THE HIROSHIMA PEARL

 

              written by Charles Deemer and Michael T. Girardo

 

                        story by Michael T. Girardo

 

 

 

 

 

                                                             FADE IN:

 

 

          INSERT: ATOMIC BOMB EXPLODING OVER HIROSHIMA

 

          as we hear:

 

                                          JOEL

                              (O.S.)

                         The United States exploded the

                         first atomic bomb over Hiroshima on

                         August 6, 1945.  The initial blast

                         killed between sixty-six and

                         seventy-eight thousand people

                         instantly.  Tens of thousands more

                         died the slow death of radiation

                         poisoning.

 

 

          INT. CONVENTION CENTER - AUDITORIUM - DAY

 

          The film of Hiroshima is being watched by members attending

          a conference sponsored by the Department of Energy.

 

          We PAN the audience as the speaker continues - reactions

          among those attending the conference range from deep concern

          to "I've-seen-it-all-before" boredom.

 

                                          JOEL

                              (O.S.)

                         Less than a decade after Hiroshima,

                         the U.S. could produce a bomb with

                         1200 times greater destructive

                         force.  The nuclear arms race had

                         begun in earnest.

 


 

                                                                        2.

 

 

 

          INT. AUDITORIUM - PODIUM - DAY

 

          Speaking behind the podium is JOEL MURRAY, a Department of

          Energy (DOE) employee in his late thirties or early forties.

          He speaks earnestly, confidently.

 

          Behind Joel, overhead, a banner reads: "1995 DOE Conference:

          Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century."

 

                                          JOEL

                         Ladies and gentlemen, we are at the

                         dawn of a new era.  As we approach

                         the fiftieth anniversary of

                         Hiroshima, the nuclear arms race -

                         at least as we have known it - is

                         over.

 

                         But the world is still a dangerous

                         place.  China continues underground

                         testing, third-world countries

                         continue research to build nuclear

                         weapons.

 

                         At the same time, modern industrial

                         countries like Japan are engaged in

                         an unprecedented conversion to

                         nuclear power.

 

 

          INT. AUDITORIUM - LOBBY - DAY

 

          As Joel's voice continues in the distance, KYO SUYAMA moves

          quickly across the lobby for the auditorium.

 

          He is a small, intellectual-looking Japanese man.  He is

          nervous, glancing behind as if expecting to find someone

          following him.

 

 

          INT. AUDITORIUM - REAR/PODIUM

 

          He enters the auditorium, standing in the rear, listening to

          Joel at the podium.

 

                                          JOEL

                         A plutonium atom doesn't care

                         whether it's used in a bomb or a

                         power plant - it's going to be

                         around for a very long time in

                         either case.

                                          (MORE)

 

 


 

                                                                        3.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL (cont'd)

                         And this is the danger, ladies and

                         gentlemen, as well as the challenge

                         facing us as we move into a new

                         world order: to remember that four

                         and a half million years ago, this

                         planet was too radioactive to

                         support life, even single-cell

                         life.

 

                         And so we must proceed with

                         caution.  The increased production

                         of radioactive elements, in

                         whatever form, especially requires

                         supreme caution.  Thank you.

 

          There is scattered applause as the CHAIRPERSON, a woman,

          steps forward.

 

                                          CHAIRPERSON

                         We have time for a few questions -

                         please use the front microphone.

 

 

          INT. AUDITORIUM - MICROPHONE - DAY

 

          Several people come forward to the microphone.

 

 

          KYO

 

          looks around, still nervous, and moves quickly down the

          aisle for the microphone.

 

 

          INT. AUDITORIUM - BACK DOORS - DAY

 

          As Kyo moves down the aisle, two HATOYAMA THUGS move into

          the doorway, looking around for Kyo.  One spots him and

          points.  They are big men and menancing, but well-dressed

          and easily blend with the crowd.

 

          One starts forward but is stopped by the other, who whispers

          something.  They wait behind, watching Kyo.

 

 

          INT. AT THE MIC - DAY

 

          A man has a question.

 

 


 

                                                                        4.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          QUESTIONER

                         How much plutonium is there in the

                         world today?  And, as a follow up,

                         how much is dangerous?

 

 

          INT. AT THE PODIUM

 

                                          JOEL

                         The latest figure I have for the

                         amount of plutonium in the world is

                         fifty tons.  How much is dangerous?

                         It depends on how it's used.

                         Certainly, in terms of the

                         potential for environmental

                         disaster, we have more than

                         necessary to create a planetary

                         disaster right now.

 

 

          INT. AT THE MIC - DAY

 

          Another questioner is about to ask a question when Kyo butts

          in, taking the microphone.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Excuse please, excuse me . . .

 

          Kyo's forwardness takes the questioner by surprise, and Kyo

          speaks into the microphone.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Why do you think plutonium is only

                         for power plant?  What about

                         dangerous people in Japan?  Why do

                         you think they won't build bomb?

 

          This question, seeming to come from left field, causes an

          immediate buzzing of reaction in the audience.

 

 

          INT. BACK OF AUDITORIUM

 

          The two thugs have heard enough and head for Kyo.

 

 

          INT. AT THE PODIUM

 

          Joel has lost focus and isn't sure how to respond.

 


 

                                                                        5.

 

 

 

          INT. AT THE MIC

 

          Kyo is looking around, nervous as hell.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         This is more dangerous than you

                         think!  This is- . . .

 

          He sees the thugs coming and heads for a door at the side of

          the stage.

 

 

          THE THUGS

 

          are having a hard time getting through the crowd.

 

          Kyo gets away.

 

 

          INT. AT THE PODIUM

 

          The chairperson has come forward to pound the gavel for

          order.  She quickly gives up.

 

                                          CHAIRPERSON

                         The meeting is adjourned until

                         eight o'clock this evening!

                         Meeting adjourned!

 

          She turns to Joel.

 

                                          CHAIRPERSON

                         You opened up a can of worms.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I wonder what he was trying to say?

 

          The chairperson is already moving away and misses the

          question.  Joel is puzzled.

 

 

          INT. CONVENTION CENTER - RECEPTION ROOM - NIGHT

 

          The conference delegates are elbow-to-elbow in a crowded

          reception room.  Drinks and snacks are available at a number

          of tables.

