Darkness.
Anita(off-screen, as narrator): Most of us have something to lose in our life..
Anita's body floats in the ocean
Anita(off-screen): Valuable or worthless, something to build a simple, carefree life...
Her body sinks slowly, but she doesn't move.
Anita(off-screen): Many accept it and live with it, but some can't control their nature to go against the path laid out for them...They only want one thing.. freedom!
Close-up on Anita, her half-open eyes gazing up through the water
Anita(off-screen): I'm one of those people... You might think, given my current situation, that I sacrificed something to be free, but in reality...
Anita thrashes briefly
Anita(off-screen, shouting): I'm just drowning!
From Anita's POV: Someone in masculine clothing swims toward her.
Anita smiles and stops struggling.
The person gets closer, their long black hair flowing in the water. Anita frowns, staring at them.
Upon seeing their face, she smiles and closes her eyes.
Close-up on Anita, eyes closed, floating in the ocean.
Close-up on Anita, eyes closed, submerged in the bathtub.
She emerges from the water and takes a deep breath.
Georgina, an elderly maid with white hair, dressed in a pale blue uniform and apron, enters the bathroom.
Georgina: You stubborn girl! Are you trying to get yourself into trouble again?! She grabs Anita under the arm, helping her up.
Georgina: If your suitors arrive tomorrow and you're not here, how am I supposed to answer to Lord Blade?!
Anita stands upright.
Anita: Simple!
She raises an eyebrow and steps out of the tub, her clothes dripping wet.
Georgina drapes a towel over Anita's shoulders.
Anita exits the bathroom.
Anita enters her room and moves behind a dressing screen.
Georgina stands at the door.
Georgina: You could just accept it and spare us all the trouble.
Anita changes behind the screen.
Anita: Nope.
She tosses her wet clothes into a basket and steps out.
Anita: Do you know what kind of effects accepting it has?
She stands by a table, pouring two cups of tea. She gave one to Georgina.
Georgina takes the cup and sits.
Anita sips her tea.
Anita: If I accept, then I have to prepare for a wedding!
She holds the cup in her hand.
Anita: Wedding dress, dance lessons, and a thousand pointless tasks!
She walks toward the bed.
Anita: Even if I survive the wedding, I'd be stuck living with a 30-year-old man!
She glances at Georgina.Georgina sips her tea.
Anita moves to the room's connected windows, covered with sequential curtains.
Anita: then I'd have to get pregnant!
She sips her tea.
Anita: Two, three, four kids... ugh, it's not worth the trouble.
She gives a faint smile, walking slowly along the windows, opening them.
Anita(with disgust): I'd have to dress like a proper, refined lady, wear expensive clothes, attend parties, and respect everyone!
She reaches the last window and opens it, setting her teacup on the sill.
She grips the curtain.
Georgina: But Anita, this is the normal life every woman dreams of. A husband, money, jewels...
Anita cuts her off.
Anita: The only thing my father wants me to have is a husband... If he loves husbands so much, why doesn't he marry one?!
She shrugs.
Georgina: Ridiculous...
Anita tugs the curtain, ripping it from the rod.
Anita: Anyway, I love my father, so I'll listen to him.
She steps back, standing on the window's edge, holding the curtain.
Anita: As you wish... I'll go get married!
She steps back and falls out the window.
The curtain tears as Anita, holding it, falls with her eyes closed. When the tearing stops, she opens her eyes and looks down calmly. She's less than a meter from the ground. She smiles and lets go of the curtain.
Georgina pokes her head out the window.
Georgina: Stop these childish antics before your father finds out, Anita Blade!
Anita shrugs, straightens her clothes. Anita: See you later, Madame Georgina! She grins and runs toward the palace gate.