the script (with writer scene)

8/9/2019 The SCRIPT (With Writer Scene)

1/51

THE SCRIPT

Character Sheet-Karthik Sharma- the main character.

Mother- His mother

Father- His father

Aashna Goel- The writer.

Nupoor Juneja- the English teacher

Psychiatrist- the psychiatrist

Assistant- Aashnas assistant

Small boy on bike

Onlookers- Crowd scene

Doctor


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CURTAIN OPENS:

Act I

SCENE I- Introductions

INT: KARTHIKS BEDROOM

We see KARTHIK sleeping on his bed. A WATCH is on his

bedside table. Near his bed is a cupboard with a

mirror set in the door. There is a sink in the corner

of the stage signifying the bathroom. In another

corner there is a dining table.

NARRATOR (V.O)

This is the story of a boy. A boy named Karthik

KARTHIK yawns and wakes up.

NARRATOR (V.O) (Cont.)

And his wristwatch

KARTHIK crosses the stage to brush his teeth.

NARRATOR (V.O)

Karthik Sharma was a boy of infinite numbers, endless

calculations and remarkably few words.

(pause)

And his wristwatch said even less.

(pause)

Every weekday, for 4 years, Karthik would get up at

exactly 7:15am. He would then brush each of his 28teeth 32 times, religiously counting each

brushstroke.

His watch looked on despondently, wishing he would

use a different toothpaste But said nothing.


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KARTHIK spits and goes to the cupboard and takes out

his tie. He begins to tie it.

NARRATOR (V.O)

And every weekday, for 4 years Karthik would tie his

tie in a single Windsor knot rather than a double,

thereby saving up to 14 seconds. His watch thought it

made his neck look fat But said nothing.

KARTHIK then goes to the dining table and starts

eating his breakfast, alone.

NARRATOR (V.O)

And every weekday, for 4 years Karthik would eat a

slightly burnt toast with skimmed milk. He would make

the breakfast himself while his parents slept.

KARTHIK looks at his watch once to check the time and

EXITS

EXT: BUS STOP

KARTHIK is running across the street, his bag slung

over one shoulder.

NARRATOR (V.O)

And every morning, for 4 years, he would leave his

house at exactly 7:31 am, barely catching his school

bus. His watch would delight in the feeling of the

crisp morning air whipping across its face.

KARTHIK acts as if he is stepping on a bus and then

EXITS. We hear a background noise of a bus speeding

away.


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INT: KARTHIKS CLASS

The room is filled with desks and there is a

blackboard in the corner. KARTHIK is sitting with his

PARTNER. They have their faces buried in books.

PARTNER

Karthik, whats 42 X 177?

KARTHIK

(almost immediately)

4914

The school bell RINGS and dispersal starts. EVERYONE

picks up their bags and EXITS.

INT: KARTHIKS LIVING ROOM

KARTHIK ENTERS his house, tired.

NARRATOR (V.O)

Karthik lived a life of relative solitude. He would

exchange only a few words with his parents.

His MOTHER is sitting on the couch. She looks up to

him.

MOTHER

So, how was school today?

KARTHIK

Fine.

KARTHIK then goes to his room and EXITS.

INT: KARTHIKS ROOM - LATER

KARTHIK is bouncing a football in his room


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NARRATOR (V.O)(Cont.)

He would play alone

KARTHIK goes to bed. He places his watch on the table

behind him.

NARRATOR (V.O)

And every night, at exactly 10:37 pm, he would crawl

into his bed alone.

(pause)

That was of course before Thursday

(pause)

On Thursday, Karthiks watch changed everything.

SCENE II- Thursday Morning

INT: KARTHIKS ROOM

KARTHIK is brushing his teeth again.

NARRATOR (V.O)

If one had asked Karthik, he would have said that

this Thursday was entirely unremarkable and just like

every other Thursdays prior. And he began it the same

way he always

KARTHIK suddenly stops brushing and so does the

narration. He seems to hear something. After pausing

for a while, he looks at his toothbrush, puzzled. He

then shrugs and resumes brushing.

NARRATOR (V.O)(Cont.)

And he began it the same way he always did with-

KARTHIK stops brushing again. He definitely seems to

hear something.


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KARTHIK

Hello?

KARTHIK resumes brushing again, apprehensively.

NARRATOR (V.O)

And he began it the same way he always did. When

others minds would fantasize about the upcoming day,

or revel in the memories of the past one, Karthik

simply counted brushstrokes.

KARTHIK stops brushing and puts the brush down

forcefully.

