Script a dialogue between two people, with contrasting viewpoints, on an issue that divides generations.
Written by: Aceton Low (3F 2023) – Awarded Gold
Scene 1: The Conditions
Pierce, a Singaporean queer adolescent, enters the living room in an array of high-fashion couture with a full face of makeup on. Ahma, an old soul with a killer peril for opinions, lays down on the couch watching Korean soap operas.
—
Pierce: I’m heading out Ahma, would you like me to 1dabao anything home?
Ahma: No need.
Pierce nods and walks towards the metal gate of their HDB.
Pierce: Alright. I’ll be back by 10 okay?
Ahma: Stop.
Pierce turns around and locks his eyes with Ahma’s – her eyes filled with displeasement.
Pierce: Yes, Ahma?
Ahma gawks at Pierce’s apparel, throwing “silent judgement” daggers at his demeanour.
Ahma: You’re going out looking like that? Ah-Boy ah, you should know better than this.
Pierce: Know better than – what?
Ahma: To be wearing clothes made for men, not women.
Silence fills the room. Pierce takes a deep breath.
Pierce: Ahma, I’ve told you multiple times that this is who I am. And no, it is not a “phase” I can get over with just a snap of my finger.
Ahma shuts off the television.
Ahma: (sarcastically) My apologies, it must be so difficult for you to dress like a man – princess.
Pierce: You have no idea what it took for me to get to where I am, Ahma. For the love of God, please see me as a person and not for the way I dress.
Ahma: “For the love of God”? Eh, this is a strictly “Buddhists only” household. We don’t celebrate Vesak Day every year for you to follow religions you pick and choose. Don’t you think you are too much?
Silence fills the room.
Pierce: If I am so sissy to you, maybe I should leave this “Buddhist only” household.. Maybe then, you’ll be satisfied.
Broken.
Ahma: Good, now I finally see resemblance of our family. You are just like your father.
Pierce feels a tear welling up in his eye. He unlocks the gate.
Ahma: I suggest you come back looking like a boy. If not, I will change the lock. Don’t think I won’t.
Pierce’s tears smudged his horribly set concealer. He wipes his face, then storms out.
—
Scene 2: The Confiding
Pierce’s room. In pride of place lie his shelf of makeup products from brands ranging from Dior to Chanel. Mother, a pure-hearted lady, enters the room and gazes at Pierce – his eyes puffy.
—
Mother: I heard about the squabble you and Ahma had.
Mother sits on Pierce’s bed. Pierce continues tapping away at his phone, his long nails making click noises on each contact with his screen, ignoring Mother’s presence.
Mother: I know what you’re trying to do, it’s not going to work.
Pierce looks up from his screen, eyes bloodshot – red like his swollen monolids. Mother holds his left cheek and caresses his face with her tender, warm, familiar thumb.
Mother: You haven’t been yourself ever since the fight. Why?
Pierce: (sniffles) I thought coming out to a parent would’ve been the toughest thing a gay boy has to go through. Little did I know, with an accepting parent comes a homophobic grandmother who only sees you for the shabby clothes you wear.
Mother shakes her head.
Mother: Hey, don’t say that about Ahma. She means well.
Pierce: Does she? If so, why am I “too much” for her?
Tension arises.
Mother: Just because you don’t see eye-to-eye; doesn’t mean she doesn’t care for you.
Pierce: Ma, I know you want to understand where I’m coming from but you don’t know how it is for me.
Mother: Says who? I have gone through thick and thin, wasted nothing but blood, sweat and tears to keep this family afloat.
Pierce: Oh really? So why don’t you just give up and walk away like Daddy did?
Mother: I had devoted my life to a man who ran away because he couldn’t accept the fact his child was gay. Enough tears were wasted, I’ve gone too far down to leave now. I won’t.
Pierce: (thinks) Would you please just leave me alone.
Mother: ..I’m still here.
Silence fills the room, with the only sounds being the soft warbling of orioles coming from outside his window. A tear rolls down Mother’s cheek.
Pierce: I’m sorry Ma.
Mother: You’re still young.
Mother smiles.
Mother: Regardless, I will always love you for you – no matter how you present yourself.
Mother moves Pierce’s hair, revealing his acne-covered forehead.
Mother: Tonight, I’ll order your favourite food – (drags in sing-song voice) sushi!
