Download - The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
1/51
THE SCRIPT
Character Sheet-Karthik Sharma- the main character.
Mother- His mother
Father- His father
Aashna Goel- The writer.
Nupoor Juneja- the English teacher
Psychiatrist- the psychiatrist
Assistant- Aashnas assistant
Small boy on bike
Onlookers- Crowd scene
Doctor
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
2/51
CURTAIN OPENS:
Act I
SCENE I- Introductions
INT: KARTHIKS BEDROOM
We see KARTHIK sleeping on his bed. A WATCH is on his
bedside table. Near his bed is a cupboard with a
mirror set in the door. There is a sink in the corner
of the stage signifying the bathroom. In another
corner there is a dining table.
NARRATOR (V.O)
This is the story of a boy. A boy named Karthik
KARTHIK yawns and wakes up.
NARRATOR (V.O) (Cont.)
And his wristwatch
KARTHIK crosses the stage to brush his teeth.
NARRATOR (V.O)
Karthik Sharma was a boy of infinite numbers, endless
calculations and remarkably few words.
(pause)
And his wristwatch said even less.
(pause)
Every weekday, for 4 years, Karthik would get up at
exactly 7:15am. He would then brush each of his 28teeth 32 times, religiously counting each
brushstroke.
His watch looked on despondently, wishing he would
use a different toothpaste But said nothing.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
3/51
KARTHIK spits and goes to the cupboard and takes out
his tie. He begins to tie it.
NARRATOR (V.O)
And every weekday, for 4 years Karthik would tie his
tie in a single Windsor knot rather than a double,
thereby saving up to 14 seconds. His watch thought it
made his neck look fat But said nothing.
KARTHIK then goes to the dining table and starts
eating his breakfast, alone.
NARRATOR (V.O)
And every weekday, for 4 years Karthik would eat a
slightly burnt toast with skimmed milk. He would make
the breakfast himself while his parents slept.
KARTHIK looks at his watch once to check the time and
EXITS
EXT: BUS STOP
KARTHIK is running across the street, his bag slung
over one shoulder.
NARRATOR (V.O)
And every morning, for 4 years, he would leave his
house at exactly 7:31 am, barely catching his school
bus. His watch would delight in the feeling of the
crisp morning air whipping across its face.
KARTHIK acts as if he is stepping on a bus and then
EXITS. We hear a background noise of a bus speeding
away.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
4/51
INT: KARTHIKS CLASS
The room is filled with desks and there is a
blackboard in the corner. KARTHIK is sitting with his
PARTNER. They have their faces buried in books.
PARTNER
Karthik, whats 42 X 177?
KARTHIK
(almost immediately)
4914
The school bell RINGS and dispersal starts. EVERYONE
picks up their bags and EXITS.
INT: KARTHIKS LIVING ROOM
KARTHIK ENTERS his house, tired.
NARRATOR (V.O)
Karthik lived a life of relative solitude. He would
exchange only a few words with his parents.
His MOTHER is sitting on the couch. She looks up to
him.
MOTHER
So, how was school today?
KARTHIK
Fine.
KARTHIK then goes to his room and EXITS.
INT: KARTHIKS ROOM - LATER
KARTHIK is bouncing a football in his room
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
5/51
NARRATOR (V.O)(Cont.)
He would play alone
KARTHIK goes to bed. He places his watch on the table
behind him.
NARRATOR (V.O)
And every night, at exactly 10:37 pm, he would crawl
into his bed alone.
(pause)
That was of course before Thursday
(pause)
On Thursday, Karthiks watch changed everything.
SCENE II- Thursday Morning
INT: KARTHIKS ROOM
KARTHIK is brushing his teeth again.
NARRATOR (V.O)
If one had asked Karthik, he would have said that
this Thursday was entirely unremarkable and just like
every other Thursdays prior. And he began it the same
way he always
KARTHIK suddenly stops brushing and so does the
narration. He seems to hear something. After pausing
for a while, he looks at his toothbrush, puzzled. He
then shrugs and resumes brushing.
NARRATOR (V.O)(Cont.)
And he began it the same way he always did with-
KARTHIK stops brushing again. He definitely seems to
hear something.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
6/51
KARTHIK
Hello?
KARTHIK resumes brushing again, apprehensively.
NARRATOR (V.O)
And he began it the same way he always did. When
others minds would fantasize about the upcoming day,
or revel in the memories of the past one, Karthik
simply counted brushstrokes.
KARTHIK stops brushing and puts the brush down
forcefully.
KARTHIK
All right, who said that? Who just said Karthik
simply counted brushstrokes? Hello? Is someone
there? Is it you dad?
