53

FADE IN.
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INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
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Three glasses of champagne sit on a tabletop.  Hands reach down and lift them up into a toast.

Three people sit at a booth in a low-lit restaurant; THE 10 OF DIAMONDS, THE 10 OF HEARTS, and THE 10 OF CLUBS; the 10 of Diamonds has a diamond tattoo beneath his left ear, the 10 of Hearts wears a heart-studded ring on her finger and the 10 of Clubs sports a dangling, club-shaped earring in his ear.


10 OF CLUBS
       Here’s to us, gentlemen.


10 OF DIAMONDS
       To the flawless completion of Phase One.


10 OF HEARTS
       Amen.


They each drink from their glasses.  The 10 of Clubs drains his, and, as he sets it back down, gestures to someone off-screen.


10 OF DIAMONDS
       And to a successful continuation into Phase Two.


A WAITER appears and refills each champagne glass, then walks away after nodding to the 10 of Clubs.


10 OF HEARTS
       That shouldn’t be a problem, should it?


10 OF CLUBS
       (softly)
       Killing the Ace was the impossible task, and now that it’s done, the rest should flow like clockwork.


10 OF HEARTS
       (to 10 of Diamonds)
       And you’re sure they have no one of the same bloodline to substitute for their position in the Rematch?


10 OF DIAMONDS
       Positive.  They’ll be forced to present a new player from a different bloodline, hoping we won’t notice.


10 OF CLUBS
       And yet sadly fall from Grace.


10 OF HEARTS
       Never to rule again.


10 OF DIAMONDS
       Tragic.


10 OF CLUBS
       But glorious for Clubs. . .


10 OF DIAMONDS
       Diamonds. . .


10 OF HEARTS
       And Hearts.


They all smile.  The 10 of Clubs raises his glass.


10 OF CLUBS
       Only thirteen days until we taste full success.  And the collapse of the Mighty Spades.


They toast again, all smiling darkly.


FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

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INT. CLOSET - NIGHT
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Empty.  Dark.  Shelves of books are crammed into the tiny space, each end stamped with a diamond logo.

The door opens and the 8 OF SPADES - a spade tattooed beneath her eye like a teardrop - hurries inside, closing the door hastily behind her.  She wears all black, including a long coat.

A key is clutched in her hand, but she quickly stashes inside her pocket.  She pulls a large flashlight from her coat and ducks between the shelves, scanning the spines of the books.

The 8 of Spades continues to scan the shelves hurriedly.  Suddenly, she stops at a book labeled “1985 - 1990,” pulls it out, and, holding the flashlight between her jaw and shoulder, props the book open against the shelf, and flips madly through the pages.  She stops, her finger scanning the page.


8 OF SPADES
       87. . . 87. . .


Her finger stops halfway down the page, her eyes widening.


8 OF SPADES (CONT’D)
       Yes!


She smiles and quickly pulls the page out of the book before slamming it back into the shelf.  She turns off the flashlight and puts it back in her jacket.  She goes back to the door, listens against it for a beat, before opening it very slowly, peeking out.

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INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
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Both walls are lined with doors.  A MAN walks down the far end of the hall, his back to the door that is open, the 8 of Spades peering out of it.

The 8 of Spades comes out of the room, closes the door quietly, then, carefully, slips back down the hall in the opposite direction, pushes open another door and disappears.

_________________________

INT. SECURITY ROOM - NIGHT
_________________________

Security Televisions line the room; a SECURITY OFFICER sits at a small desk.  He stops as he surveys the one that entrance to a large building; the 8 of Spades is walking out, speaking on a cell phone, smiling at a piece of paper in her hands.

He reaches for a telephone and dials.


SECURITY OFFICER
       Get me the 10 of Diamonds.

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INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
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FOUR PLAYERS sit around a card table, a rather large stack of money is piled in the center.  One GIRL eyes the rest of the players suspiciously before she lowers her cards from her face and lays them flat on the table; it’s a straight of Spades.


GIRL
       And that, as they say, is that.


The other players groan and throw down their cards as the Girl pulls the winnings towards her.


CARD PLAYER
       They banned you from Billiard’s for a reason.


GIRL
       Yeah, they’re sore losers.


She scoops the coins from her winnings into her purse, counting the bills as she stands up.


GIRL (CONT’D)
       It’s been a pleasure.


She turns and walks away, still counting.

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EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
_________________

The Girl comes out of a door in the alley and begins walking away, finishing her counting and putting her money in her purse.


10 OF SPADES (O.S.)
       Profitable game, I take it?


She stops walking and looks over her shoulder.  She sees a man, THE 10 OF SPADES, standing just outside the light, smoking a cigarette.  He steps into the light, taking a few steps towards her.  He is dressed in semi-formal attire.


GIRL
       They usually are.


She slips her hand into her purse and the muscles in her forearm tighten.  The 10 of Spades laughs and tosses the cigarette away.


10 OF SPADES
       Relax, I mean you no harm.  In fact, I’m here to offer you protection.


GIRL
       From what?


10 OF SPADES
       From insignificance. And triviality.


The girl raises her eyebrows.


10 OF SPADES (CONT’D)
       What have you gained, here, tonight?  A few dollars?  One game’s worth of notoriety?  Why not play for something more . . . substantial?


GIRL
       I’m listening.


10 OF SPADES
       It just so happens that we have an opening in our Underground Society for an Ace of Spades.

______________________________

EXT. END OF THE ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
______________________________

THE 4 OF DIAMONDS and THE 5 OF DIAMONDS peer around the end of the alley, taking in the sight of the 10 of Spades addressing the Girl.  Their expressions are apprehensive.

________________________

EXT. ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
________________________

The Girl takes a step towards the 10 of Spades.


GIRL
       Ace of Spades?  How original.


The 10 of Spades smiles at her.


10 OF SPADES
       I suggest you get to know us before you make any significant judgements.


He reaches into his coat - the Girl tenses briefly - and pulls out a business card.


10 OF SPADES (CONT’D)
       The Spades are having a dinner party tomorrow night.  Attend, and we’ll explain everything to you.  Nine o’clock.


He extends his arm, handing her the card; the front is designed with simply the Spade logo.  She flips it over and on the back is a handwritten address.


GIRL
       You’re serious? ‘Come to this place at this time, and all will be revealed?’


10 OF SPADES
       I tell you truthfully that you will be in no danger from us.  The Game is our most important priority.  We simply want the best player available.


GIRL
       And which game is it that you play?


10 OF SPADES
       (grinning)
       Attend tomorrow, and find out.


The Girl glances down at the card.  She bites her lip against a smile.  She looks back up at the 10 of Spades.


GIRL
       Fine.  Count me in.


10 OF SPADES
       It’s a formal affair, so please dress appropriately.


He turns and walks down the alley - away from the two Diamonds - disappearing into the shadows.  The Girl looks down at the card, then back up after him.


GIRL
       Wait!


The alley is empty.  She sighs and looks back at the card.


10 OF SPADES (O.C.)
       Yes?


The Girl jumps and looks up; the 10 of Spades is next to her.


GIRL
       I - I - just wondered to whom I had the pleasure of speaking tonight?


The 10 of Spades grins, surprised.


10 OF SPADES
       Ten.  Ten of Spades, ma’am, at your service.  Anything else?


She shakes her head and he bows as he turns and walks away again.

At the far end of the alley, the 4 and 5 of Diamonds grimace and walk away.

_________________________

EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
_________________________

The 5 of Diamonds, walking away from the alley, takes out a cell phone, the 4 of Diamonds walking right behind him.


5 OF DIAMONDS
       (into phone)
       We were too late.  They got her.

______________________________

INT. OFFICE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
______________________________

The 10 of Diamonds sits at a desk, a phone receiver at his ear.


10 OF DIAMONDS
       I’ll take care of it.


He hangs up the phone and looks across the desk, where the 10 of Hearts sits.  As they make eye contact, the 10 of Hearts heaves a resigned sigh and nods, closing her eyes.

_______________________

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
_______________________

The Girl opens the door into the living room, which is extremely dark.  She closes the door gently, and makes her way, quietly, into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator, taking out a bottle of water.


10 OF HEARTS  (O.S.)
       Good evening, dear.


The Girl whirls around, facing the living room, the light from the refrigerator showing the dim outline of the 10 of Hearts, seated in a chair.


GIRL
       Are you a friend of Sarah’s or June’s?


10 OF HEARTS
       Your roommates haven’t the faintest idea I’m here.


Leaving the refrigerator open, the Girl slides to a nearby counter drawer and opens it, pulling out a knife.

The 10 of Hearts stands.


