Screenplay / Silence Must Be Heard
FADE IN:
EXT. RIDGE – (PRESENT DAY)
LORDA, 26, a translucent, slender, white female being is walking methodically along the ridge of a deep valley.
The wind ruffles Lorda’s long hair and she turns her head. Etched in the reddish brown of the valley is a stone reading; ‘Oracle Valley’.
At the incline of the hill, birds are calling and butterflies are floating about. Lorda frowns at the sudden steepness of the hill.
The hill-top looks dark. Lorda looks up she sees a red castle atop the hill. Lorda keeps walking now with a look of apprehension.
There are no birds or butterflies and the branches do not sway as there is no breeze now.
Lorda reaches a tall black gate. Reaching into her pocket she brings out a clear plastic card with a hologram on it.
A jade-coloured tin guard approaches her. He has a dark pink visual pulse where his mouth would be. The text on his mouth piece reads; “Access permitted” and he allows her through the black gate.
The compound is bright apart from dark pink laser beams, adjoining black pillars surrounding the perimeter.
KYNA is 23 and has jet black hair. She is huddled over a bench and her dark brown eyes look angry.
.
The two women begin to look at each other as Lorda sits down
LORDA
Hey.
KYNA
Hello Lorda.
LORDA
Well I’ve come.
KYNA
Didn’t take you long did it?
Just a month.
The two women stare at each other.
LORDA
So, how are you feeling?
KYNA
How do you think I’m feeling? It’s hardly a
holiday camp is it?
Pause.
LORDA
I, I don’t know what to say Ky. I’m sorry.
It’s been so long since everything happened.
The two women look at each other from each side of the bench with the valley in the background.
KYNA
Yeah it has hasn’t it.
UNKNOWN VOICE
No!
FLASHBACK ONE; two silhouettes are struggling in the rain, the sexes are indeterminable. There are flashes of silver in the rain, as if jewellery.
EXT. Prison compound – Day
KYNA
I think about everything every day Lorda. I have to,
I’m stuck here for seven years so you think on that Lorda
and then I’ll tell you how I’m feeling.
Kyna pouts her full red lips and looks away momentarily at the valley.
KYNA
(Looking at the valley)
I’m only allowed to talk to visitors or
occasionally inmates. Servers as they call
us.
LORDA
Well don’t the guards say anything?
KYNA
(Looking at the valley)
The guards inisde mumble, but it’s all
electronic, they do it at night or ‘Silence’
just flashes on their mouths, you’ve seen it I imagine?
Kyna returns to look at her friend but keeps staring at the table.
LORDA
Yeah I saw one my way in. But you must at least
sleep alright if it’s so peaceful?
KYNA
Sleep?! Seriously I can’t even
hear the atmosphere up here! You
can’t hear anything. That’s the whole
point Lorda, you have to think all the time! You
can’t sleep! I’m awake every night thinking about…
Kyna stops mid sentence and covers her mouth.
LORDA
I know, I know. So you think about…
Pause.
KYNA
You can say his name you know.
LORDA
No, I. Riomarr.
Kyna glares at the mentioning of Riomarr’s name
KYNA
Yeah I think about him Lorda. I’ll never stop
thinking about him. I’ll never stop thinking about
that night. But I still cannot remember it!
Kyna looks out to the valley.
FLASHBACK TWO; two silhouettes are still struggling. Now Riomarr’s searing blue eyes are blazing brightly and angrily.
EXT. Prison Compound – Day
Lorda looks at her friend sympathetically reaching out her hand for Kyna to grasp.
KYNA
Look Lorda why did you come? So you can tell everyone
I’m having a bad time and they can all congratulate themselves?
LORDA
No of course I didn’t! That’s not what this is about.
KYNA
I ended their precious Riomarr Lorda. He isn’t
breathing his words of wisdom and control now
is he? How can all his followers cope without Count
Riomarr, first in line to rule Oracle Valley instructing them
to be “good” and “pure”?!
Kyna’s sarcastic tone is coupled by a glare at the guard. Lorda keeps looking at her friend, allowing her to continue and express herself.
LORDA
I, I think maybe they just don’t understand
why…
KYNA
(interrupting)
Understand? Judge Oracle didn’t even me look at me after
he passed that sentence. He didn’t want to understand Lorda.
