WAITER carefully setting down a coaster,
and pouring a beer very, very slowly. It's all very foreign.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB'S HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
The automatic hotel curtains open, pouring light into the
room.
CUT TO:
INT.HOTEL BATHROOM - DAY
Bob gets in the shower overlooking the view of Tokyo. The
shower head is at his elbows, he raises it as high as it
goes, and leans down to have a shower. This hotel was not
designed with him in mind.
CUT TO:
INT. STUDIO - DAY
Whiskey commercial shoot.
The set is full of activity as the JAPANESE CREW work. Bob,
in a shawl collared tuxedo sits at a European style bar set
with a cut crystal glass of whiskey. A JAPANESE GIRL quickly
powders his face as they adjust lights and the DIRECTOR and
crew speak in hurried Japanese.
The Director (with blue contact lenses) says a few long
sentences in Japanese.
TRANSLATOR, a middle-aged woman in a coordinated outfit,
translates but it is only a short sentence now.
TRANSLATOR
He wants you to turn, look in camera
and say the lines.
Bob wonders what she's leaving out, or if that's the way it
works from Japanese to English.
BOB
That's all he said?
TRANSLATOR
Yes, turn to camera.
Bob thinks let's just get it over with.
BOB
Turn left or right?
The Translator blots her face with a tissue, and asks the
director in a Japanese sentence 5 times as long. The Director
answers her in a long excited phrase.
TRANSLATOR
Right side. And with intensity.
BOB
Is that everything? It seemed like
he was saying a lot more.
The excited Director says more in Japanese. Translator nods
in understanding. Bob doesn't really know what's going on.
TRANSLATOR
Like an old friend, and into the
camera.
DIRECTOR
(to Bob))
Suntory Time!
They get ready, and roll camera:
Bob turns and looks suavely to the camera:
BOB
For relaxing times, make it Suntory
Time.
The Director yells something about ten sentences long. The
translator nods.
TRANSLATOR
Could you do it slower, and with
more intensity?
BOB
Okay.
The Translator answers for him in four sentences.
ON THE MONITOR - we see the next take: the moody lighting
shines on Bob, the camera gets closer as he stares into camera
and gives them the line.
BOB
For relaxing times, make it Suntory
Time.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOKYO - NIGHT
Shinjuku High rises sparkle.
INT. PARK HYATT BAR - NIGHT
Tall glass walls show the neon and high-rises of the city.
A sad and romantic Bill Evans song plays. Bob sits alone
with a scotch at the bar.
Some drunk AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN, with their ties thrown over
their shoulders recognize him.
BUSINESS GUY
Hey- you're Bob Harris- you're
awesome, man.
ANOTHER BUSINESS GUY
Yeah, I love Sunset Odds! BOB Oh,
Ok, thanks.
BUSINESS GUY
Man, that car chase-
Bob nods.
INT. BOB'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Bob comes back to his room. The maids have left everything
perfect, his beige bed is turned down, and the TV has been
left on to a channel playing a montage of flower close-ups
in nature while sad violin music plays. It's supposed to be
relaxing, but it's just sad.
CUT TO:
Bob lies in bed. He flips through TV channels from the remote
control. He passes a Japanese game show, to an 80s Cannon
Ball run-type movie with him in it dubbed into Japanese. He
turns it off as he hears a knock at the door.
He goes to the door, and opens it part way.
WOMAN (O.C.)
(Raspy Japanese voice)
Mr. Harris?
BOB
Yes?
WOMAN
Mr. Kazuzo sent me.
BOB
Oh?
WOMAN
Can I enter?
He pauses, then opens the door.
A WOMAN in her forties in a short tight leather mini skirt
and stockings comes in. She is wearing '60s style make-up.
Bob sits on the bed not sure what to do as he watches her.
Bob's POV - We see her back to us as she puts a CD on the
stereo - it begins to play: Serge Gainsberg and Brigitte
Bardot sing "Bonnie & Clyde". The woman turns slyly around
and shimmies over to Bob.
WOMAN
(as she tries to
undress him)
Mr. Harris?
BOB
Yes?
WOMAN
Do you like massage?
BOB
I don't think so.
WOMAN
Mr. Kazuzo send Premium Fantasy.
She pushes him back onto the bed. He hesitates, but then
goes along with it passively.
WOMAN
My stockings.
BOB
Yes?
WOMAN
Take them.
He fumbles with her stockings, trying to do as she says.
WOMAN
No - Lip them... Don't touch me!
He takes his hands back confused.
WOMAN
Lip my stockings!
He backs away, as he tries to understand her.
WOMAN
Lip them!
She throws her leg up to him on the bed.
BOB
Huh?
She pantomimes ripping them. He finally understands.
BOB
Oh, you want me to rip them?
He pulls at her stockings trying to rip them, but they just
snap.
She pretends to struggle.
WOMAN
Please let me go!
He pulls his hands away. She grabs them and puts them back
on her, and keeps struggling dramatically. They wrestle around
awkwardly, her pretending to try to get away, but not letting
him go. She rips her stockings and falls off the bed in fake-
defense.
WOMAN
Let me go!
She pulls a confused Bob down on top of her. He doesn't know
what she wants.
She rips another stocking and pins him on the ground. He
tries to crawl away, she grabs his leg and trips him. He
grabs a nearby table leg as he falls, the lamp crashes to
the floor, the room goes black.
BOB
I think you should leave.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL RESTAURANT - DAY
In the harsh sunlight of the big windows Bob eats breakfast
alone. Next to him is a table of TEXANS in cowboy hats. At
another table a JAPANESE COUPLE in sunglasses chain smoke
and drink coffee.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ELEVATOR - DAY
Bob gets into the ded elevator. He is stopped momentarily by
the Concierge who asks him if everything is fine for his
stay.
In the elevator Bob's surrounded by JAPANESE BUSINESSPEOPLE
and a FAMILY dressed for a wedding.
Across, at the other side of the elevator he sees CHARLOTTE,
a pretty Ivy-league girl in her mid-twenties, and the only
other Westerner in the elevator. Her honey-colored hair stands
out in the crowd.
She's looking at him like you do when someone new comes in
the elevator, but the Japanese look straight ahead at the
elevator doors.
Charlotte and Bob look at each other across the Japanese
heads. She smiles, from one foreigner to another. The door
opens and she gets out with the crowd. Bob watches her leave.
MISS KAWASAKI
Mr. Harris
He is approached by a group of eight excited people from the
commercial company there waiting to take him.
PRESS AGENT
(as they are on their
way)
We just got a request from Tanabe
Mori-he is the Johnny Carson of Japan!
It is a big honor to be invited to
his show.
Bob feigns enthusiasm briefly.
MISS KAWASAKI
Can you stay until Friday?
BOB
I'll have to see about that.
CUT TO:
INT. PHOTO STUDIO - DAY
Bob's back is to us as a MAKE-UP ARTIST is putting some final
touches on him. The PHOTOGRAPHER is giving her enthusiastic
direction in Japanese. Bob talks on his cell phone, not paying
attention to the make-up artist.
BOB
Can you get me on a flight Thursday
night?
ELAINE (O.S.)
We're looking into it Bob, but they
really want you to stay to do that
talk show Friday, apparently it's a
really big deal, he's the Johnny
Carson of Japan.
BOB
Yeah, they told me.
ELAINE (O.S.)
These people are paying you a lot,
do you think you could consider it?
BOB
Just get me out of here as soon as
you can.
ELAINE (O.S.)
Ok, you're scheduled to leave
Saturday, but we'll hold a seat
Thursday in case, but first class is
full, you're waitlisted for an
upgrade... there might be a seat on
Lufthansa...
BOB
Oh, great. I'll talk to you later,
bye.
He hangs up. The make-up artist dusts him with powder.
The commercial people are crowding around. Bob's chair is
swivelled around and we see him in his tuxedo, wearing too
much make-up and some weird looking eyeliner.
In front of a grey backdrop, moody lighting is being adjusted
and Bob is handed a bottle of Suntory.
small documentary crew moves in on Bob with a video camera-
the camera man is tilting the camera at his face in arty
dutch camera moves.
The agency people crowd around. The photographer is excited
and urges Bob to do dumb poses, he won't do.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Can you put hands close to face.
The photographer demonstrates a dramatic pose with his hands
at his face.
BOB
Urn, I don't think so. How bout I
just hold the bottle.
The photographer starts shooting. Bob obviously hates the
whole thing, what you do for money.
CUT TO:
INT. PARK HYATT BAR - NIGHT
Bob, still in his tuxedo and make-up from the shoot, sits
alone having a drink. A JAZZ BAND FROM SAUSALITO performs.
The SINGER is a middle-aged woman with red wavy hair, dressed
in red, and takes her singing very seriously. She sings a
slow version of "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme".
C.U. - a golden beer is poured very slowly.
Bob drinks his scotch, hoping it will all go away.
Across the bar, Charlotte sits with JOHN, her husband (he is
in his late twenties and sloppy in a fashionable way), and
some FRIENDS - super stylish, weird Japanese fashion people
(all smoking). One of them, CHARLIE, in a shiny suit, keeps
taking pictures, and showing them magazine layouts.
