Inevitabilities

INT.TRAIN, FIRST CARRIAGE – NO TIME ZONE  

CLOSE ON – an edited photograph showing the silhouette of a man riding an escalator towards the light above. 

Then – a slightly wet hand RIPS the photograph away. JORDAN (15) stares at the photograph resentfully. His grip tightens on the photograph with each second. His other hand prepares to tear it apart. 

He is unable to do it. Jordan snarls and crumples the photograph. He looks at the photographs that line the sides, intruding into the ceiling and windows. The empty, brightly-saturated red seats. The window shows a blur of lights and moving images – Jordan’s memories. 

JORDAN 

(softly) 

Go on, Captain. Get us out of here.  

CUT TO: 

INT.TRAIN, DRIVER’S CABIN, NO TIME ZONE 

A winding, seeming infinite tunnel of lights and memories drifting at the sides. OTHER JORDAN (9, oversized red hoodie) turns the locomotive clockwise for the train to speed up. 

A knock at the door, and Jordan hesitantly enters inside the cabin. Other Jordan’s gaze remains at the window as Jordan sits next to him. Silence, then –  

JORDAN 

I still find it unnerving, watching 

a child drive. 

Other Jordan turns a dial, uncaring. Silence. 

OTHER JORDAN 

(dryly) 

An eight-year old drove to 

McDonald’s thanks to Youtube 

tutorials. Without accident. Far 

more competent than most adults. 

Jordan snorts. Other Jordan smiles. 

OTHER JORDAN (CONT’D) 

Doing better? 

JORDAN 

And now a child’s my therapist. 

What has my life turned into, huh? 

Other Jordan glares. His fingers twitch. Jordan laughs. 

 

JORDAN (CONT’D) 

Okay, okay lah. But you’re 

technically fifteen. Still a child. 

OTHER JORDAN 

If you’re here to disturb me, get 

out. 

Jordan quiets down and stares at the infinite, winding tunnel. A memory of Younger Jordan happily photographing some birds drifting past and Jordan waves. Other Jordan glances at him and snorts. 

JUMP CUT TO: 

INT.TRAIN, DRIVER’S CABIN, NO TIME ZONE 

Jordan waves at the memory of Younger Jordan, now older, focused on photographing the great expanse of buildings at Marina Bay. 

JORDAN 

Look at him go. Just doing his 

thing and being happy about it. 

Unburdened with shit.  

OTHER JORDAN 

But you don’t have to feel that 

burdened anymore, right? That’s why 

you are going far away. To escape. 

Jordan hums in assent. He waves at another memory of his younger self photographing some ants. 

JORDAN 

But when will everything end? 

Other Jordan gives Jordan a questioning glance as he turns the locomotive clockwise. The rumble of the train grows louder as it speeds up. Jordan looks at another memory – Younger Jordan, now a teenager, staring at the cracked glass of the camera lens. 

Jordan’s body turns rigid. His hands clench.  

JORDAN (CONT’D) 

I had assumed that Pa would support 

me in my passion for photography, 

since he did last time. He didn’t. 

He didn’t

The train SCREECHES against the tracks. Other Jordan curses and turns the locomotive anticlockwise. He turns some dials.

 

OTHER JORDAN 

That’s why you have to get away 

from him, right? Even if he

disowns you. Actually – who cares? 

He broke you, Jordan. 

(silence, then softer) 

Again and again. 

Jordan’s fists are still clenched. With a yell, he SWINGS his fists against the control panel. His shoulders shake.  

JORDAN 

But do you know what a stupid 

decision running away is? I’m 

fifteen. I still need Pa to 

survive. And I’m throwing it away 

because of some tantrum. Like –  

The train SCREECHES against the tracks. Meanwhile, a memory unfolds within the tunnel, mists and images building up to a whirlwind become a station. 

Jordan is unaware. Other Jordan gets up and PULLS him out of the driver’s cabin. Jordan does not protest. 

DISSOLVE TO: 

INT.DINING AREA – NIGHT (8.23 P.M.) 

CLOSE ON – the report card grades. A C5 for Additional Mathematics and an A2 for History breaks the string of B3s and B4s. 

