Conflict
CUT TO:
EXT. LOS ANGELES - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: K-OTIX - DO YOU WANNA BE AN MC?
The protagonist, Lui, goes around the city of Los Angeles…
Lost…
Lui is trying to be nice to people but gets yelled at…
Tired…
Lui is surrounded by bullies…
Snapped…
Lui sits in the corner of darkness…
Regretted…
Condemned Hearts
SFX/MUSIC: SONG ENDS.
CUT TO:
BLACK SCREEN.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - NIGHT, STREETLIGHTS, CAMPFIRES.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE.
After LUI gets out of the self-storage place and closes the gate, he stays frozen for a moment to think… He has mixed emotions of determination, scared, and angry… He takes a deep breath before he takes a step forward…
CUT TO:
LUI comes to JILL, who's still trying to sleep with the flattened cardboard…
LUI
Jill-
JILL
Ah!
LUI
Ah! S-Sorry!
JILL
Stay away- Oh, what happened to you???
JILL is shocked to see the bruises on LUI's face and the broken glasses.
LUI
Er… Well…
LUI struggles.
JILL
Wait a second… D-Did you and Richie fight?
JILL asks as she gets up. Her new clothes are visible: a dark blue T-shirt and blue sneakers.
LUI gulps before he replies.
LUI
Y-Yeah…
LUI looks down at the ground.
JILL
What happened to him?
LUI
He… Uh… He… He left. A-After I beat him up… Pretty hard…
LUI tries not to look guilty as JILL thinks for a moment… LUI gulps… JILL suddenly hugs him tightly.
LUI
Huh?
JILL
T-Thank you…
JILL is relieved while LUI is blushing.
LUI
Y-You're welcome…
LUI looks down on her, figuring out the next move, until he slowly tries to hug back, but then JILL quickly lets go of the hug.
JILL
Sorry…
LUI
Oh, it's fine.
LUI awkwardly smiles, and JILL returns a small smile.
JILL
Oh, wait, what about his gang???
LUI
Oh- Uhm…
LUI thinks for a moment… He takes a deep breath…
LUI
I… I'll protect you… I won't be a coward. Not this time.
JILL takes a moment to observe him…
JILL
Thank you.
JILL smiles as she raises her arms, but quickly puts them down.
LUI
Yeah.
LUI smiles.
JILL
What about his garage? We can take it now, right???
LUI gulps.
LUI
Uhm… W-We can't take it.
JILL
Why not?? He's gone, right?
LUI
It's illegal to stay in there. W-We shouldn't be there.
JILL has mixed emotions of anger and confusion.
JILL
So, you're gonna make me sleep out here???
LUI becomes scared.
LUI
It-It's wrong to break the law!
LUI suddenly explores his deep thoughts…
JILL
Y-You're a coward!!!
LUI
I-I'm sorry, but I-It's wrong.
JILL
No! You're just a coward.
LUI
I'm sorry-
JILL
And you're selfish, too.
LUI widens his eyes in shock.
LUI
I…
LUI holds his chest before he tightly grabs his shirt… JILL then realizes her mistake, but is ready for a comeback… LUI thinks deeply for a moment…
LUI
I am not selfish… I-I'm not a coward either…
JILL
So, why the fuck do you want US to sleep out here???
LUI thinks again… He gulps.
LUI
W-We'll sleep back at the garage…
JILL observes him before she smiles…
JILL
Okay.
LUI
B-But.
JILL stops smiling.
JILL
But???
LUI
T-There's a lot of blood and…
JILL
Oh.
JILL is surprised.
JILL
Well, just clean it.
LUI is sad and stressed as he looks down at the ground…
LUI
C-Can we just… Move in tomorrow? I-I'm tired… I'm sorry.
JILL angrily stares at LUI…
JILL
So, you want me to sleep out here???
LUI
Y-You can sleep in my tent.
LUI points at his tent, and JILL is disgusted…
JILL
Ew, no, thank you!
LUI
It's- It's not that bad.
JILL
It looks like shit!
LUI
It's better to sleep in there than out here, though… It will be just for tonight, okay?
JILL takes a moment to think angrily…
JILL
Ugh… But I am not sleeping in there with you.
LUI
We're not going to. You sleep in there, and I sleep out here.
JILL
Oh.
JILL is shocked… She takes another moment to observe him…
JILL
Okay.
JILL smiles.
LUI
So, you're okay sleeping in the tent?
JILL sighs in disappointment.
JILL
I guess yeah…
LUI
Alright.
LUI awkwardly smiles while JILL is expecting more words to come out of LUI's mouth, but instead it gets awkwardly quiet.
LUI
Well, we should go to sleep now.
JILL
Yeah.
LUI
Goodnight.
LUI smiles.
JILL
Goodnight.
JILL slightly smiles before she walks to LUI's tent and gets in.
CUT TO:
LUI sits down on the flattened cardboard that JILL used before… He finally notices that the left lens of his glasses is broken after he takes them off. LUI silently sighs as he observes its damage, staring deep into it…
ZOOM INTO LUI'S LEFT BROKEN LENS.
MATCH FADE IN:
INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL RESTROOM - BRIGHT WHITE LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: ECHO.
ZOOM OUT OF LUI'S LEFT BROKEN LENS.
LUI, who's around 11-12 in this flashback. A BULLY punches LUI in the face, and that shatters the left lens of his glasses…
LUI
Urgh!
LUI holds his face in pain, and the BULLY suddenly pushes LUI against the wall.
LUI
Oof!
LUI's left face hits the wall hard to the point it shatters the tile of the wall a little, but the cracked tile scratches LUI's left cheekbone…
BULLY
Stop fighting you little shit-
LUI
Argh! SHUT UP!
SFX/MUSIC: INTENSE.
YOUNG LUI angrily looks at the BULLY before he runs to him with a mighty swing to the BULLY's face.
BULLY
Oof!
After the swing, the LUI suddenly throws the BULLY into a stall, opening the door with the BULLY's body.
BULLY
WAH! WARGH!
The BULLY lands on top of the toilet, and the LUI decides to take this opportunity to grab the BULLY's head to put him in the toilet.
BULLY
AGH!
LUI suddenly flushes the toilet while he's in.
BULLY
WARGH!
