No One Cares

Act 1 – No one cares at home

Roof Scene

Calvin with tears in his eyes walks up some stairs. *blackout* Penny is taking a lift to the top floor of a building. *blackout*. Both sit down at the ledge of the building then noticed each other. Unknown to both of them, there is a man that is of hearing distance.

Calvin

Bad day, huh?

*Penny sniffs and nods*

Well, I guess it’s good to know that I’m not the only one…hi, I’m Calvin…

Penny

I’m Penny… Why’d you come up here for?

Calvin

For fresh air? … Who am I kidding? I’m out here because I can’t take it down there anymore. I don’t feel like I belong anymore. Why are you up here?

Penny

I don’t know.  I see in all the movies that when you are sad you go to the top of the tallest building you can find and…

*looks down*

Well…yea…

*They both stare down the building. *

Well, I’m here because… *fade out*

Scene

4 friends are relaxing in a normal homely living room. Pat calls the maid to get drinks for her friends.

Pat

*shouts* Kak! Boleh bagi minuman untuk kawan-kawan saya tak? Kak? Hello!?

*to friends* Sorry, good help is hard to get. She’s probably ignoring me…

Brandon

LOL! Nothing to apologize for la.

Yang

Ya, we all go through the same problem leh.  Haha, anyways let’s get back to the story. Lisa, you were talking about a party at Chloe’s house tomorrow?

Lisa

Yup, Chloe’s inviting all of us.  It would be so cool! Imagine all the guys that will be there, Pat.

Yang

*puts arms around Lisa* Shouldn’t I be the only guy you should be looking at?

Lisa

Yea, um, I will be looking out FOR Pat, Yang.  Oh, Pat, Jack will be there. Maybe he’ll finally make a move.

*all laugh except Pat*

*awkward silence as everyone stares at Pat*

Pat

I doubt my parents will allow me to go to a party so early in the semester.

Brandon

C’mon, Pat, do your parents need to know? My mom doesn’t even know that I’m here! Look, the moment you tell your parents that you are going to a party with boys. It will definitely be a “no go”.    

Lisa

Brandon’s right, Pat, just tell them you are staying over in my place. Technically, you will be, after the party. You won’t be lying…

Pat

I don’t know… I’ll still have to get their permission to go to your place, Lisa, and I’m not sure whether they’ll let me… My last semester’s results were not great at all.

Yang

Why on Earth did you tell them your results in the first place? It’s not SPM anymore Pat.

Pat

I didn’t want to but they asked…

*car engine sound is heard*

And that’s them.  I’ll ask them before dinner alright? I can’t promise anything now…

Scene

Pat’s friends start heading out while her parents enter the door.  They greet each other before parting ways. 

Penny # Pat’s younger sister

*excitedly out from a room* Are mommy and daddy home?

Pat

*Sarcastically* No. That was just Santa Claus. He came a little too early this year.  Who else can it be, Penny?

*Storms into kitchen. Penny follows behind. Mom & Dad are unpacking the groceries and preparing dinner*

Mom. Dad. I was wondering if I can…er…stay over in Lisa’s house tomorrow?

Dad

Who’s Lisa?

Pat

The girl who was just here??

Dad

Which one? Weren't there two girls?

Pat

Dad, there was only one girl; Brandon just has long hair…

Dad

Oh, kids these days.  Why so sudden? Didn't you just go to Lisa’s house last Friday?

Pat

She’s having a…study group…we have a test next week…?

Dad

Why can’t you have it here? Your mom and I will be happy to prepare dinner.

Pat

Because I don’t want to trouble…Penny…we’ll be up ‘til late and I might disturb her when I get to bed…

Mom

What subject is this? I thought your semester just started?

Pat

Erm…I know right. Mr. Jacob’s a very demanding lecturer…

Penny

If you are going to study how are you going to go that party?

*awkward silence*

Pat

Penny, shut up!

Dad

Pat, what is this? Have you been lying?

Pat

I’m not lying…entirely…

Scene

An argument erupts.  The fight ranges from Pat’s lying to her parents, to her bad results, and then to her attitude.

