Screenplay "The Kitty Collective"

 

FDA UCA-Screen Writing (Level 5)

The Kitty Collective

Screenplay by

Mobeena Hayat

   Scene 1

Title sequence

A black BMW is seen leaving a farmhouse and into the city, an overview shot of the car shows it driving on the road and the words --

“The Kitty Collective”

appear from beneath the car as it drives off.

Scene 2

Ext. the Farmhouse, 7:30PM (Haroon)

A man, Haroon, 26, is walking on a gravel road leading to the circular driveway of the farmhouse. He’s taking a puff from his cigarette and stops right in front of the house before taking a long final drag and throwing the butt of the cigarette to the floor and putting it out with his foot. He looks up at the house --

Haroon

Fuck this.

He walks to the back of the house, changes his clothes, and comes back to the entrance of the house to receive guests.

   Scene 3

Int. Zahra’s House, 8pm (Zahra, Zahra’s Father)

Sitting at her dressing table in a dimly lit room, Zahra, 25, is holding a makeup brush about to finish getting ready. She looks in the mirror at her dolled-up reflection.

Zahra

I hate that I’m too old to

run away from home.

ADJACENT ROOM –-

There are photo frames, family photos from different years, starting with her parents wedding photos, their family growing, and then only Zahra and her father in the final one.

Zahra’s father is holding a photo of Zahra from her wedding. He sighs and puts it in the drawer of his writing desk.

Zahra’s Father

Zahra! could you come here?

Zahra walks in and her father looks at her with love and tenderness in his eyes.

Zahra’s Father

You look beautiful guriya (doll)

Zahra

Compliments won’t make what

I’m about to endure any easier.

Zahra’s Father

By the world’s standards, you’re not a child anymore, don’t let formalities like these get you down.

Zahra sits at her father’s desk and plays with an object on the desk while he walks to his cupboard and starts rummaging.

Zahra’s Father

Sajid bhai (brother) and dolly expect me to attend because they think they can flaunt some cash and I’ll somehow be convinced to approve them some land from the surrounding villages so they can expand their factories…

As if they are in need any more money.

Zahra

Baba, I really don’t see a point in EITHER of us attending this, and you know I’m busy with work nowadays, I have a very high-profile case, and this could finally make me a name partner at the firm.

Zahra’s Father

An invitation is an invitation, and would it be so bad for you to go and have some fun after the last two years of focusing on your profession?

I just want you to stop focusing on such things… ever since your divorce – 

Zahra

Baba…

They are interrupted by the sound of a car’s tires against gravel, outside their house.

Zahra’s Father

The car is here to pick you…

Here, take your taser along with yourself.

He hands Zahra her taser which was lying on the shelf next to a clump of keys, Zahra stares at it in disbelief.

Zahra

I don’t think I’ll need it. You know I only use that at kacheri (circuit courts).

Zahra’s Father

if its anyone from Dolly’s circle, they’re probably a lot more troublesome than the men at kacheri.

Zahra laughs at him and embraces him before leaving the room and making her way to the car.

Zahra’s Father

Also, it better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Scene 4:

Ext/Int. the Farmhouse, 9:30PM (Haroon, Zahra)

Haroon is towards the mid-point of his shift. One of Dolly’s cars pulls up to the driveway, he opens the door with a smile

Haroon

Layl-

He immediately swallows his words as Zahra steps out of the car, he feels his expression gives away too much as she awkwardly gets out of the car.

He closes the door and angles his head down while going back to his position.

Haroon

The party is down the hall, first door to your right.

Zahra

Oh, thank you

She makes her way past Haroon and towards the large doors and enters the house, there is a long hallway with only one door on the right side at the very end, the tall walls of the hallway are filled with gold framed paintings and stuffed animals but the one that catches her eye is the giant taxidermy kudu right in the middle of the hallway, she walks past it and into the room.

The room Zahra has entered is a white foyer with a circular table in the centre and the very end is a walk-in closet designated for coats, there is a door to her immediate right and one slightly further down to the left, she hangs her coat and looks at both doors trying to figure out which one to enter, she puts her ear against the one closest to the door and hears men’s voices. 

She doesn’t get a chance to move back before the door opens and she stumbles in in as someone opens the door.

