The Silent Song

written by
Emily Chang

Screenwriting Honors
CTD Equinox 2015
8-6-15

INT. ROXY'S TOUR BUS - NIGHT

CU OF ROXY'S COMPUTER
A YouTube video begins to play, and a teenage girl, 16,
appears on the screen. She's standing on a stage in front of
millions of people. The drummer behind her counts off, and
the song begins, to the delight of the screaming fans.
As the song continues to play, we see ROXY DILLON, worldfamous singer, with coal black hair and eyes that pierce,
watching it. She hums along, her voice matching perfectly to
the video.
HEATHER DILLON, Roxy's mom, a small, petite lady, enters the
room, which we now see is part of a tour bus. She holds a
bottle of water and a purse.
HEATHER
How's your set coming along?
ROXY
Alright. I think I've got it. I'm
really excited for this show.
HEATHER
Me too. You've got quite a crowd
today: 18,000 are coming to Madison
Park. That's almost the max
capacity! What's on your set?
ROXY
Do I have to pass it by you every
time I change it? And why do I have
a feeling you're not going to like
it?
(she sees her mom's face)
Ugh, fine. I've got my power
ballad, my first single, my two uptempos, my pump up song-HEATHER
--You're right, I don't like it. I
keep telling you not to do your
pump up song! It's a very hard
song, and you're straining
yourself.
Heather sets the water bottle down and begins rummaging
through her purse, pulling out tickets and backstage passes.

2.
ROXY
No, I'm not. I've been singing that
song for almost a year, and am I
dying? No.
HEATHER
Don't talk like that, you know how
anything could happen. I just don't
want you to keep doing that hard
song.
ROXY
I can do what I want, it's my
concert!
HEATHER
You belt that entire song. Can't
you at least sing it in mix?
Heather picks up an old tissue from her purse and throws it
out.
ROXY
Oh no, no, I see what this is
about. This is about how you can't
sing opera anymore, isn't it. This
is why you don't want me to do that
song: because of what happened to
your voice.
Heather looks up from her purse, setting it aside.
HEATHER
Look, it just scares me when you do
the belt-y thing all the time. That
song is rough on the vocal cords.
And about the opera thing, I'm only
trying to protect you. I don't want
you to have to go through the same
thing I did. Rox, I blew out my
voice.
ROXY
I know, you've told me the story,
but I'm not you! I've worked hard
to get to where I'm at. I didn't
emerge as a child-prodigy...I
worked my way up with my talent.
That's enough proof to me that I
can sing this song without losing
my voice.

3.
HEATHER
And yet, we are the same! We both
started as kids, doing what we
loved. But this was the age when I
lost it. I guess I'm just paranoid
it will happen to you, as well, and
I want you to understand how much
it will kill you to lose it.
ROXY
Mom, I won't lose it. I promise.
But I'm still going to sing that
song...I guess I can sing it second
instead of last.
(to please)
Then my voice won't be AS tired as
it would be if I sang it at the
end. Fine. Happy now?
Roxy flops down on her bed, picking at the comforter.
HEATHER
I--I...fine. Yes, I'm happier. Now
go get ready, you've got an hour
till showtime.
Heather exits, and Roxy opens her computer again. She plays a
different video this time, and watches it for a minute. The
Roxy in the video sings an acoustic ballad, and hits the
chorus.
Just as she does, her voice cracks, making a horrible
croaking noise.
Real-life Roxy quickly shuts the video and finds another one.
Video Roxy is singing the pump-up song, and we fade into
real-life Roxy singing the same song in Madison Square
Garden.
As Roxy sings, we see the audience. Thousands of teens,
adults, and kids gather in the Square, cheering and singing
along with her.
Suddenly, Roxy's voice begins to falter. Her voice cracks and
becomes hoarse. She tries to keep going, but when she moves
her mouth nothing comes out.
She grabs her throat in sudden pain and collapses. Medics
carry her offstage in seconds.
INT. ROXY'S BEDROOM - DAY

4.
SUPER: FOUR WEEKS LATER
Roxy, looking small and depressed, sits on her bed, picking
at the bedspread. She closes out a video, which we see was
the Madison Square Garden disaster. She finds a new one.
She clicks
local deaf
"VOLUNTEER
DEAFNESS NECESSARY.

play, and an ad pops up for volunteer work at a

center. Roxy pauses on the ad and reads it:
OPPORTUNITY! COME DROP BY THE HENDERSON CENTER ON
3444 DUNDEE ROAD. NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
COME TO LEARN AND HAVE FUN."

