INT. UNKNOWN SPACE
We see static on a CRT monitor.
Static abruptly cuts to a BRIGHT, COLOURFUL stage with curtains drawn.
SFX: AWARD SHOW INSTRUMENTAL
The curtains part for MR. KAITO (40), a short, cheerful Japanese man in a black suit and bow tie.
SFX: ROARING CROWD
Mr. Kaito waves at what sounds like THOUSANDS of people. He speaks into his microphone.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
Hello, everyone. Thank you all for coming. And to those watching at home, thank you for tuning in. My name is Mr. Kaito, and —
SFX: CHEERING CROWD
Mr. Kaito smiles. Waits for them to settle.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
—and it is with great pleasure that I introduce this year’s contestants.
The curtains part. Three BEAUTIFUL COUPLES walk out onto the stage. The men are in suits, the women in gowns. Each woman is six months pregnant.
SFX: APPLAUSE
Mr. Kaito gestures to the nearest couple.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
From Hokksund, Norway — Ingrid and Lars!
SFX: CHEERING CROWD
Camera zooms in on INGRID (25) and LARS (25) — Blonde. Fit. Over six feet tall.
They look at each other and giggle.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
From Vršac, Serbia — Maja and Branko!
SFX: CHEERING CROWD
Camera pans to MAJA (25) and BRANKO (25) — Brunette. Average height. Incredible physique.
Maja smiles. Branko nods with a cocky smirk.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
And finally, from Lanzhou, China — Xia and Qian!
SFX: CHEERING CROWD
Camera pans to XIA (25) and QIAN (25) — Black hair. Slim. Elegant.
Qian whispers something in Xia’s ear. She blushes. Covers her smile.
CUT TO:
Lars (jacket off, sleeves rolled up) being blindfolded by a stagehand. Several others finish setting up twelve hollow axe heads in front of a dart board.
Mr. Kaito hands Lars a bow and arrow then scrambles off stage.
SFX: AUDIENCE LAUGH TRACK
Lars takes a deep breath — pulls back the bowstring - and releases the arrow.
The arrow sails through all twelve axe heads and hits the dartboard — albeit just short of the bullseye.
SFX: CROWD CHEERING
Lars removes his blindfold. He frowns.
CUT TO:
Ingrid (in pantsuit) as she maintains five separate conversations with five individuals on stage — each one speaking a different language.
CUT TO:
Branko (in dobok) as he presents an incredible display of taekwondo.
CUT TO:
Maja (seated) as she plays classical guitar at a dazzling speed. She messes up ever so slightly. It shows on her face.
Camera pans to Branko in the wings rubbing his forehead.
CUT TO:
SFX: HEART MONITOR / OXYGEN MACHINE
Qian (in scrubs and a surgical gown) as he performs a heart transplant on stage.
CUT TO:
Qian stitching up the patient. He grabs the faulty heart and holds it up to the audience.
SFX: GROANS OF DISGUST MIXED WITH CHEERS
CUT TO:
Xia (in a tutu and leotard) en pointe as stagehands finish sprinkling NAILS all over the stage. Stagehands exit.
MUSIC CUE: “COPPELLIA Act. III, No.20 Fête de la coche - Divertissement 8a Male variation” by Léo Delibes.
Xia begins her solo.
She navigates through the nails with effortless grace.
SFX: IMPRESSED CROWD
CUT TO:
All three couples on stage (in original attire). They hold each other in their arms. Look deep into each other’s eyes.
Ingrid and Lars kiss.
SFX: MINOR APPLAUSE
Maja and Branko kiss.
SFX: MORE APPLAUSE
Xia and Qian kiss.
SFX: A LOT MORE APPLAUSE
CUT TO:
Mr. Kaito blotting his tears with a tissue.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
So beautiful.
CUT TO:
The couples in their underwear — standing side by side. Each finalist holds up a photo of when they were a child.
Mr. Kaito checks everyone’s body with a measuring tape.
CUT TO:
The show’s finale. The couples (back in original attire) huddle around Mr. Kaito as he opens an envelope.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
And the winner is...Xia and Qian!!
SFX: ECSTATIC CROWD
Streamers! Confetti!
Xia covers her mouth. Qian throws his arms up in victory.
Ingrid and Lars clap — holding back tears.
Maja cannot help but cry. Branko throws a fit.
BRANKO
(in Serbian)
No, please — there must be a mistake...
Mr. Kaito chuckles uncomfortably.
Branko gets down on his knees.
BRANKO
(in Serbian)
Please don’t send us back, w-we’re worthy, we-we will do ANYTHING, just —
Branko’s mic gets cut off. STAGEHANDS appear. Branko throws one over his shoulder, tackles another. SECURITY arrives.
