Life is a Journey Ep 2

neighbourhood.
INT. ALEXâS HOME- DAY
Alex enters, walks into the living room and puts his bag on
the couch. Heading towards the kitchen when suddenly we have
the point of view from someone who is hidden, watching him.
The figure slowly creeps behind Alex just as he turns
around.
ALEX
Muffin! I missed you!
MUFFIN, Alexâs beloved female golden retriever. Medium
sized. Alex squats down and rubs her.
ALEX (CONTâD)
Did you miss me, huh? Did ya? Come
on, letâs go get a snack.
23.
INT. KITCHEN- DAY
Alex sits at the counter eating a sandwich. Muffin eats her
dog biscuits on the floor next to him. Bustling in from the
garden door is MRS. WARD. 60s. Circle glasses. White fluffy
hair.
MRS. WARD
Alex, youâre home! How was your
trip?
ALEX
It was good.
MRS. WARD
Is Chris coming over anytime soon?
Iâll make his favourite Mac n
Cheese.
ALEX
No...he wonât be coming over
anytime soon or anymore for that
matter.
Mrs. Ward takes a seat next to him.
MRS. WARD
Why? Did something happen?
ALEX
He and his family are migrating.
MRS. WARD
Oh! Iâm sorry to hear that.
ALEX
Anyway, what were you doing
outside?
MRS. WARD
Doing a bit of weeding.
ALEX
Mrs. Ward! Mum said you shouldnât
be doing that! Thatâs what the
gardener is for!
MRS. WARD
I know, I know...I was bored.
Everything in the house was spick
and span but the garden was in a
mess. I couldnât help myself!
Mrs. Ward chuckles.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
ALEX
But still...what are you doing
after this?
MRS. WARD
Grocery shopping.
ALEX
Iâll go for you. You need to rest.
MRS. WARD
No, you donât have to. I can
manage.
ALEX
Mrs. Ward, you canât over-work
yourself. Youâre not getting any
younger.
Both laugh.
MRS. WARD
Oh, alright.
Mrs. Ward fishes about in her pockets.
MRS. WARD (CONTâD)
Hereâs the list and some money.
Alex takes it, washes his utensils in the sink and heads out
with Muffin following him.
ALEX
Iâll be back soon!
MRS. WARD
Take your time!
EXT. DAMODAR CITY, NEW WORLD SUPERMARKET- DAY
Alex is bending down to face Muffin.
ALEX
Muffin, you have to stay here OK?
You canât come in, Iâll be back in
a jiffy.
He then gives Muffin a pat and walks in. Muffin obediently
sits down. At the same time, someone walks out holding a
pie. Muffinâs nose twitches, she gets up but then sits back
down, staring after him.
25.
INT. NEW WORLD SUPERMARKET- DAY
Alex is walking down an aisle reading the list, holding a
shopping basket. He stops and looks for something on the
shelves. Behind him, he hears someone struggling. Turning
around he sees an elderly man trying to reach for something.
He goes to him.
ALEX
Here, let me help you.
ELDERLY MAN
Oh, thank you young man.
The elderly man makes way for Alex who takes a tin of
chocolate biscuits off the shelf and hands it to him. The
elderly man receives it with thanks and shuffles away. Alex
then makes his way to the check-out counter. He stands in
line and overhears a conversation.
CASHIER
Sir, Iâm sorry but youâre $2 short.
ELDERLY MAN
Eh? I bought this last week and it
was only $2.95.
CASHIER
The price has gone up, sir.
The elderly man sighs with disappointment.
ELDERLY MAN
I see. Itâs just that my
grand-daughter loves these
biscuits, and I walked all the way
here with only $2.95.
The elderly man is about to walk out when Alex comes over.
ALEX
Wait, Iâll pay for it.
ELDERLY MAN
Young man! Why, itâs you again!
Alex pays the cashier and hands the tin biscuits to him
ALEX
Here, your grand-daughter must be
waiting for you.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.
ELDERLY MAN
Bless you! Youâre truly my guardian
angel today! Thank you so much!
ALEX
No problem, glad I could help.
ELDERLY MAN
Your parents should be proud to
have raised someone like you.
EXT. NEW WORLD SUPERMARKET- DAY
Alex walks out with him then bids him farewell. He watches
the elderly man make his way home.
ALEX (VOICE OVER)
His grand-daughter is lucky to have
a grandfather like him. Someone who
walks a long way to buy your
favourite snack, who cares for you,
loves you...
