THI HAM

20211160 Nguyen Thu Giang

20211163 Phan Vu Hai My
WRITER: THU GIANG

EXT. A BOOKSTORE - DAY

SUPER: HANOI

In front of the door, outside the bookstore, there are many

people queuing, waiting to enter. The bookshelf near the
entrance is packed with best-seller author TRANG GIANG's
newly released book - "Scent in the Wind".

READER 1
(turns to the person standing
behind)
I've been in line since early this
morning, you know? I wonder when can I
get inside and buy author Trang
Giang's new novel.

READER 2
Be patient. We are all the same. It's
been a really long time since his last
work, so everyone is excited to bring
his new novel home.

Hearing the two talking, READER 3 who is standing behind

READER 2, leans forward to speak in.

READER 3
Yeah, that's right. And I read his
interview in the newspaper "Saturday
Novel" a few days ago. Seems like Mr.
Giang is very satisfied with this
novel.

READER 2
Really? I haven't had time to read it
yet. But, as long as it is written by
Mr.Giang, I think it can't be bad.

A PASSERBY stops at where 3 people are standing.

PASSERBY
Are you talking about author Trang
Giang?

Three people turn to see a young boy wearing a white T-shirt

and carrying a shoulder bag.

READER 1
That's right. We are waiting to buy

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his new book.

READER 3
How do you know about Trang Giang? You
are just a student, aren't you?

PASSENGER 1
You guys have no idea how famous
author Trang Giang is among students.
I'm from the University of Indochina
and there are no students there who
haven't heard of him. Well, I have to
go now. I also want to buy author
Trang Giang's book.

The young boy politely bows to 3 people before jumping around

to the end of the queue.

INT. ANH SANG NEWSROOM, 2ND FLOOR - DAY

There is a man sitting behind the desk, focusing on writing a

new draft. It's TRANG GIANG, a dignified writer who is in his
early 30s. He often wears glasses while working.

HOANG LINH - a middle-aged man - walks in with a bright smile

on his face.

LINH
Amazing, Giang! There've been a
thousand copies of your novel sold in
just a day. I didn't expect that!

GIANG
Numbers are numbers only. I feel like
I still have a lot of room for
improvement. Just in our newsroom,
there are so many brilliant seniors
that I have a lot to learn from.

LINH
Haha, as humble as always. Anyway, I
bought a newspaper this morning.

Linh passes the newspaper to Giang. Right on the first page

is a picture of THANH AN - a young man about 20 years old
with a gentle appearance and a soft smile.

LINH
Guess what I've found?

Giang receives the newspaper from Linh and glances at it

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before placing it in the corner of his desk.

GIANG
Only a day after the publishing and
there is criticism already? This is
too hard for me.

LINH
Even if someone wants to criticize
you, it won't happen overnight! I was
going to say I've found a really
promising young talent.

Giang remains fully focused on the manuscript. He crosses out

the latest sentence he has just written down.

GIANG
That's nice.

LINH
The boy on the front page of the
newspaper I just gave you, his name is
Thanh An. Recently, he has won the
first prize in the national writing
contest organized by "Saturday Novel".
Although this boy is still young, his
writing style is quite good. And based
on his answers to the interview
questions, I can tell he is also quite
humble. Just like you.

Linh talks for a while without receiving any reactions from

Giang. When he turns around, he sees Giang leaning his hand
on his forehead and reading the manuscript.

Linh clears his throat and continues talking with unconcealed

excitement.

LINH
It's been so long since I've seen such
a brilliant young writer. I'm planning
to invite An to join our newsroom.
What do you think?

Still no response.

LINH
If you don't say anything, I'll assume
that you agree.

Linh purposefully paces back and forth in front of Giang,

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even waving his hands in front of him to draw his attention.

GIANG
Yeah of course I'm by your side. You
always pick the right one.

Giang moves his chair in another direction so Linh's hand can

no longer cover his manuscript.

LINH
I will contact an acquaintance from
"Saturday Novel" to arrange a meeting
with Thanh An this weekend.

Linh walks around behind Giang. He places his hand on Giang's

shoulders and lightly squeezes.

LINH
Can you go with me?

Giang wriggles out of Linh's hand and stoops down to quickly

write new ideas.

LINH
You are the person I trust the most in
our newsroom. So I want you to come
with me.

