Kuelap

by Ethan Malaver

EXT. CELENDIN’S BUS STATION – LATE NIGHT 

JULIAN (16) exhales, and his breath fades in the air. 

He is standing in the middle of the sidewalk, in front of the entrance. Julian is snuggled up, freezing and staring at the street in front of him. He has a little smile on his face, but his desperate eyes are bad at hiding his wait for someone. Julian is forming scary scenarios in his mind. 

EXT. CELENDIN’S STREETS – LATE NIGHT 

We hear ROMEO (17) running, as we see old Peruvian rustic houses in motion. They are dimly lit up with a blueish color. 

EXT. CELENDIN’S BUS STATION – CONTINUOUS 

The arms of Julian’s penguin beanie move with the wind. 

The lack of sleep is hitting Julian. Fear starts to take over his stomach. He groans, anxious. 

We see Julian’s beanie again. Suddenly, Romeo takes the hands of the penguin, and waves with them. 

ROMEO 

(catching his breath) 

HI! Sorry, sneaking is 

Taking a deep breath, Julian turns back and hugs Romeo tightly. Julian presses his head on Romeo’s shoulder, closes his eyes and thrusts his fingers onto Romeo’s back. Romeo didn’t expect this. 

JULIAN 

I thought something bad happened to 

you. 

ROMEO 

(comfortably laughing) 

No, Julian, I live up the other 

street. 

JULIAN 

(laughing relieved) 

Shut up, they all look the same. 

INT. CELENDIN’S BUS STATION, WAITING ROOM – LATER Their backpacks lie against each other on the seats.

INT./EXT. BUS – NIGHT 

It’s dark. We hear the tires on the road. At the back, Romeo and Julian are sleeping curled up on a burrito blanket. Their row is empty. Julian’s head rests on Romeo’s shoulder. The moon shines over the blanket on their laps. 

CLOSE IN ON Romeo’s face, as it gets closer to Julian’s lips. He wants to kiss him, but his cheeks tremble a bit like something is pulling him back. Romeo’s lips get closer to Julian, and when there’s almost no distance between them… 

We see the mountain’s slope in motion. It changes to various shots of the silent but absorbing blueish void of valleys, surrounded by small elevations, forests, and giant mountains. The gloomy umbra of the deserted Andes. 

Romeo’s lips stand still in front of Julian’s. 

EXT. LOS ANDES MOUNTAINS, ROADS – DAWN 

In the quiescent grayish-blue sky, clouds move slowly and the sunlight blinds the view. They’re sleepy but happy. 

ROMEO (V.O.) 

In the fair, really? 

JULIAN (V.O.) 

Yeah, I remember it clearly. 

ROMEO (V.O.) 

Gosh, how old were we? 

We see them walking on an empty road, up on the border of mountains. They are carrying a bag together, walking up. 

JULIAN 

Mmm, I was like 7 and you were 8. 

ROMEO 

I don’t remember, rough years. 

JULIAN 

Yeah I know, don’t worry. 

ROMEO 

Tell me more about it please. 

JULIAN 

Well, it was our last day in 

Celendin before leaving for school 

again. Our families went to the 

^fair.

JULIAN (CONT’D) 

We had lots of fun that night, went 

into a lot of games and danced for 

hours and hours. 

ROMEO 

(giggling) 

Right! You used to dance. 

JULIAN 

Shhh! Times change. 

ROMEO 

(smiling) 

I would do anything to turn them 

back. 

JULIAN 

Anyways, it was 3 am and our 

parents ordered food. We were about 

to leave. It was so fucking cold. I 

was shaking on a corner. My eyes 

were freezing and- and then I 

glanced at you- and you glanced at 

me. You came, sat next to me. So I 

smiled at you, you smiled back. 

Next thing I know, your arms slid 

into my fragile body, picking it 

up, and- 

(they stop walking) 

I wanted to cry. I held your hand, 

your arm all the way home. My mom 

scolded me later, for hugging you, 

for clinging onto you. 

ROMEO 

I remember that…I was cold. 

JULIAN 

Are you cold now? 