Camera pans over to focus solely on Xia and Qian. Mr. Kaito encourages them to keep celebrating.
Frantic hands briefly appear from offscreen.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
Aaand that’s our show! I wanna congratulate all the finalists for a job well done. To those who applied but were not selected, remember — there’s always next year! Thank you all for coming, thank you for watching — goodnight!!
SFX: CHEERING // CLOSING MUSIC
Mr. Kaito wraps his arms around Xia and Qian. Camera zooms in on their smiling faces.
DIRECTOR (O.S)
—-Annndd CUT!
INT. AUDITORIUM - NIGHT
SFX: CHEERING AND MUSIC STOPS // BELL
Mr. Kaito releases them.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
I need a drink.
Mr. Kaito goes offstage.
Ingrid and Lars storm off.
We hear Branko getting dragged backstage.
BRANKO
(in Serbian, O.S., distant)
Please!! Just take her, okay?! Just take her!!! Maja!! MAJA!!
Maja drops to her knees and weeps.
Xia and Qian remain where they are.
We see from their perspective that the auditorium is nearly empty. Past the cameras — only a smattering of GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
Qian squeezes Xia tight. Xia’s smile falters.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
Cozy and distinguished — like a dean’s office.
A CONTRACT slides across the desk. Two pens are placed beside it.
Xia and Qian (seated, facing the desk) eagerly look down at the contract.
Mr. Kaito (standing, behind the desk) slowly paces, eyes down, hands behind his back.
Xia's face drops. Qian frowns.
INSERT - CONTRACT - STIPULATION IN BOLD
"Upon birth, the Party assumes ownership of the firstborn until 18 years of age."
Xia and Qian look up from the contract.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
This—this is a joke, right?
XIA
(in Mandarin)
You...expect us to give up our child? Are you insane?
Mr. Kaito goes to a window overlooking a narrow courtyard. He sees two SECURITY GUARDS hauling away Branko's body.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
You mustn’t see it as 'giving up’ your child. Rather, you would be guaranteeing its future.
XIA
(in Mandarin)
...is that a threat?
Mr. Kaito turns from the window.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
You're more than welcome to walk away.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
But what happens then? We just lose everything?
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
Correct.
XIA
(in Mandarin)
Even healthcare?
Mr. Kaito nods.
Xia’s eyes brim with tears. She looks down — shakes her head. Qian rubs the side of his face.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
I mean...I guess we don’t really have a choice.
Xia looks at Qian - her eyes wide.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
What? You want the baby to live, don’t you?
Xia looks down - unsure what to do.
INT. VILLA — BATHROOM — DAY
Xia (in robe) dry heaves into the toilet.
A MAID walks by. Backtracks.
MAID
Ma’am?
Xia waves her off.
INT. HALLWAY — CONTINUOUS
Xia (in silk loungewear) traverses a long hallway. She enters a massive kitchen where CHEFS are preparing an elaborate meal. They greet her warmly.
Xia stares at them.
INT. DINING ROOM — EVENING
Low-lit. Ultramodern.
Xia (still in loungewear) and Qian (semi-formal) sit at opposite ends of a black marble dinner table.
Xia looks down at her plate. Wagyu steak with sautéed mushrooms and a side of feta blueberry salad.
Xia looks up. Qian munches away as he alternates between watching basketball and scrolling on his phone.
Xia pushes her plate away. Qian glances at her.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
What?
Xia looks down. Rubs her belly.
Qian rolls his eyes.
Xia GLARES at him. Qian looks past his phone. He sets it down and shuts off the TV.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
Okay - so what? You wanna go back? Hm? Back to the slums? Back to drinking out of puddles and eating rat?? Is that it??
XIA
(in Mandarin)
We can’t just hand our baby over.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
If we don't, it's as good as dead.
Xia gets up from the table.
XIA
(in Mandarin)
I’m going for a walk.
Qian gets up, corners Xia.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
Stop.
XIA
(in Mandarin)
Get away from me.
Qian grabs her.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
I said STOP.
Xia pushes back. Qian slaps her.
Beat.
Qian shrinks in stature.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
I’m...sorry, I-I didn’t mean to—
Xia picks up his steak and hucks it at his head. She storms off.
INT. OPERATING THEATRE - DAY
A dark space. Xia (in surgical gown) sits in a dentist-like armchair surrounded by screens. A SONOGRAPHER stands beside her.
Above them in the seating area we see the silhouettes of a dozen SPECTATORS.
SFX: FAINT MURMURING
The Sonographer opens Xia’s gown and applies gel to her belly.
The Sonographer takes a transducer and moves it around her abdomen until we see the fetus on every screen.
