Spring 2021 NTPU FLAL Creative Writing (5)

A Special Edition of NTPU, FLAL Creative Writing Spring 2021

Instructor: Prof. Sue-Han Ueng

Editors: Nita Huang, Vivian Lin, Vivian Chen, Betty Chen

PARTS

By Nita Huang

OI= Original Identity

AI= Alternate Identity

OVER BLACK

We hear a series of sounds of glass crashing and fighting A man (Thomas) screaming “Let go of me!...”

1973, LONDON, UK

FADE IN:

INT. A room in Bethlem Royal Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in the UK -DAY

Thomas is looking outside with dead eyes, and his right hand is handcuffed to bed. We can see clear bruises on his left hand.

The room is full white, but the dust and dirt floating in the air along with the only light coming through the only window makes the room blue and depressing. A nurse walks inside the door.

Bianca

Are you feeling better?

No response. Thomas is still looking outsides. A bird flies away from the tree outside the window.

Bianca

(Sighs) Here. Take some pills. It’s doctor’s order. She hands him two white, round pills and a glass of water.

Thomas (OI)

Which doctor? (Looks at the pills)

These are not the pills I used to take. What are you doing to me?

Thomas starts to freak out. The bed is shaking because he tries to get rid of the handcuff. However, Bianca is already used to this situation. She puts the medicine back to the stainless steel, walks to Thomas, and gives him a pat on the back.

Thomas calms down. Bianca lets go of him.

Thomas (OI)

Which doctor?

Bianca

Dr. Reid. He said he won’t see you unless you take these. (Points to the medicine) Here. I’ll watch you finish them. (Hands Thomas the glass and pills)

Thomas starts to gasp as if he is out of breath, grabs the pills, and swallows them with water. Bianca leaves. The pills slide out of Thomas’ sleeves, and he puts them inside his pockets.

Thomas lowers his head. CUT

INT. 1973, A small, dark room with only a light on a chair. This is where Thomas’ identities live.

Thomas (OI) is sitting on the chair with his eyes closed, while another Thomas (AI) is watching him.

Thomas (OI)

(Opens his eyes) Christopher is coming. (His voice is trembling)

Thomas (AI)

Well, then. I’m going to sit on that. (Points to the chair)

Thomas (OI)

You cannot…

Thomas (AI)

I’m not asking. You’re too weak to handle this. Now OFF.

Thomas (OI)

(He looks angry, but he still leaves the chair) He gave me two pills. I put it in the pocket.

Thomas (AI) nods.

FADE OUT

FADE IN (FLASHBACK):

EXT. 1969, In front of a door of Shelly’s, Thomas ex-girlfriend’s renting house.

Thomas knocks the door anxiously. He looks young, wearing denim jeans. The scene is in black and white retro-style. We can hear sobbing coming from the other side of the door. Neighbors gather around and stare at him, wondering what is happening.

Thomas (OI)

Baby, why did you break up with me? What happened? Please open the door!

Shelly’s friend dashes out, looking angry and impatient.

Shelly’s Friend

Get out of here.

Thomas (OI)

At least tell me why she said that…I don’t know what happened…

Shelly’s Friend

You DON’T KNOW?! You hit her on her nose, and there’s fxxking blood all over the place! Now you’re here telling me you DON’T KNOW?!

Thomas (OI)

What? I’m sorry, I… (hits on his head) that piece of shit…

Shelly’s Friend

Now get out of here! (Slams the door)

Thomas soon realizes everyone is staring at him, talking about how he hit his girlfriend. He gets flustered and runs away.

CUT TO:

EXT. 1969, A road on the street in London (Flashback)

Thomas is running and crying at the same time. He is trying to remember what really happened.

CUT TO (FLASHBACK):

INT. 1969, In the bar

Thomas and Shelly are laughing and dancing. When they get tired, they walk towards the bar counter and order a drink. They have a toast for their one-year anniversary. The music is flowing, and the atmosphere gets more erotic. Shelly tries to grab his hips—

CUT TO:

INT. 1969, A small, dark room with only a light on a chair.

Thomas (OI) opens his eyes. He looks at Thomas (AI), who is sitting in the dark, with tears and anger in his eyes.

Thomas (AI)

I was trying to protect you.

Thomas (OI)

I don’t need you. I don’t need your protection. All

you do is hurting me, and people around me. I’ve told you I love her!

Thomas (OI) bursts into tears.

Thomas (AI)

(Sighs) I don’t know if she’s trying to hurt you. Maybe she’ll be like aunty Jane….

Thomas (OI)

What? Who’s aunty Jane….

Thomas (AI)

You don’t need to know that. Anyway, I’m trying to protect you….

Thomas (OI)

This is exactly why I don’t want you to be here….

