Cradling Caskets

8/14/2019 Cradling Caskets

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CRADLING CASKETS

Scene 1: The Classroom

{scene set-up: noisy classroom; students chatting among themselves

scene viewpoint: top left-hand corner of classroom

scene bg track:

scene characters: Abi}

Enter sir from right {camera descends in a curve and moves across the classroom

as the sir walks through the classroom from right to left}. Noise decreases

gradually. Students stand up in sync with the sir’s walkthrough.

{camera positioned at the back of the classroom}. Sir enters the podium and says,

“Begin the roll-call please.” Noise now has decreased significantly but the classroom

is not yet silent.

{camera now at the front desks and begins to move between the desks}. Students

begin to rise and call out their roll numbers. {camera now focuses on Abi who is

seated at the back of the class}. Roll-call continues and Abi is busy scribbling

something on a piece of paper, not interested in what’s happening in the class.

{camera scene is now focused on Abi and a student seated next to him}. Roll-call

continues and the student (A) beside Abi calls out his number. Abi, still scribbling,

doesn’t notice it’s his turn. A hits Abi on his shoulder and prompts him. Abi,

completely dazed, gets up and fumbles. A prompts him by whispering Abi’s number

and Abi finally manages to call out his number. The class erupts into laughter and

Abi sits down.

{camera now shifts to the side profile and focuses on Abi and a student (B) sitting

in front of him} Roll-call continues in the background. Abi crumbles up the paper hewas scribbling on and shoves it down the shirt of B via his collar, laughing. B turns

back, showing an annoyed face, and tries to pull out the crumbled paper. Abi now

sits back with folded hands, being a little more vigilant.



{camera now focuses on Abi once again} Abi now seems to be waiting for

something. He then quickly calls out a proxy number…

{End of Scene 1}

Scene 2: John’s Bedroom

{ scene set-up: bedroom; lights are switched off

scene viewpoint: John’s id card

scene bg track:

scene characters: John}

{camera focuses on John’s id card and slowly shifts to John who is sleeping, mouth

wide open…}

{End of Scene 2}


{ scene set-up: same as Scene 1

scene viewpoint: Abi

scene bg track:


{camera focuses on Abi who is shown again waiting to call out another proxy

number}. Abi quickly calls out the second proxy number…

{End of Scene 3}

Scene 4: Outside the Bar

{ scene set-up: normal street; outside a bar



scene viewpoint: opposite end of the road

scene bg track:

scene characters: Karan}

{camera focuses on Karan who has just stepped out of a bar} Karan walks

unsteadily away from the bar and walks along the sidewalk. He then slowly moves

into a sort-of lonely area and sits down. He then lies down and sleeps...

{End of Scene 4}



scene viewpoint: Abi

scene bg track:

scene characters: Abi, Nishal}

{camera focuses on Abi who is once again going to call out a proxy number} Abi

calls out the proxy number. However, this time another student calls out the same

number at the same time. Abi, stunned, looks to the right. {camera now shifts to

the corner of Abi’s desk, and Nishal is shown on the background} Nishal now gets

up and repeats his number. Nishal then sits down and apologizes to Abi (gesturing).

Abi then raises his hand to his head and gestures back at Nishal. Abi then gestures

to Nishal to call out the proxy number. {camera now shifts to the corner of Nishal’s

desk with Abi in the background} Nishal agrees. The time for Nishal to call out the

proxy number comes. Nishal hesitates to call out the number, not being familiar

with calling out proxy numbers.

{camera now shows Sir} Sir calls out the number again and then looking at his

register, calls out the name, “Zameer Iqbal.” Class now becomes completely silent.

{camera now shifts to Nishal: camera now keeps shifting between Abi and Nishal}

Nishal now fumbles and says the proxy number is absent. He then gestures to Abi



innocently. Abi gestures, annoyed at Nishal. Abi and Nishal now keep gesturing at

each other. Roll-call is now over.

{camera now returns to the Sir and shifts behind the sir with Abi in the

background} Sir then calls out Abi and gestures him to get out of the class.

{camera now shows Abi} Abi, a little shocked, gets up to leave the classroom

gesturing to Nishal. {camera now shows Nishal grinning}

{camera at the back right-hand corner of the classroom} Abi is shown walking out

of the classroom.

