My Backbone

[Scene 50]

(afternoon nap - in bed)

MARK - (Answers the phone) Hello?

JAMIE - Hey, how was your trip?

MARK - It was great. Loved every bit. How's the work going?

JAMIE - Just the usual. Listen um....your workload is sort of piling up. Your other neurosurgeons are going under pressure, covering your cases too. When are you getting back to work?

MARK - Hmm....tomorrow?

JAMIE - Great.

MARK - Anything holding up for Lisa?

JAMIE - I'll check and inform.

MARK - Right.

LISA - (Wakes up) Who was it?

MARK - Just Jamie, about work.

LISA - (Half awake) What about it?

MARK - Just asked if you have any work piling up.

LISA - Mark come on....why?

MARK - You know just-

(Lisa kisses Mark)

LISA - (Sleepy) All work and no play, makes John a dumb boy.

MARK - Well...

(Lisa covers both of them under the bed covers)

MARK - (Under the covers) W-What's happening?

LISA - (Under the covers) Shh....no talking, only doing.

(in the middle of everything - Ned walks into the room)

NED - Deh! Doo Doi!

(Mark and Lisa appear from the covers)

MARK/LISA - What??

NED - (In Shock) Oohoo!!

LISA - (Whispers) Damn it...

(Ned tries to see under the cover)

MARK - N-No, Ned. Not supposed to check underneath.

NED - Wei?

MARK - Not supposed to. It's a bad habit.

NED - Eh?

MARK - You know what um...

LISA - (Whispers) Come on, Mark.

MARK - (Whispers) Alright. Ned, go...down stairs....watch Tee Tee.

NED - (Nodding his head) Tee Tee...Tee Tee! (goes down to watch).

MARK - Where were we?

(Lisa covers both of them under the bed covers)

[Scene 51]

(At the Grocery Store)

LISA - I'm thinking Mexican and Italian Cuisine. What do you think?

MARK - Sure, anything you want.

LISA - Lasagna or spaghetti?

MARK - Lasagna would be good.

LISA - Right.....Tacos or burritos?

MARK - Burritos.

LISA - Right, then. I'll go look for the stuff, you and Ned can go find some drinks.

(they split - now in the drinks section)

MARK - Hmm....what should we get?

NED - Dumm....Dumm...

MARK - What?

(Ned points at Coca Cola)

MARK - Coke?

NED - Mum...Mum....

MARK - Sure....that'll be fine. I'll get some apple juice for you too.

(Ned points at some beer cans)

MARK - No, Ned. You can't have beer. We're not going to have it either.

NED - Wei? Wei? Nuh.....

MARK - It's a simple family get-together, not a drunken evening.

NED - Moi.....

MARK - Come along....

(they buy everything altogether)

[Scene 52]

(During their sleep)

MARK - (On the phone) Hello? okay.....okay....thanks, goodnight! (drops the call).

LISA - (Sleepy) Who was that?

MARK - Jamie.

LISA - (Sleepy) Again? what's his deal now?

MARK - You don't have to go to work tomorrow. No work pending.

LISA - Great....

MARK - I'll be at work though. You have to take care of Ned.

LISA - Me?

MARK - Please, Lisa. Just one day, and then in the evening - we have our whole family dinner, remember?

LISA - Right.

MARK - Afterwards, you can come back to work.

LISA - Sure.

[Scene 53]

(Next day morning)

MARK - Bye, Sweets!

LISA - Bye!

(Mark leaves - Lisa closes the door and is watching TV now)

NED - (Wakes up and comes to the living room) Lee...Soh!

LISA - (Notices him) Oh! morning, Ned!

NED - Lee...Soh!

(Ned comes to hug Lisa)

LISA - That's right. You had a good sleep?

NED - Dee...Doh! (notices Mark not being there) Ma? Ma! Ma! Ma! Ma!

LISA - Mark? you're looking for Mark? he's at work. You know....(gestures for work).

NED - Ohohoho.....woh?