JAZZ SINGER
Thank you. We're glad to be here,
we're Sausalito.
Charlotte laughs and looks down, the Japanese audience clap
very seriously... she and Bob catch eyes - about Sausalito
and how weird it is there.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR - LATER
The mirrored elevator doors close and Bob sees himself close-
up in the elevator's mirrored walls - noticing the heavy
makeup and weird eyeliner from the shoot which he had
forgotten about. He looks at himself.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Charlotte lays close to her young husband, John. She looks
to see if he's awake, but he's sleeping soundly. She leans
her chin on his shoulder.
CHARLOTTE
Are you awake?
He doesn't answer.
CHARLOTTE
John?
He grumbles something, opens one sleepy eye to look at her,
and grabs her under the covers. He kisses her.
JOHN
Go to sleep.
He holds her close, but she can't sleep.
CUT TO:
Charlotte sits on a ledge looking out at the big buildings.
The sun is starting to come up. Below she watches cars going
places.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Bob lies in bed awake. The clock says 4:20.
The in-room fax machine is making noise as a fax rolls in.
Bob looks at the fax machine but doesn't get out of bed.
The fax curls and falls to the floor.
CLOSE ON FAX -
"BOB-
YOU DIDN'T TELL ME WHICH SHELVES YOU WANT IN YOUR STUDY.
PLEASE PICK ONE OUT AND LET ME KNOW. I'M HAVING LOTS OF
QUALITY TIME WITH THE CONSTRUCTION CREW. HOPE YOU'RE HAVING
FUN THERE. LOVE, L"
Three pages of shelf diagrams follow.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL GYM - NIGHT
The gym is empty except for an old man vacuuming. Bob passes
piles of little towels and bottles of water. He takes a water
for his workout.
He approaches an exercise machine and puts the water in the
drink holder of the machine. He looks at the lit-up
instruction panel'99 it is all in Japanese.
He pushes a button, and the machine starts beeping, then a
soothing woman's voice recites instructions in Japanese.
He gets on it, and sinks. He tries to make the arms and foot
peddles coordinate. He pushes a button and it starts moving
too fast. In an upward rotation he tries to reach the control
panel, but is not fast enough. The soothing woman's voice
continues instruction.(she occasionally includes an English
word- gently, gently...vigorous) He tries to keep up
with it, and tries again to push the right button to slow it
down, but the machine steps starts going swiftly backwards
instead.
CUT TO:
INT. PARK HYATT LOBBY (GROUND FLOOR) - DAY
The agency group wait for Bob. They stand up as he approaches
from the elevator, trying to mask a slight limp.
BOB
(everything's fine)
Good morning.
Miss Kawasaki notices his limp with concern as they leave
the hotel.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIBUYA STATION - DAY
Charlotte gets out at shibuya station, a crowded neighborhood
filled with neon, ads, and people.
She looks up at the huge intersection as tons of JAPANESE
PEOPLE wait to cross the street, no one steps forward until
the cross-walk light changes, and all of them cross.
A TV screen covering a building plays commercials.
She roams around the narrow streets, crowded with stylish
JAPANESE KIDS, tan SCHOOLGIRLS pass her.
CUT TO:
Charlotte wanders down a crowded street, looking around.
On a small side street she stops at a little park. She watches
a JAPANESE MAN AND WOMAN together:
CHARLOTTE'S POV -
C.U. The man reaches his hand to the back of the woman's
neck, and leans in close. The woman smiles at him, in love.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
John is sound asleep. Charlotte is awake next to him. She
looks at the clock - it's three a.m.
She slides close to him, kisses his mouth. He grumbles
something in his deep sleep, and rolls over.
She goes to the couch, stepping over camera equipment.
She looks at the fruit basket, decides to try an apple. She
has a piece but isn't really hungry.
She reaches over some proof sheets and looks at a magazine,
but she's already looked at it a few times before. She decides
to go downstairs.
CUT TO:
INT. PARK HYATT BAR - NIGHT
Bob sits alone at the bar. Charlotte sits down a seat away
from him, lost in his thoughts, he doesn't see her until he
turns and finds her next to him. They look at each other. A
young BARTENDER with a sweet face tends to them.
BARTENDER
What can I get you?
CHARLOTTE
I'm not sure.
BOB
(line from commercial)
For relaxing times, make it—
BOB & BARTENDER
'Suntory time'!
Charlotte smiles at him sympathetically
CHARLOTTE
What are you doing here?
BOB
My wife needs space, I don't know my
kids ' birthdays. Everyone wants
Tiger Woods, but they could get me,
so I'm here doing a whiskey
commercial.
She looks at him.
CHARLOTTE
Oh.
She lifts a cigarette, he lights it for her.
CHARLOTTE
I'll just have a beer.
He makes small talk about the pickled seaweed breakfast and
jet lag, they commiserate about having not slept in days.
BOB
What about you? Why are you here?
CHARLOTTE
My husband's here for work-he's a
photographer- and I just came
along...I'm not really doing anything
right now, and we have some friends
who live here.
BOB
How long have you been married?
CHARLOTTE
Two years.
BOB
Try twenty-five.
CHARLOTTE
You're probably just having a mid-
life crisis. Did you buy a Porche?
BOB
I'm thinking about it.
CHARLOTTE
25 years... that's a long time...
Are you still in love with your wife?
BOB
Yes... I don't know, I don't know
her anymore. I don't know if you can
be in love with one person the whole
time. I was... actually I was in
love with her sister first, when I
was twenty-one. And one day her sister
said to me she wanted to move to
Paris, so I said okay, and she said
no, she wanted to move to Paris with
Francois, and she's still married
to him. And I moved in with Lydia...
but I always really liked Lydia.
CHARLOTTE
(amused with too much
info)
Oh.
BOB
What do you do?
CHARLOTTE
I'm not sure, yet... I graduated
last spring.
BOB
What did you study?
CHARLOTTE
Philosophy.
BOB
Oh, what do you do with that?
CHARLOTTE
I don't know, but I can think about
it, a lot.
BOB
It takes a while to figure it out.
I'm sure you will, though.
CHARLOTTE
Thanks. I'm sure your mid-life crisis
will work out,too.
BOB
Thanks.
They clink glasses.
CHARLOTTE
I wish I could sleep BOB Me, too.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY
The hotel is filled with business people. A dressed up FAMILY
is going to lunch. We follow a jet-lagged Charlotte and John,
as they walk down the lobby hall.
An energetic blonde actress, KELLY, pops up to them. (She's
carrying a copy of Memoirs of a Geisha.)
John, who was holding Charlotte's hand, drops it.
KELLY
John! What are you doing here?
JOHN
I'm just here shooting this band,
what about you?
KELLY
Promoting that action movie I did...
She does a karate chop and laughs.
KELLY
...doing like twenty million
interviews a day... It's soo good to
see you. How long are you here for?
JOHN
We're here for the week. I'm shooting
in Osaka for a few days.
KELLY
It's amazing there!
JOHN
Have you met Charlotte? My wife.
KELLY
No! Hi! So great to meet you!
CHARLOTTE
Hi, nice to meet you.
KELLY
You know, John, you're my favorite
photographer, I only want to be shot
by you.
Charlotte looks at John.
JOHN
Uh..thanks.
KELLY
(as she fans out her
top)
Sorry if I have the worst B.O., I've
been sweating in this little room
with T.V. lights for hours...
Kelly, giggling and acting all too comfortable with herself,
is eating up all the oxygen around them.
JOHN
Oh no...
KELLY
(with a big smile)
...Well, I have the worst headache,
I have to go find some aspirin. But,
call me, let's have a drink, I'm
under Evelyn Waugh.
Kelly giggles. Charlotte smirks.
JOHN
Ok, see you later.
And Kelly and her make-up artist and publicist are off. John
and Charlotte continue.
CHARLOTTE
Evelyn Waugh?
JOHN
What?
CHARLOTTE
Evelyn Waugh was a man.
John shrugs.
JOHN
Oh, c'mon, she's nice. Not everyone
went to Yale.
Charlotte shoots him a look.
JOHN
Its just a pseudonym, it doesn't
matter.
CHARLOTTE
Why do you have to defend her?
JOHN
I'm not, but do you have to point
out how stupid everyone is.
CHARLOTTE
No, I thought it was funny. Forget
it.
His producer comes up to them. John puts his arm around
Charlotte, kisses her, everything's fine.
PRODUCER
(looks at his watch)
We should get going.
JOHN
OK, I'll see you later.
He kisses her on the cheek, and is gone.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Charlotte walks into the empty hotel room. C.U. - Charlotte's
feet as she clips her toenails.
CUT TO:
C.U. -Charlotte's hand by an ashtray, writes in a journal.
CUT TO:
Charlotte looks in a mirror, trying on an unfinished scarf
she's knitting. She checks the length on herself.
CUT TO:
Charlotte sits on the big window sill checking her messages
on the phone.
CHARLOTTE (O.S.)
(voice mail recording)
Hi, leave a message...
