LIVING IN BRAZIL

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OVER BLACK:
LYNN (V.O.)
I finished my master's degree in
Vermont in mid-1974.
FADE IN:

EXT. VERMONT - DAY

A picturesque view of Vermont, colorful, bright, and calm
accompanies the sounds of insects and birds.

LYNN (V.O.)
I had no idea what I should do, and
when in doubt, join the Peace
Corps. I filled out an application,
and eventually, I received an
invitation to work in Brazil. I
accepted. It was a perfect job. My
assignment had me working in
education in the state of Mato
Grosso.

EXT. UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT - DAY

Students are walking the university grounds, chatting, and
reading.
LYNN (V.O.)
An advantage of going to Brazil was
that I would learn to speak
Portuguese and become familiar with
a major culture in Latin America. I
began counting the days to the
start of training.

EXT./INT. JFK AIRPORT - DAY

A GROUP alights from a bus and march their way into the
airport. They join the queue to ticket checked.
LYNN (V.O.)
The Peace Corps shipped all
trainees to Philadelphia for
processing, after which they bussed
us to New York, where we flew from
New York to Rio de Janeiro.
 2.

INT. AIRPLANE - LATER

The aircraft is filled with passengers, but most of them are
chatting freely like they've always known each other. In the
midst of the chats, LYNN BECK sits in a corner, staring out
of the window.
LYNN (V.O.)
It was an exceptionally long
flight, but all the trainees were
too excited to sleep. Everyone
spent the night jabbering about
their personal lives. I was excited
too, but I kept to myself. From Rio
we flew to Belo Horizonte, the
capital of the state of Minas
Gerais. Belo Horizonte was a large
city.

EXT. MULTISTORIED BUILDING - DAY

Lynn stands in front a storey building with SIX MEN in the
city of Belo Horizonte. Trucks drive past them, loaded with
mining equipment as they make their way into the building.
LYNN (V.O.)
Minas Gerais, which means “general
mines” in English, was known for
its mining of emeralds, rubies,
diamonds, and other precious
stones. They split the male
trainees between two or three
boarding houses, as they did the
female trainees. They placed me,
along with five or six others, in
an old lady’s multistoried rooming
house. It was difficult to learn
Portuguese while mixed in with
English-speaking trainees.

INT. BUS - MOVING - DAY

The TRAINEES are inside the bus, quietly chatting amongst
themselves. There is a small cluster around Lynn.
LYNN
Each day we had to take a bus to
the Peace Corps training center.
(MORE)
 3.
LYNN (CONT'D)
Some of the other trainees stuck
close to me because they knew that
I spoke Spanish and could solve any
problems that might arise on the
way.

EXT./INT. TRAINING CENTER - LATER

The bus stops in the middle of the compound and the trainees
alight. Lynn pauses to take in the several buildings in the
training center as well as the courtyard.
LYNN (V.O.)
It was nothing like my first Peace
Corps training experience when we
had trained on the mountaintop in a
rain forest in Puerto Rico. I soon
learned that the trainees were
vastly different as well. Most had
joined the Peace Corps as a means
of enriching their résumés. Helping
people was secondary to their goal
of improving their résumés. I was
not impressed by them. I had an
even more challenging time trying
to relate to them than I normally
did with people. The Peace Corps
had changed since my first
experience in 1967, and I did not
like this experience as much as the
old one.
Inside one of the language classes, Lynn seems uninterested
and keeps looking outside the window. At some point, he
stands up and leaves the class.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
We had three to seven trainees per
language instructor, but I quickly
found myself unhappy. I felt that I
could learn faster than the other
trainees because of my fluency in
Spanish. I became frustrated. Soon,
I stopped going to class and stayed
in the main building, reading books
in one corner of the library.

INT. LIBRARY - DAY

Lynn is in the library, reading when a PORTUGUESE TRAINER
walks up to him and engages him in a conversation. While the
conversation is ongoing, another STAFF MEMBER joins them.
 4.

The Staff Member steps aside to make a call and returns with
news that brings a faint smile onto Lynn's face.
LYNN (V.O.)
Word circulated that I was not
attending class, and soon the
person responsible for our
Portuguese training visited me.
After I presented my case, one
staff member mentioned that he had
a friend who was a surveyor in the
rural area. He suggested that I
could live with his friend’s family
and follow him around. He called
his friend Victor, who agreed to
accept me.

EXT. BUS STATION - DAY

The bus comes to a stop and people start alighting one after
the other. Soon, Lynn comes down and VICTOR approaches and
helps with his bag into a Jeep not far from the bus.
LYNN (V.O.)
The next day, I was off to Victor’s
house, via a bus from Belo
Horizonte to Victor’s town. Victor
met me at the bus station, which
consisted of the bus parked under a
large shade tree on the town
square. Victor was personable, and
he hustled my bag into his Jeep and
drove me to his home.

INT. JEEP - MOVING - CONTINUOUS

They are driving in the Jeep and Lynn listens as Victor
continues talking without a break.
LYNN (V.O.)
He chatted as he drove. I
understood half of what he said,
but my Portuguese did not allow me
to uphold my end of the
conversation.

INT. VICTOR'S HOUSE - DAY

Lynn is inside the small living room with Victor and VICTOR'S
WIFE. They are making small talk in Portuguese and laughing.
 5.

LYNN (V.O.)
I lived with Victor and his family
for ten weeks. I knew it was not
always comfortable for them to have
me in their small house, but they
never allowed their frustration to
show. I was paying them rent for
the use of their house, but they
accepted me into their home, not
for the rent, but to do a favor for
their friend who had asked on my
behalf. My Portuguese improved a
little each day while I was there.
I always tried to learn a new word
each day, but with my limited
vocabulary, it was possible for me
to learn a half dozen new words
each day. Our training period
ended, and they called me back to
the training center.

EXT. AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY

The plane is sitting on the runway while the passengers
alight after each other. Lynn steps out of the plane and
pauses at the top of the stairs to let the cool breeze hit
his face, but instead, he recoils from the hot and humid air.
He shakes his head and then descends from the stairs.

INT. PEACE CORPS OFFICE - DAY

Lynn walks past the front desk and sits down while the
SECRETARY enters the director's office and comes out in less
than a minute.
SECRETARY
The director will see you now.
Lynn nods and smiles at her as he enters the office. The
DIRECTOR signals for Lynn to take his seat while he quickly
signs some documents. Finally, he looks up at his guest.
DIRECTOR
I'm sorry for keeping you waiting,
Mr. Beck.
LYNN
That is fine, sir. I came straight
here from the airport.
DIRECTOR
Oh, really!
 6.