KARTHIK looks around but finds no one. He gets ready
for school and EXITS.
EXT: BUS STOP
KARTHIK is waking to the bus stop with his bag slung
over his shoulder.
NARRATOR (V.O)
It was remarkable how the simple, modest-
KARTHIK stops walking. He looks around again.
NARRATOR (V.O)
It was remarkable how-
KARTHIK stops walking again. He then sighs and shakes
his head.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
7/51
KARTHIK
Must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of
Thursdays.
NARRATOR (V.O)
It was remarkable how the simple, modest elements of
Karthiks life, so often taken for granted would
become the catalyst for an entirely new life
KARTHIK tries to ignore it and just walks ahead. His
watch suddenly starts BEEPING loudly. KARTHIK stops
and pushes some buttons, trying in vain to turn it
off.
NARRATOR (V.O)
Karthik just assumed his watch had gone mad. He had
never guessed that the watch might be trying to tell
him something. Actually, Karthik had never paid any
attention to his watch other than to find put the
time. And honestly, it drove his watch crazy.
KARTHIK tries shaking the watch but the BEEPING does
not stop.
NARRATOR (V.O)
And on this particular Thursday morning, his watch
suddenly stopped if out of nothing else but sheer
frustration.
With a final, winding beep, the watch turns off and
resets itself.
KARTHIK (to a bystander)
Excuse me, whats the time?
BYSTANDER
Uh, Its 8:02
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
8/51
KARTHIK
Thanks
KARTHIK pushes some buttons on his watch and enters
the time.
KARTHIK
Wait, 8:02?
(realizes he will miss his bus)
Shit!
KARTHIK runs to catch his bus but hes too late. We
hear the sound of the bus speeding away. KARTHIK
stops and gasps for breath
KARTHIK
Damn it!
NARRATOR (V.O)
Karthik suddenly found himself beleaguered and
exasperated, standing in front of the bus stop
KARTHIK
(looks up)
Damn you!
NARRATOR (V.O)(cont.)
cursing the heavens in futility.
KARTHIK
(looks up again)
No, Im cursing you, you stupid voice!
NARRATOR (V.O)
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
9/51
His watch, on the other hand, had just thrust him
into the immitigable path of fate. As he reset the
time on his watch, little did he know that this
seemingly innocuous act would result in his imminent
death.
The air is sucked out of KARTHIK as he hears this. He
looks up, addressing the voice.
KARHTIK (shocked)
What! WHAT! No!
A few BYSTANDERS begin to look at him. KARTHIK
ignores them and just looks up, trying to talk to the
voice.
KARTHIK
No! Why? Why me? Why MY death? And how imminent?
Hello??
KARTHIK drops his bag and runs towards his home. He
then comes back to pick up his bag and then EXITS.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
10/51
Act II
Scene I- Meeting with a shrink
INT: PSYCHIARTRISTS ROOM- THE NEXT DAY
KARTHIK is sitting nervously with his PARENTS. A
PSYCHIARTRIST is in front of them on a leather couch.
She has a notepad in her hand and is occasionally
seen taking notes. His PARENTS are a bit awkward.
PSYCHIATRIST
Mr. Sharma, Im afraid what your son is describing is
a case of schizophrenia.
KARTHIK
No, I dont think its schizophrenia because-
MOM
(interrupts)
Whats schizophrenia?
KARTHIK
Hold on mom.
The PSYCHIARTRIST raises her eyebrows but lets him
continue.
KARTHIK (Cont.)
See because the voice isnt actually tellingme to do
anything. Its just narrating, telling me what Imalready doing accurately, and with a better
vocabulary. Like Im part of a story or something,
and there are some parts that are not being told to
me and I need to find out what those other parts are
before
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
11/51
PSYCHIARTRIST
before the story concludes with your death.
(takes a deep breath)
Im sorry if I sound like a broken record but what
your saying is still schizophrenia.
KARTHIK
No. No, you dont sound like a broken record, but
its just not schizophrenia.
The PSYCHIARTRIST just purses her lips and makes a
few notes.
KARTHIK (Cont.)
What if What if, we assumed, hypothetically of
course, that its not schizophrenia and- and I was
part of a story. What would you suggest?
PSYCHIARTRIST
I would suggest taking prescribed medication.
KARTHIK
Other than that.
PSYCHIARTRIST
Well, I dont know. I would suggest seeing someone
who knows about literature, perhaps. How about your
English teacher in school?
KARTHIK thinks about this. This sounds reasonable to
him.
