Fourth of July
FADE IN:
INT. BUS - EVENING
CINEWHORE and DARK PRODIGY board the bus and stand near the entrance. The bus is packed.
SUPER: 6.45 PM, SBS #131, EN ROUTE TO SEE ROYSTON TAN'S 4:30 AT SHAW BALESTIER
He passes the Big Gulp to Dark Prodigy. Takes his phone out. It's stopped ringing - one missed call. He checks, and it's his mom's number. He calls her back.
The entire bus turns and stares at him, but he's oblivious to it.
He hangs up. Dark Prodigy looks at him in concern. He looks away, biting his lip.
The bus stops at the next stop. He thinks, then steps towards the entrance.
EXT. STREET - EVENING
They get off the bus.
INT. TAXI - EVENING
Cinewhore and Dark Prodigy sit in the back of the cab.
Dark Prodigy nods. Beat.
EXT. A&E DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
Cinewhore and Dark Prodigy walk towards the A&E Department.
Cinewhore enters the A&E.
INT. A&E DEPARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
The brothers, Cinewhore and 법학교, sit in the hallway.
Cinewhore nods.
INT. HOSPITAL CAFETERIA - NIGHT
Cinewhore and Dark Prodigy eat.
EXT. A&E DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
INT. A&E DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
Cinewhore finds his brother 법학교, FATHER, UNCLE and AUNT talking to a NURSE. As he approaches, the nurse goes back inside the resuscitation room.
INT. A&E DEPARTMENT, ADMISSIONS DESK - LATER
Cinewhore and 법학교 wait for their turn. Meanwhile, Uncle is being a nuisance.
He turns away in disgust.
Cinewhore can't take it any more. He spins around.
EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Cinewhore stubs out his cigarette butt and lights up another. He dials a number on his phone.
EXT. A&E DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
Father eats some takeout food while everyone sits around on benches. Cinewhore comes back out from the A&E Department.
법학교 leaves. Cinewhore looks around.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
The waiting room is packed with families waiting to see their loved ones. There's a big sliding glass door at a corner of the room that leads to the ICU. Cinewhore tries it, but it's locked. He presses the intercom button. No response.
He sits back down and reads The New Paper, for lack of better reading material.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
MONTAGE: Finger presses intercom button repeatedly. No response.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
SUPER: HALF AN HOUR LATER
Cinewhore goes to the intercom again and presses it. Miraculously, someone answers.
He tells the nurse her name. A pause while she searches through records.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Uncle passes some pamphlets to Cinewhore, who's reached the Sports Section of the paper, all the way at the end.
Cinewhore takes it and flips through it while Uncle returns to his seat.
He gets up and goes to the intercom. No response again.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Cinewhore finishes the paper and puts it down.
Cinewhore goes to the intercom and presses the button again. No response.
Aunt gets up, strides over to the intercom and starts pressing the button repeatedly. No one answers.
Suddenly, a voice comes through.
The glass door slides open, and suddenly everyone in the waiting room is aware. They all crowd inside the narrow hallway beyond.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
At the end of the dark hallway is a door.
Two Malay men try the door.
Cinewhore tries the door.
True enough, there's a red switch on the wall next to the door. Everyone looks at it, but no one dares to press it, perhaps for fear of shutting down the entire ICU.
He presses the switch and holds his breath.
The lights come on in the hallway.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
법학교 returns. Everyone is still crowded into the hallway, standing around like fools.
법학교 tries it. He turns the handle all the way down. The door opens.
Suddenly the waiting room comes alive again as everyone streams into the ICU.
INT. ICU - NIGHT
Rooms with glass doors are on either side of a large counter. The family looks around. Cinewhore walks on ahead, looking into each room.
He sees an old man, lying in bed. An old lady that looks like she's almost dead. Then he stops. He's not sure if the woman lying in bed is his mother. It looks like her, but yet, is so unlike the mother he knows.
He turns around and sees a nurse talking to his Father, gesturing towards the room in front of him. He steps in.
