The First Step to Moving on - First Draft

8/12/2019 The First Step to Moving on - First Draft

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THE FIRST STEP TO MOVING ON

by

LAURA CABOCHAN


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2.

SCENE ONE: POBLACION HULING ILAW


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3.

(KELLY arrives to POBLACION HULING ILAW

on her car. She is supposedly wearing a

backpack with a doll attached on it.

This doll represents SAMANTHA, her best

friend. The 'real' SAMANTHA appears

wearing the exact same clothes as the

doll. Everything appears cheery and

full of excitement.)

SONG: HAND IN HAND

SAMANTHA

I TASTE THE SUNSHINE

I REACH FOR THE MOON

I'M HEARING SPARKS FLY

IT SMELLS LIKE JUNEALL OF MY SENSES MIX UP AND EXPAND

WHEN WE WALK HAND IN HAND

(KELLY asks a random stranger about a

place on a map. She sits down on a park

bench and talks to the doll.)

KELLY

NIGHT'S NEVER LONELY

'CAUSE YOU'RE ALWAYS THERE

YOUR SHADOW FOLLOWS ME EVERYWHERE

I TELL YOU IT'S CRAZY

BUT YOU'LL SAY IT'S GRAND

THAT WE ARE HAND IN HAND

(Music underscores. KELLY addresses the

audience.)

KELLY


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5.

JUST WHERE I WANT TO BE

(Music underscores. Scene break.)

KELLY

This is unexpected.

SAMANTHA

Why?

KELLY

Don't people become ghosts only if they have

unfinished business? I didn't think you were the

unfinished business type.

SAMANTHA

I guess. But aren't you forgetting something?

KELLY

What?

SAMANTHA

We made a deal, remember?

KELLY

But...

SAMANTHA

Sure.

CLOUDS ARE BELOW MEAND I'M IN THE SKY

KELLY


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6.

LET ME STAND STILL

LET THE WORLD FLY BY

SAMANTHA

WE MADE A PROMISE

SO YOU UNDERSTAND...

KELLY

BUT YOU'RE NOT HERE. I DON'T KNOW IF I STIL CAN

SAMANTHA

OH WE'LL DO IT HAND IN HAND!

(Music underscores.)

KELLY

I don't know if I like the sound of that.

SAMANTHA

Do you want me gone?

KELLY

What? No. But not like this. This is... I don't know.

I've gone crazy.

MY HEART FLIPFLOPS

MY BREATH SHORTSTOPS INSIDE ME

NOW YOU'RE BESIDE ME

SAMANTHA

JUST WHERE I WANT TO BE


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7.

We agreed we'd visit my hometown.

KELLY

But Sam, you're...

SAMANTHA

Dead. So?

CLOUDS ARE BELOW ME

AND I'M IN THE SKY

KELLY

LET ME STAND STILL

LET THE WORLD FLY BY

SAMANTHA

WE MADE A PROMISE

SO YOU UNDERSTAND...

I WON'T STOP UNTIL YOU SAY YOU CANWE'LL GO THERE HAND IN HAND.

KELLY

(Refusing to face SAMANTHA) Stop it! Stop it! You're

dead. You're dead. You're dead!

SAMANTHA

How can you be so sure? You didn't even go to my wake

or my funeral. (Pause)

LET'S GO...

(KELLY looks at SAMANTHA, stricken.

Scene break ends. KELLY addresses the

audience again.)

KELLY

So coerced by a ghost, I hopped into my car and drove

seven hours straight to this place: Poblacion Huling

Ilaw. It smells of farm.

SAMANTHA

It smells alive.


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8.

SCENE TWO: HOW WE CAME TO BE BEST

FRIENDS


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9.

(Beside the SAMANTHA doll, SAMANTHA

places a KELLY doll. She plays with the

KELLY doll while KELLY plays with the

SAMANTHA doll.)

KELLY

You really wouldn't think Kelly and Samantha would

have become best of friends.

SAMANTHA

During freshman year, Kelly maximized all her cuts in

all her classes.

KELLY

Sam was the beadle in all her classes.

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

They shared four classes.

SAMANTHA

Kelly thought people from the provinces had never gone

to a mall.

KELLY

Sam has never gone to a mall.

SAMANTHA

Kelly was loud.

KELLY

"Omigod, Sam, you've never gone to a mall, serious?!

"

SAMANTHA


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It was a classic case of City Mouse...

KELLY

And Country Mouse.

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

But one day in Lit 13...

KELLY

Their teacher, having a senior moment, was trying to

quote from "The Little Prince."

SAMANTHA

"What--what does the fox say?"

