paper trip
by
Martin Frank
Characters
abel
AUNTIE, FATHER's Sister
CAINE, the elder brother
Doctor
Gonu
Laura, the sister
Lawyer
Mother
act I / scene 1
ABEL is very sick and in bed. A DOCTOR talks into the phone.
doctor
Yes, send him up.
(to ABEL)
Gopinath studied medicine until he ran out of money. He wanted so much to become a doctor; he nearly killed himself when he had to give up. He is a nice guy; you'll feel better with him around twenty-four hours. You're lucky, the other guys were afraid to touch you.
ABEL
What's his name?
DOCTOR
Gopinath Pant.
act i / scene 2
GONU, in Nepali dress, sits on a chair next to ABEL's hospital bed holding ABEL's hand.
abel
I don't want to die. You're Gopinath?
gonu
Gonu.
abel
You look like me five years ago, before I got sick. How old are you?
GONU
Twenty-three. You must have looked better; you still look…
abel
I look like death. Please, hand me my passport, it must be on the table somewhere.
GONU gets up and looks on the table for the passport. GONU finds it and hands it to ABEL.
abel
Have a look! I looked like you. I have a Spanish grandmother.
gonu
You looked great; I'd like to look like that.
ABEL
I never had a body like you, but look at the face…
gonu
You're right…
ABEL
You could travel with my passport…
GONU
I'd like to go to the United States…
ABEL
Take my passport and go! I don't need it anymore.
GONU
You're joking! I'd rather die instead of you.
abel
What's wrong with you? You're a great looking guy. Are you gay? What a pity I'm dying! We could have been friends.
gonu
But then, we wouldn't have met.
abel
I'd like to touch your dick.
gonu
How did you get it?
abel
Please… I fucked around… I liked sex too much. Will you let me touch you?
gonu
Where's the money?
Abel
Over there in my purse, how much do you want?
GONU
Just joking! Do you want to fuck me?
abel
Idiot! I can't even get up and piss by myself. Are you gay?
Gonu
Worse: Poor. I don't care if I get it.
act i / Scene 3
ABEL in a hospital bed, GONU sitting on a chair close to it. ABEL, looking extremely weak, has his hand in GONU's crotch.
ABEL
Do it for me!
gonu
Nobody's going to believe me. I'll get caught.
abel
I told you no! Let Caine fuck you just once and his mouth will be shut. Laura and Mother are perfect airheads; you could sell them the moon provided they get a proper receipt. Take this…
ABEL hands a small object to GONU.
ABEL
…for Auntie. If she doesn't believe you, ask her if she wants you to check the bottom of her freezer for her – that's where she hides her cash.
gonu
Can't you simply give me one billion dollars and then die in peace?
ABel
It's all trust funds; I get ten thousand per month for life. Don't let me die with the feeling of all that dough going down the drain! Plus I want to get even with Caine…
Gonu
Are you serious?
ABEL
I adored him. He made me suck his trashy friends. He should be dying, not I…
gonu
What do you want me to do?
abel
Move me to a room in town and after I'm dead have my body burned immediately. Take my passport and be me!
gonu
Sounds like a first class ticket to prison. What are you asking in return?
abel
That you hold me in your arms while I die.
Gonu
Aren't you afraid that I'll cheat you?
Abel
You couldn't dupe a retarded three year old.
gonu
How old is your elder brother?
ABEL
Twenty-eight. You'll lick him; don't worry. He'll swear you're me.
Gonu
You don't understand: I am not you.
Abel
Didn't you want to finish your medical studies?
Gonu
You mean I could…?
ACT i / Scene 4
ABEL and GONU in a small, furnished room in Katmandu. ABEL is dying. GONU is lying close to him on the single bed, holding him.
gonu
Just relax; I'm here.
abel
Tell Auntie I love her!
Gonu
I'll tell her. I love you too.
abel
Thank you. You…
ABEL dies.
After some time, GONU sits up and checks Abel's hand, which falls back dead.
GONU gets up and changes into some of Abel's American clothes.
ACT ii / SCENE 1
CAINE and GONU are waiting. GONU is sitting on a waiting room chair, watching CAINE. CAINE is standing looking at GONU.
Caine
Sorry, may I ask you a question?
GONU
Yes, please…
Caine
Is picking up a guy in a lawyer's office legal?
GONU
I'm not into casual sex.
Caine
I'll wear a tie then.
Gonu
Don't bother!
Caine
What is your mobile phone number?
Gonu
(grinning, taking CAINE for a ride)
696 969 6969…
Caine
(typing the number into his mobile phone)
…name?