Scene 5:

Int. The Library, 9:50pm (Zahra, Sajid, Hasan, Jamshed, Tony, Layla)

Zahra is enveloped by a smoke-filled room as she stumbles in, headfirst. She regains her footing as she stands him straight and looks into the eyes of Sajid Kaleem, who opened the door. 

She takes immediate notice of how good-looking the man is and then the thousands of books behind him.

Sajid

   Oh, hello, looks like someone’s lost, you must be Zahra. Let me take you to the other ladies.

With that statement all the men in the room look up at Zahra,

It’s clear that she is an outsider. Zahra is about to respond but doesn’t get a chance as Jamshed Khawar and his family begin to enter the room around her.

Jamshed

Sajid bhai (brother), how are you?

Zahra looks at the man with a raised eyebrow since it’s obvious that Jamshed is elder to Sajid but is also relieved that she finally has a name to the face of the man who helped her enter the room so gracefully. 

Sajid

Jamshed! I think I’m on my fifth screwdriver, so right now I’m great!

Zahra steps closer to the door as Tony pushes past her to enter the library.

Tony

Hello Sajid, love what you’ve done to the place

Small talk ensues and Zahra waits for them to stop talking so she can be guided to the other room, she looks towards a corner of the library and see’s Hasan in the very back, sitting alone. They have instant eye contact for what feels like eternity before she’s pulled back by Layla, who seemed to appear out of thin air, nudging her to let her know that she needs to walk towards the other room. She pulls away from Hasan’s gaze and walks to the other door.

Scene 6:

Ext/Int. The Farmhouse, 9:32pm (Haroon, Layla, Jamshed, Tony, Sajid, Hasan, Zahra)

Haroon watches Zahra walk into the house

Haroon

Goodluck, you poor soul

Another one of Dolly’s cars pull up into the driveway, the last one for the night. Tony and Jamshed Khawar exit the car and ignore Haroon’s existence while walking past him.

Tony 

(sighs)

What a waste of money this one was for Dolly, all that education for this job…

 I can’t believe our children have to be associated with a guard.

Filth.

Jamshed grunts in agreement and Haroon rolls his eyes while choosing not to comment, he’s also quite preoccupied trying to stop the growing smile on his face as Layla exits the car, she looks him right in the eye, she tosses Haroon her phone as the car drives off and smiles at him as she takes a step or two into the house, following her parents, before calling out for her parents –-

Layla

Mummy, Papa, I think I forgot my phone in the car, I’ll go to the parking to get it.

Tony

Okay, don’t be too long, we’re already the last to arrive, you know how snippy Dolly gets.

Layla

Okay, I’ll catch up with you guys in a bit.

Layla walks out the door but doesn’t see Haroon, she walks to the left of the house and Haroon’s hand suddenly finds her wrist and pulls her around the corner of the house, into a hug. Layla recovers from the scare and laughs, stumbling on the tier-ed gardens steps.

Layla

Are we really lurking in shady corners now?

Haroon

I mean its pretty evident that your parents won’t let me be the knight in shining armour, I might as well try my luck at being the misunderstood villain that steals the princess.

Layla

Don’t say it like that, you know tonight’s the night. Approval or

*She looks both ways before whispering*

Murderrrrrr.

Haroon scoffs at her before hugging her tighter.

Haroon

Yeah sure, that’s exactly what I had planned on my itinerary for tonight, my shift, dinner, and murder.

Layla

Har har, anyway.

She holds Haroon’s hands and rests her head on his chest, but they jump a little as they hear the caterers’ clanking dishes in the distance.

Layla

I’m going to head on inside before they get suspicious, see you in a bit?

Haroon

Yeah, my shift ends as soon as the caterers leave, Dolly told me to lock all the exits, so your dad and his friends don’t repeat what happened last time, then I’ll join you for dinner.

Layla

God don’t remind me; I was just starting to erase the mental image I had of them stripping in the lawn.

Haroon gives her a kiss and holds Layla’s face in his hands

Haroon

Everything is going to change tonight, think about that instead.

Layla nods and looks at him one last time before heading inside, she sees the obnoxious stuffed Kudu and flicks it on the face as she walks past it, memories of her and Haroon accidentally breaking its eye off and then gluing it back on make her smile as she walks into the foyer.

