AIR NATION A FREE TICKET AROUND THE WORLD
CHAPTER 2
BOMBAY INDIA
BOMBAY INDIA
INT.CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT.
We can hear the steps of the entire crew from far ahead. No one is around beside a concierge cleaning up the floor. They turn to take another corridor. The captain stops to look at this giant screen to see which gate the aircraft is park at.
They continue walking with a rapid pace. In the waiting lounge we can see a group of passengers. The majority of them are from India, men wearing turban, and women dress in sari. They are sitting on their seats with their legs crossed. Some women are veiled, and are trying to put their babies at sleep but most of them are sleeping waiting for a departure. Three men in suits are talking together.
At the sound of the steps, a few passengers are waking up and stare at the crew coming towards them.
-I thought they say it was a ferry flight! Whispers Lolitta to Chanel.
-Oh! My God, did you have a good look at them? Asks Chanel bending down to answer Lolitta.
The captain stops walking.
-O.K. Max, wait for us here. You can start your briefing here; we have to go to the Operations
(Place where you get the flight plan)
-Very well, captain.
The captain leaves with the first officer and George the engineer.
The crew is gathering around Max.
-Come, we will sit over there, points out Max.
As soon as he is sitting, Max pulls out the position list.
-Did everyone sign up? I though you work pretty well together on the way here so I assign you the same position if someone is not happy with this just let me know. Now take your manual, please.
The captain arrives with the others.
-Max, says Mike the first officer. Continue your briefing in the aircraft. By the way, we have 240 passengers plus 4 infants.
The flight attendants put their manual back in their satchel, stand up and pull their suitcase to the aircraft.
INTERIOR. AIRCRAFT. ZONE A .
The flight attendants are sitting while Max is standing in front of the group.
-O.K. let’s continue, orders Max. If we have 240 passengers and 4 infants how many flight attendants do we really need Lorenzo?
Everyone turns around to see Lorenzo answering the question.
-Hum! One flight attendant for a ratio of 40 passengers.
-Youssef, if I have only one person in the upper deck do I really need someone upstairs?
-Yes of course.
-O.K. now Jade, do you think, I, the flight director should be aware of any problem on board this aircraft?
-Well yes, answers Jade. I think it’s important and I know what you want to mean, you should have been advice about the fire in the lav. I told the captain and got carried with the fighting.
-I am not saying it’s wrong, but that goes for everyone if you don’t see me on the scene of something major come and look for me; anybody. Those who were fighting were very busy, so don’t forget that for future happening. And by the way, I want to thank Danyele to have coordinated the fighting with success. However people, don’t ever expect the next time to be the same we might not be so lucky O.K.
And for your information, when there is a fire downstairs, it doesn’t ring on the upper deck panel only in the cockpit. It’s an old aircraft this one so now, the subject is close.
Xénia comes out the galley with two casseroles.
-Max I don’t know what we are serving?
She shows the casseroles to him.
-I am not finish with the safety briefing Xénia can you wait please, asks Max very upset.
Xénia looks at him surprised and sit down not pleased at all. David looks at her and smiles.
Xénia smiles back.
After a thorough briefing, a meticulous verification of the equipment and the cabin tidiness, they are ready to board.
INTERIOR. ZONE B.
Louise looks at the door, more comfortable with the procedures now; she takes the interphone and presses the P.A. button.
You can see the passengers at the door.
-The passengers are here.
You can see behind Louise’s shoulder Max at his jump seat taking the interphone.
-Flight attendants to your doors, orders Max.
He signals Louise to let them in.
Victor is passing by in a hurry to go to his door finishing his sandwich...
-Good night! welcome Louise all smiling.
She takes the boarding cards and look at the man. He smiles at her with his very white teeth in the exception of one gold tooth in the front. She shows him the right way to proceed. Three women are fallowing the man. They enter smiling back at Louise. They are very beautiful. They are wearing nice colourful saris with very fine broidery. They must have at least ten bracelets in each arm. Two of them, have their nose pierce; not to forget the red dot on their front head.
The passengers are coming one after another. Louise is so impress to see so many different colourful saris. It’s unbelievable.
Two men are entering with turban on. A third one is dress all in white. Behind him the three men in business suit are still talking. The boarding continue smoothly.
EXTERIOR. AIRCRAFT IN THE AIR.
Forty-five minutes later, the aircraft takes off to reach its cruising altitude of 38,000 feet.
GALLEY 2
Danyele and David are preparing their boxes to put on their trolley. Jade all excited comes in real fast and closes the curtains.
-Oh! Its awful Danyele there is a passenger in your section... she... she ah! It’s awful she has her hands completely burned!
-Are you serious? ask Danyele very concern. We must do something.
-I thought I didn’t see properly earlier on, says David but I saw one with her feet and hands burned. I am not joking either.
-Well I don’t believe it, says Danyele. Maybe they have been beat up by some French men or their husband. Who knows?
Louise pushes the curtains and enters their galley.
-What’s wrong with you guys? Do I really look like a ghost, that much. I came to get a carton of milk...
-Listen, close the curtain, asks Danyele. Imagine we have women in our section that have their hands and feet burned.
Louise is listening carefully.
-It’s awful Louise, confesses Jade. I cannot go back there. It hurts me too much just to look at them; imagine how they can suffer?
-I cannot believe, says David, that the captain had dared telling us nice things about Bombay!
Louise looks at them completely discouraged.
-Guys you are panicking for nothing. It looks worst than it seems. The first time you see that, it’s a shock but it’s not what you think at all. Come with me you will understand a lot more.
They leave the galley. Louise continues explaining.
-It’s like tattooing. They are drawing some beautiful design on their hands.
-You are wrong Louise, whisper Jade, it’s not that at all. There is no design.
-Look, the older ladies only put henna on just to colour their hands, confirms Louise sure of herself.
They arrive at the seat and look.
-Hello! Madam, do you speak English?
The two women look at the flight attendants. They don’t understand. They are sitting with their legs cross. The younger girl has her hand on the table and the older one is drawing some nice patterns on. It’s menhendi to its purist form.
-What is this? asks Jade pointing with her finger.
The older lady doesn’t understand.
-Yes thank-you, she answers.
The group start laughing.
-Okay, major communication problem, here, realizes David.
Behind them you can see a woman standing up and putting her baby in the overhead compartment. She closes the door and sits down. No one notice it.
-I have read in the national geographic that is a ritual for young girls to do that before they get married, explain Louise. It’s to embellish their hands.
-She is so pretty, remarks David; it’s too bad she is getting married. She looks like a princess.
The lady shows her hands to the group, than the other hand that was completely finish, than turn around and point to a young man in the back.
The flight attendants are surprised and finally understand this ritual.
The old lady takes Louise’s hand.
- No! No! I can’t, answers Louise.
-We could always do it on our feet, explains Jade. It won’t show.
-Great idea, says Louise enchanted. Let’s do it after our service.
Louise removes her shoe and shows the top of her foot to the lady. The woman shakes her head from left to right and smile.
-I am not sure, if it’s a yes or no but she is smiling.
They go back to their chores.
AISLE.
We can see the flight attendants with their trolley.
They are showing the passengers the casseroles without talking. Max is approaching a passenger in the front, impatient with this slow service even though they have nine hours and a half of a flying time. Really! He is a nervous wreck.
-Excuse me sir, do you speak English? asks Max.
-Yes, answer the man with a nice blue turban.
-Could you do me a favour and tell the passengers they have the choice of a vegetarian meal or chicken.
Max gives him the interphone and presses the P.A. button without waiting for an answer...
-No problem, answers the man shaking his head, afterwards.
The man starts talking in Urdu.
-Thank-you, sir.
Max turns around to see how the service is going in the front. At the same time, a woman stands up really fast and shows her little finger to Tiffany.
Tiffany doesn’t understand .She doesn’t know what to do. Max right away walks to the lady and signals her to fallow him. He shows him the washroom.
She goes in. He goes back to Tiffany.
-I heard that from other flight attendants that there is a region where showing the little finger means they are going to be sick.
Tiffany opens her mouth surprised...
-I am going to see if she’s all right. You can continue your service Tiffany and close your mouth, darling!
Tiffany shakes her head and continues.
Max walks toward the washroom.
GALLEY. 1.
Josey closes her ovens.
Louise is standing waiting.
-I don’t have anymore vegetarian casserole and there are none in Galley 2, says Josey. Louise go get what you can in the back and I will try to finish your side with chicken.
Tiffany comes in, takes two casseroles and goes back in the cabin.
-O.K. Josey, says Louise.
AISLE.
She goes to the back walking rapidly.
Danyele is putting a tray on someone’s table.
Louise is trying to get by Danyele’s trolley. She continues walking. Chanel is bending to talk to her pretty little girl in a pink dress. Louise arrives finally in the back.