KELLY

The entire class was trying to hold back their

laughter.

SAMANTHA

But Kelly met Samantha's eyes and something just

clicked.

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

They both began singing:

RING-DING-DING-DING-DINGERINGEDING!

GERING-DING-DING-DING-DINGERINGEDING!

GERING-DING-DING-DING-DINGERINGEDING!

KELLYNeedless to say they were sent out. The only time Sam

has ever been sent out.

SAMANTHA


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11.

The first time of many for Kelly.

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

They went straight to the cafeteria...

SAMANTHA

And talked for what seemed like hours.

KELLY

"What is essential is invisible to the eye."

SAMANTHA

"What is essential is invisible to the eye."

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

And that's how they became best friends.

SCENE FOUR: I WANTED TO, BUT

DIDN'T, COULDN'T

(Blackout. KELLY'S voice is heard,

"I'll drive you to the dorm." SAMANTHA

replies, "No. Rest for Philo orals!"

KELLY whines, "Yes, mom." Laughter. A

car crash. Then it repeats. "I'll drive

you to the dorm." Laughter. Then car

crash. "I'll drive you to the dorm."The sounds build up with an emphasis on

the car crash. This shouldn't be too

long. Lights slowly fade in on a

dismal-looking KELLY--think hikikomori.

She has shut herself in her room for

two days. KELLY'S MOM appears. This is

a movement piece for KELLY.)

SONG: I LOOK AROUND FOR YOU

KELLY'S MOM[Placard A] It's Sam's wake today. (KELLY doesn't

respond.) [Placard B] Shouldn't you go?


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12.

(The lights dim again. KELLY's face is

illuminated by a computer screen.

Facebook sounds. "Hey Kelly, I'm so

sorry about Sam." "I miss Sam." "How

are you holding up?" "Condolences." "I

didn't see you at the wake." "Were you

there yesterday?" "I know how you

feel." KELLY has shut herself in her

room for about five days now.)

KELLY'S MOM

[Placard C] It's Sam's funeral. (KELLY doesn't

respond.) [Placard D] You're a horrible best friend.

(KELLY rips Placard D only to reveal

copies and copies of Placard D

underneath her mother's grasp. She rips

and rips, every piece until KELLY isknee-deep in guilt.)

SCENE FOUR: SAILING IN A DARK SEA

(KELLY is in a boat, exploring a cave.

It's a popular tourist spot. There's

the sound of waves.)

KELLY

To float. To remain suspended on the surface. To not

sink. Comforted by darkness, I try to walk on water.

Dragged down by your undercurrent, buoyed by your

memory. (Beat) It stinks here.

(SAMANTHA is playing tour guide and is

representing various rock formations.

Feel free to play. She is moving from

rock to rock, just following the boat.)

SAMANTHA

This rock formation is called 'Bats,' in honor of the

majority of the inhabitants that reside and defecate

inside this cave.

KELLY


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Oh great.

SAMANTHA

This beauty over here is called 'Dining Table.'

Reminiscent of Gonzaga Cafeteria--over hundreds and

hundreds of plates eaten from, thousands and thousands

utensils unreturned.

KELLY

What are you doing?

SAMANTHA

Giving you a tour. (Beat) This greenish rock is called

"Higad Tree." Behind which you and I caught my ex-

boyfriend He Who Does Not Deserve a Name jacking off

one night. You dutifully described him and his deed in

detail on Ateneo Secret Files.

KELLY

Sam.

SAMANTHA

This piece is, 'Overlooking a Valley.' We got so drunk

behind the dorm, we woke up to sunrise and mosquito

bites.

KELLY

Sam!

SAMANTHA

Have you noticed how this looks like people bowing?

It's called 'Curtain Call.' We staged The Little

Prince for Lit and the Fox was played by this girl who

got sent out the previous semester for saying what the

fox said.

KELLY

Quit it.

SAMANTHA

This is my favorite: 'Kelly.' The star of the play. Mybest friend. The liveliest, the most irrepressible,

most vivacious bottle of sunshine.

KELLY


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14.

Let me be! (Beat) To drown. To go through the surface.

To sink. Surrounded by darkness, I try to walk on

water. Buoyed by your memory, dragged down by your

undercurrent.

SCENE FIVE: THE IMAGINARY EULOGY

(KELLY, more confident and vibrant, is

by a podium, delivering the eulogy she

never gave in the funeral she never

attended.)

KELLY

I love 'Love Actually,' so I was thinking of doing

something like what Liam Neeson did, with the photo

slideshow and favorite song. But instead of just

playing the song from a CD, we'll do it like how 'AllYou Need is Love' was done in the movie. Live music

and all. But Sam would most probably just roll her

eyes and tell me to quit the theatrics. Keep. It.

