INT. GRACE'S ROOM - DAY
Camera pans showing a room decorated with fancy music trophies arranged neatly on a dresser with a mirror. There are two guitars on their stands, a music keyboard, a computer on a small desk with many CDs scattered around it.
There is an indentation in the wall, forming a corner, adorned with some Christian iconography, prominently a picture of Jesus Christ knocking on a door. There are some verses framed and hung, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind", "Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established". A small table is set in the indentation. On it is a bible and a notebook. It's Grace's prayer corner.
In the middle of the pan we hear an alarm clock going off. The camera lands on GRACE, a 20 something woman, in deep sleep.
The alarm continues ringing, but she doesn't wake up. A robotic arm reaches and shakes Grace gently to wake her up.
Grace bolts up in bed.
GRACE
What? What time is it? Am I late? What time is it?
She looks around her anxious still in the haze of sleep.
ALY, a robot about 4 feet tall, round head, big round eyes, orange lights on his body, skinny metallic arms, stops the alarm and gestures for Grace to calm down as he points to a screen embedded in his chest showing the time.
Grace breaths out in relief.
GRACE
Come on, Aly, big day today.
INT. GRACE'S ROOM, PRAYER CORNER - DAY
Grace kneels down in her prayer corner. She crosses her fingers and bows her head.
Aly kneels beside her and imitates her. She turns to him amused.
GRACE
That's a new one. Are you going to pray for me Aly?
Aly nods in child-like innocence. Grace smiles.
GRACE
Well pray hard, ok? Today is a really important day for me. It's not everyday I get an interview at St. Peter's college of Music and Performing arts.
(winks at the picture of Jesus)
You hear that big guy? Hint. Hint.
Aly closes his eyes and produces some musical tones. The music that he plays is clearly something that Grace knows well. She sings along with it. Aly opens his eyes and turns to Grace and gives her the thumbs up.
GRACE
You're amazing.
INT. GRACE'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - DAY
Grace writes some lyrics in her notebook. The oven beeps, attracting her attention. She is cooking some pancakes. Aly sits on the counter beside her.
GRACE
Aly, I'm in the mood for some rock.
The screen on Aly's chest flickers and then a rock song starts to play.
There is some ringing mixed in with the music. We don't know what that is yet.
Aly starts to move to the music.
GRACE
Louder, please.
Aly's screen shows the volume increase. But Grace doesn't hear any difference, neither do we.
GRACE
Louder, Aly.
The volume goes higher.
GRACE
Here we go.
Grace starts to sing and dance with the music. Aly jumps off the counter and starts a funky dance. Aly dances smoothly and spins around himself. Grace laughs at Aly.
Grace puts the pancakes in a plate
Jonathan, a man in his 50s, still dressed in his pajamas, walks into the kitchen. He watches Grace dance and smiles. His hair is messed up. He yawns as he heads to the counter located in the middle of the Kitchen. Grace looks up and sees him coming in.
GRACE
Stop the music, Aly.
Jonathan sits at the counter and Grace puts the plate in front of him.
GRACE
Good morning Papa. Breakfast of champions.
JONATHAN
(looks at the plate)
Oh wow! looks delicious. All this just for me.
GRACE
(winks at Jonathan)
Anything for you, Jon!
Grace kisses him on the cheek, then walks to the coffee machine and starts to pour some coffee in a cup. There is suspicious ringing that's getting a little intense. Grace puts her fingers in her ear. She and us can hear the ringing.
GRACE IN THE FOREGROUND AND JONATHAN IN THE BACKGROUND
JONATHAN
Exciting day today, huh Grace? The big interview. How do you feel?
Grace puts some sugar into the coffee, and doesn't respond. Jonathan looks at her concerned.
JONATHAN
Grace.
(louder)
Grace.
Grace turns to him and puts the coffee in front of him.
GRACE
Sorry, did you say something?
JONATHAN
(confused)
I was just asking if you're excited for the interview.
Grace smiles, and expresses her excitement physically (up to the actor).
GRACE
So excited papa and scared too. This is an opportunity of a life time, such a great school. I have three different compositions prepared to show at the interview, a classical piece, a Rock piece and a Jazz piece.
