The Fifth Element

KORBEN

They all like this in your family, father?

CORNELIUS

She's an exception...

CORNELIUS

Thank you so much for your help Mr...?

KORBEN

Dallas. Korben Dallas.

Cornelius takes his arm. Leeloo stops laughing when she sees Korben leaving.

CORNELIUS

Yes. That's fine! Thank you very much. A thousand times over!

KORBEN

I might call to check up on her, you know... to see if she's better?

CORNELIUS

She's fine, really... don't you worry... just needs some rest... she's had a very long trip.

KORBEN

I know. I was there when she arrived.

Cornelius is about to close the door. Korben's hand blocks it.

KORBEN

Excuse me! Just one thing! She said something to me a while ago and... I don't really get it... Akta Gamat?

CORNELIUS

It means, "Never without my permission".

KORBEN

That's what I thought.

Cornelius slams the door in his face.

KORBEN

... Thanks.

INT. KORBEN'S APARTMENT – DAY

Korben beads down the hallway. He passes his NEIGHBOR.

KORBEN
Evening...

NEIGHBOR

Fuck you!

KORBEN

... Thanks... You, too.

Korben enters his-apartment.

INT. KORBEN'S APARTMENT – DAY

The door slides back and the cat comes rubbing up against him, tail in the air.

KORBEN

Oh god. I forgot your food... I'm really sorry! How about a nice Thai nosh to apologize? How does that sound, huh?

The cat meows, appeased, just an the phone rings.

KORBEN

Hello?

FINGER (V.O.)

Hey bud... I'm waiting all day here.

KORBEN

Finger... man... I'm sorry... listen... I was on the way over but I had a fare fall into my lap... y'know one of those big fares you just can't resist...

FINGER (V.O.)

(suspicious)

So, just how big was this fare?

KORBEN

5'7", green eyes... long legs... great skin... perfect...

Korben takes out a cigarette.

FINGER (V.O.)

Uh huh... and I don't suppose you got the name of this... perfect fare...

KORBEN

(dreamy)

Leeloo...

INT. CORNELIUS' APARTMENT – DAY

Leeloo has a towel wrapped around her, it looks like she just took a shower. She sits in front of a computer wolfing down some chicken. Data scrolls by on the screen. David watches from the corner, in awe.

DAVID

What's she doing?

CORNELIUS

Learning our history! The last 5000 years that she missed! She's been out of circulation a while, you know.

Leeloo breaks into her childish laughter.

CORNELIUS

What're you laughing about?

LEELOO

(pronouncing badly)

Napoleon... small.

She laughs again and tosses some capsules into the microwave.

DAVID

(hesitant)

Uh father, I know she's been through a lot... but the sacred stones... we don't have much time...

CORNELIUS

Yes. Of course...

Leeloo takes her plate out of the microwave. A steaming plate heaped with chicken and exotic vegetables.

CORNELIUS

Leeloo... I'm sorry to interrupt you but...

She sits back down in front of the screen and chomps away heavily on her second chicken. Cornelius sits opposite her. and holds up the case handle.

CORNELIUS

(serious)

The case... with the stones... Where is it?

LEELOO

San Agamat chay bet... envolet!

CORNELIUS

The case was stolen?

Leeloo nods her head, quite unperturbed and continues to devour the food in front of her.

CORNELIUS

(shocked)

Who in gods name would do such a thing?

INT. CORRIDOR – ZORG'S WAREHOUSE – DAY

CLOSE ON: A pair of feet limping heavily. A MAN comes alongside them.

RIGHT ARM

Excuse me sir, the council is worried about the economy heating up. They wondered if it would be possible to fire 500...

They reach a door at the end of the corridor. Zorg enters a code.

ZORG

Fire 1000.

RIGHT ARM

But... 500 is all they need, sir.

ZORG turns slowly. A small scar across run across his face, his eye stutters. This is not a man to cross, or contradict.

RIGHT ARM

1000! Fine, sir! Sorry to have disturbed you.

The door opens...

INT. CORNELIUS' APARTMENT – DAY

... and David enters carrying a bundle of clothes.

CORNELIUS

There was this guy with a limp who came a month ago... said he was an art dealer... Asking all these questions about the Sacred Stones... at the time I didn't think anything of it... What was his name? I'm so bad with names...