Pat

You know what?! Nevermind! I’m just going to rot in my room for the rest of my life!

*heads to room but stops at Penny*

This is all YOUR fault!

*Stomps into room and slams door. Parents continue to shout at her and then they start fighting among themselves on who is to blame. In the midst of the turmoil, Penny is forgotten.*

Scene

Camera zoom on Penny in tears. Theme song (music only) plays as she runs out the door. Parents do not take notice and continue to shout at each other and Pat.

Act II – No one cares among friends

Roof Scene

Back to the roof of the building

Penny

And that’s why I came up here…why are you here?

Calvin

My story isn’t as nice as yours it’s definitely not as interesting…you won’t like it…no one will.

Penny

C’mon, I told you mine, it’s your turn now. At least, I dunno, somebody must know your story.

Calvin

I’ll tell you mine since you told me yours alright? *fade out*

Scene

Calvin is walking alone.  There is a group of people in the group in front of him.  His classmate, Nathan, is walking behind him and rushes to catch up.

Nathan # classic extrovert

Hey Calvin! Wait up!

*Calvin pauses for Nathan until Nathan catches up*

Hey, I didn’t see you in class yesterday…

*Calvin tries to respond but…*

You know what you missed? Serene joined us for lunch. Oh man, it felt so awkward talking to her instead of talking about her.  She was so hot and all. Jane and Laura were so obviously jealous because me and Mike kept on talking to Serene during the WHOLE lunch.  Oh man, too bad you missed it.

Oh and did you know that that I heard that Ken is getting pretty close to Laura? I should have noticed it yesterday but I was too focused on Serene the whole time that I didn’t bother to tease Laura on who she was messaging so much.  Haha…man, who knew one day of absence, would miss so much! I’m never going to skip another class.

Speaking of classes, do you know what happened in Chem class yesterday? Mr. Brians actually asked me a question out front in front of the whole class but I wasn’t paying attention and all because Serene was still in my head so I just said, “It depends”, and it worked! Oh man, yesterday was such a good day.

*Throughout the monologue, Calvin would make effort to try to make it into a conversation but fail.*

Oh my! I didn’t know that Serene was just ahead of us! Hey, I got to go, I hope you understand. Catch up another time alright? Ciao!

*Nathan runs after the group of people walking in front, leaving Calvin alone again.*

Calvin to himself

Goodbye Nathan.  I guess you didn’t notice that it wasn’t Mike that ate lunch with you and Serene but me. *sigh*

Scene

Calvin goes to lunch and sees Ryan another classmate eating alone. Calvin walks up to him and attempts to join him.

Calvin

Hey Ryan, eating alone?

Ryan

Hey Calvin! Nope I’m eating with my old schoolmates. They are ordering their food now.  You came alone?

*Calvin nods*

Well have fun then. I know you like eating alone and all.

Scene

Shocked Calvin stands stun until Ryan’s friends arrive and Calvin leaves slowly. He hears their laughter as he walks away, and tears begin to form. Theme song begins to play (music only). Lead of into Calvin’s Song starts.

<Rap>

Calvin’s Song

Who is there to hear my plea?

Who here knows my misery?

Yea, I was delusional; maybe egotistical

To think that you cared for me

I mean…

What is a friend

When not on one of them I can depend…on

Do any of you bother to hear my sad song?

What a surprise; you’ve been saying nothing but lies

I now can see the evil behind your disguise.

<Chorus>

I’m done with all the lies you’ve said

I need nothing more to fuel this hate

I know that the blame is mine

I can see it clearly

I can read all of your signs

That no one will miss me

No one will miss me.

Act III – Someone Cares

Roof Scene

They both stare down the building. 

Man

It’s a pretty far way down…and it’ll be pretty messy.

*Calvin and Penny are startled and quickly get off the ledge*

Calvin

Who are you?

Man

Who I am is not important but the one who sent me is…

Penny

My Mom?

Calvin

Befrienders?

