- 11 hours ago
Lost Her On The Ice, Now He Was Begging Episode 1
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm sorry Maiev, my coach said, but the final roster has been confirmed. There wasn't a mistake.
00:05I stood outside the office for almost five minutes, staring at the sheet taped to the board.
00:11My name was gone. Under the skating training grant, where Maeve Sullivan should have been
00:16was Lila Voss instead. My first thought was that there was something wrong with the roster.
00:21Then I realized Silas did that. When I found him, he was leaning against his car,
00:26scrolling through his phone. He saw me, but didn't even straighten up. Just flicked the ash off his
00:31cigarette and squinted at me through the smoke, he said, before I could even open my mouth.
00:36Lila's family is broke. She doesn't get the grant she's done. You're strong. You can fight your way
00:40through sectionals. That grant comes with a full ride to the Olympic Training Center. You know what
00:46that means for me. You'll figure it out. My voice came out steadier than I felt. I stared at him.
00:52He
00:52was looking everywhere except at my face. Patched into his wallet. Pulled out a black card. Held it
00:58out between two fingers, like he was tipping a valet. Fine. Look, I'll cover your training. Coaches,
01:04ice time, gear, all of it. Consider me buying the spot off you. Are we good now?
01:10The rain started. I look at the card in his hand, then at his face. He used to tell me
01:14that as long
01:15as I trained hard, I could leave my terrible family and realize my dream of competing in an
01:20international skating event. So to get better training, I practiced hard and worked part-time
01:25at the skating club in my spare time. But ironically, he was putting a price tag on my dream now.
01:30I turned around and started walking. His voice cut across the parking lot.
01:34Are you serious now? You bust your knuckles in that club's shop. You've been hustling for money
01:42your whole life. I'm handing you more than you'll ever see. And you want to play noble?
01:48I stopped and turned my head, just enough to see him through the rain. Many years of something
01:54I'd thought was untouchable, and it had rotted through all at once.
01:59Sure, Silas. Think whatever you want.
02:02By the time I got back to the skating club's shop, my phone was buzzing.
02:08Maeve.
02:08Tell me I'm reading the roster wrong. Tell me Laya's name is not where yours should be.
02:12You're reading it right.
02:14That's Silas. That has to be Silas. Did you talk to him?
02:17I leaned against the back counter.
02:20I just came from him.
02:21Looking at the row of skates lined up for sharpening, my hands were still wet.
02:25He offered to pay for the rest of my skating career.
02:28Said he was buying the spot off me.
02:30That entitled piece of shit. Tell me you threw it back in his face.
02:35I walked away.
02:36Maeve.
02:37You have to fight this. That grant is yours. Do you have any idea what you went through to earn
02:43it?
02:43The all-night training. Your dad?
02:46It won't do anything.
02:48What do you mean it won't?
02:50His family, the Kensington's, endowed the training grant, Bree.
02:54They built this rink.
02:57If they pull my name once, they'll pull it again.
03:00She was quiet again.
03:01Oh, I saw Lila's Instagram story just now.
03:03Silas booked out the whole restaurant to celebrate her nomination.
03:07Maeve.
03:09Fine.
03:09Fine? That's it?
03:11I have to go. Customer just walked in.
03:12I hung up before she could say anything else.
03:15The next morning, I went to the training center to file the skating sectional's paperwork.
03:19I was halfway down the corridor when I saw them.
03:21Lila spotted me first.
03:24Silas, I'm scared.
03:25He stepped in front of her like a wall.
03:27Maeve, don't start.
03:29I went to walk around him.
03:31He caught my wrist.
03:32What is your problem?
03:34Lila didn't do anything to you.
03:35None of this was her call.
03:38Why do you have to make a scene?
03:39I yanked my arm back.
03:41Let me go.
03:42People in the hall were starting to look.
03:44Lila's eyes filled up right on cue.
03:46She slipped out from behind Silas and took a step toward me.