He rummages through some of his files as he continues to

speak.
DIRECTOR (CONT'D)
I hope it wasn't a stressful
flight.
LYNN
Definitely not, sir. But the
weather here... it is different.
DIRECTOR
(stops searching, and
smiles)
You're correct on that. There's one
problem we're trying to fix and it
involves your assignment.
LYNN
Oh! Is everything okay, sir?
DIRECTOR
Yes. Yes, it is okay, but before I
can approve your resuming your
place of assignment, we must
resolve this matter. So for now, I
have to put you in a holding
pattern.
LYNN
(disappointed)
Oh. Okay.
DIRECTOR
So for now, you should find
somewhere you can stay while
waiting. You can speak to my
secretary outside. She can help you
with some suggestions.
LYNN
Alright, sir. Thank you.
DIRECTOR
I'm sorry for whatever
inconvenience this may cause you. I
will try to make sure this gets
resolved as soon as possible.
Lynn stands up and walks out of the office. He pauses outside
and takes a glance at the secretary whose face is pressed
into a big folder she's sorting. As he approaches her, she
looks up and smiles at him.
 7.

SECRETARY
I know what you want to ask.
LYNN
You know?
SECRETARY
Yes. There's a boarding house close
to the edge of the city. It's in a
bunkhouse-style, but it should be
affordable and meet some of your
tastes.
LYNN
You think maybe I can get the
directions?
SECRETARY
Oh, sure!
She scribbles something on a piece of paper and gives it to
Lynn.
SECRETARY (CONT'D)
You cannot miss the place.
LYNN
(reading her scribbling)
Okay. Thank you, ma'am.
The secretary smiles as Lynn takes his leave.

INT. BOARDING HOUSE - DAY

The boarding house contains a large room with narrow beds on
each side. They are all occupied and in a corner, the shower
and bathroom stalls sit. TWO MEN comes out from the bathroom
stalls, water still dripping from their bodies. Lynn is
sitting on his bed and chatting with MAN 1, MAN 2, and MAN 3,
sitting on their beds.
MAN 2
(in Portuguese)
When we enter the forest in a few
days, we will return as men with
lands holding crops that would feed
cities for weeks.
MAN 1
(in Portuguese)
My son is going to be proud of his
pa.
(MORE)
 8.
MAN 1 (CONT'D)
I'll have such a big land that will
provide for generations of my
family to come.
MAN 3
(in Portuguese)
My wife was so happy when I told
her I was coming to Cuiaba. Rio
Grande do Sul is a good place to
live, but here is where our wealth
will come from. Everyone knows it
is not easy, but only those who
dare to try can succeed.
LYNN
(in Portuguese)
You all are taking very big risks.
What if it doesn't work out the way
you want it? So many things can go
wrong. I heard there's barely any
farmer that has been able to grow a
single crop on that land.
MAN 2
(in Portuguese)
The only problem is cutting down
the trees, and that is why we have
axes and chainsaws. Once we burn
the trees, there is enough space to
plant whatever we want.
The men continue to chat amongst themselves.
LYNN (V.O.)
The lack of reasonable roads, even
in the dry season, prevented anyone
from transporting the trees for
processing into planks. Besides, no
sawmills capable of milling the
large trees were available. Even if
they could have processed the wood
into planks, it still would have
had to travel hundreds of miles to
find any market; therefore, the
trees had no value. Cuiabá was
located at the end of the world—
where the wind goes before it stops
to rest and turn around. It was
like Cuiabá was an island located
in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
As their conversation progresses, the HOST enters the room
carrying cuia and tea bag.
 9.

HOST
My people, I have brought you some
erva matte. Lynn, have you ever had
it before?
LYNN
(thinking and shaking his
head)
I don't believe that I have.
HOST
Then you must try it. We drink it
during social ceremonies. It may
look common to you later when you
have stayed here for longer, but
always remember that it has great
significance.
The host sets down the cuia and the tea bag.
HOST (CONT'D)
I overheard you talking about the
trees in the forests.
He pours tea into the cuia, taking his time to do it
correctly while the other men keep the conversation going.
When he has made the space from top to the bottom of the
cuia, he takes out a silver straw and puts it inside the cuia
until it also touches the bottom. Lastly, he takes out his
thermal bottle and slowly pours water into the cuia through
the straw. When he is satisfied, he sucks from the straw,
checks the content of the cuia, sucks some more, and then
passes it to Man 2. After Man 2 sucks it, he passes it to
Lynn who carefully sucks in a little. When he tastes it, he
sucks some more and smiles as he passes the cuia to the next
person.
HOST (CONT'D)
You like it?
LYNN
(smiles)
It tastes different. I actually
enjoyed it.
HOST
I'll make some more.
They all clap and laugh. As Lynn's laugh fades away, he rolls
his neck around uncomfortably. He touches the back of his
neck and feels a growing boil there.
MAN 3
Something wrong?
 10.

LYNN
I think I may have caught a boil.
MAN 3
It's nothing. It will disappear.

INT. PEACE CORPS OFFICE - LATER

Lynn is in the director's office. The director stares at him
as he stamps and signs a paper.
DIRECTOR
There, you have your approval. I
would suggest you get surgery to
remove it before it becomes
something we can no longer handle.
LYNN
If you think so, sir. I'll head to
the hospital right away and get it
sorted.
DIRECTOR
Wise choice.
Lynn nods, stands up, and walks out of the office.

EXT. PEACE CORPS OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Lynn stands outside the office building and looks as taxis
speed past him. He seems to be in a huge dilemma, deciding on
what to do. After deliberating for some time, he finally
starts walking down the road.

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Lynn is lying down on the surgical table, his eyes closing as
the anesthesia takes effect.

SAME SCENE - LATER

Lynn's eyes open and he is now in a hospital bed. The surgery
has ended. His eyes close again as he drifts off into sleep.
When his eyes open again, they fall on two beautiful ladies,
a MOTHER, and her DAUGHTER, waiting in the corridor and
looking into his room.
They walk into the room, beautiful smiles on their faces.
 11.

