“Manifestations”

A Short Screenplay by Echo J. Tollridge

FADE IN:

EXT. GRAVEYARD – DAY

A blue sky and a sunny, cloudless day. A decently sized graveyard with neat rows of tombstones. ALTHEA “ALFIE” DALISAY, 28, a petite Filipina in casual wear, runs her hand over a tombstone. The tombstone reads,

In Loving Memory of
Filonila Pangan
1941-2010
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
-Matthew 5:8

SOFIE, 13, stands beside Alfie. Sofie looks like she could be Alfie’s daughter. Sofie is wearing a private school uniform.

SOFIE
If only we could see God instead of ghosts.

ALFIE
(laughing)
God is everywhere, Sofie. Remember? That’s what the Holy Spirit is for.

SOFIE
I think some of those kids you teach need some of that “Holy Spirit.”

ALFIE
I think I need some of that Holy Spirit having to deal with those kids every day. Makes me never want to have kids.

Alfie lays down a bushel of flowers on the tombstone and stands up. A nearby GRAVE KEEPER, 49, a lanky man in a dirty uniform who was pulling some weeds off another tombstone, pauses and glances over his shoulder at Alfie.

ALFIE (CONT’D)
Finn wants kids, though. He’d be a great dad. I don’t think I’d be a good mom. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t asked me to marry him yet.

SOFIE
What makes you say that? Finn loves you, and your students love you to death too.

Alfie begins to make her way to the path that leads to the graveyard entrance. Sofie follows behind her.

ALFIE (CONT’D)
Those kids have no idea what I go through. If they did, they’d see me differently. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

SOFIE
They could think it’s a cool superpower.

ALFIE
And take advantage of me like everyone else does? No, thanks.

The grave keeper watches Alfie out of the corner of his eye, then he passes by Filonila’s grave. He examines the tombstone.

GRAVE KEEPER (V.O.)
Sofie? Huh…must be a nickname.

Alfie and Sofie stop together and look over their shoulders at him. Instead of a private school uniform, Sofie is now wearing a tribal Filipino garb with a blank, white mask.

SOFIE
He must’ve heard you talking to yourself.

ALFIE
Oops.

Alfie continues walking to her car. Sofie follows.

SOFIE
He probably works here. He’ll probably see you again and might think you’re weird.

ALFIE
I’m sure he’s seen and heard all sorts of shit. People crying over graves, dancing on them, maybe doing rituals…

INT. ALFIE’S CAR – DAY

Alfie’s car has a little bit of trash here and there. Napkins in the cupholder, old finished cans of seltzer water in the sides of the doors.

SOFIE
There were some intense energies back there.

Alfie starts the car.

ALFIE
That’s why I like to touch Lola Nila’s tombstone when I’m there. The energy she’s left behind is comforting. It’s a nice way to start the day.

EXT. LATCH GROVE HIGH SCHOOL – DAY

Alfie’s car is pulling into the parking lot of the school. It’s early enough where it’s not crowded and only a few cars were parked in the lots, scattered and spaced from each other.

Sofie is no longer in the passenger seat. Alfie grabs her tote bag from the floor of the passenger side.

INT. LATCH GROVE HIGH SCHOOL – HALLWAY – DAY

The school is a decent middle-class facility. Clean hallways, walls decorated with photos, posters, and works of art. Alfie passes by a few people on her way to her classroom, mainly teachers and an occasional student.

Alfie continues walking down the hall. Echoes of other distant thoughts ring through Alfie’s ears as she passes by other classrooms. Alfie reaches into her tote bag and pulls out a string of earbuds and pops them into her ears.

Before she turns around a corner, she stops. Slowly, she peeks around and sees three students:

JACK, 14, a tall and lanky teenager, nerdy; DIANA, 16, a short and curvy girl with tons of jewelry; TANYA, 15, an athletic-type of female student, but she is on crutches with a cast on her foot. They are chatting away, glancing at their phones.

Alfie takes a deep breath. Their thoughts are echoing in her head, but they are inaudible beneath the layer of violins and cellos playing in her ears. Alfie steps around the corner and begins towards her classroom door.

Diana is the first to notice Alfie, then Jack and Tanya stop and look at Alfie as well.

TANYA
(happily)
Miss D!

ALFIE
I see the morning crew is earlier than usual? Well…minus Gerald.

Alfie stops in front of her door and feels around her neck, then opens her tote bag. She pulls off her earbuds and begins digging through her tote bag.

JACK
Miss D, can I tell you a story?

ALFIE
Sure.

Alfie continues digging through her bag.

JACK
So last night, I went to go do some auditions for this musical—

TANYA
(interjected)
Can I sit for rehearsal today?

JACK
—there was this kid there that totally thought he was the shit.

Alfie is still digging through her tote bag.

ALFIE
Yes. Watch your profanity, Jack.

DIANA
(interjected)
Miss D! I forgot to tell—sorry—

Diana looks through her phone.

JACK
I definitely did better than him

TANYA
(interjected)
What are we doing in class today?

ALFIE
What do you think? We have a concert next week.

JACK
Oh, what time was that at again? When do we have to be there?

ALFIE
Jack…we’ve been talking about this for a few months now. Tanya, just wait until we get in the classroom.

Diana looks up from her phone.

DIANA
What time does the concert start again?

Alfie stops and whips her head to her. Her lanyard with her keys is dangling in her hand.

ALFIE
(irritated)
Oh my God, Diana.

Alfie starts unlocking the door.

ALFIE (CONT’D)
How long have you been doing this now?

The window on the classroom door cracks in the corner. All three students pause and look at it, but Alfie ignores it, pulls open the door, and storms into the classroom. The students follow her in, and the door falls shut behind them.

BLACK SCREEN.

ALFIE (V.O.)
That was the outburst today. Two meltdowns this week. Things are getting to my nerves quicker.

SOFIE (V.O.)
Remember not to tell her about the glass breaking, Alfie.

INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE – NIGHT

The office is a large, comfy space, furnished neatly with walls upon walls of books. DR. ANDERSON, 56, a female psychologist in a tidy suit, sits in an armchair across from Alfie, who is on a separate sofa. Dr. Anderson typed notes out on her computer.

DR. ANDERSON
So what was it exactly that set you off? Sure, it was chaotic but…think deeper.

Alfie stops for a moment and stares off.

ALFIE
That they don’t seem to listen to what I have to say, even though I say it over and over.

Sofie is sitting next to Alfie.

SOFIE
No one seems to listen.

ALFIE
No one seems to listen. I always have to repeat myself. Sometimes I get really worked up because I know that most of the time it’s because they’re so caught up in their own world and they don’t really care about me.

INT. – LATCH GROVE HIGH SCHOOL – HALLWAY – DAY

The hallways are completely empty and quiet. Alfie walks alone with her tote bag over her shoulder. She pulls out her phone to check the time and date, which reads, “9:03” at the top with “Wednesday, September 27th” beneath it.

Alfie sees her breath visibly form before her as she exhales. Snarling reverberates the hallway. Alfie turns, and at the end of the hall is a beastly shadow.

The figure is large, menacing, and bulking with muscle. It appeared as if something human and beast, like out of a myth. Only its outline is visible to Alfie, but its burning red eyes are visible, and staring hungrily at her.

Its animalistic mouth opens to reveal rows of sharp teeth and fangs. Drool drips from its black lips. It starts after her, and she turns to run. Suddenly, she slams into a wall.

INT. – ALFIE AND FINN’S BEDROOM – DAY

The sun barely peeks through the blinds of the window. The minimalist bedroom is simply furnished with a queen-sized bed and a dresser with a mirror.

Alfie jolts awake and gasps. FINNIAN “FINN” JOHNSON, 29, wakes with her and sits up. He has a slim muscular build and a clean haircut. He grabs her shoulder.

FINN
What? What is it? Are you okay?

ALFIE
(breathing heavy)
Yeah…uh…just a bad dream I think. What time is it?

Alfie reaches over to check her phone. Finn lays back down and tries to go back to bed.

ALFIE (CONT’D)
I should get ready.

Alfie gets out of the bed and goes into the bathroom. When she flips on the light, she sees her reflection in the mirror and notices the bruise on her cheek.

Sofie peeks out from behind the shower curtain.

SOFIE
(whispering)
What could it have been?

ALFIE
(whispering)
I’m not sure. A premonition? An entity of some sort?

SOFIE
(whispering)
It felt awful.

ALFIE
(whispering)
It really did.

INT. LATCH GROVE HIGH SCHOOL – ALFIE’S OFFICE – DAY

The choir director’s office is untidy. Octavos and copies of sheet music lay in piles on the floor and shelves, and small toys decorate the shelves of educational and professional texts along the walls.

Alfie is at her desk using the reflection of her computer screen to examine her cheek. It has been covered with foundation to cover the darkness of the bruise.

GERALD (V.O.)
Miss D…she’s cool, she’s chill. She won’t freak out. She’s tough.

Alfie pauses for a moment. GERALD, 14, a shorter student with a rounder stature, appears at the doorway of her office and knocks on the door.

GERALD
Miss D?

Alfie looks over her shoulder at him.

GERALD
Can I talk to you about something?

