Culture Shock

By

Nicole Maloney

Nicole Maloney

3221 Sharen Court

Joliet, IL, 60431

(815)953-3608

nicolem.maloney@gmail.com

FADE IN:

INT-ELEVATOR - DAY

It is an after lunch time. People are coming back to work.

The elevator is almost full. We see a young woman CAMILLA,

25. She holds a book Master and Margarita by Bulgakov in her

hands. ALAN, 30, enters the building.

ALAN

Please! Hold the elevator!

Camilla holds the elevator doors. Alan makes to the

elevator.

ALAN

Thanks!

CAMILLA

No problem.

Camilla looks at her watch and sighs.

Alan notices the Russian letters on Camilla’s book.

INT-WAITING LOBBY-DAY

Camilla and Alan exit the elevator on the same floor. It is

a modern office filled with sunlight. Camilla checks in with

the female receptionist. She sits down on the couch and

notices Alan talking to the receptionist.

FEMALE RECEPTIONIST

Mr. Alan! Long time, no see! How

was your trip?Would you like some

coffee, or...

ALAN

It was ok. Please, don’t worry

about me and don’t tell Mrs. Roe

that I am here. I want to surprise

her.

Alan sits opposite to Camilla. She is reading the book. Alan

looks around and plays with a small white camel. (a typical

souvenir from Kazakhstan) Camilla notices the souvenir.

Mrs Roe walks out from her office.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

ALAN

Hello Carol! How have you been?

MRS ROE

Oh Alan! It is so good to see! When

did you come back?

ALAN

Yesterday. I thought to see you

first...

Mrs. Roe notices Camilla.

MRS ROE

It’s very nice. I am glad you’re

back! Would you excuse me Alan!

Hello Camilla! I am so sorry for

keeping you waiting...

CAMILLA

Oh, don’t worry.

Camilla and Alan glance at each other

MRS ROE

I have bad news for you. I’m afraid

I won’t be able to go with

you...Why don’t you go by yourself,

email me ideas and we can set up

another meeting...How about that?

CAMILLA

Oh...I sure could go by myself...

ALAN

I could give her a ride!

MRS ROE

Oh, Camilla, please meet my nephew.

Alan its my new interior designer

who is going to take care of my

place in Hinsdale.

ALAN

Nice to meet you!

CAMILLA

You too

Camilla and Alan shake hands.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

MRS ROE

That would be wonderful! Are you

sure you can go? (to Alan)

ALAN

Definitely

CAMILLA

I don’t want to intrude your plans

ALAN

You’re not! I am free all day. I’d

love to be a help

MRS ROE

So, I will see you later then.

Thank you, Alan.

Mrs Roe leaves.

ALAN

Are you ready to go?

CAMILLA

Yes.

EXT-DOWNTOWN CHICAGO STREET- DAY

Alan opens the door of his car. Camilla sits down on the

front seat.They drive away.

INT-ALAN’S CAR-DAY

CAMILLA

Thank you for helping me out.

ALAN

Where are you from? I couldn’t help

but notice your book. Bulgakov...

CAMILLA

I am from Kazakhstan

ALAN

That’s what I thought. I spent

about a year over there.I could

tell

CAMILLA

I saw the souvenir. I gave the

exact same one to your aunt.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 4.

Alan and Camilla smile at each other.

CAMILLA

Did you like it there?

ALAN’S STORY

ALAN

I did. It’s a beautiful country,

and I met some interesting people.

(Laughs) There was actually a girl

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to

forget. I met her online...

INT - APARTMENT - NIGHT

Alan is laying on his bed in the bedroom of a very upscale

apartment. The bed is a large king size bed, the sheets a

simple grey, matching the neutral colors of the spacious

bedroom. Propped up against his headboard he smiles down at

the laptop sitting on his lap.

On the screen messages are being exchanged between Alan and

ELAINA.

ELAINA

I was actually born in Russia, we

moved to Kazakhstan when I was

about 8.