Thomas (AI) walks into the light and hugs Thomas (OI).

FADE OUT

FADE IN:

INT. 1973, A room in Bethlem Royal Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in the UK

Thomas takes out the pills inside his pocket, but he shoves them back after hearing the sound of knocking on the door. His psychiatrist, Christopher Reid, walks in.

Christopher grabs a chair beside the bed and sits on it.

Christopher (AI)

How are you feeling?

Thomas (AI)

(Stares at Christopher with cold eyes) Cut the bullshit.

Christopher (AI)

(Chuckles) Well, I see who I’m talking to. (Looks outside the window) Anyway, the hospital told me you are

completely out of control.

Thomas (AI)

Thanks to you. We never want to be here. That’s why we came to you in the first place. WE DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW.

Christopher (AI)

(Looks at Thomas) No. HE came to me in the first place. He wants to get rid of you, that’s what he told me.

Thomas (AI)

(Swallows, looks outside the window) If that’s the best for him, it’s fine for me.

Christopher (AI)

(Laid back, eyes open wider, sarcastic) Oh wow, what a saint.

Well, however, we…um, I, as psychiatrist, do not suggest patients’ identities to get rid of one another.

Thomas (AI) grabs the water glass on the desk and drinks the water.

Christopher (AI)

You gotta make peace with him. (eyes turn cold, lowers his voice volume) Or you just destroy him. Or get destroyed by him.

(Gets up and walks to the window) (Closes the window, the room gets dark, we can’t hear the birds chirping) Both of you want to get out, don’t you?

Thomas (AI)

(Looks relieved for a moment, but soon gets angry) You tell me. You’re the one who put us here. (Raises his head and grips the glass) You counterfeited something I never wrote, you…

Christopher (AI)

(Ignores Thomas’ words) You know, a fun fact of psychiatric hospital… The more desperate you’re trying to get out…the more lunatic you look. And…everyone here is expected to be lunatic.

Thomas (AI)

(Continues talking) You said I attacked you, which I certainly did not…

Christopher (AI)

Now you’re acting like a lunatic, which of course, you are.

Thomas stops. The atmosphere is intense.

Thomas (AI)

Why are you telling me all this?

Christopher (AI)

For a chance. We’ll see each other again.

Christopher leaves the room.

We can see Bianca waiting outside, and she walks in with a confusing face. She opens the window again. We can hear her murmuring “that’s not good for patients…”

ZOOM OUT

CUT TO:

INT. 1973, A room in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -NIGHT

We hear the clock ticking. Camera zoom in, and the clock shows that it is almost midnight. Contemplating, Thomas sits by the bed. Slowly, he touches his left leg and moves down to his hips. The moment he touches it, he moves away and clenches his fist. He starts to breathe heavily, and he rubs against the quilt, as if he is trying to wipe out something dirty. After putting himself together,

Thomas lowers his head.

INT. 1973, A small, dark room with only a light on a chair. Thomas, sitting on the chair, opens his eyes.

Thomas (OI)

(Terrified, his voice trembling) You’re late. (Walks to AI, he does not realize how serious his face is) What happened out there? What did Christopher say? Did you persuade him to let us go? I…

Thomas (AI) is staring at the void of nothing.

Thomas (AI)

(Serious) Is it really better for me to disappear?

Thomas (OI)

What?

Thomas (AI)

He told me. (Looks at OI) I thought you came to him because you want us to be as one. Like…half you, half me.

Thomas (OI)

(Flustered) I…

Thomas (AI)

He also told me that we have to make peace with each other. But it seems impossible now, right?

Thomas (OI)

Listen… (Tries to grab AI’s shoulder)

Thomas (AI)

(Waves him off and cuts his words with his voice trembling) I’ll remain here. You’re never going to help us get out anyway…this is your whole idea, right? Send us here, and you can watch me dead.

Thomas (OI)

Please, can you just listen to me…

Thomas (OI) starts crying, but Thomas (AI) ignores him.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INT. 1973, A room in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -DAY

Thomas (AI) wakes up because he is annoyed by the birds chirping outside the window. He is tired and thirsty, so he grabs the glass and drinks the rest of the water in it. After finishing it, he lies back to the bed and covers his whole body with the quilt. A nurse walks inside.

Bianca

(Walks to the side of Thomas’s bed) You up?

Thomas does not say a word. He sits up and looks at her with vigilance.

Bianca

If you’re up, get ready for the chair.

Thomas (AI)

What chair?

Bianca

The thing you escape from yesterday. Don’t you remember?

Thomas clenches his fist. He does not have short-term memory, but he needs to pretend that he remembers.

Thomas (AI)

Yes. I do remember.

Bianca removes the handcuff, lifts his body up, and pushes the wheelchair out of the room.

