MY IMAGINARY FATHER

MY IMAGINARY FATHER

Genre: Family Drama, Coming-of-Age

Written by: Khally Sibanda

ACT ONE

SCENE 1

EXT. SCHOOL YARD – DAY

The schoolyard is busy with children. JESSICA (12), a quiet, introspective girl, is standing off to the side, watching the other kids in their cliques. She’s lost in thought, pulling at the straps of her backpack. A soft breeze ruffles her hair.

LUCY (12) and TOMMY (12), both outgoing and confident, walk up to her with wide smiles, chattering excitedly.

LUCY:

My dad just bought me a phone. I swear, it’s the latest model. Can you believe that?

TOMMY:

I’m going to the Yankees game with my dad this weekend. He’s gonna teach me to throw a fastball. Bet you don’t even know what that feels like.

Lucy and Tommy laugh, not unkindly, but their words are a reminder of the life Jessica doesn’t have. Jessica looks down, her fingers twitching nervously.

JESSICA:

(small)

That sounds... nice.

TOMMY:

So, where’s your dad? You don’t ever talk about him.

LUCY:

(surprised)

Yeah, is he, like, working or something? I mean, you’re always here with just your mom, right?

Jessica’s face tightens. She’s heard these questions before. She can’t help but feel the sting, the weight of their unspoken judgment. She tries to brush it off, but there’s a slight tremor in her voice.

JESSICA:

He’s... busy. Just... you know, important stuff. Work and stuff.

Lucy and Tommy exchange a look, a mix of curiosity and skepticism. They don’t push, but their eyes linger on her as they walk away.

LUCY:

Well, tell him I said "hi" next time.

Jessica stands there, feeling the rush of emotions rise within her, anger, frustration, loneliness. As they disappear into the crowd, she mumbles under her breath.

JESSICA:

I wish I had a dad like that.

SCENE 2

INT. JESSICA'S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Jessica lies on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. The room is quiet except for the faint hum of a fan. She grips a stuffed animal close to her chest, her mind racing.

JESSICA:

(whispering to herself)

I just want... someone to care.

A soft whoosh fills the room. Jessica’s eyes widen as she looks toward the corner. A shadow begins to form, taking shape. Suddenly, MATLA (early 40s) appears before her—a tall, elegant man in an old-fashioned suit. His eyes are kind, yet there’s a certain otherworldliness to him.

MATLA:

(voice soft, yet commanding)

Did you call for me, Jessica?

Jessica’s heart races. She blinks several times, unsure of what she’s seeing.

JESSICA:

(whispering)

Who... who are you?

MATLA:

(smoothly)

I am your father.

Jessica freezes, a chill running through her veins. Her mouth goes dry. This is too surreal, too strange.

JESSICA:

I... don’t have a dad. My dad died, well mother said he died.

Matla steps closer, his presence comforting despite the surreal nature of it.

MATLA:

But you do now. I’m here, Jessica. I always have been.

ACT TWO

SCENE 1

INT. JESSICA'S SCHOOL – DAY

Jessica enters her classroom, holding her backpack tight against her chest. She walks to her desk, sitting down next to LUCY and TOMMY, who are whispering among themselves.

LUCY:

Jessica, you missed out on the best thing yesterday! My dad’s taking me shopping this weekend. He said I can pick whatever I want. What’s your dad gonna do with you?

Jessica hesitates, her mind racing. Her heart pounds. She can’t let them know the truth, not after everything. Her eyes flick to Matla, standing invisibly just behind her. He’s watching her like a silent guardian.

JESSICA:

(suddenly confident)

Actually, my dad’s taking me out this weekend. We’re going to... to the lake. Just the two of us.

Lucy and Tommy exchange impressed glances.

TOMMY:

Whoa, a weekend trip? Your dad’s that cool?

JESSICA:

(nods quickly)

Yeah. He’s, uh, really cool.

Jessica’s heart races with the lie. She can feel the weight of it already, like a ticking bomb in her chest. But Matla’s presence feels like a silent reassurance, guiding her. She smiles a little, but the smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

LUCY:

(skeptical)

Wow, sounds like he really cares about you. I wish my dad was like that.

JESSICA:

(softly)

Yeah. Me too.

SCENE 2

INT. JESSICA'S KITCHEN – EVENING

Jessica sits at the kitchen table, drawing. Her mother, KAREN (early 40s), is cooking dinner. She’s worn-out, tired, her movements slow. She wears a smile that doesn’t quite hide the exhaustion beneath.

KAREN:

(casual)

How was school today, honey?

JESSICA:

(mumbles)

It was fine.

Jessica’s eyes flicker toward the window, then back to her drawing. Her thoughts are miles away, consumed by the lie she’s weaving.

KAREN:

(looking concerned)

Are you okay, Jessica? You’ve been a little... distant lately.

JESSICA:

(quickly)

I’m fine, Mom. Just... school stuff.

Karen doesn’t buy it. She sets down the knife, wiping her hands on a dish towel.

KAREN:

(sighing)

You don’t have to carry everything on your own, Jess. I’m here. Talk to me, whats going on?

JESSICA:

(sharply)

I know. Just... can you stop asking? Please.

Karen is taken aback by the sudden outburst. She looks at Jessica, trying to understand the sudden change in behavior, but says nothing. The silence is deafening.

SCENE 3

INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM – DAY

The classroom is filled with students. Mrs. MARTIN, the teacher, stands at the front of the class.

MRS. MARTIN:

Today, we’re doing a fun exercise. I want each of you to bring in someone important to you—whether it’s a family member, a mentor, or a close friend. I want you to introduce them to the class and share a special memory with us.

The other kids murmur excitedly, while Jessica’s heart sinks into her stomach. She looks at Lucy and Tommy, who are already whispering to each other about their dads. Jessica begins to panic.

LUCY:

(grinning)

So, Jessica, are we going to meet your dad this time? You know, since you said he’s taking you to the lake?

Jessica’s stomach churns. The weight of the lie threatens to crush her. Her eyes dart to Matla, who stands in the corner of the classroom, observing her with a knowing look.

JESSICA:

(voice shaky)

I... I don’t think I can.

TOMMY:

What? Why not? You said he’s your dad, right?

Jessica’s breaths come in shallow bursts. She grips the edge of her desk. This is it—the moment everything unravels.

JESSICA

(voice cracking)

I... I made him up.

The room falls silent. Jessica’s face is red with embarrassment. Her hands shake. Tears begin to well up in her eyes as the lie she’s carried for weeks comes crashing down. She looks at her classmates, their faces full of judgment, their silence deafening. She feels exposed, vulnerable.

LUCY:

(softly, almost sympathetically)

You made him up?

Jessica nods, her voice barely a whisper.

JESSICA:

I just wanted... I just wanted someone to care.

Matla steps closer, his figure appearing beside Jessica. He places a hand on her shoulder, though only she can see him. He leans in, speaking quietly, just for her.

MATLA:

I care. I always will, Jessica. You are never alone.

Jessica wipes away a tear, then turns to face her classmates, her voice steadying.

JESSICA:

I’m sorry. I thought... I thought if I could pretend, it would make everything feel better. But I was wrong. I don’t need to pretend anymore.

Act 3 coming soon