1

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

FADE IN
1. EXT. BIDADARI CEMETERY - DAY
Mood shots of Angels statues.
DEATH, 25, SUAVE, walks- Motorcycle boots graze ground,
motorcycle helmet on head, ray ban shades covers eyes.
DEATH (V.O)
I bet youre wondering who this guy
is. Hes pretty cool right?
Death exits the rusty gates riding with SWAG.
The camera then cuts to a wide-shot revealing that he is on a
rusty bicycle. He rides out of frame.
OPENING TITLES: LIFE & DEATH A LOVE STORY.
2. INT. STUDIO - DAY
Death is seated on a chair, INTERVIEW STYLE.
DEATH
My name is Death. I guess its a
weird name to have..
2a. EXT. KAI HDB CARPARK - DAY
Death reaches his destination. He looks up at an old rustic
HDB block.
3. INT. KAIS HOUSE LIVING ROOM - DAY
Door is seen being unlocked from the outside. Death slowly
enters the vacant, cluttered house. His legs creep in slowly.
Shots of stove, sounds of gas escaping.
3a. INT. KAIS HOUSE BEDROOM - DAY
He enters bedroom, sees two bodies, passed out in front of
him. KENNETH, a man with a slight stubble is the first that
Death lays his eyes on. Second is XIAOLI, who lays on the
floor and looks serene. He realizes that their hands are
intertwined.
His eyes glisten and points his hands and the coupless souls
disintegrates into his hands.

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

DEATH
Kenneth. Xiaoli. Times up.
Bodies are left bare, lifeless.
Contented, he lets out a soft smile, heads to door.
4. INT. STUDIO - DAY
Death is seated - interview style.
DEATH
Thats right. You guessed it. Im a
grim reaper.
DEATH (CONTD)
I take souls and bring them for
judgement. Some will go to a better
place while others burn in hell for
eternity!
(Sneers)
Whats the big deal right? People
die everyday, I mean you could die
right here right now.
Death takes Cameramans soul. You can hear the cameraman
choking.
5. INT. STUDIO - DAY
LIFE, 25, BUBBLY, pretty, pure is seated.
style. She waves at camera.

Also interview

LIFE
Hello! My name is Life.
Im a life giver. And I love my
job! I heal the sick and bring life
to this world.
6. EXT. KAIS HDB CARPARK - DAY
An rustic old HDB stands before her. Life looks at LifePad, a
photo of KAI, 10, INNOCENT appears, indicating her case.
LIFE (V.O)
Each of us have a LifePad, the
screen comes on each time we have a
case. Oh my, look how precious this
boy is!

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

7. INT. KAI'S HOUSE BEDROOM - DAY

Deaths book flips- revealing a picture of Kai, he turns and
sees the boy.
Death takes a few steps closer to Kai. All of a sudden, Kai
lets out a soft choke, this startles Death. LIFE, 25, BUBBLY
bursts in, runs behind Death. He notices and turns to her..
DEATH
What are you doing here?
They look at each in SHOCK.
8. INT. STUDIO - DAY
INTERCUTS BETWEEN LIFE'S AND DEATH'S INTERVIEW.
DEATH (CONTD)
(curses crudely)
*Bleep* Theres something wrong
with the system again!
LIFE
(calm and professional)
This happens once in awhile. Both
departments are assigned to the
same case.
DEATH
And guess who are the two unlucky
idiots that have to fix it?
9. INT. KAIS HOUSE BEDROOM - DAY
They exchange looks of ANIMOSITY.
Both Life and Death turn to look at Kai. Life makes a go for
the boy. She suddenly freezes. Time stops.
DOMINIC, SUPERIOR OF DEATH DEPARTMENT appears behind Death.
Dominic smacks Death's head and Death says...
DEATH
B-b-oss? What are you doing here?
DOMINIC
You know what this is?

