Epilogue: The Tree
374 Words
Epilogue: The Tree
Sindalan, San Fernando, Pampanga. May 5, 2030. 3:03 PM.
EXT. VACANT LOT - DAY
Where BAHAY REVENAR stood. Now just grass, weeds, and ONE BLACK TREE in the center. No leaves. No shoes.
A WOMAN, 22, stands under it. Hair long now. No makeup. Scar on chin visible. MIREILLE SANTOS.
She holds a CHILD’S HAND. GIRL, 6. White dress. No burn.
LITTLE GIRL
Is this it?
MIREILLE
Yeah. This is it.
The girl looks up at the tree. Then at the watch on Mireille’s wrist. It’s digital. 3:03 PM.
The watch BEEPS. Once.
The tree SHUDDERS. Bark splits. Not much — just a hairline crack.
Nothing comes out.
LITTLE GIRL
Did it hurt?
MIREILLE
(beat)
Only when I thought it was mine.
EXT. VACANT LOT - CONTINUOUS
A MAN, 40s, walks up. CLERK’S VEST. San Fernando Land Registry. Holds a FILE.
CLERK
Miss Santos?
MIREILLE
That’s me.
CLERK
Paperwork’s done. Lot’s yours. Paid in full. No liens, no history. As far as the city’s concerned, nothing was ever here.
He hands her the DEED. She doesn’t open it.
MIREILLE
What are you gonna build?
CLERK
(shrugs)
City says park. Playground, maybe.
LITTLE GIRL
Can we have swings?
CLERK
(smiles)
First thing we put up.
He walks off.
Mireille crouches. Pulls the THIN LEDGER from her backpack. Still one page left. Blank.
She lays it at the base of the tree.
EXT. VACANT LOT - CONTINUOUS
Mireille stands. Takes a MATCHBOOK from her pocket. VICTORY LINER. Strikes one.
LITTLE GIRL
What are you doing?
MIREILLE
Ending it.
She drops the match on the ledger.
It doesn’t catch. Too damp. Too old. The paper just SMOLDERS.
Mireille laughs. Real. Loud.
MIREILLE (CONT’D)
Figures. Even fire doesn’t want it.
She stomps it out with her shoe. Left one.
The wind picks up. The ledger’s ASH lifts, scatters. Gone before it hits the grass.
LITTLE GIRL
Is it over now?
MIREILLE
(looks at her watch — 3:04 PM)
Yeah, anak. It’s over.
She takes the girl’s hand.
MIREILLE (CONT’D)
Come on. Let’s go buy you some shoes. Both of them.
They walk off.
The BLACK TREE doesn’t move.
After a long beat, a single GREEN LEAF pushes out of the crack.
FADE OUT.
END SCENE.
- Writer
