2. 1
SCENE 1
FADE IN:
INT. OUTSIDE A HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
An analogue clock ticks before CLAIRE, a Caucasian girl
wearing casual clothes, and DR. FRANSIS, a middle aged
Caucasian woman, are shown sat opposite each other. DR FRANSIS
has a contemplated look on her face as she looks at her
patient CLAIRE.
DR. FRANSIS
So we got the results of your test back, and I’m sorry to say
that your tests are positive for leukaemia.
CLAIRE
What? I don’t – I don’t understand – h-how?
DR. FRANSIS
So there are options available for you.
DR. FRANSIS stands up from her chair then makes her way to a
filing cabinet. Once she’s opened it she takes out a leaflet,
makes her way back to her chair then hands the leaflet to
CLAIRE.CLAIRE accepts the leaflets as a high pitch ringing
sound starts.
FADE:
The analogue clock continues to tick louder with each second
that passes.
FADE:
3. 2
SCENE 2:
EXT. THE OUTSIDE OF CLAIRE’S HOUSE - DAY
VOICEOVER
Up until now I’ve never understood why people say life is the
shortest thing on earth because it’s the longest thing I’ve
come across.
FADE:
INT. HER BEDROOM – DRIP BAG - DAY
VOICEOVER
And that’s because I have a life threatening disease, also
known as leukaemia, and I’m stuck here waiting for it to
finally run its course.
FADE:
VOICEOVER
I’ve always taken advantage of things that came to me without
a cost or time limit. Now that my life is being taken away
from me without a warning, I think I need to take whatever
time I have left to appreciate those who have been by my side
while I still have the time.
FADE:
SCENE 3
INT. THE FRONT ROOM - DAY
Flashback of CLAIRE and her older sister, HELEN, are watching
TV as they eat popcorn and laugh together (Silent)
VOICEOVER
Helen, you’ve always been there for me, especially when mum
passed away a few years ago. I couldn’t ask for a better older
sister. Ever since I was diagnosed with cancer, you dropped
out of school to look after me and keep me company. I know how
torn you were when mum died of cancer a few years ago and it
hurts me to think I’m going to put you through that same type
of pain in the near future, but think of it this way, I’m soon
going to join mum so we’ll both be watching over you.
FADE:
4. 3
PRESENT DAY
INT. HER BEDROOM
CLAIRE continues to write in her letter.
FADE:
SCENE 4
INT. IN RACHEL’S FRONT ROOM - EVENING
FLASHBACK of CLAIRE and her friend, RACHEL, are talking and
laughing when CLAIRE’s phone goes off. CLAIRE looks down at
her phone then dismisses the message before she carries on
talking to RACHEL.
VOICEOVER
Mum, I don’t know if you can hear me, I should have told you
this ages ago, but I just want you to know that I regret all
of the time I didn’t spend with you before you passed away,
it’s sad to say I had to be diagnosed with the same illness as
you to understand why you wanted Helen and I to always be by
your side, but nothing can change the love I have for you.
FADE:
SCENE 5
INT. CLAIRE’S STUDY AREA - EVENING
FLASHBACK of CLAIRE as she watches HELEN sit by a desk trying
to work through the new letters she’s received which are
bills. HELEN is frustrated due to the large amounts of money
she needs to pay.
VOICEOVER
Helen, I remember the times you worked extra hours to make
enough money for my multiple treatments; all those times you
took time off work to come with me to hospital appointments;
and all those tears you cried because you didn’t know how to
cope. You literally put your whole life on hold for me, how
could I ever repay you for that? I just want you to know that
I’ll always love and appreciate you.
FADE:
5. 4
SCENE 6
PRESENT DAY
INT. HER BEDROOM - DAY
CLAIRE continues to write in her letter.
VOICEOVER
I never really thanked you for being such a great friend to
me, Isabel and Rachel; you were both with me through
everything, from when I started my first day in secondary to
helping me with my first date. I couldn’t be more grateful for
friends like you.
FADE:
FLASHBACK of CLAIRE at a park with her friend, Isabel, on a
set of swings.
CLAIRE
I really don’t want to go to school on Monday.
ISABEL
Come on, school’s not that bad, what about your future?
CLAIRE
Future? I already have that planned out, plus university is
too competitive anyway.
ISABEL
I know you, you love competition. Don’t you remember when we
were younger and we used to stuff marshmallows down our
throats?
CLAIRE
Yeah, you got yours stuck in your braces.
ISABEL
You’ve gone too far; anyway I bet I could swing higher than
you.
6. 5
Both girls aim to see who can swing the highest as they laugh
and try to push each other off the swings.
FADE:
SCENE 7
FLASHBACK of CLAIRE in an art room working on her artwork,
which is due for an exam soon.
VOICEOVER
The one thing I miss about school was art. It was one of the
only lessons that gave me a sense of hope and freedom, but now
I can only hold onto my love for art through memories.
Before I end this letter I just want to say one more thing to
you Helen, Rachel, and Isabel, when I’m gone I want you guys
to-
FADE:
SCENE 8
PRESENT DAY
INT. HER BEDROOM - DAY
CLAIRE continues to write until her eyelids start to gradually
close. Her hand slowly slides off the piece of paper she’s
writing on before the pen drops from her hand. The sound of
the heart monitor going flat is heard in the background.
FADE:
SCENE 9
PRESENT DAY
EXT. A GRAVEYARD - DAY
RACHEL holds a bouquet of roses in her hand as she walks
towards CLAIRE’s grave. She places down the flowers before she
slowly backs away from the grave and leaves the graveyard.
FADE TO BLACK
CUT TO CREDITS
