The Fifth Element

NEIGHBOR

(in a different voice)

Yes, that's me.

The check-in attendant triggers a transparent blue light that shines on their faces, revealing two other faces:

Mangalores.

CHECK-IN ATTENDANT

(smiling)

Just a minute, please.

She hits a silent alarm, but the Mangalores feel something is wrong.

NEIGHBOR

We'll be right back... we're gonna check out the duty free...

They spin around and hurry away.

ANGLE ON

Cornelius at the bar, half in the bag.

ROBOT

The same?

CORNELIUS

Yeah...

DAVID (V.O.)

Make that two...

Cornelius turns to David.

CORNELIUS

Where's Leeloo?

DAVID

On the plane... with Mr. Dallas... the real one.

CORNELIUS

It's all my fault. I'm the servant... It's my mission! Here!

He hands David the Temple Key from around his neck.

CORNELIUS

Here's the key to the Temple... Prepare for our arrival!

Cornelius tosses David's drink into his own, downs it all in one shot, and takes off, passing the Mangalore couple headed for the exit. They are very nervous. A police patrol is coming. This time, it seems to be for them.

NEIGHBOR

(to the tawdry girl)

Tell Aknot plan A flopped. Tell him to go to plan B.

The tawdry girl nods and peels off. The neighbor takes out a gun and blasts away at the cops. The cops fire back. A firefight rages in the hall. The tawdry girl dives into a pile of garbage and disappears.

COP

(into walkie-talkie)

... Send in a back-up unit, Zone 7!

ANGLE ON

On one side of the hall, a trap door opens. Three pigs come running out, grabbed by their police handler.

Cornelius waits until everyone has left, gets down on all fours and crawls through the trapdoor reserved for the pigs.

INT. FIRST CLASS LOUNGE

Leeloo stands at the buffet in the first class lounge eating everything in sight.

INT. HALL

Korben is led down the hall by a STEWARDESS.

STEWARDESS
You are so lucky... Loc Rhod is the coolest DJ in the universe.

KORBEN

Listen... I don't want to be interviewed. I'd prefer to remain anonymous.

The stewardess stops in the corridor.

STEWARDESS

Forget anonymous. You'll be doing Loc Rhod's live show every day from 5 to 7!

KORBEN

(expression changes)

You gotta be kidding!

The stewardess smiles and shakes her head. The door next to him suddenly swings open and smashes him in the face.

In walks LOC RHOD amidst a tornado of music and security guards. He is young, good-looking, eccentric, charming as an elf or sly as a fox. A bundle of energy. He is the 24th century's most popular DJ.

LOC RHOD

(speedy, in rhythm)

Korben Dallas! Here he is The most hated man in the universe. The one and only winner of the Gemini Croquette contest! Ladies, start melting 'cause the boy's hot! Hot! Hot! The boy is perfect...

(he feels his muscles)

... The right size, right build, right hair. Right on! Say something-to those 50 billion pair of ears out there D-man!

An ASSISTANT hands a totally lost Korben a mike.

KORBEN

(hesitant)

... Hi.

LOC RHOD

Does it get any better or what!

Loc Rhod grabs Korben's arm and leads him down the hallway, as fast as the music.

LOC RHOD

... Quiver ladies, he's gonna set the world on fire right here from 5 to 7! You'll know everything there is to know about the D-man. His dreams, his desires, his most intimate of intimates. And from what I'm looking at intimate is the stud muffin's middle name. So tell me my main man... you nervous in the service?

KORBEN

Uh... not really.

Loc Rhod lets go of Korben's arm and grabs the Stewardess.

LOC RHOD

Freeze those knees, my chickadees, 'cause Korben is on the case with a major face...

Loc Rhod rubs up against the stewardess.

LOC RHOD

... Start drooling, ladies! My man here is a sharp-tongued Sire who's gonna stroke your every desire.

They come to an intersection. The airline company has prepared drinks for them. Loc Rhod pushes on, grabs a glass of champagne, scribbles his autograph.

LOC RHOD

Yesterday's unknown will be tomorrow's Prince of Fhloston Paradise, the hotel of a thousand and one follies, home of luxury and beauty. A magic fountain flowing with non-stop wine, women and Bootchie Koochie Koo...

He tosses away his champagne glass.

LOC RHOD

Beware out there puppy dogs my man is on the prowl. Owwww!

Howling, Loc Rhod grabs another stewardess by the arm.

LOC RHOD

... And start licking your stamps little girls, this guy's gonna have you writing home to Momma! Tomorrow from 5 to 7, I'll be your voice, your tongue and I'll be hot on the tail of the sexiest man of the year... D-man... Your man... My man.

