LIKE THE RIVER FLOWS

directed by Alyann Franzen A. Oquendo

written by Fhikery B. Ardiente

Flashback: River scenery

(Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley plays on the background)

Friendship is like a river; it flows around rocks, adapt itself to valleys and mountains, occasionally turns
into a pool until the hollow in the ground is full and it can continue on its way.

Scene 1: In the classroom

(The teacher walks to the door and arrives at a well-ventilated classroom.)

Students: Good morning, Miss April! It’s nice to see you day!
Ms. April: Good morning! It’s nice to see you too, take your seats. Before anything else I would like
to introduce to you the new addition to our family. David, would like to come in front?
(David hesitantly comes in front.)
David: (Seemed to look nervous. Then clears his throat and smiles.) Yeah! That’s my name
David.
For the benefit of who doesn’t hear Miss April, again I’m David.
(Somebody chuckles.)
Ms. April: Silence please! Is there anything else you wanted to tell David?
David: (Shakes his head.) I guess that would be all for now Miss April.
Ms. April: Thank you then. You may have your seat and welcome to the seventh grade English. I
guess we are now set. Yesterday, we studied all about pronouns. As a recall what do we
call the word a pronoun replaces?
(Some of the students scanned the pages of their book while some seemed to suddenly find their desks
interesting. It was David who raised his hand confidently.)
Ms. April: Yes, David! Please!
David: The word a pronoun replaces in a sentence is called antecedent and most of the times
these are nouns.
Ms. April: Splendid! Let’s all give David a round of applause!
(Only a few clapped. Others had whispered with their sit mates and seemed to forget that it is rude to
point-fingers, most especially with a stranger. The teacher continued her lesson until the
bell rang for recess. When the bell rang all of the pupils hurriedly scampered to the
school grounds to play. David was expecting that someone would approach him and ask
him to play along but then no one did. He decided to walk and offer help to Ms. April to
the faculty room then.)

Scene 2: In the faculty room

Ms. April: Thank you so much David you’ve been of great help today!
David: No big, Miss April! I’m glad I had helped!
(Across the faculty room hidden in the bushes of the school ground are David’s classmates plotting their
wicked schemes.)
Student 1: Look at that newbie over there! His looking chummy with our teacher! He might soon
get good grades!
Student 2: Duh! Again his name is David! He might be dreaming of ousting us as the new teachers
pet! That’s genius!
Student 3: (Laughs and stares at David meaningfully) Maybe! But not for long!
(All the rest of the class follows the lead and walks towards David who is about to open his lunch box.)

Scene 3: In the grounds

(David saw his classmates approaching and smiled generously.)
David: Hey fellows, want any?
Student 3: Where did you get it?
David: My grandmother sent it to me. She made it herself. Here take some it’s very good!
****
(Act all the spoken lines on page 2)
(While their mouths are all preoccupied of chewing the tasty puto seco David took the opportunity to
invite them to his house.)
David: Oh by the way! Do you have something to do this weekend! (They all shook their heads
in reply.) Why don’t you come visit our house? So, we could play! I’ve got a few toys at
home that we could share!

Scene 4: At David’s house

(Saying only few was an understatement. Their family owned a big luxurious house and he’s got ample
collection of toys.)

Scene 5: At the backyard

Student 3: Do you swim?
(Act all the spoken lines on page 4)

Scene 5: At the river

(Act all the spoken lines and the drowning scene on page 4.)
Warning: Be careful when you shoot this part. Be on a safe place like canals instead or somewhere
that is not deep. Your safety is of utmost important! Than this f****ng film! Just saying!

Scene 5: On the river bed

(Act all the spoken lines after the CPR scenario and David should be speaking with Student 3 intimately.
Student 3 with sparkling eyes seems to develop an affectionate feeling towards David.)

P.S. The next scene should reflect how Students 3 – a girl of course – had shown great admiration
of David. Her prospect boyfriend. Clear? It should be like David offered his hand and walked
with her while holding her hand in the riverbed to witness sunset.

Epilogue: River scenery

(Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley plays on the background)
Just as the river never forgets that its goal is the sea, so friendship never forgets that it it’s the only
reason for existing is to love other people.
— Paulo Coelho