235. Communal Rites: The Thirsty - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. STUDIO APARTMENT - DAY


• The apartment is narrow, a small futon at the far end, a Japanese screen creating some separation from the kitchen.


• Small black and white photographs in simple frames and ebony shelves with candles dot the walls giving the room some warmth.


• JAMIE sits on the futon crying.


• He bites his lip, and looks out the small window, avoiding any eye contact with REBECCA who stands in the kitchen.


• She peeks around the screen, pursing her lips, then turns back to the stove.


• A small, cast-iron tea pot sits on the eye, slowly heating.


• She checks the pot, then satisfied that it is close to boiling, turns her attention to a drawer next to the stove.


• She rummages through the odds-and-ins and finds a box of matches.


• Glancing at the pot again, she closes the drawer and walks over to the window, passing Jamie.


• She pulls rich, red curtains closed, blocking the late afternoon sun and begins lighting candles.


• The tea pot begins whistling softly, growing louder in a piercing crescendo.


• Rebecca slips back into the kitchen and pulls two large mugs from a cabinet above the stove.


• She fills the mugs with the steaming water, then places two infusers packed with loose tea in the mugs.


• She places it all on a small tray, adding a small jars of white honey and raw sugar to the collection.


• Walking carefully, Rebecca walks back to Jamie and places the tray on the small coffee table by the futon.


• She prepares his cup and with one hand gently grabs his chin and pulls his face towards her.


• She hands him the mug and he takes it gingerly, inhaling the steam.


• He holds it for a long time.


• Rebecca takes her own mug and scoots in to him.


• He puts his mug down and places his head on her shoulder.


• They sit in the candle light and filtered sunlight, fragrant steam drifting around their faces.


• FADE TO BLACK.