Simple. So although I believe she'll be secretly

thrilled by my plan, I'll give her what she wants and

keep this eulogy short and sweet: NONE OF YOU

UNDERSTAND SAMANTHA THE WAY I DO. NONE OF YOU KNOW HER

AS WELL AS I DO. MY SORROW IS FAR DEEPER THAN YOURS,

MY TEARS FAR MORE ABUNDANT. ME AND SAM, OUR CONNECTION

IS DIFFERENT, SPECIAL, AND NONE OF YOU, NONE OF YOU,

WILL EVER, AT ALL, UNDERSTAND SAMANTHA BETTER THAN IDO.


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SCENE SIX: FREEDOM


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(KELLY and SAMANTHA are in KELLY's room

reviewing for their PH103 orals. KELLY

is carrying two slices of cake and two

glasses of milk.)

KELLY

It's official. Cake at midnight? My mom wants to adopt

you. Or to be more specific, she wishes you were her

daughter and I was the friend.

SAMANTHA

That's not true.

KELLY

It is! She talks about you every single time and keeps

asking me why I'm not in the top 10 like you. I toldher I was in the top 10...from the bottom, but she

didn't find it very funny.

SAMANTHA

You don't sound like you feel bad about it.

KELLY

I still get cake.

(KELLY looks at the incredibly tall

pile of readings to review. Suggestion:

the real focus here is KELLY and

SAMANTHA's relationship. I recommend

not playing this realistically and

instead finding substitute activities

that emphasize friendship. I recommend

some kind of children's clapping game,

for instance. I leave it to your

imagination.)

KELLY

Do you think if I put all of these under my mattress

it's going to sink in by tomorrow?

SAMANTHA

No. Come on, let's review the fourth thesis statement.

KELLY

I can't believe you're writing an essay for each

thesis statement. Who does that?


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17.

SAMANTHA

I do. It helps. Kel, focus. You're the one who needs

this. Remember, you--

KELLY

I failed my midterms, I know, I know. And if I fail

Philo, I won't graduate on time. You sound like my

mother.

SAMANTHA

Maybe she wants me to adopt you.

KELLY

Mama!

SAMANTHA

Yuck! (Beat) Ready?

KELLY

Fine.

SAMANTHA

Thesis number four...The unum argumentum found in St.

Anselms Proslogion shows the dynamism between desire,

faith, reason, and understanding. The id quo majus

cogitari nequit is not only the summum bonum, but

quiddam majus quam cogitari possit as well...

(KELLY begins to snigger uncontrollably

and pretends to be a wizard.)

KELLY

SUMMUM BONUM!

SAMANTHA

KELLY.

KELLY

I'm going to fail, aren't I?

SAMANTHA

You'll do great as long as you apply yourself.

KELLY

My brain is fried. I can't take it anymore. It's 2AM.

SAMANTHA

Yes, you can!


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18.

KELLY

So I don't graduate, what's the big deal?

SAMANTHA

Your mom's not going to like it.

KELLY

She's never liked anything I've done. That's nothing

new.

SAMANTHA

But you're this close to being done with it all. Why

waste it?

KELLY

Miss Samantha Casimiro, are you telling me to just

finish college for the sake of finishing college? I

thought you valued meaningful education!

SAMANTHA

I'm not saying you just "finish!" I'm just concerned.

I'm...

KELLY

It's 2AM and you still talk like some teacher's

watching. Come on, Sam, loosen up. We're done

reviewing!

SAMANTHA

You never know when the extra review might help!

KELLY

This is the last exam of my entire college life. I

don't care anymore.

SAMANTHA

You're not sure of that!

SONG: FREEDOM

KELLY

Hey, I've got a great idea! After orals, let's go on a

road trip!

LETS GO.

THE HIGHWAYS CALLING.

THE SUN IS SHINING.

LETS GET IN THE CAR AND JUST REMEMBER.

LETS GO.


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SAMANTHA

Where will we go?

KELLY DROVE ON ALL OF OUR ROADTRIPS.

SHE BELIEVED IN LISTNING TO THE HIGHWAY.

YOU START DRIVING,

AND KEEP DRIVING.

THERES NO STOPPING TIL KELLY SAYS YOUVE ARRIVED.

KELLY

How about Tagaytay? Or maybe we can go to Pampanga.

How about Palawan? We'll use the SuperCat.

FEELING THE WIND BLOWING YOUR HAIR.

PICKING A ROAD AND GOING ANYWHERE.

WERE HEADING SOUTH.

