Kallar’s Disappearance

KALLAR in her nightgown joins JAMES in the living        room where he is doing final touches on his         dressing to leave for work. James looks displeased         at the sight of Kallar.

KALLAR

           Are you almost ready? Let me fix that tie for           you.

JAMES

          Yes dear.

KALLAR

               (tightening James’s tie and straightening                 the collar of his shirt)

          You don’t look good of late, is it the work           pressure?

JAMES

           No, am okay.

        Kallar hugs James and leaves for work. KALLAR         remains thoughtful about what could be bothering         James. Kallar looks about the room and sees her         son MARK and daughter HOLY coming down the stairs.

KALLAR

            People! What’s keeping us busy today?

HOLY AND MARK

            Cards!

KALLAR

               (Going upstairs)

            Alright, going to freshen up will join you             two soon.

                                                                                                            DISSOLVE TO:

        INT. JAMES’S OFFICE GILLOW TOWM HOSPITAL LABOR         AND MATERNITY WING- DAY

        James is seated in his office, and nurse ANNIE is         pacing around the office

ANNIE

          I have already done my part do yours now,              it’s been years can’t she get out of our way           to a happy love life together?

JAMES

          I have told you several times that it cannot           happen in a flash, I still need to sort out           some issues with her.

ANNIE

          What issues? For three years now you have              given me excuses, you need to act now!

JAMES

          I must convince her to sell her jewels and             share some of the money with me first before           I let her go. Don’t you want us to go on a             holiday immediately?

ANNIE

          Of course yes! Sometimes I wish I could                transform myself into a man named James and act           within a day to put this stalemate to an end.

ANNIE

                    (Walking out of the office)

          I need to see some results, James!

                                        INTERCUT WITH:

     EXT. JAMES AND KALLAR’S HOME LAWN-SUNSET

     Kallar is busy pruning some flower plants; she does      so while rubbing her back and looks at her      protruding belly. Mark and Holy run towards her.

HOLY

          You have been here for long mom let us go and           prepare dinner; Daddy will be home soon.

KALLAR

          You are right, Lets cook!

      The three walk into the house.

                                        DISSOLVE TO:

     INT: JAMES AND KALLAR’S BEDROOM-NIGHT

     James is walking up and down while Kallar who is      seated on the bed is making a knot on her hair.

JAMES

          Darling, we need to raise money for the                investment I spoke to you about, it bothers me           deeply. Why can’t you just sell the jewels             since you do not even use them?

KALLAR

          You know I can’t James, those are gifts from my           late grandmother. Furthermore, I have nothing           else for myself except those jewels.

     James does not respond, and Kallar turns to look at      him only to see him holding a mallet.

KALLAR

          What are you? ..(screams once)

     James hits Kallar on the head with the mallet, she      passes out and falls on the floor bleeding.

     James throws the mallet into the dustbin. He      walks around the room for about a minute and then      suddenly as though awakening from a bad dream,      bends over to Kallar and begins administering first      aid on her while calling her.

JAMES

          Kallar dear, Honey, what have I done to you?

          Why did I make that move? Why?

                                        CROSSFADE TO:

     INT. WING DINNER’S PLACE GILLOW TOWN-NIGHT

     James and Annie are having coffee, Annie looks upset      while James looks around as if to make sure there is      no familiar face in the restaurant.

ANNIE

          You have failed me yet again why do you have           compassion for that woman? Didn’t you say you           no longer love her?

JAMES

          Annie dear, she’s human, she’s also expecting           my child, I could not just kill her even if I           am not in love with her anymore

ANNIE

                    (throwing up her arms)

          I am human too, and the delay is hurting               me.

                    (composes herself and moves closer to                     James)

          We can use the pregnancy to get rid of her,           what about death caused by birth complications           or postpartum depression that leads to suicide?           Which one sounds easy?

JAMES

(Shaking his head)

          It’s not that easy perhaps we should drop this           whole thing. Let us just be as we are, after           all, we still see each other frequently. I             still feel the guilt of last time.

ANNIE

                    (bending over the table, her face                      closer to James)

          Coward! You cannot fight for our love. In fact,           you have never loved me! I am just wasting my           time on you.

        Annie briskly walks out of Wing Dinners. James          remains seated with his head bowed down.

                                             DISSOLVE TO:

        INT. JAMES AND KALLAR’S BEDROOM-DAY

        Kallar is in her room lying on the bed when her         cell phone rings and she presses the receive         button.

VOICE

                         (hoarsely)

          Hallow Mrs. Spencer, Mr. Spencer is out of the           office with Annie. Better be careful, they make           a dangerous pair.

KALLAR

          Hello!, who are you, what are you saying, Annie           the nurse, Hallo. . . are you still there?

