text / (United States) Jeffrey Fletcher
translation / Cao Yixin
The following quoted text appears line by line on the black screen.
Each leaf of grass has its own guardian angel.
They leaned over to the grass and whispered:
"Grow up, grow up quickly."
———"Talmud"
(Fade in) 1.
1987.
Location, Haarlem District ( Note 1) On the street, during the day, the
cold wind blows a bright red scarf wrapped around the height of the street lamp.
A tin trash can was blown diagonally to the crossroad by the wind. A stray dog sniffed the trash can, then poured urine on it, and left.
Below the camera, a girl with a huge body, wearing a leather jacket full of rips, lifted the trash can and tried her best to push it onto the sidewalk.
After putting it down, she rubbed her big fat hands, and quickly stopped again.
At this time, we saw her chubby, young and blank face of African descent for the first time. She is sixteen-year-old Presius Jones. Something in the trash can attracted her attention.
She stared at a dirty and torn paperback book inside, venting heat from her nostrils. The title of the book is facing her face, but we can't see it clearly.
She pulled away the trash and went to get the book.
The book sinks deeper, as if to escape.
There was the sound of a car coming from a distance.
The sound of the car was getting closer, and at this time, Presius was still groping for the book in the trash can.
Presius finally found the book. We haven't seen the title of the book for a while. When she turned the book over, the letters on the cover were facing the camera. This time she could see clearly. It says-"Crystal Stairs: Anthology of Langston Hughes".
The sound of the car is close at hand.
Presius turned her head abruptly and looked to the left.
The wheel was frightened and slid, and there was a terrifying "bang"! Presius was almost hit, she bounced toward the sidewalk, and the book was thrown across the intersection and fell into the gutter.
Presius closed her eyes and lay halfway on the sidewalk, leaning her back against the base of the street lamp.
The car turned around, slipped on its sides, paused for a second, changed gears, and fled with a harsh sound.
The trash can, at this time, fell to the ground again, rolling to the side, and finally stopped.
An ambulance approached the intersection.
The traffic lights changed, and the ambulance passed Presès unhurriedly. After a while, the ambulance slammed its piercing whistle and galloped away.
The stray dog came back again, sniffed in the trash can, then turned and came to Presès's side. It licked her cheek. Tom Cruise came over here.
Presius finally opened her confused eyes, and Tom's figure came into view. The red scarf on the street lamp fell towards her. Tom held out a hand.
Tom (tenderly): What's your name, girl?
Presius' face flushed.
Tom: What is your name.
Presius' face was red and her ears were staring at the ground.
(Gradually dark)
Price (Narrator): My name is Price Jones. I want to take a dance class. My mother said we can't afford the tuition.
The school bell rang.
2. Interior view, 111 middle school, corridor, the
last group of students during the day walked towards the classroom.
Presius (narrator): And no one will watch me dance. I go to 111 middle school. In the Haarlem district of New York. I was almost late today.
Presès wears a red scarf and carries a large schoolbag, and follows the classmates swiftly forward.
3. Interior, classroom, daytime
There are twenty-six students in the class. Presius is sitting in the last row. The other classmates are half narrower than hers, three years younger than her, and most of them are African Americans. The air was full of noise, and paper balls were flying everywhere.
Teacher Weizhe --- a weak man, wearing a bow tie and a tweed jacket, stands in front of the classroom and has been trying to maintain order in the classroom.
Wei Zhe: Classmates, please turn to page 122... Classmates! 122 pages!
Presès's book remained untouched, most of the other students turned the book to page 122.
The two boys sitting in front of her were telling jokes in private, laughing and joking.
Teacher Weizhe looks very angry, but he has become accustomed to it.
Presius (narrator): I like mathematics, but I didn't say anything, I didn't even open the book. Just sit there.
The boys who chuckled endlessly continued to make their pranks.
Wei Zhe: The children ---
two boys finally opened their textbooks.
Wei Zhe: Please turn to page 122.
Presius (narration): Every day, I tell myself that something unexpected will happen, such as I fall in love with someone, or someone breaks into my life — I start to concentrate on studying, Keep up with the class, sitting in the front row like a normal person...There will always be a day.
Suddenly, a burst of laughter broke out in the classroom. Presius glared at the two boys.
Wei Zhe: Today we review Monday's homework. Who wants to take the lead?
The boys laugh louder.
Mr. Wei Zhe looked at them helplessly.
Wei Zhe: Children!
Presius (narrator): I like Teacher Weizhe. I think of him as my husband, we live in Weschall, or somewhere else. I can tell from his eyes that he likes me too. I wish I could tell him all the content in the textbook, but I...
boy A: What's the matter?
The whole class shouted "Aw...wow...". Mr. Weizhe looked at them in surprise.
Boy A: Don't always let us concentrate on listening. Now I fucking want to chat behind, I hope you don't mind, your mother... Teacher Weizhe.
The boys clapped and slapped their hands.
The students turned their heads to look at Teacher Wei Zhe, and they all waited to see his excitement.
Wei Zhe: You guys, come to my place after class.
Boy B: I'm sorry, Teacher Weizhe, I don't like you. You are too fucking bitch.
Wei Zhe: Be quiet.
He tried to stop the boys' provocations one after another. The other classmates were distracted by the two boys. Teacher Weizhe's weak tone was defeated, and Presès was extremely anxious about it.
Price (narrator): I feel sad for Teacher Wei Zhe. He tried his best, but still couldn't make them shut up. He was also scared. I'm so sorry for him.
The boys burst into unbridled laughter until...
"Boom!" A school desk was overturned to the ground. The boys turned their heads angrily, and saw that two big hands grabbed the two boys and lifted them out of their seats.
Preshes was fed up with it.
Presius: Shut up the fuck, I want to go to class! Enough of you guys, live impatiently, idiot!
Boy A (tremblingly): ...I'm sorry, Presius.
Boy B (tremblingly): Yes.
Presses angrily pressed them to the chair.
Presius: Stupid... Teacher Weizhe asks you to continue the class. They won't cause you trouble again today.
Presius raised the desk and sat in her seat. Mr. Wei Zhe looked at her gratefully.
Presius (narrator): I am willing to serve as a police officer for Mr. Wei Zhe. This is the reason why you can't be late for math class.
"Dang, Dang, Dang". Someone knocked on the door outside the classroom.
Teacher Weizhe waved her to come in.
Ms. Lichenstein, a slender woman in her thirties and wearing a black skirt walked in, looked at Presès sideways, pointed her finger at her, and then whispered something to Teacher Weizhe. Presius rolled her eyes.
Price (narrator): No...
Ms . Lichenstein grinned exaggeratedly, smiled at Price, and beckoned her to come over.
Lichenstein: Clarice...
Presses sighed.
Presius (narrator): What does this lady want to do? Claires... I the most damn hate when people call me Claires.
She packed up her belongings. The other children looked at her silently. When she walked to the front of the classroom...
Presses: Can you handle it, Teacher Weizhe?