Jonathan takes a bite from the pancakes as he listens to Grace.
JONATHAN
Umm, this is good.
He takes another big bite. Grace looks at her watch.
GRACE
Look at the time. Let's go.
Grace takes him by the arm and starts to pull him away. Jonathan takes one last bite and grabs the coffee before he's too far from the counter.
JONATHAN
Alright, alright, coming.
Suddenly, Grace loses her balance. The ringing we continue to hear gets more intense momentarily as Grace gets dizzy. Jonathan supports her. Some coffee spills.
JONATHAN
(Concerned)
Are you okay?
GRACE
Yeah, yeah. Just all the excitement.
JONATHAN
This isn't the first time you felt dizzy, maybe we should go see a doctor.
Grace pulls him towards the second floor stairs.
GRACE
No time. Let's go. Let's go. I have your suite ready.
They walk off.
EXT. COLLEGE - DAY
Jonathan parks his car.
INT. CAR - DAY
Grace is looking nervous. She takes deep breaths trying to calm herself.
JONATHAN
You're going to rock the interview.
GRACE
Pray for me, Papa.
Jonathan gives Grace a kiss.
JONATHAN
Always.
INT. COLLEGE - DAY
The door to an elevator opens and a few people walk out. Grace is left behind. She seems to be trying to steady herself. She walks out.
INT. COLLEGE, INTERVIEW OFFICE - DAY
Grace opens a glass door and walks to a reception desk. She's starting to get dizzy.
GRACE
I have an interview with the head of the music department at 10am.
The receptionist looks at her computer.
RECEPTIONIST
Grace Luca. Yes. Do you have your portfolio with you? I can pass that on while you wait.
The ringing is growing quite intense. Grace's eyes glaze over. She reaches for her ears trying to block out the noise. The receptionist looks up when Grace doesn't answer.
RECEPTIONIST
Your portfolio?
Grace teeters for a moment and then falls to the ground.
FADE TO BLACK.:
INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
Grace's ears are hooked up to a device. There is continuous ringing and strange noises as an exam is being conducted on Grace. The noises stop and we're only left with the incessant ringing.
Jonathan stands by his daughter.
The DOCTOR walks in from a parallel room and removes a device secured on Grace's ears. Jonathan is standing by his daughter.
JONATHAN
How's she doing Doctor? I've been observing her for the last couple of months and I feel that her hearing is getting better. I'm sure there is an improvement over the last time we were here.
Doctor looks at Jonathan sympathetically.
DOCTOR
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but her hearing nerve has deteriorated significantly.
(turns to Grace)
Grace, you lost more than 60% of your hearing over the past months. With this particular nerve deterioration it's unlikely that you'll get your hearing back. I'm sorry to say but I suspect that within the next few months you'll lose all your hearing.
Grace looks at her father's expression of helplessness.
JONATHAN
There must be something we can do. Hearing aids? Surgery? Anything?
DOCTOR
Unfortunately, hearing aids are not going to help in this case, and the scans show that Grace's hearing organ will not accept a cochlear implant. I know this is hard to accept, but this isn't the end of the road.
(turns to Grace)
Grace, it's great that you've been learning sign language. It will help you communicate. We have a vibrant Deaf community and programs. It won't be easy at the beginning but you can lead a mostly normal life.
Even though Grace can't hear everything being said, she understands that life as she knows it is forever gone.
INT. GRACE'S ROOM - DAY
Grace opens her eyes with the first light and sits up in the bed, staring at nothing in particular. Aly walks towards her from the corner. Grace startles as she sees Aly, not having heard him approach.
Grace gets up annoyed and walks past her prayer corner, now darkened. She's slightly unsteady and stops. We think she'll carry on with her prayer routine, but she walks past.
INT. GRACE'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - DAY
Grace sits in the living room just zoning out. She has her note book open to some lyrics she's been writing. The music is blasting.
Jonathan walks in and turns off the music. But Grace doesn't notice. He throws her, her jacket, which lands on her legs and she startles. They talk and sign in ASL.