KARTHIK

All right, who said that? Who just said Karthik

simply counted brushstrokes? Hello? Is someone

there? Is it you dad?

KARTHIK looks around but finds no one. He gets ready

for school and EXITS.

EXT: BUS STOP

KARTHIK is waking to the bus stop with his bag slung

over his shoulder.

NARRATOR (V.O)

It was remarkable how the simple, modest-

KARTHIK stops walking. He looks around again.

NARRATOR (V.O)

It was remarkable how-

KARTHIK stops walking again. He then sighs and shakes

his head.


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KARTHIK

Must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of

Thursdays.

NARRATOR (V.O)

It was remarkable how the simple, modest elements of

Karthiks life, so often taken for granted would

become the catalyst for an entirely new life

KARTHIK tries to ignore it and just walks ahead. His

watch suddenly starts BEEPING loudly. KARTHIK stops

and pushes some buttons, trying in vain to turn it

off.

NARRATOR (V.O)

Karthik just assumed his watch had gone mad. He had

never guessed that the watch might be trying to tell

him something. Actually, Karthik had never paid any

attention to his watch other than to find put the

time. And honestly, it drove his watch crazy.

KARTHIK tries shaking the watch but the BEEPING does

not stop.

NARRATOR (V.O)

And on this particular Thursday morning, his watch

suddenly stopped if out of nothing else but sheer

frustration.

With a final, winding beep, the watch turns off and

resets itself.

KARTHIK (to a bystander)

Excuse me, whats the time?

BYSTANDER

Uh, Its 8:02


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KARTHIK

Thanks

KARTHIK pushes some buttons on his watch and enters

the time.

KARTHIK

Wait, 8:02?

(realizes he will miss his bus)

Shit!

KARTHIK runs to catch his bus but hes too late. We

hear the sound of the bus speeding away. KARTHIK

stops and gasps for breath

KARTHIK

Damn it!

NARRATOR (V.O)

Karthik suddenly found himself beleaguered and

exasperated, standing in front of the bus stop

KARTHIK

(looks up)

Damn you!

NARRATOR (V.O)(cont.)

cursing the heavens in futility.

KARTHIK

(looks up again)

No, Im cursing you, you stupid voice!

NARRATOR (V.O)


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His watch, on the other hand, had just thrust him

into the immitigable path of fate. As he reset the

time on his watch, little did he know that this

seemingly innocuous act would result in his imminent

death.

The air is sucked out of KARTHIK as he hears this. He

looks up, addressing the voice.

KARHTIK (shocked)

What! WHAT! No!

A few BYSTANDERS begin to look at him. KARTHIK

ignores them and just looks up, trying to talk to the

voice.

KARTHIK

No! Why? Why me? Why MY death? And how imminent?

Hello??

KARTHIK drops his bag and runs towards his home. He

then comes back to pick up his bag and then EXITS.


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Act II

Scene I- Meeting with a shrink

INT: PSYCHIARTRISTS ROOM- THE NEXT DAY

KARTHIK is sitting nervously with his PARENTS. A

PSYCHIARTRIST is in front of them on a leather couch.

She has a notepad in her hand and is occasionally

seen taking notes. His PARENTS are a bit awkward.

PSYCHIATRIST

Mr. Sharma, Im afraid what your son is describing is

a case of schizophrenia.

KARTHIK

No, I dont think its schizophrenia because-

MOM

(interrupts)

Whats schizophrenia?

KARTHIK

Hold on mom.

The PSYCHIARTRIST raises her eyebrows but lets him

continue.

KARTHIK (Cont.)

See because the voice isnt actually tellingme to do

anything. Its just narrating, telling me what Imalready doing accurately, and with a better

vocabulary. Like Im part of a story or something,

and there are some parts that are not being told to

me and I need to find out what those other parts are

before


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PSYCHIARTRIST

before the story concludes with your death.

(takes a deep breath)

Im sorry if I sound like a broken record but what

your saying is still schizophrenia.

KARTHIK

No. No, you dont sound like a broken record, but

its just not schizophrenia.

The PSYCHIARTRIST just purses her lips and makes a

few notes.

KARTHIK (Cont.)

What if What if, we assumed, hypothetically of

course, that its not schizophrenia and- and I was

part of a story. What would you suggest?

PSYCHIARTRIST

I would suggest taking prescribed medication.

KARTHIK

Other than that.

PSYCHIARTRIST

Well, I dont know. I would suggest seeing someone

who knows about literature, perhaps. How about your

English teacher in school?