Muffin whines and Alex looks at her.
ALEX
Sorry, I took a while Muffin.
He rubs her head and Muffin runs off.
EXT. MCDONALDS, LAUCALA BAY- DAY
Alex runs after Muffin with his bags of groceries, calling
her.
ALEX
Muffin! Stop! Where are you going?
If this is revenge for making you
wait long, I said Iâm sorry!
Alex sees her stop in front of a guy sitting at a table. He
runs in that direction and arrives huffing and puffing.
ALEX
(out of breath)
Iâm...sorry about...my...dog.
MARK LUVENI. 20s. Average. Short dark hair. He seems amused
at the spectacle in-front of him.
MARK
I think heâs hungry. Can I?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.
Mark shows the pie he had been eating and Alex gestures the
affirmative, other hand on hip breathing heavily. Mark gives
Muffin his last piece of the pie and Muffin gulps it
greedily.
MARK
Whatâs his name?
Mark bends down to rub her.
ALEX
Its a she and her name is Muffin.
MARK
Ah yes, I heard you yelling it out.
Nice name.
Muffin whines while looking at Mark.
MARK
Sorry, Muffin thatâs all I had
left.
ALEX
Anyway, I gotta get going.
Alex shows his shopping bags.
ALEX (CONTâD)
Thanks for being nice to Muffin.
MARK
No worries.
Alex walks away with Muffin while Mark watches them and
laughs to himself.
INT. ALEXâS HOME, KITCHEN- DAY
Alex enters and sees Mrs. Ward and a little girl playing
Scrabble at the table. He puts the shopping bags on the
counter and joins them.
MRS. WARD
Alex, help! Your sister is getting
better at this.
EMILY TIKO. 10. Wearing pigtails. Takes a sip of her orange
juice.
EMILY
I think Mrs. Ward is just letting
me win.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.
MRS. WARD
(innocently)
Why do you say that?
EMILY
You could have played that triple
word score but you didnât.
MRS. WARD
I couldnât make any word there.
EMILY
How about those other two before?
MRS. WARD
I had bad letters? Oh alright, you
caught me!
Mrs. Ward laughs.
EMILY
Aha! You donât have to do that, you
know.
MRS. WARD
If I did, you would be complaining
about showing you some mercy!
EMILY
Oh, when you put it that way...
Emily smiles shamelessly.
MRS. WARD
Anyway, what do you kids want for
lunch?
Both Alex and Emily look at each other with a knowing smile.
ALEX AND EMILY
Pizza!
MRS. WARD
I knew it!
Mrs. Ward stands up from the table and goes to the cabinets,
taking out the required ingredients.
EMILY
Weâll help you.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.
MRS. WARD
OK, Alex you can get started on the
dough. Weâll prepare the toppings.
The three of them work on making the pizza. Laughter fills
the kitchen while Muffin prances around them. While the
pizza is in the oven, they clean up then sit at the table.
EMILY
I wanna go somewhere for the
holidays. So boring at home...
MRS. WARD
Why donât you try asking your
parents?
EMILY
Theyâll just say theyâre busy. But
Iâm glad Grandpa is coming.
Mrs. Ward glances at Alex whose facial expression changed at
the mention of him.
MRS. WARD
You must be excited, huh?
EMILY
Yup, he always brings me a gift. I
find something weird though.
MRS. WARD
What is it?
EMILY
Why doesnât he bring anything for
Alex?
Alex starts to fidget in his chair.
MRS. WARD
Maybe because Alex is an adult now
and doesnât need to have lollies
and toys like you do.
EMILY
But he also brings something for
Daddy and Mommy...why not Alex? Iâm
not his only grandchild.
ALEX
I told him not to bring me
anything. Like what Mrs. Ward said,
Iâm big enough now and he doesnât
have to.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 30.
EMILY
But...
MRS. WARD
I think the pizzaâs ready now!
INT. ALEXâS ROOM- DAY
Alex is lying on his bed, music playing. Thereâs a knock at
the door.
MRS. WARD
Alex! Alex!
Alex gets up, turns down the music and goes to open the
door.
ALEX
Yeah?
MRS. WARD
Emily and I are going out. Do you
want to tag along?
ALEX
Mmm...OK.
EXT. ALEXâS HOUSE- DAY
Mrs. Ward is holding Emilyâs hand as Alex walks behind them
with Muffin as they make their way out.