His MOTHER looks frail and tiny. Only her head is visible, the rest of her body tucked under a blanket. As the family enters, her eyes open.
Her voice is weak. Cinewhore tries to smile, but he's not sure if he succeeded. He reaches down for her left hand, but no sooner does he touch it, than she pulls it away.
He smiles apologetically. No need to try this time.
INT. ICU - NIGHT - LATER
법학교 and Cinewhore hold the fingers of Mother's right hand. Aunt clings onto Cinewhore's other arm.
Aunt laughs.
Cinewhore has no reply to that. Is he, really?
INT. MOVIE THEATRE - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
ONSCREEN: Superman saves the plane and steps out to cheers from the stadium.
In the audience, tears roll out freely from Cinewhore's eyes.
BACK TO ICU
Cinewhore shrugs.
Aunt goes to a corner of the room and answers her phone, whispering.
Cinewhore takes the phone away from her.
He shows her how to turn the phone off, sighing.
INT. ICU, COUNTER - LATER
Father, 법학교, and Cinewhore discuss things with a DOCTOR.
The family nods.
INT. ICU - NIGHT
Father stands a slight distance away, not touching the bed.
He approaches the Nurse outside.
Cinewhore looks at him talk to the nurse.
INT. ICU - NIGHT
The family wave goodbye to Mother. Father goes to the Nurse again.
Cinewhore looks at him as the nurse turns down the light, and he thanks her.
Cinewhore smiles sadly. He can see it, but he's not sure if that's enough.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Father drives Cinewhore back to his rented house.
EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT
The car stops, and Cinewhore gets out.
The car drives off. Cinewhore enters the house.
EXT. BACK PORCH - NIGHT
Cinewhore stubs out one cigarette and lights up another.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Cinewhore sits in front of his computer. Long pause.
Ah, fuck work.
He logs in to Blogger.
And types: FADE IN:
INT. BUS - EVENING
CINEWHORE and DARK PRODIGY board the bus and stand near the entrance. The bus is packed.
SUPER: 6.45 PM, SBS #131, EN ROUTE TO SEE ROYSTON TAN'S 4:30 AT SHAW BALESTIER
CINEWHORE
Shit, my phone's ringing. Hold for me?
Shit, my phone's ringing. Hold for me?
He passes the Big Gulp to Dark Prodigy. Takes his phone out. It's stopped ringing - one missed call. He checks, and it's his mom's number. He calls her back.
CINEWHORE (CONT'D)
Hello?... WHAT THE FUCK?
Hello?... WHAT THE FUCK?
The entire bus turns and stares at him, but he's oblivious to it.
CINEWHORE (CONT'D)
OK... How's she?... I'll come now.
OK... How's she?... I'll come now.
He hangs up. Dark Prodigy looks at him in concern. He looks away, biting his lip.
The bus stops at the next stop. He thinks, then steps towards the entrance.
CINEWHORE (CONT'D)
Sorry, can I get down?
Sorry, can I get down?
EXT. STREET - EVENING
They get off the bus.
DARK PRODIGY
Are you OK?
Are you OK?
CINEWHORE
My mom had a heart attack.
DARK PRODIGY
Oh shit.
My mom had a heart attack.
DARK PRODIGY
Oh shit.
INT. TAXI - EVENING
Cinewhore and Dark Prodigy sit in the back of the cab.
CINEWHORE
My brother drove her to hospital, and she's conscious, which is a good thing.
My brother drove her to hospital, and she's conscious, which is a good thing.
Dark Prodigy nods. Beat.
CINEWHORE (CONT'D)
When I said, "What the fuck?" just now, the whole bus looked at me, right?
When I said, "What the fuck?" just now, the whole bus looked at me, right?
DARK PRODIGY
Yah.
(beat)
I've only sworn in public once, when I lost my wallet and phone at the gym. I was so angry I said very loudly, "Cheebye!"
Yah.
(beat)
I've only sworn in public once, when I lost my wallet and phone at the gym. I was so angry I said very loudly, "Cheebye!"
CINEWHORE
I tend to say "fuck" more, but that's more for shock and surprise. When it comes to anger, nothing beats the Hokkien lah.