 

          Joel is moving through the crowd, drink in hand, when he is

          stopped by TOM SULLIVAN, his boss at DOE.  Sullivan, a

          survivor of government bureaucracy, lives for his near

          retirement.

 

 


 

                                                                        6.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Joel, got a minute?

 

          Sullivan leads the way to the periphery of activity, where

          there's a little more breathing room.

 

                                          JOEL

                         What's up?

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         I hear things got pretty hot during

                         your presentation.

 

                                          JOEL

                         The guy at the end?  I don't know

                         where he was coming from.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         I heard you came down pretty heavy

                         on the Japanese power program.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I advised caution.  Plutonium is

                         plutonium is plutonium.  It doesn't

                         care how it's used.  Peaceful can

                         still be dangerous.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         About an hour after your talk, I

                         got a call from the State

                         Department.  They heard a different

                         version.  They want us to cool it,

                         as far as bashing Japan is

                         concerned.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Tom, you know as well as I- . . .

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         I know I'm a short-timer.  I know

                         you enjoy controversy.  What else

                         should I know?

 

                                          JOEL

                         I have no idea what this guy was

                         trying to say.

 

 


 

                                                                        7.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         I'm not worried about him, I'm

                         worried about you.  You're on a

                         panel tomorrow, right?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Right.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Maybe you can, you know, cool it a

                         little.  Lay off Japan, in

                         particular.

 

                                          JOEL

                         They actually called you about

                         that?

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Those trade meetings are coming up.

                         You know the situation.  Can you do

                         that for me?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Sure - I mean, I wasn't aware that

                         I was- . . .

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Good, Joel, good.  I knew I could

                         count on you.

 

          He slaps Joel on the back.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Let's take advantage of the free

                         booze, huh?

 

          He moves off, back into the crowd, as Joel watches him.

 

 

          INT. CONVENTION CENTER - MEN'S ROOM - NIGHT

 

          Joel comes into the men's room.  He takes a spot at the

          urinal.  Kyo steps up at the urinal next to him.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         We can talk?

 

          Joel looks over, then quickly back.

 

 


 

                                                                        8.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         Yes.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Not safe here.  Follow me.

 

          Kyo flushes and moves off.  Joel flushes and follows him.

 

 

          INT. HALLWAY - OUTSIDE MEN'S ROOM - NIGHT

 

          Kyo moves quickly down the hallway, followed by Joel.  Kyo

          looks around, making sure Joel - but only Joel - is

          following him.  He turns into a doorway.

 

          Joel follows him through the doorway.

 

 

          INT. OFFICE ROOM - NIGHT

 

          They are in a dark office room, lit by off-light from the

          street outside.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         You understand my question today?

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'm not sure.  Who are you?

 

          Kyo is hesitant to say.  Joel offers his hand.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Joel Murray.  I work at the

                         Department of Energy.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         I know.  I am Kyo Suyama.  I work

                         ten years in the fuels processing

                         system at Hatoyama Power Company in

                         Hykado.  You hear of it?

 

                                          JOEL

                         One of the largest in Japan, isn't

                         it?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Very big, yes.  I think they are

                         preparing to make bomb.

 

 


 

                                                                        9.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         Do you have any evidence of this?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         One night, five, six months ago, I

                         discovered fuel rods being

                         processed into other forms, like

                         parts for bomb.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Why didn't you report this?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         You do not understand.  You know

                         the Gyokai?

 

                                          JOEL

                         No.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         This is like gang of

                         industrialists.  Klichi Hatoyama is

                         very powerful member.  They control

                         the government.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Do you still work there?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         No.  I am fired - I think they know

                         what I see.

 

                                          JOEL

                         And you aren't just an unhappy

                         employee, Mr. Suyama?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         I can show you proof.  I have

                         photographs.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'd like to see them.  Do you have

                         them with you?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Too dangerous to bring here.  I am

                         being followed.

 

 


 

                                                                        10.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         By who?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Men who work for Hatoyama.

 

          Joel takes out his wallet and gives Kyo his card.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Will you call me this week?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Yes.  I will be in Washington in

                         two days.  I will have the

                         photographs to prove to you.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Is your life in danger?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Perhaps.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Do you want to fly back with me

                         tomorrow?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Conference is not over.

 

                                          JOEL

                         That's not what I asked.  If you're

                         in danger- . . .

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         No, please, I think I lose them

                         now.  I am in different hotel.  I

                         am leaving tomorrow, will be in

                         Washington and see you then.

 

                                          JOEL

                         You're sure?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Yes.

 

          Joel offers his hand.

 

 


 

                                                                        11.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'll be very interested in what you

                         have to show me.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         I think so, Mr. Murray.  I go out

                         first.  You wait.

 

          He moves out of the room.

 

          Joel waits behind, intrigued.  Then he moves for the door.

 

 

          INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE DOOR - NIGHT

 

          Joel comes out.  Kyo is nowhere to be found.

 

          Joel moves off.

 

 

          INT. ANOTHER HALLWAY - PAY PHONE - NIGHT

 

          Joel is dialing a number.

 

 

          INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION - JOEL, HIROKO

 

          Though it is late, HIROKO is painting in an apartment room

          she's converted into a studio, when the phone rings.  She is

          an attractive Japanese-American woman, an artist, in her

          thirties.

 

          She answers the phone.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Hello?

 

                                          JOEL

                         How's my favorite artist?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Why aren't you partying?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Because the people I'm partying

                         with are boring.  Well, except one,

                         maybe.

 

 


 

                                                                        12.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Man or woman?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Male.  Listen, I think I'll cut out

                         a day early.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Aren't you on a panel?

 

                                          JOEL

                         They'll never miss me.  In fact,

                         Tom will be delighted.  I got

                         myself in the middle of a

                         controversy today.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         What happened this time?

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'll explain later.  I miss you.

                         Is dinner with the folks still on?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Since you insist.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Relax, it'll be fine.  Can you pick

                         me up at the airport at one?  I'll

                         buy you a late lunch.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         I haven't shopped for dinner yet.

                         I'll do that in the morning, then

                         we can have the rest of the day.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Perfect.  Miss me?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Of course.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Good.  I'll see you tomorrow.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Goodnight.

 

 


 

                                                                        13.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         Love you.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         You, too.

 

 

          INT. AT THE PHONE - NIGHT

 

          Joel hangs up as the two Hatoyama thugs walk by, looking for

          Kyo.

 

 

          EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. NEIGHBORHOOD - STREET - DAY

 

          Hiroko walks down the street, on her way to the neighborhood

          market.  It's a sunny glorious day in Washington D.C.

 

          As she enters the block of the market, she notices with

          concern that several police cars are parked on the street in

          front of the market, and a crowd of curious pedestrians has

          gathered.

 

          Hiroko approaches a pedestrian.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         What's going on?

 

                                          PEDESTRIAN

                         Man in the store flipped his lid.

 

          Hiroko moves through the crowd, trying to get closer.

 

 

          INT. LOCAL MARKET - DAY

 

          Inside the market, AL has a pistol aimed at LINDA GI, the

          Korean woman who owns the store.

 

          Al is bald, retired, a World War II vet.

 

          Linda Gi is a small woman in her early seventies, who seems

          a decade or more younger.

 

          Al moves to the window, looking out at the police and crowd.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         Why do this to me?  I don't even

                         know you.

 

 


 

                                                                        14.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          AL

                         You nips are all the same.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         Nips?

 

                                          AL

                         Japs.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         That's what you think?

 

                                          AL

                         Buying up the whole goddamn

                         country.  Like that picture in the

                         paper, taking over the Trade

                         Building.  It makes me sick, the

                         way we forget Pearl Harbor.  What

                         did we win the war for?

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         I'm Korean, not Japanese.

 

          Al looks at her, disbelieving.

 

 

          EXT. OUTSIDE STORE - DAY

 

          Hiroko has moved to the front of the crowd.  In front of

          her, a POLICE OFFICER with a bullhorn is speaking.

 

                                          POLICE OFFICER

                              (with bull horn)

                         There's no way out - please release

                         the woman and give yourself up!

 

 

          INT. STORE - DAY

 

          The officer's words are heard inside the store as Al looks

          out the window.

 

                                          POLICE OFFICER

                              (O.S.)

                         We don't want to have to come in

                         after you!

 

          Al turns from the window.

 

 


 

                                                                        15.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          AL

                         Prove it.  That you're Korean.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         May I get my purse?

 

          Al nods.  Linda Gi gets her purse, takes out identification

          and hands it to Al.

 

                                          AL

                         Where's it say Korean?

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         Place of birth.  I was 12 when the

                         war started.  The Japanese forced

                         me and my sister to become "comfort

                         women."  We were forced to have sex

                         with the soldiers a dozen or more

                         times a day.  They were sometimes

                         violent and gave me diseases.  My

                         sister was killed by one of them.

                         This man was the worst.

 

          Al is moved but doesn't want to show it.  He feels suddenly

          foolish at his mistake, handing back the I.D.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         The man in the paper this morning -

                         I think he was the one.  Look.

 

          She takes out an old photograph from her wallet and hands it

          to Al.

 

          Then she takes the front page of the morning paper from the

          counter, also handing it to Al.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         The same man, I think.  The same

                         name.

 

          Al looks down at the newspaper and the old photo.

 

 

          INSERT: NEWSPAPER AND PHOTO

 

          The front page newspaper article shows a photograph of

          KLICHI HATOYAMA, a graying Japanese industrialist, who is

          dedicating a recently purchased and remodeled New York

          skyscraper.

 

 


 

                                                                        16.

 

 

 

 

 

          The photograph shows a young Japanese soldier.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                              (O.S.)

                         Look on the back.

 

          Al turns over the photograph: the name "Klichi Hatoyama" is

          spelled out.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                              (O.S.)

                         Same name.  Don't you see a

                         resemblance?  I think it's the same

                         man.  He was the worst.

 

 

          EXT. STORE - DAY

 

          Police in gas masks are assembling to storm the building.

 

          The police officer with the bull horn barks a final warning.

 

                                          POLICE OFFICER

                         This is your last chance to come

                         out!  We're coming in!

 

          A shout of, "Wait!", is heard from inside the building.

 

          The door opens and Linda Gi runs out, into the arms of a

          policeman.  Behind her, Al comes out, his hands raised, and

          is immediately apprehended.

 

          Hiroko watches the arrest.

 

                                          PEDESTRIAN

                         I don't blame him being upset, way

                         the Japs are taking over

                         everything.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Linda is Korean.

 

 

          CLOSE ON TV SCREEN

 

          as a reporter interviews HATOYAMA, looking distinguished in

          a three-piece suit.

 

 


 

                                                                        17.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          HATOYAMA

                         This project is a partnership

                         between our two countries.

 

                                          REPORTER

                         Mr. Hatoyama, are you saying you

                         have American investors?

 

                                          JOEL

                              (O.S.)

                         I'll be damned.

 

                                          HIROKO

                              (O.S.)

                         What?

 

                                          HATOYAMA

                              (ignoring reporter's

                               question)

                         The great American sculptor Bruce

                         McShane has just completed an

                         original statue for the courtyard.

                         We are proud of our partnership

                         with him.

 

                                          HIROKO

                              (O.S.)

                         Bruce never told me that.

 

                                          JOEL

                              (O.S.)

                         I think he's the same guy.

 

                                          HIROKO

                              (O.S.)

                         What guy?

 

                                          REPORTER

                         But are American investors

                         participating in the purchase of

                         the Trade Building?  Or is the new

                         ownership entirely Japanese?

 

                                          JOEL

                              (O.S.)

                         The guy that Kyo's worried about.

 

 


 

                                                                        18.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          HATOYAMA

                              (still ignoring the

                               question)

                         The statue will symbolize a new

                         spirit of cooperation between our

                         two countries.  My son Hanako is in

                         charge of the project.  He can

                         answer your questions.

 

          HANAKO, a Japanese man in his thirties, moves beside his

          father.  He dresses with more American flair than the senior

          Hatoyama.

 

          A doorbell rings.

 

 

          INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

 

          Joel heads for the door as Hiroko turns off the television

          news they've been watching above.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Here we go.  You ready?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         As I'll ever be.

 

          Joel opens the door and greets his parents.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Right on time.

 

          The parents enter the apartment.

 

          FRANK MURRAY is in his fifties, a laborer, dressed casually.

 

          MARY MURRAY is also dressed casually, in slacks, and wears

          too much makeup.

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         I don't know how you find a parking

                         place in this neighborhood.

 

                                          JOEL

                         You have trouble?

 

                                          FRANK MURRAY

                         Your mother just likes to complain.

 

 


 

                                                                        19.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         Two blocks away, we parked!

 

                                          JOEL

                         This is Hiroko.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Hello.

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         Hello, dear.  It's so nice to

                         finally meet you.

 

 

          INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - DINING TABLE - NIGHT

 

          An awkward dinner is almost over.  No one's been talking

          much.  Finally:

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         Well, that was good.  Wasn't it,

                         dear?

 

                                          FRANK MURRAY

                         Great.  You're a good cook, Hoko.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Hiroko.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Actually, Joel made the pasta.  I

                         made the salad.

 

                                          FRANK MURRAY

                         Great salad.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         I'll clear the table.

 

          Mary makes a move to get up and help.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Please, I can manage.

 

          Hiroko starts clearing the table.

 

          When she's gone, Mary leans toward her son.

 

 


 

                                                                        20.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         She's very pretty.  Isn't she,

                         dear?

 

                                          FRANK MURRAY

                         Nice girl.

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         I'd like to meet some of the other

                         girls you date.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Mom, I'm asking her to marry me.

 

          Mary's mouth drops open.

 

                                          JOEL

                         That's why I wanted you to meet

                         her.

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         You've already asked her?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Not yet.

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         Oh, my.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'd like your best wishes.

 

                                          FRANK MURRAY

                         You sure you've thought this

                         through?  I mean, it won't be easy,

                         coming from such different

                         backgrounds.

 

          Hiroko returns, and everyone shuts up.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Am I interrupting something?

 

          Mary suddenly stands.

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         Frank is taking us all out for

                         dessert!

 

 


 

                                                                        21.

 

 

 

 

 

          This is news to Frank.

 

                                          FRANK MURRAY

                         Well, yeah -  why not?

 

 

          EXT. ICE CREAM PARLOR - NIGHT

 

          The foursome come out of the ice cream parlor, each with an

          ice cream cone.  They start walking down the sidewalk,

          silently.

 

          Soon they reach the family car.  Frank unlocks the passenger

          door for his wife.

 

                                          JOEL

                         We'll walk home.

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         My word, listen to him.

 

                                          JOEL

                         We walk in the neighborhood all the

                         time.

 

                                          FRANK MURRAY

                         It's called youth, mother.

 

          Mr. and Mrs. Murray get into the car.  Mary rolls down her

          window.

 

                                          MARY MURRAY

                         It was a lovely dinner, Hokoro.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Hiroko.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Thank you.

 

          Mary rolls up the window as the car pulls away into traffic.

 

 

          EXT. SIDEWALK - FOLLOWING JOEL AND HIROKO

 

          Joel and Hiroko start walking down the sidewalk, ice cream

          cones still in hand.

 

 


 

                                                                        22.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          HIROKO

                         I don't think they like me.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Of course they do.  They're just

                         bad at foreign names.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         They seemed - I don't know.  Afraid

                         I'm going to become a member of the

                         family or something.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Well, you are.

 

                                          HIROKO

                              (laughing)

                         Right.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'm serious.

 

          Hiroko stops and looks at him.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Joel?

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'm asking you to marry me.

 

          Hiroko doesn't know what to say.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I hope you're not surprised.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         No.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Well?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Joel . . .

 

          She starts walking again.  Joel catches up with her.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Do I have to fall down on my knees?

 

 


 

                                                                        23.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          HIROKO

                         I don't know what to say.

 

                                          JOEL

                         How about yes or no?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         I don't know.  I don't want to talk

                         about it right now.

 

          They continue along in awkward silence.

 

 

          INT. HATOYAMA'S OFFICE - DAY

 

          Hatoyama sits behind a huge desk, a large window behind him

          showing off the New York city skyline.  He is in conference

          with his son, who sits in a stuffed chair across the large

          desk.

 

          The office is stark but very Japanese.  A fountain is behind

          him.  The water cascades over small rocks.  A tiny bonzai

          tree is on his desk.

 

                                          HATOYAMA

                         I don't want excuses.  I want the

                         matter settled.  Do I make myself

                         clear?

 

                                          HANAKO

                         Yes, father.

 

                                          HATOYAMA

                         You're sure you know what must be

                         done?

 

                                          HANAKO

                         Of course.

 

                                          HATOYAMA

                         You are brave enough to do it?

 

                                          HANAKO

                         As brave as Uncle Akiru.

 

          Hatoyama beams.

 

 


 

                                                                        24.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          HATOYAMA

                         I hope this is true.  I hope so.

                         That is all.

 

          Hanako gets up, bows and leaves.  Hatoyama stares ahead

          after him, as if measuring the mettle of his son.

 

 

          INT. DEPT OF ENERGY - HALLWAY - DAY

 

          Joel is moving down a hallway when he meets Sullivan coming

          the other way.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Joel, you busy?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Actually, yes - what's up?

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         You angry or something?  I didn't

                         mean for you to cancel off the

                         panel, for Christ's sake.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I, ah, had a personal problem to

                         attend to.  I didn't think you'd

                         mind.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         You're not mad at me or something?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Of course not.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Good!

 

          Grinning, Sullivan slaps Joel on the back and continues on

          his way.  Joel also moves off.

 

 

          INT. DOE - OFFICE - DAY

 

          Joel steps into an office.  In front of a computer sits FRED

          JOHNSON, a trusted coworker.

 

                                          FRED

                         Speak of the devil.

 

 


 

                                                                        25.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         You get the numbers?

 

                                          FRED

                         And what numbers they are.

 

          Fred swings away from the computer.

 

                                          FRED

                         In this fiscal year alone, Japan is

                         importing more plutonium than we

                         and the old Soviet Union have in

                         storage combined.

 

          Joel whistles.

 

 

          INT. DOE - JOEL'S OFFICE - DAY

 

          The phone rings.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Murray.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                              (V.O.)

                         Mr. Murray?  This is Kyo Suyama.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Where are you?

 

 

          INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

 

          Kyo is in a phone booth.

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         In Washington.  I must see you very

                         soon.

 

                                          JOEL

                         How about right now?  You know

                         where the Candlelight is, in

                         Georgetown?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         No, but I take taxi.

 

 


 

                                                                        26.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         The Candlelight, any taxi driver

                         will know it.  How soon can you get

                         there?

 

                                          KYO SUYAMA

                         Within one hour.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'll be there.  Kyo, are you all

                         right?

 

          But Kyo has already hung up, Joel's question gets only the

          buzz of a dead phone.

 

 

          INT. CANDLELIGHT RESTAURANT - COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

          Joel enters the cocktail lounge of the restaurant, looking

          for Kyo.  The matre'd comes by, recognizing him.

 

                                          MATRE'D

                         Having lunch today, Mr. Murray?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Yes - they'll be two of us.

 

                                          MATRE'D

                         Very good.  Let me know when the

                         other party arrives.

 

          Joel takes a seat at the bar.  The bartender comes over.

 

                                          BARTENDER

                         How are you today?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Good.  Small beer.

 

                                          BARTENDER

                         Very good.

 

          The bartender moves off.  Joel looks at his watch.

 

 

          INT. RESTAURANT - FRONT FOYER - DAY

 

          Joel comes into the front foyer, finding the matre'd.

 

 


 

                                                                        27.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         Any calls for me?

 

                                          MATRE'D

                         No, sir.  Your party still hasn't

                         arrived?

 

                                          JOEL

                         No.  Thanks.

 

 

          INT. RESTAURANT - COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

          Joel drops a coin into a pay phone and dials.  There is

          nothing relevant on his voice mail.

 

          He looks worried as he returns to the bar.

 

                                          BARTENDER

                         Another beer?

 

                                          JOEL

                         No thanks.

 

          He heads for the exit.

 

 

          EXT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - STREET - DAY

 

          Joel parks and goes into his apartment.

 

 

          INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

          Joel comes into the apartment.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Hiroko?

 

          He heads for the bedroom.

 

 

          INT. BEDROOM

 

          as Joel comes in.  He immediately notices that the closet

          door is open.  He goes to it and discovers that Hiroko's

          clothes are gone.

 

          He finds a note on the bed and picks it up.

 


 

                                                                        28.

 

 

 

          INSERT: NOTE

 

          which reads:

 

          "Dear Joel - I need some time alone to think about things.

          I'm staying at Judy's for a while.  I do love you very much

          but I just need my space right now.  Love, Hiroko"

 

 

          INT. BEDROOM

 

          Joel closes his eyes.

 

 

          INT. LIVING ROOM

 

          Joel is dialing a number.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Judy, this is Joel.  Is Hiroko

                         there?

 

          He waits nervously.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Would you ask her again,

                         please? . . . Judy, look, there's

                         no reason for you to take sides-- .

                         . . fine.  Please tell her to call

                         me as soon as she's ready to

                         talk. . . . Thanks.

 

          He hangs up, clearly very upset.

 

 

          EXT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

          Joel comes out of his apartment the next morning.  He buys a

          newspaper at a coin rack near where his car is parked.

 

          He casually looks at the front page headlines as he walks to

          the car.  Something grabs his eye.

 

 

          INSERT: THE HEADLINE

 

          which reads:  "Japanese scientist discovered dead."

 

 

          JOEL

 

          can't believe his eyes.

 


 

                                                                        29.

 

 

 

          INT. DEPT OF ENERGY - HALLWAY - DAY

 

          Joel is moving quickly down a hallway, his manner urgent and

          determined.  He is carrying the morning newspaper.

 

          He comes to an office door and enters.

 

 

          INT. DOE - SULLIVAN'S OFFICE - DAY

 

          Joel enters the office and moves by the SECRETARY without

          saying a word.

 

                                          SECRETARY

                         Joel, can I help you?

 

          Joel opens the door to Sullivan's private office.

 

 

          INT. SULLIVAN'S OFFICE

 

          Sullivan looks up from a crossword puzzle he is doing.

 

          Joel throws the newspaper onto the desk in front of his boss

          and points out the article about Kyo's murder.

 

                                          JOEL

                         This is the guy who was asking the

                         questions at the conference.  He

                         was supposed to meet me at the

                         Candlelight yesterday.  He was

                         bringing photographs to prove his

                         contention about the bomb.

                         Somebody got to him first.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Joel, I know you're a fan of

                         LeCarre and find conspiracies

                         everywhere, but could you back up

                         and start from the beginning?

 

                                          JOEL

                         You ever hear of Klichi Hatoyama?

                         He bought the Trade Building in New

                         York.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         From the beginning, I said.  What'd

                         this guy ask you at the conference?

 

 


 

                                                                        30.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         He's the one who brought up the

                         possibility of Japan building a

                         bomb.  According to- . . .

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Joel, for Christ's sake, let's be

                         real here.  Why in hell would Japan

                         want to build a bomb?  The cold war

                         is over.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Look, all I'm saying is, the guy

                         said he had proof that there's a

                         faction over there converting fuel

                         rods to mechanisms for a bomb - he

                         had photographs to show me.  He

                         used to work at Hatoyama's power

                         facility and-- . . .

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         A disgruntled employee.  Jesus,

                         Joel, it's the oldest gripe in the

                         world.  You don't get your

                         promotion, so you raise the spectre

                         of radioactive catastrophe.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Tom, the police suspect murder.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         So what do you expect me to do

                         about it?

 

                                          JOEL

                         For starters, don't be so quick to

                         close your eyes to Japan's reactor

                         program.  We've got people over

                         there.  Let's look into it.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Okay.  I can make a call and do

                         that.  But quietly.  No press, no

                         panic - understand me?

 

          Joel is hesitant to respond.

 

 


 

                                                                        31.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         I know you have a drinking buddy at

                         the Post, Joel.  Promise me we'll

                         do this by the letter.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Okay.  We'll see what they can find

                         out over there.

 

          Sullivan holds up the newspaper.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         You read this?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Of course.

 

          Sullivan quotes from the article.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         "Police have not dismissed the

                         possibility of foul play."  Since

                         when is that murder?

 

                                          JOEL

                         He was suppsoed to meet me with

                         photographs.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Joel, all I'm saying is, cool it.

                         I'll call Tokyo today.  We'll see

                         what we can find out about

                         Hatoyama.  Fair enough?

 

                                          JOEL

                         It's a start.

 

          Sullivan suddenly slams his fist on the desk.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         It's not a goddamn start, it's the

                         way we do things around here!  You

                         let me handle this, period.  Do I

                         make myself clear?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Yes, sir.

 

          Joel turns and heads for the door.

 

 


 

                                                                        32.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         Joel?

 

          Joel turns back to the desk.  Sullivan holds up the paper.

 

                                          SULLIVAN

                         You forgot your paper.

 

                                          JOEL

                         It's yours.

 

          He leaves.

 

 

          INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - NIGHT

 

          Joel enters a crowded cocktail lounge after work.  He's

          looking around for someone, finds him, and moves through the

          crowd to the bar.

 

          Joel takes a position next to HARRY SEYMOR, a veteran

          reporter on the Washington Post, who looks like a frayed

          academic.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Joel, hey, been a long time!  Let

                         me buy you a drink.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Can we get a table?

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Damn right.

                              (to bartender)

                         Jacko, get the girl to bring two

                         Irishes our way!

 

          They move off together to find a table.

 

 

          INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - THE TABLE - NIGHT

 

          They have their drinks.

 

 


 

                                                                        33.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Been too long, buddy.  I think the

                         last time was when you tipped me on

                         all the radioactive crap being

                         dumped into the Katchee river.

                         Your boss still trying to deny

                         reality?

 

          He tries to imitate Sullivan.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         "At no time was there any danger to

                         the public, plant personnel or the

                         environment."  The guy's a born

                         actor.

 

                                          JOEL

                         He's just hanging out for

                         retirement.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         How are you and the lady doing?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Wrong question.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Oh?  I thought this was like the

                         real thing.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I don't want to talk about it.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Sorry.

 

                                          JOEL

                         It's nothing serious.  Listen, I

                         told Tom I wouldn't talk to you

                         about this but . . . I don't know,

                         I think maybe I should.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         You rascal, you know I'm all ears

                         now.

 

 


 

                                                                        34.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         You read the story about the

                         Japanese scientist found dead early

                         this morning?

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Vaguely remember something about

                         that.  I didn't write it so, you

                         know, I don't pay too much

                         attention.

 

                                          JOEL

                         He was supposed to meet me

                         yesterday with proof, with

                         photographs, that there's a nuclear

                         bomb being built at the Hatoyama

                         Power Plant in Hykado.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         The same Hatoyama who bought the

                         Trade Building?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Exactly.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         You believe him?

 

                                          JOEL

                         I never saw the photos but he was

                         convincing.  Said he was being

                         followed, so maybe they got to him

                         before he was able to show me or

                         anyone else the photographs.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Heavy if you're right, ol' buddy.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Maybe you can see what you can find

                         out about Hatoyama.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         You told Sullivan?

 

                                          JOEL

                         He's going to go through channels.

                         You know what that'll turn up.

 

 


 

                                                                        35.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         All sounds pretty far-fetched,

                         Joel.

 

                                          JOEL

                         All I know is, the guy was scared

                         to death.  And now he's dead.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Maybe you have a point.

 

          Seymor drinks.  Joel drinks.

 

 

          EXT. JUDY'S APARTMENT - STREET - NIGHT

 

          Joel sits in his car outside Judy's apartment, waiting for

          Hiroko.  Finally he sees her approaching the apartment

          building.  He gets out of the car.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Hiroko!

 

          She is visibly distressed to see him.  He trots up to her.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Didn't you get my messages?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Joel, please, I just need a little

                         more time alone.

 

                                          JOEL

                         That means you can't even talk to

                         me on the phone?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Please try to understand.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I am trying!  I mean, I ask you to

                         marry me because I love you,

                         because I think you love me, and

                         suddenly I'm a goddamn leper or

                         something.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Don't make this any harder than it

                         already is.

 

 


 

                                                                        36.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         Why's it have to be hard?  We love

                         each other, don't we?  We should be

                         celebrating, for Christ's sake.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Marriage is a big step.  I'm not

                         sure I'm ready to take it.

 

          She starts for the apartment building, Joel following along.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Come back where you belong.  I miss

                         you.

 

          She doesn't reply.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Well, am I supposed to get another

                         date for the Christmas party or

                         what?  I know it's only six months

                         away, but- . . .

 

          Hiroko suddenly turns on him.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Stop it!  I just need time to

                         think.  Why can't you accept that?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Fine.  I accept it.  So you'll call

                         me when you're ready, right?

                         Something like that?

 

          Hiroko, close to tears, turns and goes.

 

                                          JOEL

                              (after her)

                         I love you, goddamn it!  Not to

                         make a federal case about it . . .

 

          But she is going up the steps now, gone.  Joel kicks an

          imaginary object, very upset.

 

          He heads back to his car.

 

 

          INT. ANOTHER CAR - STREET - NIGHT

 

          Hatoyama's two thugs are in a car down the street, observing

          Joel.

 


 

                                                                        37.

 

 

 

          EXT. STREET

 

          as Joel's car pulls from the curb.  The thugs' car follows.

 

 

          EXT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - STREET - NIGHT

 

          Joel parks and goes into his apartment.

 

          The thugs' car slowly passes by, watching him.

 

 

          EXT. LINDA GI'S MARKET - DAY

 

          Customers pass by the sidewalk fruit and vegetable bins.

          One of the customers is Hiroko.

 

          A YOUNG BOY, there with his parents, has been eyeing a fat

          peach.  He reaches for it when suddenly his hand is struck

          by a small object.

 

          EXT. MARKET - CASH REGISTER AREA - DAY

 

          Watching the boy has been Linda Gi, who holds a slingshot,

          having just fired a paper wad at the boy.  Hiroko comes up

          with her purchases.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         I marvel every time you do that.

                         So simple, yet so effective.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         Not as effective as I wish.  Every

                         day somebody steals from me.

 

          She starts to weigh and ring up Hiroko's purchases.

 

                                          LINDA GI

                         Life is always somebody taking from

                         somebody else.

 

          Hiroko, whose view of life is not this gloomy, doesn't

          respond.

 

 

          EXT. STREET - DAY

 

          Hiroko is walking home with her bag of groceries.

 


 

                                                                        38.

 

 

 

          INT. JUDY'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

          Hiroko comes into the apartment.  There is a note waiting

          for her, pinned on a corkboard.

 

 

          INSERT: THE NOTE

 

          "Calls from Joel" followed by three straight lines, marking

          that he's called thrice.

 

 

          INT. JUDY'S APARTMENT

 

          Hiroko passes the phone and looks at it, then decides to

          pass on without calling.

 

 

          INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

 

          Joel is sipping wine, eating a TV dinner, and staring at the

          tube without really watching it.  He clearly is depressed

          and lonely, missing Hiroko terribly.

 

          The phone rings, and Joel almost dives for it, thinking it's

          Hiroko.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Yes!

 

                                          SEYMOR

                              (V.O.)

                         You got time for a beer?

 

                                          JOEL

                         Oh, it's you.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                              (V.O.)

                         Well, thanks a hell of a lot.  I

                         found out some good stuff for you,

                         buddy.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'm sorry, I was expecting -

                         someone else.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                              (V.O.)

                         You want to learn what I found out

                         tonight or tomorrow?

 

 


 

                                                                        39.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         Tonight.

 

 

          INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - NIGHT

 

          Joel and Seymor are seated at a booth.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Kyo Suyama has been busy.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Was busy.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         He visited the Tokyo Bureau, told

                         one of the staff more or less what

                         he told you.  Arranged for a

                         meeting to bring proof, then never

                         showed.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Did he used to work at the Hatoyama

                         Power Plant?

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Yes, in research and development.

                         The interesting stuff is about

                         Hatoyama himself.  He was shot down

                         in World War Two, spent most of the

                         war in a hospital, came to Tokyo

                         after the treaty and made a fortune

                         in several hard industries.  A

                         number of years ago, he started

                         America bashing.

 

                                          JOEL

                         On the tube the other day, he was

                         talking about profound new

                         friendship between his country and

                         ours.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Maybe he turned over a new leaf.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Maybe it's a charade.

 

 


 

                                                                        40.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Maybe.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I'm not sure where that leaves us.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Kyo Suyama definitely had something

                         on his mind.  Apparently it was

                         worth killing him to stop him from

                         sharing it.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Makes sense to me.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         What's your next step?

 

                                          JOEL

                         To ask you not to break the story.

 

          Seymor laughs.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         We don't have a story yet.  But I

                         do want first dibs when it's time.

 

                                          JOEL

                         You know it's yours.

 

          Seymor raises his drink, and they clink glasses.

 

 

          EXT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - NIGHT

 

          Joel and Seymor come out of the cocktail lounge.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         You and Hiroko still having

                         problems?

 

                                          JOEL

                         I don't know what the hell's going

                         on.  She says she needs her space.

 

                                          SEYMOR

                         Story of the modern woman.  Take

                         care.

 

 


 

                                                                        41.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         See you.

 

          They head off in opposite directions to their cars.

 

 

          EXT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - STREET - NIGHT

 

          The car belonging to Hatoyama's thugs is parked down the

          street.

 

 

          INT. THE CAR

 

          The thugs are watching Joel get into his car.

 

 

          EXT. STREET - ANOTHER ANGLE

 

          as Joel pulls away, and the thugs' car pulls out to follow

          it.

 

 

          INTERCUT CHASE SCENE - JOEL'S CAR, THUGS' CAR

 

          Joel moves through traffic, with the thugs' car behind him,

          several cars back.

 

          After a while, Joel approaches flashing lights ahead and a

          blockade.  He is forced to stop.  He gets out, looks ahead

          and sees that a bad accident has halted traffic.  The thugs'

          car also has to stop in traffic.

 

          Joel gets back into his car and abruptly turns a broad

          U-turn, heading back the other way.

 

          His car passes the thugs' car, which does a U-turn to

          continue purusit.

 

          In his rearview mirror, Joel sees the other car pulling

          behind him.  He thinks about this, wondering if it's

          intentional or not.

 

          Suddenly Joel pulls into an alley.  Looking in the mirror

          again, he sees the other car pull into the alley behind him.

 

          Now he understands that he is being followed.  Coming out of

          the alley, Joel pulls recklessly into traffic.

 

 


 

                                                                        42.

 

 

 

 

 

          He weaves around and between cars, trying to make distance

          between himself and the car following him.  Angry motorists

          beep their horns at him.

 

          The thugs are in hot pursuit, twisting in and out of traffic

          along with Joel.  Joel turns onto a residential street lined

          with trees, flooring it.

 

          The thugs stay in pursuit.  In the car, one speaks in

          Japanese to the other, making their plans.

 

          Joel races ahead as the thugs' car makes a move to pass.

          The thugs' car is gaining.

 

          As the two cars drive by the Kennedy Center, the thugs' car

          starts to pull against Joel's car, forcing him off the road.

 

          Joel fights to retain control but the thugs become more

          aggressive, moving their car against his, nudging him off

          the road.  Joel loses control and his car kareens through

          the guard rail and plunges into the Potomic River.

 

          The thugs watch his car go out of control, satisfied that

          they have done their job.

 

          Joel sits unconscious behind the steering wheel, his car on

          its side.

 

          In the other car, the thugs are delighted.  One picks up the

          car phone and begins to dial.

 

 

          INT. HOSPITAL - JOEL'S ROOM - DAY

 

          Joel is in bed after the accident.  A nurse brings Hiroko

          in.

 

                                          NURSE

                         We have a visitor.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Hi.

 

          There's a certain awkwardness between them with the nurse in

          the room.

 

                                          NURSE

                         Can I get you anything?

 

 


 

                                                                        43.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          JOEL

                         No thanks.

 

                                          NURSE

                         Well, give a holler if you need me.

 

          The nurse leaves.  As soon as she's gone, Hiroko moves to

          the bed and leans down to kiss Joel.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         When I heard what happened, I-- . .

                         . .

 

                                          JOEL

                         It wasn't an accident.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         What are you saying?

 

                                          JOEL

                         I was forced off the road.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         My God.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Listen, there's something very

                         strange going on.  At the

                         conference, I was contacted by a

                         Japanese scientist who told me that

                         there's an element in Japan

                         interested in making a nuclear

                         bomb.  Old guard conservatives or

                         something.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         He was serious?

 

                                          JOEL

                         He said he had evidence.  He's the

                         scientist who was murdered the

                         other day.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         What are you telling me?

 

                                          JOEL

                         I don't know.  He mentioned Klichi

                         Hatoyama.  Name ring a bell?

 

 


 

                                                                        44.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          HIROKO

                         I think so, yes.

 

                                          JOEL

                         The industrialist who bought the

                         Trade Building.  Kyo, the

                         scientist, implied he's involved

                         somehow.

 

                         I did some research: Japan is

                         importing plutonium at an alarming

                         rate.  They don't need that much

                         plutonium for their nuclear plants,

                         they could use other fuels.  But

                         they would need plutonium for a

                         bomb.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         This sounds so conspiratorial.

 

                                          JOEL

                         When I'm out of here, I'd like to

                         talk to your grandfather.  Maybe he

                         can tell me more about the old

                         guard conservatives.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         I'm not sure I want you involved in

                         this.  If they tried to kill you- .

                         . . .

 

                                          JOEL

                         They may be trying to kill a hell

                         of a lot more people than me.

 

          Their hands join, and they sit silently, considering the

          seriousness of this possibility.

 

 

          EXT. NIGHTCLUB - STREET - NIGHT

 

          A limo pulls to a stop in front of a New York nightclub.

          The driver gets out and hurries around to open the door.

 

          Hatoyama gets out and heads for the entrance.

 


 

                                                                        45.

 

 

 

          INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

 

          Loud rock music plays.  Hatoyama enters, immediately put off

          by the music and decor around him, which he considers

          American decadence to the core.

 

 

          INT. NIGHTCLUB - DANCE FLOOR - NIGHT

 

          On a crowded dance floor, under a universe of blinking

          colored lights, Hanako is among the dancers, gyrating with a

          slender sexpot.

 

          Suddenly his father appears beside him on the dance floor.

          The young woman notices Hatoyama first, then Hanako sees his

          father.

 

          Hanako stops dancing.

 

                                          HANAKO

                              (to the woman)

                         Excuse me.

 

          He heads off the floor quickly, with Hatoyama right behind

          him.

 

 

          INT. NIGHTCLUB - ISOLATED CORNER - NIGHT

 

          They reach an isolated corner of the club, as isolated as

          it's possible to get in such a place.

 

                                          HANAKO

                         What are you doing here?  What's

                         wrong?

 

                                          HATOYAMA

                         Other than my own son being in such

                         a place?

 

                                          HANAKO

                         I enjoy it.  It's good exercise.

                         What happened?

 

                                          HATOYAMA

                         He is still alive.

 

          This is shocking news to Hanako.  Hatoyama heads out of the

          club, with his son following obediently behind him.

 


 

                                                                        46.

 

 

 

          EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

 

          Hiroko's car is moving down a road in the country.

 

 

          INT. CAR - DAY

 

          Hiroko is driving, Joel is in the passenger's seat, still

          wearing some bandages from the accident.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Your grandfather was in Hiroshima,

                         wasn't he?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Give him a chance and he'll be

                         telling you all about it.

 

          Joel looks puzzled by this.

 

                                          JOEL

                         He likes to talk about it?

 

                                          HIROKO

                         He wants to let people know it

                         should never happen again.

 

                                          JOEL

                         I hope he can tell me something

                         about Hatoyama and the old guard.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         I don't know if he can or not.  He

                         doesn't talk to me about politics.

                         To any woman about politics.

 

          They drive on silently.

 

 

          EXT. COUNTRY HOME - DRIVEWAY - DAY

 

          The car turns into a driveway leading to a modest country

          home.  Chickens range the front yard, where GRANDFATHER

          FUJIWARA is feeding them, tossing out seed as he makes

          clucking sounds.  He is an old man, gray and frail, but a

          man who carries himself with great dignity.

 

          The car stops, and Hiroko and Joel get out.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         Hi, grandfather.

 

 


 

                                                                        47.

 

 

 

 

 

          Grandfather, still "clucking," nods and throws out more

          seed.  Hiroko and Joel approach him.

 

                                          HIROKO

                         This is my friend Joel I told you

                         about.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Very pleased to meet you, sir.

 

          Grandfather nods and throws seed.

 

 

          INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

          Grandfather, Joel and Hiroko sit on the floor around a

          table.  Grandfather is administering a tea ceremony, precise

          to the detail of movement.

 

          Joel is a little impatient, wanting to get on with things.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Sir, I was wondering-- . . .

 

          Hiroko punches him under the table and glares at him, as if

          to say, it is bad manners to bring this up now.

 

          Joel shuts up as Grandfather continues with the ceremony.

 

 

          EXT. COUNTRY HOME - PATH - DAY

 

          The threesome are walking along a path in the woods near the

          country home.

 

                                          GRANDFATHER FUJIWARA

                         I was reading the newspaper,

                         getting ready to go to work, when

                         the A-bomb was dropped.

 

                         At first I saw something

                         sparkling - like a live electrical

                         wire.  The next instant, there was

                         a white flash, and it blinded me, I

                         couldn't see anything at all after

                         that.

                                          (MORE)

 

 


 

                                                                        48.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          GRANDFATHER FUJIWARA (cont'd)

                         Then I heard a blast, and my body

                         was thrown up and against the wall.

 

                         Later my wife and I went outside:

                         there was grayish dust everywhere,

                         uranium dust, everything a gray

                         dark.  If I hadn't been holding my

                         wife's hand, holding it as we

                         walked outside, I wouldn't have

                         been sure I was still alive.  Or

                         that she was.

 

          They continue moving down the path.

 

 

          EXT. PATH - GARDEN - DAY

 

          They've reached a kind of shrine in a garden built by

          Grandfather.  They are sitting on a stone bench.

 

                                          GRANDFATHER FUJIWARA

                         I never hear of this man.

 

                                          JOEL

                         What about the old guard?  Are

                         there conservatives in Japan who

                         would build the bomb, who would

                         want to get even?

 

                                          GRANDFATHER FUJIWARA

                         Of course.  There are people in

                         this country who would drop the

                         A-Bomb again.  Few lessons are

                         learned from history.

 

                                          JOEL

                         Would you say this is probable?  Or

                         merely possible?  I'm not sure how

                         serious a threat you think it is.

 

                                          GRANDFATHER FUJIWARA

                         I am saying the human heart can be

                         very dark.

 

 

          EXT. COUNTRY HOME - DRIVEWAY - DAY

 

          Grandfather is seeing Joel and Hiroko off, waving as the car

          backs out the driveway.

 


 

                                                                        49.

 

 

 

          EXT. ROAD - DAY

 

          The car turns from the driveway onto the road.