An Interwoven Series of Events

Tanception: an interwoven series of events
By Beaulette Blom and Lebogang K. Tlou

Originally produced in South Africa by Elephant Publishers, a division of Trip.E Pty Ltd

First Edition Manuscript
Copyright(c) Beaulette Blom, Lebogang Kote Tlou 2016
Tanception: an interwoven series of events(R) is a Trademark registered by Beaulette Blom and Lebogang Tlou

The right of Beaulette Blom and Lebogang Tlou to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the United Kingdom's Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1998.

Condition of Sale and Distribution

This manuscript is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than in which it is published and without similar conditions including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Set in 22.5.16 by Trip.E Pty Ltd



#Tanception:

an interwoven series of events.

(An original story by Beaulette Blom and Lebogang Tlou)

A tanception is a tangent within a tangent. A tangent is an adventure. This is a portal into another portal, within a deeper portal, in a deeper reality.*

Voice: Five Years Ago. Phumi was head girl at her school, with a bright future ahead of her. Warren was a naughty boy facing expulsion from school. Karen was just another Afrikaans pupil at her school. And Blessing smoked and sold weed throughout school. I asked them what they had planned for their futures five years from now:

[presses button]

[old recording plays]

Phumie: Hi my name is Nompumelelo aka Phumie. and I am The head girl of Peter's Mission high school. I see myself conquering heights which generations of my family have not been exposed to. I have already been fortunate enough to make matric, in 5 years i will have my masters and I will be well on my way to getting that promotion in a respected workplace.

[recording stops]

[click cck ckli clkic]

[recording plays]

Warren: [heavy Coloured accent]Do I have to be here right now? Seriously, you’re all wasting my time again. You know, you people, you people just don’t know how hard it is to survive in the real world. You were suits and drive everywhere. I must walk and protect myself when I walk.

[muffled interrogator speaks]

Aweh, that’s mos nxa, though, you guys just want to mors my time, then fine. I’m Warren. I’m only here coz I’m in trouble. I sell cigarettes to the common man in uniform, and I got a knife in my pocket. After you pigs waste my time, I’m just going to go be a mechanic - a man of power with respect and dignity. Just like my dad.

[recording stops]

[click cck ckli clkic]

[recording plays]

Karin: The sun always rises. The dark never lasts. Darkness losses itself to the light of its own being. I am but light. But I am the piercing blaze that burns infinitely. What is in a name? I am the creative consciousness named Karin.

[recording stops]

[click cck ckli clkic]

[recording plays]

Blessing: Blessing Bambata. next year I will be doing my 1st year at varsity studying accounts. within 3 years I shall have a Bcom degree. I’m indecisive about furthering my qualification or simply doing my articles somewhere. Let’s get through the next 3 years first..... I love weed. Weed should be legal. Everybody should love weed. Thank you.

[recording stops]

[click cck ckli clkic]

[recording plays]

Voice: Nothing remains the same.

[Jazzy guitar rift]

Karen:                       As you can see, the lines and texture of this canvas is essentially what makes this Travis Adriaan a household name, a work of art. I’m not an arts major. I am Vincent Van Gough.

[audience laughs].

Some of you here can better explain the theory behind this work. I, however only know colours. The colours of love, the colours of life…

[guitar rift intensifies]

When words don't come, when silence does no good.

When regardless of all life's wonder,

you remain in a shitty mood.

When your hopes and dreams seem far

When you don't feel like a star

Smile.

Smile.

Smile.

It's when it counts the most.

So when that day comes, when all hope seems lost.

Look skyward, never down; stand your guard,

don't desert your post, soldier.

Smile.

Smile.

Smile.

It's when it counts the most.

Life is for the cunning, the witty and the bold.

The rest are left outside, alone and cold.

Smile.

Smile.

Smile.

It's when it counts the most.

Smile.

Smile.

Smile.

It's when it counts the most.

[crowd applauds]

[traffic sounds]

[computor typing:

Female Narrator: Nothing ever remains the same.

Voice: Indeed Every thing changes.

Female Narrator: Shall we continue telling this story now?

Voice: Blessing, Phumie, Karen and Warren do have beautiful lives

[pages turning]

[teaspoon stirring in cup]

[Phumie humming a tune]

Phumie: Pravin?

Pravin: Hello, Nomphumeleo.

Phumie: Why do you love me?

Pravin: Because you saw me when you could have chosen not to.

Phumie: Bunny adores you.

Pravin: I adore Bunny too. She’s going to grow to be an incredible, strong and independent woman - just like her mom.

Phumie: Guys like you do not exist where I come from.

Pravin: Lord Krishna teaches us to be different by birth right.

Phumie: Hare Krishna

[Hare Krishna chanting]

{Bells ringing]

[truck horn toots]

[a loud thud]

[Judge's gavel being hammered]

[voice: Order in the Court!]

[papers shuffling]

[a typewriter clicking]

Guy: Dude you totally killed it in there!

Warren: i try. Guy: you are by far, one of the best law graduates we have seen. You should really consider joining the centre. Other than exposure and experience, it could do wonders for your career. We're having a meeting tonight, Come, even if you don't apply.

Warren: I dont know, i still have case studies to go through.

Guy: My brother, the best practice is done in the courtroom.

Warren : the best work is done doing the research for the courtroom.

[laughter]

Guy: fair enough. i hope to see you later man.

[birds chirping]

[book pages flutter]

[classical music plays in the background]

[phone rings]

Karin: Hello (pause)

Peter? I’m okay (pause)

       i want to capture all this energy in my work.(pause)

       its difficult (pause)

       iam two dividing souls.  

       my heart lays at crossroads.

       iam neither here, nor there.

       i need direction, affection.

she stares off, Precipitation.

        Peter i love you.

[line goes dead]

[beat box]

Blessing: [microphone pops]

One sees a warm night spent at a fire in full view of the entire Indian Ocean. Oh, my God! An entire universe in grains of sand will dry these feet; each toe, blessed with billions of earth's kisses. Verily does each and every crumble neath the Almighty Most High's feet! Oh my, Oh my, oh my Lord! Can you hear how the waves crash on the shore? Can you hear the seagulls, call out to the Lord of many names, beckoning, beseeching thee lovingly to draw near and just stay. Stay under earth's starry sky, where all dreams verily do come true.

Thank you all for coming out to listen listening.

I love you.

Bahai.

[cheering crowd]

Naya: Blessing you are by far, the most coolest guy i’ve ever met.

Blessing:(taken aback) Who me?

Naya: No, the guy next to you. he turns to see but it is clearly a female there. they laugh.

Naya: on the real, i like having you around.

Blessing: i am glad someone does.

Naya: Give her time, lover. She’ll come around

Blessing: You’re right, I agree.

Naya: Do you want Ice cream?.

Blessing: Yes.

Naya: all Moms are like that. Reality is, we are young and wild, (she shouts) (the whole crowd encourages) and deemed to be free! (they all shout). the crowd settles.

[Shoes clicking: CLick, clack, click, clack, clack, click, Click, click, clack, clack,click, clack.]

[Shower taps turn]

[waters cascading]

[Shoes clicking: CLick, clack, click, clack, clack, click, Click, click, clack, clack,click, clack.]

[a car door closing]

[engine revving]

[traffic]

[a car door opening]

[soft dinner party music]

Guy:       Warren! How great of you to come. Welcome.

[clicks glass]

To the man of the hour!

[applause and cheering]

[Victor clears throat]

Victor:  [accented] Belluigi; but you may call me Victor!

Warren:   I have heard of you. You're the Uncle Sam of Legal Theory at the Center. I am honoured to meet you.

Victor:  May I have a word with you?

Warren:  I  am all ears.

Victor:   I want you to work for me. I am offering you a job. Here, you're good: with me, you can be better. I am asking you to come and work for me, and learn with me. What do you say?

Warren:   You're asking me to join the flock?

Victor:  Now listen here...

Warren:   Be a sheep?

Victor:   The profession of a shepherd is an honest way of living. You will get paid better for doing what you're doing right here. However, with me, your name will increase in value. Everyone will want to be represented by you. You'll be the number one attorney in whichever district you decide you want to own for yourself. I am offering to make you the Law.

[background chatter]

I have seen you in action, kid. You're driven. I need someone like that on my team. Think about it.

[a door closes]

[bicycle horn toots]

[cars driving by]

[a rooster crows]

[a mobile phone rings]

Victor:   Victor speaking, Hello?