I’m a food-seller, he said that three times like I’m
nothing! I saw him watch me; “I sentence you
Kyna Ligure Fray to Seven years of silence at
Auro compound.” Light, apparently. But
then I guess being cruel wouldn’t look good would it?
Not to those people who believe they’re all sunbeams and
perfect. I mean how could Kyna touch their Saintly Riomarr?
Well he was no frigging Saint either Lorda! Tell them
to understand THAT!
LORDA
Oh God! Kyna look it’s my fault I gave them that
statement. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry it’s just that I felt I
had to, they talked to me for so long about what I
saw and they made me tell them!
FLASHBACK THREE; two silhouettes are still fighting and the rain can be heard louder. Beyond the two figures is Lorda.
EXT. Prison compound -Day
Lorda stops talking to her friend as tears stream down her cheeks. Kyna stares at Lorda.
KYNA
Look forget it. I still swear I don’t remember.
But they would have done this anyway, with or
without that statement of yours. They had to have
a scapegoat Lorda. Did I tell you they’re
making me do memory therapy now?
LORDA
(concerned)
No. Why are they making you do that?
KYNA
Supposed to be so that I can; “touch my core” and
remember what really happened that night.
It’s important for my stay here apparently. You know I have
to be pure and silent.
LORDA
(interested)
Mm. Well how’s it going?
KYNA
Huh! I don’t even want to do it they stick this
Blue and silver mask on me and ask me questions
for an hour each time.
LORDA
(quickly)
Well can you remember anything?
KYNA
No like I told you everything’s wiped out from
that night. They think it’s called
‘repression due to traumatic circumstances.’
LORDA
(talking very quickly)
Well they can’t make you do that. Don’t do it
if you don’t want to Kyna, it’s bad enough up
here without them torturing you so deeply by
trying to make you regress. You never know it
might do you more harm than good.
KYNA
Mm, well yes but I have remembered one thing.
LORDA
What?
KYNA
His scent. I mean I really believed he was
going to propose that night because he told me he
wanted a child.
Lorda’s eyes widen at the mention of a child and suddenly she can not take her eyes off of Kyna.
LORDA
(Breathlessly)
What changed him?
KYNA
It wasn’t him. There was ginger berry on his
collar. That’s what I can remember now, strong
smelling ginger berry apparently it’s only
found by the Lily pool.
Kyna tries to prevent her tears.
KYNA
(whispering)
I never wear ginger berry Lorda. He had been
with somebody else.
Kyna closes her eyes. Lorda again reaches her hand out and holds
Kyna’s damp hand.
LORDA
Look Ky, you’d had too much lavender dust that
night, you weren’t in control. It must’ve been awful.
That betrayal. I, I understand. Of course I believe you
it must have been terrible, what a bastard!
FLASHBACK FOUR; Kyna is lying down with her eyes closed as the rain pours down on to her. The sky in the background becomes a deep purple haze.
EXT. Prison compound – Day
The guard arrives inappropriately as the two women are still holding hands across the table. He signals “time up” his mouth plate. His black eyes look sorrowful.
KYNA
Oh, thank you Lorda, thank you for believing in
me! You’ll come back again won’t you?
LORDA
Kyna look don’t worry of course I will. I’ll be
here next month, I won’t let you suffer through all this alone.
I know things have changed but I’m your best friend.
You’ve just got to keep strong Ky!
Lorda stands still as Kyna is led away to the opening in the cliff. Kyna turns her head over her shoulder as she walks inside, the tears are still there but there is an element of hope in Kyna’s eyes.
Lorda walks through the open black gates and walk rapidly away from the compound. Lorda’s posture has stiffened and she is moving much quicker than she was when she first set off.
As she reaches level plain again she stops. A little drop of rain lands on her face and she realises she is back in normal surroundings. She stands still looking around her as the rain comes.
LORDA
(whisper)
Silence must be heard
As the rain starts to pound Lorda runs a short way to the Lily pool. Inside the pool are lilies with small white floating balls at the front. Lorda climbs aboard one of the waiting Lilies. As she sits down her translucent figure glows a sparkling orange to let others know that the Lily-taxi is taken. The white ball then opens out into an umbrella above Lorda.
