Bruce was welcomed formally with a toast although Siri noticed Civilai sipped sparingly from his glass. They’d all warmed to Bruce’s character—a sort of Lao/Aussie blend that made them smile. Siri particularly liked the fact that their cameraman was not afraid to speak his mind.

“Do you have good news for us?” Daeng asked.

“I certainly do,” said Bruce. “I spent the afternoon with your camera, and I’m pleased to say it is now fully functional.”

The directors cheered and drank to the victory. Bruce started to explain such things as fuses and batteries but he could see these details were fluttering hopelessly in the air some distance from the old folks’ ears. So, he entertained them with other good news.

“I told you I had a surprise for you,” he said. “Well, under the auspices of international aid for the third world, I was able to get a donation of a hundred and eighty hours of film and some video equipment. It’s all in a crate sitting at the Customs shed at Tar Deua.”

They stood with their drinks and saluted their cameraman.

“Excellent,” said Siri.

“Our young hero,” said Daeng.

Even sickly Civilai drank to the news.

“I just don’t know how to get it out of Customs,” said Bruce.

“Fear not,” said Civilai. “It used to take a week of paperwork, but the process has been streamlined remarkably this past year. The current policy is for them to hold on to everything until someone shows up with an envelope full of money to thank the official for looking after their goods.”

“Thank heavens for the return of corruption,” said Daeng.

“Simplifies everything,” said Siri.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” said Civilai, “time is against us. I suggest we read through the opening scenes and put our collective minds together on how to win over the audience from the outset.”

“You might have to take off your sunglasses so you can see the script,” said Daeng.

“These aren’t sunglasses, Madam,” he said. “These are ultraviolet, light-sensitive lenses imported from Eastern Europe. Johnny Halliday wears them.”

“They’re from the morning market,” said Siri. “And they have no more UV protection than beer bottles. And I’m sure even Halliday takes his off at night.”

“All right, it’s an image thing,” said Civilai. “I’m looking for a hat to go with it.”

Given his bad health, nobody had the heart to talk him out of it.