KARTHIK
Yeah, ok. I will. Thank you.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
12/51
PSYCHIARTRIST
And Karthik, please, if the voice tells you to quit
school or buy any weapons or narcotics inform your
parents immediately.
She looks pointedly at the parents, who nod gravely.
KARTHIK and his PARENTS then say their goodbyes and
thank yous and EXIT.
Scene II- the English teacher
INT: TEACHERS OFFICE
The English teacher, Nupoor Juneja is sitting at her
desk, a hot cup of tea in her hands. There is a
bookshelf in a corner of the stage. There is a small
TV set beside it on a table. A DVD player is stacked
on top of the TV and several disks are lying around.
The bookshelf is full of books. Suddenly there is a
knock on the door.
NUPOOR
Come in.
KARTHIK ENTERS.
KARTHIK
Er, Good morning maam. Weve talked on the phon-
NUPOOR
Ah yes, Karthik. Come in, come in. Have a seat.
KARTHIK sits on the chair in front of the teacher
NUPOOR
So youre the crazy one, are you?
KARTHIK
Erm, well
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
13/51
NUPOOR
You dont mind being called crazy, do you? Im
allowed to say that right?
KARTHIK
I would prefer not.
NUPOOR
All right, so you called me about the narrator
KARTHIK
Yes.
NUPOOR
Says youre going to die.
KARTHIK
Correct.
NUPOOR
Uh huh, and how long has it given you?
KARTHIK
I dont know
NUPOOR
Dramatic irony, itll screw with you every time.
(pauses to sip tea)
Well then, this narrator, how does he seem like?
KARTHIK
Its a woman, actually.
NUPOOR
A woman? A familiar woman? Someone you know?
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
14/51
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
15/51
NUPOOR
Were you counting the tiles outside?
KARTHIK
What?... no.
NUPOOR
Uhuh, so how many tiles were there?
KARTHIK
I dont know. I wasnt counting the tiles.
NUPOOR
Of course not
There is a loud slurping noise as NUPOOR finishes the
rest of her tea.
NUPOOR
Well, Im sorry Karthik, but I dont think Ill be
able to help you.
KARTHIK
Why?
NUPOOR
Because Im not an expert in crazy. I teach
literature. And thus far, there doesnt seem to be a
single literary thing about you.
(pause as she pulls out a sheet of paper)
I dont doubt you hear a voice, but it couldnt
possibly be a narrator because frankly, there doesnt
seem to be much to narrate. Besides that, Im taking
5 classes this year, 25 projects and I also have
check 200 papers.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
16/51
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
17/51
NUPOOR
little did he know means that there is something he
doesnt know. That means that there is something you
dont know. My God that voice is literally in third
person. Ive give entire lectures on little did heknow. You know?
KARTHIK
I dont see how-
NUPOOR
Karthik, I want you to come back on Friday. No wait,
you could be dead by Friday. You can come back on
NUPOOR starts checking her schedule
KARTHIK
5 seconds ago you said you wouldnt help me.
NUPOOR
Its been a very revealing 5 seconds, Karthik.
Scene III- Aashnas Den
INT: AASHNAS HOUSE
The stage is almost empty. A small table stands in
the corner with a telephone on it. Beside it is a
leather chair. A table is in the middle on which
AASHNA is standing, close to the edge. Her eyes seem
lost and distant and her arms are stretched out in
front of her, quivering. Suddenly the doorbell RINGS.
AASHNA
Come in.
The ASSISTANT ENTERS.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
18/51
ASSISTANT
Are you Mrs. Goel?
AASHNA
(not looking at her)
Yes.
ASSISTANT
Great. May I ask what you are doing?
AASHNA
Standing on a table
ASSISTANT
I see. Why?
AASHNA
Research.
ASSISTANT
Ok. Well, Im Ruchita. The assistant. The publishers
hired me. I believe they sent an email to that
effect.
AASHNA
(looks sharply at her)
Yes, I know. The watchdog.
ASSISTANT
The assistant.
AASHNA
Youre just here to make sure I dont get distracted.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
19/51
ASSISTANT
I provide the same services as a secretary. Im just
here to make your life easier for you.
AASHNA
So that I dont get distracted. Because they, the
publishers, think I have writers block.
ASSISTANT
Do you have writers block?
AASHNA chooses not to answer this and just looks
outside the window (off stage).
ASSISTANT
(looks at pages)
Are these your pages?
AASHNA
No. Theyre letters. To me.
ASSISTANT
Do you write back?
AASHNA
I dont respond to letters.
ASSISTANT
(looking at the cigarette butts)
Did you smoke all these?
AASHNA
No. They came pre-smoked.