LISA - Y-Yes. You could kind of say that.... brushed your teeth?

NED - Brah?

LISA - You know (gestures for brushing teeth).

NED - (Whining as he doesn't know how to brush) Wei! Wei!

LISA - Alright, don't worry. I'll help you.

[Scene 54]

(At the hospital)

MARK - Nurse!

NURSE 3 - Yes, doctor?

MARK - I've sent over Miss. Johnson's X Ray scans over for printing. Just kindly collect and give it to the reception.

NURSE 3 - Okay (leaves).

(Mark continues to work on his laptop)

MARK - (Calls Lisa) Hello Lisa?

LISA - Hi Mark! how's it going there?

MARK - Going fine. Just dealt with one patient. Have do deal with three more, and then I'll be done.

LISA - Had your lunch yet?

MARK - No, not yet.

LISA - What're you doing? eat at good timings, otherwise you'll get acidity.

MARK - I know that, I'll be eating in another 10 minutes.

LISA - Okay, that's good.

MARK - How're you managing with Ned?

LISA - Ned? oh he uh....he's fine.

MARK - What's happening?

LISA - No nothing, he's just been....watching a fashion show or something?

MARK - He likes that a lot.

LISA - He's been watching it for 3 hours straight already.

MARK - Distract him for sometime. TV will damage his eyesight. After lunch if you can, then take him for a walk around the neighbourhood.

LISA - Well um....

MARK - Lisa?

LISA - Sure, I-I'll do it.

MARK - Good, and when's the dinner?

LISA - 7:30pm.

MARK - I'll be back by 7:00pm alright? bye!

LISA - Bye (drops the call).

[Scene 55]

(Lisa takes Ned out for a walk)

LISA - Come on, Ned (holding his hands and walking).

NED - Lee...Soh! (swinging his arms and walking).

LISA - Tree? can you point towards a tree?

NED - Hmm.....deh?

LISA - You know.....tall, and green leaves. Can you point at that?

NED - (Points at a bush) Dei? Dei Dei?

LISA - You're close, but not quite there yet.

(they sit on the park benches)

LISA - Alright, I spy with my little eye, something brown.

NED - Hmm?

LISA - Brown.

NED - Broo....um....(points at a tree's bark).

LISA - Great, you nailed that one. Right then, I spy with my little eye, something red.

NED - Oh! (points at the red slide).

LISA - Good, you're doing great.

[Scene 56]

(In the evening for dinner)

LISA - They're coming! Mark! are you there?

MARK - Getting changed here! Ned?

(doorbell rings)

LISA - (Opens the door) You're here! yes!

MR. FREDRICK - Hi dear!

GEORGE - Hey Lisa!

OLIVER - What's shaking?

LISA - Come in, make yourself at home.

OLIVER - Nice place you got in here.

GEORGE - Where's Mark?

(Mark comes)

MARK - Oh hi there. Oliver, right?

OLIVER - You remember, great.

MARK - And um....

GEORGE - George.

MARK - Ah yes, got it. Please sit down, I'll get the refreshments.

MR. FREDRICK - We're fine, Mark! we just had coffee and some biscuits!

MARK - No worries, just a cup of water or juice.

MR. FREDRICK - If you insist.

(Ned appears)

NED - Ma Ma! (notices the crowd) Oh...ohohoho (feels quite nervous).

LISA - Ned, come on in. Meet my family.

NED - Oh (nervous).

LISA - This is George....

GEORGE - Hi.

LISA - And that's Oliver.

OLIVER - How's it going?

NED - Muh...Muh...Muh (tensed).

MARK - (Comes to Ned) Lee...Soh's family, Ned. Them....and us....(gestures for good).

NED - (Thrilled) O-Oh...Ohohoho!! (runs about the living room in excitement).

OLIVER - Oh wow.

GEORGE - Is he alright?

(Lisa is quite tensed out)

MARK - He uh....(gestures for disabled).