03:49Maeve, I'm so, so sorry.
03:53I never meant for any of this to happen.
03:55If you need to hit someone, hit me.
03:57I deserve it.
03:58She came closer with her chin raised.
04:01Silas grabbed her around the waist.
04:03Look at her.
04:05Look at what you're doing to her.
04:07I never thought you could be this cruel, Maeve.
04:10The whisper started.
04:11That's her.
04:12The skating club's part-time girl.
04:14Wait, isn't she the one who lost the grant?
04:16Lost it to Lila, yeah.
04:18Honestly, look at her face.
04:20Total ice queen.
04:21No wonder he got tired.
04:23Lila's literally an angel.
04:24I'd pick her too.
04:25I didn't look at any of them.
04:27I kept my eyes on Silas.
04:28I said let me go.
04:30He didn't move, but shoved me.
04:32I stumbled back and hit the row of lockers behind me.
04:34My shoulder blades cracked against the metal.
04:36I stayed there for a second.
04:37My back against the lockers, looking up at him.
04:40He was looking right back at me.
04:41There was nothing in his face.
04:43We grew up together.
04:43He was 10 when his family sent him out from New York.
04:46His first week in the town, he picked a fight with three older boys behind the rink, and
04:50was getting his teeth kicked in when I came around the corner.
04:53I held up a sharpened blade in my hand.
04:55They ran.
04:56After that, he followed me everywhere.
04:58When a boy at school bullied me, Silas put him on the ground.
05:01Maeve, I've got you.
05:03Always.
05:04We're getting out of this town.
05:05Both of us.
05:06Training center, Olympics, the whole thing.
05:08You and me.
05:09But now he was in front of me, with another girl tucked against his ribs.
05:13And he had just put me into a wall.
05:15Lila started to cry harder.
05:19Silas, please, let's just go.
05:20It's my fault.
05:22All of this is my fault.
05:24It's not your fault.
05:26None of it is.
05:27He gave me one last look, a warning, and walked her past me down the hall.
05:31I stayed against the lockers until I could breathe again.
05:35The office was at the end of the corridor.
05:37On the way, I passed the featured athlete's wall.
05:40Lila's photo was right in the center, bigger than the others.
05:43I looked at it for a second, and laughed bitterly.
05:47I remembered one night.
05:48I came back to the skate shop after a late training session.
05:52My dad was waiting in the parking lot.
05:54He smelled like whiskey from ten feet away.
05:57Where's the money?
05:58I didn't answer.
05:59I tried to walk past him to the door.
06:01He grabbed my hair and slammed me face first into the side of the building.
06:05I'm talking to you.
06:07Are you deaf in both ears now?
06:09There isn't any money.
06:12Bullshit.
06:12That Kensington kid throws cash around like it's nothing, and you're up his ass 24-7.
06:17You telling me you can't squeeze a few hundred out of him for your old man?
06:21You holding out on me?
06:23Hiding it somewhere?
06:24Huh?
06:24He started patting me down, yanking at my pockets.
06:28I shoved him off.
06:29That was the wrong move.
06:30He kicked me in the stomach so hard, I went down on the asphalt.
06:34You ungrateful bitch.
06:36You're just like your mother.
06:38Trash.
06:38Both of you.
06:39He went looking for something heavier.
06:41A tire iron.
06:42A piece of pipe.
06:43I didn't see what.
06:44That was when Silas' car pulled into the lot.
06:47He was out before the engine stopped.
06:50He put my dad on the ground in two moves.
06:54His hands went over my face, my arms, my ribs.
06:58Where did he hit you, Maeve?
06:59Where?
06:59I couldn't answer.
07:00It's okay.
07:01I'm here.
07:03I've got you.
07:04He didn't go home that night.
07:05He sat on the busted couch in the back of the shop until morning.
07:10The next day, he walked into the police station and didn't leave until they had my dad in a holding
07:15cell.