Man

*chuckles* Hmmm…I would guess both those answers can be acceptable, but no. You see…Kevin, no? Kenny? No? Casey?...Oh, right, Calvin and err…Perry? Penny! Right! Where was I? Right, Calvin; Penny, when it seems almost impossible to believe that someone would care for you…

*Song: Before the world began*

Calvin

God told you I’d be up here?

Man

Well, not exactly. You see, I came up here tonight to remember one day about five years ago when I was up here looking down very much the same way you two are.  I stood right there swearing and crying and cursing. I was angry…angry because my marriage of about two years was on the rocks, I just got fired from my job…I felt that no one cared. I stood here thinking whether the world would be any different without me in it. I stood there thinking whether the world would even miss me. I pondered for so long until the sun rose. And I felt the warmth and comfort, and I remembered what I heard one Sunday when I was younger, “No matter how dark and powerful the night may seem, remember that God sent His SON/Sun to bring us light and lead us to the right path…

Scene

The sun rises in the distance *fade out* Theme song plays:

No One Cares

Verse 1  

DO you care to know my name?

DO I mean a thing to you?

Or am I just another passer through

Gone like the dew.

Can you hear my silent screams?

Can my eyes tell my pain?

Or do you think that I’m just insane

And turn away again?

The silent treatment hurts

And I fade into a corner

I live a life without a peer

I’m a hermit; a loner.

Pre-chorus 

This is not the life I chose

This is the life I want to close…

Chorus

No one cares; No one cares

This is the song that I declare

No one cares; No one cares

Does anybody hear my prayers?

Who would so kind salvation send?

I have come to understand

That No one cares.

Verse 2

The shouting starts anew

Their fighting never ceases

Am I the only one who wants some peace

Instead of these releases?

The reasons are unclear

But the hatred is so real

Mom and Dad you fighting will…

End this family’s tale.

I feel helpless as they fight

I feel helpless in this life.

And I need a way to end this strife

SO I head into the night…

Pre-chorus

Chorus

Bridge

But then I hear a name

Of a man who came

And he helped the helpless to their feet.

His love knows no end

I cannot comprehend

Why he chose to take my seat

Now a new song I will sing

A message to you I’ll bring

Of this man who died for us…

Jesus

And now I know that…

Chorus 2

Jesus cares; Jesus cares

This is the song that He declares

Jesus cares; Jesus cares

He is here to hear our prayers

He has come, we are now set free

Our price has been paid on Calvary

Because Jesus Cares

After song…

Man

When it seems that no one cares *points up* He does.

Back to You

Verse 1

How often have I fallen

How often have You picked me up

How often have I let you down

How often have You refilled my cup

Verse 2

How often have I left you

How often have You accepted me back

How often have I failed you

How often have You showed me my track

Pre-chorus

And here I am again I’m lost

I’m reminded of my dept, the cost

Chorus

That it took a life to set me free

And what am I doing with this liberty

Wasting away with earthly schemes

Wasting away on worldly dreams

Oh God, bring me back to You

Verse 3

How often have I ran

How often have You waited for me

How often have I sinned

How often have You forgiven me

Bridge

Bring me back to the time when I first found you

Bring me back to the place when Your love was true

Oh God, bring me back to You

What Could Have Been

Verse 1

It’s said that stick and stones may break our bones, but words will never hurt.

With lies that were said, a price was paid and left me in the dirt

Regrets and mistakes, pain and heartaches, are all I’ve left to feel

The love of the past that did not last is all I’ve left of you

 Chorus

Out of the pouring rain; you walked away

Out of my broken heart; I prayed you’d stay

But you never did and never will

The days have passed and I still believe

That what we had was the real thing

Instead of moving on I’m caught up in what could have been

Verse 2 

It hurts my heart to know that this part did not have to be this way

It hurts my soul because I don’t know why we grew away

Of all the days I’ve missed your face, again the thoughts of you begin

Instead of moving on I’m going on about what could have been

Bridge

*still thinking about it :)

Masons

When Brack was still young when creatures of all size, shape, and intellect roamed freely, legends were born.  It was during this time that when brave souls perish, their souls would continue to live on in Brack.  These spirits roamed Brack as observers but were not able to be seen or affect the land in any way – they were in the land but not of the land anymore.  They were tasked as judges of new souls.  When life is lost, they would evaluate and judge to see whether a new spirit would join them or be sent to the fires of Tophet.  They saw many innocents fall many of whom they had a chance to prevent if only they were able to touch the earth of Brack.  They became angry because they felt helpless and decided to approach the great Avon with a proposal. 

