Journey's Mercies

Few days from now, you’re moving on

Flying off into the horizon

Off to experience a whole new world

With new things to see; new things to learn.

I guess I wish you the best

May God grant you peace

And when you’re overwhelmed

May He grant you release.

May the grace of His love

And the blessings from His hands

Help you to find

His great gift of friends

Those that He’s given

And those that He’ll send.

When you’re settled down, please don’t forget me

Let me know you’re safe and sound

Let me know that you are happy

Seek me out when you feel down.

Limbo

I had my life worked out; I had it planned to the end

I had no worries, no doubts; nothing I couldn’t understand

But you had to come with your beautiful smile

And throw a stone into my plans

And now I’m stuck in limbo

And I don’t know where to go

You could have made it easy

But you didn’t make it so

So am I chasing rainbows or chasing blue moons

Can we be together in this crowded big balloon?

My heart is a mess but you hold the key

Are you gonna try to fix it or just let it be?

I’m here in the crossroads and I’m running out of time

Should I let you go or make you mine?

Can you open your mind and show me a sign?

You threw in a spanner, and my heart skipped a beat

You lit up a fire and cranked up the heat

But your words are vague but leave me speechless

How do you pull of such a feat?

Letting Go

Letting Go

Characters:

Boyfriend: Nathan

Girlfriend/conscience: Jane

Friend: Bryan

New girl: Sarah

Synopsis:

The whole scene is shot from the perspective of the girlfriend.  The girlfriend has been in a fatal accident and acts as the “conscience” of the boyfriend.  The whole time the boyfriend is oblivious to the girlfriend’s existence because…well, she’s a ghost.

Scene:

House scene.

Boy wakes up from bed.  On the other side of the bed, the girlfriend stirs as he sits up dazed.  She sits up next to him and cuddles him from behind.

Jane:

Why do you look so blur this morning? It’s a great sunny day. Look at the sky! It’s so bright. Can you hear the birds singing? It’s your theme song for the day! Go!

Scene:

Boyfriend suddenly jumps up from the bed and heads to the bathroom.  Girlfriend falls back on the bed.

Jane:

Hey!

Scene:

Jane stands outside the bathroom fidgety.  Then she hears crying and she rushes into the bathroom to find Nathan in tears.

Jane:

It’s okay. I’m here. Nate, I’m here. Everything’s fine. 

Scene:

*cut scene* Nathan is dressed in going out clothes and starts leaving the house. He enters his car with Jane sitting in the passenger seat.  Nathan looks into the car mirror and wipes more tears from his eyes as he turns on the engine and drives off.  Scene switches alternatively from passenger to driver.

Jane:

Look at the time *points at the car’s clock which says 9:02* we’re gonna be late again, Nathan. Why have you been acting strangely these past few weeks? Ever since the accident, you haven’t been yourself.

Scene:

Show flashback of car accelerating into another car/barrier

Jane:

I told you, it was not your fault. It was just an accident. You have got to start letting go and move on.  There was nothing you could have done.

Scene:

Nathan looks at the road and slams the breaks.  He almost crashes into a car. 

Nathan (crying):

I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE! I can’t do this without… I can’t live with this guilt. There was so much I could have done, Jane. SO MUCH! I should have paid more attention to the road. I can’t do this. I can’t do this. *rests head on the steering wheel. 

Jane (crying):

Yes, you can. Listen, Nathan, you can move on. I know you’re stronger than that.  I’m alright.  I’m not hurt anymore.  You’ve got to let go, Nathan. I can’t be here forever you know. Now, wipe up those tears and get to the mall, he’s probably already there. 

Nathan:

I don’t want to meet him…I just want to be alone. I’m sorry…

Jane:

Oh, enough already! Nathan Lee Jing Wen! I’ve had enough of your sob story. You got to be the man, and man up. Bryan is waiting for you. See *indicates the phone* He’s calling you already.  Now, let’s clean this face of yours up and maybe you’ll meet a pretty girl there. *smiles*

Scene:

*cut scene* Café scene.

 Nathan and Jane walk into a café and sees Bryan.  Bryan welcomes them to sit down.

