ARIANNA: An Original Screenplay Read online

  Kylan shakes his head, humiliated.

  He sees Sophie's friends also laughing. Sophie covering her mouth, stunned.

  KYLAN: I'm out of here.

  He turns and leaves.

  RENCE: Kai where you going?!

  CUT TO.

  INT. BEDROOM - FARM HOUSE - LATE NIGHT

  Alana sits up, hearing Elliott stumble in.

  ALANA: I see you enjoyed yourself.

  ELLIOTT: Didn't drink half as much I

  expected. Must be getting old.

  He sets down his lantern and tries to remove his boots.

  ALANA: Here. Let me.

  She sits him down and kneels in front of him.

  ALANA (CONT'D): (beat) Kylan came back

  early. Didn't want to talk much.

  Elliott reaches aside and dims the lantern.

  ELLIOTT: He'll be fine. They'll all forget in

  a few days and move on to something else.

  Alana nods, removing Elliott's trousers.

  ALANA: I just feel bad. I should have

  considered his feelings more.

  Elliott lifts her face.

  ELLIOTT: Don't feel bad. It was the right

  choice.

  He pulls her up and sits her on his lap.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): You always make the

  right choice.

  He kisses her neck.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): With one exception of

  course.

  ALANA: How much has my husband had to

  drink tonight?

  ELLIOTT: Not enough to stop him from

  pleasing his wife.

  He slowly kisses her.

  Alana smiles and reaches back, unfastening her night gown.

  Naiyoo peeks in from the corner of the doorway.

  Elliott gently pulls down her top and kisses her breast.

  Alana strokes back his hair, still smiling.

  Naiyoo watches as the two move onto the bed, Alana exhaling with pleasure as the two make love...

  DISSOLVE TO.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE - DAY

  The sun shines bright.

  Kylan sits on the swing with his notepad.

  He looks up and sees his mother loading the cart. Naiyoo helping in a new dress.

  Alana ruffles her hair and smiles. Naiyoo smiling back.

  CUT TO.

  INT. BARN - DAY

  Kylan helps his father in the hay loft. A flask of water is offered. Elliott looks back and sees Naiyoo. He nods a thank you and takes the flask.

  Kylan looks away.

  CUT TO.

  EXT. FIELD - FARM HOUSE - DAY

  Kylan's horse, Kanthaka, trots to the stable, Kylan riding.

  He sees Naiyoo gathering apples by a tree.

  She struggles to lift her heavy basket and looks around for help.

  Kylan turns away and rides on.

  CUT TO.

  INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

  A finger moves across words on a page. Naiyoo looks from the words to Alana's lips, focused.

  EXT. ROOF - FARM HOUSE

  Kylan by the chimney, writing.

  He crunches up the paper and throws is aside, starting over.

  DISSOLVE TO.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE - EARLY MORNING

  The sun rises.

  INT. BEDROOM - FARM HOUSE

  Alana uses a clip on Naiyoo's hair.

  ALANA: Today's the big day.

  Naiyoo reaches up and removes the clip, adjusting her hair to cover the left side of her face.

  Alana nods, understanding.

  ALANA (CONT'D): No problem.

  Naiyoo's eyes drift to the side, uncomfortable.

  Alana turns her face towards her.

  ALANA (CONT'D): It'll be OK. Ellora is

  your home. We've waited long enough.

  Naiyoo nods, reluctant.

  Alana strokes her tattoos.

  ALANA (CONT'D): And you're beautiful

  regardless.

  She kisses her forehead.

  EXT. STABLE

  Naiyoo follows Alana to the stable.

  She notices her hand stroking her belly.

  INT. STABLE

  Alana opens the stable doors and looks in.

  ALANA: Kylan?

  She looks around.

  No one is there. Kanthaka also gone.

  EXT. STABLE

  Elliott finishes loading the cart.

  ALANA: Has Kylan left already?

  ELLIOTT: I think so.

  ALANA: (to Naiyoo) I guess it's just the two

  of us.

  She takes her hand and leads her to the cart.

  Naiyoo still nervous.

  CUT TO.

  EXT. MARKET - ELLORAN TOWN CENTRE - MORNING

  Crowds of people come and go. Fruit, veg and meats stalls all around us.

  Alana pulls up the cart and helps Naiyoo down.

  Naiyoo looks around. Curious eyes already drawn to her.

  She moves closer to Alana and takes her hand.

