Submerged Futures

Setting: An intimate bathroom. The sound of water running fills the air as it overflows from the bathtub, splashing against the tiled floor. Dim lighting casts shadows along the walls, creating an atmosphere of solitude and introspection.

FADE IN:

INT. BATHROOM - DAY

The camera slowly pans across the bathroom. A faucet runs relentlessly, spilling cool water into a bathtub, and filling it to the brim. The serene sound of rushing water contrasts sharply with the turmoil brewing within the space.

LEO (17), a teenage boy with disheveled hair and tired eyes, sits in the bathtub fully clothed. The wet fabric clings to his skin, his legs curled up beneath him. He gazes blankly at the water rippling around him.

LEO
(V.O.)
I thought if I submerged myself in water, in my own thoughts, I could drown out the noise that life makes.

The water begins to bubble lightly as the faucet continues to run, a hypnotic rhythm that draws LEO deeper into introspection.

LEO
(V.O.)
But the future… it pulls me under, and I can’t breathe.

LEO’s expression changes; his eyes flicker with anxiety. He lets his head tilt back against the cool porcelain of the bathtub, staring up at the ceiling.

LEO
(V.O.)
I don’t even know who I am anymore.

CUT TO: CLOSE-UP of Leo’s hand splashing the water gently, creating ripples that distort his reflection. Each ripple feels like a fleeting thought, slipping through his grasp.

LEO
(V.O.)
Everyone around me is racing ahead. They know what they want, and where they want to go. And here I am… just sitting in a tub with the world rushing by.

He grips the edge of the tub tightly, fingertips turning white as if trying to anchor himself in reality. The water swirls around him, mirroring his rising panic.

LEO
(V.O.)
What if I don’t know who I want to be? What if I don’t want to be anything?

Suddenly, he pulls his knees closer to his chest, a defensive posture. Water splashes onto the floor, but he doesn’t seem to notice—he’s too far gone in his thoughts.

LEO
(V.O.)
I keep picturing adulthood. The job, the responsibilities, and the expectations. Will I be good enough?

His breathing quickens; the sound of the rushing water seems to grow louder, almost deafening. He closes his eyes, trying to block it out.

LEO
(V.O.)
They always say, “Just be yourself.” But who am I?

He hesitates and slowly opens his eyes. A single drop of water escapes the faucet, falling into the basin below with a loud SPLASH—a reminder of time slipping away.

LEO
(V.O.)
What if I don’t like the person I become?

CUT TO: A SERIES OF FLASHBACKS—brief glimpses of LEO’s life: eating lunch alone at school, sitting in silence during group projects, watching friends laugh and make plans for the future while he stands by the sidelines.

Each flashback is accompanied by the sound of distant laughter, which grows fainter. RETURN TO the bathtub.

LEO’s expression twists with frustration. He grips his hair, pulling at it slightly as if hoping it will draw out his fears or bring clarity.

LEO
(V.O.)
I’m tired of feeling like I’m invisible… like I’m drowning.

He leans forward, water spilling over the edge of the tub, mixing with the chaos around him. Suddenly, he feels a weight on his chest, the fear of the future suffocating him.

LEO
(V.O.)
Maybe I should just stop fighting it. Let it take me.

*The water around him glimmers, reflecting dim lights. He closes his eyes again, surrendering to the moment. For a fleeting instant, the turmoil quiets, and he begins to visualize pieces of his dreams—drawing, writing, and the freedom of creation. Laughter. Connection. Love. *

LEO
(V.O.)
What if… what if I create the future I want?

He opens his eyes and resolves slowly inches back into his demeanor. A small, tentative smile flickers on his lips. The oncoming rush of water seems less threatening now.

LEO’s hand reaches out, turning the faucet off. The water slows, and the dripping becomes sparse. He takes a deep breath, inhaling the steam that rises from the warm water.

LEO
(V.O.)
I guess being lost is part of the journey. Maybe it’s okay not to have all the answers.

With one last glance into the water, he sees not just his reflection but the fleeting images of who he might become. The camera pulls back, revealing the full bathtub — a cocoon of chaos slowly morphing into a space of hope.

FADE OUT.

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