Hearing Linh's chatter incessantly makes it impossible for

Giang to concentrate on his manuscript. Giang slightly raises
his eyebrows, then takes off his glasses and places them on
the desk. He rubs his temples.

GIANG
Alright alright. Let me know once the
schedule is set.

Linh laughs and pats Giang's shoulders.

LINH
Haha, I know that I can trust you.
Well, I still have some work to
finish, so I have to go first. If you
have time, take a look at the
newspaper and read An's interview and
the story that he won first prize
with.

GIANG
Got it. See you tomorrow!

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Hoang Linh goes out, closes the office door.

Giang shifts his gaze to the newspaper then back at the

draft.

WRITER: HAI MY

EXT. ANH SANG NEWSROOM, GIANG'S OFFICE - DAY

Linh comes to the editorial office early. He goes to the 2nd

floor and is about to go to Giang's office. He sees the door
of Giang's room is left unlocked.

LINH
It's strange... before returning back
home, Giang always locks the door
carefully...

Linh knocks on the door.

LINH
Is anyone there?

No one answers, so Linh decides to open the door and steps

inside.

INT. ANH SANG NEWSROOM, GIANG'S OFFICE - DAY

Linh sees Giang sleeping on the desk, still wearing

yesterday's clothes. The unfinished draft is neatly arranged
in a corner of the table. Linh glances at the draft and wakes
Giang up

LINH
Giang, wake up, it's morning. Did you
sleep over at the newsroom last night?

Giang immediately wakes up after Linh calls him.

GIANG
My god, Linh! It's morning now? I'm
sorry! Last night, I was so busy
working, I didn't even know when I
fell asleep.

LINH
Don't push yourself too hard, I don't
need you to submit the story right
away.

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Giang stands up, stretches his shoulders, and tidies up his

table.

GIANG
I just came up with a great idea
yesterday, it's a waste if I didn't
write it down right away. Sorry for
making you worry. I must go wash my
face first.

Giang is about to go out when Linh suddenly stops him.

LINH
Wait, there's something I must tell
you now, don't take you much time.
Last night, Nam from "Saturday Novel"
told me he had already arranged an
appointment with Thanh An this
weekend. Let's meet together at our
favorite tearoom!

GIANG
The young author you mentioned
yesterday?

LINH
Right, he really wants to see you.
You're not busy on Saturday afternoon
right?

Giang doesn't seem like he is interested in joining the

meeting.

GIANG
I'm still in the middle of writing my
new work, I'm afraid this weekend will
be a bit difficult…

Linh cuts Giang off with displeasure.

LINH
Come on, just one day going out. I
must say Thanh An is very promising,
you should at least meet him once.
Besides, I haven't seen Nam in a long
time, he also has some work and wants
to ask for your help.

Giang hesitates for a moment, then sighs.

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GIANG
Okay, let me arrange my schedule.

LINH
4pm on Saturday, don't be late. Now I
have to go back to my room. Today if
you are too tired, you can go home
early.

Linh goes out and the room is full of silence.

EXT. TEA ROOM - DAY

An goes to the tearoom with a polite look. He wears a simple

white shirt and black trousers. After standing in front of
the door for a while, An takes a deep breath and steps
inside.

INT. TEA ROOM - DAY

An walks in and sees Linh, Giang and An are already waiting

at the table. NAM realizes An first and waves his hand to
call him.

NAM
An, here! We are waiting for you!

An quickly runs to the table, bowing his head apologetically.

AN
My god, can't believe I got late the
first time we met! How impolite of me!
I'm very sorry!

Linh pats An's shoulder. Linh looks like he doesn't mind An

being late at all.

LINH
We came early because we have things
to discuss together, so you are not
late. There's no need to feel sorry!

Linh reaches out to shake An's hand, then happily introduces

everyone to him.

LINH
Let me introduce myself first. I'm
Linh, chief editor of Anh Sang
Newsroom.

Linh points at Giang.

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LINH
And this is Trang Giang, the star of
our newsroom. I'm sure you must have
heard his name several times before.

Giang nods to An as a greeting, and An immediately bows back.

Then he turns to Linh and smiles approvingly.

AN
Yes, there are no literature lovers
all over Hanoi who don't know
Mr.Giang. I have read all of his
books, even the newly released one
"Scent in the Wind". It's such an
honor to meet Mr. Giang in person
today!

Seeing that An is still standing hesitantly next to the

table, doesn't dare to sit down, Nam stands up and pulls out
a chair.