Wei Zhe (squeezing a smile): Of course. Thank you, Presius.
The uneasy Presius grinned sadly, Lichenstein walked in front of her, and the two of them left the classroom.
Teacher Wei Zhe looked like he had been abandoned. The door behind Presius was closed, and the classroom seemed to be turned into a cell, and the noise inside immediately rang again.
4. Interior view, school corridor. During the day,
Presius lowered her head and walked silently along the spacious corridor.
5. Interior view, Lichenstein's office. During the day,
Presius stands between plants, certificates, photos and file cabinets. Ms. Lichenstein sits opposite her, looking at a document.
Ms. Lichenstein closed the file and placed it on the table in front of her.
Lichenstein: Are you pregnant again? You are only sixteen years old, still in junior high school, and already pregnant with your second child. Right, Claris? Claris, are you pregnant again?
Presius stared at the document without making a sound.
Lichenstein: Have you considered your current situation?
Presius shrugged.
Lichenstein: Claires?
Presius still did not answer.
Lichenstein (pause): Claires, I'm talking to you.
Presius remained silent.
Lichenstein: Claires!
Presius: Am I in trouble?
Lichenstein: What?
Presius: Am I in trouble?
Lichenstein: ...no.
Presius (pause): I don't want to leave the math class.
Presius stood up.
Lichenstein (firmly): Sit down, Claires.
Presius sat down and sighed.
Lichenstein (pause): Do you know what I think? I think we should hold a parent meeting — me, you, and your mother.
Presius: My mother is busy.
Lichenstein: Well, I can arrange a time to visit your house.
Presius: My mother doesn't welcome you.
Lichenstein: Then, Claires, I'm afraid I have to suspend you.
Presius: Why?
Lichenstein: You are pregnant.
Presius: This is not fair. I did nothing! I finished my homework. I didn't cause trouble. My grades are good...
Lichenstein: You are not willing to cooperate at all, it is not good for you...
Presès (narrator): Actually I know everything. Nosy white ladies are so stupid that I won't let her go to my house. I will not go to this bitch's house in Weschall. That would make me feel bad. I heard everything she said. The white ladies want to visit home. Then, I thought of Teacher
Vizhe standing alone in his class... Lichenstein: I am not your enemy. If there is something in your family, you can tell me that you don't have to be restrained here. If you feel that taking care of your children is distracting you, speaking up is good for you. Judging from our files, it is your mother who is helping you to look after your children. right?
Presius (narrator): She doesn't have any pictures of children here. Maybe it's jealous of me. I still didn't say a word.
Lichenstein: Are you in contact with your child's father? (Pause) Does he help you take care of your children?
There is no answer.
Lichenstein: Good! If you don't want to say anything, then let's stay like this for one day.
Presès' hands on her knees clenched into fists.
Presius (narrator): I know I can never go back to math class... I hate this fool.
Presius stood up suddenly from her chair and rushed to the desk. Lichenstein flashed back in horror and fell to the floor.
Lichenstein: Security! security guard!
6. Interior view, outside Lichenstein's office. During the day,
Presius rushed out of Lichenstein's office and walked towards the exit. Lichenstein yelled for security from a distance.
7. Interior view, school corridor,
Preshes walks through the hall during the day without looking back. Lichenstein's shouts are still endless.
8. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue,
with water dripping from the faucet of the Prescher House .
Presius stood in front of the sink washing the dishes. After a while, there was a woman's voice, and her voice overwhelmed the sound of the TV.
Mary (voice-over): Did you take my cigarette?
Presius froze there. Her heart thumped.
Presius (carefully): No, mother, I lost something on the way to school.
The roar of the car engine was heard in the distance.
Mary—with an unbelievably large body, greasy skin, disgusting wig, and a house suit—with her back to Presius, sitting on the sofa. This woman looked like a big piece of furniture.
She was watching the TV show "Guess the Price", and a cigarette smoked between her fingers.
Presius waited for the scolding from under Mary, but for a moment she was silent, she continued to wash the dishes... Suddenly...
Click!
A heavy glass ashtray slammed on Presès's head.
Presius fell to the ground in response...
9. Interior, Presius' bedroom, at night
...laying almost naked on the bed.
Carl Kenward Jones, a big naked man who was more than twice older than Presius, pressed against her, twitching back and forth.
After a moment...
Presses (softly): Dad?
A huge hand covered her mouth.
Presius lay there blankly, her hollow eyes looking at a long crack in the ceiling.
The camera moved to the crack. At this time, it seemed to widen — opening another world to us, where...
10. The exterior scene, the red carpet, and the
dazzling flashes at night shining everywhere.
Presius and Tom Cruise walked on the red carpet together. They walked towards the entrance of the theater, stopping from time to time to sign for others. Both are wearing sportswear and sunglasses.
Paparazzi are everywhere.
The thunder was rolling. Presius took off her sunglasses and looked up to the sky.
Lightning thunder, heavy rain...
11. Interior view, Presius’ bedroom,
with thunder in the distance at night , water droplets seeping from the crack in the ceiling, the man’s groaning became...
Mary (voice-over, Shouting): I'm hungry, you big fat pig! ! ! Hurry up and lift up your stinky ass, go and cook for me, or I will make you look good.
12. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue, the kitchen
is covered with soot, teardrops hung on her face, and Presius is still lying on the floor. I still have the water I got when washing the dishes on my hands.
Wow! Two gallons of cold water were poured on her. Presius opened her eyes suddenly.
Mary stood beside Presius, leaning over to look at her, carrying a huge dripping pot in her hand. Mary threw the pot on the ground, sat back on the sofa, and went to watch another TV show.
Mary: ...I won't say it again.
13. Interior view, kitchen, later
kettles and rice pots are sizzling on the stove.
Preshes changed into a dry T-shirt and was preparing dinner carefully, and then...
Ding Ling! The harsh doorbell rang.
Mary and Presius turned to the door at the same time.
Mary: Tell those fools, don't fucking ring my doorbell again.
We looked at Mary carefully for the first time. She has heavy makeup on her face.
Presius wiped her hands. Although Mary was sitting closer to the door, Presius still answered the door.
Presius (narrator): No one will knock on the door except those addicts. I hate addicts, they make this slum district notorious.
Presius presses the door intercom button.
Presius: Don't fucking ring the doorbell anymore!
Presius returned to the pots and pans... and...
Ding Ling ! The doorbell rang again.
Presius walked to the door intercom.
Presius: Don't fucking press it.
Ding Ling!
Presius: Stop it!
Ding Ling!
Presius: Stop it!
Mary: Idiot, press answer.
Presius sighed and pressed the answer button.
Woman's voice (voice-over): This is Sandra Lichenstein, and I am looking for Mrs. Clarice and Mary Johnston.
Presius was stunned. Mary looked at her warily, then lowered the volume on the TV.
Mary: Who, Presius?
Presius: White ladies in school.
14. Location, 444 Lennox Avenue,
Lichenstein was dressed very thickly at night , standing next to the walkie-talkie. From the car behind her came a strong rhythm of rap music.
