The Orchestrated Rain

Episode 1

For others, our lives are simply stories.

The scene: a lecture hall of a classical 20th century college. The illumination is poor, as the large and sophisticated chandelier hanging from the ceiling obscures most of its own light. Heavy, made out of redwood tables are pendently arranged, adding to the stuffed, dense atmosphere. On the front wall, a large blackboard is hanging, filled with diligent writing, as if done by a robot, sophisticated formulas, and notations.

Open on the same page, books are lying on the desks. Raws of backpacks carefully placed near students' tables indicate that lectures are not over for the day -- it is break time. The luxurious auditorium inspires calming, elevating feelings. It makes one want to be quiet, to think about higher matters and slowly, weighing every word, discuss them.

Two children are standing by the blackboard, dressed in a strict black and white uniform: a young tenderly looking girl and a tall slender boy with a piece of chalk in his hand. The girl's face shows gentile, accurate features that make one think that she would grow up to be a beautiful woman. She already appears to be of an independent, self-proud type, with one and only one aspect betraying this image. The eyes, the big green eyes. Instead of cold self-confidence and will that one would expect, -- that would complete the profile, -- they show fear and sadness. A deep, adult sadness.

Trying to these emotions the girl closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, almost invisible from the side. It seems she is about to do something she long since wanted -- wanted with all her soul -- but also, what she was afraid of the most. She starts to shiver. The girl puts the right hand on the chest, and from under the black college jacket takes out a small red object. Now visibly shivering, as if it got very cold here, the girl extends her hand with the object, that is gently pulsating on a palm, and offers it to the tall slender figure.

The boy slowly lowers his eyes. Unchanged, with no hint of emotion he examines the object in a manner that a professional doctor examines a new patient. The girl looks at him with her eyes wide open, trying to hide her fear no more. She desperately wants to know what he is thinking. But moments pass, nothing changes. The Sharp, angular features of a young man remain frozen. His gaze, sharp like broken glass, pierces through the girl's hand and disappears somewhere in his own world. His thoughts, his... feelings remain a mystery.

Suddenly, a cold blue light enters the classroom from the open door. The light seems artificial. Its clarity and barely noticeable fine structure contrast everything else in the room. It is so clearly alien to this place, to this time. The light attracts the boy's attention, making his eyebrows rise with interest. The girl however does not react. The light is invisible to her or she chooses to ignore it as unimportant. She is still waiting. But the boy already forgot about her and her, now slowly, beating offer. He starts towards the light. A moment later, he disappears in the doorway. Girl's hand slowly falls. Her eyes grow darker, together with the room. She does not cry, at least not out loud.

The scene grows dim and ends.