ASSISTANT
Yeah, they said you were funny.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
20/51
AASHNA
(suddenly)
What do you think of leaping off buildings?
ASSISTANT
Im sorry?
AASHNA
What do you think of leaping off a building?
ASSISTANT
I dont think about leaping off a building.
AASHNA
Yes you do. Everyone does. Everyone thinks of leaping
off buildings.
ASSISTANT
Well, I certainly dont. I try to think of nice
things.
AASHNA gets down from the table and lights acigarette.
AASHNA
They say and I read this in this fantastically
depressing book that when you leap off a building,
its rarely the impact that actually kills you.
ASSISTANT
Well, Im sure it doesnt help.
AASHNA
There was a photograph in it too. Its old but its
beautiful. Taken from above the corpse of a mother,
whod just leapt to her death. Theres blood around
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
21/51
her head like a halo. And her legs buckled underneath
her, and her arms snapped like a twig but her face
is so calm, so serene.
AASHNA closes her eyes and a look of complete
serenity passes on her face. The ASSISTANT simplylooks at her.
AASHNA (cont.)
I think that it was because she could feel the wind,
whipping past her face as she fell
She draws a breath from her cigarette. The look of
serenity vanishes and is replaced by annoyance as she
snaps back to reality.
AASHNA
I dont know how to kill Karthik.
(sighs)
As much as Id like, I cannot simply throw him off a
building.
(looks at Ruchita)
And you! How do you plan to kill Karthik? You, who
never thinks of leaping off buildings, what sort of
great inspiration will you bestow on me?
ASSISTANT
(sighs)
Mrs. Goel. Aashna. I have been a writers assistant
for over 25 years. I have helped more than 20 authorscomplete over 47 books. And I have never missed the
deadline. I will be available to you every minute of
every day until the final punctuation mark is
embedded on the very last page. I will also gladly,
and quietly, help you kill Karthik.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
22/51
Scene IV- At Nupoors Office
INT: NUPOORS OFFICE
NUPOOR has prepared a stack of papers. There is a
knock on the door.
NUPOOR
Ah, Karthik. Come in, come in.
KARTHIK ENTERS
NUPOOR
Have a seat. Did you count the stairs outside?
KARTHIK
No.
NUPOOR
Good, good. Okay, so what do we know so far? The
author is a woman. The story is modern, is in English
and I would daresay that the author has a cursory
knowledge of the city. Correct?
KARTHIK
Absolutely
NUPOOR
HmmmNow the first thing to determine conclusively is
whether youre in a comedy or tragedy. To quote Italo
Calvino, The ultimate meaning to which all stories
refer to has 2 faces- the continuity of life, the
inevitability of death
KARTHIK
(confused)
What?
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
23/51
NUPOOR
Tragedy you die, Comedy you get hitched.
KARTHIK
Oh. You mean like a love angle?
NUPOOR
Possibly.
KARTHIK
(dejectedly)
Oh. Great.
NUPOOR
What happened?
KARTHIK
I dont have a girlfriend
NUPOOR
Well most comic stories start with someone hating
the hero, which then develops into a romance.
Although, I cant imagine someone hating you.
KARTHIK
(cynically)
Im the class nerd. Everyone hates me.
NUPOOR
Not dislikes you. Hates you. To the very core. Cant
you think of anyone whod hate you?
There is a pause as KARTHIK thinks about this.
Moments later though, they are interrupted by a loud
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
24/51
NOISE. The T.V has been turned on. A talk show
program is going on
NUPOOR
Ah, sorry about that. The switchs broken. I told
them to fix it but no one ever listens. Where did
that remote go?
NUPOOR starts searching for the remote, grumbling
about the school authorities while she does it.
Meanwhile, KARTHIK is looking at the T.V, seeing the
show. He seems to recognize something.
TALKSHOW HOST
And so whats the name of this new book?
AASHNA
Er, sorry but I cant say that much right now. I
still have finalize the manuscript and then Ill have
a talk with the publishers soon.
TALKSHOW HOST
And whats this book about, exactly?
AASHNA
Its about death the inevitability of it and the
factors influencing it and also watches.
TALKSHOW HOST
And when can we expect to see it in the market?
AASHNA
Like I said Ill have to finalize the manuscript
first, but maybe- hopefully, at the end of this year.
I have-
NUPOOR
Ah! Found it!
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
25/51
KARTHIK
Wait! Whos that woman? (points at Aashna)
NUPOOR
Who? Her? Thats Aashna Goel. Amazing writer, writes
beautiful tragedies. Just beautiful. One of my
favorite authors
KARTHIK
Its her
NUPOOR
What?