Following the beat of the music, she shook her body slightly.
Presius (narrator): Damn, where did they go when they needed drug addicts...
15. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue, at night
Presius and Mary were still trying to figure out what was going on One thing.
Mary: What does she want to do?
Presius: I don't know.
Mary: Ask her, idiot.
Presses presses the intercom button.
Presius: What do you want to do?
Lichenstein (voice-over): I want to talk to you about going to school.
Mary: What a fucking nonsense!
Presius looked disturbed.
16. Location, 444 Lennox Avenue,
a young man walked out of the building at night smoking a cigarette. Lichenstein put his hands together and begged him exaggeratedly for a cigarette.
Afterwards, she put the cigarette in her mouth and borrowed a fire from the man. Jump around to keep warm. She nodded in thanks, and the man left.
Presius (voice-over): Madman. Listen, my mother doesn't want to lose the subsidy, we won't have the social security fund if you come here for a visit. No one will believe that you are here to discuss education.
17. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue, at night
Presius presses the intercom button
. Presius: Teacher Lichenstein, before I get angry, please go quickly.
Ding Ling!
Presius presses the answer button.
Lichenstein (voice-over): Claires, I'm very sorry today. I just want to help you. I... Teacher Weizhe said that you are one of his best students and that you have a talent for mathematics—at least this potential. (Pause) I have already called Ms. McKnight of non-traditional education/"one-to-one teaching". That is a non-traditional school. (Pause) Claires, are you listening to me?
Presius looked at her mother. Mary has discovered the weirdness in it.
Lichenstein (voice-over): Claires, are you listening?
Presses presses the intercom button.
Presius: Yes.
Presius pressed the answer button again.
Lichenstein (voice-over): Teacher McKnight, one-to-one teaching. 125 Street, 19th floor of Theresa Hotel. Not far from here.
Presses presses the intercom button.
Presius: I know there.
Preshes let go of the button.
Presius: Damn it.
She pressed the answer button again.
Lichenstein (voice-over): The phone is 555-0831. I told them. Call or go and have a look. It's on the 19th floor.
Presius: You just said that.
Lichenstein (voice-over): Listen, Claires...you will be over tomorrow...this semester they just started. You have also dropped out of class for a day or two... Go and take a look.
18. Location, 444 Lennox Avenue. At night
Lichenstein smoked a cigarette and stepped into the night.
Presius (narration): I don't know what a non-traditional school is, but I really want to know...
19. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue,
Prestige is leaning against the refrigerator at night , and her face is red.
Presius (narrator): My heart is really warm... Teacher Weizhe said that I am a good student.
At this moment, there was silence behind Preshes.
Mary leaned in quietly with a saucepan in her hand.
She took a head-on blow at Presius, and Presius easily dodged aside, avoiding the disaster.
The refrigerator took a blow for her, and a new pit was smashed into it.
Presius looked at her mother calmly.
Mary looked embarrassed.
Presius still had flushed cheeks, she grinned absently at her mother, and then left the kitchen.
Watching her leave, Mary arrogantly returned to the TV, muttering to herself---
Mary: The school can't help anyone. Let's rely on social security funds. Shut your stinky mouth. who do you think You Are? Are you proud now? Just because he allows you to have children better than me? Shut your fucking mouth. idiot! Who do you think you are? See how I killed you!
20. Interior view, Presius bedroom,
Presius at night , now wearing pajamas, still beaming joy, then she pulled the quilt to her chest.
(Fade out)
(Fade in)
21. Exterior scene, Haarlem district, city street scene, the dawn
sun has risen into the sky.
22. Interior view, Presius bedroom,
the clock on the bedside table during the day shows 8:29.
The camera moved to Presès sitting on the side of the bed. She is now dressed neatly—yellow nylon leggings, red scarf—eyes staring at the clock.
There are all kinds of colored art paper on the wall, all of which are painted by Presius. Each of them is larger in size, and a poster of Cindy Laupa (Note 2) is posted on the very edge.
The clock shows 8:30. Presius stood up and looked in the mirror. The figure in the mirror turned into a fair-skinned, blond beauty, and then she left the room.
23. Interior, Preshes's house,
Preshes walked towards the gate during the day .
Mary: Why are you going?
"Tick", "click", "dingdang", "cangdang" ---Presses quickly and accurately opened the four door locks.
Mary: Did you hear me talking?
Presius slammed the door behind her.
24. Location, 444 Lennox Avenue, the
camera followed Presès out of the building during the day . Ruby, a dark-skinned, sturdy little girl with "natural African curly hair", we can easily think of her as a little Presès. Ruby followed Price's ass. A blonde Barbie doll with no clothes, lack of arms and legs was swayed by her with her hair.
Ruby: Price, when will you play with me?
Presius (not turning around): Why don't you go to school?
Ruby: You said before that we can play together.
Presius: Listen, I can't play with you. I never said that.
Ruby: Why not?
Presius: You are too dirty. Look at you, no taste, no friends, no mom, no dad.
Ruby: What happened then? I'm not the only one like this.
Presius stopped abruptly and turned around.
Presius: What did you say?
Ruby: ...nothing said.
Presius: That's the best.
Presius left her and walked away.
Ruby: I will play with you again tomorrow, Presius.
Presius: You wait.
25. Location, Main Street,
Preshes walks forward with her head back during the day .
Under the blue sky, the street lights receded one by one, and autumn leaves floated from nowhere.
Presius (narrator): I always look at the sky. I hope I can fall from the sky with a piano, a desk, a sofa, a TV, and maybe a mother. You can always drop something. Non-traditional school. I want to see what it is.
Boy's voice: Look at the road, big whale!
Presius lowered her head and saw three dry and skinny boys, each of whom was much smaller than her, and was taunting her.
Presius (narrator): My thoughts are back to reality.
Boy 2: Shut up, fool, she will eat you.
The boys slapped their hands, laughed presumptuously, and then scratched their crotch.
Presius (Narrator): The boys laughed strangely when they were all right, and they always scratched their crotch...until I gained weight and became pregnant with my first child. Then the boys shut up. They didn't say a word, standing far away, as if I was the Queen of England... the
boys poked at her tights and laughed more happily.
Presius (narrator): Also, I really don't know...how to dress up so that they won't laugh at me.
Preshes suddenly fell to the ground. The boys were taken aback first, then screamed vigorously.
Presius (narrator): When my thoughts are wandering around, I always like to smash my head. My mother said that one day I have to fall to death like this. I am curious what it will look like.
The boys leaned over and continued to mock her. Presius looked up at the sky, as if they didn't exist at all.
(Cut to)
26. Interior view, dance room, during the day,
Preshes wears a black tight dress, mesh stockings, high-end leather boots, and dances a tap dance. After a dance, Tom Cruise walked in with a slap. He gave her a hug, and then kissed her affectionately on the ear.
27. Location, street, during the day
Presius raised her head and saw a puppy licking her ears.