SFX: BABY'S HEARTBEAT
SONOGRAPHER
It’s a girl.
Xia beams. Tears trickle down her face.
SFX: INCREASED MURMURING
The Sonographer addresses the Spectators.
SONOGRAPHER
Perfectly healthy. We’ll start the bidding at 10 million.
Xia loses her smile. She looks at the Sonographer with confusion.
Every Spectator raises a paddle with a number on it.
Xia looks horrified.
INT. CAR DEALERSHIP - DAY
A SALESMAN shows Qian the newest Bentley. Qian gets behind the wheel and shuts the door on the Salesman. He grips the wheel and smiles.
SFX: PHONE BUZZING
Qian pulls out his phone. He looks down at the screen.
Caller ID: MOM
He brings the phone to his ear.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
Hey, can I call you back? I’m just at the dealership.
MOM
(in Mandarin)
Has she found out the sex of the baby?
The Salesman taps on the glass. Qian gives him the thumbs up and mimes signing a cheque.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
I think she’s finding out today.
The Salesman turns — walks out of view.
MOM
(in Mandarin)
Mm. And how is she?
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
She's uh...
Qian looks through the dealership glass. We see a mess of tents and beggars all along the sidewalks.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
She's getting by.
MOM
(in Mandarin)
Is she still on the fence?
QIAN
(in Mandarin, distracted)
She’ll come around.
MOM
(in Mandarin)
And if she doesn’t?
Qian says nothing. Among the beggars, Qian notices Lars (now shaggy and threadbare) passed out on a sheet of cardboard. Ingrid is nowhere to be seen.
MOM
(in Mandarin)
What are you prepared to do?
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
I...I gotta go.
MOM
(in Mandarin)
Qian —
Qian hangs up the phone. He rubs his face.
EXT. RUDDERHAM ESTATE - NIGHT
A brutalist mansion. Xia and Qian stand at the door — both in fancy dress.
Door opens. A SERVANT greets them. Beckons them inside.
INT. RUDDERHAM ESTATE - MAIN FOYER — CONTINUOUS
Xia and Qian shake hands with twenty different couples, all of whom are dolled-up and exceedingly drunk.
MRS. RUDDERHAM (30) and a few other HOUSEWIVES tear Xia away from Qian. They take her on a house tour — starting with the walk-in closet.
WALK-IN CLOSET – CONTINUOUS
Mrs. Rudderham holds up the dress that won her the pageant of her year.
XIA
(in Mandarin)
It’s beautiful.
MRS. RUDDERHAM
It’s a Dior. They say it was the last one he designed before he died. Frank and I, we put everything into this dress. If we hadn’t won, I probably would’ve killed us both.
Mrs. Rudderham laughs. The other housewives join in.
Xia looks at Mrs. Rudderham. Mrs. Rudderham looks back at her.
MRS. RUDDERHAM
What is it?
XIA blushes, looks down. She holds her belly.
XIA
(in Mandarin)
Was it...hard for you?
Mrs. Rudderham blinks - a flicker of sorrow. The other housewives exchange glances.
MRS. RUDDERHAM
(distracted)
The Party knows what's best.
Xia frowns. Mrs. Rudderham puts a hand on her shoulder.
MRS. RUDDERHAM
If it’s that important to you, just have another one. The Party only keeps the firstborn.
Xia's jaw drops.
One of the housewives looks down at a jewelry cabinet.
HOUSEWIFE 1
(in French)
This is new.
Mrs. Rudderham turns - back to her lively self.
MRS. RUDDERHAM
I bought that just last week. Belonged to Grace Kelly.
The other HOUSEWIVES "ooh" and "aah", gathering around the cabinet. Xia is left isolated.
INT. RUDDERHAM ESTATE — WINE CELLAR — CONTINUOUS
MR. RUDDERHAM (30) shows Qian and a few other HUSBANDS some of his oldest bottles.
MR. RUDDERHAM
A 1945 Romanée-Conti. Only 600 bottles produced.
He pours them all a taster.
MR. RUDDERHAM
The vines that the grapes were harvested from were all destroyed in 1946. A victim of phylloxera, they say.
They clink their glasses and take a sip.
HUSBAND 1
(in French)
Exquisite.
HUSBAND 2
(in Spanish)
Truly.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
Yeah, it's great.
Qian finishes his glass. He pulls Mr. Rudderham aside.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
Would it be alright if we-uhm, spoke in private?
MR. RUDDERHAM
(to Qian)
Of course.
MR. RUDDERHAM
(to other husbands) Gentlemen, if you wouldn't mind giving us the space. Qian has a business proposal for me.
