Tao Chen and Zane Chen - Kitchen Scene

INT. CHEN FAMILY HOME, KITCHEN – EVENING

Tao Chen is cooking an evening meal for himself and Zane, his son.

The kitchen is modern and large. Utensils and cooking equipment are made of stainless steel; they all look brand new. Everything in the kitchen looks brand new. The kitchen is large and square, with a small, circular table in the middle of the room.

Tao Chen walks towards the kitchen door and he shouts in the direction of the stairs.

Tao:
Zane, get down here. Food is ready.

There is no reply from Zane.
Tao notices a quiet drumbeat that seems to be getting louder. The sound is coming from Zane’s room. Tao is furious at the thought of being ignored by Zane; he shouts in the direction of the stairs once more, louder this time.

Tao:
Zane! I won’t tell you again. Get down here or I will not allow you to eat for the rest of the day.

Heavy footsteps can be heard from Zane’s room as he approaches the door, turns the handle, and throws open the door.

Zane shouts back to Tao.

Zane:
I’m busy; give me two minutes.

Tao:
Fine. Hurry up though; I didn’t cook this food for nothing.

A couple of minutes pass. Tao has returned to the kitchen and is already eating at the table.
Zane enters the room. Tao sighs.

Tao:
(Sighs) Finally. Your food is over there on the worktop.

Tao points his finger unwillinglyat the only plate left on the kitchen counter.

Tao (cont.):
It’s probably too cold for you now.

Zane picks up the plate and takes a seat at the table. He folds his arms and picks at the food, slowly cutting out small pieces.

Tao looks at Zane’s plate with disapproval, but does not say anything.

Zane finishes the last of his food unenthusiastically, and pushes the plate into the centre of the table. Without saying a word, he stands up and leaves the kitchen, returning to his room.

As Zane’s bedroom door slams shut, Tao puts his head in his hands and mutters to himself.

Tao:
What did I do wrong?

FADE OUT TO BLACK