Layla sees a bunch of people at the door of the library and watches her mother shove out Zahra from the door and start small talk, she notices Zahra awkwardly standing in the doorway, she hangs her coat and notices Zahra having eye contact with Hasan and decides to break the moment apart, she whispers under her breath—

Layla

No one deserves Dolly as a mother-in-law.

Layla nudges Zahra to pull her out of her daze and begins to pull Tony out of the library too, the door shuts behind them as they make their way to the dining room. The pungent smoke of cigars lingers in the air still, but they’re hit with the strong smell of spirits as they enter the dining room.

Scene 7:

Int. Dining room, 10pm (Dolly, Zahra, Layla, Tony, Baby, Sherry, Geeti, Pinky, Bunty Begum)

Zahra looks around the dining room, the room is made of nothing but floor length windows and there is a large table in the centre with a ginormous chandelier hanging over it. There’s an open set of doors parallel to the table, leading to a balcony that overlooks the vineyard and the small array of other fruits planted in the fields behind the house.

Waiters are seen moving in and out of the frame and serving people drinks even though they’re just there to set up dinner on the table and leave.

Zahra isn’t too overwhelmed yet, she looks around for Layla who she just walked into the room with, but she’s vanished into thin air. Dolly approaches Zahra and she puts on her kindest smile.

Dolly

Tsk- So out of place, you’re obviously Zahra. 

Why did you bother coming if your father didn’t? you’re just an extra mouth to feed, not even a useful one at that. 

Everything about Dolly makes her seem off-putting to Zahra, it’s the overall flakiness of the woman with her botox and bleach blonde hair, and especially the tone in which she addresses Zahra, a tone she is all too familiar with because of her time as a female lawyer in the Pakistani courts.

Zahra

*UNDER HER BREATH--*

bitch.

Zahra realizes her mistake the second the word slips out of her mouth; Dolly has obviously heard her. She purses her lips and say’s nothing.

Zahra nervously laughs and decides to try and do some form of damage control -–

Zahra

Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Kaleem. My father was a little preoccupied with work and he felt it would be rude to completely ignore the invitation, so he sent me to take his place for tonight.

Dolly is visibly annoyed but decides to put up with it, something about Zahra immediately tells her that she’s going to put up a fight if she makes a bigger scene.

Dolly

Oh, I hope you enjoy yourself then, I heard you haven’t been going out much since your divorce so you should benefit from tonight as much as you can, lord knows when you’ll get another chance.

Zahra watches Dolly walk away towards Tony and Bunty Begum and whispers something to them, they both immediately look over towards Zahra and look her up and down. Zahra sighs and slinks towards the corner of the room with the drinks and tries to make herself look as busy as possible.

She looks around and observes each of the women she’s surrounded by. Everyone is in their over little world with either alcohol or cigarettes in their hands, so at least she doesn’t look too out of place when she’s standing alone.

Dolly, Tony, and Bunty Begum are the only three grouped together, even then, it’s very evident that Dolly is the leader and the other two are putting up with her shit for some reason. They mirror her every move.

Across from them she see’s Pinky who is completely drunk and babbling non-sense to Geeti. On the other hand, Geeti looks sick and tired. She’s wearing a black sequined dress and as Pinky stumbles, she quickly leads her to a sofa and looks around before exiting the dining room to the Foyer.

Zahra notices Dolly glaring at Geeti and grabbing two more drinks from a passing waiter’s tray.

Zahra looks over at Baby who is the eldest there, she’s reclined in a sofa, Cleopatra style. She’s talking to Sherry who sits right at her feet, hanging on to her every word. She looks the most radiant in the entire group. She’s gorgeous.

A waiter hands her a drink and Sherry doesn’t even take a single sip before getting up to empty the drink over the waiter’s head.

Sherry

Why would you bring me this shit to drink? Even someone dying of dehydration wouldn’t swallow this.

Waiter

sorry miss.

The waiter stands drenched in wine with his head down. He looks like he’s barely 17 or 18 and his voice indicates that he’s on the brink of tears.

The scene is gruelling, no one in the room even flinches at the way sherry is telling off the waiter. Instead, Baby looks at Sherry and smiles endearingly. Dolly calls out—

Dolly

Waiter, go to the cellar and bring out the 71-pinot noir for our guests.