HUSBAND 2
(in Spanish)
No problem. I gotta top up anyways. *Taps nose*
The other husbands exit the wine cellar. Mr. Rudderham turns serious.
MR. RUDDERHAM
It’s about the child, isn’t it?
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
Yes. I just – I don’t know what to do. Xia's miserable. She doesn’t want to give it up.
MR. RUDDERHAM
Can I tell you something?
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
Of course.
Mr. Rudderham leans in close.
MR. RUDDERHAM
You two will be miserable no matter what you do.
Qian looks at Mr. Rudderham. He opens his mouth to say something. Nothing comes out.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Qian rolls over in his sleep. He wakes up and sees that Xia is not in bed.
HALLWAY / KITCHEN - NIGHT
Qian stumbles into the kitchen half asleep. He flicks on a light and finds Xia on the floor sitting in a puddle of amniotic fluid.
She looks up at him with a dazed fear.
EXT. BENTLEY - NIGHT
As it BLITZES toward an ominous skyline.
INT. HOSPITAL SUITE - NIGHT
Xia is in bed. Three NURSES converse around her. Qian paces in the corner.
An ANESTHESIOLOGIST walks in.
Xia hyperventilates. Qian tries to comfort her.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
You’re okay, you’re...everything’s going to be okay.
The Anesthesiologist preps his station. Qian approaches the Anesthesiologist.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
What are you gonna give her?
ANESTHESIOLOGIST
Something to take the pain away.
The Anesthesiologist takes out a LARGE needle.
Xia yanks out her IV and tries to get out of bed.
XIA
(in Mandarin)
I can't...I c-can't do this -
NURSE 1
Please, just lay down –
NURSE 2
You’re doing so well -
ANESTHESIOLOGIST
I need her still.
The Nurses hold her down. Qian cannot contain himself.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
Don’t touch her!!
He pulls the nurses off her and knocks down the anesthesiologist. Xia gets to her feet. She makes a run for it.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
Xia runs in great discomfort. Sweat-drenched and holding her stomach. She passes by hospital staff, none of whom intervene.
INT. HOSPITAL LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
Near empty. Xia looks behind her and sees that no one is chasing after her. Confused, she slowly approaches the exit.
Xia halts. She turns and sees Mr. Kaito sitting alone, reading a newspaper. He looks up.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
Oh. Hello.
Xia does not respond.
Mr. Kaito sets down his newspaper.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
I was told you had gone into labour. How are you feeling?
XIA
(in Mandarin)
I'm not..gonna let..them take her from me.
Mr. Kaito nods.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
Okay.
Mr. Kaito gestures to the door.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
There's the door.
Xia looks to the door. Back at him.
XIA
(in Mandarin)
You're..not gonna stop me?
Mr. Kaito smiles. He stands up.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
I told you: You're more than welcome to walk away.
He approaches her.
MR. KAITO
(in Japanese)
But I know you'll do what's best.
Mr. Kaito bows his head. He exits.
We watch as the doors slowly close on Xia.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR / HOSPITAL SUITE - CONTINUOUS
Qian (back to the door) uses an upturned IV pole to keep the nurses at bay. Xia appears behind him. Eerily calm.
He turns and looks at her in befuddlement.
QIAN
(in Mandarin)
W-what are you doing?
Xia steps past him and gets back in bed. Qian lowers the IV pole.
INT. DELIVERY ROOM - LATER
Xia cradles her newborn girl. She counts the baby’s fingers and toes, taps her nose and kisses her head.
Qian weeps in the bedside chair.
A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL walks in with a bouquet of balloons. Qian looks up.
QIAN
(in Mandarin, sniffling)
Yes?
The Government Official hands Qian an envelope and the balloons. He bows to Xia (who is in her own world), then promptly exits.
Qian opens the envelope. Inside is a local map with a spot circled and marked.
INT. BENTLEY - MORNING
From the backseat we see Qian driving and Xia (with baby) in the passenger seat.
SFX: BABY CRYING
The road is winding, with dense trees on either side. A low fog hangs in the air.
EXT. CROSSROADS – CONTINUOUS
Parked along the adjacent road is a black sedan.
Qian puts the car in park. Xia hands the baby over to Qian.
He steps out and approaches the black sedan. The back driver’s side window rolls down. A pair of white gloved hands reach out.
Qian kisses the baby’s head profusely — then carefully passes her over. The gloved hands bring the baby into the backseat.
The window rolls up and the sedan drives off. Qian watches it disappear into the fog.
INT. BENTLEY - CONTINUOUS
Qian gets back behind the wheel. Xia sits with a thousand-yard stare. Qian looks at her — then down, at nothing in particular.
END
For The Child
•