INT. 1973, The hall in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -DAY

Bianca pushes the wheelchair slowly across the hall. We can hear the woods floor squeaking. The hall is weirdly huge and empty, and both sides of the hall are doors of the wards lining up one by one. Everything is perfectly organized but is also suffocating. The air is floating with dust and dirt, and no light can come in because of the wall. The two of them seem a little too small for this space.

Bianca turns right. We can see another long hall. This hall is obviously brighter than the previous one because the left side of the wall has windows on it instead of doors. Bianca is moving slower than she was at first, which makes Thomas feel weird. However, he does not say a word.

Backing the light, Bianca stops at the front of a door, with a label named “Electroconvulsive Therapy Room.”

Bianca turns the knob.

CUT TO:

INT. 1973, Electroconvulsive Therapy Room in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -DAY

The first thing and the only thing Thomas can notice is the chair in the middle. He starts to be nervous. A doctor is waiting by the chair, suggesting him to sit on the chair. Thomas hesitates for a second, but he still gets on the chair.

Bianca and the doctor fasten his hands and legs to the chair.

Thomas also notices that the doctor is looking at him like he’s some kind of virus. Thomas frowns, but the pain the electric current brings soon takes over his head.

ZOOM IN

Thomas’s back is stiff as a board; his hands grasp the armrest on both sides.

Thomas closes his eyes, and we see a line of tear stream down from his face.

We can hear old songs (Billy Joel’s Piano Man) playing in the background. As the song goes on, the scene cuts from Thomas sitting on the electric chair to Thomas drowning in a tub for hydrotherapy.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INT. 1973, A room in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -DAY

Sitting on the bed, Thomas’ right hand is still handcuffed. He looks angry, and he is trying his best not to let his temper take control of him. Bianca is counting the pills on the stainless steel.

Bianca

How are you feeling?

Thomas (AI)

(Silent for a while till it’s unbearable for both of them) What do you expect?

Bianca

(Confusing) Who are you?

Thomas (AI)

(Frowns) What do you mean?

Bianca

You’re acting really weird today…who are you?

Thomas stares at her and stays silent for a while.

Thomas (AI)

…What do you mean I’m acting really weird today?

Bianca

You’ve been here for a week, and this is the only day you accept that therapy. You…you cried, screamed, and hurt every doctor and nurse. Every time you fought to get out.

Thomas (AI)

Maybe I’m just tired of escaping.

Bianca

(Shakes head) No one changes this big overnight. The other one loves birds, you don’t.

Thomas (AI)

(Starts to get interested) Huh. You are too smart for a nurse. What do you want?

Bianca

To help you. And I did.

Thomas (AI)

I do not remember that.

Bianca

I gave you a chance to run away.

Thomas (AI)

Ah… that handcuff? I was just wondering…anyway, why are you doing this?

Bianca

(Serious) You remind me of my mom.

Thomas looks at her and suggests her to go on. She walks to the desk, gently touches it, and starts talking— FADE OUT

An old lady with bandages on her head looks at the camera with no light in her eyes. Her face is covered with bruises.

Looking satisfied, a bunch of doctors standing around her.

CUT TO:

ZOOM OUT

We see a body lying on the bed. We can hear the blood dropping on the floor. The body holds a table knife in her right hand. The floor is full of papers, some of which are blowing in the air. The window is wide open, and the light shines right on the body.

Bianca (V.O)

Ten years ago, she killed herself here. In this room. Your room. Soon after they performed lobotomy on her.

When my dad and I got there, the room was all clean. I looked all over for her diary which she wrote every day. But the hospital told us she never wrote anything.

I came to visit her every weekend, and she showed me her diary every time.

…This is why I’m here. I need to find something that can shut here down.

CUT BACK TO: INT. 1973, A room in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -DAY

Thomas (AI)

What’s that have to do with me?

Bianca

They were discussing whether they will perform the same surgery on you.

Thomas (AI)

I thought that is prohibited.

Bianca

It is. But no one cares. They’ll get a perfect patient, and you have no family or relatives to talk otherwise.

Thomas (AI)

That’s why you….

Bianca

(Cuts his words) Fortunately you save yourself today. You’re quiet as mice.

Thomas (AI)

…Maybe I need that surgery.

Bianca is shocked. She cannot understand Thomas.

Thomas (AI)

The guy you know want me to disappear. (Points to his chest)

Bianca

…He told you that?

The doctor said….

Thomas (AI)

Bianca

Did you ask?

Thomas (AI) avoids her eyes.

Bianca

Did you ever listen?

ZOOM OUT FADE IN INT. 1973, A room in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -DAY (Two days later)

Thomas already awakes, and he is staring outside of the window at the birds. Bianca knocks the door and comes

in with a glass of water. Thomas looks at Bianca with fear.

