PRICE OF DISSENT | Script

63

[FADE IN]

EXT. GARDEN ENTRANCE

- NIGHT -

CONTINUOUS

ANGLE ON: AIYUE'S HAND

AIYUE's fingers lightly trace the edge of the pond, creating small ripples in the water. Her thoughts are heavy, but her resolve is clear.

AIYUE

(Quietly) "I wish I could do more. But in my position, I am limited—a performer, an ornament in their eyes. My influence is... delicate."

SHIXIANG

(Firmly) "Your influence is greater than you know, Aiyue. Your words, your art—they speak truths that others are too afraid to voice. You inspire change in ways that I cannot."

CLOSE-UP: AIYUE'S FACE

AIYUE looks up at SHIXIANG, her eyes searching his, finding comfort and strength in his words. There is a moment of shared understanding, a bond that goes beyond mere words.

SHIXIANG

(Gently) "We are far stronger together, Aiyue. Whatever the future holds, know that you are not alone in this fight."

AIYUE

(Softly) "Nor are you."

WIDE SHOT: AIYUE AND SHIXIANG

They stand close, the space between them shrinking as the connection they share deepens.

SHIXIANG

(With intensity) "One day, Aiyue, we will see the world we dream of. A China where the people are free from oppression, where justice and fairness reign."

AIYUE

(With quiet hope) "And until that day, we will do what we can, in whatever way we can."

CLOSE-UP: HANDS

Their hands brush against each other, fingers intertwining in a subtle, but significant, gesture of solidarity and affection.

ANGLE ON: THE POND

The water in the pond reflects the night sky, the surface disturbed only by the occasional ripple from a falling leaf. It is a mirror of the world above—a world full of dreams and possibilities.

AIYUE

(Whispers) "We must be careful, Shixiang. The world outside this garden is not as kind, nor as forgiving."

SHIXIANG

(Firmly) "I know the risks, but I would face them a thousand times over if it means standing by your side, working towards the future we both long for."

CLOSE-UP: AIYUE'S EYES

Her gaze softens, her resolve deepening. She knows the risks, the dangers that come with their connection, but in this moment, all that matters is the shared belief that binds them together.

WIDE SHOT: THE GARDEN

The camera pulls back to show the garden in its entirety, a secluded oasis that shelters their burgeoning relationship from the harsh realities of the outside world.

AIYUE

(Gently) "Shixiang..."

Before she can finish, SHIXIANG steps closer, his gaze intense but tender. There is a moment of hesitation, a final pause before they cross the threshold into something deeper.

SHIXIANG

(Softly) "Aiyue, I..."

He doesn't finish his sentence. Instead, he leans in, closing the distance between them. AIYUE responds, her eyes fluttering shut as their lips meet in a passionate kiss, one that speaks of all the unspoken feelings between them.

CLOSE-UP: KISS

The kiss is tender yet filled with a deep longing—a culmination of their shared dreams, fears, and hopes. It is a moment that solidifies their bond.

WIDE SHOT: THE GARDEN

The camera captures the two figures locked in an embrace, the garden around them a silent witness to this forbidden connection. The moonlight casts a gentle glow over the scene, adding to the sense of intimacy and serenity.

SHIXIANG AND AIYUE PULL APART

They pull apart slowly, their foreheads resting against each other. The world outside the garden feels distant, irrelevant. All that matters in this moment is the connection they have forged.

AIYUE

(Breathlessly) "Shixiang, we must be cautious. If anyone were to find out about our plan..."

SHIXIANG

(Reassuringly) "I will protect you, Aiyue. Whatever happens, I will be there."

They stand in silence, the weight of their reality settling in. The garden, once a sanctuary, now feels like a fragile bubble that could burst at any moment, exposing them to the dangers they know are all too real.

[FADE OUT]