A Badly Lit Comedy of 10(ish) Minutes
Short Film Script (Excerpt)
by Spanner
EXT. CENTRE OF THE LAKE – DAWN
Sister Anastasia stands up, and steps confidently across into the boat with the other nuns, leaving the novices alone in their boat.
Sister Anastasia doesn’t sit down, but clasps her hands together and bows her head in prayer. The other nuns and two novices remain seated, but do likewise. Both the young novices have their pillows across their knees, with their elbows planted firmly upon them so they don’t slip off while they’re praying.
Alice doesn’t close her eyes, however; staring at her shiny shoes instead. There’s murky water on their highly polished surface. She desperately wants to wipe the water off her shoes, but knows she can’t break her prayer.
SISTER ANASTASIA
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the stern of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him: Master, carest thou not that we perish? And Jesus arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea: Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Amen.
EVERONE ELSE
Amen.
Although we see Alice’s lips move, she’s barely audible when she speaks the word of praise. Sister Anastasia holds her prayer stance a little longer than everyone else, then draws a long, deep, serene breath before addressing the two novices.
SISTER ANASTASIA
The words of the Gospel of Mark are sacred to St Harriet’s Parish of the Literal Translation, and those who give their lives to the Lord’s service must prove themselves worthy by Ordeal. You understand what must be done?
ALICE & GWYNETH
(together)
We understand, Sister Anastasia.
SISTER ANASTASIA
Then please begin, and God be with you both.
Sister Anastasia sits down next to the other two nuns.
The two girls take their pillows from across their knees. Alice grips the corner of her pillow (the corner that got wet), while Gwyneth takes a much firmer grip of hers, wrapping the fabric around her fist and clutching tightly.
Gwyneth stands up in the boat with ease and faces Alice. A look of trepidation crosses her face, but she quickly replaces it with one of resolve. Alice is a lot less sure on her feet, and looks across furtively at the three seated nuns watching them from the next boat. She shakily climbs to her feet, gripping the side of the boat tightly to try and steady herself. It only causes the boat to rock more.
The lake is deadly silent. Jagged wisps of nervous, frozen breath escape from Alice’s mouth, while long plumes of confident smoke flow from Gwyneth’s.
Alice still isn’t stood completely upright – terrified of losing her balance – and determination crosses Gwyneth’s face. She furrows her brow, and lands a heavy blow across Alice’s head with her pillow.
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