Title: "Insta-Illusion"
INT. MIA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
MIA, a 16-year-old with a bright personality, is scrolling through her phone on her bed. Her room
is decorated with posters of her favourite celebrities and influencers.
MIA
(Looking at her instagram followers)
Are you kidding me!? Only 35 followers? How am I supposed to become popular in school with
this amount of people following me? *groans*
(Notification pops up)
Oh? What’s this…
She clicks on a flashy ad promising instant fame and engagement. A FORM (instagram
password needed, information on her address and stuff) pops up asking for a small fee.
MIA
(determined)
This is exactly what I need! Maybe I’m not screwed after all!
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
Mia, walking with her best friends, JEN and MAX. They’re chatting and laughing.
MIA
Guys, you won’t believe it. I just paid for a service that’s going to make me famous!
JEN
(skeptical)
Mia, are you sure that’s legit? It sounds like a scam.
MAX
(teasing)
Yeah, what’s next? You’re gonna start promoting rubber ducks?
MIA
(rolling her eyes)
You’ll see. Just wait. I’ll have more followers than the both of you!
INT. MIA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Mia follows the app’s ridiculous instructions: by doing odd challenges (trying weird food combos
- refer to guy trying weird food combos on insta for ideas).
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY (3rd Floor) - DAY (Monday Lunch)
Mia’s phone is buzzing non-stop. She’s now surrounded by an unusually high number of
followers. Her friends watch in astonishment.
JEN
(surprised)
Whoa, Mia! Your follower count is going through the roof!
MAX
(grinning)
Looks like it’s working. Or is it?
MIA
(Rolls her eyes)
Oh shut up Max, you’re just jealous (proud smirk)
INT. MIA’S BEDROOM - NIGH
Mia receives messages from sponsors asking her to promote bizarre products.
MIA
(frustrated and confused)
What are these requests? Why would anyone want me to promote wooden spoons? What kind
of a new trend is this supposed to be?
Bank notification.
MIA
Is someone stealing my money now? It can’t be! I kept my bank information so safe!
FLASHBACK
*Only Mia’s face holding the phone, no screen visible*
MIA
The service is asking for my bank account details? Ohhh, it says they’ll help insert my earnings
for me! How kind! *fills up survey*
BACK TO REALITY
*Mia is seen recalling in thought*
(Suddenly, phone rings)
Hello? Oh, Hi Jen. Yeah sure, I’ll be there. *hangs up*
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Mia meets with Jen and Max, who are sad. Mia looks confused.
MIA
Okay, spill it. What’s going on?
JEN
(concerned)
Mia, we were looking through your followers and we realized that all of them are bots. They
aren’t real people.
MAX
(rolling eyes, leaning on a wall)
Told you so!
MIA
(confused)
Wait, what? *checks her followers* Oh my gosh. I never realised…
JEN
(supportive)
Mia, we’re just worried about you. You don’t need to do all this to impress anyone. You’re
already amazing as you are.
MAX
(nodding)
Yeah, it’s not about the numbers. It’s about being true to yourself. Besides, you’ve only lost
about $1000, your instagram account password, your address- (teasing)
MIA
(hits MAX)
Stop that!
(sighs, smiling)
You’re right. I got so caught up in trying to be someone I’m not that I forgot what really matters.
JEN
(grinning)
Plus, who needs fake followers when you’ve got us?
MAX
(joking)
And hey, if you want to promote rubber ducks, we’ll support you all the way.
MIA
(laughs)
Thanks, guys. I guess I don’t need to chase after something that doesn’t even matter. I’d rather
be real with the people who actually care about me.
JEN
(putting an arm around MIA)
Exactly. Let’s just enjoy our last year together, without worrying about followers.
MAX
(smiling)
And maybe focus more on that college application, yeah?
MIA
(nods)
Yeah, definitely. No more shortcuts. I’m going to work hard and be myself. That’s all that really
matters.
JEN & MAX
(together)
That’s the spirit!
MIA
(grinning)
You know, I think I might actually enjoy this process a lot more now.
THE END
