Narcissystem James Savereux

Written by
James Savereux
425-577-1112
June 20, 2018 JamesSavereux@gmail.com
NARCISSYSTEM
Written by
James Savereux
JamesSavereux@gmail.com
425-577-1112
FADE IN:
INT. APPLIANCE STORE - NIGHT
A CASHIER flips through a magazine.
A shopping cart approaching makes her look up to see...
CHARLIE LOCKHART, a tall and attractive man in his mid 30s,

pushing a cart containing 11 industrial strength BLENDERS.
CHARLIE
How’s your night going?
CASHIER
It’s good, how are you?
CHARLIE
I’m doing great.
BEEP! The Cashier scans the first blender.
CASHIER
Opening some kind of smoothie shop?
CHARLIE
Ha-ha... No, just some last minute
gift shopping for my company
holiday party.
The Cashier scans the fourth blender and the current total
reads -- “$1,634.84”
CASHIER
They sure aren’t cheap gifts.
CHARLIE
No they are not, but I find it’s
best not to skimp out on client
gifts.
CASHIER
That’s nice of you. Where do you
work?
CHARLIE
Solstice home loans.
CASHIER
Well it must pay well.
The grand total reads -- “$4,493.89”

2.
CHARLIE
I can’t complain.
Charlie hands the Cashier his credit card.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT
Faint MUSIC and BUZZING can be heard as we MOVE down the

hallway of an expensive apartment complex.
The noise grows louder as we reach a DOOR at the end of the

hall -- Room 1402.
We MOVE THROUGH the door to...
INT. CHARLIE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
We MOVE over white marble floors to the roar of ELECTRIC

MOTORS and 80s GERMAN POP.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
What makes a computer successful is
it’s rigid operating system. To
deviate from the system is not an
option. Humans on the other hand,
don’t have a rigid system. They
face obstacles without solutions.
They don’t plan. They don’t design
a system to --
SPLAT! A glob of CHUNKY RED GOO plops onto the white marble --
we STOP above it.
CHARLIE (O.S.)
Whoops.
We MOVE UP to see Charlie standing in his kitchen wearing

nothing but underwear, an apron and rubber gloves. He is
holding a BLENDER containing more of the CHUNKY RED GOO.
On the kitchen island sits 10 active BLENDERS -- all

containing the red substance.
Charlie grabs a PAPER TOWEL and wipes up the spill. He wads

it up and tosses it in the sink then pours the BLENDER full
of CHUNKY RED GOO down the DRAIN.
He turns on the GARBAGE DISPOSAL -- leaving nothing behind.
Charlie walks to the other side of the kitchen island

where...
3.
A NAKED MAN’S BODY lays on a BLUE TARP. Both LEGS are missing
from the knee down.
Charlie picks up a HACK SAW -- places it above the BODY’S

left knee joint and begins to saw.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
If you want something in life, you
need a system. Computers rarely
fail because they are prepared for
problems. It’s all if/then
statements. If X equals one, output
true. If X is greater than one,
output false. If you become a
threat... then I remove you from
the equation.
Charlie picks up the SAWED OFF KNEE and jams it into the
blender. He seals the top and turns it on. The knee joint
becomes red goo.
Charlie looks at the clock. It’s 10:28pm.
INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT - LATER
The clock reads 4:14am.
Only a SEVERED HEAD remains on the BLUE TARP.
Charlie is pouring more red goo down the garbage disposal

when...
CLINK! The garbage disposal STOPS -- red goo still sits in

the sink.
Charlie clenches his jaw and exhales deeply then opens the
cabinet under the sink.
WHACK! He smacks the garbage disposal unit.
Nothing. Charlie’s face turns red -- veins bulge.
WHACK! He tries again.
More nothing.
CHARLIE
(held back)
Fu --
Charlie closes his eyes and regains composure. He gives

another smack and...
4.
CLINK! The unit starts up and begins grinding.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
(whisper)
Yes.
Charlie gets up and turns off the garbage disposal. He then

walks over to the remaining SEVERED HEAD.
He picks up the HACK SAW, but then puts it down.
Charlie places the SEVERED HEAD into a GARBAGE BAG and ties
it up.
He stands over it breathing heavily then raises up a BASEBALL

BAT and...
BAM! Begins to beat the living shit out of the bagged SEVERED
HEAD.
Between hits the bag shifts from round to flat.
Charlie pours the garbage bag into a BLENDER. Eyes, hair and
chunks of skull flow out.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Everything I do has a purpose.
Every act builds upon the previous
until the goal is reached.
Charlie turns on the blender.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
There is a formula to success.
Everyone knows deep down what they
need to do to get what they want.
Most merely glance at the formula
and give excuses. I can’t. I won’t.
What separates the wheat from the
chaff... is action.
Charlie stops the blender and pours the final batch into the
sink.
INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT - MORNING
The sun rises through the GRAND WINDOWS of the apartment.

5.
Charlie -- looking exhausted -- sits at his desk pressing an

ice pack to his hack saw strained shoulder. Behind him sits
11 washed BLENDERS drying on the counter.
Charlie sips a glass of VODKA as he stares at the computer

monitor.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I was given a choice in this world.
Stay a pathetic loser always
wishing, regretting and imagining
or become something. I chose the
latter.
Charlie begins typing.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I chose the system.
On the computer monitor is a DOCUMENT containing paragraphs

of Charlie’s INNER MONOLOGUE.
He takes another sip of VODKA and exits the document, which

is named -- “day 718”
Charlie drags it to a folder labeled -- “log (encrypted)”
He looks to the risen sun and then turns to 11 BLENDER BOXES

neatly stacked by the front door.
Charlie gives an exhausted exhale.
INT. SOLSTICE HOME LOANS OFFICE - NIGHT
A christmas themed office party is in full swing as employees

and clients fill the halls wearing ugly sweaters and drinking
cider.
LAURIE, Charlie’s assistant, shakes a wrapped PRESENT next to

a faux tree. She rips it open and...
LAURIE
Ahhhh!
It’s a BLENDER.
LAURIE (CONT’D)
Oh my God Charlie! You got me one
too!
Charlie stands among a crowd of people watching Laurie unwrap

her gift. Many people in the crowd are also holding blenders.
6.
CHARLIE
You think I was only going to give
my clients gifts and not the worlds
best assistant!
Laurie gives Charlie a big hug.
LAURIE
I can’t believe it! These things
cost a fortune!
CHARLIE
You deserve it.
Charlie looks around to the crowd of employees and clients.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
You all deserve it!
The party moves on as the crowd begins to mingle. Charlie

watches them.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
They really do deserve it. Nice
people. Good workers. Stupid as
hell, but nice. I have nothing
against them. In fact, I wish them
the best. I hope the countless
hours of television, fast food and
masturbation will be nothing but
pure bliss for these... nice
people.
Charlie looks across the room to BRAD, a mid 20s employee.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Brad’s a nice guy. Probably had a
fun four years at a state school
cracking cold ones with the boys
and stuffing his flaccid whiskey
dick into overweight sorority
sisters. Now he’ll work for me. 40
hours a week plus overtime. Maybe
get married, have a kid, buy an
affordable home. Life will be on
auto-pilot for Brad. 60 or so years
of distracting himself from reality
and living vicariously through
celebrities. The occasional 10pm
sex with his wife's unkept vagina.
The 401k will provide a sustainable
retirement for his body to slowly
decay as he works on jigsaw puzzles
while overwhelmed with regret.
(MORE)
7.
CHARLIE (V.O.) (CONT'D)

Then he will die and no one will
care. Sounds dope bro.
Brad notices Charlie staring at him and walks over.
BRAD
Hey, Charlie where’s my blender? Ha-
ha!
Charlie chuckles along.
CHARLIE
I’ll tell you what. Land 25 more
clients by next year and I’ll get
you one.
BRAD
I’m gonna hold you to it!
Brad and Charlie laugh together.
CHARLIE
I know you can do it.
Charlie taps Brad on the back and walks away. He spots POLLY,
an employee in her 50s eating a sugar cookie.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Oh, Polly. Do you really think
sugar cookies are going to help
with that situation you have
crammed under your Spanx? I
understand the sugar crystals taste
good, but you and I both know it’s
only going to make you fatter and
more self conscious. That moment of
mouth pleasure is only going to
lead to a deeper level of
depression, which will probably
lead you to seek out more cookies
to dull the self hatred. Ah, the
vicious circle of instant
gratification.
Charlie looks at the clock. It’s 10:25pm.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Office parties are such a cesspool
of wasted potential.
Charlie slowly makes his way to the front door.

8.
INT. CHARLIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
HEAVY RAIN falls onto the grand windows.
Charlie sleeps soundly in bed then makes a sharp flinch.
BEGIN DREAM SEQUENCE:
INT. CHARLIE'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
80s GERMAN POP plays as Charlie pours a load of BLENDED BODY

into the sink then flicks on the GARBAGE DISPOSAL.
SPLASH! A shower of BLOOD shoots out of the drain and covers

Charlie’s face. He quickly shuts off the disposal.
Charlie closes his eyes and clenches his jaw -- taking deep
breaths.
He grabs a PAPER TOWEL and presses it to his BLOODY FACE.
Suddenly the music stops and...
RASPY VOICE (O.S)

Charlie...
Charlie turns around with fearful eyes.
RASPY VOICE (O.S.) (CONT’D)

Charlie...
Charlie swallows and walks slowly around the KITCHEN ISLAND.
He peaks his head around to see...
The SEVERED HEAD on the BLUE TARP -- It’s alive.
SEVERED HEAD
Charlie!
END DREAM SEQUENCE.
INT. CHARLIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Charlie wakes up sweating and breathing heavily.
He grabs a glass of water off his bedside table and chugs it

then gets out of bed.
9.
Charlie sits down at his desk siping a glass of VODKA.
On the computer monitor is a DOCUMENT labeled -- “day 719”
Charlie reads over the multiple paragraphs of internal

monologue.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I knew killing a person would be
hard. Not just the logistics, but
the mental strain. I’m not a
psychopath. I have empathy. I feel
sick. I’ve never felt guilt like
this. No matter how I rationalize
it, I’ve done a monstrous act that
can never be undone.
Charlie begins to type more.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I suppose the best way to proceed
is to not let my murder of Justin
be in vain. He didn’t deserve to
die, but he threatened the system
and it demanded his death. If I
continue along the path that Justin
tried to obstruct, at least his
murder will not have been for
nothing... Internalizing this guilt
will not be easy. I am officially
banned from the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thank God it doesn’t exist.
Charlie drinks the rest of his VODKA and exits the DOCUMENT.
INT. CHARLIE'S KITCHEN - MORNING
Charlie stands in his underwear cooking eggs.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I was feeling down this morning and
a bit uninspired.
He opens a cabinet full of multiple PILL BOTTLES.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
So I decided to take 20mg of
Adderall.
10.
Charlie pops 2 BLUE PILLS.
Charlie sits at the table eating eggs while reading -- “The

Dark Side of Camelot”.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
It’s rumored that John F. Kennedy
started each day with an injection
of amphetamine and then paced
around the oval office ranting
about who he wanted to assassinate.
Charlie looks out his grand window with a euphoric grin.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
That seems like a productive way to
start the day.
INT. CHARLIE'S KITCHEN - LATER
Charlie pulls two VIALS out of the fridge and places them on
the counter. They are labeled -- “Testosterone Enanthate” and
“Trenbolone Acetate”.
He begins to fill a SYRINGE.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Plus, when stacked with 500mg of
test and 50mg of tren, it should
provide a killer workout.
Charlie pulls down his underwear and INJECTS into his butt.
INT. GYM - MORNING
Veins bulge out of Charlie’s forehead as he squats 315

pounds.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I really hated going to the gym
when I first started. Felt judged,
defeated and exhausted. That was of
course before the system. Now I
love the gym.
Charlie racks the weight and looks around the gym as he

catches his breath -- smiling euphorically.
11.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I feel like a god lifting heavy
weights. Tearing muscle fibers and
pushing myself. It’s the simplest
form of self improvement. Exerting
physical effort to gain physical
attractiveness. It’s also fun to
compare myself to others at the
gym.
Charlie looks at an OVERWEIGHT MAN frantically curling 5

pound dumbbells with an insecure look on his face.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I sincerely commend the globs that
make the effort to go to the gym.
It puts them ahead of the ones who
just sit in their own shit.
The Overweight Man then starts swinging the dumbbells

haphazardly.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
But, it really pisses me off when
they have no idea what they are
doing. Read a book. Make a plan.
Have a system. If you don’t then
you’re just fucking around.
The Overweight Man lays on his back and starts doing some odd
dumbbell chest-fly/sit-up variation.
Charlie shakes his head.
INT. GYM - LATER
Charlie is doing weighted lunges.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
My upper body development is
reasonable, but my legs are
lacking. Plus, I really want a nice
ass.
Charlie drops the weights and subtly checks out his ass in
the mirror.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Does that make me gay?
Charlie notices an extremely attractive BLONDE WOMAN in a

skimpy sports bra doing goblet squats.
12.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I don’t think so.
Charlie smiles at the Blonde Woman. She returns a courtesy

eyebrow nod.
INT. LOCKER ROOM - MORNING
Charlie walks NAKED to his locker with confidence. He reaches

in his locker and begins applying lotion to his face.
Another NAKED MAN walks up next to Charlie and starts putting

his clothes on.
Charlie glances at the Naked Man’s CROTCH and quickly looks

away.
He then looks down at his own CROTCH with disapproval.
INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Charlie sits at his desk -- biting his lip. He looks in pain

as his right arm slowly moves.
A jar of coconut oil sits on the desk.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I don’t just want a big dick. I
want the biggest dick. Despite the
medical fields claim that you can’t
increase the size of your penis,
I’ve found that with a consistent
routine of edging, stretching and
jelqing you can in fact get a
bigger dick.
Charlie pulls out a RULER from the desk drawer.
On the computer monitor is a drawing of a man pulling on his

penis. Written above is -- “Advanced Jelq Routine”
Charlie measures himself.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Just look at all the dumbass
teenagers with stretched ears or
the tribes in Sudan who can fit
fucking plates in their lips.
Charlie pulls up the RULER holding his thumb on the

measurement.
13.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Every part of a human is malleable.
Charlie checks his measurement. He looks unsatisfied.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
My progress is slowing. At this
rate I’ll never reach 10 inches by
summer.
Charlie looks to an EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE plugged into the

computer -- smiling.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
But that’s what the system is for.
Function 21, if progress slows then
increase workload.
Charlie dips his hand in coconut oil and goes back to work.
INT. SOLSTICE HOME LOANS OFFICE - DAY
The office is empty, but the LIGHTS are on.
BEEP! A light above the front door turns green and Charlie
enters.
He notices the lights are on.
CHARLIE
Hello!
CALEB, a good looking loan officer in his early 30s, walks

out of a side room carrying a bundle of papers.
CALEB
Hey, it’s just me.
CHARLIE
Caleb... It’s Saturday you know.
CALEB
Yeah, but I got a call from a
client whose leaving tomorrow for
the holidays. I figured it’s best
to do the signing today rather than
after the season of credit card
debt.
CHARLIE
Oh... Ok, it’s just that people
don’t usually come in on Saturdays.
14.
Caleb retreats and looks embarrassed.
CALEB
Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t know we
weren’t allowed in on the weekend.
Is it a problem?
CHARLIE
No... no it’s great. It’s just a
first. I love the initiative.
Caleb leans back up -- strait and confident.
CALEB
Ok cool. I just don’t want to break
any rules or anything.
CHARLIE
Caleb, it’s fine. Come in whenever.
I mean you’ve only been with us two
months and you’ve landed what...
17 clients?
Caleb raises the paperwork in his hand.
CALEB
Hopefully 18.
CHARLIE
Is that for Susan Murphy?
CALEB
Uh yeah... Yeah it is. You know
this client?
CHARLIE
No, but Brad came to me last week
asking if he could bring you along
for the Murphy deal. Said you two
could split the commission.
CALEB
Oh, well --
CHARLIE
You thought you could swoop in this
weekend and sign her today and
collect full commission.
Caleb nods.
CALEB
Yeah... You caught me. I called
Mrs. Murphy.
(MORE)
15.
CALEB (CONT'D)
I know I shouldn’t go behind Brad’s
back, I mean he’s been here longer
than me. I’m really sorry.
CHARLIE
What are you sorry for? Doing your
job? It was nice of Brad to offer
to split commission, but clearly
you don’t need any training wheels.
If you ask me Brad should be here
instead of you signing the client
by himself.
Caleb smiles.
CALEB
Thank you, I appreciate that. I
just don’t want anyone to think I’m
backstabbing Brad or anything.
CHARLIE
Hey you gotta get your clients
somewhere and I’m glad to see you
don’t need someone to hold your
hand to get them. But next time
just tell me the truth. None of
this “Oh, I got a call stuff”. Ok?
CALEB
Of course. Again, I’m sorry.
CHARLIE
Water under the bridge.
Charlie and Caleb smile at each other for an awkward amount

