電影劇本：SHANGHAI JEWS（18）

(18)

INT. DANCE HALL -- FRENCH CLUB -- NIGHT

GUESTS drink, mingle and dance to PASSEPIED by DEBUSSY. Anna enters the dance hall and looks around frantically. A FRENCHMAN dangles after her.

FRENCHMAN

Hello, Mademoiselle. It's a lovely night, n'est pas?

ANNA

Oh, yes.

FRENCHMAN

Are you alone? May I have the honor of escorting you?

ANNA

Excuse me, monsieur. I have to find someone. Bon soir.

FRENCH MAN

Au revoir, Mademoiselle. Perhaps we can dance later.

Anna rushes into the crowded dance floor.

INT. CORRIDOR -- NIGHT

Hans and Bailian walk along the corridor, taking a break from the over-crowded dance hall.

Hans looks at the people in the dance hall through a large window pane. Hans perceives that he sees Anna, but turns away, not wanting to be disappointed yet again. He cannot help looking back into the dance hall and making sure there is no mistake this time. Anna is right inside. Thrilled, he rushes toward the dance hall.

HANS

Oh my God.

BAILIAN

What? What's wrong?

HANS

Anna. She's here.

Hans stops in his tracks, smile freezing on his face.

HANS' POV THROUGH WINDOW PANE

In the dance hall, The Frenchman coaxes Anna into a corner and kisses her. Anna looks up, sighs and kisses him briefly.

BACK TO SCENE

Hans is dejected.

BAILIAN

Oh, come on, stop worrying.

Bailian leads Hans to a corner. She rolls her eyes to look at the MISTLETOE hanging above them and quickly gives Hans a kiss on the lips. Hans recoils.

BAILIAN (CONT'D)

Mistletoe.

At the moment, not only does Hans see the mistletoe above Bailian and him, but also the one hanging above Anna and the Frenchman.

HANS

Oh, God. I am so stupid.

BAILIAN

Yes, you're, just a little silly.

Hans takes a deep breath, fixes his hair and tie, nods to Bailian who gives him a thumbs-up sign, and strides toward the doors of the dance hall.

INT. DANCE HALL -- NIGHT

Hans walks up toward Anna, smiling up at her. Anna catches sight of Hans, blinking in surprise. Her face lights up while hurrying toward him.

They run up to each other. As if afraid that they are dreaming, they both stop. Anna reaches for Hans' hands. They're real. He's really here. Hans holds Anna's hands, afraid to let go. TEN FINGERS are gripped. Hans sweeps Anna up into his arms and kisses her. Anna laughs with tear-filled eyes.

The BAND starts to play a new melody, the WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS. Anna and Hans glide onto the dance floor. They stare into each other's eyes as they waltz around the room. They circle and circle and are slowly swallowed up by the sea of waltzing couples.

INT. KITCHEN -- ANNA'S HOUSE -- FRENCH CONCESSION -- DAY

Emilia deep-fries doughnuts in a Chinese wok and then fries potato pancakes in a flat pan. Anna takes out a plate of cheese rolls from the oven.

INT. LIVING ROOM -- ANNA'S HOUSE -- DAY

Mark and Hans light the Hanukkah candles. Emilia places the plates of potato pancakes, jelly doughnuts and cheese rolls on the coffee table. Anna helps serve coffee. They drink and eat together.

MARK

God's bless, we're at last reunited,  having undergone through so much extreme hardship and bitterness.

HANS

It's amazing that I'd meet Anna at a fundraising party.

ANNA

I was so surprised at the sight of your signature on the check, and I knew at once that you were at the party. So, I rushed around until I found you.

HANS

It seems a heavenly arrangement, with God's hands in it.

EMILIA

Hans, as you made a donation for the poor refugees, you'd never have expected a return. However, Almighty God let you reach Anna, which is the  greatest return you've ever dreamed of.

HANS

Yes, yes, yes, ha, ha, ha...

INT. YMCA SWIMMING POOL -- INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT -- DAY

Anna splashes water on Hans and swims away as fast as she can. Hans tries to catch up with her to splash water back.  They chase and tease each other, screaming and laughing.

They finish swimming and step out of the pool, drying each other off.

INT. JEWELRY STORE -- FRENCH CONCESSION -- DAY

In a cheerful mood, Hans browses the jewelry store and stops in front a display counter. He selects a pair of rings and gestures to the SALESGIRL to wrap them up.

EXT. STREET -- FRENCH CONCESSION -- DAY

From across the street, Anna watches Hans step out of the jewelry store with a small jewel case in his hand. Hans snaps the lid open and gazes at the rings inside the jewel case. Anna beams with delight. 

Whistling, Hans slips into the driver's seat of a brand new 1940 Ford and drives away.

(CONTINUING)