07:16When he came back, he sat down next to me and said,
07:19I'm taking care of you from now on.
07:21You don't have to worry about anything.
07:23Ever.
07:24I'd actually believed him.
07:26A week before sectionals, our club ran a final mock competition.
07:29Full panel of judges.
07:31Full scoring.
07:32The works.
07:33I took first.
07:34Highest combined score in the group field by almost 12 points.
07:38Lila came in last.
07:40She picked the score sheet off the boards, balled it up, and tossed it into the trash on her way
07:44off the ice.
07:45Doesn't matter.
07:46I got the training grant.
07:48Silas was waiting at the boards with two coffee.
07:51He handed her one.
07:53She lit up at him like she hadn't just bombed in front of the club.
07:57You were beautiful.
07:59I walked past them toward the locker room.
08:01I did not stop.
08:03Maeve.
08:04Maeve.
08:05Hey.
08:06You still mad about the training grant?
08:08I didn't answer.
08:10I get it.
08:11Come on.
08:12Look at her situation.
08:14She needs this more than you do.
08:15You're going to win sectionals in your sleep.
08:18He stepped closer and lowered his voice.
08:20That card I offered you?
08:22It's still on the table.
08:24Anything you need.
08:25Coaches.
08:26Off-season camps.
08:28It's covered.
08:28He thought money was the answer.
08:30He thought money could buy back what he'd already broken.
08:34I don't need it.
08:35There you go again.
08:37His jaw set.
08:38How long are you going to keep doing this?
08:40You know how much you make in a month?
08:42I'm offering you more than you could pull out of that place in your entire life.
08:46Lila skated up behind him and put a gloved hand on his arm.
08:51Simus, don't.
08:52She's just not used to it yet.
08:54She gave me a small, sad, practiced smile.
08:59Maeve, I know you hate me right now.
09:02But I was really, truly out of options.
09:06My stepmom has been awful since my dad lost everything.
09:09I had nowhere else to turn.
09:11Her eyes welled up.
09:12I'd watched her do it for a year now.
09:14In every conversation, she was the victim.
09:17In every room, I was the one making her cry.
09:20Silas said he's going to take care of you.
09:23Okay, then.
09:24Whatever you need, just tell us.
09:27Both of us.
09:28Like she'd already moved into my life.
09:30The corner of my mouth pulled up.
09:32I couldn't help it.
09:33Silas frowned.
09:34What's funny?
09:35Nothing.
09:36Just appreciating the matchup.
09:38You two deserve each other.
09:40Hope it lasts.
09:40His face changed.
09:41I walked past him to the locker room.
09:46Maeve.
09:47Maeve, get back here.
09:49I ignored all his words.
09:51That night, Bree sent me a photo.
09:53Lila's Instagram.
09:54Screenshotted before it could disappear.
09:57Lila and Silas were in the bar.
09:59Silas holding a bottle of champagne.
10:01Lila draped across his lap.
10:03Their friends were in the background, raising glasses.
10:06Bree.
10:06Stop looking at it.
10:08She's not worth your serotonin.
10:10I closed the app and tossed the phone aside.
10:13Then picked up my training journal off the nightstand, opened it to the next blank page,
10:17and started writing out my sectionals program.
10:20As long as I kept training, I didn't have to think about anything else.
10:26A week before sectionals, the club cut training to taper hours.
10:30Most of the teammates took the time off to rest.
10:32I took extra shifts at the skating club's shop.
10:34Wednesday afternoon, Silas' car pulled up outside.
10:38He got out and leaned against the driver's door.
10:41Sunglasses pushed up into his hair.
10:43Maeve, come here.
10:45I kept working, ignoring his words.
10:48He frowned and walked over.
10:50I'm talking to you.
10:51He reached for my arm, saw the dirt on my hands, and pulled his fingers back without touching me.
10:56Go wash up.
10:57You're coming with us.
10:59Where?
