A Point of View - A Short Film
FADE IN:
INT.COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Subdued sunlight enters through large window panes. SOFT PIANO MUSIC plays in the background. It's not crowded but a few tables are occupied. SHIKHA,20, a fair, smart lassie, sporting a white top, occupies a window seat. A waiter attends to her.
WAITER
Madam, would you like to place your order ?
SHIKHA
Actually, I am waiting for someone. Thank you.
EXT.COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Quite and Sunny. Scarce traffic. A disheveled beggar sits outside the coffee shop on the concrete footpath. Occasionally, he shakes his aluminum bowl which causes the the coins inside to RATTLE clamorously, drawing the attention of the passers by.
RISHI, a dark, handsome young man, 22, attired casually, rushes towards the coffee shop, checking with concern, the time on his wrist watch. The beggar notices him and starts shaking his bowl vigorously. The fellow quickly pulls out his purse and tosses a coin into the bowl.
INT.COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Shikha observes the whole incident through the window pane. Rishi enters and fumbles towards her table.
RISHI
Sorry buddy, I got late.
She looks daggers at him. He affectionately touches her hand.
RISHI(CONT'D)
By the way, you are looking amazing today.
She shirks off his hand with irritation.
RISHI
(touching his ears)
Pardon me Queen Elizabeth. I would be more careful in future.
She finally melts and smiles at him.
SHIKHA
You are a big joker.
RISHI
Thanks for the compliment madam.
They both laugh. The waiter arrives at their table.
Rishi
So, what would you prefer?
SHIKHA
Coffee, may be some plum cake.
The waiter nods courteously and leaves.
SHIKHA
Tell me something. Why did you give money to that beggar?
RISHI
(a bit taken aback)
What money?
She points at the beggar who is still visible through the window pane.
RISHI
Oh, I see. Just like that. Nothing much anyway.
SHIKHA
So, you want to turn him into a beggar for the rest of his life. Isn't it?
Rishi reclines into his chair and smiles. The waiter serves the coffee and leaves.
RISHI
What else could I do?
SHIKHA
There was no need to give him any money. He needs to work hard for that. And if you really wanted to help him, you could be a bit more constructive.
RISHI
(leaning towards her)
Constructive? Like what?
SHIKHA
Like finding a job for him.
RISHI
(throwing his hands in the air)
Are you kidding me? You feel jobs are so easily available!
SHIKHA
You got to try.
RISHI
That’s easier said than done senorita. And don't you scold me daily for being so extravagant? For spending lavishly on every thing I come across. Now, if I give a small sum to someone in need, what's wrong? I feel it's definitely constructive.
SHIKHA
Now you're arguing just for the sake of it.
RISHI
I am not.
SHIKHA
Yes, you are.
RISHI
No, all your talks about finding a job for him are not practical given our hectic lives.
SHIKHA
Exactly! What is practical is to throw some money and get rid of it. People like you promote such things in society because everybody is looking for an easy solution. No-one wants to travel an extra mile.
RISHI
Extra mile you said? But when? And how? It is better to perform a little act of kindness than to keep waiting for the right occasion.
As the debate gets hotter, other customers look curiously in their direction.
SHIKHA
(red-faced)
I never expected you to be so narrow-minded.
RISHI
And I never expected you to be so unrealistic.
SHIKHA
I am going.
She SLAMS her purse on the table, disturbing the whole paraphernalia.
RISHI
Listen.
Shikha leaves in a ziffy. Rishi watches her helplessly.
EXT.CITY STREET - DAY
As she comes out of the coffee shop, a female beggar approaches Shikha, a skinny baby in her lap.
FEMALE BEGGAR
(crying)
Madam, I haven't eaten anything for the past two days. My baby is also hungry. Please help me madam.
Shikha stands there for a moment, staring listlessly at the mother-child duo.
BEGIN FLASHBACK MONTAGE
INT.COFFEE SHOP - DAY
When Shikha asks Rishi to find a job for the beggar.
RISHI
That’s easier said than done senorita. And don't you scold me daily for being so extravagant? For spending lavishly on every thing I come across. Now, if I give a small sum to someone in need, what's wrong? I feel it's definitely constructive...It is better to perform a little act of kindness than to keep waiting for the right occasion.
END FLASHBACK MONTAGE
EXT.CITY STREET - DAY
Slowly, Shikha's hand moves to her purse, she takes out a coin, gives it to the beggar and leaves.
The female beggar now approaches her next target. This time, it is Rishi coming out of the coffee shop. He stops there for a moment, glancing at the skinny baby.
BEGIN FLASHBACK MONTAGE
When Rishi tells Shikha about the beggar.
SHIKHA
There was no need to give him any money. He needs to work hard for that. And if you really wanted to help him, you could be a bit more constructive... People like you promote such things in society because everybody is looking for an easy solution. No-one wants to travel an extra mile.
END FLASHBACK MONTAGE
EXT.CITY STREET - DAY
Rishi closes his eyes for a while and then dashes off. The DIN of evening traffic takes over. The sun is about to disappear below the horizon. The dusk sets in, radiating a mysterious blend of light and darkness.
CAPTIONS APPEAR AGAINST THE SUNSET
Truth is neither black nor white.
It lies somewhere in between .
FADE OUT:
Credits roll
***
Another Riveting Short
If I say I am right but sometime i couldn't be, so my point of view can't be others,
ReplyDeleteReally nice story 😊
Yes Ajeet, in any debate, the other point of view is as important as mine.
DeleteThere is no straight forward solution for many situations and circumstances. Yes, most of cases it's easier said than done. It's the decision and action taken at that point in time. More the merrier and practical, listen to your own conscience and act judiciously.
ReplyDeleteWell said indeed. Many times, during a discussion, we tend to ignore what the other person is bringing out and project our view as the right one. It is only later that we reflect on what he or she actually said. And those moments have the capability to give us new insights.
Delete