Евгения Гришковец – Aina and the Maelstrom (страница 4)

INT. GALYA'S APARTMENT. LOGGIA. EARLY EVENING.

Galya hangs laundry and listens to music on her phone. Galya sighs, then sings along. The boys help her, taking laundry from the basin and handing it to her.

GALYA (regretfully)

How time flies. You're growing up, and I'm getting old. It's so sad it makes me cry! All the best and most interesting things are ahead for you! Everything for the first time!

The phone stops the melody. A message arrives. Galya reads it and shrugs.

BOYS

What did they write?

GALYA (thoughtfully)

I have a colleague at work. A young girl. Seems to be trying to be friends with me. Kind of strange.

BOYS

That's good! You'll have fun, not be sad!

GALYA

It's just that I have nothing to offer her. What can I talk to her about? Washing floors and cooking dinner? She should be dating young men, not hanging out with a respectable mother of a family…

Galya turns to the boys, but they've already long since run off the loggia. From the dark glass of the balcony door, Galya's reflection stares back at her. Galya fixes her hair.

GALYA

Of course, in the evening light, I still look okay…

EXT. THE RIVER. HEAVY DOWNPOUR. EARLY DUSK.

The river water is a dirty swamp color. The current sweeps bushes along the riverbank. Branches with leaves swirl in whirlpools in the water.

NEWS ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

Due to the rain, the river level is rising. Authorities warn that being in the river is now deadly dangerous. Parents are strongly urged not to let children go to the river beaches.

Aina rides a bus through the city along the road by the river. Aina looks fearfully at the powerful current. The girl got soaked before boarding the bus. The foundation has washed off her face in patches. Yellowish traces of healing bruises are visible on her cheeks.

The bus passes through the city bustle and stops at the final stop. Three hundred meters further, the private sector begins. Aina is the only passenger. Aina gets off the bus. A taxi is parked near the stop. The driver honks sharply, turns on his headlights, and starts the engine. Aina obediently walks towards the car. The bright headlights pierce her graceful figure. Aina opens the front door and gets in. The taxi immediately speeds off and drives towards the bridge over the raging river. It has gotten dark. Through the taxi window, Aina stares into the churning water.

AINA (sadly, barely audible)

It pulls me there. I'm tired. I wish it would all end soon…

[PAGE 7]

AKHMAD (severely)

Look what you're thinking! You need watching over! How long do I have to babysit you? My wife's about to give birth, I work in a taxi all day, and that's no picnic… And then you with your nonsense!

AINA

Sorry, Akhmad, I wasn't thinking.

AKHMAD

As usual! You never think, and your family has to deal with the fallout!

AINA

I'm sorry, I'm sorry… How's Ruzanna managing?

AKHMAD

Go see her and find out. And stop taking evening shifts at your bank! Work only mornings, understand?

AINA

Morning hours pay poorly, Akhmad! I need the evening shifts!

AKHMAD

I said what I said! If I see you in town in the evening, you'll have me to deal with!

INT. AKHMAD AND RUZANNA'S HOUSE. EARLY MORNING. KITCHEN.

Akhmed came home from his night shift in the taxi. Akhmed looks tired, his straight black hair disheveled. Akhmed looks much older than he is. He has a strong build, but a belly is starting to form.

The kitchen is very clean. The house is new. Everything shines. The kitchen has a large double‑door refrigerator, a stove, a sink, a table in the middle, and four stools. A small vase of apples sits on the table. Akhmed grabs an apple without taking off his outer clothes, bites into it, and makes a face.

AKHMAD

Ugh, sour! Why do you give me apples like this? Hey, Ruzanna!

A minute later, Ruzanna emerges from the bedroom. Ruzanna was sleeping.

INT. KITCHEN IN AKHMAD AND RUZANNA'S HOUSE.

Ruzanna takes an apple from the vase and tries it.

RUZANNA

It's not sour at all…

AKHMAD

Get me food! I'm tired.

Ruzanna opens the refrigerator and pulls out a large pot. The pot is heavy. Ruzanna wants to get rid of the weight quickly and hurries to the stove. Ruzanna doesn't notice Akhmad's feet, trips over his dirty boots. The pot slips from her hands and falls to the floor with a terrible crash. Fatty soup splashes out, spotting everything around. Even the pristine white kitchen curtain gets hit by yellow splatters. Akhmed frowns, stands up, and mutters something insulting under his breath. He leaves.

AKHMAD

A she‑devil, not a woman! I'll go eat at mother's…

INT. RUSTEM AND SIMA'S HOUSE. KITCHEN. EARLY MORNING.

Rustem sits at the kitchen table. He noisily drinks hot tea. Steam rises from the cup. Rustem's face is red, with beads of sweat on his forehead. Aina stands by the stove, frying pancakes.

Aina is dressed in a long, hooded terry cloth robe. The bulky robe makes Aina look two sizes larger. Aina's hair is loose, strands tucked behind her small, neat ears. Rustem is dressed to go to work. He works as a foreman on a construction site. Akhmad enters.

[PAGE 8]

RUSTEM

Oh, son! Just got off the night shift?

AKHMAD

Yeah, Dad! Tired, want to sleep! Want to eat!

Akhmed glances at Aina.

AKHMAD

Why aren't you at work? I told you to take day shifts instead of evenings!