GRACE
What?
JONATHAN
Let's go. It's a nice day for a walk.
GRACE
You go, I don't feel like going?
Jonathan walks up to her and gives her his hand insistently. She reluctantly takes it.
EXT. BY A CREEK - DAY
Grace and Jonathan skip rocks on the water. Jonathan skips a rock that bounces on the water and smiles pointing at it, but Grace is not looking at him. Simply staring in the distance. Jonathan touches her shoulder.
JONATHAN
(in ASL)
I'm just gonna walk a bit and will be back.
Grace nods and watches her father walk away.
She picks up some rocks and throws them right in the water.
She walks closer to the water and throws the rocks at other rocks, but she can't hear anything.
Grace stands up frustrated and walks onto the trail, not noticing a biker that has been ringing his bell at her. The biker slams into her and they both tumble to the ground. Grace's notebook flies and lands on the ground.
BIKER
Are you ok?
Grace's cloths are dirty from the fall.
BIKER
Here, Let me help you.
The biker attempts to help her up, but she pushes him away and rushes to her notebook. The pages are wet and the ink is smeared.
INT. GRACE'S ROOM - DAY
THE CAMERA DOLLIES AWAY FROM GRACE
Grace is alone on her bed. Her head buried in her knees. Her shoulders shake slightly. She holds her notebook in her hand, page is dirty, the ink of the words smeared.
Aly walks into frame and sits on the edge of the bed.
INT. OUTSIDE OF GRACE'S ROOM - DAY
THE CAMERA CONTINUES TO DOLLY AWAY
Jonathan stands outside the door knocking, but we can't hear any sounds.
Jonathan stops knocking and leans against the wall, feeling helpless (up to actor).
FADE TO BLACK.:
INT. GRACE'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - DAY
Aly walks in holding Grace's hand in tow. Jonathan is cooking some breakfast.
GRACE
(speaks and in ASL)
Aly, I'm really not in the mood.
Aly leads her to the middle counter and she sits down. He places her notebook on the counter open to the song she wrote.
ALY
(in ASL)
Sing a note in C.
GRACE
(in ASL)
I'm deaf, if you haven't noticed. My singing days are over.
ALY
(in ASL)
Use your memory. Remember what it sounds like.
Reluctantly, Grace closes her eyes and sings a note. Some tuning data appears on Aly's screen. From the tuning data it doesn't appear like she was able to hit the note.
GRACE
See doesn't work.
Jonathan looks at her sympathetically.
ALY
(in ASL)
Try again.
JONATHAN
Aly, enough.
Grace attempts to get up, but Aly stops her from getting up, forcing her to sit back down.
ALY
Giving up is outside the parameters of my programming.
Grace gives Aly a strange look. It's a new side she hasn't seen in him. Jonathan moves towards Aly, but stops himself, when Grace complies and sings another note.
Again the tuning data are not showing that she hit the C note correctly.
Grace looks at the tuning data and throws her hands up in frustration.
JONATHAN
(in ASL)
It's ok Kiddo. It's still lovely to hear your voice.
Grace rolls her eyes at the empty compliment.
JONATHAN
(turns to Aly)
Aly, give us a minute. Go charge.
Grace watches Aly walk away then back to Jonathan. Jonathan places a breakfast plate in front of her. Under it are a few pamphlets.
JONATHAN
How about something to eat. Breakfast of champions.
Grace looks at the pamphlets, then up at Jonathan. She takes the pamphlets from under the plate and looks through them. Then she puts them on the table.
GRACE
What are these?
JONATHAN
I went to the local College here and there are a few programs for the deaf. Take a look there are some really good career opportunities.
Grace throws the pamphlets on the counter.
GRACE
I'll look at it later.
Grace pushes the plate away and gets up to leave. But Jonathan stops her.
JONATHAN
I love you Grace, but you need to get out of the house and get on with your life. There is so much you can do. Music isn't everything. Please just take a look
Grace explodes.
GRACE
I told you I'll get to it when I have time. Why don't you listen? Or are you deaf too?
