1 INT.

ELEVATOR - DAY 1
BHARAT, a man in his mid 20s, paces in the open elevator,
occasionally taking a step to exit, but then retreating back
inside. He again takes a step to exit, and is walking out as
LAKSHMI, carrying a bright red sari, walks into the
elevator. Lakshmi is a woman of the same age, she is not
exceptionally beautiful but is extremely self-aware. The two
look at each other, and then walk into the elevator
together. Lakshmi presses a floor button and then settles
far away from Bharat, standing with their backs to the wall.
The elevator "dings" as it ascends. At the fifth "ding",
Bharat loses control and pushes a button to stop the
elevator.
LAKSHMI
What are you doing?

Lakshmi makes a move to restart the elevator, but Bharat

intercepts her.
BHARAT
Its New Years Eve. We could...we
could go back down there. Walk our
separate ways and never come back,
and just blend into the crowd of
tourists waiting to see the ball
drop-

Bharat suddenly takes a step towards her. She winces.

LAKSHMI
Are you insane?

BHARAT
No one would ever know.
LAKSHMI
Our parents would know.

BHARAT
Screw them. Theyre the ones who
dont care that we are ruining our
lives, actually they are the ones
encouraging it.

LAKSHMI
We arent ruining our lives ---
She reaches forward to press the button again, but Bharat
intercepts her and pushes her back, harder this time.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.

BHARAT
Then what are we doing?! My god,
Lakshmi, we met a week ago.
Weve been on one date. Come on. Even someone like you can
understand that this is crazy.
2.
Bharat pauses, he knows he has
struck a nerve. Lakshmi readjusts
the heavy sari and looks up, making
eye contact with him.
LAKSHMI
(calmly)
Someone like me.

BHARAT
You know what I mean.
Lakshmi says nothing. She keeps eye contact with Bharat, but
stays calm and collected.

BHARAT
Were just so different. I want so
many things. I want to make my own
choices, live my own life. I
just..I want..I need so much more
than this.
(pause)
And you...
Lakshmi walks back to the wall of the elevator and carefully
lays her sari on the ground. She sits next to it, acting in
complete silence. Bharat starts to pace again, his hands are
shaking as he rubs them through his hair. He stops pacing
again and looks at the elevator doors. He throws his hands
up in the air.
BHARAT
Thats it. I have to go back down.
I just...I cant do it.
He makes a move to press the button to start the elevator
but stops when he hears lakshmis voice from behind him.

LAKSHMI
Bharat.
He turns around, completely red in the face from sweating;
his expression seems lost of direction and hope.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.

LAKSHMI
I believe in you.
BHARAT
What?

3.
LAKSHMI
You need someone to believe in you.
And I do.

Bharat lets his mouth hang open slightly. He stops shaking

and the red has faded from his face.
BHARAT
But why? You dont even know me.

LAKSHMI
I plan to.
Bharat lets out a exhausted sigh and sits beside Lakshmi.

BHARAT
I dont want to grow old and not
know who I am because other people
made all my choices.
(pause)
What I dont understand is how you
are so content with it.
LAKSHMI
Im not.
Lakshmi turns to Bharat for the first time.

LAKSHMI
Being a wife is my parents wish.
But becoming a woman of purpose is
my choice. No one can steal control
of your life so long as you have
control of your mind.
Bharat turns to face her, their eyes meet as they sit only a
few inches away from each other. Bharats phone starts to
ring, neither notice at first, but as the phone gets louder
lakshmi nods and looks away. Bharat fishes out his phone
from his pocket, looks at the caller id and then sighs. He
puts it to his ear.
BHARAT
Mom.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.

Indistinct yelling in Hindi is heard on the other end of the

phone. Bharat nods and hums in agreement. The call ends and
he runs his hands through his hair. He gets up and brushes
himself off. Bharat walks to the button and pushes it. The
elevator jolts to life and start ascending again, "dinging"
at every floor.
BHARAT
Its weird, though.
4.

LAKSHMI
What?
BHARAT
This will never just be New Years
Eve anymore for us. It will be...
Lakshmi collects her sari and gets up, walking to Bharat who
is standing in the middle of the elevator. The elevator
doors open.

LAKSHMI
Lets go get married.
Her small hand slips into his.
BHARAT
Lets.
FADE OUT.