Gonu
Abel.
Caine
(offering GONU his hand)
I'm Caine.
Abel
Glad to meet you, you must be my brother…
Caine
You are not my brother!
Gonu
Why do you say, 'I'm not your brother!'?
Caine
It's three years… ok… but I'm sure you're not my brother.
Gonu
You're not my brother! Look at you! Where did you buy these trousers?
Caine
Pink Spot…
Gonu
What kind of shop is this?
Caine
It's a gay shop. You used to… Abel… my brother…
Gonu
How much did you pay for them?
Caine
60 bucks.
Gonu
You must have gained weight since. Are you working out as often as you should?
Caine
Where did you pick up that funny accent?
Gonu
(overdoing it)
I am well aware of the fact that my enunciation boasts of a subcontinental twang. I used to be gainfully employed in a number one Pakistani eatery. No doubt, your ears must have picked up that.
(pushing his hand in front of Caine's nose)
Smell!
Caine
What fragrance is that?
Gonu
Curry for Men… Lux.
Caine
Are you really Abel?
Gonu
Do you want to see my driving license?
Caine
You don't have to prove me anything… I'm sorry… I feel uncomfortable, particularly today…
Gonu
How do you think I feel to have an elder brother who wears Pink Spot jeans two sizes too small to visit a lawyer's office?
Caine
They look sexy.
Gonu
They look gay!
Caine
Abel… you used to embarrass me in high school with pink corduroys!
Gonu
This is not high school.
ACT ii / SCENE 2
GONU is sitting at a conference table. CAINE is standing near the ramp, watching the public to hide his tension.
caine
(to GONU)
What do you expect from me? Can you show me your driving license?
GONU
Sure. You said you didn't want to see it…
LAWYER enters.
LAWYER
Good Morning, gentlemen! Have a seat.
GONU, CAINE and LAWYER sit down at the conference table.
Could I please see an ID from each of you? Will Miss Laura be coming?
GONU slides his driving license towards the lawyer.
Lawyer
Thanks.
LAWYER looks at it and slides it back towards GONU.
CAINE catches ABEL's driving license, looks at it and hands it to ABEL.
LAWYER looks at CAINE.
CAINE shows him his driving license in his wallet.
CAINE
Laura isn't coming. I've got power of attorney.
CAINE hands LAWYER a paper.
CAINE
Of course, she didn't know that he would show up.
LAWyer
I don't need to tell you that all living descendants have to be present or represented.
CAINE
I know. I would prefer Laura to be present in person.
Lawyer
To be brief, it makes no difference. Your father's will is as follows: You three and your descendants are named as beneficiaries of yet another family trust to be set up and are going to receive a fixed monthly sum. This comprises all your father's investments and real estate. Movable property to be divided among you as you see fit. In case you are not able to agree on a unanimous division, to be divided among several charities. That's all. I will notify you in writing.
LAWYER hands CAINE and GONU three copies of a paper.
Lawyer
This is a draft of the agreement regarding the movable property. Please care to agree on a division within the month.
LAWYER is getting up.
Lawyer
Is that to your satisfaction? Please accept my apologies, I'm expected in court. Be good enough to fix a date with my secretary as soon as you have come to an agreement. Gentlemen, allow me to wish you a Good Day!
LAWYER leaves.
GONU gets up grinning. CAINE is getting up too.
CAINE
What's there to grin about?
GONU
(grinning)
It's not funny.
Caine
For you, of course, it's just a joke…
GONU
Very sexy, he is not. Is he very expensive? It's nearly noon…
CAINE
Are you hungry? The guy spoilt my mood. Where is your car?
GONU
I have no car.
Caine
What?
GONU
I came with the bus. What kind of food do you fancy? Do you know this guy?
Caine
(pocketing the papers)
I've met him once. How about the Different Piper?
GONU
I don't get you. Is he gay? Do you have carnal knowledge of him?
Caine
Fuck! Sorry, yes. Don't you remember? We were in camp together.
Gonu
(sitting up)
He was your camp counselor?
CAINE
(moving)
No, yours. He had a huge dick; he never got completely hard.
GONU
(following)
Hot dog?
Caine
Bigger…
act ii / scene 3
CAINE and GONU in the kitchen drinking coffee. GONU is looking at dog pictures.
Caine
Do you remember the names of our dogs?
Gonu
No.
Caine
You don't remember the names of our dogs?
GONU signs "No" in American Sign Language (ASL).
Caine
What is this?
GONU signs, "I don't know" in ASL.
Caine
(annoyed)
Please!
GONU signs, "I am hungry" in ASL.