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

Dominic flips out record book to show all of Deaths past

failed cases.
DOMINIC (CONTD)
This represents your failure! All
the souls that you failed to take!
Last chance ah, you better take
this soul!
Dominic disappears.
10. INT. KAIS HOUSE BEDROOM - DAY
Life unfreezes and continues to make a go for Kai. Death
catches up and extracts Kai soul while Life tries to push his
soul back to his body. TENSION ensues and ABILITIES CLASH.
Life and Deaths hands suddenly MEET.. AN ELECTRIC SHOCK. All
of a sudden, a BIG BRIGHT LIGHT!
Kais soul is now detached from his body.
11. INT. STUDIO - DAY
INTERCUT BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
LIFE
Its ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY
UNDENIABLY forbidden for Life and
Death to touch..
DEATH
And now the boys soul is stuck..
LIFE
...Between Life & Death!
12. EXT. BOTANIC GARDENS PARK BRIDGE - DAY
Kai rises from ground.
Gotcha!

Life appears, embracing Kai.

LIFE

Death catches up and tries to go for the boy.

him.
Stay away!
die!

LIFE (CONTD)
Hes not supposed to

Life stops

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

Kai looks around, wondering.

KAI
Whats going on?

Kai looks confused.

Death scoffs.

DEATH
Were stuck in your past now,
Thanks to little miss perfect over
here.
Life throws him a look.
CUT TO INTERVIEWLIFE
How typical. 10 seconds into Kais
memory and hes already insulting
me.
The trio suddenly hear GIGGLING off-screen. They turn to
look: a SCHOOLBOY and a SCHOOL GIRL (both about 16) run
across a bridge. The boy teases the girl. She chases him.
Life points at the young couple.
LIFE (CONTD)
Aww! Those are your parents, Kai.
This is before you were born.
Before you were given Life.
Kai steps in further to look at the couple.
Young Xiaoli suddenly stops. Young Kenneth corners her. He
holds her hand and stares lovingly in her eyes. She looks
away shyly.
Life goes all warm and fuzzy inside.
Awww.

LIFE (CONTD)

Death GAGS, disgusted.

Oh please.

DEATH
Theyre way too young!

Life throws him a look.

Life & Death Draft 35

LIFE
Its young love.
innocent.

23rd Feb 2016

So sweet, so

DEATH
Ya, young love... dangerous and
foolish.
LIFE
You? What do you know about romance
anyway? Youre Death.
DEATH
What do you mean I dont know
anything about romance? Dont you
know what they call me? The Romeo
of the Death Department.
Life bursts out LAUGHING.

She SNORTS.

LIFE
You? Romeo? Oh please. Look at
yourself! How can he be Romeo?
She BURSTS into LAUGHTER at her own joke.

She SNORTS.

The young couple starts making out. Everyone stuns.

quickly covers Kais eyes. Death SNEERS.

Life

DEATH
You can still call that sweet and
innocent?
Life GULPS and shuts the boys eyes. Death SNEERS even more.
Life is obviously annoyed by his sneers.
The young couple is really making out now. They are making a
lot of NOISES. Death rolls his eyes. Life attempts to cover
Kais ears now.
DEATH (CONTD)
Cant you see? Its plain LUST!
Life throws him a disgusted look.
LIFE
You disgust me!
She grabs the boys hand and runs off.
Death suddenly feels Dominics breath on him.

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

DOMINIC (V.O)
Listen, if you dont get me the
soul, I will throw you to the
deepest pit of hell!
Death gulps. A voice inside his head plays:
DEATH (V.O)
Oh yeah... The abortion memory!
He runs after Life and Kai.
13. EXT. KK HOSPITAL - DAY
Death runs and he spots Young Kenneth and Young Xiaoli. They
are fighting outside. Life and Kai are watching from the
side. Young Xiaoli is now pregnant.
YOUNG KENNETH
I cant handle having a child at
18!
YOUNG XIAOLI
This is all your fault!
irresponsible

So

Death SWAGGERS up to Life and Kai with a smirk. Life

immediately forms a wall in front of Kai, shielding him.
DEATH
(gloats)
You see! You see! I was right!
Didnt I tell you this was gonna
happen?
Life ignores him. Death LAUGHS.
DEATH (CONTD)
Look kid, your birth was a
mistake! Youre an accident. They
didnt even want you!
Life shoots him a look. How can he say something so mean?
Kai is getting increasingly upset.
CUT TO YOUNG KENNETH AND XIAO LI:
YOUNG KENNETH
Thats why I said- get rid of it!
YOUNG XIAOLI
Im not getting rid of my baby!

