Number's Up

A short script set in a hotel on a night the national lottery is drawn. This short was used in an application for funding in 2003 by a young producer, Zed Wong. It was ultimately considered to be too expensive (and therefore bad use of funding money), and the project moved no further. However, as a part of Zed's application I was named director (which probably didn't help him!). I provided him with a 3D animatic of the whole film which you can watch here.
The script, whilst a comedy does deal with some elements of an adult nature. Please do not read or watch the animatic if you feel you may be offended by such material.

Download a rtf (word processor)file here

1. TITLES MONTAGE. TWO WOMEN PREPARE - NIGHT
As the titles play on the screen, we watch a slender, shadowy female figure by a small table, pack a small backpack full of Bond type gadgets – a grappling gun, GPS, smoke grenades etc. She disassembles a high-powered sniping rifle and packs that neatly into the backpack.
In another room, a cute young escort gets herself ready for work, spraying on perfume, adjusting her bust in her bra, pulling on a sexy dress… We don’t see her face.
Satisfied with her work the first female disappears into the darkness. On the table is a hit contract along with a photo of a bulky looking ner’do well, dressed in ‘comic-book super criminal’ type splendor.
The escort, satisfied with her appearance, disappears out into the evening.
TWO VOICES IN UNISON (1M + 1F)
Don’t worry my dear, this one will be easy money.

2. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A TV sits in silence in the half lit room. A bulky figure crosses our view - the man from the photo! Dressed in expensive purple dressing gown, cigar-smoke and gold. Bulky picks up the TV remote and switches on the TV.
On the TV a cheesy presenter grins into the camera. Behind him bright lights and a coloured set frame a machine full of numbered balls.
PRESENTER
...and its a rollover week, so have those tickets at the ready. Tonight's jackpot is a staggering thirteen million pounds! You know the score ladies and gentlemen; you can't win if you don't play.

3. EXT. BACK ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
The alleyway is lit from the windows of a kitchen. Through the window kitchen staff bustle around with a sense of urgency. None notice the slender Girl, dressed in a black catsuit, running silently up the alley.
PRESENTER (CONT'D V/O)
But there's still a little time before the draw. So lets have a little entertainment. I'm proud to present, fresh from her sell out international tour - the fantastic Chantel Du-Breis.
The Girl stops and reaches down to a utility belt around her hips. She pulls out a thin grappling hook and launcher and points it directly upwards, firing it into the night sky.

4. EXT. HOTEL BALCONY - NIGHT
The grappling hook catches perfectly onto an iron railing trailing a thin, high tensile wire downwards.
The sound of Chantel Du Breis singing her latest pop pap accompanies the action.

5. EXT. BACK ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
The Girl calmly attaches the wire to her belt and winches herself upwards.

6. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Bulky has sat down in front of the television. On the coffee table next to him is a handgun, and in his hand a ticket for the lottery.
BULKY
Hey! Fetch me a brandy. I'm not paying you to lounge around in bed.

7. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE BEDROOM - NIGHT
On a luxurious double bed, the duvet shifts and a disheveled, but gorgeous head pops out.
After a moment, the escort who owns it sighs and gets up, pulling the duvet around her scantily clad form, and tramping toward the lounge.

8. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Bulky twitches, as though he has heard her.
BULKY
Did you hear me??
ESCORT (O.S.)
On my way.
The door to the suite opens and a bodyguard glances into the room.
BODYGUARD
Everything all right boss?
BULKY
It will be when I get my brandy.
The Girl appears from the bedroom in the duvet and walks to the drinks cabinet as the bodyguard glances at her.
She smiles sweetly at him. He continues to look at her, expressionless, then ducks out of the doorway, and goes back to his vigil in the hall.

9. EXT. HOTEL BALCONY - NIGHT
A hand reaches the rail and the Girl in black slips over.
She looks around. When she is sure she has not been noticed, she silently sprints across the balcony and leaps the rail, landing on another balcony a couple of feet away.

10. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The escort stands in front of the drinks cabinet pouring Brandy. She glances back over her shoulder hopefully.
ESCORT
You'd enjoy that a lot more if you came and had it in bed with me.
Bulky stares at the TV.
BULKY
I'm quite happy here love.
The escort walks over to him, doing her sexiest walk. For the first time it seems that she might not be all that experienced at this.
ESCORT
I just want you to get your money’s worth.
(she hesitates, then says reproachfully)
You know, you’re meant to pay me when I arrive.
Bulky ignores her, taking his brandy without looking and sucking at his cigar.
ESCORT
Fine.
(she gets up)
If you want me I'll be in the shower.
Bulky glances at her retreating form with sudden piqued interest.

11. EXT. SMALLER HOTEL BALCONY - MOMENTS LATER
The Girl looks out from the balcony. Checking that no-one has seen her progress thus far.
Calmly, she reels in her grappling gun and pockets it, instead taking out a handgun and fitting a silencer to it.

12. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The sounds of the shower are in the background, mixing with Chantel du Breis's song. Bulky glances back towards the door.

13. EXT. SMALLER HOTEL BALCONY - CONTINUOUS
The girl has finished attaching the silencer and goes to get up.
Suddenly a light comes on behind her. She stays completely still for a moment then very slowly turns around.

14. INT. YOUNG MAN'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
In the room behind her, a skinny young man has come in. He immediately puts on the television and flicks through the TV to the lottery, he stares at Chantel du Breis with undisguised excitement and falls into the armchair, fumbling with his trouser flies.
SKINNY (excited)
Great!

15. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Bulky fidgets on the sofa uncertainly, torn between the girl in the bathroom and the lottery ticket in his hand.

16. INT. PLUSH BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
In the shower, the escort closes her eyes, enjoying the hot water.
ESCORT
You know, its lovely in here!

17. EXT. SMALLER HOTEL BALCONY - CONTINUOUS
The Girl puts down her rifle, watching Skinny’s silhouette, rhythmically moving, a slight smile on her face. She pulls out a small blowpipe and a magnetic device and gets up.

18. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Bulky swears under his breath and gets up, walking towards the bathroom door. His lottery ticket lies discarded on the sofa. He puts his handgun on a table behind the sofa and pauses, glancing back to the TV.

19. INT. YOUNG MAN'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The Girl unties her hair, letting it fall loose, then nimbly walks to the door and using the magnet, pops the catch from outside.
At the sound of the door opening, Skinny stands, holding his trousers up, and turns to the door, dumbfounded by the beautiful Girl leaning against the and smiling at him.
He glances downward at his crotch going red. The girl raises an eyebrow and grins even wider.
SKINNY (mortified)
Um, sorry.
Skinny frowns suddenly, his embarrassment turning to anger. The Girl smiles wider and raises the blowpipe to her lips.
SKINNY
Actually, wait a second. What the hell are you doing on my…
A Dart flies out and hits Skinny in the neck. Paralyzing poison takes immediate effect leaving him standing frozen in position. After a moment his trousers slip out of his grasp and fall to the floor.
She smiles and shrugs, then turns back to the balcony, leaving Skinny to struggle to stay standing. Immediately she sees Bulky has left his seat. For a second she looks the slightest bit perturbed, then formulates a new plan.
She turns and walks through the Skinny's room. Pushing him on the forehead as she passes causing him to topple backwards, totally frozen, into his seat.

19A. INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR.
The Girl opens Skinny’s door, looks out into the corridor and in a moment is gone off, down the hallway.

20. INT. PLUSH BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Bulky stands at the door, looking at the image of beauty through the frosted shower window.
BULKY
Well, it does look...lovely.
ESCORT
Come in then.
He takes a step forward as Du Breis's song finishes on the TV.
LOTTERY PRESENTER (O/S)
Wonderful, wonderful. Give her a big hand ladies and gentlemen.
Bulky looks back, indecisive.

21. INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
A hotel porter wheels a room service trolley along the corridor, sweating profusely. He glances down - to the Girl in the leather, sitting under the cloth, calmly pointing a silenced gun at his stomach.
He swallows audibly and continues walking.

22. INT. PLUSH HOTEL BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
The escort opens the door, just a fraction.
ESCORT
Well? D'ya wanna?
Bulky looks at her appreciatively.
LOTTERY PRESENTER
And so, on this rollover week, lets get to the bit you've all been waiting for.
Bulky looks back to the direction of the living room.
LOTTERY PRESENTER (CONT'D O/S)
Chantel, would you be good enough to do the honours.
Bulky glances back towards the escort with regret on his face, and then returns quickly to the living room.
The escort huffs with exasperation and shuts the shower door.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (O/S)
Well everyone, tonight's machine is Percival...

23. INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
The bodyguard watches the lottery on a handheld TV. He grasps his numbers in the other hand, anticipation on his thickset face.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (CONT. O/S)
Chosen by Emma Gilbert of Tamworth. It's ball set eight,
24. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Bulky grasps his lottery ticket - an excited child.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (CONT. O/S)
And with that six million pound jackpot…

25. INT. PLUSH BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
The escort pushes her head under the shower. Her scant experience failing her.
ESCORT
Easy money! Who are they trying to kid.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (CONT. O/S)
I'm sure that you're all on the edge of your seats.
She suddenly makes a decision and storms out of the shower.

26. INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
The porter squeaks his way around the corner, still sweating.
CHANTEL (O/S)
Well, good luck everyone, I hope you get your dreams.
The bodyguard looks up, irritated to be disturbed.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER
Well there they go. The balls are in the tube. And its all to play for.
The porter reaches level with the bodyguard.
PORTER
Room service.
BODYGUARD (DISTRACTED)
He didn't tell me he'd ordered anything.
UNDER THE TROLLY CLOTH.
The Girl. Holding her breath. Waiting for the moment.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER
And there's the first ball. Its... number fourteen. Only the second appearance this year.
BODYGUARD
Hello! I’ve got that. I thought it would be my lucky night.
The Girl rolls out from the trolley and plants a silenced bullet in between his eyes.

27. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Bulky smiles as he looks at the number fourteen on his ticket.

28. INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
The porter stares with horror at the body that has slumped down beside him.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER
The second ball tonight, its number forty three. Tenth outing this year!
The Girl stands up and looks at the porter without emotion.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (CONT'D O/S)
She just keeps cropping up, little devil!
The Girl shoots the porter and he falls onto the bodyguard. She bends down and takes the key card to the door.

29. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Bulky has sat forward on his seat. He has number forty-three as well.
BULKY
Come on!
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (O/S)
Here's the third, its ball number five! A first timer!
BULKY
Yes!

30. INT. PLUSH BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
The escort has pulled on her underwear, and is putting on her makeup in the mirror. She listens to Bulky's excitement, and shakes her head as though having given up.

31. INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
The Girl reloads her silenced pistol.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (O/S)
Now there's unusual; two balls at the same time! It's number thirty-one, and number seventeen! Their twelfth and third times respectively.
She finishes and then slowly runs the key card in its lock.

32. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Bulky is nearly falling off his seat.
BULKY
I don't believe this. I don't fucking believe it.
Behind him the door slowly opens and, pistol first, the Girl comes in.

33. INT. PLUSH BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
The escort is pulling on her clothes rapidly, hers eyes moist with a few tears of exasperation and even a little rejection.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (O/S)
And the last of the main balls tonight is the number...

34. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Bulky holds his breath, red and excited. The Girl watches quietly from behind him.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (O/S)
Number twenty-seven.
Bulky leaps to his feet, punching into the air.
BULKY
Unbelievable!
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (O/S)
The second time that number has appeared this year.
He spins around and sees the Girl.
He freezes, watching her watching the gun.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (O/S)
And finally, the bonus ball is...
The Girl smiles at him.
GIRL
Number's up.
She hits him, square between the eyes. He drops like a stone.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (O/S)
Number eight! So there we have it.
The Girl walks up to the body and empties the rest of the clip into him.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (CONT'D O/S)
To re-cap, tonight's numbers then, in numerical order are...

35. INT. PLUSH BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
The escort sits on the bed, despondent. She tries to muster up the courage to go out, confront bulky and leave with her money.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (CONT'D O/S)
Five, fourteen, seventeen, twenty-seven, forty-three.

36. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The Girl frowns and looks at the bloodied ticket where it has fallen on the sofa.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (CONT'D O/S)
Thirty-one and a bonus ball, number eight.
She picks it up and scans the numbers, comparing them with the ones flashing up on the screen.
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (CONT'D O/S)
Well that's it for this week folks. Hope that your luck held true tonight.
The Girls face lights up as she realises she holds the winning ticket!
LOTTERY VOICE OVER (CONT'D O/S)
And don't forget. If you didn't win this week, there’s always next week!
GIRL
YESSSSSSS!!!
Completely losing her cool, the Girl begins to dance around the body of Bulky, dropping her gun onto the sofa in the process.

37. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE BEDROOM -CONTINUOUS
The escort now fully clothed bolts at the sound of a female voice. She sneaks to the door and looks through.

38. INT. PLUSH HOTEL SUITE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The Girl continues to dance around the body. Oblivious to the escort looking at her from the door.
The escort is horrified. She looks at the Girl, the body, the handgun on the table.
In a second she makes her decision and dives across the room, grabbing the handgun from the table and pointing it shakily at the Girl.
The noise jogs the Girl from her revels and she sees the escort. Caught unarmed she desperately lunges towards the sofa and her own gun.
Getting it before the escort has the stomach to fire, she raises it and pulls the trigger. The gun is empty.
The escort’s decision is made. She pulls the trigger of her own gun and decimates the Girl in a single shot.
The escort edges over to the bodies. She stands over them briefly before turning to go.
Then she notices the lottery ticket in the Girls hand and almost as an afterthought takes it. She glances at the TV but now there is an advert for another program on. She shrugs.
With a final glance around she disappears out of the door.

39. INT. STREET- LATER
The escort walks rapidly into view, glancing behind her as if scared she is being followed. The lottery ticket is still in her hand.
She stops by a TV shop, the televisions still on throughout the night. On the TVs a broadcaster is reading the news.
BROADCASTER
...the bizarre disturbance at the Excelsior hotel may have involved alleged organised crime leader Albert J Aveman. There are at least three dead though we have no information at this time.
The escort watches, then looks down at the bloodstained lottery ticket – the last evidence she was there.
She walks on, stopping at a bin away from the TV shop and holds the ticket over it. Undecided whether to get rid of it, unknowing of its value…
NEWSCASTER (CONT V/O)
In other news, its been confirmed that the jackpot for tonight's lottery has been won by a single person, making it the second biggest single win since the lottery started…
FADE OUT.