KARTHIK
Thats her. Shes the one whos writing my story.
Its the same voice
NUPOOR
No Karthik thats- thats impossible.
KARTHIK
Why?
NUPOOR
That show I recorded is over a year ago. She
disappeared after that. Some say shes something of a
recluse, a hermit. Doesnt call anybody, doesnt
reply to her mail
KARTHIK
Weve got to find her
NUPOOR
You dont understand Karthik-
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
26/51
KARTHIK
(panicking, gets up from his chair)
No! we can find her. We could call the police. We
can-
NUPOOR
Just listen Karthik, Aashna always writes tragedies.
Always. They all end up the same. She uh, kills
them.
KARTHIK
What?
NUPOOR
She kills off the protagonists in every single book.
KARTHIK
Well then, we have to find her!
NUPOOR
Karthik, thats impossible. Ive tried, believe me.
No one knows where she is except for her, her
assistant, and maybe the publishers.
KARTHIK tries to interrupt again, but NUPOOR cuts him
off.
NUPOOR
Just listen. This narrator might very well kill you.
(pause)
So I humbly suggest you go on living with your life.
KARTHIK
(indignantly)
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
27/51
What?! I am living my life. I would like to continue
living my life.
NUPOOR
Yes, I know but I mean all of it. However long you
have left. You could- you could have an adventure or
a discovery, or, or finish playing Call of Duty.
Hell, Karthik, you could eat samosas all day if you
wanted.
KARTHIK
What is wrong with you? Who in their right minds
chooses between living and eating samosas!!
NUPOOR
You know, if you think hard about it, youll find
that the answer is inexplicably contingent on the
type of life being led
(pause)
And of course the quality of the samosas. You do
understand dont you?
KARTHIK
Yes, I understand. But you have to understand that
this is my life, not just a literary theory or
something.
NUPOOR
Exactly, so make it the one youve always wanted.
Suddenly the school bell rings. Its the dispersal.
The school erupts into a collective yell which marks
the end of the day.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
28/51
NUPOOR (cont.)
(kindly)
Im sorry bacche, I want to help, I really do. But
theres nothing I can do. Goodbye then.
She pats his arm and EXITS, leaving KARTHIK to pick
up his bag and walk out dejectedly.
Scene II- The Search
INT: KARTHIKS HOUSE
KARTHIK returns home. He enters with his key. There
is no one else in the house. He throws his bag in a
corner and sits down.
NARRATOR (V.O)
Karthiks death was quickly approaching And yet he
remained completely oblivious to the moment when his,
Sanjays and the boys courses would crash into each
other.
KARTHIK takes out his pad an starts writing. Then he
stops and throws down the pen, as if to say Whats
the point?.
NARRATOR (V.O)
Fate, like 2 careening locomotives would occur with
or without his participation. And the miraculous
mathematics would remain inconceivable for someone
like Karthik.
KARTHIK simply closes his eyes and leans back,
letting out a loud sigh.
NARRATOR (V.O)
Karthik could not understand fate. He could not
understand the behavior of his watch. He couldnt
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
29/51
even understand the desires of his own heart. So, he
certainly couldnt understand the poetry of train
wrecks. Which is why he just sat there. Alone.
KARTHIK then opens his eyes, a new wave of
determination suddenly washes over him. He takes hislaptop and starts typing furiously. He surfs the net
for any information on Aashna Goel. He finds a
publishers number. He calls the number
KARTHIK
Hello? Penguin publishers? Yes, I wanted the number
of Aashna Goel well Im hercousin brother and I
need to contact her, its an emergency Oh well, in
that case Im her second cousin All right fine, Im
a character in her story, the main character of her
upcoming book, and its vital to get to her before
she decides to kill me off-
(line disconnects)
Hello?...
Not disheartened, he tries another number
KARTHIK
Ahh, yes, is this the Writers Guild?... Well I
understand Mrs. Aashna Goel is a part of your guild
and oh, you dont give contact information?... oh
ok, then thank you.
(line disconnects)
KARTHIK sighs and buries his face in his hands. He
then hits upon an idea. He dials up his FATHER.
KARTHIK
Hey dad!-
FATHER (on phone)
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
30/51
(slightly concerned)
Karthik! How are you doing? Is everything ok? Do you
need-
KARTHIK
Dad, I need to ask you a favor.
FATHER (on phone)
Sure. What do you want?
KARTHIK
Youre in telecom, right? So if I gave you a name and
a profession, could you cross-reference it with your
data to find a subscriber?
FATHER (on phone)
I I suppose so, but why? Its against company
policy, you know.
