Scenery

-Gravesite: On the edge of The Open Field, between a wall of Spruce Trees and The Dirt Path. A single Stele Tombstone surrounded in Yellow Flowers.

-Library Exterior: Along The Dirt Path. Taller than wide. Sides are covered by Spruce trees.

-Library Interior: Glass doors and walls completely covered in books. Librarian’s desk sits in the center.

-Elementary School Exterior: The end of The Open Field and The Dirt Path. A two story building. Playground has only one Slide and Swingset.

-Elementary School Interior: Long hallways of lockers. Near the top of the walls are posters for School projects.

 

Characters

-ASHER HALONA: Makena’s Grandson. Teen. Fair skin. Black and white dress clothes. Speaks with careful diction. Monotone. In denial.

-MAKENA HALONA: Asher’s Grandma. Elderly woman. Dark tan skin. Yellow patterned dress and jean jacket. Southern Carolina accent. Often smiling with cheerful attitude.

-THE DARK FIGURE: Covers body and face in a black cloak. Underneath reveals identical clothing and face to ASHER HALONA.

-LIBRARIAN: Middle-aged. Trouble with speaking.

-GIRL: 3rd grade. Dressed for playing outside in fall.

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Ext. Gravesite- Day

 

ASHER HALONA holds his breath as he stands still on a dirt path before a grave that reads MAKENA HALONA. His right hand fingers twist and spin a Yellow Rose. He accidentally pricks his finger and lets his breath go.

 

ASHER

(Breathing heavily and trembling)

Hi… Grandma, it’s nice to see you again. I’ve brought you another Yellow Rose since they were your favorite.

 

Asher gradually crouches next to the grave and places the yellow rose on top.

 

Asher

(Talking to the grave)

It’s been a while since we’ve gone on a walk, and now that I’m returning this book to the Library down the path, I was hoping… nevermind. I wish you were here.

(He waits in silence)

 

MAKENA O.S.

My, my. ‘S 'been a while since I saw you. Now, look how you’ve grown!

 

Asher looks up. Makena Halona strolls onstage and taps Asher’s shoulder from behind him.

 

Makena

Now, then… Why you look so sad? I’d never say no to goin’ on a walk wi’ you. I love my grandkids!

 

Asher

I… uhm.

(Confused, looks around and rubs eyes)

I guess I was… scared you wouldn’t be around for me, or that we would never go on a walk again. I mean- you’re not supposed to be here.

 

Makena cups her hands around Asher’s face and kisses his forehead.

 

Makena

Now, I want you to hush. I’ma always be here for you, and never forget that.

 

Asher

(Stands)

I… I won’t.

 

Back on the dirt path, Makena and Asher begin their walk to the library.

 

Makena

So… les see that book. You still read the ones with jus pictures?

 

Asher

(Pulls book out from coat)

No… it has words. It’s actually the one you told me to read when I was little.

 

Makena

Boy! I read that damn thing to you e’ry damn day an’ you said it was borin’.

 

Asher

Okay!- It is boring, but every time I look at it, I think about you.

 

Makena

Aww! I see… You’ll read the next ones, won’tchu?

 

Asher

I think I will.

 

Asher turns his head around to see Makena. Behind them at the Grave they once stood at is THE DARK FIGURE. Asher sees.

 

Asher

(Whispers to himself)

Who is that at her grave?

 

Makena

What?

 

Asher

Nothing. We should hurry to the library.

 

Makena and Asher swiftly travel down the path to the library.

 

Int. Library- Day

Asher opens the door for Makena. THE LIBRARIAN welcomes them.

 

LIBRARIAN

Wel- welcome! Is there an-an-ything I can… help you with?

 

Asher

No, thank you. We are just returning this.

(He hands his book forward)

 

Librarian

…We?

 

Asher

Yes? …This is my-

 

Asher reaches his arm backwards to Makena who is standing by the doorway. On the other side of the glass Library entrance door is THE DARK FIGURE. Asher’s eyes widen and he drops the book and pulls Makena close.

 

Makena

Oh! Your book! You oka-

 

Asher

(Keeping calm)

May we please exit through your back door?

 

Makena

(Upset)

Asher! That might be rude…

 

Librarian

I uh… well… sure?

 

Asher

(Pulling Makena with him as he sprints for the exit)

Thank you very much. Have a great day!

 

Ext. Library- Day

Asher rushes with Makena through the trees in the back of the Library and peaks through the branches to check for THE DARK FIGURE. Asher and Makena step through.

 

Makena

(Pulls on Asher’s arm)

Now, Asher! Why you actin’ like this? ‘S almost like you hidin’ from somethin’...

 

 Asher

Yes… sorry. Before, when we left the Gra-… when we started our walk, I turned around and saw someone. I couldn’t see their face, but I knew they were watching us.

 

Makena

An’ you saw ‘em back at the Library?

 

Asher

Yes. They must be following us.