KARTHIK thinks about this. This sounds reasonable to

him.

KARTHIK

Yeah, ok. I will. Thank you.


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PSYCHIARTRIST

And Karthik, please, if the voice tells you to quit

school or buy any weapons or narcotics inform your

parents immediately.

She looks pointedly at the parents, who nod gravely.

KARTHIK and his PARENTS then say their goodbyes and

thank yous and EXIT.

Scene II- the English teacher

INT: TEACHERS OFFICE

The English teacher, Nupoor Juneja is sitting at her

desk, a hot cup of tea in her hands. There is a

bookshelf in a corner of the stage. There is a small

TV set beside it on a table. A DVD player is stacked

on top of the TV and several disks are lying around.

The bookshelf is full of books. Suddenly there is a

knock on the door.

NUPOOR

Come in.

KARTHIK ENTERS.

KARTHIK

Er, Good morning maam. Weve talked on the phon-

NUPOOR

Ah yes, Karthik. Come in, come in. Have a seat.

KARTHIK sits on the chair in front of the teacher

NUPOOR

So youre the crazy one, are you?

KARTHIK

Erm, well


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NUPOOR

You dont mind being called crazy, do you? Im

allowed to say that right?

KARTHIK

I would prefer not.

NUPOOR

All right, so you called me about the narrator

KARTHIK

Yes.

NUPOOR

Says youre going to die.

KARTHIK

Correct.

NUPOOR

Uh huh, and how long has it given you?

KARTHIK

I dont know

NUPOOR

Dramatic irony, itll screw with you every time.

(pauses to sip tea)

Well then, this narrator, how does he seem like?

KARTHIK

Its a woman, actually.

NUPOOR

A woman? A familiar woman? Someone you know?


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NUPOOR

Were you counting the tiles outside?

KARTHIK

What?... no.

NUPOOR

Uhuh, so how many tiles were there?

KARTHIK

I dont know. I wasnt counting the tiles.

NUPOOR

Of course not

There is a loud slurping noise as NUPOOR finishes the

rest of her tea.

NUPOOR

Well, Im sorry Karthik, but I dont think Ill be

able to help you.

KARTHIK

Why?

NUPOOR

Because Im not an expert in crazy. I teach

literature. And thus far, there doesnt seem to be a

single literary thing about you.

(pause as she pulls out a sheet of paper)

I dont doubt you hear a voice, but it couldnt

possibly be a narrator because frankly, there doesnt

seem to be much to narrate. Besides that, Im taking

5 classes this year, 25 projects and I also have

check 200 papers.


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NUPOOR

little did he know means that there is something he

doesnt know. That means that there is something you

dont know. My God that voice is literally in third

person. Ive give entire lectures on little did heknow. You know?

KARTHIK

I dont see how-

NUPOOR

Karthik, I want you to come back on Friday. No wait,

you could be dead by Friday. You can come back on

NUPOOR starts checking her schedule

KARTHIK

5 seconds ago you said you wouldnt help me.

NUPOOR

Its been a very revealing 5 seconds, Karthik.

Scene III- Aashnas Den

INT: AASHNAS HOUSE

The stage is almost empty. A small table stands in

the corner with a telephone on it. Beside it is a

leather chair. A table is in the middle on which

AASHNA is standing, close to the edge. Her eyes seem

lost and distant and her arms are stretched out in

front of her, quivering. Suddenly the doorbell RINGS.

AASHNA

Come in.

The ASSISTANT ENTERS.


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ASSISTANT

Are you Mrs. Goel?

AASHNA

(not looking at her)

Yes.

ASSISTANT

Great. May I ask what you are doing?

AASHNA

Standing on a table

ASSISTANT

I see. Why?

AASHNA

Research.

ASSISTANT

Ok. Well, Im Ruchita. The assistant. The publishers

hired me. I believe they sent an email to that

effect.

AASHNA

(looks sharply at her)

Yes, I know. The watchdog.

ASSISTANT

The assistant.

AASHNA

Youre just here to make sure I dont get distracted.


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ASSISTANT

I provide the same services as a secretary. Im just

here to make your life easier for you.

AASHNA

So that I dont get distracted. Because they, the

publishers, think I have writers block.

ASSISTANT

Do you have writers block?

AASHNA chooses not to answer this and just looks

outside the window (off stage).

ASSISTANT

(looks at pages)

Are these your pages?

AASHNA

No. Theyre letters. To me.

ASSISTANT

Do you write back?

AASHNA

I dont respond to letters.

ASSISTANT

(looking at the cigarette butts)

Did you smoke all these?

