Zoe thinks she’s perceived negatively by others, but how does she know its true? The film explores the complexities of living social anxiety.
ROOM
Zoe is looking at herself in the mirror, trying different clothes on fidgeting.
Zoe (narrating):
Ugh, I have bags under my eyes.
I wish she hadn’t invited me.
Zoe walks over to her closet and tries on different clothes.
Zoe (narrating):
This looks ugly.
I’m not going.
I’ll tell her I’m not feeling well.
Zoe walks over to her bed and sits down, beginning to type on her phone.
Zoe (narrating):
I told her I would come.
Zoe gets up from her bed and tries another shirt on. She leaves her house and it is dark out.
Zoe (narrating):
Why am I going?
I don’t even want to go…I hate parties.
Zoe arrives at her friends house and looks around to see people chatting in a house.
Zoe (narrating):
There’s so many people.
Jeannie walks over and hugs Zoe.
Jeannie:
Hey! I’m so glad you came. Come, I’ll grab you a drink. I have this necklace, it’s so perfect for you.
It’s in my room if you want to try it on.
Someone calls for Jeannie, and she walks away from Zoe.
Hey Jeannie!
Zoe (narrating):
Where’s she going?
What am I going to do now?
Zoe walks over to the table, sits down and begins eating nervously. There is gentle music in the background.
Zoe (narrating):
Just breathe.
Now look up and smile.
Zoe nervously looks around the table, smiling. She takes a sip of wine and then coughs. Jimmy looks at her.
Jimmy:
Is it bitter?
Zoe:
Oh, no, it’s Zoe.
Jimmy:
Oh, no…I mean’t, you know.
Embarrassed, Zoe walks up and goes to Jeannie’s room. She sits down and breathes deeply, looking at herself in the mirror. She grabs a necklace from a bowl.
Zoe (narrating):
She did say to try it on.
Zoe hears voices and leaves the room when two people walk in. She walks back to the kitchen table and observes people’s thoughts that she can suddenly hear.
Jimmy:
I can tell she thinks I’m an asshole for before, I’ve got no chance.
Party goer 1:
Think of something funny to say, come on.
Party goer 2:
Oh shit, I’m blabbering again.
Party goer 3:
If tadpoles change into frogs then, what do humans change into?
Jeannie and Zoe are sitting together in Jeannie’s room.
Jeannie:
What do you think of Jimmy?
Zoe:
No you don’t.
Jeannie and Zoe leave the room and walk back towards the living room, approaching Jimmy.
Jimmy (narrating):
Oh shit, she’s actually coming over. What am I going to say?
Jeannie:
Hey Jimmy this is-
Jimmy:
Zoe!
Zoe (narrating):
I think he really likes me, time to take this off.
Zoe (out loud):
Nice to meet you.
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