“Heat Lightning,” a scene from English Book III, depicts a tense and gripping moment in a drab, deserted bus station somewhere in the Midwest. The setting is bleak, with two long benches facing different directions, a door leading out to the highway, and separate doors for men and women. The room is dimly lit with a green-shaded light, and the sound of heavy rain and thunder outside sets an ominous tone.
As the scene unfolds, a man in his thirties enters the station and takes a seat while casually reading a discarded newspaper. Suddenly, a distraught girl, about twenty-three years old, bursts in, soaked and sobbing. She pleads for help, fearing someone is chasing her. The tension builds as the man tries to understand the situation and protect the girl from an unknown threat. “Heat Lightning” creates a suspenseful atmosphere that leaves the audience on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the mystery and danger that unfolds in this gripping scene.