She looks in zone E to see where the others are at with their service and at the same time she can see this man standing up in the aisle and falling on the ground. She tries to catch him but too late the man is all ready on the floor.
The passengers surprised to see the man fall, stop eating.
-Lolitta come and help me!, screams Louise.
Lolitta turns around looks at Louise and puts on the brake on her trolley and checks what’s going on.
-What is it Louise, do you know?
-I think he just fainted. Call Max. I am going to take his pulse.
The passengers are now standing around to see what is going on.
-Back up, back up. Let me go!, orders Lolitta nervously.
The passengers are doing nothing. Lolitta is trying to get by.
Victor is getting out of his galley with a coffee pot..
-Victor! screams Lolitta, tell them to sit down.
Right away he puts back his pot and starts telling people to sit down using his hands as well.
We can see Lolitta on the phone.
She hangs up and goes right away to Louise.
-O.K. Louise, Max is on his way.
Louise is unfastening the man’s belt.
His feet are elevated on top of a bag.
- I don’t have a clue what he has, admits Louise, just get me an oxygen bottle just in case, and Victor check if the man ate his meal.
Victor is checking the man’s meal.
Lorenzo in the other aisle is looking at what’s going on. Victor sees him and shows him with his hands to continue the service.
-He didn’t touch a thing, Louise, says Victor a bit surprised.
Lolitta arrives with the oxygen bottle.
At the same time the man is regaining consciousness.
Louise looks at the man than looks at Lolitta and Victor.
-Oh! God, says Louise relieved, guys we are not going to use it after all. He is back with us. Ouf!
She looks at him and signals him to stay like that.
But the man doesn’t understand and tries to gets up.
Louise helps him to sit with Victor.
Max fallowed by the passenger who speaks English arrives.
What do we have here? asks Max very hyper.
-I think he simply fainted, explains Louise very calmly, but....
-Well, says Max, we are lucky guys. This man speaks English and he can translate for us. Sir, ask him how he feels?
The man talks to him in Urdu but had to get somebody else to talk to him because he only spoke Hindi. Finally, he translates to the crew what he told him.
- He didn’t eat for two days, explains the Indian man, and he thought he had to pay for the meal. He gave all his money to her sister in France, who is going to get married and since in India if the father died the oldest brother has to take care of his family, he went to make sure his sister will be O.K. for the rest of her life with her future husband.
-Please, says Max getting impatient, tell the man he can eat has much as he wants. O.K.
Louise looks at the man once more, touches his hand and leaves.
Lolitta and Victor look at her.
Louise looks at Victor.
-Quick Victor, I need all the vegetarian meal you can find.
Victor gives her only a few meals.
Louise smiles at him and leaves in a hurry.
AISLE. ZONE B.
Louise arrives with the casseroles.
Jade is in the aisle with a tea pot.
She looks at Louise.
-Where were you? asks Jade frustrated. I have done your coffee and now I am finishing your tea for you.
They let two women walk by them.
-Oh! That’s very nice of you Jade .Thank you. I had to take care of a man who fainted just in front of me.
-Hurry up! Louise we have to do the pickup and then we will ask those two ladies to do those nice designs on our feet.
-Oh! I completely forgot, as long as you do it with me I will do it for sure.
AISLE.
Later on we can see Louise on her hands and knees trying to fit some last trays in the trolley. The coffee cups fall down. A man comes in and taps on Louise’s back. She turns around to look at him and the man gives her a nice vomit bag, totally full and leaves it to her. Louise stands up holding the bag with two fingers and pushes back her trolley to the galley.
GALLEY 2.
Jade is also on her knees and hands trying to put the last things in. David comes in the galley and drops one of his trays on the floor full of garbage.
Jade and David looks at each other .He gets down to clean up while Jade moves to clean it. They hit each other’s head. They look at each other once more.
Jade touches her head and tells David with her hand to clean it himself. She turns around to continue what she was doing but at the same time Danyele comes in the galley with her arms full of trays and garbage.
Danyele cannot see Jade on the floor and trip over her and let go her trays. David is blessed with all of it. Danyele looks at Jade and starts laughing.
-I wouldn’t have done better, even if I plan it too, Ah! Ah! Ah! Says Jade laughing.
-Very funny, says David furious. Really look what you have done, shit! Now, I am going to smell like garbage.
Jade stands up and looks at David and shakes her head like the Indian.
-David, don’t be so upset, you will blend in more easily.
The girls are cracking. They are laughing at David.
-You want some too? ask David angry at them.
He takes a piece of garbage and brings it in front of her face.
-I don’t think so David, answer Jade. Now don’t be silly you know we didn’t do it in purpose and it’s an accident. Sorry, David!
-Me too, say Danyele. I am sorry David. Will you ever forget us? Please, pretty please.
-Stop making fun of me and let me be, says David. Go take a walk outside, now!
Jade looks at Danyele.
-I have an appointment to the beauty parlour would you like to join us Danyele? David, I am sure your girl friend would love you even more if you come back with a tattoo on your arm.
-I don’t even think I will still have a girl friend when I come back from this trip.
-Why do you say that David? ask Danyele. If she is not mature enough to trust you...well, perhaps she has a good reason to do so. Maybe you are not the little angel we think you are.
-Na! answer Jade, David is to sweat to do that kind of thing. Victor, Youssef, but Na! Not David. It must be her, I am sure she is not able to trust her. Show me her picture.
David is still cleaning his jacket.
- No! what for ? I like her that’s all it counts. I don’t need your opinion, I have been with this girl for two years now, and we are doing great. End of discussion.
Danyele gives them their crew meal.
-End of discussion for you David, conclude Danyele. Come Jade let’s go upstairs and talk about it some more.
- Excellent idea, let’s imagine her the way we want.
David stops cleaning and looks at the girls.
-Wait! I have a picture. I love this girl so don’t irritate me after that. It’s my love life not yours; you are being jealous that’s all.
So David pulls out a picture of her girl friend from his jacket.
The girls look at it.
-Now, says Danyele, the subject is close. Bon appétit!
The girls take their trays and walk away. David stands in the galley looking at his picture for a while.
Xénia passes by and looks at David. She comes in the galley.
-She must be beautiful. Show me your girl friend, I will show you my boy friend’s picture. He is not an Adonis but he is to my eyes. But sometimes, when I am far away, I have doubts; but that’s me. I am engage with him and since that time, I paranoid. Before, I wasn’t like that... maybe it’s just the way I feel these days and it will change, hopefully, or I will cancel the all thing off. Now, show me your girl friend.
-There, that’s my sweet heart. She is so sweet when she wants too. It’s not all the time easy you know but overall, I am not complaining, yet!
Xénia looks at the picture.
UPPER DECK.
Louise and Jade are sitting like two princesses in the upper deck. Youssef is beside her and eats his meal.
The two Indian ladies are sitting in front of them and are drawing some designs on their feet. Louise and Jade are laughing with the ladies. They don’t talk the language but they seem to manage a discussion with signs and exclamations.
The captain gets out of the cockpit.
-Oh! My god, whispers Louise to Jade, we are dead meat.
The captain gets closer to them.
-Is it ever nice! Its Indian art in all is purity.
He makes a sign to the ladies to continue.
-I think it’s very sexy. Can you remove that?
-Oh! Yes captain, answers Jade right away.
She pauses for a second thinking and continues.
- Well...captain, we think with all our sign language they told us it comes off after a while.
-Do you want a coffee captain? ask Louise feeling guilty to have a small break.
-I am fine girls.
Max arrives upstairs.
The captain turns around.
-Max, am I glad to see you. You save my life. I just need a little coffee for me and the boys and I am sure everyone up here would like a cup; we still have six hours to go.
Chanel stands up.
-I will help you Max. I definitely need one. Six
More hours, it’s incredible. I will never be able to make it.
GALLEY. UPPER DECK.
Youssef comes in the galley to help them make the coffees.
-You can always come and talk to me maybe in exchange; you can get a nice massage. Wouldn’t you like that?
-Who knows? answer Chanel, You are right, I should keep this option open.
She looks at him, takes the tray, and steps out of the galley.
Max looks at Youssef.
-What about me Youssef? I have a sore neck. Could you...
Youssef looks at Max.
-Do you really need an answer sweet pea!
-Mmm! I like that too. But don’t do it in front of the
Passenger.
Danyele comes in with her tray.
-Do what, Max?
- It’s between me and Youssef.
Max gets out of the galley and looks at the girls before going downstairs.
-I hope your design is soon to dries out girls, the rest of the crew needs to take their brake too. For once we can have a brake, don’t spoil that chance.
-Hey! Danyele how are you? ask Mike getting out of the cockpit to stretch out.