DAUGHTER
Are you an American?
LYNN
(smiles)
Yes. How did you know that?
MOTHER
Are you here alone?
LYNN
No, you are here with me.
They both smile.
MOTHER
Don't you have any friends?
LYNN
(with a tinge of dramatic
ploy)
No. I know no one.
DAUGHTER
Oh, that is sad.
LYNN
(weakly)
Miss...
DAUGHTER
Yes?
She moves closer to Lynn.
LYNN
Will you marry me?
The daughter smiles pleasantly but she's not able to respond
before her mother grabs her shoulder and drags her out of the
room. They both look back at Lynn and smile at him before
disappearing.

INT. MIKE'S HOUSE - DAY

The front door opens and MIKE'S WIFE welcomes MIKE and Lynn
as he carries his bag into the house. He gets comfortable and
is served cold water after the journey in the hot sun. Mike
And his wife speak Portuguese to each other.
 12.

LYNN (V.O.)
The Regional Peace Corps director
arranged for me to spend a few days
with an experienced volunteer,
Mike. Mike was twenty-two or
twenty-three years old and had
married a young, beautiful local
girl. The volunteer was in his
third year and spoke fluent
Portuguese. I envied his language
ability. He worked in agriculture,
supervising a nursery that produced
grafted fruit trees which he gave
to the pioneer farmers.
Mike later joins Lynn in the living room while his wife
prepares their next meal.
LYNN
You have built a beautiful life
yet. You married a beautiful girl
and you can speak their language
fluently. You even have your own
means of income.
MIKE
Lynn, let me confess this to you. I
have never said it to anyone
before, but I am afraid.
LYNN
(confused)
You are afraid?
MIKE
Yes. I'm afraid of returning to the
United States. I've been here for
so long that I don't know if I can
adapt back to the American way. And
then there's my wife. She doesn't
speak any English. How is she
supposed to adapt? She is very much
attached to her family. She has
seen her mother every day of her
life. How then would she cope with
not seeing her mother for months or
years?
LYNN
That would be a lot to give up. I
can see that.
 13.

MIKE
I already think that I should go to
the state's university. I want to
major in horticulture and then
return to Mato Grosso to get a job
doing what I love doing.
LYNN (V.O.)
Mike’s Peace Corps duties included
supervising a couple of dozen
workers, some were agronomists, yet
Mike had never gone to a
university. This was often the
case. Peace Corps volunteers often
had responsibilities far beyond
what they could obtain in the
United States. For me, Peace Corps
offered four advantages: first,
helping people; second, learning to
speak fluently a foreign language;
third, learning how to live in and
understand a culture different from
your own; and fourth, gaining
responsibility far above what you
would see for one or two decades in
the US.
Mike's wife returns with trays of food consisting of black
beans, rice, local cheese, and small pieces of meat. As they
eat, they continue to converse.

EXT. MIKE'S HOUSE - DAY

Mike leads Lynn to his Jeep with his wife by the door waving
goodbye to the men.

EXT. GAS STATION - LATER

The Jeep drives into the gas station. Lynn helps Mike take
out some of the gas cans from the Jeep and they fill it up.
They stack it in the back of the Jeep. Mike hands Lynn a
blanket from the Jeep and Lynn soaks it inside a tank. He
takes it out and gives it back to Mike, who folds it and
tucks it around the gas cans.
They get back into the Jeep and drive away.

EXT./INT. ROAD/JEEP - LATER

Lynn is watching the gasoline cans as the Jeep bounces up and
down on the road.
 14.

They are driving through a fire alley with sparks flying

everywhere. Some of them drop on Lynn's legs and arms but he
keeps his eyes on the cans to make sure no spark gets close.
Finally, they are out of danger. Not too long after making it
past the alley of fire, the car suddenly stops. They manage
to step out of the car without dipping their feet in the pool
of water around the car.
LYNN
(frantic)
How far are we from a gas station
or a mechanic, or even from
anywhere?
MIKE
(unbothered)
About fifty miles.
Mike steps onto the front bumper and opens the hood. He
checks to see if he can figure out what is wrong.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Lynn, help me with the screwdriver
in the cubbyhole.
Lynn immediately checks and hands Mike the screwdriver. He
watches as Mike removes the ignition cap and tinkers around
for a while.
MIKE (CONT'D)
This is the problem. It's broken.
LYNN
How long will it take us to return
to civilization?
Mike removes a knife and inserts it somewhere in the engine.
MIKE
Why?
LYNN
Well, if it's broken, do we not
have to go buy a part to repair it?
MIKE
Let's walk up the road. There is a
house, and we can see if they have
any old radio batteries. No, we
don't. I can make the part we need.
 15.

EXT. HUT - LATER

Lynn is right behind Mike as they approach a hut with a
doorpost but no door. Lynn watches him stop close to the
entrance and clap his hands.
MIKE
Oh de casa!
As they wait for a while, the OWNER comes to the doorway,
smiling. He comes out, shakes Mike, and waves at Lynn when he
notices the other man continues to stand back.
OWNER
You have nothing to worry about.
Lynn looks at him, confused, until his eyes fall on a small
bamboo cage with a moderate-sized snake inside. Lynn jumps
back and the owner laughs loudly.
OWNER (CONT'D)
It is just a baby. Maybe ten or
twelve feet, but still a baby and
he helps me with rat control.
MIKE
Good, sir. Our car broke down and I
would be happy to hear that you
have a battery we can use.
OWNER
Well, yes. I have an old battery
and I will be happy to donate it to
your noble cause.

EXT. ROAD - LATER

Mike and Lynn return to the car as they left it with two
radio battery in hand. Mike quickly does the battery change
and they return into the Jeep. The vehicle comes to life as
soon as Mike turns the key. They look at each other, smile,
and are on their way.

INT. PEACE CORPS OFFICE - DAY

Lynn is in the director's office, and the conversation he is
having with the man isn't a pleasant one.
DIRECTOR
The job is gone... and now, I have
to transfer you to Natal in Rio
Grande do Norte.
(MORE)
 16.
DIRECTOR (CONT'D)
If you don't want, you can go home.
Should you be worried, I also plan
to transfer to Recife, just four
hours from Natal, three months for
now.
LYNN
I am not happy with this
development, sir, but it is
refreshing to know that you
wouldn't be too far away.