Mother rubs his shoulder, smiling as she walks out of the room. Pierce heaves a shaky sigh and digs his head into a pillow, slowly staining his once pastel pink pillow into a darker shade of pink.
—
Scene 3: The Confrontation
Mother is in the kitchen, scrolling for options of sushi platters. She then hears the sound of rattling keys. Ahma is home. Mother walks towards the gate.
–
Mother: Ma. We need to talk.
Ahma: Can’t you see I’m holding things?
Ahma shakes the bags. Mother grabs hold of the groceries, walks to the kitchen and sets them down on the porcelain-tiled floors. Ahma walks in and smiles in delight, flaunting her new dentures.
Ahma: You like? I got them today. My friend got me a nice discount — 50 percent discount. If only
ShengSiong Supermarket had prices like that (chuckles) – I would be their loyalest cust–
Mother: Ma, we need to talk.
Ahma: Ah girl, what’s so important you need to 2kachow me until so 3jialat. Did somebody die?
Mother: Of course not!
Ahma: Then?
Mother: You and Pierce.
Ahma: Why?
Mother: I heard his point-of-view.
Ahma: Oh?
Mother: Is that all you have to say for yourself Ma?
Ahma: It’s true what I said, no? He should start dressing and acting like a boy. One day he is going to have to serve the army and fight for his country. Do you think army will let you have time to let boys put makeup and prance around wearing pink uniforms? You think the world will accept him?
Mother: Now, he thinks that you don’t love him. Is that true?
Ahma: Nonsense.
Mother: Does he know that it’s nonsense?
Ahma: No.. but I know him. He’s not so weak-minded.
Mother: If you say you know Pierce, why can’t you understand that he expresses himself through the way he dresses?
Silence.
Ahma: I..
Mother: We’re all that he has.
Ahma: He –
Mother: No, ma. Maybe you were the one that was “too much”. He already doesn’t have his father around, and Pa is also gone. He has nobody to teach him how to man up. If he wants to run around in skirts, let him. It’s not our duty to tell him what to wear what he feels comfortable in.
Pause.
Mother: Remember on your 40th birthday and I was 16? You wore that tight-sparkly dress to go out and celebrate. You kept complaining about how uncomfortable it was.
Ahma: So?
Mother: Forcing him to wear “boy clothes” would be like forcing you to wear your sparkly dress every day. Would you want that? Don’t you get it? The issue is not him, it’s your mindset being so stuck into the “back-in-my-days” century. Hello, it’s 2023 ma, it’s time to leave the old behind.
Silence.
Mother: I don’t need to say anything to you anymore Ma. Tonight, I’m ordering sushi. We sit down and eat as a family.
—
Scene 4: The Family T(h)ree
Mother hears the doorbell ring. She collects the sushi and sets the table. Ahma sits down at the dimly-lit dining table. Mother calls out for Pierce and Pierce walks out of his room in a black sweatshirt and sweatpants – unusual from his normal attire.
—
Pierce: Everyone eat.
Mommy: Good boy.
Ahma smiles at Pierce. Mommy realises the tension in the room.
Mommy: Ma, give Pierce a big smile please.
Ahma: Don’t want lah, 4paiseh.
Pierce: Eh, new teeth ah Ahma? Fresh.
Mommy: (laughs) Fresh?
Ahma: (confused) Fresh?
Pierce: (giggles) Yes, fresh.
Ahma: What fresh?
Pierce: Fresh means like new. Like your market vegetables, you want fresh veggies right? Same thing. But now my generation uses it in normal conversations.
Ahma: (drags) Oh. Ah boy ah.
Pierce: Yes?
Ahma: I’m..
Pierce: Ahma?
Ahma: I..
Pierce: (laughs) Yes ahma?
Ahma: I’m.. sorry for telling you to wear more boy clothes. I know how it feel. Mommy help me remember how uncomfortable Ahma was in her dress, back when I was still XS.
Pierce: (smile brightens) I.. thank you ahma.
Mother cheekily smiles and locks eyes with Pierce. She winks and Pierce smiles.
Ahma: Ah-boy, I will love you no matter what clothes you wear. You are prettier than any girl and more handsome-er than any guy.
Pierce: Thank you Ah-ma. I love you too. I’m happy you know how I feel.
Pause.
Pierce: XS or not, you will always be my only Ahma.
Pierce grabs hold of Ahma’s hand. He locked eyes with her and smiled tenderly, so did Ahma.
—
MJR World of Words 