Collection - Many Faces of the Desert - Clarice.

 Just Another Day

Clarice wakes up, jumps out of bed, and leaves her room. Clarice walks down the hallway, stops at her mom's room, looks inside, and sees the empty bed. Clarice heads down the stairs and then heads to the kitchen. In the backyard, she sees her mom burying something. She walks closer to her mom and asks: — Mom! What are you doing? Mom! —  Lilian turns to her and points to Clarice’s body. Clarice looks at her chest and sees the blood spreading around a gunshot hole. She freaks and screams, but when she tries to scream again she is mute. She starts to breathe aggressively and blacks out.

Clarice is in her bed when she wakes up startled. Clarice runs to her mother's room and lies beside her on the bed. It’s morning, Lilian wakes up and notices Clarice beside her then smiles. Lilian gets up and leaves the room. Lilian is sitting at the backyard door smoking. Clarice approaches her following the smoke trail. She looks at the sink and next to the trash can she sees an empty vodka bottle.

— Mom? Are you smoking?

— Oh! Sorry… 

— I didn't know you were a smoker.

— Yeah. I used to, But I quit when I got pregnant.

— (...)

— You hungry? Let me make you an omelet instead of cereal.

— No, thanks. I just need some sugar.

— Oh right. Well, I'm in the mood for an omelet.

Lilian stands up and heads back to the kitchen. While in the kitchen she opens the cabinet and takes out a plate and a bowl then puts them over the table. Clarice opens the fridge to get milk then opens a cabinet and gets the cereal. She helps herself while Lilian prepares the omelet. After Claire finished serving her cereal and milk she started to talk.

— I saw the bottle.

— Ok.

— Want to talk about it?

— No.

— So should I just ignore it?

— Do whatever you want, bunny.

— So let’s talk about it!

— Listen! I am ok! I just took a few shots!

— Mom! It’s eight am!

— So what?

— You emptied a bottle of vodka! You need more?!

— Alright! I overpassed! But I am not! an Alcoholic!

— I’m not saying you are! I’m just worried about you! What’s going on?

— Well! Look around! And Guess it!

— Exactly! You think is a good moment to get drunk?

— Oh! I’m sorry! I forgot that you're the mom, and I’m the child!

— Are you listening to yourself?

— What?!

— Yes! Every time! Every fucking time…

— Watch your tone, young lady!

— Every time I try to talk, you keep avoiding me! Or, treating me like an idiot!

— Where did you get that from?!

— You! You’re doing it right now!

— Fuck! Fine! I’m not ok! What now?

— Now we talk! Mom! If you going through something, I want to know! I need to now! I’m your daughter! Or you forgot?

— Look! And I'm not hiding shit from you! So calm! Down!

— Really? What about Lisa?

— How do you know that?

— I've read your messages!

— You little shit! I knew it! I knew there was something off! Then ask why I don't trust you!

— Why hide it from me? Do you think I’ll judge you? Or something?

— You don’t have the right! You don't see me bugging in your things!

— Oh C’mon! Are you serious?! Do you think I didn’t notice?! 

— Oh right! I’m sorry for caring about my child!

— Caring? Or invading my privacy?

— Like you did?

— That’s not fair! You know everything about me! everything I do! Everyone who I talk to! and didn’t even know you’re lesbian!

— I’m not lesbian!

— Bisexual! Anyway! Why did you hide it from me?

— It’s not! That easy!

— Have you at least tried?

— Enough!

— How can I try to understand you, If you don’t talk to me?!

— Because! I’m your mother I don't owe you shit!

— I don't recognize you anymore… I think I never knew you…

Lilian Breaks down in tears and murmurs: — Go away! — Clarice replies: — Please! —  Then Lilian shouts: — Are you deaf?! Go away! Now! —  With a sad semblance, Claire looks at her mom and says: — I'm sorry to bother you. — Then leaves the kitchen and runs upstairs. Lilian has a tantrum, she yells and throws the dishes on the floor and Yells: — FUCK! —

Clarice is at her desk, trying to concentrate while writing in her notebook. She throws her notebook against the wall, lies upside down, and puts on her headphones.