 

Makena

Well, you don’ know that. Or ‘least you don’ know they’re gonna hurt us. Maybe they jus need some help.

 

Asher

Possibly. If they need help, they can speak to the Librarian.

 

Makena

Now, Asher…

 

Asher checks behind them again for THE DARK FIGURE. THE FIGURE watches the two and begins to walk towards them.

 

Asher

Grandma, why don’t we finish the rest of our walk. I believe this path ends back at my Elementary School.

 

Makena

(Claps her hands)

Oh, yes, yes. Les go.

 

Ext. Elementary School- Day

Makena and Asher finish following the dirt path to the Playground outside the School. Asher sits down on a swing set seat and kicks his feet from the ground.

 

Makena

(Stands behind Asher)

Wanna push?

 

Asher

No, thank you. I’m big enough, now.

(Begins to swing)

 

Makena

(Takes a seat on a nearby bench)

Mmhm… when I’d come here for lunch, we’d have a picnic by this bench here an’ you’d share with your friends.

 

Asher

(Swinging)

Yes, you would visit so often that everyone knew your name. Although, I’m still upset that no one actually believed we were related.

 

Makena

Yeah… well, they jus never seen a family like us before.

(Holds out arm to look at her skin)

But nonna that matters anyways, jus makes us closer! You still my Granson an’ I’ll always love you!

 

Asher

(Stops swinging)

I know… I love you, too.

 

The Elementary School doors open and children spread out for recess. A GIRL notices Asher on the swingset and takes the seat beside him.

 

GIRL

Are you a big-year-old? Why’re you here?

 

Asher

I… I’m visiting my old Elementary School with my Grandma.

 

Girl

Your Grandma? I wish my Grandma was still here.

 

Asher

(Looking conflicted)

Me… too?

 

Girl

…Huh? Are you okay?

 

Asher searches for THE DARK FIGURE in the crowd, expecting to see them. When Asher spots IT, he swiftly takes Makena’s arm and they both enter the School.

 

Int. Elementary School- Day

Asher pulls Makena down the hallway. Makena places her foot down to stop him.

 

Makena

Asher! Whas goin’ on? ‘S it that person again or why you actin’ this way?

 

Asher

(Ignoring question)

Look at the posters on the wall. They’re about photosynthesis. You spent all night helping me color in the yellow flowers…

 

Makena

(Going along)

I… yes, I remember that.

 

Asher

We chose yellow because they’re your favorite.

 

Makena

Uh huh, but why’re we talkin’ ‘bout this?

 

Asher

Be- because…

(Looks into Makena’s eyes)

…That was the last thing I ever did with my Grandma.

 

Makena looks down, then steps close to Asher and cups her hands around his face. Asher makes no movements. Makena strokes Asher under his eyes with her thumb and smiles.

 

Makena

(Trying to calm Asher down)

We had so much fun… didn’t we?

 

Asher

(Trying to stay composed)

I just- I don’t want this to end… I don’t want you to leave me again…

 

Makena

Aww… baby, I’m right here-

 

Asher

(Losing calm)

No! You’re not! I’m just… pretending. Pretending like nothing’s happened and nothing’s changed. That we were just going on another walk and everything would be fine. I just-

 

The Elementary School doors to the playground open and reveal THE DARK FIGURE stepping inside. THE DARK FIGURE walks forward towards the two. Asher doesn’t move. THE DARK FIGURE passes Makena to stand before Asher.

 

Asher

Fine. What do you with from me?

 

THE DARK FIGURE stands still for moments, then removes their cloak to reveal an identical face and identical clothing to Ashers. THE DARK FIGURE’s face is full of tear streaks and dirt.

 

Asher

(Confused)

Wait- how…? Why?

 

THE FIGURE

Accept it.

 

Asher

(Closes his eyes, denying The Figure)

I… I can’t. Not yet.

 

The Figure

Accept it.

 

Asher

(Eyes still shut)

No. I’m not ready. How will I know where to go… without her?

 

The Figure

She is gone.

 

Asher tries to keep calm and control his breathing, he holds his chest by the heart. Asher opens his eyes and cannot see Makena anywhere.

 

Asher

(Frantically turning his head and body to look around)

Wait! Where are you, Grandma? Where did you go? I still need you!

 

The Figure

(Grabs Asher’s arms to hold him still)

Your Grandma is dead.

 

Asher looks into the eyes of The Dark Figure, knowing he must accept it. 

 

Asher

(Arms and head go limp with defeat)

She’s… really gone… and I’m never going to see her again.

 

The Dark Figure

Not here.

(Points up)

She is patiently waiting for you in the sky, and you will see her then.

 

The Dark Figure moves out from Asher’s view to make room for Makena as she walks onto stage. Makena hugs Asher and he buries his face into her shoulder.

 

Asher

I’m… going to miss you. I- I already do, but for now-

(Lifts his head to smile with Makena)

 I’ll see you later.