Bianca

Morning. Doctor’s coming right away.

Thomas (OI)

What did you say to him?

Bianca

What do you mean?

Thomas (OI)

He put me out last night. The only thing he said is that you know about us.

Bianca

I simply said you might have an evaluation today, and there might be some tricky questions concerning…short term memories.

(Hands Thomas the glass) Thought you need some air. Did you guys talk this through?

Thomas (OI)

…He’s still mad at…

Thomas stops when he hears the knock on the door. Doctor Christopher Reid comes in. Thomas is scared, but he still tries to look straight into Christopher’s eyes. Christopher sees the struggle in Thomas, and this is all too interesting for him. Christopher smiles. Christopher grabs a chair beside the bed and sits on it.

Christopher (AI)

…It’s good to hear that you get so much better. The hospital said you took all the therapy, and you did not try to get out. That hydrotherapy is hard to bear. I’m impressed you pull that off.

Thomas does not expect to hear the fact that his alternate identity took all the therapy without fighting, and he feel ashamed.

Christopher (AI)

(Stares at Thomas) He took my advice.

Thomas (OI)

(Confused) What?

Christopher (AI)

…To be less lunatic. By the way, it’s really funny to watch your face change like that. (Points to Thomas’ face)

He still wants to protect you. That’s what he’s all about, isn’t it?

Thomas (OI)

(Lowers his head because he does not want the doctor to see his face) Can I ask you something…?

Christopher (AI)

(Chuckles) Sure.

Thomas looks at him.

Thomas (OI)

(Serious) I’m afraid….

Christopher (AI) Of?

Thomas (OI)

…myself. I’m also afraid that someday I’ll disappear.

Christopher (AI)

I don’t know which one you’re referring to, you, or the other guy. I have already told the other guy that you need to make peace with each other. This is the suggestion I’ll give as a psychiatrist. However, if you

really hate that guy, you can let him out and watch him being tortured to death. Then you won’t disappear.

(Shrugs)

Thomas (OI)

How…how could you say that? You don’t know anything about….

Christopher (AI)

Who says I don’t? (Silent for a second) I’m your psychiatrist. Listen, it’s not that bad to admit that you’re sick. Lots of people have the same issue.

Thomas (OI)

I’M NOT SICK! I thought you’re trying to help, but then you send us here…I just…I don’t understand you.

Christopher (AI)

You’re the one who told me you want to get rid of him.

(Opens his arms) This…is the quickest way. Thomas stares straight into Christopher’s eyes, this time without fear.

Thomas (OI)

(Calmly) Get out.

Christopher (AI)

(Smiles) Good luck on the way getting out. We hear the sound of closing the door. FADE IN

Thomas (OI) is released from the handcuff according to his perfect performance lately. He walks to the window since he wants to feel the breeze and look closer to see the birds. Suddenly, he sees something surprising.

It’s Christopher Reid at the front gate, and lots of other doctors are standing around him. Thomas notices that he takes off the doctor’s scrubs he wore when visiting him in the morning, and obviously he changed the color of his tie this time. Thomas frowns and smells something going on.

They seem to be happy gathering around. Media are taking pictures of them, and Christopher looks very proud of himself.

A doctor sees Thomas and gives Christopher a meaningful wink. Christopher looks at Thomas. To Thomas’ surprise, Christopher looks at him like he does not know him and glares defiance at him.

Thomas backs down. He is scared by the look of Christopher. He sits on the bed, backing the light. He stands up and walks out of the door. We can see from the crack between the door and its frame that Thomas is talking to Bianca.

CUT TO:

INT. 1973, A small, dark room with only a light on a chair.

Thomas (OI) leaves the chair and walks to Thomas (AI) who is sitting in the dark. Thomas (AI) still looks upset, but he is surprised that Thomas (OI) voluntarily gives up the chair. Thomas (OI) squats down. Their eyeline matches with each other.

Thomas (AI)

Thought you never gonna leave that chair.

Thomas (OI)

(Ignores his words) Thank you.

Thomas (AI)

…For what?

Thomas (OI)

I appreciate that you are doing everything you can to protect me. This… (tries to touch AI’s thigh, but AI waives off his hand) …this memory you hold, this memory that I cannot recall… what I definitely remember is that you protect me from those pain. And I am truly, truly…sorry that I hurt your feeling.

Thomas (AI)

(Bursts into tears) You want me dead.

Thomas (OI)

(Takes a deep breath) When I said I want to get rid of you… I was hoping Christopher to persuade you to respect me more. I did not have the courage to do so, and he twisted my words.

(Takes a deep breath and tries really hard to speak)

I…I know you mean well, but sometimes we need to have more faith in other people. Especially the ones I told you to trust. And me. You need to trust me.