In the kitchen, after cleaning the broken dishes, Lilian walks to the living room, lies on the couch, takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and rests for a few seconds until she gets interrupted by noises coming from outside. She gets up and heads to the window. Across the street, she notices the dead neighbor’s car has disappeared from the street. — What the fuck? — She murmurs. Confused and scared, she closes the curtain returns to the Living room, and sits on the sofa in silence. Having nothing else to do, she turns on the television. Immediately The news Anchor began to talk: And the cases related to the new disease have increased. According to the latest cases, Vocid-14 would have developed a variant to R.4.2.40. The new variant is responsible for Epileptic fits, hemorrhagic fever, and in most severe cases: outbreaks of violence and cannibal attacks, which was previously attributed to the use of the drug known as O.C.O. despite all the panic and worry that the disease has brought to the scientific community and the population. In social media, the new variant of Vocid-14, also called Romero-14, quotes George A. Romero, the creator of famous zombie movies such as Night of The Living Dead. Lilian approaches Clarice’s door and knocks at it.

— Clarice!

— (…)

— Bunny!

— I’ve had enough!

— Bunny, please!

— I’d get It! I won't meddle in your life anymore!

— You got me wrong.

— Did I? Because you were very clear down there.

— I was mad. I Yelled at you. I’m sorry! Can I come in? Please?

— The door is open.

Lilian enters the room and sees Clarice lying down, playing with a Rubik's cube while listening to music. Lilian sits on the bed next to her.

— I…

— You don't have to apologize. It’s ok.

— You’re not mad at me?

— Yeah. But you’re right. You’re the one who decides when you’re ready to talk. I just got mad because, because you’re all I have… I can’t stand this. Feels like we barely know each other. 

The two remain silent for a few seconds, then Lilian speaks.

— Jesus… I feel terrible. I’m sorry for all the horrible things I told you.

— It’s ok Mom, I’ve started. It’s my fault too.

— No it’s not. I’m not an easy person. And you’re doing your best. As always!\

— Pffs… You think?

— Clarice you’re smart, tough, and mature… I wasn’t like you at your age. You don’t have any Idea how I am for being your mom!

— Thanks! That’s important.

— Now… I have a Question.

— Say it.

— Did you mean it?

— What?

— That I’m everything you have.

— Oh! Yeah, I’m really poor, you know…

— You want to fight, don’t you? This time I’m gonna use my hands!

Lilian starts tickling Clarice.

— Please! Mom! No! Stop! Please! Stop!

— What? What is wrong?

— Stop, please! Please!

Clarice fell off her bed. They face each other, and they both smile. Clarice sits on the bed. Lilian notices the iPod and asks about it: — So! What are you listening to? —

— Green Day — Clarice replies and hands over the headphones. Lilian puts on the headphones and reacts: — Is it the CD you bought last week? — 

— Yeah! What do you think?

— It’s cool! We are not that different huh?

— Sure…

— I’ll show you... Hold a second!

Lilian leaves the room and returns with a shoebox full of CDs. Lilian puts one of the CDs on the sound system, and then Private Idaho from B-52’s starts playing. Lilian starts dancing and then starts singing too.

Clarice asks: — What’s that? — 

— B-52’s

— Cool!

— Oh god! This song brings me back in time!

— I see.

Clarice watches Lilian Dancing. She looks radiant. Lilian sings along to the music: —  You're living in your own Private Idaho. You're living in your own Private Idaho. — Clarice asks again: —  What else do you? —  And Lilian replies: — Hm! Let me see! —  Lilian walks to the sound system and then changes the music. Then, Garota de Berlim, by Supla, starts playing. Lilian dances along, and Clarice asks about the song: — It’s Portuguese, right? — 

— Yeah! Do you like it?

— Yeah! but I can’t understand what he’s saying.

