SMALL TALK
This is one of many pratice screenwriting I've made for last months. It's a fun story about my languages's meeting inside my brain. Hope you enjoy it!
(If you want to see more, please visit my webiste at https://lamtam92.wixsite.com/tamlam)
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
We see a group of four people sitting in a conference room. Each person wears a white mask which is written alternately “VIETNAMESE”, “ENGLISH”, “JAPANESE” and “KOREAN”. “Vietnamese” stands in front of the screen. The other ones sit around the table.
VIETNAMESE
As you can tell in my email, we’re
here for a really important mission.
As you can tell in my email, we’re
here for a really important mission.
He pauses and looks at the group to make sure everyone listening to him.
VIETNAMESE
Our owner will attend a job interview very soon.
Our owner will attend a job interview very soon.
JAPANESE
And?
And?
VIETNAMESE
She acclaimed to know four languages in her resume...
She acclaimed to know four languages in her resume...
Everyone is about to jump out of their chairs.
JAPANESE
Sumimashen, WHAT THE ACTUAL F***?????
Sumimashen, WHAT THE ACTUAL F***?????
ENGLISH
Is she nuts? She’s never touched a single English book since her graduation!!!
Is she nuts? She’s never touched a single English book since her graduation!!!
“Korean” can’t speak, only can shake his head.
VIETNAMESE
Do you wanna say something, Korean? I know your health condition but if you can, I want to hear your opinion.
Do you wanna say something, Korean? I know your health condition but if you can, I want to hear your opinion.
“Korean” hopelessly points at his throat.
ENGLISH
He’s getting really ill over the past years. She doesn’t remember a single word of Korean. I’m surprised she still remembers him as a part of her life. After that funeral, everyone loses faith in her completely...
He’s getting really ill over the past years. She doesn’t remember a single word of Korean. I’m surprised she still remembers him as a part of her life. After that funeral, everyone loses faith in her completely...
JAPANESE
What funeral?
What funeral?
VIETNAMESE
French funeral...
French funeral...
JAPANESE
She’s known French???? Honto???
She’s known French???? Honto???
“Korean” also is taken by surprise.
VIETNAMESE
In her high school. Poor French. They were together for only three years. When she enrolled in college, French’s health went down hill and after two years, he’s no longer existed in her memory.
In her high school. Poor French. They were together for only three years. When she enrolled in college, French’s health went down hill and after two years, he’s no longer existed in her memory.
JAPANESE
Poor him...
Poor him...
ENGLISH
Talking about French, Korean now has the same symptoms like him.
Talking about French, Korean now has the same symptoms like him.
“English” and “Japanese” turn to “Korean” with a worried look. “Korean” slightly touches his throat.
VIETNAMESE
I think he’ll be fine. She still watches Korean shows here and there.
I think he’ll be fine. She still watches Korean shows here and there.
ENGLISH
(has a sigh of relief)
Thanks God...
(has a sigh of relief)
Thanks God...
Suddenly “Japanese” coughs loudly. Everyone nervously looks at him.
JAPANESE
I’m fine...Daijoubu...
I’m fine...Daijoubu...
ENGLISH
(angrily speaks)
This girl...I can’t believe she said she knew all of us.
(angrily speaks)
This girl...I can’t believe she said she knew all of us.
VIETNAMESE
Well, at least she can still speak some English -
Well, at least she can still speak some English -
ENGLISH
No, she can’t!!! She makes English sounds! That’s not English! That’s far far from actually being sufficient!
No, she can’t!!! She makes English sounds! That’s not English! That’s far far from actually being sufficient!
VIETNAMESE
Dude, are you ok?
Dude, are you ok?
ENGLISH
(holds his face in his hands)
No...I am not ok...Her major is English and she can’t even write a simple email in English...How???...How???...
(holds his face in his hands)
No...I am not ok...Her major is English and she can’t even write a simple email in English...How???...How???...
“Korean” pats his shoulder. “Japanese” gives him a handkerchief.
ENGLISH
(sobs)
Thank...you...
(sobs)
Thank...you...
JAPANESE
(looks at Vietnamese)
You’re her only hope, Vietnamese...
(looks at Vietnamese)
You’re her only hope, Vietnamese...
VIETNAMESE
(rolls his eyes)
Of course I am!!! I am her mother tongue!!! How can she not know me???
(rolls his eyes)
Of course I am!!! I am her mother tongue!!! How can she not know me???
ENGLISH
But the other day, I saw her struggle to find a word in Vietnamese...
But the other day, I saw her struggle to find a word in Vietnamese...