We hear the # key as Charlotte hits it to interrupt the
message.
VOICE MAIL
You have eighteen new messages. Press -
She hits a button.
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
Hi Charlotte, I don't know if you're
in town... but I'm having a birthday
party for my dog, Louise, tomorrow
night, at my house around eight...
She pushes a number to delete the message.
MOTHER (O.S.)
fabulous time in Japan! How exciting,
and hope you and your adorable husband
are enjoying it...I was sitting next
to Cathryn Myles last night at this
dinner and she was telling me about
her daughter who had this awful
boyfriend and a messy break-up and
how hard it is,and now she's single
and wants to start a family, I'm so
glad that you're settled, and not in
that situation. Anyway, call me
when you have a chance, I'm trying
to put Thanksgiving plans together,
whether we want to go skiing or.
Daddy wants to stay home and have it
here, which might be easier with
Lauren and the children, but let me
know what your feelings are, I do
hope you and John can make it. Call
me, I love you.
Charlotte pushes a button.
VOICE MAIL (O.S.)
Charlotte hangs up
CUT TO:
Charlotte lies on the bed, in the knit scarf and underwear
She's doing a quiz in a magazine:
"ARE YOU HAVING A MID-TWENTIES CRISIS?
ARE YOU FATIGUED?
DO YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHERE YOUR CAREER IS GOING?
DO YOU HATE MOST PEOPLE?"
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL POOL - DAY
An Olympic pool is framed by tall glass walls with the Tokyo
view. Bob is handed a swim cap and goggles.
Bob watches a Japanese BUSINESSMAN swimming, he looks like
an over-grown baby.
Bob swims laps in the pristine pool.
He continues his laps. Under water he sees the jumping legs
of MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN.
A disco mixed tape starts, and above water we see a WESTERN
INSTRUCTOR in tight shorts leading an aqua-aerobics class to
the group of WOMEN, They jump up and down to Sister Sledge.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL SPA - DAY
Bob walks past the rows of lockers to the Sauna room.
He sits in the sauna, two HOTEL GUESTS speak German in the
corner.
Bob comes out from the sauna, red and sweaty.
CUT TO:
Bob submerges in the cold water of a small pool in the sauna
room, having a moment of relief.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S ROOM - DAY
Charlotte lies on the floor with big headphones on, listening
to a book on tape. After a corny music intro, a very serious
scholar man's voice speaks clearly :
DR. KENGARD (0.S.) Did you ever wonder what your purpose in
life is? This book is about finding your soul's purpose or
destiny. Every soul has its path, but sometimes that path is
not clear. The acorn theory is an example of each soul
beginning with an imprint....
Charlotte tries to get into it, but can't get past feeling
like a loser listening to a self-help tape. She looks at the
doctor's photo on the audio-book box, he's bald, in a
turtleneck and glasses.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL - DAY
Charlotte follows a JAPANESE FAMILY in formal dress out of
the elevator onto the mezzanine level. She wanders down a
big hall.
She sees an open door and steps in the crowded room, which
is in the midst of a press conference. Cameras flash as Kelly,
with wide eyes, behind a table, answers questions
enthusiastically.
KELLY You know, barbecuing, and yoga, and I love taking my
dogs, Buster and Lulu, for walks on the beach... and it was
great learning karate for "Midnight Racer" - I did all my
own stunts!
The JAPANESE JOURNALISTS seem excited by her answer.
Kelly throws a Karate punch for a PHOTOGRAPHER.
SWEATY JOURNALIST
What was it like working with Keanu
Reeves?
KELLY
It was great. I've known him for a
while now- you know we both live in
L.A. We both have dogs...
Charlotte walks out.
INT. HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY
Charlotte continues down a hall, she stops at an open door
and peeks in.
A quiet group of JAPANESE WOMEN are gathered around a table.
Charlotte goes in, as she gets closer she sees they are being
instructed in Ikebana floral design. Each woman has a little
vase and elegant flower cuttings. She watches as they
delicately arrange the tiny flowers.
The INSTRUCTOR hands Charlotte a vase and cuttings. Alongside
the women, Charlotte tries to follow along.
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL - BATHROOM
Charlotte reclines low in the bathtub staring off. She can
see mount Fuji in the distance.
The audio tape plays on the stereo.
DR. KENEGARD
(dry & monotonous)
Plato's text calls this image the
"paradeigma". So the lot is the
image that is your inheritance, your
place on earth, all compacted into a
pattern that has been selected by
your soul before you even got here-
or better said, that is always and
continually being selected by your
soul,because time does not enter the
equation of myth.-
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - EVENING
With her back to us, Charlotte looks out the big window.
John comes up and kisses her.
CHARLOTTE
How'd it go today?
JOHN
Good...I'm tired.
He hugs her for a moment, leaning on her.
JOHN
I gotta go meet Kelly for a drink
downstairs. She wants to talk about
some photo thing.
CHARLOTTE
Ok. Maybe I'll walk down with you.
JOHN
You wanna come?
CHARLOTTE
Sure.
JOHN
(doesn't really want
her to)
Ok.
CUT TO:
INT. PARK HYATT BAR - NIGHT
At a corner table Charlotte sits with John, Kelly, and DJ
CLEAN, a skinny kid in a sweatshirt, on tour in Japan.
Charlotte is bored while Kelly talks on.
Sausalito performs in the background.
KELLY
...My Dad was anorexic.
CHARLOTTE
(she's never heard of that)
Really?
John shoots Charlotte a look.
KELLY
(very serious)
He was on the American side at the
Bay of Pigs, in Cuba, and he was
taken prisoner, and they tortured
them about their food the whole time.
BENZO
Where?
KELLY
My dad fought on the American side
at the Bay of Pigs. So, when he was
a prisoner, they would tell them
they had put poison in their food
and they would make themselves throw
up... and when he got back, he did
better, but he still has food issues.
He has to have really clean food.
And really simple. He can't just go
have, say, Chinese food.
JOHN
(trying)
Oh, that's too bad.
Charlotte ashes her cigarette in a clean ashtray, and she
watches as it is quickly replaced with a new one by a WAITER.
BENZO
(nodding at the view)
How crazy is this shit?
CHARLOTTE
Yeah, it is.
DJ Clean starts doing a human beat box at her.
Charlotte looks over at Kelly.
KELLY
...Oh my god you have to try it,
this power cleanse is amazing- it's
lemon juice and grade B maple syrup
and cayenne pepper for seven days.
Just like a half a teaspoon of
cayenne. The first few days you're a
little scattered, but by day four -
it's amazing... my eyes were so
white...
Charlotte excuses herself.
She passes Bob who sits at his usual spot at the bar, as she
is leaving.
CHARLOTTE
Hi again, how's it going?
BOB
Who do I have to fuck to get off
this planet?
Charlotte laughs with sympathy, but doesn't know what to
tell him.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
John sleeps soundly (turned away from her), Charlotte can't
sleep. She turns on the T.V. to a crazy local T.V. variety
show.
CUT TO:
INT BOB'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Bob can't sleep, he watches the same show on T,V.
He flips the channel- it's an old black & white Japanese
movie of a man committing Hari Kari.
FADE IN:
EXT. TOKYO - MORNING
Charlotte finds her way down a narrow street in an old section
of Tokyo.
She turns a corner and finds a square with what she was
looking for.
CUT TO:
EXT. TEMPLE - DAY
The sun shines over a beautiful old temple. Birds chirp,
Charlotte approaches and goes inside.
CUT TO:
INT. TEMPLE - DAY
Charlotte stands in the back and watches a ceremony.
A ROSHI speaks in Japanese, monks chant. It's all very
foreign. Charlotte tries to feel something.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - AFTERNOON
Charlotte sits on the bed talking to John who's coming out
of the bathroom, getting ready to go to work. He checks
himself in the mirror, CHARLOTTE Am I shallow?
JOHN
No, what are you talking about.
CHARLOTTE
I went to a temple today and I didn't
feel anything.
JOHN
That's ok.
He looks for his mobile phone.
CHARLOTTE
I don't know what to do.
JOHN
That's ok, you'll figure it out.
He comes close and kisses her.
CHARLOTTE
You smell weird.
JOHN
What?
She leans back to look at him.
CHARLOTTE
Like popcorn?
JOHN
I got some hair stuff.
She looks at him funny.
CHARLOTTE
Hair stuff?
JOHN
I gotta go to work.
He grabs her, kissing her good-bye, she wraps her him, when
his cell phone rings.
JOHN
I'll be right down...I'm just
leaving...ok.
He kisses her, and leaves.
JOHN
See you later.
CHARLOTTE
Bye.
CUT TO:
She makes a call. We see her back and hair, as she looks out
the bright window.
CHARLOTTE
Lauren?
LAUREN (O.S.)
Charlotte?! How's Tokyo?
CHARLOTTE
It's cool... but,I don't know... I
went to a shrine today and all these
little monk's were chanting... and,
I didn't feel anything... I even
tried ikebana, ... and John's using
hair products... I don't know who
I—.
Lauren's Call-waiting beeps, cutting off her sentence.
