Update 19 July 2023: Uploaded the draft of the start of my novel.
Update 16 Nov 2022: I am excited to announce that I was notified today that “Worduel” is selected for publication in the 43rd annual issue of the University of Iowa's oldest undergraduate literary magazine, earthwords, coming spring 2023 (site).
Update 07 Dec 2022: Wordle, the obvious inspiration for the competition which determines life in the United States within my story, is Google’s most-searched word in 2022 (link to CNN story).
For scripts, I wish to retain as much of the format as possible; apologies to smartphone readers. Turning your phones to the landscape position should help. Thank you for your understanding.
Title: Worduel
Duration: 8 minutes
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller, Science Fiction
A scientist couple balance their lives in a near-future society that uses drastic measures in an attempt to turn back climate change, food shortages, and pandemics. A new worry tilts the scales.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY From the oversized flat screen monitor built into the wall, androgynous PRESENTER #1 speaks through a ceaseless unexpressive stare in front of the US Census Bureau seal. PRESENTER #1 (V.O.) Officials today reiterate that due to the rising number of Deniers fleeing their duty, selection of Givers in Saturday Worduels will increase from seven words to eight. The sun streams in, basking the walls in gold. At the island counter, ARJUN, 31, second-generation Indian American, khakis and royal blue polo. A NOAA badge hangs from his sleeve. He bounces to an upbeat tune in his head. Pulls two mugs from the rack, pours coffee, adds splashes of oat milk. There's a stain on the collar of his shirt. PRESENTER #1 (V.O.) The Justice Department announces rewards for tips leading to the apprehension of Deniers will also increase. Onto the weather... Arjun takes illegible notes. PRESENTER #1 (V.O.) ... Cloud seeding efforts have failed to save crops for the fourth consecutive season. Meanwhile, Hurricane Udon is expected to make landfall in Miami this evening, threatening efforts for displaced Floridians to recover belongings after the permanent evacuation order two years ago. In Charleston, South Carolina evacuation efforts began yesterday as... Arjun preps breakfast takeaway with protein alternative eggs and bacon. He opens the fridge door on which we see a daily calendar: shopping list, to-dos, and appointments in perfect script. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday are crossed off. INT. GREAT ROOM - CONTINUOUS The voice of Presenter #1 fades into mumbling as we see a table for four has two places already set for supper later in the evening. Paintings adorn the walls. Filling the spaces between: photos of Arjun and AMINA, 33, taller than Arjun, black hair in tight braids and dark complexion. In camping photos, he smiles broadly, she grins and bears it. Photos of them at tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower, expressions reversed. On a wall plastered with degrees and certificates we see a post-it - "RESERVED FOR MY PHD" in perfect penmanship above a photo of Arjun holding his Master's and Amina standing next to him holding a large portrait of his parents. The bookshelf prominently displays "History of Agricultural Genetics" by Amina Sanga among stacks of dissertations and texts. Rolls of maps on the top shelf almost hide Arjun's Eagle Scout medal in a shadow box. Framed photos litter the hallway walls - Amina with her family in Dar Es Salaam and Arjun as a child. Doors to the guest bathroom, den, and master suite are open, lights on.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM SUITE - CONTINUOUS Trees filter the sunlight into the bay window. We hear water gurgling and see Amina standing in the master bath where she finishes her makeup, reads her email on the mirror monitor. She wears a pressed white blouse and green jeggings. A small white wand sits next to her personal device on the sink edge. Amina's eyes dart repeatedly to the wand, then to the mirror. AMINA Hurry. Hurry. Hurry. Mix of worry and wonder flashes across her face. From the kitchen, Arjun's New Jersey accent startles her. ARJUN (O.S.) Your breakfast is ready, Ami (pronounced AH-MEE)! AMINA I'm on my way! (to herself) Shit. After tossing an empty pill blister pack in the trash, she pockets the wand, grabs her device, makes sure everything is just so. Turns off the light and closes the door. She does this with every door along the way. INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS She sees Arjun drinking from the oat milk carton, clicks her tongue. He sheepishly sits it on the island. She puts it in the still-open fridge. Closing the door, she adds "Milk for