Lights on.
It is in the study room where colourful lights seem to illuminate
dimly through the slightly opened door from the outside and
noises of people chatting and laughing could be heard
indistinctively.
It is Sean's engagement party which is being held outside the study room and it is an auspicious occasion where all his friends including Cassandra's fellow friends are there to celebrate their engagement.
Then the door from the left side is opened widely and Sean
enters. He is wearing his tuxedo looking joyful. He stands at
the door about to close the door behind him and shouts at his friends outside the study room.
Sean: Alright! Alright! I'll be back, guys.......I am just
trying to get my camera to take some pictures with you
pricks out there......Ok! Ok! Hold your horses, will
you!
(Sean closes the door behind him and moves to his study
table. He opens the last drawer and takes out the
camera. Then he looks at the camera trying to make
some minor adjustments. Suddenly he becomes still as his
mind wonders about something else. Sean then picks up
the phone and dials.)
......Hello! It's this Auntie Sneider? Hi! Auntie,
How are you? It's Sean.....Yes! Thank
you! .Yeah!...I.....I’m wondering is Michelle
around.....No....No...She didn't come to my engagement
party tonight. Oh! Hmmmmmm......Still no news from
her, huh?......Don't worry, Aunt......I am sure she's
probably spending her time with one of her
friends......Yeah! I am looking for her
also........Don't worry, yeah.. yeah.......I'll will.
I'll call you if I sees her.......Don't worry,
Aunt...yeah.....Take care.....Thanks Auntie.
(Sean puts the phone down. Then in a hurry, he picks up
the phone and dials again.)
........Hello! Can I speak to Jessica? Yeah... Sean
Rowan...Thanks....Listen....Have you seen
Michelle?....No....Ok thanks.... No nothing......I am
just wondering where she is .....that's
all....Alright....yeah!....thanks anyway......take care
....bye!
(Sean hangs up and pauses for awhile. Then he dials
again.)
.......Hello! It's Lawrence around?.....Hi!
Lawrence.....It's me, Sean....Listen......Have you by
any chance seen Michelle ...anywhere?.....No....Ok
thanks.......Bye!
(Sean hangs up again and put his right hand on his
forehead. Frustrated and looking anxious and worried.
Then Nichol enters. She is beautifully dressed up.)
Nichol: Hey! Sean! There you are! What are you doing here?
...Everybody is waiting for you outside!
Sean: Hi!....Nichol! I'm.....I'm just looking for my camera
to take some pictures......for the night.
Nichol: Well! You found it. So let's go outside and
celebrate....Jesus! Sean, you should look at
Cassandra......Oh! She's so beaaaaauuuutiful!
(While Nichol is narrating to Sean, she isn't looking
at Sean.)
And you know what.......with her make up and stuff like
that tonight.....She looks exactly like Michelle.....Oh
God! Just wait and see for yourself later when she
comes down the stairs with her white gown.
(chuckles) Oh! Jesus! I just can't believe my eyes.
(chuckles)
You know, some of Michelle's friends came into her
room and mistaken her as Michelle and actually
called her "Michelle, what are you doing
here.....sitting.......on the fiancee's make-up table."
(chuckles)
(But Sean is silent looking at the floor. Didn't
actually hear what Nichol has just said. Nichol
notices Sean's silence and her smile turns to a frown
as she senses that something is wrong. She moves
closer to Sean.)
Nichol: Sean......What is it?
(Sean still remain quite and puts his right hand on
his forehead.)
Sean?.........(slower tone.)
...(pauses).....It's ......It's Michelle, isn't it?
Sean: Where the hell is she, Nichol? Why isn't she in my
engagement party? I.......I.......(sighs). I just felt
like..... I can't go on tonight without her.
(Nichol hold Sean's arm gently.)
Nichol: Oh! Sean. You are just worried about her.
Sean: Her mom said that she hasn't return to her home for
the last few days, she just .... called her mom two
days ago to tell her that she's Ok. ......andda......no
one knows where she is.
I'm...I'm just worry that she will get into trouble.
Nichol: Me, too, Sean. Recently, I heard that she has been
mixing a lot with her old friends again. The Lawrence's
gang.
Sean: What? I have just called Lawrence and he said that he
doesn't know where Michelle is.....You mean he's lying
to me. That's shit asshole!
