The Bastion Residence, after Hope’s Funeral

The mourner, Mrs Bastion and Mr Velloo (Hope’s lecturer) talk about Hope’s death and its impact on the Bastion family.  Hope’s friends enter hesitantly and reveal that they are stunned by Hope'’ sudden death.  Mr Bastion is apparently cold towards David, Hope’s ex-boyfriend.  Hope appears as a ghost.

Hope’s Bedroom

Hope and David argue, but we are kept in the dark as to the cause if their argument as we are only given a glimpse of the end of the altercation.  David walks out on Hope, who, at the close of the scene, is seen as a figure alone.

Hope’s Bedroom

Hope is seen telling Mei Mei about her break-up with David but Mei Mei is unsympathetic.  She is relieved when Kelly, Suzie and Bibi walk in with the latest gossip.  The girls read from an agony column in the papers and are blatantly unsympathetic towards the plight of an unnerved pregnant teenager.  “So stupid-lah!”  Suzie remarks callously.  “You want to do it – take precautions-lah! You know American Express, don’t leave home without it!”. A visible uncomfortable Hope attempts to change the subject.

The Bastion Residence, after Hope’s Funeral

Andrew, Hope’s brother, is slightly drunk and shaken.  Hope listens as Andrew tells Mr Velloo that he blames himself.

The Teenagers in Class

Mr Velloo tries to impart a sense of responsibility regarding AIDS and sex. But to no avail.  The disrespectful students all but ignore the exasperated lecturer.  Kelly, who is a little more sensible than her classmates, erupts with a tirade aimed at their lack of seriousness and the class is silent for a moment.  Mr Velloo, concerned about Hope’s dropping grades, asks her to stay behind but their talk is interrupted.

The Bastion Residence after Hope’s Funeral

Pauline and Mei Mei nonchalantly reflect on the last time they saw Hope and are flippant as they talk about their fight.  Hope tells the audience why she decided to sleep with David.

The Bastion Sitting Room

Andrew tells Hope that he has told their parents about her problem.  A tense scene unfolds revealing the barriers between the two generations of the Bastion family and the dilemmas involved in dealing with the situation at hand – Hope’s pregnancy.  Mr Bastion, ashamed of what his daughter has done, is intent on a “simple solution” - an abortion despite his wife’s protests.

One Sunday after Mass, Outside Church

Mr and Mrs Bastion, after church have to deal with Jessie’s innocent questions concerning abortion, the topic of the day’s sermon.  Mrs Bastion evasively replies but Mr Bastion is harsher, showing a deep resentment regarding the situation Hope put him in.

Hope’s Dream

This scene is a dramatic symbolic rendition of Hope’s predicament and of her need to return to the carefree days of her childhood.  But that joy is temporary as she battles the consequences of her decisions.