Girl 2023

[bunniefuu]

[AUDIO LOGO]

LADY: 56, 57, 58,

59, 60, 61, 62, 63.

[SIGHING]

[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]

[LAUGHING]

BOY: The walls will be pink.

WOMAN: And gold.

BOY: The carpet will be white.

WOMAN: Soft like clouds.

BOY: And when we walk on it, it

will be like we are in the sky.

[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]

Careful.

Look.

When did this happen?

Tell me if it hurts.

Wait.

Hold on.

One more.

OK?

Finish.

[LAUGHING]

Will you tell me the story?

I'm young and living

with my grandmother.

You will get some water from

a well, and you made a wish.

That I would have somebody

who could be my friend.

So you won't be lonely.

So I won't be lonely.

And they waited and waited

and almost gave up hope.

Yes.

But then I came along.

And I'll never be lonely again.

36, 37, 38, 39, 30, 35.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

48, 49, 50.

I will keep you safe always.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[MUFFLED CHATTER]

[BABY CRYING]

[SIRENS WAILING DISTANTLY]

[DISTANT ARGUING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

LISA: Grace?

Ama?

It's Lisa.

What does it say?

I'm to call her.

I have to go back

to school, don't I?

Grace?

Yes.

It's the only way

she'll leave us alone.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53.

[LAUGHTER]

[ELECTRONIC MUSIC]

[FIRE CRACKLING]

There is a fire!

There is a fire!

How?

Who saw that?

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

f*ck me, there's a fire.

Fire!

It's a fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

[BELLS RINGING]

[SIRENS WAILING]

[PANTING]

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[SPLASHING]

[PANTING]

WOMAN: You all right?

That fire was waiting to happen.

Tell your girl thank you.

Hey, you all right?

Are you hurt?

What has happened?

I saw a fire inside the kitchen.

Everybody was sleeping,

so I was shouting.

And then all the lights came

on and all the people came out.

What have I tell you?

We keep to ourselves.

What else?

We can not trust anyone.

We cannot trust anyone.

I'm breathing the

same air as you.

Always.

[CHILDREN CHATTERING]

LISA: I spoke to your mum.

We're worried about how much

school you're missing too.

Ama, you haven't completed

a week since you started.

If there is anything you want

to talk about at any time,

you can speak to me

or Miss Seample here.

Yeah?

Good.

I won't keep you then.

[CHILDREN CHATTERING]

Can you talk?

Sure.

What are you doing?

Wait.

It's not like you saved

our lives or anything.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[BELL RINGING]

[SOMBER MUSIC]

95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100.

Excuse.

Yeah?

I need day shift.

SUPERVISOR: Why?

My daughter.

She's not safe.

SUPERVISOR: Is she all right?

Yes.

I didn't know you had a child.

How old?

11 and 3 months.

SUPERVISOR: You don't

look old enough.

When did you have her,

when you were four?

No, I'd be 14.

SUPERVISOR: Right.

Well, I'll see what I can

I can do.

[BELL RINGS]

Maybe I can go home on my own?

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

(SINGING) That someday

I would fly, fly away.

And I always knew

I couldn't stay.

So I had a dream that

I'd just fly away.

I've been on my

own for a minute.

Standing on the

line I was given,

people stared and

asked me why I'm here.

No, I don't wanna be like them.

[MUFFLED MUSIC PLAYING]

Oh, oh, oh I fly away.

No one knew how

low I was feeling.

I was scared to

reach for it all.

[MUFFLED MUSIC PLAYING]

(SINGING) I had a dream

that someday I would just fly,

fly away.

Can I show you something?

[BELL RINGS]

[GIGGLING]

MAN: Careful.

[GIGGLING]

FIONA: Come on.

[POP MUSIC]

(SINGING) I'm on.

I'm out of space and

there is nothing wrong.

I'm on.

I can see my people

singing all my songs.

I'm on.

It's been a while, but

I could still be gone.

I'm on.

On, on.

It happens in a minute,

happens in a minute.

It happens in a minute,

happens in a minute.

It happens in a minute,

happens in a minute.

GIRL: Let me see yours.

Wow.

I like the colors.

They really suit you.

[GIGGLING]

WOMAN: You're so

crazy. Now let's go.

