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Office scene

Insurance company office. Background routine office noises.
Desk in small cubicle. Nameplate on desk says � Senior Claims Assessor�
Photograph of 3 little girls on desk
Clock on wall says 5 20 pm
Man working behind a computer, positioned such that his back is to the wall and no one can see contents of computer screen.
mid to late 40s, small bald patch on head, oversized glasses. The kind of man whose looks dictate his personality.
Intensely working on computer. Subconsciously runs fingers to sweep hair to conceal bald patch

Unnamed colleague ( on way out of office) : Not knocking off yet? You �ve been putting in long hours lately.
Lim (startled, uses mouse to close off window on computer. Pushes up glasses) : No,no. Going off soon. Just want to clear up last minute work.

Unnamed colleague : Thought you were aiming for merit award.

Lim : Busy evening ahead. Must do my evening swim, then got to go to the in-laws for dinner.

Unnamed colleague : So does your mother still live with you?

Lim ( exasperated ) : No, after that incident, she moved out. My wife still refuses to go over to her place unless really necessary, like birthday or Chinese New Year. She said she still feels so humiliated and can�t face her colleagues at work.

Unnamed colleague : But that incident happened so long ago. I am sure people would have forgotten by now.

Lim : Ya, except the neighbours and my wife. See, my mother is not a bad person. I think it�s the sudden change in circumstances that made her all confused. All her life, she has been someone�s servant. Then in her 70�s she has a servant looking after her.

Unnamed colleague : She must be a damn fierce old woman, to pour hot water on her like that.

Lim ( getting agitated with the memory) : She got away lightly, because of her age and thanks to the lawyer we got.

Unnamed colleague : Must have cost a bomb! Anyway, what�s with this swimming thing? A new hobby?

Lim : Its for my backache. The doctor said swimming will do it some good. Also, its quite relaxing.

Unnamed colleague : Where do you swim?

Lim : Bedok Swimming Complex. So near.

Unnamed colleague ( picks up open magazine on his desk) : Buying your girls some swim wear?

Lim (Glances at the magazine showing children modeling swim wear) : I want the girls to learn swimming too. The pool has children�s swimming programme. Healthy and cheap. Going out shopping all the time also quite boring.

Unnamed colleague ( using head to indicate photo on table ): So how are they? Haven�t seen them since last New Year. Any plans for school holidays?

Lim ( face lights up ) : Cheryl is in K2 now. The biggest is in Sec 1. We�re going up to Sunway Lagoon next week.

Unnamed colleague : Good, no flying. My missus is so afraid of flying after all those events in the US. I think the road is still safer provided you drive carefully. Jack�s wife won�t go up tall buildings!

Lim : But you know about all those hijack stories on the highway up north also.

Phone on desk rings. Lim picks it up.

Lim : Hallo, yah, yah. Pick you up in 45 minutes. ( Hangs up phone. ) It�s the wife. She�s finished work early today. ( Gets up, picks up non descript sport bag ) Better go. Have a quick swim before picking her up at the hospital.

Unnamed colleague : Ok. I am heading off too.

Exits office together.

Pool Scene

Bedok Swimming Complex.
Swimming lessons for children in progress. Children running all over the place.
Lim in boring square trunks. Looks at his watch, obviously has schedule to keep. Goes into medium pool. Children paddling in water. Goes into water, swims into a girl about 7.
Gets out of pool. Sits by the poolside.

Stout, bullying and loud woman. Hovering over son, sitting at the poolside.

Angry mother: You don�t throw your tantrums at me. Only six years old and throwing tantrums allover the place! Come all the way here and don�t want to swim! Wait till we go home! I will tell your father and see what he will do!

Sad boy, about 6 years old, snivels and looks on the ground.

Angry mother : When I say you swim, you swim, understand? You want me to push you into the water? ( throws towel at Sad boy)

Sad boy hangs his head as towel falls over his head and onto the ground. Helpless and bullied.

Indicates with her head to Daughter, about 8 years old to the changing room.

Angry mother : Lets go change and swim. We can leave him here to look after our things This will be the last time we take him out swimming.

Angry mother marches to change room a distance away, dragging Daughter with her.

Lim watching with interest earshot away. Smiles kindly at Sad boy.

Lim : Hello, boy. Whats your name?

Sad boy looks up then looks away again, tears streaming down face.

Lim ( kindly) : Don�t cry, boy. Your mummy loves you. How old are you?

