Written by Peter Vazquez
POKER FACE SPEC
ACT I
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
A crowd of young men gathered in a dingy basement, littered with beer cans and stains, remain silent as another young man, wearing a baseball cap backwards, named TOMAS (early 20's), paces back and forth.
In a line, fifteen of the youngest guys, presumably freshmen, sit on their knees, shirtless. Surrounding them, the upperclassmen smirk and sip on beer. Tomas stops, and stands still.
TOMAS
Okay, listen up you freshmen bitches.
One of the freshmen, named AARON (late teen's), clears his throat. He's clearly terrified.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Welcome to HELL WEEK!
The upperclassmen begin to laugh and applaud.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Hell week isn't what it used to be. No. No, when I was a freshman the seniors here used to get away with all kinds of shit. If there was a line, they crossed it and crossed it, and crossed it, because they didn't give a fuck, but when I look back, I actually thank them for it. We experienced what was basically fucking torture, and yet, we came out the other side as brothers. How many people in America can say that? You know, you can't appreciate the sun if it never rains, and for those seven days, it was fucking pouring. But do you think I remember my hell week, like, like somehow it was some sort of abuse? No. Never. Fucking never. You know why? Because those were the best days of my life, and that's what we want to offer you. The best days of your lives. Is that clear?
All of the freshmen stand up in unison, still in a line.
ALL OF THE FRESHMEN YES-SIR.
Aaron closes his eyes for a moment, and takes a deep breath.
TOMAS (shouting upstairs) Bring 'em down boys!
Seven of the upperclassmen each bring a huge speaker down to the basement.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Do we have any music fans in the house, freshmen?
Aaron looks around, hesitates, then steps forward.
AARON ME, SIR.
Tomas smiles, then steps up to Aaron.
TOMAS
Oh yeah?
AARON
Uh, Yes-sir.
TOMAS
Who's your favorite artist?
AARON
Billy Joel, sir.
TOMAS
What's your favorite Billy Joel song?
AARON
Um, We Didn't Start The Fire, sir.
TOMAS
Okay... okay.
Tomas steps away from Aaron, and approaches the speakers.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Mikey, are the speakers synced to one another?
One of the upperclassmen, named MIKEY (early 20's) nods.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Okay. Give me a second boys.
Tomas opens his phone, and after a moment, "We Didn't Start The Fire" by Billy Joel begins to play through each of the speakers.
The upperclassmen begin to laugh and snicker under their breath, the freshmen stand expressionless.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Freshmen, for your first night of hell week, we are going to lock you down here in this basement. You don't have to drink, you don't have to get naked, no one is going to hurt you. You just have to make it through the night. Wait, Mikey?
He turns and looks at Mikey.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
What's the catch? This doesn't sound half-bad.
Mikey takes a final puff from his cigarette, throws it on the ground, and stomps it out. He approaches Tomas.
MIKEY
You're right. Right now, it doesn't sound half bad. But don't you think they might get lonely?
TOMAS
Oh, right, right, right. How could I forget? You guys might get lonely! That's why we brought down these speakers. We thought some good music could keep you guys company. And because Aaron seems to love "We Didn't Start The Fire" so fucking much, to the point where he felt like he had to share it with the rest of the class, we can just keep it on loop, all night, just for you Aaron.
Aaron shakes his head, feeling both regret and guilt. Tomas raises the volume of the speakers to an uncomfortable level.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Thank god we sound-proofed the basement, Mike.
MIKEY
Fuckin' A.
TOMAS
Freshmen, you stay down here tonight, and try not to suck each other off. Everybody else, let's get fucking wasted, we got sororities coming over tonight. Plural.
The crowd of upperclassmen cheer, then file out of the basement in high spirits, laughing along the way. The freshmen remain standing, straight in a line.
After everyone else walks up the stairs, Tomas, the last upperclassman in the basement, takes a final look at the freshmen.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Your phones are in the bin upstairs when you wake up in the morning. Sweet dreams, buttercups.
