The Winner
written by
William Tanner
William Tanner
416-858-1077
tanner.william015@gmail.com
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
An alarm clock rests on the bed side table. CHARLIE, 28, is
fast asleep in his bed. The deafening silence is pierced by
the sound of a cellphone ringing.
Charlie gingerly rises from his slumber and reluctantly
answers the phone. He is greeted by the thunderous voice of
his boss ROB, 35.
ROB (V.O)
Charlie please tell me you're about to
pull into the parking lot. IBM pushed
the meeting forward.
CHARLIE
I'll be there in twenty.
ROB (V.O)
Someone else is gonna take the
meeting.
CHARLIE
Rob please.
Charlie grabs his head in pain and winces.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
The migraines are back again. I
haven't had a proper sleep in days.
Just give me fifteen minutes.
ROB (V.O)
Listen. I understand, health comes
first. But you also need to understand
that when you were complaining you
didn't get the manager position. These
things play a role. Reliability's the
most important part of this job.
Charlie sulks his posture and narrows his gaze.
CHARLIE
It won't happen again.
The call is disconnected. Charlie plants himself on the edge
of the bed. He places his head in his hands. After a brief
moment he slowly rises and departs towards the bathroom. He
hold his head in pain.
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2.
VISION
A single table lies in the middle of a dark room. A blood
soaked knife lies on the table. A bloodied man is tied to a
chair.
BACK TO BEDROOM
Charlie stumbles towards the door.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
Charlie walks towards his kitchen table. As the descends upon
the chair he winces in extreme pain. He sits on the chair.
CUT TO:
INT. DARK ROOM - NIGHT
Charlie finds himself in a dark room. There is a man tied up
across the table. He is bound by rope and covered in blood.
He removes the tape from the man's mouth. Charlie jumps
backwards and his eyes widen to their fullest.
CHARLIE
Rob what the fuck is going on?
ROB
Charles. Thank you're back. Please
listen to me.
CHARLIE
I'm going to get help.
Charlie motions towards the door.
ROB
Stop! Please you did the same thing a
month ago. You went for help and came
back as the other guy.
CHARLIE
What?
ROB
You abducted me two months ago.
Charlie slowly inches back towards the table.
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3.
CHARLIE
I swear to God I didn't do this.
They stare at each other in silence. Rob lowers his head.
ROB
In April I passed you up for
promotion. You stormed out of my
office. I didn't see you for weeks, we
thought you quit. One night I was
getting home from work and you
attacked me. I woke up in this room
and I've been here ever since.
CHARLIE
That's bullshit. I showed up for work
every day after you passed on me.
ROB
I'm sorry I didn't mean to anger you.
Just please untie me I swear this is
between us. No one will ever know.
Charlie takes a deep breath.
CHARLIE
I'm gonna let you go. We're going to
figure this out. But first I want to
talk to you about the promotion.
ROB
It's done. You got my job. There's
nothing left to talk about.
Charlie inches closer to Rob.
CHARLIE
I gave my blood sweat and tears to the
firm. I brought in client after
client.
ROB
I couldn't rely on you. It's as simple
as that. We've been over it before.
CHARLIE
You know that's bullshit. You gave it
to Adam. He's on vacation 3 months of
the year.
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4.
ROB
It doesn't matter.
Charlie slams his hands on the table.
CHARLIE
It matters to me!
ROB
Please. Just drop it. I need to see my
wife and kids please.
Charlie grabs Rob by the collar.
CHARLIE
Why the fuck did you give it to Adam?
ROB
(mildly sobbing)
I don't know.
CHARLIE
(shouting)
WHY!?
ROB
Because of Megan!
Charlie let's go of Rob and stares at him. They maintain
their silent gaze for a couple seconds.
ROB (CONT'D)
She was all I could think about for
years. When I saw you two together I
was so mad. I'm sorry Charles.
Charlie stiffens his body and maintains his gaze.
CHARLIE
So you ruined my life because for once
things didn't go your way.
ROB
I'm sorry.
Charlie coldly reapplies the tape Rob's mouth. He sees a
counter top with a knife on it. He glides towards the
counter, picks up the knife and calmly motions towards Rob.
His muffles screams fill the air.
FADE OUT
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