EXT. MS. ROSEâS PORCH- DAY
A woman watches this from next door while sitting on the
bench. MS. ROSE. 60s. Long dark curly hair. Her two cats sit
beside her.
INTER-CUT BETWEEN THE TWO NEIGHBOURS.
MS. ROSE
Going out with the kids today?
Mrs. Ward looks over and acknowledges her.
MRS. WARD
Yes. Emily feels bored at home so
weâre just going out for a bit.
MS. ROSE
Its good to get out of the house,
not right to be cooped in all day.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 31.
Muffin suddenly rushes to the fence and starts barking at
Ms. Rose. Alex rushes over to calm her down.
ALEX
Muffin, stop it! Muffin!
Alex is trying to hold Muffin back from the fence.
MS. ROSE
Good gracious! What a vicious dog!
Why you even keep her, I donât
know.
ALEX
Sheâs very friendly. Maybe its your
cats.
MS. ROSE
Perhaps...
Ms. Rose gets up and takes her cats back inside with her.
Alex turns to look down at Muffin.
ALEX
Bad Muffin! Bad dog!
Alex gives Muffin an angry look as she whimpers. He then
stoops down and cups her face.
ALEX
I canât stay angry with you. Donât
do that again, OK? Just ignore her
cats.
Muffin gives a bark and the four of them continue on.
EXT. SUKUNA PARK- DAY
The park is a hive of activity with children riding on
merry-go-rounds, ferris wheels and choo-choo trains. Mrs.
Ward sits on the bench with Alex while Emily is on the
rides. Muffin is sniffing at a nearby plant.
MRS. WARD
Are you still upset with what Ms.
Rose said?
ALEX
No...maybe a little.
MRS. WARD
Iâm sure she didnât mean it.
Alex nods as Emily comes running over.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.
EMILY
I wanna go on the ferris wheel.
Mrs. Ward, will you come with me?
MRS. WARD
Alex, why donât you go?
ALEX
No thanks...Iâm scared of heights
remember?
MRS. WARD
Its not a very big one, its small!
ALEX
(shakes head)
Nah-uh.
Emily tugs at his arm.
EMILY
Pleasssseee Alex! Pretty pleassse?!
EXT. FERRIS WHEEL- DAY
Alex is clutching at the handle with his eyes closed.
EMILY
Alex, donât be such a scaredy-cat.
Its not that high up.
Alex opens his eyes and looks around as the ride starts
moving. As the ferris wheel progresses, Alexâs grip on the
handle is even tighter, as if for dear life.
ALEX
I donât know what made me do this.
EMILY
Just relax and enjoy!
ALEX
Easy for you to say. My hands are
all sweaty.
EXT. SUKUNA PARK- DAY
Alex and Emily make their way back to the bench where Mrs.
Ward and Muffin are.
MRS. WARD
Did you two have fun?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 33.
EMILY
Yup, but I think Alex was about to
pee his pants!
Emily laughs.
ALEX
Yeah, right!
EMILY
You should have seen him.
Emily imitates Alex gripping the handle, eyes closed and
frozen like a statue. Alex then tickles her.
EMILY (CONTâD)
Arghhhhhhh! Alex, quit it! Mrs.
Ward!
Alex stops and takes a sit on the bench. Emily stands in
front of them.
EMILY
Can we go get ice cream? Please?
INT. MCDONALDâS SUVA- DAY
Mrs. Ward and Emily are sitting at a table while Alex stands
in line reading the menu screen. As he reaches the counter,
the server is surprised to see him. Its Mark.
MARK
Oh, we meet again.
ALEX
Huh?
Alex studies the face in front of him before he remembers.
ALEX
Ah, the pie guy.
Mark laughs.
MARK
Yeah, what a coincidence! Is your
dog still with you?
ALEX
Yeah, sheâs waiting outside.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 34.
MARK
She seems to be very obedient and
well trained.
ALEX
Thanks, I raised her.
MARK
So, what can I get you?
ALEX
Iâll have a cone ice cream, a Oreo
McFlurry and a regular chocolate
sundae. Oh and a small fries.
Mark prepares the order and Alex pays for it. As Alex is
about to walk away holding the tray in one hand and the cone
in the other, Mark stops him.
MARK
By the way, Iâm Mark.
ALEX
Iâm Alex.
Alex gives a smile and goes to join Mrs. Ward and Emily. He
hands the cone to Emily and the McFlurry to Mrs. Ward. Then
he takes a seat and starts to dip his fries into his sundae.
