ASSIGN-3

SCENE-1-INSIDE-HOUSE-DAY
LATASHA, a Thai lady in her 30s is in front of a mirror putting her make-up on. CRAIG, a medium-height white guy, around his early 50s, is staring at her with awe: She is really beautiful. Music playing in the background:-WONDERFUL TONIGHT by ERIC CLAPTON.
CRAIG
-You… You are mesmerizing! I can’t take my eyes off you!
(He gets closer and tries to kiss her. Latasha denies the kiss.)
LATASHA
-CRAIG!!! You are going to ruin’ my make-up!
Her English are not good at all. Her body language is showing a bit of distaste and loathing. She is not happy with Craig being around.
CRAIG
(Upset)
-Can’t you just pretend like me? You don’t sleep with me anymore, you are not around, and you are not supportive! It’s like I’ve been married to a ghost!
(He slams the door, and storms downstairs.)
House is really well decorated, with expensive furniture, acclaimed paintings and lush curtains. They are wealthy.

(Craig talking to himself)

-She is way ahead of your league…
-She is with you only for your money! But, she needs to be thankful for saving her from poverty and giving her citizenship, peace of mind, and a life beyond her wildest dreams!
LATASHA

(I Followed Craig but didn’t hear his self conversation)

-Craig love, you know Latasha is here for you. Latasha cares for Craig a lot.

CRAIG
-Don’t lie to me! When I’m upset with your behaviour, you always come back with sweet words. But you can’t fool me anymore! Your actions show the opposite!
-I don’t believe a word of what you’ve just said!
(He sits on a large corner sofa and turns angrily his face towards the wall, raises his feast like he wants to hit someone but then quickly lowers it…)
Latasha comes closer and sits on his lap and hugs his neck.
LATASHA
-Craig my darling, Latasha has made a tasty Thai meal for your friends coming. She will look after all of you. Just relax and enjoy.
She gives him a worm juicy kiss. Craig initially doesn’t want to kiss back but eventually surrenders…

SCENE-2-INSIDE-HOUSE-AFTERNOON
Bell is ringing; Craig is walking quickly for the door. The door opens, and a couple appears.
It is a man in his mid-thirties, tall, and athletic along with a late twenties gorgeous blond lady next to him. They both look very smartly dressed.
CRAIG
-STEVEN, my friend and…(Points his finger) NIKKI, am I right?
(He gives a warm handshake to Steven and a handshake-cross kiss to Nikki.)
-Give me your coats! I’ve given my butler a day off so my lovely Thai wife and I will look after my special colleagues!!!
NIKKI
(Still holding Craig’s hand, blushing, looking flattered)

-Nikki it is… You can’t imagine how special we consider ourselves now!
STEVEN
(Trying to be formal)
-Thanks for having us, Sir! It makes you feel special when Craig O’ Brian, the world-famous architect, accommodates you at his notorious mansion!
CRAIG
-Come on Steven, relax! It’s the minimum I can do to show my gratitude! Since you came into my office, you have shown the epitome of hard work! You became a role model for all your fellow civil engineers!
STEVEN
-Thank you, sir, I’m just doing my job!
NIKKI
(Holding Steven’s hand this time)
-He is just too modest Sir! Only I know how anxious he becomes when he needs to deliver a project, about his stress-related morning sickness and…
STEVEN
-Nikki!!! Please!
(Gives her a dagger look)
CRAIG
(Laughing out loud)
-Let’s not talk about this!!! Tonight is a night we are all going to relax with drinks and homemade Thai food!!! Where is my wife anyway?
(Shouts out loud)

-LATASHA?
(Apologetically)

• She might be getting ready!!!
  (Staring at their feet)
• GOODNESS ME!!!
  -Why are we still standing on the doorstep? Come over!
  -Let’s have a drink!!! Follow me!
  (He hangs the coats on a stand and waves at his guests.)
  They all walk down an impressive hall passing by a dining room and a massive sitting room only to turn into a state-of-the-art conservatory with comfortable leather armchairs, coffee tables and a large bar with a stand full off glasses and bottles of various spirits.

-Here we are!
STEVEN
(SITTING ON AN ARMCHAIR)
-Bloody hell! That’s fantastic!
NIKKI
-You know how to live your life, Sir!
CRAIG
-his room is very special to me… I lose myself here in a drink only to find inspiration and peace…
(With quick moves he places on the bar, 4 large glasses, a crushing pin, limes, fresh mint, a jug of soda, a bowl of crushed ice, a bowl of brown sugar and a bottle of 8-year-old Bacardi, Millenium Rum Atlantis Special Edition)

-…Even though I’ve accomplished quite a few things in my life…
(Crushing in each glass the quartered limes along with the mint)

• It’s only a few of them achievements I’m proud of: One of them is my glorious Mojito…
  (Throws ice and pours alcohol gracefully into the glasses)

