The Serpent

Are you a dangerous man?

The question first is whether I committed murder.

And did you?

The courts, they have decided - no.

I have faced trials, I have faced allegations.

And the courts, they have decided.

That doesn't answer my question, does it?

That's my answer.

There are those who would say you got away with it.

That's what Time magazine said.

Perhaps it's true.

After all, I cannot now face trial anywhere in the world.

PEOPLE CHATTER

WATER SPLASHES

Time to party, girls.

Come on.

Wait, wait, wait.

Alain! This is Alain, who I was telling you about.

Welcome to Kanit House.

Hello.

Get them a drink, Ajay.

With pleasure.

THUNDER RUMBLES

COUGHING IN DISTANCE

MOANING IN DISTANCE

Relax, we must take the fever down.

I want to go home. Shh.

# Fingerprint file, you get me down

# You keep me running

# Know my way around

# Yes, you do, child

# Fingerprint file, you bring me down

# Keep me running

# You keep me on the ground

# Know my moves

# Way ahead of time

# Listening to me

# On your satellite

# Feeling followed

# Feeling tagged

# Crossing water

# Trying to wipe my tracks

# And there's some little jerk in the FBI

# A-keepin' papers on me six feet high

# It gets me down

# It gets me down

# It gets me down... #

Our home is in Bangkok,

but next summer we will open offices in Paris and Zurich.

We have a network of couriers throughout Asia and Western Europe.

Which is how we're able to offer such...attractive prices.

# A-keepin' papers on me six feet high

# It gets me down

# It gets me down

# It gets me down... #

Sorry. Oh, sorry.

Who are you buying for?

Oh. I'm not really buying.

You're Dutch?

Yes.

But you are not entirely gweilo, are you? You are like me.

Yeah. My father is from Indonesia.

Mine is Indian.

My mama is from Vietnam.

But listen to me and I am French. It can be confusing sometimes.

I'm Alain. Willem.

Wim.

My wife, Monique.

Oh, hi. Enchante.

Wim.

Don't you want to know the cost?

OK, yeah.

That one.

Then you are buying for someone.

Yes. What is her name?

Lena.

Lena?

Wow, is he a professional?

He is.

You are in very good hands.

CALCULATOR CLICKS

If you'd like, I'm certain I can break him down to...this.

Thank you. I'm sorry. I...I should go.

Sorry.

My friend...

..how long have you been gone from home?

A year.

You have not run out of money yet?

No, we've been, er, sensible.

But still, you want to tell Lena that you love her.

Yeah. Yeah, of course.

If I told you I could have you made a sapphire set in diamonds

on a platinum ring for half the price I just showed you,

what would you say?

HE CHUCKLES

RADIO PLAYS

SHE LAUGHS

DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

Hello, again.

Lena.

Monique. Hi.

Mon dieu, you're so pretty.

There's no obligation.

Try it on.

Wow!

Still a lot of money.

We understand.

You do not need to decide now, do they?

Of course not.

We're going to see you in Bangkok, yes?

Well, all right.

Are you sure it's OK for us to stay?

Yes, of course it is.

Our home is always open to friends.

Let him buy you the ring, Lena.

INSECTS BUZZ

CHATTER

KNOCK ON DOOR

Yes. Mr Knippenberg?

Yes, Lawana.

Oh, I'd forgotten.

Ah, what time did the others leave?

That long, huh?

It's just this gentleman, Mr Hilgers, is asking for help

in locating his sister-in-law,

Helena Dekker, and Willem Bloem, her boyfriend.

To help us, he also enclosed an accompanying package

of holiday photographs and letters home.

But that package has not arrived.

How can we help find them if we've lost their damn photographs?

Perhaps if you left it with me?

Of course.

THAI NEWS REPORT PLAYS

What do they say, Yotin?

They talk about communists, sir.

In Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia.

They ask if Thailand might also fall to revolution.

Well, it might improve the traffic.

CAR HORNS BEEP

Yotin, it started at four and it's already quarter past.

Surely it would be quicker to walk. What?

This is Athithaya Road.

The athletic club is only three or four blocks north.

But Mr Knippenberg... I can't just sit here.

CAR HORNS BEEP

Oh, sorry.

HE RESPONDS IN THAI

MARKET CHATTER

CHATTER CONTINUES

Sh!

Herman! Hi. Are you all right?

Ambassador.

This is Knippenberg. My Third Secretary.

Knippenberg, this is Giles Easton, my opposite number with the British.

How do you do? How do you do? Good afternoon.

Good shot! Ambassador, may I speak with you briefly?

That is Mrs Knippenberg.

I told Angela to play with De Jongh, as you were late.

You didn't tell me she was learning Thai. Did I not?

To add to the four or five other languages she already speaks.

If she wasn't German, I'd offer her a job.

LAUGHTER Well, if you weren't Dutch,

I might take it.

Ambassador, may I speak with you briefly on a consular matter?

I thought the office was shut.

Yes, no, of course. But I thought this was rather urgent.

Two young Dutch backpackers.

Their families haven't heard from them in over two months.

Knippenberg, when did you last speak to your mother?

And does she write letters declaring you missing?

LAUGHTER

It's not a diplomat's job to go chasing after longhaired bums.

If it's for anyone, it's for the Thai police.

Pass it on to them if you're so concerned.

Yes, sir. Of course, Ambassador.

Oh! Good shot.

Once again, a Dutch triumph over you Brits.

Yes, please!

Hey, Herman.

Hello.

What was all that?

It's, er...

Two missing Dutch.

Worried family. But it's a police matter, apparently.

My mother warned me about this.

He takes his work too seriously.

He will never take the day off to make love to you

on the 15th floor of the Siam Point.

Well, it only has eight floors,

so, technically, she was correct.

LAUGHTER

SHE SCREAMS

CHEERING

PA ANNOUNCEMENT IN THAI

CHATTER

Wim!

Lena?

Is it you?

Yeah.

I'm Ajay.