[ Man ] You have to ask yourself...
what brought the person to this point.
What was seen in his face, his manner, that channeled him here.
You have to convince yourself...
that this person has something hidden that you have to find.
You check his bags, but it's his face...
his gestures that you're really watching.
Thank you.
[ Man ] He's staring straight at you.
Look at him, carefully.
What do you see?
[ P.A. ] Security 4 to Baggage Claim 17.
[ Zippers Zipping ]
- Where you headed? - Uh, downtown.
- You want to split it? - S-Sure.
What? Not tonight. Are you sure?
Well, can't you cancel?
Oh. Uh... what are these?
Ballet tickets for tonight.
Oh.
- You don't like ballet? - Well, some ballets.
Well, that's exactly what this is: some ballet.
Look, you can always scalp the tickets at the door.
Oh, you mean, uh, take these in exchange...
- for you paying your part of the fare. - Well, what do you think?
[ Distant Siren Wailing ]
- [ Men ] See ya, John. - Good night, John.
- See you guys. - See ya.
* Exotica *
Christina, here you are. Hurry and get dressed.
- People are asking for you. - * Exotica *
[ Woman Laughing ]
- She's right over there. I'll get her. - * Exotica *
Bye.
* Exotica *
- [ Laughing ] - [ Deejay Clapping ] Yeah!
Let's bring those big, hairy palms together, gentlemen...
and have a nice, big round of applause...
for Kali!
Kali.
Yes, indeed. Kali.
And you, too, can-- You, too, can have Kali come over to your table...
for only five dollars, where she can show you the mysteries of her world.
[ Clicks Tongue ] Trust me, gentlemen. Trust me.
[ Groaning ]
[ Sighs ]
[ Deejay ]
Oh! Baby, baby, baby!
Ooh! Do it for me, baby!
Oh! My God, that's incredible. That's incredible.
Let me ask you something, gentlemen.
What is it that gives a schoolgirl her special innocence?
Her sweet fragrance? Fresh flowers... Iight as a spring rain?
Oh, my God. My God.
Or is it her firm, young flesh inviting your every caress...
enticing you to explore...
her deepest and most private secrets?
Well, gentlemen, I'm gonna let you decide that one for yourselves.
Please join me in welcoming a sassy...
bit of jailbait to our stage.
Yes, indeed. [ Chuckles Quietly, Kissing Sound ]
Come out, sweet Chrissy.
Wherever you are, baby, come on out.
[ Applause ]
[ Applause Continues ]
* Everybody knows that the dice are loaded *
* Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed *
* Everybody knows the war is over *
* Everybody knows the good guys lost *
* Everybody knows the fight was fixed *
* The poor stay poor The rich get rich *
* That's how it goes *
* Everybody knows *
* Everybody knows that the boat is leaking *
* Everybody knows the captain lied *
* Everybody got this broken feeling *
* Like their father or their dog just died *
* Everybody talking to their pockets *
* Everybody wants a box of chocolates *
- * And a long-stemmed rose * - You think you're bad, eh, baby?
- * Everybody knows * - You're bad.
* Everybody knows that you love me, baby *
* Everybody knows that you really do *
* Everybody knows that you've been faithful *
- * God, give or take a night or two * - That will be $5.50.
* Everybody knows you'd been discreet *
- * But there were so many people you just had to meet * - Thank you.
* Without your clothes *
* And everybody knows **
** [ Orchestra Tuning ]
** [ Classical ]
- ** [ Rock ] - [ Whispering ]
[ Whispering Continues ]
** [ Music Continues ]
- Eric? - What?
Linda finished her dance.
Let's bring those big, hairy palms together, gentlemen.
- [ Applause ] - Give it up. Yeah, gentlemen. Yes.
Have a nice, big round of applause for Linda. Yeah.
Yes, indeed, Linda.
And just a reminder that there is nothing Linda would love more...
than to slink over to your table and...
give you your own private show for only five dollars.
That's right.
Five dollars is all it takes to have one of our beautiful foxes...
[ Sighs ] come over to your table and get you all hot and bothered.
[ Blows ] But, hey, why be bothered...
when you're being treated like a king?
[ Laughs ] You've had a rough day.
Don't you think you owe it to yourselves to...
do something that'll make you feel like you're someone special?
[ Sighs ]
You are someone special. [ Sighs ]
Five dollars is all it takes to prove it. [ Sniffs, Sighs ]
[ Voices Murmuring ]
[ Murmuring Continues ]
Yes, let's have a nice big round of applause for Michelle.
- [ Applause ] - My God, that was beautiful.