The BULLY tries to get his head out while the furious LUI refuses to let him breathe for one second… Until one of the teachers came into the restroom.
TEACHER
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
The TEACHER pulls the LUI away.
LUI
NO!
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS.
The YOUNG LUI tries to fight back, but the TEACHER is bigger than him… The BULLY finally gets to breathe…
BULLY
Agh! Agh! Agh! Holy shit…
CUT TO:
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - WHITE LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET.
LUI is angrily and quietly sitting in the office while his mother, MEI-HUI, is talking with the PRINCIPAL…
PRINCIPAL
I'm sorry, Miss Lui, but I have no choice. Yichen is now expelled from this school.
MEI-HUI sighs as she disappointingly looks at the quiet and angry LUI…
MEI-HUI
I'm sorry for the trouble…
MEI-HUI is a thin Cantonese woman in her early 30s who stands at 5'7". She's wearing a grey dress with flower decoration and black-framed glasses. She also looks horrible—pale skin and baggy eyes…
CUT TO:
INT. LUI'S APARTMENT - SUNSET, NATURAL LIGHT IN.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET.
LUI and MEI-HUI quietly arrives at their small crappy working class apartment. LUI quietly walks to his room.
MEI-HUI
No, you're not going into your room yet. We need to talk. (CANTONESE)
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
No, thank you- (CANTONESE)
MEI-HUI
Just how many TIMES do you want to avoid this?! (CANTONESE)
LUI stops again.
LUI
I just don't want to talk about it. (CANTONESE)
MEI-HUI
NO! We need to talk about this. Right now! (CANTONESE)
LUI silently sighs as he turns around to face her.
LUI
Mom… What's DONE is done. (CANTONESE)
MEI-HUI
W-What's done is done??? I- No, we NEED to talk about this! (CANTONESE)
MEI-HUI scares LUI a little…
LUI
Mom. I know what you'll say to me, and I don't wanna hear it. (CANTONESE)
MEI-HUI
You NEED to hear it, AGAIN! (CANTONESE)
LUI is baffled.
LUI
What was I supposed to do??? Let him beat me?! (CANTONESE)
MEI-HUI
You should have talked to me! You should have talked to Principal McKe- (CANTONESE)
LUI is getting annoyed…
LUI
I DID talk to you about it… I DID talk about it to Principal McKenzie about it… T-They did NOTHING to stop them! They only stop me… (CANTONESE)
MEI-HUI thinks for a moment…
MEI-HUI
But that doesn't excuse what you just did! You were trying to drown Blake in the toilet!!! (CANTONESE)
LUI
SO, WHAT?! HE DID A LOT WORSE TO ME AND OTHERS! (CANTONESE)
LUI scares MEI-HUI…
MEI-HUI
Y-You can't just do something like that!!! (CANTONESE)
LUI
Why not?! (CANTONESE)
MEI-HUI
It's wrong! (CANTONESE)
LUI is baffled.
LUI
Fuck that!
MEI-HUI
Don't say that! (CANTONESE)
LUI stays quiet… So is MEI-HU…
LUI
Whatever… Just leave me alone… (CANTONESE)
LUI turns around to go into his room…
MEI-HUI
Yichen… I don't want you to be a bad man. Don't be like your father. (CANTONESE)
LUI stops again as he thinks for a moment…
JILL (ECHO)
Lui. Wake up!
CUT TO:
BLACK SCREEN.
JILL (ECHO)
Lui!
CUT TO:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE.
LUI wakes up with a gasp.
JILL
Woah!
JILL is on her knees to wake LUI up.
LUI
Oh. Good morning, Jill…
JILL
Good morning.
LUI touches his face a little to test the pain of his old bruises…
LUI
How was your sleep?
LUI gets up, and JILL gets up afterward.
JILL
Ugh… I had a hard time falling asleep.
LUI
I'm sorry.
JILL
Are you gonna go clean the garage now???
LUI thinks for a moment.
LUI
Uh… When I get the cleaning supplies. But I don't have money right now…
JILL thinks for a moment.
JILL
Did Richie take anything with him before you kicked him out?
LUI
N-No…
JILL
Maybe he left his money in the garage.
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
Yeah… I-I'll go check it out. I'll be right back.
LUI slightly smiles.
JILL
Okay.
JILL slightly smiles, and she watches LUI enter the self-storage place.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE SELF STORAGE - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE.
LUI is standing in front of the garage… He's just looking at the handle to pull it open while exploring his deep thoughts… LUI heavily exhales… He's about to duck down.
FRANKLIN (O.S)
Hey, Lui.
FRANKLIN appears out of the corner.
LUI
Ah!
FRANKLIN's sudden appearance startles LUI. The scream didn't scare FRANKLIN, but it did scare FRANKLIN's guy (the DRIVER) a little, who was behind FRANKLIN. Both of them are wearing normal civilian clothes, not their gangster outfits…
LUI
H-Hey… I'm sorry about that.
FRANKLIN
You're fine. We need to go now.
LUI
To where?
FRANKLIN
Chinatown.
LUI is baffled…
LUI
W-Why there???
FRANKLIN
I'll explain on the way there.
LUI thinks for a moment as he looks back at the pathway to the overpass…
LUI
Uhm… C-Can I go look for something real quick in the garage first? A-And talk with J- The girl.
FRANKLIN
You can only pick one. I don't want to be late.
LUI gulps.
LUI
O-Okay… I-I'll just go talk to the girl instead…
FRANKLIN
Make it quick.
LUI
I will…
FRANKLIN
We'll be waiting here.
LUI
Okay. I'll be right back…
LUI walks back to the overpass while FRANKLIN and the DRIVER watch him…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE.
JILL is chilling in LUI's tent, and then LUI arrives.
JILL
Did you find his money?
LUI
U-Uhm… I-I couldn't find it… S-Sorry…
JILL
Shit… How are you gonna get the money???
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
Uh… I-I got a job opportunity… I guess?
JILL is surprised.
JILL
Oh? What is it?
LUI thinks again… He gulps.
LUI
I don't know what the job is. A guy offered me work… H-He didn't explain what it is… But I-I guess I'll find out soon…
JILL observes him, and LUI gets nervous from this observation…
JILL
Okay… When are you going?
LUI
Now… I gotta go meet the guy now…
JILL
Oh, okay. When are you coming back?