Roxy ponders it, then quickly x's out of it just as Heather

walks in.
HEATHER
Roxy, honey. It's gorgeous weather
right now, do you want to get ice
cream?
ROXY
No thanks. I'm going to stay here.
HEATHER
You should really get up and about.
I know this has taken a toll on
you, but you've sunken into
depression!
ROXY
Well yeah, I'm depressed. How could
I not be? Singing was my life, and
now it's gone. What else can I do?
HEATHER
Well you shouldn't give up on life,
that's for sure. Come on...let's
go!
ROXY
No. I'm not going. I'd also like
some peace and quiet, so if you
could leave, that'd be great.
HEATHER
Excuse me? Did you just tell me to
leave?
ROXY
Yes, I did, Mom. I want to be
alone.

5.
HEATHER
You know, sitting here every day,
doing nothing but picking at that
dreaded comforter and staring at
your computer, won't fix anything.
ROXY
Well neither will going out.
Everyone will recognize me, and
then I have to face it once again
that I'm not who I was just a
couple months ago.
HEATHER
But you can't stay here forever.
Rox, I understand exactly how
you're feeling. I went through the
same thing-ROXY
Oh please. Don't compare me to you
for the millionth time. I know what
you went through. I don't need to
hear it again.
HEATHER
Roxy Dillon.
(sighs)
It hurts me, to see you sitting
there, depressed. It really sucks.
You know, there are nights when I
lie in my bed, blaming myself for
what happened to you. Thinking what
I could have done to deserve this.
A second time. What I did wrong. I
bet you never thought how I feel,
did you? I am hurting too.
ROXY
I know you are. Look, it's not your
fault. I didn't listen to you, and
I threw away my fucking voice. It's
all my fault. Just blame me.
HEATHER
I'm not asking you to blame
yourself, and watch your language.
I just want you to see that you're
not alone. Please.
ROXY
I understand that. But now will you
please LEAVE me alone?

6.
HEATHER
My god, Roxy. It's the summer! Find
a summer job, or some volunteer
work you can do. Something that
will help you get out of this funk
you're in. This is only going to
make you feel worse.
ROXY
I don't want to work. And I am very
comfortable right here thank you
very much.
HEATHER
I give up. I give up! Fine, if
that's what you wanted. But I want
to see you out of the house.
Tomorrow. And no questions or
complaints. You are getting out.
ROXY
You can't force me to do that. You
can't force me to do anything.
HEATHER
Don't you see what you're doing?
This is the exact conversation we
had the concert you lost your
voice. Will you knock some common
sense into that brain of yours and
wake up? Tomorrow. Out. No
questions.
Heather leaves, closing the door. Roxy curls up on her bed,
annoyed.
Then, she pulls out her laptop and searches for the Henderson
Center on Deafness.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Roxy walks along a busy road, earbuds in, carrying a purse
and a print out of the volunteering ad.
She approaches the deaf center but backs away, doubting
herself.
She doesn't get a choice though - as a petite woman, MRS
HENDERSON, ushers Roxy inside.

7.
MRS. HENDERSON
Hi! Welcome to the Henderson Center
on Deafness! Are you the person who
responded to our volunteer ad?
I am.

