Lab Journal Entry #13

[matril]

"Convalescence"

Int., bedroom. TORI is in bed, holding camera shakily to show a face haunted by horror, illness and exhaustion. It takes her a long time to speak.

TORI
(Hoarse, drained) I’ve made a terrible mistake.

(Cut) I don’t know if I can talk about it.

(Cut) I know I have to say something. Some of you might have been concerned about my…absence...over the last two weeks.

(Cut. TORI drinks slowly from a mug, then puts it away) I’ve been ill. I wasn’t taking care of myself at all over the last month. I was so involved in...(looks sick to her stomach) my work...I hardly slept more than a few hours most nights. I wasn’t eating properly either...I was getting by mostly on caffeine and the occasional snack.

(Takes up mug again) Soup. I’m slowly working my way back to solids.

(Cut.) I was in the hospital for a few days, getting treated for exhaustion and malnutrition. I’ve hardly left my bed since I got discharged.

(Sound of door opening. TORI jumps and turns jerkily)

HANNAH
(VO, gently) How are you feeling?

TORI
Oh, you know. Still tired.

HANNAH
(Comes into view so her torso is visible) Do you need more soup?

TORI
No. I mean, thanks. But I haven’t finished this mug yet.

HANNAH
(Twisting hands anxiously) Well, if you need another mug, or anything else, let me know.

TORI
But don’t you have a class today?

HANNAH
In a few minutes. I wanted to make sure you were all right before I left.

TORI
Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay.

HANNAH
Of course I’ll worry. But if you’re sure (Reaches out and squeezes her shoulder) I’ll get going. I’ll be back in an hour. Call if there’s any emergencies.

TORI
Okay.

Cut. TORI is alone again.

TORI
(Sad smile.) Hannah. My oldest friend, other than Eli. She probably saved my life. She showed up right before my...(Can’t look directly at the camera) collapse, and took me to the hospital afterwards. She’s been looking after me ever since.

(Cut) And I don’t deserve it. I forgot she was even coming. A few months ago she told me she was moving to the area – I even said she could stay with me while she looked for a place to live – but it completely slipped my mind.

(Cut. TORI is staring into the distance morosely.) Everything slipped my mind, except the one thing that was consuming my thoughts.

(Cut.) I can’t (voice breaks). I need to rest. I’ll explain more later.