Where There’s Smoke

Short Film excerpt

 


(contined)


INT. A SMALL APARTMENT –  CARD - “A Year Later”

Close on a vent as smoke pours from it. Quick cuts as the camera follows the smoke into the room. We see a baby's cradle, a photo of the South African Man and the Woman at an outdoor festival, , a Mandela'poster, a piano and some sketches. We hear a woman's voice. The camera pans over a sheet as a body propels to a sitting position.

WOMAN(V.O.)

It had awakened me. That subtle smell of smoke.

We only see part of the body from the back as we push to the window. We notice this is an easy entry to the bedroom. The voice continues as we push out the window.

WOMAN(V.O. through above)

It hadn't started like that. It rarely does.

EXT. SMALL APARTMENT - 1978 - CONTINUOUSWe see the Woman and her concerned and frightened look. The camera crawls down the house and along the ground as it comes to the crawl space that leads under the house. Slight push in to darkness.

WOMAN(V.O. through above)

How else could you be seduced unless your sense was dulled by your innocence, your ignorance, and those gnawing sexual and political needs?

EXT. CLEARING - FLASHBACKWe are in the same clearing as before. The Woman approaches the Man as he is engaged in a ceremonial ritual.

WOMAN(V.O.)

How else could you overlook the damage? Dismiss its power.

The Woman tries to become part of it. Something changes in his mood and he becomes irritated. The Woman ignores it in a needy, clinging manner as we...

DISSOLVE TO:


INT. APARTMENT - CLOSE ON SMOKING VENT


WOMAN(V.O. Through above)

Not smell the smoldering ashes just beneath the surface? Not see it in his face.

INT. UNIDENTIFIED HOME - FLASHBACKHard cut to the Woman being slammed against the wall.

WOMAN

Baby, what are you doing?

SOUTH AFRICAN MAN

You will not throw me out. We will run those guns from Tanzania to my friends back in South Africa!  Do you hear me woman?!!!

The camera is close on the Woman as she fearfully nods her acceptance.

FADE OUT:

EXT. UNIDENTIFIED HOME - LATER - FLASHBACKA hand closing a front door. We tilt up to the Woman with suitcase escaping late at night.


WOMAN(V.O. through above)


Be careful what you wish for, for surely it will become yours! A truth I saw a little too late!

INT. APARTMENT –1978 Dissolve back to Woman sitting up in bed looking out the window.She is holding her infant.

WOMAN(V.O.)

We think that if we leave or ignore a problem it will go away.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. APARTMENT - UNDER THE HOUSE - CONTINUOUSThe camera creeps under the dark house and makes out a figure.

WOMAN(V.O. Through Following)

Sometimes it will.

There are spent matches and papers around him. We see an airline ticket to South Africa half burnt. A match lights and we see the South African man.

WOMAN(V.O.)

Most times it doesn't!

Cut to his intense eyes.

BLACKOUT

(c) Fay Hauser-Price