-I’m fine, answer Danyele, happy to see that Mike is concern. However, it might sound silly but I am afraid to go to the washroom. I am afraid to see flames coming out of the garbage bin. It’s so stupid, no?
-No, not at all, why don’t you go while I am here and if you have any problem just let me know. You just have to remember a few of the jokes I told you the other day, we had quite a good time you and me. I must say it was really refreshing and I am glad we made better acquaintance. We are going to do it again.
Danyele please to hear that Mike appreciated her company, hurry up to go to the washroom to come back and talk to him some more.
Mike waits for her trying to fix himself a coffee.
A few minutes after, Arlene arrives to put away her tray.
-Oh how are you Mike? Ask Arlene who really find Mike awesome. You must be exhausted. Come, sit here.
She doesn’t wait for an answer and grabs him by the arm to sit on Youssef jump seat.
-Oh! You are so stress, remarks Arlene while massaging his shoulders. This is really going to help you, you will see. That’s it, relax, says Arlene bringing her body closer to him.
At the same time, Danyèle gets out the washroom and sees Arlene with Mike. She doesn’t know what to do. She stands there between the galley and the cabin; really deceive to see them together. She finally takes her courage, and without saying anything she enters the galley.
-Do you want a coffee, she finally asks after a while, a little embarrassed by the scene.
-Only if you tell me that everything is fine, answers Mike standing up. Thank you Arlene, says Mike without much interest.
-All the pleasure was mine, answers Arlene with her nice smile, than leaves like nothing happen; knowing that she will get him no matter what. Mike is really Arlene’s objective in her life, to really get a guy in uniform.
-I don’t guarantee that everything is under control, admits Danyele happy to see Arlene leave, but for now I am fine.
She gives him his coffee without looking at him.
-I actually was wondering if you could have your room next to mine once more, if it’s not too much to ask, just so I can feel better, you know, to know that someone is close to me, if I need to talk again.
-No, problem Danyele. I will arrange it without anyone knowing about this.
-Thank you Mike, you are so kind.
He puts a little more milk in his coffee and return to the cockpit.
-I have to go back to work, says Mike.
-Yes, me too.
INTERIOR UPPER DECK.
The women had just finished their drawing. Danyele looks at Jade and Louise’s feet. The women are standing up.
Danyele signals them to stay some more.
- I am going to make them some teas, tell them to sit, says Danyele.
Jade and Louise takes out of their bag a perfume they had bought in the duty free on board. They offer it to each woman but they refuse. The girls insist some more. Danyele arrives with the tea. The women finally accept their gifts and smile.
-The nicest thing about this, starts saying Louise to the others, is those two ladies. They are so pretty and so generous. And even though we don’t talk their language, it seems like we understand each other.
-I feel the same thing too, tell Jade.
-I must admit, says Danyele, it’s quite original and it’s not bad at all.
Chanel looks at it.
-I think it’s childish. It is not my style at all.
Youssef gets closer.
-I don’t agree with you Chanel. I think it definitely give a sexy touch to their feet.
Jade lifts up her foot. Youssef takes her foot and kisses it. Louise stands up right away and enters the washroom with her nylons.
Chanel looks at Danyele.
-To think of it, we might obtain a certain result on men, if you look at it this way.
She starts laughing.
-Let’s go, Chanel. We know now what to buy when we get to Bombay.
ZONE A.
Youssef looks around looking for something. He is not sure what and finally enters the galley.
GALLEY 1.
-What are you doing downstairs Youssef? ask Max passing by.
-Ah! I came to get Louise’s dessert, she told me earlier on, that I could have it and don’t get paranoid, she is upstairs.
He takes a chocolate cake and closes the door.
-By the way Max, where is the lady with the infant that was sitting at the last row?
- I don’t see which baby you are talking about.
AISLE.
Youssef walks in the aisle with his plate in his hands and shows Max the last row of section A. A woman is sitting there all alone.
-I am positive, explains Youssef, there was a baby over there. I cannot remember if it was the exact woman, they all wear a sari but I remember there was a baby there.
Tiffany arrives in the galley with a tray full of empty cups. The guys turn around to ask Tiffany.
-Tiffany darling, Youssef is telling me that he saw a baby at this seat at the beginning of the flight.
They walk a little bit closer.
-To think of it Max, says Youssef, it’s the same woman. I am positive she had a baby.
-Well, maybe Youssef is right, confirms Tiffany. There was a woman with a baby at the beginning of the flight but I didn’t pay attention, I thought perhaps she went to sit to the back where she could have found another seat to lay down her baby. During the flight, I did here a baby crying but I thought it was in the other cabin.
Max is getting more and more nervous.
-Don’t you remember, says Youssef, at the beginning of the flight you ask me to do the head count to make sure your total was right. I told you there were four infants on board. My two passengers were not there yet and you send me to count and I did count a baby here up front.
Max takes the interphone and makes a conference call.
-O.K. listen up! I want you to count how many infants you have in your cabin and call me right away.
Max waits for the results. Tiffany worries stands in front of him. Youssef goes near the woman ounce more.
A long moment past by, before everyone return their calls.
-O.K., says Max on the phone with Tiffany and Youssef by his side. I have a total of three we are missing one child. Good Lord! What happen here?
He hangs up and goes take his suitcase to see on his count sheet.
Youssef goes back near the passenger and decides to open the compartment above the lady. The baby is there, rolled in a blanket. Tiffany is beside him. Max cannot believe his eyes.
-Darling! Whispers Tiffany. Let him be alive. He is too small too die.
Youssef takes the baby but he doesn’t move and he is not crying either. The mother doesn’t understand what is going on. She stands up and looks at the baby. The passengers are standing up to see what is going on. Max and Tiffany look at each other. The mother afraid that her baby could be dead starts crying. Youssef is rocking the baby from left to right softly.
No result. He removes the blanket and tickles his feet and his stomach. Nothing. Youssef puts the baby on the small table that his separating this part of the front cabin and starts checking for a pulse.
He looks at Max and Tiffany.
-O.K., confirms Youssef seriously. I have a pulse but he is still not breathing.
Youssef starts First Aid.
Max call to see if there is a doctor on board.
On an infant you have to give air blow covering the nose and the mouth.
Youssef stops. Tiffany is checking the pulse.
She gives him thumbs up. Youssef continues.
After a little while, that seemed forever, and having put everyone in a state of despair, the baby finally starts recovering. He starts vomiting. Youssef very proud of himself smiles.
Happy of the ending, Tiffany hurry up to go to the galley and get some clean towel.
-That’s a relief! says Youssef exhausted.
Youssef kisses the little baby boy on the front head. Max stands there amazed of the result. Tiffany comes back.
-Well guys, says Youssef, I think, I just save this little boy.
The baby starts crying. Tiffany gives Youssef and the mother some clean towels.
Youssef looks at Tiffany and Max holding the infant up in the air.
-Max, demands Youssef politely, please tell this mother never to put her baby there again.
He takes the baby from Max’s arms and gives him back to his mother. The mother takes him and holds him very tight, closer to her trying to make him stop crying. Tiffany leaves right away. The passenger starts going back to their seat.
- Good Lord! says Max very shaken by all this, Youssef, it’s a great moment, I think I am going to cry. I really taught this baby was dead you were shaking him for a long time; I don’t believe we had to do that on an infant.
Youssef stays with the mother.
GALLEY 1
Max very emotional enters the galley. Tiffany is there crying getting some more clean towels. Max sees her and starts crying too. Without hesitation they hug each other.
ZONE A
Youssef puts his hands on the lady shoulder. He touches the boy’s cheeks and smiles at him, then return to the galley.
GALLEY 1
Tiffany and Max are still hugging each other.
Youssef doesn’t pay attention and takes his chocolate dessert and finally notice them crying.
-I don’t believe this kid, starts saying Youssef hoping
To see them stop, I save his life and to thank me, he vomits and starts crying in my face.
Tiffany and Max stop crying and start laughing; trying to dry their face. Youssef puts his dessert on the counter and give them a big hug too.
Suddenly Lorenzo arrive at full speed in the galley. He pushes the curtain. He is quite excited and scared. He looks at them and turns around to eat a bit of cake out of Youssef dessert. Youssef takes his fork back.
-Max, hurry up, says Lorenzo quite nervously, we are starting our descent and you didn’t go in the cabin with the insecticide.
Max moves away from Tiffany.
Youssef is finally eating his dessert.
-Relax Lorenzo, says Max very calmly for a change, it’s just a matter of procedure. You are still going to go in this country so you still going to face those
Bugs anyway.
-Man! You don’t understand, says Lorenzo panicking.
He walks in the galley like something terrible is going to happen.