NAM
Come on, don't just stand there, sit
down with us! Real men shouldn't be
shy like you!

An is still embarrassed, but he finally decides to sit down.

AN
Sorry for disturbing you!

NAM
I've told you before, don't you
remember? We are colleagues and
friends, so don't need to be that
polite to me!

LINH
An and Giang just stay here! Nam and I
have some work to discuss for a while,
so it's not convenient to sit here.
We'll be right back soon.

Linh pats Nam's shoulder and the two of them go to another

corner of the room. Only Giang and An remain at the table.

GIANG
You said that you had read my newest
work. How do you feel?

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AN
Your words are as beautiful and
delicate as always. But I'm a bit
disappointed with the ending.

GIANG
You don't like the ending?

AN
Why does a beautiful and kind-hearted
girl like Tam have such a gloomy
ending? Doesn't she deserve to be
happy? Is there no other way for her
but to marry a poor husband, and then
live a desperate life till the end?

GIANG
But that's reality, isn't it? There
are a lot of miserable girls like Tam
out there you don't know about.

AN
No, I know. But isn't a writer's job
to give hope to his readers? Somewhere
in this miserable society there must
be still some light.

GIANG
You're wrong, there's no light at all!
How can light exist in a small, poor
colonial country like ours!

AN
Mr. Giang, I see you thinking too
pessimistically.

GIANG
And you are too unrealistic, An.

Linh and Nam return to the table. Both look very excited,
especially Linh.

LINH
Allow me to interrupt your story. Nam
and I have just discussed and agreed
to let An work at Anh Sang newsroom
from next week. And An will work with
Giang!

Before An can speak, Giang stands up angrily.

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GIANG
Why didn't you tell me anything?

Seeming to realize that he reacts too disrespectfully, Giang

quickly sits down. He turns his face away, avoiding the gazes
of Linh, Nam, and An.

GIANG
Sorry everyone, I'm just too
surprised.

Noticing Giang being frustrated, Linh quickly turns to Nam

and An.

LINH
I suddenly remember that I and Giang
have other work to do today. Well,
very sorry but now we must go back to
our newsroom. See you another day!

While Nam and An are still confused, Linh and Giang quickly
leave the tea room.

EXT. ON THE STREET - DAY

Linh and Giang walk side by side on the sidewalk, neither of

them says anything. Giang looks annoyed.

LINH
Why are you so angry all of a sudden?
Did An say something making you
unhappy?

GIANG
I'm the one who should ask first! Why
didn't you tell me?

LINH
I and Nam both think Thanh An is very
good, his style is also suitable for
our newsroom. I thought you would like
him, so I didn't mention it to you.

GIANG
As an author, I respect what An said.
But that doesn't mean I want to be his
colleague. Our views are totally
different, we can't work together!

Linh pats Giang's shoulder to comfort him.

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LINH
If you haven't tried, how can you
know? Try to work with An for a while,
maybe it will go smoothly!

INT. ANH SANG NEWSROOM, GIANG AND AN'S OFFICE - DAY

An timidly gives his draft to Giang. After reading just the

first few pages, Giang throws An's draft on the table with a
very frustrated expression. He slams his hands on the table,
causing the young author to step back in fear.

GIANG
What the hell are you doing? You dare
to submit such a trash to me?

AN
(stammered)
But..but I thought last time you told
me to write like this…

GIANG
(shouts)
Now you still dare to reason with me?

AN
I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.
I'll fix it immediately...

An hastily collects the messy papers Giang has just thrown on

the table. Suddenly there is a knock on the door outside.
Linh doesn't wait for Giang to allow and just enters. The
tense atmosphere in the room makes him become frustrated.

LINH
Argue again... when will you two stop
arguing? If you continue to be like
this, I can't give you any work!

Giang and An both lower their heads to avoid Linh's gaze,

neither of them responds. The silence makes Linh sigh. He
turns to An and pats his shoulder. An is still holding the
draft while standing in the corner of the room.

LINH
An, can you go to my room and wait a
bit? Now I have some personal business
to discuss with Giang. I'll go down
right after finishing.

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AN
Okay...

An goes out and closes the door. Linh waits until An's
footsteps can no longer be heard.

LINH
Why are you so difficult with An?
After all, he's a newbie, and he's
also talented. His writing is not bad
at all!

GIANG
But An and I can't work together, do
you understand? You should have told
me about bringing An here in the first
place!