28. Exterior view, 125th Street. During the day,
Presius was walking among the crowd. Then she stopped and saw the Theresa Hotel, a beautiful pre-war building.
29. Interior view, Teresa Hotel, during the day
Preshes walked into the lobby. An elderly black man in a blue uniform is sitting in a chair, wearing thick glasses, and is reading the "Daily News."
When Presius passed by him, he did not move, did not respond, did not speak, or even glanced at her.
Presius walked to the elevator, looked back at him, then pressed the button and waited for the elevator.
The elevator doors opened. Presius walked in and turned around. She opened her eyes wide, and time slowed down the beat. The wind sounded in the ears.
After a while, Presius woke up from the confusion and hesitated to press the button "19".
The elevator doors are closed.
30. Interior view, elevator, during the day
Preshes takes the elevator upstairs...5...8...14...15...and "dingdong"! The 19th floor is here.
The elevator door opened with a "swipe".
31. Interior view, on the 19th floor of
Theresa Hotel. During the day, Presius came out of the elevator and saw an African-American woman in her thirties with her hair combed into layers of little braids.
She was sitting behind a table and was talking on the phone.
"Corn braid": Why do you mean that, Terry? I don't play with you, I know she is not your sister at all... because you don't have any... right?
"Corn Braid" hung up the phone with a bang, nagging, carefully looking at a document.
Presius: Is this a non-traditional school?
"Corn braid" (raising his head): What?
Presius: Elective school?
"Corn braid": Where are you looking for?
Presius (pointing): Where is this place?
"Corn Braids": Non-traditional education/one-to-one teaching.
Presius: I am looking for a non-traditional school.
"Corn braid": Here it is.
Presius: What does it mean to be non-traditional?
"Corn braid": What on earth do you want to ask?
Presius: Non-traditional school. A teacher from my previous school asked me to come here, Theresa Hotel, on the 19th floor, and said that there is an "non-traditional school" here.
"Corn braids": One-to-one teaching is a non-traditional school. This school is like a choice that allows you to do things in a different way.
Presius: Oh.
"Corn braids": You need to show the certificate of withdrawal from your original school, indicating that they have officially expelled you, otherwise we can't let you enroll.
Presius: I was pregnant, so I was expelled.
"Corn braids": You must show a formal certificate of withdrawal, or you won't be able to attend class. This is the rule.
Presius: Teacher Lichenstein didn't tell me this.
"Corn braid": Oh, you are the student Lichenstein said.
Presius: What did she say?
"Corn braid" (looks through the file): Are you Claris Presius Jones?
Presius: Yes.
"Corn Braid": The person in charge of 111 Middle School has sent your expulsion certificate and other documents.
Presius: What information?
"Corn braid": Your school file.
Suddenly, Presius looked extremely anxious.
"Corn braid": Are you okay?
Presius' expression was both angry and disappointed.
Presius (narrator): I thought this was a new beginning. The archives and exams sold my old friends again.
"Corn Braid": Claires?
Presius: Huh?
"Corn braids": We need some information before granting you admission. So, they sent your files over so that you can complete the formalities quickly.
Presius: Can I have class today?
"Corn braids": Well, now we still need you to provide proof of income. Currently, do you have an AFDC assistance fund (Note 3)?
Presius: No... My mother has a copy of me and my daughter.
"Corn braids": Yo, have you checked the sex of the fetus?
Presius: Huh?
"Corn braid": You said your mother has custody of you and your daughter?
Presius: Not this kid! In addition to this I have a child.
"Corn braid": I know. Your mother has custody of you and your daughter, so she is raising you.
Presius nodded.
"Corn braid": Okay, I need a copy of your mother's income certificate, as well as a copy of the telephone bill and utility bill, understand?
Presius: Do you have to bring them all now?
"Corn braid": No, don't worry. We have to ask you to take a test first to check your reading and arithmetic skills and see which class you are assigned to.
普蕾舍丝: What's the difference?
"Corn braids": Of course, to enter the ordinary class, you have to have the level of 8th grade. Tabey (Note 4) The corresponding score for reading the test paper is 8 points or more.
Presius: I am in the 9th grade of 111 Middle School.
"Corn braid" (smiling): Then you are even more okay.
Presius didn't seem to have much confidence.
(Cut to)
32. Interior, classroom, daytime
ECU test paper.
Presius wrote "Claires P. Jones" neatly on the top of the test paper.
A bright classroom, a few empty tables, and Presius was sitting alone at the back.
She read the test paper carefully, then racked her brains and started answering the questions.
(Dissolve)
33. Interior, classroom, later the
clock is ticking---...the
misspelled word.
...Rubber crumbs.
...Lightly tapping the feet.
... sweat.
... huge letters.
...Tap the thumb on the desktop.
...Tap the pencil on the desktop.
... Brows furrowed.
...A huge number.
...Rubber crumbs.
...Sigh.
Puff————Squeak————!
Presius raised her head sharply.
A square fluorescent lamp on the ceiling flickered and buzzed, desperately lingering.
The camera was shot overhead from the flickering fluorescent light, and we were already in another world...
34. Interior, another classroom,
little Presès with no hair combed during the day , facing the camera, wearing a bright pink skirt, sitting In the last row of the classroom.
The children sitting in front of her were vaguely formed. They raised their little hands, and the picture gradually became black.
The camera moved to Little Presius, and the stains on her skirt became obvious.
The camera continued to move, and the voices of other children echoed in the playground——-
Girl A (voice-over): …what is the glue on your skirt?
Girl B (voice-over): She can't say it. She doesn't talk to others.
Girl A (Voiceover): She really hates it.
Girl C (voice-over): When did you brush your hair?
Little Preshes muttered to herself.
Girl Ding (voice-over): ...what are you talking about? Shut up, Presius. It's ridiculous. It's better for you to be silent.
Boy: The big guy is here... the
boys let out a long fart sound, causing a burst of laughter.
The camera finally moved to a puddle under her feet.
Girl E (voice-over): Teacher! teacher! Preshes is peeing again!
The air was filled with chuckles of laughter.
A small pencil fell into the urine pit, making a big ripple.
(Dissolve)
35. In the classroom, during the daytime,
Presès's pencil is now broken, but she still wants to continue writing while holding the pen.
She sat there with a blank face and sweat on her temples. After a while, a shadow obscured her test paper.
Administrator (voice-over): Claires, do you need a pencil?
The administrator stood beside Presius, waiting for her to answer.
Manager: Clarice...
Presses raised her head and stared at her blankly.
Administrator: Are you done?
Preshes nodded absently.
The administrator gently took away the test papers on the table and left.
Presius lingered in the back of the classroom uneasy.
Presius (narration): These test papers are always wrong...
36. Location, street, during the day
Presius put her hands in her jacket pockets, stared at the sidewalk under her feet, and walked forward.
Presius (narrator): ...They make me feel like a mindless person. These test questions made my mother and I---make our whole family-- seem stupid than stupid pigs. They are ugly fat black men who deserve to be cast aside. They deserve to be punished, locked in a cage, and killed.