GIRL: OK, bye.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[LAUGHTER]

FIONA: Let's never leave.

This place is beautiful.

Not like that bloody sh*thole.

AMA: But I love that

bloody sh*thole.

FIONA: You said bloody.

AMA: Bloody. FIONA: Bloody.

AMA: Bloody. FIONA: Bloody.

AMA: Bloody.

[GIGGLING]

[RAIN PATTERING]

I know what it's like to be

new, to feel isolated, alone.

Ama needs to start...

Ama needs what?

I think they're

good for each other.

I think that's what

I'm trying to say.

You have a child?

Why do you ask?

If you love your own child, you

won't think another

person knows better

than you what your child needs.

Where is Ama?

Where's my child?

Did you see where Ama go?

[PANTING]

WOMAN: That's what I've

been trying to say.

The council are shocked.

They will never

admit those boilers

haven't been safe for years.

MAN: They have decided to

move us all to hostels first.

WOMAN: Looks that way.

MAN: And they're

starting with your block?

Aye.

And yours.

God knows how long before

we get somewhere decent.

I don't want to go.

I am not going.

WOMAN: I don't either, hen, but

the building's falling to sh*t.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

33, 34, 35.

[RATTLING]

Where have you been?

We're moving?

Where did you go?

I'm not leaving.

GRACE: Were you with that girl?

Fiona's mom wants to stay.

I think I can trust you.

I'll stay with them also.

Hey.

You want her? WOMAN: What?

She want to be with

you and your daughter.

What the f*ck are you on about?

See?

They don't want you.

Are you happy?

Are you all right?

AMA: I will keep you safe.

Always.

Say it.

Say it, Grace.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

(SINGING) Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[CHILDREN CHATTERING]

FIONA: Ignore them.

Do you agree?

A bit, yeah.

Sorry.

You just need some Dove.

It's deodorant.

What for?

FIONA: Under your arms.

Stops you from smelling.

About yesterday.

Don't worry about it.

[SCRAPING]

[SPLASHING]

Everybody is laughing at me.

GRACE: That don't matter.

It's because I smell.

You use it.

Use what?

For under your arms.

Raise your arm.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

It is basic, but it is clean.

And safe.

[MUFFLED CHATTER]

I am young and living

with my grandmother.

So I made a wish.

Go on.

You were getting water from

a well and you made a wish.

GRACE: That I

would have somebody

who could be my friend.

So you won't be lonely.

So I won't be lonely.

AMA: And you waited and waited

and almost give up hope.

Yes.

But then I come along.

And everything change.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

(SINGING) Come to your river.

I will come to your river.

I will come to your river.

Come to your river.

Wash my soul.

I will come to you river.

Wash my soul.

I will come to you river.

Wash my soul again.

Carry away my dead leaves.

Let me baptize my soul with

the help of your waters.

Sink my pains and complaints.

Let the river take them.

River.

You look amazing.

(SINGING) My ego and my blame.

Hey.

Come on.

(SINGING) With the

help of your waters.

Those old means are so ashamed

to let the river take them.

Grace?

Grace?

Grace?

Come on.

I don't think this

is working for you.

It's been four shifts you

haven't been able to complete.

Anybody else would have

been out after two.

I just need a little break.

I'll be better.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[GIGGLING]

Am I dying?

I am dying.

No.

No.

What is happening?

It's period.

Why?

It allows us to have babies.

When will it stop?

It doesn't.

What should I do?

Put this in your knickers.

Hey, it's OK.

She didn't do anything wrong.

What is that?

It's a period.

You want to see

things on your own?

After all I've through?

You want to leave me?

You want to leave me.

I should leave you before

and never look back.

Why should I be the

one to look after you?

AMA: But you made...

GRACE: No, they forced me.

I have no choice.

No.

No.

You should have somebody.

Who could be your friend?

So you won't be lonely.

And you waited and waited

and almost give up hope.

But then I came along.

I did not ask for you.

I did not ask for you.

I did not ask for you.

Grace, did I do something wrong?

[SOMBER MUSIC]

2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

[PHONE RINGING]

MAN: You going to answer that?

Your phone.

Answer it or turn it off.

[PHONE RINGING]

That's all I can do.

