INT. OVERCROWDED HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY Dimly lit and filled with the moans of wounded patients, the female wing of the hospital is a somber place. MARITA, a once radiant beauty, now lies motionless on a bed, her legs paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury. She wears a bitter expression, her eyes reflecting a hardened soul. Beside Marita, various PATIENTS, some with amputated limbs, are scattered across the room. Among them are several INJURED FEMALE VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS, clutching onto their patriotism in the midst of their own suffering. They sing monarchist songs, their voices strained yet filled with unwavering determination. The room is heavy with the smell of medicine and despair. Marita's gaze shifts towards the singing soldiers, their voices irritating her already shattered spirit. She clenches her fists, frustration tugging at her wounded pride. MARITA (Sarcastically) Oh, please. Another rendition of the anthem? Nothing like a tune to mend broken limbs, right? The injured soldiers pause, their eyes narrowing, unsure how to react. MARITA (CONT'D) (With bitterness) You think your devotion to Queen Renata changes anything? Look around! The war you so valiantly fight has already ruined lives, including mine. The injured soldiers exchange glances, their expressions defensive. PATIENT #1 (angry) How dare you speak against our cause! We're fighting for our beliefs, for our country! MARITA (mockingly) Beliefs? Is that what they call it now? How noble it must be to cling to outdated ideologies while the rest of us pay the price. Well, congratulations, ladies, your devotion has earned you a one-way ticket to these godforsaken hospital beds. PATIENT #2 (fighting back tears) We fight for something greater than ourselves. We fight for a better future, even if it means sacrifice. MARITA (sardonically) Sacrifice? Is that what they call it when you've lost your limbs or your ability to walk? How noble indeed. A tense silence fills the room as the injured soldiers struggle to comprehend Marita's bitterness. INJURED SOLDIER #1 (angry) You're just bitter because you couldn't fight alongside us! You're nothing more than an enemy sympathizer! Marita's face softens, pain flickering behind her eyes. MARITA (sincerely) You have no idea what battles I've fought, what battles I'm still fighting. But I can assure you, my fight isn't against my own people. Her words hang in the air, momentarily breaking through the hostility. INJURED SOLDIER #2 (confused) Then who is your fight against? Marita gazes into the distance, her voice filled with longing. MARITA (whispering) My fight is against a world that refused to see beyond appearances, that reduced me to nothing more than an object of desire. This war only deepened my cynicism, reminding me how cruel and indifferent the world truly is. Her words linger, piercing the hearts of those in the room. The injured soldiers exchange glances, their anger slowly dissipating, replaced by sympathy. INJURED SOLDIER #3 (softly) We... we're sorry for your suffering, Marita. We didn't mean to make it worse. Marita's eyes soften, a glimmer of gratitude shining through her bitterness. MARITA (whispering) Thank you, but apologies won't change anything. We're all victims in this senseless conflict. And maybe, just maybe, if we could understand each other's pain, we could find a way to end this war and rebuild a better future. The room falls into a profound silence as Marita's words echo, planting a seed of understanding amidst the chaos of war. FADE OUT.