screenplay
The Volcano Written by: YONGYI CAI
WHEN YOU DREAM, DREAM AS IF YOU WILL LIVE FOR EVER; AND WHEN YOU LIVE, LIVE AS IF YOU WILL DIE TOMORROW. Anonymous
FADE IN
1.EXT/INT. VILLAGE, MORNING
It is early morning, and normal life has began in the village. The drums, dancing and voices of children are heard in the background. The whistling of the birds and the mooing of cows and the cries of young children continue to be heard in the background and curtains open. The village life is revealed; a household of four is shown.
ANTONINA Dressed in a motherly way
Prepare first to leave to school. Your teacher Madam Rowan is a disciplined teacher, she does not like pupils going to school late; lateness interferes with the school’s daily program
TATU- THE KINDERGARTEN CHILD
I will run very first to school; the good thing is that it is not far away from here; I am sure I will reach on time. I also hate being late, it is a bad habit
ANTONINA (CONT’D) That is good of you.
She sighs shakes some milk and puts packed breakfast in Tatu’s bag. Looks at Kaka, her husband
Which missions will you be having for today?
KAKA Well as the administrator in the village, I need to communicate with the village association on the need of maintaining low hedges. There are complaints among neighbors that some are keeping very; long hedges, which are security threat.
ANTONINA Sure,
2.
KAKA Yes; in America, the hedges are low lying so that neighbors can see what happens in the neighborhood; it is good for being a brother’s keeper.
ANTONINA Smiles;
I am told in Britain, long hedges are the norm, well also inform them of the need to collaborate so that we can form the village co-operative society, it will help as access government loans and boost our economic status.
KAKA That is a good reminder, takes his coat from the hanger and puts on, moves to table and takes his breakfast. Well let me move.
ANTONINA Smiles,
Well, good day
KAKA Kaka walks towards his office located in the center of the village, he meets Noah, unemployed alcoholic who has scars from a bear attack.
NOAH Good morning Mr. Kaka; it’s a pleasure to meet you this morning
KAKA He stretches his hand for a handshake;
Good morning to you; how are you people?
NOAH
I am fine, I think all villagers are fine; I haven’t heard of anything bad yet. You know Kaka, some things happen by coincidence while others are predestined; I wonder why the village is thriving very fast in the middle of the forest.
Sighs looks towards the direction of the mountain and says,
3.
I was not sure whether some jet was passing closer to that mountain, I heard some rumbling sounds from the direction of mountain; points towards the mountain
KAKA Sure, I never heard such a sound, but in relation to the blessing, they are manifestations of the supernatural blessings that our forefathers dedicated to their off springs.
NOAH You know most of the time I am awake.
He excuses himself to go for short call. The village is used to open toilets but they never get infected by cholera or other communicable diseases.
KAKA Nods his head,
Yes I know, I know that most of the time you are drunk and suffer from insomnia. Maybe it was hallucinations!
NOAH Hallucinations, am i mad; you should stop joking, this might be a serious matter; just be observant
Some rumbling sound in the background,
KAKA Surprised,
What could that be?
Tries to listen keenly to the sound;
Is like a sound of the earthquake emanating from the ground.
NOAH I told you; or you are also suffering from hallucination?
Noah runs downslope as he shouts to the villagers that the earth might be sinking!
Hey you guys prepare to leave, some unheard of things are happening!!!!.
4.
Runs to his house to take his whistle and trumpet; he blows it as an alarm. In the background, the rumbling sound intensifies; smoke begin to emanate from the mountain top
NOAH (CONT’D) Hey we are burning, lets us disappear from this place.
Sweats profusely.
ROWAN The kindergarten teacher who moonlights as a bartender; she is biracial, bisexual and is tattooed
The kindergarten teacher runs towards Kaka,
What is it that you blowing a trumpet?
KAKA We are burning; aren’t you hearting anything? Look at that!
Points towards the direction of the mountain
ROWAN Looks at the mountain.
Sure? The mountain is producing smoke. The mountain is about to explode, it has suddenly become active. The world was predestined.
Runs back to her school and releases children, they start trekking towards the opposite direction
Smoke and sound from the mountain is intensifying. Frogs are croaking loud and the whistling of birds is louder.
NOAH Shouts
Hey you guys just start leaving or less you may die in this place. Only take your children! Children only, help the needy guys. Move far from here.
The villagers are on mass trek away from their homes.
2. INT. HOUSE, MORNING
There is sound of people chuckling in the background. A touch light reveals Romner seated on the stage. He is watching news on a cable TV in Rio de Janairo. The news about the volcanic eruption in the Amazon village are broadcast.
5.
There is a volcanic eruption in the Village people are warned to stay.
ROWAN Looks at the crowd.
Listen guys, an eruption has occurred in the village around Amazon; in this era in Brazil, I have never heard of it. But it is an opportunity for tour guides to make money; many tourists will be flocking there. I will call one of my friends at the airport, a renowned tour guide to make use of this opportunity. But it may be risky though
Takes a cellphone from his pocket, dials it and listens;