FRANKLIN
Oh you've got to be kidding me.
I'm about to traverse a war torn
country littered with soldiers who
will hunt me down for being a
deserter. What happened to our
deal?
GOH
Sir, you don't have to feel that
way. Our deal still stands. We'll
lead you to her right now.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
I'm not responsible for you dying
to other causes. Just make sure
you're not suicidal for a couple
days, honor our deal okay?
Franklin paces around in anger, looking for something to
throw or punch. He looks down at the bag. Goh shakes his head
in defeat, Sumi covers her eyes.
Franklin kicks it several times, fuming in anger, muttering
curses.
FRANKLIN
Oh you make me so mad! You realize
how-
He looks up. The angel is gone. He looks around at the scene
he's caused. Awkwardly, he clears his throat, picks up the
bag, and looks to Goh and Sumi who are huddled together.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
I uh... had to let off a little
steam. Lead the way.
Sumi pushes Goh down the street and Franklin follows behind
them. With each step he takes, the broken tea kettle makes a
noise and Goh's frown grows deeper. Franklin looks over his
shoulder at where the angel was and shakes his head.
CUT TO:
EXT. RURAL HILLSIDE TOWN - DAY
Goh, Sumi, and Franklin are hiking up a hill. Franklin has to
help push Goh up on his wheelchair. Gunshots and explosions
can be heard in the distant city behind them. When they reach
the top of the hill both Franklin and Sumi are out of breath.
16.
FRANKLIN
We should rest for a bit.
Franklin and Sumi slouch down on the ground. Goh starts
unpacking the bag and tries to piece together the broken tea
pot.
Beat.
Sumi's stomach growls. Goh has finished piecing together the
pot. Franklin raises a questioning look at the large bag he's
been carrying.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
There's got to be some food in
there.
GOH
Just tea.
Franklin lets out a disappointed laugh and shakes his head.
FRANKLIN
Unbelievable.
Sumi rubs her tummy and looks at Franklin, pointing at her
mouth.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
What do you want me to do? We don't
have anything.
Goh looks at the forest behind them and gestures towards it.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
What, you want me to go out
hunting?
Goh shakes his head.
GOH
I've heard that there are wild
strawberries in this area.
They both stare at each other. Goh looking up from his
wheelchair at Franklin expectedly and Franklin in awe at the
audacity of the situation.
Franklin sighs and gets up to leave; Sumi follows behind in
excitement. Franklin glances back at her.
FRANKLIN
Just don't get in my way.
17.
Sumi nods enthusiastically.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Franklin is picking strawberries and placing them into a tea
pot. Sumi's mouth and hands are smeared with berry juice as
she consumes them in a frenzy. Bees start to buzz around her,
we see one land on her neck and sting her.
SUMI
Ow!
Sumi smacks her neck.
FRANKLIN
Ow? Wait a minute...
Sumi looks down at her palm and places her other hand on top
of her mouth to muffle her scream when she sees the squished
bee.
SUMI
(muffled)
Help me!
Franklin examines her neck and wipes the bee off her palm
with his sleeve. He pulls out the stinger and pats her
shoulder as she lets out a stifled cry.
FRANKLIN
It's just a bee sting, you'll be
alright.
They stay there awkwardly for a beat. Sumi is crying but
avoiding to make verbal sounds with her hand still over her
mouth. Franklin watches her curiously.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
So... You can speak?
Sumi abruptly stops crying and her hand that was over her
mouth turns into a finger pressed over her lips.
SUMI
Shhh
FRANKLIN
(whispering)
What?
18.
SUMI
(whispering)
He's watching...
She points behind them where Goh is far off beyond the
forest.
FRANKLIN
He's far away Sumi. You have to
tell me what's going on, why are
you pretending to be mute?
Sumi shakes her head and slowly turns around to face away
from him. She rubs her neck and starts walking over to the
tea pot.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
Sumi... You can't just-
Sumi ignores him, picks up the tea pot, picks a few more
strawberries to fill it, and starts walking away.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
Hey!
He grabs her wrist. We see a close up of Franklin's wedding
ring.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
Do you want me to ask Goh about
this?
Sumi stops and turns around with a panicked expression.
FRANKLIN (CONT'D)
I thought so. Now, you're going to
tell me what the hell is going on
between you and your father.
Sumi glances down at Franklin's hand that is still holding
her wrist. She notices the ring.
SUMI
How much did you love your wife?
Franklin pauses, taken back by the question. A beat passes.
FRANKLIN
I... loved her very much.
SUMI
Father loved mom a little too much.
More than our tea shop. More than
himself... more than... me.
19.
Sumi swings the teapot back and forth, fidgeting
uncomfortably.
SUMI (CONT'D)
He was never the same after we lost
her. He didn't like being around
me, I reminded him of her too much.
It got to a point where my voice
would trigger him.
FRANKLIN
That's a problem. I can-
As Franklin walks past her, determined to confront Goh, this
time Sumi grabs him by the wrist. He turns around to face
her. Sumi's sleeve slides down her arm revealing a bruise,
Franklin notices it.
SUMI
It's not your problem.
He hesitates but shakes her off and continues to storm back
towards Goh.
SUMI (CONT'D)
Please stop! You don't
understand... You'll upset him, and
I don't like it when he's like
that.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
Listen to the kid Franklin.
Franklin freezes in his tracks at the sound of the angels
voice. He turns around to look at Sumi and sees the angels
arms around her; comforting her as she cries.
He watches in disbelief, unable to understand why the angel
would side with her in this situation.
Franklin reluctantly starts heading back towards Sumi and
kneels in front of her.
FRANKLIN
Okay... stop crying. I won't tell
Goh.
SUMI
(still crying)
You promise?
FRANKLIN
Yes... It'll be our little secret.