The Gate Way

Episode11:The Tragedy

Ten years later. JINA (10) is a beautiful, bright-eyed girl. She is a mix of DIANA’S Nigerian features and SEO-JOON'S Korean ones. She is playing with a ball while DIANA watches from a park bench, her face full of pride.

DIANA

(Calling out)

Jina! Be careful!

Jina just laughs and continues to play. Diana is a changed woman. She is strong and independent. She runs her own small business, and her life is centered entirely on her daughter. They have built a beautiful life together, just the two of them.

Jina comes over to her mother and hugs her.

JINA

Mom, look! I’m getting better! I can kick the ball just like the boys!

DIANA

(Hugging her)

You're the best. I'm so proud of you.

She smiles, but her expression is still a little sad. She often wonders about Seo-joon and what happened to him, but she has a secret pact with herself: she will not let his absence cast a shadow over her daughter's life.

DIANA’S HOME - DAY

Diana is on the phone, her voice worried. The TV is on in the background, showing a news report of a local protest that has turned violent.

DIANA

(Into the phone)

Jina's school is just a few blocks away from the protests... I need to go get her.

She hangs up the phone and runs out the door.

STREET - DAY

Diana is running through the street. People are running in all directions, and there is a sense of panic in the air. Police sirens wail in the distance. The news report from the TV has come to life.

She can see Jina's school a block away. Jina is standing at the front gate, looking around, scared.

DIANA

(Screaming)

JINA! JINA, OVER HERE!

Jina sees her mother and starts running towards her.

Just as Jina is about to reach her, a commercial truck, swerving to avoid the chaos, loses control and careers directly toward them. Diana’s eyes widen in terror. She pushes Jina out of the way, saving her life. The truck hits Diana. She falls to the ground, unconscious.

Jina stares at her mother, her face a mask of shock and confusion. She doesn't understand what happened. The world goes silent.

FADE OUT.

HOSPITAL - DAY

A few days after the protest. Jina, now 10, is sitting alone in a hospital waiting room. She is still in shock, holding the ball she was playing with when her mother was hit. A NURSE walks over to her.

NURSE

Jina, do you have any family? Can you tell me their name?

Jina shakes her head, silent. The Nurse tries to comfort her.

NURSE

It's going to be okay. We will find someone to take care of you.

Jina just stares at her, a lost, confused little girl.