PA (48) then looks at MEMORY JORDAN (15), who seems more interested in eating his takeaway noodles. 

PA 

You are now in Sec 3. 

Memory Jordan grips his chopsticks tighter as he eats his noodles. 

PA (CON’T)  

At least you managed an A2. But 

your total points is still 27. Even 

Polytechnic’s cut-off point is 26 

for most courses. 

MEMORY JORDAN 

Look for the A1. I’ll get 25 if you 

use my CCA grade to cut it off. 

PA 

And? A one-point difference doesn’t 

change your weak grasp of your 

subjects. Especially A Maths. 

 

MEMORY JORDAN 

At least I didn’t fail, right? One 

classmate even got E – 

PA 

You could’ve done much better were 

not for your addiction

Memory Jordan rolls his eyes and resumes eating, resigned and frustrated. Tired of the familiar argument. 

MEMORY JORDAN 

You could have just said 

photography, Pa. It isn’t going to 

do anything. 

PA 

It is an addiction, because this 

thing, this hobby, it’s ruining 

your life. You’d have no future as 

a photographer here – 

MEMORY JORDAN 

I’ve a following on my photography 

account, for god’s sakes –  

PA 

So? You think a photographer will 

have a good salary? You think you’ll 

be lucky and achieve fame? You 

wouldn’t. You aren’t special. 

A THUMP as Memory Jordan STABS chopsticks upright into the bowl of noodles. Pa’s eyes widen, body going rigid. 

MEMORY JORDAN 

Shut up.

A SUDDEN slap. Memory Jordan stumbles to the side from the force of Pa’s blow.  

MATCH CUT TO: 

INT.TRAIN, FIRST CARRIAGE – NO TIME ZONE  

Jordan STAGGERS into the train and away from the memory. Drops to the nearest chair. Hugging himself as he takes deep breaths to calm himself. And fails. 

Eventually, Other Jordan returns into the train. The doors slide shut and the train begins to move. Silence. Then – 

JORDAN 

You forced that memory on me, 

right? 

OTHER JORDAN 

…It was for your own good.

 

JORDAN 

For what? Do you think I need a 

reminder of Pa’s shit parenting? 

OTHER JORDAN 

(raising eyebrows) 

You want to go back to that place. 

JORDAN 

I’m not of age! Do you think that I 

can just run away because Pa 

doesn’t like my passion? Because we 

had a fight? Come on! Not 

everything can be about 

photography!  

OTHER JORDAN 

Red is the colour of life. Courage. 

Passion. You think the red seats 

are that intense because your love 

for photography is weak, huh? That 

you can simply part with 

photography and be a good son? 

Silence. Jordan clenches his fists. Eyes downcast. 

JORDAN 

Just take me back, Jordan. I need 

to apologise. Study hard, make Pa 

happy, I dunno. Take me back.  

Other Jordan looks at Jordan stonily. Jordan realises Other Jordan will not acquiesce. He stands up and begins walking towards the Driver’s cabin. Other Jordan quickly shoves him, hard and forceful. Jordan extends his arms as he faceplants onto the floor.

Jordan tries to get up. Other Jordan quickly straddles him and punches Jordan’s forehead down towards the floor. And continues punching his head down. Jordan grunts, trying to escape. 

Jordan eventually stops struggling, unconscious. Other Jordan sighs and pulls out duct tape from the pocket of his hoodie. He wraps Jordan’s hands and feet up. 

Other Jordan turns Jordan over. Blood drips from Jordan’s forehead. Other Jordan sighs and wipes away the blood with his hoodie. He then grabs Jordan’s collar and drags him towards the train pole furthest from the driver’s cabin. 

Other Jordan wraps Jordan to the pole with duct tape. He removes his hoodie and covers Jordan up.  

OTHER JORDAN 

At least I retained the strength of 

a fifteen-year-old. 

 

Other Jordan gazes at Jordan and sighs. He ruffles Jordan’s hair. 

OTHER JORDAN (CONT’D) 

You think I’ve enjoyed doing this? You 

think I’m like Pa now? But how many 

times has Pa demeaned you and 

forcing you away from what you 

love? How many, Jordan?! 

