LOST IN PAINS ~EPISODE 2 : THE LIE
2068 Words
LOST IN PAINS ~ EPISODE 2 : THE LIE
Written by DARVY PRESH
SCENE 1 — THE CRY
INT. HOSPITAL DELIVERY ROOM — NIGHT
Amara lies on the delivery bed, exhausted.
Her face is covered in sweat. Her hands grip the bedsheet tightly.
A nurse stands beside her while the doctor works.
AMARA
(crying)
I can't do this anymore...
NURSE
You can, Mrs. Amara. You're almost there. Just breathe.
Amara closes her eyes.
AMARA
Daniel...
Her voice trembles.
AMARA
Where is my husband?
NURSE
He's outside. He's waiting for you.
Amara takes another breath.
AMARA
Tell him...
She cries out as another contraction hits.
AMARA
Tell him I love him!
NURSE
You can tell him yourself. Just push!
Amara screams.
The doctor looks at the nurse.
DOCTOR
One more push.
AMARA
I can't!
DOCTOR
You can.
Amara gathers every bit of strength she has.
She pushes.
Then—
A BABY'S CRY FILLS THE ROOM.
Everyone freezes for a second.
The nurse looks down.
A tiny newborn is lifted carefully.
NURSE
It's a girl.
Amara's eyes immediately fill with tears.
She laughs and cries at the same time.
AMARA
My baby...
The nurse wraps the baby.
Amara reaches out weakly.
AMARA
Please...
The nurse brings the baby closer.
Amara touches her tiny cheek.
AMARA
She's beautiful.
She begins crying harder.
AMARA
Look at you...
She kisses the baby's forehead.
AMARA
I've waited for you for so long.
The baby cries softly.
Amara smiles through her tears.
AMARA
Your daddy is waiting for you.
She looks toward the door.
AMARA
He's going to love you so much.
The doctor watches silently.
His expression suddenly becomes uneasy.
He looks toward the nurse.
The nurse understands.
She gently takes the baby away.
AMARA
Wait...
The nurse stops.
AMARA
Where are you taking my baby?
NURSE
We're just going to clean her up.
Amara nods weakly.
AMARA
Bring her back quickly.
The nurse walks away.
Amara closes her eyes.
She smiles.
She has no idea that she has just held her daughter for the last time.
SCENE 2~ THE OTHER ROOM
IN THE. HOSPITAL ROOM — SAME NIGHT
Another woman, GRACE, lies unconscious on a hospital bed.
Beside her is an empty bassinet.
Her husband, VICTOR, stands beside her.
His eyes are red from crying.
A doctor enters slowly.
Victor immediately turns.
VICTOR
Doctor?
The doctor doesn't answer.
Victor's expression changes.
VICTOR
What's wrong?
The doctor looks down.
DOCTOR
I'm sorry.
Victor freezes.
VICTOR
What?
DOCTOR
Your baby didn't make it.
Victor stares at him.
For several seconds, he doesn't move.
Then he laughs nervously.
VICTOR
No.
The doctor remains silent.
VICTOR
No, doctor.
He shakes his head.
VICTOR
You told me she was going to be okay.
DOCTOR
We tried everything.
Victor walks toward the bassinet.
He sees the tiny lifeless body.
His knees almost give way.
VICTOR
No...
He covers his mouth.
Tears roll down his face.
VICTOR
That's my daughter.
The doctor looks away.
Victor turns toward his unconscious wife.
VICTOR
Grace...
He walks to her bedside.
VICTOR
Your baby is gone.
Grace doesn't respond.
Victor holds her hand.
VICTOR
You can't hear me right now...
He breaks down.
VICTOR
But when you wake up...
He struggles to speak.
VICTOR
What am I going to tell you?
He looks at the ceiling.
VICTOR
How am I supposed to watch you break when you find out?
The doctor watches him carefully.
Victor wipes his tears.
Then his expression changes.
An idea crosses his mind.
He looks at the doctor.
VICTOR
Doctor...
DOCTOR
Yes?
VICTOR
Is there... another baby?
The doctor goes silent.
Victor notices.
VICTOR
Doctor.
The doctor looks at him.
VICTOR
Is there another baby in this hospital?
SCENE 3 — THE OFFER
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR — NIGHT
The doctor and Victor stand away from Grace's room.
Victor's voice is low.
VICTOR
You know what my wife is like.
DOCTOR
Mr. Victor—
VICTOR
She has been waiting for this child her entire life.
He wipes his face.
VICTOR
If she wakes up and sees that baby...
His voice breaks.
VICTOR
She will die from grief.
The doctor remains silent.
