Friday Feature: Allie Morgan
- Jae Nichelle
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
Allie Morgan (she/her) is a writer, director, and producer in Chicago, IL. She studied entertainment business at Los Angeles Film School and screenwriting at New York Film Academy. She has written and directed numerous award-winning short films and a proof of concept, and recently started her own production, Muffy Film Productions, which focuses on platforming marginalized filmmakers. When she is not writing and directing her own projects, she also loves assistant directing and producing other people’s projects. She is passionate about telling stories for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community, and her ultimate goal is to put these underrepresented communities in front of and behind the camera in all of her films.
POETRY BY DEAD MEN
A black screen. Muffled noise and music in the background.
NADIA
(O.S.) You've got this, babe!
You can do it!
NAOMI (O.S.)
I don't, I can't.
NADIA
(O.S.) You can, I promise.
FADE IN:
1. INT. NADIA AND NAOMI'S LIVING ROOM - EARLY EVENING (DREAM SEQUENCE)
The screen comes into focus. NADIA (late 20s-early 30s, with a distinct septum piercing and purple streak in her hair) sits behind NAOMI (late 20s-early 30s, with a nose ring to match Nadia's septum ring) in a small birthing pool. Meditation chants and music play from a speaker in the background.
NAOMI
Just pull her out of me!
Knock me out! Anything!
Nadia moves from behind Naomi so they're face-to-face. Nadia kneels in front of Naomi and takes her face in her hands.
NADIA
Look at me. You're the strongest
woman I know. You are capable
of anything you set your mind to.
Nadia touches her forehead against Naomi's.
NADIA (CONT'D)
She's right there. Just a few more
pushes and we'll have our baby with us.
NAOMI (quietly)
Okay.
NADIA
Remember, there's nothing to fear, but-
NAOMI
Fear itself.
(she takes a deep breath)
I have to push.
Fade to black. A baby cries off screen.
2. INT. NADIA AND NAOMI'S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT (DREAM SEQUENCE)
The room is lit exclusively with candles. Quiet music plays in the distance. Naomi lies in bed covered only in a sheet. She cradles and nurses the newborn in her arms. Small footsteps come padding down the hallway and into the room. SIENNA (6) enters the room timidly.
SIENNA
Mama?
NAOMI
Come meet your sister, baby.
Sienna walks over to the bed and crawls in next to Naomi.
Naomi puts her free arm around her.
SIENNA
What's her name?
NAOMI
Sayrah.
SIENNA
(slowly) Sie-ruh.
Sienna grabs Sayrah's foot and tickles it gently.
SIENNA (CONT'D)
Hi, Sayrah. I'm your sister.
(after a beat)
Do you think she knows me? From
when I talked to her in your belly?
NAOMI
Definitely.
SIENNA
Do you think she remembers all
of the poems we read to her?
NAOMI
(she laughs)
Maybe.
SIENNA
I like her.
NAOMI
I like her too.
Naomi looks back and forth between Sienna and Sayrah.
NAOMI (CONT'D)
You're still my girl, you know that right?
SIENNA
Mhm.
NAOMI
Both of you. Forever.
Sienna places a kiss on Sayrah's head and then on Naomi's cheek.
SIENNA
Mama?
NAOMI
Hm?
SIENNA
Did it hurt?
NAOMI
What?
SIENNA
To have Sayrah. You said before
that sometimes it hurts mama's to
have babies.
NAOMI
A little. But I'd do it all over again.
(after a beat)
All the pain in the world, I'd do it
over and over again if it meant
you two could be mine forever.
3. INT. NADIA AND NAOMI'S KITCHEN - MORNING (DREAM SEQUENCE)
Nadia stands at the kitchen island in a white t-shirt and black boy shorts. She pours a cup of coffee and sprinkles cinnamon into a mug that says "best mama ever". Naomi enters with Sayrah strapped to her chest. She grabs Nadia's waist from behind.
NAOMI
Coffee?
NADIA
Mhm.
NAOMI
Cinnamon?
NADIA
You know it.
NAOMI
I am madly in love with you, you
know that?
NADIA
The feeling is mutual, my love.
Naomi sits at the chair. She takes a sip of her coffee. Her eyes roam up and down Nadia's body.
NAOMI
This with a view? What else could a
girl ask for?
NADIA
That, with a view, plus I'll read to you
and the little one while you nap.
NAOMI
I am going to marry you all over again.
4. EXT. LOCAL PARK - AFTERNOON (DREAM SEQUENCE)
Sienna runs around on the playground with friends. Nadia and Naomi sit on a nearby bench with Sayrah in the stroller. Naomi's free hand is on Nadia's thigh and her other hand holds a coffee. Sayrah giggles from her seat.
NAOMI
What's so funny, munchkin?
NADIA
You want some of mama's coffee,
don't you?
Naomi leans the cup toward Sayrah playfully. Sayrah giggles and swats at the straw.
NAOMI
Maybe when you're a little older.
And then mama will take you on
coffee dates every Saturday.
Sienna climbs to the top of the play structure.
SIENNA
Mommy, mama! Look!
Sienna hangs her legs from the top of the structure, then twists herself around the equipment and jumps to the ground.
NADIA
Baby, please be careful!
SIENNA
I am, mommy! promise!
Sienna stumbles through the woodchips and runs toward Nadia and Naomi. She grabs Naomi's hand and pulls her off the bench.
SIENNA (CONT'D)
Mama, come here! I wanna show you something!
NAOMI
Where are we going, baby?
SIENNA
It'll be really quick, promise!
DISSOLVE TO:
5. EXT. FOREST BEHIND THE PARK - AFTERNOON CONT. (DREAM SEQUENCE)
Sienna pulls Naomi's hand and tugs her toward the wooded area. Sienna begins to run faster. Naomi lags behind her.
NAOMI
Sienna, slow down! Where are we going?
Sienna doesn't respond. She keeps tugging Naomi as they get further into the woods. It starts to become darker. Sienna lets go of Naomi's hand. She continues running until she disappears out of sight.
NAOMI (CONT'D)
Sienna? SIENNA!
CUT TO:
6. EXT. NADIA AND NAOMI'S HOUSE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Police drag Naomi out of her house in handcuffs. Naomi is covered in blood and tears and snot stains her face.
NAOMI
SIENNA! SIENNA!
SIENNA
MAMA! COME BACK!
NAOMI
SIENNA, GO INSIDE! NADIA, TAKE
HER INSIDE!
Nadia tries to grab Sienna and Sienna wrestles with her in the doorway.
SIENNA
Mama! Mama don't leave me!
Please!
NAOMI
Sienna, I love you. Don't ever
forget that!
The police shove Naomi into the back of the car. Naomi sobs and puts her hand to the window as they drive away. Sienna falls to her knees at the door and Nadia stands behind her.
CUT TO:
7. INT. THERAPIST'S OFFICE - DAY (PRESENT DAY)
DR. WRIGHT (40s, very serious demeanor) sits at her desk.
Naomi sits across from her in a chair. Her eyes have heavy dark circles around them, both of her wrists are bandaged, and her white t-shirt barely fits over her now eight-month bump.
DR. WRIGHT
And then what?
Naomi doesn't respond.
DR. WRIGHT (CONT'D)
Naomi?
NAOMI
(distant) Hm?
DR. WRIGHT
You said Sienna runs off into
the forest, and then what?
NAOMI
When can I see Sienna?
DR. WRIGHT
Naomi, what happens after Sienna
runs into the forest in your dream?
NAOMI
I wanna see Sienna. Why can't I
see Sienna?
DR. WRIGHT
Naomi-
NAOMI
Sienna should be with me.
Naomi protectively places her hand over her belly.
NAOMI (CONT'D)
Both of them should be able to
stay with me.
DR. WRIGHT
Naomi, please fo-
NAOMI
(hysterical) LET ME SEE SIENNA.
WHY WON'T YOU LET ME SEE MY
DAUGHTER? WHY ARE YOU KEEPING
HER AWAY FROM ME? WHY ARE
YOU TAKING THEM BOTH AWAY
FROM ME?
Dr. Wright pushes the emergency call button next to her desk. Within seconds, two medical personnel enter the room and grab Naomi by both of her arms. Naomi flails wildly as they drag her out of the room. Her screams echo down the hallway.
8. INT./EXT. VARIOUS - MONTAGE
-- Naomi, Nadia, and Sienna sing together in the car
-- Sienna plays dress up in a green dress
-- Naomi and Nadia tell Sienna they're pregnant
-- Sienna reads poetry to Naomi's belly
-- Sienna and Sayrah play together in the backyard
SIENNA (V.O.)
Mama, if you're reading this, that
means today is your birthday.
This is my fourth birthday without
you and each year I worry I will
forget what your birthdays with
you are like. Mommy took us on
a road trip, and we're wearing the
matching green dresses you like
so much. We also stopped to get
coffees, just the way you like them.
Sayrah is so big now and she loves
to read and write. I think she gets
that from you. She doesn't know
you, but I show her pictures of you
every day. I hope one day you will
be able to meet her. I hope we
are still your girls. I hope we always
will be.
FADE TO BLACK.
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