WELL. LOTS OF DEVELOPMENTS TODAY.
under the cut for space purposes. these are not sequential. pretend the formatting is correct.
plz don't judge this shitty first draft. i just need to put my excitement somewhere.
ok bai
INT. FELICITY'S HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Felicity looks at a photo album of Bobby Dean. His age progresses from infant to adult. She reaches the end and places it aside.
Felicity rises and walks to her bedroom.
INT. FELICITY'S HOME - BEDROOM - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Felicity stands in front of a full-length mirror, pulls up her tunic and examines her belly.
Stretch marks glisten as her breaths flow in and out. Veins in her hands mimic the wires of a marionette. Cellulite jiggles under her touch. The pooch of her belly signals back to a time 40 years prior when her son wiggled and kicked inside her. She smiles through tears.
Her body isn't what it used to be, but it's more beautiful now for having lived so many years. It tells a story -- hills and valleys, freckles and moles, imperfect perfections -- all are like pieces of an orchestra, individually playing the music of Felicity Kirk's life.
She stares at her reflection and forgives the woman staring back at her.
***
INT. BETH'S HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Beth scrolls social media looking at various posts displaying all the "perfect" things Beth doesn't have: the perfect life, the perfect body, the perfect career. She's become stuck in a comparison loop, never free of the constant push and pull of trying to convince her audience she's worthy of their trust and attention. It's torture. Still, she's sucked in and existing in a comfortable place of self-loathing.
She rises and walks to her en suite.
INT. BETH'S HOME - BATHROOM - NIGHT
Beth enters and flicks the light switch. She stares at her reflection and plays with the skin on her face and neck. Her hairline is thinner… Her eye bags are thicker… Her lips are surrounded by lines and her neck is starting to sag.
Beth examines all of her body's imperfections, playing with the skin and scowling at herself. She stops and squints.
BETH
Where did I go? When did I die?
Beth flicks the light off and returns to bed.
***
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Beth turns to a social media app and starts scrolling.
Every post she sees is a reiteration of the same message: You're flawed. You aren't good enough. You're behind the trend.
Again, even though she knows it's fake, it affects her. This endless scrolling has become a nasty habit.
Her frustration gets the better of her and she calls it a night.
INT. HOTEL BREAKFAST ROOM - DAY
Beth fills a plate with food. A YOUNG GIRL and YOUNG BOY (around 8) are in the dining area. The Young Boy is making silly noises and faces, and the Young Girl is intensely videoing him. Their MOTHER calls out for them to follow her. The Young Girl refuses.
YOUNG GIRL
Mom, stop!!! I'm gonna be an influencer!!!
Beth is stunned witnessing this exchange. The girl is so very, very young to be exposed to social media.
(this exchange is taken from a video of a woman explaining why she deleted her social media accounts. seriously what the FUCK bro.)
***
INT. BETH'S HOME OFFICE - DAY
Beth and Stella chat via video conference.
BETH
There was this girl -- she couldn't have been more than ten -- recording her brother in the hotel dining room. She told her mum she was going to be an influencer. Stella, how the bloody hell does a child know what an influencer is?!
STELLA
How do you think? The parents.
BETH
Does she think she can post a viral video and start earning wages?
Stella shrugs. There's no clear answer here. Beth throws her hands up; trying to figure out the world's problems is too much for her right now.
Stella switches topics. Beth is distracted by her phone and looks down every few moments.
STELLA
Parker got home from holiday last night.
BETH
Oh?
STELLA
And she brought biscuits from France. They're divine. Brossard Savane. Soft chocolate sweets. I had something similar in sixth form and hadn't been able to find them since. Parker should get a job with MI6.
BETH
Biscuits, you said?
STELLA
Yeah.
BETH
What kind?
STELLA
…Brossard Savane.
BETH
Right.
STELLA
Why are you checking your phone? Are you expecting a ring?
BETH
No. Sorry, darling.
Beth puts her phone aside. Stella isn't impressed.
STELLA
Do you even want to talk to me?
BETH
Of course! I always want to talk to you.
STELLA
I'm not quite sure I believe that.
BETH
Why?
STELLA
You don't text me back, you don't ring me up, you check your phone when we chat… I never get to have your full attention. I'm concerned, Mum. There's a reason I don't have any social media. It takes you out of your life for long stretches of time. You don't get that time back, Mum. I still need you. When I was in hospital, you were different… You were attentive and present, and I knew I could trust you --
It's a hard lesson to learn from her own daughter. Beth bristles in immediate response.
BETH
Don't be ridiculous -- You know you can trust me, Stella.
STELLA
Do I? I don't want to sound cruel, but you're not the mum I grew up with. I don't know where you went. And I don't know what's changed other than that fucking phone. They taught us to how to spot patterns in Narcotics Anonymous. You're addicted, Mum. You reach for your phone when you wake up. It's always by your side even if you don't need it. Instead of laughing with your mates, you capture everything on video so you can watch it later when you should've been enjoying the moment.
Beth can't argue back. It's all true, disturbingly so.
STELLA
Do you know what your screen time is?
BETH
I'll check. Just a moment, darling--
STELLA
(with force)
Mum, stop. Just stop. Put it down.
Beth hasn't seen her daughter use as much force with her words before. It's unnerving but enlightening. She puts her phone down.
STELLA
(deliberate)
Your screen time is time that's been stolen from you.
And there it is: the crux of the issue. Beth doesn't know what to say or do. She offers a placating smile, but it feels fake even to her. Stella sees right through it.
STELLA
Can you live without it for a day? Even just a few hours?
BETH
(genuine)
…I don't know.
STELLA
Try? Can you try for me? Please?
BETH
Yes. I can.
Stella is pleased. Beth is relieved someone gave her an excuse to stop scrolling. Then the reality of her commitment hits. She panics.
BETH
How am I going to fill up that free time?
STELLA
You'll find something. You can find anything entertaining if you're bored enough. Try fishing.
Beth smiles -- her apple didn't fall far.
BETH
I love you. Chat again soon.
STELLA
Love you. Bye.
BETH
Bye.
Stella ends the video chat.
***
CAN I GET A HOLY SHIT????
0 notes