Impression

Lino’s American Tale

EXT. HARBOR - DAY

A large ocean liner is docked in the harbor.  People file out.  Among them is LINO.  He is forty-five years old.  He has dark skin, hair pulled back in a ponytail, salt-and-pepper stubble, and a slovenly appearance.  He wears baggy knickers with suspenders.  On his head sits a blob-like hat with a small bill.  He carries a suitcase.  Lino speaks with a heavy, yet unplaceable accent.  His voice is gruff and throaty.

The bustling harbor is stretched out before him.  People come and go.  Lino takes in the scene before him with a mixture of sadness and wonder.

CITY STREET

Lino hails a cab and gets in.  He gives a piece of paper to the CABBIE.

INSIDE CAB

CABBIE
You want me to take you to this address?

LINO

Yes.

CITY STREET

The cab drives off.

RURAL ROAD - DAY

The cab rolls down a pleasant country road.

INSIDE CAB

CABBIE

You’re going to love it in America.  This place has everything.

LINO

I know.

CABBIE

Broads.  Girls.  Women.

The cabbie eyes Lino suspiciously in the rearview mirror.

CABBIE (CONT’D)

You like girls, don’t you?

BACKSEAT

Lino is holding a photo of his wife and nine children, all girls.

LINO

Yes.

EXT. MAZUMA ACADEMY

The cab approaches a lavish private school surrounded by an expanse of green lawn.

The car parks and Lino gets out.  He sets his suitcase down and talks to the cabbie through the open window.

CABBIE

Nice digs.  You got a job lined up here, eh?

LINO

Yes.

The cabbie consults the meter.

CABBIE

Well, looks like that’s going to run you . . .

(beat)

Three hundred and eleven bucks.

Lino takes out his wallet.  It is filled with money.  He thumbs through the bills, but, unfamiliar with American currency, hands the wallet over to the cabbie.  The cabbie’s eyes light up.

CABBIE (CONT’D)

You want to add a tip?

LINO

Yes.

The cabbie thumbs through the wallet.  He extracts a five-dollar bill from it and hands it to Lino.

CABBIE

That’s your change.

LINO

I know.

The cabbie tosses the money-filled wallet onto the passenger seat and puts the cab into reverse.

CABBIE

Take it easy.

He backs out in a tight turn and crushes Lino’s suitcase under the front tire.  Lino GASPS.  He flaps his arms.  But the cab SQUEALS forward and crushes the suitcase again.  The cab drive off.

Lino picks up the remains of his crushed suitcase.  His clothing is soiled and torn.

EXT. BEAUREGARD HOUSE - DAY

THAD Beauregard, seventeen-year-old senior at Mazuma Academy drives his convertible down the driveway of his father’s lavish house to get the mail.  Thad is handsome, blond, and athletic.

MAILBOX

Thad comes to a stop and eagerly checks the mail.

INSERT - MAIL

Thad shuffles through the mail until he finds a large envelope addressed to himself.  The envelope is from Harvard University.

CAR

Thad eagerly tears open the envelope.  He extracts the cover letter and reads aloud to himself.

THAD

(reading letter)

Dear Mister Beauregard.  Thank you for your interest in Harvard University.  We are happy to offer you a provisional acceptance, hinging upon your performance in an interview to be conducted at your earliest convenience.

(beat - no longer reading)

Provisional acceptance?

(suddenly excited)

Whoo!  I’m going to Harvard!

DRIVEWAY

Thad SQUEALS the tires as he drives back toward the house.

THAD (CONT’D)

(yelling)

I’m going to Harvard!  I’m going to Harvard!

INT. PRINCIPAL HUGHES’S OFFICE

PRINCIPAL HUGHES, forty-two years old, handsome and athletic, is seated at his desk.  He wears an immaculate suit.  Lino sits across from him.

Principal Hughes leafs through a stack of papers and leans back in a relaxed manner.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

Well, everything seems to be in order, Lino.

LINO

I know.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

I’ve really got to hand it to you.  Coming to America from a totally foreign country.  It takes . . .

He searches for the word.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES (CONT’D)

Courage.  Courage is what it takes, Lino.  But I guess that was the principal that America was founded on in the first place.  Wouldn’t you agree?

LINO

Yes.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

At first I was worried that you’d be unable to speak English.  Here at Mazuma, we really like to emphasize communication.  Keep those channels open.  I’m sure you understand.

LINO

Yes.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

You may be a custodian, but don’t think for a minute that you’re lower than anyone else.  You’re an integral part of the Mazuma community.

LINO

I know.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

Very good.  What say you come in tomorrow morning at, say, six-thirty, and I’ll show you around.

LINO

Yes.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

I think it’s fair to say that you’re a man of few words.

LINO

I’m sorry?

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

I said I think it’s fair to say that you’re a man of few words.  It’s an expression.  It means that you don’t talk much.

LINO

I’m sorry.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

No need to apologize.  To each his own.

LINO

I know.