Untitled Screenplay (December 2023)
FADE IN
OVER BLACK:
YOUNG GIRL (VOICE OVER)
Daddy, tell me a story! I want a bedtime story
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
Dad is a man in his 40’s. A young girl, age 5 or 6, pulls his hands towards her bed. She climbs into the bed and pulls the blankets up to her chin. Dad sits down on the edge of the bed.
DAD
A bedtime story? Ah, well okay. Why not.
YOUNG GIRL
Yay!
DAD
Which story should I tell you today?
YOUNG GIRL
A fun one!
DAD
A fun one… hmm alright. How about the story about the hunter and the tree on the moon?
YOUNG GIRL
Yeah!
DAD
Once upon a time, there was a hunter. One day, as he was out in the fields, he saw a mother tiger and her cubs…
TEXT OVER BLACK:
“T-4 DAYS”
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
A nurse stands beside Dad’s bed. Daughter 1 and Daughter 3 are also in the room. The nurse inspects Dad as they talk.
DAUGHTER 1
Recently, he’s been bleeding from around the tube in his abdomen.
NURSE
I see. Has it been going on for long?
DAUGHTER 3
It’s been constant since yesterday morning. We keep covering it with gauze, but it gets soaked within a few hours and we have to replace it again.
NURSE
I see.
(turning to Dad)
And are you in pain? Does it hurt?
DAD
No, no, not too much pain.
DAUGHTER 3
(softly, avoiding eye contact with Dad)
I think he is in pain.
NURSE
Okay, well let’s take a look shall we?
The nurse pulls aside the blankets covering Dad, as well as his hospital gown. The gauze covering his abdomen and groin are freshly bloodied. The nurse pulls aside the gauze and examines the tube and Dad’s body.
NURSE
I think likely there are some blood clots, which are preventing the blood from draining properly through the tube. This is causing the blood to come out where ever it can.
DAUGHTER 3
What… what do we do?
NURSE
What I can do is flush out the tube with some saline solution to clear out the clots, and that should help it drain properly.
DAUGHTER 3
Is it painful?
NURSE
It’ll be uncomfortable, and maybe a little painful, but I think it will help him. Is that okay?
DAD
That’s okay.
NURSE
Okay, then I’ll set up and we can get started.
The nurse pulls out various items from a large bag. Daughter 1 and Daughter 3 stand on either side of Dad. The nurse disconnects the end of the tube from its drainage bag and attaches it to a large pipette filled with saline solution.
NURSE
Okay, I’m going to get started. You might feel some coldness as its flushed out.
The nurse begins the process. Daughter 1 and Daughter 3 both look away from the pipette and focus on Dad’s face. They are filled with worry. As the saline solution moves through the tube, Dad’s face contorts and he breathes heavily. He lifts his hand shakily.
DAD
Hold, hold my hand.
Daughter 1 and Daughter 3 each take hold of a hand. Dad’s hand squeezes both, grimacing and breathing deeply.
The flushing process repeats multiple times over several minutes, but the nurse struggles to clear the tube completely.
NURSE
I think that’s the best we’re going to get. It should help with the drainage. If you still notice significant bleeding, please call your hospice contact.
TEXT OVER BLACK:
“T-2 DAYS”
INT. BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
A nurse stands on one side of the hospital bed, opposite of Daughter 3 and Daughter 1. Dad lies in bed. It is unclear if he is unconscious or just asleep.
DAUGHTER 3
He’s still bleeding quite a lot. I just changed his bandages three hours ago, but already they’re wet again.
NURSE
And another nurse just flushed out the tube two days ago? Did it help?
DAUGHTER 1
Yeah, they came the other day. It helped reduce the bleeding a little, but not much, and now it’s a lot again.
NURSE
I would recommend we try flushing it again, and that could help.
DAUGHTER 3
Is there something else we could do? It was quite painful for him last time.
NURSE
This is the only thing we can recommend.
DAUGHTER 3
Would it really help? I don’t want him to suffer.
NURSE
We can only try.
DAUGHTER 3
If.. if it doesn’t really help, I don’t want to do it. It… doesn’t seem worth it.
TEXT OVER BLACK:
“T-1 DAY”
INT. BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
It is morning just after Mom and Daughter 3 have woken up. Dad lies in the hospital bed. His eyes are open but does not seem to be aware. He makes a few soft grunts as they move him, but does not speak otherwise. Mom and Daughter 3 chatter softly and brightly with Dad as they clean him up for the morning, explaining what they’re doing. They pull aside his blankets, revealing his small frame covered by the hospital gown. They lift up the right side, revealing two bags connected to tubes that are fed from his abdomen. One bag is half filled with a viscous, deep red liquid. The other is filled with a thinner yellow liquid. The two women work together to unscrew the bags and pour the contents out into a container which is dumped into the bathroom off screen. They repeat the process on his left side, which reveals a third bag, also filled with a dark red liquid.
MOM
Okay Dad, it’s time to change your bandages and pads.
