ON THE CAR-GREEK COUNTRYSIDE-MORNING
Yiannis is eating a bougatsa, a Greek sweet cream pie, while Alec is driving, drinking an ice-cold coffee with a straw.
YIANNIS
Fantastic breakfast! incomparable!
He sounds like a native English speaker. The way he talks and acts shows a well-mannered person.
ALEC
I’m glad you like it! I told you, this place serves the best bougatsa with cream filling!
Alec’s English is not really good. He is making grammatical mistakes and his pronunciation is pretty bad.
YIANNIS
Greece is the holiday place to have the best food EVER! The whole country makes you feel so relaxed… Look at the surroundings! HOW CAN YOU TOP THAT? I’m having the time of my life!
Still munching his pie with pleasure looking fully excited.
ALEC
It’s a good point, son, I agree. But don’t forget for us is more than that. For us, THIS IS home.
YIANNIS
Dad! CAN YOU PLEASE STOP SAYING THAT? This is cause for a perpetual conflict between us! CAN’T YOU UNDERSTAND? I’m growing up in the UK! How can I feel this place is my homeland? You keep repeating the same old story… Our home, our glorious past, our ancestors, the need to always talk about them, blah blah(sighs).
He puts his food into its wrapping, places it in a plastic bag and throws it on the back seat. Then, looks out of the window and crosses his hands angrily in front of his chest.
ALEC
PLEASE SHOW SOME RESPECT YOUNG MAN!
DON’T FORGET WHAT WE CAME HERE FOR!!!
His driving becomes more nervous and reckless. He looks upset and sad at the same time.
YIANNIS
How can I forget? HOW? I was standing next to you at the funeral yesterday, wasn’t I? As a reminder, Grandma to me wasn’t a close relative. Grandma was the person who raised me up when mum and yourself were BUSY WORKING!!!
(Yiannis is getting emotional.)
ALEC
(also upset)
THEN SHOW THAT WITH YOUR ACTIONS!
YOU LOOK NOT BOTHERED AT ALL!!!
YIANNIS
What do you want me to do? Lose myself in grief? Will that make YOU feel better? Will misery bring grandma BACK? Is THIS something she would like? Grandma, always wanted us to smile and be happy! Look how pathetic we sound right now!!!
Yiannis looks like he is about to burst into tears.
ALEC
(apologetically)
Sorry… What I’m going through seems to fail my judgment, making me think I’m the only one suffering here… It looks… I’m terribly wrong!
Pulls the car to the side of the road and takes his seat belt off. Then, gets out of the car, runs to Yiannis’s side, opens the door, knees and holds his son’s hand, tearful.
YIANNIS
Looks surprised but he speaks in a comforting way.
I understand… It’s difficult for me as well, but I’m trying to forget…
ALEC
The last few days, since my mum was gone, I can’t stop myself from picturing the first memory I can fully recall… …I was just a toddler when I fell into that pond. I was playing with a floating toy, a yellow duck, which I accidentally pushed off my reach and the last thing I remember, I was screaming to get out of the water.
YIANNIS
You told me that story before! All can remember, was a hand, pulling you out and literally saving your life. Grandma’s hand.
Still holding hands, both looking very emotional.
ALEC
…What I had never told you is, how scared I was when I got out soaking wet, thinking my mum would punish me for being naughty and the sweet, warm hug I received instead… What a lovely feeling of comfort it was! I kept it really deep inside me… When I had you, I promised myself I would do my best for you to feel the same!
YIANNIS
I can’t complain… I received a lot of love from the whole of my family… ACCEPT YOU AND MUM!
ALEC
WHAT? Do you say this to hurt me even more? Is this how you thank me for everything WE provided you? WE WORKED DAY AND NIGHT TO MAKE SURE YOU WON’T MISS A THING!!! THAT’S NOT FAIR!
YIANNIS
Who said I wanted all of this? Were you there for me when I fell off the bed and I nearly broke my arm? Were you there to put me on the bus on the first day of secondary school, when I was shivering from anxiety and fear before the unknown? Where have you been when I needed someone to talk to about girls, about studies, about bullies, about myself…
ALEC
Grandma was… I… I can’t handle this! The only thing I can say is … I’m terribly sorry son! I guess… Being an immigrant, this is my payback, my fate! Trying to build up life from ruins, working day in, and day out, I lost my goal, and I forgot what my family really needs!
Alec looks Yiannis in the eye, shaking his head in regret.
YIANNIS
Yiannis’s mood changes. His voice sounds sweeter and calmer.
I guess…To make my statement stronger, I’ might have slightly exaggerated it! Mum and yourself were both very resourceful parents and worked really hard. I needed more of you, dad, to have a more substantial physical presence around me.
ALEC
I’m sorry son! I’m so sorry! It was not deliberate! That’s how life is. To achieve something, you lose something else, unfortunately.
YIANNIS
It’s alright dad. I understand now…
He hugs his father tightly and sighs with relief.
ALEC
Let’s make a new start today! Let’s use this opportunity to get closer to each other and spend a more fun time together! Let’s make an unforgettable holiday out of this!!!
He sounds relieved now. Goes back to his seat. Seatbelt on.
YIANNIS
That’s the best idea ever dad! How many days have we got left? I’ve lost count!
ALEC
Three weeks! Plenty of time to spare!
YIANNIS
Another unexpected gift from grandma! It seems like she made sure we’ll enjoy the most of our staying here!
ALEC
She is still looking after us for sure… What shall we do then?
YIANNIS
I would say a road trip is a must-do!
ALEC
GREAT! Any ideas where to start from?
YIANNIS
I’ve got actually… I’ll give you a hint. City, named after Alexander the Great’s sister turned to be a mermaid and stopped the ships asking: Is king Alexander still alive?
ALEC
My Thessaloniki… That’s an offer…
YIANNIS
…you can’t refuse! Yes!
ALEC
Greek myths are too good to be forgotten! I’m glad you challenged me this way! Let’s start then… I’ve got an idea! To make our drive more fun, there is a podcast we can listen to. It’s this archaeologist who talks about our…
YIANNIS
… Great Greek heritage? SERIOUSLY? Why do you start all over again?
ALEC
(Laughing ) You are right son! I got overexcited, once more!
Let’s listen to some music instead!
YIANNIS
My choice this time! A U2 masterpiece is the best option for the current situation!
Grabs his father’s phone and sets the tune-up to play on the radio using Bluetooth technology. He sings along… << It’s a beautiful day>> … The car starts moving. Further down, yellow wheat fields with cypresses are on either side of the road. Yiannis pops his head out of the car and shouts the lyrics out loud. His father is feeling bliss and blows the horn shouting with relief, << It’s a beautiful day>>…
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