EXT. AIRPORT TERMINAL - DAY

Lynn steps out to the airport terminal and flags down a taxi.
He gets into the taxi after loading his bags in the trunk and
they drive off.
LYNN (V.O.)
I flew into Recife from Cuiabá and
received my orientation at the
Peace Corps office. It was a huge
city, but I liked it. Once the
Peace Corps resolved all the
bureaucratic problems, I was
transported four hours to the north
along the coast and introduced to
my supervising agency. I would be
working in the equivalent of our
state agricultural extension
office.

INT. TAXI - LATER

The taxi is driving through the city and Lynn looks out
through the window, taking in the view.
LYNN (V.O.)
At the time, I did not know what I
was supposed to do, but now, forty-
five years later, I understand
perfectly: they expected me to do
nothing. They expected nothing from
me. They wanted nothing from me.
They hoped that I would be quiet,
invisible, and undemanding and that
I eventually would go away. They
had so many major problems to
resolve that my idiosyncrasies were
not high on their list of
priorities.
(MORE)
 17.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
They were kind, and they gave me a
desk and a chair and asked nothing
from me. In exchange, I had a
reason to live in Brazil for two
years, to learn the language and
the culture, and even mature more.
Looking back, I had a wonderful
deal.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER

Lynn drops his bags on the floor and looks around the room.
LYNN (V.O.)
I had to find temporary living
quarters, so I rented a room in a
cheap hotel in the downtown area
until I could manage to locate a
permanent place. I had to find a
place rapidly since the hotel room
rates were consuming my living
allowance. The cost of living in
Natal was much lower than it had
been in Cuiabá, but we received a
smaller living allowance.

EXT. STREETS OF NATAL - LATER

Lynn walks on the street, utterly aware that he is alone as
he bumps into a few PEOPLE. Some of them ignore him while
others look back at him as he apologizes. The street is
overflowing with people everywhere.
LYNN (V.O.)
Since I knew no one, I walked
around the downtown region alone.
The streets were so busy, so full
of people. Residents were walking
up and down the street, and if they
bumped into me, they never said
they were sorry. When I bumped into
them, they were surprised when I
apologized. They stopped to see who
had spoken to them. They knew I was
from way out of town. People filled
the wide sidewalks. In addition,
people were standing on the street
selling hot dogs, candy, other
food, and lottery tickets and
begging.
(MORE)
 18.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Each stationary person interrupted
the flow of people and caused a
backup, like a wrecked car on an
interstate highway.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Lynn enters his hotel room, sweating profusely. He takes off
his clothes and throws them into a pile of other dirty
clothes. He disappears into the bathroom and returns. He
looks at the neatly folded clothes on his bed but ignores
them as he is beginning to sweat again.
LYNN
It was very warm, and I was
sweating profusely after walking
only a dozen steps. After walking
three or four blocks, I returned to
my hotel room at noon and took a
shower, but it did no good. I was
sweating again within minutes. Not
only was it hot; it was humid. I
had my clothes crunched up in my
suitcases and needed to find
someone to wash them. I had my
clothes washed by hand. I had to
count each item in each laundry
batch to be sure that everything
was returned. It took a couple of
days, but the wash lady always
returned my clothes fresh and
perfectly ironed.
He opens his bag and takes out a packet of cookies to eat.
LYNN (V.O.)
During this period, I was living
mostly on cookies. My living
allowance was not large, and if I
had eaten in a lunch place,
especially all three meals, I would
have had no money left after the
first week in the month.

EXT. FARM - DAY

The farm is large and WORKERS are on various plots, weeding
and tending to the crops. The SUPERVISORS move from plot to
plot, checking what the workers are doing.
 19.

LYNN (V.O.)
David was a force of nature.
Everyone in the state of Rio Grande
do Norte knew David or wanted to
know David. He was famous, and
everyone loved him. When I had met
him during my training in Belo
Horizonte, he had presented himself
as a quiet, timid man. He had come
to our training, given his serious
and succinct presentation on
horticulture, and left. In Rio
Grande do Norte, his image was
different. David was from a New
York farm. He had graduated from
Cornell University with a master’s
degree in horticulture and had been
one of the first people to join the
Peace Corps after its formation.
The Peace Corps sent him to Rio
Grande do Norte, and after he
finished his two-year tour, he had
stayed in-country with only a few
coins rattling in his pockets. He
had begun working for several agro-
related companies. For one job, he
traveled the countryside buying
corn from farmers, which Purina
used to manufacture animal feed. He
became intimately acquainted with
the geography of the state and
discovered the best place to farm.
He soon had found the perfect
little farm with an absentee owner;
first, he rented it, and later, he
bought it. It was next to the Açu
River and three hours’ travel by
car from Natal. Until David
arrived, no one had considered that
the river water could be used for
irrigation.

EXT. BACKYARD FARM - NIGHT

Meanwhile, behind a shed, there is a small farm and DAVID is
bent over, slowly doing his work under the moonlight. He has
several vegetables on his small farm and they look fresh and
juicy. A river passes by his farm and he has diverted some
into his farm.
 20.

LYNN (V.O.)
David started producing vegetables,
and as he produced them, he
developed different technological
packages for each vegetable. He
could not go to the extension
service for help because—and I am
ashamed to say so—they did not know
how to give that help. The
technical advice given by the
extension system was for states
located far away from Rio Grande do
Norte, which had quite different
soils and climate. David was
innovative, optimistic, and self-
reliant. He did not attempt any
project before he knew it would
work. He conducted small test
trials to find the optimal
technological package for each crop
he wanted to produce before he
applied it to his farm on a larger
scale.

INT. PARTY ROOM - NIGHT

David is in a party room making small talk with different
PEOPLE dressed in wealthy attires. The drinks are flowing and
the music doesn't stop.
LYNN (V.O.)
Once he had mastered the
technological packages, he sought
special markets to obtain the
highest price. He found that the
offshore oil platforms located off
the coast of Natal were perfect.
They demanded high-quality food and
would pay for it. David could
produce it. He secured the
contracts and went about producing.
All he needed to do was buy an old
VW van to make the three-hour trip
from his farm to the point of
delivery. This was not easy since
he had no capital to start his
farm. He continued working his jobs
during the day and worked the farm
at night and on weekends.
 21.