Tears gather in his eyes. He kneels by Jordan and grips his collar. 

OTHER JORDAN (CONT’D) 

And you can give up your passion 

for him? That piece of shit doesn’t 

even love you, Jordan! He wouldn’t 

be doing that otherwise!  

(Silence, then softly) 

I can’t let you go back there. I be 

damned if I do. 

Other Jordan stands and walks back to the Driver’s cabin. There is the firm click of the door. Jordan then cracks his eyes open. He chuckles and shakes his head. 

JORDAN 

You are Pa are awfully the same, 

you know? Isn’t he also hurting me 

out from love and care? 

Jordan’s shoulders shake with silent laughter from the irony. He begins wiggling his hands within the duct tape, loosening and widening it. The tape eventually falls off. 

Jordan wiggles his hands towards his front, all while hissing and cursing from pain. He rips the duct tape surrounding his body and tears it off him with much effort. Then the ones tying his legs together.  

Jordan stares at the bloodied hoodie. Then, he carefully wraps it and places it aside. He heads towards the driver’s cabin and carefully opens the door. It turns without squeaking.  

INT.TRAIN, DRIVER’S CABIN, NO TIME ZONE 

Other Jordan immediately rushes forward, already throwing punches. Jordan tries to block Jordan’s blows as he DISCREETLY shifts closer to the control panel. 

Other Jordan snarls and shoves Jordan away from the controls and towards the wall. Jordan groans as his skull received the impact. Other Jordan pins Jordan in place. Jordan, however, still struggles, hand twitching.  

OTHER JORDAN 

You should stop.

JORDAN 

You should’ve knocked me 

unconscious then!  

OTHER JORDAN 

If you’re down, the train stops. 

You’re the train’s fuel, remember? 

I only wanted to incapacitate you. 

Didn’t expect that you’ll escape 

that quickly, though.  

Jordan thrusts his arms upwards within the gap between Other Jordan’s grip. Other Jordan’s grip breaks, and Jordan maneuvers Other Jordan to be pinned against the wall. Other Jordan tries to throw Jordan’s weight off him. And Jordan throws a punch at Other Jordan’s face. The force sends Other Jordan stumbling to the side, spittle blood flying from his mouth. Jordan quickly goes to the control panel. Yet, he does not know how to drive the train. He needs Other Jordan’s guidance.

OTHER JORDAN (O.S) 

You aren’t just going back to him 

because of survival, right? You 

wouldn’t be this determined 

otherwise. 

Jordan ignores him. Other Jordan stumbles to Jordan’s side. Jordan turns, body tensing. But Other Jordan simply drapes his battered body against Jordan, arm round his neck for support. Jordan somehow allows it. 

JORDAN 

You hurt me because you love me. 

It’s the same for Pa. He only went 

against my passion because it 

started interfering with my grades. 

Both Jordan and Other Jordan look at the drifting memory of Pa and Younger Jordan in a photography shop, buying cameras. Other Jordan scoffs. 

OTHER JORDAN 

And? Don’t get sentimental on me. 

Love alone does not make him a 

better Pa. Does he respect your 

decisions? Support your choices?  

JORDAN 

A parent can’t support their child 

if they are making bad decisions. 

OTHER JORDAN 

(casually) 

Is it really just that, huh? 

OTHER JORDAN (CONT’D) 

I thought Pa also thinka that your 

passion is a nuisance. And not just 

due to academia’s sake. 

Jordan freezes – exactly what Other Jordan intended. Other Jordan shakes his head in faux sadness and sighs. 

OTHER JORDAN (CONT’D) 

Little India. Mount Faber. Whenever 

you go out and take photographs.  

Another memory unfolds within the tunnel as it builds up to a whirlwind. A station unfolds. Other Jordan turns the locomotive anticlockwise and the train slows down. 

JORDAN 

Don’t. Jordan, please.  

Other Jordan stares at Jordan – pitiless, apathetic – and drags him out of the cabin. 

DISSOLVE TO: 

EXT. LITTLE INDIA, CAMPBELL LANE – DAY (4.50 P.M.) 

