Work Text:
(The scene starts with a view of Music’s apartment building. As the camera pans inside, you get some shots of the people who live there, such as the landlord, the neighbours, Ebo, and Felix. Then it pans inside the house, and we see Millie frying some eggs. Then, lastly, it goes into the bedroom and we watch Music wake up.)
Narrator: This is Music Gamble, a beautiful and very special 14-year-old girl. She is autistic. Every day, when she wakes up, she follows the same routine. Gets dressed, puts on her headphones, and asks her grandmother for the eggs she’s cooking.
Millie: Did you sleep well, Music?
Music’s TTS (Text-to-speech): Yes.
Music: Make your eggs.
Millie: Yes, I’ve got your eggs, love.
(Millie places the eggs in front of Music on the table and uses ketchup to make a smiley face. Music is happy and claps her hands.)
Narrator: People with autism often need a routine to feel secure, and much of the time have a safe food they like to eat every day. But this is different for everyone. This is Music’s personal routine, and eggs are Music’s particular safe food. And do you see what she’s doing here? This clapping isn’t just for fun, she’s performing a stimming behaviour. When people with autism get overwhelmed with emotion, good or bad, they may perform repetitive behaviours to keep themselves calm, like clapping or flapping their hands.
(Music finishes her eggs, Millie does her hair in braids, and leaves the house.)
Narrator: Now, the next part of Music’s routine is to walk to the library to look at books about dogs to prepare herself for the day. This is because for some autistic people, especially autistic people with high support needs, the day in a world not designed to include neurodivergent people can be very hard. Plus, many people with autism have what is known as a special interest, which is a particularly strong and often obsessive, sometimes disruptive love for a certain topic. Music’s special interest is dogs, but it is possible to have multiple. It took Millie a long time to realise Music can walk alone to the library fine, and allowing her to do so gives her just that extra bit of agency.
(Music walks through the library and finds some books about dogs, and goes to a quiet corner to read them.)
Narrator: You might have noticed Music is wearing headphones, and that she found a silent place to read. This is because some people with autism can find sensory information, such as bright or flashing lights, loud noises, or strong tactile sensations to be overloading. The headphones help her feel a little more regulated. This is why Millie home-schools Music as well. A normal school is too overwhelming for her.
(Back in the house. Millie is cleaning the side and waiting for Music to return. Out of nowhere, she clutches her chest and collapses.)
(Outside, Felix Chang notices her collapse through a window. He looks very concerned and pulls his phone out. He uses an eSMS app to tell an ambulance that Millie needs help with no need to say a single word.)
Narrator: This is Felix Chang, Music’s neighbour who also has autism. Both of them are non-verbal, which means it takes a lot more effort to talk than most people. This is why he has this app in advance to call the emergency services without speaking.
(Music returns home while the paramedics are there. She immediately looks terrified. A paramedic looks at her and shakes her head.)
Music: Ah...
(Music drops to the floor and starts crying.)
Narrator: Many people with autism, when they get too overwhelmed and stimming doesn’t help, can have a meltdown. This is not a meltdown. She is overcome with grief, because even though she can’t talk, she understands what’s happening as well as any other person.
(Cut to Kazu. She is fast asleep.)
AA staff member: Kazu Gamble?
Kazu: Oh, um. Yes?
AA staff member: The meeting is over and we’re cleaning now.
Kazu: Oh, should I leave? Yeah, no problem. Thank you for having me.
AA staff member: Of course.
(She leaves the room, and this is where people see she left an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Her phone rings.)
Kazu: Hello...?... Oh my God! Is she okay?!... I understand... Music? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I’ll do it. Thank you.
Narrator: This is Kazu Gamble. She is Music’s half-sister, and she isn’t grieving because she did not know Music’s grandmother very well. However, she has been asked to sign the paperwork to look after Music so she doesn’t end up in an orphanage. Typically, Kazu wouldn’t sacrifice so much to look after someone else, but because Music is autistic, she is at risk of being discriminated in an orphanage or worse, and so she is agreeing.
