OCEAN (CONT’D) (all knowing): Hard to see other people being grateful and acknowledging joy when someone is withholding that from you.
CLAUDIA: Very painful.
OCEAN: Change is always possible. Of course there are those who never learn.
Ocean indicates NW, a hustler and loser, trying to schmooze the COCKTAIL WAITRESS.
NW: Yeah, so I don’t have a place right now, staying with friends, you know I like to feel free.
COCKTAIL WAITRESS: Oh, you’re homeless.
NW: I’ve got some great job prospects and there’s this novel I want to write.
COCKTAIL WAITRESS: And unemployed.
NW: Who are you to talk?
COCKTAIL WAITRESS: Actually, I’m a neurosurgeon and I teach immigrant kids how to swim.
NW: Fuck off.
Ocean winks at his “heavy” who appears and hustles NW off the premises.
NW (CONT’D) (shouting): I’m gonna get you. I’m gonna block you all from Facebook. Just you wait!
NW is dragged away.
OCEAN: Then there are those who learn. Next.
They go to Door Number Two. Again, they stand and watch. The opposite scene ensues. Shaved-headed punk MAD KATE, leather halter and big dildo, getting a blow job from PAULA in maid’s uniform while she masturbates to orgasm. She comes, and kisses her lover with gratitude. Both are happy.
OCEAN (CONT’D): Everyone is getting the love they deserve but you.
CLAUDIA: She wants me to trust her enough to give up control.
OCEAN: I see.
CLAUDIA: But if I do that, then will she be kind? She’s always comparing me to people from the past.
OCEAN: Who are no longer in her life.
CLAUDIA: And those she hasn’t met yet.
OCEAN: Who knows if she ever will.
CLAUDIA: Yeah.
OCEAN: It’s hard to compete with people who don’t exist when you are so real and here right now.
CLAUDIA: Yeah.
OCEAN: Think about it.
Ocean saunters back into the central room. Claudia trails him. Ocean motions for a COCKTAIL WAITRESS.
OCEAN (CONT’D):
Don’t leave here the same person that you were when you came in. Look around, find something you can use in your life.
Ocean takes 2 glasses of champagne, hands one to Claudia, then puts his hand up the waitress’s skirt.
OCEAN (CONT’D): Take what you need and leave the rest.
CLAUDIA (heartfelt): I know.
INT. ROOFTOP – NIGHT
Claudia looks out at the Berlin skyline. A transguy, COLE, approaches.
COLE: I’m Cole.
CLAUDIA: Of course you are.
His lover, TORY walks over, puts his arm around Cole’s shoulder.
COLE: This is my boyfriend, Tory.
CLAUDIA: Of course he is. Why don’t you guys ever have names like Tom? It’s always Cole or Tory.
COLE: Feeling superior?
CLAUDIA: It’s that superiority that comes only from misery. (beat) I’m sorry. I’m Claud-i-… Claude.
COLE: Hi, Claude. I think you could learn something from us.
CLAUDIA: I’m sure you’re right.
Cole gives Claude a deep sex-filled look then kisses him. Hard. Claudia transforms into Claude, and lets the two transmen take control of him. To the perfect mind-transporting sound track, the trio have sex.
CUT TO:
INT/EXT. BAHNHOF – DAY
Helen arrives at the train station, lost. Makes her way to a taxi stand.
INT. CAB – MOMENTS LATER
Gets in cab with our beloved Cabby.
CABBY: Where to?
HELEN: I haven’t been in Berlin in years.
CABBY: Welcome.
HELEN: I want to have some adventures.
CABBY: Stick around awhile, my cab is filled with them.
HELEN (teary): I want to have a fling, at my age. Is that asking for too much?
Helen gives the cabby “sexy eyes” but Cabby deflects them.
CABBY: Berlin. Berlin is where dreams come true. Where to?
HELEN: Hotel Panorama.
They drive off.
SERIES OF SHOTS:
The Berlin metropolis is featured with cab in shot and/or looking out of the cab window.
INT. HOTEL PANORAMA – DAY
A transformed Claudia enters lobby and we can hardly tell that it’s her. She really looks like a dude with her mustache and masculine swagger. Sees her reflection in a mirror. She’s been up all night and feels happy; saunters over to the front desk.
JAY: Yes sir, welcome to…
CLAUDE: It’s me.
JAY: Whoa!
CLAUDE: I didn’t have time to change.
JAY: Yes you did have time to change. Look at you. (beat) Someone had a good night.
CLAUDE: Just call me Claude.
JAY: Whatever! You owe me.
Jay walks to the back, unbuttoning his uniform. Claudia bends down and digs in her backpack for a comb.
EXT. HOTEL PANORAMA – DAY
Helen emerges from the cab.
HELEN: Keep the change… baby.
She looks at herself in the plate-glass reflection. Notices that she seems defeated. She perks up. She can do it! Enters the hotel.
INT. LOBBY- HOTEL PANORAMA – CONTINUOUS
Claudia, still in drag as Claude, pops up from below the front desk.
CLAUDE/IA: Welcome to Hotel Panorama, my name is Clau-d-e.
HELEN (eyes Claude. Likes what she sees.): Claude… (flirts) Well Claude, are all the men who work here as friendly and handsome as you?
CLAUDE/IA (As Claude. Flirts back.): I think I’m one of a kind, trust me. (flashes smile) How can I help you?
HELEN (flirts): Call me Helen.
INSERT – JAY AT ANOTHER DESK
Jay stops what he’s doing, curious about the commotion. Sees Claude/ia flirting with Helen at the counter.
JAY: It’s working.
BACK TO SCENE
HELEN (flirt): What a nice hotel. I’d like a room please, for at least a week.
CLAUDE: I want to do everything I can to make your visit as comfortable and as pleasure filled as possible… Helen.
Helen smiles slyly. Delighted.
Jay smiles from the sidelines, happy his friend Claude/ia is moving on.
INT. HELEN’S HOTEL ROOM – EARLY EVENING
Clock flashes 6:00 PM. She sits on the side of her bed and tries to call Dylan. Voice mail.
HELEN: Dylan, it’s your mother. I have a big surprise. Call me.
CUT TO:
INT. DYLAN’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
TEO (30), pours herself a tall drink. Teo is sexy, matter-of-fact and charming. She picks up some rope and crosses to couch. Dylan’s mobile phone rings and rings.
TEO: Who keeps calling you and why don’t you answer?
DYLAN (tightening ropes): Everyone wants something from me.
TEO: Everyone who loves you.
DYLAN: That’s not love, Teo. Trust me. It’s much more complicated than you think.
Teo hands Dylan a ball gag.
TEO: But love is complicated right? (beat) What is love anyway?
DYLAN: I haven’t a clue, do you?
TEO: I think it’s when you finally realize that the other person is real.