VICTOR
You said another woman delivered tonight.
The doctor's eyes sharpen.
DOCTOR
Who told you that?
Victor doesn't answer.
VICTOR
Does she have a healthy baby?
The doctor looks away.
That silence is enough.
Victor steps closer.
VICTOR
Please.
DOCTOR
What exactly are you asking me to do?
Victor takes a deep breath.
VICTOR
Give my wife that baby.
The doctor stares at him.
DOCTOR
You know what you're asking?
VICTOR
Yes.
DOCTOR
That's someone's child.
VICTOR
And this is my wife's life!
The doctor says nothing.
Victor pulls out his phone.
VICTOR
I'll pay you.
The doctor looks at him.
VICTOR
Whatever you want.
DOCTOR
Money can't fix this.
Victor steps closer.
VICTOR
Then name your price.
The doctor looks toward Grace's room.
Then toward the delivery ward.
His face changes.
Greed wins.
DOCTOR
You understand that once this happens...
He pauses.
DOCTOR
There is no going back.
Victor nods.
VICTOR
I don't care.
The doctor looks him directly in the eyes.
DOCTOR
Nobody can ever know.
Victor extends his hand.
After a long pause...
The doctor shakes it.
SCENE — THE SWAP
INT. HOSPITAL STORAGE ROOM — NIGHT
The room is dim.
The nurse stands beside two bassinets.
One baby is alive.
The other is dead.
Her hands shake.
NURSE
Doctor...
The doctor walks in.
NURSE
Are we really doing this?
DOCTOR
Do you want to lose your job?
She looks down.
NURSE
No.
DOCTOR
Then do what I told you.
The nurse looks at the living baby.
The little girl moves her tiny fingers.
The nurse's eyes fill with tears.
NURSE
She's someone's child.
The doctor looks at her coldly.
DOCTOR
And the other one is someone's child too.
He points toward the dead baby.
DOCTOR
Today, we're simply making sure nobody has to know.
The nurse closes her eyes.
She slowly picks up the living baby.
The baby begins crying.
The nurse whispers:
NURSE
I'm sorry.
She carries the baby away.
The camera stays on the empty bassinet.
SCENE 5 — THE LIES BEGIN'S
INT. AMARA'S ROOM — LATER
Amara is awake.
She looks toward the door.
She smiles when Daniel enters.
Daniel rushes to her bedside.
DANIEL
Amara!
He takes her hand.
DANIEL
Are you okay?
Amara smiles weakly.
AMARA
Where is she?
Daniel's face lights up.
DANIEL
Our daughter?
Amara nods.
AMARA
Bring her to me.
Daniel looks toward the door.
A doctor enters.
His expression is serious.
Daniel notices.
DANIEL
Doctor?
The doctor looks at Amara.
Then Daniel.
DOCTOR
I'm sorry.
Daniel's smile disappears.
DANIEL
Sorry for what?
The doctor takes a breath.
DOCTOR
There were complications.
Amara slowly sits up.
AMARA
What complications?
The doctor looks down.
DOCTOR
Your baby...
He pauses.
Amara's heart begins pounding.
AMARA
My baby what?
The doctor finally speaks.
DOCTOR
Your baby didn't survive.
Silence.
Amara stares at him.
She doesn't understand.
AMARA
What?
Daniel freezes.
DOCTOR
I'm deeply sorry.
Amara shakes her head.
AMARA
No.
She laughs nervously.
AMARA
No, doctor.
She looks at Daniel.
AMARA
Tell him he's joking.
Daniel can't speak.
AMARA
Daniel?
She grabs his arm.
AMARA
Tell him.
Daniel's eyes fill with tears.
AMARA
Daniel...
Her voice becomes a whisper.
AMARA
Where is my baby?
The doctor says nothing.
Amara screams.
AMARA
NOOOOO!
She tries to get out of bed.
AMARA
I heard her cry!
The nurse rushes in.
AMARA
I HEARD MY BABY CRY!
Daniel holds her.
AMARA
Amara...
AMARA
She was alive!
She looks at the doctor.
AMARA
You brought her to me!
The doctor remains silent.
AMARA
I touched her!
She begins sobbing uncontrollably.
AMARA
She was warm...
Daniel breaks down.
He holds his wife tightly.
DANIEL
Why?
He looks at the doctor.
DANIEL
Why did our baby die?
The doctor lowers his head.
DOCTOR
I'm sorry.
He leaves.
The door closes.
Amara's crying echoes through the room.
SCENE 6— A MOTHER'S GOODBYE
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM — LATER
Amara sits silently.
Daniel sits beside her.
