Woman

by
Anis Sabirin

Sketch Presentation

Characters:
1. Hamidah
2. Hassan
3. Tauke Ah Lam
4. Miss Helen
5. Ibu
6. Bapak
7. Siti (sister)
 FADE IN:
INT. HAMIDAH’S EXPENSIVE FLAT IN KUALA LUMPUR- MID-DAY

Narrator
Hamidah starts a conversation with Tauke Ah Lam while sitting
at the dressing table putting her skincare products on.

Hamidah
Ah Lam, how was work today?

Tauke Ah Lam
Work was quite stressful as usual, Midah. But I’m here with
you now, being with you here makes my day better already.

Hamidah
You are too sweet, Ah Lam!

Tauke Ah Lam
It’s true. It’s okay, Midah. Don’t worry about me, all you
have to do is take care of yourself and look pretty for me.

Hamidah
Ah Lam, is that so? that’s the least I can do for you.

Tauke Ah Lam
Yes, Midah. Don’t worry about anything at all! I can pamper
you with all the things you want and need and all you have to
do is just be here for me, Hamidah.

Hamidah
Thank you, I appreciate that a lot but Tauke living in this
house with maid alone is boring and I feel lonely at times. I
was wondering if you would let me work.

Tauke Ah Lam
Work? are you sure?

Hamidah
Yes, Tauke. Can i? I just want to fill the time I have.

Tauke Ah Lam
Sure, Hamidah. If that’s what you want I don’t mind that at
all and I will gladly give you a position in one my department
stores here in Kuala Lumpur.

Hamidah
Really? Can you? Thank you so much!

Tauke Ah Lam
 Yes, Midah. Anything for you. Let me make a call so you can
start your work as soon as possible.

Narrator
Tauke Ah Lam takes his phone out of his pocket to make a call
to one of his department stores.

Tauke Ah Lam
Hello, Miss Helen?

Miss Helen
Yes. Good evening, Tauke. How can I help you?

Tauke Ah Lam
Helen, please inform your senior sales staff that a dearest
friend of mine will start working under your department
tomorrow.

Miss Helen?
Will do, Tauke. I’ll inform them as soon as possible.

Tauke Ah Lam
Alright, Helen. Thank you and you may continue working!

Narrator
Tauke Ah Lam ended the call.

INT. THE MALL- AFTERNOON

Narrator
One afternoon, a guy walks towards Hamidah’s direction to buy
a perfume.

Hassan
Tabu?

Hamidah
Yes, sir. Here you go. That’s all? do you want to try the
other perfume?

Hassan
It’s okay. Thank you!

Narrator
Hassan comes again to the mall the next day and approaches a
worker to get Hamidah’s name.

Hassan
Excuse me, you tag says Helen, so miss Helen am I right?
 Miss Helen
Yes, sir. May I help you?

Hassan
Can I know the name of the girl at the perfume section?

Miss Helen
Which one sir?

Hassan
The girl that dresses well at the French perfume section.

Miss Helen
Oh, her name is Hamidah sir.

Hassan
Thank you

Narrator
Hassan walks towards Hamidah to talk to her.

Hassan
Miss Hamidah?

Hamidah
Yes, this is Hamidah?

Hassan
My name is Hassan, Miss Hamidah. I’ve met you twice at your
work over the past few days. Do you remember me?

Hamidah
Uh….yes, why?

Hassan
I am an insurance agent, Miss Hamidah. I could tell you were a
modern and highly educated woman the moment I saw you. I am
sure you are aware everyone needs a life insurance, men and
women alike.

Hassan
I hope you didn’t mind me calling you, Miss Helen gave me your
name.

Hamidah
Yes, no worries. I don’t mind but you know I really think I
need some time before I can decide whether I should buy a
policy or not.

Hassan
That is a good idea. I thoroughly agree, you should never rush
anything as important as this without thinking about it first.
I would recommend you giving this serious consideration.

Hamidah
I wonder if you could come back in a week.

Narrator
As soon as Hassan left the store, Hamidah gets a call from
Tauke Ah Lam inviting her to go out with him

Tauke Ah Lam
Hello, Midah. I’m swarmed with works right now and I would
love your company to get my mind off work. Please be ready and
I will be picking you up after work and we’ll go to Kajang and
have some satay together.

Hamidah
Okay sure, I’ll be ready as soon as you arrive.

INT. HAMIDAH’S FLAT- ROOM- NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

Bapak
Hamidah! Help me with my nets as usual!

Hamidah
Coming, bapak. I will be there right now.

Ibu
Hamidah! before that come help me with the chores first!

Hamidah
Coming, ibu! I will help bapak with his nets first!

Narrator
While Hamidah was outside, spreading her fathers’s nets to dry
Tauke Ah Lam saw her and was attracted to her beauty. He then
approaches her.

Tauke Ah Lam
Are you Hamidah? You are Abu’s daughter?

Hamidah
Yes, why?

Tauke Ah Lam
I was fascinated by your face since the first time I saw you
and I wonder if you would like to follow me to Kuala Lumpur. I
can change your life.
 Hamidah
How are you going to change my life?

Tauke Ah Lam
Look, Hamidah I am a wealthy businessman and I can provide you
with everything you need and you don’t have to worry about
anything.

Hamidah
Everything?

Tauke Ah Lam
Yes, I will give you an expensive flat with a maid so you
don’t even have to worry about doing chores anymore and I will
give you a monthly allowance so you shop and do whatever you
want.

Hamidah
What do I have to do in return?

Tauke Ah Lam
Just be with me whenever I need and want you. You might want
to consider my offer right now and if you agree, you can wait
at the bus stop later and my chauffeur will pick you up.

Hamidah
I agree. I will accept your offer.

Tauke Ah Lam
Thank you, I’ll see you later at the bus station.

Narrator
Hamidah followed Tauke Ah Lam to Kuala Lumpur and never return
home again.

INT- HAMIDAH’S HOMETOWN- MORNING

Narrator
Siti wakes up and checks up on her sister but what she finds
out surprises her.

Siti
Ibu! Hamidah is gone!

Ibu
What! That can’t be real.

Siti
Come here ibu! she’s not here.

Ibu
 She’s probably out helping bapak. Bapak!

Bapak
What’s with all this fuss! What’s going on?

Ibu
Hamidah is not here, bapak.

Bapak
What! are you sure?

Narrator
Siti looks around the room and checks her wardrobe. While
she’s looking around Hamidah’s room she finds a letter in the
drawer.

Siti
She took all her clothes. She ran away from home. But wait,
here’s a letter let me read it.

Ibu
Read it!

Siti
Ibu, bapak and adik adik. I am sorry I have to do this. Please
take care.

Ibu
How could you Hamidah!

Bapak
Hamidah, is this how you repay us?

Narrator
Siti stays silent because she is speechless. Ibu and bapak
continue crying.

INT. THE MALL- MID DAY.

Narrator
Hamidah received a call from Tauke Ah Lam to inform her that
he’ll be going to Indonesia for a business trip.

Tauke Ah Lam
Hello, how are you Midah?

Hamidah
Yes tauke, I am fine. What about you?

Tauke Ah Lam
I’m fine too, by the way, I’m calling you to let you know that
I’m going for a business trip in Indonesia.

Hamidah
Oh really? how long are you going to be there?

Tauke Ah Lam
I’ll be there for two months, Midah. Please take care yourself
while I’m away.

Hamidah
I see. Will do, I’ll take a good care of myself here, don’t
worry about me. You too, take care and I hope everything goes
well for you there.

Tauke Ah Lam
Thank you, Midah. I’ll see you when I’m back in Malaysia.
Goodbye.

Hamidah
Alright, goodbye.

Narrator
After Hamidah ended the call, Hassan comes again to her
workplace.

Hassan
Hi! Hamidah, how are you?

Hamidah
I’m fine, Hassan. What about you?

Hassan
I’m great. By the way, Hamidah, would like you to go to the
movie and have dinner together later after you are done with
work?

Hamidah
Sure!

EXT- MEE BANDUNG STALL- NIGHT

Narrator
While they’re eating, Hassan opens up to Hamidah.

Hassan
So, this is how I live, Dah. I am a bachelor. I float here and
there, no one really wants me.

Hamidah
 You never want to stay anywhere very long. Don’t blame other
people for your own misfortunes.

Hassan
How can I stay put Dah? No one cares about me.

Hamidah
You are a terrible liar. You can’t really believe that. Do you
honestly believe no one loves you?

Hassan
I am poor and wretched. If somebody did love me, I’d be over
the moon. Do you think this is possible Dah?

Hamidah
That someone is right infront of you, Hassan.

Hassan
You, Midah?

Hamidah
Yes, Hassan.

Hassan
Thank you, I never thought you’d love a fool like me. If you
do love me, we should spend the rest of our lives together.

Narrator
Hamidah smiles and nods at Hassan. Then, they walk together to
go home.

INT. HAMIDAH’S FLAT- COUCH- NIGHT

Hassan
Have you give it a thought Midah? If you do we could run away
together to Singapore to escape from Tauke Ah Lam.

Hamidah
Ofcourse, I have given it a thought Hassan.

Hassan
Please let me know your answer Hamidah. I would love to marry
you and spend the rest of my life with you.

Narrator
Hamidah smiles and stays silent for a moment. Hassan goes into
the room to sleep.

INT. HAMIDAH’S FLAT – COUCH - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

Narrator
Tauke Ah Lam gets home from a business trip and surprises her.

Tauke Ah Lam
Hamidah, I have something for you.

Hamidah
What is it?

Narrator
Tauke Ah Lam pulls her hand and holds her face.

Tauke Ah Lam
Here.

Narrator
Tauke Ah Lam then puts a necklace on her neck.

Hamidah
A diamond necklace?!

Tauke Ah Lam
Yes, for you Hamidah, my sweet girl.

Hamidah
I appreciate it a lot, thank you so much!

Tauke Ah Lam
It’s nothing Hamidah I hope you like it.

Narrator
Hamidah smiles at Tauke Ah Lam and he pulls her hand and bring
her in the room

INT. HAMIDAH’S FLAT- COUCH- NIGHT

Narrator
After spending some time alone with herself on the couch, she
had a conversation with herself about her future.

Hamidah
Am I really marrying Hassan? Is it really worth leaving Tauke
Ah Lam for? What’s the use of being in love if we are poor? Is
this really it, what if I end up like bapak and ibu? If I do
this, there will be no turning back.

Narrator
Hamidah falls asleep on the couch before she makes any final
decision.

INT. HAMIDAH’S FLAT- MORNING

 Narrator
Tauke Ah Lam is on his way to Hamidah’s flat to surprise her.
He knocks the door soon as he gets home.

Tauke Ah Lam
Good morning, Hamidah! I’m home!

Narrator
The silence worries him. Then, he knocks the door again.

Tauke Ah Lam
Hamidah, are you home? Hamidah?

Narrator
Tauke Ah Lam gives up and opens the door using his own key.

Tauke Ah Lam
Hamidah?

Narrator
What he saw got him speechless. He got home to an empty house
and Hamidah is gone.