Gonu
American Sign Language. I'm hungry.
caine
You used to be a fantastic cook.
Gonu
No more. Is there some kind of decent eatery around?
Caine
You don't know?
Gonu
I don't know. Let's go.
Caine
No way, man! Tell me: What is the name of this county?
Gonu
Are you coming with me? I'm hungry.
GONU gets up. CAINE follows him.
act Ii / scene 4
GONU reclining on a sofa. CAINE sitting upright in a chair.
CAIne
Why did you come here? It's very dangerous, isn't it?
GONU
Should we lock the door? Are you afraid? I know a bit of karate.
CAINE
I meant for you. Tomorrow Auntie will show up. She used to be Abel's surrogate mother; you won't be able to fool her.
GONU
(getting up – acting a crippled old master talking to his student)
You are my last hope. If you should fail me, our lineage will be soiled. I beg you to ponder carefully whatever action you take.
CAINE
I will help you. I promise.
GONU
(bowing to his master – acting a fey young dance élève answering his master)
You are my master! My life is in your hands. To obey you is my sacred duty.
CAINE
Legally they have not much of an angle. Who knows your former identity? Do you have a criminal record? Are you a sexual offender? Is that the reason you changed your identity? Or is it simply an immigration ploy?
GONU
I expected you to assault me sexually. Is it necessary for you, psychologically, to know that technically, your victim doesn't exist? Or is it sufficient if I take a shower?
Caine
(touching GONU)
Take a shower!
GONU
(unbuttoning his shirt)
Don't touch me!
CAINE
Please!
GONU
(stops CAINE's hands)
Who am I?
CAINE
Abel.
GONU
(fingering his left nipple lasciviously)
Which Abel?
Caine
You want me to say 'my brother'?
GONU
(caressing his own washboard abs until the upper depths of his underwear)
I want you to tell the truth.
CAINE
Undress!
GONU
Who?
CAINE
You!
GONU takes off his shirt.
CAINE
I bet you are a poor fuck who by chance got his hands on Abel's passport. Either you spread your cheeks or you'll be in hot water.
GONU
I admire how you waste no time to penetrate a subject. Where is the bathroom?
CAINE
You've got a great ass. I want to fuck you.
gonu
(leaving)
I'm a poor fuck.
act ii / scene 5
CAINE and GONU both naked on a bed, partially covered with a bed sheet.
gonu
Sorry, I forgot to tell you: I have AIDS.
CAINE
Liar! I'll kill you!
Gonu
You raped me. Blame your balls!
CAINE
I'll kill you!
GONU
Who cares? You'll die a slow and dreadful death.
CAINE
Did Abel tell you to pull this trick on me? I don't give a shit; I've been positive for years, and know what? Nothing.
ACT iii / scene 1
CAINE and GONU in shorts in a large hammock, head to feet. AUNTIE comes up with shopping bags, breathless.
AUNTIE
(greeting CAINE)
Hi, Caine!
(nodding at GONU, to CAINE)
Your friend?
CAINE
He says he is Abel.
AUNTIE
Who says?
CAINE
He. He's got Abel's passport.
AUNTIE
(to GONU)
Do you know who I am? Who are you?
GONU
No. I am Abel.
Auntie
(taking a deep breath the better to say something unfriendly)
…
Caine
Let's go inside!
act iii / Scene 2
CAINE, GONU, AUNTIE near the kitchen table. AUNTIE puts down her shopping bags.
Auntie
Abel and I were very close, so spare me this 'I'm Abel' line!
Gonu
I'm Abel.
Auntie
The fuck you are. You're some poor bastard who has stolen Abel's passport off his dead body.
Gonu
Go on…
Auntie
They call it 'paper trip'.
GONU
How old are you?
Auntie
Old enough to be your mother.
Gonu
Obviously.
Auntie
So, what do you hope to achieve with this?
GONU
I have no recollection.
Caine
(to AUNTIE)
Tea or coffee?
Auntie
(to CAINE)
What do you intend to do? Coffee, please.
Caine
(showing AUNTIE a glass of Nescafe)
Is that all right?
(to GONU)
And you?
Gonu
I don't mind, you're very friendly.
Auntie
(to CAINE)
Call the cops! Why did you let him come in here? Where is he staying?
Caine
In his room.
GONU
(smiling, to CAINE)
Thank you.
LAURA enters.
ACT iii / Scene 3
LAURA
Hi, everybody.
LAURA kisses AUNTIE and CAINE. Then turns to GONU.
Laura
Hi, who are you?
GONU
I am Abel.
