The Pink Motel
(ca. 99 min., Color)
by Yves Bernas
FADE IN:
1. INT./EXT. A1 People’s Stage Theatre - Night
It is Christmas 2028. In front of the People’s Stage Theatre. A lit banner shows the title of the play: NO PERFORMANCE by Bill Bucket. Only a few people in front of the theatre.
MISS INGRID BARETT, 50 years old, elegantly dressed with a fur coat climbs up the stairs and walks into the hall.
ROGER WIMMERSEN 55 years old, also elegantly dressed, climbs up the same stairs a few seconds later. We follow them. In the hall we see a sign: SANTA CLAUS IS A THIEF with an arrow, indicating the way to go. Ingrid walks up to the ticket booth. There are a few children coming or going to the toilets.
Ingrid and Roger don’t know each other.
Ingrid
One ticket, please, front rows, in the middle if possible.
Meanwhile, Roger caught up with her and stands a few steps behind her, slightly to the side.
Cashier
(handing out the ticket)
12 Crowns! Has already started.
Ingrid looks at the ticket. It reads : “Santa Claus is a thief”.
Ingrid
No, I mean a ticket for the play “No Performance” from Bill Bucket.
Cashier
(very grumpy)
Can’t you read?
Roger, appalled by the rudeness of the cashier comes closer. Ingrid looks at the sign above the ticket booth reading: Today, No Performance.
Ingrid
(annoyed)
Of course I can read: No Performance from Bill Bucket.
Cashier
(exasperated)
No Performance means no performance, the play No Performance from Bill Bucket is not performed today. Pause, rest, nada, holiday! Understand?
Ingrid turns towards Roger, both are perplex and suddenly they both start laughing, laughing so much that the cashier can’t help thinking they are making fun of him.
2. INT. A2 Roger’s Car - Night
Roger is at the wheel of his Arrow II, a stylish black old-timer. He is driving in the streets of city. Ingrid sits on the passenger seat.
He drives up the narrow path up to the entrance of a five star hotel and stops under the awning. The path is not made for cars neither is the awning. He stops the car.
Ingrid
Won’t you take me to my room?
Roger throws a quick look at her, then back to the dashboard.
Ingrid
You know, there are sometimes big bad guys in hotels at night.
Roger then looks around, embarrassed, also about the car he should have never driven there, hesitating.
Roger
I didn’t dare to ask you.
Roger has a nervous jerk around his hips. He turns off the engine.
Ingrid
Well Mr. Willemsen, with me, you’re going to have to dare, I warn you.
Roger
Wimmersen, Miss Barret.
A midget sized doorman shows up, a mixture of arrogance and contempt on his face. Roger and Ingrid step out of the car. Roger gives the doorman the keys.
3. INT. A3 Hotel/Hall - Night
Ingrid walks into the hall, closely followed by Roger, impressed by the luxury.
The RECEPTIONIST seems very interested in the new company of Miss Ingrid Barret and eyes them from his desk.
She walks up proudly to the reception. Roger follows her to the desk and stays slightly behind while she gets her keys.
Receptionist
(giving her the keys)
How was the play Miss Barret?
Ingrid and turns around towards Roger with a smirk
Ingrid
Excellent, I particularly liked the end.
Ingrid takes Roger’s arm and they both walk up to the elevators under the curious looks of the receptionist.
4. INT. A4 Hotel/In front of Ingrid’s suite - Night
Roger Wimmersen and Miss Ingrid Barret are both in front of Ingrid’s suite. She opens the door, turns around to Roger. He takes off his hat. He takes her right gloved hand and approaches it to his lips and mimics a kiss without touching the glove with his lips.
She walks into her room, throws her fur coat on a chair, turns around to Roger, still standing at the door. She has one hand behind her back, trying to unzip her blouse and another hand on her crotch for her balance it seems.
Ingrid
I have a wonderful Christmas present for you!
At the same time, her blouse falls off unveiling her firm and naked breasts.
Ingrid
How do you like them?
Roger blushes and is confused. Then regaining his composure:
Roger
Perfect sublime!
Ingrid is obviously very pleased. Roger tries to keep his composure and acts like a notary, an expert in charge of evaluating the quality of an asset, a commodity.
Roger
Wonderful! Wonderful!
He is obviously getting horny but he tries to hide it.
Roger
Good Night Madam... I look forward to seeing you again!
Roger then walks away with firm steps and only turns around when he has reached the corner to the elevators.
Roger
... which I hope will be very soon.