LAUREN
Oh, wait, can you hold on one sec?
CHARLOTTE
Sure.
Charlotte waits.
LAUREN
Sorry about that, what were you
saying?
In the background a baby starts crying.
CHARLOTTE
Oh, it's nothing... I better go,
I'll talk to you later.
LAUREN
Ok, have fun there, you're so lucky
you don't have any kids yet and you
can go off to Japan... call me when
you get back.
CHARLOTTE
Ok, bye.
She hangs up. She sits there for a moment, starting to cry,
she wipes the tears, trying to make them go away.
CUT TO:
INT. SUBWAY - AFTERNOON
Tokyo goes by out the window. Charlotte looks at the PEOPLE
on the crowded train. A sweaty BUSINESSMAN blots his face
with a little handkerchief. Another older BUSINESSMAN reads
an erotic comic book.
INT. SUBWAY STATION - AFTERNOON
Charlotte looks up at the many signs, trying to figure out
which way to go, but they are all in Japanese characters.
Confused, she chooses the west exit.
EXT. STREET - AFTERNOON
Charlotte walks down a little street in a quiet neighborhood.
She stops at a window of a portrait studio and looks at all
of the wedding portraits. They are very formal and retouched,
Japanese brides and grooms dressed in a Western old-fashion
style.
CUT TO:
EXT. ARCADE - DAY
Charlotte looks through the window as a tan Japanese boy,
tries to win a stuffed animal for his girlfriend.
INT. ARCADE - AFTERNOON
In a crowded arcade, Charlotte watches some kids play Dance
Revolution, a video game where you dance along to cues on
the
light-up floor. One BUSINESSMAN in a suit is really good and
into it.
She sees a sushi chef game where you have to cut an electronic
fish.
She looks at a firefighter game, and rows of plexi boxes
filled with some little character dolls you try to win.
CUT TO:
INT. GALLERY BOOKSTORE - DAY
Charlotte looks at the shelves of books she passes, she flips
through some books.
She walks over to a small gallery space and goes up to the
wall to see the small photos.
They are of tied-up, partially naked Japanese school girls,
one girl is spanking another one with a stuffed animal. She's
making a face of ecstacy.
Charlotte looks at it, not getting it.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIBUYA - DAY
Charlotte stands alone on a side street, smoking a cigarette
and watching the CROWDS go by.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIBUYA - DAY
Charlotte walks up a little street filled with shops.
She stops at a window of cute underwear that she.looks at.
She goes into the shop.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
51C.U. Charlotte's lips. She puts watermelon color lipstick
on.She looks at herself in the mirror in her new underwear.
CUT TO:
We hear the shower running in the bathroom.
Charlotte decorates the room, putting up some paper cherry
blossom decorations.
She goes over to the bed and stubs her toe on it, as she
flops down.
CHARLOTTE
Ouch.
She holds her toe, annoyed with her klutziness.
John talks to her from the shower.
JOHN (O.C.)
At the fitting, they had all these
rock n roll clothes, the label guys
kept saying lock n loll, though, but
the band doesn't look tough at
all...they look better just skinny
and nerdy, like how when they came
in...they looked so uncomfortable in
these Keith Richards clothes, they
should just be like they are, don't
you think?
She's drifted off.
CHARLOTTE
Yeah.
JOHN
Yeah, I think you're probably right...
because when you try to...
He gets out and is rushing to get his stuff together to go.
Charlotte's lounging on the bed in her new pink underwear.
She tries her scarf on that she's been knitting.
CHARLOTTE
Do you think it's done?
JOHN
I don't know.
He goes to get all his stuff together.
He passes an ashtray with cigarette butts in it.
JOHN
Will you please stop smoking?
CHARLOTTE
But I like to... and I don't smoke
that much.
JOHN
Its bad for you.
CHARLOTTE
Ok, I will... later.
He picks up a camera from a table in the corner. He looks at
the self-help audio book box.
JOHN
A Soul's Search: Finding Your True
Character and calling? Is this yours?
CHARLOTTE
Oh... that's nothing, someone gave
it to me.
JOHN
You don't have to be embarrassed.
CHARLOTTE
I'm not. It's just corny, but I'm
not into it.
JOHN
It's ok if you are.
He kisses the side of her face and her shoulder like a cute
pet, and then continues getting his stuff together.
John sets two bottles of Cristal on the bed next to her, not
really seeing her.
JOHN
Oh, the record company sent these...
CHARLOTTE
Mmm, I love Cristal, let's have some.
JOHN
I gotta go... and I don't really
like champagne.
As he unplugs his cell phone from the wall.
JOHN
Are you sure you want to stay?
CHARLOTTE
Are you sure you have to go?
He looks at her - like don't make it harder.
CHARLOTTE
Yeah, I know you have to work the
whole time, I'll probably have more
fun here. I'll call Charlie and those
guys.
JOHN
Ok, definitely call them, I'll be
back Friday. I love you.
They kiss.
CHARLOTTE
I love you.
He tackles her, kisses her, bites her, grabs her ribs,
tickling her in a burst of affection. She laughs, her arms
around his neck.
CHARLOTTE
I miss you.
JOHN
It'll just be a few days.
He kisses her and is off.
Charlotte sits there alone with the unopened bottles of
champagne.
CUT TO:
INT. PARK HYATT POOL - EVENING
Water splashes as Charlotte dives into the pool (in a one-
piece bathing suit) as the sun goes down.
FADE OUT:
INT. PARK HYATT HALL - EVENING
Leaving in her robe, Charlotte runs into Bob, in his robe,
going to the pool.
CHARLOTTE
Oh, hi.
BOB
(awkward, but glad to
run into her)
Hi. Did you have a nice swim?
CHARLOTTE
Yeah. Did you get some sleep?
BOB
No, how about you?
CHARLOTTE
Not really. How long are you here
for?
BOB
I'm here for the week.
CHARLOTTE
Oh, good. Do you want to go to a
party tonight with me and some friends
who live here?
BOB
Ok.
CHARLOTTE
See you later.
He watches her go.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB'S ROOM - EVENING
As Bob opens his door to his room, a FedEx package falls in
his path.
He opens it - large carpet swatches fall out with a note
"BOB - WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR STUDY? I LIKE THE
BURGUNDY, BUT WHATEVER YOU WANT. LOVE, L"
He looks at them for a second, they all look the same, and
why is she sending these? He puts them down.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
The elaborate chiming doorbell rings.
Charlotte opens the door to see Bob. He's wearing an orange
camouflage T-shirt. She looks at his shirt, suppressing a
smile.
CHARLOTTE
You really are having a mid-life
crisis.
BOB
(embarrassed)
I know, it's stupid.
He goes into the bathroom to change it. He comes out with it
on inside out so it's just an orange T-shirt.
He asks her to cut the label out for him. She goes to find
some scissors. He picks up A Soul's Search: Finding Your
True Calling audio-book box.
BOB
A Soul's Search: Finding Your True
Calling - are you reading this?
CHARLOTTE
No.
She returns with the hotel room sewing kit.
BOB
I read it, too.
She smiles, busted, but doesn't say anything as she cuts his
shirt label with little hotel sewing-kit scissors.
She slips on her shoes on to leave.
CUT TO:
INT. TOKYO BAR - NIGHT
All white nightclub, lit with black lights so it seems to
glow in the dark, with the booming sound of helicopters.
JAPANESE GALLAGER BROTHERS walk by.
Bob watches Charlotte as Charlie, in a crazy outfit, hugs
her. Charlotte tries to talk to Bob over the loud music.
CHARLOTTE
Charlie, this is Bob. Bob — Charlie
Brown.
BOB
Hi, Charlie.
They shake hands.
CHARLOTTE
His real name's Hayashi, but someone
started calling him Charlie because
they thought he looked like Charlie
Brown. They've all got American
nicknames because its easier for me
to remember... they were just out in
L.A. last month doing a shoot with
John... that guy's Mr.Valentine,
he's the art director of their
magazine, I don't even know his real
name, or why I call him that.
Bob looks over at some SKINNY GUY in huge glasses smiling at
them. Charlie hands them some drinks.
CHARLIE
This is Bambi.
CHARLOTTE
Hi.
A young SHY GUY with a shaved head smiles at her, and takes
her picture.
A JAPANESE KRAFTWERK COVER-BAND plays Trans Europa Express.
Some people at the bar buy drinks for Bob and insist on
drinking with him.
Bob and Charlotte look over as Charlie gets into some problem
with the BARTENDER. The Bartender gets mad and starts
shooting a real-looking BB gun at him. Orange bullets fly
through the air. They all rush out of there.
CUT TO:
EXT. BAR - NIGHT
Bob and Charlotte try to get past the crowd at the entrance.
A big BOUNCER stops them and is yelling fast Japanese at
him.
The crowd parts as the Bartender emerges shooting his BB
gun, and Bob and Charlotte run for it.
BB GUN CHASE -
The Bartender climbs on a car, threatening them from above.
Bob covers Charlotte as they duck behind the car.
They make a run for it, ducking into a pachinko parlor.
