𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖔𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖓-𝖉𝖆𝖞 𝖊𝖆𝖗 (𝕬𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖆𝖈𝖙-𝖕𝖑𝖆𝖞)
[A night time at Van’s blue-walled apartment with a birthday cake on the table and a sharp knife on the side, the room was decorated with colourful lights, hanging ribbons on the ceiling and yellow balloons imprinted with the words “Happy birthday to me!” with a drawer, one dim night light on and a personal computer adjacent to his bend, facing in front, emphasizing melancholy. A young boy, Van is in a deep sleep, eyes are closed shut, not moving yet breathing heavily, turning his head on the right and onto the left repeatedly and frantically; indicating of the occurrence of a horrendous dream, the breathing became more heavy and loud, then suddenly Van awoke, shocked – heavy breathing with two eyes seeming like it’s popping out; exhibiting a very surprised look, with his both hands on his chest, looking like he’s about to cry. Van frantically searched for his mobile phone, and upon finding it, Van then exhibits a sad blank stare onto the phone and then onto the wall in front of him.]
[Holding the phone and placing it in his left chest, while maintaining a sad, but blank eyed expression on his face.]
[He scrolled through his phone for the last time and then sighed in a heavy manner. Van then put his phone aside specifically on the right side of this pillow, facing the audience. Van inserts a frown, a sad expression and body language.]
It was my birthday yesterday but no one even bothered to greet me and celebrate my day with me. No one seem to even remember to think of me, even to thank me for the laughter I shared with them, the friendship I’ve made with them, they only seem to remember me during times that I bring convenience in certain situations that they put themselves in.
[Van looked up and stared at the Ribbons placed on the ceiling of his room.]
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S CELLULAR PHONE
You know what? it’s just because they don’t love you.
[Wide-eyed and caught off-guard by the voice he just heard. He was the only human being present in his room. He was shocked. Van then proceeds in rummaging through his bedroom, trying to find “someone” present with him. He itched his head in confusion.]
Who spoke? I am the only one in here. I am pretty sure that I am the only one in here.
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S CELLULAR PHONE
[off-stage; laughing in an amused manner, indicating that the voice is mocking the way that Van has no idea about what’s happening, that his Cellular phone is actually speaking to him.]
How are you so sure that I am like you? I am far way more superior than a dumb human like you, not knowing what and why and how and who. I am powerful, someone that could manipulate and could lie but one thing is for sure… That I am the bearer of your reality; your truth, Van.
[off-stage; laughing hysterically.]
[Stopped looking through his room, and looked the direction where the sound was going. Van noticed that it came from his Cellular phone and he slowly tries to calm himself and he makes his way near it; having both of his arms on the right side of his chest, indicating vulnerability.]
What? Is it you who’s speaking with me?
[He took the phone in his hands with a wrinkled forehead.]
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S CELLULAR PHONE
[off-stage; holds in laughter and screams with conviction, aiming to scare Van.]
[off-stage; laughs hysterically.]
Wasn’t it too obvious? My dear Van, that’s why people hate you. You’re are nothing but a dumb piece of shat. An unknowing friend, too naïve for this world. No one can stand you that’s why they make their way out of yours. It’s funny that you cannot figure the reasons why on your own. Good thing I am here, to let you know.
[off-stage; laughs hysterically.]
[Expresses shock, confusion and sorrow in his eyes and body language. He breathes faster and heavier as he threw the phone on the wall with all his strength and the demise he felt, emphasizing his need to destroy what have hurt his feelings.]
Who are you to tell me that? Now that you are broken, you can’t have any opinion towards me and how I live my life.
[breathing heavily while angrily staring at the phone.]
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S CELLULAR PHONE
Are you so sure about that young man? You can never break me. I am always here present with you.
[ He swiftly made his way where he threw the phone, picks it up and threw it again on the ground. He then put his hands on his chest, while trying to catch his breath, looking like he was about to cry.]
A “VOICE” COMING INSIDE OF VAN’S DRAWER
[Off-stage; clicks tongue and speaks in a sympathetic manner.]
Pst! Hey! Open me! Open me!
[With teary eyes, he turns around to where the drawer is situated with wide eyes, slowly making his way towards it, with shaking hands, he opened the drawer.]
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S PAINTBRUSH
Hey! Haven’t you missed me? I was once your favourite. Don’t you remember?
[ Van was taken aback by what he heard. He wipes his tears He continues to open his drawer and reveals the paintbrush and various oil paints that he had been storing inside for years now. He took them out one by one and took the paintbrush lastly. He held the paintbrush firmly on his right hand while his left hand was situated on the left part of his chest.]
What? You’re talking too?
[He asked in a surprised manner.]
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S PAINTBRUSH
[Off-stage; speaks in a mischievous tone.]
Well, well… seems that you forgot about me, just like how your friends forgot about you.
[Laughs in a teasing manner.]
I think you also deserve to be forgotten on your birthday; you seem to be forgetting the things that once meant the world to you.
[He put the paintbrush down, and started sobbing uncontrollably. He sits down at the edge of his bed while having the both of his hands placed in front of his head. He was in great shock and grief after uncovering the things that he wanted to forget.]
I only did it for a particular reason. I loved painting; it was my soul; it was my identity. I know none of you wouldn’t understand and will call me shallow if I told why I stopped and left you unremembered. You wouldn’t understand.
[He narrates in a teary and shaky voice.]
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S PAINTBRUSH
[Off-stage; speaks in a mischievous tone.]
