FADE IN:

A dark wooden library. One candle flickers.

A child named ELI (9, messy hair, brave but shaky) stands before a towering ancient book on a lectern.

CLOSE ON THE BOOK:

Dark cracked burgundy leather. Faded gold filigree. Two glowing amber eyes, like embedded gems.

SOUND: Low, dusty thrum.

The book has TWO MOUTHS.

TOP MOUTH smiles. BOTTOM MOUTH frowns.

Golden smoke curls from yellowed pages.

ELI (whispering):
“You… you wanted me?”

TOP MOUTH (smiling, smooth voice):
“I heard you couldn’t read.”

ELI:
“I can read; I just hate reading.”

TOP MOUTH AND BOTTOM MOUTH: (low grumblings, book’s pages ripple).

TOP MOUTH (in a scary voice):
“You’ll turn my page, little crumb. But first — a question.”

BOTTOM MOUTH (frowning, grumbling):
“If you dare. Which you probably won’t.”

Eli gulps.

TOP MOUTH:
“What is heavier: a broken promise or a dry biscuit?”

Eli blinks.

ELI:
“A… dry biscuit? Because no one wants it?”

BOTTOM MOUTH:
“Wrong. The promise. Because biscuits crumble once. Promises crumble forever.”

SOUND: Page rustles like a sigh.

The page turns by itself.

ELI (shivering):
“That was sad.”

TOP MOUTH (chuckling warmly):
“Sad is a song. We are writing poetry.”

BOTTOM MOUTH:
“Next question. No sniffling.”

TOP MOUTH leans closer. Candlelight catches the filigree.

TOP MOUTH:
“If you could keep one thing forever — a hug or a key — which one?”

Eli thinks. Touches his chest.

ELI:
“A hug. Because a key opens a door. But a hug opens a person.”

SOUND: Soft golden chime.

BOTTOM MOUTH (frowning less):
“…That was acceptable.”

TOP MOUTH (amber eyes glowing warmly):
“You understand. Turn my page, little crumb.”

Eli reaches out. Touches the cracked leather.

BOTTOM MOUTH (barely a whisper):
“Wait. One more question. From me.”

TOP MOUTH looks surprised.

BOTTOM MOUTH (quietly, almost shy):
“Would you… visit me tomorrow? Without the candle?”

Eli smiles.

ELI:
“Yes.”

BOTTOM MOUTH trembles. Then — very slowly — it smiles too.

TOP MOUTH (softly):
“There. Two smiles and one sucker.”

BOTH MOUTHS SPEAKING TOGETHER (DEEPER AND WARMER):
“How can you find me in these dark halls?”

Eli freezes. The candle dips.

TOP MOUTH (stern but not cruel):
“Kindness is not a free ride, little crumb. It earns you better questions. Harder ones. The kind that change you.”

BOTTOM MOUTH (grumbling, but fond):
“He means… congratulations. You’re in advanced class now. If you bring your candle.”

Eli laughs nervously.

ELI:
“That’s… scary and nice at the same time.”

TOP MOUTH (eyes glowing):
“That’s love. Now turn the page.”

Eli turns it.

SOUND: Golden smoke rises like a happy sigh — but wiser now.

ELI (quietly):
“What’s on this page?”

BOTTOM MOUTH (warm, almost tender):
“Is it blank? Let’s fix that. It’s you. Tomorrow. And a harder question.”

TOP MOUTH (smiling):
“See you then, little crumb.”

FADE TO BLACK.

TEXT ON SCREEN:

Every question opens a door — then asks for another.

For engaging, practical, pragmatic, religious-philosophical, entertaining fiction with a touch of humor —

go to Cupiderosbooks.com

THE END