FSW: Borders Edition (Michael's Entry)

EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY

A large, olive green tent is set up in a desolated parking lot. The remnants of burned out cars sit around it. The urban landscape is near ruin. There is a Red Cross painted on top of the tent. A long line of disheveled, sickly looking refugee-types are waiting their turn. A helicopter flies over, low enough that people duck their heads in worry, and is gone. In the distance, the sound of barking dogs. Or maybe gunfire.

At the back of the tent stands KARRIE MOORE, 30s, British, tired but still lovely to look at. She takes a long drag off of a cigarette. She wears a yellow, plastic apron that is smeared with blood. A moment later, HENRI FALCONE, 40s, French, rakishly handsome, exits the tent, wiping his hands on a bloody rag.

HENRI
Those things will kill you, no?

KARRIE
(taking another drag)
I’m trying to build up an immunity.

HENRI
Busy day today.

KARRIE
It’s been like this since we arrived.

HENRI
I’ve been working with Médecins Sans Frontières for over a ten years now. This is one of the worst places I’ve ever been sent.

KARRIE
They ever sent you to any good places?

HENRI
Just when they send me home. How about you?

KARRIE
This is my first assignment.

HENRI
And?

KARRIE
I can handle the blood. Gunshot wounds. Stabbings.

HENRI
That’s good considering this is practically a war zone.

KARRIE
It’s the children that get to me.

HENRI
Oui.

KARRIE
Their watery eyes filled with fear. We don’t have an immunization for that.
(Beat)
Makes me feel helpless. Like I’m doing nothing.

Henri puts a hand on her shoulder.

HENRI
You’re doing more for them then their own people are. That’s not nothing.

KARRIE
You think they’ll ever come a time when we won’t be needed?

HENRI
We can hope, no?

A shiny, black Cadillac Escalade pulls up and the tinted window slides down. The sound of children trying to talk over one another spills out. An overweight man leans out the window. He has a severe Texan twang.

TEXAN
Pardon me, Miss. Y’all wouldn’t be able to help us, would ya?

KARRIE
Is someone in need of medical attention?

Henri sticks his head into the tent.

HENRI
Stretcher!

TEXAN
Oh no, no. It’s nothing like that. We’re all as fit as fiddles.

The back window rolls down to reveal two very plump children sitting in the back seat, both sucking on super-sized sodas. They wave their pudgy hands at Karrie and Henri.

TEXAN
But we are lost.

KARRIE
Lost?

TEXAN
We’re trying to find the Henry Ford Museum, but this here map’s got us turned every which way. Who knew Detroit would be so confusing to drive around?

HENRI (Under his breath)
Merde.

KARRIE
I’m sorry, I don’t know where that is. But some of the locals might be able to help you.

She points to the people waiting in line. Texan takes a look at them and cocks an eyebrow.

TEXAN
Uh, thanks. But I think we’ll just keep drivin’ around. We’re bound to come across it sooner or later, right. Thanks.

He rolls up his window and begins to drive off. Two large McDonald’s bags are tossed out of the rear window before it slides back up. The stretcher bearers arrive.

HENRI
Sorry, false alarm.

They go back into the tent.

KARRIE
You know what’s ironic? I always wanted to visit the states when I was a kid.

HENRI
At least they still have running water.

KARRIE
Yeah, but don’t drink it.

They share a laugh. Karrie flicks her cigarette to the ground and steps on it, grinding it into the dirt. They head back into the tent.

FADE OUT