Ooh, baby, you come out.
And just to remind you that, uh, there's nothing Michelle would love more...
than to come over to your table and give you your own private dance.
Hello, gentlemen!
Anybody out there? Anybody alive?
Anybody, for five dollars, you can have Kali.
- Kali at your own private table. - [ Locks Door, Sighs ]
[ Sighing ]
Let me ask you something, gentlemen.
What is it about a schoolgirl...
that gives her that special innocence?
[ Crowd Murmuring ]
Is it the way that they can gaze at you...
waiting for you to say something with so much expectation and hope...
that you're just... you're just paralyzed into...
into silence?
[ Birds Chirping ]
[ Sighs ]
[ Men Chattering ]
- Uh, look, uh, I want to give this back to you. - Why?
Well, you see, those tickets were given to me...
and, uh, I-I just feel uncomfortable about having sold them.
- That's okay. - No, no, no, really, I--
- [ Sighs ] - [ Clears Throat ]
We never really introduced ourselves. I'm Thomas.
David.
Can I use this to take you out for a drink?
- Oh, that's, uh, very kind of you, but, uh-- - But what?
But I really have to get home.
[ Sighs ]
** [ Rap ]
* Check it out It's the one Seymour *
* Gab was up for grabs when I rock and roll her *
* It's not a surprise that I'm playin' your blusher *
- * I'm on the VP I've got a nasty drop * - [ Sighs ]
* I upstep this one I'm swingin' on the mix *
* And the words and the rhythm will be falling from your lips *
** [ Music Continues ]
Thanks.
Are you available next Thursday?
- Uh, I think so, yeah. - Good, good.
- Tracey? - Yeah?
I-I'm not that boring, am l?
- [ Laughs ] What do you mean? - Well, the earphones.
I mean, we used to listen to the radio...
and you used to ask me all sorts of questions.
So you want me to ask more questions?
Sure. Yeah, I mean, if there's something y-you want to know.
Okay. I'll see what I can think up.
- Say hi to your dad. - I will.
- Good night. - Good night.
* Well, well, well kick it around for the bro *
* Kick starts from the dope so I'm a tough psycho *
* Then add five, six with tips to make you rich *
- * Every now and then at the end * - * Come again *
* I come again with the sweetheart, the fling *
** [ Music Continues ]
- Did someone say something? - [ Woman ] No.
So, what's the point?
I've just noticed a change in your attitude.
Yeah.
Look, I would understand if you would prefer not to introduce Christina.
I-I could do it myself.
Actually, I've been thinking that, perhaps...
I should be getting more involved in the introductions overall.
I could have my own microphone, like my mother used to do.
No, I mean, I actually enjoy introducing Christina.
I mean, I find it very therapeutic, you know?
- That's not what you're getting paid for. - Well, it seems to me...
that I'm being paid to make every girl seem like she's something special, right?
- Yeah. - So, in order to do that, I have to let my imagination run wild.
[ Sighs ]
So, I mean, when it comes to Christina, l, you know--
My imagination is bound to run a little wilder.
There's nothing that I can do to control that, Zoe.
Makes the clients uncomfortable.
And you think your state puts them at ease?
[ Sighs ]
Hey.
Is he kicking?
[ Chuckles ] All the time.
Do you feel like touching it?
[ Inhales ]
Oh.
How are you feeling about this?
- Fine. - Fine?
Are you happy?
For you.
What about you, Eric? What about you?
Well, I guess I got to be pretty careful about my feelings, right?
I mean, uh...
that's why we have a contract, isn't it?
[ Sighs ]
There's plaster dust all over the apartment.
No, I'm not exaggerating. No, I was coughing in my sleep last night.
You told me that it was going to be comfortable for me to live there...
and i-it is not comfortable.
There's plastic on the furniture.
- That is not comfortable living. - [ Bird Squawking ]
Yeah. Oh, come on, look.
You told me you were going to strip the wallpaper, not strip the walls down.
Well, no, if you'd, if you'd told me in the first place--
If you'd told me what kind of job it was, then I would have considered it.
Although, it's-- It makes me seem like you've maybe made a mistake.
That's what it makes me suspect.
What? No, it's too late now. It's inaccessible.
I'm not gonna pay you. Pay you for what? You didn't do the job.
Well, you did a job, but i-it's not the job that I asked you to do.
It's not the job we agreed on.
Well, I can get anyone, any number of people to do this.
Yeah, that's just fine with me. [ Hangs Up Receiver ]
[ Thomas Sighs ]
Yeah, can I help you?