LINH
Okay, okay, my bad. But don't you
think you're being too much? Think
again, you get angry because An didn't
do a good job, or it's just because
you don't like him? You should
apologize to An!

Giang keeps silent for a moment, then nods. Linh sees that,
so he also softens his voice.

LINH
Try to open your heart, Giang, I'm
sure An is a better partner than you
think!

As if suddenly remembering something, Linh takes out a letter

from the pocket of his suit and places it on Giang's desk.

LINH
You didn't come to the newsroom
yesterday morning, so I received this
letter for you. It's Thi's letter
again. He must be a big fan of yours,
I've seen him sending you a letter
several times. Have you ever sent him
a reply?

Linh looks at the clock, it is 10 am.

LINH
It's late now, I won't bother you
anymore. But don't forget what I've

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just said.

Linh goes out, doesn't forget to close the door. The room
becomes quiet. Being left alone, Giang opens the letter Linh
has left on the table, carefully reads line by line.

GIANG (V.O)
To sir Trang Giang. I was very excited
when I heard that you have recently
published a new work. I really enjoyed
it, just like all of your previous
novels. I could feel your sadness
while reading "Scent in the Wind"...

Giang carefully puts the letter in a box under the table,

where he keeps many of Thi's previous letters. Then he rested
his head on the chair and sighed.

GIANG
How good would it be if the person I
worked with was Thi…

Giang takes out a new stack of papers in the table drawer.

Thinking for a moment, then he starts to write.

GIANG (V.O)
Dear Thi…

BEGIN MONTAGE:

INT. ANH SANG NEWSROOM, GIANG AND AN'S OFFICE - DAY

--Giang opens the door and enters the room, being surprised
to see that An is sitting at the table, typing something.
Noticing Giang comes in, An only stands up to greet him, then
sits down to continue working. Seeing An focusing on his
work, Giang quietly returns to his table.

--Giang enters the room. An has already arrived. The room is

full of typing sounds. An is so attentive that he doesn't
realize Giang has come, but Giang doesn't seem to bother
that.

--Giang opens the door to the office, glances at An, then

starts working as usual. An doesn't realize Giang has just
come until he pulls out the chair. An embarrassedly stands up
and greets Giang.

END MONTAGE

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INT. GIANG AND AN'S OFFICE - DAY

Giang enters the office, but he is not greeted by the

rustling sound of paper and pen as usual, but by silence.
Looking at An's table, he sees An lying on it, sleeping
deeply. There is a completed draft and an opened notebook on
the table. Giang reads An's draft briefly and he can find no
mistakes. When he is about to wake An up to compliment him, a
letter being kept in the notebook attracts Giang's attention.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, he picks up the letter and
is very surprised to realize that it is actually the letter
he has sent to Thi.

GIANG
Why does he have this letter?

Giang sees a half-written reply in An's notebook. He is

shocked. He takes one of Thi's letters that he has carefully
kept in the box to compare. The handwriting in the notebook
and in the letter are identical.

GIANG
How can I not notice!

An wakes up and notices Giang gluing to the draft letter in

his notebook. He quickly stands up, frantically snatches the
notebook back, making Giang also become confused.

AN
I... I'm sorry.

GIANG
No...I have to apologize first. Sorry
for reading your notebook without your
permission.

Giang returns to his table, tends to write something but ends

up writing nothing. An continues to work but also can't
concentrate, sometimes glances at Giang, then quickly
pretends to focus on a book.

GIANG
You are Thi, right?

AN
(mumbles)
I'm sorry. I must have told you
sooner.

GIANG
Forget it…but why don't you use your

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real name when you write to me?

AN
In the past, my parents did not
support me in writing or hanging out
with writers, so I had to use a
pseudonym. Fortunately, now they
change their mind.

An doesn't know what to say more, so he keeps silent and

continues to work. The only sound in the room is the clatter
of the typewriter.

GIANG
(whispers)
Thank you

AN
(turns head towards Giang)
Sorry?

GIANG
Nothing, just keep working.

EXT. GIANG AND AN'S OFFICE - DAY

Linh stops in front of the door of Giang and An's office. The
door is not closed, the room is very quiet. There is no
arguing like usual. He glances inside, seeing Giang and An
are both concentrating on their work. He smiles softly.

INT. GIANG AND AN'S OFFICE - DAY

Linh enters the office.