        Kallar stares at the ceiling for about thirty         seconds and calls James’s office number. There is         no answer up, and she leaves a voice message.

KALLAR

          I Know what you are up to, you can as well             remain alone. I am tired of living with all           the mysteries.

                                             CUT TO:

        EXT. JAMES AND KALLAR’S HOME LAWN-DAY

        Kallar and James are seated outside watching Holy         and Mark chase each other around.

JAMES

          Honey, you know I am sorry about the missed           call and the other night’s incident. Please           continue keeping it a secret, let our children,           friends, and relatives believe that you fell on           the stairs.

KALLAR

          Am fine, the story will always be an accident.           I know what it means for this family and our            reputation, especially with the religious              community.

JAMES

               (pecks Kallar on the cheek)

          Thanks, darling, It was a mistake that will           never be repeated. I wouldn’t want to ruin my           name in this town and in our church. They              believe I am a gentleman and I will always             behave like one.

        James walks towards the children wearing a smiling         face. He joins them in the play. Kallar’s face         shows despair and anger as she follows James with         her eyes.

                                    CROSSFADE TO:

        EXT: KALLAR’S PARENTS HOME VERANDAH-SUNSET

        Kallar and her elder sister IMELIA are seated on         the verandah having some soft drinks. Kallar is          cheerless, and Imelia is trying to cheer her up.

IMELIA

          Sweet small sissy, what happened to you after           the accident on the stairs? You lost something,           you are no longer the jovial sister I had.

KALLAR

          It’s nothing sister, am getting older perhaps            maturing in marriage and bogged down with this           pregnancy.

IMELIA

          Take care honey, do not let marriage take away           the joy you had. Face the challenges head-on.           Moreover, the baby is due soon. It shall be           well with you.

KALLAR

          Thanks dear, but should something happen to me           look for an inscription addressed to you inside           the pink doll in my bedroom.

IMELIA

                    (pouring Kallar more juice)

          What do you mean dear, drink this let me see if            the cake is made, you will love it and I know           you will be fine anyway.

        Imelia walks into the house. Kallar follows her         with sad looking eyes and sips the juice.

                                             DISSOLVE TO:

        INT. ONE OF THE ROOMS IN THE SPENCERS HOME THAT         HAD BEEN PREPARED FOR KALLAR’S DELIVERY-DAY

        Kallar is writhing and groaning on the delivery         bed, she is in labor. James is wearing his work         attires ready to help Kallar bring their third         child to the world.

                                             INTERCUT TO:

        INT. THE CORRIDOR LEADING TO ROOM WHERE KALLAR IS         DELIVERING-DAY

        A curious and anxious looking Holy is making         strides outside the delivery room. There is no sign of Mark around.

        After several screams, the cry of a newborn baby          is heard.

        All this while only Holy’s reaction is seen         outside the delivery room. A long and disturbing         silence follows the baby’s cry then James’ voice         is heard.

                         JAMES

          Kallar honey, are you there, stay with me!, see           we have another daughter, don’t do that to me,           Kallaaaar!!!

        Holy rushes into the delivery room looks around         hastily and goes to her mother who is lying still         on the delivery bed.

HOLY

          Dad, what happened to mom, she is not opening           her eyes, is she okay?

JAMES

                    (stroking Holy’s hair)

          No sweetie, your mom has left us, she could not           get through the process.

        Holy runs out of the room screaming and calling         Mark.

        James remains in the room looking at Kallar, and         the baby.

        James picks up the phone to make a call.

                                             CUT TO:

        EXT. THE SPENCERS’ HOUSE-SUNSET

        Paramedics emerge from the house pushing Kallar’s         body and put it in an ambulance that is parked near the entrance.

        James, Mark, and Holy are watching in grief from         the left side of the entrance.

        Imelia and Kallar’s MOTHER are speaking to a         DETECTIVE CHRISS at the right side of the entrance.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

               (directly addressing Kallar’s Mother)

          I shall do my part mom, we will try to                 ascertain if she died of child birth related           complications. I will be in touch.

        Kallar’s Mother shakes her head in agreement to         Detective Chriss’s statement but does not utter a         word. Detective Chriss goes to his car and leaves.

IMELIA

                    (pointing at the entrance to                            Spencer’s house)

          Let’s go in mother.

                                        DISSOLVE TO:

        INT. KALLAR’S PARENTS HOUSE-DAY

        Detective Chriss, Imelia, Kallar’s Mother and two         other POLICE OFFICERS are seated in the living          room.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

          (speaking to Imelia and Kallar’s Mother)

          Do you know anything that could have made              Kallar’ so depressed?

IMELIA

          None, apart from the pregnancy and parenting

                    (turns to her mother)

          Mother?

KALLAR’S MOTHER

          Mhh! I do not know of any other thing maybe...