ALAN

And you’re 25 now?

ELAINA

Yes! I’ve spent most of my life is

Kazakhstan, I barely remember

Russia

ALAN

I find it hard to believe that out

of all the men in Kazakhstan, you

can’t find one worth getting to

know.

ELAINA

I’ve been very sheltered by my

parents, they don’t allow me to

date while I live with them.

ALAN

But talking with strangers online

is fine by them?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 5.

ELAINA

Haha, well they don’t exactly know

I’m talking to a man right now,

they would be furious.

ALAN

Very sneaky, haha. So what is it

you want to do with your life?

ELAINA

All I’ve ever been interested in

was children.

ALAN

That’s very respectable, it takes a

lot of patience to work with

children.

ELAINA

Yes, but it’s so worth it, children

are so important to me!

ALAN

I agree, we need more people in the

world who are willing to protect

our children.

ELAINA

I swear we are so perfect for each

other, I could see you being a very

protective father.

ALAN

Ehhh, I’d have to see about that,

hahaha.

INT - APARTMENT - NIGHT

(A few months later)

ALAN

I’m going back to the US in about a

month and I’ve yet to meet you.

What’s up with that?

ELAINA

I would love to meet in person!

When are you free?

ALAN

Saturday, does that sound good for

you?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

ELAINA

Yes! Did you want to meet at 2:00

Saturday afternoon in City Park?

ALAN

That sounds perfect! I’ll meet you

by the park entrance then!

EXT - PARK - DAY

Alan walks up to the entrance of the park, looking at a

picture of a young woman on his phone. The park is large and

fairly crowded, filled with trees, pathways, and benches.

Alan paces by the entrance slowly, looking around as he

surveys the different people. He sees a girl that looks just

like the one in his picture, and walks up to her.

ALAN

Elaina! It’s so great to finally

meet you!

ELAINA

It’s good to meet you too! I’ve

been so nervous all week.

ALAN

Same here. You look even prettier

in person.

ELAINA

(Laughing) Well I’m just glad you

aren’t some fat old American

business man.

ALAN

Maybe someday. (Laughing)

The two start to walk through the park, staying on the

trails as they talk.

ELAINA

This park is so beautiful this time

of year, I hardly ever get the time

to come and see it.

ALAN

Why’s that? Are you too busy with

school?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 7.

ELAINA

Oh no, I stopped going to school

after high school.

ALAN

Oh, well I remember you saying you

always are on the move, do you

work?

ELAINA

No, I stay at home mostly to help

my mother with the house, my

parent’s are very traditional you

know.

ALAN

But don’t you wish you could get

out and see more of the world?

ELAINA

Not really, I’ve only ever thought

about starting a family and taking

care of them. And building a home

of course.

ALAN

That’s cool I guess. I’ve never

really wanted a family-

ELAINA

Don’t be silly! You would make a

wonderful father!... I think we’d

make a wonderful family.

ALAN

Well let’s not get ahead of

ourselves (laughs nervously).

The two walk back to the entrance of the park, Alan

distances himself slightly from Elaina as they walk. They

pause for a moment as they get back to the entrance.

ALAN

Well, um... nice meeting you. But I

should be going, I have a lot of

work to do still.

ELAINA

Yes it was wonderful meeting you!

You should come over for dinner

tomorrow night!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 8.

ALAN

Oh, umm.. that sounds good. I think

I’d be able to do that.

ELAINA

Wonderful! We will eat around 6:30.

She hands him a piece of paper with her address on it, and

they say goodbye.

EXT - PORCH - NIGHT

Alan is standing outside of small home. He is dressed in a

nice jacket and dark jeans. He is holding a bouquet of

flowers. The door opens and a large MAN, 50, stands in front

of Alan staring at him for a moment.

ALAN

Hello, Mr. Chudakov? I’m Alan,

Elaina’s friend.

MR. CHUDAKOV

Yes, hello. Come in.

Alan steps inside of the small home, which is decorated with

many homemade knick-knacks.