Warren:   I accept your offer, Victor.

Victor:   Ah, Warren! This is Good... Good!

Warren:   I will need to see the contract.

Victor:   You must make habbit of checking your emails first thing in the morning.

Warren:   I do not follow?

Victor: [laughs] a contract was sent to you at midnight this morning already. Welcome on board, Warren.

[laughter]

[truck horn sounds]

[taxi music plays]

[Riiiiiiiiiing, Riiiiiinnnnnnnng!]

[ the school bell rings loud ]

[footsteps running]

Caretaker: Excuse me madam, can i direct you somewhere?"

Phumie:  Yes please, I'm looking for the admissions office please.

Caretaker: Admission for the young one?

Phumie: Yes.

Caretaker:   She is awfully younger than the other pupils here.

Phumie: She is five and a half.

Caretaker: We only admit 7 years old and the admission date has expired.

Phumie:    She is fairly wise.

[loud bell honking]

Caretaker: I'm not sure you understand, the selective process for admission is also lengthy and specific requirements need to be met.

Phumie:  i want the best for my daughter and would still like to try and admit her.

Caretaker: I'll lead you to the office then.

[swings squeaking}

[children laughing]

[bees buzzing]

[raking leaves sound]

Caretaker: You might not be able to afford this gig right now,but call these people. Patty does a fairly decent job of looking after younger children.

[a plate breaks somewhere in the short distance]

[Judge's gavel being hammered]

[voice: Order in the Court!]

[papers shuffling]

[a typewriter clicking]

[traffic]

[bar background noise]

Warren:   So you want me to discredit the plaintiff? I ask, based on which acts? Look, you're grasping at straws here. If I'm going to represent your firm, then I'm going to need a full brief on the case. I need the facts in order for me to do the job.

Guy:       That's cute, Warren!

Victor:   This case is very simple, people. We are focusing on restitution and redistribution of assets. Now, sort yourselves out by morning.

[cock crows]

[paper shuffling]

[Shoes clicking: CLick, clack, click, clack, clack, click, Click, click, clack, clack,click, clack.]

Phumie: Bunny please, hold on for a second. As soon as we get in a taxi, you will get your munchkins. Okay, here comes one now!

[Bunny laughing] Munchkins for you. [Bunny laughing] Mommy loves you.

[Phone rings]

Phumie: Hello?

Dean: Nomphumelelo Booi?

Phumie: Yes, speaking?

Dean: This is Dean Ambrose, Dean of the School of Education. You have been unconditionally accepted to study at our facilities.

Phumie: I have been accepted?

Dean: Unconditionally so…

[phone hangs up]

[deep sigh]

Phumie: I have been accepted

[soft guitar strumming]

[recording stops]

[click cck ckli clkic]

[recording plays]

Female Narrator: And for the very first time in her life, Phumie genuinely felt accepted because of who she truly was instead of what people saw. Only five years later post-high school could she get her degree, and that is the reality of many a black personality because nobody is born free in a world governed by slave mentality.

[recording stops]

[click cck ckli clkic]

[recording plays]

[gavel hammering]

[shuffling paper]

Warren:   Philips v Minister of rural development and land reform could be a good start."

Victor:    Yes! Finally we are thinking like lawyers. We should be hitting them with hard core facts and cases.

[Door opens]

Warren:   We should be exploring the appealability of the order".

[Door closes]

Guy:       that's pretty self-explanatory".

[characters Guy, Victor and Warren exchange brief salutations]

[shuffling paper]

Victor:    Warren, you're right. back to the basics. i need this to be airtight. you got me?

[Warren and Guy simutaneously]

Yes.

[door opens]

[tense music]

Guy:       I have been working at this for years, i fully intend on getting this promotion.

Warren:   i'm not interfering. You brought me in on this.

Guy:   And i shall take you out.

[door closes]

[a typewriter clicking]

[papers shuffling]

[traffic noise]

[pub sounds]

MCee: Introducing, for the first time here at Wander Lounge, the dazzling Karen.

[awkward cheering]

[microphone pops]

[Guitar strumming #SometimesIWonder (original by Beaulette Blom)]

Karen: Sometimes i wonder...

about the life the live...

sometimes i wonder

(if it's)

all a dream.

The life we live,

its filled with joy...

