My Friend Mr. Statue
EXT. PARK – BENCH STATUE – AFTERNOON (2017)
BEN (10), dressed in navy blue shorts and a white button-up shirt, sits on a metal bench.
Beside him is a metal PARK STATUE of a man in a suit attached to the bench. The park statue looks straight ahead, grinning at something unknown.
Behind them both is a large oak tree, casting cool shadows over them despite the hot sun.
BEN
(mid-sentence)
Apparently, I made her cry because I made fun of her maths. So sad. If she can’t take it, maybe she shouldn’t have
(making sarcastic air quotes)
“accidentally” knocked me over during PE. And we had PE on the parade square, look–
Ben lifts the hem of his shorts slightly to reveal a strip of white gauze wrapped around his left knee.
BEN (CONT’D)
(as he picks at the gauze)
Oh, I also showed Mummy my CA2 results. It went like we thought it would – Mummy booked me extra Chinese tuition on Sunday, my last free day. She said if I don’t study hard, I’ll become a cleaner or garbage man. I don’t want that. So I guess I’ll just do more assessment books.
(pause)
Anthony said he wishes he were as smart as me. But I’m not smart. I don’t know, Mr. Statue… It’s like a curse.
The second Ben says the word ‘curse’, a SQUEAK of rusty metal, like a door hinge that hasn’t been oiled for too long, rings out.
Ben doesn’t hear it, and continues speaking, vulnerability on his face.
BEN (CONT’D)
My mum said I should stop talking to you, because you’re not real and big boys don’t have imaginary friends.
(pause)
But you aren’t imaginary, and you’re my friend… aren’t you?
Mr. Statue, now facing Ben, opens and closes his mouth slowly, stretching his rusty-from-disuse jaw. METAL CREAKS as he does so, revealing him to be the source of the sound.
MR. STATUE
Of course, Ben.
Ben jumps in his seat and, eyes wide, scoots as far as he can from Mr. Statue while staying on the bench. Mr. Statue’s signature grin is gone, replaced by the sombre expression of someone who’s seen too much.
BEN
Y-you can talk?
Mr. Statue scoffs, the sound not coming out quite right.
MR. STATUE
Of course I can. If not, how are we speaking?
BEN
But you’re a statue.
MR. STATUE
(dryly)
Astute observation, Ben.
BEN
But statues don’t talk.
MR. STATUE
Well, evidently we do.
BEN
But–
MR. STATUE
–It’s a long story, and you have to go soon.
(almost to himself)
Yes, I’ll tell you another time.
BEN
(slightly whiny)
Can’t you tell me now?
Mr. Statue laughs.
MR. STATUE
It’s getting late – won’t your mother scold you?
Ben sighs.
MR. STATUE
Go home, Ben. I’ll tell you tomorrow, okay?
BEN
Alright, Mr. Statue. See you tomorrow!
Ben hoists his bag up onto his shoulder and walks away, smiling slightly, as Mr. Statue watches him. Once Ben’s too far to be seen, Mr. Statue looks forward and grins again, back to his usual position.
INT. BEN’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
BEN lies awake on his bed in his room. He is wearing penguin pyjamas. The wall his bed is against has a Star Wars: A New Hope poster stuck onto it. Beside him on the nightstand is a digital clock reading 11:43pm and an empty cup.
In the background, BEN’S MOTHER and BEN’S FATHER can be heard talking outside indistinctly.
After a short pause, Ben gets up and presses the empty cup against the door, the audio fading in gradually as he does so.
BEN’S MOTHER
(fading in)
–I don’t believe it, but the teacher said it’s been going on for a while.
BEN’S FATHER
That’s the kid that transferred in late, right? From… where was it again?
BEN’S MOTHER
It doesn’t matter, David. Ben still shouldn’t be making fun of her. The teacher called it ‘bullying’. Imagine how it’ll look on his permanent record, and the leadership opportunities…
Ben’s father sighs.
BEN’S FATHER
Is the school going to take any action? These few years are crucial to Ben. If he gets a permanent record…
Silence.
BEN’S MOTHER
Do you think the pressure is too much? It’s for his own good, but kids act up when they’re stressed, around this age when they’re transitioning into upper primary–
BEN’S FATHER
It’s for his own good. Alright? He’s the one that’s going to get into a good secondary school for a good job, not us–
Their voices fade out as Ben takes the cup off the wall. He stares at the door for a moment and scoffs at his parents’ discussion before putting the cup back onto his nightstand and climbing back into bed.
FADE TO:
EXT. PARK – BENCH STATUE – AFTERNOON
Back in the same park, at the same bench. BEN walks into frame and takes a seat beside MR. STATUE, but rotates his body to face him. Mr. Statue turns his head slightly to address Ben.
MR. STATUE
How was your day, Ben?
BEN
(sighing)
Bad. The school called Mummy and Daddy about the new kid. He can’t even take a joke.
Ben rolls his eyes. Mr. Statue’s expression shifts to one of disapproval.
BEN (CONT’D)
Can you tell me the story–
MR. STATUE
(chiding)
A joke is supposed to be funny.
BEN
It was. Everyone laughed–
Mr. Statue holds up a CREAKING finger.
MR. STATUE
You didn’t let me finish. A joke is supposed to be funny, and – and – doesn’t hurt anyone’s feelings.
Also, someone laughing doesn’t mean something’s funny.
Ben tears up at Mr. Statue’s reprimand. Mr. Statue notices this, sighs, and relents.
MR. STATUE
Do you want to hear the story of how I became a statue?
BEN
(brightening up)
Yes! Tell the story!
Mr. Statue laughs.
MR. STATUE
Alright, alright.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. PARK – BENCH – MORNING (1985)
MR. STATUE (mid-20s) on the bench, in the same position and wearing the same clothes, except he’s human. His facial features are slightly different from that of his statue form. A briefcase rests beside him on the bench as he looks at the park critically.
MR. STATUE (V.O)
(to Ben)
You see, when I was younger, I wasn’t… I wasn’t a good man.
In the near distance, an OLD WOMAN (late 80s) approaches them. She clearly needs help and is heavily limping on one leg.
OLD WOMAN
Mr. Tan, got any way you can reconsider buying the park or not? It’s one of the last heritage sites in Singapore.
Mr. Statue looks at the old woman condescendingly.
MR. STATUE
Tell me, auntie. This park can be bought for 100 thousand. Then I can build a condo on top and sell for a million. Maybe millions. Why shouldn’t I?
Mr. Statue’s accent is clearly foreign, a stark contrast to the old woman’s.
OLD WOMAN
(sneering)
You are young, chasing money and fame. One day, right, you’ll realise that there are more important things.
Mr. Statue is momentarily taken aback – he should be sneering at her – and laughs.
MR. STATUE
Like what?
OLD WOMAN
Heritage. This park is our history. And you want to build for what, rich foreigners to come and holiday? This park is–
MR. STATUE
(dismissively)
Important, national history, of course, of course. No one that matters cares about this dusty old park. I’ve developed worse plots before. So let’s see, shall we?
Mr. Statue folds his newspaper and stands, picking up his briefcase as he gets ready to leave. The old woman watches him.
OLD WOMAN
Let’s see.
CUT TO:
MONTAGE: EXT. PARK – BENCH – DAY
INSERT – MR. STATUE sitting at the same bench, reading a newspaper while observing the plot. The headline reads “TAN PROPERTIES TO TURN FOREST PARK INTO LUXURY HOUSING”, dated 9 March 1985.
In the far distance, the OLD WOMAN watches him and tsks her disapproval. Almost instantly, in typical Singaporean fashion, a light drizzle begins and turns into a downpour.
INSERT – A raindrop falling and landing on a torn-and-tattered newspaper. The headline reads “HEIR TO TAN PROPERTIES FORTUNE DISAPPEARS OVERNIGHT: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE”.
MUSIC CUE: Suspenseful music.
INSERT – Mr. Statue at the bench, now a statue, his face permanently frozen into a grin. Light shines in different places to represent the passage of days as several different people sit beside him – beginning with people in suits holding newspapers, to people dressed in jeans holding cell phones listening to music beside him.
A group of teens obscure Mr. Statue from the camera’s view. When they leave, Mr. Statue is covered in graffiti, ever-smiling as always. Cleaners come and polish Mr. Statue. People come and take selfies with him, then leave.
END MUSIC CUE.
DISSOLVE TO:
DISPLAY TEXT
TWENTY YEARS LATER…
INSERT – YOUNG BEN (8), taking a seat for the first time on the bench.
YOUNG BEN
(hesitantly)
Hi, Mr. Statue.
MATCH CUT/DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PARK – BENCH – AFTERNOON
BEN (10) and MR. STATUE are sitting on the bench, Ben facing Mr. Statue. Mr. Statue stares at something invisible in front of him, lost in memories.