Ami" to the list. She sips her coffee through a smirk. AMINA You're such a kid. ARJUN Like I never caught you sucking on the chocolate syrup bottle. Amina mocks shock. Arjun smiles broadly. They watch as a maternity clothing ad broadcasts. ARJUN That's gotta be the third ad for pregnant women this morning. The algorithm is wonky. Amina, as sheepishly as Arjun with the milk, puts the white wand down on the island. It's a pregnancy test. AMINA When will you learn that the algorithm is never wrong? ARJUN HOLY... Arjun embraces Amina and lifts her in the air. He twirls as they laugh. He realizes his boldness, gingerly puts her down. AMINA Please. Don't start acting like I'm made of crystal. ARJUN I can't wait to tell everyone! I'm going to be a baapoo. His face beams with pride: here stands the mighty conqueror. Amina's pensive face twitches her lips left and right while she deftly smooths her clothes. AMINA I still need to see my OB/GYN, but- Amina's personal device chimes. They each open up the Worduel app. They practice nearly every morning. A 90-second timer starts. They need to guess the correct five-letter word before their opponent. The app shows the opponent's progress. Both exchange friendly - but competitive - banter. Every time one makes a guess, the other's device pings with progress. Amina's device shows "GRAIN" on her third attempt. Arjun guesses "SPARE". He dances wildly in celebration. ARJUN You gotta up your game, girl! I've beaten you two to one for the past six years! But I still I love you. Amina folds her arms and dead-eye stares at him. ARJUN Don't hate the player, priya. Hate the game, baby. She clicks her tongue. He takes her into his arms and kisses with the love of a newlywed. He pats her flat belly. She playfully bats him away. AMINA You'll be late for work. Again. Go... Go! Kwaheri. See you tonight. Ninakupenda pia. Love you, too. GO! He grabs his Onewheel, breakfast, almost forgets his device. Through the kitchen archway we see him open the front door that looks out into a suburban cul de sac with many more trees than one would expect. Wind turbines in the distance, solar panels on roofs, SUVs in driveways. ARJUN I promise dinner will be ready when you get home from university! AMINA I've heard that before! Arjun jumps onto his onewheel and is gone. The door remains ajar. Amina rinses the mugs, turns off the light. INT. GREAT ROOM - CONTINUOUS Following years of repetition, she makes her way to the door, gathering her backpack and things off the sofa table. She sees Worduel Tips and Tricks guides on the coffee table next to periodicals with headlines about wealth gaps, food gaps, healthcare gaps. One headline reads "RACISM" in the same green letters noting a correct answer in Worduel. AMINA Alexa, prep for departure. ALEXA (V.O.) Prepping, Amina. You have one minute. Amina walks out the front door with her MetroPass in hand as blackout shades cover windows. The climate controls ding. She closes the door as the interior of the house goes black. INT. KITCHEN - NEXT DAY The light shines on plant-based food in the fridge. Amina, in lemon blouse and teal chiffon scarf, retrieves her bag lunch, closes the fridge. Thursday is crossed off and "OB/GYN TUE 9AM" printed on a post-it sticks to the calendar. On the monitor, the chyron reads "1 MILLION HECTARES" across a wildfire. Amina drops herself onto the stool at the counter overflowing with paint cards and cloth swatches. She sighs heavily. ARJUN (O.S.) (Excitedly with names) Micah... Lucca... River... Arjun kisses Amina's cheek. She sifts through the carnage of color coating the counter. He wears the same color polo as yesterday, a stain in a different spot. ARJUN Kenya... Amina makes a spoiled cabbage grimace. ARJUN Not Kenya. Got it. AMINA Does Lowe's have any paint chips left, at all? ARJUN Funny. I only picked up a few during lunch yesterday. AMINA A few?! I could write a dissert- Amina's device chimes. Like the day before and 2000 before that, they practice. She takes today more seriously. Arjun pumps his fist, winning with "LIGHT". Visibly frustrated, Amina tosses her device. Swatches and paint chips scatter. ARJUN (with care) Ami, it's okay. You. Are. A. WINNER. Don't get frustrated, you just gotta run through the words. Don't forget they changed the game to reward depth of intellect, problem solving, and the willingness to fail. If you guess it right in ten tries before your opponent guesses in three, you win. Amina silently stares at the post-it on the fridge. ARJUN I love you. I'll have dinner ready tonight when you get home. I swear. Arjun bounds like Tigger out of the room. Amina sees a burnt orange paint chip, lifts it in front of her face to study. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Arjun opens the door. Amina walks in, deflated. Falling into his arms, her tear-streaked face buries into his shoulder. AMINA I'm so sorry I'm late, Arj. I wish I didn't get flustered when I'm lost. But when the bus broke down- ARJUN Sh-sh-sh-sh. It's okay, Ami. It's okay. You're home. I'm here. He steps back, hands on her shoulders, with flirty eyes. ARJUN And... I made dinner. Amina smiles weakly with a small glimmer in her eyes. AMINA Lead the way, oh mighty hunter- gatherer. ARJUN Unk. Me provider. You wench. AMINA Say that again and you'll find out what gets wenched off you. Arjun yelps and makes his way to the kitchen. Amina shuts the door and places her backpack in its spot on the sofa table. INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS Amina joins Arjun while he transfers food to the dining room. She washes her hands at the kitchen sink. On the monitor, the chyron reads "DENIERS RIOT IN KC - RENEWAL CENTER IN FLAMES". Her tears return. Arjun runs in. ARJUN Vava. Ami. Sh-sh-sh. Tomorrow after Worduel, we'll shop for a car. "Worduel" extracts sorrowful howl from Amina. AMINA I don't give a damn about a car. She takes a deep breath. AMINA We had Myles's celebration of renewal at the department today. We've been friends with him for nearly a decade and today was his last day at work before... All because... It's not fair, Arj! ARJUN Myles was selected as a Giver? How did he lose Worduel? I mean, he's brilliant. How did it...? When? AMINA (composing herself) Saturday. His mind wandered... "MAIZE"! Maize was one of the words selected Saturday. Myles has his PhD in Indigenous agricultural techniques. How the hell did he?... She collapses into his arms. His face numbed with disbelief. ARJUN I've never known someone selected. AMINA Myles has less than 30 days to say goodbye to everyone, to everything. To his husband Royce. Then he goes off to the Renewal Center to... She can't say it. AMINA ... for our survival. Silence. The censored portrait of a fugitive Giver appears on the monitor behind them. The chyron says "DENIER: CO2 LEVELS SAME 20 YEARS AGO - SACRIFICE IS FOR NOTHING". AMINA What if you are selected one day? What if I am selected? What if we have to compete against each other? ARJUN (reassuringly) Woah. Ami. You know that's uniquely improbable. There are 15,000 words randomly spread out among 200 million eligible adults each Saturday. They select seven words- AMINA EIGHT! ARJUN ... Eight words for Givers. You know we're more likely to die of anything else than to be selected as a Giver -- IF we lose. Amina inhales with a deep, ragged breath. Tears continue. ARJUN We're more likely to win the lottery than get the same word AND that word be selected. And after your OB/GYN reports your pregnancy to the Census Bureau, you're on a three year deferment. And we both know I'm too smart to lose. They hug. His face shows little concern, hers twists in pain. A Department of Agriculture PSA for Renewal Trees and Renewal Fertilizer benefits for crops comes on the monitor. INT. KITCHEN - NEXT DAY Friday is crossed off when Amina, in her sleep shirt, shuts the fridge door. She appears to not have slept at all. An oat milk carton with her name neatly printed on all four sides sits on the counter. A menstrual pads ad broadcasts on the muted monitor. Her device chimes differently than the other mornings. Arjun enters, his device joins the chorus. They stand at the island staring at their devices. Each receives a new notification. They focus tightly in their own personal worlds. WORDUEL. THIS. IS. THE. REAL. THING. Their thumbs skitter across displays. Neither get lucky on their first try. Notifications PING that they have opponents. Arjun guesses. Amina starts her second guess when her opponent's progress updates with a PING. Amina submits. From Arjun's device - PING - as he submits. PING. Amina's device updates. Time appears to slow for Arjun, his attention now split between his guess and Amina's pings. He enters his fourth attempt. PING. Amina's device seems to echo throughout the room. She slowly types out her next guess. Arjun types "LOGAN". Improbable is always possible. The algorithm is never wrong. He hesitates and looks at Amina. She submits. He submits. PING. PING. Amina's device rings out with a victorious tune and the word "WIN" repeatedly scrolls, filling her screen. She dances around the room in celebration. Arjun sits motionless. Arjun looks into his white-knuckled hands - "LOSS". His device flashes "Please wait." "Please wait." "Please wait." "Updating." "Updating.." "Updating..." PING. He looks up into Amina's eyes. She's never seen this look in his face before - utter defeat and desolation. She takes his hand and whispers... AMINA We run. FADE TO BLACK.
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