With joy and with pain...

with joy...

with pain...

The life...

we live...

it breeds, it feeds...

the life we live,

it kills insanity!

[applause]

[chatter]

Karen: I'll have a pina colada?

Barman:   Coming up

[clinking glasses]

Warren:   That was beautiful.

Karen: Thanks.

Warren:   That was a powerful song.

Karen: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Stay, I have three more.

[background noise]

Guy:   I knew I'd find you drinking, boet.

Warren:   I'm just here for a quick drink, then I'm going to head off.

Guy:   Stay. I'll buy you a drink.

Warren:   I shouldn't.

Guy:   Is that really how you want to play it?

Warren:   I'm not playing at anything, though.

Guy:   Fine. See you tomorrow.

[glass breaks]

[shocked gasps]

[door slams shut]

[Guitar strumming #SometimesIWonder]

[microphone pops]

MCee: Okay, everybody. It’s that time of the night where we spend a couple of minutes being woken. Give it up for Blessing!

[Accapella]

Blessing: Blessing to the sleeping Be woke

In an educated society,

people wouldn't look

at me and see

someone who 'obviously'

takes drugs.

My people

would become

so wise that

they would compile

Pages

of clearly thought out

analyses,

Conduct interviews,

Learn the way

Of I.

Alas,

learning such

basic lifeology

is still

far too costly.

In an educated world,

I'd be another human

being, living on

shared terra.

Till they

‪free EDUCATION

and create

a smart generation

from the echoes

of ancient tides,

I

remains

‪‎one

who is

‪”obviously taking something.”

‪emancipate yourself

‪FEESMUSTFALL

[wild applause]

[glasses clinking]

Barman:   That coversation with your buddy who just left was intense. Want to talk about it?

Warren:   That guy doesn't believe in himself. We work together. He introduced me to my boss, our boss, and now he's threatened because I know my law better than what he does.Do I even want this title? Is it worth losing a friend? What am I to do? If I choose this course where will my fate end up?  I chose to follow the law because I was locked up wrongfully. and so I vowed to clear the blackened names of all the innocent.

Barman:   That is intence. What are you going to do?

Warren:   Our boss, Victor, he's remarkable. Rumor has it he's on the out at the company, and we're both interns in line for promotion. Guy feels threatened by me. i vowed to clear the blackened names of all the innocent. i should continue to seek and bring about justice. They dont know it but i do. my luck is based on the goodwill of men and women. The scales shall once again be balanced."

[boombox beat]

Blessing: Another Blessing to the Woke…

How is this for a great Joke?

You can go to jail for having a toke

Of weed, Because greed.

But am I not a human being?

Another bloomed seed.

Let me rap you another cool story.

FEESMUSTFALL

So much love in this world

that shows in faith

that there is faith

and that it's all God.

Most High is greater than Isis.

The beauty in the narrative

is its great quality.

The Revolution escalated

when it was remembered

that nothing happens in isolation now.

Each is a soldier

in a cold war

where there is unlimited access to information.

And the ones with armed power are monitoring.

The anger felt:

because I'm queer,

because I'm black,

because I'm poor,

because it doesn't matter

and I know that!

I see the world through

Most High lenses

and there are far too many struggles

and loves,

and you want to try and impose

your will on me

when you see me here

Shining crystal clear!

see?

See?

See me? Here? Hear Me, dear!

Be You

And I will be me.

My very existence is based on my being free.

Syria has been happening,

it Has ESCALATED.

Pray for Fees Must Fall.

It's related.

Pay attention to how far gone

the pursuit for a free life can go.

One being's extreme

is another's sane perspective.

Regardless there is poverty

In poetry

In narrating a very true story.

Don’t call me crazy! You don’t know me!

Respect the Normatively Irregular perspective.

Irrespective of foreign or native!

So, who are ALSO the terrorists?

Follow the motif.

[microphone drops]

[siren sounds]

[loud voice booms over megaphone]

VOICE: WE INTERRUPT THIS BROADCAST TO TAKE YOU TO ANOTHER PLANET, WHERE, FREE OF CHARGE, TOURISTS ARE BLESSED WITH CREATIVE WONDER!

[STATIC NOISE]

[Hooves galloping]

[Horse neighing]

Erry: Steady there, Junebug!