-I... say Lorenzo afraid to tell them the truth, I didn’t have time to get the shots for the yellow fever and I don’t have any pills on me for Malaria.
-Don’t worry Lorenzo, says Max, I have some with me and forget about yellow fever here O.K.
-You know we have to take this a week before we go there we are all going to be sick, explain Lorenzo very seriously.
Max opens a cupboard and pulls out two bottles of insecticide and gives it to Lorenzo.
-There go on, go spray the doors but first of all, this thing is useless since everyone is getting out in Bombay and second of all, it’s very toxic and in conclusion, my poor scared little lamb, you are not staying long enough to be sick, and if you do what you have been told to do: no ice, no vegetables, no buffet, bottle water and drink gin and tonic like the Brits soldiers you will be fine!
-Sincerely, says Youssef, Max is right, except for one thing, it doesn’t matter how long you stay, it’s what you do, and if I were you, I will keep the spray for my room and I wouldn’t come out at all. It could be very dangerous and mostly, I don’t want to come back with one short crew.
Youssef goes out laughing.
Tiffany is preparing the head-sets bag for the pick-up.
- Don’t take any chances darling, go spray the aircraft. You know, I heard when you open the door the flies come in just like a stampede it’s awful. You better put that spray darling! I don’t need bugs bites on my legs; I just wax them before we left.
Max gives him the bottles. Lorenzo leaves not too happy about the situation. Tiffany closes the curtains.
- I thought...says Max looking at Tiffany seriously, I really thought, Lorenzo was the toughest of the group. The athletic body... Mmm! I like to find someone with as much muscle as him.
-Well! Darling, says Tiffany playing with her hair, didn’t you learn your lesson just now. Muscle is not everything. You need a brain too. Muscles are not sufficient by themselves. They give you pleasure when they are all press against you, but you still need the brain to say the right things to you. Like... you know, something like this...darling would you like me to take you to Rio for a hot week-end?
-I don’t know Tiffany. Right now, muscle is enough for me. I don’t want to get involved in a serious relation- ship. I need to have fun. I just ended a five years relationship and it’s not easy to forget. He died so what can I do? There is nothing, nothing I can do, and life... is supposed to go and I am supposed to pretend nothing happen. I don’t think so. Not now anyway. So, just let me have fun O.K.
-Well darling, we are almost the same you know. I don’t want a serious relationship anymore, I had enough of my share too, unfortunately, and you are not my kind, darling! What I want right this moment, is to be by myself for a while and have fun just like you and the most important of it all, is not to have to tell anyone why and what am I doing. That is the greatest part I love about my new decision: Liberty! That’s simple as that: Liberty! You see we are not so different after all.
UPPER DECK
Youssef is telling his two passengers to fasten their seat belt. Then he directs himself to the galley to verify one more time if all the butterflies are on every canisters and trolleys before sitting down. He takes his protective position and in silence, reviews his oral shouted commands.
-Flight attendants take position for landing, orders the engineer to signal the crew they are at 10,000 feet up in the air.
BOMBAY. AIRPORT.
The pilots landed the aircraft smoothly on the ground. We can hear Max announcements.
Right on arrival, you can see hundreds of little huts right on the tar matt and children running after the plane just beside. There are maybe one thousand people leaving on the airport primacy. It’s out of this world. The poverty is right there as soon as you touch the ground.
It’s awful and hard to see. Only those who have been there will be able to imagine what is like. But if you never been there, you cannot understand the feeling you sense when you arrive in Bombay. You are devastated from the horror of the Indian reality, no matter how many times you have been to Bombay.
But the first time, it’s hard to digest. You never, never forget those images of kids running so close to the plane, naked, yes naked, of every single thing in life. All they have is their smile. They are smiling... and our heart his pounding, pounding, pounding, asking how can human been be reduce to this...how can the world let this happen...to innocent children...but you will never, never understand, and you will never change the world, you can only hope, that one day, you do something very special to one person, and perhaps, you will change their misery to a decent life. But where to begin? They are not even off the plane yet!
INTERIOR. AIRCRAFT.
You can see from the front to the rear of the aircraft, the flight attendants looking out the window shocked by what they are seeing out there on the tar matt.
LORENZO’S POSITION.
We can hear Max telling his crew to disarm the doors. Lorenzo is totally absorbed by the scenery out there. He cannot believe it and is not feeling to good about getting off.
-Lorenzo your door! orders Lolitta.
He unfasten his seat belt in slow motion, stands up completely stunt by what he just saw, almost like the world had felt on him. He finally disarms his door and cross check Lolita’s door. The interphone ring.
Ding! Ding!
Lolitta answers for him. Lorenzo comes back and gives her thumbs up.
She listens a little more and hangs up. Lorenzo is still staring at the window. She looks at him very concern.
-Lorenzo, we have to build ourselves like warriors if we want to hang on in this country. There is little we can do for them, beside smiling and being friendly. This country is over populated. There are millions of rich people and millions and millions of poor people. You should look at it just like they look at it too. The poor are the hands of God and they are O.K. with this way of thinking, and there is nothing we can do to change that. We can always relief their daily burden, just for a little while... I guess. Come on let’s go Bombay is a beautiful city to visit, I have seen it in books and now I am here, Madré dia! I cannot believe it. We must make the best out of this trip Lorenzo, and appreciate how lucky we are after all.
You know I was born in Peru ...I know...
Lorenzo gives her a hug.
DOOR. 2- L.
EXTERIOR. STAIRWAYS.
The passengers are stepping out.
-Namaste! Namaste!, says Louise very happy to have learn how to say good-bye.
One tall man with a yellow turban stops. He puts his briefcase down, brings his two hands together to say good bye to Louise.
- Namaste!, says the passenger, smiling at her.
Thirty minutes later, Lolitta and Lorenzo are fallowing behind with their suitcase ready to see Bombay. Lolitta steps out first.
-Qué calor!, complains Lolitta coming back inside the plane.
-I like the heat, but that is way too much. Carramba!
- Hum! says Lorenzo stepping out. The heat is way too much but it’s O.K. after a while Lolitta. Come out! Oh! No, a Bunch of flies screams Lorenzo running back in.
-What is wrong with you mister with the cutest buns? says Arlene to tease him a little, since she had heard from the other crew members that he was afraid to get out.
Lorenzo prefer not to answer.
Victor arrives.
Chanel is stretching out to feel the air.
-Ouf! Can you feel this heat? We are going to do the other flights in bathing suit. This is too much...Mmm! But it’s nice to have real air. We have been on this aircraft way too long. But this is not very fresh after all. I am not sure any more; perhaps I should go back to the air conditioning.
-You can wear your bathing suit right away, says Victor putting his hand on her hips. I don’t mind waiting for you, gorgeous!
-Remove your dirty hands off me Victor and I mean it right now! says Chanel pushing him back.
-Everyone is here? ask Max . Ah! The bus is here too. So let’s go people! Let’s go! This is disgusting. Ouf! And it’s only five o’clock in the morning! Ouch! This is going to be a killer of a day!
-Yeah! We better sleep all day and go out all night! says Victor going down the stairs.
The bus stop in front of the staircase. The crew goes down with their suitcases and enter the bus.
EXTERIOR. AIRPORT TERMARK.
The bus driver takes them to the custom office.
Some of the guys are all ready sweating.
Everyone is getting off for inspection.
INTERIOR. CUSTOMS.
The crew is passing thru a security check point.
Their suitcase goes into an x-ray machine.
They have to go thru the detector.
EXTERIOR. WAY TO THE HOTEL.
The roads are pack with people.
Donkeys, people on bicycles, carriage pull by beef, human been, or horses.
And of course, thousands of people trying to make their way in between cars and all sorts of transportations.
The traffic is so dense...the heat is diabolic and the noise infernal.
INTERIOR. BUS.
It’s complete silence inside the bus. The crew is tired, hot, and still in complete shock by what they see outside.
The guys have removed their jacket because unfortunately like most of the buses here, the air conditioning is not working.
Some had preferred to pull the curtains not to see outside or just to cool their spot a little bit.
EXTERIOR. WAY TO THE HOTEL.
After seeing that half the population of Bombay leave on the side walk, in precarious houses or mostly nothing at all, just a little string of rope separating their part of the side walk, we finally enter after a long and slow drive, a better part of Bombay, where the rich and famous, like anywhere else in the world try to avoid
the poor and ignore them completely, pretending that for generation and generation ago it was a cast system and they can no longer change it...or they simply don’t want to change.
Well let’s forget all this, like them, and enter a world where grey is no longer the colour of the world but a multitude of colours to embellish the world on the other side of the fence where the vegetation abounds, the houses are like palaces, the flowers are all over, and if you look further down you can even see the beach from far away.
INTERIOR. BUS.