{camera now shows the corridor} Abi exits the classroom from the right and leanson the wall, just outside the door.

{End of Scene 5}

Scene 6: Coffee Shop

{ scene set-up: coffee table with two cups of hot coffee

scene viewpoint: from the front of the table

scene bg track:

scene characters: Zameer, Zameer’s girlfriend (GF)}

GF is talking and talking, gesturing with her hands. Zameer stirs his cup, not

interested in the talk. Zameer then gestures to GF and takes out his phone, dialing.

He then places the phone on his ear.

{End of Scene 6}

Scene 7: The Corridor (outside the Classroom)

{ scene set-up: corridor

scene viewpoint: Abi is leaning on the right side of the corridor



scene bg track:

scene characters: Abi, Zameer}

{camera shows Abi reaching for his phone in his pocket. Camera then shows his

mobile screen, “Zameer Calling”} Abi picks up the call…

{End of Scene 7}

Scene 8: John’s Bedroom


scene viewpoint: same as Scene 2

scene bg track:

scene characters: John, Driving Instructor (DI)}

{camera focuses on John’s face} John is sleeping. Noises can be heard in the

background of a car speeding and other voices.

{camera now shifts to the top corner of a vehicle with John in the foreground and DI

in the background} DI gives orders to John on how to drive. John then starts getting

tensed and fumbles with the gear and the steering wheel. A loud noise can be heard

in the background. {camera is now behind John and in the background, the front

windshield is seen, and a truck is approaching fast} It is the noise of an alarm

clock…

{camera now skips to John on his bed} John jolts out of his dream and bangs off his

alarm. He then sits on his bed, still a little dazed and looks about his bedroom.

{camera is now behind John, on the bed} He slowly gets off his bed and drags

himself to the bathroom.

{camera is now facing the mirror} John comes in and stares into the mirror, with his

arms resting on the wash basin. He slowly washes his face and looks at his

reflection, opening his eyes wide. He then takes out his phone and calls someone…



{End of Scene 8}

Scene 9: Karan’s Dream

{ scene set-up: inside of a vehicle

scene viewpoint: front top corner of the driver’s seat

scene bg track:

scene characters: Karan, Nishal, Abi, John, Zameer}

Karan is driving and everyone is enjoying the music and having a good time.

Suddenly Abi grabs the door handle and opens it, giving a wicked grin and jumps off

the moving car. Karan is shocked and his face shows confusion. {camera is now

behind Karan and in the background, the front windshield is seen, and a truck is

approaching fast just like in John’s dream} Karan then places his hand on his chest

as if in pain and a loud buzzing sound can be heard…

{camera now shows Karan in the lonely street, continuing where left off in Scene 4}

Karan, looking dazed, fumbles to reach his mobile in his shirt pocket. He grabs his

phone and puts it to his ear. John can be heard on the other line saying hello. The

phone slips off his hand and falls to his knee. Karan tries to pick it up again, but still

dazed, he isn’t able to and finally he gives up, ignoring the phone and sleeps off again…

The shot cuts to John in the bathroom who shows a worried look and gets out in a

hurry, switching the light off…

{End of Scene 9}

Scene 10: Campus wall

{ scene set-up: outside the campus, a short wall

scene viewpoint: from the front, facing the wall

scene bg track:



scene characters: Karan, Nishal, Abi, John}

Karan and John aren’t in a good mood while Abi and Nishal are normal, talking

amongst themselves. A group of girls pass by and Abi nudges Karan on his elbow

and points to the girls, passing a comment. Abi and Nishal laugh {camera zooms

into the group} while Karan and John manage to give a weak smile.

{camera now at the side of the wall with the guys in the foreground and Zameer on

his bike, at a distance, in the background}

{camera now shifts to Zameer on his bike} Zameer does a few stunts.

{camera now is at the bottom, at the right corner of the screen} Zameer’s bikewheel screeches to a halt at the foreground of the shot.

{camera now from the left corner of the screen} Zameer is still on his bike, and the

others jump off the wall and greet him. Karan and John are still shown to be in an off

mood.