Thomas (AI)slightly nods.

Thomas (OI)

You are part of me.

Thomas (OI) hugs Thomas (AI).

Thomas (OI)

Let’s get out of this place.

Thomas (AI)

What did the doctor ask? Did he suspect anything?

Thomas (OI)

It was Christopher who came. Speaking of him, I think he is a bit weird.

Thomas (AI)

Told you. You didn’t believe me until he sent us to the hospital.

Thomas (OI)

I asked the nurse about him, and she said that Christopher used to stay in Bethlem. But she does not know him well. She was here only a few months ago.

Thomas (AI)

Medical record department.

Thomas (OI)

What?

Thomas (AI)

If he was here before, there must be his record in the medical record room. We can go see if he’s hiding something.

CUT TO:

INT. 1973, The hall in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -NIGHT

Thomas (AI) sneaks out of his room. He looks up on the label of each room one by one. Soon he finds the arrowhead on a board pointing to the medical record room. The record room is in the basement. Thomas has to walk back to his room, grab the candle, and walk down the stairs. We hear raining and thunder in the background.

CUT TO:

INT. 1973, The stairs in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -NIGHT

The only thing we can see is the light of the candle and blurring shape of Thomas’ face. The stairs get narrower. Thomas stops before the door. He pauses for a moment and opens the door.

CUT TO:

INT. 1973, The medical record department in Bethlem Royal

Hospital. -NIGHT

The room is cold and gloomy, and we can only see some moonlight coming from the window and hear the raining outside. Thomas gets nervous, but he knows what he’s here for. Cautiously, Thomas moves a little inside to make sure no one is in here. He searches from alphabet to alphabet. In the middle of the process, he accidently pulled out a record book that is hidden in the very inside of the cabinet, which makes a really big sound. Thomas freezes. Luckily, no one comes. He grabs the record as soon as he can, and browses through it. He frowns and hides it in his clothes. He walks to another isle. As the camera zooms in, we see Thomas staring at the record with the name “Christopher Reid” on it.

FADE IN

INT. 1973, The hall in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -DAY

The camera is over Doctor Reid’s shoulder as we walk inside the room with him. CUT TO:

INT. 1973, A room in Bethlem Royal Hospital. -DAY

Christopher sees Thomas calmly sitting on the chair. The window is wide open, and Thomas is staring at the birds chirping outsides. Christopher looks like he is expecting something.

Christopher (AI)

Didn’t know you will ask to see me so soon.

Thomas (OI)

(Still looking outside) (Ignores his words) You owe us something.

Christopher (AI)

What’s that?

Thomas (OI)

(Looks at him) An explanation. (Holding the record book in his hand)

Christopher (AI)

(Takes the record book and looks through it) Well, I used to be here. So what?

Thomas (OI)

That’s quite a diary you wrote when you’re here. Christopher stops for a beat and looks at Thomas.

Thomas (OI)

(Continues) You started out fine. But as the time went… something went wrong.

Christopher (AI)

…Get to the point.

Thomas (OI)

There are two completely different types of writing in your diary. The same as that in your admission form, and your discharge form.

Those writings appear on the diary “I” wrote. The one you counterfeit, remember?

Christopher (AI)

(A beat) Ha… (Lowers his head)

Thomas (OI)

(Cold) Doctors are on their way. We hear the knock on the door. Holding the forms, other doctors rush in and look at Christopher with shock.

Another Doctor

Christopher, what is this?

Christopher (OI)

What? What are you all doing here? Why am I…

Thomas (OI)

Doctor, you can see that we, I…I was set up. He’s the one who’s sick, not me.

Other doctors, as well as Christopher, all stare at Thomas. Christopher looks terrified.

Thomas (OI)

I’ve already asked Bianca to call the police. If you don’t release me, I’ll open everything to the police, including that surgery. You know what I’m talking about. Other doctors are afraid of the secret being exposed, so they decide to let Thomas go. Christopher is confused. He tries to run out, but the guards, nurses, and doctors hold him on the ground. We hear the sound of the mess—Christopher struggles to escape as he is dragged out of the room.

Christopher (OI)

You can’t do this to me! I’m Christopher! I’m the poster child!...

But soon, we hear the sound of Christopher laughing and shouting “Thank you.”

Bianca walks inside the room. She has complicated feeling towards Thomas, but she is still glad that Thomas is finally free.

Bianca

Congratulations.

Thomas lifts his head up and looks at Bianca.

Thomas (OI)

Thank you.

Bianca

You didn’t ask me to call the police, though. They both smile.

Bianca

I thought the other guy would be the one facing Doctor Reid.

Thomas (OI)

(Smiles) Well, he trusts me to do this. Speaking of him…

Thomas remembers something. He takes out another record book under his pillow.