The stewardess shivers. A BEEP is heard.

VOCODER (O.S.)

End of transmission.

The MUSIC suddenly stops. Several assistants come and compliment Loc Rhod who sighs, lights up a cigarette, and drops his pretense.

LOC RHOD

Korben sweetheart do me a favor I know this is probably the biggest thing that ever happened to you in your inconsequential life. But I've got a show to do here and it's got to pop. So tomorrow, when we're on air, give me a hand... Try to make believe you have more than a one word vocabulary. OK pal?

That does it. Korben grabs him by the collar and drags him into a corner. Loc Rhod's feet don't touch the ground.

KORBEN

(pissed)

I didn't come here to play Dumbo on the radio. So tomorrow between 5 and 7 give yourself a hand, that clear pal?

LOC RHOD

(petrified)

Crystal.

INT. AIRPORT

The Check-in attendant has two more tickets in her hand.

CHECK-IN ATTENDANT

(alter a moment, reading)

... Mr. Dallas... Korben Dallas?

Zorg's Right Arm gives her a big smile.

RIGHT ARM

That's right.

The attendant scans the ID with a yellow beam, it checks out, and the blue light reveals no other face but his.

CHECK-IN ATTENDANT

The problem is I only have one Korben Dallas on my list... and he's already checked in.

Right Arm's smile shatters.

RIGHT ARM

That's impossible! He's in j... I mean, there must be some mistake. I have my ticket! I'm the real Korben Dallas!

A shrill BELL rings out.

CHECK-IN ATTENDANT

(smiling)

I'm sorry, sir, boarding is finished.

The attendant hits a button. A thick window slowly slides up between them. Right Arm totally loses it.

RIGHT ARM

I want to see your boss! Get rid of this fucking window! Somebody's made a mistake, goddamnit!

He pounds on the counter with both fists. A steel curtain comes down. Red sighting beams target spots on his body, ten gun barrels protrude from the wall, all aimed at him.

VOICE (O.S.)

This is not an exercise. This is a police control. Put your hands in the nearest yellow circles...

RIGHT ARM

(slowing down)

Sorry, my fault... Just a little overexcited... that's all... I'm calm now.

INT. SHUTTLE – DAY

Korben makes his way in the plane looking for his seat. No more seats in modern planes, just individual travel boxes lined up like microwaves. He passes STEWARD holding his bloodied nose. He has found what he is looking for. He enters to... .. Leeloo quietly stretched out in front of a computer screen. Korben slips in beside her. Leeloo in concentrating on the words that scroll rapidly past her on the screen. He doesn't understand what she is doing.

LEELOO

Apipoulai!

KORBEN

Not hard to find you... just follow the Chaos...

Leeloo smiles, as if complimented.

KORBEN

Leeloo, listen to me... these tickets... they're not mine... I mean they are, but not for vacation like everyone thinks... I'm on an operation... and if I didn't come get you, you'd be in a shitload of trouble... I'd love to be on vacation with you... but now... .. now I've got to work... And Leeloo... I would love to work in peace.

Leeloo types in "LOVE" on the keyboard.

LEELOO

Love...

KORBEN

Yes! But "love" isn't the operative word here, PEACE is!

Leeloo types in this new word.

LEELOO

(rather pleased)

Peace... and love...

She brings up a picture of a 60's style Hippie flashing a peace sign. Korben sighs and switches off the screen.

KORBEN

Sometimes you can't learn everything from a screen... sometimes it's better to ask someone who has experience...

LEELOO

(quite happy)

What is... Make Love?

Korben just stares at her for a few minutes.

KORBEN

Know what? On that subject maybe you'd be better off asking the screen.

He turns the computer back on.

ANGLE ON

A STEWARDESS walks up the aisle of the shuttle pushing the red buttons on top of each individual box.

VOICE (O.S.)

... to make your flight as short and agreeable as possible, our flight attendants are switching on the timing sleeper which will regulate your sleep during the trip...

ANGLE ON

LEELOO

(switching off the screen)

OK! Finished!

KORBEN

Finished what?

LEELOO

Learning language.

KORBEN

Which one?

LEELOO

All 900.

Korben doesn't know if he should laugh or not.

KORBEN

You learned 900 languages in five minutes?!

LEELOO

(pleased)

Yes! Now it's your turn! I learned your language, you have to learn mine!

KORBEN

I know how to say "Hello". Teach me how to say "Good-bye", that's all I need.

LEELOO

Apipoussan!

KORBEN

Apipoussan?

LEELOO

Good! Do you know how we say "make love"?

KORBEN

(fumbling)

Uh...

LEELOO

... Hoppi-hoppa.