Daughter 3 readies two blue, disposable incontinence pads and wet wipes. She also pulls out gauze packages of various sizes and large bandages. Once the items are set up, Mom and Daughter 3 put on disposable gloves and pull aside his hospital gown, revealing a pile of gauze wet with blood on his abdomen and covering his crotch.
A tube comes out from his abdomen and feeds into one of the bags on his side. The two gently peel aside and toss away the pile of gauze. Blood is pooling around the tube - it doesn’t drain the blood properly, and instead oozes from the insertion point. Daughter 3 wipes away the blood and replaces the gauze and bandaging gently.
Meanwhile, Mom moves to Dad’s side and takes his hand gently her her own. She strokes his hand softly as she looks upon him with concern.
MOM
Poor Dad. You’re so ill, aren’t you.
DAUGHTER 3
You know… it’s already been 2 days since Dad last pooped.
MOM
Poor Dad. You can’t even poop anymore.
DAUGHTER 3
… there’s medicine we can give him. It can help him poop.
MOM
Really? Then let’s feed it to him already.
DAUGHTER 3
No. You don’t feed it to him. You have to put it in his butt.
MOM
Oh! Okay. Well, I’ll hold his hand. You put it in his butt.
DAUGHTER 3
What! No, mom, I’LL hold his hand. YOU put it in his butt.
MOM
Oh, alright fine. I’ll put it in his butt. Give it here.
Daughter 3 pops a rather large, bullet-shaped pill out of its blister pack and passes it over to Mom. The two roll Dad on to his side, only to discover a small turd lying on the pee pad.
TEXT OVER BLACK:
“T-5 HOURS”
INT. BEDROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON
Dad lies in the bed. He is unconscious and has a respirator over his mouth and nose, supplying oxygen to his lungs. His eyes are gaunt and his skin is sallow. The room is quiet except for the soft, steady sound of Dad pulling in air from the mask.
Daughter 3 stands on the right side of the bed. She holds his limp, skeletal hand between her own. Worry fills her face. She is still wearing the same black hoodie and sweatpants seen in the previous scenes.
The nurse stands on the left side of the bed, with various medical equipment spread out. She is in her 50’s but has a bright and youthful energy about her. She begins the process to measure Dad’s blood pressure, wrapping a cuff around his upper arm.
NURSE
Okay so now I will take his blood pressure.
DAUGHTER 3
(looking at Dad)
It’s okay dad. The nurse is here and you’ll be okay.
NURSE
(effusively)
I’m so excited today! Your house is pretty far from mine but did you know you live near this incredible bakery? It’s called Sweet Delights. Have you heard of it?
Daughter 3 is visibly taken aback and unsure how to respond.
DAUGHTER 3
Um, no. I, uh, I haven’t.
NURSE
What! Oh my god, it’s so good.
The nurse has been attempting to record Dad’s blood pressure, but is unable to get a good measurement using the cuff. For a second, she reverts to a more business-like, reserved tone.
NURSE (CONT’D)
I’ll have to take his pulse directly.
DAUGHTER 3
Is that bad? Is something wrong?
NURSE
No, his arm is just too small so the device can’t measure it well. It’s fine.
She begins to remove the cuff and put away the BP measurement device. She then switches back to her previous chipper voice.
NURSE (CONT’D)
Anyway, the pistachio cakes here are the BEST. I’ve tried so many other places. But this place is really fresh and so good. You have to order in advance to get it.
DAUGHTER 3
Oh. Wow.
NURSE
Here, what’s your phone number? I’ll send you their Instagram page!
DAUGHTER 3
Um. It’s, uh, it’s 555-555-5555.
The nurse finishes putting away the device and pulls out her phone. Her fingers quickly tap on the screen for a minute, and then a DING is heard from Daughter 3’s pocket. It’s a text message. Daughter 3 pulls out the phone and sees a message. It’s a link to the Sweet Delights Instagram page.
NURSE
Did it work? Did you get the link?
DAUGHTER 3
Um, yes. Thank you.
NURSE
Great!
The nurse puts away her phone and begins to feel around Dad’s wrist to find his pulse. She pulls out a timer.
NURSE (CONT’D)
You absolutely have to try the pistachio cake. It’s to DIE for.
It is unclear if the nurse is intentionally making a dark joke or has committed a faux pas unaware. She is focused on counting Dad’s BPM.
TEXT OVER BLACK:
”T+1 hour”
DAUGHTER 1 (VOICE OVER)
Hello, yes, he’s passed. Can you please send a nurse over to verify? But please make sure they don’t touch his body. It’s for religious reasons. Thank you. Can you please also tell the mortuary? But they can’t take the body until at least 8 hours have passed. It’s also for religious reasons. Yes. 4am would be perfect. Thank you.
TEXT OVER BLACK:
”T+2 hours”
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
It is dark in the bedroom now, except for a small dimly lit lamp. Dad’s body lies lifelessly in the hospital bed. The respirator has been removed from his face. Incense burns beside the bed.