ROXY

MRS. HENDERSON
It's so nice to meet you. I'm Mrs.
Henderson, but you can call me Mrs.
H. We love volunteers, and since we
just lost two of our staff members,
we really love them now.
Roxy lets out a small laugh, surprising even herself.
MRS. HENDERSON (CONTD)
And you are?
ROXY
Roxy Dillon. And I don't know sign
language.
A glimpse of recognition flashes across Mrs. Henderson's face
at the name, but she quickly hides it.
MRS. HENDERSON
Oh, that won't be a problem. I can
teach you easily! And I'm sure the
kids would love to help out as
well.
ROXY
Thanks for the offer, but I don't
even want to be here. My mom made
me come, so I could get out of the
house.
MRS. HENDERSON
Don't worry about it! Sometimes
mom-motivation is just what you
need.
Just as Roxy is about to speak again, a 12 year old girl,
BELLE, runs up to Mrs. H. She sees Roxy, and her eyes widen.
BELLE
(signs)
Is that Roxy Dillon?!
MRS. HENDERSON
(signs back)
Yes, it is.

8.
BELLE
(signs, excited)
I can't believe it! I never thought
I'd get to see her again!
MRS. HENDERSON
Oh, Roxy. This is one of our oldest
students here, Belle. She's 12. She
lost her hearing just two years
ago.
(hesitant)
She was a huge fan of yours. You
inspired her to write music. She
still tries to, although
it's...hard.
Belle stares up at Roxy, awestruck, and Roxy, genuinely,
smiles down at her.
ROXY
I can't imagine what it would be
like to lose your hearing,
especially after you had it for so
long.
MRS. HENDERSON
I suspect you might actually know
exactly how that feels.
Mrs. Henderson walks to her desk and grabs a form before Roxy
can ask her any questions.
MRS. HENDERSON (CONTD)
Just fill this out, and you'll be
good to go.
ROXY
I'm really not sure about this...
MRS. HENDERSON
Hey, come on. I know what happened
to you, but your mom is right.
Getting out of the house will be
good for you. It already has been.
Mrs. Henderson smiles a knowing smile as Roxy reluctantly
begins to sign the form.
MRS. HENDERSON (CONTD)
I look forward to seeing you
tomorrow. We'll start the sign
language lesson then.

9.
Suddenly, Belle appears by Mrs. Henderson's side and signs
something.
MRS. HENDERSON (CONTD)
Oh, and Belle says she'll be happy
to help teach you.
(to Roxy privately)
She's a very sweet girl. Just give
the kids a chance, and I promise
you won't regret it.
Roxy gives in, and lets a smile onto her face. Belle seems to
already be infecting Roxy with joy.
INT. DEAF CENTER - DAY
BEGIN MONTAGE:
-- Roxy and Mrs. H sit across from each other, Mrs. H
demonstrating different letters in sign language. Roxy
imitates them, studious and determined.
-- Mrs. H teaching in a classroom as Roxy walks in, signing
something to some kids who run up to her and hug her.
-- Roxy having her first long conversation in sign language
with Belle, who is giggling at Roxy's attempts to contort her
hand.
-- Roxy and Belle, grinning at each other, signing back and
forth successfully.
END MONTAGE.
EXT. DEAF CENTER - DAY
Roxy tosses a ball back and forth with some kids, seemingly
distracted.
Belle bounces into view, running to hug Roxy. Roxy lets the
ball go, hugging her back. The other kids join in, and soon
it's a dog-pile on top of Roxy.
She tickles the kids, and they scream and yelp with laughter.
Mrs. Henderson walks out just as the kids are jumping and
burying Roxy beneath them all.
Mrs. Henderson smiles a knowing smile, turns on her heels,
and walks back into the center, satisfied.

10.
INT. DEAF CENTER CLASSROOM - DAY
A new day, Roxy walks into the classroom, greeting Mrs. H and
some of the kids. Belle runs by Roxy, holding something
behind her back.
Roxy sits down at a desk, rummaging through some alphabet
cards and math sheets as Mrs. H comes over.
MRS. HENDERSON
Good morning! You know, I've been
meaning to let you know that I
really appreciate all this help
you've been giving me. It's the
summer, and you could be doing many
other things than helping me out
here. Thank you.
Roxy smiles.
ROXY
Oh no, Mrs. H, it's totally fine. I
love it here. It distracts me from
everything else. The center has
actually helped me, a lot.
MRS. HENDERSON
Well I'm glad. Oh, and the kids
wanted to show you something, so
you better get in Classroom 2. It's
a surprise, for the both of us.
INT. CLASSROOM 2 - CONTINUOUS
Roxy sits down on the floor next to Mrs. H where the kids are
standing in a clump in the corner.
One by one, the kids file out, and split to reveal Belle. She
is holding a picture of her and Roxy from three years ago.
Belle runs up to Roxy and holds out a pen.
BELLE
(signs)
Will you sign it, please?
Shock registers on Roxy's face, she pushes Belle's hand away
and gets up to leave. Mrs. H is suddenly in front of Roxy,
guiding her back to Belle, but Roxy ditches her grasp and
runs out of the classroom.
Belle looks as if she is about to cry, but runs after Roxy
instead.