DAVID

(to Leeloo, timid)

I didn't know your size.

Leeloo is happy. She pulls off the towel and stands there nude. Cornelius and David turn away.

DAVID

They really made her...

CORNELIUS

Perfect.

Leeloo finishes dressing. She is delighted.

LEELOO

(to David)

Domo danko!

David smiles, dumb with admiration. Cornelius comes over.

CORNELIUS

Leeloo? The Stones... We must get them back.

Leeloo settles down, sits at the computer and turns it on.

LEELOO

Ikset-kiba. Me imanetaba oum dalat!

CORNELIUS

You know exactly where they are!

INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY

A group of handsome WARRIORS approaches. AKNOT, their leader has the sacred case in his hands. The metal handle is missing but the second metal glove is still grasping the case.

ZORG

(pretending to be worried)

Aknot? Is that you?

The LEADER nods. A disgusted look stamps Zorg's features.

ZORG

... What an ugly face! Doesn't suit you at all! Take it off...

Aknot's face burns away revealing the head of a monstrous MANGALORE.

ZORG

That's better! Never be ashamed of who you are... You're warriors... be proud...

Aknot says nothing, but if his eyes could talk!

ZORG

So what if the Federal Army crushed your entire race and scattered your people to the wind... Your time for revenge is at hand... Voila... the ZF1.

He takes out a weapon from one a crate and goes into a sales pitch.

ZORG

(very fast)

... It's light... the handle's adjustable for easy carrying... good for righties and lefties.

Meanwhile, two MEN set up a mannequin rigged with various defense mechanisms at the far end of the warehouse.

ZORG

... Breaks down into four parts, undetectable by X-rays... It's the ideal weapon for quick, discreet interventions. A word on fire power: Titanium recharger. 3000 round clip with bursts of 3 to 300. With the replay button, another Zorg innovation, it's even easier... one shot.

He fires at the mannequin.

ZORG

... and replay sends every following shot to the same location...

Zorg spins around, the rounds all hit the mannequin.

ZORG

(even faster)

I recharge, but the enemy has launched a cowardly sneak attack from behind, the automirror takes care of that. Gives me the time to turn around and finish the job.

300 round bursts, then there are the Zorg oldies...

He fires off each item he names.

ZORG

... Rocket launcher. The always efficient flame thrower... My favorite. Our famous net launcher, the arrow launcher, with exploding or poisonous gas heads – very practical. And for the grand finale, the all-new ice-cube system!

The mannequin has been blasted into a pile of ashes covered by a net,. stuck with arrows, the whole mess frozen solid. He tosses the weapon into Aknot's hands.

ZORG

... Four full crates, delivered right on time! What about you, my dear Aknot, did you bring me what I asked you for?

Aknot sets the case on a crate. Zorg gloats while stroking the case.

ZORG

... Magnificent.

Zorg smiles, takes a deep breath, opens the case. It's empty

INT. CORNELIUS' APARTMENT – DAY

Leeloo breaks into her childish laughter once again.

CORNELIUS

(astonished)

What do you mean empty?

INT. ZORG'S WAREHOUSE – DAY

Aknot looks into the case. Things grow tense.

ZORG

Alright... I've got an open mind here... anyone care to explain?

INT. CORNELIUS' APARTMENT – DAY

Leeloo explains what happened in her language.

CORNELIUS

(translating)

She says that the Guardians never really had much faith in humans. They were afraid of being attacked. The stones were given to someone they could trust who took another route. She's supposed to contact this person in a little less than twelve hours from now in a hotel. She's looking for the address!

A map of the stars flashes onto the screen, Leeloo points.

LEELOO

Dot!

The little group comes over to look.

DAVID

Planet Fhloston, in the Angel constellation

Cornelius plops down into his armchair.

CORNELIUS

... We're saved!

INT. ZORG'S WAREHOUSE – DAY

ZORG

I'm fucked!

Zorg calmly closes the case and gives Aknot a blood-chilling stare.

AKNOT

You asked for a case. We brought you a case.

ZORG

(shouting)

A case with four stones in it. Not one! Not two or three! But four!!! Four stones!!! What the fuck am I supposed to do with an EMPTY case?!!

Aknot's men grow edgy.