- 9 hours ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00He jumped onto his boat and pulled at Bianca.
00:02Bianca, get off first. I'm taking Sarah.
00:05Too late.
00:06While they were still pulling at each other and arguing,
00:09a new boat came to a stop.
00:11A large, clean-boned hand reached out to me
00:14and lifted me steadily onto the boat.
00:16A deep voice came from above.
00:18Seraphine, I'm sorry.
00:20I kept you waiting.
00:22My fiancé's mother said my astrological chart clashed with his.
00:26I would ruin his future.
00:28So for seven years, every wedding night,
00:32I was locked in a dark room with an animal.
00:35Dog.
00:37Rooster.
00:39Cow.
00:41Snake.
00:42Every year, I screamed,
00:44Say no!
00:46No!
00:46The next morning, when they saw me wrecked and shaking in torn clothes,
00:51they only shook their heads.
00:53Still not worthy of being true bride.
00:57In Sicily, every Christmas Eve,
00:59unmarried girls went to the chapel to drew tokens.
01:02A red token meant her fiancé's boat would come to take her to the wedding.
01:06White means wait next year.
01:09For seven years, I drew white every time.
01:13In the eighth year, I took a handful of red tokens
01:16and sneaked to my fiancé Marco's house.
01:19I wanted to cheat.
01:21Then I heard him whispering to his brother in the courtyard.
01:24Tommy, switch Seraphina's token to white tomorrow.
01:27Biana is still weak.
01:29I need one more year to take care of her.
01:31His brother hesitated.
01:33Aren't you afraid she'll get angry
01:34and get on another man's boat?
01:36Marco laughed softly.
01:37Everyone knows she's mine.
01:39She waited seven years for me.
01:41Even if she pulls a red token,
01:43who would dare let her on his boat?
01:48She's easy to fool.
01:50Once I take Bianca onto my boat,
01:53you just tell her Nomno collapsed again
01:54and she needs to go home.
01:56Next year, I'll marry her with the greatest wedding.
01:59Every Mafia family will know she is my wife.
02:01The red token slipped silently from my hand.
02:05Tokens scattered across the ground.
02:08Then, I did back home.
02:10I did not tell Marco that my Nomno only had three days left.
02:15His last wish was to see me married.
02:18If Marco refused to marry me this year,
02:20I had to board another man's boat.
02:23The next morning, girls gathered outside the chapel
02:26in gowns made for weeding.
02:27Only mine was the same gown from seven years ago,
02:31faded.
02:32When I appeared, the girls around me stepped away.
02:35Serafina drew blanks seven years in a row.
02:37Don't stand too close.
02:38Bad luck spreads.
02:39Papa stood on the dock,
02:40watching his men line the boats.
02:42I held my candle and walked.
02:44Papa warned me again in a low voice.
02:47Serafina, remember what you promised your grandfather.
02:49I looked at the token box.
02:50Don't worry, Papa.
02:51This year, I must get on a boat.
02:54A sudden noise from the crowd cut us off.
02:58Marco arrived.
03:00He was my fiancé.
03:01And everyone already treated him like the next Don.
03:05But his men surrounded Bianca like she was something precious.
03:09She was pale and fragile, dressed in brand new.
03:13I knew that dress.
03:16His mother, Mrs. Valenti, had sewn it herself.
03:20Marco had once hinted it was for me.
03:22I had imagined myself wearing it.
03:25If I had not heard the truth last night, I would have come today in plain clothes, just like Marco
03:31told me to.
03:32The Don's daughter breaking festival tradition in public.
03:35Papa would have been humiliated because of me.
03:40The girls around us started whispering.
03:43Who gave Bianca the right to draw a token?
03:46Bianca drew every year, boarded Marco's boat every year, and never married him.
03:51She should have been disqualified by now.
03:54The moment Bianca coughed, Marco draped his coat over her shoulders.
03:59It's windy.
04:00Don't catch a cold.
04:04Bianca is just lucky.
04:05She draws a red token every time.
04:07And the rules never said getting on the boat means she has to marry.
04:10If you can't accept that, try your own luck.
04:12Don't blame anyone else when you draw a blank token.
04:15Every eye turned to me.
04:17Because the only girl unlucky enough to pull seven blanks was me, Marco's fiancé.
