ARIANNA: An Original Screenplay Read online

  Kylan shakes his head.

  ALANA (CONT'D): Don't stop. It is your gift

  to the world.

  Kylan looks up and nods to himself.

  KYLAN: You will be well by morning, once

  you have rested you will be well.

  ALANA: Kylan, do not mourn.

  Kylan looks away

  KYLAN: I am not mourning anything, you're

  going to be fine. Tomorrow everything will be

  fine.

  ALANA: Please. Look at me.

  Kylan forces himself to look at her, fighting his emotions.

  ALANA (CONT'D): Remember what I told

  you of the Great Spirit?

  KYLAN: (beat) That we're all part of one

  whole.

  ALANA: That is true, but what you and I

  share is a much stronger bond. You came

  from my body and from my soul. The blood

  that runs through you is the same blood that

  runs through me.

  She touches his eyebrows.

  ALANA (CONT'D): These eyes that you see

  the world through are my eyes.

  She touches his hands.

  ALANA (CONT'D): Your touch, my touch.

  She touches his lips.

  ALANA (CONT'D): Every kiss, my kiss.

  Kylan lowers his head.

  ALANA (CONT'D): I will live on, I will live

  through you.

  Kylan fights his tears.

  KYLAN: But I won't see you again.

  Alana shakes her head.

  ALANA: You're wrong. You will see me.

  You will see me everywhere you go. Every

  reflection in the water, every glance in the

  mirror, I will be there. I am a part of you as

  much as you are a part of me.

  She removes her wedding ring.

  ALANA (CONT'D): Here.

  KYLAN: No ma.

  ALANA: Take it. This is yours now.

  She places the ring on his palm and closes his hand.

  ALANA (CONT'D): When the time comes

  you will know what to do with it.

  Kylan breaks down and hugs her tight.

  Alana squeezes him back, kissing his cheek.

  ALANA (CONT'D): I love you Kylan Orin.

  To the end of time I will always love you.

  She gently rocks her son, resting her cheek on his head.

  DISSOLVE TO.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE - NIGHT

  Naiyoo stands by the swing, staring forward.

  Elliott carries a torch to the funeral pyre and lights it.

  Alana's body wrapped in white sheets.

  Kylan's face trembles, tears running.

  As the light of the fire spreads we see friends from Ellora gathered in a circle. Tuck

  and Rence amongst them.

  Elliott watches as the flames consume the body of his wife.

  Sophie reaches aside and takes Kylan's hand.

  Naiyoo lowers her head, standing alone.

  Sophie rests her head on Kylan's shoulder.

  Kylan stares at the flames. Silent.

  CUT TO BLACK

  END OF PART 1

  FADE IN.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE - SUMMER DAY

  Red berries on a branch.

  A young woman picks one out and slips it into her mouth.

  ARIANNA, 18, glances aside as she chews.

  Her long pale hair consciously set to cover the left side of her face.

  She adjusts the basket under her arm and returns to her picking.

  Elliott, older, hair greying, passes by with a field hand, both carrying tools.

  ELLIOTT: When you're done here start in the

  kitchen, the men are will be hungry soon.

  Arianna reads his lips and nods.

  EXT. ROOF - FARM HOUSE

  Chimney. Kylan works under the sun, using a hammer instead of a pen.

  ORIN FARM

  8 YEARS LATER

  Arianna carries the basket to the house.

  YOUNG MAN (O.S): Hello beautiful!

  Kylan, 20, looks down.

  KYLAN: Ren, what are you doing here?

  RENCE, 21, stops in front of the house, Arianna passing by unnoticed.

  RENCE: I should be asking you the same

  thing.

  KYLAN: What are you talking about?

  RENCE: We should have been in town hours

  ago.

  KYLAN: I can't, I'm busy.

  RENCE: The Festival is two days away, they

  haven't even started putting anything up.

  KYLAN: If you wanna go talk to my father

  then please be my guest.

  RENCE: All right all right, I'll leave you to it.

  But just so you know, Sophie was asking for

  you.

  Kylan stops.

  KYLAN: She was?

  RENCE: Says she wanted to talk to you about

  something "important", wouldn't say any

  more.

  He turns to leave.