Waiter

Okay madam.

He runs off and Zahra just stares at everyone around her in horror. They’ve all gone back to their own conversations. Zahra looks into her drink.

Zoom into Zahra’s drink

CUTS TO

Zoom out from Hasan’s drink

Scene 8:

Int. The Library, 10pm (Hasan, Junaid, Sajid, Jamshed Khawar, Rasool Khanzada, Niaz, Waqar Imtiaz, Rasheed Alikarak)

Hasan swirls his drink around; he’s standing in the corner of the room overlooking the tier-ed garden and reminiscing on him and his siblings playing on them while they were growing up.

He looks across the room at his brother, Junaid who is networking even though these are the same people he meets almost every week, the same uncles he’s grown up with.

He goes into one loud boast about himself to another.

Junaid

Yes, Niaz uncle, I’m working on this new project lately, it’s looking EXTREMELY promising. I’m just pitching it to a couple of investors and once I get sufficient funding, I’m all set.

Niaz immediately loses interest after he detects that he’s one of Junaid’s targets for investments.

Niaz

Beta (Son/Child), that sounds great. I wish you luck with this one. Hopefully the third times the charm.

Junaid scowls at him momentarily before going back to talking to Rasheed Alikarak, Jamshed Khawar and his father, Karim, who is constantly checking his phone.

Niaz walks towards Waqar Imtiaz who is sitting on the sofa, and extremely hysterical, his little bag of stimulants, painkillers and other various drugs is ever-so-slightly open, a big indicator to why he’s in his current state.

Sajid

Gentlemen, excuse me for a second, I’ll be right back.

Hasan is about to move and follow his father out of the room but is stopped by Rasool Khanzada who is slurring his words.

Rasool

Hasan beta! How’s life? Are you still single son?

Hasan sighs and turns around to answer him.

Hasan

Uncle, I’m good. You know how it is. I’m just waiting for the right person to come along.

Rasool

Ah you’re a Romeo just like me, don’t wait too long for your true love or you’ll also end up alone.

I’ve spent years trying to find my true love, I think I’ve been with every whore in Islamabad, but my Vivian just hasn’t come along yet. 

Maybe if I looked more like Richard Gere…

Hasan rolls his eyes at the 51-year-olds obsession with Pretty Woman and silently prays that he doesn’t end up like him. He see’s Jamshed Khawar walk into the foyer out of the corner of his eye.

Hasan

No uncle, I think you still have hope, you’re at your peak!

I think-

Rasool cuts Hasan off.

Rasool

Khair (Well), Enough about that depressing bullshit…

Help me find some of your father’s stashes in these books. I know he hides away the good whiskey.

Hasan gives Rasool a guide of the fake books with the whiskey and a couple of minutes later, he see’s Jamshed walk back into the room.

As Jamshed slams the door,

CUT TO Foyer

Scene 9:

Int. Foyer, 10:20pm (Geeti, Sajid, Jamshed)

Geeti has just escaped Pinky’s drunken rambling and closes the door of the dining room. As she turns to face the foyer, Sajid’s hand pulls her into the walk-in coat closet right outside the dining room door and they star feverishly making out in the closet, bumping into things, and making an obscene amount of noise.

Sajid

Thank God I had the sound systems installed for tonight’s party.

They continue going at each other while talking.

Geeti

Ugh, I couldn’t get away from that babbling idiot Pinky quick enough, I’ve been waiting to see you all night.

Sajid

All night, I kept waiting for your text, I couldn’t think of anything else, I couldn’t stop thinking about your ti-

The closet door opens, and they quickly jump apart as Jamshed walks in.

Jamshed

Oh, what you do-

Sajid

Nothing! Niaz asked me to help Geeti find her ring, she thinks she left it in her coat and Niaz is too annoyed with her to help himself ha-ha

Jamshed

Typical women, always losing things, you should be more careful.

Geeti

Yes, I kno-

Jamshed

I’m just going to go get my lighter from my coat pocket.

Jamshed examines both of them and notices their dishevelled appearances but chooses to ignore it and continue past them to him coat.

He pulls something out of his coat and into his pocket before holding up the lighter and giving Sajid and Geeti a sheepish laugh before heading back out.