GEORGE - Oh, I'm sorry.

MARK - Never mind that, he's happy. Just need to forget that stuff.

OLIVER - Right.

(Ned sits next to Oliver)

NED - Pa-pa-pa papapapa!!

OLIVER - Well, I'm not your papa.

NED - Papoh?

OLIVER - Ned, right?

NED - (Points to himself) Ned? hmm....ohoho!

OLIVER - That serious?

MARK - Unfortunately.

OLIVER - As long as he's happy.

LISA - Y-You guys keep talking, I-I'll be right back.

MARK - Where are you off to?

LISA - Check if the lasagna's all ready.

MARK - Okay.

MR. FREDRICK - Get this, guys. These guys practically fell in love over my operation.

OLIVER - The heck?

MR. FREDRICK - I met with a road accident. He was my doctor, and just as he was conducting the operation, I guess it clicked.

(Mark smiles)

GEORGE - How does that even work?

MARK - I don't know. You better ask your girl.

GEORGE - I've heard of love, clicking in movie theatres, at the beach, even on vacation together. Hospital? that's like saying you guys fell in love while watching Annabelle.

MARK - Good joke. That's never going to happen, actually.

ALL - Hahahaha....

NED - (After everyone) hahaha ohohoho!!

GEORGE - Okay then.

[Scene 57]

(Dinner table)

MR. FREDRICK - Lasagna's good, dear.

LISA - Thanks.

GEORGE - So are the burritos.

LISA - Enjoy.

OLIVER - Ned? Ned?

(Ned is looking elsewhere then notices Oliver)

OLIVER - Do you know my name?

NED - Um.....(picks up a burrito) hmm?

OLIVER - Hahahaha....

MARK - Hahaha....

GEORGE - Good joke, he is a burrito at times!

OLIVER - Come on, George. Really?

GEORGE - Makes sense. You know my name?

NED - Um....(holds up the same burrito) hmm?

GEORGE - Oh jeez.

OLIVER - Ha! he trolled you.

GEORGE - I guess we're a bunch of burrito's around here.

MR. FREDRICK - He's just playing around with you.

LISA - Y-Yes, indeed he is....

MARK - Well then, had the drinks? Ned, apple juice?

NED - N-Nuh nuh nuh!

MARK - Okay, okay, no more juice then.

(after that, they chat for a while in the living room, Ned is happily skipping about the living room - in his own world)

MR. FREDRICK - Well then, I think we better make a move now. Thanks for everything!

MARK - You're welcome, sir.

MR. FREDRICK - Hehehe, bye sweetie.

LISA - Bye Dad! Bye guys!

GEORGE/OLIVER - Bye!

(they take off)

MARK - Well, that was good now, wasn't it?

LISA - (Dull) Yes, it was.

MARK - What happened? why do you all of a sudden turn dull?

LISA - (Dull) I want to talk to you, can you come to our room?

MARK - Well, sure, it's late anyways.

LISA - Wish Ned goodnight and come in.

MARK - O-Okay then....Ned! time for bed!

[Scene 58]

(Bedroom - Lisa is waiting for Mark)

MARK - (Enters the room) What's up?

LISA - Is he asleep?

MARK - Yes.

(Lisa closes the door behind)

MARK - Why, what happening here?

LISA - Mark. I-I don't how to say this but....let met just break it to you. I-I love you so much, and you do too, right?

MARK - Yes.

LISA - You know very well that I have just my dad, and you your brother.

MARK - Yes, that's true.

LISA - Listen, Mark. I hope you understand what I'm saying because....see w-we're married now. We're clearly a couple - who don't have kids yet, and we've just only tried.

MARK - Yes, where is this going to?

LISA - Let me finish. We're trying to have children of our own together, and we're even trying to....you know, go on vacation together, by ourselves....

(Mark is stunned)

LISA - W-What I'm saying is that, w-we're a couple now. W-We have to give much importance to our own relationship. L-Let alone my dad and......Ned.