{End of Scene 10}

Scene 11: BasketBall Court

{ scene set-up: basketball court

scene viewpoint: corner of the basketball court

scene bg track:

scene characters: Karan, Nishal, Abi, John, Zameer, friends}

{camera shows a few people playing on the court with the group in the

background} The group parks their bikes and walk towards the court. Some of them

sit at the side while others enter the court to play. A discussion is shown and the

group begins to split to two teams. Then the game starts. A lot of basketball play is

shown. John is shown to be continuously fumbling with all his shots. The other guys

keep encouraging him. At one point, the ball is in John’s hands and he dribbles and

positions himself to pass. {camera now zooms to the upper portion of his face,



showing sweat beads on his forehead and his eyes wrenching} The background

noise fades and the shouts of the DI can be heard. The scene cuts to a shot in Scene8 where the front windshield is seen. A loud horn is heard and a truck approaches

fast, about to collide….

{camera cuts back to John’s face opening his eyes} The shot is blurred showing

someone approaching him and when the vision clears, it is his opponent who

tackles him. John fumbles, loses his balance and falls to the ground. His opponent

picks him up and pats his back. John limps to the side of the court and flips out a

cigarette to smoke.

More basketball play is shown as the game continues. John is shown dabbing his

cigarette and ashes and a few cigarette butts are shown on the ground next to him.

{End of Scene 11}

Scene 12: Nishal’s House

{ scene set-up: nishal’s bedroom

scene viewpoint: behind Nishal, facing the mirror

scene bg track:

scene characters: Nishal, Nishal’s mom (M), Nishal’s dad (D), Nishal’s sibling (Sib)}

{camera focusing on Nishal’s reflection in the mirror} Nishal is getting ready for

college. He buttons his shirt and combs his hair. He then gives a smile at his

reflection and walks out the room.

{camera now focuses on a door} The door opens and we see Nishal entering the

room slowly. We see the room and can hear somebody is bathing in the bathroom.

We also see Sib on the bed sleeping. Nishal slowly walks into the room and opens

the door of the cupboard and gets D’s wallet. {camera now zooms in on the wallet}

He then picks out cash from the wallet and stuffs it in his pocket. Then he steps outthe room.

{camera shows Nishal coming down the steps} Nishal walks to the kitchen and sees



M busy cooking. He asks M for some money. While M goes to get some money,

Nishal samples some food here and there, and M gives the cash to him. Nishal thenhappily leaves the room.

Nishal then sees D coming down the stairs and he asks him some cash. D takes his

wallet out, and is a little confused looking inside his wallet. Anyway, he hands him

some cash.

{camera is now behind nishal} Nishal goes to the front door and gets out of his

house and onto his bike. M comes out of the house asking him to eat something.

Nishal says that he’s got cash, so he will eat from outside. Nishal then drives off on

his bike.

{End of Scene 12}

Scene 13: College Auditorium

{ scene set-up: stage.

scene viewpoint: front of the stage

scene bg track:


Abi is on the stage doing some moves and we see other people on the back of the

stage and also sitting in the front of the stage. There are also some seated in the

chairs at the front of the stage. Nishal enters from the left. The guys greet him and

we can still understand that John and Karan are a little gloomy. Abi jumps off the

stage and greets Nishal asking him why he’s late. Then everyone begins to practice

the dance.

During the dance, Abi moves towards Karan and suddenly spins backward away

from him. Karan then looks a little confused and we see a flash of Karan’s dream

where Abi jumps out of the moving car. Karan, not concentrating, misplaces his stepand falls down. Abi then comes to Karan, lifting him up, and then shows him the

right moves. However, Karan is looking a little stunned and gives a smile back at

Abi. Then Karan does the right moves and the dance continues.



{End of Scene 13}

Scene 14: Nishal’s Dream

{ scene set-up: outside car showroom

scene viewpoint: behind the group

scene bg track:


The group is walking and we see a car showroom beside them. {camera now shifts

to the inside of the showroom} Nishal looks into the showroom and walks towards

it. {camera begins to shift to the wheel and moves along the side of the car and

moves to the back} Nishal is seen and the shot continues to the back of the car and

we see his fingers touching the car. Nishal’s fingers move along the body of the car

and the camera follows it. The shot cuts to Nishal’s face and we see he suddenly

becomes shocked. The camera cuts to a shot of his fingers and they are stained

with blood. Then the shot comes back to Nishal’s face who is now afraid and then a

shocked look….the shot cuts to the front of the car which is now completely

destroyed, as if by a tragic accident.