INT - HOUSE - NIGHT

Alan stands in the entrance of the home, looking around as

Mr. Chudakov stares at him silently.

MR. CHUDAKOV

Elaina has never brought a man home

to meet us before, she has really

grown attached to you.

ALAN

Oh, well, Elaina is a very sweet

girl, it’s been nice getting to

know her.

The two walk into a living room, and Mr. Chudakov sits down,

beckoning Alan to sit across from him.

MR. CHUDAKOV

You are American, correct? Are you

here for business or pleasure?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 9.

ALAN

Yes, I came over for business to

help set up a company.

MR. CHUDAKOV

So you are leaving to return to

America soon, what were your

intentions talking to a girl who

lives in a country so far from your

own?

ALAN

Well I didn’t really-

Elaina walks into the room to greet Alan, who hands her the

flowers he has been holding. She takes the flowers and gives

Alan a kiss on the cheek. Alan flinches at the contact as he

looks at Mr. Chudakov out of the corner of his eye, who is

watching them.

MRS. CHUDAKOVA steps out of the kitchen and welcomes Alan to

their home, smiling warmly.

MRS. CHUDAKOVA

It’s so nice to meet you Alan,

Elaina has been telling us about

you!

ALAN

It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs.

Chudakova.

MRS. CHUDAKOVA

And you’ve even brought Elaina

flowers! I didn’t know you two were

that serious about each other.

ALAN

I don’t under-

ELAINA

Dinner is on the table if you are

all ready to eat!

INT - KITCHEN - NIGHT

The four of them sit around a small dinner table, which is

overloaded with foods. Mrs. Chudakova is putting some meat

on Alan’s plate.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 10.

MRS. CHUDAKOVA

Elaina is very taken with you. You

are all we heard about yesterday.

MR. CHUDAKOV

Yes, how long have you two been

speaking with each other?

ALAN

No-not long, it’s been mostly

friendly conversation anyway.

MRS. CHUDAKOVA

Elaina is a young woman, and

knowing her I doubt it was merely

friendly conversation (laughing).

MR. CHUDAKOV

Elaina needs to be getting more

serious about finding a husband.

Have you ever thought about

marrying, Alan?

ALAN

Well it hasn’t really crossed my

mind, I guess if I met the right

girl...

MR. CHUDAKOV

You are waiting for "the one"?

(Smirking) Perhaps you are not

ready to start a family.

Mrs. Chudakova starts clearing the table as they finish

eating.

MRS. CHUDAKOVA

Let’s give Elaina and Alan some

room to themselves.

Mr. Chudakov frowns but stands up from the table and exits

the room with his wife. Elaina leads Alan outside to the

porch.

EXT - PORCH - NIGHT

ALAN

Your dad is... intense.

ELAINA

Yes, he is just looking out for my

best interests though, he doesn’t

want me to become an old maid.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 11.

ALAN

(laughing)

I don’t think that will happen.

You’re a nice girl.

ELAINA

Do you mean it? I think you would

make a wonderful groom.

ALAN

(laughing)

I really don’t think I’ll be a

groom any day soon.

Elaina remains silent for a moment. After a bit Alan turns

to look over at her.

ELAINA

I think you should leave.

ALAN

What’s wrong?

ELAINA

Nothing! Obviously you have your

future all planned out, and it

doesn’t include me. If you’re just

going to lead me on then I don’t

see why you should stay!

Alan stands up as Elaina begins yelling at him, he begins to

placate her, but as he hears he parents walking towards the

door, he hurries towards his car and leaves without a

confrontation.

INT - APARTMENT - NIGHT

Sitting at his computer Alan gets a new message from Elaina,

apologizing and asking if they could meet again, saying how

she misses him. He shuts down his computer without

responding.

INT - CAR - DAY

ALAN

After that I blocked her from my

facebook, but she kept trying to

email and call me. Luckily she

eventually took the hint and

stopped calling.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 12.

