THE BROWN LEATHER PATCH

by Elisabeth Dubois

Short Film
Email: [email protected]

On her wedding day, Fiona is given a precious leather pouch, treasured by her Grand-mother.

The Brown Leather Pouch
By
Elisabeth Dubois
©Elisabeth Dubois
AWG Registered
[email protected]
Australia.
INT. FIONA’S BEDROOM - 1990 - MORNING
On the pink quilted queen size bed, wedding trinkets are
neatly arranged; an open gift box displaying a pearl
necklace and matching earrings; a pair of medium heeled
satin shoes ornate with pearls and a pearl tiara.
The door of the brightly lit room opens.
FIONA, a beautiful brunette, 27, dressed in a white long
satin gown, walks in with a smile.
She closes the door after herself and walks to the bed. She
picks the gift box taking it to the large mirrored dresser
and sits on a fluffy pink cushioned stool.
She places the necklace around her neck and fastens it.
Knock (o.s)
JOSIE (O.S.)
It’s mom. Are you decent?
In a jovial manner Fiona replies.
FIONA
Of course I am. Come in.
The door opens. A 94 year old frail woman, GRAN, sits in a
wheelchair, guided in by JOSIE, 57.
Fiona is excited and quickly strides over to welcome her
Gran and hugs her.
FIONA (CONT'D)
Oh my goodness Gran! I’m so glad
you could make it.
Gran has a hard time with her speech and is on oxygen, fed
through a couple of tubes in her nostrils. She looks to
Josie.
GRAN
Josie? I want a minute with
Fiona.
Josie smiles, gives Gran a kiss on the cheek.
JOSIE
Sure mom.
Josie looks to Fiona concerned and whispers.
JOSIE (CONT'D)
Don’t get her excited!
Jodie shakes her head in reassurance.
Josie walks out, gently closes the door.
Fiona kneels beside Gran.
GRAN
Don’t crumple your lovely dress,
Fiona. Push me over to the bed
and sit. I have something for
you.
Fiona pushes the chair and sits next to it.
Gran holds a small, old, brown-leather pouch. She hands it
to Fiona with a shaky hand.
GRAN (CONT'D)
I want you to have this.
Something old for the day.
Fiona takes it and gives Gran a kiss.
Gran takes a long and noisy agonizing breath.
Fiona looks concerned as Gran waves her hands about as she
regains her breath.
GRAN (CONT'D)
I’m fine child, I’m fine.
FIONA
I will place this next to my
heart at the ceremony. Thank you
Gran.
GRAN
Open it child.
Fiona opens the pouch and carefully tips its contents in
her palm, revealing a small white ivory button, an old rose
gold diamond ring and a 1914 Airman Challenge coin.
Fiona looks to Gran speechless.
GRAN (CONT'D)
A token from your late
grandfather and myself.
FIONA
But Gran, you treasure these.
Gran extends her hand and picks the Challenge coin from
Fiona’s palm - her frailness noticeable.
2.
GRAN
This Airman Challenge coin was
given to your Gramp when he
joined the newly formed flying
squadron in 1914. His lieutenant
bought these personally and gave
it to his unit as a token of
friendship and unity.
She hands it to Fiona, who admires it.
FIONA
I never knew.
Gran outstretches her hand, Fiona moves her palm closer.
Gran picks the ivory shirt button and attempts a giggle.
GRAN
This was on your Gramp’s wedding
shirt. It was supposed to keep
his detachable collar in place.
Gran coughs as she begins to giggle.
Fiona grabs hold of her hand concerned.
FIONA
Gran! I’ll get mom.
Gran shakes her head in denial as she regains her breath
still with giggles, showing the button.
GRAN
This little devil didn’t want to
stay fastened. It popped right
off his shirt in the middle of
the ceremony; landing on the
pastor’s bible. The pastor was in
hysterics.
Fiona’s face lights up with a smile as she takes the
button.
FIONA
These are so precious Gran.
Fiona lifts the diamond ring.
FIONA (CONT'D)
Was this your engagement ring?
Gran nods as a tear rolls down her cheek. Fiona’s eyes
begin to well. She hugs her.
FIONA (CONT'D)
I’m sorry Gran.
3.
Fiona wipes her Gran’s cheek and kisses it.
GRAN
All good memories child.
Gran begins to cough and cannot regain her breath. Fiona
panics.
FIONA
Mom! Get in here quick! Gran’s in
trouble.
The door opens abruptly. Josie enters and rushes to Gran’s
side, checking whether the oxygen hose is kinked.
Gran has tears running down her cheek as she gasps for air.
She points to her ring finger as she tries to get Fiona’s
attention.
Josie runs out of the room yelling.
JOSIE
I’m calling an ambulance!
Fiona begins to cry as she takes hold of Gran’s forearm and
caresses Gran’s cheek with the other.
FIONA
Hang in there Gran. It will be
all right.
Gran still gestures to her ring finger.
Fiona finally notices and lets go of Gran’s forearm.
She makes sense of the gestures and places the engagement
ring inside Gran’s palm.
Enduring her pain and her lack of air, Gran manages to take
hold of the ring, clasping it between her fingers.
Fiona looks to the open door in a panic.
FIONA (CONT'D)
Mom! Hurry up!
Gran outstretches her free hand in search of Fiona’s.
Fiona realizes and places her hand in Gran’s.
Gran attempts to slide the ring on Fiona’s left ring
finger, Fiona helps.
Fiona looks to Gran’s pain stricken face and notices a
smile form on her lips, as Gran takes her last breath.
4.
FIONA (CONT'D)
Gran! No!
Fiona screams hysterically.
FIONA (CONT'D)
Mom!
Josie runs back in. Fiona is huddled over Gran sobbing
profusely.
Josie breaks in tears and kneels besides the chair, joins
in the huddle.
Sobbing overpowers the moment.
Josie finally straightens herself up, wiping the continuous
flow of tears off her cheeks. Fiona follows.
Both their mascaras have smudged half way down their
cheeks.
Fiona sits on the bed, Josie joins her.
Both, still in tears, look to Gran whose face appears at
peace with a small grin.
Fiona looks to the ring.
JOSIE
She was so looking forward to
giving you that today. She always
said it had to be on your wedding
day.
Fiona gently takes hold of her Gran’s hands and cups them,
placing her own left hand on top, revealing the ring.
FIONA
I’ll never take it off Gran.
Never.
Josie hugs Fiona. A moment passes.
Ambulance sirens (o.s).
5.

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©Elisabeth Dubois

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