Neither speaks.
Amara stares at the tiny baby clothes beside her.
She picks up a tiny pink dress.
She presses it against her chest.
AMARA
She was supposed to wear this.
Daniel looks away.
AMARA
I bought this because I imagined her in it.
She starts crying again.
AMARA
I imagined carrying her.
DANIEL
Amara...
AMARA
I imagined her first smile.
She looks at Daniel.
AMARA
I imagined her calling me Mama.
Her voice breaks.
AMARA
And now I don't even know where my baby is.
Daniel holds her.
DANIEL
I'm sorry.
AMARA
You promised me.
Daniel looks at her.
AMARA
You promised you would protect us.
Daniel breaks down.
DANIEL
I know.
AMARA
You promised.
DANIEL
I'm sorry.
She rests her head against his chest.
AMARA
I want my baby.
Daniel closes his eyes.
He doesn't know what to say.
SCENE 7— THE OTHER MOTHER
IN T. VICTOR AND GRACE'S ROOM — NIGHT
Grace slowly opens her eyes.
Victor is sitting beside her.
He immediately stands.
VICTOR
Grace?
She looks around.
GRACE
Where's my baby?
Victor freezes.
Grace tries to sit up.
GRACE
Where is my baby?
Victor forces a smile.
VICTOR
She's okay.
Grace looks relieved.
GRACE
I want to see her.
Victor's eyes fill with tears.
GRACE
Victor?
He takes her hand.
VICTOR
She's sleeping.
GRACE
Bring her to me.
Victor looks toward the door.
The nurse enters carrying the living baby.
Grace's eyes immediately brighten.
GRACE
My baby...
The nurse places the baby carefully in her arms.
Grace begins crying.
She kisses the baby's forehead.
GRACE
You're beautiful.
Victor watches them.
His face is filled with guilt.
Grace looks at him.
GRACE
Why are you crying?
Victor smiles through his tears.
VICTOR
Because I'm happy.
Grace smiles.
She looks down at the baby.
GRACE
We should give her a name.
Victor looks at the baby.
He whispers:
VICTOR
A new beginning.
Grace smiles.
GRACE
A new beginning.
Victor looks away.
He knows the truth.
This child isn't theirs.
SCENE 8 — DISCHARGED
IN THE. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR — DAY
The next morning.
Daniel carries Amara's bag.
Amara walks slowly.
Her eyes are empty.
A nurse gives Daniel some papers.
NURSE
You can complete the discharge process downstairs.
Daniel nods.
He looks at Amara.
DANIEL
Let's go home.
Amara doesn't answer.
He reaches for her hand.
She allows him to hold it.
They walk away.
Behind them, the hospital doors slowly close.
Inside the building...
A baby cries.
Amara stops.
She turns around.
Daniel looks at her.
AMARA
Did you hear that?
DANIEL
What?
AMARA
A baby.
Daniel looks toward the hospital.
DANIEL
Amara...
She stares at the doors.
AMARA
I thought I heard my baby.
Daniel hugs her.
DANIEL
Let's go home.
She slowly follows him.
Neither of them knows that their daughter is still inside the hospital.
SCENE 9 — THE TRUTH WE SEE
IN THE. HOSPITAL NURSERY — NIGHT
The hospital is quiet.
Lights are dim.
The living baby lies peacefully inside a bassinet.
The same tiny girl Amara held.
The nurse who helped with the swap enters.
She looks at the baby.
Her eyes fill with guilt.
She picks up a small hospital identification bracelet.
She looks at it.
Then whispers:
NURSE
I'm sorry, little one.
The baby opens her eyes.
The nurse looks toward the door.
Footsteps approach.
She quickly hides the bracelet.
The doctor enters.
DOCTOR
Did anyone ask questions?
NURSE
No.
DOCTOR
Good.
He walks toward the baby.
The baby begins crying.
The doctor looks at her without emotion.
DOCTOR
She'll be transferred soon.
The nurse looks shocked.
NURSE
Transferred where?
The doctor doesn't answer.
NURSE
Doctor?
He finally looks at her.
DOCTOR
Somewhere nobody will look for her.
The nurse stares at him.
The doctor walks away.
The baby continues crying.
The camera slowly moves closer.
A tiny hand comes out from the blanket.
On her wrist is a small identification band.
It reads:
AMARA & DANIEL
The camera holds on it.
CUT TO BLACK
TO BE CONTINUED......
END OF EPISODE 2 — THE LIE
What happened to the baby?
Where is she going?
Will Amara and Daniel ever discover the truth?
EPISODE 3 — THE ORPHAN
Coming Next.....
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