OR MAYBE WEST.

WE DONT KNOW MUCH.

WERE MAKING UP THE REST.

TEAR UP THE ATLAS.DONT READ THE ROAD SIGNS.

DRIVING FOR THE SAKE OF DRIVING ANYWHERE.

THATS FREEDOM.

SAMANTHA

FREEDOM.

Is that freedom or is that escaping? Can aimless

wandering be called freedom?

KELLY

Sam, can you just shut off your brain for a minute?

SAMANTHA

I'll die.

KELLY

You know what I--hey, did you just try to crack a

joke? (Beat) How about this: I pass Philo, you tour me

around your hometown.

SAMANTHA

(Surprised, but excited) Are you sure? It's a long

drive.

KELLY

Well? Well?

SAMANTHA

(After a moment) You have to pass Philo first.


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20.

KELLY

Yes! You know, Sam, you have to bribe irresponsible

people like me. Now I feel all fired up for the orals

tomorrow! I'm so excited for our road trip.

DRIVING FAST, THE RADIO BLARING.

WINDOWS OPEN, SINGING LIKE WERE ROCKSTARS.

SAMANTHA

COUNTING THE MILES AS WE GO PAST.

KELLY

THE TANK IS FULL. THE SUN IS HIGH.

SAMANTHA

KNOWING THAT EVERY MILE COULD BE OUR LAST.

KELLY

JUST WATCHING THE DAY GO BY.

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

WE WONT LOOK BACK.

WE NEVER WILL.

SAMANTHA

WEVE COME TOO FAR.

KELLY

WELL DRIVE TIL WE'VE HAD OUR FILL

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

FREEDOM.

FREEDOM.

FREEDOM.

SAMANTHA

I've always wanted to ask you to visit...

KELLY

Throughout our four years of friendship, I've been

waiting for you to ask me! I still had to invitemyself in the end!

SAMANTHA

I'm sorry.

KELLY


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What are you apologizing for?! You've got to learn to

be more aggressive, Sam! I'm just so happy you didn't

shoot my idea down.

SAMANTHA

Of course not!

KELLY

You've got to bring me to the best places!

SAMANTHA

AND IM ALMOST STARTING TO LEARN IT.

HOW YOU TAKE A DAY AND MAKE IT SPECIAL.

KELLY

FREEDOM.

SAMANTHATHE LONG HIGHWAYS.

THE CHEAP REST STOPS.

KELLY

FREEDOM.

SAMANTHA

THE LAST MINUTE GET IN THE CAR AND LETS GO.

KELLY

OH, LETS GO.

LETS GO.PICK A ROAD. PICK A HIGHWAY.

ANY ROAD IS GOING MY WAY.

LETS GO.

LIVE IT UP WITH NO COMPLICATED PHILOSOPHIES.

NO COLLEGE, NO CAREER,

NO KIDS, NO FANCY HOUSE, NO.

LETS GO.


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ANY ROAD BUT THE ONE WERE ON.

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

NO COLLEGE, NO CAREER,

NO SCREAMING KIDS, NO MORTGAGE.

DRIVING ANYWHERE.

KELLY

JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT INTO THE DAWN.

THATS FREEDOM.

SAMANTHA (KELLY)

KELLY DRIVING. ME RIDING SHOTGUN.

JUST A COUPLE GIRLS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY

WITH NO ROAD MAP

AND NO CURFEW.

JUST TWO GIRLS WITH NOWHERE WE HAVE TO BE. (FREEDOM.)

NOW SHES LAUGHING.AND I START LAUGHING. (FREEDOM.)

ITS SO REAL AND SO LIKE A MEMORY. (FREEDOM.)

AND THE SUN IS SO BRIGHT THAT IM SQUINTING.

AND IT FEELS LIKE I FOUND FREEDOM.

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

FREEDOM.


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23.

KELLY

YEAH.

SAMANTHA (KELLY)

DRIVING FAST, THE RADIO BLARING. (YEAH)

WINDOWS OPEN, SINGING LIKE WERE ROCK STARS.

KELLY

OH YEAH.

SAMANTHA

YEAH.

KELLY

YEAH.

SAMANTHA

YEAH.

KELLY

YEAH.

SAMANTHA

YEAH.

KELLY

YEAH.

SAM

YEAH.


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24.

KELLY

YEAH.

SAM

YEAH.

KELLY

YEAH.

SAM AND KELLY

FREEDOM.

FREEDOM.

FREEDOM.

FREEDOM.

KELLY

It's a promise then. I'll pass Philo then we'll go to

your place. Motivation!

SAMANTHA

I'd like that a lot.

(A motorcycle screech.

