Lila is packing for her deployment in the army and searches for her father's old dog tags. She goes to her younger sister Dawn's room to ask about the tags' location. Dawn's room is messy and dark in contrast to Lila's tidy one. Dawn ignores Lila at first with her music. They argue about a pink jumper before Lila realizes Dawn is upset about her leaving. Dawn admits she doesn't know how she'll cope without Lila always being there, as their father left them before. Lila comforts Dawn and promises to return safely and continue being there for her.

1. Int. Lila’s bedroom – DAY
LILA SMITH, early twenties, in her simplistic room with just a
bed, desk, wardrobe and drawers. The room is white and tidy, LILA
is emptying drawers and packing it neatly into a black holdall,
including a camo army uniform and boots. LILA checks her army
paperwork almost systematically and picks out a university
acceptance letter and carelessly throws it in the bin. It becomes
apparent that LILA is looking for something; she opens the
drawers confused and storms out of her room.
Int. Dawn’s bedroom – DAY
DAWN SMITH, fifteen, is on her bed listening to music with her
laptop open, we can hear the loud pop-punk music, she is wearing
a bright pink jumper. Dawn’s room is dark and messy, drawers are
slightly open with clothes spilling over the sides, and clothes
scatter the floor. The curtains and blinds are drawn. There is a
photograph of a man in army uniform holding the hands of his two
young daughters. LILA bursts through the door and steps into the
middle of the room. DAWN doesn’t look up, she turns the volume of
the music playing from her laptop up.
LILA
(Voice gets louder each time she calls.)
Dawn. Dawn. Dawn!
DAWN doesn’t respond, instead increases the volume of her music
from her laptop. LILA sighs and taps the mute button on DAWN’s
laptop. DAWN does not look up at her, she unmutes her music. This
is repeated three times before LILA slams DAWN’s closed.
DAWN
What?
LILA
Dad’s old dog tags from the army, where are they?
DAWN
I don’t know, I think mum had them.
LILA notices the jumper DAWN is wearing

2. LILA
Wait what are you wearing? Is that my jumper?!
DAWN
You gave it to me - it’s mine!
LILA
No I didn’t! Give it back!
DAWN
No, you can’t tell me what to do anymore.
LILA
What’s wrong with you? You’ve been like this for months?
DAWN
Nothing.
LILA
There’s something wrong. Tell me.
DAWN
(Sarcastically)
Nothing’s wrong. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time away. It’s
not like this hasn’t happened before.
LILA’S eyes flit to the photograph of her and DAWN with their
father.
DAWN
Can’t wait for you to never come home.
LILA’S face softens. She gently sits down on the bed next to
DAWN.
LILA
Dawn I’m coming home. Nothing’s gonna happen to me. I promise.

3. DAWN
Whatever.
LILA
Dawn, please.
DAWN
How do you know that? I need you here. We’ve never been apart
like this before.
LILA
Dawn…
DAWN
I just…I don’t know how I’m gonna cope without you. You’re always
here, I just...I... I don’t know
LILA
This isn’t forever you know. I’m coming back. And when I do it’ll
be just like normal. You can tell me about all the boys you like
and I’ll take you out for ice cream in town.
DAWN
(Looks down and half smiles)
I’m not a kid.
LILA
(Grins)
Okay, whatever you want to do.
DAWN
(Hopefully)
Will you help me bunk off school on Thursday’s?
LILA
(Laughs)
You’d love that wouldn’t you! Maaaaybe not, education is
important!

4. DAWN
So, how long were you grounded for when you bunked off when you
were in Year 10?
LILA
Precisely. Learn from my mistakes.
LILA pulls DAWN into a hug, her head resting on top of DAWN’s.
LILA
Nothing is going to happen to me, I’m going to come home.
DAWN
I’m going to miss you.
FADE TO BLACK