5. INT. A5 Hotel/Ingrid’s Suite - Night
Miss Barret is stupefied. She looks at herself, in particular her breasts, in the mirror of the dressing table, full of luxury makeup products. She puts her fur coat on. Looks at herself in the mirror again, opens the coat, caresses her breasts. Her facial expression is a mixture of sadness and auto-erotism.
She gets closer to the mirror and kisses herself in the mirror, leaving her red lipstick print on it. She then slides a finger on the wrinkles on her face, as trying to flatten them with a slight pressure.
She bursts into tears and slumps on her bed, silently crying.
6. EXT. A6 In Ingrid’s convertible - Day
Sunny day, summer, road along the beach. Ingrid and Roger in Ingrid’s convertible. She wears a white scarf in her hair and sunglasses. She is at the wheel. They laugh.
7. EXT. A7 At the beach - Day
They run in the water and splash each other. The same laughter.
8. EXT. A8 In Ingrid’s convertible - Day
This time, Roger wears the white scarf in his hair and her sunglasses and is at the wheel. They laugh.
9. EXT. A9 In front of the town hall - Day
The newly married couple, Roger and Ingrid, stand in front of the town hall among friends and relatives for a picture to be taken. They laugh the same laughter. The picture is taken.
10. INT. A10 Villa Mortlake/Lounge - Day
A YEAR LATER in VILLA MORTLAKE, the house where Ingrid and Roger moved in together.
DISSOLVE TO: The picture which has been taken at the wedding, which is on a shelf in the Lounge. Roger is sitting in a leather armchair facing the fireplace and eating chocolate, a book on his laps.
The ceilings are high, the decoration is baroque, big windows, big red curtains.
Close to the entry, a chaise longue (a broken duchess). Ingrid comes in through the main entrance and throws her mink on the duchess.
Ingrid
We’ll have to go to the spare parts, my dear, replace one that doesn’t work well anymore!
Roger is worried and puzzled, he thinks she is talking about the car.
Roger
But you went into town by taxi!
Ingrid
(irritated)
I am not talking about the car.
She smiles mysteriously.
Ingrid (CONT‘D)
I’m talking about my machine!
Roger
Breasts my darling?
Ingrid does not answer immediately.
Ingrid
Close Roger, close!
Roger
The ovaries?
Ingrid
(laughing)
How on earth would I need ovaries at my age? Do you have any plans Roger? In that case you should look for a younger one!
Ingrid laughs on the other side of her face. Roger’s eyes are moist.
Ingrid
No Roger, the heart, I need a new heart!
Roger freezes.
Ingrid
Don’t worry, I already know the donor.
Roger shivers.
Roger
Why, is he still alive?
Ingrid closes on him and looks at him straight into the eyes without answering.
11. INT. A11 Roger’s Car - Day
Roger is at the wheel. Ingrid is on the passenger’s seat. They are driving on a curvy road overlooking the sea. Ingrid is looking through the window and thereby giving Roger a cold shoulder. He does not like it. Roger looks sad and mischievous.
Ingrid
Don’t worry, this heart is clean, white, it’s not from the black market. It’s been mine for a long time. I’ve been breeding it for twenty years.
Ingrid burst out into a laughter, unknown to Roger.
Roger
You mean you have a heart bred from stem cells of yours? Is that yet working?
Ingrid
(mysteriously smiling)
A sort of, indeed.
Roger
You mean you paid over a million crowns for something you could get on the black market for a few thousand crowns?
She doesn’t answer. Her expression is evasive, as if she wanted to say: who knows?
Roger’s mood completely changes. He becomes all enthusiastic and jolly, brakes, pulls the car to the right, stops, rushes over to her, takes her hands, kisses them, kiss her.
Roger
(stammering)
Forgive me! How could I let such a thought cross my mind?
Roger’s head now rests on her laps. Ingrid, her hands in his hair moans in a blend of exasperation and condescendence. She gazes in front of her and suddenly turns serious.
LATER, they are driving again, on the same road. Roger is singing. Ingrid is annoyed at it, but she puts a smile on.
LATER, they arrive at the BRAUNFELS TRANSGENIC CLINIC.
12. EXT. A12 Braunfels Clinic/Car park - Day
They get out of the car walk to the main entrance.
13. INT. A13 Braunfels Clinic/Hall - Day
Nice looking young HOSTESSES with bright smiles and bleached teeth, all dressed in white, trousers, jackets, shirt, shoes, socks all white, are standing behind their desk. The hall is also all white, white walls, white tiles. Near the entrances, they are some booths closed with white curtains.
