Scene one
A small art exhibition is taking place and the artist is showcasing a particularly stunning piece of artwork to a small crowd.
Jamille
This last piece is named 'The Forgiving.' It took the
longest time out of all of my paintings. It is in soft pastels. That
concludes my art exhibition ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank
you all so much for coming out this afternoon and I'd like to thank
everyone who made this event possible.
Her guests applaud and begin to leave. A smartly dressed MAN walks towards her.
Minister of arts and culture
Miss Feta, this was an impressive exhibition. I
thoroughly enjoyed it and I am so glad that you are enriching our
country's culture.
jamille
(Shaking his hand vigorously)
Minister, oh my gosh... I mean, thank you so much for attending, I am honored!
As the minister leaves, Jamille turns and stares at
her artwork. She has a flash back. It is of her FATHER towering over
her. In his hand is her school report card, which has an A for Art and
Bs and Cs for other subjects. He waves it in her face and shouts at
her. A sad song plays throughout her flashback so his shouts are
inaudible, but his gesticulations are those of anger. Finally he takes
off his belt and beats her. When he leaves she is crying. She wipes her
tears and grabs a pencil and paper and begins to draw. The drawing
resembles 'The Forgiving.'
Scene two
At a basketball court there is a team training. The
focus is on a young man, BRIAN, who is obviously better than all the
rest. He shows off his skills with quick, complicated moves and scores
many baskets. The training ends.
Coach
(Coming up behind Brian and playfully slapping his bottom at which Brian jumps)
Hey man, you ok? Well played today, as usual! Get some rest.
Brian
(Looking uncomfortable after having his bottom slapped he sits down to pack his shoes into his sports bag.)
Thanks coach.
As people leave the court Brain sits and stares at
the basketball hoop. He has a flash back. The flash back is of him on a
bed lying on his stomach. There is rap music playing from his small
radio but grunts can be heard over the music. A bigger MAN is on his
back sexually abusing him. The abuser gets up, zips his trousers up,
slaps Brian's bare bottom and leaves. Brian cries angry tears but
eventually gets up, limps outside and begins to exercise, running laps
and shooting baskets. He collapses.
Scene three
It is late afternoon. Jamille is walking out of the
building where she held her exhibition. She is carrying a lot of
paperwork and a smart briefcase. Brian, who is coming from his
basketball practice, comes from the opposite direction and because he
is sending a message on his phone he does not see her and bumps into
her. Her papers fall to the ground and she stands there in a stunned
silence.
brian
(Bending down to pick up her papers, among them business cards that fell out of their box)
I am so sorry miss, I have a bad habit of walking into people. So sorry.
Jamille
It's okay, my mind was elsewhere too, I didn't see you coming.
As Brian hands Jamille her papers they look into each others' eyes and smile. A couple of seconds pass in this position.
JAMILLE
I better get going then. Thank you... I mean, ummm... Thanks, bye.
As Jamille walks away. Brian looks down and discovers
a business card that he missed when picking up her papers. He picks it
up and makes as if to call after her but then he thinks better of it.
He looks at the card, smiles to himself and carries on on his way.
The end
