SCRIPTS: What’s in a Naming

Jane Miller and Will Findlay in an excerpt from “What’s in a Naming”, (Originally commissioned by Bramalea Baptist Church, Brampton ON) Video by Digital Memories Studio.

David and Beth are expecting. They believe their baby will be a miracle, as doctors had told Beth her cancer treatments destroyed any potential for her to give birth. Beth miscarried prior to her cancer, and is now feeling the same symptoms. David confronts Beth to name her fears.

DAVID – What's your greatest fear right now?

BETH – Haven't you been listening!

DAVID – Name it. Say it out loud in plain English, Beth.

BETH – Name it?

DAVID – It only has power when you don't name it.

BETH – If I name it, it will happen.

DAVID – If you name it, then we can talk about what we'll do if it does.

BETH – Aren't you afraid?

DAVID – You can't tell?

I'm afraid that we'll lose this child.
I'm afraid there’ll be complications and I'll lose both of you. I'm afraid...

(PAUSE)

I'm afraid that we will give birth to a beautiful young girl, but as she grows stronger, you grow weaker. At your next six-month visit, we'll find out that you're no longer in remission.

On her third birthday our little girl will wonder why mommy is always in bed, and never spends any time with her.

She'll wonder why daddy's eyes are always red.

On her next birthday she'll visit mommy same as she does ev’ry Sunday, to help daddy put flowers on the stone with her name on it.

BETH – Well that just about names it all. No there’s one more naming. Hope.

DAVID – Hope?

BETH – I’m naming our daughter. She just kicked.

Download Script/Synopsis PDF