— He is singing about a girl he met in Berlin. And do you know who’s the girl?

— No! Who?!

— Nina Hagen!

— Oh! Cool! Who’s she?!

— (…)

— Mom!

— (…)

— Mom?

So they keep dancing…

The Fall

Desperate knocks on the front door. Lilian walks to the door and opens it. It’s her neighbor, Rosa.

— Christ! Rosa? What happened?

— Lilian! Please! Can you stay with Angela for one night?

— Sure! What was there?

— It’s Ed, he fell off and broke his nose. Can you babysit Angela Just tonight? I can’t take her with me.

— Oh Yeah! Sure!

— Mommy! Jo quiero ir contigo!

— Mi amor! I promise I won't be long, it's just for tonight!

— Please, Mommy?

— Everything will be okay! I Promise. Where is your inhaler?

Angela takes the asthma inhaler from her pocket. — Here —  Says Angela holding the inhaler. Rosa gets on her knee, in front of Angela and says: — Dame un abrazo, mi amor. ¡Ay, qué abrazo tan fuerte, mamá! Lilian will take care of you, I promise it won't be long, be a good girl, y obedece todo lo que dice la señorita Ruas, ok? —  Angela nods yes. Clarice goes halfway down the stairs and stops to listen to the conversation. — What happened? —  Clarice asks worriedly.

— Angela will stay for the night. Can you lend her a change of clothes?

— Sure…

— Go up with her Angel.

— Come on Angela!

Angela goes up the stairs with Clarice. Rosa waits until the girls get upstairs, then she starts to talk: — Thank you so much, Lilian. I have no one else. — 

— Oh c’mon Rosa! You’ve done a lot for me. Listen! Do you want a ride to the hospital?

— No! It’s ok!  I’ll take Ed’s car. My only concern is Angela, But as long she’s safe, I’m fine.

— Oh, Don't worry about her, she'll be fine.

— Thank you very much, Lilian!

They say their byes, and Rosa leaves. Lilian shouts to Rosa: — Be careful on the road! — Then Rosa replies: — I will. — Lilian closes and locks the front door. She leans her back against the door, closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and murmurs: — Please God… —  Then she heads to the stairs, leans her body over the Handrail, and shouts: — Girls! Are you hungry? — 

— We’re fine!

— You can watch TV until ten. Then I want to see both of you in bed, Alright?!

— Yes, mom!

Lilian walks towards the kitchen, opens the backyard door, then lights a cigarette. In the background, Clarice goes down the stairs and comes towards Lilian, and they start to argue while trying to keep their voice down: — Are kidding me? —  Says Claire catching Lilian’s attention, the Lilian Replies.

— What? What should I do? Say, I'm Sorry Rosa! But I can't open the door, it's dangerous.

— But it is!

— We can’t deny help.

— What if she got this virus from her father?

— Virus? The girl is fine, and Ed just had an accident.

— Did you believe this bullshit?

— Bunny! You are overreacting! Calm! Down!

Clarice walks away then murmurs: — You full of shit. — 

— What did you say to me?

— Does it matter?!

— Yes! You won't get rid of this young lady!

— Whatever! We’re going to die anyway!

— Conejo…

Two hours later, Clarice is on her bed, leaning against the headboard. Angela is sitting on the floor leaning against the bed. They both watch TV. Angela coughs and asks her sorry: — Sorry... —

Clarice responds to Angela: — No problem. — Then she becomes alert, she can’t ignore the possibility of Angela being infected, At the same time, she wants to trust her mom's judgment. Anyways, Clarice is tired she had a hell of a week. She feels her eyes are heavy, and slowly, the television sound gets distorted and lower. At this point, she can’t handle it anymore and falls asleep.

In the living room, Lilian is asleep, lying on the couch while the television is still on. On the screen, A soda commercial, takes the place: — Have you ever dreamed of the perfect soda flavor? Something between the wildness and sweetness? Something Unique? Well, that's the only thing you'll want to drink. Travel with the wonderful flavor of roasted coffee, straight from the heart of Brazil, mixed with the sweet flavor of cocoa and vanilla cream. Oh! So sweet! Covanco! La saveur unique! —

Outside, and not that far from Lilian’s house. A cop named Erik starts to yell at his partner, Marcus:  — Please, Marcus! Don't make me do this! —  His partner ignores Erik’s advice and keeps approaching while grunting and emitting strange sounds.

— Fuck! Stay back! Please!

— It hurts…

— What?

— It Hurts…

While Erik is being distracted by Marcus, a stranger approaches him from behind and bites him on the neck, causing Erik to blind shooting while screaming in pain. The noise makes Lilian wake up startled. She notices it’s all coming from the street, so she walks towards the front window, trying to see what is happening. Erik aims for his gun and then shoots the person who bites his neck. Marcus tries to bite Erik, but just after shooting the stranger, Erik shoots his partner. While watching, Lilian stays perplexed and murmurs: — My God… —  She closes the curtain. 

Out of nowhere, Clarice wakes up startled. She notices the absence of Angela. Clarice jumps out of bed and then leaves the room. Clarice walks down the dark hall and notices the restroom light on. She walks slowly to the restroom while hearing coughing and vomiting sounds. Clarice approaches the door and sees Angela vomiting dark blood on the sink.

Lilian is sitting on the floor, leaning against the window wall, Out side she hears a last shot, And then she hears Screams. It’s Clarice. Confused, Lilian shouts: — Bunny?! —  No one answers and she hears her daughter screaming again. Lilian gets up and rushes to the top floor. On the last step of the stairs, she misses a step and falls face down on the floor. She raises her hand to her bloody broken nose and screams in pain. She then gets up and runs to the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, Angela is on top of Clarice trying to bite her. While holding Angela, trying to keep her away, Clarice begs Angela: — Please… Stop… Please! —  Lilian comes up behind Angela and pulls her off Clarice. Angela is thrown outside the bathroom against the wall, Lilian tries to close the door, but quickly Angela gets up and fights Lilian trying to open the door. Lilian wins the force fight and closes and locks the door. Lilian looks back and sees Clarice sitting in the bathtub, having an anxiety attack. She approaches Clarice and tries to calm her down. — Bunny!  Bunny! — 

Clarice continues to stare into the emptiness. Lilian slaps Clarice's face. — Sorry bunny! Look at me! — 

Lilian takes Clarice’s hands to open ‘em and squeezes them around her arm. - Here! Hold my arm and squeeze as much as you can. — Says Lilian. So Angela throws herself against the door, calling their attention. — No! no! no! Bunny! Look at me! Look at me… —  Says Lilian Desesperate. Clarice turns her eyes back to Lilian while she speaks: — That’s right! Now give me a deep breath come on! —  Clarice breathes as she is told to. Then Lilian reacts: — Yes! keep going. —  Clarice looks at the door, and Lilian holds her face, turning it back to face her. Lilian calls her attention once more: — Hey! Hey! Look at me! Keep! breathing! —  Even though Clarice seems calm, she is still worried about Angela, who is still throwing herself against the door uninterruptedly

— Mom...

— I know! I know…

— We’ll take care of it. Now I need you here!

— Ok…

— Do you feel better?

— Yeah…

— Now listen! Did she bite you?

Clarice turns her eyes back to the door. Then Lilian call her attencion: — Clarice! Did she bite you? — 

— No, I, I don’t know!

— Let me see! Take your shirt off! 

Lilian starts looking for bite wounds on Clarice's body. Then she reacts: — Oh, thank god!, No bites! See? We’re doing great! —

— What about her?

— I have a plan.

— Where is your gun? Can’t you just shoot her?

— I don’t have a gun!

— Mom!

— It’s hidden in the closet! But we need to take care of her first!

Lilian looks at the door and takes a deep breath. Then she looks at the bathtub curtains. Lilian gets up and from the under-sink cabinet, she takes the duct tape rolls gives it to Clarice, and says: — Here! hold it! —  Then rips off the bathtub curtains, walks to next the door, and holds the doorknob with one hand, holding the bathroom curtain in the other hand. Clarice is in the middle of the bathroom holding a duct tape roll. Clarice is seeking the door she murmurs: — Fuck… —  Lilian calls her attention: — Hey! We can do it! —

Angela throws herself against the door once more and hears the door unlock. She stops, and the door slowly opens showing Clarice standing in the back. Angela notices that something is wrong, so walking in slowly. She looks directly into Clarice’s eyes, and the silence consumes the ambiance, then Angela Attacks Clarice, and Lilian cover the girl using the curtain. While the small girl shakes and fights, Lilian holds her trapped while yelling at Clarice: — TAPE HER! TAPE HER NOW! —  Clarice wraps Angela with the duct tape, surrounding the girls. As soon as she secures her arms, Lilian lays Angela in the bathtub and finishes taping her legs. then drop down backing the sink. — Jesus… —  Lilian Murmurs

— Is it safe?

— Two roles of duct tape. Gotta be…

— So what now?

— We take the body to the backyard, then I’ll take my gun and finish it.

— Mom…

— What?

— Do you think Rosa is alive?

— Who knows… 

A few minutes later…

 

Lilian and Clarice are carrying Angela throw the hallway. Lilian shouts: — Alright! Slow down! We’re next to the stairs let’s be careful! —  They start to go down the stairs while Angela squirms and kicks. One of those kicks hits Clarice who slips and falls, hitting her head on the wall, Angela struggles even more making Lilian lose her balance. both fall over the banister, Lilian falls over a table and Angela falls heads to the floor, breaking her neck and dying instantly. Lilian falls from the table and moans in pain. Clarice stands up startled and yells over the handrail: — MOM! —  Breathing hard Lilian answers: — I’m ok! —  Clarice rushes to her mom and stands in front of Angela's body. Clarice is shocked with eyes wide open. Lilian asks Clarice: — Are you hurt? —  And Clarice Nods no. Lilian bursts out laughing and immediately shuts, Lilian stands up, looks at Angela, and reacts: — My God! —  Clarice looks at her mom and asks: — Is… Is she dead? —  They both look at the body and then Clarice runs over the stairs leaving her mom with the dead body. Lilian shouts: — Wait! Clarice! —  Clarice slams her bedroom door. Lilian breathes in and out aggressively, then approaches the body and checks for Angela’s pulse, confirming she’s dead, so she murmurs: — Fuck… — 

Lilian picks up Angela by the legs and drags the body to the backyard. She leaves the body over the grass and then enters the house to come back with a shovel. Holding the shovel, she takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and murmurs: — Fuck... —  Then proceeds to dig a ditch.

A few minutes later...

Inside Clarice’s room, she is sleeping, next to her bed, over the nightstand, there’s a pill box and an empty glass cup. Lilian takes the pills and the glass cup, kisses Clarice's forehead, and leaves the room. In the kitchen, Lilian takes a kettle from the cabinet, fills it with water puts it over the stove, and turns it on. Then she grabs a cigarette and goes to the backyard door. Expressionless, she lights the cigarette while looking at where Angela’s body is, and tears come out. She cleans her tears and turns walks back to the kitchen and turns off the stove. A few minutes later, In the bathroom, sitting in front of the mirror, Lilian wipes the blood from her nose with a cloth that she dips into a bowl with hot water. She grabs a pair of pens, sticks both in each nose hole, forces her nose back to its place, and screams.

A few minutes later…

Lilian is in the kitchen. First, she takes two bowls from the cabinet, then takes ice cream from the fridge. Over the table, she serves both bowls with ice cream and heads to Clarice’s room. In front of the room’s door, she knocks and shouts. — Hey! May I come in? I have ice cream! —  Through the door, Clarice shouts back — Come in! —

Lilian enters the room. She walks towards Clarice and sits at her side outside the window over the roof. Clarice is looking to the horizon, Lilian offers one ice cream bowl and they start to eat. Lilian goes down the stairs carrying Clarice on her lap. She puts her on the sofa, in the background the sound of gunshots is audible, the door closes, and after minutes of silence, the door opens, Lilian appears and takes Clarice in her arms, walking to the car. Lilian sits Clarice in the passenger seat, gets in with her, and closes the door, Lilian fastens Clarice's seat belt. And murmurs: — Get back to sleep bunny. —  Then Lilian moves to the driver's seat and tries to start the car. The car takes a while to start, while she’s doing it. is audible the slaughters hitting the car’s roof and windows, trying to get in.

Maybe because of the cold, or just bad luck, The car refused to start, and then Lilian shouted madly: — C’mon… Start… Your piece of shit…TURN! ON! —  The car starts. And Lilian celebrates: — YES! Let’s get out of here bunny. We're going to be ok! —  Miles after driving through the city, while doing the best she can to avoid slaughters and aggressors. The effect of the drugs is passing, which makes Clarisse slowly wake up, she tries to mumble something illegible, and Lilian replies: — It’s ok bunny! get back to sleep. — The sound of the engine while Lilian drives is like a hypnotic track, her vision is blurry and she can’t see much more than lights and dark figures. Then she closed her eyes again and when she opens. The car was slowing, and she heard her mom: — Oh no… FUCK! — 

Lilian hits the brake and stops the car. There is a barricade of cars blocking the road. Behind the barricade, a megaphone voice shouts to her: — Please turn around and go to a safe place. No one can leave Washington State without permission! — 

— Fuck! Not now…

— That’s the last advice! You cannot pass!

Lilian Looks at the barricade and finds a gap. Lilian takes a deep breath and says: — Watch me going, you motherfucker. —  Then speed up heading to the gape. Lilian sinks her foot on the pedal throwing the car out of the road. The military begins the shooting. While driving, Lilian stretches her arm back to lay Clarice on the seat, the blood dripping from her gets Clarice stained with blood. — You can go to hell assholes! —  That’s the last thing Clarice hears before she Blacks out. The car is out off the road, somewhere in the desert. sunk in a hellish heat and a smell of putrefaction, Clarice woke up In a hell of a head pain. She struggles to unbuckle the seat belt then rushes to the car window and pukes. She takes a few seconds breathing the dry, hot desert air, then opens the door, crawls out of the car, and then pukes again. Clarice Looks around, noticing she’s lost in the middle of nowhere. Then she realizes, looks back at the car, and approaches the driver's sit. — That smell… Mom? —  As she looks at his mother, the disgusted expression slowly fades away. Now she is explicitly shocked. Lilian is leaning back on the seat, and her whole shirt is stained with dry blood, Clarice covers her mouth and with the outer hand, she pulls Lilian away from the seat and sees Lilian's back covered in blood. With eyes wide open, some tears run down her face, and she stays stunned, looking at Lilian inertly.

The Reunion

Clarice is pointing her pistol at Puss.

 

— Alright! You sick motherfucker! I'm counting to three!

— Can we just talk?

— You better start to run!

— Clarice put the gun away, Please!

— One!

— Clarice, Please! 

— Two!

— Coelho! Abaixa essa arma agora!

Clarice's eyes are wide open, carrying a mixture of feelings on her face, her arms shake aggressively, as she breathes. — Drop the gun and everything will be ok, I promise. —  Says Puss, clearly begging. Clarice lowers the gun, drops it, and falls to her knees. Puss looks at the girl who is crying desperately, this image is enough to break his heart, so he slowly approaches Clarice, at the moment he puts his hand on the girl's shoulder, she quickly hugs his chest and dissolves into tears. With a tone of regret Kyle murmurs at her: — Coelinho, me perdoa… — 

Clarisse just stays crying while Puss hugs her, and both remain like that, in silence.