Looking for a Lady with Fangs and a Moustache 2021

In the bustling streets of Kathmandu, Nepal, TENZIN (30’s, Tibetan, driven by worldly success) is consumed by a singular ambition: to establish the city’s first European-style cafe. His relentless pursuit of perfection leads him to abandon a centuries-old temple in the heart of the city, where he captures haunting images of ancient art on his camera. Later that day, during a music lesson with his closest friend JACHUNG (30’s, Tibetan, hopeless romantic, and devoted Buddhist), Tenzin is jolted out of reality by a vivid vision of a young girl singing in a poppy field, her melody echoing through the air. As he snaps back to attention, he dismisses the experience as an aberrant reaction to stress.

However, this is merely the beginning of a series of unsettling hallucinations that plague Tenzin’s waking moments. He awakens to visions of his deceased sister, only to confide in Jachung, who urges him to seek guidance from a reclusive Buddhist monk oracle. Despite his skepticism as an atheist, Tenzin reluctantly agrees to meet with the enigmatic figure, accompanied by JACHUNG and KUNSEL (20’s, a gifted musician and Jachung’s crush), a talented young musician.

As Tenzin’s visions intensify, he becomes increasingly obsessed with his cafe plans, eventually finding a prime location in Kathmandu’s trendy quarter. With his luck seemingly on the upswing, he throws a lavish party to celebrate, only for JACHUNG and KUNSEL to arrive with the monk oracle in tow. The eccentric sage reveals a chilling prediction: Tenzin’s visions are a harbinger of his impending mortality, signaling that his life force is rapidly dwindling.

Inexplicably shaken by this diagnosis, Tenzin seeks medical attention but finds no rational explanation for his experiences. As he struggles to maintain a sense of normalcy in the face of these mystical intrusions, Tenzin’s reality begins to fray at the edges. Despite Jachung’s best efforts to support him, Tenzin becomes trapped in a vortex of fear and uncertainty. His carefully constructed life hangs precariously in balance as he grapples with the unsettling possibility that his visions may be more than just mere hallucinations.

As the ominous prophecy unfolds, Tenzin (painted into a corner) faces an unsettling reality: his impending demise is now just seven days away, unless he can locate a mystical being known as a “dakini” - an embodiment of Buddhist teachings on feminine energy. With time running out, the monk dispatches Tenzin to seek guidance from a wise and enigmatic Buddhist Master (60’s, master of the Left-Hand Lineage), a gruff yet enlightened sage who imparts cryptic instructions: find a woman bearing fangs, a moustache, and possibly a third eye, and offer her a gift - be it food, tools, shells, or even a solitary shoe. Ideally, if she is a dakini, she will reciprocate with an offering of her own; however, if not, Tenzin is instructed to pilfer something from her. To confirm his discovery, the master entrusts Tenzin with a highly guarded and esoteric “mudra” - a sacred hand gesture that holds the key to unlocking the truth. But there’s a catch: Tenzin can only safely perform this ritual three times.

Tenzin abandons everything dear to him - his beloved coffee shop, business partners, and friends - as he embarks on a desperate search for a dakini throughout the labyrinthine streets of Kathmandu. Day after day, he fails and returns to the master for further guidance and wisdom. On the sixth and final day of his life, a despondent Tenzin sets out to bid farewell to his mother, only to have fate intervene as he encounters Kunsel once more. As he gazes upon her anew, is it possible that this enigmatic figure has been hiding in plain sight, masquerading as the very essence of feminine energy? With time running out and all hope seemingly lost, Tenzin hesitantly performs the secret mudra for Kunsel, only to be met with confusion and a hasty departure. Undeterred, he continues his odyssey through the crowded marketplaces, driven by a desperate desire to cheat death in his final hours. As the night wears on, he spots another potential dakini, and with a mixture of trepidation and desperation, he decides to steal her purse and make a hasty retreat.

As the seventh day dawns, Tenzin awakens to find himself still alive, his gratitude for life palpable. With renewed purpose, he hastens to Jachung’s abode, where together they track down Kunsel to share the good news. As their paths converge once more, Kunsel shatters Tenzin’s expectations by performing the very same secret mudra that had previously eluded him.

As the veil of reality lifts, the enigmatic Kunsel (Kunsel) presents Tenzin with a conundrum: was their fateful encounter merely a clever ruse designed to awaken Tenzin’s dormant connection to his mystical and religious roots, or is she genuinely a dakini, an otherworldly being who intervened to spare his life? The distinction, however, becomes increasingly irrelevant as the profound impact of that moment resonates throughout Tenzin’s existence. Like a metaphysical switch, his perspective on the world flips from a rational, analytical mindset - characteristic of his days as a calculating businessman - to one of spiritual curiosity and open-hearted exploration.