LINH
Giang, An, I have a favor to ask you.
November is our newsroom's 5th
anniversary, we only have 2 months
left. This year I want something a
little more special. So I hope two of
you can collaborate and write a story
together, about 10-15 pages.

AN
Write a story with Mr. Giang? I can't!
Compared to him, I'm still very
inexperienced.

LINH
Don't get me wrong, the youngest

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first-prize winner Thanh An isn't able

to write? Anyway, let's try to write a
love story this time. Recently I've
seen many people enjoy those sweet
stories. No more refusing, I have
already assigned the work, good luck
and please complete it as soon as
possible!

GIANG
Wait…

Not waiting for Giang to finish speaking, Linh goes out.

GIANG
(sigh)
We really have a big problem now!

AN
There's no way out…Ah, what if you and
I try to write separately first, then
discuss together later?

GIANG
Okay... Anyway, let's start now. We
don't have much time.

INT. ANH SANG NEWSROOM, GIANG AND AN'S OFFICE - DAY

Both Giang and An concentrate on writing the story. Giang

suddenly throws pieces of paper on the table frustratedly.
His table is filled with discarded drafts. An also can't sit
still anymore, he stands up and walks around the room while
thinking about the plot. Hearing the sound of An's shoes,
Giang becomes even more frustrated.

GIANG
Why must you walk around the room like
that? Sit down, you make me unable to
concentrate at all!

AN
I can't think of anything good while
staying still. I have to go around.

GIANG
(laughs)
If I were you, I must have walked all
the way around Hanoi to finish a
novel. So, have you had any ideas yet?

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An bows his head and replies in a low voice.

AN
I'll surely come up with something
interesting soon!

GIANG
What have you written these days? Give
me a try!

AN
Not yet...I've written a draft but
it's not good at all.

GIANG
Then just show it to me!

Giang snatches the manuscript in An's hand. He reads it

through from beginning to end, then points to the middle
page, frowns slightly.

GIANG
In this part, you let the two main
characters fall in love a bit too
quickly. Doesn't sound real, at least
to me.

AN
I don't think it's impossible...

GIANG
You have to be more realistic! Come
on, give me a pen!

An hands the pen to Giang. Giang writes down his ideas

quickly in An's notebook. An sits next to him, eyes glued to
the paper, attentively following what Giang is writing.

GIANG
Let's fix it like this... At first,
the two of them didn't have a good
impression of each other...

INT. ANH SANG NEWSROOM, LINH'S OFFICE - DAY

Linh is working when he suddenly hears a knock on the door.

Giang and An enter, both seem to have something to say but no
one dares to speak first. Guessing that there must be
something important, Linh stops writing and looks at both of
them.

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LINH
How is you guys' work? Is there
anything you wanna ask for?

GIANG
We've written some parts, but we're
still not satisfied.

AN
So we came up with this idea… Mr.
Giang, you better say it first, it's
your idea anyway.

GIANG
Okay…Linh, can you allow us to go to
the suburbs to get inspiration for a
few days? I and An'll try to finish
the tasks you've given us before
going. Don't worry, we'll try our best
to submit the story on time!

AN
Yes, if you allow, we'll definitely
create a great story together!

LINH
Okay, if it's for work, I have no
reason to refuse your offer. As long
as you submit the story on time, then
fine.

GIANG AND AN
Thank you very much!

An turns to look at Giang and smiles brightly. Giang also

smiles back softly at him, which is very different from his
usual cold attitude towards An.

WRITER: THU GIANG

BEGIN MONTAGE

INT. ON THE TRAIN - DAY

Giang and An sit on the same bench. Most of the benches

around their seats are empty.

An sits next to the window. He looks outside. Stretching out

in his sight is the deep blue sky and vast lawns. Sometimes,

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there are silhouettes of farmers working hard plowing the

fields.

Giang sits next to him, reading the manuscript in silence.

An leans his head against the window and falls asleep.

EXT. FRONT YARD - DAY

Giang and An enter the front yard, each carrying a large bag.
This is a three-room house with a large one in the middle and
2 small bedrooms on either side. There are desks on either
side of the room in the middle for Giang and An to work at.
An put the bag on the chair, go around to take a look.

EXT. THE MARKET - DAY

SELLER 1
(shouts)
Best quality meat at the cheapest
price. Come in, come in.

SELLER 2
(shouts)
100% clean, 100% fresh. Vegetables for
everyone.