INT.PACHINKO PARLOR - NIGHT
Bob and Charlotte run past the blinking machines, and
gamblers, to another door to the street.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Bob spots a cab and they run to it, seeing Charlie now
throwing bottles in the direction of the bartender.
Bob and Charlotte get in the cab.
INT. CAB - NIGHT
Charlotte hits her head as they get in. Bob yells to the
driver to go, but he doesn't understand.
Through the windshield they see the Bartender and sidekick
coming with baseball bats.
They hear a bang on the door and Charlie hops in. He makes
sure she is ok and shouts something to the Driver, and they
speed away.
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR - NIGHT
Charlie, in his flashy outfit, sings "God Save the Queen"
into the Karaoke mic. He rolls his r's just like Johnny
Rotten.
Charlotte laughs and loves watching Charlie. They're other
friends wear the different color wigs they provide at this
place. There are big bottles of beer and sake. They are all
pretty formal. Bambi tries to talk to Charlotte with a big
grin, he can barely speak English.
BAMBI
How's california?
CHARLOTTE
(smiles)
Good.
BAMBI
Good... I like your swimming pool.
CHARLOTTE
Thanks, you guys should come back
sometime.
BAMBI
Yes.
He tries wigs on her. He puts a light pink wig on her and
beams. Bob smokes and watches.
BAMBI
Kawaii.
(Kawaii means "cute")
She smiles a lovable smile at Bambi.
CUT TO:
Charlie and Charlotte sings "Brass in Pocket" by The
Pretenders ("you're special, so special..."), everyone is
drunk now, as they all sing along at the chorus. WOMEN keep
refilling the glasses.
CUT TO:
Mr. Valentine sings a popular slow heartfelt Japanese song
that everyone knows and sings along to. Charlotte and Bob
look at each other, it is very foreign, but Bob likes being
there with Charlotte and her friends.
She flips through a big binder of songs.
CHARLOTTE
What do you feel like singing, Bob?
BOB
No way.
CUT TO:
Bob sings "I fall to Pieces" to Charlotte. Charlie and
everyone cheers for him.
Beer pitchers are replaced. Charlie starts singing "Angle".
The little room is fxlled with smoke, Charlotte makes her
way to the door to get some air.
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR HALLWAY - NIGHT
Taking a break from the crowded and hot Karaoke room,
Charlotte sits for a break alone on a bench in the bright
hallway. It is quiet with just the muffled sound of music
from the Karaoke room. She's wearing a pink geisha wig. Bob
sits down next to her.
Charlotte lights his cigarette with some crazy Japanese light-
up lighter.
She leans her head back - it's getting too heavy.
She looks at his hands.
CHARLOTTE
You bite your nails?
He nods.
CHARLOTTE
I could cut the ones that are left
for you.
BOB
Ok.
CUT TO:
INT. NOBU'S COMPOUND - NIGHT
NOBU, a cool skinny stoner guy in a Hawaiian shirt, plays
phsycadellic records in his seventies hippie surfer-pad.
His JAPANESE GIRLFRIEND, who looks like a 60's pin-up,
pours cold sake.
Bob is handed a ridiculously big bong.
Charlie is drunk and taking polaroids.
Nobu, really stoned, talks to Bob about surfing.
A SHORT GUY with thick glasses introduces himself to
Charlotte, extending his hand.
HANS
I'm Hans.
CHARLOTTE
Hans? Nice to meet you.
CUT TO:
Charlie takes pictures of Charlotte and HIROMIX, a sexy
Japanese girl, posing on a sheepskin run. They are being
hammy for Charlie who loves it.
Bob walks up and is amused watching her, she sees him and
gets embarrassed.
CUT TO:
DECADENT TOKYO PARTY - NIGHT
Hiromix dances — Charlotte dances with Hans - she looks sweaty
but beautiful... Bob dances with his eyes closed, really
into it, in the midst of all of them... the song "I Feel Too
Young" plays.
CUT TO:
INT. NOBU'S ENTRY - NIGHT
Bob and Charlotte are leaving Nobu's. She's wearing Bob's
jacket.
CHARLIE
Make sure she gets home okay?
BOB
I will.
Bob takes Charlotte's arm carefully just as she bangs her
head walking into the glass door - it makes a loud thud.
BOB
Are you ok?
She nods. Bob looks back at Charlie who is watching- she's
fine.
He leads her into a waiting cab.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOKYO - NIGHT
POV from cab - Tokyo neon blurs by. It looks beautiful.
INT. CAB - NIGHT
Charlotte looks at the neon going by. She looks over at Bob,
her eyelids are too heavy for her.
CHARLOTTE
I don't want to go home.
BOB
I know. I don't either.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL HALL - NIGHT
Bob carries a very drunk Charlotte to her room. Her purse
dangling from his arm.
INT. CHARLOTTE'S ROOM - NIGHT
He puts her on her bed. He takes her shoes off for her and
pulls a blanket over her.
He looks at her lying on the bed.
She opens her eyes to smile at him. He wants to kiss her,
but he leaves.
CUT TO:
INT.HOTEL HALL - NIGHT
He walks down the empty hall, not wanting to leave her.
As he goes he looks at various trays of leftover room service
in the hallway.
INT. BOB'S ROOM - NIGHT
Bob comes back to his room, tripping over the carpet samples.
He makes a phone call from bed. He's still a little drunk
and thinking about his night out in Tokyo.
BOB
Lydia?
LYDIA (O.S.)
Hello, darling.
BOB
Lydia, I went to this great house
tonight, this guy designed and built,
you would have loved it.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Oh, yeah? I wish I had seen it.
BOB
He was this fashion guy, and there
were all these Japanese fashion people-
it's a whole other world, and I was
talking to these Japanese surfers...
He was playing all this great music-
I have to find out what it was...
LYDIA (O.S.)
That sounds great — can you hold
on...
(talks to daughter)
What Zoe?
ZOE (O.S.)
I don't want it.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Well, you have to have something for
breakfast. Do you want cereal?
ZOE (O.S.)
No.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Just trying to get her to eat
something...I'm glad you're having
fun.
BOB
Yeah, its really different here.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Well, that's good, I have to get the
kids off for school. Can I call you
in a little while?
BOB
It's four in the morning... I'm going
to go to sleep.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Ok, well... I love you.
BOB
I love you, too, good-night, or good-
morning .
LYDIA (O.S.)
Good-night.
He hangs up.
FADE OUT:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S ROOM - MORNING
Charlotte can-'t get out of bed. She looks at the clock-
it's 10 a.m. She picks up the phone.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB'S ROOM - MORNING
Bob (still in camouflage T-shirt from last night) answers
the phone by his bed.
BOB
(grumbly)
Hello?
CHARLOTTE (O.S.)
It's Charlotte.
BOB
Charlotte, who?
CHARLOTTE (O.S.)
Thanks for getting me back in one
piece.
CUT TO:
C.U. Charlotte's feet on her bed
BOB (O.S.)
Of course.
CHARLOTTE
Do you want to have some breakfast?
C.U. her hand wraps the phone cord around her fingers.
BOB (O.S.)
Yeah, I'm going to take a shower and
I'll meet you downstairs.
CHARLOTTE
OK, see you downstairs.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL RESTAURANT - DAY
They sit in the bright light. She squints and drinks a Bloody
Mary. Bob is distant.
She looks across at two middle-aged MID-WESTERN WOMEN talking
about plastic surgery, you can't hear them, but can tell as
they gesture and one pulls her eye lids up.
Charlotte looks at another table by the elaborate buffet and
sees the redhead Singer having breakfast with the rest of
Sausalito.
CHARLOTTE
(trying to make it
light)
Hey look, it's Sausalito.
BOB
I see them every morning.
They don't know what to say. Somehow it's too intimate having
breakfast. She eats her breakfast aware of her every movement.
C.U. - her POV of soft scrambled eggs.
CUT TO:
EXT. GOLF COURSE - DAY
In the distance, Bob swings on a perfect golf course.
FADE OUT:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Charlotte lies in bed awake. The clock says its 4 a.m.
Finally she gives up on trying to sleep, and turns the light
on. In John's old T-shirt and Ugg boots, she goes to the
couch, looks at some strange pastry with an elaborate
presentation left by the hotel.
She picks up a magazine, but she's already looked at it a
few times before. She hears something and goes over to the
door. On her way, she passes her red T. Anthony suitcase
overflowing with stuff that looks like a bomb went off in
it.
A HOTEL MESSAGE envelope is slipped under the door. She opens
it to see a typed note from the operator:
"From: Mr. Harris. Message: Are you awake?"
She smiles like she's gotten a valentine.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB'S ROOM - NIGHT
Bob opens the door, Charlotte's standing there trying to
look casual, she's happy to see him (she's put some pants on
and flip flops instead of her dumb looking Ugg boots).
She knocks into a low table, bumping her knee as she comes
in.
Bob pours some cold sake, smoothly.
Bob and Charlotte watch La Dolce Vita with Japanese subtitles
on the TV.
BOB
Hans was very attentive to you.
CHARLOTTE
I think he kind of liked me...Is
that so hard to imagine?
