The Game

written by

Rintaro Edgecombe

Address
Phone
E-mail
 FADE IN:

1. INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Silence.
A CHESS BOARD lies on the table. It's pieces are meticulously
placed. It glows, contrasting with the darkened shadows which
engulf it.
Person grips a GOBLET, foot tapping nervously. They sip the
wine, trying to settle their nerves.

DEATH sits opposite them. His eyes are concealed behind

shadows. His arms rest on the chair, posture straight.
Elegant in some unnatural manner.
Person stares at Death, unable to avert their gaze. He looks
back.
CUT TO:

2. BLACK BACKGROUND
An HOURGLASS, the top of which is more empty than full. The
sound of sand hitting glass loudens.
The hourglass seemingly breaths, creaking as it empties. A
heart beat echoes from it. It subtly rises and falls
steadily.
CUT TO:

3. INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

The sound of the hourglass cuts through the silence.
Death leans over, no longer looking towards Person. He lifts
a piece and makes the first move.
The piece is about to make contact with the board...
CUT TO:
 2.

4. INT. HOUSE - FOYER - DAY

There is one loud knock on the door. The sounds cease in its
wake. A shadowed silhouette can be seen through the door's
glass.
CUT TO:

5. INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

DEATH
(With Voice)
Play...
His mouth and speech fail to line up, staggered slightly. The
words ripple, a cacophony of whispers but only one true
VOICE. It echoes, filling the room. It pierces the silence
between them.
Person does not move. They can't. Their hands are tightly
clenching the armrests. They attempt to move them, but
they're frozen, the only exception being twitching.
Death places both hands on the table. His eyes meet Person's.
For the first time, his cold gaze is visible.
DEATH (CONT'D)
(With Voice)
Now!
SLAM TO:

6. INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Person awakes. They blink repeatedly as they get used to the
sudden shift.
Their hand is raised above the arm rest. They glance down at
it, then at Death.
He has returned to his former posture. His demeanour
seemingly unchanged since the beginning of the game.
Person maintains their stare as they begin to play. They move
a piece forwards. Their hand is shaking. As it descends
slowly...
CUT TO:
 3.

7. INT. HOUSE - FOYER - DAY

The door handle is forced downwards sharply.
Death opens the door, a box held under his arm. A low hum
emanates from within.
He glides forward - each step well-thought out, deliberate.
CUT TO:

8. INT. HOUSE - CORRIDOR - DAY

Person walks into frame. They see Death approaching them,
ascending a set of stairs.
Death halts once he reaches the top of the stairs. He turns
around.
He points at Person. His shadow extends, its index finger
stretched outward.
Person becomes paralyzed, unable to move. Their eyes dart
around the room, looking for an escape but can't act on it.
DEATH
(With Voice)
Closer...
Person then sighs, defeated. Their feet, now finally free,
lead them to follow Death into the living room. Eyes slowly
closing, they lower their head.
MATCH CUT TO:

9. INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Person lifts their head in order to look at the board.
Death's shadow extends across the board.
The two get in the rhythm of the game and begin to play. They
each move their pieces in what seems to be quick succession.
Person continues to sneak in looks at Death when they can.
Person places their goblet onto the table.

CLOSE UP OF PERSON'S GOBLET

MATCH CUT TO:
 4.

10. INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Death places two goblets upon a table. He pours wine into
each of them.
A phone goes off. Person grabs it, takes a glance at the
screen.
For a brief moment, Person looks away to check it.
Death grabs a small glass bottle from his pocket. Slowly, and
without any hesitation in his movements. He then pours its
contents into Person's goblet. The liquid catches the light.
CUT TO:

11. BLACK BACKGROUND

The hourglass continues running, emptier than it was prior.
The creaking becomes less steady, the heart beat more faint.
Its movements have stopped. Almost. Its heartbeat now
outpaces its movement. Out of sync. Displaced in time.
CUT TO:

12. INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

A SEMI-CIRCULAR TRUCK SHOT GOING AROUND THE TABLE, BEHIND

PERSON
Time passes them by, the game progressing significantly in
what feels like the blink of an eye.
Person is clearly losing, with many of their pieces taken off
the board.
Person is fidgeting with their hands. Their foot is bouncing
up and down, quickly. Their glances at Death are more
frequent but sparse in length.
Death seems to be more confident. His head, tilted back. A
sense of foreboding menace emanates from him.
Person begins to cough.
The sound harshens.
Person looks into the cup.
They then lock eyes with Death.
 5.

Their eyes widen in realization.

PERSON
(Coughing)
No, no, no.

Person collapses onto the floor.

Death stands. He looks down at Person. Their eyes meet one
last time.
Checkmate: Person's loss.
CUT TO:

13. BLACK BACKGROUND

The top half of the hourglass is now completely empty. The
creaking and the heart beat have stopped. No longer moving.
Silence.
Utter silence.
MATCH CUT TO:

14. INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

CLOSE UP OF PERSON'S KING, SURROUNDED

FADE TO RED.

TITLES: 'THE GAME'