LAURA
Hi, Abel. I'm Laura.
AUNTIE
(aggressively, to GONU)
Do you know who she is?
GONU
No.
(to LAURA)
Who are you?
Laura
I'm Caine and Abel's sister.
AUNTIe
(to LAURA)
He says he's Abel.
LAURA
Which Abel?
AUNTIE
Your brother Abel.
LAURA (acting) goes slowly around GONU, sniffing, looking at him closely.
LAURA
You are Abel?
GONU
Yes.
LAURA
(to CAINE)
What do you say?
CAINE
Tea or coffee?
LAURA
(to AUNTIE)
And you?
AUNTIE
No.
LAURA
(to GONU)
Did you hear! I say no too! You're not Abel, not our Abel.
LAURA
(excited, to CAINE and AUNTIE)
I've got to tell you: Mother is coming here!
AUNTIE
Is she driving herself?
CAINE
How do you know?
LAURA
She called me from her mobile phone; she said she is on her way.
CAINE
(to GONU)
Prepare to meet your mother!
AUNTIE
(to CAINE)
Why don't you throw him out?
CAINE
He hasn't stolen anything…
AUNTIE
…yet.
(to GONU)
Get out! Get out or I'll call the police!
GONU doesn't move.
AUNTIE
Get out! I'll count until ten… Fuck off!
CAINE
(to AUNTIE)
Please, I don't want this kind of language in our house. Mother wouldn't appreciate. Let him alone! We'll sort it out later.
LAURA
(to GONU)
Is this the first time that you try to pull this kind of trick? Must be pretty awful that nobody buys it, isn't it?
GONU
What trick?
AUNTIE
It's called 'paper trip'. I really admire his fucking nerve to come in here and pose as Abel.
CAINE
(to AUNTIE)
Are you going to stay? Mother is coming here…
AUNTIE
You want me to leave?
CAINE
I'll give you a ring once she has left. Ok?
AUNTIE gets up and leaves furiously.
act iii / scene 4
CAINE, GONU and LAURA near the kitchen table as before.
LAURA
(to GONU)
They don't get along, and Mother isn't too well, so… Where are you from?
GONU
I was born in Hutchinson, Al. on February 29, 1968…
CAINE
Of course you were…
LAURA
(interrupting CAINE)
Let him talk!
GONU
To make a long story short: I know only what I learnt from my passport and my driving license. I don't remember this house, your faces, or anybody else's; I could as well have dropped from Mars.
Laura
It's really fascinating… How does it feel?
GONU
What?
LAURA
To have no past.
CAINE
Must be as painful as having no tail…
(suddenly grinning, to Laura)
…or no…
Laura
(suspicious, to CAINE)
Is this your new lover?
(to GONU)
Are you gay too?
CAINE
Laura, please…
Laura
Auntie will have sleepless nights…
CAINE
Pills have been made for these.
act iii / scene 5
MOTHER enters.
LAURA
(acting - excitedly)
Mummy!
(to GONU)
Don't worry! She's harmless.
MOTHER hugs CAINE emphatically, then hugs and kisses LAURA. Then looks at GONU.
MOTHER
Who are you?
Laura
(sly, grinning to CAINE)
Don't you remember Abel, Mother?
MOTHER hugs GONU.
mother
Abel, it's wonderful to see you, do you feel better?
GONU
Thank you, I'm fine.
MOther
I prayed every night for your recovery. It's a miracle!
MOTHER hugs GONU again, crying. GONU begins to cry too.
CAINE
(to GONU and LAURA)
Don't overdo it!
Mother
Caine, you don't know what it means to me. I lost my mind worrying about him.
CAINE
Would you like to sit outside, Mother? Coffee or tea?
Mother
If you don't mind, I'll have the smallest bit of whisky, just one finger with very little water, please, I feel a bit shaky.
CAINE
Then it's coffee.
Laura
Caine, please!
act iv / scene 1
CAINE and GONU are drinking tea on the porch.
caine
I think it's really decent of myself not to raise hell… what happened to Abel?
Gonu
You killed me!
caine
Come on! Tell the truth! Did you kill him? I'm not going to inform the police. I like you…
Gonu
Thank you!
Caine
…better than him. I'm just being curious.
Gonu
Nothing! More tea?
Caine
Can you tell me Mother's maiden name?
Gonu
Milk? Is this the Spanish inquisition?
Caine
Yes, thank you! You don't look like a murderer. Abel had AIDS didn't he?
GONU
Do all murderers look like you?
Caine
Are you taking any medication?
Gonu
No. Could you do me a favor?
Caine
Yes, say!
