1. Int. Lila’s bedroom – DAY
LILA SMITH, early twenties, in her simplistic room with just a
bed, desk, wardrobe and drawers. The room is white and tidy, LILA
is emptying drawers and packing it neatly into a black holdall,
including a camo army uniform and boots. LILA checks her army
paperwork almost systematically and picks out a university
acceptance letter and carelessly throws it in the bin. It becomes
apparent that LILA is looking for something; she opens the
drawers confused and storms out of her room.
Int. Dawn’s bedroom – DAY
DAWN SMITH, fifteen, is on her bed listening to music with her
laptop open, we can hear the loud pop-punk music, she is wearing
a bright pink jumper. Dawn’s room is dark and messy, drawers are
slightly open with clothes spilling over the sides, and clothes
scatter the floor. The curtains and blinds are drawn. There is a
photograph of a man in army uniform holding the hands of his two
young daughters. LILA bursts through the door and steps into the
middle of the room. DAWN doesn’t look up, she turns the volume of
the music playing from her laptop up.
LILA
(Voice gets louder each time she calls.)
Dawn. Dawn. Dawn!
DAWN doesn’t respond, instead increases the volume of her music
from her laptop. LILA sighs and taps the mute button on DAWN’s
laptop. DAWN does not look up at her, she unmutes her music. This
is repeated three times before LILA slams DAWN’s closed.
DAWN
What?
LILA
Dad’s old dog tags from the army, where are they?
DAWN
Ask Mum.
DAWN puts a jumper on. LILA notices the jumper DAWN is wearing
2. LILA
Wait what are you wearing? Is that my jumper?!
DAWN
You gave it to me - it’s mine!
LILA
No I didn’t! Give it back!
DAWN
You can’t tell me what to do anymore.
LILA
What’s wrong with you? You’ve been like this for months?
DAWN opens her laptop again, but with no music playing.
DAWN
Nothing.
LILA
There’s something wrong. Tell me.
DAWN
Nothing’s wrong.
DAWN’S eyes flit to the photograph of her and LILA with their
father.
DAWN
Can’t wait for you to never come home.
LILA’S face softens. She gently sits down on the bed next to
DAWN.
LILA
Nothing’s gonna happen to me. I promise.
DAWN
Whatever.
LILA
3. Dawn, please.
DAWN
What? I don’t care.
LILA
Dawn…
DAWN rolls her eyes and groans.
LILA
This isn’t forever you know. I’m coming back. And when I do it’ll
be just like normal. You can tell me about all the boys you like
and I’ll take you out for ice cream in town.
DAWN
I’m not a kid.
LILA
(softens her face and tone)
Well, we could go out for Chinese when I get back.
DAWN
Since when have you liked Chinese?
LILA
Well, I know it’s your favourite
DAWN
(interrupts)
What do you care?
DAWN ignores LILA and sits there for a while.
DAWN
Got nothing better to do with you time? Did Mum tell you to talk
to me?
(sarcastic)
That must really suck for you
LILA
No, I wanted to. God, I can’t even- Grow up!
4. LILA gets up from the bed and walks across the room. She reaches
the door. DAWN watches LILA and puts down her laptop on her bed.
She rushes across the room and throws herself at LILA, hugging
her tightly from behind, burying her face into LILA’s shoulder,
her fists balled. LILA stays still.
DAWN
(sighs)
I’ll miss you.
LILA is surprised and relieved, she turns around and hugs her
back, her head resting on top of DAWN’s.
FADE TO BLACK