BOB
No, its easy.
CHARLOTTE
How'd a Japanese guy get a name like
Hans?
BOB
I don't know.
CUT TO:
Anita Ekberg holds the kitten on T.V.
CUT TO:
Charlotte gets up to pour more sake.
She picks up and looks at a prescription bottle on his night
stand and reads the label : Lipitor.
CHARLOTTE
Do you remember when we met at the
bar? ...You were wearing a tuxedo.
BOB
But the first time I saw you was in
the elevator.
CHARLOTTE
Really?
BOB
Yeah, you don't remember?
She shrugs.
CHARLOTTE
Did I scowl at you?
BOB
No, you smiled.
CHARLOTTE
I don't remember.
BOB
I know, I kind of blend in here.
CUT TO:
PAN the view of Tokyo at night as we hear their conversation:
CHARLOTTE (O.C.)
Why do they switch the r's and l's
here?
BOB (O.C.)
I don't know. My fax said "have a
good fright".
CHARLOTTE (O.C.)
Let's never come here again, because
it would never be as much fun.
BOB (O.C.)
Ok, whatever you want.
CHARLOTTE (O.C.)
Did you see Hiromix last night dancing
with Bambi?
BOB (O.C.)
No, I was looking at you.
CHARLOTTE (O.C.)
Oh. Well... they were dancing on
the couch with that weird English
guy who kept talking about hanging
out with the Sex Pistols on Kings
Road...
BOB (O.C.)
I got a fax today from your friend
Hiromix.
CHARLOTTE (O.C.)
Oh, for her show?
BOB (O.C.)
No, for a candlelight dinner, yes,
for her show.
CHARLOTTE (O.C.)
Oh.
BOB (O.C.)
You're possessive.
CHARLOTTE (O.S.)
I know.
CUT TO:
Charlotte and Bob lie a few feet apart on the bed.
CHARLOTTE (O.S.)
I'm stuck. Does it get easier.
BOB
No, yes, it does...
CHARLOTTE
Yeah? But look at you.
BOB
Thanks. It does, the more you know
who you are... you don't care about
things the same way...
CHARLOTTE
I just don't know what I'm supposed
to be. I thought maybe I wanted to
be a writer... but I hate what I
write, and I tried taking pictures,
but John's so good at that, and mine
are so mediocre... and every girl
goes through a photography phase,
like horses, you know dumb pictures
of your feet...
BOB
You'll figure it out. I'm not worried
about you. Keep writing.
CHARLOTTE
But, I'm mean.
BOB
That's ok.
CHARLOTTE
And marriage, does that get easier?
BOB
It's hard. We started going to a
marriage counselor.
CHARLOTTE
Did that help? Did you learn anything?
BOB
We established that we have no
communication.
CHARLOTTE
Oh.
BOB
We used to have fun, she used to
like to go to places with me for my
movies and we would laugh at all the
weirdos, but now she's tired of it
all. She never wants to leave the
kids, she doesn't need me, and they
don't need me, I feel like I'm in
the way. It gets complicated when
you have kids... that changes
everything.
CHARLOTTE
That's too scary.
BOB
When they're born its like Vietnam.
It's terrifying.
CHARLOTTE
(getting tired)
No one ever tells you that...
BOB
But, it's great being with them,
after they can talk, and can do things
with you.
CHARLOTTE
That's nice. My parents were always
traveling, they weren't around so
much.
BOB
Where'd you grow up?
CHARLOTTE
In D.C., my dad was the Ambassador
to France in the eighties, so we
went to school in Paris for a few
years... but we mostly lived in D.C.,
and they were never around... and
then I moved to Los Angeles when
John and I got married... it's so
different there.
They are starting to get tired.
BOB
I know.
CHARLOTTE
John thinks I'm so snotty.
BOB
You are.
CHARLOTTE
I know, but that's what you like
about me.
She looks over at him. He does like her.
CHARLOTTE
Why do you have to be with your
opposite, why cant similar people be
together?
BOB
Because that would be too easy.
They fall asleep dressed, on top of the sheets, on opposite
sides of the bed.
FADE OUT:
EXT.STREET BASKETBALL COURT - DAY
Full of life, Bob plays basketball with some local guys.
All over the court, and towering over the other players, Bob
dominates the game.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Bob looks at himself in the bathroom mirror, he feels his
stubble and sees that it's turning grey.
He opens the hotel shaving kit. He squirts shaving cream
from the child-size can. Even the razor is small. He covers
his face with shaving cream when the phone rings.
BOB
Hello?
RECEPTION
Mr. Harris, we have fax for you!
BOB
Ok.
RECEPTION
Do you want I send it to your room?
BOB
(sarcastic)
Great.
RECEPTION
Thank you, Mr. Harris.
He hangs up and shaves.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL GROUND FLOOR LOBBY - DAY
Bob gets out of the elevator- the Suntory group is waiting
for him. He ducks behind a wall and sneaks out a side entrance
of the hotel.
EXT. PARK HYATT - DAY
Bob comes out of the hotel into the sunlight. The street is
crowded with MOTORCYCLE GANGS going by, one waves a big flag.
Bob watches the strange scene in the street for a moment,
and then makes his way past.
CUT TO:
EXT. DAKINYAMA - DAY
He walks down a little street in a more old-fashioned
neighborhood. He's wearing new techno sneakers. He makes a
call on his cell phone.
BOB
Miss Kawasaki? It's Bob Harris...
I'm not going to be able to do that
interview today.., yeah... ok....
Yes, I'd love to stay to be on his
talk show... sure.. ok... bye.
A light rain starts as he looks at a fax from Charlotte with
a map she's drawn and tries to figure out where he is - there
are no street signs.
EXT/INT. ICHICAN SUSHI - DAY
Bob finally finds the small restaurant. The automatic door
opens for him, and Charlotte, at the bar with the cute chubby
SUSHI CHEF, turns to Bob happy to see him. He is disheveled
from the rain and adorable.
He sits down next to Charlotte, she pours him a beer and
orders for him.
CHARLOTTE
You made it.
BOB
They really have to work on that
street name thing.
A perky recording voice says "Kornichiwa!" from his pocket.
CHARLOTTE
What's that?
He pulls a pink Hello Kitty watch from his pocket.
BOB
It's for my daughter.
CHARLOTTE
How old is she?
BOB
Four.
CHARLOTTE
Oh, she'll love it.
The Sushi Chef gives him perfect little pieces of sushi on a
banana leaf.
Charlotte takes a bite of a piece - but it won't break, so
she has to stuff the whole thing in her mouth, embarrassed.
Bob makes fun of her gracelessness.
BOB
Nice one.
CHARLOTTE
(mouth full)
Fuck off.
They have lunch, he makes her laugh.
He looks down at her feet in flip flops, her toe is purple.
BOB
What happened to your toe?
CHARLOTTE
I don't know, I think maybe I broke
it? I knocked into something the
other day...
She slips her shoe off and shows it to him- her middle toe
is black and blue.
BOB
That doesn't look good.
She enjoys the sympathy.
CHARLOTTE
It's bad isn't it?
BOB
We should get you to the doctor.
CHARLOTTE
You think so?
BOB
Yeah, look at that thing.
She smiles at him.
CUT TO:
EXT. DAIKANYAMA STREET - DAY
Bob tries to get a taxi, finally one stops and they get in.
He tries to explain "hospital", he does pantomime, draws a
first aid cross, but the DRIVER doesn't understand. Charlotte
is enjoying Bob's effort.
Finally he finds a Park Hyatt matchbook and calls the hotel
number.
BOB
How do you say "hospital" in Japanese?
RECEPTION (O.S.)
Excuse me?
BOB
Hospital?
RECEPTION (O.S.)
One moment, please.
She transfers call, it rings.
CONCIERGE (O.S.)
Concierge desk, may I help you?
BOB
Yes, can you tell me how to say
"hospital" in Japanese?
CONCIERGE
"Hospital" in Japanese? Hosupitari.
BOB
Hosupitari?
He tells the Driver who looks at him funny. Bob says it again-
faster, with a Japanese accent. The driver nods excitedly
and drives off.
CUT TO:
INT.HOSPITAL LOBBY - DAY
Bob and Charlotte walk in, looking around at where to go.
Bob talks to a woman at the desk to explain what they need.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL 2ND FLOOR - DAY
Bob takes a seat in waiting area as Charlotte goes into a
little room with a number on it.
Bob waits next to a 100 year old lady.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Charlotte stands alone barefoot on a little box, wearing a
lead apron, as a MAN and ASSISTANT X-ray different angles of
her foot.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL GIFT SHOP - DAY
Bob looks around at all the Japanese gift stuff, and buys a
little stuffed bunny. His phone rings as he's paying for it.
BOB
Hello?
ELAINE (O.S.)
Bob, it's me.
BOB
Oh, hi, Elaine.
ELAINE (O.S.)
So, we got you on an earlier flight,
but I really think you should think
about staying for that talk show.
BOB
Ok.
ELAINE (O.S.)
You'll do it?