04:23For seven years, I watched another woman board his boat.
04:28In the past, I argued with Marco, used my place as the Don's daughter to demand Bianca be disqualified,
04:35and brought up every time he had favored her before.
04:39Last year was the worst.
04:41I grabbed Bianca and kicked her into the river.
04:47Marco sent her to the hospital,
04:49then brought his men to my house and kicked the door down while Papa was away.
04:54They tied me up and forced me into the freezing cold.
04:57Serafina, whatever Bianca suffers, you suffer twice.
05:00If you want to enter the Velati family, learn your place.
05:04In my house, Bianca comes before you.
05:06By the time Papa found me, I had already passed out in the water.
05:11That night, my fever hit 104.
05:14Marco chose to stay with startled Bianca and sent me only one message.
05:18If you're not dead, don't bother calling me.
05:22After that, my body could no longer handle the cold.
05:25But I still refused to give up.
05:28The moment my fever broke, I went after Marco again.
05:32I wanted an answer for those seven years.
05:35Now, I had my answer.
05:38I ignored the argument and walked straight to the token chest.
05:42Nobody wants to draw?
05:45Then I'll go first.
05:46Marco's face flickered with panic.
05:49His prepared excuse got stuck in his throat.
05:52My calmness caught him off guard.
05:54He couldn't blame me like before,
05:56then ask Papa to punish me and push me to the end of the line.
06:00Now, how could he rig the token chest in front of the whole people?
06:05What if I really drew red token?
06:08Marco walked over and took my hand.
06:13Serafina, Bianca isn't feeling well.
06:15She can't stand in the cold.
06:16Let her pull first.
06:18I just want to talk to you.
06:19I pulled frozen hand away and looked at the thick coat around Bianca's shoulders.
06:25I had stayed up all night making this as Marco's birthday gift last year.
06:29I had sewn the cuff buttons into orange blossoms for luck,
06:33pouring all my love for Marco into every stitch.
06:37Now, it was keeping Bianca warm,
06:40and the sight made my eyes ache.
06:43I'm cold, too.
06:45I want to draw first.
06:46Marco did not care my words,
06:48took my cold hands,
06:49and covered them with his own to warm them.
06:52It's this cold.
06:53Why didn't you dress warmer?
06:58Stop making a scene, Sera.
07:00I know you're still angry about Bianca.
07:03The doctor said she only needs one more year to recover.
07:07Next year.
07:08I promise I'll marry you next year, waiting for me.
07:12I looked at him.
07:15Marco, do you really think I can't live without you?
07:18He laughed softly and put a simple betrothal bracelet around my wrist.
07:26You waited seven years for me.
07:28No Mafia man would dare let you onto his boat.
07:31So he had known all along.
07:34And he had been using my love as a leash.
07:37Around us, young couples were exchanging handmade bracelets as weeding token.
07:42Past every year, I had made one for Marco.
07:45He never wore them.
07:47His wrist always carried the same plain silver bracelet.
07:51I thought I had not braided it well enough,
07:53so I even paid a craftsman at the shop to teach me.
07:56But in that shop, Marco was choosing a new one.
07:59Bianca tugged the silver bracelet on his wrist.
08:02I can't believe you still wear the one I made you when we were kids.
08:06Marco smiled without saying anything.
08:08Hid the bracelet under his sleeve.
08:10I understood.
08:12No matter what I made, I could never compare to Bianca.
08:16I hid behind the shop and watched them choose new matching bracelets.
08:20They looked exactly like the one on my wrist.
08:23Thinking of that, I took mine off and threw it back to him.
08:26Marco, don't give me cheap things you bought in bulk.
08:28There is no next year.
08:30Nonna wants to see me married.
08:31This year.
08:33If Bianca boards your boat again, we are done.
08:36He did not mind.
08:37He only gave me a knowing smile.
08:41So it's still about Bianca.
08:43I told you, Bianca is like an older sister to me.
08:45She practically raised me.
08:47You've drew white tokens for seven years already.
08:50What's one more year?
08:53I'll explain to your grandfather.
08:55As he spoke, he made the call.
08:57The number on the screen was burned into my memory.
08:59It was Nono's caregiver.
09:01I panicked and rushed forward to grab his phone.
09:03If you have something to say, say it to me.
09:05Don't bother Nono.
09:06Last week, I visited Nono at the hospital.
09:09Tubes covered his body, but he was still worried about me.
09:12And I could not stop crying.
09:14I was the one he could not let go of.
09:17He gasped for breath, forcing out each word.
09:20Sarah married.
09:21Mama cried beside him.
09:23Your Nono keeps saying Sarah has suffered for seven years without getting on a boat.
09:27He went to the Velotti family to demand an answer for you.
09:33If you don't board one this year, don't come see him again.
09:36He can't take it.
09:37Back at the chapel, I knew what Marco was about to say, so I clamped my hand over his phone.
09:44Let Bianca draw first.
09:46I agree.
09:49Marco scoffed and hung up.
09:51Now you're using Nono to cheat me?
09:54Cheat him.
09:55Maybe he was right.
09:56In early spring, I sat by an open window all night until I made myself sick enough for the hospital
10:02to stop Marco and Bianca to meet Vineyard Capos.
10:06In summer, when he took Bianca sailing past the private docks with his guards, I lied that someone was following
10:13me and made him act as my personal bodyguard.
10:16In autumn, I brought pastries to his door and lied that Papa had summoned him to the estate for family
10:22business.
10:23And there were countless little things like that.
10:26A cut on my hand, a twisted ankle, a stomach ache.
10:31For seven years, I used every foolish excuse just to keep him with me a little longer.
10:38I did not argue.
10:40I let go and stepped away from the token chest.
10:43Marco waved Bianca over.
10:44She came to me.
10:46Sarah, let me go first.
10:47Maybe I'll bring you some good luck.
10:49You're so naughty.
10:50If Serafina pulls another white, she'll blame you again.
10:52Her eyes swept over me, waiting for me to lose my temper, but I didn't.
10:57I only stood quietly to the side and waited for her to drew her token.
11:02She found that boring, so she reached into the token chest and asked Marco.
11:07What were you two saying?
11:09Serafina's grandfather is sick.
11:11I'll visit him with her after the boats leave.
11:14Oh, a red token.
11:16Bianca could not hide the smug look on her face.
11:19Sorry, Sera.
11:20Marco's boat is mine again this year.
11:22Before I could answer, Marco stepped in front of her to protect her.
11:25These are the San Giovanni's rules.
11:26Your tantrum won't change them.
11:29Bianca just has better token luck.
11:32Sera, stop being petty.
11:36Let's see who dares touch my niece.
11:38I don't care if she's the Don's daughter.
11:39Mrs. Valenti hurried over and pulled Bianca into her arm.
11:42Don't be afraid, Bianca.
11:44If I say you can get on the dragon boat, then no one can stop you.
11:48I'd like to see who dares lay a hand on you.
11:51Watching them protect Bianca like that, my heart twisted once.
11:56For seven years, I had tried to please them.
11:59I remembered every birthday.
12:02I bought every gift.
12:04Whenever I visited, I helped in the kitchen, cleaned their house, and tried to make Mrs. Valenti like me.
12:11I even memorized Bianca's allergies and favorite foods.
12:15And what did I get in return?
12:17They always thought I was just throwing a tantrum.
12:20But I was only fighting for the right a fiancé should have had.
12:25Papa stood behind me and sighed.
12:29This is the family you've been desperate to marry into.
12:35We only wanted you to be happy with this.
12:39Papa, I'm drawing now.
12:41This time, I'll get red token.
12:44My answer was nothing like the past years, and it surprised him.
12:47Good, good.
12:49I'll wait for you.
12:50Even if it's not a red token, it's fine.
12:52I looked up at Marco and his mother.
12:56You're right.
12:57We follow the rules.
13:00I'm drawing token now.
13:02Please move.
13:03As I walked past them, Mrs. Valenti froze, then grabbed my sleeve.
13:07Serafina, Marco's boat already has Bianca on it.
13:09Why draw it all?
13:11If you board another man's boat, don't ever think of entering the Valati house again.
13:18The Valentis don't take a bride another man has touched.
13:22Ma, don't say that.
13:23Marco panicked, caught between his mother and the fiancé.
13:27He had never thought he married other.
13:29He tried to reach out to block my way, but the cold look in my eyes made him pull back.
13:34I stepped around the three of them.
13:35No, no can't wait.
13:37And neither can I.
13:39Marco, I waited seven years for you.
13:45This year, I'm done waiting.
13:50Marco panicked and blocked the token box.
13:52Why?
13:53Why can't you just back down this once?
13:57Look around, Serafina.
13:58Which one of them would dare take you?
14:00Tell me.
14:01Who here would dare let Serafina Farani onto his boat?
14:04His voice went cold.
14:06Every young man looked away.
14:09Everyone on this coast knew I had chased Marco for seven years.
14:13Build a family with a woman like that, and her heart will never truly be with you.
14:18But I did not care.
14:19I never planned to marry any of them.
14:21Marco turned to me with pleading eyes.
14:24Bianca had already used the moment to board his boat and settle safely inside.
14:29Sera, just wait one more year.
14:32Marco only wants to protect me from being married off.
14:35We're all family anyway.
14:37When you marry him, you'll have to call me sister.
14:40Don't pull red token and end up with no boat to board.
14:43That would be embarrassing.
14:43After saying that, she covered her mouth and laughed.
14:47The families who hated Papa laughed too.
14:50I looked at Papa's red face, and guilt filled my chest.
14:54All these years chasing Marco had not only humiliated me, it had humiliated my family too.
15:01I had backed down too many times.
15:03I did not want to stay soft forever.
15:06I pushed Marco away and reached into the token chest.
15:09Before I could grab one, Marco pressed down on my hand.
15:12Serafina, think clearly.
15:14Bianca is already on my boat.
15:16Even if you pull red token, I won't let you board.
15:19I nodded.
15:20Of course I had thought it through.
15:22Today, I was getting on that dragon boat, no matter what.
15:27When force did not work, Marco lowered voice and pleaded again.
15:31Serafina, if you do this, I won't go see Nomno with you.
15:34Can you really let him down?
15:35I laughed softly.
15:37Marco, why do you think Nomno backed you?
15:39It was because I loved you.
15:41His face froze.
15:41I pulled my wrist free.
15:43I don't love you anymore.
15:45So Nomno won't like you either.
15:48Move.
15:49I'm drawing token.
15:50Papa's men stepped forward and pulled Marco back.
15:53He looked at me unwillingly.
15:55Serafina, you've been mine for seven years.
15:57You belong to the Valiti family.
16:00Seven years of white tokens.
16:03This year will be the same.
16:04I ignored him and searched the chest.
16:07White tokens were smooth.
16:09Red ones were rough.
16:10So the token draw was never serious.
16:12It was just a game to make everyone laugh.
16:15I had really believed my luck was that bad.
16:17Seven years.
16:18Seven blank tokens.
16:20They had made my life into a joke.
16:23Then my fingers found a rough edge I had never touched before.
16:26I pulled the token out.
16:29The whole crowd erupted.
16:33Red!
16:34Serafina drew red token!
16:37No!
16:38That's impossible!
16:39Marco tore free and kicked over the token chest.
16:42Red and white tokens flew into the air.
16:45He turned to his younger brother in panic.
16:47That's impossible.
16:48There weren't supposed to be any red tokens.
16:50His brother shrank behind the crowd.
16:52Too scared to look at him.
16:54There had been too many eyes on the platform.
16:56He had never gotten the chance to tamper with it.
16:59Papa understood everything at once.
17:01Now he knew why I had drawn white tokens for seven years.
17:05His face darkened.
17:06She drew a red token.
17:08By the rules of San Giovanni.
17:10He looked at me.
17:12Serafina, get on the boat.
17:14Marco suddenly looked hopeful again.
17:16The water in front of me was empty.
17:18While the other boats had already pulled aside.
17:21So he stepped in front of his own boat.
17:24Sera, give in.
17:25And I'll make Bianca get off.
17:26I lowered my eyes to the ripples on the river and ignored him.
17:29A new boat was already gliding slowly toward me.
17:33Panic flashed across his face.
17:35He jumped onto his boat and pulled at Bianca.
17:38Bianca, get off first.
17:39I'm taking Sera.
17:40Too late.
17:41While they were still pulling at each other and arguing.
17:44A new boat came to a stop.
17:46A large, clean boned hand reached out to me.
17:49And lifted me steadily onto the boat.