He lets out a weak intended smile. It grows on Romeo’s face. Standing still, they wonder what could it be. Romeo takes out a camera from the bag, and starts recording. 

JULIAN (CONT’D) 

What are you doing? 

ROMEO 

Run downhill Julian. 

JULIAN 

(laughing) 

What? No, stop it!

ROMEO 

Run, run, run! 

PULL OUT to see the back entrance to Leymebamba. They’re running down the big stairs to the town. They’re the only humans between the crops, the rustic houses, the mist, nature and Peru. 

INT. HOTEL ON LEYMEBAMBA, LOBBY – MORNING 

From the inside counter, we see Romeo booking in. 

ROMEO 

Yes, just one night. 

HOTEL’S MANAGER (V.0.) 

Okay. 2 days and 1 night. 1 room. 

Do you want a single bed or two 

beds? 

A sink feeling seizes him, he looks down to hide it. 

ROMEO 

I- I guess, I- We-, just mmm. 

Julian jumps and hugs Romeo from behind, laughing. 

JULIAN 

A single bed please. 

The hotel manager hands us the key. Julian thanks her happily and looks stealthily at Romeo’s lips. 

INT. HOTEL ON LEYMEBAMBA, STAIRS – LATER 

They head upstairs, Julian is holding onto Romeo like a backpack. 

Romeoooo 

JULIAN ROMEO 

What? What happened? 

JULIAN 

I got my schedule for this fall semester, I don’t wanna see it. 

ROMEO 

Then don’t, I’m ignoring mine. We are running away, aren’t we?

Romeo grabs Julian’s phone out of his hand and rushes upstairs laughing. Julian follows him, thankfully astonished. 

EXT./INT. HOTEL ON LEYMEBAMBA, 2ND FLOOR/ROOM – AFTERNOON 

Romeo runs to the room and struggles to open it, laughing loudly. He manages to enter, when Julian jumps onto him. They are hugging. Julian tries to grab his phone as Romeo hides it on his back. They go around the room like that, until they fall to the bed. Laughing and calming down, Romeo caresses Julian’s lips slowly with one hand. 

INT. LEYMEBAMBA MUSEUM, MUSIC EXHIBITION – AFTERNOON Romeo caresses a replica of a Chachapoyas sarcophagus. 

JULIAN 

Is everything alright? 

Romeo snaps out of his mind, startled, with a big smile. 

ROMEO 

Yes yes mmm this one…looks like 

you 

JULIAN 

This one? HOW?! 

ROMEO 

(laughing) 

I- don’t know, you’re funny. 

Julian examines the statue, excited. Julian thinks of his words. 

ROMEO (CONT’D) 

Do you think maybe one of our 

ancestors imagined, dreamed of you 

and me? with our pain, joy and 

hugs. 

JULIAN 

Well…I don’t know, what do you 

dream of and call the future? 

ROMEO 

Robotic plushies of you and me. 

EXT. LEYMEBAMBA STREETS – AFTERNOON 

The gray starry sky gets darker. Julian and Romeo are walking in the middle of the empty road. Romeo is recording him. 

They talk jokingly but feel each other’s words. We sometimes see the scene from the camera, his lips, and the streets. 

ROMEO 

Nooo I can’t, you know I can’t. 

JULIAN 

You can! Have you seen your photos? 

Do you listen to your own words? 

ROMEO 

That’s different, it’s just a 

memory. 

JULIAN 

What are you doing studying 

medicine? 

ROMEO 

I don’t know. My parents will kick 

me out of the house if I quit now. 

JULIAN 

Mine disowned me but all that’s on 

my mind is: write, live, and heal. 

Join the list. 

ROMEO 

You know why we can’t do this. 

JULIAN 

(ignoring that) 

Gimme the camera 

Romeo gives it to him. 

JULIAN (CONT’D) 

Repeat what you were saying before. 

ROMEO 

(reminiscing it) 

The bus came, your brother and dad 

are in their seats ready to leave. 

Your mom is mad asking for you. I 

knew where you were, you were 

hiding. So I go to the bathroom’s 

entrance, and you were just behind 

the corner, not knowing what to do, 

with all your feelings scattered. 