BOB
Yeah, I'll stay.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Charlotte's foot X-rays are displayed on a big light box. An
older DOCTOR talks about them in Japanese to his younger
ASSISTANT as he wraps Charlotte's toes together. She doesn't
know what they're talking about.
INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - DAY
Charlotte comes out where Bob waits with the little stuffed
bunny.
CHARLOTTE
Is that for me?
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK HYATT - LATE AFTERNOON
Bob and Charlotte arrive back at the massive hotel, they
stroll in casually, she is carrying the stuffed rabbit in
her arm.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL SPA BATH - EVENING
Bob reclines in the big Japanese wooden tub, steam rises as
he is turning red. His phone rings. He dries his hands quickly
to reach it before it stops ringing.
BOB
Hello?
LYDIA (O.S.)
Bob?
BOB
Hi, Lydia.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Is this a bad time?
BOB
Uh, no.
LYDIA (O.S.)
(O.S.) It's really hard to reach
you... Did you get the carpet samples?
I like the burgundy.
BOB
Ok, whatever you think... I'm lost.
LYDIA (O.S.)
It's just carpet.
BOB
That's not what I'm talking about.
LYDIA (O.S.)
What are you talking about?
BOB
I don't know.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Is there anything I can do?
BOB
I don't know... I want to be more
healthy. I want to eat better.
LYDIA (O.S.)
What?
BOB
You know, eat healthier.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Alright?
BOB
Not all that pasta.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Fine.
BOB
Like Japanese food.
LYDIA (O.S.)
(sarcastic)
Why don't you just stay there, and
you can have it everyday.
BOB
Oh, come on.
LYDIA (O.S.)
I have to go, Adam's tormenting Zoe,
I'll talk to you later. Are you going
to be Ok?
BOB
Yeah, I'll be fine. Bye.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Bob rides in the back of a cab.
CHARLOTTE (V.O.)
(voice-mail message)
Hi Bob, it's Charlotte... how are
you doing today?... I'm going to
meet Charlie and those guys at this
place called Orange around ten...
come meet us if you get this...
CUT TO:
EXT. OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT
Bob's cab pulls up at an empty office building.
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT
Bob looks at a fax from Charlotte with a map, wondering if
he's in the right place. It's quiet and looks like a generic
office building.
He goes in the little metal elevator, and the door opens on
the 8th floor onto a little nightclub you would have never
thought was there.
CUT TO:
INT. ORANGE NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
Lights strobe and Peaches' seedy "Fuck the Pain Away" booms
through the speakers.
Tan JAPANESE STRIPPERS with platinum hair dance and hang
from a pole on a little platform.
Bob sits alone on a brown ultra suede couch feeling out of
place and empty.
He looks over at a table of young AMERICAN INVESTMENT BROKERS.
He wishes he wasn't there, but tries to seem comfortable.
Charlotte shows up with Charlie and the other guys. She sits
down next to him, and gives him an 'are you going to kill
me?' look.
CHARLOTTE
How long have you been here?
He looks at her like it's been forever. She smiles for
forgiveness.
They look over and see a WEIRD GUY in the corner getting a
lap dance, they look at each other, sharing the joke of the
place, but both uncomfortable about the sexuality of it.
Through a beaded curtain, Charlie and Bambi get lap dances
in a dark corner of pillows.
Charlotte looks at Bob.
CHARLOTTE
C'mon, let's go.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOKYO STREETS - NIGHT
Bob and Charlotte go up to a cab, but the driver refuses
them. They don't know why, but just make their way down an
empty side street. Little plastic cherry blossom decorations
hang above them.
BOB
Where's your husband?
CHARLOTTE
(like she's said it a
million times)
Working.
BOB
Do you ever see him?
CHARLOTTE
(sorta)
Yeah.
BOB
Do you know where we are?
CHARLOTTE
No.
She puts a coin in a vending machine and takes a cold sake
"one-cup". A tiny brad Pitt head smiles at her next to an
iced coffee.
CHARLOTTE
Isn't it weird there are no street
names in Tokyo... you'd think a city
like this would have street names...
you need a map to get anywhere...
look, there are no signs...
They keep walking, small figures on a little empty street.
FADE OUT:
INT. PARK HYATT LOBBY - NIGHT
As they make their way back, they pass a lounge off the lobby.
It's late, it's pretty empty, a housekeeper vacuums and
just a SLEEPING MAN sits in the back of the lounge, and a
snuggled up romantic JAPANESE COUPLE sit close to: Kelly,
the blonde actress, singing to them.
She stands facing them with a karaoke mic singing "Nobody
Does It Better" with all her heart.
Bob and Charlotte look at each other and keep walking (trying
to be invisible).
FADE IN:
INT.CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
Charlotte lies in bed. She picks up a photo next to the bed
as she dials the phone.-
The picture is of her and John on their honeymoon. The phone
answers - it's a weird Japanese recording.
CHARLOTTE
Um..Hi, John, if this is your phone?
I'm not sure...I'm going to go to
Kyoto for the day...I'11 try you
when I get back. Hope it's going
good... I love you, bye.
INT. TRAIN - DAY
Charlotte watches the Japanese countryside go by out her
window.
EXT. KYOTO - DAY
Charlotte walks through a beautiful garden. She's a small
figure in the landscape.
She approaches a temple where she stops to watch a wedding
procession. A young bride and groom in traditional kimono
walk under a parasol with their family.
Charlotte looks as- the nervous, young bride clutches her
mother's hand. The young groom walks along with them.
Charlotte is moved by the whole scene, the beauty of the
temple and the wedding party. Her eyes well up.
CUT TO:
She walks up a narrow path, surrounded by red maple leaves.
At the top of a little hill, she comes up to a shrine.
At its entrance she sees a tree covered in little white pieces
of paper tied to its branches. She sees Japanese people
writing on the paper and tying them to the tree. Charlotte
writes her wish on a paper and ties it to a branch.
CUT TO:
INT. T.V. STUDIO - DAY
Exciting music plays as the talk/game show starts.
Bob, in an elegant suit, goes out to meet the HOST.
TV HOST
(in Japanese)
We hear you're quite a golfer.
A TRANSLATOR translates.
BOB
(nodding)
I enjoy the sport.
The Translator translates - four sentences longer and with
added enthusiasm.
After a few questions the Host excitedly announces something
to the AUDIENCE in Japanese. They scream, the lights flash,
Bob has no idea what's going on.
A cloud of smoke reveals the IRON CHEF, with feathered hair,
wearing an 18th century waistcoat. A large red chef hat is
placed on Bob's head.
TRANSLATOR
They now have the competition for
you with the Iron Chef.
Bob looks around as a counter is pulled up to him and now
Bob and the Iron Chef are at dueling counters. The Host barks
instructions in Japanese, an apron with a stuffed animal
lobster on it is tied around Bob, the crowd cheers - there's
no way out.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Bob rides in the back of the presidential, looking out the
window at the city.
He pulls a polaroid out of his pocket and looks at it. It's
Charlotte, peering over her shoulder with a little smile,
from their sake-drenched night at Nobu's compound.
INT. PARK HYATT BAR - NIGHT
Melodramatic '70s Japanese music plays. Bob sits alone, hating
himself, at the bar. The redheaded Jazz Singer takes a break,
and a seat next to him.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB'S ROOM - MORNING
In the harsh-morning light, Bob wakes up in his bed.
He hears the Jazz Singer singing in the shower "Midnight at
the Oasis".
Her red mane of hair passes frame as she ushers in room
service. She seems to have taken over the whole room. He
wants it all to go away. She walks off to the bathroom and
there's a knock at the door. Bob rushes to get it before she
can.
He opens the door a crack, Charlotte looking sweet, is
standing there. Her hair is back in a pony-tail. Bob's just
wearing a towel around his waist, and his hair is sticking
up.
CHARLOTTE
Rough night?
He's not in the mood, he looks at her like he already hates
himself, doesn't need more help.
CHARLOTTE
I'm going to Daikanyama, do you want
to come walk around?
BOB
Yes, but no, I can't right now.
The singer starts singing again in the background.
Charlotte gives Bob a look.
CHARLOTTE
Oh, I guess you're busy, huh.
BOB
I don't want to be.
He watches Charlotte walk away down the beige hall.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOKYO STREETS - DAY
Bob is walking down the crowded street looking for Charlotte,
when his cell phone rings.
BOB
Hello?
LYDIA (O.S.)
Hello, Bob, it's me.
BOB
(can't hear)
Hello?
LYDIA (O.S.)
It's Lydia, your wife.
BOB
I couldn't hear you. How are you?
LYDIA
(sighs)
Fine. Is it going ok?
BOB
It's ok.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Do you want to-
(garbled)
BOB
What?
LYDIA (O.S.)
Do you want to talk to Zoe?
BOB
Yeah.
LYDIA (O.S.)
(calls in background)
Zoe, come say hello to your father...
A little girl's voice shouts "No!" in the background.
LYDIA (O.S.)
I guess she's busy.
BOB
That's ok.
LYDIA (O.S.)
When are you coming home?
BOB
Tomorrow.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Her ballet recital is Saturday, don't
forget.