MR. STATUE
That wasn’t the last site I bought out. Every time I did, people would come to me and tell me how much these places meant to them, begging me not to buy them. And every time, I ignored them, belittled them…
MR. STATUE (CONT’D)
Because I couldn’t respect the heritage – my heritage – I became the heritage.
Mr. Statue closes his eyes for a second. Ben waits until his eyes open before speaking.
BEN
So that old hag cursed you?
MR. STATUE
(reproachfully)
It’s not nice to call people hags, Ben.
BEN
(looking down)
Sorry.
MR. STATUE
It’s alright.
MR. STATUE (CONT’D)
Anyway, I never knew for sure. One day I was a human, and the next – I was a statue, and a voice was whispering the, ah, terms and conditions of my curse.
BEN
Like what?
MR. STATUE
Well, first, my spirit is tied to this statue, this park. My spirit has to be separated from the statue before I can move onto the next life.
Ben tries to say something, but Mr. Statue holds up a finger to stop him.
MR. STATUE (CONT’D)
Second, that I can’t tell anyone about the curse, or tell them I’m alive, unless they befriend me. I never thought it’d happen.
(sombrely)
And… if my spirit is still inside the statue when it’s moved, my spirit will be homeless. Restless. Forever.
Mr. Statue hastily explains after seeing Ben’s confusion.
MR. STATUE (CONT’D)
Essentially, a hungry ghost.
BEN
(remembering something)
But isn’t this park going to become HDB soon? Mummy was complaining about how noisy it’ll be.
Mr. Statue doesn’t reply, instead letting Ben make the connection himself.
BEN
(quietly)
Oh.
Beat.
BEN (CONT’D)
I don’t want that to happen to you, Mr. Statue.
MR. STATUE
(matching Ben’s volume)
I don’t want it to happen to me, either.
Beat.
BEN (CONT’D)
So, how do you break the curse?
MR. STATUE
Well, there’s no way– (catching himself) I’ve been able to try before, because it needs a second person.
BEN
(eagerly)
What do I have to do?
MR. STATUE
You can help to right my wrongs.
Ben wrinkles his forehead in confusion.
MR. STATUE (CONT’D)
I’m a statue partly because I didn’t treat people well and bought their properties. Right?
BEN
Yes…
MR. STATUE
So, if you treat people well, it counts against my curse and I’ll be free before the park is demolished!
Ben is clearly conflicted about this.
MR. STATUE
(sighing)
I know, Ben. I know it’s difficult. But try, alright?
BEN
How will we know it’s working?
MR. STATUE
I’m… not sure. When I start feeling a little more out of it, I suppose.
BEN
(skeptically)
Okay, Mr. Statue. I’ll try my best.
Ben begins getting ready to go. Unlike previous days, however, Mr. Statue doesn’t go back into his usual grin. Instead, a worried expression makes itself at home on his frozen face.
Unaware, Ben waves goodbye and skips away.
EXT. PARADE SQUARE – BEN’S SCHOOL – EARLY AFTERNOON
A parade square. In the far distance, we see some kids playing on the exercise equipment.
PHOEBE (10) sits near the flagpole, eating a sandwich from a worn lunchbox.
BEN jumps up onto the mini-flagpole stage, his own shiny lunchbox in hand, and smiles at Phoebe.
BEN
Hey, Phoebe.
PHOEBE
(disdainfully)
What do you want?
BEN
(brightly)
To be friends!
Phoebe is clearly shocked.
PHOEBE
Really, Ben?
(suddenly realising something)
Is it because Ms Young called your parents?
Ben’s confused by Phoebe’s reaction.
BEN
N-no. I just want to–
PHOEBE
(rolling her eyes)
Nice try.
Phoebe finishes off her sandwich quickly and walks away.
BEN
Phoebe! Wait!
Ben gets up, but Phoebe is already gone, leaving Ben confused and alone.
EXT. PARK – BENCH – AFTERNOON
Ben and Mr. Statue are sitting on their bench, Mr. Statue still as Ben speaks.
BEN
Hi, Mr. Statue. I did what you asked me to, and I was nice to Phoebe! She left, but I’m trying to be friends with her so you can right your wrongs.
(beat)
Are you free yet? Is the curse gone…
Ben tapers off as he notices, in the far distance, hazard tape wrapped around the park playground and construction workers beginning to move about.
At the same time, Mr. Statue shakes his head, the motion strange and disjointed.
MR. STATUE
I haven’t felt any change.
(beat)
Why did Phoebe leave?
BEN
I don’t know.
(listing things off)
I was nice. I smiled and asked her if she wanted to be friends. She left before I could give her the sandwich, though. I think she was having a bad day; she looked a little upset.
Mr. Statue thinks for a moment.
MR. STATUE
You have to be sincere for it to work.
BEN
How do I do that?
MR. STATUE
Well, for a start, you could make sure Phoebe wants to be friends too, because making friends isn’t exactly up to only you.
Ben considers this for a moment, then visibly deflates.
BEN
But the park’s closing in three days.
MR. STATUE
(sighing)
Just be yourself. Talk to people, but also listen to them. That’s how you make friends.
BEN
(frowning)
That’s what Ms Young told me to do, and it’s not working.
BEN (CONT’D)
(tearing up)
People don’t like me, Mr. Statue. What if I can’t make a friend in two days?
Mr. Statue sighs.
MR. STATUE
Ben, this isn’t about me, it’s about you.
Ben tries to calm his breathing as he looks at Mr. Statue.
BEN
B-but why?
MR. STATUE
It’s too late for me, but you’re still young. I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.
Mr. Statue shuts his eyes for a moment.
BEN
Wait. What about the curse?
MR. STATUE
Uh… Don’t worry about it. It’s my curse, not yours.
BEN
But what happened to treating people better, to ‘righting your wrongs’–
MR. STATUE
(louder this time)
It’s my curse, not yours.
Beat.
MR. STATUE
I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did. You might think it’s funny to laugh at people and that it doesn’t matter, but in ten years – maybe less – you’ll look back at yourself now and feel so ashamed. And I wish I’d had someone to tell me that it was wrong, that people don’t like to be treated this way, but I didn’t!
BEN
(quietly)
Oh.
Silence settles between the two. After a moment, Ben speaks.
BEN (CONT’D)
Is that why Phoebe doesn’t want to be friends with me? Because I wasn’t nice to her?
MR. STATUE
You made fun of her maths score, Ben. People generally don’t want to be friends with you after you make fun of them.
BEN
(a little confused)
But Mummy and Daddy always–
MR. STATUE
(passionately)
Well, sometimes parents are wrong! Just because your mummy and daddy always laugh at people doesn’t mean you do it too. Or that it’s right.
(beat)
Unless you want to end up as a statue in a park that’s going to be knocked down in three days.
Ben sniffles and wipes his tear away with the back of his hand.
BEN
Oh. I don’t want to be that kind of person… but it’s so hard.
MR. STATUE
No, it’s not. Being nice doesn’t have to be big things. It can be as simple as asking someone if they’re okay when they look tired, or holding the door open for them, or sometimes not even doing anything.
MR. STATUE (CONT’D)
Like what you’ve been doing for me. Just… for yourself, and not for me.
Ben and Mr. Statue sit in silence, simply enjoying each other’s company. Birds chirp overhead, flying around under the bright sun.
FADE TO WHITE.
INT. CLASSROOM – BEN’S SCHOOL – MORNING (2018)
BEN (12) walks into class. A girl, PHOEBE (12), is already sitting at a table reading a book.
BEN
(casually)
Hey, you’re sitting in my seat.
PHOEBE
Huh? Oh, sorry–
Phoebe gets up hastily and moves to the seat beside Ben’s. Ben smiles as he takes a seat.
BEN
Don’t worry about it.
(beat)
Is that the new Clock Park book?
PHOEBE
Yeah. Do you read them?
BEN
Of course.
MR. STATUE (V.O)
(echoing inside Benjamin’s head)
Being nice doesn’t have to be the big things…
MR. STATUE (V.O.) (CONT’D)
… for yourself, and not for me…
BENJAMIN (CONT’D)
What’s your favourite book?
PHOEBE
Oh, it’s… (continues indistinctly as audio fades out)
Ben listens attentively as Phoebe talks.
MUSIC CUE: “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. HDB VOID DECK – BENCH – AFTERNOON (2019)
BEN (13) sitting on a bench next to PHOEBE (13). Behind them is a typical HDB void deck, with young children playing soccer in the far distance.
Ben’s lunch box is beside him, open as he offers Phoebe a sandwich, which she accepts. Ben takes out a sandwich for himself too.
They talk and laugh inaudibly. Ben takes out his phone to show PHOEBE something.
DISSOLVE TO:
Display title text, “MY FRIEND MR. STATUE”, against the clear blue sky.
END MUSIC CUE.
FADE TO BLACK.
END