You were terrified Oliver. I get 

close to you, you are glad it’s me. 

ROMEO (CONT’D) 

I told you that you have to go and 

you hug me, I feel you all over my 

chest, my back and my weak arms. 

With tears on your eyes you put 

your lips on my ear and say 

EXT. ANNUAL FAIR – LATE NIGHT 

Exploding speakers. Dayglow are live performing “Can I call you tonight”. Lights are changing colors. A ton of attractions, and a big crowd. 

Julian has Romeo on his shoulders as he screams the melody. Julian is staggering a bit, cold, moving Romeo. Romeo starts to mark the tempo on his chest. 

Julian looks up. A sea of stars, and a smile. Singing, Julian grabs Romeo’s legs firmly and spins him around. Their background melts in a spiral. Romeo is screaming, terrified but happy. Sofia doesn’t stop, he speeds up. 

JULIAN 

Hold my arm. 

Romeo extends his arm. Shaking a bit, his hand goes through Julian’s fingers, palm, wrist, feeling his scars. 

Romeo takes a deep breath, closes his eyes. Exhales. His hand embraces Julian’s wrist. Romeo opens his eyes, everything is fading into one color but he stands still watching it all. Disconnected. 

He caresses Julian’s lips, decided. A breaking secret. He bends over approaching Julian’s ear. 

ROMEO (V.O) 

I like your scars, how they are the 

shooting stars of your detached 

arm, and I’m the wishes you told 

them at night. Julian fuck up my 

entire life. 

Romeo bends over and kisses Julian. They stay holding each other’s arms. Fireworks explode in the background and the lights of the fair shimmer profoundly. The colors grow, merging. Their skin borders fade, they melt. A chaos. 

INT./EXT. HOTEL’S ROOM – LATER/KUELAP – DAWN 

IN THE ROOM: Disassociating. Romeo’s hand dives into Julian’s arm. It’s dark and they’re naked. Their chests are pressing against each other. 

IN KUELAP: Decaying. Romeo is going up the stone walking path, running and laughing, feeling alive. We listen to the air of the dense misty surroundings blow and Romeo grasp for it. 

IN THE ROOM: Julian subtly grasps for air as his hand wanders Julian’s leg…his thigh. Julian’s hips are moving and Romeo’s contracting as Julian discovers them with his fingers. 

IN KUELAP: Julian is chasing Romeo, running with a big smile on his face. His eyes rest and call out Romeo. 

IN THE ROOM: Julian’s hands touch gently Romeo’s chest. Romeo has his arms up, with Julian’s head pressing against one of them. We hear him, breathing heavily as Julian’s hand goes through his armpit. 

IN KUELAP: Julian reaches Romeo and hugs him. They almost fall. 

IN THE ROOM: Julian gets to Romeo’s wrist and caresses it with his nails. He grabs his hand and pushes it to the bed. Romeo thrusts his nails on Julian’s wrist. 

IN KUELAP: Julian hides behind giant rocks. He peeks a little and Romeo runs towards him. Romeo runs away. 

IN THE ROOM: Their lips are in front of one another for a few seconds. They get closer and rub against each other…Julian bites them. Their breathing starts to grow faster. 

IN KUELAP: They are hugging and spinning. We see the ruins and nature around them lose its form. 

IN THE ROOM: Romeo puts his face on Julian’s chest and snuggles inside his body. Julian embraces him. Please don’t go. They stay like that, as they thrush into each other. 

IN KUELAP: Their moans overlap. The spinning scenery calms down, and a mixture of laughs and tears is heard. 

IN THE ROOM: They climax together. Their breathing slows down. His sweat goes from Romeo’s back to Julian’s hips. He laughs, with tears of happiness. Romeo cries too. 

EXT. KUELAP – MORNING 

Julian and Romeo are lying on the floor, looking at each other. Their eyes are closing, wondering if they’re still dreaming. Their movement’s delicacy and words confuse them. The green surrounding looks gray; they’re inside clouds. 

ROMEO 

Julian, you belong to me. 

Do I?