LUI
As soon as I get the money…
JILL
Okay.
JILL smiles, and LUI slightly smiles back.
LUI
See you soon, Jill…
JILL
See you soon!
LUI goes back into the self-storage place…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CITY - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/LIGHT SUSPENSE.
LUI is in the normal civilian car, in the backseat with FRANKLIN, while the DRIVER is driving.
LUI
W-Why are we going to Chinatown?
FRANKLIN
To prove yourself useful and loyal, and join Western Amber Reapers at the same time.
LUI is shocked.
LUI
W-Why them???
FRANKLIN
Infiltration… You're going to be a spy for us.
The DRIVER looks at FRANKLIN through the rearview mirror with confusion while LUI thinks…
LUI
W-What do you need to know about them???
FRANKLIN stares at him...
FRANKLIN
Did you run with them before?
LUI
No, I wasn't part of them, but… But my dad is.
FRANKLIN
What's his name?
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
Jaw-Long. Jaw-Long Lui.
FRANKLIN widens his eyes.
FRANKLIN
Jaw-Long??? Hahaha.
FRANKLIN laughs as if he already won… LUI is confused.
FRANKLIN
Well, you just proved yourself useful.
FRANKLIN smiles and LUI awkwardly returns the smile…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CHINATOWN - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS/MUSIC ENDS.
FRANKLIN stops at the outskirts of Chinatown.
FRANKLIN
Here's what you need to do. You go find your dad, join him, and we'll get you. Got it?
LUI gulps.
LUI
Got it…
FRANKLIN stares at him before he smiles…
FRANKLIN
I'll see you soon.
LUI takes a moment as he breathes before he gets out of the car. Right after he gets out of the car, they drive to someplace else while LUI watches them…
ZOOM INTO LUI'S FACE.
SFX/MUSIC: LIGHT SUSPENSE.
LUI starts walking…
MEI-HUI (IN HIS MIND)
Yichen… I don't want you to be a bad man. Don't be like your father. (CANTONESE)
LUI is sad…
CUT TO:
FRANKLIN (IN HIS MIND)
If you don't, you'll end up where you don't want to be while we get the girl.
LUI is scared…
CUT TO:
RICHIE (IN HIS MIND)
Do you really wanna sit back and let the bad things happen to you?
LUI thinks about it…
CUT TO:
MEI-HUI (IN HIS MIND)
Yichen… I don't want you to be a bad man. Don't be like your father. (CANTONESE)
LUI is sad again…
CUT TO:
The voices repeat intensively, and that makes LUI mixed…
CUT TO:
ZOOM OUT OF LUI'S FACE.
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS.
LUI snaps out of it when he accidentally bumps into someone.
CANTONESE MAN
Watch it! (CANTONESE)
LUI
S-Sorry… (CANTONESE)
LUI looks around to find out he's in an area with little traffic of people walking on the pathway designed for walking only, surrounded by shops and restaurants, and few of them are open at this time…
LUI is already in front of a door that leads upstairs to the second floor, above the stores and restaurants… LUI takes a deep breath before walking through the door while FRANKLIN and the DRIVER watch him in the distance…
CUT TO:
INT. THE WORKING CLASS APARTMENTS - DIM YELLOW LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: MUFFLED TV, MUFFLED ARGUING, MUFFLED MOANING.
LUI is walking through the dirty hallway where he can hear the people's conversations because of the thin walls… LUI has mixed emotions about this place…
LUI arrives at his apartment door, and he knocks on the door… Nothing… He knocks one more time… Still nothing… But LUI doesn't seem to be surprised at all. So, he takes his apartment key out of his pocket and before he inserts the key into the knob, he takes a deep breath… Anticipating…
INT. LUI'S APARTMENT - BRIGHT MORNING, NATURAL LIGHT IN.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS.
LUI comes into the room, visibly disturbed… The apartment is messy, but the TV in the small living room is the latest…. When he's about to enter the only bedroom, he sees the hooks on the wall.
LUI
Huh?
LUI is confused by the hooks, but he moves on and comes into the small bedroom… Nothing out of the ordinary to him. The queen bed takes most of the space, some drawers look nice, and it's still messy… But the unusually empty bedside table that leaves LUI in confusion…
CUT TO:
He moves on to go to his room, and when he gets into his room, he's baffled… His small room is a storage room filled with boxes and junk…
LUI
Huh???
LUI looks around the room from where he stands… Suddenly, the sound of someone inserting the key into the front doorknob alerts LUI, and LUI runs to the front door to see who it is… He's anticipating. It's a random CHINESE GUY.
CHINESE GUY
Who- Who the fuck are you?! (MANDARIN)
The CHINESE GUY and LUI are baffled.
LUI
I-I can explain!
The CHINESE GUY observes him.
CHINESE GUY
You think you can rob my place??? (MANDARIN)
The CHINESE GUY walks towards LUI with a fist.
LUI
W-Wait!-
The CHINESE GUY punches LUI in the stomach.
LUI
Ugh!
LUI falls to the ground on his knees as he's holding his stomach in pain…
CHINESE GUY
Get the fuck out of my room! (MANDARIN)
The CHINESE GUY grabs LUI's shirt collar.
LUI
I-I used to live here!!! (MANDARIN)
LUI speaks in broken Mandarin, but the CHINESE GUY drags LUI to the door.
LUI
M-My father is Jaw-Long Lui!!! (MANDARIN)
CHINESE GUY
I don't give a shit! (MANDARIN)
INT. THE WORKING CLASS APARTMENTS - DIM YELLOW LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS.
The CHINESE GUY throws LUI out of the apartment.
LUI
Oof!
LUI lands on the floor on his stomach.
CHINESE GUY
Don't come back here! (MANDARIN)
The CHINESE GUY slams the door shut.
LUI
Ugh…
LUI thinks for a moment before he gets up… He looks at the door with deep thoughts… He appears to be upset…
SFX/MUSIC: SUSPENSE.
LUI looks down at the floor for a moment before he walks away…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CHINATOWN - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
LUI hopelessly walks out of the apartment with thoughts in mind… He looks around in one place, and then he sees FRANKLIN and the DRIVER pretending to look at things through the store's window while they're keeping an eye out on him… LUI gulps… LUI thinks for a moment before he figures out, as we can tell by his expression. He walks somewhere.
