This is Frans and Alina’s first time meeting after so many years, knowing each other when they were children at the orphanage. They weren’t friends, more annoyed each other and kept trying to one up the other, then Fran was adopted and left the orphanage. Alina doesn’t have any friends at this moment, too busy taking care of her aunt and the orphanage, as well as not having the best social skills. Dusan has been introduced already, however Alina still does not trust them and tries to keep distance. Still not knowing what Dusan is, she is not comfortable with their presence.
[character] - [speech] = dialogue
• Alina sits in a church, her head bowed down liked all the other people. But while
everyone is praying, she is staring at her mother’s red broach in her hand, her mind focused on Dusan.
• After prayer, Priest starts reading the news of the day
• Priest informs the churchgoers that he will be leaving temporarily for a religious pilgrimage, and in his place will be a new priest.
• Alina doesn’t care in the moment, still lost in thought, until a familiar voice. When she looks up to the front of the church, she realises she knows the new priest. Fran.
• Once Mass concludes, Fran thanks all the church goers as they leave the building.
• Fran notices one person stays in, realising that person was Alina Lucyna Nowak.
Fran - Well I’ll be. Alina Nowak. I didn’t expect you to stay in this town after all these years.
Alina - It has been a while hasn’t it, Fran. And I didn’t expect you to become a priest out of all occupations.
Fran - (laugh) Well the lord works in mysterious ways doesn’t it. Anywho, how is your aunt keeping? By your presence, I wager she is still around, no?
Alina - Ah no no, unfortunately she is bedridden. And…worse off in other ways.
Fran - ah, I will make sure to send a prayer on her behalf then.
• Conversation continues off screen.
• Alina begins to get dressed for bed in her night gown, Dusan in the background
• Very few lines of dialogue, focus on setting and unease of being watched
Dusan – His sudden appearance is not coincidental.
Alina - …of course not. The church needed a new priest, and it simply happened to be Fran
Dusan – and you really do believe his occupation is truthful?
Alina – what is there to question, some people change for the better when in contact with
God…. which I’m happy for him.
Dusan – I would advise you to be wary my dear.
Alina – (annoyed) you would advise me to be wary of everyone except for you. wouldn’t you.
Dusan – (a small laugh that soon turns to a repeated echo, monotonous and uncanny)
• Dusan watches as Alina sits down on the bed, silence filling the room.
• Pan to Alina’s hands, her fingers digging into skin to show her hidden distress
• Dusan notices, still watching with a smile.
Dusan – You don’t trust me. Do you?
• Alina stares at dusan, posture drawn in.
• Alina moves to lay down in her bed.
Alina – I should get some sleep.
Dusan – Why won’t you trust me?
• Pan to hallway, to show portraits of past women, then back to Alina.
Alina – I don’t need you anymore.
Dusan – That is not an answer.
Alina – (becoming more closed off and stressed) I don’t need to answer your questions as well.
• Pan to red broach in front of Irena’s portrait.
Dusan – But I care for you Alina. Which he does not.
• Alina stays silent, her back turned to Dusan.
• Pan to Dusan, her face soft. Reach out a hand.
Dusan – You poor child, perhaps a good dream may relieve you?
• Alina pulls away from the hand that phased through her body, defensive.
Alina – Out...I wish to be alone.
• Dusan stands in the middle of frame, looking down at Alina with shadows all around, looking distorted.
• Alina’s face is certain, no hesitance in her tone as she stares back at Dusan.
• Dusan face becomes soft again
Dusan – Very well then. Goodnight my dear.
• Dusan disappears, leaving an empty room.
Location - Church, Alina’s office, town.
Characters – Alina, Fran, Townsfolk
• A series of events happens I shot segments, showing different times in each panel.
• One panel of Alina and Fran interacting, next panel of the townsfolk talking.
• First is of Alina and Fran taking a walk together after mass.
• Second is people muttering about losing trinkets in church.
• Third is Alina and Fran with the children from the orphanage.
• Fourth is people passing the offertory to each other and placing money.
• Fifth, Alina at mass, watching Fran do his speeches.
• Sixth, an empty offertory.