Junebug: [neigh]

Erry: Indeed, Junebug. I feel it too. The hour has come at last. We can escape tonight! How exciting!

Junebug: [Neighing excitedly]

[hooves stomping]

Erry: Yes, my Junebug! Tonight, we will open the vortex to the earthly realm, and reign as supreme mistress of their lowly existence.

[Excitedly]

Junebug! We must align our runes most carefully, at just the right time, that we may open the Hole of Enlil through the sky that binds our worlds and keeps them in place. The runes must aling with each center of magick in the earthly realm, Junebug, I told you!

Oh, Junebug! This night only comes a thousand years, and I’ve been waiting for it to come for such a while!

Junebug: [neighing frantically]

[hooves stomping]

[hooves galloping]

[door slams shut]

[Angry Yelling]

a shoe is thrown half way across the room. someone is swearing. Blessing ducks.

Blessing: That’s so mature! We’re throwing shows now? You know, if I threw mine I wouldn’t miss!

Mother: Where is my degree? 5 years at Org university and what do you have to show? show it to me!

[plates shatter]

Blessing: It’s coming. Maybe it would be here if, say, I had time to waste on being conditioned when there are minds to free. That’s what poetry means to me!

Mother: Stop it with this poetry nonsense. I paid for you to go to school and study, not to try and be a celebrity. Blessing just leave, come back when you have something to show.

[door slams]

[sound of liquid filling a glass]

[sound of lighter clicking]

[sound of person smoking]

[sound of coughing]

[slow house-hiphop beat]

Blessing: She will never know.

This hurts far less to admit

than knowing that she does know:

It just doesn't show.

Everything hurts less than that.

One day,

beyond today,

is far too late.

We know no hate.

Yet, now, at the end,

I wish it never began.

I wish it never began.

I wish it never began.

To my forgotten mother

Every day is a little hot and a little cold.

Each day is spent dreaming of meeting you.

Where we meet will be remembered.

[Yelling]

Mother: Dammit, I said Go! Phuma! Leave! Go! Now! Get out of My house you Satan!

[crickets croaking]

[owl hooting]

Blessing: Within 3 years I will have my Bcom degree. And my mom will respect that I do more than crunch numbers in an office all day. And my mother will respect that I smoke weed.

[mosquitos and insects singing]

[gentle guitar strumming]

[audible sigh]

Karen: what a view! Every now and then when everything gets too much for me i turn to nature. The simplicities of life to humble myself.

Peter: i get why you come here, may i have a seat?

[paused silence]

[crickets croaking]

[Karin strums guitar]

Karin: Take me by the hand

   lead me home

   i'll lay in peace

   with you

   when i'm chilling

   thinking about you

   in my dreams

   there is only you.

   i dont need a house

   i dont need a home

   when i'm with you

   i feel contented.

[Peter applauds]

Karen: I'm sincerely gratefull. I have been fortunate in finding my art and getting paid for essentially expressing myself. The Gods have been good to me.

[champagne cork is popped]

Peter: Do you remember those long days spent out in the malls trying to get some sort of recognition for your abilities?

[laughter]

Karen:  I'll be honest... I Sometimes miss those days. Now that I have come thus far, I'm not as hungry as I was. The kind of feeding I need is for my soul's survival.

[snipping sounds]

Peter:  Do you still enjoy what you do?

Karin :  why do you ask the questions you already know the answers to?

[brief silence]

i live intensely, i craft intensely, and I love intensely. . .

[silence}

Peter: i love intensely too, but we need to control our passions and rise above the distractions of life, and I feel as though you've finally done this. You inspire me, Karen.

[guitar strumming]

Karen: [sings] Take me by the hand

lead me home

I will lay,

In peace with you.

When i'm chilling

Thinking about you . . .

In my dreams,

there's only you.

[appreciatory snapping of fingers]

i am contented.

[cock crows]

[kettle boiling]

[news in background]

[traffic noises]

Karin: Draw what you feel like, and never doubt the power of your instincts. Blank pages are beautiful, but in this case boring. full them up, tell me the stories of your imagination"

Warren: I don't know what to draw.

Karin: How do you feel today?

Warren: happy

Karin: show me what it is to be happy for you; show me what makes you happy.

