A Garden of Wilting Petals

INT. WELL LIT CAFÉ - ​WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

We look down a street. It is a sunny day, and we enter the cafe
behind a man who opens the door and the bell rings loudly. There is a
healthy buzz of conversation inside the café. In the middle of the
room sit a group of friends laughing loudly, clearly enjoying each
other's company. Out the window we see that it is a beautiful sunny
day.

Suddenly, we zoom into a darker corner of the cafe. We see two

friends sitting. These are BRITNEY and CASSIE. Britney sits straight
back scrolling through her phone. She wears a classy outfit with her
hair pulled up into an elegant topknot. Zoom into Britney tapping her
nails on the table in a brusque fashion. Opposite her sits CASSIE,
who slouches low in her seat. She wears easy-going, comfortable
clothes, and a curtain of hair falls over her face, hiding her
features. She sits in a shadowier area than Britney, and is seen
observing the happy friend group while worrying her lip.

CASSIE
(turns to britney and clears her throat to break their silence)
(voice breaking, clearly worried)So..., I was wondering if you could
help me a bit at work. It really wouldn’t be for long, just a couple
of days. I mean if you don’t-

BRITNEY (finally looks up from her phone)

Huh, what, repeat that again, I didn’t hear you.

CASSIE (takes a deep shaky breath)

I was wondering if you could help me. If you could just pick up some
shifts...

BRITNEY
Cassandra, sweetheart, I really can’t, these weeks. I’m already doing
more shifts than I want. Really, another minute spent in that abysmal
excuse for a job would affect my sanity, and besides…

BRITNEY finally notices Cassie’s tense and worried demeanour and

pauses, eyes narrowing in suspicion. CASSIE takes a shaky breath and
continues.

Cassie
I know, you have a lot on your plate but please, it would be such a
huge favour. It’s my Pa, he’s sick again. He just won’t go to the
hospital. I was thinking of going to visit for a few days, try an’
get him to take it easy.

BRITNEY (observed CASSIE closely before saying)

 Uncle Ben is at it again, huh. He really needs to take it easy.
Cassandra, how many times have I told you to get your parents a few
house assistants. Seriously, It’s just basic care at this point. You
really need to step up and take better care of them. You’re all they
have. Spend more time with your loved ones, or you might end up
regretting it later.

CASSIE (with great distress at BRITNEY’s words, on the defensive)

Yea, I know, I feel so bad, but lately work’s taken such a toll and-

BRITNEY (loudly cutting through)

That is no excuse. Look, this is important, and there should be no
excuse, these are your parents that we’re talking about. Go to them.
They need you, now more than ever...

CASSIE (hopeful)
Yea, I will. So you’ll take my shifts?

BRITNEY appears to contemplate it deeply with an uncomfortable look

on her face until the suspense and anticipation has CASSIE shifting
uncomfortably in her seat.

BRITNEY (with great reluctance)

Fine, I could take some of your shifts. (sighs then jokingly)
seriously, what would you do without me? You always need my help,
don’t you? (affectionately) You’re such an airhead, of course when it
comes to your parents, I’ll take one for the team. Cus, that’s what
we are, a team. But seriously, you owe me. We must celebrate what an
awesome friend I am at the salon after work tomorrow.

CASSIE (let out a breath that she had been holding, the tension from
her shoulders ease)
Yea, of course, thank you so much, I will owe you forever. This means
so much...

Finally the request at the end hits her. The previously feld tension
returns to her shoulders.

CASSIE (worryingly, with the tension dripping from her posture)

Oh, Bri, I’m so sorry I can’t. I’d love to, but I’m going shopping
with Marissa today. She needs some help picking out a present for her
Ma.

(a pause of silence that has CASSIE shifting uncomfortably in her

seat)

BRITNEY
 I mean, I guess, yea sure, but isn’t Marissa going to visit next
month, why is she shopping now? It’s a bit silly if you ask me.

CASSIE shrugs but doesn't say anything, she is attentively studying

Britney's face, expectant and a bit uneasy.

CASSIE
Great, thanks so much Bri, maybe we can go this Saturday.

BRITNEY looks away out the window, ignoring her. We see outside that
it’s starting to cloud up a bit.

BRITNEY (replies after many beats of silence boredly)

No, sorry, I need to have an appointment.

CASSIE (confused)
With whom?

Waits a beat longer than necessary, this makes the silence

noticeable.

BRITNEY (with false selflessness)

Oh, it’s nothing really,it’s just that I’ve been getting these
headaches, the really pounding ones, you know. Lately they’ve been
getting worse, I’ve decided that they need to stop.

CASSIE (worryingly)
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that Bri, you should have told me. What
happened, when did they start?

BRITNEY
Launches into an entire explanation about what she thinks is
happening. (the voice blurs into nothing until it fades out.

