A Point of View - A Short Film

Two young adults argue in a cafe

I am Right!

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 

Ashes- A Short Horror Script

Comments

  1. Ajeet Singh24 July 2022 at 14:39

    If I say I am right but sometime i couldn't be, so my point of view can't be others,
    Really nice story 😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Manish Sharma24 July 2022 at 16:07

      Yes Ajeet, in any debate, the other point of view is as important as mine.

      Delete
  2. Siddhartha24 July 2022 at 15:06

    There 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Manish Sharma24 July 2022 at 16:17

      Well 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

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