-…And now… soda!!! Drinks are served!!!
(Passes Nikki a glass)
-Madam, your drink is ready!!!
NIKKI
-I’m so impressed!
(Takes a sip)
-That’s delicious!
CRAIG
-Only the best ingredients make the best outcome in life… Enjoy my friends!!!
(Shouts again)
-Latasha darling where are you?
-Our guests are here!!!
LATASHA
(Walks in slowly, looking a bit lost in her thoughts, still sorting out her left earring)
-Sorry my darling… I…
(Latasha, staring at Steve freezes for a moment and looks astounded. She looks surprised but she is trying to cover herself up by hugging Craig’s arm a bit unbalanced and upset…)
-L… Latasha was getting ready…
CRAIG
(Trying to break the ice)

• Sorry, my wonderful wife is not used to having people in the house! My apologies!!!
  NIKKI
  -Aw!!! Don’t worry!!! We are here as friends and not as formal quests!
  (Leans towards her and gives her hand. Latasha shakes it lightly)
  -I’m Nikki!! And this… is my fiancé, Steven.

STEVEN
(Leans forward to give his hand, but regrets it; He just waves at Latasha. Looks a bit embarrassed trying to fix his voice he murmurs)
– Hi!!!
CRAIG
-Come on Steven! You seem way too shy now!
-That’s not the first time you come across a gorgeous Thai lady!!! I still cannot forget the saucy story you told me the other day about that lady in Bangkok!!!
(Laughs out loud)

• Sorry, Nikki!!!
  (He is gently massaging Latasha’s right hand, who looks a bit lost and in despair)
  NIKKI
  -It’s alright!!! Everybody has a past in his/her life, as long as this past does not affect the present…
  (Pauses for a bit like she had a glimpse of an annoying thought but then, out of embarrassment laughs a bit awkwardly)
  -What was her name? Let me remember… Oh yeah, BEE? Is that it?
  STEVEN
  (Mystified)
  -I rather don’t speak about it…
  CRAIG
  -He became a Farang boyfriend, a European boyfriend in the Thai language, to a local lady. It is a big privilege to her, as Thai ladies think European men are way too attractive and they consider them as their ticket to the western world. Our friend here had a hell of a party time with her and then he disappeared!!!
  STEVEN
  (Bit angrily)
  -That’s not the truth! I had to leave Thailand for a while…
  -And then… I’ve met Nikki… I… I’ve never meant to hurt anybody!
  LATASHA
  (Almost shivering)
  -Sorry, Latasha needs to serve food. I… have to go to my kitchen…
  (She rushes silently out with her head down still looking upset.)
  CRAIG
  (Trying to justify her action)
  -She is upset since the morning, Sorry.
  (Shouts out)
  -OK my darling! We’ll meet in the dining room then!
  (Turns to Nikki and Steven)
  -She will never ever, let me help her! Her kitchen is her kingdom!!!
  STEVEN
  -If you can excuse me, I’m going out in the garden for a quick cigarette!!!
  CRAIG
  -Fair enough! Then you will give me the pleasure to escort your lovely fiancé to the dining room!!!
  NIKKI
  -With pleasure!!!
  (Craig, places his hand on her back, gently guiding her out of the room. When they reach the doorway she turns back)
  -Steven love, be quick, if Craig carries on with his manners I will be so spoiled that going forward I will not accept anything less than this!!!
  They start laughing and they disappear from Steven’s eyesight.

SCENE-3-IN THE GARDEN-NIGHT
(Steven lights up a cigarette where he can hear Nikki and Craig enjoying their evening.)

-If they only knew…
(He is nervously walking up and down the pavement smoking and swearing…)
-We… I need to get out of here! I… need to find an excuse… How the hell did this happen to me? How did I get in so much trouble?
LATASHA
(Crying her eyes out)
(Her voice becomes sweet and tender)
-I’m I trouble to my little Stevie? My Farang boyfriend?
-The man I show to my family as my husband? You told me you love me and then Stevie left and the family very angry with BEE!!!
(She comes closer and slaps Steven on the face, but then she hugs him. Steven looks thunderstruck. )

• …All this year Stevie was in my heart. I had to leave Thailand to find Stevie, I work in a Thai restaurant in England to find My Farang but Stevie disappeared… Then Bee changed to Latasha and meet Craig… Now I find you!!!
  (She hugs him and cries tears of joy.)
  STEVEN
  -I’m so sorry Bee!
  (He gently pushes her away).
  -I… couldn’t move forward! I… thought it would be just fine to be just a boyfriend and a girlfriend. Have a bit of a good time!!!
  LATASHA
  (Staring Steven with affection)
  -But you know Farang, Bee cannot be girlfriend only. Bee needs to be a wife, and have a child with Stevie…
  STEVEN
  (APOLOGETICALLY)
  -Sorry, Bee, I… just couldn’t commit then! I… I wasn’t ready… When I felt I was losing my mind because I had left you, I looked for you but they told me you were gone! I… I couldn’t find you… Then I met Nikki… I’m so sorry! I’M IN HELL!!!
  (He storms into the house leaving Latasha alone.)
  Latasha knees on the floor and starts a silent cry…
  LATASHA
  (Holding her face with both her hands, sobbing…)
  -You left Latasha again, but now I will make you regret it!
• You will soon find out about your son Stevie… The son you left behind…