SIXTEEN: Forget Me Not

By Xiluva Madale and Eve Bhasera

FADE IN:

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

An alarm rings loud throughout the room, and a hand reaches

out from underneath a pool of blankets to stop the noise. A
light flicks on from above and illuminates each corner of the
setting. Two wriggly feet swing over the bed and slide
gingerly into fluffy slippers, making her way to a new space.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

Waking up again, the cycle begins.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BATHROOM - DAY

In the background, the sound of rummaging through a cupboard,

the slight squirt of toothpaste and a tap running, is heard.
The view expands to display A DISHEVELLED CHARACTER slowly
brushing her teeth, struggling to stay awake. Her face
disappears into the sink to rinse her mouth and wash her face,
and slowly reappears through the mirror. It possesses relaxed
features for a few seconds before it gradually morphs into a
disturbed one. The character begins walking and disappears
into the darkness.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Brush my teeth,
a brief moment of peace before I’m back on the hamster wheel.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SINKING AREA - DAY

The character struggles to walk on an uneven, consuming

surface, sinking with each step. There are a series of
backgrounds that represent the scenes in the character’s
everyday life. Eventually, the character disappears and all
that is left is a small spiral in the ground in place of the
character's last stance.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Bare-faced, I trudge,
neck deep into the quicksand and it swallows me again.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. A ROOM OF PEOPLE - DAY

The character stands outside a door, looking despondent,

tightly gripping a mask. The character looks down and stares
deeply at the mask, with a distant look on her face. She
recovers and hesitates to place the mask on her face, before
boldly strolling into the room full of people representing
each sector of her life. She smiles brightly and addresses
family, friends and teachers.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Drowning, put your mask on before you walk in,
“I’m as happy as can be.”

A notification alerts loudly and draws everyone’s attention in

the room to the character. She holds up a finger to ask for a
minute as she peaks at a banner on the screen that reads, “NEW
ASSIGNMENT”. When she looks back up she’s being pulled into
another room, filled with people talking to her and offering
various items all at once. She attempts to acknowledge and
assist everyone, but resembles a defeated stance and sinks to
the ground. The view shows the many pairs of feet walking away
in different directions.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
Endless Assignments due, “ping” another.
People and life are demanding,
begging for attention,
but I am tired.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. A DARK CORNER - NIGHT

The character removes the mask and discards it carelessly
somewhere in the room. She sits comfortably in a corner of the
room, surrounded by many comforting items, such as food,
blankets and comfortable clothing. She ignores all disruptions
and chaos from the day that appear as memories in the air. She
gives off a deep sigh, places a hand on her chest and stares
out the window.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Overwhelmed,
I crawl into my warm shell,
the comfort of self.
Seal myself off,
Just me and my stone wall
Lonely…
But it hurts less.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. AN EMPTY PATH - DAY

The character squats in a dark area and watches as her

surroundings become brighter. The view moves towards the light
and blinds out to a new clip. The character holds a rose that
has a prominent thorn and looks attentively at it and raises
her hand towards it as if she struggles to see its details.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Seated in the tunnel,
day becomes night.
The end, the light,
close as thorn is to rose,
but I can’t see it.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. AN EMPTY PATH - NIGHT

The character staggers through the dark and hugs herself as

she shivers violently. She collapses to the ground and looks
up at a star that shines brightly on the character. She sits
peacefully and flutters her eyes closed.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
 Darkness, the shattering cold,
blinds my eyes, my heart, and my soul.
I look up at the stars,
filling the darkness of night,
an awaited embrace.
There, I find my warmth again.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. A PARK - DAY

The characters' eyes flutter open and a surreal view of a lake

and bright sun appear. She glides her hands through the water,
watching droplets run down her fingers.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Alas, night becomes day.
The tunnel is now a bridge.
Stone melts away like water,
Stone melts away like ice,
and the rays of the sun warm me.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. A FIELD OF FLOWERS - DAY

The character slowly stands from a crouched position in the

middle of a variety of flowers. She begins to admire a small
bouquet, delicately smelling and touching each one.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Free of my shell into a garden of flowers,
sweet smell and fragrance,
It makes me new.
It makes me free.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

The character walks back into the room and sits at a desk. The
view of her black laptop screen fills the camera. The sound of
a light switch is heard throughout the dark room and the video
begins to play. The video consists of various clips that
depict an honestly joyful version of the character. The video
ends with the quote spoken by the narrator.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
“Yesterday is history,
tomorrow is a mystery,
but today is a gift.”
So I live it heartfelt and well.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. AN EMPTY ROOM - DAY

The character is in front of black background and only her

face is seen. She stares straight ahead as the view zooms out
to reveal her full body. She places a finger on either side of
her temple. She then places her hands on her chest, over her
heart, and smiles softly.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
But still,
I forget ‘me’ not,
for I am still me.