By Thomas Caterer
This film is available to watch at the Yanagi Studios YouTube channel –
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtQoNe4Caf12D62lP_s0gww
EXT. FOREST – CLEARING – DAY
The leaves of the trees are green and gold. There is a wide clearing in the forest. The Princess is dressed in an elegant white dress, and white shoes. She wears a white tiara upon her head. She looks at peace.
The Princess walks into the forest, and moves gracefully among the trees.
Two large skeletal claws tread upon the leaves, turning them dry and grey, as the feet move across the clearing all life and colour are drained, like blood drained from one’s face.
Death is tall, winged, and skeletal, horns are risen from his head, and he is shrouded all in black, a hooded cloak, and scythe in hand. He is the classic image of the grim reaper. Eyeless.
Death follows the Princess.
The Princess turns around, her face turns to terror, and she begins to flee, with Death following at full flight behind her.
EXT. FOREST – AMIDST THE TREES – DAY
The Princess runs from the pursuing Death. Her dress tears on the branches and, in panic, she throws the shorn pieces away.
EXT. FOREST – LAKE – DAY
The Princess comes out of the trees, and finding a lake, approaches it. She turns back to face Death on the other side from her. She moves to the edge of the lake and then tentatively removes her shoes and places her feet into the lake.
Death approaches the lake.
EXT. FOREST – CLEANING – DAY
The Princess is on the floor of the same clearing as before. She is soaked and shivering. Her hair sticks to her face, she is panting.
EXT. FOREST – LAKE – DAY
Death is at the edge of the lake. He looks at his reflection. Lifting a skeletal hand to his face, he caresses his cheek. It crumbles into dust and falls into the lake. He holds his hand out in front of him and studies the scene before him with curiosity but not terror.
EXT. FOREST – CLEARING – DAY
The Princess rises from the ground. She is drenched from head to toe. She approaches an old, gnarled tree and sits beneath it. Death is staring at her from the opposite side of the clearing.
The Princess adopts a meditation stance, her hands resting atop her knees, which she rests herself upon. Her eyes are closed. She meditates and then slowly opens her eyes, her expression is peaceful.
She sees Death standing on the opposite side of the clearing, a piece of his face missing. He approaches and with a determined look, she moves towards him too. They both pause when they meet in the middle.
The Princess lifts a hand to Death’s face. She caresses him, he lets out a wail, and moves his face into her hand.
The Princess kneels down and then Death lowers himself to rest his head in her lap, as she gently caresses him and a gentle yet joyful and rising piano begins to play.
THE END
Yanagi Studios 