Thomas (OI)

He told me to give you this.

Camera zoom in, we see the record book with the name “Mary Wilson” on it. Bianca takes it.

Thomas (OI)

We hope that this can help. Or you just take Christopher’s record and go to the police. They smile again. Thomas turns his head to the window and looks at the birds outsides.

Bianca

You know that this is all him, right?

Thomas (OI)

What?

Bianca

He set you up for this. That diary…

Thomas (OI)

Well… maybe he’s the one who put the diary in that record, maybe he wants us to find it, maybe this is all him…

Bianca

But you still…

Thomas (OI)

And maybe… he’ll find his peace here.

Bianca watches him leave the bed and take off his patient clothes.

Thomas walks out of the door.

FADE OUT

Fallen Nation

By Sara Hsu

Scene: Andy’s bedroom

(A thrust stage which is on the left side of the stage.)

Andy just comes home from school.

Andy: Mom, I’m home. (Only voice)

Mom: How did it go today? ( Only voice)

Andy: Everything is fine. ( Perfunctory)

Going straight to his bedroom and taking out his gaming console, he can hardly wait to beat the level. However, Andy accidentally falls asleep when playing Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.

(The stage lighting turns dim after Andy falls asleep.)

Scene: The planet of 8851

When waking up, Andy discovers that everything surrounded him has changed. He is alone with nothing

except a backpack and a map on the grass not far away.

Andy: (Standing up and patting the dust off the pants) What’s going on? Where am I now?

Damon: (Walking out of the jungle ) Welcome, welcome, welcome our adventurer, Andy. This is the planet of 8851. Oh! I forget to introduce myself. I’m Damon, who will lead you through the adventure.

Andy: (Feeling ridiculous ) Adventure? What adventure? I don’t buy your story. Just bring me home, OK? I have a heavy workload today.

Damon: Liar. You were holding a PS4 console when I found you. So, I brought you here… ( Changing his attitude immediately ) to help my planet.

Andy: What’s going on?

Damon: (Finding a rock and sitting down ) About a year ago, an alien ship attacked our planet, and took away lots of things from us, family, children, lovers…. Many areas of our planet were almost destroyed and polluted.

Andy: (Looking around) No wonder this place looks lifeless and poor.

Damon: (Continuing saying ) Furthermore, they had left some gifts and a note for us before they were gone. (Sighing)

Andy: Some gifts? What do you mean?

Damon: Seven monsters. ( Feeling helpless) Each one represents pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust.

Andy: Seven deadly sins?

Damon: True. The note said: “Human beings are too proud and selfish. You don’t cherish everything that you own. It’s time to teach you a lesson.” So, please help me. Help us. (With pleading eyes )

Andy: How?

Damon: We’ve defeated mobs and have collected 6 gems this year, except one. The thing you need to do is to knock the last mob down and bring all the gems to the Celestial Heart. When the blessed water gushes out, we can pass the trial, and you can save our lives, our planet.

Andy: (Still confused) Hold on, let me clear my mind. Now, I’m in the game as an adventurer to save the planet, and I need to bring 7 gems to… where?

Damon: Celestial Heart.

Andy: Yes, Celestial Heart…. (Noticing there are a green backpack and a map on the grass not far away )

Damon: Oh! That’s the equipment you may need during the adventure.

Andy: (Walking towards them and opening the backpack) Nothing special. ( Pointing out moving clouds on the map) What’s hiding under these clouds?

Damon: (Feeling sad) It surprised me that you didn’t ask why the map moved, but the thing under the clouds is.... (Turning to a straight face )

Andy: Is?

Damon: …is something I can’t tell you now. ( Pulling a face)

Andy: (Almost throwing the backpack at him ) So, what’s the first move?

Damon: Come with me. ( Taking Andy to the grocery store) Here it is. Choose the role you like and the equipment you may need.

Andy: (Opening a shabby leather book ) Let me check on this. Shooter, Ranger, Wizard, Paladin, Bard…. Ok, I’m done.

Damon: Shooter…hmm, good choice.

Andy: What’s next?

Damon: (Shouting) Mike! Mike! Don’t slack off!

Mike: (Walking out with bleary-eyed ) Who’s there?

Andy: Come on, you must be kidding.

Damon: We’re quadruplets. (Cool as a cucumber )

Andy: You guys all look the same.

Damon & Mike: No way, he’s the shorter one.

(Pointing to each other )

Andy: (Ignoring them and still focusing on the equipment, which is put on the shelf behind Mike ) Wow! These gadgets are so delicate.

Mike: You think so? Some of them are made of vibranium, which is noted for its marvelous abilities to absorb, store, and release a great deal of kinetic energy.

Damon: Some of them are specially made to fight against the mobs in the game. Here are some additional remarks. All of these don’t apply to you because you’re just in level one, ha.