Scene 2:
INT.
InT. inside a mall - ​WEDNESDAY evening

MARISSA (laughing hysterically)

O my lord, that was hilarious. Why are you not like this in the
office? I can’t believe that you hide this side from everyone.
Cassie, you need to come meet all the others. John, Brayden,
Felicity. They’re gonna love you. (remembers the joke and starts
laughing again)

CASSIE
 Yes, I would love to, when should we…(trails off)Nevermind
actually,it wouldn’t work out.

Oh, that’s okay if you’re busy this week.

No, no it’s not that. It’s just my best friend, we haven’t been
spending as much time as we used to. I need to spend more time with
her. But with all the work and my parents, I really don’t think I
should overcommit myself.

Overcommit?
Nonsense, just text me whenever you’re free and we’ll go from there.
What’s happening with your parents, you mentioned your dad. Is he
sick?

Yea, it’s his knees and heart. The doctor’s have told him to take it
easy but the stubborn old goose won’t listen. Lately, I’ve been such
a horrible daughter, there's no excuse really.

Cassie, I get that you're feeling guilty, which is a completely

normal reaction. But you need to try and think logically as well.
This has been an extremely busy time for the firm, and all of us have
been taking the brunt. I bet more than half of us have neglected our
families as well. We’re human too, you know. You’re allowed to feel
tired, and drained. You don’t need to be perfect for your family,
just be present and loving. I’m sure your parents would agree with
me, they wouldn’t blame you for being human.

CASSIE is overcome with emotion, a silent tear drips down her cheek.

CASSIE (gives a watery chuckle)

Thank you.

MARISSA misunderstands her distress for Cassie worrying for her

parents and promptly pulls her into a hug, bags and all.

CASSIE collapses into the hug and hesitantly wraps her hands around
marissa.

IT’s gonna be ok. You’ll get through this, so will your dad, he seems
like a tough cookie.

CASSIE lets out a chuckle at “cookie”.

Wiping her tears.

MARISSA
Now wadda you say we go get some post-shopping ice-cream. To
celebrate our victories.
CASSIE (giggling)
For what, buying your ma some gardening tools.

MARISSA (puts on a playful stricken face)

Girl, if I were you I would not try and get between my mama and her
tomatoes, their relationship is something sacred, blessed by the
heavens, (cassie starts laughing)veneered by the [Link] is something
mere mortals cannot even begin to comprehend. Shoot, I need to use
the restroom, wait for me?

They look at eachother and burst out laughing. MArisaa stops by the
toilet and signals for CASSIE to wait for her outside.

Suddenly they spot a figure. We see BRITNEY has spotted CASSIE and is
walking towards her. Cassie’s demeanour begins to change. Her smile
tightens and her posture stiffens.

BRITNEY
HEY Cass, fancy seeing you here. You’re shopping with … who was it
again… marissa from the office right.

CASSIE mutely nods in response. Britney looks at the shopping bags

and spots the garden center logo.

BRITNEY (jokingly)
SO, I’m being replaced by gardening tools huh. What’s next, a pair of
socks. (chuckles self deprecatingly). (pause) so how’s it going with
Marissa?

CASSIE
So great, she’s been great, really. In fact she invited me to hangout
along with a few other colleagues from work, I was…

BRITNEY (expression of panic, pauses for a beat)

Oh! Well it seems like you’ve got yourself a new best friend. I guess
I should just remove myself from the presence of her highness, since
I am seemingly redundant. (moves to leave)

CASSIE (quickly grabs hold of BRITney before she can leave)

No, no, sit, stay. I was just saying that maybe we should go
together. I’m sure Marissa won’t mind. And if you don’t want to, of
course I won’t go either. You’re my best friend Bri. I could never
replace you.

BRITNEY (face relaxing)

Well, I guess that works. (after a beat) I’m sorry, You made me
overreact. It’s just that, it’s hard to see you replacing me so
quickly. I guess I just didn’t wanna see you throwing me out of your
life without a second thought. It’s just... we’ve always been a team.
You know?

CASSIE
Replacing you, never. And BRITNEY, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean it like
that. We’re a team, of course I remember.

BRITNEY
Well in that case, I think you’re getting the wrong idea with
Marissa. I’m just saying cus I care for you. I don’t think MArissa
just woke up one day and wanted to be friends with you. I mean, where
I come from, this sudden friendliness always has some ulterior
motive. Not like in a movie, but it’s definitely not a fairytale
situation either.

CASSIE (indignant on marissa’s behalf)

Let me stop you right there. You’ve got the wrong idea, how could you
even say that. Marissa isn’t like that, she is nice and kind an...