- Mr. Pinto? - Uh, yes.
I'm Francis Brown. We spoke, uh, on the phone a couple of weeks ago.
- Revenue Canada. - Oh, uh, of course. Uh--
- How was your trip? - Oh, it was fine.
- And when did you get back? - Um, just yesterday.
- [ Phone Ringing ] - Good weather?
- Yes, yes, lovely. Yeah. - [ Ringing Continues ]
- Is this a good time, Mr. Pinto? - Oh, sure.
- It's just that you seem a little, uh-- - A little what?
- Flustered. [ Clears Throat ] - Oh, no, no, no, no.
I-I'm fine. I'm fine.
- [ Ringing Continues ] - Good.
[ Bird Squawking, Phone Continues Ringing ]
[ Thomas ] Yeah, yeah, yeah. Listen, I can't talk to you right now. L-Later.
[ Hangs Up Receiver ]
Okay, uh--
- So this is where I'd find all the bank s-statements? - Uh--
Yeah, that's right, and those there.
[ Sighs ]
Okay. Well, if I have any questions, I'll let you know.
- Is it a little hot for you back here? - It's, uh, yeah.
You could turn it down a tad. [ Clears Throat ]
I suppose you have to be pretty careful with the temperature with the animals.
Oh, well, they're a lot hardier than you'd think.
[ Sighs ] I wouldn't think they're not hardy.
I mean, just because they're exotic doesn't mean they can't endure extremes.
It is, after all, a jungle out there, isn't it?
[ Bird Squawking ]
Um, so, how long will this take?
- An audit? - Yes.
Well, it depends on how prepared you are.
- Have you got an accountant? - Uh, well, um, no-- Well, no, not really, no.
Not really?
- So this will take, uh, a while? - I could be done by the end of the day.
Or it might take a week. It's difficult to say.
- Oh. Okay. Uh, well, if you have any questions, um-- - I'll let you know.
[ Footsteps Departing ]
[ Sighs ]
[ Birds Chirping ]
Did you know her?
Sort of.
She was your neighbor?
I, uh, I baby-sat her a couple times.
Oh, so you knew her pretty well, eh?
Yeah. I did.
What about you?
Oh, I just, uh, I heard this thing was being organized, so--
It seems so, uh...
surreal, doesn't it?
- What? - That we'd find anything.
I mean, there's so, uh, many places you could hide something in this country.
- My name's Eric. - I'm Christina.
Hey, nice to meet you, Christina.
[ Hinges Creaking ]
[ Sighs ] Well?
- Well, what? - Don't you want to touch it?
You don't have to. It's one of those things people normally like to do.
Ah. [ Laughing ]
What is this thing about Eric calling you "a sassy piece of jailbait"?
- What's this thing? - It bothers me.
- Why? - It makes you out like a child or something.
Unlike the tartan skirt and my socks or the blouse or the way I act, right?
[ Sighs ]
Do you find it strange that he would still want to work here?
Zoe, not all of us have the luxury of deciding what to do with our lives.
It's a job, and he's getting paid all right.
I just find it cruel.
So fire him.
As a favor.
How can you be so detached?
[ Adding Machine Whirring ]
[ Whirring Continues ]
[ Whirring ]
[ Water Bubbles ]
[ Water Splashing ]
Well, I'm finished for the day.
Uh, for the day? Uh, you mean you have to come back?
Yeah, I'm afraid so.
When is a good time?
But, but, I thought you said it was only going to take one day.
Well, it can only take a day.
But you have to understand, you don't keep very well-organized books.
That's why you should really think about getting someone in to help you.
Just somebody to come in once or twice a week...
depending on the amount of activity and... the type of activity.
Uh, what do you mean by that?
Well, some types of activity are more complicated, aren't they?
It might take more effort to account for.
Oh.
I found a gun in one of the drawers.
- Oh, well, that belonged to my dad. - Your dad?
Yeah, I guess he just kept it, uh, just in case.
- In case of what? - Well, in case of trouble.
With the animals?
[ Laughs ]
Would Monday be a good time for me to come back...
- Mr. Pinto? - Oh, yeah.
Well, how about, uh, tomorrow?
Uh, I have appointments for tomorrow. Actually, I'm pretty busy 'til the end of the week.
Monday's not good?
No, uh, Monday's fine.
- Around 10:00? - Yeah, sure.
Well, good. Have a nice weekend.
[ Bird Squawks ]
Strange to think that bird is probably going to outlive us.
Strange?
Did you ever teach it to say anything?
Yes.
- What does it say, Harold? - It doesn't really say it anymore.