(Sean slams his fist on his table.)
Nichol: Sean, calm down. It may just be a rumour and I am
not so sure myself but I know Michelle. She is not
that stupid to mix with the wrong group of friends
again.
Sean: Yeah! But I am worry about her. Where is she and
what is she doing now? Damn it! .......Damn.....What
is wrong with her, Nichol? Why did she disappear just
like that without a single word?
Nichol: I guess.....she's hurt. I've already explained
everything to her like the way you've asked me but I
guess she just .......couldn't take it. Sean, I think
she really loves you very much. I have never seen her
like that before.
Sean: Nichol! I hate to see her like this......Not being
herself. She is so vulnerable sometimes and I just hate
to see her hurt....and.....(sighs)
Nichol: Me too, Sean.... but there's nothing much we can do.
She has been avoiding everyone including me and.....
I can't even get hold of her. Maybe it's best that we let
her cool-off for awhile.....Maybe she will come back to
us later.
Sean: No! This is going nowhere!
(Sean quickly picks up the phone and dials in a faster
motion.)
Hello! Get Lawrence in the line, please! .......Yeah!
It's me again. Now, Lawrence tell me again......Have
you seen Michelle?......No....Don't lie to me......Just
answer! Have you seen Michelle? (louder tone)
Tell me now!.......Now, you listen here.....You son of
a bitch! If something happens to her, I'll swear to God
that I will come and get you....... you hear
that......I said you hear that!......If you have seen
her, just leave her alone.....just leave her alone and
call me and I will come and get her..... OK?... I said
OK? ......Good!.
(Sean slams the phone down hard.)
(Then there are knocks on the door. People from the
outside are shouting. Asking Sean to come out from
the study room.)
Nichol: Sean, please calm down. I'll go outside and tell them
that you needed time to locate your camera. Please
Sean! It's your happy moment tonight. Don't spoil
it, alright?
Sean: Thanks! Nichol! Just tell them I'll be back.
(Nichol exits from the door and the noise of the crowd
lowered instantly. It seems that Nichol has asked
them to leave Sean alone for awhile.
Sean is leaning on his study table with his right hand
covering his face and sighs. Then he gets a pen from
his desk and writes something on a piece of
paper. His back is facing the door at the left side.
Suddenly, the door knob is turned slowly and the door
is opened. Michelle enters. She moves a little from the
door after closing the door behind her and she is sad
and she just stood there and doesn't know what to do.
Sean is still writing on the paper. Totally oblivious
of Michelle's presence from his behind.
It is quite awhile that Michelle didn't make a move
and just looks at Sean writing something on the paper on
the desk. After hesitating for awhile, she decides to
leave the room quietly and exits. Just after Michelle
left the room, Sean finishes his writing. He stands
straight up and hold the paper within his sight.
Reading it again to himself word by word tentatively.
At this juncture, Nichol enters.)
Nichol: Michelle!...... (Nichol looks around.)
Sean, where is Michelle?
Sean: Michelle?
Nichol: Yeah! Someone told me that she just came in here
awhile ago......(looking confused)
Sean: But I didn't see her in here. Are you sure that she's
here now in my house?
Nichol: Yeah! Dennis told me that he saw Michelle entered
about a couple of minutes ago....Oh! Well! I think she
must be somewhere around then. Let me go find her.
(Nichol moves straight to the door but Sean seems to
lose his enthusiasm to see Michelle all of a sudden.)
Sean: Nichol!
(Nichol turns around to Sean.)
Nichol: Yeah!
(Then Nichol pauses and looks at Sean for awhile.
She knows that Sean has something in his mind that
he doesn't want to reveal.)
What is it, Sean?
Sean: If you sees Michelle later, can you tell her that I
love her..........and pass this to her for me.
(Sean gives the letter to Nichol with sadness shown
in his face and she wonders why while holding it.)
Tell her......that I am sorry to make her feel what she
is feeling now........andda.......I will always love
her. I'll will be at Cassandra's room.
(Sean moves to the door and exits slowly leaving Nichol
behind. Nichol is standing alone in the room and she
nods while her eyes are looking at the folded letter
from Sean as she seems to know what the letter is all
about. Michelle then enters again.)