of time.
CALEB
Oh, this package came for you.
Behind Charlie is a one foot by three foot PACKAGE.
Charlie looks at it -- nervously.
CALEB (CONT’D)
Were you expecting it?
Charlie snaps out of staring at the PACKAGE.
CHARLIE
Hmmm? No... no, I wonder what it
is. When was it delivered?
16.
CALEB
About an hour ago.
CHARLIE
Hmmm, maybe some late gift from
last nights party. Oh speaking of,
I didn’t see you there.
CALEB
I yeah... I couldn’t make it. I had
a thing...
Charlie squints.
CHARLIE
A thing? Caleb are you lying to me
again?
CALEB
I... Yeah. It was a Friday and...
well I would just rather go out
than do some office christmas
party.
Charlie smiles.
CHARLIE
I get it. All good. Trust me, you
didn’t miss much. I wish I could
have gone out last night.
CALEB
Oh, well what are you doing
tonight?
CHARLIE
No plans.
CALEB
Hey, me either. You know what, why
don’t we go out tonight? I know a
great place that... let’s just say
well dressed women flock to. You’re
single right?
Charlie stares at Caleb -- as if trying to solve a puzzle.
CHARLIE
As far as I’m concerned.
CALEB
Alright! Well I’ll text you
tonight. Should be a fun time.
17.
CHARLIE
Totally.
Charlie walks to the recently delivered PACKAGE.
CALEB
So what brings you in on a
Saturday?
Charlie is mid way through picking up the PACKAGE. He sets it

back down.
CHARLIE
Oh, I almost forgot... I left my
laptop here last night.
Charlie walks over to Caleb and pats him on the shoulder.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Thanks for reminding me.
Charlie walks down the hall to his office.
The DOOR to it is labeled -- “Charlie Lockhart - President”
INT. CHARLIE’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Charlie closes the door behind him and walks to a window

overlooking the city.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Caleb is one of the few people I
admire. A natural alpha. Doesn't
take shit and goes after what he
wants. He’s smart too. I saw that
bullshit retreat he did when I
called him out... Never outshine
the master. Someone’s been reading
the 48 Laws of Power.
Charlie walks to his desk and grabs his laptop.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
But Caleb is challenging me.
Inviting me out on a Saturday night
is his way of showing how confident
he is. I’ll play along. Plus I
could use some pussy. I started my
day like JFK and should probably
end it the same.
Charlie walks out of his office.

18.
INT. SOLSTICE HOME LOANS OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Charlie walks past Caleb and flashes the laptop.
CALEB
So I just texted a buddy of mine
who’s a promoter at Zenith. He’s
gonna hook us up with a table,
bottles, the whole deal.
CHARLIE
Right on! Looking forward.
Charlie starts to pick up the PACKAGE.
CALEB
Need any help with that?
Charlie throws it over his shoulder.
CHARLIE
I got it.
INT. CHARLIE’S CAR - MOVING - DAY
Charlie drives through the RAIN listening to 80s GERMAN POP.
He looks in the mirror to the PACKAGE in the back seat.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I almost lost it today. I was on
the verge of panic. One hour. Caleb
was alone with the package for an
entire hour. He could have easily
opened it and become another
Justin. I should have planned for
this.
A KNIFE slices through the cardboard PACKAGE and Charlie

opens it up. We do not see what is inside.
Charlie walks to his desk and sits down at the computer.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Scarface said it best. You get the
money then you get the power, but
now a days you don’t just need
money, you need a fuckload of
money.
(MORE)
19.

Sure, starting a home loan business
made me a millionaire, but you need
a lot more than a million dollars
if you want any power in this
world.
The computer monitor has a TERMINAL open -- full of CODE.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Learning to code was a bitch, but I
like when things are a bitch. It
means less competition and I
fucking hate competition.
Charlie begins coding.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
If you’re not making money off the
internet, you’re a fucking idiot.
It has no barriers to entry, is
easy and most importantly,
Scalable. You can only sign so many
home loans. I’ve tried most things.
Affiliate sites, drop shipping,
forex trading, crypto mining, porn,
e-books, you name it. I made a
couple thousand, but that’s
pennies. There’s only one way to
make real money.
Charlie opens TOR browser and types in a cryptic URL then

logs into a website.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Drugs.
The website loads and an organized list of DRUG PICTURES,

prices and reviews pops up -- a marketplace of narcotics.
Images of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ketamine, MDMA, stolen

credit cards and guns flood the monitor.
The cursor clicks a LINK in the top right corner labeled --
“User Profile: TheGodOfLife”
A list of PAST SALES pops up and the cursor highlights one

labeled -- “LSD 200iu x10 - $100”
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Acid sales are down. I’m not sure
why I thought it would be
profitable.
(MORE)
20.

It’s not addictive and hippies
don’t have much disposable income.
I suppose I just thought it would
be easy to ship. I’m being lazy.
The cursor clicks a LINK labeled -- “Revenue”
A chart of MONTHLY SALES pops up --
“December - $78,968.56, November - $209,495.76, October -

$456,896.77”
CHARLIE (V.O.)
This month is pathetic. I should
have never stopped selling coke.
Charlie gets up and walks to the opened PACKAGE. He reaches

in and pulls out a large styrofoam COOLER. Written on it is --
“Lone-Star Steak Co.”
He takes off the lid and a pool of DRY ICE smoke pours out.
10 massive STEAKS are inside.
Charlie pulls out a STEAK and examines it. Along the side is
a suture of FISHING LINE. He cuts it open with a KNIFE and
pushes his fingers in -- pulling out a GLASS VIAL.
He walks back to his computer placing the GLASS VIAL on the

desk.
It is labeled -- “Fentanyl”
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Hopefully the Fentanyl market isn’t
as saturated as coke. I fucking
hate competition.
CUT TO:
Charlie places the FENTANYL VIAL against a white backdrop

with lights shining on it and takes a PICTURE.
CUT TO:
Charlie is sitting at his computer writing a description

under the picture of the FENTANYL VIAL on the drug website.
He types -- “$5000 - bulk price”

21.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
The Fentanyl better increase
revenue. I want to maintain growth
until the new site goes live.
Creating a demand with reoccurring
clients will help push traffic, but
I shouldn’t count on it. Expect the
worst, hope for the best and plan
for the unimaginable.
INT. TAPAS BAR AND GRILL - DAY
Caleb sits across from his girlfriend MICHELLE eating happy

hour appetizers.
MICHELLE
Was he mad?
CALEB
No, I don’t think so. I just
surprised him. Most people in the
office aren’t very... ambitious. He
wasn’t used to people coming in on
the weekend.
MICHELLE
Well he’s going to get a healthy
dose of ambition with you.
Caleb smiles.
CALEB
It was weird though. He acted like
I was intruding on something.
MICHELLE
But you work there. How could you
be intruding on your own job?
CALEB
It was just a weird vibe that’s
all.
MICHELLE
Oh my God I can’t stand weird
vibes! I mean today at work this
guy ordered a White Russian and we
had just opened. So I’m like ok...
and started making a White Russian
at 11am and while I’m doing it he’s
just staring at me with this creepy
vibe and I started to just...
22.
Caleb drifts off as Michelle tells her story. He looks

engaged, but subtly looks behind Michelle at two GIRLS having
drinks -- young and very pretty.
MICHELLE (CONT’D)
Anyway, it literally ruined my
afternoon and I had to pop a Xanax.
I can still feel the creepy vibe.
You know what I mean?
Caleb bites his lip while watching the pretty GIRLS.
MICHELLE (CONT’D)
Caleb?
Caleb zones back in.
CALEB
Totally, nothing worse than bad
vibes.
MICHELLE
Right!
Caleb sips his drink -- hiding annoyance.
MICHELLE (CONT’D)
So what are we doing tonight?
CALEB
Oh... I forgot to tell you. After
the awkward encounter, Charlie
invited me to dinner.
MICHELLE
What! But I thought he gave you a
bad vibe?
CALEB
Yeah, but I think this is his way
of clearing things up. Plus, a one
on one with the boss will help
separate me from the underachievers
in the office.
MICHELLE
That’s ridiculous! You were with
him last night at the christmas
thing. You said you’d take me out
tonight...
CALEB
Baby, I was going to, but shit
happens. I promise I’ll make it up.
23.
MICHELLE
Why can’t you just reschedule with
him?
Caleb pulls out his PHONE.
CALEB
Well, speak of the devil. He just
texted me.
Caleb unlocks his PHONE -- there is no incoming text.
MICHELLE
Uh, tell him you have a prior and
better commitment!
Caleb opens the messenger app and TEXTS Charlie --
“Pre game at Moriarty’s Pub at 10?”
CALEB
Ahhh... He got reservations to Lone-
Star Steakhouse. I can’t turn him
down now.
Michelle crosses her arms and pouts.
CALEB (CONT’D)
Hey...
Caleb grabs Michelle’s arm.
CALEB (CONT’D)
You’re my number one... always. But
I really need your support with
this job.
Michelle rolls her eyes.
MICHELLE
Ok, but he better give you a
fucking raise or something.
Michelle guzzles the last of her chardonnay and looks around

the bar.
MICHELLE (CONT’D)
Where the fuck is our waitress?
INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The remains of a STEAK dinner sits on the table as the sound

of PORNOGRAPHY grows louder.
24.
Charlie sits on the COUCH -- all lights are off. His face is
illuminated by the LAPTOP screen.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I have never been good at sex. Even
after the system it is still a weak
point of mine. Most men are
convinced they are good at three
things: driving, gambling and sex.
I’m ok at poker.
Charlie shuts the laptop -- the room now in total darkness.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
What was once an evolutionary
benefit to ensure you spread your
genes as fast as possible is now a
cultural embarrassment known as
premature ejaculation. I
unfortunately suffer from this
evolutionary superiority.
Charlie tosses a balled up paper towel onto the coffee table.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
After running a series of A/B split
tests I’ve found that with a small
dose of opiates, alcohol and
masturbation, I can delay my
hormonal response enough to meet
female expectations. I’m not a fan
of using drugs, especially porn,
but with enough discipline vices
can be tools.
Charlie grabs a glass of VODKA off the coffee table. Next to

it is a BOTTLE labeled -- “Oxycodone HCL 10mg”
He lays back on the COUCH sipping his vodka with his eyes
closed.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Although the system restricts
placing others expectations over my
own it also prioritizes boosting my
ego. Sexual embarrassment in front
of a female is Kryptonite to ego.
So I must prepare accordingly.
Function 8, If challenged then make
arrangements to win.
BUZZ! Charlie’s PHONE gets a text.
Charlie grabs his PHONE -- it’s 8:38pm.

25.
The TEXT is from Caleb and reads --
“I’m in the area and am gonna head there now if you want to
meet sooner”
Charlie stands up and walks to his grand windows -- looking

out over the city.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
It was smart of Caleb to arrive
early. Shows me that he is
independent and doesn’t need me.
Sounds like he’s deploying law 20.
I can now confirm he is going off
the 48 Laws of Power. It makes so
much sense now. Law 14, pose as a
friend, work as a spy. I admire
Caleb's effort, but The 48 Laws of
Power are child’s play compared to
the system. Millions have read that
book. Only I know the system. It’s
in function 77, if --
Charlie’s mind BLANKS. He scratches his head then walks over

to his computer.
He clicks on the EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE icon and types in a

password. Charlie opens the one DOCUMENT inside labeled --
“The System”
The DOCUMENT is a long list of FUNCTIONS -- each with

multiple paragraphs underneath. It must be hundreds of pages
long.
Charlie scrolls down until he reaches a section titled --
“Function 77: If everyone knows a secret then it is no longer

a secret.”
CHARLIE (V.O.)
If everyone knows a secret then it
is no longer a secret... and I know
Caleb's secret.
Charlie leans back in his chair -- frustrated.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I need to go over the system again.
I’m forgetting functions. It’s
exhausting at times trying to
remember. The brain is such an
ineffective storage unit.
26.
Charlie opens a new blank DOCUMENT on his computer and titles

it -- “day 720”
He begins typing out his inner monologue of the day.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Sometimes I wish I could just go
with the flow like everyone else.
Not have to remember the system,
not plan out every detail. Most
people are fine going with the
flow, but I need to steer the ship
because you know what else goes
with the flow? Dead fish.
Charlie drinks the rest of his vodka.
INT. MORIARTY’S PUB - NIGHT
Caleb drinks a BEER at the bar while chatting with DEVIN, the
bartender.
CALEB
I don’t know, I think the Eagles
can pull it off this season.
DEVIN
I’m telling you, it’s another Pats
year.
CALEB
Hey man, I’m from Philly. I gotta
keep up hope.
DEVIN
How’s that working out for you?
CALEB
2018!
DEVIN
And?
Charlie enters and takes a seat next to Caleb.
CALEB
Charlie! You made it! Hey, me and
Devin here...
Devin nods at Charlie.

27.
CALEB (CONT’D)
We’re having a bit of a
disagreement. My money’s on the
Eagles and this guy likes the Pats
for some reason, who do you thinks
winning this year?
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Fuck me for not learning football
before going to a sports bar.
Charlie thinks.
CHARLIE
Uh, I’m gonna have to say the
Seahawks.
Caleb and Devin exchange a confused look.
CALEB
What? The hawks barely even made
the playoffs.
CHARLIE
They still made them. Go hawks!
DEVIN
More like Sea-cocks.
CHARLIE
I take it you’re not from Seattle?
Devin laughs -- shaking his head.
DEVIN
What can I get for you?
CHARLIE
Vodka soda.
DEVIN
Coming up.
Caleb grabs Charlie’s shoulder and leans in all friendly.
CALEB
So do you ever go to Zenith?
CHARLIE
Yeah, when I was younger. Haven’t
been in a couple years.
CALEB
Oh so you haven’t seen the remodel?
28.
CHARLIE
No, I guess not.
CALEB
Man you are gonna flip shit. The
place is insane. Not to mention the
bottle service we’re gonna get.
Devin places a VODKA SODA in front of Charlie.
CHARLIE
Thanks.
CALEB
Hey, pound that shit. I want to
make a stop first.
Caleb starts to chug the rest of his beer.
CHARLIE
Stop?
Caleb slams the empty glass on the counter.
CALEB
Yeah, come on let’s go.
Caleb tosses some CASH on the counter and starts to walk out
of the bar.
Charlie follows -- without touching his VODKA SODA.
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - NIGHT
The town is alive with groups of drunk people waiting outside

clubs.
Charlie follows Caleb as they cross the street to a nearby

PARKING LOT.
CHARLIE
So where are we headed?
CALEB
I just want to stop by my car real
fast.
Charlie looks confused as Caleb pushes his key fob and the
head lights of a high end SEDAN flash.
Caleb opens the driver door.

29.
CHARLIE
Nice ride man.
Charlie smiles, but his eyes show disdain. It’s the same
SEDAN he drives -- except newer.
CALEB
Thanks man, I actually just picked
it up yesterday. Probably why I was
so eager to sign that client today.
The payments on this are not cheap.
CHARLIE
I don’t doubt it.
CALEB
Why don’t you hop in for a sec?
Caleb gets in before Charlie can respond. Charlie waits a

second and then gets in the passenger seat.
INT. CALEB’S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Caleb fumbles with something under his seat as Charlie

admires the interior of the car.
CHARLIE
I see you went with the sport
package. Nice, I love the carbon
fiber look.
CALEB
I wasn’t planning on getting any
upgrades, but those car salesmen...
they get you. You’d think as a
salesman I’d be less susceptible.
Charlie laughs and Caleb pulls out a small METAL CANISTER.
CALEB (CONT’D)
That IPA really wasn’t cutting it
for me. I figured we should start
this night off right. You like to
party right?
CHARLIE
Ha-ha... Yeah of course man.
Caleb begins to unscrew the CANISTER. Charlie watches him

intensely.
30.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I should have known. All the signs
pointed to it. His natural
confidence, his ambition, his
effortlessness.
Caleb SNORTS two scoops then hands the CANISTER to Charlie.
He unscrews it and pulls out a scoop of COCAINE. Charlie

rotates the spoon -- examining it.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Cocaine. Good cocaine from the
looks of it.
Caleb is sniffling away and moving his jaw.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t
want to do it, but function 1 was
written for a reason. If you want
to succeed then never loose
control. Cocaine is the antithesis
of control.
While Caleb looks out the window to the soon-to-be club

goers, Charlie empties the coke spoon into the CANISTER and
SNORTS off the empty spoon.
CALEB
Good shit right!
CHARLIE
Fuck yeah.
Charlie sniffles and hands back the CANISTER.
CALEB
Just one?
CHARLIE
Like you said, good shit.
Caleb cracks a smile and playfully swats Charlie’s shoulder.
CALEB
Fuck yeah! C’mon let’s do this.
Both of them exit the car.

31.
EXT. ZENITH NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
Caleb struts across the street with powdered confidence as

Charlie trails behind.
They head towards two BOUNCERS guarding a CLUB with a line of

people wrapping around the block. Flashing above is the red
and blue 3D sign of -- “Zenith”
Caleb glances at a group of GIRLS walking in skimpy dresses

and turns to Charlie.
CALEB
Can you believe the talent tonight!
Wait till we get in!
Charlie watches as Caleb begins to walk up to the BOUNCERS.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I thought I could read people. I
thought I had Caleb down, but I was
wrong. He’s not working me. He’s no
Machiavelli, hasn’t read Robert
Greene and isn’t an ambitious loan
officer. He just is.
Caleb begins talking with the BOUNCERS -- both give him a big
hug.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
He’s a natural alpha. Has no plan,
no insecurities to hide, no
discipline. He is who I wish I was.
One that goes with the flow, but
his stream leads straight to
success.
Charlie approaches Caleb and the BOUNCERS.
CALEB
Oh Oh! This is my boss Charlie.
Charlie this is Bernard and Snow
Plow.
BERNARD, SNOW PLOW and Charlie exchange head nods.
CHARLIE
So why do they call you Snow Plow?
SNOW PLOW
Cause I fuck white chicks.
Everyone laughs as Caleb and Charlie begin to walk into the

CLUB.
32.
CALEB
Hey, say hi to your sister for me!
Bernard shoots Caleb an endearing middle finger.
INT. ZENITH NIGHT CLUB - LATER
Well dressed ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE dance under the blue and red
strobe lights. WOMEN in lingerie dance on raised platforms
above.
A bottle of expensive VODKA moves through the dance floor --

carried by a WAITRESS in lingerie.
She walks up a set of RED VELVET STAIRS to...
Charlie and Caleb -- sitting in a circular booth raised above

the dance floor -- high enough to let everyone know they are
VIP.
Charlie and Caleb sip CHAMPAGNE as they look around the club.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I’m suppose to be honest with
myself. So I will. I’ve never been
to a club of this magnitude, let
alone the VIP section.
Charlie looks to Caleb who is wearing a huge smile.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Caleb the natural must love night
clubs. Perfect place to showcase
his innate confidence. Although my
confidence is artificial, with
enough precision all artificial
things can surpass that which is
biological. Function 6, if confused
then imitate and escalate.
Charlie finishes his CHAMPAGNE just as the VODKA yielding

Waitress arrives.
WAITRESS
I heard someone here was looking
for some vodka?
The Waitress’s voice is intoxicating.
CALEB
This guy right here!
33.
Caleb points to Charlie and the Waitress notices his empty

glass.
WAITRESS
Oh no! It looks like you’re all
out!
The Waitress uncorks the VODKA and slowly walks over to

Charlie. She then STRADDLES him in the booth.
WAITRESS (CONT’D)
That’s no glass for vodka!
She TILTS back Charlie’s head and pours a VODKA SHOT into his
mouth. Caleb claps his hands in excitement.
CALEB
Ha-ha! Now that’s bottle service.
The Waitress wipes Charlie's mouth with her silk GLOVES as he

swallows with an audible GULP.
WAITRESS
You swallow just like me. He-he!
The Waitress gets off Charlie and places the VODKA in a

bucket of ice.
CALEB
Why don’t you stick around. Hang
with us.
WAITRESS
Aww, I’d love to! You’re both so
cute, but I have to work. Let me
know if you need anything. You look
quite thirsty.
The Waitress curtsies and walks down the RED VELVET STAIRS.
CALEB
Oh do I!
(to Charlie)
Man, she was all over you! You
could have had her!
CHARLIE
We just got here! I don’t want to
get out of here just yet!
CALEB
My man!
Both go back to surveilling the club.

34.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Man, I envy Caleb’s ignorant bliss.
Originally I would have thought he
was just placating me by telling me
the bottle service girl was into
me, but now I know he honestly
thinks she was sincere. It must be
nice to think people are sincere,
especially bottle service girls.
Charlie sees the Waitress preform the same straddle VODKA

pour to another VIP booth across the dance floor.
CALEB (O.S.)
Hey!
Caleb is looking down at the dance floor trying to get the

attention of a group of GIRLS.
CHARLIE
I don’t think they can hear you. I
got it.
Charlie gets up and walks down the RED VELVET STAIRS to the
group of GIRLS -- eyeing the tallest and prettiest one --
STACY.
He approaches her from the side.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Hey.
No response. The club is too dark and loud for her to notice
him.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
(under his breath)
Fuck it.
Charlie slides his hand behind Stacy’s waist and begins

DANCING with her. She flinches and spins around.
STACY
Hey!
Charlie stares deep into her eyes -- continuing to dance.
CHARLIE
Hey.
The STROBE LIGHTS flash on Charlie’s face and Stacy takes a

second to assess his worthiness.
35.
She smiles with approval and turns around for Charlie to

continue grinding on her.
STACY
So what’s your name?
CHARLIE
Charlie.
STACY
Aren't you going to ask my name?
CHARLIE
Ok.
Charlie spins her around so they are face to face.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
What’s your name?
Charlie leans in close -- Stacy blushes.
STACY
Stacy.
CHARLIE
Well, Stacy. This was fun an all,
but I’m quite thirsty. Why don’t
you join me for a drink at my
table.
STACY
What about my friends?
CHARLIE
They can come. It’s a big table.
Stacy waves her FRIENDS over as Charlie takes Stacy’s hand

and leads her back to the table.
Charlie and Stacy walk up the RED VELVET STAIRS as three

other GIRLS follow. Caleb grins ear to ear.
CALEB
Who do we have hear?
CHARLIE
Caleb, this is Stacy. Stacy, Caleb.
CALEB
Well hello Stacy!
STACY
Hi.
36.
CHARLIE
And...
STACY
Oh and this is Gwen, Sidney and
Lindsey.
GWEN, SIDNEY and LINDSEY wave.
CHARLIE
After you.
The three GIRLS file into the booth. Charlie hold Stacy’s
hand to ensure she sits next to him.
Caleb immediately begins chatting with Lindsey as Stacy and

Charlie take a seat.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Natural alphas run on instinctual
confidence. They do what they want,
when they want. It’s a good system,
but not the best. Although I don’t
possess Caleb’s innate ability to
win, I have a way to manufacture
it. I have the system. Hitting on
Stacy in front of Caleb was a risk.
Getting rejected in front of him
would have been a gut shot to the
ego, but the reward outweighed it.
I now have Caleb’s approval. I now
have the upper hand. All hail the
system.
Caleb finishes pouring everyone a DRINK.
CALEB
What should we toast to?
Charlie raises his GLASS.
CHARLIE
To hope! May we never run out!
Everyone at the table makes a subtly confused look, but

cheers anyway.
All six glasses clink together.
INT. CHARLIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Charlie and Stacy are engaged in traditional missionary SEX.

37.
CHARLIE
Ahhhh!
Charlie rolls off Stacy -- laying down next to her.
STACY
Did you cum?
CHARLIE
Yeah.
Charlie looks at his watch, which is set to STOP WATCH. He

pushes a button and it stops on 12:09.
STACY
Were you timing it?
CHARLIE
Huh? No, I was setting an alarm. I
work tomorrow.
STACY
But tomorrow’s Sunday.
CHARLIE
And I’m an atheist.
STACY
Huh?
Charlie grins at Stacy not getting the joke.
CHARLIE
Nothing.
Charlie slips on some underwear as Stacy crawls up behind him

and kisses his neck.
STACY
Ready for round 2?
CHARLIE
I think I’m going to have to take a
rain check.
STACY
Oh --
CHARLIE
But hey, let’s do this again
sometime.
Charlie kisses her on the cheek and gets out of bed. He

tosses Stacy her SKIRT.
38.
Charlie sits at his desk typing into the DOCUMENT from

earlier -- “day 720”
The pages are now filled with multiple paragraphs --

containing Charlie’s internal monologue throughout the day.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
It still amazes me how fast you
lose the desire for sex after you
have sex. One second it’s all you
want then suddenly... it’s gone. It
played in my favor tonight.
Although I lasted far beyond
average, she clearly didn’t cum.
Rather than pull the beta move of
apologizing and claiming it never
happens then going down on her, I
played dumb and acted like I was
done with her. From my experience,
it appears the less interest you
show in women, the more they show
in you. Denying Stacy’s offer for a
round 2 should lead to a round 3
and 4 down the road.
Charlie stops typing -- reading over his lengthy stream of

consciousness. He looks out his grand windows and runs his
hands over his face.
He goes back to typing.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I don’t want to sleep. Caleb,
alcohol and Stacy’s tits managed to
distract me for most of the day,
but they’re all dissipating now. I
can’t stop thinking about Justin.
What he did and what I did to him.
In the moment it wasn’t hard to
kill him. I was overrun with hate
and rage. The satisfaction of
killing him felt good. Even
mutilating his body, which I
thought was going to traumatize me,
gave me a great sense of relief
knowing that he could no longer
threaten me. Then again, I assume
the only way I managed to get
through it was from the 80s German
pop paired with an excessive
amphetamine high.
(MORE)
39.

Music, drugs and most importantly
hate can make even the most
empathetic of us capable of the
unimaginable.
Charlie stops -- grabs his face and SHAKES in a silent

scream. He begins to HYPERVENTILATE as he looks around the
apartment -- tears form in his eyes.
He gets up and runs to the kitchen -- coming back with a

glass and bottle of VODKA.
He pours a glass full then drinks it -- uncontrollably.
Charlie pours another full glass and begins typing. Taking

large sips as he goes.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I’ve met soldiers who suffer from
PTSD. Taking another life reeks
havoc on the body. Nightmares,
flash backs, fixed thought
patterns. I have all the above and
more. I’m not traumatized and this
isn’t stress. Justin wasn’t a
member of ISIS who threw acid on
little girls faces. I can’t morally
rationalize his murder. What I did
wasn’t just wrong, it was evil. I
feel like a monster. The disgust I
have with myself is unbearable.
Charlie starts ITCHING himself as if to clean off a layer of

invisible filth.
He downs the rest of his VODKA and types one more sentence.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I need to clear my mind.
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - NIGHT
VROOM! Charlie’s SEDAN pulls out of a parking garage with an

excessively loud rev -- peeling out onto an empty street
without signaling.
INT. CHARLIE'S CAR - MOVING - CONTINUOUS
A half empty bottle of VODKA rolls in the passenger seat.
Charlie plugs his PHONE into the sound system and plays calm
ACOUSTIC MUSIC.
40.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
The light of a CAMPFIRE shines through a dark forest.
Next to a TENT sits three young teenage boys, SAM, AVERY and
ELIJAH, huddled around a CAMPFIRE.
A HOTDOG falls off Elijah’s stick and into the fire.
ELIJAH
Shit!
SAM
Here.
Sam tosses over a bag of hotdogs and Elijah re-hotdogs his

stick.
AVERY
How do we know when they’re done?
SAM
It’s a hotdog. They’re already
cooked.
AVERY
Oh.
Avery pulls his hotdog out of the fire and takes a bite.
AVERY (CONT’D)
Fuck! That’s hot.
ELIJAH
Ha-ha! Nice one dipshit!
AVERY
At least I didn’t drop mine in the
fire dumbass.
Sam pulls his hotdog out of the fire and blows on it.
SAM
You guys really suck at camping.
AVERY
Well I’m sorry if my parents idea
of a vacation isn’t playing
homeless.
ELIJAH
Ha-ha! Sam’s poor!
Avery and Elijah laugh together.

41.
SAM
Real funny guys.
Sam puts his hotdog into a bun.
SAM (CONT’D)
Hey, where’s the ketchup?
ELIJAH
Avery brought it.
Avery rummages through his BAG.
AVERY
Oh, I forgot it.
SAM
Great.
Sam takes a bite of his plain hotdog.
AVERY
But guys, guess what I did bring?
Avery pulls out a bag of MARIJUANA.
AVERY (CONT’D)
My brother finally sold me some
weed! You guys wanna smoke?
ELIJAH
Fuck yeah!
EXT. SCENIC VIEWPOINT - NIGHT
Charlie stands on the edge of a CLIFF looking at the distant

city. He closes his eyes and takes a series of controlled
breaths.
CHARLIE
I will overcome.
He puts the VODKA bottle to his lips and drinks.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
I’ve come too far.
Charlie walks back to his SEDAN and gets in.

42.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Avery raises a PIPE to Sam’s lips and lights it. Sam inhales
and bursts out COUGHING.
AVERY
Ha-ha! You don’t cough you don’t
get off.
Elijah stuffs a hotdog into his mouth -- moaning as he chews.
ELIJAH
Dude, these are like the best
hotdogs.
AVERY
You’re high as fuck.
Elijah looks at Avery with blood shot eyes.
ELIJAH
Huh, no I’m not.
Elijah maintains his stoned stare and Sam bursts into

laughter.
SAM
You have grease all over your face!
Avery laughs along with Sam and Elijah self-consciously wipes

his face.
ELIJAH
Is it gone?
AVERY
Not at all.
ELIJAH
Oh.
Elijah joins Sam and Avery in hysterical laughter.
SAM
Man, this stuff is crazy.
Sam looks into the sky at the non-light polluted STARS.
AVERY
I know right!
SAM
I gotta pee.
43.
Sam gets up and wonders into the WOODS.
He walks about 100 feet and then emerges onto an EMPTY ROAD
and takes a leak.
He finishes and looks back up at the STARS.
SAM (CONT’D)
Wow.
Sam walks along the EMPTY ROAD to get a better look.
INT. CHARLIE'S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Charlie looks to have calmed down -- DRUNK, but calm. He taps

his finger to the acoustic music.
CHARLIE
It’s ok Charlie. It’s ok.
He turns up the music just as the soft chorus hits.
Charlie relaxes -- takes a deep breath and shuts his eyes.
Suddenly...
BANG! Charlie hits something and slams on the breaks.
The wheels screech to a violent halt.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Ahhhhh...
The car is still, but Charlie’s hands still firmly grip the
wheel as he stares straight ahead -- not moving a muscle.
Charlie’s EYES turn right to see the VODKA bottle. Only a sip
or two remain.
His EYES dart left to the DOOR HANDLE.
He pulls on it -- shoving the door open. The door signal

beeps, but Charlie remains seated.
SAM (O.S.)
(muffled)
He... help.
Charlie BURSTS out of the car -- manically.