11.
EXT. DEAF CENTER - CONTINUOUS
Belle stops Roxy just as she is leaving, and Roxy tries to
push past her.
BELLE
(a little slow in
speaking)
I didn't mean to hurt you! I'm
really sorry. It's just a picture!
She gets no response from Roxy, who has slipped back into
shutting everyone out.
BELLE (CONTD)
I've looked up to you since I was
little! You're my inspiration.
Roxy is still unresponsive, but she stops walking. She turns
to Belle, about to say something, but doesn't and begins
walking again.
Belle finally gives up on stopping Roxy, but quickly slips
the photo into Roxy's back pocket before running off back to
the school, where Mrs. H watches sadly.
INT. ROXY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Roxy sits on her bed, angrily picking at her comforter.
She gets up and thumps to the kitchen, where her mom is
cooking.
HEATHER
Why are you so thump-y today?
ROXY
I'm never going back.
What?

HEATHER

Roxy's mom stops chopping fruit and goes over to Roxy.

ROXY
Yeah, I said I'm not going back to
that center. I'll be down for
dinner in a little bit.
Roxy stomps back upstairs, as Heather shouts.

12.
HEATHER
Change your clothes and put them in
the wash. We can talk at dinner.
INT. LAUNDRY ROOM - NIGHT
Heather sits, scrolling on her phone as the dryer tumbles. It
stops, and she takes out the clothes.
A crumpled photo sits among the dry clothes, and Heather
picks it up, looks at it. She leaves the clothes and quickly
runs upstairs.
INT. DILLON'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A cute, rustic set up, with cozy looking furniture and a
wide-screen TV. Roxy watches it, slumped on a couch.
Heather appears, holding the photo. She shows it to Roxy,
waiting.
When Roxy realizes what picture it is, she just slumps more
and turns away, turning the TV on louder.
Heather sighs, puts the picture on the couch next to Roxy,
and is about to leave.
HEATHER
Honey...this little girl. Where did
you get this?
ROXY
She must have slipped it in my
pocket or something. She's at the
deaf center.
HEATHER
Well then you can't quit! There's
got to be someone you care enough
about there. You can't let them
down. You just got out of your
funk. Don't let it come back.
Loss...reveals something.
Opportunity, I guess you could say.
Take it. The photo...and the
opportunity.
Roxy shuts off the TV, taking the picture. She stares at it
as her mom exits. Roxy gets up, runs up the stairs, and into-

13.
INT. ROXY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Roxy flops on her bed, still looking at the picture. She
opens her laptop and finds a YouTube video, one from the same
concert the photo was taken at. She watches herself sing, but
doesn't get emotional this time.
She sets the photo down and grabs her bag, slipping it in to
pack for the next day.
EXT. DEAF CENTER - DAY
As Roxy walks in the center, some of the kids stare while
others cheer. Mrs. Henderson appears, and sees Roxy.
MRS. HENDERSON
You came back.
ROXY
I did. And I'm here for good.
MRS. HENDERSON
What made you change your mind?
ROXY
There were too many people here I
cared about, enough not to let them
down.
Mrs. Henderson smiles, and Belle runs up behind Roxy,
tentative. Roxy hands Belle the signed picture, and Belle
beams.
INT. SMALL STAGE/DEAF CENTER - CONTINUOUS
A small stage, complete with a thin red curtain and folding
chairs. Roxy and the kids are sitting in the chairs, and some
kids, including Belle, run off behind the stage.
MRS. HENDERSON
Welcome to our talent show! I am so
pleased to present some of the best
talent we have here at the Center.
With no further ado, enjoy the
show!
Roxy grins, clapping.
The lights dim and cheesy music begins to play as the
curtains open.
BEGIN MONTAGE:

14.
-- BOY 1 steps out with scarves and juggles them. Another BOY
comes out as well, and begins juggling rings. Soon, the boys
begin partner juggling, ending in a flourish.
-- A GIRL walks onstage holding a board with a bulls-eye on
it. She also carries a bow and arrow. She begins to set it
up, but Mrs. H hurriedly rushes, alarmed, onstage and ushers
her off.
-- 3 GIRLS come out, and do a series of gymnastics tricks and
moves. They fly around, doing somersaults and aerials.
END MONTAGE.
Last, Belle walks out holding a piece of paper. She stands
center stage and begins signing the words.
BELLE
(signing)
Things in life are not easy. They
don't come in little fortune
cookies, telling you to count your
lucky stars. Things in life are not
happy. They push you down even in
your darkest times. Things in life
are not nice. They kick you over
and over again. And things in life
are not slow. They come and go as
fast as a blink of the eye. But
things in life are precious. If you
hold on to them long enough, they
will never ever leave.
Belle looks out at the audience, and shifts her gaze to Roxy,
who has happy tears in her eyes. Belle breaks into a smile
and hops off the stage to hug Roxy.
INT. DEAF CENTER - DAY
Roxy sits at a desk, rummaging through papers and flashcards.
Suddenly, Belle runs up to Roxy, in tears.
ROXY
What's wrong?
BELLE
I can't--I can't-ROXY
You can't what? What's wrong?
BELLE
I can't hear them anymore!

15.

Who?

ROXY

BELLE
My melodies. My music. When I lost
my hearing two years ago, I
promised myself I would never
forget how they sound, and so
everyday when I wake up I sing them
to myself.
ROXY
And now you can't hear them
anymore?
BELLE
Last week I started not remembering
the last few notes, and as the week
went on, I lost more and more.
Today, I woke up and was about to
sing them, but I couldn't remember
anything. I forgot them. I forgot
them!
ROXY
Belle, honey, it's okay-BELLE
No, it's not okay! What am I going
to do? My music...the one thing I
had left that connected me to it is
gone now.
Belle breaks down, and Roxy pulls her into an embrace.
ROXY
Hey, hey there. I understand how
you feel.
You do?

BELLE

ROXY
I do. When I lost my voice, it was
so sudden, I didn't get a chance to
think about it. I didn't get a
chance to change it. You lost your
music in the same way, in the blink
of an eye. But-BELLE
But you can sing again, can't you?
You haven't lost your voice
forever, right?

16.
ROXY
No, no. I can't sing again. If I
do, it makes a horrible sound and
it will just make my nodes worse.
I'm sorry.

BELLE

Roxy frowns; she seems to hear herself talking.

ROXY
Funny...this is the same thing my
mom...
Roxy's face begin to light up; she realizes her mom was
right. Belle is still looking at Roxy, teary-eyed.
Roxy shakes the feeling.
ROXY (CONTD)
It's okay, but this isn't about me.
I want you to know that you're not
alone. I've gone through the same
thing you did. I lost my music. And
neither of us can get it back. I'm
here, for you.
BELLE
Thanks, Roxy.
Belle smiles, then suddenly gets up.
BELLE (CONTD)
I need to finish something. You
better be here tomorrow...I have a
surprise for you!
INT. DEAF CENTER - NEXT DAY
As soon as Roxy sets down her bag, Belle appears, holding
something behind her back. It's a piece of paper.
ROXY
What's that?
BELLE
The surprise. I've been working on
it a while. I almost stopped
yesterday, when I woke up without
my melodies, but you made me
realize I couldn't let you down.
You helped me, so it's my turn to
help you.

17.
ROXY
What do you mean?
BELLE
Well, you've been my inspiration
for so long, and seeing you all
depressed isn't making me happy. So
I thought up a way you could still
have music in your life.
ROXY
You did? What is it?
This.