Kazu: Am I doing the right thing? I’m a total mess. Can I really look after someone with autism?!
(Later in the evening, Music is alone and looking dejected until the door opens and Kazu comes in.)
Kazu: Hi Music! It’s so good to see you again! How long has it been? A year? Two years?
Music’s TTS: I’m sad.
Kazu: I know you’re sad, dear, but I’m here for you now? Okay?
(She hugs Music without asking, and she looks very uncomfortable.)
Kazu: Get some sleep now, okay?
(While she is in bed, Felix shines a light in her window from across the street. She seems very happy with the light and searches to see if she can find anything to shine back into her room, but she has nothing. In the next morning, Kazu is sleeping later than when Millie always got up.)
Music: Make your eggs.
Kazu: What? Eggs? At this time in the morning? Ugh, fine...
(She makes Music the eggs
Music’s TSS: Braid my hair.
Kazu: Oh, I’m sorry, but haha... look at my head. I’ve never braided hair before in my life.
(Music looks very upset and starts flapping her hands. Then when she can’t take it anymore, she has a meltdown.)
Narrator: For some people with autism, it can feel like emotions are always dialed to 100. This is why this minor change of routine with no warning has triggered Music to have a meltdown, and Kazu doesn’t know what to do. However, a neighbour has heard the commotion.
Ebo: Hello? Can I come in please?
Kazu: Who are you?
Ebo: I’m Ebo, your neighbour. May I ask if this meltdown is autism-related?
Kazu: Um, I believe so.
Ebo: I know how to handle it.
Kazu: You do?
Ebo: Yes.
Kazu: Could you show me?
Ebo: Of course!
(He comes in and pins Music down to the ground with his weight, laying on her back. Kazu looks horrified.)
Kazu: Are you hurting her?!
Ebo: No, I am using a restraint technique. This stops them hurting themselves or others until they calm down.
(Music looks terrified and tries to break free, but after several long, painful moments, she calms down. When Ebo gets off her, she doesn’t look happy.)
Kazu: Are you sure that she’s okay?
Ebo: Of course, look, she stopped crying.
Kazu: She looked so afraid.
Ebo: It’s nothing to worry about, seriously. How’s this? We can go out for a walk, and I can teach you about her autism. My brother in Ghana was on the spectrum, you see? So I know a lot about it.
Kazu: You’re willing to do that?
Ebo: Of course! Where I grew up, we were always there for each other. If a neighbour needed help, we wouldn’t hesitate to help, so I am doing that for you now.
Kazu: That’s... incredibly nice of you. Is there anything I can do for you in return?
Ebo: No, not at all, my pleasure. Besides, I need an excuse to get some sunlight.
(The three of them go outside and head to the library.)
Kazu: You said you were from Ghana?
Ebo: Yes, I was born there.
Kazu: And your brother was also autistic?
Ebo: Yes, so I know lots about autism and stuff. It can make people overwhelmed very easily if their routines are disrupted or if there is too much sensory stimuli, you see? And when they move like that they can hurt themselves or others. That is why I restrained her. So if Music is upset, you could try talking at a lower volume or turning off the lights, or if you need to disrupt her routine, you should let her know in advance.
Kazu: Let her know in advance, got it. Hey, Music?
Music: Hm?
Kazu: In the future, I’m afraid you’ll have to either learn how to braid your hair yourself or learn not to have it in braids.
Ebo: Why can’t you learn how to braid her hair?
Kazu: Well, why can’t she?
Ebo: Think about it, if you’re like her and your brain is noticing all these little details and always overwhelmed by so many thoughts, it’s going to be difficult to do tasks that require multiple steps, isn’t it? She has to live with the condition. You don’t.
Kazu: I guess that’s true... it’s just going to be so hard.
Ebo: I know, life is terribly unfair sometimes, but the best you can do is try to have a positive outlook, anyway. That’s what I tried to do after my village killed my brother.
(Kazu pauses in her tracks.)