Memory Jordan (12) has a camera around his neck as his Tods behind Pa (45), who has a TIGHT grip on Memory Jordan’s wrist. They pass by shops selling cleaning and cooking appliances, jewellery, religious figurines – the like. 

At the side, a store with GARLANDS OF YELLOW, WHITE AND RED hang from the shop canopy. Memory Jordan looks at the shop in awe. Pa tries to TUG Memory Jordan away. 

MEMORY JORDAN 

Wait, Pa! Can I take a photo of the 

flower shop? It’ll only take a 

while! 

PA 

‘A while’ will span up to five 

minutes for a single photo, Jordan. 

MEMORY JORDAN 

It won’t this time, I swear! And it 

looks really pretty, like look at 

the arrangement of the flowers! The 

color scheme! 

Pa stares at Memory Jordan’s earnest, pleading face. His grip on Memory Jordan relents. Memory Jordan smiles, pleased, and begins to take photographs of the store. Occasionally photographing the people walking along the streets. Ignoring the eyes he felt staring at him from passers-by.

A woman looking at the garlands spotted Memory Jordan taking photographs and hurriedly rushes away. He sighs, and was about to snap another photo when Pa YANKS him away. 

MEMORY JORDAN 

I wasn’t done taking photos yet! 

PA 

And so? You’re being a public 

nuisance! Have some decency, 

Jordan! 

MEMORY JORDAN 

But – people are bound to stare and 

feel uncomfortable when you direct 

a camera at them! But that’s what 

street photographers do! And it’s 

not illegal! 

PA 

And you want people to complain, 

huh? Because of your itchy fingers 

and lack of self control? 

Beat. Memory Jordan stares at Pa in disbelief. 

MEMORY JORDAN 

You took me here so I can take 

photographs! And you’re going back 

on your word? Just because of 

public opinion? People don’t care, 

Pa! I’m just some stranger whom 

they’ll never see again! 

Memory Jordan WINCES when Father’s grip on his wrist becomes tighter. 

MEMORY JORDAN (CONT’D) 

And I was careful! It’s not like 

I’m forcing a camera to their 

faces! I was discreet when I 

photograph them! 

(then) 

Okay, fine! I’ll just stick to 

buildings and nature, okay? I 

swear! Just buildings and nature! 

(flatly) 

PA 

We’re going back home. 

Memory Jordan stares at Pa in shock as Pa begins turning the other direction, away from Little India. 

MEMORY JORDAN 

(Hollowly, quietly) 

But you promised. That I can do 

this after PSLE. You promised.

Silence. Memory Jordan is dragged back to the carpark.

 CUT TO: 

INT.TRAIN, FIRST CARRIAGE – NO TIME ZONE  

Jordan walks back to the train and sits down in a daze, mind entrenched with memories of the past. Other Jordan sits down next to Jordan. The train begins moving. Silence, with Jordan clenching his fists and Other Jordan looking worriedly at him. 

JORDAN 

He’s always paranoid about public 

appearances. And besides, he 

doesn’t understand.

 

OTHER JORDAN 

It still does not justify him 

projecting his shit to you. You 

don’t deserve it. 

JORDAN 

(snappishly) 

Aren’t you supposed to drive the 

train? Why are you here? 

OTHER JORDAN 

You are the fuel. You still head 

the train even though I direct it. 

Jordan raises a brow but remains silent. Then – 

JORDAN 

Aren’t you worried I’ll use this 

information to drive back? 

OTHER JORDAN 

You are now more…logical. 

JORDAN 

Hard not to be when you became my 

therapist for your goddamn goals, 

Dr Malpractice.  

Other Jordan snorts as Jordan glares at him with clenching fists. Silence, except for the rumbling of the train. Jordan takes out the crumpled photograph from his pocket and stares at it. 

JORDAN (CONT’D) 

But my younger self loved Pa to 

bits, Jordan. This photograph 

represents Pa going to heaven like 

some goddamn saint. Because he was 

really a Pa.

JORDAN (CONT’D) 

(then softer, more 

hesitant) 

I still want him to love me, 

Jordan. Despite everything. 

