Promise
“PROMISE”
TEASER
INT. IN FRONT OF HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
We hear sad voices coming from within a hospital room. The Mother is sitting outside trying her best to stay quiet. She keeps wiping her face, washing away silent tears that just won’t dry.
The Father is in the room holding the hand of his 8-year old daughter who is lying in bed. Soft beeping comes from the machines beside her; she is pale and sick and afraid. Her watery eyes look pleadingly at her father.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM
DAD
(voice cracking)
Honey... um...
(attempting to steady his voice)
Sweetie, um, mommy and daddy... we can’t follow you there... But, I want you to be strong, okay? We’ll come see you soon, I promise. I just need you to be strong.
YOUNG GIRL
(crying)
But what if I don’t know anybody there?
DAD
Well, I’m sure... Grandma! Grandma will be there to pick you up! Do you remember? She went last year and is probably waiting for you there.
YOUNG GIRL
(unsure)
Really...?
His hands clench hers more tightly around hers.
DAD
(lips trembling, he tries to smile)
Really.
Her breaths are getting shallow.
YOUNG GIRL
And you promise you’ll come get me?
He rises up and kisses her on her forehead.
DAD
I promise, sweetheart, I promise...
The beeping of the heart monitor slows.
The father stares at it in horror and he can’t hold back a choked cry.
DAD
(sobbing)
Baby, I pinky promise. I’ll come find you, I promise.
The beeping slows. She blinks once.
She flatlines.
The mother rushes in crying, followed by the doctor and the nurses.
DAD
I promise, I’ll come find you!
The nurses pull him away as the doctor rushes forward to check. It’s no use.
DAD
No... No! Baby, please, open your eyes. Please... come back to daddy... Please...
The doctor shakes his head. The mom clutches the doctor, wailing. The father keep shaking his head as he falls to the floor.
We hear the monitor flatlining.
FADE TO BLACK.