BELLE

Belle holds up the piece of paper.

It has an empty music staff. Underneath the lines are words:
lyrics.
ROXY
Is this...for me?
Duh!

BELLE

ROXY
You wrote these lyrics for me? Why?
BELLE
So you can write your own music.
It's time you create your own
melodies, and write them down.
Instead of, you know, singing.
ROXY
Oh, Belle. I--I really don't know
if I can do this...
BELLE
I know you can, Roxy. You've done
so many amazing things in your
life, and you can add this to your
list!
ROXY
I--Wow. This...Belle, thank you.
Roxy kisses Belle on the cheek.

18.
ROXY (CONTD)
The only problem is...I've only
sung music. I have only a little
bit of an idea how to write it.
BELLE
Well lucky for you, I know. I'll
teach you. It's really simple,
actually. You just let a melody
start writing itself, and it
carries you through the song.
ROXY
You'd do that? For me?
BELLE
Of course. Rox, you're my bestest
friend, ever. I want you to be
happy.
ROXY
You're the best, Belle. But I--I
have to go. I promise I'll come
back, but I need to go. Now.
Roxy gets up and exits, leaving Belle confused.
EXT. ROAD - CONTINUOUS
Roxy walks down the street, away from the center. When we see
her face, she has tears in her eyes.
INT. DILLON HOME - CONTINUOUS
Roxy runs in the house and straight into her mom.
HEATHER
Roxy? Oh my gosh, what's the
matter? What happened?
ROXY
Nothing. Nothing bad. I just...I
need some time.
HEATHER
Will you tell me what happened?
ROXY
Belle, the girl in the photo you
found, gave me a piece of paper I
could write my own music on.
(MORE)

19.
ROXY (CONTD)
But it was too much...I started
remembering who I was before, and I
felt the depression coming again,
tugging at me. I--I don't know-HEATHER
Shh, honey, shh. Roxy, Roxy look at
me. I still feel the depression.
It's not going to go away. But you
can make it as small as possible.
And the writing music thing. That's
amazing. You can bring music back
into your life, with just a pencil
and a piece of paper. Do you
understand?
ROXY
Yeah, yeah I think I really do. You
know, today I was talking to Belle,
comforting her, and I realized I
was turning into you. I literally
said the same things as you told
me. But I realized you were right.
All along. I'm sorry, Mom. I
should've listened.
HEATHER
I'm glad you finally got through to
that brain of yours. It's a smart
one. And you will become me. It's
your destiny.
Roxy laughs, and is about to escape to her room when her mom
hugs her. Roxy, relaxing, hugs back.
INT. ROXY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Roxy sits on her bed, watching old YouTube videos. She
reminisces, tapping her foot to the beat. Her pump-up song
comes on, and she stares long at the screen before shutting
it.
Roxy takes out the piece of paper that Belle gave her, and
slowly unfolds it. She picks up a pencil and writes a single
note on the page. Her hand shaking, she writes another one.
A single tear drops on the note, and smears it, but as we see
Roxy, it's not a sad tear.
Roxy stares at the paper, and a smile breaks onto her face.

20.
INT. WALMART - DAY
Roxy and Heather roll a dilapidated shopping cart down the
aisle labelled, "MATTRESSES/BEDSPREADS".
Roxy scribbles away in a notebook, while Heather runs her
hand along the different comforters.
HEATHER
What about this one?
Roxy looks up briefly from her notebook, which we now see is
a filled with sheet music.
Huh?

ROXY

HEATHER
This comforter. What about this
blue one? It matches your pillows.
ROXY
I don't care.
HEATHER
Yeah, you really don't. You shred
them all, anyway.
ROXY
It's a habit.
HEATHER
It's weird.
ROXY
Well you have weird habits, too!
HEATHER
Ohh, like what?
ROXY
I--I don't know. Whatever. It helps
me relax, and think.
HEATHER
Whatever you say.
Mother and daughter share a glance, then break into laughter.
ROXY
I love you, Mom.
HEATHER
I love you, too.