INT. SHACK - NIGHT

David lays in a hammock, staring at the stars from his
windows. His eyes seem to not be focused on anything, but his
thoughts are far away.
LYNN (V.O.)
David lived in a small, old, three-
sided machine shed, where he slept
in a hammock slung from two posts.
He bathed in the river and ate his
meals in bars in town. The town was
a half mile from his farm. He ate
mostly rice and beans, chased down
with ice-cold beer. David loved his
beer. His work uniform consisted of
a pair of shorts, a light shirt, a
pair of sandals, and a floppy hat
to keep the sun off his neck and
face. His needs were minimal. David
was a complex man, but one with
simple needs.

INT. LYNN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

There is a knock on the door and as Lynn opens it, David is
standing on the other side. He smiles and talks as he enters.
He walks over to the refrigerator and opens it to see that it
is empty.
LYNN (V.O.)
There were days when I heard a
knock at my door and was surprised
upon opening it to see David. The
first thing he asked for was an
ice-cold beer. Nothing tasted worse
than a moderately cold beer.
Brazil’s beer always tasted good if
it was served ice-cold. My
refrigerator was too old and broken
down to keep beer cold.
Lynn excuses himself as he opens another door that leads
directly to a bar. He looks towards the bartender's place.
LYNN
Oh, Jose, passe duas geladinhas por
cima!
He closes the door and stares at David. Within a few seconds,
a tray appears above his wall and he takes the beer from it.
He places the money on it and the tray is withdrawn.
 22.

David starts drinking from his beer while Lynn watches him
and laughs.
LYNN (V.O.)
David always talked about the farm—
his crops or his small machinery or
new things he was thinking about
doing. He always had a new market
he wanted to produce for. He
dreamed of sending his produce
straight to Paris, France. I
enjoyed listening to him. David had
no concept of time. He might arrive
at any time and stay for hours.
Indeed, there were times I had to
cast him into the night because I
needed to sleep to be productive
the next day. David could drink
until 3:00 a.m. in Natal, make the
three-hour drive to his farm, hitch
the oxen, and spend all day in the
hot sun, making furrows. David had
a source of energy that I envied.
DAVID
I was partying on the other side of
the river with friends, but they
wanted to nap after eating and
drinking. I wanted some more action
so I thought to myself, why don't
you swim across the river, right
where it flows into the ocean?
LYNN (V.O.)
Depending on what part of the cycle
the tide was in, this could be
extremely dangerous due to the
undertow. David did not seem to
mind.
David drowns the rest of his beer and stands up.
DAVID
I'll see you some other time, Lynn.
David is out of the house in no time.

EXT. STREETS OF ALECRIM - DAY

Different views of Alecrim show the narrow streets made of
uneven cobblestone, and their sidewalks forcing the people to
walk carefully but almost inside each other.
 23.

The markets are overflowing with people bumping into each

other and displayed wares. Lynn tries to dodge bumping into
other people but he cannot help it. He stops at a stall
selling fruits to buy mangoes and pineapples.
LYNN (V.O.)
Alecrim was an old town that Natal
had grown up around and absorbed.
It was at least three hundred years
old. Its streets were all narrow,
constructed from uneven cobblestone
that required people to look down
as they walked to avoid stumbling.
The sidewalks were narrow, often
insufficiently wide for a person to
walk. The houses were narrow as
well and shared walls on the sides.
Most houses were just wider than
was needed to stretch a hammock,
but they went deep into the block.
On any day of the week, the streets
were alive with people, but one day
a week, the streets were jammed:
that was market day in Alecrim. In
larger cities, each small town
inside the city had its own market
day. Each market had its own
specialties, such as fabrics or
cooking utensils or spices, but all
markets had the basics. I loved
going to Alecrim on its market day,
especially if I was feeling lonely
or depressed. The colors of Alecrim
were astonishing. So many people
walked through the streets, and
they dressed in bright colors. In
addition to the people, there was
the merchandise: clothing, fabrics,
plastic materials, fruits,
vegetables, and spices. It was a
color festival that would elevate
anyone’s spirit.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Each store spread its wares outside
its narrow store space. Those wares
tumbled onto the sidewalk and even
spilled into the street itself.
There was a sound fest as well. The
store workers yelled and waved
their arms, trying to attract the
attention of people walking by.
(MORE)
 24.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The scraping of cartwheels and the
clank of shoed horse feet against
the cobblestones interrupted the
screaming of street hawkers. People
walking in the streets constantly
bumped into other people while
trying to find what they were
looking for. They had to dodge
other people doing the same.
Porters were scurrying back and
forth while carrying large loads on
their backs. Other porters were
bringing merchandise to the stores
to be sold yet that day. It was
chaos. I would usually buy mangoes
or papaya or cashew fruits or
pineapples to take home with me.
The fruits were all soft from
ripeness and emitting their
fragrances. I never wanted to go
home, but my legs and arms
eventually tired, and I had to find
a bus.

EXT. AIRPORT - DAY

Lynn carries his bags with him toward the entrance to the
airport terminal.
LYNN (V.O.)
I had eight months left on my
second Peace Corps enlistment when
I decided I wanted to study for my
doctorate in agricultural
economics. I needed to visit three
or four programs before I made my
choice. I applied to Peace Corps
for special permission to return to
the US, at my expense, to visit
three or four key universities. The
organization gave me permission.

EXT. UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN - DAY

Lynn is walking along the grounds of the university, trying
to get to another building. After a while, he comes out of
the building and drives towards the gate.
LYNN (V.O.)
I flew home to Nebraska, where I
visited the University of Nebraska–
Lincoln.
(MORE)
 25.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I also visited the Universities of
Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and
Iowa. They were all excellent
universities with admirable
programs, but I felt a connection
with the University of Missouri.
The university offered me an
assistantship on the spot, which I
accepted gratefully. I did not then
know that this was going to be a
difficult road. They had accepted
me into a Ph.D. program in
agricultural economics. I had only
basic mathematic and economic
skills, no statistics experience,
and no ability to write. On the
Ph.D. level, it was imperative to
possess excellent English grammar.
I did not. While working on my
Ph.D., I would have to take
remedial classes in calculus, micro
and macroeconomics, statistics, and
writing. Had I fully understood
what was coming, I would have asked
for an assistantship for a master’s
degree rather than a Ph.D.

