The End | Teen Ink

The End

June 11, 2019
By anigrib_20, Buffalo, New York
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anigrib_20, Buffalo, New York
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Author's note:

This piece was written as part of a final creative writing assignment for my 11th Grade AP Language and Composition class. 

The author's comments:

The protagonist experiences the first vision. 

BEGINNING: EXT. PARK, EARLY AFTERNOON (15+ YEARS AGO)

Lights slowly illuminate the stage.
Park bench sits center, facing the opposite direction
of the viewer. The wind blows leaves across a path in
front of the MAIN CHARACTER (#1), as people walk by
with pets, out on a jog, etc.
Above the main stage is a large platform/second level
where the flash-forwards later take place in the MAIN
CHARACTER's mind.
We watch people pass by, lights dim slightly to show a
short passage of time. In the background we hear wind
blowing, birds chirping, people shouting or talking in
the distance.
It continues this way for some time.
Suddenly, MAIN CHARACTER jolts as a spot flashes on
them; the rest of the stage goes into a blackout.
From the platform above, a voice:

WOMAN

Jamie?

(a beat)

Jamie, can you hear me?

Spot grows slowly on woman on the platform, however
still bright on the MAIN CHARACTER.

Are you seeing this? They've signed it, that's it, Jamie. Get
your bag together and meet me in an hour.

(a beat)

Sweetheart, I don't know when. It could be... a while before
we're able to-
(beat)

I don't know. I'm sorry.

The light dims on the WOMAN as she hangs up and rushes
away, troubled. The spot on MAIN CHARACTER remains for
a few seconds as the park bench rotates to front.
Suddenly, the MAIN CHARACTER jolts again as the lights
come up. MAIN CHARACTER catches their breath as they
try to wrap their head around the vision.

People continue to walk by, going about their normal
business as MAIN CHARACTER shakes their head, figuring
it was nothing, that they fell asleep and began
dreaming. MAIN CHARACTER rises, still somewhat
confused, but nods to their head to themself in an
attempt to justify any doubt, as they exit.

The author's comments:

We explore the nature of #1 and #2's relationship through a discussion of the visions. 

MIDDLE: INT. APARTMENT, LATER THAT DAY

MAIN CHARACTER (#1) enters, still puzzled by the
continuous barrage of visions that they can't quite
piece together. SIGNIFICANT OTHER (#2) stands doing
something in the apartment (unspecified action). As #1
closes the door, #2 turns.

#2

What happened to the "short walk?"

#1

I got distracted.

(Beat)
Should I call a doctor?
#2

What?

#1

I mean, it's nothing big, I've just been a little off with
these things I keep seeing, I don't know.
(Crosses room to mirror)

Do I look pale to you?
#2
What did you do now?
#1 pauses.

#1
(Hurriedly)

Nothing, I did absolutely nothing, really.

#2 scoffs, turns back to previous unspecified
activity.

#2
(Under breath, partially
poking fun)
That's what you said last time-
#1

Last time was a dumb mistake and you know it-

#2

-doesn't mean I can't blackmail you with it at family get
togethers-

#1

Hey, I-

(A beat)

Look, I'm actually concerned about this, this thing.

#2

Do you actually want to tell me about it this time?

#1

No.

(Pause)
It's probably nothing anyways-
#2

If you're so worried about it, why don't you just tell me?

#1

It's nothing, probably. It's just a dream.

#2 turns, near exasperated.

#2
This was all about a dream?
#1

Potentially.

#2

Potentially? Jesus, what are you on?

#1
(Raising voice)

I don't know! It's just, I keep seeing things and they kind
of all fit together. I'm not usually one to believe this kind
of thing, but these visions? I'm pretty sure they mean
something. It doesn't matter when, either. I had four walking
home. Come on, you can't tell me this is nothing. I feel like
I'm seeing, like, a prophecy or something.

#2
(Pauses, frustrated at this
point with #1's antics.)

You are going absolutely insane.

Cross to door, picking up keys and phone from a table.

-Maybe we should call a doctor.

Exits.

The author's comments:

Final scene where the main characters reconcile years after the visions, and they are met with a great surprise as they prepare to move on in their relationship. 

END: EXT. PARK, EVENING, 15+ YEARS LATER (PRESENT)

Once more, we see the park bench. At first, the bench
is facing away from us, but as the lights come up the
bench rotates so it is facing the audience.
We hear the same birds chirping and commotion of a
city park as people walk by as they did before.
The MAIN CHARACTER again sits in the center of the
bench, but is noticeably older, whether depicted
through appearance, clothing, etc. Others around the
park are now wearing clothes to match the present day,
perhaps more are on cell phones or devices, etc.
MAIN CHARACTER looks happy, satisfied with their life
after this passage of time, despite some of the mental
toils they've had since piecing the visions together.
They've never truly known if it was all real, all
prophetic and true, but the weight of knowledge does
take its toll, regardless of the visions being truth
or fallacy.
They sit for a few moments, watching people pass by.
Soon, we see another familiar face stroll towards
them. #2.
After being parted for some time, the pair seems to be
meeting in reconciliation. #1 waves from a distance,
and stands to greet #2, rather amiably. The two
embrace. As the background noise of the park quiets,
#2 speaks as they sit:
#2
(awkwardly)

It's been a while.

#1
(chuckles)

It has.

#2
Any news on the dreams lately?
#1

They weren't dr- No. Not since I figured it out.

#2
(Teasingly)
...Guess I was right after all.

#1

I guess so. Doesn't mean it won't happen later. None of that
looked remotely familiar back then.

#2

Let's not get back into this. We're here to have fun, and all
of that reconciliation bullshit, right? Who says we can't get
a drink, you know? Finally talk it out? Right?
#1 smiles, glad to see #2 the same as before.

#1
(Rising)

Right.

The pair begins to walk from the bench. They make it
halfway off, before a WOMAN crosses their path, then
continues beyond them.
She's on the phone, hurriedly dialing and waiting for
someone to pick up. #1 stops dead in their tracks and
double-takes at the WOMAN. They've seen her before.
They've seen this woman too many times, although she's
never seen them.

#1 (CONT'D)
(Dreadedly)

No. No, no no-

#2
(Worriedly, stopping to see
what is going on with #1)

What, what is it?

#2 looks at the WOMAN, not understanding #1's growing
dread, until the WOMAN speaks. Both watch and listen
as the WOMAN says:
WOMAN

Jamie?

The lights black out on stage. The final words we
hear, in complete darkness:

Jamie, can you hear me?
END.



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