VIETNAMESE
Please! Don’t even call back that disaster moment!
Please! Don’t even call back that disaster moment!
JAPANESE
Is the word difficult to say?
Is the word difficult to say?
VIETNAMESE
No! It’s not! That’s the problem! She uses that word for million times! And now, she...she...just forgets it...How??? Tell me how???
No! It’s not! That’s the problem! She uses that word for million times! And now, she...she...just forgets it...How??? Tell me how???
ENGLISH
She definitely has a problem!
She definitely has a problem!
VIETNAMESE
(sighs heavily)
What should we do now? She neglects Japanese. She almost forgets Korean. She only can make simple conversations in English and she can’t even remember her mother tongue!
(sighs heavily)
What should we do now? She neglects Japanese. She almost forgets Korean. She only can make simple conversations in English and she can’t even remember her mother tongue!
Everyone stays silent 'till “Japanese” speaks up.
JAPANESE
When will she have the job interview?
When will she have the job interview?
ENGLISH
Tomorrow...
Tomorrow...
JAPANESE
She will be interviewed tomorrow and until now you guys hold this meeting???
VIETNAMESE
She didn’t expect people would call her...
She didn’t expect people would call her...
ENGLISH
You know what? I wish her the best but I know she will screw this opportunity like other ones. She said every single time in every single interview that she could speak English yet when people asked her questions, she mumbled and didn’t even make sense. What a joke for an English major holder!
You know what? I wish her the best but I know she will screw this opportunity like other ones. She said every single time in every single interview that she could speak English yet when people asked her questions, she mumbled and didn’t even make sense. What a joke for an English major holder!
JAPANESE
She’s abandoned us for so long.
She’s abandoned us for so long.
VIETNAMESE
No, Japanese, she’s just being lazy...She has all the time in the world but she would rather spend her time on other things than us.
No, Japanese, she’s just being lazy...She has all the time in the world but she would rather spend her time on other things than us.
“Korean” has a long sigh.
ENGLISH
No, I’ve changed my mind. I hope she gets this job so she can pick up her lazy ass to study languages again.
No, I’ve changed my mind. I hope she gets this job so she can pick up her lazy ass to study languages again.
JAPANESE
You’re right!
You’re right!
VIETNAMESE
English, you always give the best advice!
English, you always give the best advice!
ENGLISH
Of course, I do!
Of course, I do!
VIETNAMESE
Let’s pray she will get the job and come back to study again!
Let’s pray she will get the job and come back to study again!
Everyone looks optimistic and happy until “Japanese” says.
JAPANESE
By the way, where’s Mandarin? I haven’t seen him for so long.
By the way, where’s Mandarin? I haven’t seen him for so long.
ENGLISH
Who’s Mandarin???
Who’s Mandarin???
VIETNAMESE
You forgot that she learnt Mandarin for one month and gave him up?
You forgot that she learnt Mandarin for one month and gave him up?
ENGLISH
Please, someone holds me back. Or else I will slap this b**** in the face.
Please, someone holds me back. Or else I will slap this b**** in the face.
VIETNAMESE
Calm down, English. Don’t let her affect your energy. To your question, Japanese, Mandarin will never come back. He’s found lost after one month came here.
Calm down, English. Don’t let her affect your energy. To your question, Japanese, Mandarin will never come back. He’s found lost after one month came here.
JAPANESE
Oh no...
Oh no...
ENGLISH
I can’t...I just can’t...Why is she so lazy?...Why is it so hard for her to just be, you know, resilient for once?...
I can’t...I just can’t...Why is she so lazy?...Why is it so hard for her to just be, you know, resilient for once?...
“Korean” shrugs. “English” looks over him and sighs.
ENGLISH
I’m sorry. I need to go outside for a quick cigarette.
I’m sorry. I need to go outside for a quick cigarette.
“Korean” stands up as wanting to follow him.
ENGLISH
Can you? Does it affect your throat?
Can you? Does it affect your throat?
“Korean” shakes his head. They quietly go outside the conference room. “Japanese” looks at “Vietnamese”.
JAPANESE
Tomorrow, we all have to depend on you.
Tomorrow, we all have to depend on you.
VIETNAMESE
(sighs)
But even I try, she just can’t speak clearly and thoroughly enough...
(sighs)
But even I try, she just can’t speak clearly and thoroughly enough...
JAPANESE
Everything will be fine. We’ll be fine.
Everything will be fine. We’ll be fine.
VIETNAMESE
I hope so...
I hope so...
They both look outside the window. The sky gets really dark. There is no star, no moon, no cloud. Just a pitch black canvas.
END.
