INT. CHRISTMAS PHOTO SHOOT - DAY DONIA and her DAD are at an indoor Christmas photo shoot. Donia has set up all the equipment and backdrops and is currently adjusting the camera. Her dad is sitting in the scene, waiting for their photo to be taken.

DONIA Smile, Dad.

DAD I am– do you know how to use a camera?

DONIA Hmmm (doubtful), okay.

DAD Okay– is this better?

Dad forces a wider smile.

DAD (CONT’D) Did you press the button?

DONIA Yes! Perfect! Hold still–

DAD Yeah (not moving), well, hurry up and take it then.

DONIA Okay, just a sec.

DAD Done? Let’s go.

DONIA Hold on! I need to go get someone–

DAD Come on. I don’t have time for this.

DONIA Dad. It’s Christmas. Didn’t we talk about this? Where do you need to go?

DAD Home. My show’s on now, I think.

DONIA Okay.

Donia takes a pause.

DONIA (CONT’D) I thought you said you had time to take the Christmas photo.

DAD I do. Just— just hurry up.

A beat.

DONIA No.

DAD Excuse me?

DONIA If you don’t have time to do this, then don’t do it. I didn’t make you come here.

DAD No, of course. I have time. Come on. Take the photo.

DONIA Do you?

DAD Get OVER here and TAKE IT!

DONIA DAD! We don’t have to take the photo if you don’t want to.

DAD I WANT to. Now TAKE it!

Silence.

DAD (CONT’D) Are you deaf?– why am I even HERE then?

DONIA It’s Christmas, Dad. We used to do this every year–

DAD So what? Forget the past, Donia. JUST TAKE THE DAMN PHOTO!

DONIA NO!

DAD Forget it. Take your photo some other time, when I’m not busy.

DONIA YOU said you weren’t busy!

DAD I am always busy. My time is very important. I don’t have all this free time on my hands like you.

DONIA Okay, fine. Leave the–

DAD I am leaving. You don’t tell me to leave.

DONIA No, sorry, I mean–

DAD No, shut up. You need to show respect! That’s why your Mom left you. You always want too much!

Dad gets up and leaves, slamming the door. Donia stands in silence, letting the moment dissipate. She takes a breath—

DONIA Hey Mom. You can come in now.

MOM enters through the back door.

MOM Oh hey!— where’d your Dad go?

DONIA He left.

MOM Oh, forget him. He has changed. He’s a bad person now and a little cuckoo in the head.

DONIA I think he’s just still hurt.

MOM He needs to grow up. Hurt about what? There’s nothing wrong— do you like my new sweater?

DONIA You don’t think arguing every day, that there’s anything wrong?

MOM So what? Forget the past, Donia. Just come here and take the photo.

Mom sits in the scene, posing for her photo.

DONIA Why does no one in this family want to just talk—

Mom drops the charade, still sitting down.

MOM I’m talking, aren’t I? I’m just saying I did nothing wrong.

DONIA I’m not saying you did anything wrong— but why can’t we fix it?

MOM Why do I have to fix it? Sure I did things— but he’s the one still angry and upset. I’ve apologized already. Why are you blaming me?

DONIA I’m not blaming anyone—

MOM Really? You think he’s right to be angry?

DONIA LISTEN! I’m just saying—

MOM Don’t raise your voice at me! I’m your mother—

DONIA I’M JUST SAYING—

MOM MOTHERFUCKER! YOU SHOW ME RESPECT!

Silence. Donia is shaken.

DONIA I’m… sorry.

MOM You better. I’m your mother. I’m not your friend. You don’t raise your voice at me.

Silence.

DONIA You’re angry.

MOM Because you both make me angry. You two just love arguing— you are just like your Dad. You can’t admit you’re wrong.

DONIA But you made him angry too–

MOM That’s not my problem. I don’t care. I want what I want; he should just take it and be a man for once— don’t bring up the past. I don’t want to talk about it. (a beat) And if you’ve learned nothing at all, remember this Donia: never get married. Don’t be stupid. Men only want sex.

A beat. Donia is stuck. Mom stares flatly at her, stern with no emotions.

MOM (CONT’D) I’m leaving.

DONIA Okay. You didn’t want to get dinner later?

MOM No. I’m going back to New York. (a beat) And I’m not coming back. I left you the house keys in your basket. Do what you want with it.

DONIA Wait. But– hold on– the house? Does Gina know? What about your stuff?

MOM Do whatever you want; I don’t care. And your sister didn’t pick up this morning. Tell her yourself.

Mom gets up and starts preparing to leave.

DONIA So that’s it then? Did you find a place to stay?

MOM I’m not an idiot like your Dad. I can take care of myself. My flight’s tomorrow.

DONIA Then what about Dad? What about Gina? What about Christmas?— what am I going to do now?

Mom stops and looks at Donia. Donia is tearing up, but she stands straight. Mom’s expression turned soft.

MOM Hey.

Mom opens her arms and invites Donia for a hug. Donia goes over to hug her.

MOM (CONT’D) It’s okay. This is just life, Donia. No one can live together for this long; they are all just living a lie. You have to be the strong one and move on.

DONIA But I thought… I thought you wanted to stay here.

MOM I do. You both are my daughters and I love you both very much. You are the only reason I stayed all this time.

DONIA Then why are you leaving?

A beat. Mom gently, but firmly, pushes her away.

MOM You’re a tough cookie, Donia. You will figure this out like you always do. Be a good girl.

And she gets up and leaves. Donia is left standing in the middle of the room with tears down her face.