Jamshed

Don’t spend too long looking for it though, you don’t want people assuming you can’t afford to buy another ring ha-ha

Sajid nods at him as Jamshed closes the closet door.

He finishes up with Geeti and watches her fix her lipstick in the mirror in the foyer and head back to the dining room. He’s about to head back in but the dining room door opens again, he turns back with a smile, expecting Geeti again, but to his disappointment, it’s his wife.

Dolly

Done whoring around are we?

Sajid

Dolly it’s no-

Dolly

I’m not deaf, blind, or stupid. Having a husband in this society means having a good public image. Do whatever you want but at least have the decency to not violate the houses that were built with MY money.

Sajid sighs, there’s no remorse in his eyes, just hatred toward his wife. He thinks to himself “Maybe I wouldn’t be pushed into this affair if you didn’t belittle me so much” but doesn’t have the guts to say it out loud.

Dolly

Dinner has been set up, go tell the others and don’t let me catch you desecrating my closet again. I didn’t import these bloody marble floors from Italy for my husband to fuck his best-friends wife on them, mein randi-khana nahin chala rahi (I’m not running a whorehouse).

Sajid’s shoulder lump for a second before he straightens his posture again and silently walks into the library.

Scene 10:

Ext/Int. The Farmhouse, 11pm (Haroon, Hasan)

Haroon watches the caterers pack up the last of their boxes and locks the kitchen door from the outside as they pack up.

He hears the distant chatter from the party and walks to the back of the house where he can see Layla on the Balcony, He stands by an orange tree and throws a rock towards the balcony, startling Layla who was holding a drink.

Haroon

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Layla is the sun!

She looks at him with a smile and whisper-yells.

Layla

Oh Romeo, have you lost your fucking mind!?

Haroon looks at her in the moonlight and laughs at her.

Haroon

My shift just ended; I’ll be right up.

He doesn’t give her a chance to reply before running towards the entrance.

Right as he turns the corner and the main door comes into his view, his smile wipes away a little as he sees someone’s retreating shadow entering the house and the door closing on him. 

Haroon quickly runs to the door and walks in, but he doesn’t see anyone. He locks the door from the inside with his key and walks towards the foyer, inside he hears Sajid and Dolly arguing so he dismisses it and turns back to walk back to the bathroom by the entrance. He changes into his suit and joins Hasan in the corner of the library.

Hasan

Just in time for the shitshow

Haroon

Yeah, I heard your parent’s arguing in the foyer annnnd Jamshed uncle’s been constantly looking over at your dad.

Hasan

Buuuut, at least there’s food to accompany the drama.

Scene 11:

Int/Ext. Dining room, 11:15pm (All pre-mentioned characters)

Zahra is still standing by the drinks alone, so far, the entire night has kept her a little on edge since Sherry yelled at the waiter.

She is about to walk towards the balcony but the entrance to the dining room suddenly opens and men begin to pool in, Zahra is unable to move as everyone crowds around the bar that she was standing with which coincidentally has the plates set on it.

She is immediately cornered by Jamshed, Dr Waqar and Rasool who are carrying plates full of food and the strong stench of alcohol.

Jamshed

What a pleasure to have such a beautiful young lady in our presence, Madam Noor Jehan couldn’t hold a bloody candle to you.

Rasool

Such a shame that Madam ji married way too early, it is better to enjoy life you know, you’re young, you should have fun. I’m single too if you don’t mind my age.

Jamshed

Haan, ye saab apne wakht ke bohat Romeo thein. (This man was a huge Romeo in his time)

Rasool

Dekho, gulaab (Look, Roses) and all are basics for pulling women. Iss maamlay mein koi kharcha bhi bohat zyada nahin hota. (In that situation, no expenditure is too much)

Jamshed

Look at him, he’s such a player. I think you need a more sensitive soul.

Zahra tries her best to feel around for a humorous tone in their conversation, but it is obvious that they are both hitting on her. She shudders are the thought of that.

Dr Waqar says nothing the entire time but just tries suppressing his hysterical fits of laughter between each bite of his food. They continue to bombard Zahra with personal questions and overly friendly hands on her shoulder which she tries her best to dodge.

Across the room, Junaid keeps staring holes into Zahra.

Sherry walks by Zahra and the camera follows her as she uses her phone and glances up at Baby who is now fast asleep on the sofa and stops at the open doors that lead to the balcony.