Sad boy keeps head down.

Lim : Can we be friends?

Sad boy too miserable to show him any interest.
Lim gets up to go.

Lim : Here, I have a present for you.

Bends down to Sad boy.
Gives Sad boy a dollar coin. Sad boy looks at it, confused, unsure what to do. Lim presses it into his little hand.

Lim : Everytime you see this, you know somebody loves you? OK?

Sad boy continues looking on the ground. Lim picks his bag and walks towards change room.

In change room, grins at 2 young boys. Peers blindly at them, as he is without his glasses.
Pats a little boy, about 8 yrs old, on his head.
Boy squirms and walks away.

Car Scene

Wife in passenger seat. Hard look on her face, firm lips.

Wife : I called you early so that I don�t need to wait for you.

Lim : Sorry. I lost track of time while swimming.

Wife : Why suddenly so crazy about swimming? What good can half hour swimming
do ? Might as well go jogging. Quite irritating to have to wait for you especially after a long day.

Lim ( eyes forward, looking tired ): Sorry lah. Not on purpose. So how was work? Bullied any new nurses?

Wife : Don�t try to change the subject! (agitated) Hey, you really think your wife is such a bully?

Lim smirks.

Wife : Really fed up with these 2 new girls. I told them countless times about how clean the operating rooms must be. Can you imagine, they bring food into the operating theatre when on night shift, thinking I won�t know. Having a party or what! Then they say I nag too much and make up names for me.

Lim ( obviously not paying much attention ) : Aiyah, why get so worked up over this? You also once a junior nurse like them?

Wife ( eyes flashing) : Don�t compare me to them ! Its an insult to me! We all had more pride in our work. Besides, our Matron was so strict. Unlike nowadays. Discipline and standard have dropped all these years.

Lim (trying to pay attention to conversation) : But not everyone can be like you.

Wife : What do you mean by that ? Eh, don�t go so fast near this bend. So many accidents happen at this area.

Lim ( concentrating as he negotiates blind bend) : You cannot expect everyone to have your kind of standard. As Senior Nurse maybe you should try to inspire them instead. Otherwise you are just like the army sergeants- damn unpopular and shhhhhhhit�.. ( swerves and brakes and horns simultaneously to avoid 2 school girls who dashed across the road into path of their car, at the blind bend)

Wife ( shaken, turns to see if girls are alright as they drive by. Girls dashed across the road and into a 7-11 shop ) : See, see? I told you to be careful here. Last week a Primary 4 boy on a bicycle was hit by a van. This is a sway stretch.

Lim (slows down, peers through rear view mirror, flicks his hair ) : What is the crossing for? Why don�t they use the pedestrian crossing! Can give people a heart attack you know!

Wife ( regaing composure) : Can get us all killed! I am so scared you will hit a child one day. Especially this stretch near the primary school.

Lim : Better remind our girls to cross the road outside the school carefully.

Wife : But it�s the drivers also. You can cross carefully but if they drive like mad people, whats the use.

Lim positions his big spectacles, obviously shaken as well.

Dinner scene

Round table seating 7 of them

Wife ( placing food onto dinner plate of Cheryl) : Don�t talk so much, finish your food.

Grandpa : So, Chinese tuition any use or not?

Lim ( pushes glasses, eats with chopstick and holding rice bowl) : Ask Linda about her mid term grades for Chinese.

Linda (13 years old, bored with family dinners ): 64 marks.

Grandma (indulgent look) : Wa, an improvement ! Clever girl.

Wife : Better show some improvement in her grades. Spent so much money and time already on extra classes.

Grandma : So, can read Chinese newspaper? I saved you this week�s. (Helps Cheryl with her food )

Wife : Aiyah, Ma, don�t bother lah. She won�t have time to read them.

Kate ( Pri 3 ) : Daddy, you go swimming during Ghost Month ? Melissa says her mummy says cannot go swimming or go to the park at night during Ghost month.

Lim : Don�t listen to her. So many children at the pool today. Next month I want to take Cheryl, Linda and you swimming with me.

Kate : Eee . I hate the dirty and smelly pool water. Melissa says the water has urine inside.

Linda and Cheryl chuckles.

Wife : Enough ! Nothing better to talk about? Talking about ghosts and urine! And talking about urine when we are eating.