MARK - What are you saying? (higher tone).

LISA - I'm saying, I-I really feel bad for Ned, I really do. I understand you still sympathize with him, but, w-what about me? w-what about our own life? you can just hold on to both. Y-You'll have to let one go.

MARK - (Mad) Am I listening right? I-Is this what you're coming to tell me? part me from my own brother?! my brother in need?! what's the matter with you?! huh?!

LISA - (Mad) You have to understand, Mark! we couldn't spend a proper honeymoon together, we couldn't have a good "first night" properly. I-I'm not saying he's doing this on purpose! w-we too need some privacy now!

MARK - For that? you can't handle, Ned? Just because you become committed to me, you want to be fully committed to you? I have my responsibilities too!

LISA - Mark! understand that I let go of my father's hands because you'll be there for me. If you're not there for me, then who'll look after me?! a-am I not a human too?! do I not cry and laugh like Ned?

MARK - Understand this, alright. I need both of you, I really do! you'll realize one day when we have children of our own, that you were wrong about what you were saying today!

LISA - That's different, this is different! t-this is your own brother. You can't compare something we're going to have, with something that's already there. It doesn't work like that! do you even know how patient I've been?! I've been patient for so long already. Throughout our honeymoon, even at home. I-I simply can't take it.

MARK - It's only been some few weeks together, this is a long time?!

LISA - You don't understand! m-my cousins have come in from abroad to see us. T-The entire time, all I could ever think about was whether or not, Ned was going to embarrass us.

MARK - Ned needs help, okay?! y-you can't simply assume he won't do that. He's like a child, and pretty soon our own children will do the same as he did tonight!

LISA - But come on! t-that will be our own children. Him?! h-he's someone else.

MARK - Someone else! someone else?!! (throws a pillow at her).

LISA - H-How dare you!! y-you want to do this, right now?! huh?!

MARK - I think it's high time we went through this! Ned, stays with us, whether you're liking it or not! you are important, and so is he!

LISA - Who is more important, answer that! answer one, and then let go of the other. I want to know that right now!

(Mark is silent)

LISA - Silent right? I know you won't answer, because you're fully committed to this marriage as I am. You still want things to go the same way as before. You're not ready to give up your previous life to your newly married life. Listen, Mark! you with Ned, is just about the same as me without a mother! despite that! I left my family and came to you! w-why can't you do the same is my question!

(Mark is silent)

LISA - So what, my father can take care of himself. You have Nancy right?! call her to bring him over to their place. If not, maybe take him to my father's place! he could use some company too!

MARK - Hey!!! (screaming - gripping onto Lisa's shoulders) Don't! don't ever give such ideas to me!

LISA - Why?! Why? can't you cure your brother?

(Mark is silent)

LISA - You didn't tell me that day. We're married now, god damn it! tell me now!! why can't you give him treatment?!

MARK - You shut up! you have no rights to talk about my personal life.

LISA - Personal life?! what personal life! we're married, Mark! we're supposed to share our matters! not hide them like this! tell me! i-if you still want your wife!

(Ned enters the room - opening the door. Lisa and Mark in shock)

MARK - O-Oh.....

(Ned turns sad, tears run down and crying)

MARK - No, no, no, Ned! d-don't cry! please don't!-

NED - Dai!! (crying and gestures for "you all hate me")

LISA - (Shocked) W-What?!

(Ned leaves the room - Mark collapses on the floor)

LISA - Mark! Mark! g-get up, get up now! w-what happened?!

MARK - (Crying) Why?! why are you making life a living hell now?! c-can't you just adjust?!

LISA - I-I didn't know he was outside the door.

MARK - He could hear our yelling!

LISA - B-But why are you crying now?!

MARK - L-Life for you, can be just our family. For me?! i-it's both of you! I-I'm forever in debt to my own parents, for taking care of Ned. I won't lose that, and I won't lose you either!! n-now I don't know why...I-I'm just scared (eyes wide open).

LISA - W-Why?