EXT. BECK'S FAMILY HOUSE - DAY

As Lynn comes out of the taxi, his parents come out of the
house, smiling and arms open to take him into an embrace.
They are happy to see each other as they return to the house,
their voice loud and chatty.
LYNN (V.O.)
It was good to see my family during
this visit. Dad had effectively
retired and had invited Mom to
learn to dance. They drove to
Omaha, a hundred miles each way, to
take dancing lessons twice a week.
They wanted to buy me a gift, so I
asked for samba lessons. I was
having difficulties learning the
dance by doing it in Brazil. I
wanted to surprise my dates by
learning the step-by-step breakdown
of the samba. My parents arranged
for me to have four hours of
individual instruction. I was
grateful. I was confident that I
would surprise my dancing dates.
 26.

INT. TAXI - MOVING - DAY

Lynn is inside the taxi, driving away from the airport and an
airplane is flying overhead.
LYNN (V.O.)
Upon my return, I decided to apply
my new knowledge of dancing the
samba. On the first Saturday night,
I took a bus to the nightclub and
waited for the partying to start.

INT. CLUB - NIGHT

Lynn sips his drink as he looks around the club at other
people who are either dancing or looking at those dancing.
LYNN (V.O.)
People did not start to enter the
club until around 11:00 p.m. The
dancing was great after 1:00 a.m. I
noticed a shapely blonde enter with
two companions whom I deduced to be
her sister and brother.
Lynn stares at the GIRL, the SISTER, and her BROTHER. Lynn
stands up and approaches their table. He smiles as he arrives
there.
LYNN
(to the girl)
Miss, would you like to dance with
me?
GIRL
(smiles)
Of course, sir.
Lynn offers her his hand, she takes it and he leads her to
the dance floor. The girl places her arms around his neck.
Lynn looks confused for a bit and then grabs her waist. The
girl's hips move to the beat of the music while Lynn hangs
onto her. As the dancing progresses, Lynn looks around to see
if anyone is watching him dance but he sees no one. Soon,
they stop dancing.
GIRL (CONT'D)
Why don't you join us at our table?
Lynn looks over at his own table and sees new faces already
sitting there.
 27.

LYNN
Yes, I would like that.
Lynn returns to the table with the girl and they keep
talking.
LYNN (V.O.)
I explained to her that I did not
know how to dance but wanted to
learn. I am sure that she was
already aware of that, but she was
not concerned. She was happy that
she had an opportunity to dance and
that I was capable of hanging on or
following. She asked a few
questions: Who was I? What was I
doing in Brazil? Did I miss my
family? And then we returned to the
floor to dance again. Later, we
agreed to meet again the following
Saturday at 11:00 p.m. And so, it
came to be that we met every
Saturday night at 11:00 p.m.

SAME SCENE - ANOTHER NIGHT

Lynn and the girl are at the table, chatting and also
dancing.
LYNN (V.O.)
There was no way that I could apply
the samba that I had learned in my
private lessons in the US. Once,
when I tried, my partner asked me
what I was doing. I told her that I
had learned to do the samba while I
was in the US. She told me to stop
it. She advised me to feel the
music and follow the rhythm. The
problem was that I had no rhythm.
In the end, I clung to her waist
and tried not to lose her on the
dance floor. She was fun to dance
with and nice to look at.
GIRL
Do you have a girlfriend in the US?
LYNN
No.
GIRL
Do you like Brazilian women?
 28.

LYNN
I have found that I do.
GIRL
That is good to hear. What religion
do you practice?
LYNN (V.O.)
After more questions, I realized
that she wanted to take our
relationship to the next level.
That was not in my game plan.
LYNN
I am a macumbeiro.
The girl is taken aback by surprise. The smile she once worse
begins to fade. She blinks as she stares at Lynn.
LYNN (CONT'D)
(smiles wickedly)
And if you ask any more questions,
I will turn you into a frog.
Lynn smiles again, but the smile completely disappears from
the girl's face. It doesn't take long before she whispers to
her siblings and they take their leave from the club.

SAME SCENE - ANOTHER NIGHT

Lynn enters the club and finds a table to sit. He has been
sitting a while and looking at the table he's always shared
with the girl, but she's nowhere to be found. After a while
more, she's still not there.
LYNN (V.O.)
When 11:00 p.m. came, I started to
look for my dance partner, but she
did not appear. By midnight, I
wanted to dance. I could not just
get up and dance without losing my
table. Also, it was customary for
men to carry purses, or capangas,
in which they stored their money,
photographs, car keys, cigarettes,
passport, and other official
documents. I had one and had become
dependent on it. I could not dance
with it; it was too large. I could
not leave it on the table, or I
would lose both the table and the
capanga. I was stuck.
 29.

After looking around for a while, he sees a GUY he knows at a

table with TWO GIRLS, KATIA and her VANIA.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
He was a good guy, but I did not
like him much because he was always
talking about women as his
conquests, and he used foul
language to do it. I thought that
the two girls he was with were
ladies of the night or at least had
loose morals, and I only wanted to
dance.
Lynn grabs his capanga and walks towards them.
LYNN
(nods at the guy)
Hey, man. Such a great night.
GUY
Yes, it is.
LYNN
Do you think I can leave my capanga
on your table?
GUY
Of course.
Lynn smiles as he drops his capanga on the table and nods at
the two ladies as he leaves. He takes up a different spot in
the club, checking out for new dancing partners. He sets his
eyes on a PRETTY GIRL who is standing but not dancing. Lynn
waits back for a while, watching until he finally approaches
her.
LYNN (V.O.)
After a short wait, I decided it
was safe to approach her. I needed
to make sure that she was not
accompanied. Her partner might have
been taking a bathroom break. When
Brazilian men took a bathroom break
and returned to find someone
hitting on their woman, they could
become very volatile. It was always
better to be extra cautious than
get into a fight.
LYNN
(to the pretty girl)
May I ask if you are accompanied?
 30.

PRETTY GIRL
(smiles)
No, I am not.
LYNN
Would you like to dance?
PRETTY GIRL
No.
LYNN
May I ask why?
PRETTY GIRL
I do not know how to dance.
LYNN (V.O.)
I had thought all Brazilian women
knew how to dance. What is this? I
wondered.
LYNN
Are you sure you wouldn't like to
dance with me?
PRETTY GIRL
I cannot. I am working.
LYNN (V.O.)
I asked her again. She said she
could not dance because she was
working. I did not understand and
insisted she try to dance. She
agreed.
Lynn leads her to the dance hall and as they start dancing,
Lynn realizes that she really cannot dance. He looks at her,
smiles, and lets go of her to return to his friend's table.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Unfortunately, she truly did not
know how to dance. That was when I
started to understand what she had
meant when she had said she was
“working.” For you innocents, like
I was, she was a lady of the night
advertising her charms in a
nightclub filled with drunken men.
LYNN
May I join your table?
 31.