KARTHIK
I wouldnt ask unless it was very important.
FATHER (on phone)
All right, I understand. Whats the name?
KARTHIK
Aashna Goel
Some light typing is heard over the phone
FATHER (on phone)
Im getting a lot of hits, could you narrow it down?
KARTHIK
Shes a writer, possibly lives in Delhi.
FATHER (on phone)
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
31/51
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
32/51
The room is simply furnished. The walls are stark
white. A couch is placed in the corner, where the
ASSISTANT is sitting. AASHNA is sitting on an office
chair, with a typewriter in front of her on a square,
oak table. Several cigarette butts and napkins are
scattered on the table. There is a small stool in
another corner with a landline phone on top.
AASHNA
(speaking softly while typing)
The doorbell rang.
Suddenly, the doorbell in her room rings. AASHNA
stops typing and looks sharply at the door. TheASSISTANT looks at AASHNA, who says nothing but
continues typing slowly.
AASHNA
The doorbell rang again.
The doorbell rings again. AASHNA looks at it again,
suspicious. The ASSISTANT sighs and gets up to answer
the door.
AASHNA
No! Dont!
The ASSISTANT merely shrugs and sits down. AASHNAs
hands are almost shaking as she types the next line
AASHNA
The doorbell rang a third time.
The doorbell rings as soon as she finishes typing the
full stop. AASHNA gasps and rushes to the door,
pressing the intercom button when she reaches there.
AASHNA
Hello?
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
33/51
KARTHIK (on the intercom)
Hello? Mrs. Goel?
AASHNA
Yes.
KARTHIK (on the intercom)
Im Karthik. I believe your writing a story about me.
AASHNA
Wha Is this a joke?
KARTHIK (on the intercom)
No, this is not a joke. My name is Karthik and I
count my brushstrokes every day, I do not understand
the poetry of train wrecks and-
AASHNA yelps and backs away from the door and refuses
to touch it, as if it were a huge spider.
ASSISTANT
(confused)
What? What happened? Who is it?
AASHNA
(looks up, softly)
Its Karthik.
ASSISTANT
What?
AASHNA
Its him. THE Karthik. The one in my story.
ASSISTANT
What? Are you
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
34/51
The ASSISTANT shakes her head and opens the door.
AASHNA steadily backs away from the door.
KARTHIK
(relieved)
Maam, I know this is weird, but I need to speak to
Mrs. Goel. I Im her character, Karthik.
AASHNA (from inside)
Let him in.
The ASSISTANT lets him in.
AASHNA
Oh. My. God.
KARTHIK
What?...
AASHNA
Your eyes! Your shirt!... Your shoes!
KARTHIK
Maam. Im Karthik.
AASHNA
Yes. I know.
KARTHIK
(long uncomfortable pause)
I I dont know where to start. I think youre
writing a story about me.
(pause)
Which involves my death.
AASHNA
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
35/51
Yes, how do you know?
KARTHIK
Its an incredibly long story It started on
Thursday, when I started to hear a voice- your voice,
narrating, everything.
AASHNA
(softly, to herself)
Thursday
(aloud)
Narrating?
KARTHIK
Yes, narrating like, everything.
AASHNA
Didnt you think you were crazy?
KARTHIK
At first I did but then, you were right about somany things And then you said that this seemingly
innocuous act would result in his
AASHNA
in his imminent death yes, I wrote those lines.
How did you know it was me?
KARTHIK
Its a third person omniscient, or something. So Ifigured it had to be someone other than me At least
thats what my English teacher, Mrs. Nupoor Juneja
told me-
AASHNA
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
36/51
(backs away)
Jesus
KARTHIK
Oh and she uh, loves your books.
AASHNA
(absently)
Mrs. Juneja I love her letters.
KARTHIK (cont.)
I watched a recording of a talk show you did and the
voice matched so I figured it must be you. And then Ifinally found out your number
AASHNA
How? I had told the publishers not to-
KARTHIK
My Dad works for a telecom company. We cross
referenced your name and profession to find out your
subscriber ID and then your number and then your
address.
AASHNA
You could have called.
KARTHIK
If I had, would you have believed me?
AASHNA
I suppose not.
(pause)
That was incredibly lucky though.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
37/51
KARTHIK
Mrs. Aashna, you once said I didnt understand fate.
Maybe I still dont, but I sure as hell recognize
fate when I see it.
They look at each other for a while.
AASHNA
WellNow what? I mean, this is so strange
KARTHIK
Youre telling me. But you wont kill me now, will
you?
AASHNA
Sorry?