ROMEO

JULIAN  

Mhm, and I won’t share you, your 

skin is my skin, your eyes are my 

eyes, your lips are all 

mine…understood? 

JULIAN 

I’ve always understood it. 

ROMEO 

I’m all yours. 

Romeo gets closer to Julian, to get warm…your chest. 

INT. HOTEL’S ROOM – AFTERNOON 

A camera is recording, surrounded by a nicotine pack and drinks. A small old muted TV is showing the last scene from “Lost in Translation” where Bob and Charlotte are walking away. Catalyna’s “Castigada” is playing from a phone. 

Romeo and Julian are embracing each other, high and drunk. Mellowly Dancing. Romeo’s arms are over Julian’s shoulders. Romeo grabs him by his hips. 

Their movements are sensual. Romeo is shirtless with neon red butterfly wings painted on his back. Sofia’s blue eyeshadow looks like glittering flames. 

ROMEO 

You’re such a drug. 

JULIAN 

Then don’t let me go, let’s stay 

another night, and another night 

and 

As we hear this, people yell from afar, “Leaving to Celendin” in Spanish. 

INT. MOVIE THEATER – NIGHT 

The theater is crowded. Julian and Romeo are sitting next to each other. They have their arms on the same armrest. They came with their parents and siblings. Romeo is looking away from him, reluctant. Romeo is eating popcorn, numb.

Their hands are centimeters away from each other. The movie’s reflection shines in Julian’s eyes, they turn at Romeo. 

The theater is crowded but Julian and Romeo’s seats are empty. 

It changes to an empty room, they’re the only ones watching the movie, hiding their laughs. A white screen. After a bit, we hear a click and a blue light is projected. 

INT. SHOPPING MALL – LATER 

TIME SLOWS. 

We see Julian’s POV walking looking at the floor. Julian’s glance rises. The mall is desolated and some stores are closed. Romeo appears, walking with his long loose dark hair. It moves from side to side, in a dizzy way. He peeks shyly at Julian over his shoulder, devoured by the past, but also dreamy and sensual. Yearning. 

Romeo continues his way keeping Julian’s pace. He lets a reminiscing “I’m all yours” smile. Julian looks up towards the lights. 

EXT. SHOPPING MALL, ENTRANCE – NIGHT 

The yellow streetlight is full of moths leaving their traces in the night. We hear the traffic. Julian is standing still on the sidewalk with all the luggage around him. 

He is listening to music with his headphones, ignoring his family looking for a taxi. Julian is breathing slowly, trembling. It’s cold. Romeo approaches. 

ROMEO 

You’ll be at a whole different 

weather in a couple of days, huh? 

JULIAN 

You know I hate it. 

ROMEO 

So where are you going from here? 

JULIAN 

To Trujillo, then Lima and then 

back to Puerto Rico. You know this. 

ROMEO 

I’ll miss you, do you know that?

Julian’s mom and Romeo’s dad arrive with two taxis. Julian and Romeo look at each other wanting to live but also die. 

JULIAN 

Do you think I could hug you or – 

Romeo interrupts him with a hug. He holds onto Romeo’s back, and he does the same pressing his head against Julian’s shoulder. They’re everlasting totems. Romeo, crying, gets closer to his ear. 

EXT. CELENDIN BUS STATION – AFTERNOON – FLASHBACK 

A very young Julian is crying hugging Romeo, and whispering in his ear. 

JULIAN 

Stay here with me. 

(beat) 

Please. 

EXT. SHOPPING MALL, ENTRANCE – PRESENT 

We see Julian in the same position he was hugging Romeo years ago, crying. People keep leaving the mall. Julian buries his fingers onto Romeo’s back. They hug tighter and tighter and then…Julian lets him go. 

WE PULL BACK as they quickly part ways. We see them follow their paths. 

Julian arrives to his taxi. The driver starts the car and it doesn’t work, he continues trying. Julian remembers how that night the car didn’t work either. 

He looks over the front car seat quickly and…Romeo’s car already left. Sofia lets a bittersweet smile, closes his eyes. Goodbye. The car suddenly starts. 

FADE TO BLACK.