.

Introduction

1. DAYTIME, ALONG A TREE-LINED AVENUE

In a better part of town, along a relatively quiet business street, passes a handsome young man (Thomas ~25 years old) in a wheelchair. One can see the strain on his face as he moves fairly quickly down the street against oncoming traffic. As a car approaches, he is unable to exit the street, due to the tree-lined avenue and is unable to escape to the safety of the sidewalk. He decides to accelerate, in order to make it behind an upcoming tree. Unfortunately for him, the curb is too high and an accident ensues. Thomas is thrown from the wheelchair to the base of the tree, and is momentarily knocked unconscious.

2. IN FRONT OF A CLOTHING STORE

An attractive woman, Sandra, of similar age, steps out of the shop just as the accident occurred and sees everything. She immediately runs to him, kneels on the ground beside him and caresses his cheeks with her hands. Looking up from his bruised and battered face, he regains consciousness and they look into one another’s eyes.

SANDRA

Are you all right?

--------------------------------------------
In the foreground: CREDITS
In the background: the motionless, yet blinking face of the young man.
--------------------------------------------
The film continues/ begins with a scene prior to the accident.

3. AT THOMAS’ APARTMENT, IN THE AFTERNOON

Thomas lounges in bed, watching TV, with a large platter filled with several desserts: puddings, frosted bars, whipped cream, ice-cream cones and various candies. The phone rings.

THOMAS

Hello? –yeah? – class? On Friday – what do you think!– Okay. - No, I’ll meet you at your place. I won’t forget the books. Yep, later today –

Thomas grinned

THOMAS

– see you soon.

Thomas leaps up, packs his books into his book bag, and goes out the door.

4. IN FRONT OF THOMAS’ APARTMENT, OUTSIDE

Thomas rides his bike a few kilometers and applies the brakes hard in front of a small store for orthopedic appliances. He tosses the bike and enters.

5. INSIDE THE ORTHOPEDIC STORE

THOMAS

Heeeellllloooooooo?

STORE CLERK ADRIAN

I’ll be right there.

A disheveled, but pleasant man in his 50s appears.

ADRIAN

Not you again, Thomas.

Thomas gives him a begging puppy look.

ADRIAN

Nope! Not today. There’s no way!
You don’t know what you’re asking of me. Someday, you’re going to break it, and then who’s gonna pay for it?
There’s no way you’re going to . . . !

Thomas has already snagged the wheelchair, and left.