AASHNA

No. They came pre-smoked.

ASSISTANT

Yeah, they said you were funny.


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AASHNA

(suddenly)

What do you think of leaping off buildings?

ASSISTANT

Im sorry?

AASHNA

What do you think of leaping off a building?

ASSISTANT

I dont think about leaping off a building.

AASHNA

Yes you do. Everyone does. Everyone thinks of leaping

off buildings.

ASSISTANT

Well, I certainly dont. I try to think of nice

things.

AASHNA gets down from the table and lights acigarette.

AASHNA

They say and I read this in this fantastically

depressing book that when you leap off a building,

its rarely the impact that actually kills you.

ASSISTANT

Well, Im sure it doesnt help.

AASHNA

There was a photograph in it too. Its old but its

beautiful. Taken from above the corpse of a mother,

whod just leapt to her death. Theres blood around


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her head like a halo. And her legs buckled underneath

her, and her arms snapped like a twig but her face

is so calm, so serene.

AASHNA closes her eyes and a look of complete

serenity passes on her face. The ASSISTANT simplylooks at her.

AASHNA (cont.)

I think that it was because she could feel the wind,

whipping past her face as she fell

She draws a breath from her cigarette. The look of

serenity vanishes and is replaced by annoyance as she

snaps back to reality.

AASHNA

I dont know how to kill Karthik.

(sighs)

As much as Id like, I cannot simply throw him off a

building.

(looks at Ruchita)

And you! How do you plan to kill Karthik? You, who

never thinks of leaping off buildings, what sort of

great inspiration will you bestow on me?

ASSISTANT

(sighs)

Mrs. Goel. Aashna. I have been a writers assistant

for over 25 years. I have helped more than 20 authorscomplete over 47 books. And I have never missed the

deadline. I will be available to you every minute of

every day until the final punctuation mark is

embedded on the very last page. I will also gladly,

and quietly, help you kill Karthik.


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Scene IV- At Nupoors Office

INT: NUPOORS OFFICE

NUPOOR has prepared a stack of papers. There is a

knock on the door.

NUPOOR

Ah, Karthik. Come in, come in.

KARTHIK ENTERS

NUPOOR

Have a seat. Did you count the stairs outside?

KARTHIK

No.

NUPOOR

Good, good. Okay, so what do we know so far? The

author is a woman. The story is modern, is in English

and I would daresay that the author has a cursory

knowledge of the city. Correct?

KARTHIK

Absolutely

NUPOOR

HmmmNow the first thing to determine conclusively is

whether youre in a comedy or tragedy. To quote Italo

Calvino, The ultimate meaning to which all stories

refer to has 2 faces- the continuity of life, the

inevitability of death

KARTHIK

(confused)

What?


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NUPOOR

Tragedy you die, Comedy you get hitched.

KARTHIK

Oh. You mean like a love angle?

NUPOOR

Possibly.

KARTHIK

(dejectedly)

Oh. Great.

NUPOOR

What happened?

KARTHIK

I dont have a girlfriend

NUPOOR

Well most comic stories start with someone hating

the hero, which then develops into a romance.

Although, I cant imagine someone hating you.

KARTHIK

(cynically)

Im the class nerd. Everyone hates me.

NUPOOR

Not dislikes you. Hates you. To the very core. Cant

you think of anyone whod hate you?

There is a pause as KARTHIK thinks about this.

Moments later though, they are interrupted by a loud


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NOISE. The T.V has been turned on. A talk show

program is going on

NUPOOR

Ah, sorry about that. The switchs broken. I told

them to fix it but no one ever listens. Where did

that remote go?

NUPOOR starts searching for the remote, grumbling

about the school authorities while she does it.

Meanwhile, KARTHIK is looking at the T.V, seeing the

show. He seems to recognize something.

TALKSHOW HOST

And so whats the name of this new book?

AASHNA

Er, sorry but I cant say that much right now. I

still have finalize the manuscript and then Ill have

a talk with the publishers soon.

TALKSHOW HOST

And whats this book about, exactly?

AASHNA

Its about death the inevitability of it and the

factors influencing it and also watches.

TALKSHOW HOST

And when can we expect to see it in the market?

AASHNA

Like I said Ill have to finalize the manuscript

first, but maybe- hopefully, at the end of this year.

I have-

NUPOOR

Ah! Found it!


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KARTHIK

Wait! Whos that woman? (points at Aashna)

NUPOOR

Who? Her? Thats Aashna Goel. Amazing writer, writes

beautiful tragedies. Just beautiful. One of my

favorite authors

KARTHIK

Its her

NUPOOR

What?