Tomas slams the door to the basement shut, and locks it. At that moment, the freshmen break from the line and they all begin to push and shove Aaron, including KIRBY and KEVIN (both late teen's).
KIRBY
Nice going, Aaron.
AARON
I'm sorry guys, I didn't know. But it seemed like he was gonna play some song all night anyways, right?
KEVIN
Yeah, whatever man.
Each of the freshmen find a corner to make their own, and sit down on the ground. INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT (LATER)
A text appears on screen and reads: "15 minutes later."
All of the freshmen are standing up, dancing and smiling.
ALL OF THE FRESHMEN (singing)
We didn't start the fire, It was always burning, since the world's been turning, We didn't start the fire, No, we didn't light it, but we tried to fight it!
KIRBY Holy shit, this song slaps!
KEVIN
I know right!
AARON
I love this song!
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT (LATER)
A text appears on screen and reads: 2 hours later.
All of the freshmen are back in their corners and sitting on the ground, their spirits broken.
Kirby shakes his head in disgust.
KIRBY (monotone, singing) Hemingway, Eichmann, "Stranger in a Strange Land", Dylan, Berlin, Bay of Pigs invasion, "Lawrence of Arabia", British Beatlemania, Ole Miss, John Glenn, Liston beats Patterson-
KEVIN (almost crying, singing) Pope Paul, Malcolm X, British politician sex, JFK – blown away, what else do I have to say?
The chorus begins again.
AARON
I'm so fucking sorry, guys.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT (LATER)
A text appears on screen and reads: 4 hours later.
Kirby holds his ears closed, Kevin continuously bangs his fist against a wall.
Aaron shakes his head and looks over at another freshman, who is curled up in a ball, shaking back and forth.
OTHER FRESHMAN (crazed, singing)
We didn't start the fire, But when we are gone, It will still burn on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on...
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - MORNING
A text appears on screen and reads: 8 hours later.
Aaron sits, with his eyes closed, mouthing the words to the song. Kevin does push-ups. Kirby tosses and turns back and forth against the wall. The other freshmen lie passed out on the ground.
Suddenly, the music stops.
AARON (as he opens his eyes) Finally.
KEVIN (finishing a push-up)
Oh my god.
KIRBY (awaken) What? What happened?
TOMAS (O.S.) (at the top of the basement staircase) Freshmen. You're free to go.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - CORRIDOR - MORNING
Each of the freshmen walk past Tomas and Mikey as they exit the basement. Tomas hands them their phones from the bin.
TOMAS
Did you guys have fun last night?
ALL OF THE FRESHMEN Yes-sir.
Aaron passes by Tomas.
AARON (under his breath) It fucking sucked.
Tomas grabs Aaron by the collar and slams him against the wall.
TOMAS
What was that, fresh-meat?
AARON
It fucking sucked! Now get the fuck off of me!
Aaron shoves Tomas off, and walks away. Mikey bursts into laughter.
MIKEY
Damn bro, he made you look like a bitch! Personally, I wouldn't let that slide, but that's just me, maybe, maybe I'm just built different.
Tomas turns away from Mikey, and stares at Aaron as he walks away, his eyes burning with rage.
END OF ACT I
ACT II
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Aaron, Kirby and Kevin stand next to one another, silently. They seem to be waiting for someone, and they are all alone.
BANG! A door slams closed at the top of the basement staircase, and Tomas and Mikey enter. Mikey has a bong with him.
TOMAS
Gentlemen. Please, have a seat.
Aaron, Kirby, and Kevin sit, and look up to Tomas and Mikey who stand over them.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Welcome to day two of hell week. Like I said earlier, we've split you into groups for the rest of the week. Mikey is going to lead this group, and you will treat him like a god. Is that understood?
KIRBY
YES-SIR.
Aaron nods.
TOMAS (to Aaron)
KEVIN
YES-SIR.
I said, is that understood?
AARON
Yes-sir.
TOMAS
Perfect. Now, do any of you have experience smoking weed?
Kevin raises his hand.