44.
EXT. FOREST ROAD - CONTINUOUS
Charlie runs to the front of the car to find...
Sam laying on the ground -- both his legs clearly broken.
He looks up to Charlie.
CHARLIE
No.
SAM
Help... I can’t...
Charlie leans over Sam’s broken body.
CHARLIE
Oh God...
ELIJAH (O.S.)
Sam!
Charlie darts his head towards the WOODS.
AVERY (O.S.)
Sam where are you!
ELIJAH (O.S.)
What was that noise!
Charlie sees two FIGURES moving in the WOODS.
CHARLIE
Shit.
Charlie looks down at Sam who is staring straight into his

eyes.
AVERY (O.S.)
What the fuck Sam! Come out!
Charlie puts his hands over his mouth and silently SCREAMS
into them.
He then stands up and runs into his car.
ELIJAH (O.S.)
Over there!
Charlie reverses his car -- the HEADLIGHTS shine on Sam who

looks right at Charlie.
Avery and Elijah emerge from the WOODS as Charlie puts his
car into drive.
45.
ELIJAH (CONT’D)
Sam!
AVERY
Holy shit!
The two BOYS runs over to Sam as Charlie drives past them.
ELIJAH
Hey!
AVERY
What the fuck!
They watch as Charlie’s car speeds away.
Elijah crouches down to Sam.
ELIJAH
Are you ok? Call 911!
AVERY
I don’t have my phone!
ELIJAH
Go fucking get it!
Avery sprints into the WOODS while Elijah puts his hands on
Sam’s shoulders.
Sam chokes on BLOOD pouring out of his mouth.
ELIJAH (CONT’D)
Oh God! Sam! Sam say something!
SAM
Wha... What happen.
ELIJAH
I...
Elijah looks around the empty and dark road. The roar of
Charlie’s car can still be heard -- faintly.
Elijah begins to cry.
ELIJAH (CONT’D)
I don’t know man. I don’t know...
there was a car and...
Elijah looks down at Sam’s LEGS -- bent in ways they should

never bend.
46.
ELIJAH (CONT’D)
Oh my God.
Under the light from the STARS above, Elijah sees a POOL OF
DARKNESS spreading from under Sam’s pelvis.
Elijah follows the POOL to the tips of his WHITE SNEAKERS,

which have turned BLACK.
ELIJAH (CONT’D)
Oh my God! Oh my God!
Elijah looks back to the WOODS.
ELIJAH (CONT’D)
AVERY HURRY UP!
INT. CHARLIE'S CAR - MOVING - MORNING
The SUN is just rising as Charlie cruises through the early

commuter traffic.
Charlie breathes heavy and raspy as he painfully grips the

wheel -- gazing straight ahead with blood shot eyes.
He reaches a RED LIGHT and gently comes to a stop.
BEGIN FLASHBACK:
INT. CHARLIE'S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
BANG! POV view of Charlie hitting Sam.
BANG! Another POV view of hitting Sam, but with the sound of
bones cracking.
BANG! It repeats again, but with Sam screaming as he is hit.
BANG! Again, but this time blood splatters the window.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! The POV image of Sam being hit
keeps repeating.
Each flashback is more violent than the last.
END FLASHBACK.
EXT. CHARLIE'S CAR - MORNING
HONK! The waiting cars snap Charlie out of his repeating

FLASHBACKS and he drives through the GREEN LIGHT.
47.
He drives below the SPEED LIMIT, while the sound of leather

can be heard as Charlie tightens his grip on the wheel.
A PASSING CAR shoots him the middle finger with a muffled --

“Fuck You”
Charlie stops breathing and...
CHARLIE
AHHHHH!
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - MORNING
DING! The hallway elevator opens and Charlie stands in it

slouched over.
He stumbles out and down the hallway in a drunken march --

passing door after door and then STOPS IN HIS TRACKS.
He stands in the middle of the hallway and tilts his head to

the DOOR next to him labeled -- “1406”
We hear the sound of FOOTSTEPS coming from inside the

apartment, but they sound distant -- as if IMAGINED.
BEGIN FLASHBACK:
The FOOTSTEPS behind apartment 1406 are now clear.
The DOOR of the apartment opens and out emerges JUSTIN, a

very tall and friendly looking man.
Justin’s face resembles the SEVERED HEAD.
He closes the door and looks down the hall to see...
Charlie approaching with a large PACKAGE.
Justin gives Charlie an extremely charismatic smile.
JUSTIN
Hey.
CHARLIE
How’s it going.
Charlie does not slow his walk down the hall, but Justin puts
out his hand as he reaches him -- causing him to stop.
48.
JUSTIN
Good. I’m Justin I just moved in
here.
Charlie rests the PACKAGE on his knee and shakes Justin’s

hand.
CHARLIE
Charlie. I’m sorry, I had no idea
you were new... I honestly never
see anyone on this floor.
JUSTIN
Wow, really?
CHARLIE
Yeah, I assume they are all
workaholics or just recluses.
JUSTIN
Huh, that’s weird. Back at my old
place everyone knew everyone. Then
again, it was Canada and
friendliness is kind of a law
there.
CHARLIE
Oh wow, you’re from Canada? What
part?
JUSTIN
Vancouver.
CHARLIE
Nice, I love it there. What brings
you down to the states?
JUSTIN
Oh, I’m actually from here. I just
get relocated a lot cause of work.
I’m in pharmaceutical sales so...
CHARLIE
Well, that explains why you’re
living here.
JUSTIN
It’s not cheap is it, but the view
on this place not to mention the
size... I couldn’t pass it up.
CHARLIE
Yeah, I’ve only been here for a
year, but I love the place.
49.
JUSTIN
So what do you do?
CHARLIE
I’m in the mortgage business.
JUSTIN
That will definitely help pay the
bills.
CHARLIE
Just as long as we don’t have
another 08.
JUSTIN
Well knock on wood.
Justin knocks on his door.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
I won’t keep you up anymore it
looks like you have your hands
full, but hey why don’t you come
over for a couple of beers sometime
being that you’re probably the only
neighbor I’m gonna see.
CHARLIE
Definitely.
JUSTIN
Alright, well see you around.
Justin taps Charlie on the shoulder and walks to the

elevator.
END FLASHBACK.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - MORNING
Charlie looks away from Justin’s door and continues walking

to his apartment.
INT. CHARLIE'S BEDROOM - MORNING
Charlie flops into bed fully clothed and passes out.

50.
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - DAY
Caleb and Michelle walk out of a women's clothing store

carrying multiple SHOPPING BAGS.
CALEB
I think I can safely say that I’ve
made up for flaking on you the last
two nights.
MICHELLE
Hmmm... I don’t know about that.
Choosing work over your girlfriend
is not something you can just buy
your way out of.
CALEB
You could have told me that before
I spent $500 on all this...
MICHELLE
Ok fine. I’ll let you buy your way
out of it!
CALEB
Alright, so we’re good now? Let’s
go get something to eat.
MICHELLE
Ummm, when did I say you were done
buying your way out of it?
Caleb rolls his eyes.
MICHELLE (CONT’D)
Let’s go in here!
Michelle walks into a CANDLE STORE. Caleb follows.
INT. CANDLE STORE - CONTINUOUS
Michelle begins to browse the endless variety of expensive

candles as Caleb scrunches his nose.
CALEB
... And I have a headache.
MICHELLE
Oh my God! Smell this one!
Michelle pushes a brown Candle into Caleb's face.

51.
CALEB
Tobacco?
MICHELLE
Barley and Teakwood!
Michelle runs off to smell more candles.
CALEB
(under his breath)
Well it smells like cigarettes.
MICHELLE
So was dinner with your boss all
you thought it would be?
CALEB
It was a good time. He’s a fun guy
to be around. Plus, he paid for my
$90 fillet. So, I can’t complain.
MICHELLE
So he’s a good time huh? Better
time than me?
Michelle rubs her hand over her skin tight YOGA PANTS.
CALEB
Are you jealous of Charlie?
MICHELLE
Who’s Charlie?
CALEB
My boss...
MICHELLE
Oh, I must have blanked it out. I
hate that name... Charlie. Reminds
me of a sickly British kid.
CALEB
What?
Michelle shoves a turquoise candle in Caleb's face.
EMPLOYEE (O.S.)
Can I help you two with anything?
Caleb pushes the candle out of his face.
CALEB
No we’re good thanks.
52.
EMPLOYEE (O.S.)
Are you sure?
CALEB
Yea --
Caleb looks up to see the candle store EMPLOYEE is...
STACY, the girl Charlie picked up from Zenith night club.
CALEB (CONT’D)
Um uh... Yeah, what kind of candle
is this?
Caleb points to the candle in Michelle’s hands.
STACY
Morning breeze.
Stacy gives Caleb a sly smile.
CALEB
Thank you.
Caleb starts to turn away from Stacy.
MICHELLE
What’s the difference between
morning breeze and normal breeze?
STACY
Morning has more hints of dew.
MICHELLE
Oh!
Michelle smells the candle with her newfound knowledge.
STACY
Anything else I can help you with?
CALEB
No, we’re all good.
Stacy giggles.
STACY
If you think so. I’ll be over here
if you need anything.
Stacy walks to the check out counter.
MICHELLE
I’m definitely getting this one.
53.
CALEB
You know what I don’t really like
that one. Let’s go get you some
lingerie or something.
MICHELLE
Yeah, we’re not buying you gifts
we’re buying me stuff remember?
Michelle goes off in search of more candles as Caleb looks

over to Stacy who giggles at him.
MICHELLE (CONT’D)
Ok, this is the one.
Michelle brings a yellow candle over to the counter and Caleb

saunters over.
STACY
Oh, Tranquil honey. Good choice.
Caleb reaches the counter.
STACY (CONT’D)
This is one of my favorite scents.
Very, loving and faithful.
MICHELLE
Hey, do you have a restroom here?
STACY
Yeah, behind those doors and to
your left.
MICHELLE
Be right back.
Michelle disappears to the restroom.
STACY
Fun time last night.
Stacy puts on a playful grin.
CALEB
Uh huh, yeah. I was just there to
network with some clients and uh...
STACY
Mmm hmm. Sure. So is she your
girlfriend?
54.
CALEB
Uh... well yeah. I mean it’s only
been a couple months.
STACY
Oh wow. I would have guessed you
were single. I mean the way you
were all over Lindsey last night...
CALEB
Oh well you know, I was just trying
to impress my coworker. Just
flirting. That’s all.
STACY
Really? Wow, that’s funny cause
Linsey texted me this morning.
Stacy pulls out her PHONE and reads off it.
STACY (CONT’D)
OMG! Guy from club fucked me so
good his dick was hu --
Caleb pushes Stacy’s PHONE down.
STACY (CONT’D)
That wasn’t you?
Caleb is lost for words.
STACY (CONT’D)
Ha-ha-ha! I’m just fucking with
you!
Caleb drops his head -- looking relieved.
STACY (CONT’D)
I mean it must be a nightmare
dating that dumb bitch.
Caleb looks shocked -- then shifts to a grin.
STACY (CONT’D)
Morning breeze verses normal
breeze? What kind of fucking
question is that?
Caleb tries to resist, but a laugh spills out.
CALEB
God... she fucking sucks.
55.
STACY
Then why the hell did you buy her
all that stuff?
Stacy motions to the SHOPPING BAGS in Caleb’s hands.
CALEB
Like I said... she sucks.
STACY
Ha-ha! You’re funny! I hope she’s
worth it.
CALEB
Have you seen her ass?
STACY
Fuck, how could I miss it. The
bitch is basically wearing body
paint. What is she Brazilian?
CALEB
Half.
STACY
Nice!
Stacy raises her hand for a HI-FIVE -- Caleb accepts it.
CALEB
You’re cool. I like you.
STACY
Well look, I get it. We’re human.
Fuck machines. That’s what we’re
here to do. I mean all this
monogamous shit is for losers who
have to lock down the first crotch
they can get. We all cheat. Well,
at least the ones who can. You’re
only as faithful as your options.
You don’t think I have a boyfriend?
Caleb looks thrilled with Stacy’s candor.
CALEB
Huh... So did you and Charlie have
a good time?
Stacy giggles.
STACY
Oh, you mean two pump chump?
56.
CALEB
What?
STACY
Talk about a 180... At the club he
was this total player then when we
got to his place he fucked me like
a 16-year-old on prom night. I
mean... I guess it happens so I
tried to give him another chance,
but ha-ha... I think he was worn
out.
Caleb looks confused and surprised.
CALEB
Wow, I wouldn’t have guess --
Michelle RETURNS from the restroom.
MICHELLE
Let’s go.
CALEB
I still gotta pay.
MICHELLE
What the fuck is taking so long?
STACY
Sorry, computer is slow.
Michelle crosses her arms in frustration.
STACY (CONT’D)
Oh, there we go. Your total is
$64.76.
CALEB
For a candle?
MICHELLE
It’s high quality!
STACY
The highest.
Caleb hands Stacy his credit card and she swipes it.
The RECEIPT prints out and Stacy writes on it then hands it

to Caleb.
57.
STACY (CONT’D)
Alright, have a nice day. I hope to
see you again.
Caleb and Michelle walk to the front door and Caleb looks at
the receipt to find...
Stacy’s PHONE NUMBER written on it -- a HEART is next to it.
Caleb looks back to Stacy who WINKS at him.
Charlie is typing away at his computer. A stack of SMALL

PACKAGES sits on the desk.
Charlie’s EYE’S have dark bags below them.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I’m experiencing extreme
depersonalization. Nothing feels
real. It’s as if I’m in a
simulation. This is most likely a
symptom of my mental state
deteriorating. I can feel it. As if
my subconscious is attempting to
repress what happened by erasing my
sanity. I’m numb. I have no fucking
clue what to do. So I guess I’ll
just do what the system tells me.
Charlie looks at the stack of SMALL PACKAGES on his desk.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I have Fentanyl to ship and murders
to forget.
INT. POST OFFICE - DAY
Charlie stands at the counter next to the SMALL PACKAGES

while the CLERK rings them up.
CLERK
Alright that will be $27.54.
Charlie hands the Clerk CASH.
CLERK (CONT’D)
So what’s with all the packages?
CHARLIE
I sell stuff online.
58.
CLERK
Oh wow, I’ve always wanted to do
that. What kind of stuff?
CHARLIE
T-shirts.
CLERK
Cool.
The Clerk hands Charlie a receipt.
CLERK (CONT’D)
The tracking number for each
package is listed at the bottom.
CHARLIE
Thanks.
Charlie exits the store.
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - CONTINUOUS
Charlie examines the receipt as he puts on a pair of

SUNGLASSES and walks down the street.
CALEB (O.S.)
Charlie!
Charlie turns around to see Caleb and Michelle walking

towards him. Both are carrying multiple shopping bags.
Charlie waves.
CALEB (CONT’D)
What are the chances of seeing you
here!
Caleb and Charlie shake hands.
CHARLIE
It’s crazy.
CALEB
Oh, this is Michelle.
Charlie shakes Michelle’s hand.
MICHELLE
Hi.
CALEB
So what are you up to?
59.
CHARLIE
Oh, just had to send out an
emergency birthday gift for my
aunt. Almost forgot.
CALEB
Ha-ha! I’ve been there.
CHARLIE
So what about you two?
MICHELLE
Well, this guy here is trying to
buy his way out of flaking on me
the past two nights.
Caleb looks extremely embarrassed.
CHARLIE
Oh, are you two dating?
MICHELLE
Um, yeah. Does Caleb not talk about
me?
Michelle darts her face to Caleb.
CHARLIE
Oh Michelle! Sorry, I’m terrible
with names. Of course Caleb talks
about you.
Michelle looks pleased.
MICHELLE
Ok. Well, good.
CALEB
I always talk about you.
Caleb and Charlie exchange an awkward look.
CHARLIE
Alright, you two have a good day.
CALEB
See you tomorrow.
Charlie waves as he walks away.