OTHER JORDAN 

Like I said, sentimental. He isn’t 

going to love you like before, 

Jordan. Unless you throw your 

passion away and let these chairs 

fade from red to white. The 

photographs to be taken down. 

(then) 

Is that what you want?  

JORDAN 

Isn’t it the same from my Pa’s POV? 

That I’m willing to throw 

everything away for the sake of 

photography? Till my life and 

relationships are destroyed? 

Silence again. 

OTHER JORDAN 

Then? It’s either his love or your 

passion. You can’t have both. Don’t 

be dumb and choose the option that 

will make you miserable. 

JORDAN 

When you think about it, both will 

make me miserable. 

OTHER JORDAN 

Because you’re in denial and you 

want both! Choose, damnit! Make 

yourself a better life! 

Other Jordan stands and marches into the Driver’s Cabin. The door SLAMS shut. Jordan sits, immersed in his thoughts. 

CUT TO: 

INT.TRAIN, DRIVER’S CABIN, NO TIME ZONE 

Jordan now sits next to Other Jordan, watching him drive the train. The crumpled photograph sits next to the control panel.  

JORDAN 

I mean, before that Little India 

incident, before all of the 

conflicts, Pa supported me in 

photography. It’s irrefutable.

 

Other Jordan decidedly ignores Jordan. 

JORDAN (CONT’D) 

And it didn’t hurt to love him. Our 

relationship then was so easy. 

OTHER JORDAN 

(irate) 

Where are you getting at? 

Beat. Jordan struggles to string his words together. 

JORDAN 

It’s because my photography pleased 

him then. I was taking pictures of 

him and myself. I was practically 

declaring him a goddamn saint. 

Like, look. 

OTHER JORDAN 

Screams of narcissism to me. Red 

flag alert. 

JORDAN 

So I please him again. Under his 

roof, I study instead of editing 

photos. And when I’m done studying, 

I’ll be photographing all around 

Singapore. 

OTHER JORDAN 

That’s all? You know it’s likely 

you wouldn’t be able to peruse 

photography for the next one and 

half years because of A levels, 

right? 

JORDAN 

Not really. I can do it for 

relaxation. When I’m free. Heck, 

maybe even at school. Just so long 

as Pa does not spot me. I’ll be 

fine.  

Other Jordan stares at Jordan’s determined look and sighs, shaking his head. 

OTHER JORDAN 

And you think he will then begin 

respecting you? 

JORDAN 

I mean, if I do well in academics, 

he wouldn’t be beating down my neck 

as much. So long as he does not 

accompany me when I’m taking 

photographs, he shouldn’t be that 

embarrassed. What he doesn’t know 

can’t hurt him, right?

 

OTHER JORDAN 

You are setting yourself up for 

failure. 

Silence. The memory of Pa throwing the camera lens towards the floor drifts past. Younger Jordan’s expression had been one of shock and terrible rage. And grief. 

Jordan and Other Jordan watches Younger Jordan POUNCE on Pa like a feral animal, shrieking and crying.  

JORDAN 

(quieter) 

I know. 

OTHER JORDAN 

But you’re doing it either way. 

Jordan nods. Other Jordan sighs and stands up, allowing Jordan to take control. 

OTHER JORDAN 

Alright. So, the locomotive is 

meant to control the speed of the 

train – 

DISSOLVE TO: 

INT. MRT TRAIN, REALITY – NIGHT (2.37 A.M.) 

There is the melodic sound of the bell. 

RECORDED ANNOUNCER 

(monotone) 

Woodlands. هذ̶)Woodlands) 

(then) 

Please mind the gap. ᧗ੜஞᑮ࿈̶ 

Berhati-hati di ruang platform. 

!”# $%&’ !() *+,- .,-$/0,” 

1/2345 $1678917. (Please mind 

the gap) 

The doors halts and the doors slide open. PRESENT DAY JORDAN (15) steps out of the train. 

The doors close after a few moments. The train goes away.

Reena’s (Class of 2023) love for writing fluctuates like a sine curve, though it is a medium for cathartic release. She hopes to strengthen her relationship with writing, let words become nature and journey through a full-fledged story.