CUT TO:
INT. THE LIQUOR STORE - BRIGHT WHITE LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET/CONTINUOUS.
LUI enters a quiet, lonely liquor store.
LUI
Excuse-
CASHIER
Ew, you're gross! What the hell do you want? (CANTONESE)
LUI
I-I'm looking for my father- (CANTONESE)
CASHIER
Well, your father isn't here. Get out of here. (CANTONESE)
LUI
Sir- (CANTONESE)
CASHIER
GET OUT! (CANTONESE)
The CASHIER grabs a broomstick and charges at him with it to scare LUI away…
LUI
Okay, okay! I'll go! (CANTONESE)
EXT. THE CHINATOWN - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
LUI runs out of the shop, and the CASHIER shuts the door on him. LUI heavily exhales out of stress as he looks around until he sees FRANKLIN and the DRIVER getting out of a store with soda cans… LUI is scared but figures out another thing…
CUT TO:
INT. THE PAWNSHOP - BRIGHT WHITE LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET/CONTINUOUS.
LUI enters another quiet store.
LUI
Excuse-
PAWNSHOP OWNER
Not fucking interested in buying anything from you.
LUI
I-I just wanna ask-
PAWNSHOP OWNER
BOLIN!!!
BOLIN the gangster comes out of the backroom.
BOLIN
Yeah, boss? (MANDARIN)
BOLIN wears this particular outfit, a simple white tank top to show off the muscles and tattoos, but he's wearing an orange backwards cap.
PAWNSHOP OWNER
Get him the fuck out! (MANDARIN)
BOLIN
Got it. (MANDARIN)
BOLIN walks to LUI with intimidation.
LUI
W-Wait! I-
BOLIN pushes LUI.
BOLIN
Get out of here! (MANDARIN)
EXT. THE CHINATOWN - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
LUI gets pushed out by BOLIN, and he slams the door on him… LUI immediately spots FRANKLIN and the DRIVER again… LUI looks down at the ground… Scared…
CUT TO:
INT. THE TATTOO SHOP - BRIGHT WHITE LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: TATTOO MACHINARY/CONTINUOUS.
LUI comes in while the WORKER is giving the tattoo to a customer.
LUI
Exc-
WORKER
Ugh!!!
The GUARD suddenly appears and he's dressed in a similar gangster outfit, black tank top, but he's wearing an orange bandana as a scarf around his neck.
GUARD
You'd think you come in here smelling like that??? (MANDARIN)
LUI
W-Wait! (MANDARIN)
The GUARD punches him in the face.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CHINATOWN - BRIGHT MORNING.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
LUI gets thrown out.
LUI
Ugh!
The GUARD slams the door…
CUT TO:
LUI walks out of another store.
CUT TO:
LUI gets pushed out from another… LUI is becoming upset… Angry… He sees FRANKLIN and the DRIVER in the distance… He becomes scared again…
CUT TO:
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC ENDS.
LUI arrives at the nice-looking bar called The Reaper's Dungeon… LUI looks at FRANKLIN and the DRIVER again, where they're having a pleasant chat with an old Chinese man… The DRIVER is leading the conversation while FRANKLIN is keeping an eye out on him… LUI takes a deep breath before he walks in…
INT. THE REAPER'S DUNGEON - DIM NATURAL LIGHT IN.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET.
LUI walks through the singular door to see that the bar has barely any people in it… Few patrons are enjoying their drinks this early, and one bartender behind the counter is talking with one of the patrons, but this PATRON is another gangster, white tank top, but he's wearing a small covered orange kunai knife as a necklace…
PATRON
Did you see Chan-Juan last night? (MANDARIN)
BARTENDER
Nope. (MANDARIN)
PATRON
Shit. (MANDARIN)
LUI walks toward the BARTENDER after he thinks for another moment.
LUI
E-Excuse me.
The PATRON turns around and becomes disgusted by a sniff of LUI's smell.
PATRON
Ugh. Dude!
LUI
S-Sorry, I-
PATRON
We don't allow people like you in here. Get out of here.
LUI gulps.
LUI
Wait. I-I'm looking for my dad, Jaw-Long Lui.
The PATRON looks at LUI with confusion before smiling out of hilarity.
PATRON
Hahaha!
The BARTENDER and other patrons join in the laugh.
PATRON
Sure, and I'm the president of America.
BARTENDER
Hahaha! And I'm the vice president.
OTHER PATRONS
Hahaha!
LUI gulps.
LUI
I-I'm not joking.
The PATRON stops smiling.
PATRON
We were. But I wasn't kidding about you not being allowed here.
LUI
I- I am not joking! Jaw-Long is my dad, and I'm-
SFX/MUSIC: LIGHT SUSPENSE.
The PATRON slaps him in the face.
OTHER PATRONS
Woah! Hahaha!
LUI
Argh!
LUI holds his cheek in pain.
PATRON
Let's go!
The PATRON starts dragging him by his shirt's collar to the front door…
LUI
Ugh! No!
SLOW MOTION.
LUI's expression is having a rollercoaster emotional ride… Agony, anger, scared, and then desperation. Going through the three types of emotions in this slow motion…
NORMAL SPEED.
LUI
WAIT!
LUI pulls himself away from the PATRON.
PATRON
Woah! You slippery mother-
The PATRON gets closer to LUI.
LUI
I-I just need money!
LUI takes a step back.
PATRON
And you think you can get the money from us by lying?
LUI
I-I-I was desperate! I-I'm sorry. B-But I-I can work. I can work for you guys!
LUI doesn't seem to be too proud…
PATRON
We don't take liars into this gang!
SFX/MUSIC: SUSPENSE.
The PATRON gets even closer, and LUI takes another step back as he raises both of his hands toward the PATRON to defend himself.
LUI
P-PLEASE!
LUI suddenly tightens one of his fists…
BARTENDER
Wait, Bo. (MANDARIN)
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC ENDS.
BO
What? (MANDARIN)
The PATRON's name is BO. He's a tough, chubby Chinese-American young adult (18-20) who stands at 6'0. He has short, dark brown hair, is clean-shaven, and has tattoos on his arms and chest. He's wearing the white tank top, beige cargo shorts, and white sneakers.