{camera now shifts to nishal’s bed} Nishal jolts on the bed and sees his right hand,which is on the floor. He then lifts his hand to see that its wet. Nishal then looks

down {camera follows Nishal’s head} Nishal see’s Sib on the floor, noticing that he

has peed on the floor. Nishal shows a disgusted look and wipes his hand on the

sheet. He then gets off the bed and walks to the door and gets out…

{End of Scene 14}

Scene 15: Abi’s Bedroom

{ scene set-up: bedroom, lights switched off

scene viewpoint: back of a study table

scene bg track:




Someone is seen walking towards the study table and is seen taking a seat. Then a

table lamp is switched on. Abi takes his diary and opens it. He starts writing…

narration starts in the background as the camera begins to move around Abi

towards the front of the study table…

Narration: Over the past few days, I’ve come to understand a lot of things. The

dream I had; I have no idea what it meant, but it’s got me thinking about a lot of

things. I kept asking myself questions: what is life? What is its purpose? And as I

kept pondering over how my life has been, I kept wondering: what is it all for?

What’s the end point of all of it? I realized that life is something that is lived by the

second. I realized that every second counts. I realized that life’s greatest gift; life’sgreatest moment; life’s entire meaning rests in one word: happiness.

{End of Scene 15}

Scene 16: Outside Grocery

{ scene set-up: a small grocery store

scene viewpoint: cigarette packets

scene bg track:

scene characters: John}

The narration continues as the scene plays. {camera shows a stack of cigarette

packets. A hand comes and selects a packet and hands it over to another hand. The

camera then cuts to a side profile of John} John pays the grocer the cash for the

cigarette packet. He then feels a nudge at his jeans and looks down. A small kid,

shabbily dressed, stretches out his hand towards John. John first gives an ignorant

look and then pauses for a while. Then John hands the cigarette packet back to the

grocer and instead buys a packet of food. He then gives the food to the kid. The

kid’s face brightens up with a big smile and John, seeing the smile, also smiles.

{camera now cuts to where Scene 15 left off, showing Abi writing in his diary}



{camera cuts back to the kid who is walking backward, still smiling} The kid keeps

smiling and soon meets other kids and he starts sharing the food with them. Onseeing this, John buys more food packets and joins the group of kids and they sit

down on the footpath and laugh and eat.

Narration: I have come to believe that every living being on this planet is looking for

something; desperately searching. And I believe I have finally found what I was

looking for. I think that the greatest privilege a man get in his lifetime is to see a

smile on somebody’s face. And seeing that smile is I think, one of the most beautiful

sights in this world. Satisfaction, that’s what I call it.

Like the old saying goes, “It is better to give than to get.” Happiness is like a candle

flame. The more of the flame you share, the brighter the flame will glow. Happinessis the light of this world.

{End of Scene 16}

Scene 17: Karan’s Bedroom

{scene set-up: dark bedroom with a small light (night light or table lamp)

scene viewpoint: front of Karan with the light shining on his face

scene bg track:

scene characters: Karan, Karan’s Dad (D), Karan’s Mum (M)}

The narration continues as the scene plays.

{camera shows Karan sitting with a glass of alcohol in his right hand. He looks into

the glass. Camera now cuts to the bubbles in the glass, rising to the surface}

{camera cuts to a scene in a bedroom where D and M are arguing} D is shouting

and looks drunk and M is also shouting, almost in tears. {camera now zooms out,

showing the entrance to the bedroom, where a small boy is peeping into the room) The argument gets severe and finally M breaks her thalli and throws it at D. D looks

down at the thalli.



{camera cuts back to Karan} Karan is now seated in front of the table and the

alcohol glass is on the table. Karan is trying to piece together some pieces of paper.{camera now is positioned above Karan showing what’s on the table} We

understand that there are three pieces of a photograph that he is trying to piece

together. The third piece is not seen clearly, as Karan brings the other two pieces,

already attached together towards the light. We see it is a torn picture of him and D

when he (karan) was young.

{camera cuts back to Abi writing in his diary}

{camera now shifts behind Karan, as he tries to see the photograph in the light}

Suddenly, the room lights come on and Karan turns back (towards the camera).

{camera shifts to the door, showing D entering the room with his hand on theswitch}

{camera shifts to Karan who, placing the photograph on the table, gets up off the

seat. The camera cuts to the same scene of the door} Karan walks up to D and hugs

him tightly. We can see Karan saying, “Dad, I love you.” Karan then smiles at his dad

and walks out the room. D, looking stunned walks towards the table. D switches off

the table lamp light and looks on the table, picking up the photograph. {camera

cuts to a zoomed shot of the photograph and back to D’s face} D smiles and then

looks at the table again and picks up the third torn piece of the photograph.

{camera again zooms on the photo and we see D positioning the torn piece, who is

M, with the rest of the photograph). D’s eyes become wet and he smiles.

Narration: Happiness is something that can be cultivated deep within us. It’s an

overflowing fountain that flows into every dark corner; into every dark memory.

Memories, that often hurt us or memories that we try to forget. But when true

happiness flows into these barren lands, something new springs out. I believe and I

know this happens when we’re finally able to gather enough courage to face our

memory; to walk up to our past; to forgive without any grudge; when we’re able to

forget the past for the sake of today; for the sake of tomorrow. That is when all the

dark corners and all the dark, hurting memories are lighted up. Happiness is the

heartbeat of life.

{End of Scene 17}



Scene 18: Nishal’s Bedroom


scene viewpoint: behind Nishal, facing the mirror

scene bg track:

scene characters: Nishal, Nishal’s Dad (D), Nishal’s Mum (M)}

Narration continues as the scene plays.{camera is behind Nishal and is focusing on

his reflection} Nishal is looking at himself in the mirror. He isn’t too bothered about

his looks this time and he slowly but confidently walks out the room.

{camera cuts to a door} We see Nishal entering the door and we can hear someone

bathing in the bathroom. We also see Sib sleeping in the bed. Nishal slowly walks

towards the cupboard and opens it. He sees the wallet. {camera now zooms in the

wallet and then zooms a little out to show a photo frame beside it}. It’s a family

picture. Nishal picks the photo frame and carefully feels its edges and touches the

profiles in the picture. He then smiles and looks at Sib and towards the bathroom

door. Then he carefully places the picture frame back and exits the room.

{camera is now in the kitchen showing M very busy with the cooking}. Nishal enters

the kitchen and looks at M. M turns back to see Nishal, and looking at the time,quickly resumes to her cooking. Nishal continues to stare at his mom and it can be

clearly seen the love he has for her. He then slowly walks out the kitchen.

Narration: Many people think that money can buy everything and almost anything

in this world, including happiness. Even relationships are based on the simple fact of

lending and borrowing money, not always! But, I soon realized that happiness was

something that couldn’t be bought. Happiness doesn’t have a price. It isn’t

expensive, neither is it cheap. Happiness is like a gift; wrapped in love and given in

love; things money can’t buy. Happiness is the price tag of life and if it’s free, can it

even be called a price?

{camera cuts to Abi writing}

{End of Scene 18}



Scene 19: Coffee Shop

{scene set-up: same as Scene 6

scene viewpoint: same as scene 6

scene bg track:

scene characters: Zameer, Zameer’s girlfriend (GF)}

GF is talking and talking just like in Scene 6. This time, Zameer is not stirring his

coffee, but is staring at GF. In fact, we can see him not concentrating on her talk,

but simply staring at her and we can see a certain sparkle in his eyes.

{camera shifts to Abi writing)

GF then stop talking and takes a sip of the coffee. Zameer then suddenly jolts, as if

waking from a dream, and picks his seat and places it next to GF. GF gets a little

stunned but then Zameer doesn’t mind and again begins to stare at her. GF then,

more happier turns towards Zameer and talks more.

Narration: Love. I sometimes wonder what the world would be like without it. If

anyone asked me what the greatest by-product of happiness is, my answer would

be love. Love isn’t an emotion; love is simply love. It is the heart of life. Andhappiness is love’s heartbeat. I especially love what the Bible has to say about love.

“Love suffers long. Love is kind. Love does not envy. It does not parade itself. Love is

not puffed up. It does not behave rudely. Love doesn’t seek its own. Love is not

provoked. Love thinks no evil. Love does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the

truth. Love bears all things. Love believes all things. Love hopes all things. Love

endures all things. Love never fails. And among faith, hope and love; among these

three, the greatest is love.”

{End of Scene 19}

Scene 20: Karan’s Birthday Party

{scene set-up: Karan’s living room; dark



scene viewpoint: behind Karan

scene bg track:

scene characters: the entire gang}

{camera is behind Karan as he enters his house} The entire room is dark and as

Karan enters the room (the door is still open) the lights switch on and a lot of people

scream out, “Happy Birthday Karan !!!” and confetti are sprayed all over. Karan

closes the door and smiles brightly as his friends come up to him and greet him

patting his back and hitting his shoulder. Karan is greeted by a number of other

people and then he see’s D and M standing at the back of the room in front of a

table. Karan looks a little shocked to see M and then stops walking, staring at them. Then he suddenly walks hurriedly up to them and gives both of them a big hug.

Then he turns around and gestures for someone to take a picture. The picture is

taken and soon the birthday cake comes to view (on the table) and Karan prepares

to blow the candles.

After blowing the candles, Abi grabs a handful of cake and smashes it on Karan’s

face and soon everyone else joins in. A lot of laughter and fun can be seen in

everyone’s face. Then people begin to come to Karan, gifting him presents and after

sometime, D lifts his hand for everybody’s attention. He then calls Karan, and

stands with him (karan) with his hand on his shoulder. Then D turns to Karan and

gives him a small box, patting his back. Karan opens the box and lifts out a key.

Everyone starts cheering and D gives a gesture to Karan, as if saying to go take it

for a ride. Karan hugs D and later, M joins in.

{camera now shifts to the outside of the house showing the car shed} All the five

gather outside the car shed, laughing at each other while Karan gestures to wait, as

he enters the car shed. A car engine starting noise can be heard, and the rest four

begin to move away from the entrance. {camera now zooms in on the entrance of

the shed} The car slowly creeps out from the shed and the front lights are switched

on. Then the car swerves to the side where the four are standing, as the engine

noise can be heard screeching. Karan then gets out and gestures to the others. Theothers come and hi-five him. Nishal has a horrified look on his face and we see a

flashback of his dream, showing the crashed car. He manages to give a weak smile

at Karan, but we can see he is very uncomfortable.



{End of Scene 20}

Scene 21: The Accident

Scene22: The Beach

{scene set-up: Beach,sunset

scene viewpoint: Water

scene bg track:

scene characters: the entire gang}

{camera showing the sun and the beach} The four walk onto the beach and enter

the water. They look at the sun, they’re all preoccupied in their minds.

{camera now shows a bon fire and then zooms out to show the four sitting around

it} The four are sitting silently watching the fire. Then one of them grabs a guitar

and begins strumming it and the others start singing a song. {now the film begins

playing in slow-mo} We see a flashback scene where the four are sitting in a beach

and Abi is also with them, and they are laughing and singing. {camera now shows

the guitarist} The guitarist stops strumming and the entire gang once again

becomes silent. You can see their eyes becoming a little wet. Then the guitarist liftshis head, smiling, and starts to play the guitar again. Then the others start singing

again.

{camera now shows a close-up of the bon fire and moves to the side of it showing

the ground} In the background, we see the four slowly walking away from the fire,

and there are footprints on the sand. And in the distance, we can see the beach and

the moon.

Narration: The heart of life, love. The heartbeat of love is happiness. And what

makes this heart beat? Each and every precious moment of life. We all have loved

ones who aren’t with us anymore, leaving a big gaping hole in our life. It’ssometimes hard to forget someone whom you have loved, someone who loved you.

But like love that never fails, so does the gift of life. It never fails. Even though life

seems different without that someone, everything seems to be more beautiful.



Cause that someone left something behind. The memories, the happiness, the love.

And the big gaping hole becomes filled with something new….hope.

Someone once told me that God only takes the best to be with Him. If that’s true,

then being with that person, enjoying a moment with that person would have been

the best memories in our lives. This is where the true gift of life is shown. Life

doesn’t end with death, but in fact begins. Hope that one day we shall see that

someone again is what keeps us smiling; what keeps us enjoying every second of

our life. Like footprints on the sand….memories will always leave their lasting marks

in our life….and cradling these memories keeps the heart of life beating. This is

what I call love; this is what I call happiness. This is what I call ‘Cradling the Casket.’

{ End of scene 22}

{ End of script}

Cradling Caskets

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Transcript of Cradling Caskets