Gonu
Stop talking. You get on my nerves.
act iv / scene 2
GONU and CAINE are waiting in the lobby of a court building.
Gonu
I guess I should tell the judge that you raped me last night?
Caine
I didn't rape you. You enjoyed it.
Gonu
"He enjoyed it." Haven't I heard that sentence before?
Caine
Anyway, you're not my brother.
Gonu
"He's not my brother." Sound argument!
(acting)
Ten years I labored
To forget the horrors of incest and rape
But back in my room
The bed you forced me night after night
To satisfy your vilest desires
You raped me again!
You are not my brother! … You are a monster!
Caine
I never touched you!
Gonu
You never touched me?
Caine
Are you blackmailing me?
GONU
(acting)
Blackmail… blackmailing? How dare you talk about me blackmailing you? Is demanding justice blackmail?
Caine
Let's assume you are my brother…
Gonu
Family honor would forbid washing the dirty laundry in public?
act iv / scene 3
CAINE and GONU as before.
Caine
Are you gay?
Gonu
I'm supposed to be.
Caine
Now that you got the money, what reason is there to go on posing as my brother?
GONU
What reason is there to go on pretending I'm not your brother?
Caine
Others feel suspicious too…
GONU
That's why you should stand by me.
Caine
What do I get in return?
Gonu
Every night when I hear your steps approaching, I will scream for help…
Caine
Until I knock you out…
Gonu
Are we brothers now?
act V / Scene 1
GONU rings Auntie's bell.
AUNTIE opens the door, holding a rifle.
auntie
What do you want? Get lost!
GONU smiles.
Gonu
Hello Auntie! How do you do? Can I come in?
Auntie
I told you: Fuck off!
GONU is laughing.
Gonu
Sorry to disturb you; I have a message for you.
AUNTIE raises the rifle.
Auntie
From whom?
Gonu
Can I come in?
act v / Scene 2
AUNTIE and GONU are moving uncomfortably in Auntie's kitchen.
AUNTIE is filling the coffee percolator.
Auntie
From Abel?
GONU
Yes, he told me to look deep into your freezer…
AUNTIE puts down the water container and picks up the rifle.
auntie
Get out!
GONU sits down on a kitchen chair.
Gonu
Abel told me, "Auntie has a golden heart."
AUNTIE pushes the muzzle of the rifle into GONU's ribs.
Auntie
What did you do to my Abel?
Gonu
He told me you would help me.
AUNTIE prods him with the rifle.
auntie
Where did you meet Abel? What did you do to him? Where is he now? Come clean: A to Z!
GONU pushes away the rifle.
Gonu
I need your help, Auntie.
Auntie
You're in deep shit and I hope you'll get the chair.
GONU gets up and hands AUNTIE a small object.
Gonu
He bought it for you. His last words were, "Tell Auntie I love her!"
AUNTIE puts down the rifle, and (to hide her tears) starts again with the coffee maker.
GONU
I'm in trouble: Caine is in love with me. He doesn't let me sleep.
Auntie
(wiping her eyes)
Abel is dead? So, who are you?
Gonu
Let me prepare that coffee; you're not getting anywhere.
GONU takes the water container from Auntie's hands and fills it with water etc.
Gonu
Where do you keep the coffee powder? Shall I look for it in the deep freezer?
AUNTIE picks up the rifle and positions herself in front of the deep freezer protectively.
act v / Scene 3
CAINE is reading a paper on the sofa, a mug on the couch table. GONU is coming in.
caine
Where have you been?
Gonu
Good morning! Did you sleep well? Could I have some coffee too? Greetings from Auntie!
caine
Did you meet her?
Gonu
She wanted to shoot me; I guess she thought I'd meet you in hell.
Caine
Where have you been all night?
Gonu
We'd a lot to talk about, so I slept over.
caine
You mean, she bought it?
gonu
Yeah, I guess. It's all over now.
GONU gets up and begins to prepare coffee for GONU.
caine
What about us?
gonu
Who "us"?
caine
You and me?
Gonu
There is no "you and me". There was only your dick and my ass.
caine
I love you.
gonu
You killed your brother. I should have killed you.
caine
I loved him.
Gonu
"I loved him." Why didn't you tell him?
caine
I'm telling you now: I love you.
gonu
I told you: It's all over now.
CAINE takes GONU's hand.
caine
I'm sorry.
gonu
Give me a call if you have the tears to prove it.
caine
I changed.
gonu
No. Circumstances changed.
caine
Is there nothing I can do?
gonu
Call me 'Abel'.
caine
Abel!
They kiss etc..
The End