By Muna Crescent

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The Tower card in tarot marks the end. Through destruction and downfall, the card is not one to be overlooked. So, what does it mean when Vidia draws it for all her clients, even herself?

                            The Card Built Tower
                                  written by
                                Muna Crescent

           INT. TENT

           Lavish fabrics create walls of wonder within the magical
           tent's interior. Seated on a floor pillow, a girl dressed
           like a Victorian magician: top hat and all, moves with
           natural musicality as she prepares, shuffling her tarot deck.
           She is VIDIA.

           Across Vidia and her vibrant crystal ball sits a young,
           healthy-looking customer. With a clever smile, Vidia lays the
           cards across the table.

                                      VIDIA
                         Let's see what the cards have in
                         store for you today.

           Vidia concentrates, connecting to the spirits as she pulls
           from the deck. We're close-up on Vidia's bejeweled hands as
           she reveals the cards:

                                      VIDIA (V.O.)
                            Past. The Magician, upright.

           Vidia and the customer both satisfied with this find. Then,

                            Present. Judgement, upright.

           Hesitantly, her third hand draws.

                            Future. The Towers...Upright.

           They both look nervous. Something doesn't make sense.

                                      VIDIA
                                Well, let's see...

           MONTAGE BEGINS

           Lightning strikes the tent. Then, like a game of speed
           dating, multiple clients sit across Vidia.

           Every customer, all from different walks of life, is
           confronted with the same third future card of The Towers,
           upright.

           The reactions vary from anger, rage, sadness, and confusion.

           However, one client is ecstatic towards their fate.

                                      CLIENT
                              YES! Let the end, begin!

           Vidia looks mortified.

           Lightening strikes as the door closes behind the last client.

           MONTAGE ENDS

           A gloomy Vidia looks defeated, staring existentially into the
           crystal ball's glow. She tries to self-rationalize:

                                      VIDIA
                          How can this be? Is it the end of
                                    the world?

           The crystal illuminates blue. Vidia cups the crystal ball to
           communicate with it, she listens, mumbles, and nods in
           understanding. After some time, she gasps for air with
           widening eyes.

                                  And so it may be.

           Vidia grabs her deck with a powerful shuffle and then lays
           the cards down. Closing her eyes, Vidia picks three cards
           with great intentionality. We follow her trembling hands as
           they reveal her three pulls.

                                      VIDIA (V.O)
                             Past... The Towers, Upright?

           She eagerly pulls again.

                             Present. Huh? The Towers, again-
                             upright? It's only one of its kind
                             in my tarot deck...

           The crystal ball glows red. Vidia bows her head down, pulling
           the final card.

                             Towers. Upright.

           A strike of lightning hits nearby.

                             And so it is.

           Vidia admires her tent's treasures: the adventures she's been
           on bring tears to her eyes. She buries herself into the
           table, sobbing.

           Moments later: the table shakes. Vidia pulls herself up to
           see the crystal ball projecting a galaxy of colors, light,
           and life throughout the tent, enchanting hope.

                                      VIDIA (CONT'D)
                           Which leaves me with only one last
                                     thing to do.

           EXT. TENT
           The magical tent sits atop a village hill like a tower
           isolated from the ground. Vidia installs a large wooden post
           that reads:

                             DEATH COMES FOR US ALL SOMEDAY.

                             SO LET'S MAKE TODAY COUNT.

                             A PRESENT FOR THE PRESENT:

                   FREE TAROT READINGS TO HELP MAKE THE BEST OF THE NOW

           Vidia smiles, feeling proud. She returns inside.

           Moments later: Lightening electrifies the sign.

                                                              CUT TO BACK

           THE END.

Process

I wrote this inspired by a prompt called “Sideshows for the end of the world.”

I was really interested in taking my personal interest in tarot, a form of informative entertainment as well as my favorite writing style, screenplay writing, to play with the prompt’s idea. I was really excited with the results: a screen-adaptable short film that, even in the world’s end, finds how Tarot can be a tool of hope rather than just a marker of doomsday.