[hums a tune]

[rhythmic stomping of feet]

[rhythmic clapping of hands]

[a female voice begins humming in tune]

[male student screams]

[school bell rings]

Warren: That’s actually very good. Your clothes move with you and your rhythim is so expressive. That is very good. I like the coloursthat you see. Okay, I get you, Give me an hour and I’ll bring you my Happy painting, Ms Karen.

[shuffling feet]

[Door opens]

Jodie: Karin.

Karin" Hello, How are you, Jo?"

Jodie: I’m really okay, thanks. And how are you?"

Karin: I’m well too. To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you today? I don’t think we have a meeting scheduled for this afternoon.

Jodie: Thank you for everything you have done for the school. Just volunteering your time has had a big impact on the kids.

[pause]

But the Parents and Teacher Association have decided that we should call it a day. I have been ordered to inform you that a decision has been taken to call off the arts classes, and, it’s been emphasized that we are best required that to focus on science and math classes.

[silence]

Karin: That's okay. I mean, it is a tragedy; however, I'am all for developing other mediums. This is tragic because exploring expression and affection and means of sharing these qualities is important. Not all of these children will end up pursuing traditional professions, Jo.

Jodie: I know, Karin. I’m so sorry.

[interjects out of nowhere]

Warren: Hey, Karen, may I borrow you- Oh, you’re busy…

[Footsteps leaving]

[door closes]

[door clicks as it’s locked]

[ticking clock]

[strikes hour]

[cuckoo clock]

Female Narrator: That night Karin went home and drew a picture of a sorrowful girl. Vanilla candles and the smell of sandalwood incense created a sombre ambience. For hours she stood staring at the drawing.

Peter: Honey i'm home!

Karin: [in a Southern accent]  Oh hello darling!

Peter: Sweetheart, can you mend the wounds of broken soul spent out there earning money for a foreign god?

Karin:  Oh Honey, i can turn water into wine.

Peter: just what i ordered.

[soft music in background]

Peter: You drew this.

[gasps]

WoW babe! I feel her every emotion. You now have your range completed and what a way to end it!

Karin: I'm not submitting that.

Peter: You would be crazy not to@

Karin: it's personal, Besides I sort of want to keep it for myself.

Peter: You never keep any of your work.

Karin: exactly! Now where shall I hang it?

Peter: Please, just hold it for a while?

[owl hoots outside]

Peter: Place it on the wall over there.

{shuffling feet]

[a chair falls]

[Karen and Peter laughing]

Karen: Have you written anything new?

Peter: Just a very simple monologue, and a rather powerful poem.

Karen: You haven’t recited poetry for me in a while.

Peter: You’re always busy, and I understand that, so I never wish to bother you.

Karen: Share a poem with me?

Peter: One of the newer ones, or do you have any you wish to hear right night now from the archives.

Karen: My birthday poem?

Peter: I thought you hated it?

Karen: No, I just don’t like it. However, my class was scratched off the budget for next year, and so I’m technically unemployed from the end of the month. I remember how your words are relevant.

Peter: [clears throat]

Flowers.

It really doesn't matter if they bloom or not.

They, too, will dry up inside and die outside.

Between birth and death,

many spirits are sunk and buried

beneath layers piled on layers of unnecessary tension.

Humans manifest tension through engaging with love so far as.

When you only love so far as,

There remain points of darkness

Where Most High healing cannot take place.

Therefore to love conditionally

is the same as not loving at all.

So when you tell someone that you love them,

be certain that you first love every inch of yourself.

When you love yourself,

the perceived imperfections in others melt away.

‪‎self-love is a crucial expression in any relationship.

The only way to discover

this love for yourself

is to sit down,

write out each of your flaws,

then forgive yourself for each

through accepting that this is who you are.

Even if nobody but you gets it,

the being in the mirror is the only one you ever need to worry about loving.

Karen: That is very deep.

Peter: You’re deep.

[laughter]

Karen: That’s a potentially problematic thing to say.

Peter: Everything is problematic to say.

Karen: And that is why you say it!

Peter: Somebody has to.

Karen: I’m tired and wish to sleep, but I would love to hear a bedtime story from you too tonight.

Peter: Okay, which one?

Karen: Do you remember the story about the beautiful person who loved another beautiful person?

Peter: [laughs] The Beautiful Person who loved another?

