Pedestalia
SCENE 1 – THE PEDESTAL
INT. GALLERY – EVENING.
LUCAS and AMARA (late 20s) walk through a modern art gallery. Lucas trails a few steps behind, letting Amara lead, his eyes constantly on her. She’s absorbed in the art, confident. He’s quietly overwhelmed, as though she belongs in this world and he’s just a spectator. They stop at a sculpture of a female figure on a pedestal.
LUCAS
(under his breath, to himself)
That’s you. Untouchable.
Amara doesn’t hear him. She moves on to the next piece. Lucas lingers, staring at the sculpture like it’s something divine. He steps closer, instinctively reaching out to touch it but pulls back at the last second.
SCENE 2 – THE WORSHIPPER
INT. AMARA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT.
Lucas is cooking dinner while Amara works at her laptop. He sets the table, placing her plate first, meticulously. Everything is arranged perfectly, but he eats standing at the counter, as though he doesn’t belong at the same table.
Amara glances up, noticing his absence at the table, her expression curious but not judgmental. She doesn’t say anything, but there’s a flicker of something—maybe recognition of the imbalance.
SCENE 3 – THE CRACK
EXT. CARMEN'S ROOFTOP – NIGHT.
CARMEN is lying on the rooftop, looking up at the stars. LUCAS sits beside her, tense. She notices his distraction, the weight on his shoulders.
CARMEN
(staring up)
You ever wonder if you’re the one putting her up there? I mean, she never asked for it, did she?
Lucas stays quiet. Carmen doesn’t push, just lets the silence settle.
CARMEN
You don’t have to sit at her feet. You can stand next to her.
Lucas shifts, uncomfortable with the thought.
SCENE 4 – THE SHIFT
EXT. AMARA’S BALCONY – MORNING.
Amara is sitting cross-legged on the balcony, reading. Lucas joins her with two mugs of coffee. This time, he doesn’t hesitate. He sits next to her, handing her the mug without ceremony.
They sit in silence for a moment. Amara glances sideways at him, as if noticing something different in his posture.
AMARA
(surprised)
You’re quiet today.
Lucas shrugs, but there’s something new in his gaze—he’s seeing her, not the idea of her.
LUCAS
I don’t need to fill the space anymore.
Amara nods, as if sensing the unspoken shift in him. They sit there together, on the same level, sharing the morning.
SCENE 5 – THE RECKONING
INT. AMARA’S STUDIO – NIGHT.
Amara is painting, deeply focused, her brushstrokes deliberate and strong. Lucas watches from the doorway, but this time there’s no distance. He steps into the room, watching her work. He moves closer, but not to admire. He picks up a brush.
LUCAS
(muttering)
I can never get the colors right.
Amara stops, watching him for a beat, then nods toward a blank canvas.
AMARA
Then start. What are you waiting for?
Lucas stares at the blank canvas, feeling the weight of it. He hesitates, but something shifts in his posture. He makes a deliberate stroke. Amara goes back to her own work, unfazed by his presence.
SCENE 6 – THE PEDESTAL BREAKS
EXT. CITY PARK – DAY.
Lucas walks ahead of Amara this time, talking animatedly about an idea he has for a project. He’s confident, his energy different now. Amara watches him, a small smile on her face.
They reach a park sculpture, similar to the one in the gallery—a female figure on a pedestal. This time, Lucas doesn’t pause. He walks past it without a second glance, as though he’s stopped idolizing it. Amara follows, noticing his shift, but saying nothing. The pedestal is just another piece of the scenery now.
SCENE 7 – GROUND LEVEL
INT. AMARA’S STUDIO – NIGHT.
Lucas and Amara stand side by side, both working on separate canvases. No hierarchy, no worship. Just two people creating in the same space.
Amara glances over, noticing his relaxed demeanor. There’s a quiet mutual respect between them now—unspoken but present.
AMARA
(smiling)
I’m glad you’re here.
Lucas nods, continuing his work. The pedestal is gone, and all that’s left is the shared moment.
FADE OUT.