INT. MERCEDES' ROOM - DAY Mercedes Caravetta is seated in her fancy wheelchair, adorned with shining features and plush cushions. She is covered in casts, braces, and bandages, a symbol of her recent debilitating accident. Frustration is evident in her expression as she glances towards the wheelchair controls. Mercedes, determined to find a sense of control, reaches out with her free arm and begins to experiment with the buttons and levers. The wheelchair whirs softly as it responds to her commands. She slowly maneuvers herself into different positions, testing the limits of her mobility. Her legs raise and lower, causing a mixture of pain and relief to wash over her face. The room is silent, save for the mechanical hum of the wheelchair. Mercedes' eyes reflect a longing for her former grace and elegance. Suddenly, the door swings open, and Patricia Bertier enters the room. Surprised by the extent of her friend's immobilization, Patricia's sympathetic eyes meet Mercedes'. PATRICIA (softly) Mercedes... Mercedes, struggling to maintain her composure, instinctively rejects Patricia's well-intentioned embrace. She knows any reckless movement could worsen her injuries. MERCEDES (with a forced smile) No, Patricia. Not this time. I appreciate your sympathy, but I can't risk it. Patricia's eyes flicker with momentary confusion but quickly refocus on Mercedes' struggle. She bravely offers her help. PATRICIA (concerned) Mercedes, I... I'm sorry. But please, let me assist you with... this. Mercedes' gaze drifts towards her ankle, where a humiliating drainage bag dangles. Her face flushes with embarrassment as she hastily tries to conceal it with her gown, using her delicate free hand. The task proves too difficult. Mercedes, her voice filled with vulnerability, turns to Patricia. MERCEDES (whispering) Patricia, I... I can't... Could you... cover it? Patricia, understanding the weight of the request, approaches Mercedes with gentle determination. With delicate hands, she helps Mercedes adjust her gown, shielding the drainage bag from sight. PATRICIA (reassuringly) Of course, Mercedes. I won't tell anyone. You have my word. A sense of relief washes over Mercedes as she realizes she can trust Patricia with her deepest vulnerabilities. Tears begin to well up in her eyes as her emotions bubble to the surface. MERCEDES (voice cracking) I never imagined... being trapped like this. It's suffocating, Patricia. My whole world has shrunk to this wheelchair, to these walls. Patricia listens intently, her gaze filled with compassion. PATRICIA (sincerely) I can't truly understand what you're going through, Mercedes. But please know, you're not alone in this. We'll navigate through it together, one day at a time. Mercedes finds solace in Patricia's words, her shoulders relaxing slightly as a glimmer of hope emerges from within her palpable despair. FADE OUT.