  Alana kneels down and holds her shoulders.

  ALANA: It's all right. You're just new to

  them.

  She stands and takes down of the baskets.

  ALANA (CONT'D): Wait here.

  Naiyoo misses what she said and watches her disappear into the crowd.

  She steps back and looks across the street.

  An old woman squints her eyes, staring her. She whispers to her friend and points at the pale haired child.

  Naiyoo backs away, frightened.

  She hesitates then hurries after Alana.

  More eyes follow her.

  Naiyoo is overwhelmed, constantly bumping into people.

  She finally sees a side alley and slips in, backing away from the main square.

  INT. WORK SHOP - BLACKSMITH'S

  A horse shoe is pounded over hot coals.

  Through an opening we see Kylan standing with Kanthaka outside.

  EXT. WORK SHOP

  Kylan turns his head, hearing children laugh.

  EXT. QUIET STREET - TOWN CENTRE

  A crowd of children surround Naiyoo.

  She tries to pull away but is trapped.

  The children tighten in, two of the girls lifting her hair, fascinated.

  LOCAL GIRL: It's almost white! It's like

  she's sick.

  Sophie and her friend, SEBILLE, see the commotion.

  SEBILLE: I don't believe it, it's the Nomad

  from the Orin farm!

  She grabs Sophie's arm, excited.

  SEBILLE (CONT'D): Come on, I wanna see!

  One the boys leans forward, staring at Naiyoo's tattoos.

  LOCAL GIRL #2: What do they mean?

  Naiyoo struggles to read their lips, all talking at once. Fingers poking at the left side of her face.

  LOCAL BOY: Watch it, she might bite,

  Nomads eat people you know.

  LOCAL GIRL: No they don't!

  SEBILLE: Look at her face!

  Sophie glances at Sebille, uncomfortable.

  LOCAL BOY #2: (to Naiyoo) Say something.

  LOCAL BOY: Yeah, say something.

  SEBILLE: She can't talk you little worms.

  LOCAL BOY: Sure she can, she's just

  pretending.

  Naiyoo's eyes plead to be left alone.

  Kylan steps out from a side street.

  He looks aside and stops.

  LOCAL BOY (O.S) (CONT'D): What are

  you waiting for?

  LOCAL BOY #2 (O.S): Say something!

  Sebille shakes her head, still amused.

  SEBILLE: You brats are gonna make her cry.

  LOCAL GIRL (O.S): She can't cry if she

  can't talk.

  Sophie draws Sebille back.

  SOPHIE: (low) Come on, let's go.

  Naiyoo lowers her head, face and hair still poked and pulled.

  Kylan steps back, tempted to leave.

  KYLAN: Damn it.

  He makes his way over.


  One of the boys lifts Naiyoo's dress and tries to look under.

  LOCAL BOY #3: You think she's got any

  more marks on her.

  The boy is shoved away.

  KYLAN: Knock it off.

  SEBILLE: Here comes our knight in shining

  armor!

  Kylan ignores her and clears an opening.

  SOPHIE: (to Kylan) I think she just got lost.

  Kylan nods, embarrassed.

  SEBILLE (O.S): Let her stay Kai, she's

  making some new friends!

  KYLAN: You guys are gonna get me into

  trouble.

  He quickly takes Naiyoo's hand and leads her away.

  The children "boo" as they go.

  Naiyoo looks aside at him, then down at his hand. Holding hers tight.

  EXT. MARKET - TOWN CENTRE

  Kylan looks back over his shoulder.

  KYLAN: What were you thinking wandering

  around by yourself?

  Naiyoo looks at him, silent.

  Kylan shakes his head.

  KYLAN (CONT'D): Why am I even

  bothering?

  He sees the cart up ahead, along with another crowd.

  One of the traders sees him and raises his arm, quickly waving him over.

  TRADER: Kai! Kai get over here!

  Kylan releases Naiyoo's hand and races over.

  The men and women step aside for him.

  Alana lies on the floor in another trader's arms.

  KYLAN: Ma!

  He drops beside his mother and holds up her face.

  KYLAN (CONT'D): Ma! Ma what

  happened??

  Alana stirs, drowsy.

  TRADER (O.S): We have to help her up.

  Naiyoo looks through the crowd.

  She sees blood running down Alana's legs

  CUT TO.

  INT. BEDROOM - FARM HOUSE - DAY

  Alana lies in bed, her head turned to one side.

