MeZza9

Scene 14 – Orbital

The hero and the woman are sitting next to each other on the stairs of a dilapidated building. Camera comes closer, climbs the stair, stands behind them. As if it’s somebody watching over them bends between their heads to zoom in to whatever the hero is showing to the woman.

He holds a map of the area. Capital Ms are covering the map with variable density.

The faraway sound of a train passing.
The hero speaks first.

“It’s strange, this is.”
“What’s strange?”
“Look!”

He shows a specific area, almost totally covered with Ms.
Continues.

“This is where we are right now.”
“What’s so strange about it?”
“This is the place I always felt most comfortable in. Even as a child. When I felt persecuted by the MeZza9 I’d run here. If I made it to this building I knew I’d be safe.
It just doesn’t add up”

The woman sighs in despair.

“You just don’t get it, do you?”

The hero seems baffled.

Camera rises, walks between them and goes down the stairs. Gives them a last stare, as if out of curiosity.

They don’t speak.

Camera moves on. Empty street, buildings on the verge of collapsing.
A black cat walks out of nowhere. It moves quickly, then disappears into thin air.

Fade out.

Scene 15 – That’s what friends are for

The woman is sitting at a table outside a pub, cigarette in hand. With her a male her age. They’re having a pint of Guinness each. She seems worn out. The man is bearded and has a caring look about him. Camera is assuming the point of view of a third party.

She has a sip off her pint.
The man speaks first.

“Why on earth are you doing that?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’s draining you.”
“Obviously.”
“Then why?”
“I have to admit, it has borne some fruit.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do.”

The man shrugs.
The heroine gets a drag off her fag. Looks into his eyes. Speaks.

“You’re not worried about me, are you?”
“Kind of. But somehow I feel you’ll pull it through.
You’re determined.
Just make sure you’re sufficiently grounded.”
“Isn’t that what I’m doing right now?”

The man has a sip off his drink, too.
Shakes his head. Speaks.

“You’re in love with this lad, heh?”

She chokes on her Guinness. Looks as if she has been caught in a rather embarrassing act for a split second. Almost immediately assumes a poker face, though.

“What makes you say that, mate?”

The man laughs whole-heartedly. She laughs with him.

Cut.


Scene 16 – Let’s face it

The hero stands before the stairs where he and the woman were sitting on in scene 14. He holds a piece of paper off a notebook. Camera shows his profile and is ready to follow him.

Voice over.

I guess today is the day.
I’m all prepared for it.
Wish I knew what would become of me after the confrontation.
Will I ever be the same again?

He takes one step at the time.

Voice over continues.

I’ve lived in fear of the MeZza9 since a very young age.
Still, over these past few days… I think I’ve started feeling for it. If that makes any sense.
It’s been around more consistently than any other presence in my life. It has defined me. It has made me who I am, for better or for worse. It’s a part of me, let’s face it.
I don’t want to get rid of it. I’d rather we made peace.

He disappears into the dark.

Cut.


Scene 17 – mezzanine

The hero reaches the mezzanine of the building. A large mirror hangs on one of the walls. He stands in front of it. Camera follows him, then halts.

Left hand in his khakis’ pocket. He finds a piece of white chalk. He draws a circle around him. Writes the following clockwise around the circle.

MeZza9

Mezza9

mezza9

mezzanine

He makes sure he stays in the circle.

Cut to:

The woman, in her bed, tossing and turning.

Cut to:

The woman’s mate, doing gardening on a bright day. Kneeling on the soil.

Cut to:

The hero standing in the circle, facing the mirror.

Voice over. The woman’s voice.

Summon the MeZza9.

Camera shows both the hero and his reflection in the mirror.
The hero speaks.

MeZza9, come forth.

It’s time we made peace, you and I.

Words appear on the mirror one by one, then disappear.

MeZza9

Mezza9

mezza9

mezzanine

The hero shakes as if electricity is going through his body.

Voice over.

Welcome home, mate.

The mirror emits bright light that becomes more and more intense. Camera catches a glimpse of the hero collapsing within the circle before it gets blinded by the light.

Cut.


Scene 18 – Exit the Refrigerator

The bright white corridor of the first scene. The hero comes out of it facing the camera. Continues to walk.

Cut to:

The hero finds himself on a beach. Sunny day. Walks towards the sea. Camera stays a bit behind.

The woman is lying on the sand, eyes closed.

He lies next to her. Moves his hand close to hers. His fingers barely touch hers.

She smiles.

The hero’s sisters appear; they’re running, chasing each other in turns. They eventually sit down breathless.

Camera comes closer to them.

The younger one gets up, looks at her sister with a naughty smile.
Runs to the sea. Stops just before the waves. Steps back.

She finds a stick. Writes ‘MeZza9’ with it on the sand.

Her sister comes to see what she’s writing. She shakes her head. They laugh loudly.

The waves come over the sand.

MeZza9 is slowly washed away by each wave.

The sound of the waves blends with the sound of the girls’ laughter.

Fade out.-


To Gaz and his insomnia
To me mate Jase
To Makis and Periklis for winding me up
And to my sis Marina for the concept of Mezzanine.