An Antidote to Totalitarianism

FADE IN:

INT. SCHOOL AUDITORIUM  COLOURLESS MUTED

In a completely muted, colourless society where all forms of emotions and expressions are forbidden, an assembly takes place in a dark school auditorium. PRINCIPAL, standing in the centre of the stage at a lectern, delivers a speech. His lips fluctuate up and down as if speaking, in a mechanical rhythm.

Below the stage, STUDENTS listen to the speech intently. All are standing at attention and dressed in plain, matching uniforms. Their faces are stone-like and emotionless.

LIBER, standing in the very back row, notices an odd array of light and colours shimmering beneath the door of the auditorium. The multi-coloured light seeps underneath the crack of the door, and then disappears.

Unleashed by curiosity, LIBER decides to investigate into the appearance of the mysterious light. Slowly and cautiously, he edges to the floor and crawls away towards the door. Near the door, and undetected, LIBER takes a deep breath. Sheltered by the shadows, he swiftly opens the door and closes it quietly yet speedily behind him.

LIBER bolts away from the auditorium and runs out into:

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY  COLOURLESS MUTED

LIBER glances up and down the hallway, taking cautious steps forward, still in search of the mysterious source of colours. Feeling slightly more secure, he rests his back up against a wall and pants for a few seconds in relief.

Suddenly, he notices the shimmer of multi-coloured light again, at the end of the hall. Once again, he continues his pursuit.

Relentlessly, LIBER travels through many staircases and corridors within the school…

At last, he approaches:

CUT TO:
INT. DARK HALLWAY  COLOURLESS MUTED

At the very far end of the hall, LIBER squints and barely makes out an old, dusty, worn-out box. Frowning slightly, he approaches the box with caution.

After kneeling and carefully examining the box for a few seconds, and checking over his shoulder once more to make sure that no one is watching, LIBER places both hands on the edge of the box and opens it with a powerful but cautious force.

In the box, is situated a worn-out violin.

LIBER is slightly disappointed in the odd item, but nevertheless picks it up. Awkwardly, he plucks the strings. Then, he picks up the bow, and examines it. Suddenly, LIBER felt an emotion that was taken from his long ago. The large pupils of his reflect back cries of agony and outrage; cries for humanity and freedom.

He closes his eyes, and drops of tears begin to fall out. At the same time, however, a faint smile appears at the corners of his mouth.

At last, mixed feelings pour out of LIBER as he draws the bow across the strings…

INT. BRIGHT HALLWAY  COLOURS MUSIC

[Insert title of classical piece here] fills the hallway as LIBER plays the violin.

As he plays, the whole screen, starting from the violin, turns to colour. Where ever the music travels, the original colours of the surroundings are restored.

CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY  COLOURS MUSIC

Music and colours fill the surroundings.

CUT TO:
INT. AUDITORIUM  COLOURLESS MUTED

PRINCIPAL continues his emotionless speech.

INT. AUDITORIUM  COLOURLESS MUSIC

PRINCIPAL continues his emotionless speech.

Faint music appears in the background from the door.

PRINCIPAL pauses during his speech and turns mechanically towards the door.

INT. AUDITORIUM  COLOURS MUSIC

All of a sudden, the auditorium door gets “blown” open by the colours and music coming from the hallway.

The volume of the music is quite loud now, as it fills the entire auditorium. Concurrently, colours flood the auditorium.

PRINCIPAL, along with STUDENTS look at each other in amazement and begin to speak amongst themselves.

Now, in this musical and colourful environment, emotions and expressions are emerging once again. There are tears of joy, laughter, and even the occasional feet-tapping. PRINCIPAL, standing in the centre of the stage at a lectern, smiles and appears to enjoy the music.

Below the stage, STUDENTS listen to the music and admire the spectacular colours. Expressions of surprise and excitement fill their faces.

FADE OUT:

THE END

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