KARTHIK
I mean, you wont kill off the character, right? Now
that you know that Im real, and not just a
character.
AASHNA
(fidgets)
Well
KARATHIK
You havent written it yet, have you?
AASHNA
Sort of.
KARTHIK
(panicking)
Sort of? SORT OF!? What do you mean sort of?
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
38/51
AASHNA
An outline.
KARTHIK
(relieved)
Ok but its just an outline right?
AASHNA
Yes, its just not typed.
KARTHIK
(shouting)
What you mean just not typed? Are you saying Im
already dead?
AASHNA
(equally loudly)
Well I dont know! I dont know how this works. Im
just tryig to write a book. I mean how do you expect
me to-
ASSISTANT
(interrupts)
Aashna. Aashna!
AASHNA
What?
ASSISTANT
Let him read it.
AASHNA
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
39/51
What?
ASSISTANT
He has a right. Let him read it.
(holds out a thick folder to Karthik)
Some of the pages, the ones at the end, were written
on some letter pads. Not typed, see?
(pause)
Just read it, and then youll understand.
The ASSISTANT gives him the folder. He looks at it
then at AASHNA. He then murmurs a thanks and EXITS.
Scene IV- The Next Day
INT: TEACHERS OFFICE
NUPOOR is sitting in her office, which is the same as
before. Shes sipping a cup of tea while reviewing
some notes. Suddenly, KARTHIK enters.
KARTHIK
Im sorry maam, but could I talk to you for a while?
NUPOOR
(surprised)
Ah, Karthik! Yes of course, how are you?
KARTHIK
I went to see her.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
40/51
NUPOOR
Who? The authors? You found her?
KARHTIK
(nods)
Its Aashna.
(hands her the folder)
NUPOOR
Is this Is this it? The manuscript?
KARTHIK
(nods)
She says its almost finished. Just the parts
containing my death arent typed. I suppose that
means I get to live for now.
NUPOOR
Did you read it?
KARTHIK
No. I couldnt. I cant.
(on the verge of crying)
I thought maybe- maybe you could read it. Tell me
what to do.
NUPOOR
(smiles kindly)
Of course Karthik. I have an unusually large amounts
of free periods today.
(looks at the folder)
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
41/51
And its not too big. I could finish it by the end of
the school. Come to me in the last period, okay?
KARTHIK simply nods and EXITS.
INT: TEACHERS OFFICE- FEW HOURS LATER
NUPOOR is fiddling with folder. There is a knock on
the door and KARTHIK ENTERS.
KARTHIK
Did you did you finish it?
NUPOOR
Yes.
KARTHIK
What what should I do?
NUPOOR
(sighs heavily)
Im sorry Karthik
KARTHIK
(voice breaking)
What?
NUPOOR
Karthik, its her masterpiece. Its probably the most
important novel in her career And its absolutely no
good if you dont die at the end
KARTHIK
You mean, I have to die? Youre telling me to
knowingly face my death?
NUPOOR
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
42/51
No Im not telling you to die. Im not even going to
tell you whats written in here. You are going to
have to make your own decision. No one can do that
for you.
KARTHIK
But I I thought maybe you could tell me how to avoid
it or something. Tell me what I have to do or not to
do.
NUPOOR
Let me tell you something. No one wants to die. But
we cant avoid it. Karthik, you are going to die,
someday, sometime. You could choke on a mint, have aheart failure at the bank, contract a virulent
disease on vacation if not now, you are going to
die and I can grantee you, it will never be as
meaningful or poetic, as she has written.
(pause)
Im sorry Karthik.
KARTHIK hangs his head, now positively crying. He
takes the manuscript from him, wiping his tears on
his sleeve. NUPOOR pats his arm and EXITS. KARTHIK
too, gets up to leave, but changes his mind and
instead sits down to read the book.
Scene V- The Writers Block
INT: AASHNAS HOUSE
AASHNA is lying on the floor, just looking at the
ceiling, smoking a cigarette. A bottle of beer lies
upturned in a corner somewhere. Shes lying perfectly
still. Suddenly, the ASSISTANT ENTERS carrying a bag
of groceries.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
43/51
ASSISTANT
(looks at her and sighs)
Aashna, get up.
AASHNA
How many people have I killed?
ASSISTANT
Look
AASHNA
How many?
ASSISTANT
Aashna, get up.
AASHNA
12. I counted. I killed 12 people.
ASSISTANT
Theyre all fictional
AASHNA
Karthik isnt fictional
ASSISTANT
Karthik is just
AASHNAHe isnt fictional, and so arent the others. Every
book Ive written ends with someone dying. Really
nice people too the book about that schoolteacher?