On the balcony, Hasan, Layla, and Haroon stand smoking a joint and watch the scene play out.

Layla

I think my dad’s harassing the new chick.

She takes the joint from Haroon and looks over at Hasan to try and read his expression.

Haroon 

Waisey (by the way), she’s been looking a little scared and out of place the entire time, who even is she?

Hasan

Her dads in the government and my parents are trying to use him to steal more land from the farmers around their factories…

Just another pawn of theirs.

The joint is passed to Hasan.

Layla

You’re a little off for once.

Hasan

What do you mean?

Layla

She had a bit of a spat with your mom the second she met her. Something about her dad not taking any bribes and Zahra only attending as a formality.

Haroon

Layla meri jaan (my darling), what did I tell you about eavesdropping?

Layla

I can’t help it! Its not like much else was going on.

Hasan

Guess I was a little wrong about her… I suppose I’ll try and rescue her from Jamshed uncle and Rasool uncle.

Layla

Yeah sure, that’s the only rea-

Haroon nudges her in the side as Hasan takes the last drag of the joint and heads inside but suddenly there’s a crackling noise and a scream or two.

Scene 12:

Int. Dining Room/Pantry, 11:40 (Dolly, Zahra, Hassan + All others as bg shots)

Zahra doesn’t regret tasing Rasool in the neck. He was asking for it at this point, but she completely underestimated how well she would be able to handle the stares of horror and screams.

Dolly

YOU ARE A GUEST IN MY HOUSE WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DO-

Hasan walks inside and kneels to check on Rasool.

Hasan

He’s fine guys, I think the tasing wasn’t as bad as the amount of whiskey he’s dumped into himself today.

Everyone is still staring at Zahra, as if they’re waiting for an explanation.

Dolly

As I was saying, who do you think you are? Tasing my guests? He is harml-

Zahra

Please shut up.

Dolly

What did you just say?

Zahra

He was making me uncomfortable and groping me for the last hour and no one helped me get out of that situation…

I am a lawyer that specialises in criminal law, more than that, I am a fucking practicing female lawyer who is EXTREMELY COMPETANT…

I’ve dealt with worse at kacheri…

Dolly’s face is red once again and as she tries to string together words –-

Hasan

I think someone finally tasing Rasool uncle and getting him to be quiet is quite the accomplishment, we all know how annoying he tends to get…

Zahra, can you help me carry up the bottles?

Zahra looks at Hasans outstretched hand and holds it as he guides them through the kitchen door and down to the basement where the wine is stored, and their home brewery is set up.

Hasan takes her to the walk-in pantry that is in an L-shape, they walk to the very end, and he picks up a bag of marshmallows and proceeds to sit on a crate lying on the floor.

Zahra

What are you doin- Shouldn’t we be taking the drinks upstairs?

Hasan

You know, considering all your accomplishments that you yelled about upstairs, you are a little bit dumb huh

Hasan clicks his lighter and charrs the marshmallow a little before offering it to Zahra who has just realized they were here to hide, and not pick up bottles to celebrate her tasing someone. 

Zahra

That came out a little because of my frustration… I’m sorry I yelled at your mom.

Hasan

No, it’s chill…

I’m actually glad you came.

Her and my father have been bullying people around for far too long, so it was nice to see them get a wakeup call.

Zahra

Haah, well I’m glad I could be of service,

But can you hand me another marshmallow, I didn’t get a chance to eat upstairs.

Hasan looks at her and grins, he would have never guessed he’d be feeling this way about someone he met at his mom’s party.

Hasan

I’ll heat up as many marshmallows as you want if you continue the bragging from upstairs so I can know more about you.

Zahra

Deal, I love oversharing.

Scene 13:

Int/Ext. Dining Room, 12:30-1:30am (All characters ex. Hasan and Zahra)

Layla and Haroon are now alone on the balcony. The uncles and Aunties are all too drunk or completely blacked out to care about them, so they can openly make-out without any repercussions.

Layla

I wish I could freeze time right now

Haroon

I know, but then we’d never get a running chance to be together like we want to be.

Layla agrees with him, and they slow dance on the balcony. Out of sight, out of mind.