BOB
Ok.
In the background the daughter calls for her Mommy over and
over and a dog starts barking.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Ok, well, travel safely. See you
soon.
BOB
Bye.
CUT TO:
EXT. ICHICAN SUSHI RESTAURANT - DAY
Charlotte, with sunglasses on, leans against the wall as Bob
approaches.
CHARLOTTE
You can't get sushi anywhere in Japan
after 2 o'clock. Did you know that?
BOB
No, we'll find something around here.
She goes with him.
CUT TO:
INT. SHABU SHABU RESTAURANT - DAY
Bob and Charlotte are seated at a big booth in a corny Shabu
Shabu restaurant.
CHARLOTTE
The Jazz singer? The red-head?
Bob looks at her like- don't make it worse.
CHARLOTTE
Well, I guess she's more around your
age... You guys could talk about
things in common, like growing up in
the fifties.
BOB
You're a brat, wasn't there anyone
else around to lavish you with
attention?
She scowls at him.
The waitress brings them drinks- she pours beer slowly, and
turns on a pot on the table to cook their food.
Charlotte looks at the menu - it is filled with photos of
different trays of meat. The waitress doesn't speak English.
CHARLOTTE
I can't tell the difference?
They have trouble ordering, but point to a picture on the
menu.
BOB
We'll have two of these.
He makes some small talk, she is bugged.
BOB
What do you want to drink?
CHARLOTTE
A coke.
He orders the drinks.
BOB
So, where'd you go today.
CHARLOTTE
Around.
"This is the End" by The Doors starts playing on the stereo.
The waitress brings two huge trays of sliced raw beef. Steam
rises from the pot on the table.
The song ends, and another Doors song comes on.
CHARLOTTE
They're not going to play the whole
album, are they?
They look across the table, over the steam and meat, at each
other- the whole thing is awful.
FADE OUT:
INT.CHARLOTTE'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
In the darkness, under covers, Charlotte is woken up by a
loud fire alarm.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK HYATT - NIGHT
The fire alarm booms as the hotel guests and staff hurry out
of the hotel.
Amidst the crowd of Hotel guests in their pajamas, Charlotte
finds Bob- he's wearing a kimono and slippers. She's in boxer
shorts and an undershirt and slippers.
BOB
I'm sorry.
CHARLOTTE
That lunch was the worst, huh.
He laughs.
She looks down at his feet stuffed into the little hotel
slippers.
CHARLOTTE
When are you leaving?
BOB
Tomorrow.
CHARLOTTE
(friendly)
I'm going to miss you.
BOB
That's what you said the other night.
CHARLOTTE
Well, I mean it more now.
CUT TO:
INT. PARK HYATT BAR - NIGHT
and Charlotte, still in their pajamas, sit at their usual
spot at the bar, with the bartender, drinking cold sake. She
lights two cigarettes and passes one to him.
A NEW JAZZ BAND is now playing. The SINGER is full of
enthusiasm as they start their stint at the Park Hyatt.
NEW SINGER
Good Evening. I'm Carl West, and
we're thrilled to be joining you
this week, here at the NY bar in
Shinjuku.
He sings "Where or When" with all his heart.
Now, old-timers there, Bob and Charlotte look at each other
and chuckle.
SINGER
Jt seems we stood and talked like
this before, we looked at each
other in the same way thenr but
I cant remember where or when...
Bob and Charlotte sit there together.
BOB
I don't want to go back tomorrow.
CHARLOTTE
I know. But, it doesn't last, you
have to go back sometime.
BOB
Why can't it last?
CHARLOTTE
I don't know, it just doesn't, reality
changes things....we can't stay here
forever, unless maybe we started a
Jazz band.
(alt Charlotte dialog: I don't know it just doesn't, reality
changes things...and we can't stay here forever)
He looks over at her.
The singer continues Where or When, as they sit there
together, the view sparkling.
SINGER (O.C.)
Somethings that happen for the first
time, seem to be happening again
and so it seems we have met before,
and laughed before, and loved
before, but who knows where or
when...
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT
Bob and Charlotte, drunk in the elevator.
CHARLOTTE
54?
He nods, she pushes 54 for him and 56 for herself.
They look at each other across the empty elevator, both
leaning against the walls.
The elevator stops at 54, he leans in to kiss her good-night.
They kiss like you would on the cheek- but it's closer to
their mouths. The door shuts- he missed his floor.
The elevator continues up, and stops on her floor. They kiss
good-night again and she gets out before the door closes.
He watches the door close on her as she makes her way down
the long beige hall.
FADE OUT:
INT. CHARLOTTE'S ROOM - DAY
A fax comes through the machine in the empty room.
IT'S A NOTE AND CUTE DRAWING FROM JOHN -
SEE YOU ON SATURDAY, I MISS YOU..."
CUT TO:
INT. PARK HYATT LOBBY LOUNGE - DAY
A sexy EXECUTIVE WOMAN asks Bob for a light. He looks at her
great legs as he lights her cigarette. He looks around,
keeping an eye out for Charlotte. The group of commercial
people arrive to see him off.
He excuses himself for a moment and goes to a phone on a
little table in the corner.
Bob picks up the house phone.
RECEPTION (O.S.)
Hello? Yes?
BOB
Hello, can I have room 5601.
RECEPTION
One moment.
Traditional Japanese music plays on hold.
RECEPTION
I will connect you.
Bob gets the room voice-mail.
BOB
Uh...Hi, Charlotte... it's me, Bob...
ok, I guess you're not there... wanted
to say good-bye...
He hangs up, feeling lame.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL RECEPTION -DAY
Bob with his bags tries to call again. The commercial people
and hotel staff crowd around to help him, asking about his
stay.
BOB
Charlotte?
CHARLOTTE
Hi, Bob.
BOB
I'm just leaving.... do you have my
jacket?
CHARLOTTE
Uh, yeah... I'll bring it down.
BOB
That'd be great.
CHARLOTT
E Ok, see you in a second.
A member of the hotel staff brings him an envelope on a little
silver tray.
Miss Kawasaki gives him some gifts from their company in
traditional Japanese wrapping, he doesn't know what to do
with them and has to carry them.
The Executive Woman from the bar walks up to him. He hangs
up the phone.
BOB
0hr hi.
EXEC WOMAN
You're leaving?
She looks at him like, we could have had some fun.
BOB
Yeah, yeah, I'm going.
He sees Charlotte come out of the elevator.
BOB
I have to go, thanks, bye.
He rushes over to Charlotte. She looks at his bag.
CHARLOTTE
Just saying good-bye to everyone
before you leave?
BOB
Yes, no.
She hands him his jacket.
BOB
Thanks.
She waits for him to say something more. He wants to tell
her he loves her, that she should come with him.
CHARLOTTE
That's it?
The concierge tells him his car is here.
CHARLOTTE
You're leaving right now?
BOB
Yes.
CHARLOTTE
Well... have a good flight.
BOB
Thanks.
CHARLOTTE
(hurt)
Ok, bye.
She walks away.
A hotel manager asks Bob about his luggage, another asks if
he had a pleasant stay. Charlotte gets in the elevator to go
out, the doors close on her back.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK HYATT - DAY
It's bright outside the main entrance. A presidential pulls
up and the automatic door opens. Bob squints as the Bellboy
in white gloves slowly loads his luggage into the trunk.
INT. CAR - DAY
In the backseat, Bob leans back on the little doily.
The car pulls away.
Around the corner, he looks down a crowded alley and sees
Charlotte's blonde hair.
BOB
Can you pull over a second?
The DRIVER, wearing white cloth gloves, pulls the car over
slowly. Bob tries to open the door'99 it won't open, he has
to wait for the automatic doors to open for him (slowly).
EXT. TOKYO STREETS - DAY
Bob gets out and rushes down the street to where he saw
Charlotte. The street is crowded with JAPANESE PEOPLE, and
different colored umbrellas, (it's sunny out with a light
rain).
Music blasts from speakers on the street, and there is some
promo going on with GIRLS handing out little cologne samples.
Bob looks around for her, but only sees dark hair, umbrellas,
and super tan JAPANESE KIDS.
In the distance an umbrella moves to reveal Charlotte.
BOB
CHARLOTTE!
But she can't hear him over the loudspeaker. He rushes to
her.
C.U. she turns and we see she is crying.
The music swells. He embraces her, holding her close to him
in the crowd.
BOB
Why are you crying?
CHARLOTTE
(sincere)
I'll miss you.
He kisses her, hugs her good-bye.
BOB
I know, I'm going to miss you, too.
He holds her close.
CUT TO:
Charlotte watches Bob as he reaches his car, he turns and
looks at her.
She smiles at him, and is lost in the crowd.
Bob gets into his car.
CUT TO:
Charlotte walks with the crowd as they go on their way.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR - DAY
Back in the Presidential, alone, Bob leans against the little
doily. They drive off.
He looks out the window, Bob's happy he's going home, he's
happy he came to Tokyo.
Bob's P.O.V.- Tokyo goes past his window.
FADE TO BLACK:
THE END
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