CAMILLA

That’s terrible!

ALAN

Yeah, you really can find some nuts

online.

CAMILLA

It sounds terrifying, I can’t

imagine being in that situation.

The car stops as it pulls up in front of a large house, and

Alan and Camilla step out and enter the house.

INT - HOUSE - DAY

Alan follows Camilla around Mrs. Roe’s house as she takes

notes and comes up with ideas for the home. After a bit she

begins finishing up her tour of the home.

ALAN

Did you want to get something to

eat before I drive you back?

CAMILLA

That would be nice, I’d like that.

INT - RESTUARANT - NIGHT

Alan and Camilla sit at a table at a nice restuarant, the

place is dimly lit, and filled with many couples dining

around the room.

Alan and Camilla already have their food in front of them,

and are enjoying it over two glasses of wine.

ALAN

So you’re a nice looking girl,

surely you have some dating horror

stories?

CAMILLA

(laughing)

Well I do have one story that’s

fairly interesting...It didn’t work

out even though we were both from

the same country

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

13.

EXT-CAFE-NIGHT

It is a young spring in Chicago. The streets are wet and

wrapped up all around with a bright red color of sunset. We

see CAMILLA (24) entering a small cozy cafe where she meets

her friend ARIANA(22). Camilla wears a winter white

sweaterdress and holds an umbrella.

CAMILLA

What was the emergency? I had to

skip class. Are you OK?

ARIANA

I am OK. So here is this guy, Jake.

We are both finally have time to

see each other again.

CAMILLA

And?

ARIANA

Well, he has a friend and...

CAMILLA

No, no, no!

ARIANA

Why not! Oh stop being such an Ice

Queen. He is very nice. Anyways,

you don’t have a choice. Here they

are (singing)

We see two young men approaching their table. Ariana

introduces Camilla to the guys. We leave them shaking hands.

INT-CAMILLA’S APARTMENT-NIGHT

Camilla and Ariana enter the apartment. Camilla lies down on

the bed. Ariana can’t stop talking.

ARIANA

So? What do you think?

CAMILLA

I don’t know... I mean he is OK.

But...

ARIANA

Nooo connection...Oh I know this

song. Can you please choose another

one? it’s been a year since you

came to the States. You need to

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 14.

ARIANA (cont’d)

find a boyfirend...Don’t be so

serious! (sings)We are young and we

need to have fun!

CAMILLA

I don’t like the whole idea of just

"having fun" relationships. People

use each other and really do not

care about one another...I want

something different

ARIANA

Well, if you want something to

happen, make it happen!

CAMILLA

I....

We hear a phone ring. Ariana goes to pick it up and starts

giggling.

CAMILLA(CONTINUED)

Guess you are right...

She turns on her laptop and goes to her Facebook page. In

the news feed she sees an update from her old friends:

wedding photos, photos of babys and so on. Camilla googles

Kazakhs in America. She finds a link of a dating website.

She has a moment of huge ambivalence. She stands up, walks

around the room. then she comes back to her computer and

creates her profile.

Camilla instantly gets a message. She looks at the picture

of a guy. On the profile picture ASKAR(26) is a handsome man

in a navy business suit.

ASKAR

Hey gorgeous! I am from Kazakhstan

too and I am here in Chicago. We

should meet!

CAMILLA

Hello! We should!

ASKAR

Are you free tomorrow?

CAMILLA

Yes! What time?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 15.

ASKAR

Let’s meet at 7pm at Henri.

CAMILLA

The time is perfect! See you

tomorrow!

ASKAR

See you!

INT-HENRI’S RESTAURANT-NIGHT

Askar and Camila have dinner. It looks like they have a

good time.

ASKAR

I feel like we have known each

other for a long time!

CAMILLA

I feel the same.

ASKAR

Hope, we will continue our

friendship

Askar raises his glass and smiles at Camilla. She blushes

and raises her glass too. They drink the champagne.