TOMAS (CONT’D) Kevin?
KEVIN
I've been smoking since freshman year of high-school.
TOMAS
Nice. Kirby?
KIRBY
Every once in a while. I prefer to drink.
TOMAS (to Aaron)
Noted. And you?
Aaron looks at Kirby and Kevin, then clears his throat.
AARON
Actually, no. There's a history of mental illness in my family, so, I, uh... I don't.
Tomas immediately laughs, under his breath.
TOMAS
You're such a fucking pussy, I'm sorry.
Aaron stares at him.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
It's just weed! You're not gonna start hearing voices, you'll get sleepy and want a pizza, maybe. Jesus.
AARON
Right, but-
TOMAS
There is no fucking "but-" freshman, okay? You will do as your fucking told, and smoke some fucking weed, is that understood?
AARON Yeah.
WHACK! Tomas slaps Aaron across the face. Aaron's eyes burn with rage.
TOMAS Yeah?
AARON Yes, yes-sir.
TOMAS
That's what I fucking thought.
Mikey takes a grinder out of his pocket, and opens it. He then fills the bowl of the bong with weed, and hands it to Kevin.
KEVIN
Uh...
TOMAS
What, Kevin?
KEVIN
There's no water in the bong.
Tomas puts his hands above his head in sarcastic shock, and Mikey chuckles to himself.
TOMAS
Oh no! Mikey, there's no water in the bong!
MIKEY
No way!
TOMAS
Oh my god! What are we going to do?
Tomas takes a deep breath, and walks around in a circle. He then puts his hands on his hips.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
Wait. I have an idea.
Tomas grabs the bong, and places it directly below him. Then, he unzips his pants, and begins to pee, directly into the bong.
Aaron, shaking his head, Kirby, dry-heaving, and Kevin smiling in ironic terror, all watch on, horrified.
Tomas places the bong, now half-full of piss, in front of Kevin.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
The three of you have to take turns smoking that shit until there's nothing but ash. Enjoy.
Tomas looks at Aaron, snickers, then walks up the stairs and exits. Mikey hands Kevin a lighter. Kevin looks at the bong, sighs, then raises it up to his mouth.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Mikey hands an empty chalice to Kirby, who looks at Kevin and Aaron who are standing next to him near the sink.
MIKEY
Day Three. Throw up cup.
KIRBY What?
Tomas enters the kitchen, and grabs the chalice from Kirby.
TOMAS
It's not a throw up cup, it's a throw up chalice.
Tomas grabs a bottle of vodka out of the freezer, and begins to pour it's contents into the chalice.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
It works like this, the three of you need to drink the entirety of what's in this chalice. It's completely full of vodka, and you'll take turns. Every time the chalice returns to the first person, it's refilled to the top with more vodka. If you feel the need to throw up, you have to throw up in the chalice, and pass it to the next man, and if he throws up in the chalice, then he has to pass it to the next man.
Tomas hands the chalice back to Kirby.
TOMAS (CONT’D)
And the cycle will continue until one of you drinks everything that's in this chalice.
Tomas pats Mikey on the shoulder, and walks away. Kirby puts his arms over Kevin and Aaron, and they huddle up. Mikey watches them with his arms crossed.
KIRBY
Boys, we cannot afford to throw up in this chalice. There may be a shit ton of vodka in there, but it beats vomit every day of the week. I'll go first, then Kevin.
KIRBY (CONT’D)
The two of us have to drink as much as we can, so you can bring us home, Aaron. Let's go.
They break from the huddle. Kirby takes a deep breath, then puts the chalice up to his mouth and begins to drink from it.
Kevin and Aaron watch on, for about ten seconds, then Kirby slams the chalice down onto the kitchen counter.
KIRBY (CONT’D)
Ugh, fuck!
Kevin picks up the chalice and looks at it.
KEVIN
Holy shit, you drank like half of it!
Kirby leans over the kitchen sink.
KIRBY
I know.
Mikey walks up to the sink and leans down to Kirby.
