18. Bamboo -Leslie

FADE IN:

EXT. BALINESE COTTAGE - DAY
The cottage sits on a jagged cliff overlooking the dark blue of the Indian Ocean. Waves lap, lap, lap against the stone, then crash, never giving up in their battle against the rocks.
The cottage stands on stilts and a large porch wraps around the house.

ANDY sits cross-legged on the bench that rings porch.

He is bald, his age only just showing around his eyes. He wears a tight tank top displaying the tight weave of his muscles and loose pants that hide his feet. His cafe au lait skin glistens in the sun’s rays.

He sips a glass of water and watches the water slap the cliffs.

A lone traveler appears out of the forest behind the house and begins heading up the path by the house.

ANDY nods to her politely.

SAM nods back.

SAM
Salamat Pagi.

He smiles.

ANDY
Salamat Pagi. You look like you’ve been traveling for a while.

She nods, and adjusts the her backpack strap, trying to get more comfortable. Her short red hair is slick with sweat.

ANDY
Here, take a break, I can get you some water.

She sizes him up, and he waits for her verdict.

SAM
Alright.

Andy rises gracefully and flows into the house in a single movement.

SAM walks up the steps onto the covered porch and drops her pack on the wooden floor with a thud.

Andy reappears with the water.

ANDY
I could get you tea if you like, I have some fascinating flavors I can guarantee you haven’t tried...ah, but there’s not much of a breeze today, better to save that for a good windy day.

SAM
It’s fine.

ANDY
Sit, sit.

She pulls herself up on a bench and wipes her face.

Her cargo pants are speckled with mud and her t-shirt is soaked in sweat.

ANDY
Heading back to town?

SAM
Yeah, was out there for a few days.

She waves at the forest behind them.

ANDY
Needed that peace for a bit, eh?

SAM
Yeah.

She sips her water and eyes him cautiously.

ANDY
You know, I have some great durian I’ve been saving
...and you look like you might be the kind of person who appreciates a good durian.

She brightens.

ANDY
I knew it.

SAM
I would love some.

Andy disappears into the house and returns with a large, spiky yellow fruit in one hand and a knife in the other.

He sets the fruit on the table and re-enters the house.

Sam looks after him with curiosity.

He re-emerges with two small bowls and a miniature pitcher.

He sets one bowl in front of her and pours scented water from the pitcher into it.

He does the same with his bowl, then removes a knife from his belt and proceeds to split the durian.

The spiky shell opens to reveal soft, custard-like meat.

ANDY
Please, dig in.

He dips his fingers in the water then pulls a seed from the fruit and begins sucking off the flesh.
Sam follows suit.

They make satisfied noises as they eat.

SAM
This is one of the best I’ve had.

Andy nods in approval and dips his hands into the bowl to clean them.

He leans against the railing.

SAM
So why’d you go bamboo?

Andy laughs, his eyes twinkling.

ANDY
Direct, aren’t you? Isn't good durian enough?

Sam shrugs.

ANDY
I grew up here, years ago, well spent my first eight years here;
and I spent the rest of my life trying to find home again.
About twelve years ago, I was here on vacation, the first time
I’d been back since I was a kid,and I couldn’t leave,
I’d found home after all those years.
I guess that’s the short story.

SAM
There’s such an amazing peace here. But don’t you ever miss...

ANDY
The technology, the food, the people, the culture?

SAM
I guess...

ANDY
You can find all that out here too; I choose not to.

He closes his eyes and leans his head back into the sun.

Sam washes her hands.

SAM
So what did you do before?

ANDY
Ah, no, no...that’s another life, we don’t talk about past lives here. Here, I am simply me...the basic elements of who I am, not defined by whatever trappings I hid under in my other lives.

Sam smiles.

SAM
That’s very mysterious of you.

ANDY
I like to think of it as simplicity.

She stands slowly.

SAM
I should go...I need to get to town before dark.

Andy nods solemnly.

Sam struggles for a moment with her large pack, then slides into the straps, letting out a puff of air.

She walks down the stairs and turns back to him.

SAM
I’m Sam. Thank you for sharing durian with me.

ANDY
Andy. A durian is best eaten in good company.

He raises his hand like a strange blessing.

She nods, and turns down the path.

FADE TO BLACK.