Hey.

It's all right.

I'm sorry.

- I'm sorry.

- It's OK.

It's OK.

She has been keeping me company.

Where were you?

Where is my father?

Everyone has a father.

Where's mine?

What... what did you say to her?

Don't talk to my child.

Never speak to me.

Mm?

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

I know you really don't know

me, but you are not alone.

You stay away from her.

You stay away from me.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[LAUGHTER]

[BELL RINGS]

MISS SEAMPLE: Fiona,

are you all right?

You know you can talk to me.

What's wrong?

Hmm?

Where are we going?

GRACE: Ama, I don't know,

but we have to start again.

This place, we're not safe here.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

LISA: Grace, Ama, it's Lisa.

[MUFFLED TALKING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Just give them a moment, please.

Open the door.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

I will open the door.

We will be fine, OK?

How have you both been?

You were leaving?

They found us somewhere.

LISA: Well, that's good.

I was wondering if I could

have a little chat with Ama

on her own.

It's just a little chat like

the one we had at school.

You know, about how

you've been doing.

She don't want to talk to you.

LISA: It's just a few questions.

There is nothing

to be afraid of.

I promise.

GRACE: We don't

want to talk to you.

LISA: I'll be back in a moment.

Please don't go anywhere.

I didn't do anything

wrong, did I, Grace?

No, please, no.

- Why can't you ask here?

- You know why.

You won't let me speak to her.

Ama doesn't want

to talk with you.

SAMUEL: Why don't you

give them a little space?

Don't touch her.

SAMUEL: You are

making things worse.

Tell them to leave us.

It's fine.

I've got this.

Oh, really?

Ama?

Ama?

Ama!

Where did Ama go?

Can I talk to you in private?

Grace, I'm trying to help.

That's all I'm trying to do.

I'm trying to help you.

Will you call me?

If she doesn't come back this

evening, will you call me?

What her friend Fiona said

about what happened here

the other night, is it true?

Grace?

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Grace, are you OK?

I'm fine.

SAMUEL: Do you need anything?

Can I help?

No.

SAMUEL: Do you know

where she's gone?

I am here.

Grace, I am just here.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Ama.

Ama.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

[SNIFFLING]

I'm sorry.

You... you won't.

I'm sorry, Grace.

You won't let them take me.

I'm sorry if I made it hard.

I'll do anything.

I'll be good.

I'll be very, very good.

Promise?

I'll be good.

Grace, promise.

[SNIFFLING]

[SOMBER MUSIC]

The walls will be pink.

And gold.

The carpets will be white.

Soft like clouds.

And when we walk on it, it

will be like we're in the sky.

This is all my fault.

No it isn't.

Look at me.

We will be fine.

I'll make sure.

OK?

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[GASPS]

Are you hungry?

What be the rules when I go?

We keep to ourselves.

GRACE: What else?

We cannot trust anyone.

And?

AMA: I open the door for nobody.

I make no sound.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

FIONA: It's me.

Will you let me in?

Ama?

You're my only real friend.

I'm really sorry.

Ama.

Ama, please.

SAMUEL: Are you all right?

We're fine.

What will you do?

I'm not sure again.

I... I don't know.

I... I'm not sure yet.

I

I have been here for five years.

I work.

I eat.

I go to the cinema.

I have some friends.

But still sometimes I don't

know if I will ever feel safe.

But I have to believe it.

Otherwise it's like

I have given up.

It is not just for Ama.

Grace, you, you also

need to feel safe.

[SOFT MUSIC]

Your highness.

[LAUGHTER]

[SOFT MUSIC]

I'm sorry.

When she was a baby, the best

thing was to watch her sleep.

And just like that, she

was in another world.

Small.

Very small and not strong.

In a small life.

She's seen too much.

Always the struggle.

And I'm trying to

make things better.

I can... I can look over her.

But now my heart goes down

because she's changing.

She doesn't look small anymore.

I promise you that

whatever you need right now

will be best for Ama.

Do you believe me?

You have to trust me.

[CRYING]

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I want you to grow safe.

I want you to be happy.

Everything I do is for this.

If you're scared, know

you won't be forever.

Trust me.

I am breathing the

same air as you.

Always.

[SOMBER MUSIC]