Press Play Theater - Sandra Bullock & Thomas Thorn 9/11 WARNING: VERY DRAMATIC

joshuaanthonyL

16 Apr 201407:13

Summary

TLDRThe script is a poignant narrative of a person grappling with the aftermath of a tragic event, likely 9/11. It explores themes of loss, fear, and the struggle to find meaning in the face of senseless tragedy. The protagonist recounts a missed call from their father during the crisis, symbolizing the weight of unsaid goodbyes. The dialogue with a loved one reveals a tension between the desire for closure and the harsh reality that some things will never make sense. The script is a powerful reminder of the emotional complexities that arise from such life-altering experiences.

Takeaways

📞 A person is trying to reach their loved one during a crisis, highlighting the urgency and fear of not knowing someone's safety.
🏢 The script mentions being in a building during a disaster, suggesting a catastrophic event like the 9/11 attacks.
👨‍👦‍👦 A child receives messages from their father, who is trapped in a building, illustrating the emotional turmoil of such a situation.
😢 The child is unable to answer the phone when their father calls, showing the overwhelming anxiety and helplessness felt.
🕯️ The father's repeated attempts to reach out, asking 'are you there', underscore the desperation and the need for connection in a time of crisis.
🏠 The child's walk home from school and the discovery of messages reveal the sudden and life-altering impact of the event on a personal level.
😔 The script discusses the difficulty of dealing with loss and the struggle to find meaning in the aftermath of a tragedy.
🗣️ There's a conversation about the concept of an absent parent and the challenges it presents, indicating the long-term effects of the loss.
🌟 The dialogue about atoms and molecules, and the idea of a person's essence living on, reflects on the philosophical aspects of existence and death.
💔 The mention of an empty burial box and the struggle to say goodbye symbolizes the complexity of mourning and the search for closure.

Q & A

What is the setting of the script?
-The script appears to be set during or shortly after the September 11th attacks, as indicated by the repeated mentions of the date and the events described.
Why is the protagonist being told to stay where they are?
-The protagonist is being told to stay where they are because they are in a location affected by the September 11th attacks, and they are instructed to wait for the firemen.
What significant event is mentioned in the script that the protagonist did not share with anyone?
-The significant event that the protagonist did not share is their inability to pick up the phone when their father called from one of the buildings during the September 11th attacks.
How many times did the father's voice message say 'are you there'?
-The father's voice message said 'are you there' nine times, as the protagonist has counted.
What emotions does the protagonist express when discussing their father's death?
-The protagonist expresses a mix of fear, guilt, and sadness when discussing their father's death, particularly regarding the unanswered phone call.
Why does the protagonist feel lighter and heavier when leaving their apartment?
-The protagonist feels lighter because they are getting closer to their father's memory, but also heavier because they are moving further away from their mother.
What is the significance of the 'empty box' mentioned in the script?
-The 'empty box' signifies the burial of the protagonist's father, who perished in the attacks, without a body to inter. It represents the struggle to find closure and make sense of the loss.
Why does the protagonist argue with their mother about the truth?
-The protagonist argues with their mother about the truth because they believe that acknowledging the reality of their father's death, even if it's painful, is important for both of them to process their grief.
What is the metaphorical meaning behind the sun exploding in the script?
-The metaphor of the sun exploding refers to the sudden and catastrophic nature of the September 11th attacks, where the world continued to function normally for a brief period before the reality of the tragedy set in.
What does the protagonist mean when they say their '8 minutes with him are running out'?
-The '8 minutes with him' is a metaphor for the limited time the protagonist had with their father's memory before it fades, signifying the struggle to hold onto the past while moving forward.

Outlines

00:00

📞 Unanswered Calls of a September Morning

The first paragraph narrates a poignant story of a person trapped during the September 11th attacks, leaving messages for a loved one. The individual expresses concern for their safety, mentions being told to stay put for the fire department's arrival, and recounts their experience of walking home after school was dismissed early. A significant moment is the missed call from their father, who was in one of the buildings, and the subsequent guilt and fear that prevented them from answering his repeated attempts to connect. The paragraph ends with the realization that the father's voice on the answering machine is a lasting memory, despite the physical absence.

05:02

🌞 The Sun's Delay and Life's Sudden Darkness

The second paragraph delves into the aftermath of loss, with a focus on the struggle to find meaning and closure after a loved one's death. It contrasts the cosmic indifference, as exemplified by the delay in感知 the sun's explosion, with the abrupt and personal nature of human tragedy. The speaker grapples with the irrationality of their husband's death in the attacks, the emptiness of rituals like burying an empty box, and the difficulty of explaining death to a child. The narrative concludes with a metaphorical countdown, suggesting that the speaker's personal '8 minutes' of internal warmth and connection with their late father are fading, highlighting the ongoing process of grief and the search for understanding.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡September 11th

September 11th, commonly known as 9/11, refers to the date of the terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001. The script mentions this date as the backdrop for the story, indicating a personal and tragic connection to the events of that day. The mention of 'September 11th' sets the historical context and adds emotional weight to the narrative, as it is a day ingrained in collective memory for its tragic significance.

