Narrative Designer
Trust - Interactive Script
Click on linked text to make your choices.
INT.BEDROOM-NIGHT
Two teenagers, JESSICA and CALEB, lie on a messy double sized mattress looking at the ceiling. Jessica is short with black hair pulled into a messy bun and brown eyes, she wears an oversized hoodie and black pants; with her hands resting on her stomach. Caleb is tall and lean, but not quite filled out, with brown wavy shoulder length hair and green eyes. He lies next to her in an old long sleeve shirt and jeans, with his hands behind his head. Warm light comes from the side table lamp and illuminates the dirty beige walls. The muffled sound of barking dogs and sirens can be heard in the distance. Jessica and Caleb finish laughing and Caleb sighs.
Caleb
So, have you thought about what you're gonna do after graduation?
Jessica
1. Travel, obviously.
Jessica
Oh ya I've got it all mapped out, I'm going to catch
a flight to somewhere warm and get a tan. Maybe I'll
go to L.A. and become a world-renowned actress!
Caleb
Oh really?
Jessica
Damn right! You know, as soon as I get some money...
2.No idea.
Jessica
Honestly, I-I just don't know. It's not like I can afford
to go to school. Ha! Maybe I'll just work at chuck's until
I have money to get outa here. Or maybe I'll never leave...
Caleb
Nah, there's no way I can see you stuck in the narrows when you're old and wrinkly.
3. Say nothing
Caleb
Ha, I'll take that as a no then. Don't worry, same here.
I'm sure things will work out. It's not like everyone gets
stuck in the narrows.
CRITICAL PATH - Options from this point on will affect the relationship. Keep track of the numbers you choose (Ex. 1 & 3)
Caleb and Jessica turn to one another trying to suppress smiles and burst into laughter. They both calm down and Caleb turns to Jessica.
Caleb
But in all seriousness, there's uh something I want to ask you,
I mean I've been meaning to talk to you about this for a
while...that is I-um...
Caleb stops to take a deep breath and Jessica turns to face him fully.
Oh man, okay look there's going to be a lot of changes in the
next bit and I just wanted to tell you that I-
Caleb is cut off by the sound of a door slamming shut downstairs. Muffled cursing and erratic footsteps are followed by a brief silence and then the breaking of glass. Jessica and Caleb look to one another, they are worried and move to get off the bed. Both teens are tense as they slowly move towards the bedroom door. On the other side of the door they can hear the creaking of the stairs and then someone stumbling just outside. Caleb's name is called by a high-pitched slurred voice. His shoulders relax and he turns to Jessica.
Caleb
Crap, it's my mum. She's been on a bender the past
few days...let me handle this Jess.
Caleb opens the door to see his mother, MS. FOSTER, leaning on the hallway wall to keep herself from falling. Her eyes are glazed over and her ratty cardigan is falling off one of her shoulders.
Ms. Foster
I'm out all day working and *hic* now you have
people over? I told you I don't want anyone in my
GOD DAMN HOUSE Caleb!
Caleb walks to his mother with outstretched arms leaving Jessica's side.
Caleb
I know mum, I'm sorry. Let's get you to bed.
Ms. Foster pushes Caleb away and almost falls over, she catches herself on the wall while Caleb stumbles back with his hands up.
Ms. Foster
Get the hel-hic* away from me, I'll go when ready.
Jessica
1.Hey!
Jessica
Don't you dare push him! Who the hell do you think you are?
Ms. Foster
I'm his mother! You disrespectful brat (slurred).
Jessica moves to put herself between the two but Caleb stops her. Caleb gives Jessica a pointed look.
Caleb
Jess, I'm fine, I told you I've got this.
2. Let's take it easy.
Jessica
Okay, let's take it easy huh? We're all good here there's
no need to push each other. Caleb just wants to help you out.
Ms. Foster
Help me?
She pauses to laugh. Her face goes sullen and she looks to Jessica, eyes glossy.
He could have helped me by not being born!
Jessica looks awkwardly between Ms. Foster and Caleb, who is only looking at Ms. Foster.
3. Say nothing
Jessica shifts awkwardly in the background looking between Caleb and Ms. Foster.
CRITICAL PATH
Ms. Foster stumbles back and points at Jessica.
Ms. Foster
Don't you look at me like that...
Jessica and Caleb look at each other confused.
Like I'm not a good mother? You have no idea
what I had to give up. My family, friends, husband
they all left as soon as this *hic*
Ms. Foster waves her hand in Caleb's direction as her tears begin to fall.
one showed up.
Caleb steps forward bowing his head and rubbing his neck.
Caleb
I know, I'm sorry mum...It's okay.
Jessica
1.No it's not!
Jessica looks to Caleb.
Jessica
No. It's not okay that she treats you like this!
Jessica moves to face Ms. Foster.
If you really cared about Caleb, if you were a good
mother, you would have got a job and stopped
living your life like this!
Ms. Foster leans forwards and snarls. Her crying becomes choked sobs.
Ms. Foster
Oh an-hic* what are you doing with your life that's
so great huh? *sniff* You come over here, ea-eat our
food, live off what we got!
Caleb
Enough! Both of you, Christ. Jess what the hell I
told you I'd handle this.
Caleb turns to look at Ms. Foster.
Mum, it's time for bed, let's go.
2. It's okay.
Jessica
It's alright Ms. Foster, I know being a single
mum is hard but-
Ms. Foster
Do you?
Ms. Foster turns to look at Caleb.
*sniff* I didn't leave like your father, I *hic* I
could have let the state take you but I didn't Caleb
I didn't do it *sniff*...
Jessica
I'm sure they didn't leave because of Caleb, sometimes,
well life sucks an-and it's not fair, I know it's not okay
and it hurts, but taking it out on Caleb won’t make it better.
Caleb gives Jessica a sad smile and looks at Ms. Foster.
Caleb
Alright mum, let's go, it's time for bed.
3. Say nothing
Jessica focuses her attention the ground and avoids eye contact with Caleb and Ms. Foster.
CRITICAL PATH
Ms. Foster breaks down crying and Caleb goes to hold her up. Caleb moves to usher Ms. Foster into her room. Ms. Foster's speech devolves into slurs and incoherent mumblings.
Ms. Foster
That bastard. You *sniff* look so much like him Caleb. *hic*
What a waste...
Caleb looks back at Jessica.
OUTCOME- These are based on options while in conversation with Ms. Foster (last two options picked).
1.Picked options 1 & 1 (Confront Ms. Foster twice)
Caleb
I asked you to stay out of it...you should leave. Now.
2.Picked options 1 & 3 in either order (Confront Ms. Foster and say nothing)
Caleb
I...I think you should go.
3.Picked options 3 & 3 (Say nothing)
Caleb
You should get home, I'll see you tomorrow.
4.Picked options 1 & 2 in either order (Confront Ms. Foster and support Caleb)
Caleb
I'm sorry about this, but you should go.
5.Picked options 2 & 3 in either order (Support Caleb and say nothing)
Caleb
I'm sorry about this, I'll talk to you later okay?
6.Picked options 2 & 2 (Support Caleb)
Caleb
Thanks for having my back, I'll see you at school
tomorrow.
Caleb turns around walks in the dark bedroom carrying Ms. Foster. Jessica turns to leave.
FADE TO BLACK