Day Of Truth

DAY OF TRUTH

by Hannah Winter

INT. MIDDLE CLASS HOME - MONDAY, 5:20am

A family is seated around their large dining room table, with eggs, toast, and other breakfast items on various platters.

MOTHER

You have to eat.

DAUGHTER

I’m not hungry.

MOTHER

Well on a day like today, you have to. You could get sick.

The Mother wears a dark knee length dress with a blazer on top. Her hair always slicked back into a professional bun. The Father is in his usual suit and tie.

The Son continues to messily scarf down his food.

FATHER

(speaking to the Son)

And YOU will get sick if you keep eating like a starving street rat.

SON

(Mouth full of food)

I’m not risking getting sick like last year. I’m eating a shit load before we-

MOTHER

Language!

SON

Just sayin’.

The Son’s hair is a mess and he spills bits of egg on his sweats as he eats. The Daughter sits silent and stoic in her school uniform. She was up all night. It was the nerves.

The Son turns to look at his sister next to him.

SON

But Mom’s right, you’re definitely gonna wanna eat that soon. Unless you wanna be blowing chunks while-

MOTHER

STOP with that kind of talk at the table! Especially in front of your sister right now.

SON

Hey, she might as well know the harsh reality, right? That’s what today is all about, isn’t it?

The Daughter reluctantly begins to nibble on her toast, then the family’s attention turns to the TV. A news channel jingle plays before returning it’s focus to the countdown on that has been up on the screen. There are 10 minutes remaining. Below the countdown are the words “Until the Day of Truth Commencement”. Father turns his attention away from the screen and looks at the daughter.

FATHER

I remember my first Truth Day.

DAUGHTER

What was it like?

FATHER

Well, granted I wasn’t as young as you, the starting age used to be 18. Not 13. But I was just as nervous, no doubt about that. I had this Professor that I hated, and I mean HATED. This guy just didn’t like me for some reason and never gave me a good grade no matter how hard I worked, and I had his class on the Day of Truth that year.

The daughter’s demeanor turns from nervous and quiet to interest in her Father’s story.

DAUGHTER

Weren’t you scared that you would say something?

FATHER

Oh sure, I was petrified. I walked to class that morning, worried out of my mind about what was going to happen or what I would let slip. I made sure I sat in the back of that lecture hall and put my hood up hoping he wouldn’t look my way, or ask any sort of questions I wouldn’t have the power to avoid.

DAUGHTER

So what happened?

FATHER

Well, he of course yelled at me to put my hood down, and I froze. So when I didn’t take it down he asked me how I had the audacity to disrespect his authority, and you know what I said?

MOTHER

Honey, we don’t need-

FATHER

I said “because you’re a f**king jerk!”

SON

Woah, who knew Dad actually had balls!

MOTHER

Language! Please.

The daughter lets out a small laugh and cracks a smile.

FATHER

But you know what. That Professor pulled me aside after class and told me that I had great potential and was one of his smartest students. I couldn’t believe it. He said was too harsh on me in the past, and I’ll be darned, he gave me an A. That’s what Truth Day is all about, sweetie.

DAUGHTER

Swearing at your teachers?

MOTHER

No, baby, your father is being silly. What he means is that this day is about true honesty. As you know, 4 decades ago after the second Civil War, our government created the Day of Truth as a way to get the American people to be open and honest. About everything.

SON

(turning to his sister)

But for people like me Sis, it’s called “just another day” because y’all know I’m a fuckin’open book.

Mother swiftly kicks the Son under the table and resumes speaking.

MOTHER

Our nation was crawling with bad people sweetie. People who conspirisized and lied, sparking the attacks on our own government, and causing distrust amongst neighbors and Officials alike. The serum changed all of that.

Mother stands up from her seat and exits the dining room. She returns a few seconds later with a small wooden box in her hands. She sets it on the table and opens it up. She takes out a small glass bottle filled with a dark blue liquid and places it on the table. She then takes out 4 individually packaged needle syringes, and slides one to Father, Son, and Daughter.

FATHER

There is nothing to be afraid of,honey. This is a good day.

MOTHER

Unless you have something to hide.

SON

Like that Truth Day a few years back when I asked you where babies come from?

Mother is about to chastise her son when the countdown on the TV reaches zero. A siren goes off outside the home, playing throughout the entire town like a storm alert.

MOTHER

Okay everyone, it’s time.

Mother, Father, and Son begin to unwrap their syringes, and dip them into the glass bottle of blue liquid. The Daughter quickly follows, filling her syringe with the serum. She watches as her family begins to tie rubber material bands around their left forearms.

FATHER

Remember how to do it sweetie?

SON

How could she forget, you’re only taught how to do it, I dunno... 500 times in school?

DAUGHTER

I can do it.

The screen transitions to a view of a man sitting at a desk, an American flag positioned behind him. He is holding a syringe of his own, already filled with the blue serum.

PRESIDENT

My fellow Americans: I am proud beyond words to be leading the commencement of the 40th annual Day of Truth. A day of honesty. A day of a united loyalty. A day of raw truth.

SON

(scoffs)

He is so full of shit, we all know he takes a fake serum.

MOTHER

SHH!

PRESIDENT

To all new participating citizens, congratulations and thank you for doing your part as our nation’s shining youth on this important day. Now, let the Day of Truth begin.

The President takes his syringe and plunges it into his forearm. As he does this, Mother, Father, and Son do the same, pressing down until all the liquid is gone. The Daughter hesitates, then follows their lead, wincing a bit as the needle makes contact.

SON

Aaaaand done. Can I go back to bed now?

MOTHER

Very well. As long as you are up in an hour to drive you and your sister to school. On time.

DAUGHTER

(visibly nervous)

How um... how long does it take for the serum to work?

FATHER

(Smiling at Daughter)

Only a minute or two sweetie. Your mother and I have to go to work soon, we have a busy day of interviews to conduct, as you know.

The Daughter pauses in thought for a moment.

DAUGHTER

Dad? Do you and mom ever feel…bad about reporting what people say on this day?

Mother reaches for Father’s hand next to her and they look at each other smiling.

FATHER

Of course not, honey. Because it’s all the truth. For you kids it’s simply a learning opportunity; to not keep secrets and practice honesty. But once you all grow up and become working members of society, honey, it’s our duty to our country and this government to report the truth. No matter who it comes from. No more fabricated news or secrets! That’s what keeps us safe. It’s what needs to be done.

The Daughter looks at her feet under the table and nods her head in response.

FATHER

But we will want to hear ALL about your first Truth Day at dinner tonight. Okay?

DAUGHTER

Okay.

Father gives his Daughter one last reassuring smile, then him and Son exit the room, leaving Mother and Daughter alone at the table.

MOTHER

I am so proud of you darling. This really is a good day.

The Daughter does not respond and stares at the prick mark on her arm. In the background, you can hear the President closing out the Live commencement program.

PRESIDENT

Here’s to the 40th splendid holiday, America. And remember, the truth ALWAYS comes out.

FADE TO BLACK.

TO BE CONTINUED.