Bryan:

Nathan! Long time to see, bro *shakes hand but ignores Jane*. So how has things been, man?

Nathan:

Well, it can’t get any worse right?

Bryan:

C’mon la, dei. It’s been months since that happened.  You know that letter she wrote you right? She told you…

Nathan:

…to start letting go and start moving on. I know, but I keep on thinking that…

Bryan:

Do I have to slap you to your senses for you to wake up? You are not the only one that misses her.  But we all knew that she always tried to prepare for anything.  She wrote you that letter not for you to go all emo all the time. She wrote you that letter so that you’ll have closure.  And she wrote me a letter to make sure you move on…

Scene:

Bryan looks over Nathan’s shoulder and smiles.  Nathan turns around to see Sarah walking towards them.

Bryan:

*as Sarah approaches* Nathan, you remember Sarah right?

Nathan:

*gives Bryan a stare* Yea. Hi, Sarah. *shakes her hand*

Sarah:

Hi Nathan

Jane:

*nudges Nathan* Ooooo, she’s pretty pretty. I knew I could count on Bryan.

Bryan:

Well, would you look at the time? I know. I know. I’m a terrible matchmaker right? Well, that can be your first conversation as you guys start making your way to the cinema for your show. *takes out two ticket stubs and hands them to Nathan.* Oh, Sarah, don’t worry about transport, Nathan has so kindly volunteered to send you home after the movies. *Nathan gives another stare* Don’t look at me like that, Nathan, it’s not attractive at all.  Now go get going, your movie starts in five minutes!

Scene:

Bryan runs away leaving Nathan and Sarah together with Jane.  Nathan and Sarah walk side by side out of the café and Jane follows behind.  They reach a road and Nathan and Sarah cross it.  Jane stops at the sidewalk.  *camera zoom on Jane’s face as she smiles*

Jane:

Take good care of him, Sarah. *Jane fades*

Scene:

*cut scene* Nathan’s room.

Nathan is reading the letter from Jane. *camera scrolls letter as theme song silently plays as Jane’s voice reads the letter.

Letter:

“Hey Nathan, I guess things didn’t turn out as it seemed.  I know you’re going through a hard time now, and I know you’re probably hurting.  I know that you are going through a difficult time and all I have to say is that I’m sorry.  I’m sorry we can’t go on all those fantastic trips we planned. But most of all, I’m sorry that I left you just like that without warning.

I want you to know now that you can’t change the past. What happened has happened. There was no way you could have prevented this from happening – even the weather forecast isn’t always right.  Now you have to be strong okay? You have to move on.  I want you to learn to let go. I know it’s not going to be easy but you have to. 
Promise me that you won’t blame yourself for this.  Promise me that you won’t stay forever in that abyss that you go whenever something bad happens. Promise me that when you finally find the strength to move on, you’ll go out there and find another girl.  I know you won’t forget me.

Thank you for giving me so much. Thank you for loving me. and my only wish is that you’ll learn to shower another with just as much love as you have shown me.

You are forever in my heart

Jane the Dame  :)

Scene:

Nathan closes the letter and lets it go on the table *zoom on hands*.  His phone vibrates.  Picture of Sarah on screen.  He smiles and picks it up. *fade out*

-END

Theme song can be found here: http://pioneerinspired.blogspot.com/2012/09/letting-go.html

Letting Go - Theme Song

Verse I

I know it’s hard

I know it hurts you

I know what you’re feeling

I know the pain is true

Prechorus

But you can’t change the past,

No, you couldn’t forecast

What happened has happened and you got to learn

Chorus

Letting go is never easy

I know you won’t forget me

But you have to be strong

And start moving on

For me

Letting go is never easy. 

Verse II

I’m sorry

We planned so much together

I’m so sorry

That I left you in the weather 

Bridge

Promise me, that you won’t blame yourself for this.

Promise me, that you won’t stay stuck in this abyss

Promise me, that you’ll learn to let go and move on with your life

And when the time comes you’ll find yourself a wife

p.s. This song was written specifically for a female lead for the backing track for a script which can be found here http://pioneerinspired.blogspot.com/2012/09/letting-go_8.html.  

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 :)