SAMANTHA looks at her watch.)

SAMANTHA

It's late. I better go back.

KELLY

I'll drive you to the dorm.

SAMANTHA

No! Rest for Philo orals!

KELLY

Yes, mom!

(They laugh and KELLY accompanies

SAMANTHA out of her house.)


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SCENE SEVEN: UNDERWATER


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(KELLY is underwater in underwater

gear. SAMANTHA can be swimming along

with fish, if so inclined.)

KELLY

Underwater, you're enveloped by silence and given no

other choice but to deal with the noise inside your

head. (Beat) It's a promise then. I'll pass Philo then

we'll go to your place. Motivation!

SAMANTHA

I'd like that a lot. (Beat) It's late. I better go

back.

KELLY


SAMANTHANo! Rest for Philo orals!

KELLY

Yes, mom! (Beat) Stop. Rewind.

SAMANTHA


KELLY


SAMANTHANo! Rest for Philo orals!

KELLY

No! I insist. (Beat) Stop. Rewind.

SAMANTHA


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27.


KELLY

Why don't you sleep over? (Beat) Stop. Rewind.

SAMANTHA


KELLY


SAMANTHA

No! Rest for Philo orals!

KELLY

I'm from the future. If you leave now, you'll die in a

car crash. So stay. (Beat) Stop. Rewind.

SAMANTHA


KELLY

Don't go. Don't leave me. (Beat) What ifs. What ifs.

What ifs.


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SCENE EIGHT: HOW I CAME TO KNOW


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29.

(KELLY is found reviewing for her

philosophy finals in a hallway full of

people. Her movements are timed to a

nervous heartbeat, mirroring her fear.

She checks her phone alternately with

her notes while talking to people she

knows.)

KELLY

You done? How was it? Was it hard? Did he ask

questions? Shit, is he in a bad mood? As long as I

don't get thesis four, haha. Oh my god, good luck. Did

you see Sam?

RANDOM VOICE

A senior died today, for real?

KELLY

I'm not until later. I'm just excited. Hey, have you

seen Sam? No?

RANDOM VOICE

These taxis think they're king of the road.

(KELLY tries calling SAMANTHA but fails

to connect to SAM's phone. The beat

goes faster as the voices enter more

rapidly.)

RANDOM VOICE

She's a senior?

KELLY

You done?

RANDOM VOICE BARRAGE

I heard it from the radio. She's part of the top ten?

What time did it happen? Two AM?! She was a dormer?

That's so sad. Yeah, saw it in television. How did youknow? She's my boyfriend's blockmate. What's her name?

Her name's--

(KELLY's phone gets a message from a

mutual friend: "Sam has left us. :(")

KELLY


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30.

What?

RANDOM VOICE

I won't believe it until I check her Facebook.

(KELLY logs on to SAMANTHA's Facebook

page. It is flooding with condolence

messages. The hallway sounds transform

to static.)

RANDOM VOICE

Kelly, it's your turn.

(KELLY enters the consultation room and

sits a bit stiffly. She draws thesis

number four. She looks straight at the

professor and begins answering.

Although Kelly is saying 'bla,' sheshould speak as if she's speaking

words. At this point, she doesn't know

what she's thinking.)

KELLY

Thesis number four. The unum argumentum found in St.

Anselms Proslogion shows . . . bla bla bla bla bla

bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla

bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla Bla bla bla bla


bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla Bla bla bla


bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla Bla bla


bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla Bla


bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla

bla . . .


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31.

SCENE NINE: STAYING ASLEEP


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32.

(KELLY and SAMANTHA are in a church.

The stained glass lights them gently.

It looks like KELLY's having

confession.)

SAMANTHA

How's Tita Nancy?

(KELLY shrugs.)

SAMANTHA

You should call. (Beat) I had my first communion here.

(KELLY doesn't react.)

SAMANTHA

I don't like funeral masses. The choir's usually bad

and it all feels rushed. (Beat) I wish you were therethough.

(KELLY stiffens.)

KELLY

Would it have made a difference?

(SAMANTHA is quiet.)

KELLY

None of it felt real. That day. The day after that.

The day after that day. I was waiting to wake up.(Beat) I'm still waiting to wake up.

SAMANTHA

Would waking be so bad? (Beat) I could haunt you

forever, you want? (Beat) You could try praying.

KELLY

Don't go there.

SAMANTHA

There's nothing wrong with talking to God, Kelly.

You've got to talk to someone.

(KELLY glares at SAMANTHA then stalks

off.)

SCENE TEN: THE REALITY OF EVIL


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34.

