PRICE OF DISSENT | Script

11

[FADE IN]

INT. PAVILION - CONTINUOUS

The pavilion is an architectural marvel, with high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and walls lined with delicate screens that allow the evening breeze to flow through. At the center, a large circular area is reserved for the performers and speakers, with the audience seated around it on silk cushions.

WIDE SHOT: THE GATHERING

AIYUE, a renowned poet and musician, enters the pavilion, accompanied by two attendants. She is dressed in an elegant robe of deep blue, embroidered with silver patterns resembling waves. Her hair is adorned with simple, yet exquisite, jade pins. Her entrance causes a subtle stir among the guests; whispers ripple through the crowd, acknowledging her presence.

CAMERA FOLLOWS AIYUE as she gracefully moves toward her designated seat at the edge of the performance area. She acknowledges the nods and greetings from various officials with a calm smile, exuding both grace and confidence.

ANGLE ON: SHIXIANG

SHIXIANG, a young scholar, enters the pavilion soon after. He is dressed in a scholar's robe, modest but finely tailored, appropriate for his station. His expression is serious, reflecting his sense of duty.

He notices AIYUE's entrance and pauses for a brief moment, his gaze lingering on her before he continues to his seat, not far from where she is seated.

CLOSE-UP: AIYUE AND SHIXIANG

As SHIXIANG takes his seat, he glances in AIYUE's direction. Their eyes meet for a brief, yet significant, moment.

There is a silent exchange— an acknowledgment of each other's presence, and perhaps a hint of curiosity. AIYUE's expression remains serene, though her eyes hold a quiet intensity.

HOST'S VOICE (O.S.)

(Grandly) "Welcome, esteemed guests, to this evening's gathering, a celebration of the arts and the intellect that define our great city of Bianjing."

ANGLE ON: HOST ZHANG

The HOST ZHANG, a high-ranking official with an air of authority, steps into the center of the pavilion. He is an older man, well-dressed, with a commanding presence. He raises a hand for silence, and the murmurs of the audience quickly fade.

HOST ZHANG

(Proudly) "Tonight, we are honored to witness the talents of some of our finest poets and musicians. Let this gathering remind us of the beauty and wisdom that sustain our empire."

WIDE SHOT: THE GATHERING

The audience applauds politely. The atmosphere is one of refined enjoyment, where every gesture and word is measured, steeped in tradition and decorum.

HOST ZHANG

(Continuing) "Our first performer is someone who needs no introduction. Miss Aiyue, whose reputation as a poet and musician precedes her, will share with us her latest work."

CLOSE-UP: AIYUE

AIYUE stands, acknowledging the introduction with a graceful bow. She steps into the center of the pavilion, where a zither is placed on a low table. As she prepares to play, the audience falls into an expectant silence.

AIYUE'S PERFORMANCE

AIYUE begins by playing the zither, her fingers moving deftly across the strings. The melody is haunting, filled with an undercurrent of melancholy that seems to resonate with the evening air. The music weaves through the pavilion, capturing the attention of every guest.

CAMERA PANS ACROSS the audience, capturing their reactions—some are moved, others contemplative, but all are captivated by the music.

ANGLE ON: SHIXIANG

SHIXIANG listens intently, his focus entirely on AIYUE. There is a subtle shift in his expression—what begins as admiration deepens into something more complex as the music unfolds.

CUT TO: AIYUE'S RECITAL

After a moment, AIYUE begins to recite her poem, her voice clear and steady, each word deliberate and charged with meaning.

AIYUE

(Reciting) "Beneath the golden surface lies a stillness,

A river trapped by the weight of complacency.

Where once the waters flowed with purpose,

Now they languish, bound by unseen chains."

Her words hang in the air, and a ripple of unease passes through the audience. The tone of the poem is unmistakable—a critique of the current state of the Song empire, veiled in poetic language but clear enough to those who listen closely.

CLOSE-UP: GUESTS

The camera captures the reactions of several guests—some exchange uneasy glances, while others maintain a facade of calm, though their expressions betray their discomfort.

ANGLE ON: HOST ZHANG

The HOST ZHANG's smile falters slightly, though he quickly recovers, maintaining his composure. He nods approvingly, though there is a tightness to his expression.

AIYUE

(Continuing) "Beneath the still waters, the depths churn,

Unseen currents pulling toward an unknown fate.

Will the dam hold, or will it break,

Releasing the torrent that lies in wait?"

The tension in the pavilion is palpable. AIYUE's words, though carefully chosen, strike at the heart of the complacency that many in the room are complicit in maintaining. Yet, she delivers them with grace, her voice unwavering.

CLOSE-UP: SHIXIANG

SHIXIANG's eyes narrow slightly as he listens. He understands the gravity of her words and the risk she takes in speaking them. There is a moment of recognition—AIYUE is not just a performer; she is a voice of dissent, a kindred spirit in the struggle for truth.

WIDE SHOT: AIYUE FINISHING HER RECITAL

AIYUE's performance comes to an end, the final notes of the zither lingering in the air like a ghost of the melody that has just been played. She bows deeply to the audience, her expression serene, even as she knows the impact her words have made.

ANGLE ON: THE AUDIENCE

The audience responds with polite applause, though it is clear that AIYUE's performance has left many of them unsettled. The applause is respectful, but there is an undercurrent of tension, a recognition that something significant has just transpired.

HOST ZHANG

(Recovering his composure) "Thank you, Miss Aiyue, for that moving performance. Truly, your talent continues to inspire us all."

AIYUE returns to her seat with the same grace with which she performed, her expression calm. But as she sits, she exchanges a brief, meaningful glance with SHIXIANG. The connection between them is clear—a shared understanding, a mutual recognition of the challenges ahead.

[FADE OUT]