150. Brevity - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. EMPTY ROOM - DAY


• AISHA sits in a room that is bare with the exception of a baby grand piano, a purple orchid sitting on the piano, and small tea lights scattered around the room.


• A small window allows sunlight to leak into the room.


• A single door, thick with locks is behind her.


• Aisha plays, her eye closed, as a plaintive melody fills the room.


• The sound of keys being inserted into the locks breaks the beauty of the music, but she never stirs.


• A MAN in an immaculately pressed suit enters the room, his well-polished shoes reflecting the candles.


• He surveys the room, then begins to meticulously extinguish each of the candles.


• As the candles die, Aisha slows down.


• She struggles to move her hands as more candles die.


• She slumps, still struggling to play.


• The man blows out the last candle and peers over at Aisha.


• She is still playing, a single finger pressing out the notes.


• He frowns and walks to the piano.


• He studies her, then turns to the orchid.


• He gently runs his finger up its delicate stem, caressing it.


• In a seamless movement, he snaps the orchid away from the stem, crushing the flower in his hand.


• Aisha's head hits the keys and she gasps once, then freezes.


• The man surveys the room, then walks briskly to the door and closes it.


• The sound of his keys locking the door sound through the room.


• FADE TO BLACK.