It forgot?
I don't think so. They're not supposed to forget.
It must have just lost interest.
- I'm sorry I'm late. - It's okay. We're just talking about Felix.
What about him?
Dad?
I had the piano tuned. It sounds beautiful.
[ Door Creaks, Closes ]
[ Footsteps ]
** [ Piano ]
- [ Stops Playing ] - So, how does it sound?
- It's good. - Yeah? Good, good.
- Okay, well, I shouldn't be too late. - What's "too late"?
- Around 11:00 or so? - Okay.
** [ Resumes ]
- [ Distant Siren Wailing ] - You looking for tickets?
Uh, yeah. How much?
[ Siren Continues ]
[ Dancer ] That's too hot.
[ Murmuring ]
[ Eric ] He comes in here every other night.
He has his favorite drink...
at his favorite table with his favorite dancer.
Sometimes he has to wait for her, and sometimes she's waiting for him.
She'll protect him. She's his angel.
[ Amplified ] All right, ladies and gentlemen, it's show time at the Exotica.
And just to remind you that five dollars is all it takes...
to have one of our lovely ladies come over to your table...
and show you the mysteries of their world.
** [ Piano Playing ]
** [ Playing Flute, Piano Continues ]
[ Woman Whispering ]
[ Eric ] Now if that didn't turn you on, gentlemen, nothing will.
Oh, let's have a nice, big, warm round of applause for Christina, gentlemen!
- [ Applause ] - Yes, Christina!
[ Sighing ]
What are you thinking?
I was just thinking, what would happen if someone hurt you?
H-How could anyone hurt me?
If I'm not there to protect you.
I-- You'll always be there to protect me.
[ Woman Laughs, Groans ]
[ Sighs ]
An angel.
Shh.
Why would somebody want to do something like that?
How could somebody even think of doing something like that?
You mustn't worry.
[ Sighs ]
[ Sobs ]
[ Sighs ]
Eric! Eric!
Oh.
[ Sighs ] All hot and bothered, yes, indeed.
Let's have a nice, big round of applause for Melinda.
[ Sighs, Sniffs ]
[ Exhales ]
[ Groans ]
[ Echoing Laughter ]
[ Laughter Continues ]
[ Sighs ]
Uh, listen, I-I feel bad about, uh, taking your money.
- Why? - The tickets were given to me, and...
I should have given them away for free.
- Well, that would have been stupid. - Why?
Because no one gives anything away.
- Are you sure? - Yeah, p-positive.
** [ Rap ]
Do you consider my dad a friend?
- Why? - J-Just asking.
Does he consider me a friend?
I don't know.
Why not?
'Cause he always seems different when you're around.
- Different in what way? - J-- Tense.
Is that bad?
Well, I don't really like to feel tense around my friends.
Well, sure, yeah.
I didn't like to feel tense around my friends when I was your age either.
But you do now? [ Laughs ]
No, it's not a question of liking it or not.
It's just something that happens.
Why?
Um...
well... as you get older...
you become aware that the people you meet and the person you are...
um, as carrying a certain amount of baggage.
And, and that baggage creates tension.
So what do you do about it?
Well, you can pretend it's not there...
or you can choose not to have friends...
or you can acknowledge that it's there and have friends anyway.
Like my dad?
Right.
I don't think that I like my dad when he's around you.
Hmm.
Well, that's...
because your dad doesn't like himself when he's around me.
But that's okay.
That's... part of what friends do to each other.
[ Papers Rustling, Seat Belt Unlatching ]
- Good night. - Good night.
[ Door Closes, Footsteps Departing ]
[ Footsteps Continue ]
[ Birds Chirping ]
I, uh-- I just graduated.
Really? So-So did I.
- Oh, yeah? In what? - Radio communications.
- So, so is that what you do? - That's what I'd like to do.
Uh, I-I do a little freelance deejay stuff...
but, you know, right now I'm just driving a cab.
- I thought you might do something like that. - Drive a cab?
- No, do something where, uh, you use your voice. - Why?
I don't know why. Because you're easy to listen to.
[ Eric ] Because of my voice, eh?
[ Walking Through Tall Grass ]
[ Switch Clicking ]
[ Clicking Continues ]
[ Clicking Continues, Faster ]
I just need to find a structure, you know?
What do you mean?
Listen, I-I waste so much time, you know? I just-- My days just slip by, you know?
- Isn't that what days are supposed to do? - Yeah.
[ Eric ] Not if you want to make something of yourself, you know?
- [ Eric Chuckles ] - [ Christina ] What do you want to make of yourself?