Mom sits in a chair beside the bed, sobbing steadily as she chants Buddhist prayers. The chanting has been ongoing since the passing. Daughter 2 sits in another chair beside her, tears quietly streaming down her face. She too chants quietly next to Mom.
Mom stares ahead at Dad. She pauses her chanting to speak in a quiet, halting voice.
MOM
You have to send the cats away.
DAUGHTER 2
What?
MOM
The cats can’t be here.
DAUGHTER 2
Oh… okay.
Daughter 2 gets up from her chair and calls over the other siblings.
DAUGHTER 2
Mom says we have to send away the cats.
DAUGHTER 3
What? All of them? But where do they go?
DAUGHTER 2
I guess to my house.
DAUGHTER 3
You live in a tiny 2 bedroom condo and already have 2 cats. You’re gonna keep 6 cats at your place? For how long? Why?
DAUGHTER 2
There’s no where else they can go and I don’t know. Mom just said. Probably until after the funeral.
DAUGHTER 1
Poor cats.
TEXT OVER BLACK:
”T+9 hours”
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Several family members are seated around the dining table, drinking tea. It is pitch black outside and silent in the house, save for the sound of occasional sniffling and the steady sound of Buddhist chanting from the bedroom.
DAUGHTER 3
It’s 5am. Do you think they forgot?
DAUGHTER 1
What, no. They couldn’t.
DAUGHTER 3
But what if they did. They were supposed to come at 4. What else could they be doing at 4am?
DAUGHTER 2
That would be fucked up if they forgot.
DAUGHTER 3
I think you should call them.
DAUGHTER 1
I don’t think they forgot.
DAUGHTER 3
Just call them. The sooner they come, the sooner mom can stop crying and chanting. It’s already so late.
DAUGHTER 1
Alright. I’ll call them.
Daughter 1 walks off screen into another room with her phone. The distant, indistinct sound of her talking on the phone can heard from the dining room. The remaining family members sit in silence. After a few minutes, Daughter 1 returns with an incredulous expression.
DAUGHTER 1
They forgot. They said they’d send someone over now.
TEXT OVER BLACK:
”T+10 hours”
INT. ENTRYWAY - NIGHT
Two workers from the mortuary stand at the doorway. They have just transferred Dad onto a gurney and wheeled him out of the bedroom to the entryway of the house. They stand respectfully and somberly with their hands folded carefully in front of them.
The family is crowded into the small space with the sound of sobbing and sniffling coming from everyone at varying intensities.
WORKER 1
If there are no other questions at this time, do we have permission to move the body to the mortuary?
DAUGHTER 1
Thank you so much. No, we have no questions.
WORKER 1
Thank you. We are extremely sorry for your loss during this difficult time. With this, we will begin moving the body from the house.
The two workers bow their heads one last time and then carefully lift the gurney through the doorway. There are 4 steps that lead down from the porch to the driveway. The quiet suburban neighborhood is still pitch dark and it is completely quiet, with not a single car or person audible save for this family.
As the workers carry the gurney down the steps, Mom, Son and Daughter 2 follow right behind. Mom is wailing loudly. Daughter 1, Daughter 3, and Aunt follow a few steps behind. On her way out the door, Aunt grabs a teacup filled with tea. It was sitting on a stand by the door.
There is a loud crash that reverberates through the neighborhood and everyone is stunned. The workers nearly stumble down the last step with the gurney.
WORKER 2
What was that?
AUNT
It’s okay! It’s okay! Everything okay. I throw the tea cup to chase away the ghost. It’s okay. You keep going!
Daughter 1 falls into a silent laughing fit. It is unclear if the tears are from grief or from trying to silently choke back her laughter.
Outside, the workers roll the gurney down the driveway to their van. Mom, Daughter 2 and Son follow behind all the way to the van. They watch on as the workers lift the gurney into the van. The engine starts up, and the lights illuminate the dark road. The van drives off, leaving the three standing in the middle of the road.
Meanwhile, Daughter 1 and Daughter 3 sweep up the ceramic shards of the broken teacup from the porch.
TEXT OVER BLACK:
”T+14 days”
DAUGHTER 3 (VOICE OVER)
Today is probably a shock for many of you. I think many people didn’t know he was sick and had been for many years. I think he chose to keep his illness hidden out of love and a desire to protect us from pain…
OVER BLACK:
We hear the sound of ocean waves crashing on a shore.
CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH - LATE AFTERNOON
A Young Man stands on a beach, looking out over the horizon. The water laps at his ankles. Wind blows gently across his black hair.
FRIEND 1 (Off Screen)
Do you think we’ll ever make it there?
FRIEND 2 (Off Screen)
To America? I don’t know.
FRIEND 1 (Off Screen)
What do you think it’s like? I heard they have snow.
FRIEND 2 (Off Screen)
Snow! Can you imagine? It’s so cold. Wouldn’t we die in it?
FRIEND 1 (Off Screen)
Wouldn’t we die here?
YOUNG MAN
(softly, under his breath)
I won’t. I’m going to make it. I’ll make it there soon.
FADE OUT