BARTENDER
I feel bad for him. (MANDARIN)
BO
He shouldn't have lied! (MANDARIN)
BARTENDER
Yeah, but… Look at him. (MANDARIN)
LUI is shaking…
BO
You feel bad for this piece of shit??? (MANDARIN)
BARTENDER
My old man was like him before… Take it easy on him. (MANDARIN)
BO stares at LUI for a moment…
BO
Ugh. Okay, fine. (MANDARIN) Just get out of here, kid. (ENGLISH)
LUI lowers his hands…
LUI
I-I just need money.
BARTENDER
Wait.
The BARTENDER pulls 25 dollars out of his wallet to hand it over to LUI.
BARTENDER
Here. Take this.
LUI is shocked to see the amount of money…
LUI
T-Thank you…
LUI is about to take it until he realizes to stop himself.
LUI
W-Wait. No… I… I wanna work for you guys.
BO
We don't take liars in.
LUI
I'm sorry for lying.
BO
Just take the money and get out of here.
LUI thinks for a moment… He gulps…
LUI
I-
BO
No.
LUI
I-I just NEED to join you guys. I need a JOB.
LUI looks down at the ground after saying it, but he looks back up to see the baffled expression on BO.
LUI
I-I can pickpocket. I can pickpocket people.
LUI awkwardly smiles.
BARTENDER
What did he say? (MANDARIN)
BO
He said he wants to join the gang. (MANDARIN)
The BARTENDER is confused as he looks at LUI.
BARTENDER
Can you ask him why he wants to get a job in the gang? (MANDARIN)
BO
Why do you want to join us?
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
Uh… Because… Because I can't get a normal job.
BO
He said he can't get a normal job. (MANDARIN)
The BARTENDER thinks for a moment…
BARTENDER
Hm… Can you tell him that I can look for a normal job for him- No, wait, tell him we can look for a job for him in this town. (MANDARIN)
CUT TO:
LUI
No. I want to join the gang.
BO is baffled again.
BO
Why???
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
Because… I-I did something and… I-I'm scared to get a normal job because of it.
CUT TO:
BARTENDER
Huh… Okay… Can you ask him what he can do for this gang? (MANDARIN)
BO
He said he can pickpocket earlier. (MANDARIN)
The BARTENDER thinks again.
BARTENDER
Did JJ pay you back yet? (MANDARIN)
BO
Nah. Not yet. (MANDARIN)
BARTENDER
I think I got an opportunity for him. (MANDARIN)
BO
What is it? (MANDARIN)
BARTENDER
Make him pickpocket JJ. (MANDARIN)
BO widened his eyes in shock.
BO
What??? No way! (MANDARIN)
BARTENDER
But how long are you gonna let him carry the debt for??? (MANDARIN)
BO
He's my friend. (MANDARIN)
The BARTENDER is baffled.
BARTENDER
He's not your friend??? Even if he is, he's a shitty friend. (MANDARIN)
BO
Oi!
BARTENDER
I'm sorry, but I'm telling you the truth. (MANDARIN)
BO gulps.
BO
He's not that bad. (MANDARIN)
BARTENDER
He is very bad, Bo, and you know it.
BO thinks for a moment…
BO
Ugh… I don't know about this. (MANDARIN)
BARTENDER
If you don't feel comfortable asking him to pickpocket JJ, I'll ask him. (MANDARIN)
BO thinks again.
BO
Alright… (MANDARIN)
LUI is confused watching them as he's trying to figure out what they're talking about…
BARTENDER
Ahem.
CUT TO:
LUI gulps…
LUI
Okay… I can do that.
The BARTENDER smiles.
CUT TO:
BO
He'll be here tonight… He always wears a white T-shirt, black shorts, and sandals. He's also like in his 50s. He has greyish hair. Slicked back.
BARTENDER
Oh, and tell him he always keeps his wallet in his back pockets. (MANDARIN)
BO
And he keeps his wallet in his back pocket.
LUI
Okay… So… After this, I'll be in the gang?
BO looks at him with suspicious eyes…
BO
If I vouch for you, yeah.
CUT TO:
BARTENDER
Vouch for him! (MANDARIN)
BO
How can I trust the liar??? (MANDARIN)
BARTENDER
He's just desperate, man. Give him a chance. (MANDARIN)
BO
Ugh, fine. (MANDARIN)
LUI gulps.
LUI
I won't disappoint you… I promise.
BO
Uh-huh. You're lucky, Wei stood up for you.
The BARTENDER's name is WEI. He's a thin Chinese young adult (19-21) who stands at 5'8. He has medium-short wavy black hair and a stubble beard. He's wearing a white, rolled-up, long-sleeved shirt with a black bowtie, black pants, and smart shoes. He's also wearing a cheap silver watch.
LUI
T-Thank you, Wei.
LUI smiles at WEI.
WEI
No problem.
WEI returns the smile.
BO
Now, get out of here and come back after you're cleaned up.
LUI
Okay. S-Sorry for the trouble.
LUI awkwardly smiles before he walks away.
WEI
Oh, wait!
LUI stops to turn around.
WEI
Money. Here.
WEI still wants to give 25 dollars to LUI…
BO
Are you sure??? (MANDARIN)
WEI
How else is he gonna clean himself up? (MANDARIN)
LUI
A-Are you sure?
WEI
Yes.
WEI smiles.
LUI
O-Okay.
LUI smiles as he walks back to WEI to pick up the money.
LUI
Thank you.
LUI smiles again, and WEI happily returns it.
WEI
No problem.
LUI
S-See you guys later.
LUI leaves the bar with a smile.
EXT. THE CHINATOWN - BRIGHT AFTERNOON.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE.
LUI walks out of the bar with an exhale of relief as he smiles… But then he starts becoming guilty again… He looks around his surroundings until he sees the DRIVER chatting with an attractive Chinese girl, but FRANKLIN is nowhere to be seen… LUI gulps before he walks towards the DRIVER, and the DRIVER notices LUI, so he stops talking to the girl after giving her a flirtatious signal. The DRIVER gives a follow signal to LUI, and LUI quickly understands it…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS.
The car is parked in the parking lot with FRANKLIN in the backseat. LUI gets in before the DRIVER.
FRANKLIN
Did you find your father?