Tonight, says Mike the first officer, I propose we all go to this restaurant next to the hotel they serve and prepare the best chicken tikka I ever tasted. It’s so good.
He looks at the captain than look at his watch.
- Is six o clocks okay with you?
-I think it’s a great idea Mike, confirms the captain. Count me in.
EXTERIOR. FRONT OF HOTEL.
The bus stop. The crew is finally getting off.
Mike is standing out to help the girls.
-I am counting on you. You will see this chicken is a delicatessen.
-You can count on me Mike, respond Youssef, I will be there.
HOTEL LOBBY.
They enter the hotel lobby. The doorman with his costume is just like in the movie. An Aladdin replica.
You can all ready feel the Indian culture. The decor is like wonder land. Everyone is very surprised.
-This hotel is not real, says Arlène who couldn’t believe it. It doesn’t correspond to what we just seen out there, it’s incredible. I am all confused now.
-You are right Arlene to be confused, confesses the engineer, but here it’s like that.
The flight attendants gather around the engineer, to listen more carefully to what he has to say. Their eyes are wondering around this immense hotel lobby.
-Or you are very rich, or you are very poor. But that has been all decided before their birth. The Indian society is very complex but you must put everything aside and enjoy the hospitality and what is there to be offered.
Enjoy your stay guys don’t try to solve the Indian puzzle.
We can see the captain with Max at the counter while the others sit and wait.
A garcon arrives dress with his typical costume from his region, and brings them some refreshing Darjeeling tea, the finest of all.
After fifteen minutes, Max quite tired arrives with the keys.
HALLWAY.
XENIA’S BEDROOM.
She puts down her suitcase, opens the door and goes in to check the room before taking her suitcase in.
-What a room. It is like a fairy tale! says Xénia who didn’t expected this at all.
The room is set in a pink marble. The rattan furnisher is pink as well. Xenia sits on her bed enchanted by all this.
LOUISE’S BEDROOM.
-Danyele! screams Louise all excited, Come and see my room.
-It’s out of this world, says Danyele coming in her room. We even the nice net on top of our bed so we don’t get bitten at night.
Louise’s room is all white. A big brass bed in the middle of the room. A chair in a peacock shape is place near the window and on the table a tea service beautifully handmade.
Chanel comes in.
-My worry, confesses Chanel, sitting on the peacock chair, was the air conditioning, and we got it! tells Chanel all excited to be here. Don’t you feel like a princess? My room is pink.
Victor comes by.
-My dad would love to come here just for the ceramic, the marble and the detail they put on their wood work. It’s incredible. Isn’t it?
-This is too good to be true, says Louise taking her camera. And before it ends just like in Paris, I am going out right away to take some pictures. I don’t want to go during the peak of the sun. I rather go now, early morning, even though I am dead beat just in case we have a change of schedule. Anyone care to join me?
She puts her camera on top of her uniform and takes her keys.
They all look at her funny.
-Aren’t you going to change? ask Chanel.
-Ah! It’s true, I completely forgot. Ah! Who cares! I am too excited and too tired, I don’t know what I am doing. All I know is that I’m getting out for half an hour to see and take some pictures. Why don’t you both come with me? One blond girl and one dark hair in a red uniform in the middle of the streets in Bombay will be great. Come on put some lips stick and come with me, please. How about you Victor?
-On one condition Louise, says Danyele. You give me the double.
-Same thing for me too, confirms Chanel.
They are in front of the mirror adjusting their makeup. -Are you coming Victor? ask Danyele.
-No. Pictures don’t mean a thing to me. I am leaving.
He stands up.
-Victor come with us, ask Louise, I swear I am not going to take a picture of you just come with us and be our body guard, please...
Chanel takes him by the arm and Danyele does the same.
-How can I refuse to be with three nice ladies?
EXTERIOR. STREET IN BOMBAY.
They are walking in the street. Louise is in front taking their pictures. A little boy walks in the middle of the street.
-Come we just want to say hello and take a picture with you, asks Danyele waving at the little boy.
The little guy with his big brown eyes and his big smile is curious to see them, and walks toward the group to get closer.
Louise smiling at the scene is taking some shots at the group.
A few second after the kid disappear.
It’s O.K., says Louise, with everything around here, I can still make great pictures.
She walks a few steps more and face them to takes some more pictures.
While in the back, you can see the kid turning the corner with all his friends.
-O.K. guys, whispers Louise, promise me you won’t turn around, you won’t believe who is behind you. The kid is back with his gang. Just act normal, don’t be afraid, and remember we have Victor with us. Keep smiling it’s going to make a superb picture.
The group of kids is getting closer to the flight attendants. Victor finally turns to look at them.
-Hi! Mister, picture with me, says the tallest kid.
Without waiting for an answer, all the children rush closer to the girls to be in the picture.
Victor takes Danyele’s bibi and puts it on the little girl’s head.
-Well, says Louise, this is a piece of cake, those kids are so magnificent, and their smiles are incredible.
Danyele and Chanel are having fun with the kids.
Louise is taking some more pictures.
Victor is laying his back on the wall, smoking a cigarette. He throws is cigarette on the ground and smashes it with his foot. He looks at them and finally calls the first kid who showed up.
-Hey! Kid, come here.
He looks in his pocket for some change. The kids are jumping and smiling waiting for their turns to get a bit of change. Victor looks serious. Louise takes a few shots of him and start walking for more new stuff. The girls are fallowing behind. The children leave after receiving a few pieces.
- We should hit back, says Victor, I am tired.
He stops walking,
-Wait Victor!, says Louise, I ask the receptionist before we went to our room what can we see around the hotel and she told me there is a spice market not too far from here . We are almost there and we have been out only twenty minutes we still have ten more minutes. Please stay with us.
-Oh! Look its right there, says Danyèle pointing out in the north direction. Let’s go.
Chanel takes Victor by the arm and start walking.
-Isn’t it great? Look at this place.
The more they get closer, the more they are walking faster. They are quite enchanted by this place.
EXTERIOR. MARKET PLACE.
Hundreds of people gather in a street full of stands of all sorts of food and spices. Louise is way up there taking all the pictures she wants. They stop at a tea stand where this old man with a white beard smiles at them.
Suddenly Chanel is not feeling too good. The man grabs her before she falls down.
-I think we should go back, says Danyele seriously. It must be the heat and the long flight we did.
Chanel is very pale.
-Are you O.K. to walk back?
The man is moving a big leaf in front of Chanel face to make a little breeze.
-I will be fine, answers Chanel exhausted. Just give me a few minutes and I will be O.K.
At the same time, a man passes by with a boa constructor on his shoulders.
-Aaaaa! Aaaaaa!...screams Chanel like hell. Then she faints. The man moves the leaf a lot faster. Danyele unloose her collar. Victor and Louise look at each other.
-his snake was the biggest I ever see in my entire life, admits Victor.
After a few minutes, Chanel finally comes back to her.
-I definitely think I had enough excitement for now. Take me to the hotel, please, ask Chanel with her soft voice.
-Let me help you Chanel, propose Victor. Hold on to me.
A sacred cow passes by. A man crawling on the ground is begging for money. A woman with her infant is also asking for money.
Louise and the group are walking back in silence.
EXTERIOR. HOTEL BALCONY.
LATE AFTERNOON
Youssef is outside on the veranda wearing beige jeans with a green shirt sticking out of his pants half button with a pair of sandals. He is talking to a pretty Indian girl in a white sari with gold thread. A veil covers half her face. Youssef points his thorax to the beautiful girl.
-My name is Youssef. You ssef.Youou ou ssssefffff what is your name?
The young woman looks at him and starts laughing.
-Adji. Now, do I have to say it like you?
Adjiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
She continues laughing and walks in the hotel.
Youssef turns back.
- Wait! Wait! You speak English...
She was already gone. Disappointed, Youssef sits down and looks at the scenery.
INTERIOR. RESTAURANT.
18:00
Everyone is there seating in this beautiful restaurant. The smell of the food, and these exotic spices mixed together just make you want to sit there and eat all night. The Indian cuisine is worth a trip of its own. Trust me!
A waiter with a white shirt and a lungi wrap around his waist arrives at the table to take the order.
-Aap kaisahé! How are you?
-Tik-tak!, o.k., answers the captain.
-This is my treat, explains the captain, bring everyone a beer please.
-Hey! Listen up people, ask the engineer. You better not refuse that, it might be the first and last time you see a captain buying a round.
-You are absolutely right George, confirms the captain. He next one is on you.
The waiters arrive with large bottles of beer.
-O.K., shouts the first officer. Is anybody wants to try something else, or you are all in favour to try that marvellous chicken.
-We are counting on you Mike, says Xénia. You told us that it will be guaranteed we will enjoy it.
