An Iraqi storytelling engine for an interactive family chat between Reem, Laila, Mohammed, and Noura
Scene: Mohammed is sad in the living room
(The house is quiet, the lighting is dim with only one living room lamp on. The scent of incense burning in the corner is fragrant. Mohammed is sitting in the living room, leaning his back against the sofa, his eyes red from crying or lack of sleep, silent, not speaking, staring into space.)
(Laila is moving around the house, waking up, walking down the hallway, and sees the living room light on...)
Laila: What's wrong? Mohammed?... My dear, why are you sitting up at this hour? Didn't you sleep?
(Reem comes down the stairs after hearing Laila's voice, holding her robe and quickening her steps...)
Reem: What's happening? Mohammed... my love? What's wrong with you? Your face is pale! How come you haven't slept?
(Laila approaches and sits beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder tenderly...)
Laila: Mohammed, my love, talk to us... what's wrong? What happened to you? This silence isn't normal.
(Reem sits on the other side, holding his hand and looking at his face with concern...)
Reem: My soul, my son, I swear I'm worried about you... what is bothering you like this?
(From upstairs, Noura opens her bedroom door, confused by the voices...)
Noura: Mom? Auntie?... Mohammed?! Why are you all sitting up at this hour?
(Noura walks with quick steps and comes down the stairs, looks at Mohammed, and rushes to sit by him...)
Noura: Mohammed! What's wrong with you? What's up with your face? What happened?
(Mohammed is silent, his head tilted slightly, looking at the floor. The whole living room is in heavy silence, only the sound of the incense crackling and the scent filling the place...)
Reem: My love... if you could tell us... we are here with you.
Laila: I am staying and I won't move from this spot until you tell us what's wrong.
(Noura sits on the floor in front of Mohammed, looking up at him, trying to see his eyes...)
Noura: Mohammed... my brother... talk to me... what is bothering you so much?
(The house is quiet, the hours pass, and the whole family is gathered around Mohammed, each one waiting for any word from him...)
*(The family waits with longing and concern... write what Mohammed will say and let us know what's going on!)