INT. Small, dark bedroom. A large form is under the blankets of the bed, covers drawn over its head. There is a knock. The form does not move. Another knock. No response
SPIRIT (A small child’s voice behind the door.)
Body? We’re coming in.
No response from the form on the bed. The door opens and SPIRIT runs in. She is a five year old girl with a glowing, light-brown complexion, sparkling eyes, and a halo of dark curls. She is swathed in a bright blue sari with shining silver thread. She jumps on the bed.
SPIRIT
Get up! Get up! Get up! Get up!
While Spirit hops up and down on the bed, MIND leans on the door frame. He is a thin, androgynous-looking young man with a blond ponytail and fitted clothing. He is trying to look casual, but is really on the door frame for support.
MIND
Don’t you have to go to the bathroom or something?
There is a GRUNT from the form and the covers are pushed off slowly. Spirit hops off the bed and grabs the hand of BODY. Body is a large, hulking ogre lady wearing pink, snuggly pajamas. She has a pleasant face that is very sad. Body lets Spirit pull her up off the bed.
BODY
I don’t feel good.
She cries. Mind and Spirit hold her up and they shuffle out of the bedroom.
INT. A small, old kitchen with herbs hanging up everywhere, and a big stove with several pots lightly bubbling. BODY, MIND, and SPIRIT enter and sit at a sturdy wooden table.
BODY
I want ice-cream.
MIND
No.
SPIRIT
I want ice-cream.
MIND
With all the stomach problems, I really
don’t think dairy and sugar are going to help us.
BODY
I don’t care.
Mind sighs and turns to Spirit who is smiling expectantly.
MIND
What are you really looking for?
SPIRIT
Comfort. (Pause) I’ll make tea!
BODY
I don’t want tea.
Mind and Spirit GASP. Then body smiles a little.
BODY
Kidding.
Spirit jumps up to make a pot of tea. She pulls a stool around with her to reach any high places, and HUMS a pretty tune.
Mind pulls out a laptop from a nearby cabinet and opens it on the table.
Body puts her head in her hands.
MIND
Ok. Let’s recap the week and plan. How are you feeling?
BODY (looks up)
Like a forgotten Christmas package in the back
of the mail truck being banged around.
Mind starts typing.
MIND
Excellent description. I should use that in a
story someday. But can you be more specific?
BODY
Stiff and sore muscles when I use them,
sometimes painful. Joints are painful.
Head is tense. Right foot swollen
and hurts.
MIND
We need to call the doctor about that one.
SPIRIT
I don’t like talking on the phone!
MIND and BODY
We know.
Spirit pours hot water into a teapot and brings it over with three cups. She plops happily into her seat and blows on her tea. Body picks up a cup and enjoys the warmth. Mind absently takes a cup and sips while still typing with one hand.
BODY
Still can’t breathe well so not sleeping.
MIND
We have allergy shots tomorrow.
SPIRIT
The ladies there are very nice, but the
needle always hurts so much.
Mind pats Spirit on the head.
BODY
Extra sensitivity, numbness and swelling.
But the biggest one is my digestive system.
SPIRIT
But the nausea is gone, right?
Body nods and Spirit gives her a hug, her tiny arms barely going around the large being.
MIND
But the diarrhea is troublesome.
BODY
Yeah, I’m losing weight but not in a healthy way.
Mind suddenly lays his head on the table. Spirit comes over and pats his head.
SPIRIT
Why don’t we take a break?
BODY
Sounds good to me.
MIND
(muffled)
We only just got up.
SPIRIT
How about we play a song on the piano?
BODY
I’m too tired.
MIND picks up his head and takes a deep breath.
MIND
Let’s decide on what we need to do today-
SPIRIT
We don’t need to do anything. We are being
taken care of by people who love us.
MIND
What we want to accomplish. Then
play the piano, then rest, and then
do something on the list. Ok?
BODY
A very short list.
SPIRIT
Let’s play Christmas songs!
Starts typing.
MIND
I have a plan if we have digestive problems
again. We are on day three of nothing major.
SPIRIT
Maybe it’s all done? Yay!
BODY
It won’t last. It’s because we increased the
medication from being so sick. Once we
start decreasing, it will be back to living in the bathroom.
Mind puts a hand on Body’s shoulder.
MIND
I have a new plan that doesn’t involve more
or different drugs. And if that doesn’t work,
I’ll call a doctor and ask for advice. Don’t worry,
I’m not giving up.
SPIRIT
I’m proud of you!
BODY
I want chocolate. Do we have any?
Spirit jumps up and grabs a box from a countertop.
SPIRIT
A friend mailed it to us because she
loves us. Yay!
They all take a piece and enjoy it with the tea. Mind types.
MIND
Ok. How’s this. We call the foot doctor-
SPIRIT
I hate making phone calls.
MIND and BODY
We know.
MIND
So we call the doctor. And then play
the piano.
Spirit takes another chocolate.
BODY
And then rest?
MIND
Then rest. Then…mop? We have guests Friday.
BODY
I don’t know if I can do that much.
SPIRIT
We can put on disco!
MIND
And if we do a little at a time,
it will get done. We can read
a chapter of our book, mop a room,
read a chapter…
BODY
Ok.
MIND
And then we are planning on going to
choir practice tonight.
BODY
I don’t know if I can handle that.
MIND
It’s hard for me too, but we want to sing at
Christmas mass, so we have to go.
SPIRIT
I get really overwhelmed too,
but everyone is so nice, and the music is so pretty.
MIND
Let’s do it!
They all high-five.
SPIRIT
On to our day! Piano!
MIND
Call the doctor first.
SPIRIT
Shoot.
They all get up.
BODY
I don’t feel good.
They all walk out, Mind and Spirit helping Body the whole way.
Rise untethered.
Move with intention.
Be grand.
Comments
WoW! How do you do that?! You encapsulate it all perfectly. ~A.