KELLY

WHEN THE STARS GO PITCH BLACK,

WHEN YOUR FEET DRY AND CRACK,

WHEN YOUR MIND AND YOUR SOUL AND YOUR HARD HARD HEART

ATTACK.

WHEN YOU CANT REMEMBER WHAT YOURE RUNNING TO

WHEN YOU CROSS THE DESERT, SEEING TIMBUKTU

WITH YOUR HANDS FULL OF SAND,

LET THE SAND RUN THROUGH

AND THEN YOU

KELLY'S MOM

(Overlapping with below) Put your faith in Him and

trust He will guide you.

KELLY

COME BACK. COME BACK.Sam...

COME BACK. COME BACK.

HE MIGHT COME BACK AGAIN.

(KELLY struggles for control.)

KELLY'S MOM

(Overlapping with below) Samantha was an amazing girl.

She's done so much at such a young age. She must have

finished whatever it was God needed her to do.

KELLY

ONE. TWO. THREE. FOUR.

FIVE. SIX. SEVEN. EIGHT.

OH, NINE.

OH, OH

TEN.

(KELLY loses it and unleashes her rage,

internally, on her mother.)

NO ONE HERE TO SAVE ME, NO ONE HERE TO BREAK ME,BREAK US FROM THIS REPETITION, BAD TRADITION,

BREAK US FROM THE PRECONDITION.

BABY GIRL IS BORN. BABY GONNA DIE.

MAYBE BABY GIRL DONT WANNA LIVE AND DIE BEFORE SHE

FLY.

SHE WANNA RUN. RUN.

RUN DADDY.


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35.

RUN DADDY.

RUN!

THE FATHER'S.

THE FATHER'S RAN AWAY.

THE FATHER'S.

THE FATHER'S RAN AWAY.

DONT YOU KNOW YOU RUN WHEN YOURE ANGRY,

WHEN THERES NOWHERE TO GO.

YOU RUN AWAY ONE DAY. HISTORY SAY IT SO.

KELLY'S MOM

God will never abandon us, Kelly. He's here for us,

always.

KELLY

HISTORY SAY IT SO.AND THE FATHER'S RAN AWAY.

(KELLY closes her room's door.)


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36.

SCENE ELEVEN: THERE'S A MALL


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37.

(KELLY is walking out with a McDonald's

cup in hand. She ate from a mall and is

looking abashed.)

KELLY

I always knew there was a mall here. I was only saying

that to annoy you.

SAMANTHA

Whatever.

KELLY

I'm sorry for suddenly leaving.

SAMANTHA

I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to be pushy.

KELLYIt's been hard.

SAMANTHA

I know.

KELLY

So where to?

SAMANTHA

I've brought you to the tourist spots, so...(She finds

herself in a familiar area.) Where are we?

KELLY

You tell me. You're the one who lives here.

SAMANTHA

Just because it's your province doesn't mean you know

everything about it! (Beat) Ask someone!

KELLY

I can't. We'll figure it out.

SAMANTHA

We need to know where we are first. My town isn't that

small, you know. Go ask. (Beat) You haven't had a

conversation with anyone since forever.

KELLY

So?

SAMANTHA


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38.

You can't keep shutting people out.

SONG: HOLDING ON

KELLY

I WAKE UP EVERY MORNING,

SURPRISED TO SEE THE SUN.

SURPRISED THE WORLD AND I

CONTINUE ON OUR FRANTIC RUN.

DAYS BECOME WEEKS.

WEEKS BECOME MONTHS.

MONTHS BECOME WAY BACK WHEN.

SAMANTHA

THE EARTH KEEPS TURNING.

THE LIGHT KEEPS SHIFTING.

YOU MUST KEEP HOLDING ON

KELLY

I WISH THE WORLD WOULD NOTICE,

AND PAUSE A BREATH FOR YOU.

I WISH THAT I COULD TELL THE WORLD TO STOP.

I WANT TO.

DAYS BECOME WEEKS.

WEEKS BECOME MONTHS.

MONTHS BECOME WAY BACK WHEN.

WAY BACK WHEN.You asked me before if I wanted you gone. I don't.

This way is fine.

SAMANTHA

You'd rather talk to a ghost?

(Silence.)

KELLY

Why are you here?

SAMANTHAAt first I thought it was to tour you around. But now,

I'm not so sure.

KELLY

Unos Street. Sounds familiar?

SAMANTHA


39/51

39.

You could ask that woman. Two months ago you would

have charmed that lola's pants off. Not only would he

have given you directions, she would have given you a

coke and a sandwich too.

KELLY

Things change, Sam.

SAMANTHA

Yeah, you've become a ghost.

