This time’s short story is a bit different. It is not a narrative or a story in its literal meaning. I have experimented with something different. This time I decided to try out a short film script writing. It was a different ball game but the experience was engaging.
While it has few stage directions and information you would not otherwise find on this blog, I hope you find it interesting. Also this post does not have an in post pictures to ensure the script remains uncluttered.
______________________________________
Script: “The Apology Reformer”
Scene 1: The Newly Elected Student President
INT: School Corridor
Day: 8am
Close-up of the badge [STUDENT PRESIDENT]
Camera behind the character. The character, Tobias, looks intently at his poster.
The poster shows an attractive representation of the power of apology.
The bell for the beginning of the school day rings.
Tobias smiles and fixes his hair. He grabs his bag and moves down the corridor.
Scene 2: The Leader in Action
INT: School Corridor
Day: Between 10 to 11 am
[Classes have just ended and a rush of students flood the corridor.]
A student walking in the corridor runs into a fellow peer. Books from the other student’s hand tumble down.
The student continues walking, but Tobias pulls him back.
Tobias: You made him drop his books. You should go help him.
The student blinks multiple times at Tobias. He turns around and marches to where the books have fallen. Students stop and murmur amongst themselves as Tobias and the boy help the other student collect his books. The student then attempts to leave, but Tobias stops him.
Tobias: You must apologize you know. I aim to ensure an apology is never withheld you know. (He taps his badge)
Student 1: C’mon.
Tobias: Really? Then say it again. In front of me.
Student 1: I sincerely apologize. And…[to Tobias] if you want me to apologize for opening my mouth as well then please go ahead. That clearly seems to be your only goal here.
The boy makes a fake show of sympathy. And then storms off.
Tobias raises his eyebrow.
Tobias: Well, he has quite an attitude.
Julian, his former friend, walks toward him, having seen the exchange from far.
Julian: I see you have been taking your role seriously.
Tobias: Well, it’s called responsibility. Responsibility you should have taken to help me in my campaign. But it does not matter because you will have to follow my campaign guidelines.
Tobias taps his foot.
Tobias: You have not been a very good friend. And you can make amends. Just go ahead and apologize.
Tobias stretches his hand out expecting an apology.
Julian looks at him and chuckles.
Julian: Your primary goal here seems as if you want your friend back. Your vengeful attitude has clearly clouded your judgement. Maybe you should first practice what you preach.
Julian turns his back to him and goes.
Tobias calls after him.
Tobias: I am very well capable of practicing what I preach. It’s just that I have been a true friend, so I really do not see any reason to apologize.
He shrugs and stands beside the window. His face turns red and his nostrils are flared. He stares intensely at the students around. They stop murmuring and move out.
Scene 3: The Hypocrisy of Seeking Apologies
INT: CLASSROOM
DAY: 12pm
Camera focuses on a clock in the background strikes noon. No one is in the class. Tables and chairs are in a mess. Papers are on the floor.
Camera focuses on character.
Tobias picks a paper up and reads it. He puts it on a table and picks another paper he sees on the table. Camera shows the name on the paper [Julian P.]
Tobias clenches his fist. He reads through the paper and looks at the name again. He pauses and looks around. He then rips the paper and then pauses.
He looks at the mess and the paper in his hands. He opens his mouth in a state of shock. He bends over and collects all the bits of paper and throws it into the bin. As he bends over an object similar to a pen falls out of his pocket.
The stylus remains on the floor as Tobias moves out of the classroom taking one last glance at the bin.
Scene 4: A ‘Cheery’ Meeting with an Old Friend
INT: In a Cafeteria
Day: Around noon
Julian walks towards Tobias. He takes long strides towards him and plops himself next to him.
Tobias: Hi traitor.
Julian: I have better things to discuss with you. You know the annual assignment that accounts for half our grade. Mine was in shards as I entered the class.
Tobias: Well, bad luck. Better talk about this with your friend. That is if there is one you have not betrayed yet.
Julian: Are we really doing this now? Anyways I do not want your sympathy. You spend a lot of time in the classroom. Do you know who did this?
Tobias turns his head.
Tobias: Are you suggesting I did this? That is a serious accusation.
Julian: I never said that you did anything. I just asked you if you saw anyone inside the room? Julian pauses and studies Tobias.
Julian: Your fists are clenched. Your eyebrows are arched. If I did not know any better, you are not telling me something.
Tobias: I do not need to hide anything. If someone is hiding something it is your ego trying to cover its apology and remorse.
Tobias storms off without glancing at Julian.
Scene 5: The Art of an Apology
INT: In the corridor
Day: Around 1pm
Tobias is back at the corridor next to the poster.
As he turns around, he finds Julian.
Julian puts a hand on Tobias’s back.
Julian (in a hushed tone): If you think, you can tear my assignment and get away with it, well think twice.
Tobias (whispers): What do you mean? Your accusation is baseless.
Julian: I went back into the room after our cheery meeting in the cafeteria. I found your stylus next to my desk.
Tobias: Ohhh! You might have evidence that it was me, but it serves you right that your assignment is in the bottom of the bin.
Julian points towards a window. Both move there.
Julian taps his fingers in irregular rhythm.
Julian: If my ego was holding back an apology then yours is covering an entire truckload.
Tobias: Ohh. So, you are here for the apology?
Julian: If you want to do this now, I am alright. I am sorry. S-O-R-R-Y.
Julian enunciates the word ‘sorry’ slowly.
Julian: Now I wait for my apology to write my assignment for me?
Julian storms off. Tobias smiles but his smile fades off. His face turns red and he gazes at Julian as he moves away. Eyebrows arch and he fails to make eye contact with anyone around.
Scene 6: A Friendly Reunion?
INT: In the corridor
Day: Around 7, the next day
The bell rings.
Julian rushes off to one of the classrooms. He is stopped by Tobias.
Julian (mutters): What does this guy want?
Tobias: Chillax. I do not want anything from you. I just wanted to say…
Julian: Please leave me alone. You have your apology. We can part our ways.
Camera focuses on Tobias. Tobias clenches his fist. He then opens his palm.
Tobias: I want to apologize. You were right my judgement was clouded. I… I… I… just could not take in the fact you deserted me when I needed you the most.
Julian smiles with a twinkle in his eye.
Julian: Wow! I never expected that…
Julian pauses.
Julian: But it was my fault I did not help you. I just thought that if you got the post, we would not be able to spend enough time together.
Tobias: So, does that mean we are back to being buds?
Julian: You could say that again. But next time, tune down the frustration and avoid making assignments an arch nemesis.
Tobias: Oh, and I am sorry for that too. I am willing to help you redo it or I could explain it to our teacher. I am genuinely sorry.
Julian: While you were sulking, I did my assignment again. Well I did not really redo it. It was saved online. I dodged a bullet by saving it. But I guess we have both learnt a lesson.
Tobias: Yes. A sorry cannot be forced. It must come from the heart. I guess I have learnt to practice what I preach.
Julian: Well, you sure are a big-time preacher. But hey! Let’s get going. This time on the same side of the corridor and in the same direction.
They both chuckle. They fist bump each other and move down the corridor.
Screen goes black.
______________________________________
Credits for Short Film Script: “The Apology Reformer”
Cover Image Credits- https://ejusa.org/resource/what-is-an-authentic-apology/
______________________________________
To read a Home Alone-style story about a trespasser’s room of doom, visit Mind-Blowing Discovery: The Room of Doom for Trespassers