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

CUT TO LIFE, DEATH AND KAI:

DEATH
(yells at the couple)
Yeah get rid of it! Whats so good
about living? Life is miserable!
Its painful.. Its Depressing...
CUT TO INTERVIEWLIFE
Death may think hes winning by
accessing this memory but no. Its
not over yet.
CUT BACKTO HOSPITALDEATH
(Turns to Life)
Death sometimes is the answer you
know.
Life shakes her head.

Kai is crying now.

LIFE (CONTD)
If he didnt live, he wouldnt get
the chance to taste ice cream,
chocolate or even cotton candy..
Death rolls his eyes, and walks away.
LIFE (CONTD)
(cuts him)
Or do all the fun things of being
alive.. Like the joy of loving...
someone.
Death stops.
LIFE (CONTD)
You dont understand life because
you simply dont know Love.
A beat.
LIFE (CONTD)
No wonder no one likes you.
It hits Death in his heart. Her words resonate with him.
She turns and walks away. Death watches them walk away. He
looks dejected. He turns to exit.

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

14. EXT. BOTANIC GARDENS SWINGS - DAY

Death enters. Xiaoli and Kenneth are on a bench Xiaoli is
holding BABY KAI in her arms. They look blissful.
Life and Kai are also sitting on a black swing nearby. Life
is trying to comfort the boy as he eat a stick of cotton
candy. A cotton candy stand is nearby. Death notices them
from a safe distance. All of a sudden, Death feels alone.
KAI
They look so happy.
Life smiles.
LIFE
So you feeling better now?
Kai nods.
Death.

He notices that Life is stealing glimpses at

KAI
You know I thought both of you were
boyfriend and girlfriend.
LIFE
What? Me and Death? Eww!
KAI
I think hes quite cool.
LIFE
Death? Cool?

CUT TO INTERVIEWLife looks nervous and uncomfortable. She is hiding

something.
LIFE (CONTD)
There was something different about
Death when I first met him..
Life cups her mouth immediately. She is revealing too much.
CUT BACK TO BOTANICLife steals a look at him. He is adjusting his hair, unaware
that they are talking about him.
KAI
I think he likes you.

10

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

LIFE
Dont talk nonsense. Even if he
likes me, I wont like him back.
Kai finishes his cotton candy.
KAI
Can I have more?
(plays cupid)
LIFE
Of course.
(Refers to Death)
Scream if he comes close to you.
She gets up and walks to COTTON CANDY MAN. On the way, her
LifePad buzzes. It is LILAS.
LILAS (THROUGH LIFEPAD)
You like him dont you?
(teasingly)
LIFE
Lilas! What are you even saying?
LILAS
Ive never seen you like this
before! The way you argue with
him.. So much passion! C-mon Life,
lets get real.. It is what it is!
And what it is is that You like himLife becomes undeniably defensive. She hangs up on Lilas.
CUT TO DEATH: he hears tiny footsteps approaching.
up. Kai is standing across from him.
DEATH
One step closer and Ill take your
soul!
Kai takes a step closer. Death is surprised.
KAI
(shakes his head)
No, Im not scared of you. And you
know why? Its because Life said
that deep down inside... youre a
good person.
DEATH
(surprised)
Really? She said that?

He looks

11

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

Kai nods.
KAI
I think she likes you.
Death is surprised.
cool.

He then snaps back to himself, acting

DEATH
Well too bad I only date hot
girls..
KAI
I think shes pretty. If I were old
enough, I would marry her.
Death stares at her. Her hair flying in the wind.
glistens. She does look pretty.

Her smile

KAI (CONTD)
Shes too shy to ask you but she
wants to buy you ice cream.
DEATH
(stunned)
Really? Nobody has ever bought me
ice cream before..
KAI
She doesnt know which flavour you
like. Are you a Chocolate kind of
guy or Strawberry kind of guy?
*Pauses*
I think youre a Vanilla kind of
guy!
Death is not sure at first.
Just go.

