EXISTING HEART

By: Emily Thiessen

CHAPTER ONE

Black screen, all that can be heard is the sound of rustling leaves and birds' songs.

Pan overhead of a forest, it is the end of the summer and the leaves are beginning to fall. There is a woman walking slowly in contemplation. Her voice is heard, but her face is not shown.

WOMAN
Grey winds, grey fires, grey lands...grey lives. There is no color to be seen in a world where one's heart is numb. I may step on lush grass and golden leaves, but I do not feel them. Birds may sing their sweetest song but I do not hear them. There is nothing for me in the world that I walk in. There is no beauty, nothing which strikes my heart in amazement- it is all dull and lifeless. But this is the world I was thrust into, the moment that a man's blade ended the life of my inspiration, my hope...my love.

She comes to a clearing in the woods, where a funeral ceremony is taking place. The woman walks towards the monument, completely oblivious of her surroundings. She caresses the statue as she walks around it, tracing it with her fingertips. Her face is finally revealed as she pauses and bows her head. Suddenly the monument and the funeral ceremony disappear, and she is left standing alone in the middle of the clearing.

WOMAN
I will never know life again.

OPENING CREDITS

In a grand palace courtyard, it is nighttime and a masquerade is taking place.

Cut to the aforementioned woman's room, she is sitting by her window and staring at the festivities. Her activity (or lack thereof) is interrupted by a knock on the door. She jumps a little. Enter a man of about twenty years, who has the same dark hair and fair complexion as the woman.

AIDAN

I sent the maids to prepare your costume.

SEONA

I don't know why, I've never been one for parties.

AIDAN

Seona, you're lying and you know it. I will never forget that one ball where you had a little too much wine...

SEONA
And that's exactly it. I had too much wine and acted stupidly.

AIDAN

You were the star of the night.

SEONA

I sang horribly.

AIDAN

You had an excuse. Wine tends to do that to people.

SEONA

You weren't supposed to agree!

AIDAN

I never did (laughing)

Seona breathes deeply, smiling a little. Aidan puts his hand on her shoulder, a brotherly gesture.

SEONA
How long have you lived with us, Aidan?

AIDAN

Do you really think I could remember?

SEONA

No, but I remember. Fifteen years, and you're just now starting to sound like my brother.

AIDAN

You just needed a little cheering is all.

SEONA

Well deserved, I suppose.

AIDAN

What with all that journeying around the halls, looking much like a ghost...I'd say you deserve it. Come, the maids will be waiting with your costume by now.

SEONA

Thank you, Aidan, but I think that this will be another masquerade where my presence remains invisible.

AIDAN

Alright... but you know where the maids' quarters are. If you ever get the impulse...

SEONA

I will. Thank you.

Aidan smiles, and exits. Seona gets up and walks towards the door to close it, pausing to trail Aidan's steps with her eyes. She closes the door, and climbs into her pillow-drowned bed. She falls asleep. Cut to the brightly decorated courtyard, where two men are sharing a drink.

KING CARBREY

It's a bit brisk tonight, isn't it?

DUKE GREGOR

Brisk it is! But it is also a perfect night for a party.

KING CARBREY

Ah, that it is. It has been so long since this kingdom has known peace, one might almost question if they remember it.

DUKE GREGOR

The people do appear awkward and unsure, though possibly under the influence of alcohol!

KING CARBREY

They are having fun, it appears. It is a good sight.

Aidan appears, walking leisurely with a drink in hand.

KING CARBREY
And speaking of good sights, my would-be son, Aidan!

AIDAN

It has indeed taken a while, but I have finally come to comfort with me being like a son to you.

KING CARBREY

I've thought of you as such ever since I discovered you in that monastery where the monks looked like clambering fools trying to care for you!

AIDAN

Though I had good reason to be in there.

KING CARBREY

That you did. I can't imagine what kind of a mother would abandon her child. To the monks no less!

AIDAN
(laughs) They couldn't care for a child if they tried. I remember the blisters I got from copying pages from the bible!

KING CARBREY

Yes, you and my daughter seem to have an uncanny relation about that. That book is all she's reading these days!

AIDAN

True enough. (smiles)

KING CARBREY

Speaking of which, my daughter was supposed to appear, was she not?

AIDAN

I did my best, my lord, but she wouldn't hear it.

KING CARBREY

Well, I should send you in again! I think she needs some fun, and perhaps a bit of ale.

AIDAN

In all honesty, I think her solitary peace is the best thing for her at the moment. She needs some time to think about things, get them out of her head.

KING CARBREY

Ah, you bring up a good point. Well, if she won't, why don't you come and sit with me and the duke for a while?

AIDAN

The duke won't mind my presence?

DUKE GREGOR

Of course not. I am not as viscious as the rumours may imply!

AIDAN

Thank you, my lord.

Zoom out from the courtyard. Cut to Seona's room, zoom in on her face. She is now awake, but still lying on her bed. She is sobbing quietly. Cut back to Aidan, who is now tuning out the conversation between king and duke. He looks toward Seona's window, and breathes deeply a breath of painful compassion. End of scene.