MIKEY
Remember, if you throw up, it's gotta be in the chalice.
KIRBY I'm good.
Kirby steps away from the sink.
KIRBY (CONT’D) I'm good. Come on, Kevin.
Kevin picks up the chalice, and drinks from it for about five seconds, then slams it down on the kitchen counter.
KEVIN Shit!
KIRBY What happened?
KEVIN
I was about to throw up, I couldn't keep going, I'm sorry, Aaron.
AARON
Don't worry about it.
Aaron looks down at the chalice. There's at least six shots of vodka in there.
KEVIN
You got this Aaron, just don't throw up.
Aaron nods, then picks up the chalice and begins to drink from it. After about five seconds, he begins to dry heave.
KIRBY
Pass it! Pass it!
KEVIN
Aaron, come on, it's not worth it!
Tomas returns to kitchen, and watches on, smugly. Aaron continues to drink from the chalice until, he quickly pulls it away from his face, and slams it down on the kitchen counter.
KIRBY
Holy shit! He finished it!
TOMAS
Not so fast.
Kirby looks at Aaron, who is dry heaving, trying his best to hold everything he just drank down. Tomas approaches Aaron.
TOMAS (CONT’D) (in Aaron's face)
You know you're gonna throw up, you lightweight bitch. You're gonna let your whole team down, and make them drink your filthy fucking vomit, that's what you're gonna do, right?
Aaron reaches for the chalice, and throws up for five straight seconds into it.
AARON
I'm really sorry guys.
KIRBY
I don't know why you didn't fucking pass it.
Tomas steps away from them.
MIKEY
You're really hard on him, man.
TOMAS
I'm just getting started.
BEGIN MONTAGE:
-- Tomas and Mikey build a wooden cage at the bottom of the staircase in the basement. They make a door that opens it, and put a lock on it.
-- With almost the entire frat watching, Aaron approaches the wooden cage, in only his underwear, and opens the door, then closes it behind him. He looks up at the top of the staircase, and sees Tomas holding a keg. Tomas throws the keg down the stairs, and Aaron dodges it, while screaming to Tomas. Tomas smiles, and Mikey hands him another keg.
-- A group of seniors chain-smoke cigarettes on the backyard patio while surrounding Aaron, who stands shirtless with his arms behind his back. Tomas takes the final puff of his cigarette, then puts it out on Aaron's chest. Aaron flails in pain, but remains silent. Tomas laughs.
-- Aaron, Kirby, and Kevin kneel on the ground in the basement, with apples in their mouthes. Tomas walks up to them with a taser, and tases them, one by one.
-- Tomas drives a white van down a backroad in the nearby forest. He parks the car, walks around back and opens the back door. He enters the van, and grabs Aaron, who's sitting in the back, naked with a hood over his head. He kicks Aaron out of the van, then drives away. Aaron takes his hood off, then covers himself.
END MONTAGE.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
A poster on the door to the basement reads: "HELL WEEK DAY 7: TALENT SHOW"
A long line of freshmen wait at the top of the staircase, and at the very back of the line, Aaron, Kirby and Kevin wait together.
KIRBY
What are you guys going to do?
Kevin holds up a baggie.
KEVIN
I brought all my weed shit. I'm gonna roll five joints in five minutes.
KIRBY
Nice. I brought my vape, and I can do a bunch of tricks with it, so. How 'bout you, Aaron?
AARON
Uh, I'm gonna sing.
Kevin and Kirby look at one another.
KEVIN
Don't do that.
What?
KIRBY What the fuck, bro?
AARON
KIRBY
No one gives a fuck about your music, they just want to see you dumb shit.
AARON
Oh. Well, I don't know, I didn't bring anything else.
KEVIN
Shit, good luck bro.
A freshman exits the basement, his white t-shirt covered in red stains. Aaron sees this, and sighs.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT (LATER)
Aaron and Kirby, the final two freshmen on line, wait in front of the door to the basement. After a moment, the door to the basement opens, and Kevin steps out of it, completely unscathed, with five joints in his mouth.
