Two students selling their bodies to survive Tokyo decide, on a smoke break in a back alley, that they are allowed to want an ordinary life.
A four-scene short set across a back alley, a room, a pavement and a pet shop. Its argument is made twice — once by a woman who buys a cat, and once by a woman who deletes a phone number.
Content note. Contains sex work, sexual harassment and strong language. Written as a student screenplay.
EXT. BACK ALLEY OF BROTHEL-DAY
LENA (20y,Female,University student,Japanese) and RICO (same as LENA) sit on the stairs, smoke and talk. They sit there comfortably, although there is a lot of trash in that back alley where no one passes by. The high school uniforms they wear are so short that their shirts emphasize their stomachs and breasts and their skirts show their pants.
LENA
That old man licked my face, fuck don't even touch my face or hair
RICO
We can't expect any manner to them, they are the worst human in this world. Fucking pervert
LENA
nah the worst human is our prime minister, why does it cost so much for just a student to live in Tokyo..Fuck Kishida
RICO
True. Two cutest girls sells our bodies just to live. FUCK KISHIDA! How much did you earn this month?
LENA
like $5000
RICO
same. well most of them goes to our rent, tuition, foods, gas, clothes, make up, salon--
Lena interrupts Rico talking.
LENA
Uhh don't start, that makes us wanna kill ourselves..
Rico turns her body and face to Lena and talks with smile.
RICO
haha sorry, okay let's do this. We'll manifest for next month.
LENA
manifest?
RICO
yeah, basically we make our goals for next month and we'll survive till then. Human needs a hope to live
LENA
mm...what's yours?
RICO
I'll get the new Dior bag. That's my reward for surviving in Tokyo for a year.
LENA
wow it's been a year from when we left our home town huh
Lena smokes her cigarette and take a moment. She looks at a post of couple wearing ear huts on ig.
LENA(CONT'D)
..I wanna go to Tokyo Disney Land
Rico poses and stares at Lena.
RICO
Lena, you are the cutest.
Lena's voice volume goes lower. She turns her body and face to front and looks at the asphalt.
LENA
stop, I've never been to..since I started working this place and I felt like I'm this side human
Rico looks at Lena and talks sweetly.
RICO
I feel you--
SATO (30y,male,chubby) wearing a suit comes out from a door and calls Rico.
SATO
Rico chan, you got 120min with new customer in room 5.
Rico eye rolls and rubs her cigarette on the asphalt to put out the fire. She stands up and walks into the building.
SATO(CONT'D)
don't forget to smile to customer.
RICO
fuuuuuck. male is money male is money, I'm gonna fuck with money not a man
LENA
We got this Ricooo, he's the Dior
Rico waves her hand without looking.
Lena smokes her cigarette and scroll her ig. She stares some posts on the girl ig page. Sato comes out and call Lena.
SATO
Lena chan, 180 min with the regular Mr.Sanada in room 2.
LENA
coming~~
Lena smokes one more time and rubs her cigarette on the asphalt. She goes into the building.
INT. ROOM 2 - DAY
There are king size bed, shower room, big mirror on the wall and pink red lighting in the room. SANADA (50y,M,fat,ugly) sits on a bed. Lena knocks on the door and enters into the room. Lena tones up her voice and talks like a pick me girl.
LENA
Hi Mr.Sanada~~! I missed you so much!!
He stands up and comes to Lena with big smile. Sanada hugs Lena. He sweats. Lena stops smiling. He talks to Lena like he talking to a little girl.
SANADA
awwww my Lena~~I'm sorry for making you lonely, I missed you too~~~~~!!
Lena smiles and rips him off from her. Lena gazes him with puppy eye.
LENA
I can't wait to do..can you go take a shower for me?
SANADA
Of course my Lena, I'm a gentle man who knows manner, not like other men.
Sanada takes a shower. She walks around in the room and put a black fabric on his bags and his iPhone. Lena set a timer 180min and put start bottom.
Timer shows 0:00. Lena sits on a bed and drinks water. Sanada wear his shirts. Sanada smiles.
SANADA
Lena chan let's go on Disney date next time
Lena looks at the timer and talks like a kid.
LENA
I don't wanna get tunned. Let's go shopping instead, Dior just release spring collection and I want it.
SANADA
Lena chan, I don't wanna say something like this but no one wanna ask you a date cuz you are a prostitute. You are a bitch. But not me, I'm asking you on a date as you like a normal girl. Why don't you realize I'm being so patient and respectful to you. I love you and I wanna marry with you. There's only me who loves you as you are.
