EXT. AFTERNOON. IN THE HOT AIR BALLOON BASKET
The hot air balloon ascends slowly, gradually reaching the settlement. The prominent sign, "Bethlehem of Galilee, 70 residents," which is usually illuminated, remains dark. The priest skillfully lands the hot air balloon as they reach the designated landing area for the flying trolley. The young priest throws down a rope and quickly jumps out of the basket, securing the rope around one of the pillars on the landing area, tightening it to ensure a precise landing. He ties additional knots to prevent any possibility of the hot air balloon escaping from the surface.
THE YOUNG PRIEST (sensitively)
Go ahead, I'll join you later.
Tom nods, and Lara expresses her gratitude to the priest for his sensitivity.
LARA
Thank you.
EXT. AFTERNOON. ALONG THE LADDERS AND WALKWAYS
Tom and Lara ascend, moving towards the trolleys positioned atop the ladder. They move from one trolley to another, checking the last names until they reach the fifth trolley, where they finally find the trolley of the Night Candle. Like all the other abandoned trolleys, this one is covered in dust.
Lara gathers her courage and pushes the door, which opens with a creak due to its long period of disuse.
INT. AFTERNOON. THE INTERIOR OF THE TROLLEY OF THE NIGHT CANDLE
They step into the room, and clouds of dust disperse as Lara enters first. She hurries to open the overhead opening to get the room airy. She switches on the light, and to her surprise, it flickers to life. Tom follows her inside. In the dim light of the room, the Night Candle gazes at him with a gentle, affectionate expression, a faint smile playing on her lips. She resembles a delightful woman in her forties, brimming with joie de vivre. On the pedestal of the painting, where the self-portrait is displayed, rests a dusty envelope.
Tom hastily reaches for the envelope and blows off the dust.
TOM
Give me a few minutes. I want to read the letter alone.
He climbs up the ladder to the roof of the trolley. Lara remains in the room, her apprehension growing as she anticipates Tom's response to the recent events.
FLASH BACK