Kazu: Your village killed your brother?! Why?!
Ebo:... It is very, very sad and unfortunate. Many communities that do not have access to things like healthcare or therapy do not understand things like autism, and when people do not understand things, they often come up with spiritual explanations for them, like they did in medieval times in Europe. In my village, they believed evil spirits caused autism, and killing them was the only way to free their souls. They never understood my brother like I did.
Kazu: Oh my God! I’m so sorry!
Ebo: It is alright, it is not as if we can do anything about it other than hope one day places like my old village get the healthcare they need... um... Felix, are you alright?
(Felix is across the street watching Music as she enters the library. He looks at Ebo and nods his head yes, and Ebo nods back.)
Ebo: He’s in my boxing club I run, you see? Very sweet little boy, he’s actually autistic a lot like Music. I think they would both be wonderful friends!
Kazu: Aw, how cute! Maybe one day I could schedule a play-date with his parents?
Ebo: Oh, you might want to avoid his parents...
(Switch to Felix going back home to his parents. They speak in Chinese, which would have English subtitles rather than being dubbed over.)
Dad: You’re late? Again? This laundromat won’t run itself!
(Felix shamefully goes back to washing clothes while his mother looks on from her batch in pity. Back with Kazu. She looks inside of a cabinet and finds a bottle of alcohol.)
Kazu:... No, I’ve been doing so well.
(She goes outside for a walk and receives a phone call.)
Kazu: Again? Didn’t I tell you I was done with you? I could have gone to jail last time!... How much?... Fine. Fine, but I swear this is the last time! Yeah, shut up.
(She goes to someone’s house.)
Kazu: I want to get this over and done with as fast as possible, just hand them to me. I’ve left a dependent home alone.
Stranger: Huh, I didn’t know you were a mother?
Kazu: I’m not a mother — she’s my sister.
Stranger: Yeah, that makes more sense. I can’t picture you having kids.
Kazu: Hurry up!
(The stranger hands her what is clearly illegal drugs.)
Stranger: And you lied on the phone. You always come crawling back when you’re out of money.
Kazu: So would you.
(After she delivers the drugs to a very depressed-looking woman, Kazu goes to the store and buys some food.)
Kazu: Damn it, what foods did she like again? Autistic people have intense preferences, right? Surely it can’t just be eggs...
(To be safe, she buys a carton of eggs, and then buys anything she can find on sale. She sees a bottle of expensive alcohol, and after debating with herself, grabs it. Just before she pays, she sees a kiddie pool on sale. After staring at it for several moments, she grabs it.)
Kazu: Actually, can I buy this instead of the wine, please?
(The next day, while Kazu is setting up the pool, Ebo arrives.)
Ebo: Hello?
Kazu: Oh, you’re back?
Ebo: Of course I am back! I am making sure everything is okay with Music.
Music’s TTS: I am happy.
Ebo: I’m so glad to hear that, dear!
Kazu: Well, I saw this for sale, and I thought Music would like it, so I’m running it for her. Come on, do you want to get in?
Music’s TTS: No.
Kazu: Oh, come on, it’ll be fun!
(Kazu forces her inside. Music forces her foot out and looks greatly distressed that her foot is wet and starts whining. She starts having another meltdown and hitting herself.)
Ebo: She’s hurting herself!
Kazu: I’m sorry, that was my fault! Can you do that thing again?!
Ebo: I’m not getting on top of a screaming white girl in public!
Kazu: Oh boy...
(She restrains her like last time. Music looks afraid, but eventually stops.)
Kazu: Come on. Let’s get you a snow cone.
(Afterwards they go home. Music is in her room, looking at pictures of dogs with a frown. She looks out the window occasionally.)
Kazu: Sorry, not very many options for dinner... are eggs okay?
Ebo: Of course.
Kazu: Thank you for coming over to stay. It’s nice to have some company lately. I’ve been rather lonely, even with Music around.
Ebo: No, I totally understand. My ex-wife and I recently divorced, and she’s marrying my brother, so you can understand how awful that must feel.