LUI gulps.
LUI
I-I couldn't find him… I'm sorry…
FRANKLIN quietly sighs.
FRANKLIN
So, what were you doing?
LUI
I-I asked to join them and they gave me a job.
LUI awkwardly smiles.
FRANKLIN
Okay, good.
FRANKLIN smiles.
FRANKLIN
What's the job?
LUI
I just need to pickpocket someone…
LUI thinks for a moment…
FRANKLIN
Okay, not bad.
LUI
Yeah.
FRANKLIN
And when you do this, you'll get in the gang, right?
LUI
Uhh… Yeah, if the guy vouches for me.
FRANKLIN
Who's the guy?
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
Bo.
FRANKLIN
Bo who?
LUI
I don't know his full name.
FRANKLIN stares at him…
FRANKLIN
Okay, who are you pickpocketing?
LUI
His friend. His name is JJ.
FRANKLIN
Why?
LUI
Because he owed Bo a lot of money.
FRANKLIN
Typical…
FRANKLIN quietly says it to himself.
FRANKLIN
And when do you need to do this?
LUI
Tonight.
FRANKLIN stares at him again…
FRANKLIN
Okay.
LUI
Yeah.
Things got awkwardly quiet in the car.
LUI
So, what do I do now?
FRANKLIN
What can you do right now?
LUI
I-I don't know…
LUI thinks for a moment…
LUI
Oh, right. I-I need to clean myself up before I come back to the bar… Can you take me back to the overpass? Or a store near there. If that's okay?
FRANKLIN stares at him, and LUI becomes nervous…
LUI
I-I won't do anything stupid.
FRANKLIN
Okay.
LUI silently sighs with relief…
FRANKLIN
Let's go.
The DRIVER turns the ignition. They drive away.
FADE IN:
BLACK SCREEN.
FADE IN:
INT. THE CONVENIENT STORE - BRIGHT WHITE LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET/CHEERFUL.
LUI enters the store as he smiles at the cashier.
CUT TO:
LUI picks up a big roll of paper tissue.
CUT TO:
A box of trash bags.
CUT TO:
Detergent spray bottle.
CUT TO:
A bar of soap.
CUT TO:
And one 24-pack of water bottles.
CUT TO:
EXT. GOLDEN BURGERS - BRIGHT AFTERNOON.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
The employee places a heavy brown bag on the counter for LUI to pick up.
LUI
Thank you.
LUI says with a smile before he picks up the heavy bag with his free hand.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE OVERPASS - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY & HOMELESS SHELTERS AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS
LUI arrives at the overpass with the two heavy bags.
CUT TO:
An OLD HOMELESS MAN sitting on the ground with his back against the pillar appears to be in deep thought until LUI comes to snap him out of it.
LUI
Hello.
LUI smiles.
OLD HOMELESS MAN
Oh, Lui. Hey.
The HOMELESS MAN is happy to see him.
LUI
Sorry for not getting you a burger in a while.
LUI places the cleaning supplies bag down to take one burger out of the brown bag.
OLD HOMELESS MAN
It's alright.
LUI
But I got a lot this time. Here.
LUI gives the burger to him.
OLD HOMELESS MAN
Thank you.
They smile at each other.
CUT TO:
LUI gives a water bottle.
HOMELESS GIRL
You're so sweet!
CUT TO:
LUI gives more.
HOMELESS GUY
God bless you.
CUT TO:
JILL watches LUI giving charity with a confused look from inside LUI's tent…
CUT TO:
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC ENDS.
LUI arrives at JILL.
LUI
Hi, sorry for being late.
LUI smiles as he places the two bags on the ground next to JILL.
LUI
One burger, one bottle is for you.
LUI says as he's getting one single burger and one bottle of the pack to hand to JILL. JILL doesn't seem happy…
JILL
Why did you buy for others???
LUI is confused.
LUI
Because it's the right thing to do?
JILL
You could have used the rest of the money for us instead!
JILL scares LUI a little…
LUI
B-But they're like us. They need this too.
JILL
Yeah, so? Why do you care about them???
LUI
I just do…
JILL
Ugh… Whatever.
JILL looks down at the ground, pouting as things quickly get awkward between them… LUI gulps.
LUI
I-I'm gonna go clean the garage now… I'm sorry…
JILL
Yeah, whatever.
LUI awkwardly walks away with the two bags
CUT TO:
INT. THE GARAGE HOME - NATURAL LIGHT IN.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET/OMINOUS.
LUI opens the garage with the natural light coming in… He takes a deep breath…
LUI
Okay…
LUI takes a step inside.
CUT TO:
LUI is collecting the broken table pieces and garbage into the trash bag.
RICHIE (IN HIS MIND)
I wanna go back where I belong… But I need her. So, tell me where she is right now!
LUI is ashamed as he continues…
CUT TO:
LUI sprays detergent on the blood on the wall before he wipes with the sponge.
RICHIE (IN HIS MIND)
Y-You bashed my head against the fucking wall…
LUI sharply and heavily exhales…
CUT TO:
LUI is placing a lot of tissues down on the blood puddle on the floor…
FRANKLIN (IN HIS MIND)
So, you saved the girl?
LUI pauses to think…
JILL (IN HIS MIND)
T-Thank you…
LUI continues to work after hearing that in his mind… He looks okay.
MEI-HUI (IN HIS MIND)
But that doesn't excuse what you just did! (CANTONESE)
LUI stops again as he heavily and shakingly exhales…
CUT TO:
LUI quickly puts everything else into the trashbag as he's wearing the repeated thoughts in his mind… Including the ones he already heard back in Chinatown…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE SELF STORAGE - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/MUSIC ENDS.
LUI sits outside with his back against the wall, next to the garage, with the trash bag next to him… Staring blankly at the ground… Exploring deeper into his mind… With the wide eyes…
CUT TO:
INT. LUI'S APARTMENT - SUNSET, NATURAL LIGHT IN.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET.
Continuing the flashback…
MEI-HUI
Yichen… I don't want you to be a bad man. Don't be like your father. (CANTONESE)
LUI stops again as he stays silent...
MEI-HUI
Yichen!
Silence...
MEI-HUI
Answer me! Don't ignore me! (CANTONESE)
LUI
I'll never be like him... (CANTONESE)
LUI answers without facing her...
