The red string

ANDREW-

Andrew: Yes, dad, I am on my way. Inform mom about this, she's calling me, but the network is slow here. Tell her not to worry, it's just a small trip!

Andrew's dad: No, son, enjoy as much as possible. Don't worry about me and your mother. Just make sure, if you come to bruch, Visit us.

Andrew: (smile) ofcourse, Dad. I'll come visit you. Just tell mom to not worry about me.

Andrew's mom: HOW CAN I NOT?

Andrew's dad: Son, he snatched the phone from me.

Andrew's mom: Arey, give it back to me!(phone)

Andrew: (laughs happily) mom?

Andrew's mom: Son, I miss you so much. when will you come back?

Andrew: (calmly in a sweet tone) I'll be back in no time, mom, don't worry.

Andrew's dad: Yes, son, we both Miss you so much. It's been years since I've seen your face...

Andrew's mom: Yes, all you do is send us money every month. Do you think you can buy us with your money?

Andrew: No, mom, not in my weirdest dreams I would think that. Don't worry I'll be back real quick.

Andrew's mom: MY ADORABLE BABY. I'll wait for you. 😭❣️

Andrew: By the way, any information on coke?

Andrew's dad: (sad tone) Son, are you still searching for her?

Andrew: How could I not! (Sighs)

Andrew's mom: She even became Miss universe last year. I saw her on Tv.

Andrew's dad: Yes, and just when we went to her parents to convey the message, they said they already knew!

Andrew: So didn't they contact her then?

Andrew's mom: I know, right? strange. They said they want her to live her life and that they won't be puppeting her anymore.

Andrew: (too stunned to speak)

Andrew's dad: Her parents cry everyday and watch her shows all the time.....poor them. (Sadly)

Andrew's mom: They said they're still waiting for her to come home.

Andrew: (sad signs) is that so, mom?

Andrew's mom: Yes, son. If you find her anywhere, Bring her home, okay? I miss her too; she's like a daughter to me..

Andrew: Don't worry, mom. I'll bring her back, I promise.

Andrew's dad: I know you've been traumatized since your friend left without a notice but Andrew you gotta live your life too.

Andrew: Dad... She's my..

CALL ENDS DUE TO POOR CONNECTION

Andrew: Oh, the network's gone.

DRAKE STEPS IN-

Drake: Hi , buddy.

Andrew: Oh, drake, you're here? I thought you'd be coming to the next station!

Drake: I ran all the way here. Or else it will take 5 more minutes to arrive to my station.

Andrew: Well, that's not really great.

TRAIN STOPS TO A STATION

Drake: Let's go, Andrew. We'll join the others.

Andrew: Yes, come on, let's move. (gets pushed from behind)

Drake: Are you okay, Andrew?

Andrew: (turns back)

Unknown: Oh, I'm so sorry...

Andrew: (looks at her stunned)

Drake: Oh, you're that Miss Universe...

Unknown: Yes, I'm Candace. Nice to meet you, and I'm really sorry about that...

Andrew: No worries, it's fine. (Blank)

Candace: I'll be on my way, then. Oh wait, do you guys know where seat 37 is?

Andrew: That's on our block.

Drake: Great, come on. We'll escort you.

Candace: Thank you so much for your help.

ON THE BLOCK-

Pixie: Oh, Drake, you're here?

Drake: Yeah.

Laura: Andrew, you're back?

Candace: (hesitates)

Horace: Drake, you're supposed to be sitting with Georg, not here. I think I forgot to send you the seat number. My bad!

Drake: Actually, you did send it to me. (exhaling smoke) I just came to drop this lovely lady off.

Muse: Oh, who's she?

Candace: Hi everyone, I'm Candace, and I'll be sitting in seat 37 with y'all. (smiling)

Horace: Are you the Miss Universe from last year? I think I've seen you before.

Muse: OMG, I know her! (excited)

Laura: So what? Why is she here? (Jealous)

Candace: Oh, hi Laura. You're the one who placed second, right?

Lucie: OMG, did she just rub it in her face? (amused, laughing)

Drake: (looks at Laura with a hint of concern)

Laura: You're so proud of your first place, right? The one you got after allegedly bribing the judges? That's rich coming from you! (bitterly, accusingly)

Candace: (smirks, unfazed) Did I?

Andrew: Enough, Laura. That's rude. (sternly)

Horace: Don't mind her, Candace. She's just not in the mood. (soothingly)

Lucie: Ooo, things are getting spicy here! (entertained)

Laura: (rolls her eyes, annoyed)

Candace: No, that's totally fine. I won't judge, since I never felt the pain of being second after all. (confidently grins)

Lucie: (hooting) OMG, DIVA, DIVA! SHE'S SUCH A COOL DIVA! (excitedly)

Pixie: (laughs, entertained)

Drake: (smirks, impressed)

ANDREW EXITS

Candace: (takes her seat, smiling)

Max: She literally roasted you, Laura.

Laura: (irritated) Why are you and Pixie here? Go sit in your seat.

Pixie: It's not night yet. I'll sit here next to Muse for now.

Max: By the way, you're really stunning. I think you actually deserved Miss Universe.

Drake: Agree (smiles) (Moves back to his seat)

Candace: Thanks, that's so nice of you.

Lucie: Candace, you're actually cool. Speaking of the truth, I love your runway walks! You're definitely my favorite.

Laura: Such a LOSER fan girl. (irritated and jealous)

Candace: Aww, that's so nice of you, Lucie. I appreciate that.

Lucie: Thanks, Candace. And shut up, Laura - I smell burning. (Rolls her eyes)

Max: Why don't we start by introducing ourselves to her?

Muse: Sounds good, no problem.

SCENE CUTS BACK TO DRAKE

Georg: Hi, buddy!

Drake: Hey, Georg, how's it going?

Georg: All good! How have you been?

Drake: Nothing much, just busy with some movies.

Georg: What's your next one?

Drake: It's going to be a fantasy horror.

Georg: Lol, I thought you only do romance movies.

Drake: It is, romantic. Though.

Georg: Okay, fine. Where's Andrew?

Drake: He went back to call someone.

Georg: Oh.

ANDREW'S SIDE-

Andrew: (looks outside the train gate window)

Stranger: Excuse me...

Andrew: Oh... (moves aside)

Stranger: If you don't mind, can I ask if this is the Sleeper Express Chime Train?

Andrew: No problem, yes, it is.

Stranger: I'm sorry, but I'm actually lost, and the train has started. Could you please help me with my seat?

Andrew: Yeah, sure.

Candace: CHARLOTTE?! (runs to hug her)

Andrew: (confused)

Stranger (Charlotte): Oh, Candace, if it weren't you, I would've panicked.

Candace: I'm so glad you came! It's been years since I last saw you!

Charlotte: Same, YA! I MISS YOU A LOT!

Andrew: Girls, the train is moving, it's not safe to stand here.

Candace: Oh, Andrew, actually, I wanted to say thanks.

Andrew: Umm... if it's for helping you find your seat, then no worries. Anyone should.

Candace: You're still as kind as before. (smiles)

Andrew: Hm?

Charlotte: I think you guys should talk. I'll get back to my seat.

Candace: No, I'll come with you. You'll get lost again. We'll talk sometime later, Andrew, okay?

Andrew: Yeah, sure.

ALL THREE GETS BACK TO THERE SEATS

Georg: It's so nice, we're getting female seatmates.

Horace: Andrew, you're back?

Andrew: Yes.

Laura: Andrew, why are you coming back with girls everytime? Do you know them?

Andrew: You already know Candace. The next one is her friend.

Lucie: Oh, I think I know the 2nd one too...

Charlotte: The clothes you're wearing are from my brand, sweetie.

(EVERYONE IS SHOCKED)

Muse: What the...? Is this a celeb meetup? (stunned)

Lucie: OMG, YES. THAT'S YOU. THE FASHION DESIGNER.

Laura: Wait, for real? This is a famous brand, though?

Horace: Guys, let them adjust. I think you're making them uncomfortable with a bunch of questions all at once!

Charlotte: (laughs) Don't worry, we'll discuss it all later. Although, it's great to meet such friendly seatmates here.

Horace: (smiles) Make yourself comfortable here.

Gwen: (looks at Charlotte with a bitchy face)

Laura: Leave it, Gwen.

SCENE FOCUSED ON-

Candace: Gotta tell you a lot, Charlotte! I MISSED YOU A LOT, BESTIE!

Charlotte: Same, babygirl, I missed you so much! You just dipped without a heads up, I was lowkey freaking out.

Candace: I'm sorry, Charlotte. I'll explain everything to you.

Charlotte: Are you going to Bruch?

Candace: Yes, and I can understand if you don't wanna join me, but since you're on the train, I have something important to tell you.

Charlotte: What do you mean, not join you? I'm going to Bruch too.

Candace: Wait, what, really?

Charlotte: Yes, I've made up my mind. I'll never make my parents suffer anymore for me. They've done a lot for me; I can't just leave them.

Candace: (shocked) But Charlotte...

Charlotte: After all, they're my parents. I know they'll forgive me. I've already hurt them a lot; I ain't gonna do it more.

Candace: So, you're really gonna listen to them and marry the dude they picked out for you? Oh, not to mention the arranged marriage?

Charlotte: (sighs) I'll see whatever happens; I'll face it. I just can't live in shadows anymore. They're my parents.

Candace: You're really brave, Charlotte. (smiles at her)

Charlotte: What about you, Candace? Did you make up your mind to visit your parents again?

Candace: Umm...

(Muse interrupts)

Muse: Hey, Candace. And... Charlotte!

Muse: Hey, guys! We're playing a game. Want to join us?

Candace: I think I need a little rest. How about Charlotte joins you instead?

Drake: Candace?

Candace: Oh, hi Drake.

Drake: Is everything okay?

Candace: Yes.. I am fine.

Muse: Then come play with us. It'll lift your mood.

Candace: Okay, fine... I'll join you guys. (forced smile)

Charlotte: What's the game about, though?

Horace: It's a horror game suggested by Max. She'll explain the rules.

Max: Alright, has anyone played the TikTok game before?

Candace: I have. (glances at Andrew)

Andrew: (looks at her skeptically) I think Candace and I need to talk.

Laura: Why?

Candace: (smiles)

Horace: Alright, you two go have a chat. We'll discuss the game in the meantime.

(Candace and Andrew exit)

Laura: (makes a worried face)

Charlotte: I think I've heard of this game before...

Georg: Yeah, I've played it before!

Lucie: I think everyone has.

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