  RENCE (CONT'D): I'll see you later.

  KYLAN: Ren! (beat) If you see her tell her

  again... I've been thinking about her.

  RENCE: (smiles) Sure. Were you using your

  left hand or your right hand?

  Kylan throws a pebble at him.

  KYLAN: Don't be an ass!

  Rence laughs, walking away.

  RENCE: Maybe she'll be the one to finally

  make the next move.

  Kylan draws back and pauses.

  CUT TO.

  INT. KITCHEN - FARM HOUSE

  Arianna sets the basket on the dinner table and massages her shoulder, tired.

  She adjusts her sleeve and top, both tight, and lifts a jar off the counter.

  She takes out a biscuit, breaking off a small piece, and quietly eats, her eyes checking the doors.

  She looks down at the table and pauses.

  The chairs she and Alana once shared empty.

  She lowers her head and turns away, returning to work.

  CUT TO.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE - EVENING

  Lantern light flickers from the windows.

  KYLAN (O.S): I really should help out.

  INT. KITCHEN - FARM HOUSE

  Kylan finishes his dinner.

  ELLIOTT: You can help out once you've

  finished cleaning those stables.

  KYLAN: I'm not doing this for me it's for the

  Festival, for everyone.

  ELLIOTT: It'll only take you a few hours,

  you'll be finished by noon

  KYLAN: They'll be finished by noon.

  ELLIOTT: Then it doesn't seem like your

  presence is essential.

  Kylan looks aside and tries to think.

  KYLAN: What if I ask Rianna?

  ELLIOTT: She's not your personal slave

  Kylan. She has her own chores to tend to.

  KYLAN: But what if I ask her?

  Elliott sighs, too tired to argue.

  ELLIOTT: If she's not doing anything and

  doesn't mind then fine, you can go.

  Kylan smiles and gets up.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): Not so fast.

  He nods to table. Kylan rolls his eyes and clears up.

  INT. ARIANNA'S ROOM - DIMLY LIT

  Arianna removes a rag from between her legs and places it in a bucket of water. The rag lightly stained with blood.

  She moves aside, pulling at her sleeves and top, and stands in front of a small mirror.

  She looks at her reflection and pauses.

  Her tattoos visible.

  She raises her hand and adjusts her hair to cover them.

  The door opens.

  KYLAN: Pa wants you to clean the stables

  tomorrow morning.

  Arianna reads his lips and nods.

  KYLAN (CONT'D): And don't forget to

  replace Kanthaka's feed.

  She nods again, Kylan
already closing the door behind him.

  CUT TO.

  INT. ELLIOTT'S BEDROOM - MORNING

  Window, the sun rises.

  A closet is open, Alana's old clothes inside.

  Arianna reaches in and takes out a cream dress.

  She holds it up against her then looks aside and stops.

  Elliott stands by the door.

  She quickly returns the dress to the closet.

  Elliott raises his hand.

  ELLIOTT: It's all right. Take what you need.

  Arianna looks at him and nods a "thank you".

  He slowly approaches.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): You really should to go

  into town and find something of your own. I'll

  give you the money.

  Arianna nods again, head low, folding the dress over her arm.

  Elliott stands against the wall, keeping a polite distance.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): (beat) I've been

  meaning to speak with you.

  Arianna looks to him.

  Elliott turns away, feeling awkward.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): I don't know how I'm

  supposed to say this.

  Arianna continues to look at him, curious.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): (beat) One of the

  hands this season asked about you.

  Arianna doesn't follow.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): He's not much in

  appearance but he's of good character.

  Perhaps you will appreciate him.

  Arianna still doesn't follow.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): If you agree, he would

  like to meet with you, I can make the

  arrangements. I know it will be difficult at

  first...

  Arianna quickly shakes her head.

  Elliott stops and looks at her, reading her response.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): (nods) Very well. I

  only felt it right to ask.

  Arianna remains still, now worried.

  Elliott notices.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): I'm not trying to force

  you away. I only ask because you're now, of

  age.

  Arianna half nods, still shaken.

  Elliott sighs and returns to the door.

  He stops and looks back at her.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): This will always be

  your home. You can stay here as long as you

  wish. I'm just trying... to do what I can.

  Arianna nods, quiet.

