A Story About the Body (Critique 11)

Inspired by Robert Hass's A Story About the Body

FADE IN:

1.  INT. ART STUDIO – NIGHT

A studio designed for multiple artists in an artist colony. All easels are vacant except one.

THE PAINTER, Japanese, almost 60, is the only one in the room. She works silently but earnestly at her easel. Her concentration never breaks.

2.  INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT

THE COMPOSER, in his 20s, is heading back to his cabin after a hard day’s work. He approaches the door to the art studio, left ajar, and sees THE PAINTER. He lingers there, studying her, transfixed.

3.  INT. ART STUDIO – NIGHT

Close up of the Painter as she continues to work. Pan out to see the Composer in the background. He accidentally DROPS A PENCIL he had been holding.

4.  INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT

Close up of the Composer’s face as he cringes with embarrassment. He flashes a goofy, toothy grin.

5.  INT. ART STUDIO – NIGHT

Close up of the Painter’s face as she, with utmost sweetness, returns his grin.

6.  INT. ART STUDIO – NEXT DAY

There are four or five more artists in the studio. The Painter sits in the same place.

7.  INT. HALLWAY – DAY

The Composer power-walks down the hallway. His excitement colors his frantic, jerky walk. He comes to the art studio’s open door and walks in.

8.  INT. ART STUDIO – DAY

The Composer approaches The Painter from behind. He inquires politely about the painting, asking a naïve sort of question like “What is it?” or “What does it mean?”

The Painter turns and smiles demurely. She answers sincerely but slowly and with great effort, as if she were talking to a child. 

Surgery, Betsey Noorzay