102. Hollow - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY


• JEROME leans against the wall of a bank, and cradles a chubby orange kitten with bright blue eyes.


• JEROME
• We are the end. This is how we, how we? What happens now?


• People pass him on the street, steering clear.


• JEROME
• How it ends. How it ends? I see fading stars. The land is dead.


• A WOMAN IN A BEAUTIFUL SKIRT passes him.


• JEROME
• Kiss me. Lips, lips, that kiss.


• She makes a face and moves quickly past.


• JEROME
• It's yours, your kingdom. Please, give me back my tears. Give them back.


• He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a fistful of tarnished medals and a crumpled military cap.


• JEROME
• My supplication...from my dead hands, to yours. It's your desert kingdom, for ever and ever under fading stars.


• He looks up to the bright blue sky and touches his face.


• JEROME
• Please give them back.


• He waits, but no tears come.


• JEROME
• So this is how it ends. This is how we end. This is, this is how it ends.


• He lets out a slow, ragged breath, pinched in pain, then his arm grows still.


• The medals slide to the ground, ringing as they hit the concrete.


• A PASSING CHILD, sneering, kicks one of the medals, and then kitten jumps from Jerome's arms, running to safety.


• The medal hits Jerome's chest, causing a resound hollow clank as it impacts against him.


• The boy stands back, fear spreading across his face, and he back away, then runs to his MOTHER.


• FADE TO BLACK.