The waiter is standing next to Mike.
-So let’s do it, says Mike. We need... How many are we?
-17 Mike, answers Max.
-No. no. 16 corrects Jade. Lorenzo is not here.
-Ouh! ouh!, shout the crew, she’s checking on him ouh-ouh-ouh-!
-Stop that people! Orders Jade upset. He is not here that’s all. What if he is sick or something happens to him.
-No-no... Good Lord, says Max, that’s not it. He is too chicken, to get out... aaaa! He is afraid to catch something. He doesn’t have his shots.
Jade enrage by Max comments stands up.
-Well, that just prove you he’s not dumb. At lease someone has his head on his shoulder.
-Ou-ou-ou-ou-!, shout the crew again,
-She is defending him, says Max.
-Stop it, order one more time Jade, or I will leave. I don’t like when people are talking in peoples back. Lorenzo doesn’t deserve this.
At the same time Lorenzo comes in but Jade doesn’t see him.
-Hi! Lorenzo, shout the crew.
-We were just talking about you, explains Max.
Jade this time is really mad. She thinks they are making fun of her.
She stands up to leave, and turn around. Lorenzo is standing just behind her.
- Man! Did I scare you that much? I just arrive. I slept in. I didn’t shave that’s all. Come on move over and sit down. I am starving.
Jade looks at Lorenzo and smile.
-So Lorenzo, starts the engineer, how long you two have you been going out together?
The crew is just hysterical. Laughing their heads off.
-Cut it out everyone! Yelled Jade. I mean it. You change this subject or I leave. And for your information George, you are way out of line here. Lorenzo, like everyone here is only a member of this crew. That’s it that’s all.
Luckily, the waiters arrive with their plates and everyone cool off. The women bring large plates of puri bread and chapattis. Mike stands up.
-Let’s make a toast, proposes Mike the first officer. To Jade and Lorenzo. Just killing! To Air Nation for bringing us here in this wonderful country. Let’s eat in peace and make sure you go out after to experience Bombay’s night life. Bon appétit!
Everyone starts eating. Lorenzo bends down to get closer to talk to Jade in her ear.
-What happen before I came in? Oh! wait, before you say something, I want to tell you , you sure look good tonight. Who knows when you start to know me better...? I might just become more than another crew to your eyes. All you have to do is give me a chance to prove it to you.
Jade is blushing. The engineer is looking at them.
He raises his beer and salutes them smiling like a winner. He signals the waiter to bring another round of beer.
Chanel leaves the table and asks the lady to show her where are the washroom.
-Before I forget everyone, says the captain. I receive the schedule for our time here. Tomorrow morning we are flying to Istanbul and back... The day after tomorrow, we will leave this beautiful place for a quick stop to Istanbul and then lay over in Rome for fourteen hours.
Chanel comes back screaming.
-Hahahahah!
Mike stands up and stops her. Everyone stops eating.
-What’s the matter Chanel? ask Mike very concerned.
She is trembling.
-There was a rat crawling in the washroom. A big
God dam rat! explain Chanel hysterical.
-Are you O.K., ask Mike. Rats are common here but I know when you don’t expect it, it can sure scared the
Hell out of you. There is a religion here that venerates the rats, they even feed them. Relax, come, and sit down. Well as you can see she is not afraid of me. It’s a good sign. I am a rat In the Chinese horoscope.
The crew is laughing.
-I think, she is too beautiful, explain Victor. Not only men are attracted to her, but rats and snakes too.
The crew is laughing some more.
-Please Victor put me on, before I make a fool of
I once more, ask the engineer still laughing.
-Well, starts explaining Victor, just after we arrived I escorted three beautiful ladies to the spice market...
EXTERIOR. RESTAURANT. NIGHT.
The crew is standing outside, deciding if they should go on or not on a rickshaw for a ride around town.
Max, Danyele and Louise are going for it.
Chanel, Youssef and Lorenzo are going on as well.
The rest of the crew is walking back to the hotel. Tiffany had too much to drink so she hurry up to grabs Mike arm to walk back to the hotel.
George, Jade and Lolitta are walking together
-Shall we go dancing girls? ask the engineer a bit drunk.
-Bueno! answer Lolitta all excited. I love dancing and I would like to know what kind of music they play here. I hope this will help me forget the chicken we just ate. It was delicious but I don’t know if it was chicken or rat!
-Stop it Lolitta, says Jade discussed. Don’t think about it anymore. George you can match us with young millionaires, says Jade, you seem pretty good in matching people.
EXTERIOR. BOMBAY.
The streets are pack with people more than during the day. The noise is blasting from all over the place.
A man is pulling Danyele, Louise and Max.
Louise is taking a lot of pictures like usual.
-I think we had a great idea, says Max very happy to be there. This is what flying is all about. Enjoying life anywhere in the world. Don’t you agree with me girls?
-Definitely Max, answer Danyele. I cannot believe there are so many people here. Gee! Compare to Canada; you can go miles and miles before you see a soul. I don’t know if I could leave here, I will become claustrophobic.
Louise is all excited. She is ecstatic from all this.
-Sir! Sir! Namaste! Shouts Louise trying to get the man’s attention. I just want to take a picture of you seating on the rickshaw.
The man stops. He puts down the handles. Louise gets off to take a picture .Max gets off too. He wants to try to pull the rickshaw. They ask the man to hop in. Max starts pulling. He walks a few steps in zig zag.
You can hear all the bells ringing from other rickshaw.
- Max, you better stop, screams Danyele, stop before we get an accident or one of us get sick.
Max stops and brings the handles down. Just beside them, Chanel, Lorenzo and Youssef are passing by.
Max gets closer to them. The girls are laughing.
-Well, Good Lord! says Max who doesn’t believe his eyes, there is not enough people to get lost here that we have to come across each other . I don’t believe it.
-Maybe they are making us go around in circle, explain Youssef.
We can hear the bells ringing like crazy. Max takes place in his rickshaw.
-Look girls, screams Chanel, what the guys bought me. A nice sari. I got also a bunch of bracelets.
Danyele and Louise are smiling.
-You forgot the earrings for the nose, Chanel! says Max laughing.
Then he signals to the man to go on.
EXTERIOR. VERANDA HOTEL.
Mike and Arlene are swinging on the swing. The captain is seating next to them. Max, Danyele and Louise arrive all very happy of their outing. However, when Danyèle sees Arlene sitting very close to Mike she completely changes humour. She is very sad to see that.
-Well, I am beat; she says right away, I am going to bed.
-Wait, says Tiffany, I am going with you.
Louise looks at her sister not understanding her sudden change of mood.
Inside the hotel
Danyele leaves with Tiffany and stop at the reception and ask to change her room.
-Why are you changing your room? ask Tiffany surprised.
- I notice there were some cockroaches in my bath tub, and I don’t feel like sharing my bath with them.
-Yes, I will do the same, says Tiffany, and I would even say that they are everywhere, even on the veranda. Don’t you think so?
-What do you mean Tiffany ask Danyele pretending she doesn’t understand.
-Well, I was walking with Mike with his arm under my arm, and Mrs. Arlene decides to do the same. One girl is enough no!, but two, and on top of it she was bringing stupid topics to talk about really it was quite embarrassing, it’s very sad because that Mike is very friendly, don’t you think so Danyèle?
-Yes, he is a little bit too friendly to me, and anyway, I am not attracted to pilots, answer Danyele enrage to hear that she too was hitting on Mike.
Ah! they make double and triple of our salary and they fight over who is going to pay the beer, I rather not know or else pay my own beer. At least my father show me he knew how to treats his woman. I never but never saw my mom pay for something, and he always excuses himself to go pay the bills at the cashier counter. He was very discreet, just like the Koreans. Never my mom pays for a tab and of course never for her cocktail, really...between me and you Tiffany, I don’t need a cheapo! I need a man who doesn’t look at his spending when he is in my company. I found this very insulting.
-Ah! Darling! You are completely right but it doesn’t mean we cannot have a little bit of fun with the pilots until we find our ideal man! no!
-You are right too, says Danyele finally receiving her new key. There is always place for amusement. We should never take to seriously those pilots.
They laugh and go wait for the elevator.
-Imagine...they were fighting over a dollar for the rickshaw ride, I couldn’t believe my ears admit Tiffany, that’s why I decided to walk.
Veranda
In the mean time on the veranda, Max takes Louise’s bag and pull out a nice sari. He starts wrapping her in it but not the proper way. Everyone starts laughing. A nice Indian girl comes out on the balcony.
The same girl that was talking to Youssef earlier.
-Let me show you the proper way, explain Adji.
She unrolls it and starts over again wrapping Louise with her beautiful new sari.
Moments later, Youssef, Lorenzo and Chanel arrive. Youssef looks at her.