60.
Charlie is at his desk franticly typing into a DOCUMENT

titled -- “day 721”
CHARLIE (V.O.)
So Caleb cheats. Not much of a
revelation, but interesting
nonetheless. I guess it goes with
the territory. Caleb’s not an
asshole, just an opportunist. We’re
only as faithful as our options.
Jesus christ, he reminds me so much
of Justin. That’s probably why I
wanted to impress him. I wanted him
to like me. I wanted a friend.
BEGIN FLASHBACK:
INT. JUSTIN’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
KNOCK! A cue ball breaks a rack of pool balls -- nothing goes

in.
CHARLIE (O.S.)
Fuck I suck.
Charlie and Justin stand around a POOL TABLE in the middle of

Justin’s apartment. The pool table takes up what would be a
living room.
Justin blows chalk off his cue and goes in for his shot.
JUSTIN
It’s not about power. It’s all in
the technique.
Justin lands a stripe ball in a corner pocket.
CHARLIE
How much do you play?
JUSTIN
Ha! Enough to have a pool table be
my only furniture.
Justin takes another shot and lands two balls.
CHARLIE
What the fuck.
JUSTIN
Practice makes perfect.
61.
Justin takes another -- more complicated shot -- and misses.
CHARLIE
(smirking)
Wow, you suck.
Justin laughs and goes to the fridge for another BEER.
Charlie takes his shot and sinks one.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
There we go!
Justin brings back two new BEERS and hands one to Charlie.
They cheers.
JUSTIN
Nice... Hey, I wanted to ask you
something.
Justin leans on the pool table.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Do you know where I could score
some blow around here?
CHARLIE
Cocaine?
Justin gets up from the table and taps Charlie on the

shoulder.
JUSTIN
You know what, forget it. It’s your
shot.
Charlie pauses for a second then begins to line up a shot.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I should have just taken the shot.
Kept my fucking mouth shut, but no.
I just had to impress the cool kid.
Charlie looks to Justin.
CHARLIE
I think I can help you out.
Justin raises his eyebrows in excitement.
END FLASHBACK.
62.
Charlie is sitting at his desk motionless -- deep in thought.
He snaps out of it and begins typing.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
The logs are finally working.
Originally they were just progress
reports for the system, but now
they are fulfilling their true
purpose. To vent. When I designed
the system I knew it would be a
strain on my emotions. Suppressing
them would only lead to a break
down. I needed a place to flush the
shit out of my brain. Therapy
wasn’t an option. Doctor patient
confidentiality only goes so far. I
needed a place to share things I
cannot share. Hence the log. An
encrypted therapy session. It’s not
ideal, but it helps to spew my
ceaseless thoughts into a word doc.
Get them out of my head and into
reality. From there I can analyze
them, work on them or dismiss them.
Speaking of Ceaseless thoughts.
Work is going to be a challenge
tomorrow. I hope I can keep it
together.
Charlie saves the DOCUMENT into the encrypted log folder.
INT. CHARLIE'S OFFICE - MORNING
Charlie sits at his office desk where three widescreen

computer monitors create a wall of productivity. Multiple
applications are open. Email, databases, client pdfs, open
source code and a news website.
Charlie has earphones in listening to 80s German pop. His

eyes zoom from window to window as he hi-lights, types and
replies to clients -- a perfectly optimized home loaning
machine.
He clicks on the NEWS WEBSITE tab and refreshes.
There are no new stories so Charlie goes back to work.
The clock above reads 8:28am.

63.
INT. CHARLIE'S OFFICE - LATER
The clock now reads 11:01am.
Charlie clicks send on an email then pulls out his earphones

and leans his head back in exhaustion.
CHARLIE
Ahhhh...
He clicks REFRESH on his email and six unread messages pop

up.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Mother fucker.
Charlie opens his desk drawer and takes out a bottle of

Adderall. He opens the bottle and dumps 1 BLUE PILL into his
hand.
He refreshes his email again and three new messages come in.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Fuck it.
He dumps another BLUE PILL into his hand then swallows the
two pills.
KNOCK KNOCK! Someone is at the door.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Come in.
Caleb walks in.
CALEB
Hey, you got a sec?
CHARLIE
Sure, what’s up.
Caleb takes a seat across from Charlie.
CALEB
I just wanted to talk about
yesterday. That was... look I just
wanted to thank you for not, you
know, fucking me over.
CHARLIE
Uhh... you're welcome.
Charlie’s voice is monotone -- exhausted.

64.
CALEB
I just don’t want you to think --
KNOCK! KNOCK! Another visitor.
CHARLIE
Yeah!
Brad, the young guy from the christmas party, pops his head
in.
BRAD
Hey, sorry to butt in. Is this a
bad time?
Charlie refreshes the NEWS WEBSITE.
CHARLIE
What is it?
BRAD
Oh, uh... I just wanted to know if
it’s cool if I stay a little late
tonight?
Charlie scans the NEWS WEBSITE.
CHARLIE
Yeah, sure.
BRAD
Cool, thanks.
Brad closes the door.
CALEB
Someone is trying to make a good
impression.
Charlie is still browsing the site. He refreshes again.
CALEB (CONT’D)
As I was saying, I just don’t want
you to think I’m some asshole or
something. I’ve only been seeing
Michelle for a week or so.
Charlie refreshes the site.
CHARLIE
It’s all good. I get it. No need to
explain.
Caleb smiles and relaxes.

65.
CALEB
Awesome... Oh, by the way guess who
I ran into yesterday right before I
saw you. Stacy!
Charlie looks up from his computer -- alert.
CHARLIE
Stacy?
CALEB
Yeah you know, the tit mouse from
Saturday night?
CHARLIE
I remember.
CALEB
Ha-ha! I bet you do. Anyways, she
said that you weren’t really into
her and --
CHARLIE
She said that?
Caleb leaks an arrogant smile.
CALEB
No, she just thought you... didn’t
really want to fuck her. Said you
kinda wanted to just get it over
with.
Charlie tries to hide his embarrassment -- he doesn’t.
CHARLIE
Huh.
CALEB
Which, I totally get. You probably
get so much ass, she must have
bored you.
Caleb’s voice has a hint of sarcasm, but not enough to call

out.
CHARLIE
Uh, yeah... I mean we fucked and
she wanted to go again, but it was
late and I honestly just wanted to
pass out.
Charlie adds a nervous laugh then looks down to his computer

and refreshes the news website.
66.
CALEB
I totally get it and since you’re
not that into her, would you mind
if I take a pass at her?
As Caleb speaks, Charlie sees a NEWS ARTICLE on the side bar

of the website titled --
“Suspect Wanted in Hit-and-Run of 13-year-old Boy”
A painful GASP leaves Charlie's mouth.
CALEB (CONT’D)
Charlie? Is that cool.
Charlie responds without looking up.
CHARLIE
Yeah that’s fine. I have a lot of
work to get done so...
Caleb gets up and heads to the door.
CALEB
Great, well I’ll leave you to it.
Caleb shuts the door as he leaves.
Charlie clicks on the article and the webpage loads with a

breaking news VIDEO.
Charlie clicks PLAY and a NEWS ANCHOR standing outside a

HOSPITAL starts talking...
NEWS ANCHOR
Breaking News. Police are on the
hunt for the owner of a black sedan
last seen in the early hours of
Sunday morning just north of the
city. The black sedan struck 13-
year-old Sam Langley while him and
his two friends were camping in the
nearby woods. The boy is here at
Harborview hospital in critical
condition. Doctors are doing all
they can, but his condition is
still unknown as of now. If anyone
has information on the black sedan
we urge you to call us at --
Charlie pauses the VIDEO.
His hand begins to shake and his eyes tear up.

67.
RING! Charlie’s PHONE rings and the caller ID displays --
“Molly”
CHARLIE
(whisper)
Fuck.
He lets the call go to VOICEMAIL.
Charlie scrolls down the news article -- reading every line.
He finally reaches the last line --
“There are currently no known suspects”
Charlie leans back and holds his mouth as he begins a muffled

cry.
He looks at the website picture of HARBORVIEW HOSPITAL and

then shifts his eyes out his office window.
The HARBORVIEW HOSPITAL can be seen clearly out the window.
Charlie scrolls through the news article again and focuses on

the sentence --
“The boy is still in critical condition”
DING!
Charlie looks down at his PHONE.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
You’ve got to be fucking kidding
me.
A new VOICEMAIL from MOLLY pops up on his PHONE.
BEGIN FLASHBACK:
EXT. FOOTBALL STADIUM - DAY
Justin and Charlie -- beers in hand -- walk down the stadium

stairs passing passionate and loud fans.
JUSTIN
Whoo! Yeah!
Justin pumps his fist and turns back to Charlie.

68.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
I can’t believe you’ve never been
to a game! I’m the guy from Canada!
CHARLIE
Yeah, it’s funny. I just never
really thought about it. I’m not
much of a sports guy.
JUSTIN
Well I hope you’re a beer and
yelling kind of guy cause that’s
the main appeal.
Justin spots two of his friends in the crowd, MOLLY and

STEVEN.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Ay Steven! Molly!
Steven and Molly wave him over and Justin and Charlie file
into the seats next to them.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
What’s up guys! Hey this is my
neighbor Charlie!
CHARLIE
How you guys doing?
Charlie shakes hands with Steven, a short and thick man who
talks a little too fast.
STEVEN
What’s good man! I’m Steven I work
with Justin.
CHARLIE
Right on.
Molly, who’s sitting the farthest away, stretches her hand

out for Charlie to shake. She is pretty -- a classic “girl
next door”.
MOLLY
Hi! I’m Molly! Nice to meet you!
CHARLIE
Likewise!
Molly stumbles a bit as she sits back down. She is a little

drunk.
69.
JUSTIN
Wow Molly, have another.
MOLLY
Fuck off!
Molly takes a sip of her beer.
STEVEN
So Charlie, I know it’s a little
early, but who do you have going
all the way?
CHARLIE
Oh, Uh --
JUSTIN
Ha-ha! I should have told you. This
is Charlie’s first time at a
football game. Ever!
STEVEN
What!
MOLLY
No fucking way! How old are you!
CHARLIE
Ha-ha... I’m 36.
STEVEN
And you’ve never been to a football
game!
MOLLY
Why not?
CHARLIE
I work a lot. Don’t have a lot of
time.
MOLLY
Well that sucks.
CHARLIE
It can.
Molly smiles at Charlie.
STEVEN
What about you Justin? Who do you
got?
70.
JUSTIN
Seahawks brother!
STEVEN
I don’t know about that.
JUSTIN
I’m telling you it’s their year. Go
Hawks!
Charlie spectates the sports conversation.
STEVEN
Oh, here we go. It’s kick off.
Everyone begins cheering.
INT. STADIUM BAR - LATER
Charlie, Steven and Justin sit around a table drinking beers

overlooking the field -- it looks to be HALFTIME.
STEVEN
I gotta take a piss.
Steven leaves for the restroom.
JUSTIN
So how are you liking your first
football game as a 36-year-old man?
Charlie sips his beer.
CHARLIE
I’ll be honest I’m not loving the
whole football part as much as I
like the yell and drink beer part.
JUSTIN
Ha-ha! Amen brother.
Justin and Charlie clink beers.
Charlie looks around the stadium bar and SPOTS Molly in line
for more alcohol. She waves at Charlie and he returns it.
CHARLIE
So you work with Steven, but how do
you know Molly?
71.
JUSTIN
Oh, I kinda knew her in college and
when I moved here I found out she
lived around here so we
reconnected.
CHARLIE
So did you guys like date or
something?
JUSTIN
Ha-ha! Molly? No, just a friend of
a friend. Why? You trying to fuck
her?
Charlie flinches his head -- defensively.
CHARLIE
No, just wondering.
JUSTIN
Ok, Well I wanted to ask you
something.
CHARLIE
Yeah, what’s up?
JUSTIN
So as you know I’m a pharma rep,
which means I’m always schmoozing
doctors and networking with other
reps. So I’m always around people
that are looking to have a good
time and it’s my job to show them
one. Clients, reps and even some
doctors, well, they really like to
party. I was thinking you could
sell me a bulk order of stuff and I
could turn it around. I mean with
the connections I have, we could
clean up.
Charlie looks concerned.
CHARLIE
Yeah, I... I don’t know. I don’t
really sell it.
JUSTIN
You told me you don’t do coke. It
makes you lose control.
CHARLIE
Yeah, it’s not my thing.
72.
Justin grins.
JUSTIN
If you don’t do it then how did you
have an eight-ball just waiting for
me to buy the other night?
CHARLIE
Oh, well I --
JUSTIN
Stop, I’m not interrogating you.
It’s none of my business, but just
think about it.
CHARLIE
I’ll think about it.
Justin raises his beer to Charlie.
JUSTIN
Just an idea. No pressure.
Charlie glances back at Molly.
INT. CHARLIE'S KITCHEN - DAY
A one gallon PLASTIC BAG -- containing 30 smaller plastic

bags of 1 gram of COCAINE -- is tossed onto the kitchen
counter.
CHARLIE
It’s already cut so don’t bother.
JUSTIN
Ha-ha! You even put it in little
baggies!
CHARLIE
Just keeping it easy.
Justin picks up the PLASTIC BAG and turns towards the door,
but Charlie grabs his arm.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Remember what we talked about.
JUSTIN
I got it! Be careful, don’t flaunt
it yada yada yada...
CHARLIE
Ok, just... be careful.
73.
JUSTIN
C’mon, it’s me.
Justin cracks a charismatic smile and Charlie lets go of his

arm.
CHARLIE
Alright.
Justin walks to the door.
JUSTIN
Thanks brother.
Justin leaves.
END FLASHBACK.
INT. CHARLIE'S OFFICE - DAY
Charlie stares at his PHONE looking at the new VOICEMAIL from

Molly.
He PLAYS it...
MOLLY (O.S.)
Hey, Charlie. You’re probably busy,
but I just wanted to know if you’ve
heard from Justin lately? Steven
called and told me he missed work
Friday, which I guess isn’t unlike
him, but he didn’t come into work
today and no one has heard from him
over the weekend. You live next to
him so maybe you can knock on his
door or something. Give me a call
back if you hear from him. Thanks.
INT. HARBORVIEW HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
A heart monitor BEEPS next to Sam, who lays unconscious with

a TUBE down his throat.
LAURA, his mother, sits beside his bed holding his hand.
In walks KEITH, Sam’s father, holding two cups of COFFEE.
KEITH
I got you some coffee.
Keith places a coffee on the side table and takes a seat next
to Laura.
74.
LAURA
(whisper)
I don’t want it.
Keith grabs Laura’s leg.
KEITH
He’s going to pull through.
LAURA
You don’t know that.
KEITH
Hey, don’t say that. Sam is a
fighter.
Laura begins to tear up.
LAURA
Look at him!
Keith hugs Laura.
LAURA (CONT’D)
Who could have done something like
this?
INT. CHARLIE'S OFFICE - DAY
Charlie is working at his computer with earphones in --

listening to HEAVY METAL this time as he rapidly sends emails
and enters data. His head bounces along to the music.
His desk VIBRATES and he glances down at his PHONE.
The phone reads 5:16pm and shows another MISSED CALL from
Molly.
Charlie looks back at his monitors, but catches a glimpse of

the HARBORVIEW HOSPITAL out his window.
CHARLIE
Fuck it.
Charlie gets up and leaves his office.
INT. SOLSTICE HOME LOANS OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Charlie walks down the halls of the office -- they are empty
until he reaches the coffee machine and sees Brad working
late.
75.
BRAD
Hey Charlie, quitting time?
Charlie passes Brad without stopping.
CHARLIE
Yeah.
BRAD
Alright, well I’ll be here burning
the midnight oil!
CHARLIE
(under his breath)
Fuck you Brad.
Charlie leaves the office.
INT. CHARLIE’S CAR - MOVING - TWILIGHT
The sun is setting as Charlie sits in rush hour traffic.
He pulls out his PHONE and sees he has a new VOICEMAIL from
Molly.
He PLAYS it...
MOLLY (O.S.)
Hey, it’s me again. I’m getting
kind of worried. No one has heard
from Justin since Thursday. I’m not
sure what to do here. I’m thinking
of filing a missing persons report,
but I’m not really sure how that
works. Can you please call me back?
This is really freaking me out.
Charlie swallows and then starts WHACKING the steering wheel.
CHARLIE
FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!
INT. HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE - TWILIGHT
Charlie walks from his parked SEDAN and makes a B line for
the hospital entrance.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I don’t know why I went there.
76.
INT. HARBORVIEW HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
Charlie enters the hectic hospital.
He looks at the people in the WAITING ROOM to see...
Avery and Elijah -- they look up and make EYE CONTACT with
Charlie.
He looks away and walks down the hall.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
It didn’t make any sense. There was
no function in the system, no
purpose, no logic in going there,
but I had too. I had to know.
Charlie looks in room after room as he passes them. He then