KARTHIK

Thats her. Shes the one whos writing my story.

Its the same voice

NUPOOR

No Karthik thats- thats impossible.

KARTHIK

Why?

NUPOOR

That show I recorded is over a year ago. She

disappeared after that. Some say shes something of a

recluse, a hermit. Doesnt call anybody, doesnt

reply to her mail

KARTHIK

Weve got to find her

NUPOOR

You dont understand Karthik-


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KARTHIK

(panicking, gets up from his chair)

No! we can find her. We could call the police. We

can-

NUPOOR

Just listen Karthik, Aashna always writes tragedies.

Always. They all end up the same. She uh, kills

them.

KARTHIK

What?

NUPOOR

She kills off the protagonists in every single book.

KARTHIK

Well then, we have to find her!

NUPOOR

Karthik, thats impossible. Ive tried, believe me.

No one knows where she is except for her, her

assistant, and maybe the publishers.

KARTHIK tries to interrupt again, but NUPOOR cuts him

off.

NUPOOR

Just listen. This narrator might very well kill you.

(pause)

So I humbly suggest you go on living with your life.

KARTHIK

(indignantly)


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What?! I am living my life. I would like to continue

living my life.

NUPOOR

Yes, I know but I mean all of it. However long you

have left. You could- you could have an adventure or

a discovery, or, or finish playing Call of Duty.

Hell, Karthik, you could eat samosas all day if you

wanted.

KARTHIK

What is wrong with you? Who in their right minds

chooses between living and eating samosas!!

NUPOOR

You know, if you think hard about it, youll find

that the answer is inexplicably contingent on the

type of life being led

(pause)

And of course the quality of the samosas. You do

understand dont you?

KARTHIK

Yes, I understand. But you have to understand that

this is my life, not just a literary theory or

something.

NUPOOR

Exactly, so make it the one youve always wanted.

Suddenly the school bell rings. Its the dispersal.

The school erupts into a collective yell which marks

the end of the day.


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NUPOOR (cont.)

(kindly)

Im sorry bacche, I want to help, I really do. But

theres nothing I can do. Goodbye then.

She pats his arm and EXITS, leaving KARTHIK to pick

up his bag and walk out dejectedly.

Scene II- The Search

INT: KARTHIKS HOUSE

KARTHIK returns home. He enters with his key. There

is no one else in the house. He throws his bag in a

corner and sits down.

NARRATOR (V.O)

Karthiks death was quickly approaching And yet he

remained completely oblivious to the moment when his,

Sanjays and the boys courses would crash into each

other.

KARTHIK takes out his pad an starts writing. Then he

stops and throws down the pen, as if to say Whats

the point?.

NARRATOR (V.O)

Fate, like 2 careening locomotives would occur with

or without his participation. And the miraculous

mathematics would remain inconceivable for someone

like Karthik.

KARTHIK simply closes his eyes and leans back,

letting out a loud sigh.

NARRATOR (V.O)

Karthik could not understand fate. He could not

understand the behavior of his watch. He couldnt


29/51

even understand the desires of his own heart. So, he

certainly couldnt understand the poetry of train

wrecks. Which is why he just sat there. Alone.

KARTHIK then opens his eyes, a new wave of

determination suddenly washes over him. He takes hislaptop and starts typing furiously. He surfs the net

for any information on Aashna Goel. He finds a

publishers number. He calls the number

KARTHIK

Hello? Penguin publishers? Yes, I wanted the number

of Aashna Goel well Im hercousin brother and I

need to contact her, its an emergency Oh well, in

that case Im her second cousin All right fine, Im

a character in her story, the main character of her

upcoming book, and its vital to get to her before

she decides to kill me off-

(line disconnects)

Hello?...

Not disheartened, he tries another number

KARTHIK

Ahh, yes, is this the Writers Guild?... Well I

understand Mrs. Aashna Goel is a part of your guild

and oh, you dont give contact information?... oh

ok, then thank you.

(line disconnects)

KARTHIK sighs and buries his face in his hands. He

then hits upon an idea. He dials up his FATHER.

KARTHIK

Hey dad!-

FATHER (on phone)


30/51

(slightly concerned)

Karthik! How are you doing? Is everything ok? Do you

need-

KARTHIK

Dad, I need to ask you a favor.

FATHER (on phone)

Sure. What do you want?

KARTHIK

Youre in telecom, right? So if I gave you a name and

a profession, could you cross-reference it with your

data to find a subscriber?