(Grace turns to leave but looks back)
And you don't have to treat me like a child. I can take care of myself. I'm not a cripple.
Grace walks away, leaving Jonathan who reaches for her, but stops himself from going after her.
INT. GRACE'S ROOM - DAY
Grace enters her room, upset. She leans on her dresser, which has a bunch of music trophies lined up on it. Her eyes well up with tears. She looks at herself in the mirror. A tear rolls down her face.
Aly is in the corner his orange lights are shutdown. When he senses Grace's entrance his lights go on.
Grace, abruptly, explodes. She knocks the trophies off the dresser.
Aly walks around collecting them.
Grace dizzy, collapses to her knees and screams at the top of her lungs, but we, sharing in her deafness, can't hear anything. We just see the anguish on her face.
Jonathan enters her room and tries to hug her encouragingly, but she shakes him off. They talk and sign in ASL.
JONATHAN
I'm so sorry, Grace. I know this seems like the end of the road, but we have to have faith that everything is going to be alright.
GRACE
Oh Really? Am I going to miraculously get my hearing back? My life is over dad. All I wanted to do was music, but now I can't even hear myself. And you're telling me to get on with my life? What life?
JONATHAN
I'm so sorry.
Grace picks up a trophy from the ground and slams it against the floor.
GRACE
I can't hear this. I can't hear anything. NOTHING. So don't tell me it's gonna be alright, because it won't be.
She throws the trophy at the mirror, which cracks on impact. Aly startles and drops the trophies he has been picking up. Grace looks at her distorted reflection.
GRACE POV AS SHE LOOKS AT A HER DISTORTED IMAGE AND THE REFLECTION OF THE IMAGE OF CHRIST KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.
Grace grabs her keys and walks out. Jonathan is speechless. He looks at the picture of Jesus in a silent prayer.
Aly walks after her.
EXT. GRACE'S HOUSE, DRIVE WAY - DAY
Grace walks to her car crying. A moment later Aly emerges out of the house. He waves at her but she doesn't see him.
Aly walks past the car. The screen on his chest flashing wildly in an attempt to grab Grace's attention, but the day is too bright for it to be noticeable.
INT. CAR - DAY
Grace turns on the ignition, tears in her eyes.
She puts the car in reverse and drives back.
EXT. GRACE'S HOUSE, DRIVE WAY - DAY
Aly stands behind the car trying to wave her down. The car heads towards him and doesn't stop.
INT. CAR - DAY
Suddenly, there is a bump as she runs over something. She slams on the break, terrified, puts the car in park and exits.
EXT. GRACE'S HOUSE, DRIVE WAY - DAY
Grace runs around the car, and sees that she has ran over Aly.
GRACE
Oh, no, no, no.
Grace kneels beside Aly and drags him out. His legs are severed, and wires are dangling where his legs were. He props himself against the wheel.
Aly looks up at Grace and signs in ASL.
ALY
It appears that I'm damaged beyond repair.
GRACE
We'll fix you, don't worry.
(calls out)
DAD, HELP.
Grace looks back at Aly.
GRACE
Please, don't die. This is all my fault.
ALY
Sing C.
Grace's wipes away her tears.
ALY
Sing C.
Grace hesitates for a moment, as Jonathan comes running out and he kneels beside Grace and Aly.
Grace closes her eyes and sings C. The tuning data on Aly's screen shows that Grace hit it spot on. Jonathan looks at Grace surprised. Aly gives her the thumbs up.
Aly's chest displays battery dead sign and then it goes blank.
Grace looks at Aly and breaks down. Jonathan puts an arm around his daughter to comfort her.
DOLLY AWAY.
FADE TO:
INT. CHURCH, STAGE - DAY
ONE YEAR LATER
Grace is on a stage singing while signing the words. The camera starts in CU and dollies away. As we get further, we can start to hear her sing a beautiful song. There is a poster behind her that has her picture and the title "Grace Luca, deaf singer"
There is applause when she's finished.
INT. CHURCH, AUDIENCE - DAY
Jonathan stands up along with the rest of the audience, and gives her a standing-ovation.
FADE TO BLACK.: