Talk to Her

Inspired by Pedro Almodovar's film 'Talk to Her'

Scene 1

The young man stares silently. His eyes reflect the scenes unfolding in front of him, around him, in the arena. Meanwhile inside, a matador, in shiny red sequined short coat, tighttootight trousers, cowboy boots, top hat, flowing red cape contemplates. Dust rises in anticipation of the magnificent duel, pitting beast against man. The black bull is released. Its curved wicked horns grin in anticipation. Red cape is waved, bull charges, matador side steps, bull misses its target and turns around in fury. The young man still stares, eyes expressionless, body rigid. The matador is fearless. Her golden brown hair dances with the dust. Her lithe body ready to take the bull by the horns. A furious charge, yet again. Bull’s-eye. Matador is on the ground, cape splayed, warm liquid oozing and staining the coat a deeper red. Young man comes to life and rushes towards her.

Scene 2

Another young man stares silently. His eyes reflect the beautiful scenes unfolding before him. In the glass room across the street bodies move in delightful slow motion, to choreographed perfection. She raises one arm, straightens a leg, in tune to the mellow music. Pirouette, arabesque, plie. Her body moves with a magic of its own, tracing dance patterns across the floor. The young man watches, enthralled. He would love to talk to her, but is too scared. He musters up the courage after she comes out. Strikes up a conversation. They walk together on the crowded streets, talking about this and that. He’s funny and animated. She’s offbeat and sparkling. She has to cross the street to get to her house. Bye for now. He stares silently as she crosses. A car rams into her and she falls in a dead swoon. He rushes towards her.

Scene 3

The two young men are seated together. The women in their care are in adjacent rooms in the hospital. Fate brought their destinies together by chance! Or is it by design? The women are in coma, medically dead. But the men refuse to give up. Endless night vigils for signs of life. They are full of hope. Talk to her! Care for her! Tell her how much you love her! Days become weeks become months become years. Hope is alive. The men feed clean clothe care for the women. Time passes, bonds strengthen. The men become good friends. They two couples have so much in common, yet are so dissimilar. Four friends, united by intertwined destinies, together in life and death.