I tend to say "fuck" more, but that's more for shock and surprise. When it comes to anger, nothing beats the Hokkien lah.
EXT. A&E DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
Cinewhore and Dark Prodigy walk towards the A&E Department.
CINEWHORE
You wanna get something to eat? I can't do much anyway except wait.
DARK PRODIGY
OK.
CINEWHORE
I'll just talk to my brother for a bit, then we can go for dinner.
DARK PRODIGY
I'll wait outside.
You wanna get something to eat? I can't do much anyway except wait.
DARK PRODIGY
OK.
CINEWHORE
I'll just talk to my brother for a bit, then we can go for dinner.
DARK PRODIGY
I'll wait outside.
Cinewhore enters the A&E.
INT. A&E DEPARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
The brothers, Cinewhore and 법학교, sit in the hallway.
법학교
I'll tell you what happened, but don't get angry.
I'll tell you what happened, but don't get angry.
Cinewhore nods.
법학교 (CONT'D)
This morning Pa was going on and on again, and she yelled at him and said she'd never been so angry in her life. Then during the day she got these chest pains on and off. When I came home she asked me to buy dinner. So I went out again, and when I came back, I saw her downstairs. She told me she was in a lot of pain, so I drove her here.
CINEWHORE
OK.
법학교
So basically we have to tell Pa to stop it.
CINEWHORE
To shut up.
법학교
But we can't tell him about this, or he'll feel guilty and depressed.
CINEWHORE
So we'll just say it's so he doesn't aggravate her condition lah.
법학교
Yup.
This morning Pa was going on and on again, and she yelled at him and said she'd never been so angry in her life. Then during the day she got these chest pains on and off. When I came home she asked me to buy dinner. So I went out again, and when I came back, I saw her downstairs. She told me she was in a lot of pain, so I drove her here.
CINEWHORE
OK.
법학교
So basically we have to tell Pa to stop it.
CINEWHORE
To shut up.
법학교
But we can't tell him about this, or he'll feel guilty and depressed.
CINEWHORE
So we'll just say it's so he doesn't aggravate her condition lah.
법학교
Yup.
INT. HOSPITAL CAFETERIA - NIGHT
Cinewhore and Dark Prodigy eat.
CINEWHORE
So you found somewhere to watch the Germany-Italy match later?
DARK PRODIGY
Not yet, see how lah.
So you found somewhere to watch the Germany-Italy match later?
DARK PRODIGY
Not yet, see how lah.
EXT. A&E DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
CINEWHORE
Your friend picking you up?
DARK PRODIGY
Yah. I'll make a move first. You take care.
CINEWHORE
Yup, sure.
DARK PRODIGY
Let me know how things turn out. Take care.
CINEWHORE
OK, bye.
Your friend picking you up?
DARK PRODIGY
Yah. I'll make a move first. You take care.
CINEWHORE
Yup, sure.
DARK PRODIGY
Let me know how things turn out. Take care.
CINEWHORE
OK, bye.
INT. A&E DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
Cinewhore finds his brother 법학교, FATHER, UNCLE and AUNT talking to a NURSE. As he approaches, the nurse goes back inside the resuscitation room.
CINEWHORE
Sorry, can you quickly run through what you just told them?
NURSE
Basically she had a heart attack. An artery was blocked, and we are doing an operation to insert a balloon in it and open it up again. We've already moved her to the OT. It has to be done now, or more heart muscles will die.
FATHER
(to Cinewhore)
That's why her hypertension has been worse lately.
Sorry, can you quickly run through what you just told them?
NURSE
Basically she had a heart attack. An artery was blocked, and we are doing an operation to insert a balloon in it and open it up again. We've already moved her to the OT. It has to be done now, or more heart muscles will die.
FATHER
(to Cinewhore)
That's why her hypertension has been worse lately.
INT. A&E DEPARTMENT, ADMISSIONS DESK - LATER
Cinewhore and 법학교 wait for their turn. Meanwhile, Uncle is being a nuisance.