KAI (CONTD)

Death gets up, straightens himself up, gives Kai a fist bump
and walks over to Life. Life returns from buying cotton
candy, she sees him. She reacts in horror.
LIFE
Wheres Kai?! What have you done
to him?!
DEATH
What do you mean?
over there.

Hes standing

They turn to look: Kai is gone.

12

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

15. EXT. YISHUN TOWN PARK - DAY

Death rushes to his bicycle while Life realizes she is
vehicle-less and runs to Death and his bicycle. She swiftly
hops on.
DEATH
Get off my bike!
LIFE
No. We find him together.
DEATH
(roll eyes, sighs)
Youre such a pest.
Life wants to hold Deaths waist but she knows that she
cannot. Death puts on his shades and they both ride away.
QUICK MONTAGE OF LIFE AND DEATH ON BICYCLE. Transition from
Fantasy greenery to rustic environment.
LIFE
Your bike doesnt feel very
stable..
DEATH
Shut up.. Its vintage. Its cool.
LIFE
Are you sure were even going the
right way?
DEATH
Yeah yeah, I know a short cut,
dont worry.

16. EXT. ALLEYWAY - DAY

Life and Death cycle past an alley. They come into contact
with a death department duo, 1248J and 432K. The duo approach
Life and Death.
1248J
Look what we have here..
432K
Brad, Angelina and their puny ride
1248J
What petrol does it need?

13

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

432K
Diesel? GAYsoline?
The Death Department duo start to laugh hysterically. Life
then tries to make a comeback, noticing their pudgy tummies.
LIFE
Hey guys, you know cycling reduces
belly fat. You should try it. Or
maybe youre expecting? Let me
guess.. 7 months? 8 months?
Deaths eyes widen as he is impressed that life came up with
a smooth comeback.
DEATH
No, I think theyre due. Guys well
take you to the hospital right now!
Life and Death attempt to hi-five each other, but stop when
they realize they cant touch.
Angered, 1248J flips out a dagger and punctures Deaths
bicycle tire. The duo leave Life and Death, warning them.
Death glares at Life who blushes due to her smart mouth. They
are both stranded on a deflated bicycle.
Bicycle being pushed by both Life and Death.
LIFE
Where are we going?
DEATH
To fix my bicycle that YOU broke.
Death and Life continue to bicker as they leave.
17. INT. DEATHS GARAGE - DAY
Death whips out a new tire and fixes it on his bicycle.
LIFE
I apologize for that.. I was just
trying to defDEATH
You dont have to. Im used to it.
LIFE
They always pick on you?

14

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

DEATH
All the time. I guess you could say
Im not my bosss favorite.
LIFE
Death.. If you dont mind me asking
why is that so?
He looks up and catches her looking at him in a compassionate
way. He realizes he is revealing too much about himself and
he accidentally screws the nail wrongly..
DEATH
Damn it! Look what you made me do!
Just shut up and let me fix my bike
in peace.
Deaths raised voice shocks Life, and she understands that
this is something he does not want to talk about. Life sees
Death struggling to fit the tire back in and she helps him.
DEATH (CONTD)
Just leave it.
Life gets dirt on her face and lets out a small smile. Death
wants to help her but he knows he cant touch her.
CUT TO INTERVIEWLIFE
I could tell Death didnt bring
others here often. That made me
feel special. I never knew a grim
reaper could be so gentle and
sensitive.. *long pause* I guess I
was wrong about him.
CUT BACK TO GARAGE- They both turn awkwardly away from each
other.
18. INT. KAIS HOUSE LIVING ROOM - DAY
DEATH (V.O.)
Where could Kai be? Weve searched
everywhere!
LIFE (V.O)
Theres one place we havent
checked yet.
The door opens to reveal the messy house- the loansharks have
gotten here.
Thud! There is a sound coming from the bedroom.