11:00Cabin.
11:00Up the mountain.
11:02Lila wants a few days off the ice.
11:03You're coming.
11:04I straightened up.
11:05I'm not going.
11:05He let out a sharp breath.
11:07Don't start with this again.
11:09I drove all the way down here.
11:11Lila wants to make peace.
11:14Don't be difficult.
11:15I have nothing to make peace about with her.
11:18Maeve.
11:19I'm training.
11:19He laughed, short and ugly.
11:21Training.
11:22Right.
11:23Like you need to.
11:25You could skate sectionals hungover and still take the podium.
11:28Just come.
11:29Get out of this dump for a weekend.
11:33Lila actually wants to fix things with you.
11:37I'm not going.
11:38His patience snapped.
11:39He stared at me for a second.
11:41Then he laughed again, this time with no humor in it at all.
11:44Suit yourself.
11:45He pulled his wallet out, thumbed off a stack of hundreds, and threw them on the floor at
11:49my feet.
11:50The bills fanned out across the concrete.
11:54Here.
11:55Your wages for the month.
11:58I covered your boss for it.
12:01Take the money, keep your pride, and stay out of my face.
12:05I didn't move.
12:07Not enough?
12:08He pulled out another stack and threw it down on top of the first.
12:12How about now?
12:13Coach Miller came out from the back office, took one look at the cash on the floor.
12:18Mr. Kemsington, what is going on here?
12:21We don't need any of this.
12:23Silas didn't even look at him.
12:24His eyes stayed on me.
12:26Pick it up.
12:28I still didn't move.
12:29Lila had been waiting in the car.
12:31She got out now, all wide eyes, and came running over in her white shearling boots.
12:35Simus, please stop.
12:37You're scaring her.
12:38She crouched down and started gathering up the bills, one by one.
12:44Maeve, don't be mad at him.
12:46He's just looking out for me.
12:48He doesn't mean it.
12:50Please, just come with us.
12:53I don't want to be the reason you two aren't talking.
12:56I looked at her and Silas.
12:57He wasn't sorry.
12:58He thought he was being generous, so I should be on my knees, thanking him.
13:02I walked past both of them, into the back of the shop, and shut the door.
13:06Through the wall, I heard him.
13:09See?
13:09That attitude.
13:10You try to help her and that's what you get.
13:13The car engine started up.
13:15The music pulled away down the street.
13:17Coach Miller came in a minute later.
13:18He set the stack of cash down on the workbench in front of me.
13:24Take it, kid.
13:25No.
13:26Maeve.
13:27He pushed it closer.
13:30Your dad.
13:31Your situation.
13:32You need this.
13:35I stared at the bills.
13:37They smelled like Silas' cologne.
13:39I walked to the utility sink in the corner, turned the water on as hot as it would go,
13:43and started washing my hands.
13:44Soap.
13:45Scrub.
13:46Rinse.
13:47I kept going until my skin was raw.
13:50That night, my dad came back.
13:52He was drunker than usual, and he'd seen the cash through the front window.
13:56He took it.
13:57Then he started taking everything else.
13:59Even put a chair through the front glass.
14:02I called the cops.
14:03When they got there, he was still going.
14:05Swinging a hockey stick at the lights, it took two officers to put in the cuffs.
14:09He spat at me on the way out.
14:11You called the cops on me.
14:13On your own father.
14:14I hope you know what you are.
14:16I hope you rot in hell for this.
14:18Blood and saliva down the front of my work shirt.
14:20I watched the cruiser pull out of the lot.
14:23So this was what it felt like, to have nobody left around me.
14:26The night before sectionals, I went to bed early.
14:29I just turned the light off and lay there listening to the wind pick up outside.
14:33A storm had been rolling in all afternoon.
14:35A fist hit the door as I slept deeply.
14:38I went to the door and opened it a crack.
14:40My dad.
14:41Snow on his shoulders.
14:42Eyes red.
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