First Scene | Script

Granted

IINT. POLICE STATION, NIIGATA PREFECTURE, JAPAN – EVENING

An interrogation room. DAVID, 30 in a creased suit and thick black framed spectacles sits across from an older Japanese woman, NAN KAWA, 45, who looks anxious. His words are being translated to Nan by a Police Officer into in an immaculate uniform. The single halogen lamp above them buzzes incessantly. David is filling out a form spread out on his satchel in his lap. Just the preliminary details of his assessment. Name, Date, etc...

DAVID

Excellent, thank you Miss Kawa. David looks up from his notes.

DAVID (cont'd)

Okay, that'll do. Miss Kawa, my name is David Arch, assessment officer No. 1220. Now that the formalities are over with, could you could tell me – in your own words – exactly what happened on Friday, 28th August. The Police Officer relays the message. Nan looks fearful.

DAVID (cont'd)

It's important you be specific at possible. Anything may be important. Nan nods and begins:

NAN (in Japanese, then translated by the officer)

My aunt just died, Sir. She was a very big part of my life and I spent a lot of time in her house as a child.

DAVID

I'm sorry to hear that.

NAN

Thank you. In return for her kindness I decided to clear out her house and box up her things so that they could be removed and a new family might occupy the house. It's what she said she wanted the most.

NAN (cont'd)

During a break in the clearing up, I decided to take a walk down to the river behind her house; a special place for both of us.

BEGIN FLASHBACK: EXT. FOREST - AFTERNOON

Nan is walking through a forest towards a river. Her surroundings are overgrown and lush. The water is smooth and glassy. Nan carries something in her hand.

NAN (V.O)

I had her ashes, I went to distribute them into the water. It is not usually done in Japan, but this is also one of her requests. Nan stands on the bank of the river and opens the urn. The ashes stain the water for an instant and then disappear on the current.

END OF FLASHBACK. INT. POLICE STATION, NIIGATA PREFECTURE – EVENING

NAN

I noticed that the river was strong that day. After rainfall it swells, and although on the surface it looks calm, it rages underneath. When I stood up, an old man was sitting on the other bank. He looked grubby and was toothless. Nan points at her teeth.

DAVID

I see. Toothless. Good. David writes that down.

BEGIN FLASHBACK: 2. EXT. FOREST – AFTERNOON

We see the old man. He waves enthusiastically to Nan. Nan smiles back. He goes to stand up, perhaps to walk round and greet her.

NAN (V.O)

He smiles at me and... I smile back... Then he slips into the river and begins trying to paddle towards me. Nan watches as the man slides down the bank and into the water. He is still smiling as he is quickly out of his depth, begins to struggle and starts to be carried downstream. Nan screams from the bank.

NAN (cont'd) (V.O)

I had no time to stop it. I would have told him about the current. I should have said in time that it's a lot stronger than what it looks. So I had no option... Nan quickly removes her shoes and linen dress and dives into the water after the man. Under the surface the river churns.

NAN (cont'd) (V.O)

I catch up to him... And then... It's a blur. Nan sees the old man's face bobbing along and being dragged underneath the water. She is suddenly submerged and from underneath the old man looks very different. He has giant stripy legs that churn desperately against the current. Nan resurfaces.

END FLASHBACK.

INT. POLICE STATION, NIIGATA PREFECTURE – EVENING

DAVID

You jumped in after him?

NAN

That's correct.

DAVID

What happened next?

NAN

There is a small weir that turns into stone steps, very dangerous.

BEGIN FLASHBACK: EXT. FOREST – AFTERNOON

Nan grabs the man and begins swimming to the bank of the river. The stone steps are close, but Nan manages to grab onto a long tree root just in time. She pulls the two of them to safety and collapses in exhaustion.

NAN (V.O)

And then, well, it was... Nan sits up, still dripping and is confronted by a large, powerful and iridescent tiger. It growls, then roars.

END FLASHBACK.

INT. POLICE STATION, NIIGATA PREFECTURE – EVENING

DAVID

The tiger? Nan nods at the police officer and then to David.

NAN

He spoke to me... as if he was in my mind. As if in my own voice. David stops writing.

DAVID

And what did the tiger say?

NAN

He said: Thank you for saving me. In return, I promise to bring you water when you are in need. Pause.

DAVID

Water? The police officer checks with Nan that this is correct. They discuss in Japanese.

POLICE OFFICER

She says, just water.

DAVID

And then what happened? NAN The creature walked into the forest. He was gone. Or he disappeared. I don't remember much. DAVID A common side effect of an encounter, especially one as traumatic as yours, Ms. Kawa. David looks down at his notes.

DAVID (cont'd)

Just water? David repeats the word that he thinks is water in Japanese. Nan nods. David considers.

DAVID (cont'd)

Well, it's an interesting case. I have no doubt that the wish was triggered by you putting your Aunt's ashes into the river. That is exceptionally rare. And the creature swimming towards you is also very intriguing. This really is a once in a lifetime experience. David places his notes into the satchel.

DAVID (cont'd)

However, due to the vague nature of your wish, I simply cannot recommend that we at The Coolidge Agency represent you at this time. Often with these sorts of wishes, things can end up being a lot worse for the recipient. I will look at the site and make a few inquiries and then get back to you tomorrow morning. Nan looks dumbfounded. David holds out his hand and Nan takes it instinctively. Then she starts speaking frantically in Japanese.

DAVID (cont'd)

I'll have everything in my report, I promise. David backs out of the room, as Nan continues to talk with the police officer. David points at his satchel.

Would you like to read more of ‘Granted’ - please contact Henry Heffer