Parity Pipeline

Genre

Synopsis

SUBTRACT NINE SUNDAYS short film is an impressionistic dramatic tale based on a literary classic, where a live-in immigrant nanny’s sense of self-worth is tested by her affluent employer when he calls her in to settle his dues. This adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s short story “The Wimp”, penned in 1883, is set in contemporary Texas. The narrative delves deep into societal dynamics and examines concepts of power and personal agency. Additionally, it reflects on our increasing vulnerability and dependence upon the mercy of nature. SUBTRACT NINE SUNDAYS is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), currently in pre-production. SYNOPSIS: Outside a historic South Texas house with a verdant lawn, the sprinkler system is busy at work, its sound competing with the cicada chirp. The outdoor thermometer shows 111° Fahrenheit. In the kitchen, Maira, an immigrant woman in her late 30s, is busy washing the dishes. As she rests in a moment of quiet, gazing out the window, the buzzer goes off - Mr. Coleman, Maira’s affluent employer, calls her into the study to settle his dues. After offering Maira to have a seat, Mr. Coleman goes through the ledger book, methodically subtracting dollar amounts from her rightful earnings. He cites various reasons to justify the deductions - from a broken family heirloom to unworked days. Upon accepting her substantially reduced salary, Maira thanks him. Mr. Coleman loses his composure, outraged that she thanks him after he played a joke on her, in order to teach her a tough lesson. He can’t fathom why she wouldn’t stand up for herself. How is one such a wimp? Maira meets Mr. Coleman’s accusation of being a wimp with a firm gaze. At the same time, the power goes out. In a moment of pure humanity, Mr. Coleman realizes that his crude methods took him too far. He apologizes to Maira and hands her the remaining dollars, as initially intended. She thanks him once more. Mr. Coleman is deeply annoyed by the outcome of his teaching moment and the unreliable Texas power grid. Maira advises him to close the curtains to trap the cool air after which she departs to never come back. Mr. Coleman struggles with the curtains - they won't shut all the way, stubbornly leaving a sliver of light. He collapses into the chair defeated.