Alfie turns to face him. She stands up and moves beside the window that views her choir classroom.

GERALD
Sure. Close the door behind you.

Gerald closes the door behind him.

GERALD
So…I had a nightmare.

ALFIE
(concerned)
A nightmare? About what?

GERALD
I don’t know what it was, but it freaked me out. I was getting chased by something down my street, then ended up here in the school. It caught me, and uh.

Gerald lifts his sleeve to show the bruise on his wrist.

GERALD
It grabbed me here. But I didn’t see this until I went to the bathroom after second period today.

Alfie steps towards Gerald to examine the bruise. Sofie appears next to Gerald and hovers her hand over the bruise.

ALFIE
Have you told anyone else? Did you show your parents?

Gerald shakes his head. Sofie looks at Alfie.

INT. ALFIE’S CAR – DAY

Alfie has both of her hands on the wheel and is staring at the road. Sofie is sitting in the passenger seat and also staring forward.

ALFIE
It must be powerful enough to have the ability to bring harm to people in the physical world.

SOFIE
It’s also got the same energy as the one in our nightmare. Whatever it is, it’s malevolent.

Sofie looks at Alfie.

SOFIE (CONT’D)
What do we do? Can we try to cast it away like we’ve done with other spirits?

ALFIE
I don’t know even what it is yet. I haven’t felt something like this before. This isn’t some kaluluwa. It didn’t feel like the soul of someone who passed.

SOFIE
It’s not something alive either. If it was a soul that’s still living, it’d be a kakambal, right?

ALFIE
Right. And it’s not like Gerald’s kakambal went somewhere – this was something that tracked him down and found him, and attacked him.

EXT. DALISAY FAMILY HOME – DAY

Alfie’s car pulls up to an ordinary suburban home. A garden abundantly grows next to the porch. Alfie stares at the house for a moment. Sofie stares with her.

SOFIE
Someone was going to find out eventually. Mom is the only one who’s always had our back through thick and thin.

Alfie nods.

ALFIE
I think she might know something. She used to tell me about the premonitions she would get. Especially in dreams.

SOFIE
Could she hear thoughts like us?

ALFIE
I don’t know.

Alfie climbs out of the car.

INT. DALISAY FAMILY HOME – KITCHEN – DAY

Though the space of each room is small, the house, in general, is densely packed with furniture and appliances.

EOSA DALISAY, 52, is a petite Filipina woman who looks like an older version of Alfie. She is washing dishes while watching a Filipino soap opera on the television.

Before Alfie enters, Eosa looks to the front door near the entrance to the kitchen. Alfie enters through the front door. Eosa turns off the faucet and dries her hands on a nearby towel.

ALFIE
(Tagalog: subtitled in English)
Nanay? [Mom?]

EOSA
Yes, anak? [child?]

ALFIE
Can I talk to you?

EOSA
Of course.

Eosa turns to her.

EOSA (CONT’D)
It has to do with your dream?

ALFIE
(surprised)
Uh…yes. You knew?

EOSA
Your heart and mind are worried sick about it. I felt it before you pulled up on the driveway.

Eosa looks at Sofie, who is standing nearby. Sofie stares back at her.

EOSA (CONT’D)
But I’ve also been able to feel how heavy your heart and mind are for quite some time now. I remember when a part of your kakambal first manifested into little Sofie. That’s a rare ability for us as babaylan, but Nanay Nila had one too.

SOFIE
Nanay Nila—Lola Filonila? [Grandma] But…babaylan? Mystic spiritual healers—

EOSA
—sometimes born with a unique power. You come from a long line of women blessed with it. I learned how to be selective about what thoughts you heard of mine, so you couldn’t hear what I knew.

ALFIE
(stunned)
You…

EOSA
It takes years to learn, anak. You have a long way to go. Now, you are dealing with something more than your usual kalulawa?

Alfie nods stiffly, still stunned.

EOSA
Could be a bangungot.

Eosa begins looking through the kitchen cabinets.

ALFIE
A malevolent and vengeful spirit?

EOSA
Right. It hasn’t taken a physical form yet, yes?

ALFIE
No.

EOSA
But if it’s causing harm in the physical world, it is possible for it to take physical form. It could be as dangerous as an Aswang.

SOFIE
…A shape-shifting creature that feeds on human flesh?

Eosa finally pulls out a box full of candles and crystals.

EOSA
Yes.

Eosa holds the box out to Alfie.

EOSA (CONT’D)
You will need help, anak. You are strong, but the evil energy of this creature requires much more than our energies combined to combat it.

ALFIE
Where can I find more help?

EOSA
In people you can trust with your secret. It takes some time to find the right ones, but I believe you already have them in your life.

INT. ALFIE AND FINN’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Alfie and Finn are lying side by side and staring at the ceiling. They are quiet for a moment.

FINN
So…you’ve always been able to read my thoughts?

ALFIE
Yeah. But that’s why I haven’t pushed you out of my life like I have all my old friends. They’re selfish, took advantage of me, judged me…and you never did. At least, not in a way that was cold or unnecessary.

Finn reaches over and squeezes her hand.

FINN
I love you, Alfie. You deserve the best.

Finn finally turns to her.

FINN
How can I help you with this…thing?

ALFIE
My mom and I have a plan. It’s getting worse, and so are my nightmares. More kids are showing up with bruises and reports of seeing this same creature. You remember Gerald?

FINN
I think so? You’ve mentioned him a few times.

ALFIE
His nightmares became so bad, he was put in a hospital. He’s in a coma.

Finn sits up quickly.

FINN
What?

Alfie nods. Finn climbs out of bed and puts on a pair of jeans that were on the floor.

FINN (CONT’D)
We need to take care of this as soon as possible. Is your mom up?

INT. DALISAY FAMILY HOME – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Eosa is lighting candles set up on the coffee table. Crystals are arranged in a circle in the center. Once Eosa finishes, she sits down to join Alfie, Finn, Jack, Diana, and Tanya all surrounding the table.

Alfie joins hands with Eosa and Finn, and they join hands with the students. Alfie initiates a prayer in Tagalog. They all close their eyes and show signs of drowsiness.

INT. LATCH GROVE HIGH SCHOOL – HALLWAY – NIGHT

Alfie opens her eyes. She is still holding hands with everyone. The growling of the creature is heard, and all of them look around in search of it. They try to speak, but only their mouths move and no words come out. Tanya has no cast or crutches.

The creature appears at the end of the hallway, which snarls at them. Alfie steps forward and makes a stance to confront it. The creature roars and charges, and Alfie suddenly falls to her knees. Before the creature can swipe at her, Finn jumps in.

Finn is knocked away and flies into lockers. The students try to help Alfie, but they are shoved away by the creature one by one. Eosa looks at the creature, then at Alfie. Eosa closes her eyes.

INT. DALISAY FAMILY HOME – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Eosa opens her eyes. Everyone is screaming, having been tossed about in the room with furniture knocked over and broken. Finn and the students have their eyes closed and scramble to get up again.

Alfie appears almost possessed, using the creature’s roar to scream back at them. Alfie grabs Jack by the neck. Eosa hugs her arms around Alfie’s torso and yanks her from Jack. Alfie struggles, biting and scratching at her. Eosa holds on to her.

EOSA
Althea…Althea Aurora Dalisay!

Alfie continues roaring and trying to get out of Eosa’s grip. Finn’s eyes open, and he sees the struggle.

EOSA
Help me hold her!

Finn jumps up and throws his arms around Alfie. Alfie now bites at him, but he holds on. The students begin to wake up.

EOSA
Don’t let go!

Jack and Diana all rush to join in the embrace. Tanya limps but manages to get in the group hug. Alfie continues screaming with the creature’s roar, but she is now unable to move. Eventually, her voice returns and turns into agonized shrieking.

INT. HOSPITAL – NIGHT

Gerald is lying in a hospital bed. He is breathing through an oxygen mask and he is attached to an IV. Suddenly, his eyes open.

INT. DALISAY FAMILY HOME – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Alfie has collapsed in everyone’s arms and is weeping bitterly. Eosa, Finn, Jack, Diana, and Tanya continue to hold her.

EOSA (V.O.)
You have suffered from self-destruction and isolation for too long, my anak.

EXT. GRAVEYARD – DAY

Alfie and Finn hold hands and walk down the path to Filonila’s tombstone. Eosa walks on Alfie’s other side and strokes her hair. Sofie skips ahead of them.

EOSA (V.O.)
The weight you carry is heavy, but you are deeply loved. We will help you carry that weight.

Alfie pauses at Filonila’s tombstone. She affectionately runs her hand across her name etched in the stone. Diana, Jack, Tanya, and Gerald appear, surrounding Alfie and the tombstone. Gerald holds out a bouquet of flowers to Alfie and smiles.

EOSA (V.O.)
God gave this gift for a reason. You are blessed and are a blessing to the people whose lives you’ve touched. Always keep counting your blessings. That was what Nanay Nila taught me, and now I pass that on to you.

Alfie takes the bouquet and lays it on the plot. She takes Finn’s hand, and they all walk down the path. A ghostly woman with long hair and a dress stands beside the tombstone, waving. Alfie looks back at her and smiles.

FADE OUT.