(After finishing makeup and costume, Damian sits in front of her, waiting.)
Ella (in her mind): Why did I say I could do that? I'm a terrible reader! Why?!
(She hides behind the script. Damian leans forward to look at her from beneath it.)
Damian: So… should I start?
Ella: Oh—yes, go ahead.
Damian: Read the narration.
Ella: A long time ago, there was a confident and very friendly warrior. He was strong on the outside, but had a soft heart on the inside.
(In her mind): Just the opposite of him.
Damian (in character): Mother, I'm back. Mother, where are you? Look what your son brought for you—I bought you a new dress!
(He pauses and looks at Ella.)
Ella: Oh! Right. (Reads) Son, I'm here. Uhh… oh my! It's a very beautiful dress…
(Damian looks completely confused.)
Damian: Just leave it.
Ella: There are no lines like that.
Damian: I meant—just leave this. It's fine if you're a terrible reader, but you're way worse than that.
(Ella is left speechless. Mr. Mah enters and calls Damian for the shoot. Damian leaves. Ella stands up, fuming.)
Ella: I don't know if I'll ever heal him… but I will get an anger issue because of him.
(Ella is standing on the set, watching Damian act.)
Ella (whispering to herself): He might be the worst person I've ever met… but his acting is actually amazing.
Director: Cut! Very good, everyone. Prepare for the next scene!
(Damian walks back and looks at Mr. Mah.)
Damian: Mr. Mah, help me with my script.
Mr. Mah: Damian, I would, but I need to finalize your schedule for tomorrow. Ella will help you with the script.
(He pushes Ella toward him as his phone rings.)
Mr. Mah (on phone): No, at 6:00 he's already booked... Yes, right after the commercial shoot...
(Damian, looking hopeless, glances at Ella. Ella smiles confidently at him.)
Damian: Fine. Take it. Give it a read.
Ella (smirking): Yes, sir. Now I'll show him—at least one line where I can act better than him.
(She quickly flips through the script to find an easy line. They sit again.)
Damian: Let's start.
Ella: Yes. (Clears her throat)
Damian (in character, tearful): Even if… even if I could see you just once… that would be enough for me. (He tries to smile through the pain.)
Ella (almost fully in character): I… I don't want to leave you either. I… I want to stay with you until my last breath… but…
(Damian stares at her, briefly forgetting his line, impressed.)
Damian (continuing): My love… I will fix everything. I'll find a way for us…(Their eyes meet—just for a second. There's a quiet pause. A spark. Both realize it and quickly look away, flustered.)
Ella (clears throat softly, suddenly aware of the silence): That was…
Damian (getting up, pretending to check the script): We should… go through it once more later.
(They continue the scene fluidly. Soon, the shoot ends.)
Director: Pack up!