Script Draft

AFTERNOON

INT. APARTMENT. INSIDE MR. BRIGHTSTAR’S ROOM.

WINDOWS WIDE SHUT WITH ONLY THE SLIGHTEST LIGHT PENTRATING THE ROOM. A GLOOMY AURA SURROUNDS IT. THE ROOM IS IN A CLUTTERED STATE, REFLECTING ITS OCCUPANT’S STATE OF MIND.

POV: MR. BRIGHTSTAR IS LOOKING CLOSELY AT HIS COLLECTION OF FRAMED NEWSPAPER HEADLINES. HIS FACE CAN BE SEEN CLEARLY FROM THE REFLECTION, A PICTURE OF EMPTINESS AND MISERY, REMINISCING ON WHAT WAS. HE MOVES TO THE SIDE STARING AT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. THEY ALL DISPLAY HIS HEROIC AND EPIC FEATS, SAVE FOR THE LAST ONE. THE GLASS SHATTERED, IT IS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THE DAY THAT REDEFINED HIS LIFE. A HUMILIATING DEFEAT, ONE OF HIS OWN MAKING DUE TO HIS RASH DECISION.

MEDIUM LONG SHOT/ESTABLISHING SHOT, HIGH ANGLE: MR. BRIGHTSTAR IS STANDING IN HIS ROOM. HE LOOKS DOWN, LOOKING AWAY FROM THE PICTURE FRAME.

CAMERA PAN, HIGH ANGLE: CAMERA FOLLOWS AS HE WALKS AWAY. HE THEN SITS ON THE COUCH AND PUTS HIS HANDS ON HIS FACE.

MR. BRIGHTSTAR (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE): I’ve never been the same since the incident. I lost my powers and now I feel like I have no purpose.

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT, HIGH ANGLE: HE STRAINS TO USE HIS POWERS BUT TO NO AVAIL.

Every day I try. Every day I hope that my powers would come back. But every time I try, it just gets darker and darker. 

MR. BRIGHTSTAR STARTS WEEPING. THEN A GENTLE KNOCK ON THE DOOR INTERRUPTS HIM. HE LOOKS AT THE DOOR.

MID SHOT: THE DOOR CUTS THE SHOT IN HALF AS BOTH SIDES ARE SHOWN BUT IS SLIGHTLY TILTED TOWARDS THE ROOM. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR IS WELL LIT.

MRS. BRIGHTSTAR: *Knock knock* (Muffled) Hey hon, are you alright? *Momentary silence* I.I…I cooked something. It’s your favourite.

MR. BRIGHTSTAR: *Sniffling* I’m not hungry…

MRS. BRIGHTSTAR: *Awkward sing-songy voice* I made it extra yummy for you. That’s right! More cheese!

MR. BRIGHTSTAR: Go away, I’m not hungry…. I…I’m….. busy. *Wipes away his tears*

MRS. BRIGHTSTAR: *Agitated voice* Busy doing what? I know it’s been hard for you lately and I can never imagine what you’re going through but it’s also been tough for me. Please don’t push me away.

MR. BRIGHTSTAR: Don’t make this about you!

MRS. BRIGHTSTAR: I…I didn’t mean it that way. It’s hard for me to see you like this, it breaks my heart every time. Don’t push me away, help me understand. Let’s talk about this.

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT (MRS. BRIGHTSTAR): MR. BRIGHTSTAR OPENS THE DOOR, LETTING LIGHT SPILL INTO HIS DARK ROOM.

MID SHOT: THEY ENTER THE ROOM AND THEY BOTH SIT ON THE COUCH. HE DISTANCES HIMSELF, LOOKING AWAY.

CAMERA OVER HIS SHOULDERS

MRS. BRIGHTSTAR: This doesn’t have to be your burden alone. I’m your wife.

CLOSE UP

MR. BRIGHSTAR: I’m not the man I used to be. I’m not a world-saving champion anymore. I never realized that I could lose my light. Now, without it I feel like a burnt candle.

MID SHOT

MRS. BRIGHTSTAR: Hey, hey. *She holds up his chin* You’re still the light of my world.

CAMERA ZOOMS IN. THEY SHARE A SMILE AND THEN THEY HUG, HOLDING EACH OTHER TIGHTLY. SLOWLY FADE TO BLACK.