Kazu: Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. Why would your brother do that to you?
Ebo: Hey, it’s his life, not his. I shouldn’t be in charge of who he marries. I’m still going to the wedding. He’s my brother.
Kazu: That’s very mature of you, but also really cruel of him. If I were you, I’d punch that sucker in the face.
Ebo: Haha, you and I seem to have different priorities. Go on, I’ve told you my traumatic backstory, yours next.
Kazu: My traumatic backstory?
Ebo: Yes.
Kazu: Well... my grandma died recently. When I was a teenager, I got into drinking too much and started selling drugs to fund it. I’m on probation because I was caught recently. I’m grateful I could still look after Music though.
Ebo: Oh dear, you don’t still sell drugs, do you?
Kazu: No, no...
Ebo: I’m glad to hear that.
Kazu: How about we change the subject?
Ebo: Of course... well... what’s with your name rhyming with Kazoo?
Kazu: Haha! Music’s and my mother was... probably where I got my addictions from.
Ebo: Oh, God!
(They finish dinner, and Music hears them say goodbye. She looks very sad, but says nothing. The next day Kazu is desperately trying to look after Music, but is struggling because Music can’t communicate her needs.)
Kazu: What do you want?! Is it that the light’s too bright?! Are you upset you can’t look at more dogs? Answer me!
Music: Mm!
Kazu: Goddamn it, why can’t you just talk?!
(Music flinches. Kazu looks guilty.)
Kazu: I’m sorry, okay? I’m really on edge lately...
(Music is trying to hold herself back. Kazu gets a phone call.)
Kazu: What...? Again? You know what? Fine! I give up!
(She hangs up angrily.)
Kazu: Listen, we’re gonna go on a nice walk, okay? That should calm you down. Bring whatever headphones and sensory toys you want.
(Music nods, grabs her headphones and a stim toy, and they leave. Later she is seen with drugs on her way to a delivery. Music is reading a book on the way there. This time it’s a normal book, not about dogs.)
Kazu: This is a really rich client, so try not to have your freak-outs, okay? Or meltdowns or whatever they’re called.
Music: I can’t help it...
Kazu: I know, I know... God, I need a drink.
(Music gives her a look, but says nothing. They go inside.)
Celebrity: Oh, hello? Are you my delivery?
Kazu: Yes, I am.
Celebrity: Oh, thank you very much! Do you know what I’m going to be using these for? I’m going to be sending these to Haiti since there’s been an earthquake! They don’t have very good medicine there, you see? I’m sending it to them. Popstars without borders, I call it!
Kazu: Yes, of course! That makes total sense.
(They walk away. Kazu whispers to Music to get it off her chest.)
Kazu: She’s totally lying. Big faces are all drug addicts behind doors.
(Music looks at her, messes with her stim toy, and continues. The guard gives Music a nasty look.)
Guard: A teenager and still playing with toys?
Kazu: Shut up! You know nothing about her!
(They leave.)
Kazu: Okay... my next delivery... you catching up, Music?
(She arrives at a door.)
Kazu: In the building?
(She opens the door. Ebo opens it. The camera zooms in to reveal she is giving him HIV medication. They look at each other in shock, but she hands it over. There is an uncomfortable silence as Ebo closes the door.)
Kazu:... Tell you what, Music? How about we go get another snow cone? That should cheer up my mood. That’s one of your safe foods, right?
(Music beams. They go out to get a snow cone, and while they’re sat on the bench, Music’s leg stimming bothers a bee and it stings her. She cries.)
Kazu: What’s wrong? It’s not another meltdown again, is it?
Music: Mmmm!
(She starts swelling.)
Kazu: Oh my God!
(She rushes Music to the hospital where she is treated for anyphilaxis.)
Kazu: Are you okay?
(Music just stares at her after she’s been treated. She laughs slightly.)
Kazu: I can never tell with you. Your faces are always either so expressive or so monotonous!
Music’s TTS: I am okay.