The guy nods and points at an empty chair. Lynn pulls it up

and as he sits, he hears the two ladies laughing at him. The
table was weird that night as the conversation doesn't flow.
LYNN (V.O.)
Conversation was difficult because
I had not made a good impression on
the two young ladies. In fact,
later I learned that they
considered me rude, crude, and
arrogant, but they were willing to
smile at me and conduct a small
amount of pleasant conversation,
out of respect for social
etiquette, which did not allow them
to speak their mind or be
disrespectful in any way.
Later, the girls excuse themselves and take their leave.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I learned that the two girls were
sisters. The younger one was still
studying at the University of João
Pessoa, located in the neighboring
state. She was majoring in
psychology and was home on
vacation. All I could manage to
learn was that their names were
Katia and Vania, and they lived
just off the town square by the
city auditorium, where the city
held concerts. In fact, the next
week there was to be a concert
there by a pop star known all over
Brazil. The two sisters showed no
interest in further contact with
me. I had really made a bad first
impression.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Lynn is walking along the street. He soon finds a spot that
is dark and hides well while he continues to watch the
houses. He sees Vania come out from one of the houses but
doesn't move an inch until she returns indoors.
LYNN (V.O.)
During the next week, I pondered
what I should do. I decided to
venture up to their neighborhood
and try to locate their house.
(MORE)
 32.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I walked down the street at night,
trying to remain in the shadows
because I did not want anyone to
see me. I looked into the open-
doored houses until I spotted one
of them. I wanted to go say hi, but
I was very shy and returned home,
angry at myself for being such a
weakling.

INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY

Lynn enters the supermarket, sighs, and goes about his
shopping, moving from isle to isle to pick different items he
needs to make pizza.
LYNN (V.O.)
I had an idea. I could prepare a
nice pizza sauce and take it to
their house. We could make the
crust there, and everyone could
enjoy a nice slice of pizza. For
me, this was an expensive endeavor
because the sauce ingredients were
costly, especially the pork, but I
would do it. The next day, when I
left work, I swung by the
supermarket, bought the
ingredients, and happily lugged
them home.

EXT. STREET - DAY

A taxi drives a little bit past the house that Vania had
exited days before. Lynn comes out of the taxi and struggles
to get out his cooking pot and other ingredients from the
trunk. As he nears the house, he sees the father, JOSE,
sitting on a rocking chair.
LYNN
(forcing a smile)
Good day, sir. Please, is Katia and
Vania home?
The man looks at Lynn and looks away.
JOSE
Naide! I think this is for you!
In no time, NAIDE, a short and bubbly woman rushes out of the
house, cleaning her hand on her apron.
 33.

LYNN
Ma'am, I was asking after Katia and
Vania. We met at the club a few
days ago and I was rude to them.
I've been thinking of how I would
apologize to them and I decided
that making them pizza could be a
good way. So I am here, with my
cooking pot and ingredients.
Naide smiles and motions for Lynn to enter. She follows after
him.

INT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

She leads him into the kitchen where she takes the pot and
ingredients from him, gesturing for him to sit.
LYNN
Dona Naide, thank you very much for
letting me into your home.
NAIDE
You seem like a fine young man. I'm
sure it was only a mistake.
LYNN
It definitely was, but where is
Katia and Vania?
NAIDE
Oh! They are attending the Rita Lee
concert, but they should be back in
an hour or so.
LYNN
Okay. I'll wait for them.
NAIDE
Tell me, how do you make your
pizzas?
LYNN
(smiles)
Let me show you, Dona Naide.
Lynn stands up as Naide hands him a cutting board. He washes
his peppers, onions, and garlic and starts cutting them.
 34.

SAME SCENE - LATER

Naide and Lynn are having fun with their cooking when Katia
and Vania enter the house. They both pause in shock when they
see Lynn, and even more that, he is cooking with their
mother. Naide waves them inside and to sit down.
Soon, the entire family and Lynn are at the table, eating
pizza and getting along. Lynn's gaze rests on Katia more
times than he can count but Katia doesn't seem to be
interested. Jose sits outside, listening and watching Lynn
closely.
LYNN (V.O.)
Seu José was going to be a tough
nut to crack. I learned that he was
retired military. He was regimented
in everything he did. He had served
through the communist rebellion in
the late 1950s and early 1960s, and
he was not a fan of anyone wearing
a beard. The sight caused him
flashbacks to the revolution,
especially in the case of
foreigners with beards because they
were the ones who had instigated
the revolution. Unfortunately, I
had a beard. Katia let this
information about her father leak
in one of our private conversations
because she still wished that I
would stop stalking her. But she
could not just tell me that because
her mother liked me. I had a
powerful ally. There was no bond
more powerful between a daughter’s
mother and suitor than that formed
over making a pizza from raw
ingredients.

EXT. STREET - DAY

Lynn and Katia walk together along the street, enjoying their
conversations and the different sights.
LYNN (V.O.)
I started visiting Katia two and
then three times a week. We would
go for short walks around three or
four city blocks. She lived in the
downtown area, so there was always
much to see. We also stayed at her
house and talked.
(MORE)
 35.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Dona Naide constantly served me
orange juice or an avocado
milkshake or cashew juice. I loved
all of them, but cashew juice was
the best. Katia had two older
sisters. Vania was a couple of
years older than Katia, and Tania
was a couple of years older than
Vania. Tania was a journalist and
worked for the government. Vania
was a teacher but worked in
community development for the
government. During this time Seu
Jose remained on the periphery,
acting like he was indifferent, but
he was not. He heard, or was told,
everything that happened or was
said. As the head of the household,
he was in charge. Luckily for me,
Dona Naide was his trusted
consultant.