MEI-HUI
But YOU are acting like HIM. What you did to Blake was like HIM! (CANTONESE)
LUI
I'LL NEVER BE LIKE HIM! (CANTONESE)
LUI scares MEI-HUI as he faces her…
LUI
I'M NOT GOING TO BE LIKE HIM! (CANTONESE)
MEI-HUI stays quiet as she thinks…
LUI
You're the worst... Just… Just leave me alone! (CANTONESE)
LUI walks into his room and slams the door behind him… Leaving MEI-HUI alone with her thoughts…
SFX/MUSIC: HIGH PITCH SOUND.
MEI-HUI is heavily breathing… She's on the verge of tears…
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. THE SELF STORAGE - CONTINUOUS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/PITCH STOPS.
LUI snaps out of his exploration with a gasp… He rubs his eyes… After that, he takes a deep breath… He goes back to thinking…
FRANKLIN (IN HIS MIND)
I NEED you to work for me. If you don't… You'll end up where you don't want to be… While we get the girl.
LUI closes his eyes… He finally gets up. Quickly too.
CUT TO:
LUI takes the bar of soap from the bag.
CUT TO:
The water bottle.
CUT TO:
INT. THE GARAGE HOME - NATURAL LIGHT IN.
SFX/MUSIC: QUIET.
And a grey T-shirt, and blue jeans from the hamper basket.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE CHINATOWN - SUNSET, ORANGE LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS.
All the establishments are now open, and many people are walking the streets of Chinatown to get a drink, eat, or shop. Some of these people are white.
LUI arrives at The Reaper's Dungeon looking fresh (except for the old bruises on his face and broken glasses), but his clothes are a little baggy. LUI looks at the bar while he thinks for a moment… He takes a deep breath before he walks into the bar.
INT. THE REAPER'S DUNGEON - DIM AMBER LIGHTS, FOGGY.
SFX/MUSIC: BG CHINESE ROCK SONG, CHATTERS.
LUI walks into the bar to see many people having a great time… And get a cough because of the foggy smoke in the bar. He stands in one place while he looks around the bar, and then he sees WEI behind the bar counter, serving and chatting with the patrons. LUI thinks for a moment before he continues looking around until he sees BO talking with a Chinese girl at the bar counter.
LUI suddenly becomes shy about approaching one of them, as he still stands where he is: the front door. A guy comes into the bar.
GUY (O.S)
Excuse me. (MANDARIN)
LUI
Oh, sorry.
LUI gives way and watches the GUY walking to BO… LUI realizes the GUY is JJ. The description is there. He's a Cantonese fat old guy (late 40s) who stands at 5'9. He has long, grey-ish hair that is slicked back, and a grey goatee. He's wearing a white polo t-shirt, grey shorts, and sandals. He's also wearing a silver watch on his left wrist.
JJ
Bo!!!
BO turns around to face JJ, and both of them are happy to see each other.
BO
JJ.
They hug each other, but BO notices LUI in the background, and his smile quickly dissolves to worry.
JJ
I've got a funny story to tell you. And your girl! Haha! It was hilarious! (MANDARIN)
BO
U-Uh. Before that, can we talk about something important first? (MANDARIN)
JJ
Sure, what is it? (MANDARIN)
BO
I-It's about the money you owed me-
JJ
Hey, come on! Friends don't give debts to their friends. (MANDARIN)
BO
Y-Yeah, but- (MANDARIN)
JJ
No, buts! Haha! (MANDARIN)
BO thinks for a moment… He looks at LUI, who moved into a dark corner like a suspicious person… WEI suddenly joins in the conversation.
WEI
Come on, JJ. You always make him pay- (MANDARIN)
JJ
I didn't ask for your advice. (MANDARIN)
BO
Hey, don't cut him off like that. (MANDARIN)
JJ
He was trying to nose into our shit. (MANDARIN)
BO
Yeah, but Wei is cool. (MANDARIN)
JJ
He ain't cool for trying to nose in. (MANDARIN)
BO
He was just trying to help. (MANDARIN)
JJ
He should have kept it to himself. (MANDARIN)
JJ is not happy…
WEI
It's cool, Bo. Don't worry about it. (MANDARIN)
WEI looks at LUI…
BO
Alright then… (MANDARIN)
JJ
Next time, don't get in between us, you hear? (MANDARIN)
WEI
Yeah, okay. (MANDARIN)
JJ
Now get us whiskey shots. Let's get shit faced! Haha! (MANDARIN)
JJ pats BO's shoulders, and BO smiles slightly.
LUI'S POV.
SFX/MUSIC: INSTRUMENTAL ROCK MUSIC.
LUI checks the surroundings…
PAN FADE IN:
BO and JJ cheer their shots before they take the shots.
PAN FADE IN:
They take more shots.
PAN FADE IN:
They are drunkenly talking.
JJ
And then bam! That happens! HAHAHA! (MANDARIN)
BO
HAHAHA! How the fuck did that happen?!? (MANDARIN)
PAN FADE IN:
BO and JJ are in front of the women sitting at their round table.
BO
Hey, baby. Wanna have a good time??? (MANDARIN)
JJ
Heyy!! You ladies look beautiful!!! (MANDARIN)
LUI can barely see WEI in the distance behind the bar counter, WEI is giving a confused expression to him.
PAN FADE IN:
BO and JJ are getting in trouble with other PATRONS.
PATRON 1
Stay the hell away from my girl! (MANDARIN)
SFX/MUSIC: ROCK MUSIC INTENSIFIES.
JJ
Or what? (MANDARIN)
The PATRON 1 suddenly punches him in the face, and that makes the POV of LUI back up a little out of fear…
BO
OI!
BO pushes PATRON 1 to the ground, and after that, another PATRON punches BO back. A bar fight ensues…
FAST PAN FADE IN:
The bar fight becomes bigger with more random patrons and gangsters joining in, but it appears that the gangsters are having fun with this fight…
CAPO
WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?! STOP ALL OF THIS! (MANDARIN)
A CAPO of the W.A.R gang suddenly comes into the bar with a flashing outfit. An orange suit vest on a rolled up shirt, and all of his fingers have shiny gold rings…
FAST PAN FADE IN:
SFX/MUSIC: ROCK MUSIC SLOWS DOWN TO THE NORMAL PACING.