KELLY

What did you say?

SAMANTHA

I said you're the one who's the ghost. You've been

living like a hermit for three months. You won't talk

to anyone, even your own mother.

KELLY

Shouldn't you be flattered?

SAMANTHA

Do you think I'm happy you've become like this?

KELLY

Why can't you just let me mourn?

SAMANTHA

Not like this.

KELLY

People grieve at their own pace.

SAMANTHA

If you think it's all just suddenly going to be okay

one day, you're wrong.

KELLY

That's what I'm saying.

SAMANTHA

No! You're not getting me. If you think you can stay

in this dark place and then suddenly be in the light,

without making any effort--you're wrong.

KELLY

Just don't rush me.


40/51

40.

SAMANTHA

Moving on involves an attempt in movement, Kelly. You

would have stayed in your room forever if I hadn't

shown up.

KELLY

That's my choice to make. (Beat) Maybe it would have

been better that way. At least we wouldn't be lost now.

SAMANTHA

We? You're the one who's lost. This is my town,

remember?

(SAMANTHA leaves KELLY.)


41/51


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42.

SCENE THIRTEEN: SPEAKING


43/51

43.

(Just an hour has passed without

SAMANTHA but it feels like days for

KELLY. She is wandering the streets.

The lights of Poblacion Huling Ilaw are

unusually bright. It's almost as if

she's being examined. She's on a busy

market street.)

KELLY

Sam?

(SAMANTHA doesn't appear.)

KELLY

Sam?

(SAMANTHA still doesn't appear.)

KELLY

She's really gone.

(KELLY has no choice but to deal with

people.)

KELLY

Ex...excuse me.

(No one hears her. KELLY's voice is too

soft. She withdraws and tries to study

a useless map on display. She's tired,afraid, and lonely.)

KELLY

Sir!

(Her voice is still too soft. She is

jostled by a crowd that passes by. It's

almost becoming night and the lights

are dimming. If she doesn't overcome

this, she will get lost in the

darkness.)

KELLY

Hi!

(Louder, but not loud enough. KELLY is

stressed out by what she has to do. She

approaches a WOMAN and strikes a

conversation.)


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44.

KELLY

Good evening!

WOMAN

Good evening!

KELLY

I was hoping you could help me. Would you happen to

know where this address is? (She shows a small sheet

of paper.) The Casimiros live there.

WOMAN

Oh, two lefts from down that corner. (Beat) Their only

daughter died a few months ago.

KELLY

(After some panic) Yes. She...she was my best friend.

WOMAN

You're from Manila?

KELLY

Yes, ma'am.

WOMAN

Terrible drivers there.

KELLY

Yes, ma'am.

WOMAN

I've got to go. (Beat) Hang in there.

(KELLY visibly relaxes once the WOMAN

leaves.)

KELLY

Now. That wasn't so hard was it?

(KELLY's stomach growls. She's hungry.

She sees a taho vendor and buys with

still some difficulty.)

KELLY

Sir, how much for a small cup?

(While walking towards her destination,

KELLY begins practicing her lines.)


45/51

45.

KELLY

Good evening, Mrs. Casimiro. I'm Kelly Carpio. Thank

you for always calling. I'm sorry I wasn't able to

return any of them. I'm sorry for a lot of things.

(She takes a deep breath) Good evening, Mrs. Casimiro.

I'm Kelly Carpio. Samantha was...

(KELLY arrives at the house. She rings

the doorbell and waits for someone to

answer. SAMANTHA's MOM anwsers.)

KELLY

Good evening, Mrs. Casimiro. I'm Kelly Carpio.

Samantha was my best friend. I'm ready to see her now.


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46.

SCENE FOURTEEN: MOTHERS


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47.

(KELLY is inside SAMANTHA'S room but

her back is to the audience, talking to

a figure outside the door. The SAM doll

is settled on a chair.)

KELLY

Thank you, tita. (She turns to the doll.) It was nice

of your mom to let me in. I'm glad she doesn't hate me.

(KELLY looks around the room. It's

quiet.)

KELLY

I'm not the same as before, Sam. I don't know if I

still have my words. (Beat) What happens to your

panties when you die? Do they get passed on? (Beat) Idon't think that was funny either.

(KELLY notices the book shelf.)

KELLY

Everything in alphabetical order. Second hand books.

Books with history, you called them. (She glances

again at SAMANTHA.)