People pour out of the market in droves. Bags of various

sizes, from little to large, are weighing down everyone's
hands. Some people ride bicycles and carry their stuff in the
front basket. Mixed in the flow of people leaving the market
are some women wearing hats, carrying street vendors on their
shoulders.

Giang and An walk side by side. An notices a lovely LITTLE

GIRL sitting on the back seat of her mom's bicycle smiling at
him. She is holding a large snack pack in her hand. An waves
to the girl. She waves back. An laughs and almost trips over
the rock under his feet.

GIANG
Hey, careful!

INT. WORKING ROOM - NIGHT

Giang sits at his desk writing the manuscript. A stack of

draft papers is on the desk. An enters from the outside.

AN
Mr. Giang! Dinner is done. Let's take
a break.

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Giang closes the pen cap, rearranges the manuscript pile

neatly.

GIANG
I'm coming.

EXT. FRONT YARD - NIGHT

An stirs rice for Giang first. Braised fish and water spinach
are on the tray. Giang picks up a piece of fish and eats it
with rice.

GIANG
This is so delicious! Tasty but not
salty at all.

AN
I'm glad this dish suits your taste. I
learned the recipe from my mom.

Giang picks up another big piece.

EXT. FRONT YARD - DAY

An waters the plants. Giang is also in the yard, sits on a

chair reading the morning newspaper, occasionally looking up
to see An's movements.

INT. WORKING ROOM - NIGHT

Giang and An's manuscripts are strewn on the desk. The oil
lamp flickers. They both doze out, hands under their heads.
Their fingers' tips lightly touch each other.

END MONTAGE

INT. WORKING ROOM - DAY

Giang and An sit opposite An's desk. Giang is in the middle

of writing when he abruptly grounds to a standstill. Giang
puts the pen down on the desk and stares at the manuscript in
his hand for a long time. He quickly folds his most recent
pages into a pile and stands up.

An looks up.

AN
Mr. Giang…

GIANG
I'm going outside to get some fresh

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air. Keep writing!

Giang runs straight outside. An remains still in confusion,

staring at Giang's back.

Giang dashes to the back of the house and sits down on the
step. He turns the script page by page, reading it carefully.

GIANG (V.O)
The love in this man's heart is
growing stronger by the day. Wishing
for endless market trips, dreaming of
meals together for a lifetime, …

The script is folded quickly and aggressively. Giang grabs

his head, messing up his hair.

GIANG
What am I doing?… I must've gone
crazy…

Giang rests head on his knees for a moment and then

decisively tears off all pages of the script he has just
finished. Giang stands up and walks over to the faucet. He
smacks his face with water as if to remind himself to wake
up.

An immediately stops writing when he hears Giang coming in.

He glances up at Giang.

AN
Is everything all right?

An looks down at Giang's hand. It's empty.

Giang avoids An's gaze by looking down at the ground.

GIANG
Oh, nothing. Just going out to enjoy
some fresh air. I was so sleepy.

An still stares at Giang.

AN
Are you sure that nothing happened?

GIANG
Of course. Are you implying that I
lied?

An can't see Giang's expression when he says so as he refuses

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to look An in the eyes.

AN
I...

Giang gathers all his belongings on An's desk and carries

them across the room to his own desk.

BEGIN MONTAGE

INT. WORKING ROOM - DAY

An reaches for the coat hanging on the hook and puts it on.
He approaches Giang's desk. Giang focuses on his script.

AN
Mr. Giang, let's go to the market
together! We are out of food.

Giang hesitates.

GIANG
Well, I'm a bit busy today. Just go on
your own.

AN
But we always go together…

GIANG
We don't have that many things to buy,
right? So I think from now on, just
one of us is enough. You go today and
it will be my turn next time.

An says nothing, still looking at Giang. Giang doesn't raise

his head.

AN
Alright...

An takes a step back and walks away. Giang sighs.

INT. WORKING ROOM - NIGHT

AN
Mr. Giang, dinner is ready.

GIANG
I'm not done yet. Just eat without me.

An doesn't respond. He enters the kitchen and gets a big

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 23.

bowl. An slowly puts Giang's bowl and chopsticks aside, then

splits half of the dishes into the bowl he has just brought
out.

An only takes a few bites before putting his chopsticks down.

He stops eating.

Inside, Giang cannot concentrate on the script in front of

him. All he is thinking about is An's silence when he refuses
to eat with him.

