Rhapsodist Writing Contest #5 – A Stranger’s Deepest Secret

Fade in.
EXT.PARK_SUNSET

I am walking around the park looking for a suitable place to watch the sun go down slowly. Just as I find a perfect site, I see a depressed young lady dissolved in her thoughts. As if unaware of her presence, I take a sit at approximately a meter and half to her West. I bring out my camera and set it up for photoshoot. I occasionally look at her but she seems like the body and soul are detached. I leave my camera set as it is and approach her after a moment of personal disagreement:

Mind 1: go talk to her

Mind 2: no, leave her

Mind 1: why

Mind 2: why should he

Mind 1: she seems bothered

Mind 2: so

Mind 1: she needs someone to talk to

Mind 2: who told you she would talk to you

Mind 1: there’s no harm in trying

Mind 2: really

Mind 1: maybe

Mind 2: OK then, don’t say I didn’t stop you

I walk towards her and try my luck in dislodging her from her thoughts. I sit right next to her:

Me: Hi

Her: Hi

Me: I'm Troy and you

Her: why should I tell

Me: because I would like to ask for a favor

Her: what makes you feel favorable

Me: I don’t feel favorable

Her: so what then

Me: but I’m sure you will enjoy it

Her: OK, just say it already

(I don’t know what to say next)

Me: I’m having a sunset photoshoot

Her: then

Me: I was hoping you could be my cast for the day.

Her: so you want me to…

Me: if you don’t mind

(She smiles a little but tries to hide it)

Me: so will you join me

Her: I think so

Me: I’ll take that as a yes

(She smiles again but openly this time)

I dictate different poses to her and she just does what I tell her out of consciousness. None of what she does is self motivated. I ask her:

Me: you don’t look happy

Her: I’m not

Me: why not

Her: do you have to ask so many questions

Me: I guess so

Her: why should I tell

Me: I might help

Her: really

Me: never know

Her: hmm

Me: what

(She sits on the ground and starts weeping)

Me: are you alright

Her: I’m not

Me: what’s wrong

Her: I wasted my life

Me: how

Her: I slept around a lot before I got married

Me: well, that happens a lot. You just need to focus on your marriage now

Her: that’s not all

Me: (surprised)…what else

Her: I had six abortions back then, now we’ve been trying for a baby

Me: have you told him

Her: he’ll kill me

Me: what will you do

Her: I don’t know

Me: can I take you home

Her: no

Me: I insist

Her: OK then, but he shouldn’t see you

Me: I’ll make sure he doesn’t

#rhapsodist