Kate : Mummy, do you you believe in ghosts? ( Linda makes an eerie face. Cheryl screams with laughter)

Mum : Eh, Ghost month don�t any how talk, hor!

Grandma : You don�t disturb them they won�t disturb you

Lim : Kate, enough already. Finish your food.

Kate : But Pa, Melissa says the 2nd floor toilet in school is haunted.

Linda makes a ghostly face at Cheryl who screams.

Grandpa : OK, girls. The food getting cold. Talk about something else. Linda you learn computer at school? Now computers very important, you know.

Linda : Yeah.

Wife : Is that how you talk to Grandpa? Just one word reply?

Kate : Linda don�t know how to on the computer.

Wife : What � don�t know �? �Doesn�t know�. Mind your language, girl.

Linda ( annoyed ) : Its �turn on the computer�, silly.

Kate (gleeful ) : She always forget her password in school, so when all her friends are nearly finished with their project, she still can�t log on!!

Linda ( grabs at her) : You little kaypoh. The computer was spoilt.

Lim ( look of realization, then distressed and agitated. Looks at watch ) : Aiyah. All this talk about computers. Now you remind me I didn�t log off my computer at work.

Wife : Aiyah, nobody will get into your computer at this time lah. Almost 9 pm already.

Lim ( standing up, resolute ) : No, all the confidential client information is inside. If the company finds out, I will be in deep trouble. They consider computer security breach very serious. Can lose my job, you know.

Grandma : Finish up the food first. No need to rush.

Lim : Its OK, I am full

Kate ( excited by change of routines ) : Daddy is going home without us.

Lim : You all stay here for a bit more then take a cab home.

Wife ( annoyed the routine is disrupted ) : See, if only you were more careful, you won�t have to run here and there at this time. Already so late.

Grandpa and Grandma looking concerned.

Grandpa : Never mind, just be more careful next time. Better hurry go finish your business.

Grandma : Yeah. The cleaning people come at night isn�t it?

Wife ( scornful ): Aiyah, as if they know how to use the computer.

Cheryl ( hugs Lim�s legs) : Bye bye Daddy. Can buy me hamburger?

Lim : Not tonight, girl. You already had a nice dinner. You�ll be sleeping when Daddy comes home.

Cheryl : Daddy you buy for the boys but not for me. Mummy, Daddy loves little boys and girls.

Wife snorts, pulls her back.

Family walks him to the door, girls clamber round, saying good bye.
Obviously a departure from the routine for them.

Car scene II

Lim deep in thought, weary look but knows he must get back to the office.
Turns on the radio in the car. Boring mellow oldies.
Reaches for comb on dashboard, combs his hair, peering at rear mirror, glances instinctly at the back seats and replaces comb at dashboard.
Comb slides off onto the floor of car. Tries to drive and pick it up while balancing his steering.
Minibus approaches head on, headlights flashing. Quite terrifying.
Lim screams, his large glasses fall off as car careens wildly. He struggles to gain control of the steering.
Screeching and crashing noises.

Home Scene

Its been several months after the accident. The family has settled to an uneasy calm. Background noise of the girls watching TV and having an argument.
Wife at home, talking on the phone to relative.

Wife : I am back to doing shift work. Abit more money at least.

Wife : No, we got some some money from the accident insurance and some personal policies��..at least this condo�s mortgage is protected. Otherwise, I really don�t know what to do. But then, the money won�t last for long, with 3 girls growing up.

Wife : Ya. We got a special payout from his company. But we had to get a lawyer to settle it though.

Wife : See, we had to prove he was on his way to the office. And all those excuses about why he was going back to the office at 9 pm.

Wife : I know. I eventually asked one of his good friends at work. He said everything was logged off properly. Very careful about his computer security, always, he said��so, ( voice quivers) rushing back for all for nothing. Then losing everything.

Wife : Most of his things I threw away. So much rubbish in his drawers and cupboard. ( looks uncomfortable, twitchy. )

Wife (getting up from chair, weary but determined that life goes on ) : OK, I better get going. Have to get ready for work. Still must make sure the girls have their breakfast for tomorrow

Wife : The oldest is in afternoon class, so she gets up early to take them to meet the school bus. I don�t like the girls waiting downstairs alone.

Wife : Only a matter of time. I will surely need her help. Though I hate old people living with me.

Wife : OK, really must go now or I will be late. Thanks for calling, ok. Will call you soon. You take care, hor. Bye bye.