INT-CAMILLA’S BEDROOM-DAY

It is an early morning. Camilla enters the room and opens

the drapes. The sunrise fills the room with a crimson

light.Askar is asleep. She sits down on the bed.

CAMILLA

Hey! Wake up! You will be late for

work. The breakfast is already on

the table.

Camilla kisses him on the forehead and leaves the room. He

opens his eyes. He looks at his watch then he gets up and

goes to the bathroom. We hear a text message sound. Askar

looks at his iPhone and smiles.

Askar and Camilla sit down at the table. After they finish,

Askar gets up, takes his coat and goes to the door.

ASKAR

What are you doing today?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 16.

CAMILLA

I think I’ll probably stay home and

study. Then I thought maybe we...

ASKAR

I can’t tonight.I will fly to NY

this evening.

CAMILLA

OK. You didn’t tell me about that.

ASKAR

I forgot. Sorry. But as soon as I

come back, I’ll call you.

CAMILLA

Call me when you get there!

Askar kisses her on the lips and goes out the door. It

closes.

Camilla goes to her room and sits down at her desk. She

turns on the music. She looks over her drawings and opens

the interior design software on her computer. She

enthusiastically starts working.

INT-CAMILLA’S APARTMENT-NIGHT

Camilla still at her desk in her PJs and robe. She has a cup

of coffee in her hands. Ariana stands at the doorway and

smiles

ARIANA

Hey!

CAMILLA

Hey! Where have you been last

night?

ARIANA

I was in heaven...

Camilla walks up to Ariana.

CAMILLA

What is going on?

ARIANA

I am engaged!

Ariana shows her ring to Camilla.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 17.

CAMILLA

I am so happy for you.

She hugs Ariana.

ARIANA

I want to celebrate! With you!

Tonight! I don’t care that I am far

from looking fabulous however I

feel fabulous! Let’s go out!

CAMILLA

Yes! Let’s celebrate! It is so

great!

INT-BAR LOUNGE-NIGHT

It is a modern lounge with a live jazz music on the

background. Camilla and Ariana enter the lounge. Camilla

looks at her phone. They sit down on the couch and order

drinks from the bar.

ARIANA

I’ll be back in a second.

Camilla dials Askar and then hangs up immediately. She

thinks for a moment. Then she dials Askar again. She leaves

a voice mail.

CAMILLA

Hey! It’s me. I guess you are still

up in the air. Anyways, call me

when you get to NY. Love you.

She hangs up the phone. Meanwhile, Ariana exits the lady’s

room. She passes several tables and notices a familiar face.

She looks again and realizes it is Askar.

She stands there for a moment. She makes couple of steps

forward and then back. A very big man starts flirting with

her. Askar invites his date to dance.

ARIANA

(continuing)

Really?! I am sorry but it is

a bad time. See this ring

Camilla tired of waiting walks over to the lady’s room and

sees Ariana standing behind a huge man. Camilla sees that

Ariana is trying to get away from the guy, she comes over to

Ariana and notices Askar. She sees him dancing with another

woman. Ariana takes Camilla’s hand. Camilla looks shocked.

18.

A huge man realizing that Ariana is not interested, leaves.

Askar finally sees Camilla and Ariana.

INT - RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Alan and Camilla sit at their table with empty plates in

front of them. The restaurant has cleared out some and is

much quieter.

CAMILLA

I really miss Kazakhstan, I’m

planning on visiting over the

holidays.

ALAN

Really? I’m actually heading back

over the holidays for business.

CAMILLA

What a coincidence. (laughing)

Maybe we should go with each other

to protect ourselves from our exes.

ALAN

(laughing)

I actually know a nice cafe in

CITY, the CAFE NAME.

CAMILLA

I’ve heard about that place!

(smirking) It’s supposed to be very

secluded.

EXT - APARTMENT FRONT - NIGHT

Alan and Camilla exchange information as they say goodnight.

Camilla walks into her apartment, and Alan walks back to his

car and drives off, smiling along the way.