INT. WORKING ROOM - NIGHT

Giang and An sits at their own desk in two different corners

of the room, writing scripts separately. Sometimes, An looks
up and glances at Giang. Giang still concentrates on his
script, not looking back at An.

END MONTAGE

INT. WORKING ROOM - DAY

Giang and An sit at separate desks. An holds his pen, stares

at a blank paper. An looks over to Giang's side and sees
Giang's calmly writing his script. An gets up and comes over
to Giang's desk.

AN
Let's go to the market together.

GIANG
I told you that…

AN
I know. You told me that you don't
want to go to the market with me,
right? Do you know how long it's been
ever since then? I mean since you
started avoiding me.

Giang jerks his head up. An's face flushes with anger.

GIANG
This is just a misunderstanding. It's
not what you're thinking.

An raises his voice.

AN
After more than two weeks of shopping,
eating, and even writing the script,

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 24.

which is supposed to be a
collaborative work, I think we've
become quite close. What's the matter?
Did I do something wrong? I thought we
were getting along better lately.

Giang gets up to stand in front of An.

GIANG
Sorry. I'll admit that I've been
feeling a little down lately. I
avoided you because I didn't want my
mood to affect you.

AN
We're meant to cooperate. If you keep
pushing me away like that, I'm not
sure how I should work on the script.

An softens his voice as he notices Giang's weary look. An

stretches out and softly touches Giang's arm.

AN
I don't mind being affected. I'm
willing to listen if you have any
problems.

GIANG
Sorry, but I can't tell you about
this.

An drops his hand out of Giang's arm.

AN
I can't force you to talk about your
personal life. But we're working as a
team now. If things keep going on like
this, there is no way we can finish
the script in time.

GIANG
So how far have you gotten with your
writing? Do you need any help?

An takes a step back, seems to be startled.

AN
Nothing special. I'm not really
satisfied so I'm still trying to
develop the story more.

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GIANG
Really? Let me see it. I'll help you.

An vehemently waves his hand, speaking faster than usual.

AN
Oh no, you don't have to. I'll try to
edit it first then I'll show you
later.

Seeing An's anxious reaction, Giang laughs. He remembers how

he used to make harsh comments on An's script in the early
days of their collaboration.

GIANG
Don't be terrified. It's not like this
is my first time reading your script.
I've been with you since the
beginning, so I know how hard you've
worked to improve your skills.

An keeps waving his hand. Giang walks up to An's desk. An

runs past Giang and reaches there first. He leans back
against his desk. The shade of his back covers the notebook
used to write the script. He props his hands up the desk
behind.

Giang leans over and looks behind An's back, pointing at the
notebook.

GIANG
Come on, don't be shy, let me read it.
You said that we are a team. Isn't it
normal for your teammate to review
your work?

Giang reaches over to An's side to take the notebook. An also

leans in Giang's direction, quickly grabs the notebook before
Giang touches it.

AN
No...I can't let you see it now.

Their eyes meet. An quickly turns to look in another

direction. Giang also stands up straight, clears his throat
then pretends to fix his collar.

GIANG (V.O)
Too close... I made him feel
uncomfortable again...

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 26.

The atmosphere becomes awkward, no one says a word.

A NEIGHBOR runs in, standing in front of the front door.

NEIGHBOR
Mr. An, are you free? Can you come
with me for a little bit?

An still holds the notebook in hand, turns to look at the

neighbor. An walks behind the table.

AN
Yes, I'm here. Wait a minute. I'll go
over there soon.

An holds the notebook in one hand, lowering his body to the

drawers. The neighbor waves his hands in a hurry.

NEIGHBOR
(shouts)
It's an urgent situation. Mr. An,
please come here as soon as possible!

An instantly throws the book on the chair and runs out the
door after the neighbor.

Giang smiles. He turns to look at the notebook on the chair.

It is left open. Giang picks up the notebook and is about to
close it until he notices two familiar names: Giang, An.
Giang frowns as he sits down on the chair and reads what is
written on that page.

AN (V.O)
"I'm here. I'm right here. Take a look
this way. Don't avoid me anymore." The
young man's heart overflowed, as if
right next second, An might stand up
and force Giang to look him straight
in the eyes, and see how deep this
feeling is...

Giang's eyes are wide open. He scrolls backward through the

pages.

AN (V.O)
Waterdrop lingered on the face, empty
hands. An's worried about Giang. My
biggest wish is you stay safe forever.

