The Fifth Element

COP

(over a loudspeaker)

You have an unauthorized passenger in your vehicle. We are going to arrest her. Please leave your hands on the wheel. Thank you for your cooperation.

KORBEN

(obeying)

Sorry, Hon, but I only got one point left on my license and I gotta get to the garage!

The police car presses up against the cab. Doors slide open. Huge guns point at her. Korben feels lousy. The girl's helpless, there are tears in her eyes, she looks exhausted.

Korben glances at her in the rear view mirror. She's looking all around to find something to help her communicate with him.

HER POV

An ad on the back of the seat. An 800 number to help an orphanage. A teary photo of a kid over the words Please Help. She shoots to Korben a look of pure distress.

GIRL

(irresistible)

Please... HELP...

Korben can't resist her plea.

KORBEN

Don't put me in this position... I can't... I'm late as it is...

But he cannot say no to her eyes.

KORBEN

Finger's gonna kill me.

Korben shuts oft the meter and floors it, sideswiping the police car as he roars away.

VOICE (O.S.)

Your license has been revoked. Would you please...

Korben whips out a gun and shatters the loudspeaker.

KORBEN

I hate when people cry... I got no defense...

The police car takes out after him, sirens screeching. An insane chase ensues.

INT. NEW YORK STREETS – DAY

Korben and his flying taxi are absolute masters of the air. The cops have trouble following him but then another cop car comes to join in the fun. Korben drives like a man possessed, nothing can stop him. Except the dead-end he's just come up against.

GIRL

Daya deo dono Dato. Dalutan!

KORBEN

It there's one thing I don't need advice on, it's how to drive.

Korben turns his cab sideways and scrapes through a narrow passageway, ripping his taxi light from the roof. The police car smashes into the wall. The other one brakes just in time.

COP

Shit! Attention all-patrol cars!

The car makes a U-turn, looking for a wider passageway.

EXT. NEW YORK STREET

The police car roars up, sirens screaming then slows down and checks out a dead-end flanked by a large vertical neon billboard. The dead-end is empty . Korben's cab is hidden vertically behind the billboard. Seeing nothing, the police drive away.

KORBEN

We'll wait till things quiet down a bit. You mind?

The girl grabs his shirt collar and pulls him close, whispers in his ear.

GIRL

(weak)

... Priest...

KORBEN

You're not that bad... Come on we'll get you to a doctor.

The girl hands him the handle of the case, struck with the three Egyptian suns.

GIRL

(weak)

Vito... Cor... Ni-lious... Priest...

KORBEN

Vito Cornelius?

The girl nods, then faints. Korben is somewhat lost faced with so much mystery.

INT. CORNELIUS' APARTMENT – DAY

The door opens. Korben is there with the unconscious girl in his arms.

KORBEN

(embarrassed)

Excuse me, I'm looking for a priest.

CORNELIUS

(tired)

Weddings are one floor down. Congratulations.

Cornelius closes the door. The doorbell RINGS again.

KORBEN
She's not my bride, she's my fare. She's looking for this Vito Cornelius. According to the phone guide he lives here.

CORNELIUS

(curious)

That's me. But I don't know who she is... where did you find her?

KORBEN

She dropped in on me... holding this.

Korben hands him the metal handle with the three Egyptian suns, stamped on it.

CORNELIUS

(staggered)

The fifth element.

He faints dead away. Korben, with the girl still in his arms looks around helpless.

KORBEN

(sighing)

Finger's gonna kill me...

INT. CORNELIUS' APARTMENT – DAY

In his armchair, Cornelius gets woken by a slap in the face.

CORNELIUS

(with a start)

Who are you?

KORBEN

I brought the girl remember?

CORNELIUS

The girl?

Cornalius gets up. He looks at the handle.

KORBEN

Yeah! She dropped in on me. I mean on my taxi... talking... this... this bizarre language...

And then it dawns on Cornelius who the girl is.

CORNELIUS

(eyes riveted on her)

He's a she!

KORBEN

(bemused)

You noticed...

CORNELIUS

(face shining)

There's not a moment to lose! Wake her up, but be gentle about it! This woman is mankind's most precious possession! She is... perfect!

KORBEN

So you do know her.

CORNELIUS

Uh yes, we're cousins... distant cousins...

Cornelius runs into the next room. Korben looks at the girl, goes to slap her, then changes his mind.

Her beauty troubles him. He hesitates, then, gently caresses her cheek. Her skin seems so soft, so fragile.

KORBEN

Perfect...

INT. SMALL ROOM

David, is mending a cassock when Cornelius bursts into the room out of breath.

CORNELIUS

It's a miracle!!!

DAVID

(worried)

What is?

CORNELIUS

(babbling crazily)

I can't wear these clothes! This calls for dignity! I have to dress the part!

He opens a closet filled with identical robes and plunges in, disappearing as David looks on, uncomprehending.

INT. LIVING ROOM – CORNELIUS' APARTMENT

Korben gently kisses the girl's cheeks, but she doesn't respond. He looks around then kisses her on the lips. The girl's eyes snap open. When Korben straightens up he discovers his own gun jammed under his chin.

GIRL

(angry)

Eto Akta Gamat!

KORBEN

(embarrassed)

I'm sorry, it's just that... I was told to wake you up gently, so I figured...

The girl pauses a moment. She stares at him, looks puzzled.

KORBEN

You're right, I was wrong! I shouldn't have kissed you... especially since we

haven't been introduced and...

(he pulls out a business card)

Here, it's a bit late, but... my name is Korben, Korben Dallas. Keep it, you never know, maybe... you'll need a cab one day. I'll be happy to open the door this time!

The girl hesitates, then snatches the card like a wild animal.

INT. SMALL ROOM

Cornelius is lost in the closet.

DAVID

Father, will you please explain what's going on?

CORNELIUS

The Supreme Being, the fifth element is here, in our parish!!! It's a miracle!!!

INT. LIVING ROOM

KORBEN

... What's your name?

GIRL

(after a moment)

Leeloo Minai Lekarariba-Laminai-Tchai Ekbat De Sebat.

KORBEN

(polite)

Hey, that's... cute... Do you have a nickname, something a little... shorter?

GIRL

... Leeloo.

Korben is falling in love.

KORBEN

That's... really cute...

Cornelius bursts into the room. She turns the gun on him. He bows before her.

CORNELIUS

Appipulai Leeloo Minai...

LEELOO

Corn-i-Lius?

CORNELIUS

(bowing)

At your service.

Leeloo lowers her guard starts to laugh. An irresistible childish laugh. Korben smiles.

DAVID

Father. You sure she's the Supreme Being?

CORNELIUS

Absolutely sure There's the triple suns on her gloves!

David bows low, but his eyes glance up at Leeloo. Cornelius begins to lead Korben toward the door, hustling him out.