Nichol: Michelle! Where have you been? You know that Sean
is worried sick about you and everybody.....your
mom.....me....all worried about you? Where were you?
Are you with that Lawrence again?
(Nichol puts her arms together.)
Michelle: Please Nichol, don't ask me now? Where is Sean?
I need to see him.
Nichol: …..He is not here now!
(Nichol looks at the letter that she is holding. Still
hesitating to give it to her. She fears that Michelle
will not be able to take it after reading it.)
Michelle: I thought I saw him here awhile ago.
Nichol: He's ahhhhh.....He's in Cassandra's room, now.
(Michelle looks down at the floor instantly and feels
sad again. Nichol notices that and tries to console
her.)
Oh! Michelle sis, don't be like this, huh? Tonight is
Sean.....our Bloodbro happiest moment in his life. He
is getting engaged soon.....andda we should be
happy for him.
(Michelle sobs like a baby.)
Michelle: I don't want him to get engaged ....I don't
want.........Hmmmmmmm (sobs)......I don't care.
Why must he abandon me like this?
Nichol: No....no...no, he didn't abandon you. He still loves
you and.... You see he has his life now andda it so
happens that it will not be proper for us to interfere
with his life anymore like what we used to have with
him before. ………….
Michelle, please learn to accept this. We have to
move on in our lives and respect each others' privacies.
Michelle: Hmmmmmm......Hmmmmmmmmmmm (sobs
and Michelle puts both her hands on her face.)
Nichol: Here! Sean asked me to give you this. Read it.
(Nichol gives the letter to Michelle and she takes the
letter and read it slowly.
After reading the letter, Michelle puts both her hands
on her face and sits on the couch. Her eyes were
tearful and begin to weep incredibly.)
Michelle: Ohhhhhh! ......Ohhhhhhhhh! I....I......(sobs)
(Nichol cuddles her and she tries to console her. At
this juncture, Sean opens the door slightly and then he
opens it widely and enters. Nichol looks at Sean and
nods at him. Then Nichol leaves the room and exits.
Sean moves closer to Michelle. Behind her, looking at
how Michelle sobs herself up like a little baby. Then
he puts his hand on her shoulder. Michelle turns her
head and holds Sean's hand. She stands up.)
Sean: Michelle! (in a soft and gentle tone.)
(Sean moves to her side and cuddles her gently.)
Where have you been? You got me worry sick about
you? .... Are you mixing with Lawrence again, huh?
(Michelle's head is facing down and she shakes
her head by answering no to Sean's question. Her
eyes are tearful. Then Sean holds her chin softly and
slightly lift it up so that he can look into Michelle's
eyes.)
Sean: Hey! Sweetheart.....What's wrong?
What's is it?.....Tell me!
Why are you crying?
....Look at you. You poor little baby... You look like
the ugly duckling in the horror movie that we used to
watch together....Come on, don't cry Sis, OK?
Michelle: (sobs).......I .....I don't want to lose you, Sean.
Sean: Lose me...... You silly girl. You can't lose me. I am
always here for you....
Michelle: But you are getting engaged andda later you will be
marrying Cassandra.. we will be spending less and
less time together. Things are not the same anymore.
Sean: Shhh!..... Try to understand, sweetheart, I have my
life to live with and I am not saying that I don't need
you or something like that. Don't think like that! I
still love you .....I still and I will always love you
as my bloodsister.
(Michelle pushes Sean away.)
Michelle: But I don't want you to love me as your
sister ......Don't you love me anymore? Didn't
you have any... romantic feelings for me before?
Sean: Oh! Michelle......(sighs and pauses)...... I don't know
you're feeling this way. I....I .... love Cassandra and
it's different from loving you.....I only treat you as
my sister. I'm....So sorry!
Michelle: NO!........NO!..........Why didn't you choose me? Am I
so bad that I have to lose to her?.......
(Michelle puts both her hands on her face.)
Sean: No….No.....You are perfect. You didn't lose to her
or anyone. Please.....don't think like that?......Sis?
Michelle: NO! You are lying!
Sean: No! I am not.....please Michelle ......try to
understand... love is......
(Michelle is still sobbing profusely. Alfred enters.)
Alfred: Excuse me, sir, Miss Cassandra calls for you in her
room.
Sean: Yeah!..... Alright! Alfred.
