Lucky Numbers
This short script was part of an anthology series of short films to be developed by Habit Forming Films. The theme was “Whiskey, Gun, Cigarette” and each script was required to contain those elements.
Would you sell your soul to win the lottery?
Script by David Accampo
FADE IN:
INT. BARE ROOM - NIGHT
CLOSE-UP - PORTABLE RADIO
a small PORTABLE RADIO sits in a dimly lit room. An eclectic
jazz mix trails off as a late-night DJ comes on the radio.
RADIO
...and that last track was "Regret" by
De'Antraye and AJ, from their new release
on Punkhop records...
An almost empty WHISKEY BOTTLE slams down next to the radio.
RADIO (CONT'D)
...I'm really digging that groove so
we're gonna just play it as it lays and
keep spinning with the next track,
"Misery Loves..." as we tick-tock into
the midnight hour...
There is motion next to the radio, and then a HAND holding a
piece of CHALK darts into frame, scribbling something on the
bare floor next to the radio.
EXTREME CLOSE-UP - QUINN'S FACE
QUINN, a 40-something man in a loose tie and sweaty, rumpled
dress shirt furious scribbles with the chalk, his face
twisted with desperation.
EXTREME CLOSE-UP - LOTTERY TICKET
Next to the radio, half under the whiskey bottle, is an
orange LOTTERY TICKET. The numbers are circled in red.
RADIO (CONT'D)
...but before we start that next track,
this is just a reminder that the 66
million dollar jackpot is still up for
grabs. That lucky lotto winner still
hasn't come forward. So if you're out
there tonight, I hope you're
listening...those magic numbers are 28,
42, 17, 56, 05...and the bonus is 13.
CLOSE-UP - HANDS DRAWING WITH CHALK
Back to the hands, we see that Quinn is drawing a series of
OCCULT SYMBOLS with chalk on the floor.
The shot WIDENS as we BOOM UP to reveal Quinn sitting in the
middle of a circle of chalk symbols with only the radio and
whiskey bottle. FOUR CANDLES punctuate the ring of symbols at
North, South, East and West.
Quinn finishes the last symbol and leans back.
MEDIUM SHOT - QUINN
Quinn reaches into his shirt pocket and retrieves a PACK OF
CIGARETTES. He pull out, fishes a LIGHTER from his pocket,
and lights up.
He pauses for a moment.
INT. DARK HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
QUINN'S POV
Looking down the dark hall outside of the circle of candles,
we hear FOOTSTEPS as dress shoes clack on the hard surface.
The footsteps stop.
QUINN
I know you're there.
INT. BARE ROOM -CONTINUOUS
A well-dressed MAN in a BLACK SUIT steps silently into the
light. He's still heavily cloaked in shadows.
MAN
Hello, Quinn.
QUINN
You can't hurt me in here.
The man steps closer, standing a foot away from the circle.
MAN
You are correct. You've done your
homework, Quinn. Someone's been reading
from the Key of Solomon, I see.
Quinn picks up the lottery ticket and clutches it to his
chest.
QUINN
You can't take this away from me.
MAN
(hands outspread)
I am bound by the rules of our
engagement, Quinn. I gave you a winning
lottery ticket. You gave me your soul.
QUINN
But I'm still alive. It's still mine.
The man steps forward again and kneels before the circle.
MAN
Tell me, Quinn. Why haven't you picked up
your winnings? 66 million dollars. That's
what this is all about, right? That's why
you called me?
QUINN
You know why.
MAN
Think of all the things you could buy. A
home. A car.
(winking)
Perhaps even a woman.
QUINN
This is day five. That was the deal. Six
days and you forfeit your claim to my
soul.
MAN
Yes, that was a sporting chance, wasn't
it?
QUINN
I beat you! You said my greed would
overcome me, but...
RADIO
...what a great track that was. And here
we are, cats and kitties. In the Witching
Hour. That also means this is the very
last day for that lucky lotto winner to
stake his claim. For the record, the
jackpot goes to the ticket that reads 28,
42, 17, 56, 05...with the bonus number
13.
QUINN
(laughing)
...It's midnight. I did it.
MAN
(sighing)
You've proven yourself a man of great
discipline.
QUINN
So, you admit it? I won?
MAN
You've won our little wager.
The man stands, and begins to turn away. Almost as an after
thought, he turns back to Quinn.
MAN (CONT'D)
Say, Quinn...did you ever wonder why I
made you wait six days?
QUINN
Greed...you told me...it was...
MAN
This winning number. It's been broadcast
now. All over the city. For six days.
(beat)
This isn't just a lucky number, Quinn.
It's a magic number. And it's MY number.
You read a book, Quinn. Dabbled a little
in the old ways. So, I assume you
understand the power of numbers. Numbers
are symbols that speak the names that are
broadcast into the hearts and minds of
millions every night.
QUINN
What? No...
MAN
Haven't you felt it? The electricity in
the air? The encroaching darkness?
Haven't people seemed a little more
desperate lately? Maybe...maybe you
weren't really paying attention. Maybe
you were pre-occupied.
QUINN
No, no, no...I beat you...I beat the
devil...
MAN
(laughing)
Oh, Quinn. I assure you, you are quite
safe from me.
(beat)
The other six million souls in this city,
on the other hand...
(fierce)
They're mine now.
QUINN
No...no...no...
MAN
It's about to get "hot as hell" in the
city, as they say.
(beat)
And hey...I couldn't have done it without
you. This was your deal, Quinn. You gave
me six million souls.
(beat)
What...eh, what sort of balance do you
think that puts on your eternal soul?
(waving his hand)
In the grand scheme of things?
QUINN
(sobbing)
I'm safe... from... you...
MAN
I think you're mine anyway.
The man raises his hand. He's holding a REVOLVER.
QUINN
(sobbing)
...you can't shoot me...
MAN
Oh, this isn't for me.
The man sets the revolver on the floor. He kicks it across
and into the circle.
MAN (CONT'D)
That's for when you're ready to join us,
Quinn.
The man smiles a final time, then turns and walks back into
the shadow. Quinn picks up the gun and cradles it. He sobs,
but in between we can hear the MUSIC from the radio.
Suddenly the music STOPS. A moment later, the EMERGENCY TONE
comes on the radio.
CLOSE-UP - PORTABLE RADIO
We hear a GUNSHOT, and Quinn's body slumps forward, partially
obscuring the radio. The gun clanks as it hits the ground.
The emergency tone suddenly stops, and the DJ comes back on
the air:
RADIO
Sorry about that one, my late-night
legion. We just had a little technical
difficulty there for a moment, but
everything's all right now. Let's get
back into the groove with another tune.
This one's called "Little Miss
Direction," and I think you'll dig it.
The new song starts, and a quick burst of WIND blows out all
the candles as we...
FADE TO BLACK.
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