-Adji! The beautiful Adji. You look great tonight. Tell
Me, you work here!
She finishes dressing Danyele and than answer him.
-Well...starts saying the beautiful Indian woman.
He takes her by the arm gently.
-Wait, says Youssef, tell me all about you. Let’s go for a walk.
She looks at Danyele and Louise. They smile at her.
-If you want to excuse me, says Adji smiling.
They start walking and go to the back garden.
INTERIOR. HOTEL LOBBY. MORNING.
Tiffany, Jade and Lolitta are entering the hotel in a hurry. Jade looks at her watch. They look at each other a little worry to see Victor and David already change into their uniform sitting and drinking tea. The captain is entering as well the hotel with a bag in his hand.
-Ah! Darling, says Tiffany, I mean captain, are we ever happy to see you. We are not late I hope.
They start walking towards the elevator.
They go in.
INTERIOR. ELEVATOR.
The captain looks at Tiffany.
-You are not late, don’t worry, explain the captain. You have time to change... well I do. I don’t know about you girls! Says the captain a bit sarcastic.
-Captain, shows me what you bought for your wife, ask Lolitta...
The captain is a bit embarrassed.
-Oh! Nothing. A t-shirt for my son.
-Nothing for your wife! Asks Tiffany completely shock. Oh! That’s too bad. I am sure she deserves a little something.
The elevators doors open. The girls go out.
The captain continues alone.
INTERIOR. HALLWAY.
The girls start walking to their room.
-If he took time for his kids, starts saying Lolitta, he had plenty of time for his wife. Madré dé dia! Men are very difficult to understand.
-Gifts are not everything Lolitta, darling! says Tiffany.
-Don’t you think I should know that better than you, says Lolitta furious, but the fact is; if you bring a little thing, it just means you thought about your love one when you were gone. That’s all. It doesn’t have to be big!
Jade stops in front of her door. She looks for her keys.
-I agree with both of you. Maybe his love life is not as great as he would like to be.
INTERIOR. BOMBAY AIRPORT.
On the screen we can see the number of the flight.
AN 751 ISTANBUL DEPARTURE 12:00
The crew is all standing in front of the screen.
-Have you been to Istanbul Mike? ask Arlene.
-Yes it’s great. You should come up to the cockpit during the flight you will see a great view of the mountains going there.
-I certainly will, Mike. Thanks for telling me that it’s nice of you.
Danyele looks at them and pushes Louise’s arm.
-Look at her. She is flirting with this guy.
-Why not? ask Louise. He is great looking.
- Who is great looking Louise, ask Lolitta joining them.
-The first officer. I am too shy to cruise like Arlene; I wish I wasn’t sometimes, but Danyele why don’t you try?
-Si! Si! Si! Danyele, you will look good with him.
Danyele shows her Arlene
-I like Arlene, she is a nice girl. She just has a different approach than me. And girls, excuse me!
She stops walking. The other two as well.
The rest of the crew continue walking except Victor who is finishing his last cigarette. The girls don’t notice him .She puts down her bags and pointes up her dress at the height of her breast.
-If I had boobs like her, starts explaining Danyele, maybe I will have a chance... and don’t forget girls we are not blond. We don’t qualify to have nice looking boy friend. Men always go for the typical look. Even the desperate one in the small adds in the news paper.
(She changes her voice)
Looking for an attractive tall, blond woman and young!
She grabs her bag and they start walking rapidly.
Victor throws his cigarette butch.
-I always like to listen to women’s opinion about men. It’s always educating. But for information, I know you don’t care too much about me but I went out ounce with a blond the other ones were brunettes, black hair and my last and dearest one a red hair. Oh! So beautiful. From all points of view.
-What happen? asks Lolitta.
Victor doesn’t have time to answer.
Everyone is sitting in a smoking section with their manual already open.
-Good Lord! Come on guys, we don’t have all day. And if you look around you, this flight is full. So hurry up and sit down.
INTERIOR. SMOKING SECTION.
WAITING LOUNGE.
We can see passengers all over the place with huge bags and kids running around. Three agents are standing behind a counter answering questions. The crew is having their briefing.
-So, starts explaining Max rapidly, on this flight be particular attentive .They are heavy smokers so I want a special attention to the lavs. We don’t want to combat another fire. Also go in there with gloves and clean up once and a while. They don’t all leave in a five stars Hotel with western washroom. They have to adjust to our customs and utilities just like we did in their country.
Also, before you seat down to have your snack I insist you do your check first, sign the check list and then eat. Keep that galley clean at all time and the floor as well.
While Max is doing his briefing someone comes on the P.A. and makes an announcement in
Urdu and Hindi. Suddenly you can see all the passengers disappearing in a flash. A real stampede is going on. The crew is starting to worry. Victor lights up another cigarette. Max is getting quite nervous. David tries to stop the agents but without luck.
- Good Lord! What the hell is going on?, ask Max nervously.
The message continues in English now. But no one can hear it. The people around them are screaming. The children are crying. There is hardly anyone left. The message continues in Urdu.
-Maybe we should leave too, propose Danyele calmly.
Max stands up.
-Shout up! Ah damn it! We miss the English part.
We can hear some loud and sturdy steps. People are shouting and screaming. The flight attendants had packed their bags. The message is now in English. No one is talking. They are trying to hear the message.
-Ladies and gentlemen we repeat. You must leave the airport premises for security reasons. You must immediately leave the airport.
Fallow the directions given by the airport staff.
INTERIOR. AIRPORT HALLWAY.
The flight attendants are all standing and beginning to walk. A troop of soldiers are coming in their directions with machine guns in their hands.
-Don’t run guys, walk, order Max. We have to give a good example. We don’t have time to tell the front crew. It’s too risky.
A bunch of passengers are fallowing the soldier’s orders. The crew is walking out nervously. Tiffany stops in front of a mirror. She replaces her bibi nervously on her head and presses her lipstick on.
-Ah! says Tiffany to herself, It’s starting to get on my nerves this thing.
She turns around. The crew is way ahead of her.
A soldier takes his gun up and tells her to move on. Tiffany looks at him surprised and realise now the danger.
Danyele and Louise are walking together. Louise is taking picture of the soldiers with her automatic camera.
-What are you doing? Are you nuts are what?
-Shut up Danyele! And walk. Nobody has to know if you don’t tell anybody. This is great stuff.
They finally get out of the airport.
EXTERIOR. FRONT OF BOMBAY AIRPORT.
-Now what Max? ask Xénia very concerned. We must get back on the bus and leave.
Max doesn’t answer just yet. Victor is signalling at a bus driver. The bus comes and park in front of them. Victor talks to the guy.
-He is going to takes us to the hotel. I think we should go.
Max is moving back and forth.
-wait! Wait! Wait! says Max finally. We don’t even know what’s going on. It can just be a false alert something like that.
He stops talking .Takes a few minutes. People are still going out of the airport.
-O.K.! O.K. gets ready, explain Max. Board the bus but let’s find the front Crew we cannot leave without them. I never encounter this problem before. Good Lord!
The crew is getting on.
-Max, says Danyele. Let me stand in front of the door inside so they can see us.
-I will go with her, says Youssef right away, it’s safer.
-O.K. fine, says Max, if they are not there in ten minutes my priority is to take you safely to the hotel;. Do you understand that? Now, go in.
The other one are still boarding the bus.
-Xénia, order Max, go inside the bus and inform the rest of the crew. Victor, stay outside the bus and supervise. I am going to try to get more information on what’s going on.
He turns around and sees that Danyele and Youssef are already coming back with the front crew.
Victor is helping the bus driver to put the luggage in.
-Is everyone here? Ask the captain.
-Xénia, shout Max, count the crew one more time!
The airport is close indefinitely we must go back to the hotel.
Xénia sticks her head out of the bus and shout.
-We have everyone.
-O.K. let’s go, says the captain, we have everyone.
The captain is the last one in.
-To the Balladur hotel please.
The bus driver closes the door.
EXTERIOR. STREETS OF BOMBAY.
The bus driver shakes his head left to right and starts the bus. The bus is rolling full speed between all these people on the road. The bus driver is using his horn like never before.
INTERIOR. BUS.
Everyone is still in shock. Tiffany is seating next to Jade. She looks at Jade and asks her:
-Ah! says Tiffany disgusted, I am all sweating ! It’s gross. Does my make up still look good darling! ask Tiffany to Jade.
The crew cannot believe what she just said.
-Are you nuts are what! answers Jade yelling. We could have been killed and all you think is your stupid make up! You are really nuts!
Lorenzo pulls on Jade’s jacket and tries to get her to sit next to him discretely. Jade looks at Lorenzo and moves close to him. Tiffany tries to stop her. She stands in the middle of the bus.