A few more pages are flipped over.

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 27.

AN (V.O)
An wants to take Giang home to eat his
mother's food. But not as a teacher or
brother. But as his special one.

Giang sits in silence. He recalls each incident described in

An's script. It is all about what had occurred between them.

GIANG
Turns out…

GIANG
Turns out I'm not the only one who
feels this way...

Giang bursts out laughing. The brightest, happiest smile

ever. Giang carefully strikes the script pages then slowly
re-read each page several times.

An enters the room. He takes a quick glance over Giang's

desk. No one is there. An is left bewildered until he turns
to see Giang sitting at his desk, holding his script
notebook.

Giang is so absorbed in reading one page that he appears

motionless. He only raises his head in surprise when the
notebook is taken from his grasp. He furrows his eyebrows in
rage.

Giang meets An's eyes. His eyebrows are relaxed. An's hands
tremble as he is holding the notebook. He doesn't say a word.

GIANG
An, I...

An immediately turns around and runs out. An keeps running

fast. Giang chases after him.

GIANG
An, wait! An!

An runs faster.

GIANG
An. Please. Listen to me.

Giang looks at the sign on the side of the road and realizes
this is the route that leads to the town's train station.
Giang speeds up and catches up to An.

Giang holds An's hand, but An pulls it away. An doesn't look

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 28.

at Giang. He is about to run again. Giang uses more power. He

grabs An with both hands. Giang takes a step forward and
stands in front of Giang. He forces An to face him.

GIANG
An, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I
didn't do it on purpose.

An tries to free himself from Giang's grasp. Giang eases his

grip, just enough to prevent An from running away.

Some farmers pass by where Giang and An are standing. One of

the farmers stares at An. An looks down at Giang's grabbing
him by both his hands. He imagines the scenario of a couple
arguing on the side of the road. In this case, both are men.

AN
It's better to go talk somewhere else
rather than this crowded street. I
won't go away so please let go of me.

Giang releases An. They walk to a secluded yard nearby.

EXT. IN THE YARD - DAY

Giang wipes the dust from the stone chair. He reaches out to
An's arms but then retracts halfway.

GIANG
Take a seat here.

An does not respond, nor does he take a seat. An is still

trying to figure out how to get out of here.

GIANG
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to read your
script without your permission... I
was about to put it back on the table,
but it was left open…

AN
So how far have you read?

Giang doesn't say anything.

An squats down. He covers his face by hands. An's shoulder

trembled. Giang lowers his body to place his hand on An's
shoulder, but he gets pushed away. Giang notices An's tear-
streaked face. Giang squats down in front of An. Giang places
his palm on An's ear and strokes it softly with his thumb.

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 29.

GIANG
Are you all right, An? Please don't
cry...

An's eyes welled up with tears. He shouts.

AN
Why are you still here? Why don't you
escape from me? Don't you find what I
wrote disgusting?

Giang panics. Giang strokes An's ear. He wipes away An's

tears. He tenderly pats An's shoulder. These actions are
repeated in a random order over and over.

GIANG
What do you mean? It's not disgusting
at all. I laughed a lot while reading
it.

AN
You mean that is ridiculous...

Ann cries even harder.

Giang rubs his hand through An's hair and looks him straight
in the eyes. With a gentle tone, Giang appeases An.

GIANG
I didn't laugh because it's
ridiculous, but because I'm happy.
Turns out that the person in my heart
also shares my feelings. You can't
imagine how happy I was.

An stares up at Giang, puzzles, as he hastily wipes away the

tears from his face.

Giang rubs An's hair.

GIANG
Do you get what I'm saying? I also
feel the same as you. I want to be
close to you, to eat with you every
day, and to share many experiences
with you. I like you, An.

An remains motionless. Giang wipes the tears from An's face.

GIANG
I understand what you're afraid of.

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 30.

But the love we have for each other is

not wrong. Rimbaud and Verlaine, or
Tchaikovsky and Apukhtin, those great
artists also had the same feeling with
us. Furthermore, I'll always be by
your side.

AN
Is that really how you feel about me?
Am I in a dream?

An sniffles.

AN
But I don't want to affect your
reputation...

GIANG
That's not the problem. The most
important thing is our feelings for
one another.

They look deeply into each other's eyes for a long time.
Giang stands up first, stooping slightly.

GIANG
So will you come home with me?

An nods. Giang helps An stand up.

They walk side by side back home.

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