Britney (snaps at her)

Oh grow up CAssandra. Can’t you see what’s in front of you. I’ve
tried hinting at it but I guess it doesn’t work with you. Fine, let
me give it to you straight. You think Marissa cares for you. No, of
course not, she just wanted your expertise for the tools. You hear
me, you were just there to give her advice on GARDENING TOOLS.
Seriously, how naive can you be? We’ve worked in this company for
what, 3 years now, and she invites you only now. When she suddenly
needs advice on gardening, and oh surprise surprise, she reaches out
to you for a girl’s night out. You, with your Agribusiness degree.
Seriously cassandra. Don’t tell me you didn’t see through her. It was
written all over her face. And O my lord, your face, like a child
being told christmas is coming early this year (gives a disbelieving
laugh). I guess I’m just happy that I saw everything, and a bit
disappointed that you just...(sighs) who knows what happy fairy tail
you were creating in your naive head.

Seriously, you need to stand up for yourself. Assert yourself more.

How can you just let people walk over you like that. And suddenly
it’s my fault. I’ve been trying to help you since day one. Ever since
we’ve joined this company, I’ve been in your corner. Supporting you,
standing by you. And by chance, the moment I turn my back, it’s all
over for you. Did our friendship really mean nothing? All those
laughs, the ups and lows… they’re just null and void in your
eyes…(scoffs) over gardening tools...seriously, And guess what, it’s
still up to me to save you, as always. Cus your highness can’t see
when someone’s trying to use her. No, she thinks the world is
cupcakes and rainbows. How old are you Cassandra, 9.

Cassandra's previously seen boldness to protect Marissa has

disappeared. With each word, we see her shrinking, as if trying to
disappear into the face of the ground. Her expression is that of
shock and despair.

BRITNEY sees her expression and her own turns contrite but softens as
she pulls Cassandra in for a hug. Cassandra stands stiff Britney’s
arms.

Britney (softly as if speaking to a child, lifts Cassandra’s chin so

that she is looking into Britney’s eyes.)
Hey, hey, look at me. I’m sorry, I really am. I shouldn’t have told
you like this. It was cruel of me. I just couldn’t stand to see you
hurt. Hey, it’s gonna be fine. You hear me. We’re gonna get through
this. Together, as a team. You’re one of the strongest people that I
know. You’re just tired. You know? Tired and burnt out. Here let me
help. How about this? You finish this gardening scene, since it would
be rude, but later you come over. We can get mani pedis at my house,
like we planned, and watch old movies.

(pulls her in for a tight hug, this time cassandra softens in her
arms and hugs britney back.)

That’s my girl. You’ve got this cassie. I’m here for you.

(after a moment)Look, I’d love to stay, but I’ve gotta rush. My

oven’s are still running at home. See you in a bit, ok.

Leaves. A moment later Marissa comes back.

Sorry, sorry, You won’t believe what just happened...(looks as

cassie’s expression)

CASSIE! What happened? Are you ok?

CAssie (shakily)
Yea, I’m fine, just fine. I’m not feeling too well though, maybe we
should call it a day?

On the way out we see a vase of wilting flowers on a display in a

shop.

THE END
Rationale for Power Dynamics script
-​ Flowers reflecting the mental state of Cassie.
-​ The way light reflects the person in power, with Cassie often
in the shadows.- symbolism
-​ Intermittent reinforcement- ignoring, scolding and then
encouraging
-​ Blaming cassie when she overreacted
-​ Patronising and blaming cassie when her parents are
sick-infantilising
-​ Silences and well placed pauses to show deliberate reluctance
making cassie feel indebted to britney- this is reinforced when
we see that cassie feels the need to over explain herself when
asking for help-this shows that this is regular behaviour.
-​ Putting herself as the saviour and their relationship- the one
holding it and cassie together. “The team”
-​ Juxtaposition with a non-toxic relationship
-​ Bending reality to fit the motives
-​ Light barbs at cassie “airhead”, “sweetheart”, ”her highness”-
infantilising
-​ Physical differences, britney is upright, elegantly dressed,
and commands attention- cassie slouches from attention, wears
casual and worn-threadbare clothes, wears her hair on her face
to hide her face
-​ Amount of dialogue in both relationships-differences between
the two relationships
-​ Guilt-tripping cassie
-​ Isolates from other friendships, cuts her off her other
relationships
-​ Still achieves her motives, in this case getting a manicure and
pedicure.

A calculating manipulator not an unknowing narcissist that hurts

because she’s just mean. It is targeted. She takes the state of mind
of Cassie into account, then based on that she alters her approach on
how to interact with her, be nice, critically help her but phrase it
as constructive and supportive.

Undercutting things, I can tell you where you’re wrong

Remarks
Dialogue is the only thing not italicised
Efficiency of the background
More telling than showing-too often
Cut everything that is not needed
If there is something being told-show it-
Ignoring- it looks like it’s gonna rain again, indicate in the
dialogue
Balance- dominated by direct words-not background
You're ignoring me…- you’re paranoid
Keep up the two facedness
How to make person
Did you hear me…
How communicative the person is, receding into themselves later on