reaches one that makes him STOP.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I had to know I didn’t kill him.
Charlie stares through a patient room window at...
Sam, lying in bed UNCONSCIOUS.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
It didn’t give me the satisfaction
I was looking for, but I knew it
wouldn’t. I don’t think I went
there to feel better. I think I
went there to feel worse. To
acknowledge my actions. It was a
noble idea, but also incredibly
stupid.
LAURA (O.S.)
Hello?
Charlie turns around and sees Laura standing behind him.
LAURA (CONT’D)
Who are you?
CHARLIE
Oh, I’m just waiting.
Charlie begins to walk away, but Laura follows.
LAURA
Why were you looking in there?
77.
CHARLIE
I was just passing.
LAURA
No you weren’t. You were standing
there. Looking at him.
Laura starts to become MANIC.
CHARLIE
I’m sorry it was none of my
business. I shouldn’t have looked
in there.
Laura follows Charlie into the waiting room.
LAURA
What’s your name?
CHARLIE
Huh?
LAURA
What’s you name!
She is causing a scene.
CHARLIE
Look, I’m sorry for invading your
privacy. Have a good day.
Charlie enters the parking garage and Laura follows.
INT. HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Charlie puts on his SUNGLASSES.
LAURA
Why won’t you answer me!
CHARLIE
I’m sorry, I don’t know what you
want.
LAURA
I just want to know why you were
staring at my son!
CHARLIE
I told you. I was just passing by.
LAURA
I saw you! You were staring!
78.
Charlie pulls out his KEY FOB and pushes it. The headlights
to his SEDAN flash and the horn beeps.
Laura STOPS walking and Charlie turns around -- realizing his

mistake.
Laura’s eyes are fixed on Charlie’s BLACK SEDAN.
Tears swell in her eyes.
LAURA (CONT’D)
You... It’s you!
Laura charges Charlie, who runs to his SEDAN. He manages to

get in right as Laura reaches him. She BANGS on the window.
LAURA (CONT’D)
You mother fucker! Get the fuck
out! Help! Help!
Laura runs towards the hospital entrance yelling.
LAURA (CONT’D)
Help! Police! He’s here! Help!
Charlie starts up his SEDAN and begins to pull out.
Laura runs back to the SEDAN.
LAURA (CONT’D)
No! You’re not going anywhere!
Charlie backs up in a hurry and...
BANG! The SEDAN hits Laura -- knocking her to the ground.
LAURA (CONT’D)
Ahhh! Help! Help!
Charlie looks in his mirror at Laura screaming on the ground

as he drives away.
Keith runs into the parking garage.
KEITH
Laura! Laura, what happened!
Keith kneels down by Laura and sees her arm is scraped.
LAURA
The black sedan. It was him.
KEITH
Honey, you don’t know that.
79.
LAURA
No, I do.
Laura stares down Charlie’s SEDAN as he drives away. She

focuses on the LICENSE PLATE.
INT. CHARLIE’S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Charlie weaves in and out of traffic during a heavy rain

storm. He begins to HYPERVENTILATE.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I know she saw my plate. I can’t be
sure if she remembered it. Not that
it matters. The garage had cameras.
DING! Charlie walks out of the elevator.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Life is all about timing. Sometimes
the timing is just right.
Charlie turns the corner of the hall and standing in front of

Justin’s door is...
Molly -- her hair drenched from the rain.
Charlie STOPS and attempts to turn back, but it’s too late.
She sees him.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Timing really fucked me today.
MOLLY
Charlie. Hey, did you get my
messages?
CHARLIE
Oh, Yeah I saw you called. Sorry I
haven’t had time to check them yet.
What’s going on?
MOLLY
Well I’m trying to find Justin. No
one has heard from him. He hasn’t
come into work. I’m starting to
freak out a little.
Molly looks shaken.

80.
MOLLY (CONT’D)
And he’s not home... Have you seen
him?
CHARLIE
Ah, no not in a while. I can try to
give him a call.
MOLLY
Don’t bother. He has enough missed
calls by now. Could I come in for a
sec? I just need to calm down.
Charlie thinks for a second.
CHARLIE
Sure.
MOLLY
Thank you.
Charlie cracks two beers and walks over to join Molly on the
couch -- she is drying her hair off with a towel.
He hands her a beer.
MOLLY
Thanks. I need this.
Molly begins to chug her beer -- nervously.
DING! Charlie’s PHONE gets a text. It’s from a blocked number

and simply says --
“Shipment #4987-003 Delivered”.
The text makes Charlie look worried.
CHARLIE
(whisper)
Shit.
MOLLY
What’s wrong?
Charlie looks up from his PHONE and wipes off his worried
look.
CHARLIE
Nothing, just work. It should be
fine...
81.
Brad is sitting at his desk playing a computer game.
BRAD
C’mon, you got this.
He loses the game.
BRAD (CONT’D)
Fuck.
Brad spins around in his chair looking bored. He appears to

be the only one left in the office.
He hears footsteps coming from the main lobby and goes to

investigate.
In the lobby, Brad finds Caleb about to leave the office.
BRAD (CONT’D)
Oh hey, I didn’t know you were
still here.
CALEB
Yeah, had a bunch of stuff to
finish up. Why are you staying
late?
BRAD
Ah, well I’m just trying to put in
more hours you know. Get on
Charlie’s good side.
CALEB
Ha-ha... A little tip. Don’t work
more hours, land more clients.
BRAD
Right... I should probably get on
that.
Caleb taps Brad on the shoulder.
CALEB
Alright, take care man.
BRAD
Wait... Uh, do you want to maybe
grab a beer this weekend? Maybe you
could give me some pointers on
getting clients? I know this place
that serves $2 drafts all night,
Pretty sweet right?
82.
Caleb has one foot already out the door and is scrolling
through his PHONE.
CALEB
The sweetest... but I’m actually
really swamped this weekend, but
maybe another time.
BRAD
Yeah... Yeah totally.
CALEB
Take care.
Caleb puts his PHONE up to his ear and walks out of the
office and down the hall to the elevator.
CALEB (CONT’D)
(on phone)
Hello Stacy?... Yeah Caleb... yeah
the candle guy, what are you up to
tonight?
The elevator arrives and Caleb walks in.
Brad, who is leaning out of the office door, waves to him.

Caleb waves back and then disappears into the elevator.
Brad looks down and notices a large PACKAGE placed next to

the office door.
BRAD
Hmmm.
Charlie is nervously tapping his foot while looking at the

shipment notification TEXT from the blocked number.
MOLLY
You sure it’s not a problem? I can
go if you’re busy.
Charlie puts away his PHONE.
CHARLIE
No, it’s fine.... So what’s going
on with Justin?
MOLLY
No one can get a hold of him and
he’s not home. This isn’t like him.
83.
CHARLIE
It’s almost Christmas, Maybe he’s
just visiting family.
MOLLY
I’m friends with his sister and she
hasn’t heard from him either. Plus
he’s jewish so...
CHARLIE
Huh... Well, I’m sure Justin’s
fine. Doesn’t he travel a lot?
MOLLY
Yeah, but Steven is his partner and
the one who first called me. He has
no company trips planned.
CHARLIE
That’s weird.
MOLLY
Tell me about it... When’s the last
time you saw him?
Charlie looks at the BOOKSHELF behind Molly. A row of books

is slanted where a BOOKEND is missing.
CHARLIE
Hmm...
BEGIN FLASHBACK:
Charlie is at his desk typing into a DOCUMENT titled -- “day

718”
KNOCK! KNOCK! A visitor.
Charlie exits the DOCUMENT and goes to open the front door.
It’s Justin -- who greets Charlie with a big smile and bear
hug.
JUSTIN
Charlie! My man!
Justin walks in and throws a stack of rubber banded CASH onto

the kitchen island.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Boom! Check that shit out!
84.
Charlie closes the door as Justin paces around with a grin on

his face.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
I was at a conference this weekend
and sold all of it! Well... most.
CHARLIE
Wow.
Justin pulls out a metal CANISTER, unscrews it and takes a

BUMP of his personal supply.
JUSTIN
Wow is right! I’ve been getting hit
up all week. I was suppose to be
marketing some new staten, but had
a much better product for sale.
Everyone and their mother wants
some of your shit. I must have like
a hundred people looking for a hook
up.
Charlie looks irritated.
CHARLIE
I thought we agreed to keep it on
the down low. You know, not draw a
lot of attention.
JUSTIN
Well Charlie, You can’t expect that
coke of yours to not get attention.
I cut the shit out of it and people
were still raving about it.
CHARLIE
I told you it was already cut.
Justin picks up his stack of CASH and waves it a Charlie.
JUSTIN
Clearly not enough. Look at this!
Charlie pinches the bridge of his nose.
CHARLIE
Justin you --
JUSTIN
And it’s all yours!
Justin tosses the CASH to Charlie who catches it and sets it

back down on the kitchen island.
85.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
I figure that will buy me at least
an eighth kilo. I got invited to
this club tonight and hear all the
new money tech nerds are trying to
learn how to party.
Justin begins to pour another BUMP below his thumb.
CHARLIE
No... that’s not a good idea.
JUSTIN
Are you kidding me? Cut it in half,
sell it for double.
Justin takes his BUMP. Charlie glares in disapproval.
CHARLIE
No I mean it’s not safe. Selling
drugs in the open to people you
don’t know is how you go to prison.
If you’re doing something dangerous
then minimize risk.
JUSTIN
You and your fucking rules!
Justin walks over and grabs Charlie by his shoulders --

smiles and looks deep into his eyes.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
You’re a smart guy, but I know what
I’m doing. Trust me.
Charlie breaks away from Justin’s embrace.
CHARLIE
Look... I didn’t like this to begin
with. I don’t work with in person
dealers. I’m no Pablo Escobar. This
is a... subtle operation.
Justin squints his eyes and gives one of his famous grins.
JUSTIN
You don’t work with in person
dealers? Then how...
Justin glances at Charlie’s hi-tech computer set up. Below

the desk are a bunch of SMALL EMPTY BOXES.
86.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Oh! That’s what your always
mailing! You’re one of those
fucking dark net guys!
Charlie doesn’t answer, but his silence does.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Ha-ha! I’ve seen the documentaries
about that shit.
CHARLIE
It’s not what you think. I just --
JUSTIN
I get it man. Fuck the clubs. Let
me get in on this. I can just tell
everyone to buy it online! Fuck
man, I can bring in a shit load of
orders.
CHARLIE
That’s not how it works.
JUSTIN
Sure it is! I can text out links to
all my contacts and funnel them to
you. I’ll be like a web marketer
for cocaine! I could even get like
an app made that would --
CHARLIE
Stop! Stop it! No! You’re careless!
And I can see you’re putting half
the shit up you’re fucking nose.
It’s not going to happen.
Justin’s charismatic grin fades.
JUSTIN
Wow. You think I’m careless? I’ve
been nothing but nice to you. You
think you’re all high and mighty
because you don’t do blow.
Newsflash, everyone does blow! It
doesn’t make you better! It makes
you a weird loser!
Charlie attempts to remain stoic, but it’s clear those words

really hurt him -- a lot.
Justin sees he struck a nerve and like a chameleon -- puts

his charming grin back on.
87.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
I’m sorry man that was out of line.
Justin walks over to Charlie.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
I don’t even know why we’re
fighting. Were neighbors. Friends.
And we’re both fucking smart. Just
think about what we could achieve
together. You’re computer, my
connections. We could make
millions. So come on, what do you
say brother?
Charlie looks up to meet Justin’s gaze -- a good 4 inches

above.
CHARLIE
No.
Justin SHOVES Charlie. He stumbles back a few feet.
JUSTIN
Wow nice pecs! Looks like the
steroids are working. What’s with
that? I can sell you drugs, but you
won’t sell me drugs?
CHARLIE
What the fuck are you talking
about? Selling a couple bottles of
testosterone is different. This
shit is risky. I don’t take
unnecessary risk.
JUSTIN
There it is again! I’m a risk. You
think I’m a fucking idiot. Fuck you
man.
Justin pulls out his coke CANISTER and takes another BUMP.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Don’t want to take a risk with me?
You don’t think it was a risk for
me to steal anabolics for you? I
could lose my job. I could go to
jail for that kind of shit!
CHARLIE
You offered them to me!
88.
JUSTIN
I thought we were friends. I know
you like working out and stuff so I
thought you might want them.
CHARLIE
I didn’t know you stole them!
JUSTIN
Well you sure did jump at the
offer! Still don’t know why you use
that shit. Do you think if you get
all buff chicks are gonna fuck you
or something?
Justin sees he struck another nerve with Charlie. He walks

towards Charlie and gets in his face.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Or are you just trying to get Molly
to notice you?
Charlie’s facade of confidence fades. He looks like a typical

insecure high schooler.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Yeah, I see the way you look at
her. With that creepy fake
confident stare of yours. You know,
she thinks you’re an insecure
loser. All you do is say garbage
pick up artist shit and hint about
how much money you have. Ha-ha!
Pretty pathetic if you ask me.
Charlie is on the brink of tears.
CHARLIE
I get it! You’re pissed! But it
doesn’t change anything. I’m not
working with you. I’m done selling
you coke!
Justin AMPLIFIES his grin and raises his eye brows. He begins
to walk into Charlie who is forced to back up.
JUSTIN
Done selling to me... but still
selling. Just not me. You must have
someone better. Buys in bulk, not
the shit grams you sell me. I see
those packages you bring home. Must
be selling a lot of cocaine.
(MORE)
89.
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
Enough to make my measly 30 grams a
waste of your fucking time. Is that
what I am? A waste of time?
SMACK! Justin SLAPS Charlie’s face -- soft, but demeaning.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Huh?
Charlie keeps backing up but hits his BOOKSHELF.
CHARLIE
This isn’t personal.
JUSTIN
Hmmm, well it feels pretty fucking
personal!
CHARLIE
Jesus fucking Christ! Fine! I’ll
sell you some more! Happy!
Justin puts his arms against the bookshelf -- PINNING Charlie

in.
JUSTIN
Oh now you want to work with me?
Because I scare you.
CHARLIE
I’m not scared.
BAM! Justin SUCKER PUNCHES Charlie in the stomach knocking

him into the bookshelf -- hard enough for a couple books to
fall off.
JUSTIN
Really! Cause you look fucking
terrified!
Charlie FALLS to his knees in front of the bookshelf as

Justin paces around the apartment.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Charlie! You really got to work
more on your core strength.
Charlie tries to stand back up -- he fails.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Let me help you.
Justin reaches down to pick him up, but Charlie attempts to

PUNCH Justin -- a very pathetic attempt.
90.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Ha-ha! Yeah, nice one... You may
have had a chance if you took up
any of my offers to go to the
boxing gym, but that would require
socializing and like I said you’re
a weird loser.
Justin lifts Charlie to his feet and leans him against the
BOOKSHELF.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
So clearly this whole friend shit
is over, but I don’t see why we
can’t still be business partners.
Charlie clenches his FISTS.
CHARLIE
Fuck you.
JUSTIN
Back atcha buddy... So here’s what
I was thinking. You keep up you’re
online nerd shit and I keep
networking and finding customers...
Charlie reaches into the BOOKSHELF and moves his hand around
to find a BRASS BOOKEND -- grabbing it.
JUSTIN (CONT’D)
Then we can figure out some
commission or way of dividing
profits. Since I’m doing most of
the work I should probably get --
BAM! Charlie swings the BOOKEND right into Justin’s left

temple.
Justin Immediately goes LIMP and falls to the ground.
CHARLIE
FUCK YOU!
Charlie jumps on top of Justin and begins PUNCHING his face

in a BLIND FURY -- spit and tears spew from Charlie's red
face.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT! FUCK
YOU! FUCK YOU YOU FUCKING FUCK!
Justin’s body is LIMP -- putting up no resistance. His eyes

and mouth remain open.
91.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
AHHHH!
Charlie’s punches begin to slow as he realizes Justin is

UNRESPONSIVE.
He breathes heavily as he examines the body.
Justin’s face is riddled with cuts and scrapes, but Charlie’s

eyes are focused on...
A LARGE PURPLE DENT to the left side of his head -- beginning

to grow larger.
The purple of the DENT reaches Justin’s open left eye and...
BLOOD begins to drip out.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Justin?
Charlie presses his ear to Justin’s chest -- holding his

breath in silence.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
(whisper)
No... no... no... no.
Charlie taps Justin’s face.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Justin... Justin come on wake up.
Wake up Justin. Wake up... YOU
FUCK! WAKE UP!
Charlie gets off Justin and kneels next to him. He opens

Justin’s MOUTH, which provides no resistance.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Ok... ok... ok.
Charlie looks down at Justin’s LIMP BODY then back at his

DROP JAW.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
One... Two... Three!
Charlie takes a big breath and begins preforming incorrect

CPR on Justin.
Charlie moves down and begins PUMPING Justin's heart -- three

inches lower than you should.
Charlie looks to Justin’s face -- empty eyes look back.