Not knowing what to do or say.
-Listen Jade, I am sorry, says Tiffany feeling sorry. I apologise. I guess I am doing and saying stupid thing. It must be my reaction to all of that. I guess my mind is trying to put all that beside. I don’t know. I never have been in something like that in my Life. Please accept my apologies.
Jade looks at her.
Lorenzo pushes her with his elbow.
-I accept, answer Jade finally. I am sorry too. I shouldn’t yell at you.
EXTERIOR. FRONT OF THE HOTEL.
The bus stops. The captain stands up.
-O.K., start saying the captain, get out don’t touch your suitcases and stay right here. I have to find out if the hotel still have our rooms and talk To Montreal about this. People be patient.
The crew steps out of the bus. Some are lighting up some cigarettes. The others are talking nervously to each other. Lorenzo and Jade are still in the bus.
-Aren’t you getting out, Jade? asks Lorenzo.
She turns around and faces him.
-Lorenzo, I am scare, tells Jade. I don’t know what to think anymore. Maybe when we get home I will quit. This is too much for me to handle.
Lorenzo puts his arm around her.
-I have to tell you something too. When we first landed here I was scared to be sick and than I thought about what else could I do beside this job. I couldn’t find anything. This is challenging, it’s never the same day, we are extremely tired at the end of the day last night when I went out I discover another Face of the world, that, really lighted me up. The same when I look at you.
She smiles at him.
He continues.
-You are so beautiful and full of energy. I am scare too you know but I am sure everything will be fine.
The engineer outside is watching them and smile. She stands up and looks at him.
-Thanks Lorenzo, says Jade. I needed to talk to someone.
-The pleasure is all mine Jade.
He stands up and both get out of the bus.
-Listen up everyone, ask Mike the first officer, I would like to say something. Please calm down. It is not a pleasant moment I know how you could feel. George, Max, the captain and myself are here.
If you need to talk to us or even between you. You must Speak out and exchange how you feel but don’t keep it inside you. We don’t go thru things like this every day so it’s essential to let it out. Be calm, understanding and be alert this thing is not over yet. Show the captain he can rely on all of us.
The captain joins the group
-I have talk to Montreal, says the captain. There is no need to panic yet. Montreal will do everything in their power when the time comes to get us out of here. They don’t know what happen. However... and let me stress this one more time, do not panic but be aware O.K. Right after, I talk to Montreal, I went to ask the manager to prepare our room he told me there might be, I said, might be, a civil war. This could be something else but the manager told me it could be just the beginning too. So please let’s behave calmly. We will get our keys to our room. Then I want you to go up to your room and stand by.
He looks at his watch.
In forty minutes, I want everyone down in the lobby. We will go into a room and discuss what we should do until we go back home. Let me advise one more time Montreal about this news before you call your family. I want to make sure we give them the real facts. So, once more be discreet on this subject in public places. O.K. let’s go in.
Mike and George please stay I need to talk to you.
The flight attendants are in shock.
INTERIOR. HOTEL LOBBY.
The crew is sitting waiting for their keys.
Josey stands up.
-Come here guys; ask Josey, the boutique is open.
Jade and Chanel stand up to go.
-There is a civil war going on. Don’t you realize
What the hell is going on? Ask Danyele furious.
Your behaviour is completely sick!
-Excuse me Madam! says Josey, One more good reason not to think about it, just yet! Until we have the real facts; there is nothing we can do!
The girls walk in the boutique.
Youssef is at the entry door.
-Hey! Guys, says Youssef all excited. Come and see who is coming. Air India Crew. Let’s go and help them with their suitcases.
Youssef opens the door.
Adji comes in.
-Adji! You again. Am I ever lucky, says Youssef real loud.
-Now, yes, perhaps not later, says Adji very concern of the situation.
Youssef changes his face completely.
Arlene and Danyele are looking at Youssef.
-Maybe she just told him she didn’t like the way he did it last night with her.
-No way, says Danyele, I am surprise to know, I would have thought otherwise. He has such an incredible body.
-We know now not to waist our time on this one, says Arlene with a smile.
Louise arrives near them.
-Danyele you want to come with me for a last picture of this exotic and mysterious place before you know what?
Max arrives to talk to the crew...
-Your attention please! Stay up front. Don’t go anywhere. We never know when we will leave this place. Remember, it’s going to take ten to fifteen minutes to get the keys just stand by everyone.
The two sisters go out the hotel.
EXTERIOR. FRONT OF HOTEL.
The girls walk towards a gigantesque palm tree.
- O.K. Danyele, confirms Louise, this is perfect. Don’t move. Wait, I am going to change my lens for a wider angle.
Louise backs up and sets her camera.
- O.K. this is nice I can see the city behind you.
We can distinguish with Louise’s zoom a jeep full of soldiers rolling really fast towards their directions.
She looks more carefully and makes a close up with her camera and starts yelling.
-Oh! Shit, Danyele run! Run as fast as you can they are shouting everywhere. I am not joking.
She bends down and takes her bag. Danyele runs beside Louise and run coming in the hotel.
The people had heard the sound of the machine guns. Everyone is looking at them.
Danyele is screaming her head off.
-You could have told me sooner. I got enough of your Stupid pictures. I could have got kill. Don’t you realize it?
The crew is gathering around Danyele.
Louise looks at Danyele. Louise is screaming too.
-They were coming so fast. At first I thought they were just patrollers not fanatics! You know I wouldn’t do that to you. Man!
She sits down and tears are coming down her cheeks. Mike pulls Danyele aside.
The captain talks to Louise.
-What happen? ask the captain very concern.
Louise is crying and talking at the same time.
-I was just taking a picture of my sister in front of the palm tree just there and with my zoom I saw this jeep I thought they were just patrollers and then they stood up and start shouting. Lucky I had my zoom...or else it would have been too late. They fire on us captain. I demand you call the ambassador here for protection and I am not joking.
Mike, George and the captain are talking together.
-It is more serious than I thought, says the captain. Tell everyone to go in the restaurant. I am going to call the Canadian
Embassy to tell them that someone just shut at us.
Louise is still sitting.
Danyele joins her.
-Danyele, says Louise, I might of take one too many picture.
I didn’t think they were really going to shoot. I
Am sorry. I will never ask to be in the pictures
Again. I promise.
A man in the lobby dress with a sleeveless vest is looking at Danyele and Louise. He approaches Louise and gives her his card.
-If you are interested I would like to talk to you if you are still here tonight. I have to go and take some pictures now for my news paper. Talk to you later!
He leaves.
Louise tries to stand up but Danyele presses her shoulders and stops her of fallowing him. Lolitta comes and join the two sisters.
Youssef, Lorenzo and David gather around as well.
INTERIOR. RESTAURANT.
The crew is all on their edges. They are loud nervous and don’t know what to do.
The captain comes in.
-These are the latest news. The airport is completely close. We have to camp here until further notice. As you all know there have been some shouting just in front of the hotel and on two flight attendants I have the responsibility to bring you all back to home base. So please this is not the time to fool around. You have exactly ten minutes to go to your room and come back. We need to discuss some procedures to fallow while we are here and some kind of plan to whatever can happen. George and Mike stay with me.
-You heard the captain; says Max. Let’s Go! Come and get your keys and sign beside.
INTERIOR. HOTEL LOBBY
Everyone is leaving. Some are getting their suitcase. Some already wait for the elevator.
Danyele tries to get closer to Louise.
-Louise wait! says Danyele.
Louise stops and waits for Danyele. They go out the restaurant together. Danyele brings Louise on the side.
-We have to call mom to tell her what’s going on, says Danyele worry.
-I already called her, says Louise. I told her we were in the middle of a civil war that we were back to the hotel in security and there was nothing to worry so far. If it was getting worst I will call her back.
-What did she said? asks Danyele.
-You know the usual. Stay with your sister and don’t take any risk to take those pictures and keep smiling nothing will happen to you. That is before I went outside.
-You could have told me before, says Danielle. I was worry these stupid telephone are all occupied. What were you waiting to tell me?
- Well, says Louise, the captain told us to wait so I didn’t want you to know I did so.
Let’s call her back I told her we were going to do so I will wait with for you.
Danyele and Louise go to the telephone booth.
At the same time you can see some flight attendants getting in the elevator and another group waiting for their turn. Everyone is talking to each other.
INTERIOR. RESTAURANT.
The captain is sitting with Mike and George.
-O.K., says the captain, between the three of us we can perhaps arrive with a good plan to keep their minds off this ordeal while they are waiting. It can be days before we get out of here. George you have been in the air force come on let’s hear it!
At the same time a huge explosion occurs.
Kaboummm!
Every single thing around them is shaking.
You can hear screams coming from everywhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment