2. COLD OPEN
FADE IN:
EXT. BOSTON’S CHINATOWN - DAY
VIVIAN CHAN. (41) Petite, Chinese, always stylishly dressed with
short cropped hair. She is bright, hardworking, and carries a
bit of an attitude.
Music by the Bee Gees, “Stayin’ Alive” can be heard as Vivian,
dressed in blue jeans, and red heels, struts down a dirty,
cluttered city sidewalk. Behind her a young white male, panting
heavily and carrying a large purse runs quickly towards her.
Twenty yards behind, a well dressed woman clearly in distress,
is trying to pursue the man. She points to him and is yelling
something that cannot not be heard over the Bee Gees music.
Vivian turns her head slightly and hears the woman’s cries and
sees the man fast approaching her.
Vivian slides her purse – which is hung over her shoulder with
long decorative chain-like strap – off of her shoulder, crouches
down on one knee, whips the chain-link purse around the purse
snatcher’s ankles as he is beside her, and pulls him off of his
feet. He is violently thrown to the sidewalk, and the stolen
purse skids several feet away.
The man lunges toward Vivian. She strikes a “Praying Mantis”
Kung Fu pose and the purse-snatcher runs away. The woman who
lost her purse comes up to Vivian and pats her on the back.
Vivian forms each hand into the likeness of a six-gun, blows on
the tip of each, and stuffs them into imaginary holsters at her
side. The lady offers her some cash out of the purse, Vivian
refuses once, twice, and the third time she snatches the cash
out of the lady’s hand, and they both laugh.
(CONTINUED)
2
3. Vivian heads down the sidewalk and stops in front of the window
of a Chinese restaurant which is displaying fully cooked ducks
with their heads still attached. She smacks her lips together.
An old Chinese man wearing a white paper cap flashes a toothless
smile from within the restaurant and points to the ducks.
VIVIAN
Yahhh….give me the duck third
from the right, the one with the
big smile on his face.
END OF COLD OPEN
FADE OUT:
(CONTINUED)
3
4. ACT ONE
EXT. FIRST STREET CORP. HEADQUARTERS - DAY
An aerial view of a high-rise in downtown Boston,
“FIRST STREET CORP.” appears prominently at the top of the
building.
The Music fades away.
INT. CORPORATE CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
“ANITA HIMMLER” SVP of Operations, a tall, large-boned woman,
sits at the head of a conference table. To her right sit two
women and on her left side sit two men. Vivian is seated
opposite Anita.
ANITA
Vivian, it’s really nice to see
that someone like you is able,
through hard work and dedication,
to interview with us for an
Assistant Vice President position
within senior management of this
division. We have interviewed a
lot of good candidates for this
position and narrowed the search
down to you and one other
individual. Do you think you can
handle it?
Vivian, now dressed for success, wears makeup and sports bright
red lipstick.
VIVIAN
Yahhh….I think sooooooo.
(CONTINUED)
4
5. ANITA
Vivian, we in the “officer corps”,
are an elite group. We want to foster
an all-inclusive, culturally sensi-
tive, globally nurturing environment,
accepting of all lifestyles, religions,
races, and affiliations. That being
said, what we really want to foster,
is profits! Massive profits! hah, hah,
hahhhhh…
German military marching music from World War II plays as Anita
stands with a crazed look in her eyes and an uneasy smile on her
face.
ANITA
Lay them all off, they are worthless
and weak! Fewer employees, more profits
for us. Send all of their jobs to
developing third world countries,
Ahhh, ha, ha, hahhhh!
The other men and women sitting on either side of Anita, repeat
her chants and laugh in a similar fashion.
OTHER VPS
Yes, more profits; lay them all off.
Ahhh, ha, ha, hahhhhh.
The camera rises above Anita. On the wall can be seen in gold
lettering “First Street Corp.” and the corporate logo of an
angry eagle clutching in its talons a small, captive world.
The music fades. Anita shakes her head and clears her throat.
ANITA
Do you think you can rise to
the challenge of becoming
one of us?
Vivian is terrified and speechless. She is slouched to the back
of her chair with her hands in a protective position over her
throat. She quickly shakes her head up and down.
(CONTINUED)
5
6. ANITA
All right then, we will contact you
and the other candidate within ten
days to let you know which of you
has won the position. Good luck!
Vivian is still speechless. She shakes her head up and down,
stands up and shakes Anita’s hand and quickly exits the room
ANITA
Ok, let’s have a collaborative team
meeting right now to bounce ideas off
one another to select the best can-
didate. The first candidate, Leslie
Lakeland, is young, blonde and beautiful;
Princeton educated, has excellent
communication skills and is highly
qualified. And…I ha-a-a-te her!
The AVPs quietly look at each other.
ANITA
But unlike the “Queen” in “Snow
White,” I can’t have the Huntsman
take her to some secluded glade….
and kill her!.
The AVPs shift uncomfortably in their seats.
ANITA
Consequently, barring any act of
God, we will hire Vivian Chan
as our newest AVP.
FIRST MALE AVP
Yes, that’s a great idea.
SECOND MALE AVP
Anita, you really summed it up well.
FIRST FEMALE AVP
Yes, I agree.
(CONTINUED)
6
7. SECOND FEMALE AVP
Yes, that’s a great decision Anita.
ANITA
This is what I like about us as a
team. We really have strong collective
decision making process that each of
you adds value to.
The AVPS politely smile and shake their heads up and down.
INT. DULL GRAY OFFICE WITH CUBICLES – DAY
Vivian returns to the office after the interview.
ANDY, a thin, always cheerful, sexually “ambiguous” coworker
enters the scene.
ANDY
Ohhhhh….Who’s the foxy lady?
VIVIAN
Hi, Andy.
JEANETTE PROVO, Vivian’s closest friend and coworker, pokes her
head in. She is in her late twenties, and highly intelligent.
JEANETTE
Viv, how did the interview go? Did
you get the position?
JANE LANDRY, (Late 20’s) joins them in Vivian’s tiny cubicle.
She is the office drone.
JANE
Yeah, what happened?
VIVIAN
Well, I met with Anita “Hummer” and
some AVPs in a big conference room.
(CONTINUED)
7
8. JEANETTE
Anita “Himmler”. Her name is
“Himmler,” not “Hummer.”
VIVIAN
Yeah, what “ev-ahhhhh”…. I think it
went ok, but…..
JEANETTE
But what?
VIVIAN
There is something very weird about
those people. I didn’t like some
of the things that they said.
JANE
Why not?
VIVIAN
They were very mean, and they are
obsessed with making money.
JEANETTE
Vivian, I wasn’t going to tell you
this, but these people are not like
us; they are corporate “Nazis” driven
by power and greed.
VIVIAN
Ohhhhh.
JEANETTE
Viv, you and I, Andy, Jane and that
old lady that pushes the mail cart
around all day and constantly fakes
heart attacks so that she can take
time off to see her grandchildren –
we’re all “real” people. We care
about each other, our neighbors,
our friends, and our community.
Vivian, we would hate to see you
become one of “them”.
(CONTINUED)
8
9. Vivian looks sadly down at the floor.
JEANETTE (CONT’D)
There is even a rumor floating around
the office that during the Second World
War, one of Anita’s distant relatives
was a member of “The Third Reich”.
ANDY
Yeah, Jane’s right.
VIVIAN
But, this may be my one chance in my
lifetime to do something that will take
care of my daughters and me, and help us
get a better life. We could move out of
our tiny apartment, I could send them
to real piano lessons buy them nice
clothes, pay for their college.
There is silence amongst the cubicles as the workers realize
they may have lost Vivian. They all quietly look down and slowly
walk away from each other leaving Vivian standing alone holding
her briefcase.
INT. VIVIAN CHAN FAMILY KITCHEN - NIGHT
The Chan family kitchen is small and outdated. The family
eats around a table stuck in the corner of the room.
Vivian is sitting at the table with her two young
daughters, ALISON,(8)and TIFFANY,(7). Both are skinny,
spunky, and have long dark hair. Alison and Tiffany are
having an argument, shouting at each other.
ALISON
It’s mine…I’m the oldest, I should
get it!
TIFFANY
Yeah, but I got the best grades on
my last report card, I want it!
9
10. (CONTINUED)
VIVIAN
All right you guys, that’s enough.
Why do we always have this same
argument? The fish has two eyeballs;
each of you gets one.
ALISON
No, Mom, this fish has only one eye;
one of them is missing.
Vivian holds up the fish and sees that an eye is missing.
VIVIAN
Oh maaaaaaan, I got ripped off! I
paid good money for this fish.
ALISON
Well Mom, how do we settle this now?
VIVIAN
That’s eeeeeasy. I’ll just cut the
eye in half and give each of you half
of it.
Each of the girls smiles and shakes their heads up and down in
agreement.
TIFFANY
Ok, thanks, Mom.
ALLISON
Thanks Mom. You’re so smart!
VIVIAN
Yahhh, I know.
ALISON
Mom, I brought a letter home today
from school about piano lessons.
VIVIAN
Oh, let me see it.
10
11. (CONTINUED)
Alison pulls a folded-up piece of paper out of her pocket and
hands in to Vivian. Vivian unfolds it.
VIVIAN
Ohhhh, Lucinda Lu is in Boston for
six months. She is famous and one of
the finest pianists in all of China.
ALISON
Mom, every kid who has ever studied
piano dreams about taking lessons from
Lucinda Lu, and I do too.
Vivian looks down again at the paper to read the details.
VIVIAN
Well, the lessons run for twelve weeks
and cost….Ohhhhh… $995.00.
There is a moment of silence.
VIVIAN
Alison Honey, we don’t have this money.
ALISON
Mom, you promised me that someday you’d
get me a better teacher than Mrs. Wong.
She’s old, she smells funny, and some-
times she even falls asleep during the
lessons.
CUT TO:
INT. PIANO ROOM AT MRS. WONG’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Alison is practicing a classical piano piece with an old
gray/blue-haired Chinese lady, MRS. WONG who wears thick glasses
and sits on the bench next to her. Moments later, the old
woman’s eyes shut, and without warning, she falls over backwards
off of the piano bench.
11
12. Alison stops playing, looks at the fallen woman and shakes her
head. Mrs. Wong’s ankles and two heels which remain perched on
the bench.
(CONTINUED)
INT. VIVIAN CHAN FAMILY KITCHEN - NIGHT
ALISON
Mom, pl-e-e-e-e-ease?
VIVIAN
I am sorry honey, but there is
no money. We can’t afford it.
Tears can be seen streaming down Alison’s face as she cries
loudly, gets up and runs away from the dinner table.
TIFFANY
Mom, can I be excused so that I can
go watch TV?
VIVIAN
Sure Honey.
Tiffany gets up and runs into the next room. Vivian rises from
the table with a glass of beer in her hand and walks a few feet
towards a small “shrine” around a Buddha statue.
She looks at the Buddha and its face can be seen smiling back at
her. The two are engaged in a “mental” conversation. Finally,
Vivian stands back, and with a small smile on her face, looks up
above.
INT. VIVIAN CHANG FAMILY TELEVISION ROOM - NIGHT
ALISON and TIFFANY are watching a noisy wrestling match on an
older 19” television. Vivian walks into the room with a dish
towel in her hands.
VIVIAN
What are you guys watching?
TIFFANY
It’s “Worldwide Television Wrestling,”
mom.
VIVIAN
12
13. Oh come on, you guys know this stuff is
all fake. How can you watch it?
(CONTINUED)
ALISON
Mom, this is “real” wrestling action,
it’s not fake.
TIFFANY
Yeah Mom, these guys really hurt each other.
Some of the wrestling action can be seen as two large men throw
each other around. A bell then sounds which ends the round. A
huge, masked man stands in front of the camera with a microphone
in his hand.
MASKED EXECUTIONER
Hello, Worldwide Television Wrestling
fans. As you all know, I am the “Masked
Executioner,” and I bet you are just
“soiling your pants” right now just
looking at me.
He points his finger at the camera.
MASKED EXECUTIONER (CONT’D)
Do you think you are tough? Well, next
week I am coming to Boston with a few
of my friends and I am going to give
you two thousand dollars cash right
out of my wallet if you can stay in
the ring with me for just three,
two minute rounds.
Vivian’s two girls shudder as they are seen listening to this
challenge.
ALISON
Oooooooh..........Not me!
TIFFANY
I would never get in the ring with him;
it would be a “death sentence.”
VIVIAN
Oh come on, it’s all fake.
13
14. (CONTINUED)
MASKED EXECUTIONER
Go get a pen tough guy, and write this
number down:800-820-0001. Just come in
and sign some release forms with our
lawyers and you will have the honor
of standing in the ring with me.
Vivian’s eyes light up. She quickly pulls a pen out of her
pocket and writes down the phone number and stuffs the pen and
paper back into her pocket.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
EXT.FRONT ENTRANCE TO THE MACAU RESTAURANT – NIGHT
A red neon sign flashes the name “THE MACAU” on the roof of the
Chinese restaurant/nightclub. Music from The Tramps – “Disco
Inferno” is heard as patrons wait in line to enter the club on a
busy Friday night.
INT. UPSTAIRS DANCE CLUB OF THE MACAU – NIGHT
A line of several young attractive women in their late twenties,
is performing a seemingly highly choreographed 1970’s dance
routine. They are “line dancing” - shaking their shoulders and
chests to the beat of the music. They suddenly turn around and
now are shaking their backsides to this same beat as the crowd
cheers them on.
INT. DOWNSTAIRS RESTAURANT SERVICE BAR – NIGHT
The music slowly fades away. Vivian is seen wearing a white
button down shirt, with its sleeves rolled-up, black pants, and
a small black bowtie. She is in her usual position standing
behind a cash register making change for the waitresses.
A tall, dorky looking man in wire rim glasses calls her over,
DORKY-LOOKING MAN
14
15. Excuse me Miss, I ordered the
Flying Fish; this is not – the Flying
Fish!
(CONTINUED)
Vivian leans over and looks at the fish.
VIVIAN
Yaaaahhh……that’s the Flying Fish.
The man appears even more irritated.
DORKY-LOOKING MAN
Lady….I ordered The Flying Fish.
This is clearly not The Flying Fish!
What? Don’t you understand English?
This comment infuriates Vivian. She grits her teeth and mumbles
to herself.
VIVIAN
Ehhhhhhhh…..
She then sarcastically smiles back to the man.
VIVIAN
Ohhhh…you wanted the Flying Fish.
You want to see the Flying Fish?
DORKY-LOOKING MAN
Yeah, yeah that’s it. I want to
see the Flying Fish!
VIVIAN
Ohm…OK.
Vivian picks up the fish off of the man’s plate and jabs the
fish head in the man’s face, which makes him jerk back in his
seat. She then steps away from the man, casts her arm back and
throws the fish far across the dining room over the heads of
several tables of unsuspecting diners.
The fish finally “slaps” off the head of a bald man who is
sitting with his back facing the back. He then jumps up, wheels
around and points towards Vivian.
15
16. BALD MAN
Hey, what the hell was that?
VIVIAN
I am sorry, sir. That was the
Flying Fish!
The entire dining room erupts into laughter, and even the bald
man laughs as he picks up a napkin and wipes off his head. As he
sits down at the table his friends smile and pat him on the
shoulder.
The Dorky customer at the bar throws down his napkin and storms
off. Vivian shakes her head at him and tosses his fishless plate
into the sink. Vivian walks down the bar and sees three of her
regulars. CHUCK, JOHNNY, and JIMMY seated at their regular bar
stools.
VIVIAN
Alright boys, I am going to need
to see some ID from each of you.
CHUCK
ID? I’m nearly fifty years old. I’m
too young to drink in here?
VIVIAN
No, you are too young to go out with me.
All of the men laugh.
CHUCK
Vivian, you’re not old, you’re just
a young thing.
VIVIAN
I “doe-noooo” about that.
CHUCK
So “Viv”, how are things with your job
over at First Street Corp? I read in
The Herald that they laid off 1,400
people last week.
VIVIAN
It’s getting harder and harder in this
country just to survive.
All three men nod their heads up and down in agreement.
16
17. VIVIAN
Next month my company is bringing over
twenty-five people from India to my
department for training. I like my
company, but I don’t want to train
other people to do my job and then
lose mine. That’s not right. It puts
me in a real “pree-dic-mint”
CHUCK
That’s “pre-dic-a-ment”.
VIVIAN
Yeahhhh….Whatevvvvahhh!
Vivian waves her hand dismissively at Chuck.
VIVIAN
How are things with you Chuck?
(CONTINUED)
CHUCK
Well, I’ve got some big problems at
home right now.
VIVIAN
Why? What’s wrong?
CHUCK
Well I think my wife has been cheating
on me.
VIVIAN
Yeah, I see that a lot.
CHUCK
Really?
VIVIAN
Yeah, when I play cards every Wednesday
night my friends always cheat on me.
CHUCK
No “Viv”, I think my wife is “sleeping-
around”
17
18. VIVIAN
Oooooooooh…..That’s different!
CHUCK
Yeah.
VIVIAN
Why do you think that?
CHUCK
Well there have been some nights when
she hasn’t come home, and I’ve been
finding strange pairs of men’s’ underwear
in my drawer, that are not mine
VIVIAN
Yeah, that’s probably not a good sign.
Well how long have you been married?
CHUCK
We’ve been married about five years
but we’ve never had any kids.
(CONTINUED)
VIVIAN
That’s because she has been too busy
trying to have kids with other people.
CHUCK
Yes, I guess your right. I don’t know
what I should do. Should I confront her,
or should I just leave her?
VIVIAN
There is an old saying; “Once the cat
has eaten tuna out of the can, it will
not eat the dry food again.”
Chuck looks at Vivian with a confused and disturbed look.
CHUCK
What the hell does that mean?
VIVIAN
Your “mare-widge” is “ooooooovaaaah!”.
CHUCK
I was afraid you were going to say that.
Vivian you are one of the wisest people
18
19. that I know.
VIVIAN
Yahhh, I know… I was “mare-weed” once.
My husband left me and my little girls
about five years ago. It hurt me when
he left, but since he’s been gone my
girls and I have become stronger
and happier. He used to drink a lot,
sometimes “he” didn’t come home
either. I don’t want to be treated
like that, especially as a mother,
no one does.
The men at the bar look down quietly for a moment.
VIVIAN
It will be sad at first but you will
have to get “oooovaaaah” your current
wife.
(CONTINUED)
CHUCK
How do I do that?
VIVIAN
What you need to do first is to go
out and relax and get “luuuuuck..eeeee”.
CHUCK
What?
Vivian looks away across the dining room floor in the direction
of the hostess stand. Vivian points at the hostess stand with
her thumb.
VIVIAN
See that hostess, that’s Susie Wing.
She’ll sleep with anybody….Go talk to
her.
Chuck shakes his head in disbelief.
CHUCK
What?
INT. HOSTESS STAND AT THE MACAU RESTAURANT - NIGHT
19
20. Susie Wing, the attractive hostess, is chatting with TONY NEE,
one of the cooks. He is his early thirties and dressed in a
white cook’s outfit.
(CONTINUED)
CUT TO:
Vivian looks at Tony longingly and mumbles to herself.
VIVIAN
Ahhhh..There is my little man.
Tony then puts his arm around Susie’s waste in a joking fashion.
Suzie smiles in Vivian’s direction and winks. Vivian grimaces
and shakes her head, while breaking a pair of chopsticks in her
hand.
VIVIAN
Ehhhhhh…….
INT. DULL GRAY OFFICE WITH CUBICLES – DAY
Vivian, Jeanette and Jane are leaning over the desk in Vivian’s
cubicle examining some reports together, as Andy comes skipping
in.
ANDY
(gleefully)
Oh Laaadies…I’ve got some good
dirt.
VIVIAN
Andy, can it wait? We’re working on
total returns right now.
ANDY
I found out who the finalist is
for the new AVP position!
The women are stunned at this tidbit and quickly push the
reports off of the desk onto the floor.
JEANETTE
Alright, Agassi, serve it up!
20
21. JANE
Is it anyone we know?
(CONTINUED)
VIVIAN
Who is it Andy?, Is it a man or a
woman?
Andy is so excited he pretends to be pounding a set of fake
bongo drums in front of him.
ANDY
Druuuum rooooolll…please!
JEANETTE
Andy, quit acting like a Brownie
Scout Leader and just tell us!
ANDY
Candidate number two is none other
than Leslie Lakeland!
All of the women in the cubicle are stunned by the news. Pure
fear can be seen on their faces.
JANE
Oh my God.
JEANETTE
Oh, the young, blonde, genius,
supermodel? Oh, Viv, you’ll have
no trouble competing with her!
Andy hears something and briefly sticks his head out of the
cubicle.
ANDY
Heads up, Scouts! Here comes the
competition right now!
A tall, stunningly attractive young woman, perhaps twenty-five-
years old, comes steaming down a long aisle which separates two
large blocks of cubicles.
Music from KC and the Sunshine Band “I’m Your Boogie Man” pays
over. Leslie Lakeland seemingly “struts” down the long central
21
22. row of cubicles. As she passes each block of cubicles young male
staffer’s heads pop up like “Whack-A-Moles” to catch a glimpse
of her. She strides by cubicle after cubicle flipping her long
flowing blonde hair, smiling confidently.
(CONTINUED)
She reaches Vivian’s cubicle, flashes a wide smile and gives the
crew a feeble two or three finger wave. Vivian, Jeanette, Andy
and Jane mechanically wave, mouths wide open, as she passes them
in slow motion The music fades out.
JANE
She’s perfect in every way.
ANDY
Oh I don’t know, I don’t like the way she
accessorizes.
Vivian stares slowly at Andy, Jeanette and Jane..
VIVIAN
There is an old saying; “The world is
not a perfect place”. If you only
look for perfection in the world
you will wind up with nothing but
disappointment. You must accept and
enjoy your life the way it is.
JEANTETTE
Vivian, what the hell does that
mean?
Vivian again looks at all three with confidence and a small
smile.
VIVIAN
I am an Asian Tiger. I will rise
To this challenge, and meet it
head on.
INT. VIVIAN CHAN FAMILY TELEVISION ROOM - NIGHT
Vivian wearing a long overcoat, is about to leave for the
evening, wearing a dark warm-looking wool coat as he gives the
two children some instructions. Mrs. Wong is present to babysit
for the night, and she is sitting on the sofa.
22
23. (CONTINUED)
VIVIAN
OK, you guys be good for Mrs. Wong,
and remember, absolutely no watching
wrestling tonight! I want you both
to watch something more educational
than that.
ALISON
No problem, Mom. We’ll just watch the
Discovery Channel tonight.
AMY
Yeah Mom, we’ll just watch some new
“Frontline” episodes with Bill
Moyers.
VIVIAN
Yeah, you guys are real funny.
Just behave, ok?
Vivian smiles and winks at Mrs. Wong who smiles and bobs her
head up and down. Vivian goes out the front door and locks it
behind her.
MRS. WONG
(in heavy Chinese accent)
Allison, did your mother leave
coffee in kitchen?
ALISON
Yes Mrs. Wong, there is a fresh pot
next to the toaster oven.
Mrs. Wong gets up and walks into the small adjacent kitchen area
of the apartment.
INT. SMALL ADJACENT KITCHEN AREA – NIGHT
23
24. Mrs. Wong pours herself a large cup of coffee. She looks to the
right of the coffee maker and sees three tall bottles (all
roughly the same shape and size) one of which is the coffee
creamer. She pauses for a moment, takes off her thick glasses,
puts them down on the counter and rubs her eyes.
(CONTINUED)
She reaches over and grabs a bottle she thinks is the coffee
creamer but the label can clearly be seen and it reads Jamaican
Rum. She pours a great deal of the rum into her coffee and adds
a couple of large spoons of sugar.
Mrs. Wong then reaches for her glasses but can’t quite locate
them. She loudly mumbles something in Chinese and white English
subtitles can be seen at the bottom of the screen which read;
“Oh crap!” Her hand finally touches the glasses and she puts
them on and heads back into the room, coffee cup in hand.
INT. VIVIAN CHAN FAMILY TELEVISION ROOM - NIGHT
The children are watching a cartoon as Mrs. Wong is starting to
drink her highly “liquored-up” coffee. She raises the cup to her
lips and takes a large, long swig.
MRS. WONG
Highhhh…….Yahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
She shakes her head back and forth and smacks her lips.
MRS. WONG
Hmmmmmmmmmm…
She raises the coffee to her mouth and drinks virtually the
whole cup down. The children begin to argue over the television
clicker.
TIFFANY
Alison, I don’t want to watch this;
it’s stupid!
ALISON
I like this show, just leave it on!
(CONTINUED)
Mrs. Wong then opens her mouth and out comes a loud drawn out
belch.
MRS. WONG
24
25. UUUUGGHHHHHH!
Her eyes then close shut and she falls on the floor with a
tremendous “thud”.
(CONTINUED)
TIFFANY
Oh my God! She’s dead! She’s dead!
ALISON
No she’s not. Chill out. She’s just
asleep. She does this all the time
during my piano lessons.
TIFFANY
How do you know she’s just asleep?
What if she’s not? What if she’s
really dead?
Alison shrugs her shoulders and sticks both her hands out with
their palms up.
ALISON
Hey…….She’s old. It’s the “circle
of life” man. The “circle of life”!
TIFFANY
Yeah, I guess you’re right. Hey, now
we can watch Worldwide Television
Wrestling”!
ALISON
You go, girl!
They scream with delight, jump off the couch and high-five each
other in mid-air. Mrs. Wong’s lifeless body lies on the floor in
front of the television.
EXT. BACK ENTRANCE OF LARGE SPORTS ARENA - NIGHT
A large sign reads “CHARLES RIVER SPORTS ARENA – REAR ENTRANCE.”
A yellow cab pulls up, Vivian jumps out, hands the driver some
money and quickly runs into the building.
25
26. INT. BRIGHTLY LIT SPORTS ARENA HALLWAY - NIGHT
Vivian approaches a tall, well-dressed man who is holding a
clipboard and wearing a Blue Tooth headset. He is standing
outside of a door which has a sign above it reading “DRESSING
ROOMS.”
(CONTINUED)
VIVIAN
Hello Sir, my name is Vivian Chan.
I am here to wrestle the Masked
Executioner tonight in a Challenge
Match.
He looks down at her with a big smile on his face, laughing.
DOORMAN
What? Ah.hah.hah.hah. That’s rich!
You’re gonna’ get in the ring with the
Executioner?
VIVIAN
I interviewed with Vince Marino earlier
in the week, signed all of the legal
release forms and gave him proof of
health insurance.
The man regains his composure, wipes his eyes, and looks down at
his clipboard.
DOORMAN
Yeah! Vivian Chan you are contestant
Number Two. OK. Let me give you the
legal mumbo-jumbo and then some
personal advice from me.
She shakes her head up and down and looks at him attentively.
DOORMAN (CONT’D)
At any time when you are in the ring
during the three two minute rounds
that you feel endangered, frightened
or injured, you must step out of the
ring and raise your hand and the
match will be over. You will not win
the grand prize at this point; but
you will be given some nice gift
26
27. certificates and you will have
experienced a few minutes of
televised fame. You are entering the
ring during this “World Television
Wrestling” event of your own free
will and at your own risk.
(CONTINUED)
VIVIAN
OK, I understand, but what’s all the
big deal? It’s all fake.
DOORMAN
Is that what you think, Lady? I got
news for you. There is a lot of
scripted action in regular wrestling,
but these “Challenge Matches” are for
real. I know Vince real well, and he’s
not giving away two thousand bucks –
to anybody!
Vivian’s mouth opens wide, as a look of fear grips her face.
DOORMAN
This is my advice to you; run around
the ring for the first round and
give them a good show. Early in the
second round, pretend to fall out of
the ring, act hurt and wave your
hand. Fall on your sword, Lady. If
you are still standing in the third
round the Executioner is going to
throw you out of that ring like a
paper airplane, and you are going to
get hurt.
Vivian looks down disappointedly.
VIVIAN
Ok, I understand.
DOORMAN
Take a seat here in the dressing
room. When the light on the wall
lights-up and the buzzer goes off,
it’s your time. I will come in and
27
28. get you. OK, Vivian?
VIVIAN
OK, thank you, Sir.
(CONTINUED)
INT. RINGSIDE AT THE CHARLES RIVER SPORTS ARENA – NIGHT
A middle-aged, male announcer in a black tuxedo walks out to the
middle of the ring to introduce the first contestant in the
challenge matches.
ANNOUNCER
The first challenger, weighing-in at
two-hundred-fifty pounds from
Charlestown, Massachusetts, – is
M-i-i-i-ckey!, S-i-i-i-mp-s-s-son!
The crowd cheering and yelling is almost deafening.
ANNOUNCER (CONT’D)
In the opposite corner, from Athens,
Ohio, weighing in at three-hundred-
twenty pounds, the three-time World
Television Wrestling Champ and
current belt holder, “The Masked
Exec-u-u-u-tioner!
The crowd loudly boos. The Masked Executioner stands six feet,
eight inches tall and is bare-chested wearing only a pair of
black wrestling briefs. His face is hidden by his trademark
black mask. The announcer waves both men to the center of the
ring. He makes them both shake hands and then sends them to
their corners.
The announcer quickly steps out of the ring and a loud bell
sounds. Mickey Simpson, who also bare-chested, charges toward
The Executioner, who merely winds back his arm and delivers a
mighty slap across the face of the challenger.
The blow knocks Mickey Simpson to his knees, and the crowd roars
with laughter. As Simpson gets on his hands and knees,
attempting to get up, The Executioner stands behind him, winds
28
29. back and kicks the fallen man in his behind, sending him
skidding across the mat. Again, the crowd roars with laughter.
The Executioner then picks up Simpson, walks to the side of the
ring and throws the challenger out of the ring. He lands on a
garbage bin. The crowd roars with laughter and then applauds
loudly.
(CONTINUED)
INT. DRESSING ROOM CHARLES RIVER SPORTS ARENA - NIGHT
A buzzer goes off within the room as the light on the wall
lights up. Vivian takes a deep breath and the Doorman enters
the room.
DOORMAN
Ready, Vivian? You’re on! Let’s go.
Vivian takes off her overcoat revealing that she is wearing
black spandex aerobics tights with a white T-shirt, and on her
feet are black high-top aerobics shoes. She throws on a pink
bathrobe with a large “V” on it to keep herself warm during the
walk to the ring.
INT. RINGSIDE AT THE CHARLES RIVER SPORTS ARENA – NIGHT
Vivian makes her way up to the ring accompanied by the Doorman.
The Doorman then pats her on the back and proceeds to the
opposite corner where VINCE MARINO(40’s) and EDDIE, a burly-
looking manager, stand behind The Executioner in his corner.
As Vivian climbs into the ring and removes her pink bathrobe the
crowd erupts in laughter. EDDIE leans over to speak a few words
to Vince Marino.
MANAGER (EDDIE)
Vince, that’s really mean putting
this poor lady in the ring with
The Executioner.
VINCE MARINO
Eddie, it’s all good clean fun.
In her contract there is a clause
that once she either steps out of the
ring or is thrown out of the ring,
we have the right to have the para-
medics put her on a gurney and take
29
30. her out – ending the match. She’s not
going to get two thousand bucks,
but she’ll get her fifteen minutes
of fame, a couple of gift cards and
gift certificates to Burger World.
She’ll also have something to tell
her grandchildren about years from now.
(CONTINUED)
EDDIE
Vince, she could really get hurt out
there.
VINCE MARINO
No, she’ll be fine. I talked to The
Executioner. He’s gonna let her run
around the ring for a round and then
in the second round he’ll gently
pick her up and drop her out of the
ring.
ANNOUNCER
Ladies and Gentlemen, the next
contestant in the challenge match
from Boston’s Chinatown, weighing
in at one hundred five pounds is–
“V-i-i-i-i-v-i-i-an”….”Ch-a-a-a-a-
a-n!”
The crowd cheers wildly for the obvious underdog. The Announcer
brings the two together and the competitors shake hands.
MASKED EXECUTIONER
It’s an insult for me to have to be
in the ring with someone like you!
VIVIAN
The feeling is mutual.
MAKSED EXECUTIONER
Lady, I’m gonna break you in two!
VIVIAN
Yahhhhh…..What-evvvvv-aaaaahhh!
ANNOUNCER
30
31. Alright, you two separate, go to
your corners and come out wrestling!
The Executioner returns to his corner and Vivian stands in hers.
The bell sounds and the two slowly approach each other. Vivian
is crouched a bit with her two arms out in front of her.
(CONTINUED)
The Executioner moves at her and she quickly slides under his
arms and maneuvers behind him and gives him a light kick in the
butt. The crowd loves it and goes wild. The Executioner can be
heard angrily shouting at Vivian through his mask.
MASKED EXECUTIONER
You shouldn’t have done that Lady.
Now you’re dead!
The Executioner lunges at Vivian and is able to grab one of her
legs and arms. He picks her up in a “firemen’s” hold and spins
her around and around in the center ring. He throws her into the
corner. She lifts here head and looks up groggy and disoriented.
She looks momentarily into the wrestling crowd and spots Tony
Nee sitting in the front row jumping up wildly waving for Vivian
to get up. Next to Tony sits a pouty Suzie Wing, who begins
smiling and rubbing the man’s shoulders when she sees Vivian
looking their way. They are apparently on a date.
INT. RINGSIDE AT THE CHARLES RIVER SPORTS ARENA – NIGHT
VIVIAN
Damn it! Now I’m ang-weeeeeeee!
She jumps to her feet and marches straight at the Executioner.
He shakes his head in disbelief and bends down to say something.
MASKED EXECUTIONER
What, you want to take my order for
some Chinese food?
She grabs one of his arms, plants one foot and swings the other
foot up and around in a “rear leg” kick cracking the side of her
foot off The Executioner’s head and sending his mask flying. His
eyes roll back in his head and he falls on his back.
31
32. The Executioner’s face is ugly and scar-ridden. The crowd goes
nuts, screaming and cheering. Vince Marino and the manager are
stunned. The referee bends down and tries to talk to the fallen
competitor.
(CONTINUED)
REFEREE
Executioner, get up man, Vince is
pissed.
MASKED EXECUTIONER
Mommy, I didn’t steal that bike; it
was Tommy Razuto.
REFEREE
Oh my God.
The referee lightly slaps The Executioner in the face and the
fallen wrestler quickly regains his composure and climbs to his
feet. He then charges Vivian again.
INT. VIVIAN CHAN FAMILY TELEVISION ROOM - NIGHT
The two girls are jumping and screaming wildly as they watch
their mother.
ALISON
Kick his butt Mom! Teach him nobody
messes with the Chinese!
TIFFANY
Yeah Mom. Kick his butt! Kick his
butt!
INT. RINGSIDE AT THE CHARLES RIVER SPORTS ARENA – NIGHT
Moments before the two make contact, Vivian yells something to
the Executioner.
VIVIAN
Here’s your food, you son of a …..
32
33. She grabs his arms and spins around on one foot, launching
another flying rear-leg kick which lands right on the
Executioner’s jaw. A “crack” can be heard.
The Executioner falls flat on his face. He is down for good. The
referee quickly looks over at Vince Marino, who is now looking
up and shaking his head. The referee quickly counts.
(CONTINUED)
REFEREE
One!….Two!…..Three!
He waves his hand, the match is over, Vivian has won. The crowd
goes crazy, throwing paper cups, paper programs and metal
folding chairs down the aisles. The security guards can’t
contain some of the spectators that have rushed to the side of
the ring.
A young beautiful woman in a bikini enters the ring carrying an
over-sized white envelope. She stops and bows in Asian fashion
to Vivian, who smiles and bows back to her. The woman hands
Vivian the envelope and gives her a hug.
Vivian opens the envelope and sees two thousand dollars stuffed
inside. She smiles and raises a fist and the envelope in her
other hand as she acknowledges the crowd, which is chanting
“Chan!”…….”Chan!”…..”Chan!”…..”Chan!”.
INT. VIVIAN CHAN FAMILY TELEVISION ROOM - NIGHT
ALISON
Yeah Mom. You did it! You go, girl!
TIFFANY
Ohhh…Yeahhh baby!
The two jump up and high-five each other.
INT. ANITA HIMMLER FAMILY TELEVISION ROOM – NIGHT
Two young boys are jumping around and cheering as they too, have
watched Vivian’s match.
ANITA
Hey what are you guys watching? Is
33
34. it that dreadful wrestling again?
FIRST BOY
Yeah Mom. Some little lady
just kicked the Masked
Executioner’s butt!
(CONTINUED)
ANITA
A female wrestler? I’ll bet
she’s a real “lady”.
Anita stands and watches for a moment. The TV announcer recaps
the match.
TV ANNOUNCER
Well, Folks, what we have witnessed
here is a little lady named Vivian
Chan who has put on a martial arts
demonstration, the likes of which we
have never seen, and in the process,
knocked out the Masked Executioner.
ANITA
Vivian Chan? It couldn’t be.
The Television shows a close-up of Vivian accepting the prize
money.
ANITA
One of my AVPs - wrestling with
hooligans on a Friday night, for
cash? I don’t think sooooo.
You’r-r-r-e, out!
The two boys look at their mother with puzzled expressions.
INT. BRIGHTLY LIT LARGE OFFICE - DAY
Anita Himmler is sitting behind a large desk and across from her
sits Vivian.
ANITA
Thank you for coming in this after-
noon Vivian. Did you do anything
exciting this weekend?
34
35. VIVIAN
Ahhh…noooooo.
(CONTINUED)
ANITA
Well, Vivian, the Management Group
has made a final decision on the
open AVP position, and unfortunate-
ly, you were not selected.
Vivian looks down in silence, as small tears well up in her
eyes.
ANITA
In the future if you would like to
post for any open officer positions,
we would love to see you again.
The two rise and they shake hands.
VIVIAN
Thank you Anita, for considering me.
Vivian turns and is about to open the door, as Anita launches a
sarcastic remark.
ANITA
Oh, and Vivian, good luck with your
wrestling career. Maybe it will
supplement your current position,
which you will now remain at.
Vivian looks down sadly and walks out the door.
EXT. BOSTON COMMON STREET SCENE – NIGHT
A nearly empty yellow and white Boston “T” bus slowly moves
beside the Boston Common. Towards the end of the bus, Vivian is
leaning against a window crying.
INT. PIANO ROOM OF EXPENSIVE-LOOKING APARTMENT – NIGHT
35
36. Alison sitting on a piano bench next to LUCINDA LU,
a young, (perhaps thirty years old) well-dressed, attractive
Chinese woman. Alison is just finishing a classic piano piece.
(CONTINUED)
LUCINDA LU
Wow, that was really good Alison.
Where did you learn to play like
that?
Alison raises both hands and forms each in likeness of a six-
gun, blows on the tips of each and stuffs each hand into
imaginary holsters at her sides.
ALISON
I learned from the “best!”.
EXT – STREET SCENE FROM BIRD’S EYE VIEW – NIGHT
Music again from the BEE GEES “staying Alive” plays fairly
loudly. Vivian, Alison, and Tiffany, all dressed in heavy warm
coats, run down a dirty, narrow, dimly lit street to their
apartment building’s door, they quickly run inside. A light
goes on in the window of one of the apartments, we see a
silhouette of the Chans in a family hug. The music plays
itself out.
FADE OUT
END OF SHOW.
36