92.
Charlie stops the incorrect chest compressions.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
(whisper)
Ok... ok ok ok.
Charlie gets to his feet and begins a MANIC back and fourth
pace.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
(whisper)
Ok function... Um...
Charlie pulls his hair, taps his head and rubs his eyes --
attempting to REMEMBER something.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Function 18... no... 168... no, no,
no. Come on Charlie. You can fix
this. You can fix anything. You
have the system. Breathe...
Charlie STOPS pacing -- closes his eyes and takes a series of

controlled breaths.
He opens his eyes with new composure.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Function 3.
Charlie runs to the STORAGE CLOSET and pulls out a BLUE TARP
then runs back to Justin’s body -- now turning pale.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
If something can destroy you...
Charlie swallows and tosses the BLUE TARP on the ground.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
...Then destroy it first.
Justin’s left eye is now engulfed in BLOOD and Charlie

responds with a slight GAG REFLEX.
He runs over to a kitchen cabinet -- opens it and grabs a

BOTTLE of Adderall.
As Charlie opens the lid he looks down to the SINK --

squinting his eyes.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Hmm.
93.
Charlie grabs a TANGERINE from a nearby fruit bowl and tosses

it down the drain then turns on the GARBAGE DISPOSAL.
GRRR! The GARBAGE DISPOSAL grinds up the TANGERINE with ease

and Charlie turns it off.
He then looks back at Justin’s body.
Charlie opens a kitchen drawer containing a wide variety of

COOKING KNIVES -- Including a HACK SAW.
He takes a controlled breath and then dumps the BOTTLE of

Adderall in his mouth.
Justin’s dying nervous system causes his EYE to twitch.
END FLASHBACK.
Charlie looks away from the BOOKSHELF -- to Molly.
CHARLIE
Ahhh... Wednesday. I met him and
Steven for beers. Haven’t heard
from him since. What about you?
MOLLY
Same. Wednesday. We got lunch. He
hasn’t called or texted since?
CHARLIE
Not since Wednesday.
Molly takes a nervous breath and finishes her beer.
MOLLY
I need another.
Molly gets up and walks to the fridge.
CHARLIE
So no word since Wednesday huh.
Molly pulls out a beer, cracks it and leans against the

kitchen counter.
MOLLY
He texted me Thursday. Wanted to go
to some club later. He said he was
going to invite you. You didn’t see
him?
94.
Molly looks down at the SINK and notices a faint RED STAIN
around the drain.
CHARLIE
No, didn’t see him Thursday. I
worked pretty late that day.
Molly looks away from the SINK and pulls out her PHONE.
MOLLY
That’s so weird. He texted me
Thursday...
Molly scrolls through her TEXTS and reads off her last one
from Justin --
MOLLY (CONT’D)
Hey Mols, found out about this new
club that’s suppose to be the shit.
You should definitely come tonight.
Gonna stop by Charlie’s, see if he
wants to come. You down?
Molly looks to Charlie -- confused.
MOLLY (CONT’D)
I mean, what the fuck? I texted him
back and he never responded.
CHARLIE
Yeah, that’s pretty strange.
Molly grabs her EMPTY BEER and opens the cabinet under the
SINK. She places the bottle in the garbage can, but notices
something behind it...
Something that looks like a BLUE TARP with DRIED BLOOD caked
on it -- it’s in poor lighting, but visible.
Charlie sees Molly looking under the SINK and quickly gets up
-- walking towards her.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
He said he was going to stop by my
place?
Molly pops up from under the SINK -- shutting the cabinet.
Her worried look shifts to subtle PANIC.
MOLLY
Yeah, he didn’t knock or anything?
Molly BACKS UP as Charlie enters the kitchen.

95.
CHARLIE
I don’t know. Like I said I was
working late. He may have knocked.
Charlie finishes his BEER and opens the SINK CABINET to throw
it away as Molly grabs her COAT from the chair.
She begins to put it on.
MOLLY
Jeez, where the hell are you
Justin? I guess he has to pop up
sometime... You seem busy... I’ll
get out of your hair.
Charlie throws away his BEER and sees the BLUE TARP.
He stands up -- meeting Molly’s EYES.
CHARLIE
Oh, you’re welcome to stay. I’m not
busy.
Molly walks to the DOOR and opens it.
MOLLY
That’s fine. I’ve gotta get going
anyway.
CHARLIE
Molly wait.
Molly looks at Charlie -- FEAR is in her eyes.
She runs out the door.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Molly!
Charlie runs after her.
EXT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Molly is already in the ELEVATOR by the time Charlie gets to

it -- it closes in front of him.
CHARLIE
Fuck!
Charlie presses the CALL BUTTON repeatedly -- it’s no use.
He turns around and goes into the STAIRWELL.

96.
INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
Charlie bursts into the stairwell -- a LARGE SIGN catches his

attention. It’s titled -- “Floor 14”
He grits his teeth and begins the 14 floor descent.
EXT. CHARLIE’S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Molly emerges from the apartment building and into the

POURING RAIN.
She quickly runs to the end of the block -- pulling out her
PHONE as she does.
Molly dials -- “911”
She puts the PHONE to her ear.
911 OPERATOR (O.S.)

911, what is your emergency?
INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
Charlie flies down the stairs in a MANIC SPRINT.
He reaches the ground floor and burst out to...
EXT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Charlie runs into the POURING RAIN and starts looking around
in every direction.
He SPOTS Molly standing at the end of the block on her PHONE.
Molly sees him and runs across the street.
CHARLIE
Molly!
Charlie begins to chase her then...
BANG! The DOOR of a WHITE VAN parked on the street slides

open next to Charlie.
Two SKI MASKED MEN jump out and drag Charlie into the VAN.
The DOOR shuts and the VAN drives off.

97.
Brad runs a pair of scissors down the PACKAGE left at the

front door and opens it up.
Inside are multiple bags of gourmet POPCORN.
BRAD
What?
Brad grabs one of the POPCORN BAGS labeled -- “Truffle Oil”
He opens it up and gives it a smell.
BRAD (CONT’D)
Oh...
Brad grabs a handful and starts eating it.
BRAD (CONT’D)
Wow, that’s fuckin’ good.
He grabs another handful, but starts moving his hand around

with a curious look on his face.
Brad pulls out a bottle of FENTANYL.
BRAD (CONT’D)
The fuck?
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Charlie sits on a milk crate in the back of a VAN as an

Incandescent LIGHT BULB sways above him. His hands are tied
behind his back and a BLACK BAG covers his head.
Two THUGS sit beside him.
A DEEP VOICE shouts something in RUSSIAN and one of the Thugs

takes the bag off Charlie’s head.
A gust of SMOKE is blown into Charlie’s face and we MOVE BACK

to see the source of it...
ALEKSEI VOLKOV, A heavily tattooed Russian, smoking a

cigarette across from Charlie.
ALEKSEI
Mr. Lockhart, do you know who I am?
Charlie shakes his head with FEAR in his EYES -- Aleksei

blows SMOKE into them.
98.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
My name is Aleksei Volkov and you
are causing me problems.
Sweat drips down Charlie’s face.
CHARLIE
I don’t know who you think I... I
am. I just work at --
ALEKSEI
Shut your fucking mouth.
Aleksei pulls a bottle of FENTANYL from his pocket and

Charlie swallows nervously.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
We’ve been following you for some
time now.
CHARLIE
Look, I don’t want to get in your
way or --
ALEKSEI
Too late.
Aleksei lights another cigarette and opens a LAPTOP beside

him.
CHARLIE
No... I... whatever you want I
can... I can...
Aleksei turns the LAPTOP to Charlie. On the screen is

Charlie’s DRUG WEBSITE profile. Typed in the corner is --
“User Profile: TheGodOfLife”
ALEKSEI
The God of life huh?
CHARLIE
That’s just a username... I... It
doesn’t mean --
Aleksei pulls out a pair of BRASS KNUCKLES and...
BAM! Punches charlie in the face leaving a BLOODY GASH.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
AHHHHH!
Aleksei grabs Charlie by the collar.

99.
ALEKSEI
I can assure you that you are a god
of nothing.
Aleksei SHOVES Charlie back and the Thugs catch him.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
As I was saying. We’ve been
following your activities. Internet
cowboys like you seem to think that
you are invisible... Ha-ha!
The two Thugs join in on the laughter.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
This is not true. We didn’t give a
shit when you were selling coke.
That’s more of a spic business.
Unfortunately you decided to add a
new product.
Aleksei flashes the Fentanyl bottle.
CHARLIE
I... I’ll stop. I won’t --
BAM! Another BRASS KNUCKLE punch. This time to Charlie’s

mouth, which is now bloody and missing a TOOTH.
ALEKSEI
This goes without saying, but it is
not enough.
Charlie spits out a mouthful of BLOOD and TOOTH.
CHARLIE
(slurred)
I can pay you... I have money.
Aleksei pulls out a handkerchief and wipes the blood off his
hand.
ALEKSEI
This I know.
Aleksei nods to the two Thugs and they grab Charlie --

holding his head still.
Aleksei ejects a SWITCHBLADE.
CHARLIE
Wait! I can pay! I can pay you!
100.
Aleksei puts the SWITCHBLADE right under Charlie’s EYE and

whispers in his ear...
ALEKSEI
Shhhh...
Charlie goes silent as Aleksei puts PRESSURE on the blade --

making a small cut under Charlie’s eye.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
I am now going to cut out your
eyes.
CHARLIE
No! No! Please I have money! Lots!
ALEKSEI
Shhhh...
Charlie begins to whimper -- meek and pathetic.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
Next will be your tongue then ears
then cock.
CHARLIE
(whisper)
Please... no.... no...
ALEKSEI
I am going to do this. This is
going to happen... Unless.
Aleksei takes the SWITCHBLADE away from Charlie’s eye.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
You bring me 10 million dollars.
Charlie’s eyes go wide -- in disbelief.
CHARLIE
10 million? I... that’s too...
ALEKSEI
I would recommend you not say
another word Mr. Lockhart.
Remember, we’ve been following you.
I know every transaction you’ve
made.
Aleksei puts the SWITCHBLADE up to Charlie’s eye again.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
And I want them all.
101.
Charlie swallows a gulp of blood as Aleksei folds the

switchblade back into his pocket.
He then opens the VAN DOOR.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
One last thing. I notice you’ve
been working on a little project.
An independent website.
CHARLIE
It’s gone... I won’t --
ALEKSEI
This project better die or you will
die, the most painful death
imaginable.
The two Thugs cut Charlie free and push him out of the VAN.
ALEKSEI (CONT’D)
I’ll see you soon Mr. Lockhart.
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - CONTINUOUS
The VAN drives off as Charlie watches -- wiping his blood

soaked face with his shirt.
Charlie turns around and begins walking down the sidewalk in

the POURING RAIN.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I never wanted this. I wanted the
white picket fence, the wife and
two kids, the 9 to 5 job, the
weekends with friends. I wanted to
be average, but I knew it was
impossible. So I belittled it. My
trajectory was bleak. Destined to
continue a pathetic life of silent
desperation like many before me.
EXT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Charlie, now soaking wet, crosses the street to his apartment

building.
He marches at a slow pace.

102.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Although I couldn’t have the
standard life of ignorant bliss, I
hoped I could at least avoid the
downward spiral. Fight my natural
path. Change my programming. I
didn’t care where it would take me
as long as it wasn’t the pit of
wasted potential. The pit I called
home for most my life.
INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
The FRONT DESK GUARD nods at wet Charlie then raises his eye
brows as he notices the BLOOD STAINED SHIRT.
Charlie returns what looks like his first genuine smile --

exposing a MISSING TOOTH.
FRONT DESK GUARD

Everything ok sir?
CHARLIE
Probably not.
Charlie maintains his grin as he makes his way to the

elevator.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
In that lonely pit of nothingness I
found two things: Hope and nothing
to lose. So I used that hope and
took the risk. After all, I was
gambling with house money. My
previous life wasn’t worth saving
and I believed I could become
something, anything.
Charlie pushes the elevator call button and waits.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I was also mad. Mad I could never
be like everyone else, mad I
couldn’t enjoy the standard
pleasures of life, but mainly mad I
wasted my youth. My hope for
something better turned into a
quest for greatness. I wanted to
make up for years of self induced
depression. So I traded fear for
discipline, regret for action and
wishing for planning. The system
was born.
103.
DING! The elevator opens and Charlie enters -- pressing floor

14.
INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
CHARLIE (V.O.)
It took years of reading, studying,
testing and trying, but I made it.
207 functions. 207 rules. 207 laws.
That I knew if followed would give
me the money, power and respect
that not even the simple life I
wanted could offer me. It was
designed to do what others don’t;
what others won’t. The system was
hard, but I was going to follow it
or die trying. Dying is easy,
living is harder.
DING! The elevator opens and Charlie walks out and down the
hall.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
CHARLIE (V.O.)
The system was perfect. It was
simple, yet accounted for
everything.
Charlie stops and glances at Justin’s DOOR.
CHARLIE
Well, almost everything.
Charlie continues walking to his apartment.
Charlie sits at his desk in the dark staring at the MONITOR.

RAIN beats against the grand windows.
He is freshly showered and wearing new clothes. The wet and

bloodied clothes lay on the floor behind him.
He unscrews a bottle of VODKA -- pouring a heavy amount into

a glass then taking a long sip.
The monitor displays a DOCUMENT with paragraphs of writing.

It’s titled -- “day 722”
Charlie continues typing.

104.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
All systems have bugs. I was naive
to think mine wouldn’t. I was even
more naive to think it could fix
me. Sometimes there are just too
many bugs to fix. Sometimes the
software is just corrupt from the
start. No matter how you operate,
it’s doomed to crash.
Charlie glances up to the clock. It’s 8:39pm.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
It’s 8:39. How ironic. Romans 8:39,
“neither height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will
be able to separate us from the
love of God”. I can be certain that
there is nothing further from me
than the love of God at this
moment.
Charlie grabs his vodka and leans back in his chair --

looking out the window to the rain.
He goes back to typing.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I doubt I’m the most, but I’m
definitely in the top one percent
of people who are fucked. I can’t
be certain how fucked though.
EXT. STREET CORNER - NIGHT
Molly stands in the pouring rain talking to two POLICE

OFFICERS next to a squad car.
WE CANNOT HEAR ANYTHING.
She looks hysterical as she shows the Police Officers text

messages off her PHONE.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Molly has no doubt contacted the
police by now. As to what will come
of that, I cannot be certain.
105.
The opened PACKAGE sits on the lobby coffee table. Next to it

are opened BAGS OF POPCORN and 10 bottles of FENTANYL -- all
lined up neatly.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Not only did I forget about the
Fentanyl shipment, but I let Brad
work late.
A bright FLASH hits the Fentanyl bottles and we MOVE BACK to

see a CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR taking pictures of the
bottles.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I’d like to think he just left the
package, but knowing Brad he
definitely opened it.
We MOVE BACK to see more INVESTIGATORS in the office lobby

and Brad speaking with two DETECTIVES.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
If he found anything and more
importantly, if he did anything
about it, I can not be certain of.
INT. HOSPITAL SURVEILLANCE ROOM - NIGHT
We MOVE BACK on Laura, who’s arm is BANDAGED, as her EYES

flicker back and fourth.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Then of course there’s the
hospital. A stupid and failed
attempt to ease my guilt for
striking a kid with my car.
Laura shouts.
We REVERSE to see Laura standing next to Keith, a POLICE

OFFICER and a SECURITY GUARD watching the hospital security
camera footage.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
How badly I hit his mother and if
it’s going to come back to me is
again, more uncertainty.
106.
Laura POINTS to the surveillance monitor that shows a still

image of Charlie’s BLACK SEDAN -- LICENSE PLATE and all.
A revenge filled look covers Laura’s face as Keith places his

hands on her shoulders.
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
DRUGS, MONEY and GUNS litter a stereotypical organized crime

safe house.
Aleksei sits at a cash covered desk while cutting slices off

an apple with his SWITCHBLADE.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
These dilemmas are of course
nothing in comparison to the 10
million dollars I owe the Russian
Mob. How they caught me I’ll never
know.
We MOVE BACK to see a large table covered with COMPUTERS and