                They left Brack and ascended to Godholm and into the throne room of Avon.  They bowed before the throne and their representative, Armason, spoke on behalf of them.  He said: Great Avon, we, thy witnesses of Brack, hath seen many brethren fall – a great unnecessary slaughter of good souls and birth of new spirits. We knoweth that thou hath forbidden thy servants to intervene physically in the realm of Brack but only in the matter of the spirit. Now, great Avon, heareth our plea: Long hath we witnessed the death of innocents, and long hath we no means to intervene.  But we knoweth a tear forms in thy eye whenever an innocent is lost.  Avon, all we asketh of you is that thou wilt lift the barrier that prevents us from interfering.

                Avon’s eyes were unreadable.  He sat still on his towering throne as the spirits lay prostrated before him.  He knew that it was only a matter of time when the brave spirits would not be able to bare the injustice of Brack.  But he also knew that if the barrier between the tangible and the intangible was lifted, the spirits would have no mercy against any with a plot of any evil intention.  Avon had given the spirits the ability to read the thoughts of everyone and if they were allowed to intervene in the affairs of the tangible, no creature of Brack would be given a chance to change his mind.  Avon looked up and answered in a fearful and powerful voice.  He answered: I understand thy hurdles, and I giveth unto thee two choices. If thou wilt wish to once again touch the earth, thou must give up thy great knowledge which alloweth thee to see everything, but if thou wilt choose to remain as only witnesses, nothing of which will change. 

                Armason was an old spirit, one of the first thirty spirits, and was full of wisdom and understanding – his age allowed him to understand almost all of Brack.  He called forth the spirits to divide among themselves who shall go forth and touch the land again and who shall remain.  There were fifteen thousand seven hundred spirits in all and twelve thousand stood on the side to return to the tangible world.  Avon eyed each of them and said: Let this be mine warning to thee: the road back to Brack is a hard one and many wilt be lost.  You will no longer be witnesses, but wanderers until the age of Nightfall if thou wilt be lost in the journey.  With those words, three thousand left the group and stood on the other side – nine thousand remained.  Avon continued: Without the gift of thy great knowledge, many of you wilt fall by the swords of thy enemies.  Another three thousand left the group. Avon spoke once more: When you return, I hath no bodies for you to inhabit for thine bodies hath long rotted away.  Instead thou shalt inhabit the elements for they are spiritless.  Thou shall have no flesh but thy skin shall be the dust, the winds, the stones, and the seas.  With those words many became afraid and another three thousand left the group.  Three thousand remained steadfast in their decision. 

Avon was pleased with their courage and said: Armason, thou and thy spirits hath championed a valiant cause.  I shalt send you all forth unto Brack.  You would no longer have thy great knowledge of everything, but I shalt give unto you a great knowledge of each other so that if any of you shalt be in danger, your brethren can come forth to help you.  I sent you forth as judges, as the hammer, as Armason’s three thousand – as Masons!  Then Avon made a pass with his hand and a doorway opened.  Armason took his last look at Godholm, a place his eyes will never see again until Nightfall, and walked through the doorway followed by his masons.      

Fears, sorrow, happiness, anger, and pain flooded Armason and his three thousand as they made the way back into the tangible realm.  Emotions overwhelmed them as they once again felt what it was like to breathe the air of Brack.  After what seemed to them like decades, they emerged in the land of the living.  They looked at each other and then at themselves amazed – none of them were spirits, nor were they creatures of Bracks, neither learned ones nor dumb ones.  They were the elements of Brack – they were masons.