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The younger girl on the TV stops laughing. She just stares out, as if seeing her future self through the lens.
15.07.2021
Present-day EMILY watches her younger self. She doesn't smile.
The only light is the blue-gray glow of a muted television playing an old home movie. A younger Emily, maybe ten, waves at the camera, laughing. -Deeper- Emily Willis - Barrier -15.07.2021-
(whispering) What if she says sorry? What if she doesn’t?
(beat) It was believing I didn't deserve to cross back.
She reaches toward the line but stops an inch away. Her hand trembles. The younger girl on the TV stops laughing
Deeper: Emily Willis – Barrier Date: 15.07.2021 Medium: Short Film / Visual Monologue
She picks up the letter. Her hand steadies.
Emily stands. Slowly, she walks to the line of salt. She doesn't step over it. She kneels, blows gently, and breaks the barrier with her breath. She doesn't smile
(beat) But the real barrier… the deeper one… that’s to keep you in.
Between her and the TV lies a line of black salt on the floor. A barrier she drew herself.
July 15th. I chose this day. Five years ago, I walked out of that house. Three years ago, I said the name "Emily" for the first time in a mirror and didn't flinch.