MARK - I don't know....but hear this! h-his case is not any ordinary case. H-He's sensitive now, alright?! too sensitive in fact! i-if at any point he feels sad, o-or depressed, it'll drive him to suicide (crying).

LISA - (Tears) W-What?! h-he's that serious?

MARK - Yes (crying).

LISA - This is what I was telling you! w-we need proper communication and understanding. I-I didn't know this until now! that's a serious case, Mark. I-I'm really sorry (crying) really, I'm sorry.

MARK - (Crying) I-It's okay. I-I promise, I-I'll allow for us to have more time together.

LISA - (Crying) T-Thank you.

(They hug - Mark realizes something in shock)

MARK - (Lets go of the hugging) O-Oh no!

LISA - W-What happened?

(Mark gets up and his in terrible shock)

MARK - (Running out of the room) Ned!! Ned!!

LISA - Huh?

(In Ned's room - he's not there)

MARK - Oh god! no, no, no!! Ned!! (searching all over the house)

(meanwhile - in the kitchen, Ned walks towards the cabinet to pick up a knife)

MARK - Ned!!! (screaming into the bathrooms) Ned!! (running downstairs).

(Ned picks up the knife, a-and slowly puts it in position)

MARK - (Notices Ned in the kitchen) Ned!! no!! (dives in to snatch the knife)

NED - (In shocked) Ma Ma!!!

(Mark slaps the knife off Ned, his hands are now bleeding)

NED - (Notices his blood) D-Duh....no!! (in fear) Ah!!!

MARK - (In tears) W-Why?!

(Lisa notices what's going on)

LISA - AH!!

NED - Lee...Soh!! no!! m-mee.

LISA - Ned, I-I love you, I really do!!

NED - (Crying and shaking head for no) noo!!

MARK - I love you, she loves you, we all love you, alright! n-nothing happened.

(Mark hugs Ned - they're both crying)

LISA - I-I went out of control, Ned. Forgive me! I wanted Mark, and so did you. M-Mark will make room for both of us. W-We can live together again.....b-be my son (in tears).

(Ned in shock - comes and hugs Lisa)

[Scene 59]

(In Ned's bedroom)

MARK - Sleep well, Ned.

LISA - S-Son.

NED - (Smiles) Lee....Soh. Ma Ma!

MARK - (Smiles back) Good night.

NED - M-Ma!

MARK - Yes?

(Ned gestures out about getting fixed)

MARK - (In shock) W-What? y-you want me to-

NED - (Holds hands out as if praying to him) Ma!

MARK - (Hand on mouth in shock) Oh dear....

LISA - H-He wants to be fixed?

MARK - Y-Yes.

LISA - W-Why didn't you do it in the beginning?

MARK - I should've, when I became a doctor. I-I'm scared, alright? I-I'm scared. T-That one vaccine by accident costed him severly, I-I don't want endanger his life even more.

LISA - You fixed my father, Mark. He was the only one I had at that time.

MARK - But look at him...a-an adult. W-When I fix him, h-he'll get so much exposure to the real world. F-For his age, at this stage, he won't grasp things very well. P-People are harsh these days - with people like him around? they'll ignore him as a special case. I-I'm scared about him facing the real world as well.

(Ned takes out Mark's personal diary from under his bed)

MARK - Oh....m-my diary. Y-You still have it? y-you can't read it!

(Ned points at pictures in the diary)

MARK - Oh....

LISA - What's that?

MARK - Everyday, from school, I would come back and record my daily stuff in this diary. When he became disabled, I started drawing pictures of important events. H-He probably digested that....making him, prepared or something?

(Ned nods his head confidently)

LISA - Well he can't get a job.

NED - Noo! Noo! (shows his own drawing of a fashion runway)

MARK - What's this?

LISA - Um....i-it's the fashion show on TV! y-you want to be a model?

NED - Ohohoho!!

LISA - I guess he could. He looks charming, in a way.

MARK - You sure about this, Ned?