💡Answering Machine

An answering machine is a device that records messages for someone when they are unable to answer the phone. In the script, the answering machine becomes a poignant symbol of missed connection and regret. The protagonist's inability to pick up the phone when it rings represents a moment of fear and indecision, which later becomes a source of guilt and sorrow, as evidenced by the repeated messages from the father.

💡Absent Parent

An 'absent parent' refers to a parent who is not present or engaged in a child's life. The script uses this term to describe the father's perceived lack of involvement, which is a source of tension between the characters. This concept is central to the father-son dynamic and underscores the theme of missed opportunities and the struggle for understanding in the aftermath of loss.

💡Empty Box

In the script, an 'empty box' symbolizes the absence of a physical presence and the struggle to cope with loss. The burial of an empty box represents the family's attempt to find closure and a way to say goodbye despite the father's body not being recovered. This concept is tied to the broader theme of grief and the search for meaning in the face of tragedy.

💡Truth

The concept of 'truth' is central to the script's exploration of grief and understanding. Characters grapple with the harsh realities of death and the difficulty of finding meaning in senseless acts of violence. The father's belief that 'the truth will set you free' contrasts with the son's struggle to accept a world where truth and justice may not always be attainable, as seen in their discussions about the nature of death and the events of 9/11.

💡Bravery

Bravery is a recurring theme in the script, particularly in the context of facing one's fears and the unknown. The protagonist's inability to pick up the phone during the crisis highlights a moment of fear that contrasts with the idea of bravery. The script suggests that bravery is not just about physical courage but also about the emotional strength to confront difficult truths and memories.

💡Grief

Grief is a profound sense of loss and sadness, and it is a central theme in the script. The characters are dealing with the aftermath of losing a loved one, and their conversations reflect the complex emotions and stages of grief. The script uses the characters' interactions to explore how individuals cope with loss and the process of mourning.

💡Memory

Memory plays a significant role in the script as a way for characters to hold onto and honor their lost loved one. The father's memory is described as being present in the environment, symbolizing the enduring impact of his life and the way memories can provide comfort and connection even after death. This concept is integral to the script's exploration of how people maintain a sense of connection with those who have passed away.

💡Senselessness

The script grapples with the idea of 'senselessness,' particularly in relation to the events of 9/11. Characters struggle to find meaning or reason behind the tragedy, reflecting the human tendency to seek understanding in the face of chaos and destruction. This concept is a central part of the narrative, as it challenges the characters and the audience to confront the limits of comprehension and the nature of evil.

💡Survivor's Guilt

Survivor's guilt is a form of guilt some individuals feel after surviving a traumatic event when others have not. In the script, the protagonist's struggle with guilt is palpable, as he reflects on his actions during the crisis and the subsequent impact on his relationship with his father. This concept is woven into the narrative to highlight the emotional complexities and psychological aftermath of surviving a tragedy.

💡Closure

Closure refers to a sense of resolution or the ending of a difficult period or experience. The script explores the characters' quest for closure in the wake of loss, as they attempt to find ways to say goodbye and move forward. The burial of an empty box is a symbolic act of seeking closure, reflecting the human need to find peace and acceptance in the face of profound loss.

Highlights

A message on September 11th at 8:56 a.m. expresses concern and a need for reassurance.

The speaker recounts being told to stay put and wait for firefighters during a crisis.

A personal account of walking home from school on the day of the incident.

A missed opportunity to answer the phone, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

The phone rings repeatedly, symbolizing a missed connection and a moment of inaction.

A message left on the answering machine at 10:27 a.m. on September 11, filled with desperation.

The repeated question 'are you there' reflects a plea for connection and help.

The emotional weight of hearing the voice of a loved one in need and being unable to respond.

The description of the sounds in the background, including crying and helicopters, adds to the urgency and chaos.

A poignant moment of realization that every step away from home also brings one closer to the reality of loss.

A difficult conversation about the nature of an absent parent and the impact of their absence.

A heated debate about the meaning and presence of a deceased loved one, symbolized by an empty burial box.

A moment of clarity that the truth can be harsh but necessary for understanding and acceptance.

The speaker grapples with the concept of death and the permanence of loss.

A philosophical discussion about the nature of atoms and the dispersal of a person's essence after death.

A moment of frustration and the search for answers in the face of senseless tragedy.

A reflection on the idea that not everything in life has an answer or makes sense, especially in times of tragedy.

A metaphorical explanation of how the world continues to function even when disaster strikes, using the sun as an example.

The realization that the '8 minutes of light' with a lost loved one are running out, signifying the end of a period of denial and the beginning of acceptance.