Andy: (Showing a pitiful look )

Damon: It doesn’t work for me. It’s time to hit the road. Let’s embark…

Andy: Wait a second.

Damon: (Impatient) What do you want?

Andy: Does the green point on the overworld map point out where I am?

Damon: Yes, yes, yes. (Impatient) You should be embarrassed about saying that you are a professional player. ( Before Andy says a word ) Let’s embark on an adventure!

(They embark on this unknown journey. The stage lighting turns dark. )

Scene: In the woods

(Walking in the woods )

Andy: I can’t wait to knock the mobs to the floor, hahaha.

Damon: Huh, really ambitious, I like it. ( Licking his favorite lollipop )

Andy: So, tell me about Calcifer.

Damon: He used to be a falling star, living with his beloved in space. But after his beloved fell to Earth, he became another person and almost extinguished. Now, he is living in a dormant volcano.

Andy: (Feeling afraid) You means that nobody knows when it will erupt again.

Damon: Right, and here we are. ( Licking a lollipop )

Andy: (Shouting at the entrance ) Hey, anybody home? (Echoes)

Andy: (Taking out the flashlight from the backpack and talking to himself) Ok, don’t be afraid. Just three steps: go inside, take the gems, and go out.

Andy: (Walking on the muddy floor ) Eww! I can’t stand this disgusting mud.

Damon: Hold on, buddy.

Andy: I think I see something on that rock. Is it the red gem?

Damon: Let me…arghhhhhhh. (The floor starts shaking)

Andy: What’s wrong?

Damon: I’m not sure. Maybe you annoy him.

Andy: (Shouting) Calcifer! My name is Andy. I’m here to help. (The floor gradually stops shaking ) It’s working. Come on, Damon.

Calcifer: (Using lovely voice) What do you want?

Andy: I want to complete my adventure. Can you ask Calcifer to come out?

Calcifer: This is Calcifer.

Andy: (Feeling incredible ) You… you’re so cute.

Calcifer: (Posing an angry face ) I hate people saying that.

Andy: Sorry about that. It’s just hard to believe that you’re a monster. You seem harmless and amiable. Anyway, I’m here to complete the adventure and to escape from the planet.

Calcifer: Cut the crap! If you want that poor red gem, you have to complete the mission.

Andy: I’m willing to take the challenge. What’s it? (Serious)

Calcifer: (Clearing his throat and singing loudly in a funny way) Hell mission. (Suddenly become serious) Bring me a feast.

Andy: (Feeling ridiculous ) That’s it? (Whispering to Damon) This mission is too simple. Will there be any fraud?

Damon: I don’t think so. His requirements for food quality and nutrition are very high. No one had passed the mission in the past year.

Andy: Maybe I can try to use Gourmet Tablecloth. This garget can prepare any food, and it’s delicious. (Talking to Gourmet Tablecloth ) Please give me a hearty meal.

Calcifer: (Opening the tablecloth ) Chicken curry rice, Caesar salad, pumpkin soup, chocolate sundae all look delicious, but not to my taste.

Andy: How about this? (Talking to Gourmet Tablecloth again) Please give me some prawns and filet mignons.

Calcifer: (Shaking his head ) No, no, no, that’s not what I want.

Andy: Well… I think…I’m figuring out something. (With a sly smile )

Damon: What’s it?

Andy: (Ignoring Damon and talking to Gourmet Tablecloth again ) Please give me…

(Calcifer fires a fireball to his target Gourmet Tablecloth.)

Andy: (*Facepalm*) Really? You’re an attackable mob. (Watching at the burnt Gourmet Tablecloth ) Oh geez, my poor Gourmet Tablecloth.

Damon: I told you he’s a tough cookie!

Andy: I know what he likes. ( Rushing out of the cave)

(He’s huffing and puffing when coming back to the cave.)

Andy: (Panting)I bring two eggs and a slice of bacon from the market. (Opening the backpack and taking out a pan) That’s it.

Damon: It’s too absurd.

Andy: Shhh…just watch out. ( Walking towards Calcifer with a pan and putting it on the rock beside him ) It’s showtime! ( Putting the bacon in the pan )

Damon: Watch out! ( Screaming in a panic)

Calcifer: (Becoming angry and transforming to orange-red flame)

(Showing Calcifer’s anger through changing light colors and exaggerating movements )

Damon: (Analyzing with calm tone ) Nice play. By irritating him to increase the temperature to sauté bacon. But why bacon?

(Andy is busy avoiding the fireball that Calcifer shots. He whisks the eggs in the pan and throws the eggshell to Calcifer )

Calcifer: (Stopping shooting fireball and concentrating on eggshell ) Yummy, yummy. It’s definitely the best food in the world.