(Ned hugs Mark)

MARK - Okay, I will.

(While everyone is asleep, Mark is unable to go to bed, because of tomorrow's operation)

[Scene 60]

(At the Hospital)

JAMIE - (On the Phone) Hello? oh hey! oh....oh...okay. C-Can believe you're doing it now (drops the call).

(meanwhile)

DOCTOR - Conducting the operation now? have you covered the fees?

MARK - I spoke to my insurance agent, they're covering half of the price, along with my earnings too.

DOCTOR - Right then, you're on the dot with this plan. If you had done this after end of this year, it would be too late, because half of his brain would've lost sense.

(Mark is stunned)

DOCTOR - You can activate his dying neurons and repair the other ones too.

MARK - O-Okay.

[Scene 61]

(In the Operation Room - Ned is on his bed)

LISA - Well, good luck, Ned (kisses him on the forehead).

(Ned smiles)

JAMIE - (Hand on shoulder) The lord shall save him.

MARK - Surely he will, hopefully.

(Jamie and Lisa leave the room)

MARK - Well, Ned. It's just me, and you. A-Are you ready?

(Ned nods his head)

MARK - O-Okay. D-Don't be scared, I'm here for you. Um....s-strawberry or mango? holds two fruit cards out to him).

NED - Ohohoho! (picks strawberry).

MARK - Well then, h-have a good rest (smiles).

(Ned is given anesthesia - Mark is sweating throughout conducting his operation. Jamie and Lisa are praying for Ned to get better)

[Scene 62]

(After 3 hours of Operation - Mark walks out)

LISA/JAMIE - What happened? what happened? is he better?

(Mark is crying)

LISA - Honey, tell me (tears) better?

(Mark hugs her and tells)

LISA - Oh my god!

JAMIE - What?

(Lisa and Jamie go inside to see Ned)

JAMIE - Oh...asleep?

(Ned slowly opens his eyes)

LISA - Oh! (covers her mouth in shock).

(they sit next to Ned)

NED - (Looks around the room and sees Lisa) L-L-L-

LISA - Come on!

NED - L-Lisa?

LISA - (In shock) Ned, you made it!

NED - Hehehe....y-you?

JAMIE - He spoke!

(Mark rushes into the room)

MARK - Spoke?!

JAMIE - Yes!

(Mark rushes to see Ned)

MARK - Ned? w-we made it (tears) we made it!

NED - (Whispers) M-Mark.

MARK - (In shock and comes close to hear his whisper) W-What is it?

NED - T-Thank.....you.

MARK - (Crying) Ah! Ned, d-don't.

NED - Thank you.

(Mark and Lisa hug - they then discharge him on a wheel chair back home and help him get back on his feet)

[Scene 63]

(Fashion Institute)

CALLER - Jacob Whiteford!

(Next person goes in for audition - Mark and Ned are waiting)

MARK - Y-You think you can do this?

NED - (Whispering voice) I....see, TV. So....I know.

MARK - Right then.

(Ned notices a beautiful girl waiting behind him)

ANGELA - Hi, I'm Angela (sticks her hand out).

NED - (notices it and gives her a shake hand) My name is, Ned.

ANGELA - Nice to meet you (smiles).

(Ned smiles back)

MARK - Woah, man.

CALLER - Ned Samson!

(Ned goes inside for auditions - Mark waits for another five minutes)

NED - (Walks out) Phew...

MARK - W-What happened?

NED - (Whispering voice) I am a model.

(Mark hugs Ned in joy)

MARK - That's great, man!

CALLER - Angela Stein!

(Angela gets up and first approaches Ned)

ANGELA - (Takes out a pen and writes her number on his palm) Here's my number...

NED - Huh? (palm in her hands).

ANGELA - (Smiles) Call me (enters the audition hall).

NED - (Eyes wide open) Wow.

MARK - Ned?!

NED - (Smiles) I think, new life is starting.

(Mark and Ned hug)