UNCLE
Must ask them to check the CSC card, see if she's entitled to A class ward.
CINEWHORE
That's not important right now.
UNCLE
No, must ask. This is what she's entitled to, so she must have it.
CINEWHORE
I said, that's not important right now. Look, why don't all of you let the two of us handle the admissions process? You can wait outside.
Must ask them to check the CSC card, see if she's entitled to A class ward.
CINEWHORE
That's not important right now.
UNCLE
No, must ask. This is what she's entitled to, so she must have it.
CINEWHORE
I said, that's not important right now. Look, why don't all of you let the two of us handle the admissions process? You can wait outside.
He turns away in disgust.
UNCLE
Can ask them what's the background of the doctor? Must get a good one.
CINEWHORE
(under his breath)
He's saving her life, not coming for a job interview. Cheebye.
UNCLE
Can check or not?
Can ask them what's the background of the doctor? Must get a good one.
CINEWHORE
(under his breath)
He's saving her life, not coming for a job interview. Cheebye.
UNCLE
Can check or not?
Cinewhore can't take it any more. He spins around.
CINEWHORE
Everyone just leave it to us. We know how to do this better than you do, so everyone just SHUT UP, OK? Go and wait outside.
Everyone just leave it to us. We know how to do this better than you do, so everyone just SHUT UP, OK? Go and wait outside.
EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Cinewhore stubs out his cigarette butt and lights up another. He dials a number on his phone.
CINEWHORE
Hey... I'm just standing outside Changi General, smoking... My mom's in hospital. Heart attack... It's moments like these when you crave cigarettes the most... No, you give out cigars when you have a baby, not cigarettes.
Hey... I'm just standing outside Changi General, smoking... My mom's in hospital. Heart attack... It's moments like these when you crave cigarettes the most... No, you give out cigars when you have a baby, not cigarettes.
EXT. A&E DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
Father eats some takeout food while everyone sits around on benches. Cinewhore comes back out from the A&E Department.
CINEWHORE
They say they've finished the procedure, and she's in the Cardiac Lab now. After this they'll transfer her to the ICU. But we can go there and wait outside now.
법학교
I'll drive home and give this food to Cloud. I need to get my phone too, I don't have it 'cos I was only going out to buy dinner. Message me the ward number.
CINEWHORE
OK.
They say they've finished the procedure, and she's in the Cardiac Lab now. After this they'll transfer her to the ICU. But we can go there and wait outside now.
법학교
I'll drive home and give this food to Cloud. I need to get my phone too, I don't have it 'cos I was only going out to buy dinner. Message me the ward number.
CINEWHORE
OK.
법학교 leaves. Cinewhore looks around.
CINEWHORE
Shall we go? It's Lift Lobby B.
Shall we go? It's Lift Lobby B.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
The waiting room is packed with families waiting to see their loved ones. There's a big sliding glass door at a corner of the room that leads to the ICU. Cinewhore tries it, but it's locked. He presses the intercom button. No response.
He sits back down and reads The New Paper, for lack of better reading material.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
MONTAGE: Finger presses intercom button repeatedly. No response.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
SUPER: HALF AN HOUR LATER
Cinewhore goes to the intercom again and presses it. Miraculously, someone answers.
NURSE (V.O.)
Yes?
CINEWHORE
I was told my mom would be coming here?
NURSE (V.O.)
What's her name?
Yes?
CINEWHORE
I was told my mom would be coming here?
NURSE (V.O.)
What's her name?
He tells the nurse her name. A pause while she searches through records.
NURSE (V.O.)
Yes, she's come in already. Just wait a little longer and when we're ready we'll let you in.
CINEWHORE
OK, thanks.
Yes, she's come in already. Just wait a little longer and when we're ready we'll let you in.
CINEWHORE
OK, thanks.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Uncle passes some pamphlets to Cinewhore, who's reached the Sports Section of the paper, all the way at the end.
UNCLE
Read this. It tells you all about the operation they did on her.
Read this. It tells you all about the operation they did on her.
Cinewhore takes it and flips through it while Uncle returns to his seat.
