Role Changes

During Mr. Li's second day observing my sternly conducted class, he came up with a suggestion in the break: why didn't I give the students a script and have them do some acting in English?

It's a bit ironic. He's ostensibly the stern, traditional Chinese authoritarian teacher. The students obey him because they're afraid of the power he has over them. I'm the Westerner. Yet he's proposing to me to drop the hard stuff and do things the kids will find more fun and entertaining.

Why not? I'm always game for something new. I heartily endorsed his suggestion and promised to distribute a script on Monday. Actually, I announced on the spot to the class that I'd be distributing an excerpt from My Fair Lady -- but later I changed my mind. I think this would be more fun:

COMMERCIAL:

A HAPPY FELLOW lies next to a SEXPOT on a round bed. The bedroom is under a glass dome at the bottom of the ocean. Outside, colorful fish swim around .

NARRATOR (O.S.) Do you dream of a vacation at the bottom of the ocean...

JUMP CUT: The Fellow now appears in a poverty level apartment, alone, surrounded by a pile of bills.

NARRATOR (O.S.) ...but you can't float the bill? A SOPHISTICATED WOMAN skis to a stop next to a flock of penguins.

NARRATOR (O.S.) Would you like to ski Antarctica...

JUMP CUT: The same woman, now in an office, is surrounded by ten employees, all demanding decisions.

NARRATOR (O.S.) ...but you're snowed under with work?

A SPORTSMAN in a space suit climbs up the pyramidal mountain from Quaid's dream.

NARRATOR (O.S.) Have you always wanted to climb the mountains of Mars...

JUMP CUT: The Sportsman is now an OLD MAN creeping up a STAIRCASE.

NARRATOR (O.S.) ...but now you're over the hill? --Then come to Rekall, Incorporated...

STAIRCASE REFLECTED IN PUPIL OF EYE

Rapid PULLBACK to FACE OF DR. EDGEMAR, a professional gentleman. He is the narrator we've been hearing.

DR. EDGEMAR ...where you can buy the memory of your ideal vacation, cheaper, safer, and better than the real thing.

Discover Dr. Edgemar ON A BEACH at SUNSET. He walks over to a Rekall IMPLANT CHAIR, floating over the water, and sits down.

DR. EDGEMAR So don't let life pass you by. Call Rekall: For the memory of a lifetime. (jingle) Reeeeeeekallll... RekallRekallRekall

As a CHORUS OF SIRENS chants dreamily on, Dr. Edgemar opens his cupped hands. A butterfly flutters out.

SUPERIMPOSE Rekall LOGO and a twelve-digit PHONE NUMBER.

Quaid is intrigued.

.............................

17 INT. REKALL BUILDING/LOBBY - DAY 17

Quaid walks to the CONSOLE in the center of the floor.

CLOSE ON: COMPUTER DIRECTORY as Quaid selects REKALL, INC. from a long list of names. The screen displays the location and personnel.

18 INT. REKALL RECEPTION - DAY 18

TIFFANY, a bored, ornamental receptionist hides her paraphernalia and greets Quaid. She sits in front of a large REKALL LOGO.

TIFFANY (big smile) Good afternoon. Welcome to Rekall.

QUAID Douglas Quaid. I have an appointment.

Tiffany checks a schedule and finds his name.

TIFFANY Okay. Just a moment, Mr. Quaid.

QUAID Thank you.

19 INT. MCCLANE'S OFFICE AT RECALL - DAY 19

McClane ushers Quaid into a stylishly decorated room.

MCCLANE Have a seat, sit down, make yourself comfortable.

Quaid lowers himself into a sleek, futuristic chair. McClane sits behind his desk.

MCCLANE (CONT'D) Now help me out here, Doug. You were interested in a memory of...

QUAID Mars.

MCCLANE (unenthusiastic) Right. Mars.

QUAID That a problem?

MCCLANE To be perfectly honest with you, Doug, if outer space is your thing, I think you'd be much happier with one of our Saturn cruises.Everybody raves about 'em.

QUAID (irritated) I'm not interested in Saturn. I said Mars.

MCCLANE Okay, you're the boss -- Mars it is.

McClane types on his computer keyboard, and figures come up on his screen.

MCCLANE (CONT'D) Let's see...the basic Mars package will run you just eight hundred and ninety-nine credits. That's for two full weeks of memories, complete in every detail. --A longer trip'll run you a little more, cause you need a deeper implant.

QUAID What's in the two week package?

MCCLANE First of all, Doug, when you go Rekall, you get nothing but first class memories: private cabin on the shuttle; deluxe suite at the Hilton; plus all the major sights: Mount Pyramid, the Grand Canals, and of course... (leers) Venusville.

QUAID How real does it seem?

MCCLANE As real as any memory in your head.

QUAID Come on, don't bullshit me.

MCCLANE I'm telling you, Doug, your brain won't know the difference. Guaranteed, or your money back.

QUAID What about the guy you lobotomized...Did he get a refund?

MCCLANE (nervous laugh) You're talking ancient history, Doug. Nowadays, traveling with Rekall is safer than getting on a rocket. (types) Look at the statistics.

Numbers and graphs appear on the monitor.

MCCLANE Besides, a real holiday's a big pain in the butt: lost luggage, lousy weather, crooked taxi drivers. When you go with Rekall, everything's perfect. --So whaddaya say?

Quaid ponders his decision.

QUAID All right.

MCCLANE Smart move. (types) Now while you fill out the questionnaire, I'll familiarize you with some of our options.

QUAID No options.

MCCLANE Whatever you say...Just answer one question. What is it that is exactly the same about every vacation you've ever taken?

Quaid fills out the questionnaire on his video screen.

QUAID I give up.

MCCLANE You. You're the same. (pauses for effect) No matter where you go, there you are. Always the same old you. (grins enigmatically) Let me suggest that you take a vacation from yourself. I know it sounds wild, but it's the latest thing in travel. We call it an "Ego Trip".

QUAID I'm not interested in that.

MCCLANE You're gonna love this. --We offer you a choice of alternate identities during your trip.

McClane pre-empts Quaid's questionnaire on the video monitor with CLOSE UP: the following list.

A-14 MILLIONAIRE PLAYBOY
A-15 SPORTS HERO
A-16 INDUSTRIAL TYCOON
A-17 SECRET AGENT

MCCLANE (O.S.) Face it...Why go to Mars as a tourist when you can go as a playboy, or a famous jock, or a...

QUAID Secret agent...How much is that?

MCCLANE Aaah, let me tantalize you. You're a top operative, back under deep cover on your most important mission. People are trying to kill you left and right. You meet a beautiful, exotic woman...

McClane interrupts himself.

QUAID Go on.

MCCLANE (sits back) I don't wanna spoil it for you, Doug. Just rest assured, by the time the trip is over, you get the girl, you kill the bad guys, and you save the entire planet. (smiles confidently) Now you tell me. Is that worth three hundred measly credits?

Quaid smiles reluctantly. McClane's got him hooked.