Andy: Maybe not. Here it’s, Andy’s special made eggs and bacon. (Turning gorgeously and throwing eggs and bacon to the sky )

Calcifer: (Feeling excited and asking while eating ) How…how do you know it’s my favorite food?

Andy: (Saying humbly) Oh, it’s no big deal.

Damon: Come on, don’t be shy.

Andy: I just… (The ground is shaking while he’s talking)

Calcifer: (Saying loudly) It’s gonna be the best day in my life since I was here.

(Using props and lighting changes to present the situation of a volcanic eruption )

Andy: (Shouting) Damon, run! We need to get out of the cave or we’re gonna die.

(Andy runs towards the source of magma )

Damon: What are you doing? Do you want to kill yourself?

Andy: I’m going back to take the red gem. It’s important. (Climbing to the top of the rock )

Damon: Watch out! There’s a fireball coming from your left side.

Andy: (Dodging nimbly and reaching out to the top of the rock) No, there’s no red gem.

Damon: Get off it. You need to save your life first. Do you hear me? If you die, you’ll never go back to your place. (Pulling him down )

(They’re running out of the cave. )

Damon: (Watching the erupting volcano ) You’ve got to do something or the whole village will be destroyed. (Feeling worried )

Andy: (Watching the erupting volcano ) What should I do? (Searching his backpack and pulling out the gun) I hope it works.

Damon: A gun? Do you want to fight fire with fire? You must be kidding.

Andy: I think it’s not just a gun. (Shooting at the erupting volcano)

Damon: (Looking at Calcifer ) Whew, what a relief! We’re saved.

Andy: (Looking at Damon) I told you. It’s an unusual gun, and I’m a good shooter.

Damon: Yah, yah, yah. It’s a gun that can shoot the water back out of it.

Andy: (Ignoring) What about the red gem? I can’t find it anywhere.

Damon: We can ask Mike for some solutions. He will find it out.

Andy: I agree. (Looking at the floor ) But before we leave, I want to pick some red stones as a souvenir.

Scene: The planet of 8851

Mike: (Greeting warmly) Hey, guys! Is it a triumphant return?

Andy: (Upsetting) Hi, Mike.

Damon: Hey, bro. See what we bring from….

Mike: (Screaming) No way! This type of red stone is peculiar to the volcano not far away.

Damon: Yeah, he was erupting so Andy used Cool Down Gun to protect the village. Actually, we have a problem here.

Mike: (Being absorbed in researching the stone )

What’s it?

Andy: Hear me out, I didn’t bring the red gem back. I couldn’t find it.

Mike: Seriously? After beating the monster down, the challenger should be able to take the red gem out. It must be placed somewhere in the cave.

Andy: I tried my very best to find it, but failed. You guys’ lives are more important so I …

Damon: Hey, look! ( Beckoning they to come )

Andy: (Wondering) The red stone is starting to crack. Why?

Mike: I think I get it. It’s an unusual stone. You need to knock on the stone because the red gem is hidden inside it.

Andy: What about the one that I saw in the cave?

Mike: No brainer. It’s the fake one, of course. (Picking the stone up to Andy) Go, go ahead. Take it to the Celestial Heart to save the planet. It’s the last one.

Andy: Let’s go, Damon. (Rushing out to the store )

Damon: Actually, the Celestial Heart is just out there. (Chasing out) Andy, wait!

Andy: Wait? I can’t wait for it.

Damon: The Celestial Heart isn’t far away. It’s in the center of the town which means…

Andy: … means it’s the fountain in the middle of the Queen’s square. ( Pointing at the map )

(They stand in front of the fountain. )

Andy: (Having a deep breath ) The other six gems are already put on it, and the last gem is here.

Damon: You are going to become the glorious adventurer and go down in history.

Andy: Hey, Damon. Before putting the gem on, I would like to say something. I’m not sure if I can see you and Mike again, so thanks for taking me through the adventure. It’s truly an awesome one.

Damon: It’s my pleasure to be with you. ( Hand on Andy’s shoulder ) Well played, boy.

Andy: By the way, go to watch Howl's Moving Castle . You may find something interesting. ( Putting the red gem in the fountain of the warrior before Damon says a word)

(The stage lighting turns dim after he put the red gem on it.)

Scene: Andy’s bedroom

Andy: (Opening his eyes and looking around ) I’m home. (Looking at the PS4 that he holds in hand ) Victory. It’s victory. I finally beat the level this time. (Jigging and screaming )

Mom: Andy, stop screaming. What’s wrong? ( Only voice)

Andy: Nothing!

Mom: Then come downstairs. Dinner’s ready. ( Only voice)

Andy: Ok, I’ll be right there. (Walking happily out of his bedroom )

(Blackout)