                    (Imelia cuts her)

IMELIA

          Wait! I remember Kallar telling me that should           anything happen to her, I should get a write -          up addressed to me from a pink doll in her             bedroom. Yes! That was the message!

                                             DISSOLVE TO:

        INT. KALLAR AND JAMES’S BEDROOM-DAY

        Detective Chriss and the other two Police Officers         are in the room, they get the pick doll and unzip         it on the back.

        Detective Chriss retrieves a brown envelop from         the doll and hands it over to one of the Police         Officers.

        The officer opens the envelope, finds a letter         which he opens to read.

                                                  INSERT:

        EXTREME CLOSE-UP SHOT OF THE LETTER TO REVEAL SOME         OF THE SENTENCES.

                                                  CUT TO:

        INT. GILLOW POLICE STATION, DETECTIVE’S CHRISS’S          OFFICE-DAY

        Detective Chriss is with the other two Police         Officers.

POLICE OFFICER 1

          We need to question James and Annie, they are           mentioned in Kallar’s letter.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

          I agree with you. We have a case here, she did           not just die in childbirth, and the supposed           accident on the stairs was fake. We need the           autopsy report, we should also question Annie           and workers at the hospital. Let’s move!

                                             DISSOLVE TO:

        INT. GILLOW TOWN HOSPITAL-DAY

        Detective Chriss and the two officers are               questioning employees at the hospital. They             begin with Annie.

ANNIE

               (puffing up smoke and shaking the                      cigar between her fingers)

          Why do you even want to hear from me guys.             I wasn’t’ there when she was in labor,                 James did not call me to assist.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

          Madam, we just want to ask some few questions           regarding your relationship with James.

ANNIE

                    (avoiding eye contact with any of the                     officers)

          Ah, James, we are simply in love. He promised            to divorce Kallar and marry me three years ago,          but that did not happen.

OFFICER 2

          Have you been pushing him to divorce his wife?

ANNIE

          No, not at all. I only felt it was logical             enough for two people who have something good           going on to stay together. But James, ooh James           has been dragging things.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

          Alright, did you have an ultimatum, a deadline           of some sort?

ANNIE

                    (looks at Detective Chriss with a                     questioning face)

          A deadline?

DETECTIVE CHRISS

          Yes like a time frame within which he should           have divorced Kallar and married you.

ANNIE

          Ohh... Nooo not at all. I know James loves             me and he would do it eventually no matter             how much he dragged.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

          Thanks Annie

                                             FADE TO:

        EXT. GUPPY STREET GARDEN, GILLOW TOWN-DAY

        Detective Chriss is seated in the garden with two         FRIENDS of the Spencers.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

               (keeping eye contact with the female)

          What was Kallar like?

FEMALE FRIEND

          Kallar was a loving and happy mother and wife           before she had the accident on the stairs. She           and her husband were fond of playing with their           children outside the house. I was a perfect           family.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

          What about after the accident?

FEMALE FRIEND

          Kallar changed, it was easy to tell she was           depressed or experiencing difficult times. She           rarely smiled and was most of the time lost in           thoughts. She even stopped participating in           most of the events in this town.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

               (looking at the male friend)

          What of James, did he also change after                Kallar’s accident?

MALE FRIEND

          I didn’t notice any change in James, he                remained the same person all through. What I           realized though that he was not as concerned as           some of us were about Kallar’s condition. But           that is normal for people who stay together. It           is always assumed they know each other better.           So I was less bothered by that.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

               (addressing both male and female)

          Do you know if James was seeing another woman?

MALE FRIEND

          No, none that I know of, James is a religious           man who upholds Christian morals, I do not             think he would do a thing like that.

FEMALE FRIEND

          I have never heard of anything like that, James           and Kallar were together as husband and wife.

                                                  CUT TO:

        INT. THE SPENCER’S HOME-DAY

        Detective Chriss and other officers are conducting         a search.

OFFICER 1

           It seems there is nothing here to aid in the           investigation.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

          Yes, we’d better use what we already have, I do           not expect anything new to come up. Let’s leave            this place

        Holy gets up from the couch and moves closer to         Detective Chriss.

HOLY

                         (whispering)

          I have something that can help you.

        Holy dashes out of the living room and returns with a camera which she hands over to Detective   Chriss.

HOLY

          I sneaked in this camera when my mother was           taken to the delivery room, I wanted to capture            how my sister would be born, but my curiosity           led me to see more than that. Dad strangled mom           to death.

DETECTIVE CHRISS

           Thanks, honey. We shall view this back in the           station. Thank you.

                                             FADE TO:

        INT. COURTROOM

        The judge is standing up, she has just given a         verdict.

        James in handcuffs escorted by police out of            the court.

                                             FADE OUT.

THE END