  She slowly opens her eyes, weak.

  Elliott sits beside her, concerned.

  ELLIOTT: (beat) How long have you been

  carrying?

  Alana closes her eyes.

  Elliott takes her hand.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): Why didn't you tell

  me?

  ALANA: (beat) I wanted to wait. Until I was

  sure.

  She fights her tears.

  ALANA (CONT'D): I knew something was

  wrong but I...

  Elliott touches her face.

  ELLIOTT: We'll get through this.

  Alana looks at him, trembling.

  ALANA: (beat) It's still hurting.

  CUT TO.

  INT. BEDROOM - FARM HOUSE - NIGHT

  Alana cries out.

  Elliott waves Kylan over, dropping blood-soaked towels into a bucket.

  ELLIOTT: Get some more.

  Kylan looks across at his mother as he backs out. He runs past Naiyoo, standing by the door.

  Elliott raises the bed sheet and sets some more towels between her legs.

  CUT TO.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE - MORNING

  Naiyoo sits on the swing, staring up at the bedroom window.

  MEDICINE MAN (O.S): Her bleeding has

  not ceased.

  CUT TO.

  INT. HALLWAY - UPPER FLOOR

  Elliott stares off into thin air, an old medicine man in front of him.

  MEDICINE MAN: I'm afraid her fate is now

  with the Great Spirit.

  Elliott nods, distant.

  The old man turns and leaves, squeezing Kylan's shoulder.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE

  The medicine man steps down from the porch and walks to his horse and carriage.

  He sees Naiyoo on the swing and glances at her twice.

  CUT TO.

  INT. BEDROOM - FARM HOUSE - DAY

  Elliott sits by the side of the bed, struggling to stay awake.

  ALANA (O.S): (beat) You need to rest.

  Elliott sits up, finishing a glass of water.

  ELLIOTT: I'll sleep when you are back on

  your feet and making me breakfast.

  Alana tries to smile.

  She squeezes his hand. Thumb over his silver wedding ring.

  ALANA: Denying my father and choosing

  you was the best decision I ever made.

  ELLIOTT: You gave up too much for this

  simple life.

  ALANA: No. This life was the life I was

  destined for. It was written that I would be

  with you.

  Elliott kisses her hand.

  Alana looks at him, serious.

  ALANA (CONT'D): I need a promise broken

  and a promise kept.

  ELLIOTT: Anything.

  ALANA: (beat) She belongs here. She

  belongs with us. Don't let anyone take her away.

  Elliott nods.

  ELLIOTT: If it pleases you then it will be so.

  Alana draws him close and kisses him.

  She sees Naiyoo by the door. Watching them.

  ALANA: (to Elliott) Can you get some more

  water?

  Elliott nods and leaves.

  Alana looks across at Naiyoo, holding by the edge of the door.

  ALANA (CONT'D): Come.

  Naiyoo slowly approaches.

  Alana rests her hand on her hip and smiles.

  ALANA (CONT'D): You've learnt so much

  in so short a time.

  Naiyoo touches her heart then places her hand over Alana's.

  Alana smiles.

  ALANA (CONT'D): I love you too.

  She takes her hand.

  ALANA (CONT'D): (beat) For the longest of

  times I thought I was cursed, that I would

  never have a child. Now I have two.

  Tears run down her cheeks.

  ALANA (CONT'D): You are my daughter.

  The daughter I waited for.

  Naiyoo reaches down and wipes her cheek.

  Alana kisses her hand.

  ALANA (CONT'D): The years ahead will be

  difficult for you. You will grow, you will

  change. You will have to face these

  challenges alone. But remember, as long as

  you are here, you will be safe, I promise you.

  This is your family now.

  Naiyoo nods, trembling.

  Alana pulls her close presses her forehead against hers.

  ALANA (CONT'D): You are special. So

  special... My darling Arianna...

  Naiyoo closes her eyes, smelling her in.

  DISSOLVE TO.

  INT. ROOF - FARM HOUSE - TWILIGHT

  Kylan sits by the chimney, hugging his knees.

  Elliott emerges from the hatch behind him.

  ELLIOTT: (beat) Your mother is calling for

  you.

  Kylan looks back and nods.

  CUT TO.

  INT. BEDROOM - FARM HOUSE - NIGHT

  The door slowly opens. Alana remains on the bed, pale and weak.

  Kylan approaches and sits beside her, head low.

  ALANA: (beat) Were you writing?