EXT: MONTREAL AIRPORT

World-weary blonde beauty, ALEXANDRA BRIGHTON, stands curbside with 8 year old son, SAMMY. Airport guards lock doors and overhead lights switch off.  The few remaining passengers depart, leaving mother and child marooned outside Montreal international terminal.The only person left lingering is debauched looking cab driver ZITO ZAHN, who draws cigarette smoke up nose and leers from behind his filthy yellow taxicab.

SAMMY

Mommy, why can't we take that man's cab?

Alexandra gazes down at son with a look that  barely disguising her fear that if they take the man's cab their throats will be slit and pockets empty before the first mile registers on the meter. 

The driver takes quick last drag, tosses butt over shoulder, and saunters out from behind vehicle.

ZITO 

(In heavy Quebequois)

Madame, as I told you earlier, there are no more cabs tonight. It looks like your ride is not coming. Dangerous characters come here to do their drug dealings late into the night. Here, let me take your bag. What is your destination?

He picks up her suitcase and tosses it into his open trunk.

ZITO

My name is Zito, Zito Zahn. I will take care of you.

ALEXANDRA

Excuse me, sir. The bag stays with me!

ZITO

A limousine driver engaged to pick up a woman and child arriving from the states left earlier.  I will take you to your destination.

SAMMY

                                               Let's take the cab, Mommy. Please.  I'm tired. 

       ALEXANDRA

(she looks around deserted grounds in desperate search for another option)

Zito

Madame?

ALEXANDRA

(with deep sigh of resignation)

All right Mr. Zahn.

She takes son's hand and guides him inside cab.

INT. ZITO'S CAB - CONTINUOUS

ALEXANDRA

I would like you to take us to a house in an enclave of private homes on Black Lake. There is no number, only a landmark.

ZITO

What is the name?

ALEXANDRA

Sandeley.

ZITO

Oui. I know the place.

He takes recorder from dashboard, shoves it between his legs, and turns up volume of seductive French baritone.

ALEXANDRA

Would you mind rolling up your window?

ZITO

Exquesez-moi?

Withdraws stubby cigarette from crumbled pack and strikes match.

ALEXANDRA

Never mind.

Zito pulls out of airport and veers onto highway. He zigzags between lanes, jockeying for position, and taunting drivers with shaking fist. Cackling to himself and blowing smoke out window, he trills his glottis along with the lusty man singing deep within his thighs.

INT. ZITO'S CAB - LATER

The cab twists madly down deserted road. Nothing is visible outside windows other than cracked asphalt beneath one working headlight, and ghoulish shadows playing in dense foliage.

ALEXANDRA

Mr. Zahn, would you please slow down? You are frightening my son.

ZITO

But you Americans love your rides. I am giving you your amusement.

ALEXANDRA

Not all Americans love the rides. Are you certain you are going in the right direction?

ZITO

Oui. I know the way to Black Lake. This is the shortcut.

ALEXANDRA

I don't see any signs or landmarks.

ZITO

There are no signs. It is a private lake.

In rear-view mirror he lifts finger to lips and traces buttons down her sweater.

ALEXANDRA

Mr. Zahn, please! Would you keep your eyes on the road?

His moans join those of singer between his thighs, who is now in throes of excruciating climax.

ALEXANDRA

How much longer?

ZITO

Not too much, Madame. Not too much.

He makes hairpin turn and careens down steep slope to unpaved road, where he brings cab to screeching halt.

EXT. DIRT ROAD - CONTINUOS

Zito hops out of cab and opens passenger door.

ZITO

Welcome to Black Lake.

Alexandra leads Sammy onto dark road with canopy of brilliant stars. A summer breeze scatters last remnants of dust as they move toward beam of car's headlight. Sheathed in a dense overgrowth of trees, the road shows no sign of human habitation.

ALEXANDRA

Where is the house?

ZITO

It lies at the base of the path.

He points to flagstone trail bordered with tiny lights.

ZITO

I know all the schedules. I will arrive at sunrise for your return.

ALEXANDRA

That is not necessary. Mr. Sandeley will provide for our transportation.

She hands him a bill and picks up her suitcase.

ZITO

(with bow and salute)

Bonne Nuit. I will meet you at dawn after the longest day.

He shuffles back to cab, takes off with lurch, and vanishes into cloud of pink-tinged dust, like an apparition.

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