The lily-taxi reaches a tree house. The umbrella retracts and hovers in front of Lorda as it opens she tosses two golden coins into it. She then walks straight on to the wooden balcony of her tree house and goes inside.
The Lily-taxi swivels around before setting off slowly on its way back to the taxi pool.
Pause
Sound f/x of a baby crying.
FLASHBACK FIVE; Riomarr’s is standing next to Kyna’s sleeping body.
LORDA
She’s out cold, she’s had too much. Riomarr what have you
done?!
RIOMARR
(Shouting)
I’ll cut that being out of your belly just as I put
it in you foolish meddling witch! Kyna and I
will be together whether you like it or not!
LORDA
Riomarr that’s hurting me. Stop, it’s your… No!
Both struggle as Riomarr tries to choke Lorda. Her shaking hand outstretches and wraps around a plant.
RIOMARR
This is YOUR fault! You should have stayed away
but you didn’t did you!
Lorda rips out the heavy, black and purple plant which has a chain link stem. Lorda waves the chain-link around before bringing it down hard onto Riomarrs head. Riomarrs blue eyes stare lifelessly forward.
Lorda sits up and looks at Riomarr. The chain linked plant has landed right by Kyna’s hand framing her as she sleeps.
LORDA
(howling)
No!
Only Riomarrs staring blue eyes can be seen in the darkness.
INT. Lorda’s tree house – Night
Lorda is inside holding her crying baby to her chest protectively. Her baby son opens his eyes and Lorda’s heart lurches as she sees the same blue eyes as his father staring up at her.
LORDA
Silence my child. Silence.
Lorda smiles
BLACKOUT
THE END.
Written by Daks Irving.
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This is unique, because of the setting. I really enjoyed the way that you have taken the time to set a scene, and allow the reader to visualize exactly what you are trying to create in this scene. Also, I’m very impressed with the flow of the dialogue and conversation between the characters. It seems very naturall, and fits the overall theme and flow of the script itself. However, I would like to see some minor improvements to the overall dialogue once you have seen this read aloud. Perhaps, a table reading would make what I’m describing make more sense. But this is very strong, and it’s obvious that you have taken lots of drafts and have a very strong product. Great job
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this was compelling and in the end quite powerful as the baby reveals the blue eyes of the deceased father. the flow of the screenplay is excellent and easy to read. i had a little trouble picturing the fantasty visuals presented, but that will be a set-concern rather than a conceptual problem with the screenplay. nice work.
very unique structure,but it goes it some taste, and i like it, but i thunk this piece is extremely well, well written, well directed, throughout. There is so much going on, not a bad a thing, i believe plays should alll be respected due to the sincere amount of time that goes into writing one, and the surplus of excitement and joy flowing from it, very fun to read, thanks!!!!!!
Carson Leonhardt
wow, this is very unique. in some parts it reminds me of a soapie, with some of the dialogue etc, but your magical settings and descriptions remind me of some japanese animated films i’ve seen, like spirited away. I like what you;ve developed with the prison, very futuristic and the whole silence thing is done well, with the text appearing on their mouth plates, i like that. I think the plot has left me a little confused though, this is probbably because of having to read it rather than see it… im left unsure of why kyna had been imprisoned, and many other questions… is this one part of a series? i think it leaves too many questions to be self sufficient, so would need a follow up (sequel, or more..)
This is rather difficult to follow, but it is dealing with interweaving events and I am unaccomplished in this type of writing. In spite of this, it was a vivid and evocative beginning. It was simple to picture the desolation of this opening scene as Kyna and Lorda are reunited in this moody setting. It was certainly an enjoyable experience trying to piece the elements of this story together into some kind of whole, and I found the conversational nature of the dialogue to be finely rendered.
The sci-fi context of the tale was the hardest element to follow, since I was kept in the dark about what kind of time period or world this was the characters inhabited. At times we were pulled into the personal intrigue of these characters’ life, esp. with the errant Riomarr, but we caught just a mere glimpse of where they were and what they planned on actually doing. However, I was sufficiently hooked enough to want to find out more, and found several parts quite affecting esp. the ending with the father holding his son in his arms.
Hope this was helpful,
Harold_P
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