Sato knock on a door and opens the door. Lena take Sanada to the door and gives his bag.
LENA
oh time past so fast when I'm with you..you're right Sanada. come see me asap unless I'll be so lonely, okay?
SANADA
Lena of course my baby. dont cry, my heart is always with you. I'll text you.
Lena smiles and waves her hands to him from the room. Sanada walks away. Sato enters into the room and closes the door. Lena stop smiling and spit out.
LENA
who the fuck wanna go to Disney with you fucking pervert
Sato starts cleaning up the mess. They talk without looking themselves.
SATO
who wold you like to go with then?
LENA
well definitely not with you too, or anyone.
Sato laughs and keep cleaning. Lena pose and look at her phone.
LENA(CONT'D)
... with Shin, I would.
Sato stops cleaning and looks at her.
SATO
aw there's a girl who is in a romance world.
Lena glares at him.
LENA
shut up
Lena gets notification on her iPhone and stares at her phone,
LENA
SHUT UP
Lena grabs her phone.
SATO
I'm not saying anything
Sato looks at her.
SATO
is that the boy? what he said?
Sato peer into her phone. Lena glares at him.
LENA
HEY
STUFF
wow scary. well good job Lena, you can go change now, Rico is waiting for you
Lena grabs her phone and water and leaves the room. Stuff talks to Lena's back.
SATO
be honest to the man you like, no man likes a dishonest girl.
EXT. IN FRONT OF THE SOTRE - DAY
Rico wears T-shirts and pants. She smokes cigarette and scrolling her phone. Lena comes out from the store.
LENA
Rico! thank you for waiting, wanna go grab a drink?
RICO
nah, I'm gonna take you to a better place
Lena tilts her head to the side. Rico catches a taxi.
INT. PET SHOP - DAY
They arrived at a pet shop. There are dogs, cats and fishes in their own cages.
LENA
wait are you..?
RICO
yap, I'm gonna do it today.
Rico walks to a stuff and ask her to see one fluffy cat. The stuff grabs the cat from the cage and gives it to Rico. She smiles and pets her gently. Lena sits next to Rico.
RICO
Actually I've wanted this cat from a month ago. One day I walked by this store and saw her. She stares at me and..I don't know why but I felt she's my soulmate.
Lena listens Rico's talking quietly.
RICO(CONT'D)
But I couldn't go into the store cuz I felt that's not my side. I didn't wanna pollute her by me. a prostitute.
Rico looks at Lena.
RICO(CONT'D)
But when I heard you feel the same way earlier, I was like fuck that shit. Cuz you are just a normal girl who tries to survive this world. Whatever people say, we are just normal girls. We can wish happiness, we can date a boy, we can make friends regardless their jobs. We don't have to stay in this side. I wanted you to feel that way too so I wanted to show you that I changed.
Rico smile at Lena and looks at the cat. Lena get surprised but smiles.
LENA
I'm so proud of you Rico
RICO
haha I know, so now it's your turn Lena
LENA
what?
RICO
I know the guy asks you on a date
Rico smiles at Lena innocently. Lena's eyes opens bigger and her face turns to red.
LENA
How did you know that??!
RICO
huh I know everything cuz I'm queen Rico hehe
Lena glares at Rico.
RICO(CONT'D)
..I just heard from Sato. so what you gonna do, he ask you on a date and you wanna go Disney with him right? well, it's your choice I'm not gonna say anything. wait here I'll go sign a contract to get this cat.
Rico walks away. Lena opens her phone and scrolls Disney couple photo on ig. She gets text from Sanada.
SANADA
(on text message)
Lena chan, did you calm down? But again, you gotta appreciate me cuz there's no one who's gonna treat a prostitute nicely like me....
Lena stops reading the text message and looks at Rico who's talking with a stuff with smiles. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She opens her eyes and delete Sanada's messages and his contact. Then she opens the guy's message and replies to him.
LENA
(on text message)
I wanna go to Disney :)
Immediately he replies to her.
SHIN
(on text message)
yes!! Are you free on this Saturday?
She smiles a lot and turns off her phone. Rico comes back to Lena with her cat. Rico sees Lena's big smile and become smiles too.
RICO
well well there's a happy girl here, what's going on?
LENA
Rico, I need you to go shopping with me to get a new dress for my Disney date.
Lena smiles shyly and innocently.
RICO
Alright Rico, we'll be busy! going nail salon, eyelash, hair salon..
Both of them laughs and leaves the pet shop.
FADE OUT