Preshes walked out of the screen.
Presius (narrator): Sometimes, I wish I was dead. I guess that might be good.
(Fade out)
(Fade in)
37. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue, during the day
... Turn off the shower with one hand.
...A toothbrush is dipped into the tooth bowl.
38. Interior view, Preshes' bedroom, during the day
...a comb is placed on the dressing table.
...A big hand pulled the red scarf out of the drawer.
... The clock on the bedside table shows 8:29.
Preshes sat on the bed, dressed neatly---red tights, red scarf, holding a notebook in her hand, staring at the clock.
Presius (narrator): Today is the first day. I have passed the exam and got a legal proof of income. There is also a medical card, a proof of address (Note 5), a pencil, and a notebook — all are done.
The clock showed 8:30, she stood up, turned to face the mirror, the figure in the mirror was still the blond white woman, and Presius left the room.
39. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue, during the day
...Presses looked into the refrigerator.
...Looked at the freezer again.
Finally, she closed the refrigerator door.
Presius: Mom!
No one answered.
Presius: Mom! !
Mary (voice-over): Why?
Presius: Give me some money.
Mary (voice-over): Why do you use it?
Presius: Buy food. I have a headache.
Mary (voice-over, pause): How much do you want?
Presius: Five yuan.
Mary (voice-over, pause): Come and get it.
The atmosphere changed suddenly. Time freezes.
There was a naive and gloomy look on Presès's face.
40. Interior view, Mary's bedroom. During the day,
a pair of huge ladies' underwear drooped from under the sheets to the ground.
Under the sheet, Mary's knees were wide open.
41. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue, kitchen,
Presius , who was standing at the other end of the apartment during the day , was stiff. Looking at her, this moment seemed to be eternal.
In the end, she went straight to the door, quickly opened the door locks, rushed out of the room, and the door behind her slammed shut.
Mary (voice-over): Where are you going?
42. Location, street,
Presius walks forward vigorously during the day .
Presius (narrator): I cried that day and felt so stupid. But you know what... Let the fucking die that day. Since God or someone else created a new day. But I'm still a little hungry.
Presius stopped and looked up and found something.
In front of her, there is a fast food restaurant with a huge sign on the roof, which reads—Good Taste Fried Chicken Restaurant.
Preshes looked around, took a deep breath, and walked in.
43. Interior view, delicious fried chicken shop, during the day
Preshes walked to the counter as if nothing had happened.
A middle-aged woman wears a hair net and stands behind the counter.
Presius put the notebook and pencil on a nearby table.
Woman: My child, what do you want?
Presius: Here is a set meal.
Woman: Do you want ribs?
Presès's gaze stretched from the frying box to the innermost refrigerator.
Presius: I didn't think about it. Let me think about it. You know I have to pay attention to my weight.
The woman smiled softly and turned to fetch fried chicken.
The digital clock on the wall shows 8:53.
Presius turned around and saw a young man with a cigarette in his mouth. He sprayed glass cleaner on the door and wiped it from bottom to top.
Presius turned back, and the waiter was using a large silver clip to pick out a few pieces of chicken from a huge plate.
The wall clock shows 8:54.
Presius turned her head and looked at the door, the young man was still cleaning the glass.
Presius turned back again, and the woman returned to the counter with a large bucket of chicken.
Presius: Ketchup! thanks.
The woman nodded, put the big bucket of chicken on the counter, turned and walked towards the refrigerator.
The young man had wiped to the top of the gate, and it looked like it was about to be finished.
44. Location, the delicious fried chicken shop. During the day,
Preshes put the big paper bucket under her arm, dashed out of the restaurant and rushed to the street.
There was a scream from inside.
Woman (voice-over): Reggie! Catch her!
Suddenly, Reggie, the young man who cleaned the glass, followed Preshes out of the fried chicken shop.
Presius looked back while sprinting, while still gulping the chicken.
Across the street, Cilia, Reggie's pregnant girlfriend, yelled at him——-
Cilia: Reggie, where have you been? I fucking found you all night!
Reggie slammed the brakes. Oh shit! Got caught. He lit a cigarette and greeted him with a smile, ready to be defeated.
Cilia: Aha, I knew it was you. Who are you chasing, fat girls? Get out of here!
Presius turned around 126th Street, and then went up Seventh Avenue (Note 6). She was still devouring fried chicken.
A skinny, disheveled man was sitting on the fire hose and yelled at her---
Man: Madam, you will have indigestion.
45. Location, Teresa Hotel. During the day
Presius came to the hotel and just finished her fried chicken. She stuffed the bones and paper buckets into the trash can and rushed into the building.
46. Interior, Teresa Hotel, Elevator
Presius looked at her watch, and suddenly, she was stunned, as if something terrible had happened to her.
47. Interior view, good taste fried chicken shop,
Presès' notebook and pencil are still lying on that table during the day .
48. Interior view,
Theresa Hotel, where the elevator Presès stands slumped. She glanced at her watch, feeling even more depressed.
There was a scream in her stomach, and she looked very uncomfortable.
49. Interior view, on the 19th floor of Theresa Hotel, the
elevator door opens during the day . "Corn Braid" picked up his nails and called. Several phones rang at the same time. Presius passed by her, "Corn Braid" waved at her from behind the table.
"Corn braid" (to the phone): ...what on earth do you think, what makes you uneasy, put the toilet seat upright? Hold on...
She grabbed a phone.
"Corn braids": One-to-one teaching, please wait a moment.
Picked up another phone.
Corn Debate: One-to-one teaching, wait a moment.
Then, she continued talking on the phone.
"Corn braid": Well, I'm back.
Preshes left.
49A. Interior view, hotel corridor. During the day,
Preshes walked along the corridor, suddenly feeling sick in her stomach.
49B. Interior view, Teresa Hotel, corridor, outside teacher Wren’s room, during the day
Presius swooped on the trash can and vomited.
She gasped quickly... Wiping her mouth clean, she saw a little light from an open door ten steps away. Her heart throbbed.
Presius straightened up. There seemed to be an incredible magical power to her.
At the other end of the corridor, a fuzzy figure of a young girl rushed into the room. The girl didn't even look at Presès.
Teacher Wren, African American, in her thirties, petite and exquisite, charming and charming, with smart eyes. She looked at her watch, walked into the corridor, and found Presès.
Rennes: What's wrong with you?
Presius did not answer.
Ren: Are you a student in the ABE class?
Presius: Yes.
Rennes: This is the ABE class.
Teacher Ren looked at his watch, waved to summon Presès, and then walked into the classroom.
Ren (Voiceover): Time is going to pass.
Preshes stayed still.
Teacher Ren appeared again.
Rennes: Come in or not? The door closes after thirty seconds.
Teacher Renn disappeared again.
Finally, Presius moved her feet and walked to the luminous door of the room. The brilliant light surrounded her from head to toe.