EXT. STREET - DAY

The entire street is filled with colorful banners and
ribbons, people dressed however they pleased, and mostly with
masks on their face. Alcoholic drinks are not in short supply
and the people behaved with no restraint.
LYNN (V.O.)
I realized that the Brazilians were
professional partiers. The New
Orleans Mardi Gras celebrators were
amateurs. Carnival was a period of
six days (Friday to Wednesday) of
absolute debauchery. The entire
country stockpiled beer to avoid
running out during Carnival, but
they always ran out near the end
anyway. Married men could go on
escapades with anyone they chose,
as could women, although only a
small group took advantage. You
could dress any way you wanted. If
you wore a mask, then no one would
know who you were, and your silly
and obnoxious behavior could not be
associated with you. You were free
to be stupid for six days. There
were many hookups and instances of
micro-dating during Carnival.
Friends formed groups to celebrate
Carnival together.
(MORE)
 36.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Party goers called these groups
blocks. Everyone in the block
dressed alike, for the purpose of
helping each member recognize other
members of the group. There were
small groups of drummers who
wandered the streets, beating samba
music with a rhythm that attracted
people to dance. Each musical group
attracted its own following as it
meandered through the streets. When
people tired of that music, they
pulled aside to drink and wait for
another group to come by. There
were trucks that they had converted
into large, mobile sound systems.
They positioned all the speakers on
the first story. These could be six
or more feet high and were located
on the two sides and back of the
truck. People heard the sound they
produced many blocks, even a mile.
There was a platform on top of the
speakers, a second story. This was
where the musicians and the control
for the speakers were located.
There were also very bright lights
in all directions that blinked to
attract people and encourage them
to follow the trucks as they
wandered slowly through the city.

INT. HOUSE - DAY

As the carnival continues to rage on outside, Katia, Vania,
Lynn, and FIVE FRIENDS laugh as they enter the house. They've
had a lot of fun and they're chatting freely. As they settle
inside the house and continue chatting. Naide serves them
energy drinks and an assortment of fruits.
LYNN (V.O.)
Katia, Vania, four or five other
people, and I formed our own block.
We bought fabric and decorated it
so we could easily recognize each
other. Our block rested in the
early afternoons at Katia’s house.
Dona Naide served us energy drinks
made from mangoes, oranges,
avocados, cashews, watermelon,
cantaloupe, and a host of other
fruit.
(MORE)
 37.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I know that each day she went to
the market early to stock up on
fresh fruit for us. She was
enjoying the experience as much as
we were. These were happy moments.
The group laughed, joked, and
talked while we consumed the fruit
juices. Then in the early afternoon
we wandered into the streets and
jumped a little to warm up for the
evening’s ordeal. People were
everywhere, and all with happy
faces—not one sourpuss in the
bunch. That was Carnival: happy
times.

INT. CLUB - LATER

The group and a host of other people are in the club,
dancing, jumping, and drinking.
LYNN (V.O.)
We separated from dark until about
10:00 p.m. to try to nap and eat
something. I seldom could do more
than close my eyes. I had no
appetite for anything other than
sodas or juices. We reconvened at
Katia’s house at 10:00 p.m., and
from there we all went to the
nightclub and started our jumping,
which continued until the sun came
up.

INT. LYNN'S HOUSE - DAY

Lynn opens his eyes and groggily tries to stand up from his
bed. He holds his head as the music and noise from the
nonstop carnival dances into his ears again. He buries his
face into his bed and groans.
LYNN (V.O.)
Exhausted, we each went to our own
homes and tried to nap until about
noon. Napping was no easy task
because Carnival never stopped.
Music played constantly and
everywhere, and people were always
dancing and drinking and shouting.
Rest was only a dream. The beat of
Carnival was in the air and could
not be escaped.
(MORE)
 38.
LYNN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
At sunup on Ash Wednesday, the band
led everyone out of the nightclub
where we were celebrating and into
the dawn. We went to our cars and
on to the beach, where we all dived
into the waves. It was a tradition
to mark the end of Carnival. I was
ready for it to be over.

INT. BUS - DAY

Lynn is sitting in a bus as he fixes his gaze on a signpost
that reads "Welcome to Joao Pessoa." He fixes his gaze
forward and smiles.
LYNN (V.O.)
Although Carnival ended Wednesday
morning, Brazil did not start to
move until the following Monday,
and then just barely. Katia had
returned to her university in João
Pessoa, the capital city of the
state of Paraiba, about two hours
south of Natal. I was lost without
being able to visit her. On Friday
night after Carnival, I took a bus
and traveled to João Pessoa to
visit her. She found a place for me
to stay that night, and we spent
the next day together.

INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

Katia and Lynn are sharing the table with another COUPLE who
are friends of Katia. They take turns dancing and also have
some conversations in between.
LYNN (V.O.)
On Saturday night, she and I
accompanied a friend of hers and
the friend’s fiancé to a nice
nightclub, where we found a small
table. Since we were two couples,
one couple could maintain the table
while the other couple danced. The
dance floor was crowded, which had
the advantage of facilitating close
dancing. It was a night that I
could not have imagined even in my
best dreams. It was perfect, and
Katia did not seem to remember our
clumsy first meeting.
 39.

INT. LYNN'S HOUSE - DAY

Lynn enters the living room where Katia is sitting and goes
down on one knee to propose. Katia has a big smile on her
face and she hugs him.
LYNN (V.O.)
After knowing Katia for no more
than thirty days, I proposed to
her. She took a week to decide, and
then we had to break her acceptance
to her parents. Her mother was
incredibly happy, but Seu José
would be no pushover. I was nervous
and had done much rehearsing. He
had made no attempt to lessen the
strain in our relationship over the
few weeks that I had known Katia.
He had kept his distance and not
joined in any of the fun we were
having.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Jose is sitting outside on his rocking chair as usual when
Lynn slowly creeps up to his side, carrying another rocking
chair. He sets it down beside the older man, but at a good
distance.
Without saying anything, he starts rocking his chair to match
Jose's rhythm and they continue like that for a while before
Jose nods at him. Lynn nods back.
The silence continues.
LYNN
Seu Jose, I want to ask your
permission to marry your daughter,
Katia.
Jose says nothing. He continues to stare forward and Lynn
does the same. After what seems like an eternity, he speaks,
still staring forward.
JOSE
Have you asked Katia?
LYNN
Yes, I asked her and she agreed.
JOSE
Naide?
 40.

LYNN
I asked Dona Naide and she has
approved.
JOSE
Then I also approve.
Jose turns around to look at Lynn who is already on his feet
to shake the man.
LYNN
Thank you! Thank you very much, Seu
Jose.
He shakes his hands again and runs into the house, shouting
excitedly while Jose resumes his rocking and staring.