Karen: Is that really what you called it?

Peter: Yes.

Karen: Okay, yes please?

Peter: Seeing her, always, was like glimpsing at a ray of hope. It was always just a glimpse. It flickered in her eye, and an instant later it was gone. Their story is one that would not see an end. It played on through space and time, waging war, making peace, breathing, expanding, eternal. Waiting to see her was torturous. The anxiety, piercing, stabbed at the heart slowly, with precision and care to exact the desired amount of pain. It carried with it the weight of recollections from times long gone. In a parallel universe, she and him were making love every second of every waking hour, everywhere they were. Making love had very little to do with joining body organs in their narrative. Their two hearts sang the same song; it echoed between her body and his. In a parallel universe, everywhere she roams is where he most likely will be found. In this universe, he could only glimpse at her shyly. He could only hope that he's not going crazy. It felt insane to him that he could he be the only one who felt the knee-buckling electrifying sensations filling the air between them. She had a knack for leaving him feeling as though he was insane. The glimmer in her eyes betrayed every sign that what she, too, felt him was unmistakable.

[gentle snores]

[footsteps]

[church bells chime Eleven times]

[crickets croak]

[train choos]

[train station sounds]

Voice: Something very peculiar happened that day. A woman on a horse took over the world with just a horse and lightning bolts.

[Thunder crackles]

[galloping hooves]

Junebug: [Neighing]

Erry: I am Erabella Moonsend, the last of my people. I have come to the earth realm to prepare you to be great too. To be great, kindly just invest in your own Erry and Junebug action figure characters; or our custom made Erry and Junebug stationary and costumes. Get to your local retails store now, and see which version of me, Erry, and our good-old realiable Junebug, this Easter - and your children will love you dearly! Each toy is sold separately. Terms and conditions apply. No toy speaks.

[bleep]

[silence]

[taxi bustle]

[a gate loudly swings open]

Female Narrator: For some reason unknown by Phumie, or anyone really, the caretaker could see no reality in which Bunny would be admitted into the school.

Phumie: [frankly] You're being fairly presumptuous about us.

Caretaker: Patricia used to teach here so your daughter won't fall short and neither will your studies.

Phumie: How did you know?

Caretaker: I'm a mother and a working woman too.

[Thunder crackles]

[slight pause]

Good luck my dear.

[static]

[microphone pop]

Blessing:

Female Narrator: Phumie was waving at Bunny standing there with this woman named Patty. Oddly enough Bunny fit into Patty's arms so easily that for a moment Phumie felt a stab of jealousy. However she had to focus on her first day back at school. She remembered how hard it was completing her degree while having to take care of breast feeding but at least then her mother was still present. Now they live worlds apart.

[traffic noise]

Pravin: I know this is a premature question but which phase would you like to teach in the future?

Female Narrator: Phumie turned to face this stranger attempting to engage with her, she never wouldve imagined making friends so early. After all, she was a couple of years older and a parent. But before her was a boy with a friendly, open face.

Phumie: Ideally i would like to teach foundation phase. i have a knack for children. and im intrigued by the way my daughter grasps concepts.

Pravin: At this stage, i can't say for certain. Im caught between junior high schoolers and seniors.

[teapot whistling]

[faint chatter]

Female Narrator: What followed was a series of long lengthy lectures. In all that time no matter how interesting the content was, Phumie felt her mind drifting off to Bunny and her small fingers when they curl around her hands. She missed her dearly.

Pravin: Its our job as the future educators to save the education system in this country.

Phumie: Indeed. I feel We should develop other modes or means of studying dense content in a way that is fun and interactive for the children.

Pravin:  It's definitely a challenge to make science, math and technology fun. I'm going to have a hard time getting teenagers to focus for more than a split second without their hormones interfering.

Narrator:  For a moment Phumie entertained the thought of Bunny as a teenager, would she be as wise as her mother or as skillfull as her father?

[After school bell rings]

[Children cheering]

[Traffic]

[Plates clinking]

[A burp]

Bunny: Mommy did you check for bed bugs?"

Phumi: Its all going to be allright"

Narrator: Self-assured herself and even soothing her own fears for the morrow. She wondered now of the assurance her parents gave her in the past. Was it more for her or for them? To know and fully believe that after darkness, there is dusk and then there is dawn.