(She collects the discharge papers, and as they leave, Kazu realises she left the drugs behind. They rush back only to find the bag was stolen.)
Kazu: Oh, God! My client’s gonna kill me! Was it an addict or a police officer? What if they connect it to me?! Then I could lose custody!
(She starts panicking and hyperventilating, letting out a loud cry of frustration. Music gazes at her for several seconds before pouncing on her.)
Kazu: Music?!
(Music uses the same restrainment process Kazu and Ebo had previously done to her.)
Music: Calm down!
Kazu: Get off me! I can’t breathe! I said, get off me!
(She uses her raw strength to push Music off, and she scrapes her knee. She starts crying loudly.)
Kazu: What on earth were you doing?!
(She pauses.)
Kazu:... You couldn’t breathe, and we didn’t even notice?
(Music is still crying. Kazu looks like she’s in shock.)
Kazu: Touch or no touch?
(Music stretches her arms out, and Kazu gives her a big hug.)
Kazu: I’m sorry, I’m sorry. That was wrong of me, and I’ll make sure nobody ever does it again. Let’s go home and fix that scrape, okay? I’ll buy you more books as an apology, and I’ll make half of them about dogs!
(Music stares at her, but not at her eyes.)
Kazu:... 75%?
(Music smiles. They go home. Cut to Ebo at his boxing class. He seems distracted, but still eager to give the kids some fun. It’s mainly people of ethnic minorities.)
Ebo: You can do it, Felix!
(Felix steps up to the ring, but he unfortunately loses.)
Ebo: It’s okay dude, there’s always next time!
(He pats him on the back.)
Ebo: Sorry, I forgot to ask, was that okay?
(Felix gives a thumbs up and stares at the door.)
Ebo: Don’t want to go home?
Felix: ...
Ebo: I have an idea, buddy. How about tomorrow I can take you out with Music and Kazu? You know Music, right? Kazu and I had a uh... a moment yesterday, so we might be a bit awkward, but we’ll be happy to have you along!
(Felix looks happy and nods. This gives him the courage to go home. He’s looking forward to tomorrow. He tries to buy her a service dog until he hears a loud bang from downstairs.)
Dad: You worthless pile of garbage!
Mom: Stop! Stop!
Dad: Oh, I’ll show you stop!
(Felix grabs his hand and attempts to box his father, only to end up in an actual fight with him. The mother calls the police, and Felix attempts to defend his mother, but then the father takes a kitchen knife.)
Mom: No!
(And plunges it into his own son. Sirens ring out. Inside, Music sees all the police and realises something bad has happened. She doesn’t know Felix is dead. Music uses a flashlight to try to cheer him up through his bedroom window, not realising he’s dead until he’s pulled out of the home under a white blanket. She drops her flashlight in horror and cries herself to sleep.)
Ebo: Kazu?
Kazu: Ah! Oh, my head...
Ebo: You drank?
Kazu:... Yesterday was hard. For a lot of reasons...
Ebo: ...
Kazu: I have 2 things to say. You have HIV?
Ebo: Does that bother you?
Kazu: No.
Ebo: Really?
Kazu: You’re still human. I’m not even into... that sort of thing... My only concern is if you gave it to your wife.
Ebo: No, no, she got tested, and we were always safe... sometimes I wonder if that’s why she left me.
Kazu: I’m sorry.
Ebo: It’s fine. I’m adapting. I have friends and a job, and a bunch of good kids I teach...
Kazu: Is something wrong?
Ebo: One of my students died yesterday.
Kazu: Oh my God! I’m so sorry! What happened?
Ebo: Domestic violence. It was Felix. I told you his parents were terrible.
Kazu: Did they at least go to jail?
Ebo: Just the father. I don’t think his mother did anything. I just assumed she was in on it. She was beaten pretty badly.
(Kazu’s mouth is wide open.)
Ebo: Nothing to be done. I’ll be going to his funeral. He needs some company.
Kazu: Do you think Music could come? Or would she be a distraction?
