Wadjda Page #11

FATIMA:

We were reading magazines and

that's all, but nothing like what

you mentioned.

(to Wajda)

Ask her!

Ms. Hussa taps her fingers on the folder on her desk, looking

at Wajda.

Wajda looks at the girls, who look at her confidently, sure

she will back them up. Wajda looks at Ms. Hussa, then looks

down uncomfortably.

WAJDA:

I'm not sure. I was standing far

away.

The girls gawk at her in disbelief. Wajda avoids their gaze.

Ms. Hussa looks at the girls, smugly. They stare at Wajda.

WAJDA (CONT’D)

Well, I was worried the men on the

faraway building would recognize me

because of my vest…

She pauses as Ms. Hussa looks at her with slight impatience.

WAJDA (CONT’D)

It's a very distinct vest.

54.

MS. HUSSA

I see. Thank you, that's enough. So

we may never know if they were just

painting their toe nails as they

said. There wasn't even any nail

polish.

Ms. Hussa looks accusingly at the two girls, then to Wajda

with a satisfied smile.

MS. HUSSA (CONT’D)

Wajda, thank you very much, you may

return to your class. Please take

this folder out to my secretary,

Ms. Jamila. And close the door

behind you.

Wajda takes the folder from Ms. Hussa and turns to leave. The

taller girls move out of the way so she can exit. They tower

over her, glaring as her tiny figure passes between them.

77 INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - DAY 77

Wajda stands in the empty corridor, staring at the folder in

her hands. She opens the folder and is about to read as the

conversation carries over from Ms. Hussa's office

MS. HUSSA (O.S.)

It's only a few words, just sign it

and we will all forget it.

FATIN (O.S.)

(almost crying)

No! We weren't touching each other!

The bell RINGS and the NOISE of OTHER GIRLS overwhelms the

scene. Wajda looks at the folder and back towards Hussa’s

office. She closes the folder and enters the next room.

78 INT. MS. JAMILA'S OFFICE - DAY 78

Ms. Jamila is by a cabinet. She looks at Wajda as she enters.

MS. JAMILA

Is that the competition folder?

WAJDA:

(handing it to her)

Yes, Ms. Hussa told me to give this

to you.

As she hands it over and leaves Ms. Jamila opens the folder.

55.

MS. JAMILA

Weird, the pages are empty.

79 INT. WAJDA'S ROOM - DAY 79

The FAJR prayer RINGS out. Wajda's Mother wakes her up,

tenderly.

MOTHER:

Wake up, little troublemaker, it's

time for school.

Wajda rubs the sleep from her eyes and looks over at the

bottle of blue nail polish next to her money-saving chart.

80 INT. BATHROOM - DAY 80

Wajda stands on a stool next to her Mother as they wash for

prayer.

WAJDA:

I saw girls on TV riding bicycles.

Why don't you give me the money to

buy it? I know you have money. I

saw it in the drawer.

MOTHER:

Here, girls don't ride bicycles.

You will not be able to have

children if you ride a bicycle!

WAJDA:

You don't ride a bicycle and you

can't have children!

Her Mother drops her towel on the floor, turning to Wajda in

anguish.

MOTHER:

How could you say that? I almost

died having you! Wash for prayer!

81 INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY 81

They put their prayer rugs in place and line up to pray.

WAJDA:

(provocatively)

I’m not going to school today. Go

ahead, marry me off.

56.

MOTHER:

You want to stay home? Fine. But we

are going to the mall for my dress

the second I come home today!

Water DRIPS from the faucet in the bathroom. The sound mixes

with the IMAM’S VOICE announcing the start of FAJR prayer

from the nearby mosque.

IMAM (O.S.)

Qad qamat Al Slalah

The mother gets ready and raises her hands up near to her

ears. Wajda follows.

MOTHER:

Allhu Akbar.

She moves her lips silently reciting the prayer.

82 EXT. FRONT OF WAJDA'S HOUSE - EARLY MORNING 82

Wajda's Mother rushes out of the front gate with all of her

supplies, followed by Wajda. The Mother looks up to see the

string of lights attached to their roof. She looks down at

Wajda, who looks away, still upset. Her Mother takes her

things and gets into the car.

MOTHER:

(indicating the lights)

We'll talk about that later.

Iqbal glares at Wajda. She sticks a finger under her nose,

indicating a mustache, reminiscent of Abdullah’s threat.

Iqbal hurries back into the car, spewing curses. The bus

jolts away, blowing gray smoke as they embark.

83 INT. WAJDA'S PARENT'S ROOM - DAY 83

Wajda opens several drawers in her Mother's dresser. When she

opens the top drawer she moves aside some clothes to reveal a

large wad of money. She flips through the notes, counting

them one by one. She contemplates the money for a while, and

looks over at her Mother’s almost empty closet. She puts the

money back, closes the drawer and leaves.

84 INT. THE KITCHEN - DAY 84

Wajda opens a small box underneath the cabinets next to the

oven and pulls out a ring holding all the house keys.

57.

85 INT. THE MAJLIS - DAY 85

The Majlis door is open with the key in its lock. Wajda sits

in front of her Father's nice, new TV with a game controller

in hand. The video game box is open and empty.

VIDEO GAME:

Choose the correct answer: Who are

the Sabians?

WAJDA:

The what?

She hits a button.

VIDEO GAME:

Incorrect! Try Again. Who are the

Sabians?

WAJDA:

Okay, mister..um...

She hits another button.

VIDEO GAME:

Incorrect! Try again. Who are the

Sabians?

Frustrated, she throws the console onto the floor.

WAJDA:

How am I supposed to know??

Suddenly, the doorbell RINGS.

86 INT. THE STAIRWAY LEADING UP TO THE ROOF - DAY 86

Wajda and Abdullah carry the bicycle up, both out of breath.

WAJDA:

I don't care if they memorize

everything. I'll be better! I'll

beat them all! I’m getting good!

Not wanting to argue, Abdullah pushes the bicycle upwards.

87 EXT. THE ROOF OF WAJDA'S HOUSE - DAY 87

Abdullah puts the bicycle down. Wajda sees that it has two

additional training wheels and gets angry.

58.

WAJDA:

What is this?

ABDULLAH:

It will help you learn. I need to

work on the lights. I can't push

you all day.

Wajda violently smashes the lights, stomping her feet.

WAJDA:

I can't recite and I can't ride! I

hate you. And…

She collapses to the floor, crying. Abdullah goes over to the

bicycle, takes off the wheels, then sits next to her.

ABDULLAH:

Here, I took them off.

Wajda doesn't move. He reaches into his pocket and takes out

some notes.

ABDULLAH (CONT’D)

I'll give you 5 riyals if you stop

crying.

With one hand covering her eyes, Wajda's other hand reaches

out and snatches the money. She puts it in her pocket, raises

her head and wipes her nose. She looks up at the ribbons on

the handlebars, swaying in the breeze.

She squares her shoulders, gets up and heads over.

88 EXT. IQBAL'S CAR - DAY 88

Wajda and her Mother ride silently in the back of the car. As

they pass the toy shop, Wajda sees The Owner talking to a man

and his son, right by her green bicycle! She can't hear what

they’re saying but can see that they’re bargaining.

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