Doorways
Character Description:
John:
A middle-aged man, John is a quiet, introspective individual. He has a slight stoop from years of working at a desk job, and his eyes carry a hint of melancholy. He's always well-dressed, favoring muted colors and simple patterns. He has a habit of fidgeting with his wedding ring, a sign of his lingering attachment to his late wife.
Emma:
Emma is a young woman in her late twenties. She's vibrant, full of life, and has a contagious laugh. She dresses casually, often in bright colors that reflect her personality. She's John's daughter, and despite her cheerful demeanor, there's a hint of sadness in her eyes - a testament to the loss they both share.
Backstory Scene:
The stage is set with a simple living room. There's a couch in the center, a coffee table in front of it, and two doorways on either side of the stage. John is sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the television. Emma enters from the left doorway, holding two cups of coffee. She hands one to John, then sits beside him. They sit in silence, the only sound being the low hum of the television.
Emma breaks the silence, "Dad, we need to talk about mom." John stiffens, his grip on the coffee cup tightening. They delve into a conversation about their shared loss, their memories, and their struggle to move on. The scene ends with a promise to each other to start healing, to step through the doorway of grief and into acceptance.
Dream Sequence:
John falls asleep on the couch, the television still humming in the background. The stage dims and when the lights come back up, it's transformed into a whimsical kitchen. John is standing in front of a vibrant, glowing dishwasher, a familiar figure beside him - his late wife, bathed in a soft glow.
JOHN: (Stammering) "Is that really you?"
WIFE: (Gently) "Yes, it's me, John. But in this dream, I'm not just your wife. I'm also this magic dishwasher."
John looks at the dishwasher, now glowing even more brightly. The door opens, revealing a sparkling interior that twinkles like a starry night sky. Suddenly, cups with tiny, expressive faces painted on them start jumping into the dishwasher, causing a bit of a commotion.
JOHN: (Surprised) "What's happening?"
WIFE: (Laughs) "Oh, they're just excited. They love being cleaned. But sometimes, they get a little too enthusiastic."
As they talk, one particularly eager cup jumps in prematurely, causing a small flood of soapy water to spill onto the kitchen floor. John and his wife laugh, and she waves her hand, magically cleaning up the mess.
WIFE: (Smiling) "See, even in dreams, dishwashers can cause a bit of trouble."
John and his wife engage in a heartfelt conversation, reminiscing about their past and expressing their unspoken feelings. As the conversation draws to a close, John finally feels a sense of closure and comfort, knowing that his wife's love will always be with him, even in the form of a magic dishwasher.
Outlook Scene:
John wakes up on the couch, the first light of dawn breaking through the windows. He looks around the now-empty living room, feeling a renewed sense of peace and strength to move forward in life. Emma enters from the left doorway, looking at John with concern.
EMMA: "Dad, are you okay?"
JOHN: (Nods, smiling) "I am, Emma. I think... I think I'm ready to move forward."
The scene ends with Emma and John, a renewed sense of hope in their eyes, ready to step through the doorway of acceptance and into a new chapter of their lives.
Logline:
In "Doorways: Two people sitting on a couch, doorways," a grieving father and his estranged daughter navigate their shared loss, confront their past, and journey towards healing, all while sitting on their living room couch. Through a magical dream encounter with his late wife, the father finds the strength to move forward, symbolizing the doorways of their past and future.