SERVERS. At least 10 RUSSIANS sit there -- coding away on
their monitors.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I was more concerned with law
enforcement than Russian hackers.
Charlie STOPS typing and stretches out his worn fingers.
He then gets up and walks into the bedroom.
INT. CHARLIE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Charlie opens his CLOSET and pushes back a row of hanged

shirts to reveal...
A SAFE. He presses his thumb to the scanner and...
BEEP! The SAFE opens.
Charlie reaches in and grabs a FEW THINGS then walks back to

his desk.
107.
INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Charlie sits at his desk and PLUGS IN a USB CRYPTO CURRENCY

WALLET to his computer.
The digital WALLET window pops up on the monitor and Charlie

types in a password -- unlocking it.
Charlie scrolls through the WALLET -- displaying various

amounts of different CRYPTO CURRENCIES.
The CURSOR moves to the TOP LEFT corner and CLICKS a tab
labeled - “View”
The CURSOR scrolls through multiple FIAT CURRENCY options

until it reaches -- “USD”
Charlie CLICKS and in big bold text the WALLET displays --
“USD = $17,459,798.12”
The GRAND TOTAL of the WALLET continues to SHIFT slightly as

the crypto currency prices change in REAL TIME.
Charlie pours more vodka and sips it while smiling at his

life’s work.
He re-opens DOCUMENT -- “day 722”
Charlie scrolls through the pages of the days internal

monologue until he reaches the bottom and continues typing.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Seventeen and a half million
dollars.
Charlie looks down at his desk where a few STACKS of $10,000

from his SAFE lay.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Plus a couple thousand. Enough to
pay the Russians. Enough to escape
and start a new life. Enough to
continue the system... But it
cannot cleanse me of this guilt.
Tears begin to flow down Charlie’s face -- mixing with the

blood of his face wounds.
He reaches for his glass of vodka, but his drunkenness shows

as his hand MISSES the glass.
Charlie clenches his jaw then violently SWATS the glass and
bottle off the desk -- shattering loudly.
108.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
CLINK! A handful of ice is dumped into a crystal glass.
Caleb stands in his underwear at a hotel room mini bar

holding a small bottle of BOURBON.
CALEB
Bourbon?
We REVERSE to see Stacy laying naked under the bed sheets.
STACY
That works.
Caleb pours two glasses of BOURBON and then leaps into bed
with then. He SPILLS a couple drops on the sheets and Stacy’s
face.
STACY (CONT’D)
Ha-ha! Really?
CALEB
Let me help.
Caleb leans over and licks the spilt bourbon off Stacy’s
face.
STACY
Ha-ha! Stop! You’re a freak!
Caleb smiles and hands her a bourbon.
CALEB
To freaks!
Stacy’s smiles and clinks Caleb’s glass.
STACY
So... what’s Melissa up to tonight?
CALEB
It’s Michelle...
STACY
Oh well, How rude! Of me.
Stacy wags her POINTER FINGER in a “Full House” impression.
CALEB
Ha-ha! You’re so fucking cool.
STACY
Cool enough to dump Michelle?
109.
CALEB
Aren’t you dating someone also?
STACY
Oh... are you jealous?
CALEB
What! No!
STACY
Should I break up with him?
CALEB
Huh? Like... like right now?
STACY
Mmm hmm, yeah why not?
Stacy grabs her PHONE off the night stand.
CALEB
No.. Don’t...
STACY
Oh, so you’re not into me?
Caleb checks out Stacy’s body.
CALEB
I definitely am.
STACY
Hmm.
Stacy begins typing on her PHONE.
CALEB
No way... you’re not gonna --
STACY
Did it.
CALEB
Oh my... No you didn’t.
Stacy shows a TEXT that says -- “DONE!”
CALEB (CONT’D)
Ha-ha! What the fuck!
Stacy cuddles up next to Caleb and tilts her head up to him.

110.
STACY
So what do you say? Wanna try the
whole exclusive thing together?
CALEB
Fuck it. Let’s do it.
They clink bourbons again.
CALEB (CONT’D)
But, I’m gonna break up with
Michelle tomorrow. She’s with her
friends right now and I don’t want
a flood of hate texts right now.
STACY
I don’t know... We could put your
phone on vibrate and have a little
fun with all those texts...
Caleb smiles and rubs Stacy’s shoulder.
CALEB
God, you’re trouble.
STACY
Speaking of, what is Mr. Missionary
gonna think when he finds out you
swooped in on his girl?
Caleb holds back a laugh.
CALEB
Don’t call him that... I actually
talked to Charlie. Asked if he
would be cool if the two of us got
dinner.
Stacy raises her half drunk bourbon.
STACY
Thanks for the dinner. What’d he
say to that?
CALEB
He was cool with it. Said to go
ahead.
STACY
Wow, what a cuck.
Caleb holds back more laughter.

111.
CALEB
No no... He’s not. Charlie is
just... I don’t know. It’s like he
acts one way, but that’s just it.
An act. You don’t notice it at
first, but then you get to know him
and it’s like he’s doing a really
good impersonation.
STACY
You know what I think? I think this
dude watched one too many James
Bond movies and now goes around
doing the whole silent mysterious
look. I mean it worked on me and
it’s not like he’s a bad looking
guy, but trust me when I say...
He’s no James Bond.
CALEB
Yeah... and not to be a dick, but
when you catch him not doing his
whole alpha male schtick... he
reminds me of the weird kids from
high school. You know the ones who
were just awkward to talk to?
STACY
Oh my God yes! Totally! I mean I
never talked to the weird kids I
was a cheerleader, but I know what
you mean!
CALEB
Hmm... He is an odd one. I wonder
what he’s doing right now?
STACY
Well I know one thing he’s for sure
not doing.
CALEB
Oh yeah? What’s that?
STACY
Round two?
Caleb and Stacy smile at each other then simultaneously place

their bourbons on the nightstands.
112.
SHATTERED GLASS and VODKA cover the floor below the desk,
where Charlie is no longer at.
The sound of a PHONE typing and HEAVY RAIN can be heard.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
All I ever wanted was to belong. I
always felt that there was
something wrong with me. Something
others had that I lacked. So I
obsessed about improving myself. I
thought the system would make me a
better person, but it did the
opposite. It made me a rich
monster. The system was created to
give me control of my life, but it
wasn’t me that got control. It was
ego. My goals became vanity and
money. I became a shell of vein
materialism without any substance.
The KEYBOARD on the desk is covered with drops of blood,

vodka and tears.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
The system worked. I chose to be
somebody, anybody. And now I am
somebody. Somebody I hate.
At the BOTTOM of the computer monitor a LOADING BAR slowly

grows.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I’m done with the system.
We MOVE UP to see the LOADING BAR is for the TRASH BIN of the
computer. DOCUMENTS being deleted flash by as --
“day556.doc”... “day557.doc”... “day558.doc”...“day559.doc”

and so on.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Done logging my pathetic pursuits
of superiority, done following
functions that go against basic
human ethics and done trying to fix
myself.
Charlie sits at his desk chair in the middle of the room

facing the RAIN covered window.
He is typing into the NOTES of his PHONE.

113.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Despite all this, I’m glad I
developed the system. I’m glad I
tried.
Charlie STOPS typing and tosses his PHONE to the ground then
looks out the window to the RAIN.
The rest of the NOTES read out...
CHARLIE (V.O.)
It was going to end this way
anyway. At least I got a taste of
achievement. A sliver of
satisfaction. Not the satisfaction
I wanted, but beggars can’t be
choosers.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Three violent BANGS at the front door.
POLICE OFFICER (O.S.)

Police! Open up!
Charlie tilts his head to the DOOR, but STOPS and goes back
to looking out the window.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! More heavy knocks.
POLICE OFFICER (O.S.) (CONT’D)

This is the Police! Open the door!
CHARLIE (V.O.)
Not many have done what I’ve done.
I have the system to thank for
that. The one I developed. The one
I followed. The one I trusted.
As Charlie watches the RAIN run down the grand windows, he

cracks a smile -- displaying his MISSING TOOTH.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
I am the system and the system has
failed.
Charlie raises a GUN to his head and pulls the trigger.
BANG!
The GUN falls to the floor.
POLICE OFFICER (O.S.)

Shots fired! I repeat shots fired!
114.
We MOVE TO the computer monitor -- now splattered with BLOOD.

The LOADING BAR is complete and reads --
“All Files Successfully Deleted”.
Above is the Harborview Hospital WEBSITE next to the digital

WALLET window, which reads --
“Donation transfer of: $17,459,798.12 Successful”
INT. HARBORVIEW HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY - ONE WEEK LATER
The tip of a pen pokes a toe.
DOCTOR (O.S.)
Can you feel that?
Laura and Keith standby nervously watching the Doctor poke

Sam’s toe. His legs are suspended with METAL RODS surrounding
them.
Sam’s toe wiggles.
SAM
Yeah.
Laura lets out a gasp of relief as the Doctor pokes Sam’s

knee.
DOCTOR
How about that?
SAM
Uh huh.
DOCTOR
Good. Looks like everything is
healing well. Could I speak to you
two outside for a minute?
Laura and Keith nod and follow the Doctor into the hallway.
INT. HARBORVIEW HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
The Doctor shuts the room door and Laura begins to cry.
LAURA
What is it... just say it... is he
going to walk? What’s wrong?
115.
DOCTOR
Oh no! Nothing is wrong with Sam.
His legs will heal. I just wanted
to go over his rehabilitation with
you two before hand.
Keith smiles as Laura wipes the unnecessary tears away.
KEITH
What are we looking at?
DOCTOR
He will need one more surgery in
about 3 weeks and then from there
he’s looking at a year to 18 months
physical therapy at the most, but
he will fully recover.
Laura falls into Keith’s shoulder.
KEITH
Thank you Doctor.
LAURA
Yes! Thank you.
The Doctor nods and heads down the hall. Keith and Laura turn
to look at Sam through the window who is flipping through TV
channels.
KEITH
I told you he was going to be ok.
LAURA
It’s so funny.
KEITH
What?
LAURA
In that room was the first time I
prayed to God.
KEITH
It never hurts to try.
LAURA
I wonder if it helped. If God
listened or if Sam just had a good
Doctor.
KEITH
Maybe it was both.
116.
LAURA
Yeah, I hope so. I hope there is a
God.
Laura’s face shifts from relief to anger as she looks at the

metal frames screwed into her son’s legs.
LAURA (CONT’D)
Because whoever did this... better
burn in hell.
INT. DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT - DAY
A ritzy restaurant is busy with the happy hour rush of

business professionals taking clients out for appetizers.
ANTHONY and JOSH, two men in their 30s dressed business

casual, have drinks in a well positioned booth.
A WAITRESS approaches the table and drops off a COCONUT

SHRIMP appetizer.
JOSH
Oh thank you.
Both men reach in for a shrimp. Josh eats his in one bite,
but notices Anthony pealing the batter off his shrimp.
JOSH (CONT’D)
What the fuck are you doing?
ANTHONY
I’m on this ketogenic diet.
JOSH
What the hell’s that?
Anthony eats his de-coconuted shrimp.
ANTHONY
I can’t eat any carbs. No bread,
rice, sugar. Basically I only eat
meat and oil.
JOSH
Wait, no carbs? You’re drinking a
beer.
ANTHONY
Oh shit. I guess I’m kicked out of
ketosis.
117.
JOSH
What words are you saying?
ANTHONY
I haven’t eaten carbs in a week so
my body is burning fat, but since I
had a beer my body switched back to
carbs, which means I’m no longer in
ketosis.
JOSH
Whatever dude.
Josh looks around the busy restaurant to check out girls and
Anthony begins to peel another coconut shrimp.
SNAP! Josh snaps his fingers and looks to Anthony.
JOSH (CONT’D)
Oh, I forgot to tell you what I
found out today!
ANTHONY
What happened?
JOSH
Do you remember my roommate
freshman year of college?
ANTHONY
The weird guy who skipped class to
play video games?
JOSH
That’s the one.
ANTHONY
What was his name again?
JOSH
Charlie.
ANTHONY
Oh yeah! We used to call him
chastity Charlie.
JOSH
Well get this, he killed himself
last week.
ANTHONY
Oh God...
118.
JOSH
Yeah, I saw a post on the Alumni
page this morning.
ANTHONY
Wow... I kinda feel bad for making
fun of him back then. Shit, do you
think it was cause of me?
JOSH
That was years ago. I doubt he
killed himself over some name
calling.
ANTHONY
What do you think happened?
JOSH
No idea. Apparently he ran some
home loan company so he was pretty
successful. Doesn’t make any sense
man.
ANTHONY
It never does.
JOSH
Mental illness is such a problem in
this country.
ANTHONY
Yeah, it sure is.
Anthony looks at his pile of peeled off coconut shrimp

batter.
ANTHONY (CONT’D)
Ah, fuck it.
Anthony tosses the batter in his mouth and chews.
ANTHONY (CONT’D)
Mmmm... Damn that’s good.
FADE OUT:

Narcissystem James Savereux

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INT. APPLIANCE STORE - NIGHT

A CASHIER flips through a magazine.

A shopping cart approaching makes her look up to see...

CHARLIE LOCKHART, a tall and attractive man in his mid 30s,

BEEP! The Cashier scans the first blender.

The grand total reads -- “$4,493.89”

Charlie hands the Cashier his credit card.

INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT

Faint MUSIC and BUZZING can be heard as we MOVE down the

The noise grows louder as we reach a DOOR at the end of the

We MOVE THROUGH the door to...

INT. CHARLIE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

We MOVE over white marble floors to the roar of ELECTRIC

We MOVE UP to see Charlie standing in his kitchen wearing

On the kitchen island sits 10 active BLENDERS -- all

Charlie grabs a PAPER TOWEL and wipes up the spill. He wads

He turns on the GARBAGE DISPOSAL -- leaving nothing behind.

Charlie walks to the other side of the kitchen island

Charlie picks up a HACK SAW -- places it above the BODY’S

Charlie looks at the clock. It’s 10:28pm.

INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT - LATER

The clock reads 4:14am.

Only a SEVERED HEAD remains on the BLUE TARP.

Charlie is pouring more red goo down the garbage disposal

CLINK! The garbage disposal STOPS -- red goo still sits in

WHACK! He smacks the garbage disposal unit.

Nothing. Charlie’s face turns red -- veins bulge.

WHACK! He tries again.

Charlie closes his eyes and regains composure. He gives

CLINK! The unit starts up and begins grinding.

Charlie gets up and turns off the garbage disposal. He then

He picks up the HACK SAW, but then puts it down.

INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT - LATER

He stands over it breathing heavily then raises up a BASEBALL

Between hits the bag shifts from round to flat.

INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT - LATER

Charlie turns on the blender.

INT. CHARLIE'S APARTMENT - MORNING

The sun rises through the GRAND WINDOWS of the apartment.

Charlie -- looking exhausted -- sits at his desk pressing an

Charlie sips a glass of VODKA as he stares at the computer

Charlie begins typing.

On the computer monitor is a DOCUMENT containing paragraphs

He takes another sip of VODKA and exits the document, which

Charlie drags it to a folder labeled -- “log (encrypted)”

He looks to the risen sun and then turns to 11 BLENDER BOXES

Charlie gives an exhausted exhale.

INT. SOLSTICE HOME LOANS OFFICE - NIGHT

A christmas themed office party is in full swing as employees

LAURIE, Charlie’s assistant, shakes a wrapped PRESENT next to

Charlie stands among a crowd of people watching Laurie unwrap

Laurie gives Charlie a big hug.

Charlie looks around to the crowd of employees and clients.

The party moves on as the crowd begins to mingle. Charlie

Charlie looks across the room to BRAD, a mid 20s employee.

CHARLIE (V.O.) (CONT'D)

Brad notices Charlie staring at him and walks over.

Charlie chuckles along.

Brad and Charlie laugh together.

Charlie looks at the clock. It’s 10:25pm.

Charlie slowly makes his way to the front door.

INT. CHARLIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

HEAVY RAIN falls onto the grand windows.