Wife hangs up then calls out to daughters.Bustling about.

Wife : Linda! Linda! Finished your school work yet?

Linda walks into the room

Linda : Mummy, will we have to move to a smaller flat?

Wife ( in a rush but trying to be patient) : Linda, only if really no choice.

Linda : Mummy, I don�t like to be at home when you do night shift. Its so lonely and eerie.

Wife : That�s why I leave the hall light on all night.

Linda : Kate and Cheryl get so scared when dogs howl or when there�s a storm.

Wife ( looks really wretched) : Linda, you must be Big Sister. I need you to look after them when I am at work. I keep reminding you to make sure all the doors and windows are locked at night. Anyway, you know we may need Grandma to come stay with us.

Linda : I don�t like waking up so early to get Kate ready for school every morning.

Wife : Linda, we have been through all these before. Without your Daddy, we all have to accept some changes. I know its not easy for you but I need your help. I must work to support us. Anyway, if the girls need to go toilet at night, make sure you bring them. I don�t want bedwetting again.

Linda ( looking really weary) : OK.

Wife checks the fridge, shuts the door.

Wife : Make sure Kate finishes the cereals tomorrow morning. And don�t be late bringing her downstairs to take the school bus again.

Linda ( looks even more dreary) : OK, Mummy.

Wife picks up her bag and walks to the door. Shouts to the bedroom

Wife : Kate, don�t watch anymore TV! Finish your homework.

Kate ( calls from out of sight ) : Bye Mummy.

Wife : Lock the door, Linda. You have my mobile phone number. Bye bye.

Linda closes the front door, locks it and goes into the bedroom.

Bedroom scene

Cheryl : Linda, can read me story?

Linda ( reading her novella) : I think you better go to bed now.

Cheryl : Nobody reads to me anymore. I don�t see Mummy anymore.

Kate : Cheryl, Mummy must work to earn money for us. Otherwise we cannot go to school.

Cheryl : I miss Daddy. Sometimes I think he�s watching TV in the front room.

Linda casts her a quick look.

Kate : Oh, Linda, I need ten dollars to pay for the school excursion tomorrow. I forget to get from Mummy.

Linda : Ok, all of you, go to sleep.

Kate : Melissa said when her Grandma died, she came back to visit. They saw her footprints.

Linda ( gets out of bed, goes to light switch : Alright. To bed! (switches off lights )

Its probably 2 am. Bedroom bathed in a surreal blue light, viewed above the room.
The 3 girls are sound asleep in the bedroom.
Distant rumblings of thunder, occasional flashes of lightning.
Cheryl stirs, sits up, gets out of bed, walks to Linda�s bed and shakes her.

Cheryl (grabs and shakes Linda ) : I want to go toilet.

Linda ( groans): What?

Cheryl : I need to go to toilet. Now.

Linda : Why every night at this time!

Thunder. Cheryl screams and jumps into Linda�s bed.
Linda pushes her off her bed and climbs out. Walks to the bathroom located at corner of room, turns on toilet lights. Cheryl goes in while Linda waits outside, eyes shut.
Cheryl returns to bed and Linda switches off light, then staggers to her bed.

More flashes of lightning. Big storm obviously brewing.

The audience realizes that the scene is being viewed by the ghost of Lim. Lim looks the same, except more desperate and lonely. His hair is still immaculately combed to try hiding the bald patch. Pallid complexion.

Lim watches over his daughters as they sleep. This appears to be his fate. He sees the girls toss in their bed, Cheryl waking Linda to bring her to the toilet. He weeps piteously as Linda tucks her into bed, then climbs into her bed.

Something was happening. A shadowy figure with his head hooded has broken into the room. Lim is transfixed in horror. He witnessed, in utter helplessness, the terror of the girls roughly dragged out of their beds, bound and gagged and herded into the bathroom, out of the view of the audience, though they know the fate that would befall them. Screams are then muffled. Mummy and Daddy cries are heard.

Lim is now a ragged, tearful mess, tearing about trying to prevent something he is unable to stop. Tears stream down his face.

The audience may notice amidst the frenzy, the shadowy image of Sad boy standing fearfully in the corner of the room, quietly weeping.

The audience realises that Lim�s destiny is to be punished for liking children a little too much. His ultimate punishment is to watch the ravaging of his beloved daughters, one by one��..

More flashes of lightning, thunder and the hissing of rain.

The End