FATHER (on phone)

I I suppose so, but why? Its against company

policy, you know.

KARTHIK

I wouldnt ask unless it was very important.

FATHER (on phone)

All right, I understand. Whats the name?

KARTHIK

Aashna Goel

Some light typing is heard over the phone

FATHER (on phone)

Im getting a lot of hits, could you narrow it down?

KARTHIK

Shes a writer, possibly lives in Delhi.

FATHER (on phone)


31/51


32/51

The room is simply furnished. The walls are stark

white. A couch is placed in the corner, where the

ASSISTANT is sitting. AASHNA is sitting on an office

chair, with a typewriter in front of her on a square,

oak table. Several cigarette butts and napkins are

scattered on the table. There is a small stool in

another corner with a landline phone on top.

AASHNA

(speaking softly while typing)

The doorbell rang.

Suddenly, the doorbell in her room rings. AASHNA

stops typing and looks sharply at the door. TheASSISTANT looks at AASHNA, who says nothing but

continues typing slowly.

AASHNA

The doorbell rang again.

The doorbell rings again. AASHNA looks at it again,

suspicious. The ASSISTANT sighs and gets up to answer

the door.

AASHNA

No! Dont!

The ASSISTANT merely shrugs and sits down. AASHNAs

hands are almost shaking as she types the next line

AASHNA

The doorbell rang a third time.

The doorbell rings as soon as she finishes typing the

full stop. AASHNA gasps and rushes to the door,

pressing the intercom button when she reaches there.

AASHNA

Hello?


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KARTHIK (on the intercom)

Hello? Mrs. Goel?

AASHNA

Yes.


Im Karthik. I believe your writing a story about me.

AASHNA

Wha Is this a joke?


No, this is not a joke. My name is Karthik and I

count my brushstrokes every day, I do not understand

the poetry of train wrecks and-

AASHNA yelps and backs away from the door and refuses

to touch it, as if it were a huge spider.

ASSISTANT

(confused)

What? What happened? Who is it?

AASHNA

(looks up, softly)

Its Karthik.

ASSISTANT

What?

AASHNA

Its him. THE Karthik. The one in my story.

ASSISTANT

What? Are you


34/51

The ASSISTANT shakes her head and opens the door.

AASHNA steadily backs away from the door.

KARTHIK

(relieved)

Maam, I know this is weird, but I need to speak to

Mrs. Goel. I Im her character, Karthik.

AASHNA (from inside)

Let him in.

The ASSISTANT lets him in.

AASHNA

Oh. My. God.

KARTHIK

What?...

AASHNA

Your eyes! Your shirt!... Your shoes!

KARTHIK

Maam. Im Karthik.

AASHNA

Yes. I know.

KARTHIK

(long uncomfortable pause)

I I dont know where to start. I think youre

writing a story about me.

(pause)

Which involves my death.

AASHNA


35/51

Yes, how do you know?

KARTHIK

Its an incredibly long story It started on

Thursday, when I started to hear a voice- your voice,

narrating, everything.

AASHNA

(softly, to herself)

Thursday

(aloud)

Narrating?

KARTHIK

Yes, narrating like, everything.

AASHNA

Didnt you think you were crazy?

KARTHIK

At first I did but then, you were right about somany things And then you said that this seemingly

innocuous act would result in his

AASHNA

in his imminent death yes, I wrote those lines.

How did you know it was me?

KARTHIK

Its a third person omniscient, or something. So Ifigured it had to be someone other than me At least

thats what my English teacher, Mrs. Nupoor Juneja

told me-

AASHNA


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(backs away)

Jesus

KARTHIK

Oh and she uh, loves your books.

AASHNA

(absently)

Mrs. Juneja I love her letters.

KARTHIK (cont.)

I watched a recording of a talk show you did and the

voice matched so I figured it must be you. And then Ifinally found out your number

AASHNA

How? I had told the publishers not to-

KARTHIK

My Dad works for a telecom company. We cross

referenced your name and profession to find out your

subscriber ID and then your number and then your

address.

AASHNA

You could have called.

KARTHIK

If I had, would you have believed me?

AASHNA

I suppose not.

(pause)

That was incredibly lucky though.


37/51

KARTHIK

Mrs. Aashna, you once said I didnt understand fate.

Maybe I still dont, but I sure as hell recognize

fate when I see it.

They look at each other for a while.

AASHNA

WellNow what? I mean, this is so strange

KARTHIK

Youre telling me. But you wont kill me now, will

you?