EMILY
Youâre so weird, eating like that.
ALEX
Its yummy though, do you want to
try?
Emily makes a face and continues licking her ice cream cone.
Mrs. Ward eats a spoonful and looks at Alex.
MRS. WARD
You seem to know that young man.
Mrs. Ward nods in Markâs direction. Alex turns his head and
follows her gaze.
ALEX
Hmm? Oh, yeah. We met earlier
today.
MRS. WARD
Is that so?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 35.
ALEX
Yeah, as I was done with the
shopping, Muffin ran off to
McDonaldâs. I found her with Mark
wanting some of the pie he was
eating.
MRS. WARD
Really? How funny! Looks like
Muffin might have found you a new
friend.
Mrs. Ward looks behind Alex and sees Mark looking their way.
He looks away and Mrs. Ward smiles to herself.
INT. ALEXâS HOME- NIGHT
The trio and Muffin arrive back home. Emily sinks onto the
couch and Alex turns on the TV. Mrs. Ward heads to the
kitchen. Alex sits opposite Emily with Muffin.
EMILY
What time does the drama on again?
ALEX
10.15
EMILY
I canât wait to watch tonightâs
episode. I read that the lawyer guy
gets stabbed while trying to
protect the police woman.
ALEX
Oh really?
EMILY
Yup...I hope they end up together.
Suddenly the sound of a car engine is heard outside. Emily
jumps up and runs to the window.
EMILY
Theyâre home!
She runs to open the door and in come CHARLES and VICTORIA
TIKO, Alex and Emilyâs parents. Charles. 40s. Showing signs
of a growing potbelly. Victoria. 40s. Shoulder length dark
flowing hair.
CHARLES
Ah, home sweet home.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 36.
VICTORIA
Hey, munchkin.
Victoria and Charles hug Emily. Alex turns back from the
couch.
ALEX
Hey, Mom and Dad.
CHARLES
Hey kiddo.
Victoria walks to Alex and rubs his arm.
VICTORIA
Hi honey.
They both head upstairs. Emily takes a seat on the couch
again.
ALEX
Do you always have to do that?
EMILY
Do what?
ALEX
Get excited every time they come
home. Its not like youâve not seen
them in a long time.
EMILY
Iâm just happy to see them, thatâs
all.
ALEX
Uh huh...
INT. KITCHEN- NIGHT
Everyone is at the table having dinner. Muffin lies down
beside Alexâs chair.
CHARLES
I see the gardenâs been tended to.
Did the gardener come around?
ALEX
No, Mrs. Ward did it.
Both Charles and Victoria look at Mrs. Ward in surprise.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 37.
VICTORIA
Mrs. Ward, you know you shouldnât
be doing that.
MRS. WARD
I know, I know. I was already
scolded by Alex.
Both Charles and Victoria laugh.
EMILY
Iâm done. Can I go watch TV?
VICTORIA
Go ahead, munchkin.
INT. LIVING ROOM- NIGHT
Emily runs in and turns on the TV. She then lets out a gasp.
EMILY
Itâs on!!!
Everyone is now gathered in front of the TV still holding
their plates. Muffin has also followed them and is lying
beside Alex.
VICTORIA
Where are they going? They just
left their food like that.
ALEX
To save the detective.
VICTORIA
Why? What happened?
EMILY
Sheâs gonna take down the bad guy
by herself.
VICTORIA
How did they know?
MRS. WARD
The lawyer guy remembered something
she said earlier.
VICTORIA
What did she say?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 38.
CHARLES
Vicky, for the love of Pete! Could
you stop with all the questions? If
we were at the cinema, others would
call security to chase you out!
VICTORIA
Excuse me, I missed the last
episode.
ALEX
You can watch it online.
VICTORIA
Really? Could you show me after
this?
ALEX
OK.
They continue watching and eating in silence. Gasps break
out as a particular scene is being played.
VICTORIA
Oh my gosh! Is he going to die?
CHARLES
Why would they kill off one of the
main characters?
VICTORIA
Well, it could happen you know.
Silence.
VICTORIA (CONTâD)
Is the detective going to end up
with the lawyer or the doctor?
Everyone groans in annoyance.
VICTORIA (CONTâD)
What?
INT. ALEXâS ROOM- NIGHT
Alex is tossing and turning in his bed. He sighs, sits up
and checks the time. Then he gets off the bed and shuffles
out.