Ebo: That kid needs all the company he can get, and Music’s not a distraction for her existence.
Kazu: Of course... but that brings me on to what I was going to say earlier. Yesterday, Music tried to restrain me because I was having a panic attack similar to her meltdowns, and... and I couldn’t breathe.
Ebo: You couldn’t breathe?!
Kazu: The technique doesn’t work.
Ebo: But my village did it all the time!
Kazu: And, no offence, they killed your brother!
(He pauses.)
Ebo: You’re right. They killed my brother.
(They pause. He takes her hand.)
Ebo: It’ll be hard, but we can learn the right way to raise Music... right?
Kazu: Together?
(She stands up and gets close to him.)
Ebo: Of course...
(There’s a moment of silence, and then they kiss. They pull back and Ebo laughs a bit.)
Ebo: Not worried you’ll get HIV?
Kazu: Doesn’t spread through kissing. I know that at least!
Ebo: Smart girl. Tell you what... Maybe I can help you find a proper job? Away from selling drugs?
Kazu: How did you know I still did that?
Ebo: Well, medicine is expensive. I didn’t order it legally, and you showed up at my door with it.
Kazu: Yep, that’ll do it... But I appreciate that offer so much. Thank you, Ebo.
Ebo: No problem.
Kazu: Okay, here’s the plan! I’m gonna go back to Alcoholics Anonymous, I’m gonna learn about autism with you, I’m gonna get a real job, I’m gonna block my dealer’s number, in fact!
(She blocks his number.)
Kazu: Hopefully I’ve got enough in the bank to eat this week!
Ebo: I may not be the richest man on Earth, but if there’s one thing I learned in my village, it’s that you don’t let someone go hungry.
Kazu: Thank you for everything. You’re genuinely a lifesaver. I’ll go wake up Music now.
(She goes. There’s a wet stain.)
Kazu: Music! You’ve wet yourself!
(Music wakes up and groans at the uncomfortable feeling. Kazu sighs.)
Kazu: It’s okay... you’ve been stressed. These things happen when you’re stressed, even at this big age. It’s okay, alright?
(Music looks happy that she’s being nice.)
Kazu: Do you need help washing yourself?
Music’s TTS: No.
Kazu: Alright.
(There’s a montage of Ebo training Kazu for a job interview.)
Kazu: I’ve got this?
Ebo: You’ve got this!
(She goes inside. There’s a scene of an interview. Later in the day.)
Kazu: Music?
(She doesn’t respond.)
Kazu: Music?
Music: Hm?
Kazu: I have a surprise! I finally got a better job! I’m working as a builder now!
(Music smiles.)
Kazu: It’s hard work, but it’s legal work! I’m thinking of going to community college at some point to get something better, but for now this is a good place.
Music:... I’m proud of you.
Kazu:... Thank you, sweetheart. Now, it’s time to go. You know it’s Felix’s funeral, right?
Music TTS: I am sad.
Kazu: I know you’re sad, dear. Unfortunately, tomorrow is never guaranteed. But that’s why you should be happy every day, right?
(Music looks down.)
Music: He needs you today. Are you okay with going?
Music’s TTS: Yes.
(They go to the funeral. Music cries and stims a lot, but his mother clearly appreciates that she didn’t show up alone to her son’s funeral. Music sits next to her. She’s Chinese and can’t speak English, and she can’t speak either. They don’t need words to communicate. But there’s immense understanding in their body language with one another.)
Music: Bye bye...
(When they get home, they receive a dog from delivery. Music has never looked happier in her life. Ebo smiles, having an idea of where it came from. When it is the day of Ebo’s brother’s marriage, they all go. It’s a lovely celebration, and in the middle of the ceremony, Ebo and Kazu kiss again. Music finds another girl to talk to.)
Girl: Is that a TTS?
Music’s TTS: Yes.
Girl: Why do you have it?
Music’s TTS: I have autism spectrum disorder.
(The girl smiles.)
Girl: I have autism too! Do you want to hang out after the ceremony?