In the middle of the hall, there is a bust of ERNST-HEINRICH SWEED. On one of the walls there is also a big photograph of Ernst-Heinrich. Next to both the bust and the photograph, there is some accompanying text:
Doctor Ernst Heinrich Sweed, 1971-2027, Pioneer in genetic biology, especially in breeding of human organs and cloning. Founder of The Braunfels Transgenic Clinic and The Braunfels Transgenic Research Institute.
Noticing Ingrid come in, both hostesses come out from behind their desks and walk up graciously to greet her.
First Hostess
(reaching her hand to her)
So nice to see you again Dr. Sweed. Dr. Kaplan is coming to meet you immediately.
Ingrid
(irritated)
Mrs Barret, hum... Dr. Barret.
First Hostess
Of course, Mrs Barret, still so gripped by your so great late husband.
Ingrid gives her a frozen look. We hear steps.
Ingrid
(with a fake smile)
Of course...
Dr Kaplan arrives.
Dr Kaplan
Mrs. Sweed, what a pleasure! What a health, you look so young.
He takes her hand, pretends to kiss it and brings it close to his heart.
Dr Kaplan (CONT’D)
At the cost of repeating myself, I can’t help thinking that you have been rejuvenated since the death of... uh... (turning to Roger) since you have known Mr...
Roger
Wimmersen, Roger Wimmersen!
Dr Kaplan giggles and looks at Roger.
Dr Kaplan
What they wouldn’t do to rejuvenate!
Realising he just made a blunder, Dr Kaplan turns serious.
Dr Kaplan (CONT’D)
Medically speaking of course.
(Turning to Mrs. Barret) Does Mr Wimmersen knows about...
Ingrid
Certainly, Mr. Wimmersen knows that at The Transgenic Clinic, we practice the breeding of human organs!
Dr Kaplan
The breeding of human organs? Excellent!
Dr Kaplan bursts into a loud, fat laughter and shows them the way with his hand.
Dr Kaplan
Please!
14. INT. A14 Braunfels Clinic/Corridors - Day
Mrs. Barret, Roger and Dr Kaplan leave the entrance hall and walk up to a corridor.
Dr Kaplan (CONT’D)
Always so much humour, Miss Barret.
A self driving bed, with a body covered with grey tarpaulin approaches. Roger slows down to let it pass and tightens up. They keep on walking.
They arrive at a high-security airlock. Dr Kaplan swipes his badge and the doors open. They carry on. The corridor walls have given way to large windows, behind which a slightly pinkish liquid called Vitax® fills the space up to mid-height, like in a pool or an aquarium. They cross a doorless gate, on top of which is a sign with the word KERN written on it. They keep on walking.
Suddenly a whole body is seen lying behind the window, resting on a bed, immersed in that pink liquid Vitax® up to the chin. Roger is tensed. The chest moves up and down regularly at the rhythm of the breathing. They continue their walk, another body is immersed in Vitax® and rests on a bed.
They pass a sign on which is written: END OF PRE-OPERATIVE REST AREA. Roger is relieved (his fears that these bodies would serve as spare parts depots have not come true). He stumbles and clings to Ingrid’s hand, looking upon her with some kind of admiration. They walk another 30 meters.
They stop in front of the box 58. Dr. Kaplan swipes his badge, the door opens. Dr. Kaplan and Ingrid walk in, followed by Roger.
15. INT. A15 Braunfels Clinic/Box 58 - Day
Inside lies a naked young woman. Her pubis is covered with a four-leaf clover. She is immersed in Vitax® up to her breasts, she breathes with a regular rhythm, even if there is a supporting surface that acts as a bed under her back, she doesn’t rest on it, she doesn’t touch it, she floats. She breathes. Her hands are joined together on her chest as if she is praying. She looks exactly like Ingrid, but much younger. Her skin is perfectly smooth and white as milk, her lips voluptuous and vigorous with all the strength of love. She lay like the sleeping beauty, waiting for the kiss supposed to wake her from eternal sleep. Roger feels his neck move forward, his spine bend, for a moment he thinks he is the Prince. What a marvel! His eyes remain stuck to hers.
Ingrid
I'm beautiful, aren't I?
He question Roger perplex. Ingrid walks towards her clone, she takes her right hand, the left one falls in the Vitax®, splashing Doctor Kaplan's white coat with large pink drops. She approaches her lips to the clone's forehead and kisses it for a long time.
