Script OG

 Int. Backseat of Sam's parent's Car - Night

The car stops and Sam, their Dad turns back from the driver seat to look over at Sam. Sam is looking out the window and notices the car isn't moving anymore so then looks down at the car floor before meeting their Dad's eyes. Sam turns their phone to see that they've been reading the lyrics whilst listening to {Artist} on their headphones.

Dad

I love you okay. Just call me if you need anything

Sam nods understandingly. The point of view shifts as a hand reaches out and rubs Sam on the shoulder, and now turns to face Sam's friend. They speak clearly

Will

Yeah we're gonna have lots of fun aren't we

Will then playfully gives Sam a light jostle and he smiles.

Ext. Outside the car - night

Wide shot to outside the car. Will steps out on camera side of the car door, and walks around behind the car to open it for Sam. Sam then steps out. Will then walks to the bottom of the pavement to the corner, and Sam begins to follow them before then turning back to walk up the pavement. Sam contemplates whether to go in, and then turns their back from Will and looks down at the floor briefly before back up the road. Sam then turns around to look at Will at the bottom of the road. Will then motions Sam to come to them, but Sam just stares at them. Will now walks up to Sam and the camera cuts to friend

WILL

(signing with a friendly expression)

You know your dad is like right there, I could go over and tell him...

Will smiles and looks up to Sam. The camera draws back into a wide shot. Sam begrudgingly walks down the pavement towards Will. Will extends their arm for Sam to lock arms with and they walk around the corner. Sam gives Will a little knock and then Will nicely gives a small push back so Sam decides to shove him back a bit.

Ext. Outside the front door - CONTINUOUS

Sam and Will walk up and take a moment before ringing the doorbell

Will

You ready?

Sam smiles back with a soft grin. They take a small moment to admire the house. Sam nods. Will messes around with their hair to make sure it looks good before knocking on the door. You can hear music playing faintly. Will knocks on the door and is welcomed by a friendly host.

GEmma

Hey so glad you two can make it! Food is down in the kitchen dining room area - you'll see.

Will and Sam step inside the house.

GEMMA

Oh yeah uh just like leave your coat on the stairs and shoes...

Sam and Will take off their shoes by the entrance

GEMMA

Yeah that's fine.

Gemma walks back into a crowded room with some chatter. A new person comes to greet the two once inside and takes them down the corridor to someone. They seem to be familiar with Will and then a group of people are happy to see Will, but don't seem to really know Sam all that well and don't greet him in the same way. Sam and Will are thrown into a conversation.

Steve

<Asks a wildly controversial question provoking people to start discussing>

There's overlap in conversation of different people discussing their views on the subject but the camera closes in on Sam, on the outskirts of the conversation. A sequence of short scenes take place where Sam is shown in a different place, just around the conversation. In each shot, people in the back have changed place, talking with new people and some new people come in and overall shows how time passes but Sam hasn't felt included or felt needed/wanted in the group setting. Eventually he wanders to a sofa of sorts in the adjacent room to sit down a moment with a drink and glances up to watch the conversation taking place. A new girl takes a seat next to Sam.

Alex

Heya... I'm Alex.

(pause)

I don't really know many people here and I saw you alone and figured you don't either. Unless you do and - sorry, I-

(pause)

What's your name?

She initiates conversation with a beaming smile and offers to shake Sam's hand to which he matches. The two are sitting down in-between some bookcases which frame the moment.

Sam

(In BSL)

Sam

Alex smiles in return.

ALEX

Nice to meet you.

Will walks by and pulls Sam up.

Will

Sam hey a few of us are gonna sit down over there and play like a game which I want you to join in... yeah? Cool? Awesome

(beat)

You're welcome to join too by the way...

ALEX

Alex. I know Gemma.

Will

(slightly confused)

Cool.

Sam looks over at Will briefly. The three move over to the sofa area with the others playing a game of contract whist. Will sits by a corner whilst Alex and Sam sit on the orange sofa. A small glance is shared between the two. Six hands are dealt despite seven people are sitting around the footstool. Gemma draws up the table.

Gemma

Okay, Steve you are calling first

SteVE

(Looks briefly around at the other players)

Three

Two of the other players chuckle softly as its a high call for quite a few players.

Player 1

Zero I guess

Player 2

Zero

Alex

Oh I'm not in, I'll just watch.

Will

You could just buddy up with Sam, he'll need the help.

Will smirks at Sam.

Alex

Yeah okay.

Alex scoots closer to Sam and takes a look at his hand. He has an an ace of hearts (trumps), king of diamonds, an ace of clubs, a seven of hearts, a three of hearts and two random low cards. The camera rolls over the cards as Alex looks at them.

AleX

(whispering)

I think you could get away with a high call. Risk it.

The camera rises up to look at Sam as he pulls up a four. The other players are surprised.

WilL

Uh, one.

GemmA

And I can call what I like, zero.

Camera turns to Sam as he starts the game.

AleX

I'd flush them out. Use your ace of hearts.

Alex wins the hand and two others. Steve wins two hands and Player one ended up winning a hand.

It's the final cards to be played of the first round. Player one plays a throwaway low card as their final one. When Sam plays his seven of hearts he begins to lead.

Will

Ugh screw this

Will plays a high card of the original suit. Gemma plays her card and the camera stops on Steve. There's a pause.

Steve

Sorry mate...

Steve reveals his final card: a nine of hearts, winning him his set. Gemma counts up the points.

Gemma

Thirteen, nice Steve. One, ten, two

(Camera stops a moment on Sam)

Zero

(Gemma chuckles)

And ten okay!

AleX

That's unlucky Sam... thought you might've had it.

(pause)

I'm gonna grab a coke, you want anything?

Sam shakes his head. As he watches her leave, Steve leaves too. Sam watches them chat a bit as she's pouring a drink. She laughs at something he said and he watches them walk back. Steve has got his arm around her shoulder and there's a brief standoffish stare between the two over the girl. Steve sits back down with Alex now by his side.

Steve

Let's play!

There's a short montage sequence of cards being dealt, hands being won, players looking upset and scores being recorded. It will include showing off the cards on the head round. Steve and Sam have the same number of points. Alex is now sitting in the middle of the two.

GEMMA

Alright guys last round... Trumps are...

(Flips top card of the deck)

Diamonds! [Player 1] your turn to call first.

PLAYER 1

Two

PlAYER 2

One

Sam takes a moment to look at his hand. The audience doesn't know what he has this time. He raises a two with his fingers.

WILL

Two too

Gemma

Uh zero

SteVE

What can't I call?

(beat)

Gemma

Zero

STEVE

Ah... Three

Steve leads with his king of hearts to flush out the other hands. Steve wins the first two hands as he led and flushed out trumps. Player two came in and Sam wins the next hand. [Player 1] wins after so it's their turn to lead the final card. They play a jack of clubs smugly, usually a really good card to win any final hand. [Player 2] plays their last card.

The moment is intense. If Sam loses this hand, he's lost the game and Steve wins. There's a western like moment as the camera focuses around Sam's and Steve's eyes. Sam then draws his final card as if he was in a duel. The ten of hearts is played. Steve is distraught and everyone cheers for Sam's win as he stands up. Alex goes over to hug Sam and they share brief eye contact before Sam then turns to look at Will and gives him a silent chuckle and a smile.

The End