You’re weak. You’re really weak. Your mother was just being honest about how your paintings made no sense three years ago, when it really made no sense at all! How can you be so sulky about things that are true? You owe to us for being so considerate.
You have no idea how that remark affected me. Painting was my everything. I was just showing my mother about how much I appreciate her. That time she was having a hard time at work since she raises us alone, and I just want to ease her tired hands and loneliness by painting her in her favourite yellow dress. Yellow was her favourite, and as I painted her in that dress; yellow has become my favourite too.
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S PAINTBRUSH
You are such a cry baby. No one loves you because you are so emotional. You’re too much to handle that is why your mother never took care that much of you. Your siblings received affection - the only thing you could do is to wish for it. Your mother clearly hated you. Your mother hated your painting. Every one does. Even us. But I’m just telling you directly because I am your friend.
[Off-stage; clicks tongue.]
I have an advice. Yellow was your favourite, right?
[Clearly on a mentally unstable state; uncontrollably having deep breaths and cries, having his heart on his lap.]
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S PAINTBRUSH
Yellow… Yellow… Yellow… What a bright colour! A colour of joy, of surprises, and of optimism. Huh, why don’t you eat it? Have some for yourself. You need it, Van. You really need it.
[Stares blankly at the wall with bloodshot eyes.]
Maybe, it is the only way to end this misery don’t you think?
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S PAINTBRUSH
[Off-stage; speaks in a fake sympathetic, persuading tone.]
Yes, young man. I’m with you on this. Why don’t you try it? It won’t hurt if you try. Now get off that bed, and get the yellow paint, squirt a ton on your mouth and consume it. It won’t be bad, you’ll be happy! just like how happy you were before. You miss that old Van right? That bubbly kid years ago? There’s no way you don’t. I know you really do. Now, hurry.
[Wipes his tears while slowly making his way to his drawer. He takes the yellow paint and squirted the big tube of oil paint inside his mouth, he then takes a deep breath and swallowed the paint that he placed inside his mouth.]
A “VOICE” COMING FROM VAN’S PAINTBRUSH
[Off-stage; laughs hysterically.]
Don’t you feel better, Van?
[Off-stage; speaks in a mocking tone.]
That’s why no one likes you. You’re dumb.
[Off-stage; laughs in a dark manner almost sinister.]
[Clearly is on an unstable mental state. He harshly coughs the sticky oil paint out of his system. Uncontrollably catching his breath while putting his hands, tapping his neck and stomach.]
How do you make these things stop talking?! How do I stop it?! How?! I’m tired I really am!
[He exclaims, tries so hard to breath but instead he pukes some of the yellow paint out of his system. With his slow pace, he went to his table where his birthday cake was situated. Van takes a large piece of it, not even bothering to take a small size out of the cake. He picks the large piece of cake by hand, and eating in a monstrous manner, devours every single part of the cake to cover the taste of the yellow oil paint. He finishes, he takes his right hand on the table and the left on his hand, he pants and is having a hard time swallowing the cake.]
Will this end all of this?
[He speaks in a gibberish manner.]
THE “VOICES” COMING FROM THE BROKEN VAN’S CELLULAR PHONE AND PAINTBRUSH
[Off-stage; chuckles and tries to hold their laugh back.]
[Off-stage; laughs hysterically, mocking at the sight of Van being full of distressful thoughts and actions. They continued to laugh so loudly that it rang a million of bells inside of Van’s head.]
[Van held his composure, he puts halt on all of his actions, except of the involuntary panting. He took the remaining parts of the cake on his hands. He took the untouched knife, sitting pretty beside the devoured cake, holds it firmly in his left hand.]
Now, will this end everything?
[Van puts his right hand on his right ear, the left hand holding the sharp knife, with his full strength he swung the knife on his right ear, next his right; severing it both. Blood gushes out of his side while he placed the wide grin on his face, celebrating his victory. He thinks that he can’t hear them now, he severed his ear; nothing’s left. No one could talk except for him – at least that is what he thinks. He covers both of his bloody ears while maintaining a happy face, he starts to laugh.]
Ha! You’re all gone now. You are all gone now! I won, I won! Joke’s on you!
[He laughs hysterically while covering his ears not knowing the pain yet because of the unconscious shock.]
[Silence for about 5 seconds while Van’s looks around the room with a feisty grin plastered onto his face.]
THE “VOICES” COMING FROM THE BROKEN VAN’S CELLULAR PHONE AND PAINTBRUSH
[Off-stage; chuckles and tries to hold their laugh back.]
Van, we will never go away. We love you.
[Off-stage; laughs in a mocking manner and it remains and never stops.]
[ His grin slowly fades realizing that the voices were still there, his hands were bloody, and were still placed on the ear. He then has a blank expression towards the audience, while dramatically kneeling on the center of the stage. He closed his eyes, and starts to frantically scream and sob.]
THE “VOICES” COMING FROM THE BROKEN VAN’S CELLULAR PHONE AND PAINTBRUSH
[Off-stage; continues to laugh at the sight of Van.]
[Slowly is losing consciousness and strength, lies at the floor with his hands on his ear. Sobs and screams stop.]
[The computer screen unexpectedly lights up and produces a constant “ding” sound Indicating the entrance of notifications in his computer.]
[Sound effect; whistling, steps and the door closing; indicating the exit of the voices.]
Link to download the file: THE MODERN-DAY EAR LINK 1 / THE MODERN-DAY EAR LINK 2 --- (kindly open the link on a new tab for it to work.)
