電影劇本：SHANGHAI JEWS（17）

(17)

 

INT. MAIN HALL -- SHANGHAI SECURITY EXCHANGE -- DAY

Hans and Jacob jostle through the crowd toward a hall where securities and commodities are bought and sold. TRADERS shout out and signal by hands to their CLIENTELE, while CLERKS and SECRETARIES furiously prepare paper work.

INT. COMPARTMENT -- SHANGHAI SECURITY EXCHANGE -- DAY

Several briefcases are placed on the table. Hans and Jacob  stack U.S. dollars and bars of gold into the briefcases. Once each case is filled with either money or gold, the cases are closed and locked.

HANS

Jacob, I know you were a banker in Germany, very capable of economic analysis and financial judgment.

JACOB

But, nowadays, in Shanghai, an exotic place, everything is different. I have to grope a way out.

HANS

Even we've earned in gold and security trade, it usually takes a risk to invest in the stock market. Have you got any idea to engage in a business stable as well as profitable?   

JACOB

Yeah, I plan for starting a real estate development and management company.

HANS

Do you project to build new houses?

JACOB

Not yet. To begin with, I'd use my limited capital as security to lease some commercial or residential properties, and then sublease them to tenants. Hence, we can appraise the profitabilities of these properties by rental income and leasing percentage.

HANS

It sounds logical and available.

JACOB

The next step is the acquisition of those properties profitable in subleasing. After that, it may be possible to talk about building new houses.

HANS

Moreover, an efficient management method is required to reduce expenditure as low as possible for increasing profit.

JACOB

Wow, you're remarkably smart. If I could have a partner as intelligent as you!

HANS

Well, can you seriously consider me as your partner? I'm honest and diligent. I trust you and I hope, you can trust me too.

JACOB

Wonderful! Let's call it a deal.

HANS

Good luck to us!

They shake hands and look at each other confidently.

EXT. J & H REAL ESTATE CO. -- DAY

The sign of JACOB & HANS REAL ESTATE COMPANY hangs on the door.

INT. JACOB'S OFFICE -- J & H REAL ESTATE CO. -- DAY

Jacob reviews documents and calculates with a Chinese abacus, a manual computing device made up of a frame holding paralleled rods strung with movable counters. Hans steps in, with a briefcase in his hand.

JACOB

Hello, Hans, a guest is waiting for you, in your office.

HANS

Who?

JACOB

Go and look by yourself.

INT. HANS' OFFICE -- J & H REAL ESTATE CO. -- DAY

Hans enters and sees Bailian sitting on his executive size desk, holding a glass of wine.

BAILIAN

Hello, Hans, nice to meet you.

HANS

Nice to meet you too.

BAILIAN

Well, some wealthy Jewish people in the French concession are gonna hold a fund-raising party. Since you can now afford to help the poor, you may agree to attend, I guess.

HANS

Of course. Just let me know the schedule.

BAILIAN

Great. I'll have them send us an invitation.

Hans continues to ignore her not so subtle advances.

INT. HANS' APARTMENT -- INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT -- NIGHT

MONTAGE:

In the bathroom, Hans shaves, runs a bath, undresses and relaxes in the water.

In the bedroom, Hans dries himself off with towel, then puts on fresh underwear, socks and shirt. He ties his tie and puts on his tux, glancing at himself in the mirror. He combs his hair, adjusts his tie and inspects his reflection in the mirror again.

In the living room, Hans lights the HANUKKAH CANDLES and prays.

EXT. FRENCH CLUB -- FRENCH CONCESSION -- NIGHT

SUPEROVER: CHRISTMAS EVE,

Formally dressed GUESTS enter the FRENCH CLUB, an elegant building decorated with Christmas trees, colorful lights and streamers.  WHITE CHRISTMAS, the carol warbled by Bing Crosby, fills the air. 

INT. ENTRANCE HALL -- FRENCH CLUB -- NIGHT

Guests gather together, greeting each other and chatting indistinctly. Bailian, in her gorgeous Chinese traditional gown, enters, escorted by Hans.

INT. SERVICE ROOM -- FRENCH CLUB -- NIGHT

Anna, sitting at a make-shift desk, does bookkeeping for the fund-raisers. A FEMALE CLERK enters and hands Anna a file.

FEMALE CLERK

Here are some checks we've just received for the Heime.

ANNA

Thanks.

FEMALE CLERK

Would you like to dance?

ANNA

No. I have to record these checks and fill out the paper work.

FEMALE CLERK

What a pity. The music is so beautiful. Come on, let's go, just one dance.

ANNA

You go alone. I need to finish my job.

FEMALE CLERK

I can't believe we have to work on Christmas Eve. What a drag.

Anna records the checks one by one. To her surprise, a CHECK for an ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY is SIGNED by HANS KREISER.

ANNA

Hey, who gave you these checks?

FEMALE CLCERK

Some wealthy guys at the party. One of them is a handsome young man, a German Jew.

Anna locks the checks in a desk drawer and rushes to the door.

FEMALE CLERK

Where're you going? What are you gonna do? Dance?

ANNA

I'll be right back.

(CONTINUING)