KEVIN
I'm a brother now, motherfuckers!
Aaron and Kirby smile, and fist bump him.
KIRBY
Let's go!
AARON
Congrats, man.
KEVIN
I'll see you guys outside.
Kevin walks away, and Charlie opens the door to the basement.
AARON
Good luck, man.
CHARLIE
Thanks. See you on the other side.
Charlie closes the door.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT (LATER)
Aaron, humming along to a song in his head, stands at the top of the staircase, alone. After a moment, the door to the basement opens, and Charlie steps out of it, covered in red stains.
AARON
What happened?
CHARLIE
Nothing, man. I'll just see you after.
Charlie walks away, and Aaron watches him go. Aaron then takes a deep breath, opens the door to the basement, and closes it behind him.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Aaron enters the basement, and finds a stage set up in the back. It's completely empty, apart from Tomas, who sits in a chair next to a garbage bag half-full of tomatoes and an almost empty beer can.
TOMAS
Last, and certainly least, it's you, Aaron.
Aaron gets up onto the stage.
AARON
Yeah.
TOMAS
I know I've given you a lot of shit this week, and that's mostly because I fucking hate you, but like I said in the beginning, hell week builds character.
AARON
Right.
TOMAS
So what do you got?
Aaron clears his throat.
AARON (singing)
Turn around, every now and then, I get a little bit lonely and you're never coming 'round...
Tomas throws a tomato at Aaron.
TOMAS
Booooo! You fucking suck, kid! Boooo!
AARON (singing)
Turn around, every now and then, I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears...
Tomas throws another tomato, at Aaron, who remains unbothered.
TOMAS
Jesus Christ, he's still going. Hey, no one gives a shit about your fucking singing man!
AARON (singing)
Turn around, every now and then, I get a little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by...
Tomas begins to pelt the tomatoes at Aaron, repeatedly, staining his shirt.
AARON (CONT’D) (singing)
Turn around, every now and then, I get a little bit terrified and then I see the look in your eyes...
Tomas reaches into the bag, and finds that it's empty.
AARON (CONT’D) (singing)
Turn around, bright eyes, every now and then, I fall apart...
Tomas downs the final swig from his beer can, and crushes it with his foot, creating a sharp edge on it.
AARON (CONT’D) (singing)
Turn around, bright eyes, every now and then, I fall apart-
Tomas throws the beer can at Aaron, and... THWINK! Aaron's neck slices open and begins to bleed profusely.
TOMAS Holy shit. Holy shit.
Aaron falls to the ground, and loses consciousness. Tomas looks at him, then feels his wrist for a pulse.
TOMAS (CONT’D) Shit.
Tomas grabs the bloody beer can off of the ground, puts it into his pocket, then drags Aaron's body to the basement bathroom.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT BATHROOM - NIGHT
Tomas places Aaron's body into the tub, then exits the bathroom.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Tomas exits the bathroom, and finds a glass beer bottle. He looks at it, then smashes it onto the ground, and picks up one of the broken pieces.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT BATHROOM - NIGHT
Tomas places the broken piece of glass into Aaron's hand.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Aaron steps out of the bathroom, then exits the basement through the sidedoor.
EXT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - SIDE YARD - NIGHT
Aaron steps out of the basement side door, and places the bloody beer can into the recycling bin. He re-enters the basement.
INT. SIGMA-ALPHA-BETA FRAT HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Aaron re-enters the basement, closes the door to bathroom shut, looks up at the staircase to the main floor, then begins to scream.
TOMAS (extremely loud)
Aaron? Hey! You okay? You okay in there buddy? Mikey come down here!
After a moment, Tomas begins to hear footsteps, and the door to the basement opening. At that moment, Tomas kicks the door to the bathroom open, just as Mikey can see him do it.
TOMAS (CONT’D) (shocked, quiet)
Oh my god. He's dead.
Mikey sprints to the bathroom.
MIKEY
What the fuck happened?!
END OF ACT II.