Inside, Dolly slurs her words as she recounts a story from her vow renewal in Thailand after their youngest was born.

Dolly

And you know na, the beach had so many goooorgus creations of God, also only the second glance is allowed for women I think, and poor Sajid was still a little chubbo (chubby) back then…

Almost as if he was the one that gave birth to all our children.

The small group around her consists of Sajid, Geeti, Tony, Jamshed, Pinky who has just regained consciousness, Sherry, and Rasheed. Everyone else is either passed out or too drunk to do anything other than dance.

To Sajid’s displeasure the group around him are all laughing as Dolly recounts stories of him at his worst, physically and mentally. The year he had found out Geeti was marrying Niaz.

He remembers himself crying in the hotel room while Dolly was at the spa and their children were being taken care of by some Thai nanny. He stays silent as he makes eye contact with Geeti who looks at him with sympathy and he gives her a weak smile.

Jamshed is watching this play out and Sajid looks down at the floor as soon as he catches Jamshed’s gaze.

Sherry and Rasheed on the other hand are openly all over each other while Bunty is asleep on the floor next to Baby.

Dolly goes to turn the music down and the speaker suddenly short-circuits causing everyone to wake up and be completely alert.

Bunty

Shit Dolly, that scared the fuck out of me.

Dolly

I’m sor-

Whatever remorse Dolly was going to express gets cut short as a blackout suddenly causes the house to go silent.

Scene 14:

Int. The Pantry, 1:25am (Zahra and Hasan)

Zahra couldn’t believe she had been sitting and talking with Hasan for the last hour and a half almost, she’d already told Hasan about the darkest parts of her life and shared with him more than she has with anyone in a long time.

There is a pile of open packets of food around them, an assortment of crisps, candies, and chocolate.

Hasan

Can I ask you something?

Zahra nods in response.

Hasan

Would it be a little creepy of me to tell you that I like you this soon?

Zahra

I’m kind of glad that you did… 

I like you too, but I don’t know if I would have ever been able to bring it up…

 ever since…

Hasan

I know. 

They look at each other in the eyes and lean in, as soon as their lips touch, there is a blackout.

Zahra groans --

Zahra

Is this some sort of divine intervention to stop me from acting like a whore?

Hasan laughs and they continue.

Scene 15:

Int. Dining room, 1:40am (Everyone except Zahra and Hasan)

Haroon and Layla make their way inside as soon as the black out happened. They felt around the door frame to make their way there and stand in the doorway.

Dolly

Okay don’t worry, as soon as I find this bloody phone of mine, I’ll call up someone.

Haroon breathes a relieved sigh at the darkness, out of Dolly’s sight, out of her mind. I won’t be the one dealing with the electricity issue. For once, he thinks, Wapda has finally benefitted me. He looks at the universe and says --

Haroon

Fucking finally.

Scene 16:

Int. The Pantry, 1:35am (Hasan, Zahra)

Hasan hums with Zahra under his arm.

Zahra

Hasn’t the electricity been gone too long?

Should we go check if everything’s okay?

Hasan

I didn’t want to bring it up because I’m enjoying the moment way too much…

Haroon is probably being lazy and not flipping the breaker…

Zahra

Come on, I’m sure your mother is throwing a fit about her perfect party being ruined.

Hasan

Yeah, you’re right.

Zahra holds Hasan’s hand and gets up; they feel their way around the pantry and make their way up the stairs.

There’s a rustling in the kitchen as they reach it, and the dining room door opens.

Hasan

Hello?

Who is it?

There’s no answer.

Zahra

Maybe they walked out of the kitchen and not into it…

They brush it off and make their way to the door connecting the kitchen and the dining room.

Scene 17:

 Int. Dining Room, 1:41am (Everyone)

There is a momentary flash of light as a bullet goes off.

A gun has been fired and there are loud crashing noises accompanying the screams of Dolly and her guests. 

Not even a minute later the lights all turn on.

Jamshed Khawars body is lying on the dining table, his face is covered by Dolly’s taxidermy Kudu’s head.

Everyone in the room is frozen and they are all in a circle around the body.

Dolly takes a step forward, one hand on her mouth and one reaching for the table --

Dolly

Oh my god…

THEY GOT FUCKING BLOOD ON MY SILK TABLECLOTH?

-EP 1 END-