I don't know. I-I-I just feel that I was meant to do something with my time.
I mean, otherwise, I-I wouldn't be thinking of this this way.
I'd-I'd be able to just continue what I was doing, you know?
Do you have a lot of friends?
Not really. Do you?
- No. - Yeah.
[ Christina ] Do you ever feel like you need a friend?
[ Eric ] Yeah, sometimes.
When?
Like right now.
Why?
'Cause I just met you and...
I just feel like telling someone, you know?
[ Eric Laughs ]
[ Siren Wailing ]
[ Siren Continues ]
No way. No way, no way.
[ Sighs ]
- Hi. - Hi.
- Jesus. - What's the matter?
[ Scoffs ] "What's the matter?" Her wigs, her clothes.
Sometimes I just feel like throwing them all away, you know?
What are you looking for, Zoe?
[ Sighs ]
- I mean, is this where you see your future? - My future?
[ Laughs ]
The club?
When Mom died, my immediate idea was to get rid of this place. Just sell it.
- I never thought it would have any interest for me. - So why did it?
I used to be very shy as a child.
I used to watch my mother for hours...
just admiring her sense of freedom.
So when the opportunity came up, I thought I would take on the challenge.
So you feel better about adopting her options rather than creating your own?
I have created my own options too.
Oh, I know.
[ Unzips Bag ]
It's your contract for the baby with Eric.
I found it.
Does he know?
I would hope so.
Otherwise he might just think I'm disgusted with him for no particular reason.
Look, I really desperately needed this child...
and it just worked out with Eric.
I didn't mean to hurt you.
You know, I remember when your mother built this hallway.
She, uh, she built it for this very rich man who used to come here.
He used to get off watching us dance for other guys, so he actually paid her...
to construct this very special place that he could watch us from.
Your mother never told us that.
She said it was to protect us...
so she could patrol things.
And I believed her.
Until Eric told me the truth.
Why did you believe him?
I made a choice.
And Eric promised me he'd never lie to me.
** [ Classical ]
** [ Rock ]
How could anyone...
hurt you?
Take you away from me?
How could anyone?
[ Breathing Hard ]
[ Woman Murmuring ]
** [ Opera ]
What's this machine?
Uh, uh, i-it's an incubator.
- Wh-What's it for? - Well, what do you think it's for?
- Eggs. - That's right.
Are they yours?
Wh-What do you mean?
- I mean, um, shouldn't you be sitting on them or something? - Oh, yeah.
Well, I guess I've abandoned the nest.
** [ Music Continues ]
- [ Thunder Rumbling ] - What's inside of them?
- Uh, the eggs? - [ Laughs ] Yes.
[ Clears Throat ] Well, uh, Hyacinth Macaws...
if you want to know the absolute truth.
And where did you get them?
- From... very far away. - ** [ Music Continues ]
[ Thunderclap ]
[ Sighs ]
** [ Club Music Throbbing ]
- [ Thunder Rumbling ] - Hey, check her out, eh?
I said check her out.
- Yeah. - You talking to me?
Uh, yes, I'm talking to you.
What? Check who out?
The babe that's dancing for you, man.
You've given her quite a run for your money, man.
- [ Laughs ] - What do you mean by that?
- She's been dancing for you all night. - Yeah.
Yeah, and not just tonight. I mean, I've noticed you with her other nights too.
You come in here all the time or--
Uh... yeah. All the time.
This-- Visuals, you know? It's good.
- [ Thunderclap ] - But, uh...
she seems to have a bit of a thing for you, doesn't she?
We, uh... get along.
I'm sure you do, my friend.
What do you two talk about, huh?
Oh, just, uh... the usual, I guess.
The usual?
I don't think you're talking about what I would call "usual."
- Why not? - Because I can tell.
You get pretty intense, my friend.
Well, I guess that's just the way I am.
So, uh-- Hey, wh-why don't you give her a little touch, huh?
- You're not supposed to touch. - Ah, but she is into it, believe me.
- [ Thunder Rumbling ] - Yeah.
- How do you know? - Everybody knows, man.
[ Laughs ] Trust me, my friend.
Trust me. Just a little touch.
Nothing too drastic.
Then you will get the full experience, my friend...
and you will love it.
You will love it. Okay?
And what happens when I touch her?
- [ Echoing Laughter ] - [ Francis ] What happens?
[ Laughter Continues ]
You're outta here, man! Get out!
Come on. Get down there.
Come on. Go.
- [ Thunderclap ] - [ Eric Groans ] Go on.
[ Thunder Rumbling ]