Epiphany

Principal
You are the…?

Uncle
The uncle, I flew in just last night. What happened?

Principal
Sit down; your nephew injured another one of our students.

Uncle
What happened?

Principal
We aren’t sure. Felix isn’t talking and the boy who was injured is in the hospital right now.

(The uncle gives a sad sigh)

Witnesses say that the injured student was trying to comfort Felix when he attacked the boy. Normally a fight this severe would result in immediate expulsion, and persecution by the victim. No questions. However in my experience I believe that that would only… Make matters worse. There is no protocol for a situation like this. All we can do is give him the time to heal. Which is why the family of the injured student and I have decided to allow Felix to attend this school with no charges under two conditions: he is given psychaitric help within the next week, and that he is placed in the care of a foster family.

Uncle
I can’t afford professional help.

Principal
The family of the victim is offering to pay for everything.

Uncle
That is very gracious of them, but the plan was to bring him back to Florida to live with us. We could watch him there, and he would be with family. Those were his mothers’ wishes if anything were to happen

Principal
What ever you decide it is imperative that he gets help. He needs some structure in his life again or, I don’t know what will happen. No one is made to endure this kind of stress let alone a young teenager.

(Scene)

(Uncle enters his car, Felix is already in the passenger seat. They are both bundled up to protect against the falling snow.)

Uncle
Felix, what happened?

(Felix doesn’t respond)

Felix you need to talk to me. Or someone, anyone, but if you keep sulking like this you’ll never get over it.

Felix
Why would god take my mother away?

Uncle
What?

Felix
The principle said everything will be alright because god had a plan for my mother and me. What kind of plan would involve murder?

Uncle
I… I don’t know... Listen to me, no matter what everything will be better in time.

Felix
Everything was fine to begin with. Nothing had to change.

Uncle
I’m so sorry Felix. I wish I could tell you why. I wish I could give you a reason, but I can’t.

(Felix starts to cry and falls into uncle)

Why is a very good question.

(As the camera shows them driving home on a wintery road in silence a voice over sounds.)

Uncle
I’m forced to go home. I’ll be back in a week though. I want everything of yours packed and ready to come to Florida with me. Understand?

Felix
Yes. Uncle?

Uncle
Yes?

Felix
Please be careful.

Uncle
Don’t worry Felix. Nothing will happen. I’ll always be here when you need me.

(Scene)

(Felix appears in an empty room with only a special shining down on him.)

Felix
Time pitied me. That week passed before I could blink. My uncle was a life saver. He came back with a puppy in his arms. A Black lab. As soon as I saw it my heart dropped. I named him Titan because he was most fearless thing I have ever seen. He would run after cats twice his size then chase a mastiff. Crazy dog. He was perfect. I pleaded with my uncle to let me stay until the end of the month so I could say goodbye to everyone. He agreed. He even stayed in the house to keep a close eye on me. It was so nice of him. My uncle and aunt never had any kids so I knew this was wierd for him as well. Somehow, though, time did help. He teased me whenever I smiled. I laughed for the first time in a long while. I was actually starting to feel better. As time went by, Titian grew; I got older, more mature. I even got a girl friend. With her the time flew even faster. I didn't know that was possible. But then one day my uncle took Titan to the vet. It wasn't a special day. There weren't ominous clouds in the sky. It was by all acounts normal, until my girl friend came in to my room with bad news. She told me that their car last traction and went into on coming traffic. Time, once again, came to a complete hault.

(Girl is standing at the door of Felix’s room. Felix is in a ball on the floor in the corner of his room.)

Girl
Felix? Are you ok?

Felix
Are they ok?

Girl
(Firmly) Felix you need to snap out of this, you need to be strong, if not for anyone else, do it for your mother. She wouldn’t wa—
Felix
(Screaming)
Are they ok?!

Girl
No… They’re dead.

Felix
(Laughs)

Girl
Felix?

Felix
(Still laughing) we’re all dreaming. Every last one of us… (Tears start to form) and I’m going to prove it.

(Felix stands up holding a gun; he starts to advance towards Girl. Girl is petrified.)

Girl
(Astonished, out of breath) fuck. Felix what are you doing?

Felix
I’m going to wake you up.

Girl
There’s no such fucking thing as waking people up. Felix you're scaring me.

Felix
That’s why bad things happen to good people. In dreams nothing makes sense. Anything can happen without reason. (The woman runs down stairs. Felix follows.)

Girl
Life is not a dream; we're all real!

Felix
Then why is my mother dead? Why? What reason is there to let some bastard kill my mom? How could God let something like that happen? I’m sick of people telling me it’s within god’s plans. (Felix points the gun at the girl) Fuck god.

Girl
Please…

Felix
Dreaming is the only way any of it makes sense.
(Felix brings the gun to his head everything pauses while voice over is going.)

It’s funny; as soon as I pulled the trigger I had an epiphany. I saw myself sitting next to god telling him the story of my life. He had no idea what I was going to say next. He was facinated by every detail and I was happy. Maybe, when all is said and done, god will be waiting for us, and we will get to tell one hell of a story.

(The gun jams and Felix falls to the floor crying)