The fight has stopped, and almost everyone is leaving the bar because of what just happened… The CAPO is scolding his men in a line, including BO, who's not standing up properly…
CAPO
WHAT THE FUCK WAS ALL THAT BEFORE?! (MANDARIN)
GANGSTER 1
They started it! (MANDARIN)
The GANGSTER 1 takes a step forward to confront the CAPO BOSS.
CAPO
BACK THE FUCK OFF!
The CAPO pushes the GANGSTER 1 back into the line.
CAPO
WHAT DID I TELL YOU BEFORE?! I TOLD YOU TO ALWAYS DE-ESCALATE THIS TYPE OF SHIT! NOT ESCALATE IT! (MANDARIN)
GANGSTER 2
Hey, man, we couldn't- (MANDARIN)
CAPO
SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
OUT OF POV.
The yell is so loud that we get kicked out of LUI's POV instantly to see the traumatized face on LUI… He suddenly spots JJ sneaking and stumbling his way to the door to get out of the bar. LUI becomes hopeful as he watches JJ getting out of the bar, and LUI follows him after JJ goes through the door and takes a deep breath.
EXT. THE CHINATOWN - NIGHT, ORANGE LIGHTS.
SFX/MUSIC: CITY AMBIENCE/CONTINUOUS.
When LUI gets out of the bar, he didn't expect to see that the crowd on the streets is still populated like before… LUI takes another deep breath before he pushes himself to continue following the drunk JJ through the crowd…
JJ
Get out of my way! Ugh… (MANDARIN)
LUI keeps his distance from the drunk JJ while he's paranoidly looking around at the people… Suddenly, JJ makes a sharp turn into a dark alleyway. LUI sighs in relief and slightly smiles…
EXT. THE ALLEYWAY - NIGHT, DARK.
SFX/MUSIC: CONTINUOUS/CONTINUOUS.
LUI enters the alleyway, but he stops to see what JJ is doing… He's still struggling to walk in a straight line.
JJ
Ugh, god… (CANTONESE)
JJ stops as he leans on the wall with his left arm, and he looks down at the ground. LUI takes a deep breath as he closes his eyes… He quickly, quietly goes to JJ.
SFX/MUSIC: ROCK MUSIC INTENSIFIES.
LUI takes another deep, quiet breath, but he's shaking… He reaches his hand into JJ's back pocket to get JJ's wallet. Carefully but not too slow to pickpocket…
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS.
LUI successfully pulls JJ's wallet out of his back pocket, and LUI is surprised with a quiet gasp, and he smiles soon after, but that quickly dissolves.
JJ
Ugh, okay… (CANTONESE)
LUI quickly takes a step back when he hears him say that, but luckily, JJ doesn't notice as he continues to walk forward… Until his left leg hits a thin, strong metal pipe that is sticking out of the wall, and that startles LUI.
JJ
ARGH! MOTHERFUCKER! (CANTONESE)
JJ turns around while he's holding his left leg in the air out of agony, and that's where and when he sees LUI with his wallet in hand…
JJ
Huh??? HUH?!
SFX/MUSIC: INSTRUMENTAL ROCK MUSIC.
LUI
U-Uh…
JJ
T-THAT'S MY WALLET! (MANDARIN)
LUI takes a step back with his hands instinctively up against JJ.
LUI
W-W-Wait! (CANTONESE)
JJ gets close to him.
JJ
YOU SORRY MOTHERFUCKER. (MANDARIN)
LUI
Shit!
LUI quickly turns around to run, but JJ grabs him on both shoulders with two hands.
SFX/MUSIC: ROCK MUSIC INTENSIFIES.
LUI
AH!
JJ pulls LUI back to him, but not facing him, he throws him to his back.
LUI
Woah!
LUI also drops JJ's wallet in the process.
JJ
YOU'RE GONNA REGRET THIS! (MANDARIN)
JJ charges at LUI with a block of fist in the air.
LUI
WAIT! (CANTONESE)
JJ's block of fist lands on top of LUI's head.
LUI
UGH!
LUI holds his head in pain as he looks down, and there's a quick glimpse of LUI's painful eyes changing to anger.
LUI
ARGH!
LUI looks back up at JJ as he delivers a fist to JJ's nose.
JJ
OOF!
JJ looks down as he holds his nose, and LUI quickly regrets it.
LUI
Shit!
JJ looks back up at LUI.
JJ
WHY YOU! (MANDARIN)
JJ charges at LUI.
LUI
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! (CANTONESE)
JJ grabs LUI's t-shirt collar to aggressively shake him.
JJ
FUCK YOU!!!
LUI
AH-AH-AH! I'M SORRY!!!
JJ suddenly throws LUI against the wall.
LUI
Urgh!
JJ
AHHH!!!
JJ charges at LUI with another left fist in the air, and it's coming to LUI's face this time. LUI quickly covers his face with both of his arms. But then JJ misses LUI's face, and his fist lands on the wall.
JJ
AH FUCK! OW! (CANTONESE)
LUI becomes confused but quickly realizes the opportunity to fight back while JJ is stunned. LUI shoves JJ.
JJ
AH!
JJ trips and falls on his back, but luckily, the pipe catches JJ on his back.
JJ
AHHH!!!
LUI has mixed emotions of worry and confusion until he widens his eyes in shock when he sees the red spot on JJ's shirt...
SFX/MUSIC: HORROR.
LUI
Oh my god…
The red spot on JJ's shirt, just below his heart, is becoming larger and larger. JJ coughs blood…
JJ
Urgh!
LUI quickly goes to him to check on JJ…
LUI
Shit, shit, shit! I-I am so sorry!!!
LUI looks at the red spot as he's trying to figure out how to help… LUI makes eye contact with JJ's pure hatred eyes…
JJ
You… Ugh…
JJ closes his eyes as he goes limp…
LUI
No, no, no… Shit! Hey! Wake up!
LUI shakes JJ, but to no avail… LUI's breathing becomes louder and heavier… He looks at his shaky hands while he's on his knees… He is devastated…
LUI
I am so sorry… I am so sorry…
LUI sits there… Apologizing over and over…
CUT TO:
BLACK SCREEN.
SFX/MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS.