EXT.

Outside a forest on a pathway Monday Morning

Stacy is walking on the path on the way to school. She looks over to the forest, a soft hum can be
heard. She continues on her way to school.
INT. stacy's house monday night
Stacy is laying in her bed staring up at the celling. Her dad walks in.
DAD
(upbeat)
Hey! Did you get your report card today?
Stacy
(tired)
Yes, all As again.
DAD
Nice! Very good job. What are you up to for the evening?
Stacy
Nothing I think. I'm just bored.
DAD
(dismissive)
Alrighty! Dinner will be ready at 6!
Dad leaves the room and closes the door. Stacy closes her eyes while laying in bed.
INT. Stacy's Dream
(Flash of white)
Stacy stands in front of the forest with a humming sound.
INT. stacy's house monday night
(Boom cut)
Dad knocks on the door.
DAD
Dinner's ready!
Stacy gets out of bed and walks over to her door.
EXT. Outside a forest on a pathway TUesday Morning
Stacy walks by the forest again, she hears a, mild hum. This time she walks toward it and
touches a leaf. She pulls it off and puts it in her bag. She looks up. (Match Cut)
INT. Dad's car tuesday eveining
DAD
How was school today?
Stacy
Alright I guess. I think I failed my math test though.
DAD
(Bothered)
It's ok to have off days. Maybe study tonight after your shift? Is there a redo?
Stacy
There is but I don't think I'll ever get it. I don't think it's worth it.
DAD
(Firm)
I didn't raise you to quit. You are going to study and do better.
Stacy
(Upset)
Ok.
DAD
Good. (Silent Pause) (Upbeat) Oh! I forgot to tell you about how bad my shift was today, I came
this close to quitting...
Dad's voice starts to get drowned out by the quiet humming coming from the leaf in her bag.
EXT. Gas station/Tim hortans
Stacy steps out of the car and waves goodbye to her dad, the hum of the leaf rises. Stacy watches
her dads car leave the parking lot then runs away taking off her name tag/hat. (Whip pan)
EXT. Outside a forest on a pathway TUesday Night
Stacy runs till she is outside the forest again. She sits down and brings out a notebook and pencil.
Her phone rings and picks it up.
Manger
(Concerned)
Hey Stacy, are you coming in for your shift? It started 15 minutes ago and you've always called
in. Are you alright.
Stacy
(Stressed out)
I think I'm too busy for work now, I'll have to quit. Bye.
Stacy hangs up the phone and continues her drawing of the forest. She stays there late, until her
drawing is complete. She walks home and gets into bed.
INT. stacy's house wednesday morning
Dad knocks on the door twice and opens it. He throws Stacy's blanket off to wake her up.
DAD
(rushed/upset)
Wake up! You're going to be late.
Dad notices Stacy's pants are covered in dirt. Stacy wakes up and gets out of bed.
DAD
Why are your pants covered in dirt?
Stacy
I went out for a walk last night.
DAD
What about your shift?
Stacy
I quit, I have enough money saved up, I hated the job.
DAD
(Angry)
You can't just give up on something like that. You've been saving for your own car since you
were 14, you can't stop now! You're messing your whole life up.
Stacy
(angry)
I never wanted to get a car right away! You're just making me live your life! I don't want to be
like you! You hate your life! I want to be happy!
(upset)
I don't even know what makes me happy anymore, I've just been trying to make you happy. All
you do is push me to do what you think I should do. I don't even know who I am anymore!
DAD
(Dismissive)
Fail out of math, fail out of school, quit your job, if you want to ruin your life it's not my
problem.
Dad walks out and slams the door. A quiet hum begins from the bag.
EXT. Outside a forest on a pathway wednesday Morning
Stacy is walking to school with a light hum following her, she looks at the forest and smiles. She
takes a deep breath in and listens to the louder hum coming out of the forest. Her smile grows.
INT. stacy's house wednesday night
Dad knocks on the door softly and walks in.
DAD
(Trying to console)
Hey, things got pretty heated this morning. We should talk it out ok?
Stacy
(Happy)
Sure, I have good news!
DAD
(Excited)
That's great! What is it?
Stacy
I walked by that forest on my way to school and it was so calm and pretty! I haven't been this
happy in years. It wants to make me happy!
DAD
(Dissapointed)
Oh, not quite what I was excepting, thought you were going to say something about that math
redo. How was the math test?
Stacy
(Hurt)
I didn't do it, I told you I don't want to be in a nothing accounting job like you! Being miserably
single because I'm so boring!
DAD
Your mom only left because she didn't want to take care of you!
Stacy
She wanted to do something worth while, something to make her happy.
DAD
What is wrong with you! I have given you everything! Your mom has done nothing for you, she
didn't help you learn how to ride a bike, she didn't drive you to school everyday for 5 years, she
didn't push you to be in the top of your classes so that maybe just maybe you could have a shot at
a decent life and be happy, but you have to work for it. I don't want you to waste everything I
have done for you. Go to bed, go to school, stop hurting your future.
Dad leaves the room defeated. Stacy climbs into bed and falls asleep.
INT. Stacy's Dream
(flash of white)
Stacy wakes up in the forest with a mirror, in her reflection she is smiling serenely. She can see
the street behind the mirror and frowns. She blinks and wakes up. (Match Cut)
INT. stacy's house Thursday morning
Stacy blinks in bed as the light from her room gets in her eyes. She looks around her room
unhappy then pulls out her notebook rips out the photo and puts it on her wall next to her mirror.
She walks over to her bag which is humming. She also pulls out the leaf and places next to her
mirror. She looks in the mirror and smiles like in her dream. She leaves for school.
EXT. Outside a forest on a pathway thursday morning
Stacy stands outside of the forest. The hum of the forest is very loud. She takes a few steps into
the forest. Outside the forest someone honks their horn and takes her out of her trance. Her face
goes from a smile to a frown and she walks back, picks up her bag and continues on her way to
school.
INT. stacy's house thursday night
Stacy is packing her backpack with clothes. Dad walks in without knocking.
DAD
Stacy, sit on the bed we need to talk your behavior.
stacy
I don't think there is a need to talk. I only have like 2 months of school left, I already have more
than enough credits to graduate thanks to you putting me in all those extra curriculars, so thank
you. I want to be my own person now. I don't need your pressure and expectations, I'm done.
DAD
(Concerned)
Because you can finish early doesn't mean you should, what about your friends you would be
leaving behind?
Stacy
(Straightforward)
I don't have anyone, I don't have anything. I'm going to do something for me. I don't care what
you think. I'm going off onto my own happy life.
DAD
Fine... (pause to think) ok, why don't we go somewhere where you want to go, we can do
something fun together, how does that sound? Maybe tomorrow after school? First Friday you've
had off in a long time right?
Stacy
(Happy)
I want to go to the forest.
DAD
Sure, I'll pick you up after school tomorrow and we'll go there ok, a little hike together.
Stacy
Thank you.
Stacy puts the picture and leaf in her bag. She stands up and looks at her bag with a smile while
the bag hums.
EXT. Outside a forest on a pathway Friday morning
Stacy is walking by the forest, the noise is loud, she looks for a second then continues on her
walk to school.
EXT. Outside a forest on a pathway Friday evening
Stacy and her dad walk into the forest. They walk far in, and the hum of the forest becomes
louder. Stacy lays down with a mirror in front of her with the leaf and picture on the side of it.
Her dad starts piling dirt on her and the scene fades to a white.