CINEWHORE
(under his breath)
This isn't the operation... It's just a fucking test procedure.
(under his breath)
This isn't the operation... It's just a fucking test procedure.
He gets up and goes to the intercom. No response again.
INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Cinewhore finishes the paper and puts it down.
AUNT
Go and try again? Just now half an hour ago they said she's in already. Why so long?
Go and try again? Just now half an hour ago they said she's in already. Why so long?
Cinewhore goes to the intercom and presses the button again. No response.
CINEWHORE
They're not answering.
They're not answering.
Aunt gets up, strides over to the intercom and starts pressing the button repeatedly. No one answers.
CINEWHORE (CONT'D)
See?
See?
Suddenly, a voice comes through.
NURSE (V.O.)
Yes?
CINEWHORE
Can we come in now?
NURSE (V.O.)
OK, I'll let you in.
Yes?
CINEWHORE
Can we come in now?
NURSE (V.O.)
OK, I'll let you in.
The glass door slides open, and suddenly everyone in the waiting room is aware. They all crowd inside the narrow hallway beyond.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
At the end of the dark hallway is a door.
Two Malay men try the door.
PAKCIK
Locked leh.
Locked leh.
Cinewhore tries the door.
CINEWHORE
This is so stupid. Why would they let us in only to have another locked door?
PAKCIK
Eh, got switch on the wall.
This is so stupid. Why would they let us in only to have another locked door?
PAKCIK
Eh, got switch on the wall.
True enough, there's a red switch on the wall next to the door. Everyone looks at it, but no one dares to press it, perhaps for fear of shutting down the entire ICU.
CINEWHORE
Ah, fuck it.
Ah, fuck it.
He presses the switch and holds his breath.
The lights come on in the hallway.
CINEWHORE
Cheh!
Cheh!
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
법학교 returns. Everyone is still crowded into the hallway, standing around like fools.
법학교
How?
CINEWHORE
The door's locked.
How?
CINEWHORE
The door's locked.
법학교 tries it. He turns the handle all the way down. The door opens.
CINEWHORE
Eh?!
법학교
You damn cock lah. You just need to push the handle all the way.
Eh?!
법학교
You damn cock lah. You just need to push the handle all the way.
Suddenly the waiting room comes alive again as everyone streams into the ICU.
INT. ICU - NIGHT
Rooms with glass doors are on either side of a large counter. The family looks around. Cinewhore walks on ahead, looking into each room.
He sees an old man, lying in bed. An old lady that looks like she's almost dead. Then he stops. He's not sure if the woman lying in bed is his mother. It looks like her, but yet, is so unlike the mother he knows.
He turns around and sees a nurse talking to his Father, gesturing towards the room in front of him. He steps in.
His MOTHER looks frail and tiny. Only her head is visible, the rest of her body tucked under a blanket. As the family enters, her eyes open.
MOTHER
Hey.
Hey.
Her voice is weak. Cinewhore tries to smile, but he's not sure if he succeeded. He reaches down for her left hand, but no sooner does he touch it, than she pulls it away.
MOTHER
Tubes there.
Tubes there.
He smiles apologetically. No need to try this time.
INT. ICU - NIGHT - LATER
법학교 and Cinewhore hold the fingers of Mother's right hand. Aunt clings onto Cinewhore's other arm.
AUNT
... I just walked out into the carpark when 법학교 call me.
법학교
Then when I heard her cry, I almost started crying myself.
CINEWHORE
(to Aunt)
Are you going to cry now?
(to Mother)
This madwoman is going to cry again.
... I just walked out into the carpark when 법학교 call me.
법학교
Then when I heard her cry, I almost started crying myself.
CINEWHORE
(to Aunt)
Are you going to cry now?
(to Mother)
This madwoman is going to cry again.
Aunt laughs.
MOTHER
(to Cinewhore)
I know you won't cry. You're cool.
(to Cinewhore)
I know you won't cry. You're cool.
Cinewhore has no reply to that. Is he, really?