Ingrid
You are the most wonderful creature ever. You embody the essence of beauty, femininity, all men are at your feet since ever and forever. You are my one and only love!
Ingrid straightens up and then, like a raptor bird, she plunges on her prey, sticking her fiery lips to those of the lying woman in a long moaning. Doctor Kaplan happily takes the pulse of the clone, indifferent to all this emotionality.
He then goes to the other bed on which lies a third Ingrid, identical to the previous one. This is too much for Roger. He looks at Ingrid reproachfully.
Ingrid
Don't worry, they have no brains.
Roger is horrified.
Ingrid
(reassuring voice)
They never had a brain. Only the hypothalamus has been formed, to ensure all vital functions covered by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. They have brain matter, but it did not get formed into a brain. The expression of the EMX2 and PAX6 genes has been modified and finally inhibited. They are not human beings, even if they look like it.
One of the clones sighs.
Dr Kaplan
This too is the work of the parasympathetic. It is the regulation of the oxygen level, more precisely the emptying of the cells of residual carbon dioxide, they are not emotions Mr. Wimmersen.
Roger is relieved.
Dr Kaplan (CONT’D)
and when you consider that the first clones had a brain, how much they must have suffered, the poor things, until Professor Sweed finally found a way to inhibit brain formation!
Roger is not listening anymore. Dr Kaplan now turns to Miss Barret.
Dr Kaplan (CONT’D)
By the way, how is she?
Miss Barret stares at him. Kaplan immediately keeps quiet, regretting his words.
Ingrid
That's enough Kaplan, I'm not paying you two million crowns to tell my new husband about my late husband's escapades!
Dr Kaplan
(slow and moronic)
Ah, the escapades of your late husband!
He then looks at the breasts of one of the lying clones and Ingrid slaps him in the face. He falls on his knees in front of Ingrid and seizes her hands.
Dr Kaplan
Forgive me, Mrs. Sweed, I don't know what I'm saying.
Ingrid looks at him for a while.
Ingrid
It's my turn to apologise, Doctor, I shouldn't have, please stand up, Doctor. I am so sorry!
Dr Kaplan
No no, Mrs. Sweed, it’s all my fault, I'm such a nerd sometime, let's go!
They leave, arm in arm, like old friends. Roger follows.
16. EXT. A16 Cemetery - Day
Dr Kaplan walks (CU). Angle widens: He carries flowers. Angle widens more: He is walking in a cemetery. He comes close to a grave and kneels down. Puts the flowers on the grass in front of the grave. All this is shot with the camera at the position of the grave. Then shot of the grave:
Our beloved son: Samuel Kaplan, 21 09 2018 - 2 8 2026 for ever in our heart.
17. INT. A17 Hotel Room near the clinic - Night
They are dining at the table at the window, in their room. Music is playing from the stereo. Outside, green grass extends to the cliffs over the sea. Fire crackles in the chimney. Ingrid’s operation is planned for tomorrow. They have just finished dinner. There is only one glass of wine for Roger. Ingrid looks stern. Roger grabs her hand.
Roger
Don’t worry darling. The statistics for this type of operation are very good. We are talking about less than five percent of failure.
Ingrid
Five per cent is huge. They said there was a fifteen percent chance of rain for today and what happened? It rained all day.
She pulls her hand out of his.
Ingrid (CONT’D)
I don’t believe in statistics Roger. I am no man.
Ingrid grabs his glass of red wine and drinks it.
Roger
You should’t drink any alcohol… nor smoke before the operation.
She pours herself another glass. She stands up and walks to the fireplace. Roger watches his hands.
Roger
(hesitating)
and this person Dr Kaplan...
Ingrid
(interrupting him)
she is Heinrich’s creature. She is me, my double, my sosie. She is a clone Roger! She is the first clone of myself which survived. Heinrich didn’t know what to do with it. He hid her, first in the clinic, then gave her to foster parents. It was our daughter you know, the one we wanted but could never have.
Roger
Oh I didn’t know that. Why didn’t you adopt her?
Ingrid
You fool! Cloning was illegal and is still is. Heinrich was just driven by his scientific passion. That was before he discovered how to prevent the brain from developing.
Ingrid gets a pack of cigarettes from her bag. She lights one cigarette and sits down at the fireplace, hypnotised by the dance of the flames. After a while, she stands up and starts to dance to the music with her eyes closed, her chest forward, calm and proud. Roger admires her...
FADE OUT