15

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

LIFE (CONTD)
(whispers)
Hes in there!
They creep in and find Kai once again in the bedroom.
All of a sudden, Kais parents and Kai burst in the house in
cold sweat. They start to shut the windows, put wet towels on
the gap of doors and switch on the gas.
FLASHBACK KAI
Ma? Pa? What is going on?
XIAOLI
I want you to take a nap ok Kai,
mama lay out blanket for you
already.
Xiaoli signals Kai to head to bedroom. Kai, Life and Death
proceed to the room and watch from the door. They see as the
Kai from the past lies in bed, parents laying in opposite
corner. Kais soul starts to weep as he sees this..
Kai then cups his head, being traumatized by memories of the
suicide.
Death sees Kais pain and quietly closes his eyes. Life sees
Deaths unexpected gesture - he is bad at hiding things. He
takes out his BROWN BOOK, flips to the end..
CUT BACK TO KAIS ROOM- Death pushes an EMERGENCY BUTTON
hidden within it...
19. EXT. BOTANIC GARDENS LUSH FIELD - DAY
Life, Death and Kai arrive in a flash at a lush field.
Kai from the past plays with a colourful windmill. Kenneth
and Xiaoli sit on a blue, plaid picnic mat, with a marvelous
spread of tuna cans and white bread- whatever they can
afford.
KAI
Ma and Pa used to bring
every weekend...

me here

Kai sees his parents laughing and having a good time- a

complete parallel of the stressed, anxious, dark eyed parents
he saw now.
KAI (CONTD)
They used to be so happy..

16

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

Dominic appears and his resounding voice snaps Death back to

his mission.
DOMINIC (V.O)
Time is up! TAKE HIS SOUL!
Death takes this chance to take Kais soul. He approaches
closer.
DEATH
Kai! Times up.
Kai turns and gives out puppy dog eyed look to Death, he
hesitates. Dominics voice resounds saying time is up.
Kai starts to tear, his head turns back to the sight of his
parents- they look at each other with love. Deaths hand
approaches closer.
KAI
(suddenly)
No! I want to live!
Both Life and Death are caught by surprise.
DOMINIC
TAKE HIS SOUL NOW OR I WILL BANISH
YOU!
Death is torn. His eyes then sharpen and he approaches Kai,
with his right hand ready to take his soul.
DEATH! NO!

LIFE

She wants to pull him back but she cant. His hands are
raised, Kais eyes start to close.
LIFE (CONTD)
Death, please!
Death looks at Life. He remembers the moments they spent
together. He lowers his hand at the last moment. Dominics
voice resounds once again.
DOMINIC
1314D you have failed.. Failed..
Death then drops in pain to the ground and Life rushes to his
side.
LIFE
Death? Whats happening?

17

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

DEATH
Goodbye Life...
LIFE
Why... why didnt you do it..
Death reaches out to Life.
DEATH
Thats because..I..
LIFE
Dont go, Death...
DEATH
When Im with you, I can be myself.
I lived. Thats love, isnt it?
LIFE
Yes. Thats Love.
DEATH
So you see. I do know a thing or
two about romance.
Death, I..

LIFE

Before Life can say anything, Death bravely kisses Life. She
is shocked. Death sheds his last black tear and
disintegrates, making Life kiss into thin air.
Times up.

DEATH (V.O.)

Life sits alone in the lush field. The camera jibs up to the
sky.
20. INT. KAIS HOUSE - DAY
Kai chokes, his eyes open and he rises from bed.
Life is beside him and smiles at him but Kai cannot see
because he is alive.
Life exits house.
21. EXT. KAIS HDB CARPARK - DAY
Life is seen walking away. Her monologue plays. Shots of
clouds, to show time has passed.
Life sees Deaths bicycle, alone and still. She sighs as her
lover has been banished.

18

Life & Death Draft 35

23rd Feb 2016

LIFE (V.O.)
I never expected to learn about
living from a grim reaper. Death
taught me that Life isnt all about
good times but also bad times. Kai
had a happy ending in case youre
wondering. A sweet old lady adopted
him and now she treats him like her
own son.
Shots of Kai and the Ah Ma that adopted him.
LIFE (V.O.)
As for myself, I know better things
are ahead. Thank you Death for
teaching me all this things.
She moves on, turns back to give a smile to the camera,
signifying she will be fine.
The End.