INT. MOVIE THEATRE - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
ONSCREEN: Superman saves the plane and steps out to cheers from the stadium.
In the audience, tears roll out freely from Cinewhore's eyes.
BACK TO ICU
Cinewhore shrugs.
Aunt goes to a corner of the room and answers her phone, whispering.
CINEWHORE
I thought I told you guys to turn off your phones?
AUNT
It's off what.
I thought I told you guys to turn off your phones?
AUNT
It's off what.
Cinewhore takes the phone away from her.
CINEWHORE
Then why is yours still on? Silent mode is not turning it off, you know.
AUNT
Har? I don't know how to turn off.
Then why is yours still on? Silent mode is not turning it off, you know.
AUNT
Har? I don't know how to turn off.
He shows her how to turn the phone off, sighing.
INT. ICU, COUNTER - LATER
Father, 법학교, and Cinewhore discuss things with a DOCTOR.
DOCTOR
Now that there's a precedent, the likelihood of another attack is higher. That's why we have to observe her here for a few more days before transferring her to a normal ward.
Now that there's a precedent, the likelihood of another attack is higher. That's why we have to observe her here for a few more days before transferring her to a normal ward.
The family nods.
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
I also want you to be fully aware of this: We will do our best, should she have another heart attack. But different people react differently, and you have to know that we might not be able to save everyone. She should be fine, but you should also be mentally prepared.
I also want you to be fully aware of this: We will do our best, should she have another heart attack. But different people react differently, and you have to know that we might not be able to save everyone. She should be fine, but you should also be mentally prepared.
INT. ICU - NIGHT
Father stands a slight distance away, not touching the bed.
FATHER
Are you hungry or not?
MOTHER
I had some barley water just now. I'll ask them for some Milo later.
FATHER
Nevermind. I ask them now.
Are you hungry or not?
MOTHER
I had some barley water just now. I'll ask them for some Milo later.
FATHER
Nevermind. I ask them now.
He approaches the Nurse outside.
Cinewhore looks at him talk to the nurse.
INT. ICU - NIGHT
The family wave goodbye to Mother. Father goes to the Nurse again.
FATHER
Can you turn off the light so she can sleep?
Can you turn off the light so she can sleep?
Cinewhore looks at him as the nurse turns down the light, and he thanks her.
CINEWHORE (V.O.)
It's always been the way he shows concern. Never touching, never saying soothing words, just by doing things.
It's always been the way he shows concern. Never touching, never saying soothing words, just by doing things.
Cinewhore smiles sadly. He can see it, but he's not sure if that's enough.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Father drives Cinewhore back to his rented house.
CINEWHORE
I still have some work to do.
FATHER
OK, you call me tomorrow if you're going to the hospital. I drive you.
CINEWHORE
No need. I can go there myself.
FATHER
The car will just be sitting there anyway.
CINEWHORE
See how lah.
I still have some work to do.
FATHER
OK, you call me tomorrow if you're going to the hospital. I drive you.
CINEWHORE
No need. I can go there myself.
FATHER
The car will just be sitting there anyway.
CINEWHORE
See how lah.
EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT
The car stops, and Cinewhore gets out.
CINEWHORE
Go home and sleep early.
FATHER
Call me tomorrow.
CINEWHORE
OK.
Go home and sleep early.
FATHER
Call me tomorrow.
CINEWHORE
OK.
The car drives off. Cinewhore enters the house.
EXT. BACK PORCH - NIGHT
Cinewhore stubs out one cigarette and lights up another.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Cinewhore sits in front of his computer. Long pause.
Ah, fuck work.
He logs in to Blogger.
And types: FADE IN:
posted by cinewhore @ 2:44 AM
4 mindfucks
4 Comments:
You hang in there, she'll be fine.
It's such things in life that makes all of us stronger, cliche but true. You have to experience it for yourself.
go home.
she will be fine ya?
Was lucky to have your bro ard... maybe u shld go home more often... well... at least for her lah...
-ww
my mom battled cancer last year. i know how it feels.
hang in there, bro. everything will be alright!
gimme some mindfuckery
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