  He points to the closet.

  ELLIOTT (CONT'D): Take your time.

  He closes the door behind him.

  Arianna turns back to the closest, still reeling.

  CUT TO.

  EXT. ROAD - FIELDS - MORNING

  Kylan races to catch up with another horse.

  KYLAN: Ren!

  Rence slows down and looks back.

  RENCE: Thought you were too busy?

  KYLAN: (smiles) Well, we all have to do our

  part.

  Rence rolls his eyes.

  RENCE: Just remember you're there to work.

  KYLAN: (innocently) Of course.

  Rence shakes his head and pushes on.

  KYLAN (CONT'D): Hey slow down!

  He rides on after him.

  CUT TO.

  INT. ELLIOTT'S BEDROOM

  Arianna notices a small wooden box in the corner of the closet.

  She kneels down and picks it up, carefully lifting the lid.

  Inside is a silver ring.

  She picks it out and holds it up.

  Recognizing it as Alana's.

  She gently places it back in the box and notices something else.

  Faded yellow papers.

  She picks out the first sheet and turns into the sunlight.

  Reading the words.

  She pauses a moment then looks back at the box, slowly taking out the remaining sheets.

  She flips through the pages, curious, then stops on the last sheet.

  Surprised.

  CUT TO.

  EXT. MAIN SQUARE - ELLORAN TOWN CENTRE - DAY

  Locals clear space and set up tables.

  Kylan and Rence help to lay down planks of wood for the dance floor.

  RENCE: Tuck!

  Tuck, 20, turns.

  RENCE (CONT'D): You going to pace

  yourself this year?

  TUCK: Why? What happened last year?

  Kylan's eyes wander, his attention elsewhere.

  RENCE (O.S): Lets just say Sebille wasn't

  too pleased with you.

  TUCK (O.S): Sebille's never pleased with

  anyone unless he's built like a mountain or

  shooting gold from his ass.

  Rence laughs turning back to Kylan.

  Kylan leans aside, spotting someone.

  KYLAN: I'll be right back.

  He hurries over to one of the organizers. A woman in her mid 40s.

  KYLAN (CONT'D): Hello Isotta.

  ISOTTA turns and smiles, pleasantly surprised.

  ISOTTA: Kai!

  She takes his shoulders and looks him over.

  ISOTTA (CONT'D): Great Spirit, you just

  get more and more handsome don't you.

  She pinches his chin.

  ISOTTA (CONT'D): No doubt your mother's

  influence.

  Kylan nods a thank you, his eyes still wandering.

  KYLAN: Is Sophie with you today?

  ISOTTA: Not today dear, she's stuck indoors.

  (to local) Have those tables further apart.

  KYLAN: (concerned) Is she not feeling well?

  ISOTTA: No no, she's fine, just a little

  preoccupied. Busy deciding which dress to

  wear tomorrow.

  KYLAN: Oh, right, of course.

  ISOTTA: Did you need to speak to her about

  something?

  KYLAN: Yes, well no, nothing important. I

  was just wandering if she'd like to go for a

  ride sometime.

  Isotta glances at him and smiles.

  ISOTTA: I suppose you can ask her tomorrow

  night.

  Kylan nods.

  KYLAN: Of course.

  RENCE (O.S): Kai, you going help or not?

  Kylan backs away.

  KYLAN: I better go. It was lovely speaking

  with you.

  ISOTTA: Always a pleasure.

  She watches him go, smiling.

  Kylan kneels down and gets back to work.

  RENCE: What was that about?

  Kylan glances at him.

  KYLAN: I'm going to do it.

  Rence lays down another floorboard.

  RENCE: That's fantastic, what will you be

  doing.

  KYLAN: (smiles) I'm going to ask Sophie

  to marry me.

  Rence glances at him and laughs.

  RENCE: You sure this time?

  KYLAN: I'm certain. This is when it's

  supposed to happen, I can feel it.

  RENCE: Put together a poem for the

  occasion?

  Kylan looks away, not amused.

  KYLAN: I don't do that any more.

  Rence looks at him and pauses.

  RENCE: (beat) You're serious, aren't you?

  Kylan smiles.

  KYLAN: I've never been more serious about

  anything in my life.