AASHNA

Sorry?

KARTHIK

I mean, you wont kill off the character, right? Now

that you know that Im real, and not just a

character.

AASHNA

(fidgets)

Well

KARATHIK

You havent written it yet, have you?

AASHNA

Sort of.

KARTHIK

(panicking)

Sort of? SORT OF!? What do you mean sort of?


38/51

AASHNA

An outline.

KARTHIK

(relieved)

Ok but its just an outline right?

AASHNA

Yes, its just not typed.

KARTHIK

(shouting)

What you mean just not typed? Are you saying Im

already dead?

AASHNA

(equally loudly)

Well I dont know! I dont know how this works. Im

just tryig to write a book. I mean how do you expect

me to-

ASSISTANT

(interrupts)

Aashna. Aashna!

AASHNA

What?

ASSISTANT

Let him read it.

AASHNA


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What?

ASSISTANT

He has a right. Let him read it.

(holds out a thick folder to Karthik)

Some of the pages, the ones at the end, were written

on some letter pads. Not typed, see?

(pause)

Just read it, and then youll understand.

The ASSISTANT gives him the folder. He looks at it

then at AASHNA. He then murmurs a thanks and EXITS.

Scene IV- The Next Day


NUPOOR is sitting in her office, which is the same as

before. Shes sipping a cup of tea while reviewing

some notes. Suddenly, KARTHIK enters.

KARTHIK

Im sorry maam, but could I talk to you for a while?

NUPOOR

(surprised)

Ah, Karthik! Yes of course, how are you?

KARTHIK

I went to see her.


40/51

NUPOOR

Who? The authors? You found her?

KARHTIK

(nods)

Its Aashna.

(hands her the folder)

NUPOOR

Is this Is this it? The manuscript?

KARTHIK

(nods)

She says its almost finished. Just the parts

containing my death arent typed. I suppose that

means I get to live for now.

NUPOOR

Did you read it?

KARTHIK

No. I couldnt. I cant.

(on the verge of crying)

I thought maybe- maybe you could read it. Tell me

what to do.

NUPOOR

(smiles kindly)

Of course Karthik. I have an unusually large amounts

of free periods today.

(looks at the folder)


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And its not too big. I could finish it by the end of

the school. Come to me in the last period, okay?

KARTHIK simply nods and EXITS.

INT: TEACHERS OFFICE- FEW HOURS LATER

NUPOOR is fiddling with folder. There is a knock on

the door and KARTHIK ENTERS.

KARTHIK

Did you did you finish it?

NUPOOR

Yes.

KARTHIK

What what should I do?

NUPOOR

(sighs heavily)

Im sorry Karthik

KARTHIK

(voice breaking)

What?

NUPOOR

Karthik, its her masterpiece. Its probably the most

important novel in her career And its absolutely no

good if you dont die at the end

KARTHIK

You mean, I have to die? Youre telling me to

knowingly face my death?

NUPOOR


42/51

No Im not telling you to die. Im not even going to

tell you whats written in here. You are going to

have to make your own decision. No one can do that

for you.

KARTHIK

But I I thought maybe you could tell me how to avoid

it or something. Tell me what I have to do or not to

do.

NUPOOR

Let me tell you something. No one wants to die. But

we cant avoid it. Karthik, you are going to die,

someday, sometime. You could choke on a mint, have aheart failure at the bank, contract a virulent

disease on vacation if not now, you are going to

die and I can grantee you, it will never be as

meaningful or poetic, as she has written.

(pause)

Im sorry Karthik.

KARTHIK hangs his head, now positively crying. He

takes the manuscript from him, wiping his tears on

his sleeve. NUPOOR pats his arm and EXITS. KARTHIK

too, gets up to leave, but changes his mind and

instead sits down to read the book.

Scene V- The Writers Block

INT: AASHNAS HOUSE

AASHNA is lying on the floor, just looking at the

ceiling, smoking a cigarette. A bottle of beer lies

upturned in a corner somewhere. Shes lying perfectly

still. Suddenly, the ASSISTANT ENTERS carrying a bag

of groceries.


43/51

ASSISTANT

(looks at her and sighs)

Aashna, get up.

AASHNA

How many people have I killed?

ASSISTANT

Look

AASHNA

How many?

ASSISTANT

Aashna, get up.

AASHNA

12. I counted. I killed 12 people.

ASSISTANT

Theyre all fictional

AASHNA

Karthik isnt fictional

ASSISTANT

Karthik is just

AASHNAHe isnt fictional, and so arent the others. Every

book Ive written ends with someone dying. Really

nice people too the book about that schoolteacher?

