226. The Butterfly Charmer - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• EXT. BUTCHER'S ALLEY, NEW ARIES - DAY


• The Alley is dark and damp and the smoky sky above only hints at the existence of a sun.


• A large shadow is cast over the entrance of the alley and soft footsteps slowly approach, then a giggle.


• RIEKA, a small 7-year-old girl skips across the dirty ground, her dress whirling around her.


• She sings quietly to herself.


• Rieka stops short, spotting a grapefruit-sized glass ball lying under a heap of trash.


• She pulls it out and brushes it off.


• She stands up and holds it to her chest and it begins to glow.


• Her eyes grow wider and she holds it away from herself as it begins to glow a rich orange.


• There is a popping sound sounds, a fizzling, and then a glowing, pale yellow butterfly flickers into existence above her.


• She doesn't notice and and walks to the edge of the alley, then stops, hearing the soft flapping.


• She turns around and puts her hand to her mouth, delighted.


• The butterfly circles the orb and then another and another glimmer into existence.


• EXT. MERCHANT'S BLVD, NEW ARIES - DAY


• Rieka walks out onto the main street, her amber orb and the small swarm of yellow butterflies that continues multiplying around her adding a patch of warmth to the dusty blue of the city.


• She skips along and the butterflies trail her, a ribbon of gold weaving in and out of tired pedestrians who pause for a moment to stare at the odd sight.


• Ahead of her, a small, ramshackle shack comes into view.


• EXT. RIEKA'S HOUSE - DAY


• She stops in front of it.


• RIEKA
• Mommy, mommy.


• There is silence.


• RIEKA
• Mommy!


• MOTHER
• Just a minute Rieka.


• RIEKA
• Quick Mommy!


• Her MOTHER opens the door, wiping her hands on a stained apron, lines weighing down her tired face.


• She sees the butterflies and her eyes go soft.


• She stands on the stoop of the shack, awed.


• The orb flickers and Mother holds her breath.


• .It flickers again, then dies.


• The butterflies buzz, then begin disappearing.


• Rieka shakes it, then looks at her mother forlornly.


• Her mother swoops down from the stairs and pulls her close.


• They walk back to the house, the door squeaking closed behind them.


• There is a soft buzzing sound and a single butterfly appear, hovering near the entrance.


• FADE TO BLACK.