39.
INT. KITCHEN- NIGHT
Alex trudges in while stretching and stops in his tracks. He
sees a dark figure sitting at the table. With the help of
the moonlight he identifies that person and switches on the
light.
ALEX
Mrs. Ward, what are you doing up at
this time?
MRS. WARD
(startled)
Oh, Alex. I didnât know you were
there. I couldnât sleep.
Alex takes a seat beside her.
ALEX
How come?
MRS. WARD
I got a call from my son.
ALEX
Did something happen?
MRS. WARD
Yes, its good news actually. Iâm
going to be a Grandmother again.
ALEX
Thatâs good to hear. But you look
sad.
MRS. WARD
Its just that I havenât seen my son
in a long while.
ALEX
Why donât you go visit them?
MRS. WARD
I was planning to, for Christmas
and New Year but theyâll be doing
some travelling.
ALEX
Why donât you join them?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 40.
MRS. WARD
I donât like all that travelling. I
can handle the flight over but not
constantly going from one place to
another.
ALEX
But travellingâs fun.
MRS. WARD
Not for me it isnât. Last time I
went to Savusavu to visit my
daughter I got sea-sick. But Iâm
glad that my other son lives close
by, in which not much travelling is
required.
Mrs. Ward laughs and then silence fills the air.
MRS. WARD (CONTâD)
Besides, youâre all like my second
family.
ALEX
Have you ever thought of retiring?
Then you could live with your
family.
MRS. WARD
Honestly, Iâve never thought of it.
Never crossed my mind.
ALEX
Because you were busy looking after
us, right?
MRS. WARD
Yes, and I owe it to your parents
for helping my family when we were
in need.
ALEX
How did they?
MRS. WARD
They helped me put my three kids
through school. Ever since my
husband left us, I thought it was
the end of the world. I didnât
complete school, had no job and
barely survived each day.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 41.
ALEX
How about your family? Didnât they
help you?
MRS. WARD
I was disowned by them. They didnât
want me marrying a man like him. I
was young you know? I thought I was
in love, that I found the one. I
lived in a bubble that bursted when
I discovered his true nature. We
argued and he just left, havenât
heard from him since.
ALEX
So how did you meet my parents?
MRS. WARD
It was like fate really. I was
sitting outside their bakery and I
was crying. I had been all over
town looking for a job. I didnât
know what to do. Then your Mother
walked past and saw me there. You
can guess what happened and now
here I am.
ALEX
I never heard about all this
before.
MRS. WARD
Yes and I donât think Iâll tell
another soul about it too. Letâs
just keep it between ourselves,
shall we?
Alex nods.
MRS. WARD
Ah, this little heart to heart has
somewhat lifted my spirits. I feel
like I can now sleep happily.
She gets up, goes to Alex and pats his shoulders.
MRS. WARD (CONTâD)
Thanks for lending me your time.
Good night...or rather, good
morning.
She walks off chuckling. Alex stares after her until she
leaves his sight. He then gets up and heads out the garden
door.
42.
EXT. GARDEN- NIGHT
Alex sits on the chair. He looks up at the night sky.
Suddenly he hears someone whispering on the other side of
the fence. He gets up slowly and quietly walks over, putting
his ear close.
VOICE
Ginger, you donât like it here,
donât you? I know.
Alex realizes its Ms. Rose.
EXT. MS. ROSEâS BACKYARD- NIGHT
INTER-CUT BETWEEN ALEX AND MS. ROSE
MS. ROSE
But for my plan to work, we have to
stay here until its done. Iâve put
in too much time and effort to get
here.
She moves away from Alexâs listening ears. Alex follows the
sound of her voice along the fence.
MS. ROSE
I know heâs coming back. Iâve
tracked him all this time. Now heâs
right where I want him.
ALEX
(thinking)
Who is she talking about?
MS. ROSE
He thought heâd do that to me and
Iâd be fine? Ha! What does he
know?!
She continues to move away from Alex and he tries to keep
up. Suddenly he trips over a pot plant and crashes heavily
into the wheelbarrow. Ms. Rose hears it and whips her head
about.
MS. ROSE
Whoâs there? Is someone there?
Alex scrambles up and keeping himself hidden, rushes back
into the house. Ms. Rose steps on a piece of concrete and
looks over the fence to see no one. She looks about then
steps back down and hurries back in. Alex who had been
hiding behind the garden door peeps out, scared.
THE END