A Letter To You (Screenplay Version)

FADE IN:

INT. DAN'S ROOM - NIGHT

He is sitting on a chair and writing on a piece of yellow pad paper. On the table, there is a paper bag and neatly folded cloth.

 

DAN (V.O.)

I will never forget those days. The days when you are always with me; in sleeping, in eating, and in drawing our dreams in life.

FADE TO:

EXT. ROSA STREET - MORNING

Dan posed as he finish his dance choreography.

 

DANIELA

(clapping)

Brother, you did great!

 

DAN

Aysus! You're just pleasing me so I can give you five pesos.

 

DANIELA

(giggles)

Pretty please?

 

DAN (V.O.)

I always try to give you the things you want. Things our own parents never gave you. Love, care, discipline and guidance. Do you still remember? You like to flatter me so I can give you a coin.

Dan took five pesos from his pocket that he also asked from his friends. He then handed the coin to her little sister. Daniela kissed his cheek and ran to the nearest store in their street. 

 

DAN (V.O.)

You gave me a kiss on the cheek in return. 

That kiss is the clearest in my memory. Because I didn’t expect it to be the last.

FADE TO:

INT. DAN'S ROOM - NIGHT

Dan is busy matching his thoughts and his writing. As he continues to write, his hand started to tremble.

 

DAN (V.O.)

If I only knew that was going to happen, I would have given you a kiss too. I wish I embraced you tightly. I hope I fulfilled the wishes you have been asking for so long.

Dan paused writing.

 

DAN (V.O.)

Hope. I kept hoping but I didn't do a thing.

He continues writing his letter.

CUT TO:

CAMERA PANS AROUND THE ROOM

 

DAN (V.O.)

Daniela, there isn't a day that I don't think about you. You are the only reason I cry. I always wonder how are you? Who will take and fetch you to school? Who will defend you when someone bullies you?

ANGLE. SIDE VIEW OF DAN

 

DAN (V.O.)

Who will pay for your tuition so you can reach your dreams? Who? Our parents are gone,

(angrily)

because of him.

ANGLE. FOCUS ON HIS EYES TO HIGHLIGHT ANGER

 

DAN (V.O.)

Because of Dad.

FADE TO:

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Dan woke up and looked at Daniela for a second. Then, he stood up and left her.

 

DAN (V.O.)

I know you won’t believe it but that’s the truth. That night, he and Mom were fighting. I woke up because of their noise while you were undisturbed. I don't want to wake up you in your sleep so I gather my courage to pacify the quarrel between our parents.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Dan is in the doorway

 

DAN

(sleepy)

Mom, Dad, stop fighting, please. You can continue that tomorrow.

CAMERA SWITCH TO A WALL

A loud gunshot rang and at the same time, blood splattered on the wall.

ANGLE. DAN'S PERSPECTIVE

It was deafening, compounded by Dan's scream as he saw his mom fall to the floor, lying in a pool of blood.

His dad is holding a gun, breathing heavily.

Dan grabbed the gun and pointed it at his father.

 

DAN (V.O.)

The only thing on my mind then, if he was able to kill Mom, he also deserved to die because otherwise, he would take my life next and then you. I didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

Another sound of a gunshot rang. Then a thud followed.

I thought everything would be fine for the two of us.

Daniela saw what happened and she is terrified

 

DAN (V.O.)

But no, you saw me in that situation. I still remember your look filled with fear.

Dan's eyes widened.

 

DAN (V.O.)

I was ashamed of myself.

Dan left the scene, crying.

 

DAN (V.O.)

So instead of standing up for the sin I committed, I left all the weight on you.

EXT. ROSA STREET - NIGHT

Dan running away from their home.

 

DAN (V.O.)

I left you at a time when you needed a brother.

FADE TO:

EXT. MARKET - MORNING

Dan is cautious as he walks in a busy people.

 

DAN (V.O.)

My shame has become more prevalent than my love for you. I would rather run than hug you.

He left the market

 

DAN (V.O.)

What did it cost?

FADE TO:

BEGIN MONTAGE:

EXT. PARK - NOON

Dan is begging money from people who are passing by.

 

DAN (V.O.)

I became a beggar.

EXT. SIDEWALK - AFTERNOON

Dan pointed his gun to a vendor after rejecting his request for food. The vendor has no choice but to give him food.

 

DAN (V.O.)

If it doesn't fill my stomach, I steal.

EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT

The blinking red and blue lights illuminate the parking lot. Dan crawl on the ground to hide inside below the car so no one can see him.

 

DAN (V.O.)

Whenever there were police I would hide, whether it was in a car or under a car.

INT. EMPTY HOUSE - NIGHT

Police apprehended Dan and put handcuffed on him.

 

DAN (V.O.)

Later on, I was caught and imprisoned.

INT. JAIL - MORNING

A guard unlocked his jail.

EXT. JAIL - MORNING

Someone escorted him in his release.

 

DAN (V.O.)

I was only released because someone kindly bailed me out of jail.

END MONTAGE.

EXT. OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL - MORNING

ANGLE. FRONT VIEW OF THE SCHOOL

Dan is standing in front of the school.

 

DAN (V.O.)

When I was released, the first thing I did is to look for you and fortunately, I found you.

Daniela walked with her classmates.

 

DAN (V.O.)

You are still studying there where you used to go.

ANGLE. CLOSE UP TO DANIELA'S APPEARANCE.

 

DAN (V.O.)

You grew already and you know how to style your hair. Back then, you always asked for my help.

FADE TO:

INT. DAN'S ROOM - NIGHT

Dan is sewing a dress.

 

DAN (V.O.)

Can we go back to what we used to do? You and me, siblings and together? I miss you so much, I hope you will forgive me. I promise you I will never leave you again.

Dan finished sewing and he admired what he made.

 

DAN (V.O.)

I will give you everything you want to buy and I will take you on a tour of different parts of the world. I will take care of you more than our parents.

Dan finished his letter.

 

DAN (V.O.)

I love you so much, my sister.

FADE TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL - AFTERNOON

Dan gave the letter and a paper bag to her sister. Daniel accepted his gift which made him very happy.

However, Daniela threw the dress away as she saw it.

 

DANIELA

(hostile)

Are you out of your mind? Wake up, Brother. I'm no longer a child and I know you're a murderer! You can't change my mind with your gifts.

Students who are leaving the school started looking at him. They paused and murmured with each other. Dan looked down to avoid embarrassment.

Daniela tore his letter into pieces and flew away by the wind. The dress became all grimy after being run over by cars.

 

DAN (V.O.)

It’s only now that I realize that you did just the right thing for me. I thought the hardships I had experienced were enough to make up for the sins I had committed. I made a mistake, because I will regret it for the rest of my life.

 

DANIELA

(cries)

You killed Dad and Mom. You don't know how hard it is to live without a parent and be ridiculed that my brother is a killer! Then now you're coming back? For what? To disturb me!

Dan raises his forehead in a desire to calm Daniela. He opened his arms but Daniela pushed him away. 

Daniela's classmate hugged and guarded her instead.

   

DAN

Goodbye.

Dan left Daniela and picked up the dress he made.

He hugged the dress and bit his lip to stop himself from crying.

INT. ATOMYNOUS BUILDING - AFTERNOON

 

UNI

How are you, Dan? Are you okay?

Dan fell on his knees and began to cry. His female friend hugged him, gently patted, and caressed his back.

 

DAN (V.O.)

Dan, I regret why I made a nickname out of my sister's name. I am now weeping over my own actions.