Screenplay

THIS FILM IS SHOT IN BLACK AND WHITE

EXT. ADDIS ABABA - DAY

WIDESHOT, we see the general terrain of Addis Ababa, a veryuneven city; the natural hill terrain of the city leavesparts of the city higher in altitude in some places, andlower in others.

In a closer shot we see a breeze blowing the trees on thesides of the road. The breeze stops, then blows again.

We focus on four door sedan zooming down a road. The carstops at a red light, and we can see the other cars, andtaxis and buses stop all around it.

INT. SEDAN - CONT.

We ABEL(8) sitting in the backseat. He is nervous aboutsomething. Sitting next to him is his brother DAGMAWI(11).His parents are sitting in the front.

RADIOMoving on, 98.1 FM will like toonce again wish our respected ahappy new year and would like toremind them that the radio lotteryis still open all you have to dois--

MEKDES(39), Abels mother, turns off the radio. Abelsfather TEDDY (41), is driving.

TEDDYWhyd you do that?

MEKDESI just wanted to know what washappening in America. In case theterrorists had took other planes onthe anniversary. Or if there hadbeen explosions or something.

TEDDYI dont think the Americans wouldlet that happen again. If not fortheir safey, then for thier pride,they cant affor to be attackedagai--

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

Teddys voice fades away as the camera pans to the backseat. Abel is looking out the window. He sees the cars moveas the light turns green.

He sits back, more nervous now.

DAGMAWIYou didnt think that traffic lightwas going to hold us forever didyou? Were still going, and stopbeing so nervous. Its not thatbad.

ABELI dont want to go, thats all. Ijust want to stay home and watchTV.

Abel grabns the head of hsi mothers chiar, and leans closerto her.

ABELMama, can we please turn back, youguys can go, just drop me offfirst. You can tell them that I wasfeeling sick.

MEKDESWe wont do that. These are yourrelatives, you should know them,you only see them twice a year.

ABELThree times a year; new years,Easter, and Christmas. If I skipNew Years, it will be okay sinceIll still see them two more timesthis year.

MEKDESAbel, we are not turning back.

Abel shoots to his father.

ABELBaba, Ive been doing great inschool. The last three tests, theteacher wrote "Fantastic" on thegrade. The grading goes;

INTER CUT: Test papers fill up the screen as Abel describesthe grades. The grade he descirbes appears as he says it.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

ABEL(V.O.)"good", "very good","excellent","keep it up", "fantastic"

BACK TO THE SEDAN.

ABELAnd I got "fantastic" three timesin a row.

TEDDYThats my boy. Keep going like thatand youre sure to rank 1st in yourclass.

ABELSo can we turn back, you said ityourself, Ive been doing reallygood, I can even study today, Ipromise Ill study.

TEDDYNo, were still going. It will beokay, Abel. You know there will bekids there too, you can play withthem.

Abel falls back to his seat in defeat.

ABEL(to himself, in English)

I just want to watch TV.