Narrator: The calm breeze waves over his mohoganny skin. There is a sense of serenity in the air. Above him there are trees, shading his vulnerabilities.

[trees croaking]

[wind blowing]

Naya: Nature is towering over us. Next to us sits a fairy with magic dust. Blessing awoke from this trance.

Blessing: I am sufficiently drunk to stumble home in a manner whereby my mother and gran will only notice if they had to intently observe me. but what are the chances?

Naya: this is our mecca!Listen to my voice, and let me help you.

Blessing: Okay

[pause]

Naya: Time Halts.

Are you Seeing?

Really perceiving?

Relaxed? Breathing?

Yes?

No?

Are you available to know?

Lebogang Kote Tlou?

Exactly...

Xactly

And then you begin to get

Nearer to a life without regret.

Dear soul, come with me

Everywhere where we can be

Real?

Blessing: [sobs]

[keys clacking]

Narrator: But he wonders how all of them can handle being under the influence of so many substances. Maintaining balance seems to be a challenge he didn't consider before.

Blessing: ayt, I'm off!

Naya:I'll walk with you.

Random: Go well.

[silence]

[feet shuffling]

Blessing: Home is turning out to be the longest tanception ever.

[wind blowing furiously] .

Mother: Where have you been Mister?

Blessing: out with friends.

Mother:  these friends of yours are a bad influence! Look at the time, you reek! Is this your new slut?

Naya: I am a Queen and I promise I will smack you in front of your son if you call me that again. And you should have more respect, and simply accept that you do not understand this man, and simply go about your own life, Mother. I love this man. He makes me happy when he’s drunk, when he’s sober, when he’s high as a kite, when he’s working, when he’s spitting poetry, when he’s just being himself - being free - leave him be. I walked him home to meet you, because there’s no way on earth this child beside me can have a mother so cruel as what he says - and here I find you, exactly what has him weeping tears. You.

Mother: Nobody asked you. And you eyes are bloodshot red! Are you proud of yourself?

Blessing: Yes mother, I actually am. For the first time in my life today.

         I didnt give a fuck! I was enjoying myself so much

         And I was surrounded by people who didnt care

         about what other people taught.

          And they accepted me".

[pause]

Naya: I love you.

Mother: weeps

Female Narrator: By now her eyes are ice cold and suddenly they are full of sorrow!

Mother: I am sorry Blessing. Why do you not want to be great? Years I've spent, moulding you and this is what you become? Look in the mirror

Blessing: I am not the son my family remembers. I am just different. I am especially different in that I believe that people should be left to be as they are. However, to not have corroborating documentation like money or a degree lands you in situations like these (he points at the sign behind him). (dejectedly) Of Justice, I see none. There is none to    be seen in a family so obscene. (laughs) They know only death! Death of family norms! Death of Truth! Death of Financial   Security! Death of me! (laughs manically). I wish my mother wasn't so angry at me for coming home without a   degree! I wish my mother understood that I literally almost died more than once in pursuit of my degree in journalism. I wish my mother saw that I had not given up on my degree. I wish my mother knew that most   of what I do is towards the inevitability of seeing her happy. I wish my mother's wishes to me didn't sound to imply that she wished I didn't exists, and regretted having me. (Naya chirps:   yas! )[snaps fingers]. My life is very colourful and bright. In my life there is love and light and laughter; the world is blissful and the scene evergreen with lushes of blue and flashes of grey! I am expressive. I am articulate. I am creatively so. This is all because my mother invested in me. I only wish she could see.

Naya: I see you.

[rain pattering]

[thunder rolling]

[Warren is heard snoring gently]

[Alarm clock rings]

[shuffling as we hear warren waking up]

[phone rings]

Warren: Warren Speaking.

Victor: Warren, have you seen the television yet?

Warren: No. Why?

Victor: Guy shot himself in public, it’s all on the tv and the internet.

Warren: You’re lying to me.

[soft music strumming]

Voice: Keep listening.

 

[To Be Continued]

What this competition should be about is sourcing continuity - not stories that burn out after one episode. This script is already being produced, Lebo and I (Beau) are already collecting sound clips because we’ve been making (theoretically) plays for the ear since 2015. Thank you for reading our tanception. To continue reading will cost R65 000.