Ms. Priyanka? I killed her. Just before summer
vacations too How cruel is that? I killed them all
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
44/51
ASSISTANT
You kill yourself. Now get up!
Her ASSISTANT grabs her hand and pulls her up.
ASSISTANT (cont.)
You kill yourself, Aashna. The car wreaks, the
diseases, the You drown yourself, you hang yourself
in every single book. Its you. Thats why you smoke.
Thats why you sit in the rain. Thats why you are
ill. Your life has no joy, your work is dark, vicious
and you wish you could die too.
AASHNA looks at her, frowning.
ASSISTANT (cont.)
But you cant die. The teacher can. The lawyer can.
But you cant. Its why you have writers block. Your
body just cant stand the thought of dying anymore.
AASHNA
So what do I do?
ASSISTANTGet up
(pause)
And quit smoking.
Suddenly, the doorbell rings. KARTHIK ENTERS.
KARTHIK
Hello? Mrs. Goel?
AASHNA
Oh, Karthik. Come in, come in. What are you-
KARTHIK
(hands the manuscript)
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
45/51
I read it.
AASHNA
You you read it? All of it?
KARTHIK
Yes, and I loved it. I think you should continue
writing.
AASHNA
Are you serious?
KARTHIK
I am.
(pause)
I dont have much background in literature or
anything, but this seems simple enough And its my
choice to make. I loved your book and I think you
should finish it.
AASHNA
(takes the manuscript)
Are? do you?
KARTHIK
(smiling)
Ok, listen Mrs. Goel, I have to go. My parents would
be worried sick by now.
KARTHIK smiles again and EXITS, leaving AASHNAstaring at the manuscript and then at the door.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
46/51
ACT III
Scene I- The End Of The Beginning
INT: KARTHIKS HOUSE
KARTHIK is sleeping. The watch on his bedside table
shows 7:15 and starts BEEPING. KARTHIK opens his eyes
and turns it off, getting up slowly.
NARRATOR (V.O)
This particular Friday morning was brisk and
unsuspecting, as was Karthik
KARTHIK smiles slightly and starts brushing. This
time, he doesnt count brushstrokes but just brushes
in a haphazard manner.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
47/51
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
48/51
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
49/51
DOCTOR is nearby, checking some notes on a pad.
KARTHIK wakes up slowly.
KARTHIK
Wha What happened?
DOCTOR
Ah, Mr. Sharma, youre awake. Good afternoon. How are
you feeling?
KARTHIK
Like I was hit by a bus.
(pause)
Wait, Im not dead?
DOCTOR
You would be if it werent for your watch. Youve
broken 3 bones in your arms and legs and a few ribs,
a major concussion and severed your radial artery,
which should have killed you in a matter of minutes
but a shard from your watch entered the artery and
stopped blood from flowing out to keep you alive.
(pause)
Which is kinda cool.
(pause)
With some rest and medication, and some physiotherapy
you should be fine. Your watch wasnt so lucky
though. We cant take the shard out now or we risk
muscular damage so itll just have to stay there as a
memento of your survival.
The DOOR OPENS and KARTHIKS PARENTS ENTER. They hug
him tightly, his mother shedding copious tears while
doing so. They exchange condolences while we move on
to the next scene.
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
50/51
Scene III- Meeting With A Teacher
INT: TEACHERS OFFICE
AASHNA is sitting the chair in front of NUPOOR.
NUPOOR appears to be reading the manuscript, now alltyped. She finishes the last page and puts down her
glasses.
AASHNA
So What do you think? Of the new ending?
NUPOOR
Its Its okay good.
AASHNA
(smiling)
Just Okay? Not great?
NUPOOR
Its okay not the finest piece of English literature
in the last 20 years, but its okay.
AASHNA
You know, I think Im fine with okay.
NUPOOR
The story seems weak without his death. It just
doesnt fit in with the rest of the book.
AASHNA
Yes, yes, I know. Im going to rewrite the whole
book. My assistant asked the publishers for more
time.
NUPOOR
Why?
-
8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)
51/51
AASHNA
I dont know. Terribly sweet of her though.
NUPOOR
No, why did you change it?
AASHNA
Lots of reasons, but I realized I just couldnt do
it.
NUPOOR
Because hes real.
AASHNA
Yes, but also because
(pause)
The story is about a person who doesnt know hes
about to die then dies. But if the person knew he
was about to die and then died anyway died
willingly, knowing he could stop it, just to save a
strangers life
(pause)
Isnt that the sort of person youd want to keep
alive?.
THE END