(Alfred exits and Sean just stands there looking at
Michelle.)
I'm so....so.....sorry that you feel this way.
.........Forgive me.
(After looking at Michelle for awhile, Sean walks to
the door slowly. Knowing Sean is about to leave the
study room, Michelle tears have given her anger all
of a sudden. She squashes the letter and throws it on
the floor. Michelle then kicks the couch and
throws all the books from the shelves to the floor.
She is basically destroying things in the room. Sean
just stands there and does nothing.)
Michelle: You are lying.....(sobs).......LYING! (louder tone.)
(Michelle then stops throwing things to the floor and
she is still. After catching her breath, she quickly
takes the compact disc from her bag and puts it in
the Hi-Fi stereo and presses the “play” button
immediately. A loud 'Sweet Child O'Mine' song is
playing and Michelle sobs is even enhanced after
this. Sean remains stationary. Standing like a
statue again and then he turns his body to face
Michelle.)
Sean: Stop that, Michelle! (soft tone)
Michelle! (louder tone).....
(Sean closes his eyes with his head facing down.
Michelle refuses to stop the heavy rock music from
playing. The electrified guitaring of the song is
blasting the whole place while it coincides with the
soft instrumental music from the outside.
Michelle!
(Michelle increases the volume this time. Then
Alfred comes in, hoping to reduce the volume of the
song from the stereo but Sean waves at him as a
gesture to tell him not to do so. Alfred then quietly
exits.)
Michelle: (sobs)
Hmmmmmmm.....Hmmmmmmm.......What is
going on with our lives.......(sobs) I HATE YOU!
(Michelle cries loudly.)
(In an emotional state, Michelle then runs towards
the door and exits. Sean rushes to chase Michelle
from behind.)
Sean: Michelle! Wait!..........Michelle.....
(Sean exits from the door. The loud song of Sweet
Child O'Mine is still playing. After awhile, Nichol
enters and finds no one in the room. She moves
straight to the Hi-Fi sets to stop the music as it is too
loud. She ejects the compact disc and keep it on
Sean's study table. After that, she moves straight
to the door and then she sees the letter that Michelle
threw on the floor. She picks it up and reads it to
herself.)
Nichol: Dear Sweet Child O'Mine, Michelle,
Forget me,...... Forget Everything, ......It's better
this way for everyone. ........But always remember, I
still love you and you are always...... the impeccable
beauty.
Loves always, Sean Rowan.
(Nichol folds the letter and pauses and then sighs.)
Lights off.
^^^^^^^^^^^^ BACK TO THE PRESENT ^^^^^^^^^^^^
(Nichol finishes her narration about the past to Amy.)
Nichol: Yeah! It was sad that Sean couldn't learn to love
Michelle andda........ (sighs)....... If only Cassandra
didn't exist I believe we are still sisters and brother
like the way it used to be.
Amy: Oh! What a sad story. Do you think that Sean will love
Michelle now since Cassandra is no longer here?
Nichol: Love Michelle? Even to mention her name, it will
provoke him to kill someone. He hates her more
than one can ever expect.
Amy: But I don't understand? Why is he so angry with
Michelle?
Nichol: It's.......
(Sean enters.)
Sean: Oh! My GOD! It's that you, Nichol. It has been a long
time. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Nichol: Hi! Sean. Bloodbrother!
(Sean and Nichol hug each other so tightly and Amy
just watch and smile.)
Sean: Have you met Amy?
Nichol: Yes! And it seems we know each other so well already.
Sean: Amy's nice person and there's something special
about her.
(Sean looks at Amy and Amy smiles shyly. Then he
looks at Nichol.)
Have you eaten, Nichol?
Nichol: No ...Aren't you going to cook me something good?
Sean: (Chuckles.) Look at you. There's one thing you never
change Nichol. You're always very demanding.
(chuckles)
Amy: Sean! Can we eat now? I'm starving!
Sean: Sure! Let's go. Let's fill our stomach.
Nichol: Is it the same chef again, Sean?
Sean: Yeah! It's still Chef Auston's food.
Nichol: Yacks! I hate his cooking! Why haven't you fire him,
Sean, after all this time?
Sean: Hey! I can't fire my chef just because you don't like
his cooking.
(Sean, Amy and Nichol exit.)
Lights off.