• Seventh, Alina and Fran in the woman’s office, Alina sitting on the floor reading while Fran browses though the bookcase, both silent but comfortable.
Location - Orphanage hallways, office.
Alina – Forgive my curiosity, but where exactly have you been living while staying in this town?
Fran – (surprised and lets out an embarrassed laugh) Has my suit began to smell to raise such a question?
Alina – The church then. tell me, why won’t you rent a room in town? Surely, they are cheap.
Fran – Well…While I do not regret my decision of becoming a priest... It is more of a volunteering occupation than a paying one.
• Alina closes her book, looking at the cover.
• She stays quiet for a moment.
Fran – That is to say the pews are not as uncomfortable as they loo-
Alina – I could make space in one of our spare rooms here.
• Fran stops talking, eyes wide.
• The two once again silent as Fran tries to think of something.
Alina – of course you would have to sleep in the attic rooms. I cannot have you next to the children, but a mattress must be more comfortable than wood. Unless that is your preference...
Fran – No! No, I do prefer a bed more… but are you sure?
Alina – It isn’t like I am paying for a room.
Alina – You don’t need to thank me for anything I simply do not want our priest to lose sleep and miss a speech now do we?
Fran – (laugh) I don’t think the people would be much appreciative of that no.
Location - Orphanage hallways, Alina’s room.
• View of Alina’s room at night
• Alina lies in bed, but unable to sleep, thinking about Dusans words.
• It has been 5 days since Dusan last appeared, and without them influencing her dreams, they began to grow restless once again, plagued with nightmares.
• Pan to hallways with portraits, but with a shadow over them.
• Alina silently gets out of bed, each movement slow to show her lack of stress but keep the restlessness.
• Panel of the red broach placed in the box in front of Irena’s portrait just like every other night, only this time a shadow looming over it.
• Have Dusan’s words repeat across the page, slower and more spaced to show how she still affects Alina’s thoughts even if they aren’t there.
• Shot of Alina opening the doors with Dusan’s words “I care for you”
• Full page panel of Alina at the doorway of the hallway, with Frans hand outstretched towards the broach, already dressed and packed in the display where it always resides, with a speech bubble in the middle “which he does not”.
Location – hallways of the orphanage
• Fran pulls his hand away from the broach, a look of shock on his face
• Alina just stares in silence as Fran tries to explain himself, but miserably failing. She stares down from the stairs, her expression unmoving.
Alina – I want you out of my building tonight.
Fran – (stunned expression) but- I don’t have a place to stay i-
Alina - I will hire and pay for a carriage. Where and what you will do after that I do not care all I ish for is to not house a thief. Do not think of taking your bags before I have done a thorough inspection and do not dare to run.
Alina – I will not… (her tone falters but regains composure) … the police will not hear of this, as the village has already gone through enough to now find their own priest has fallen into the sin of greed.
• Fran falls silent, unable to think of anything to respond. Alina walks into Frans temporary room, looking through all his bags. She finds all the belongings that have gone missing in the church and from the villagers.
• We watch as Fran steps into the carriage by himself, looking up at Alina’s office window, only to find the curtains drawn shut. The carriage leaves.
• we enter the office Alina standing in the middle of the room, the stolen clutter behind her desk in boxes safe. We silently follow her walking back into her room, no dialogue, no rush, everything muted.
• Alina lays in her bed, expressionless. She falls asleep.
Location - Inside the orphanage
Characters - Alina, Dusan
• Alina stands in a dark space, all the colours muted and bare, her shoulders slumped and staring into nothing.
• Dusan stands in front of Alina, her normally white nightgown a mix of pure white with abstract swirls, dreamlike consistency. Art style change. A gentle smile on her face, almost pitying.
• Alina doesn’t comment, or say anything, expecting a ‘I told you so’ or something along those lines, but no such response comes.
Dusan – oh my dear. I should have done more. I’m sorry.
• Alina’s face falters a little, but still doesn’t move, even when Dusan walks closer, enveloping her. The entire page is almost overwhelmed with Dusan’s presence, with Alina wrapped around, but this time Alina doesn’t pull away, instead just letting it happen, even leaning in ever so slightly.