SONG 2: HOW TO RETURN HOME

KELLYYOUR BARE FEET SLIDING ON THE OLD WOODEN FLOORBOARDS

HOME JUST AS YOU LEFT IT BUT STILL YOU'RE SHAKEN

LIKE WALKING INTO A MUSEUM SOMEHOW OUT OF TIME

IT'S ALL THE SAME EXCEPT THE GIRL IN THE HALLWAY

WHERE SHE'S BEEN AND WHO SHE WILL RIPEN INTO

YOUR CHILDHOOD'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A SPRAWLING

DIVIDE...TOO WIDE

(Scene break. We see the shadow of

KELLY's mom. She's on the telephone.)

KELLY'S MOM


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48.

Mrs. Casimiro, thank you for always being concerned

about Kelly. She's...Kelly still isn't well. Yes, I'll

tell her to call you as soon as she can. (The phone

conversation ends and she shifts her attention to

KELLY.) When are you going to pull yourself together?

You haven't spoken to anyone for two months. You're

making everyone worry.

KELLY

TAKE A SILENT BREATH

HOLD IN THE CHANGE

TELL YOURSELF YOU STILL LIVE HERE

KELLY'S MOM

And Mrs. Casimiro, she's been calling everyday since

the accident.

KELLYDON'T REVEAL YOU CARE

IT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU'LL GET THROUGH TODAY

COUNT THE HOURS

TAKE A SHOWER

WASH YOURSELF AWAY

KELLY'S MOM

Kelly, locking yourself in like this won't bring

Samantha back.

KELLY

THE HOUSE IS PULSING WITH AN ALIEN HEARTBEAT

WAS IT ALWAYS HERE BUT YOU NEVER LISTENED?

IT'S CALLING YOU TO BE THE GIRL THAT YOU WERE WAY BACK

THEN...AGAIN


HOLD IN THE CHANGE


DON'T REVEAL YOU CARE

PUT THE WORLD ON HOLD

JUST TAKE IT NICE AND SLOW

BE HER DAUGHTER

NOTHING'S HARDER

WHEN NOBODY KNOWS

HOW TO RETURN HOME

HOW TO RETURN HOME

KELLY'S MOM

Kelly, I'm here.


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49.

KELLY

AND HOW TO SURVIVE

THERES NO WRITTEN GUIDELINES

HOW TO GO BACK

HOW TO SHOW UP AND UNPACK

HOW TO SHOW UP

HOW TO GROW UP

HOW TO TAKE A BREATH


HOLD IN THE CHANGE


DON'T REVEAL YOU CARE

YOU STILL SHARE A NAME

BUT YOURE NOT THE SAME

YOU DONT FIGHT IT

YOU DONT HIDE IT

ITS A WHOLE NEW GAME OF HOW TO RETURN HOME

HOW TO RETURN HOME

HOW TO RETURN HOME

KELLY'S MOM

Please talk to me.

KELLY

HOW TO RETURN HOME

(Scene break ends. After a long look at

the doll, KELLY takes out her cellphoneand turns it on. She calls her mother.)

KELLY

Hello, mom? I switched it off. I'm at...at Samantha's.

No. Not at the dorm. Yes, the province. Mom, calm

down. I'm all right. I just need to do something. I'll

be home soon. (Beat) And we'll talk, okay?

YOUR BARE FEET SLIDING ON THE OLD WOODEN FLOORBOARDS

HOME JUST AS YOU LEFT IT BUT STILL YOURE SHAKEN


50/51

50.

SCENE FIFTEEN: I'LL BE OKAY


51/51

51.

(KELLY arrives to SAMANTHA'S graveside.

SAMANTHA is there, watching from afar.)

KELLY

I passed Philo. I got a C. At least, right? (Beat) I'm

sorry it took me so long. It was hard. Really hard.

(Beat) I called my mom. She was really angry, but more

relieved than angry. (Beat) I like your town. It's

just like how you said it was. But I didn't imagine

this trip to be like this...Ah, you didn't tell me it

was going to be this hot. (She pours a bottle of water

over herself. At first it appears like she's crying,

but she ends up laughing.) That was stupid. (Beat) I'm

going to be okay, Sam. I promise.

SONG: FREEDOM (REPRISE)

SAMANTHA

AND NOW SHE'S LAUGHING

KELLY

AND I START LAUGHING

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

IT'S SO REAL AND SO LIKE A MEMORY

KELLY

AND THE SUN IS SO BRIGHT THAT I'M SQUINTING

AND IT FEELS LIKE I FOUND FREEDOM

KELLY AND SAMANTHA

FREEDOM

FREEDOM

FREEDOM

SAMANTHA

FREEDOM

(The music swells. KELLY sits by Sam's

gravestone, leaving the doll there, and

begins to talk, endlessly. She is

finally able to let it all out.)

Documents

The First Step to Moving on - First Draft