Ms. Priyanka? I killed her. Just before summer

vacations too How cruel is that? I killed them all


44/51

ASSISTANT

You kill yourself. Now get up!

Her ASSISTANT grabs her hand and pulls her up.

ASSISTANT (cont.)

You kill yourself, Aashna. The car wreaks, the

diseases, the You drown yourself, you hang yourself

in every single book. Its you. Thats why you smoke.

Thats why you sit in the rain. Thats why you are

ill. Your life has no joy, your work is dark, vicious

and you wish you could die too.

AASHNA looks at her, frowning.

ASSISTANT (cont.)

But you cant die. The teacher can. The lawyer can.

But you cant. Its why you have writers block. Your

body just cant stand the thought of dying anymore.

AASHNA

So what do I do?

ASSISTANTGet up

(pause)

And quit smoking.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings. KARTHIK ENTERS.

KARTHIK

Hello? Mrs. Goel?

AASHNA

Oh, Karthik. Come in, come in. What are you-

KARTHIK

(hands the manuscript)


45/51

I read it.

AASHNA

You you read it? All of it?

KARTHIK

Yes, and I loved it. I think you should continue

writing.

AASHNA

Are you serious?

KARTHIK

I am.

(pause)

I dont have much background in literature or

anything, but this seems simple enough And its my

choice to make. I loved your book and I think you

should finish it.

AASHNA

(takes the manuscript)

Are? do you?

KARTHIK

(smiling)

Ok, listen Mrs. Goel, I have to go. My parents would

be worried sick by now.

KARTHIK smiles again and EXITS, leaving AASHNAstaring at the manuscript and then at the door.


46/51

ACT III

Scene I- The End Of The Beginning

INT: KARTHIKS HOUSE

KARTHIK is sleeping. The watch on his bedside table

shows 7:15 and starts BEEPING. KARTHIK opens his eyes

and turns it off, getting up slowly.

NARRATOR (V.O)

This particular Friday morning was brisk and

unsuspecting, as was Karthik

KARTHIK smiles slightly and starts brushing. This

time, he doesnt count brushstrokes but just brushes

in a haphazard manner.


47/51


48/51


49/51

DOCTOR is nearby, checking some notes on a pad.

KARTHIK wakes up slowly.

KARTHIK

Wha What happened?

DOCTOR

Ah, Mr. Sharma, youre awake. Good afternoon. How are

you feeling?

KARTHIK

Like I was hit by a bus.

(pause)

Wait, Im not dead?

DOCTOR

You would be if it werent for your watch. Youve

broken 3 bones in your arms and legs and a few ribs,

a major concussion and severed your radial artery,

which should have killed you in a matter of minutes

but a shard from your watch entered the artery and

stopped blood from flowing out to keep you alive.

(pause)

Which is kinda cool.

(pause)

With some rest and medication, and some physiotherapy

you should be fine. Your watch wasnt so lucky

though. We cant take the shard out now or we risk

muscular damage so itll just have to stay there as a

memento of your survival.

The DOOR OPENS and KARTHIKS PARENTS ENTER. They hug

him tightly, his mother shedding copious tears while

doing so. They exchange condolences while we move on

to the next scene.


50/51

Scene III- Meeting With A Teacher


AASHNA is sitting the chair in front of NUPOOR.

NUPOOR appears to be reading the manuscript, now alltyped. She finishes the last page and puts down her

glasses.

AASHNA

So What do you think? Of the new ending?

NUPOOR

Its Its okay good.

AASHNA

(smiling)

Just Okay? Not great?

NUPOOR

Its okay not the finest piece of English literature

in the last 20 years, but its okay.

AASHNA

You know, I think Im fine with okay.

NUPOOR

The story seems weak without his death. It just

doesnt fit in with the rest of the book.

AASHNA

Yes, yes, I know. Im going to rewrite the whole

book. My assistant asked the publishers for more

time.

NUPOOR

Why?


51/51

AASHNA

I dont know. Terribly sweet of her though.

NUPOOR

No, why did you change it?

AASHNA

Lots of reasons, but I realized I just couldnt do

it.

NUPOOR

Because hes real.

AASHNA

Yes, but also because

(pause)

The story is about a person who doesnt know hes

about to die then dies. But if the person knew he

was about to die and then died anyway died

willingly, knowing he could stop it, just to save a

strangers life

(pause)

Isnt that the sort of person youd want to keep

alive?.

THE END

the script (with writer scene)

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