50. Interior view, classroom,
six small tables surrounded by a semicircle in the daytime, and Mr. Ren's table is placed in front of them. Four of the tables have been occupied by four girls the same age as Presius —
Rongda Johnson — African American, sturdy and stout, even taller than Presès; Lida Romero ---Latin descendant, of medium build, kind face, wearing black clothes; Germaine Hicks Veri ---thin body, sitting on the seat, dressed like a boy; Conswillo Mente Negro ---Latin descendant, petite and exquisite, passionate and beautiful, her slender fingers coated with codan kept rolling her hair.
There is another table far away from the semicircle, at the back of the classroom, next to a window.
When Presius walked into the classroom, all the girls looked at her blankly. Preshes looked a little nervous. She looked around at the girls, then at Teacher Renn, and finally looked at the clouds outside the window.
Presius (narration): The thing that made me curious at the beginning of the game is where everyone is going—what about the boys, what about the chuckles... It’s like a Sunday school or a mental hospital. ...Or both but different. It smells different.
Presius' eyes fixed on the lonely seat in the back row.
Ren (voice-over): Sit down.
Presius' gaze retracted from the distant table, looked at the front seat, and then at the back table.
She cautiously sat down beside a girl, feeling like she was on an alien planet.
Teacher Renn finished filling out the roster, put on his pen cap, picked up a notebook, and it was almost the same as the one that Presius had left in the fried chicken shop.
Rennes: Everyone has a notebook, right?
When she saw that everyone had a notebook, she felt self-disgusted and became irritable.
Joanne Rogers, unfettered, clever, and rebellious, walked into the classroom casually.
Rennes: It's already 9:07. Joan, you are late.
Qiao An pointed to his mouth, which was stuffed with food.
Qiao An (chewing something): No way. This is an important meal...
Rennes: From tomorrow, the door of the classroom will be locked at 9 o'clock.
Qiao Ann rolled his eyes and sat beside Presès.
Rennes: Everyone, a new classmate came today, so we...
Joan: Oh! Do not talk! and many more! Do not talk! Wait a moment! I found something.
Rennes: What are you talking about, Joan!
Joan: I'm extremely sorry, Mr. Lane, but I still want to ask, does anyone need a notebook? I found one at the fried chicken shop.
Presius: That's mine!
Joan: Okay, idiot. I also found your Cadillac! It just stopped outside.
Qiao Ann rolled his eyes again.
Presius: I lost it! its mine! I left it in the Good Taste Fried Chicken Shop at Lennox 127 and 126 this morning.
Joan: ...All right, girl, I'm joking with you.
Qiao Ann returned the notebook to Presius.
Rennes: Joan, please pay attention to your mouth here.
Joan: What did I say? !
Rennes: Pay attention to language.
Qiao An shrugged, lowered his head, and moved his eyes to Presès's belly.
Qiao An (in a low voice): When will you be born?
Presius looked down and shrugged.
Rehn: Since we have more new classmates than old classmates today, let's start from the beginning and get to know each other. Tell everyone your name, where you were born, the color you like, what you are good at, and why you are here.
The whole class: What? !
Teacher Rehn pointed to the blackboard, and the five questions were neatly written on one side of the blackboard.
Rennes: Let's start with me. My name is Bru Wren.
The whole class: What?
Germaine: Is this your real name?
Rennes: It's my real name. If I lie, there will be thunder and thunder.
Germaine: Your name is Blue?
Rennes: Yes. My favorite color is purple.
Presius (narrator): How should I say, this teacher is a bit different. She likes to sing. Hope I can sing too. go to church. Sing in the choir. My mother said there is no God. She reminded me of Teacher Weizhe, but he was more hearty than him, and a little bit like Teacher Lichenstein, but not as nagging as her. Dressed as if from Greenwich Village (Note 7).
Rennes: ...what am I good at? I sing well. I came here because a good friend used to teach here. When she was about to leave, she asked me to replace her. After she resigned, they asked me if I would come, and I said yes, so I have been teaching here ever since. Rongda?
Rongda: My name is Rongda Patrice Johnson. I was born in Jamaica.
Presius looked at her carefully.
Presius (narration): A girl who looks like me and looks like me, but she is not as interesting as the girl just now.
Rongda: I like blue. I am good at cooking. My mother used to open a restaurant on Seventh Avenue. Before she fell ill, she taught me a lot of things. I am here to improve my reading skills so that I can go to regular classes in the future.
Rongda turned to look at Lida who was sitting next to her.
Lida: My name is Lida Romero. Born in Haarlem. I came here because I took drugs and was expelled from school...
Presius (narrator): A skinny Spanish girl who looks a little sad, maybe calm. Maybe there are both. I thought so.
Lida: ...I can neither read nor write. I like black, I guess you can see it at a glance, right?
Joan: What are you good at?
Rehn: It's "good at". "What are you good at", Joan.
Qiao An pointed to himself, as if saying "Am I?" Teacher Ren shook his head and pointed at Lida.
Lida (softly): I am a good mother, a very good mother.
It's Germaine's turn.
Germaine: My name is Germaine. My favorite color is...
Rongda: First tell us where you were born.
Germaine (a little annoyed): I was born in the Bronx and I still live there...
Presses (narrator): What the hell is going on? Is she a boy? What kind of school is this? I don't understand here. Germaine, you don't need to tell me that this is a man's name.
Germaine: ...Red is my favorite. It used to be blue. If I have to say it, what I am good at is dancing. A friend mentioned "one-to-one teaching" to me. I am here to get rid of the bad influence.
Lida: Did you come to Haarlem to get rid of bad influence?
Germaine: I'm afraid so.
Joan: Can I talk about it, Mr. Lane?
Rennes: It's not your turn yet. Consville?
Consville (still playing with her hair): Favorite color? Why are you here? What kind of shit questions are they all.
Rennes: This is a way to break the silence, so that everyone
knows each other... Presses (narrator): Oh oh...a beautiful Spanish girl with chestnut hair. She looks pretty, just a little bit of accent. It's not as attractive as it seems.
Rehn: ...by asking some irrelevant questions, you can get to know each other, but you don't have to talk too much about privacy, so you can feel more at ease... If you don't want to say it, you can leave it alone, but be careful Own language.
Consville: I don't want to.
Rennes: What do you want to say, or pay attention to the wording?
Consville: The first one.
This time it was Presius' turn.
Rennes: Claires?
Presius said nothing.
Rennes: Claires?
Presius (cowardly): May I not say it? Teacher Ren?
Rennes (pause): Of course. Joan?
Presius sighed, with a surprised and grateful look on her face, then turned her head to look at Qiao Ann.
Joan: My name is Joan. (Waving enthusiastically) Hi! I like fluorescent beige. My ideal is to have my own "recording layer" in the future.
Teacher Ren and the other students didn't understand what she meant.
Rongda: Where were you born and why did you come here to go to school?
Presius (narrator): Joanne likes to be pushy and can't sit there honestly. But this teacher doesn't need anyone to help her as a policeman. She is not afraid. I don't know what the "recording layer" is.
Qiao An: I was born in Jinxian Hospital. When I was nine years old, my mother moved the whole family to Haarlem. I'm here to take a normal class, um...I'm ready to enter the music industry. I need to be educated so that I can improve.
Rennes: Alright, everyone. Welcome...
Presses (voice-over): Can I... let me speak?
Surprisingly, Mr. Ren and the other classmates all turned to look at Presès. She felt uncomfortable and seemed to want to find a place to get in.
Rennes: Okay, Claires.
The air in the classroom seemed to be taken away by someone.
Presius (narrator): Everyone is looking at me. I want to sit back... I
can see the empty tables and chairs behind Presius's shoulders...
Pressius (narrator): ...but I think it can't be anymore.
Preshes exhaled.
Presius: My name is Clarice Presius Jones. I call myself Presius. I was born in Haarlem. I like yellow. I had a problem in my previous school, so I came here.
Rennes (pause): What are you good at?
Presius thought for a moment, then shrugged.
Presius: ...No.
Rennes (gently): Everyone has something they are good at.
Presius shook her head.
Rennes: There is always one, right?
Price (lowering her head): I can cook, and... the
whole class is waiting for her.
Rennes: What else?
Presius: I never...
everyone continues to wait for her to speak.
Presius: Well... I have never spoken in class. I now think I can do this.
Rennes (pause): How do you feel now?
Presius looked around, actually she was looking for her own heart, not anything else.
After a while...
Presses:...here. It makes me feel... at ease.
This is really surprising.
Presius smiled, it felt like a lost ship finally found the coast.
(Fade out)
(Fade in)
51. Location, Haarlem Street. During the day,
Preshes walked alone on the street, her body still exuding the brilliance of her bathing in the New World.
Presius (narrator): Before, my English score was A minus, but I never spoke or did anything. Teacher Rehn said that we have to read every day and write something in our diary. I have never done these things before, and I think maybe this class is not suitable for me. But when Mr. Lane saw me with a worried look, she looked at me and said in Chinese... Mr.
Lane's ghostly figure appeared on the sidewalk in front of Presès, her voice echoed everywhere—— -
Rennes (voice-over): a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step ......
Rennes teacher figure disappeared, Puleishesi shook his head.
Presius (narrator): ...what the hell does it mean? This school is a bit different, well, it's not Star Trek anyway...
Presses keeps going.
Presius (narrator): It's too complicated, it's really too complicated --- China travel, two books, and some things you don't know how to write. Fool...
52. Interior scene, classroom, another day
Teacher Wren wrote the capital letter A on the blackboard, and she handed the chalk to Germaine. Germaine writes B and gives it to Consville, Consville writes C, then passes it to Rongda, Rongda writes D, and then it's Lida's turn.
Lida took a step forward and began to cry. The chalk in her hand fell to the ground and broke.
Rennes: Let's come with Lida. classmates?
All the students except Lida: E!
Lida picked up a larger piece of chalk from the ground and wrote the letter E on the blackboard. She handed the chalk to Presius, and Presius wrote F.
The whole class sat down at the same time, and the concerted action caused a burst of laughter.
Rennes: This is just the beginning. Why don't we try it? There are twenty-six letters in the alphabet. Each letter has its own pronunciation. These letters make up all the vocabulary in our language. Please open your notebook, write down the date, and then we begin to write the alphabet.
The girls began to write.
Presius quickly put down her pencil and put her hand on her belly, looking weak. Then she cheered up, took a breath, and persisted with difficulty.
Rehn (voice-over): Everything will be fine...
53. Interior view, small office. During the day,
Presius and Mrs. Wren were sitting at a small table, and the two were looking at a large-format colorful children's book together.
Rennes: ...I just want you to read one of the pages.
Presius raised her head and looked at her blankly, then looked down at the book worriedly.
Presius (narrator): OK, wait for the sun to come out to the west.
Rennes: Presius?
Presius: I won't, Mr. Lane.
Rennes: Come on, boy. Give it a try.
Prestige was ashamed, breathing heavily.
Quick editing --- the door is closed, whispers, pictures, plates are smashed to the ground, beef is hissing, zipping, humming, squeezed springs, laughter, screaming, cutting tenderness The blade of flesh, sweat, daytime TV show... all of this flashed in her mind at the same time.
Teacher Ren said something eagerly, but couldn't hear anything.
She put her hand on Presès's shoulder, and the fast-changing noise suddenly disappeared into the air. Finally I heard what Mr. Lane was talking about.
Rennes: Presius. Honey, how are you? Just relax. Do I need to call an ambulance? Call 911? Or call your mother...
Presses: No! ! !
Teacher Lane was taken aback.
Rennes: What's wrong?
Presius: These... Mr.
Lane lowered his head in confusion.
Presius (downcast): To me, they all look the same.
Rennes (pause): Words or pictures?
Presius: Words.
Renn sighed and leaned back. It seemed that the tragedy she was facing was not only a special case, but also a common situation.
After a while, she decisively, like a tenacious soldier, sat up straight.
Rennes: I understand you, Presius, but I still hope you give it a try. You have to work hard by yourself.
Presius' eyes fell on the page again, with a beach painted on it, and people of all skin tones.
Rennes: What do you think this story is about?
Presius: People on the beach?
Rennes: Correct.
Teacher Rehn points to the letter A. This is the first word on the page.
Rennes: Do you know how to read this?
Presius: Yes. It's A.
Teacher Lane pointed to the next word again.
Rennes: Do you know this word?
Presius: No, I don't know.
Rennes: Do you know these letters?
Presius nodded. Wren pointed to the letters.
Presius: D, a, y.
Rennes: Do you recognize the word?
Presius shook her head.
Rennes: Day. This word means "one day".
Teacher Rehn pointed to the next word again.
Rennes: What is this?
Presius: Ate.
Rennes: Okay, almost! The word is "At".
Teacher Lane pointed to the next word.
Presius: The (this)!
Renn pointed to the last word.
Presius: ...Beach?
Rennes: "Shore". The word is "Shore". It has the same meaning as Beach. Very good, can you read all of this sentence?
Price: A-Day-at-the-Shore.
These words can actually pop out of her own mouth, which is really surprising, and Presius is very happy. She turned her head to look at Teacher Rennes.
Renn smiled.
The camera slowly leaves the office. The two continue to read the following text.
54. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue, at night
Presius walked into the room. Mary is sitting on the sofa, watching "Papa Genius".
Mary: Get out of here!
Presius was discouraged all of a sudden.
Mary: Where did you go in the morning?
Presius did not answer.
Mary: I'm talking to you, did you hear me? Where did you go this morning?
Presius: School! I went to school!
Mary: You lied!
Presius: No!
Mary: You just lied! The Social Security Bureau has already called here, and they said they will cut your money from my living expenses because you often miss school.
Presius: Mom, I told you that I was fired. I stayed at home almost every day for these two weeks.
Mary: You didn't fucking talk about school today.
Presius: Mom, I told you this morning that I'm going to school.
Mary was speechless for a while, but her anger persisted. She slowly turned around and continued to watch TV. Presius is going to go back to her room...
Mary: I haven't even eaten breakfast yet.
Presius stopped, sighed, walked to the sink and washed her hands.
Mary was talking to Presius while watching TV.
Mary: ...Don't worry about going to school. Go to the Social Security Bureau quickly.
Presius dried her hands and went to get the pan.
Presius: I got the school bursary...
Mary: Go to the fucking bursary. What kind of stuff is that? Let me tell you, hurry up and go to the Social Security Bureau.
Presius: Now?
Mary: Idiot. You won’t find anyone until 7 o’clock tomorrow morning...
Presses shook her head, took a deep breath, and turned to the stove. Mary pressed the mute button on the remote control, twisted her body with an unlit cigarette in her hand.
Mary: Hey, do you think you are doing well now, don't you? Your life is good enough now, so you don’t need social security money, right? (Pause) The social security money that white people get now is much more than that of black people. Many idiots like you have already received social security payments...Someone said on TV that the "support bill" would be repealed (Note 8). Don't fucking fart. We still rely on it to eat, let's get rid of those country clubs and white ladies.
Presius turned to look at her mother, with a look of surprise and worry on her face. Mary's eyes never left the TV.
Mary: You fucking cook faster. I'm going to starve to death. What are you still daunting about?
(Cut to)
55. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue,
a plate of delicious pork chops with potatoes at night .
Presius brought the plate and knife and fork to the sofa.
The whole room became the sitcom they were watching—a fresh and pure world, where Presius and Mary wore elegant clothes and makeup, just like TV stars.
Mary: What do you want to eat?
Presius: I'm not hungry. I...
Mary: You are hungry.
Presius: But mother, I...
Mary: Sit down.
Presius sighed and sat down on the sofa, beside Mary.
Mary handed her the dinner plate and silver cutlery.
Mary: You can make me another one after you finish eating. Put it again and it will be cold.
Presius: But didn't you just say you were hungry?
Mary: Did I say that, don't make up. Hurry up and eat it!
Presius began to eat slowly. Mary lit a cigarette.
Mary: ...It's better to finish it quickly like a pig, don't chew slowly like a cow, you have to cook for me. What will you do if I am dead?
Presius swallowed the food reluctantly.
(Cut to)
56. Interior, kitchen, later, at night,
pots and plates are placed on the cupboard to drain.
Presius wiped her hands with a dishcloth.
Now, the room is quiet and deserted.
Presius looked out the window blankly. ... She walked to the TV, picked up the remote control, and sat down. "Papa Genius" is still on the air, it's really smelly and long. She turned off the TV and looked at Mary's face. Her snoring was rhythmic, but it was a super unpleasant noise. Finally, she left here and walked to her room.
57. Interior view, Preshes' bedroom,
Preshes stretched out her arms at night , lying on her back on the bed.
She stared at the crack in the ceiling.
One hand plunged into the painting, stabbed Presès, and then quickly retracted. Preshes ignored it. The hand jabbed her again. Preshes resisted her smile. In the end, this hand tickles her vigorously.
She couldn't help laughing. This is Tom Cruise's hand. He was wearing a leather jacket and a cherry-red motorcycle helmet tucked under his arm. A golden bow is inlaid on the top of the helmet.
Presius chased him and ran out of the picture. She turned to scratch Tom's itch, and we could hear the two people laughing softly.
... the helmet rolled to the ground with a "bang".
A woman's voice (voice-over): ... Claires, would you like to talk about your family life?
58. Interior view, Children's Psychology Office. During the day,
Presius sits on a small sofa. This is a small office with two bookshelves, a few plaques, and two file cabinets.
Ms. Weiss, forty years old, Caucasian, dressed conservatively, sat opposite Presès, with a folder on her lap, and her glasses hanging low on the bridge of her nose. A chain hangs from the temples of the glasses to the back of the neck.
Presius: What do you want me to say?
Ms. Weiss: When someone mentions your family, what is in your mind?
Presius (narrator): The white ladies doing the survey seem to want to know about this.
Presius: I think there is a TV in my room.
Ms. Weiss (pause): Is that all?
Presius: No... my mother occupies the sofa like a whale. She said that I always eat, but she always let me eat... and then called me a fat pig... and said that the room is too small because of me. She only goes out when she is playing cards. So I think I sit with her every day, hiding in the shadows, watching TV, eating, watching TV, eating. Can we say something else now?
Ms. Weiss: Of course. I also want to hear you talk about your father.
Presius: About him, I don't know much more than you...Ms. White...Ms.
Weiss: It's Wes.
Presius: He said he was like a man like Falakan (Note 9), but he didn't know what was going on with Falakan. Before he let me be pregnant with this child, he let me have one. That's all I know. Never saw him again. I don't think there is any need to see him.
Ms. Weiss (sharply): What did you just say that your father made you?
Presius (concealing): ...nothing.
Ms. Weiss: You said it, Claires. You said that your father asked you...
Presses: I didn't say anything. If you want to ask that way, you must have heard it wrong, because I never said that.
Ms. Weiss still looked confused.
Presius: What do you want to ask next?
Ms. Weiss: Well... how is your first child? You haven't said anything about her...
Presius turned her head to look at Ms. Weiss. A doorbell rang...
59. Interior view, 444 Lennox Avenue, Daytime
Tuxi, a woman in her fifties, exuding the fortitude of the previous generation, she walked with a business-like attitude Entering the room, he led the "Little Mongolia" in one hand—a young child who was unable to concentrate and was obviously mentally handicapped—with a bag of items slung on the other arm.
Presius sat next to her mother and watched TV. The two looked like they had just woken up. Mary was struggling to put a false headgear on her head and then began to make-up.
Tuxi handed the "Little Mongolia" to Mary, who was intently watching TV, and handed the bag of items to Presius. Presius took the things into the kitchen. Tusi said nothing when she left.
Presius (voice-over): "Little Mongolia"?
Ms. Weiss (voice-over): What?
Presius (voice-over): "Little Mongolia"? It is the abbreviation of "Mongolia". She has Tang disease.
Ms. Weiss: You said she has Down syndrome?
Presius (voice-over): Yes. The child seems to know a little bit about what to do next.
The door bell rang again. Presius opened the door. A Spanish woman in her thirties came in with a briefcase.
When the woman entered the house, we saw that Mary had already finished her stalking herself.
Mary and the woman talked briefly, and Presès listened. Mary showed kindness and kindness like never before.
Presius (Voiceover): Every time a social worker visits home, my grandmother Tuxi sends "Little Mongolia" over, so it looks like she is living with us. Then my mother can receive the subsidy for me and "Little Mongolia" and food. But she is my child. The money from "Little Mongolia" was given to me, not to her.
60. Interior view, Children's Psychology Office. During the day,
Preshes is sitti
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