213. Veiled - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY


• AZZAH sits in the corner of the livingroom watching the chaos.


• BADI'A, her mother, stands, swathed in a dark burkha, at the center of the room shaking her fist at KARIF, her husband.


• She clutches a smaller burkha in her hand.


• Her brothers RAFI and SAAD join in.


• BADI'A
• It's time for her to wear a burkha.


• KARIF
• She's young...and small, let her run around a little more, enjoy her freedom.


• He smiles at his daughter.


• She relaxes a bit in the warmth of his glance.


• RAFI
• She's right Dad, that one runs around like a boy shaming all of us.


• KARIF
• Just a few more months.


• BADI'A
• Do you want me to show you the panties again?


• Karif sighs.


• KARIF
• No.


• BADI'A
• She's a woman and she will not dishonor this house running around naked. The guests will be here soon and I will not have her dressed immodestly.


• Karif sighs and glances apologetically at Azzah, then waves his hand in assent and leaves the room, followed by the boys.


• Badi'a hurries over to Azzah and pulls her up, then carefully dresses her in the burkha.


• The room seems to grow darker around her and she blinks, trying to adjust.


• She stands, now only her scared eyes showing and seems tiny and lost in the sea of black.


• FADE TO BLACK.