GREEN CARD
A Short film
Written & Screen Play
By
Murty S Swahari
INT -- OFFICE - DAY
It is the last day for the Software Engineer Ramesh at his office. He is packing all his personal files and belongings in a brown box at his office table. He is in sorrow mood.
His colleagues LINDA and JOHN came to his table to bid farewell to him.
JOHN
Sorry buddy, we are really going to miss you. You are so brilliant and you have solved lot of software problems.
LINDA
Hi Ramesh – You need any help in packing your stuff? Can I drop you at your home?
RAMESH
Thank you guys, it is very nice of you. Everything ispacked and no problem, I can manage and will take a taxi to go home.
Ramesh got up from his chair carrying the brown box with all his personal files and belongings in one hand, overall coat in another handand shake hands with both of them.
RAMESH
Okay guys – bye bye guys take care
Ramesh while walking away from his seat to elevator, other colleagues are standing at their seats and say Bye Bye to Ramesh.
Ramesh goes to the elevator (13th floor) and presses ‘’G” button. The elevator came and Ramesh enters the elevator. There were two ladies in the elevator and both greet Ramesh “Hey” and Ramesh reciprocates.
At 8th Floor, the elevator stops, and the two ladies exit the elevator. While they are exiting, Ramesh hears them whispering about him losing the job.
The elevator reaches ground Floor, and Ramesh bids farewell to the security staff.
: page 2 :
EXT- BUS STOP - DAY
Ramesh came out of the Office Building Gate, and hail for Taxi. The Taxi comes and Ramesh Get in the back seat along with his stuff and brown box.
INT- INSIDE TAXI - DAY
Ramesh sat in the Taxi very sadly and starts thinking about his future plans while taxi goes to his residence.
EXT - RAMESH HOUSE GATE - DAY
The taxi reaches his residence and he pays the taxi fare and enters his residence by unlocking the front door.
INT - RAMESH ROOM - DAY
Ramesh comes inside his room, and drops the brown box on the floor, and sits on the sofa,relaxing back, thinking seriously with mixed feelings of anger, sorrow, with self-pity about his present condition. Due to the failure of the American economy, he lost his job and he doesn’t know what to do now.
He recalls how his Boss has informed about his losing job one week back.
He talks to himself.
RAMESH
My Boss is a good man and he likes my efficiency and work. He always praises me whenever I meet the targets ahead of schedule time.
What he can do? The American economy is dropping to its low. He has got instructions from the CEO to downsize the manpower and as I am the only employee on H1B, I was the target. Other citizens and green card holders were not touched. It is my fate. My boss has also recommended me to other companies and advised me to attend interviews.
He recollects his interviews with two company HR Managers in the last one week.
INT - OFFICE - DAY
Ramesh sat in front of HR Manager for interview. Interview is almost over and final discussions with HR Manager
: page 3 :
HR MANAGER
Mr Ramesh – You have got good qualifications and experience and our technical Manager has recommended you for this job. You may give the details of your Green Card, Social Security Number to our Personnel Officer so that he will prepare Appointment Order for you.
RAMESH
Thank you very much for selecting me. But… you have to provide me H1B visa for me as although I have applied for GREEN CARD 5 years ago, I could not get it till now. Waiting for GREEN CARD.
HR MANAGER
What ? I thought you are the permanent resident of this country. When you are expected to get yourGREEN CARD.
RAMESH
Not so soon - I think, as the waiting list is very lengthy and some of my friends are waiting since last 10 years for getting GREEN CARD.
HR MANAGER
I am so sorry Mr Ramesh. Our Company does not permit employees other than citizens and Permanent Residents. And we will not sponsor H1 visas.
Ramesh was shocked and taken back as he expected that he has already landed in this job due to his excellent interview performance. But as the last resort, he requested HR Manager .
RAMESH
I am sorry to hear that. OK.
(after some gap)
If your company cannot pay the visa charges, I am prepared to pay all the expenses incurred by your company to provide the visa and hope this will not be a problem.
: page 4 :
HR MANAGER
No Mr Ramesh, our Company rules do not permit this. OK Mr Ramesh, all the Best
(As HR Manager got up from his seat and shake hands with Mr Ramesh – Ramesh got up and came out of Managers office with sad face)
INT - RAMESH ROOM - DAY
Ramesh sitting on the sofa, and remembering his interviews, and remembers his 2nd interview (phone interview)
INT - RAMESH ROOM- NIGHT (FLASH BACK)
While Ramesh sleeping on his bed, the phones rings.
Ramesh pick up the phone and say ‘Hello’’
He listens voice from the phone : Am I speaking to Ramesh ?
RAMESH
Yes it is Ramesh, May I Know who is speaking please ?
He listens to the voice from telephone :
I am Edward speaking from Watson Company.We have received your resume and if you are interested, we will talk about the job opening we are having.
RAMESH
Thank you MrEdward. Yeah I am interested in joining your company. Is it a contract Job or Company permanent job ?
EDWARD (phone voice)
It is company permanent position. We will be requiring to fill in the position immediately. So tell me about yourself MrRamesh - Your expertise and your availability.
: page 5 :
RAMESH
Mr Edward – you might have seen in my resume, I have done MS and am an expert in Oracle Data Base Administration with 6 years experience. I am on H1B visa now. Presently I am…
EDWARD (phone voice)
Excuse me Mr Ramesh – You said you are on H1B visa ? am I right ?
RAMESH
You heard me correctly Mr Edward,. I am on H1B now and waiting for GREEN CARD.
EDWARD (Phone voice)
I am sorry Mr Ramesh, We cannot provide visa. Thank you for your interest in our organization. Bye
Ramesh got irritated and hung up the phone with Bang.
INT - RAMESH ROOM - DAY
He sat idle on the sofa – thinking and thinking - with out any solution. Finally he makes a decision.
RAMESH
I am fed up with the job trials. I will say good bye to US. With my experience, I think I can get a good job in my home country.
EXT -RAMESH HOUSE MAIN GATE - NIGHT
Taxi stops at RameshHouse, Ramesh locks the house and carrying two big suitcases and Laptop. The Driver picks up the suitcases and keeps them in taxi trunk. Ramesh enters taxi carrying his back-pack and laptop case.
EXT- AIRPORT ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Ramesh pushing the trolley with two big suitcases and enters International Airport entrance gate.
: page 6 :
INT- AIRPORT LOUNGE- NIGHT
He checks the flight schedule Board and see his watch for time.
Ramesh check in at the counter for INDIA, and after security check, sit and wait to board the flight.
Announcement for boarding the flight.
INT - INSIDE THE FLIGHT - NIGHT
He boards the flight and sit in his seat after keeping his Laptop in the flight cabin.
Ramesh is feeling bad to go home because he lost the job in usa. He closed his eyes and waiting for the flight to take off,
ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE FLIGHT
Attn Mr Ramesh, Passenger travelling to India by Air India Flight. You are urgently required to contact the Airlines Counter. Matter Urgent. Mr Ramesh surprised to hear his name in the announcement, and the Air Hostess came running to his seat and informs to contact the Airline Counter and assured the Flight will wait for him.
Ramesh rushed to the Flight gate for airlines counter.
INT - AIRLINES COUNTER IN AIRPORT - NIGHT
As soon he comes to the airlines counter, Mr Ramesh saw two police officers and high officials in their suits waiting for Ramesh. He is totally confused. Then the Police Officer enquired with Ramesh.
POLICE OFFICER
Excuse me, Are you Mr Ramesh ?
RAMESH
Yes. I am. What is the problem officer
POLICE OFFICER
You are not going in this flight. Your Luggage is being removed from the Flight.
: page 7 :
RAMESH
What ? Why I cannot go ? Are you arresting me ? Why ?
POLICE OFFICER
Do not worry Mr Ramesh, It is Emergency, we don’t have time, we will talk in the car.
Please follow me sir,
Perturbed and Confused, Ramesh does not know what to do, and he is simply followed the Police Officer with scare and anxiety. Three cars followed them with others cops, and high officials in their suits.
EXT- EASTERN MED HOSPITAL BUILDING GATE - NIGHT
The car came with high speed, and brakes screeched while it stopped at the \EMERGENCY Gate of the Hospital.
At the gate, two nurses and doctors with group of gentlemen anxiously waiting and as soon as the car stops at the gate, they came running to the car.
As soon Ramesh gets down from the car, everyone starts running to the Operation Theatre. Then the Doctor told Ramesh that they require his blood for a patient who has met with severe accident. He checked with Ramesh that his Blood group is 0 Negative and Ramesh confirmed it. Now only Ramesh came to know that he has been unceremoniously dragged out of the Airplane as some VIP requires his blood.
INT -HOSPITAL OPERATION / ICU ROOM - NIGHT
The Doctor injects the needle to Ramesh hand for blood transfer. Now Ramesh remembers having signed up his name as BONE MORROWand Blood Donor.. The Hospital is not having the Blood O-ve. Now he has started worrying about his luggage, and ticket cancellation charges as he is not left with money to buy another flight ticket to go to home country.
INT - OUTSIDE OPERATION THEATRE - NIGHT
The Red Light is switched ‘ON’ on the Operation Theatre.People are anxiously waiting outside the Operation theatre (muffled voices).
: page 8 :
The Red Light is switched ‘OFF’. People who are outside the Operation Theatre waiting for the Doctor.. The Doctor in his Operation Dress (Green apron) came out, wipe out the sweat on his fore head and said
DOCTOR
Operation is Success. If the Blood Donor has delayed by one minute, we would have lost Miss Mary. She has survived just because of the Donor.
The people outside waiting are jubilant for the good news, hugging each other and talking how lucky they are to have Ramesh to give the Blood in minutes, otherwise, we would have lost her.
INT- ICU ROOM RAMESH BED - NIGHT
The Doctor came inside and thanked Mr Ramesh for giving his blood at the right time and saved Miss Mary, daughter of Real Estate Empire owner Mr. Miller.
The gentlemen in suits have come inside and thanked Mr Ramesh. One of the gentleman asked Mr Ramesh
GENTLEMAN
Thank you very much Mr Ramesh. We are very much sorry for all the trouble given to you. Unfortunately, the blood stored in the hospital was spoiled because of a freezer failure and we could not get any where in this town. As we require blood in matter of minutes to save Miss Mary, We have traced your name from blood donors volunteer list and contacted your ex-office colleagues, and finally could able to find you in the airport.
I understand that you have lost the job and you are going back to your country. Is it correct?
RAMESH
Yep. Due to recession, I have lost the job and could not find any new job due to lack of Green Card. As my visa will expire soon and without Visa, I cannot stay in US. Hence, I decided to go back.
GENTLEMAN
Are you not interested to work in USA ? If you are interested, we can provide Vice President position in our Company. We have taken care of your luggage and kept in the villa allotted.