10 OF HEARTS (CONT’D)
       Please, dear, don’t be frightened on my account.  At least, not yet.


The 10 of Hearts approaches the counter.


10 OF HEARTS (CONT’D)
       I’m here to warn you.


GIRL
       Of what?


10 OF HEARTS
       The danger you run by associating with the Spades.


GIRL
       What do you know about the Spades?


10 OF HEARTS
       I am the Ten of Hearts.
       (a beat)
       Do you know why the Spades want you?


GIRL
       They have an opening for the Ace -


10 OF HEARTS
       The last Ace of Spades was assassinated before he could claim his victory.  The game was considered incomplete.  So they needed a new Ace, and one of the same blood.  The bloodlines must never cross, you see.


The Girl’s fingers tighten on the knife.


10 OF HEARTS (CONT’D)
       But that’s where you come in.  You are their answer.


GIRL
       I’m an orphan, how can I - ?


10 OF HEARTS
       We - or, I should the Diamonds - have very good means of Intelligence.  And, according to their records, the last Ace of Spades was your biological father.


GIRL
       So, what?  I’m some sort of heir to - ?


10 OF HEARTS
       No.  Because, unfortunately, you are both their answer...but an entirely new problem for the Deck as a whole.


GIRL
       I don’t understand.


10 OF HEARTS
       You father had a brief tryst with a girl from a family of Hearts.  That girl was your biological mother.

GIRL
       (dawning realization)
       The bloodlines mixed.


10 OF HEARTS
       Clever girl.


GIRL
       So. . . your warning. . . ?


10 OF HEARTS
       You cannot become a part of the deck.  Your very existence is beyond problematic.  You’re like a fifty-third card.  Believe me, dear one, it would be far easier for us to just kill you now and have you out of the way, but, as a Heart, I have convinced the other two suits to allow you to live.  But only if you throw the game.  Lose.


GIRL
       I. . . don’t lose.


10 OF HEARTS
       Then you. . . don’t live.  Simple as that.


The 10 of Hearts turns to leave.


10 OF HEARTS (CONT’D)
       It’s up to you.  But remember.


She turns back to the Girl, almost completely hidden by the dark.


10 OF HEARTS (CONT’D)
       The Spades don’t know of your. . . unique parentage.  Should they find out, well. . . I hardly doubt they would allow you to live under any circumstances.  Choose wisely, my dear.  Though you may not have known it, you have crossed onto dangerous ground.


She disappears into the dark.

The Girl drops the knife back into the drawer before stumbling over to a light switch, flipping it on, showing an empty room.

On the counter, however, is a playing card - the ten of Hearts.

She picks it up with shaking hands, then drops it, like she’s been burned.

_____________________________

INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
_____________________________

The Girl sits in an easy chair, staring ahead at nothing.  She wears a coat, scarf and gloves; a bag sits at her feet.

On the table next to her are the cards given to her by the 10 of Spades and the 10 of Hearts.  Next to those, however, is an additional card; two halves of a King of Spades, ripped diagonally down the middle, scratches all through it.

The Girl glances down at them.

_______________________________

INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
_______________________________

An long table is surrounded by the KING OF SPADES, QUEEN OF SPADES, JACK OF SPADES, 10 of Spades and the Girl, who watches them all avidly; they are elegant and classy.

Suddenly a window nearby shatters as something solid is thrown through it.  

Everyone jumps.

A BUTLER walks over to it and picks up a large brick; taped to it is the ripped King of Spades card.


JACK OF SPADES
       This sort of thing is quite common before The Game.


QUEEN OF SPADES
       The Spades, too, threaten the other suits in much the same manner.


10 OF SPADES
       You have nothing to fear.


The Girl stares at the ripped card.

_____________________________________

INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
_____________________________________

The Girl sighs.  She picks up the other Spade card.

__________________________

INT. ALLEY - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
__________________________

The 10 of Spades smiles.


10 OF SPADES
       The Game is our most important priority.  We simply want the best player available.

_____________________________________

INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
_____________________________________

She looks down at the 10 of Hearts card.

_____________________________

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
_____________________________

The 10 of Hearts leans in.


10 OF HEARTS
       You cannot become part of the deck. . . you’re like a fifty-third card. . .

___________________________________

INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
___________________________________

The Girl’s face splits into a smile.  She throws the card in her hand back down on the table.

She stands swiftly, throws the bag over her shoulder and marches towards the door.  As she approaches it, it swings open and JUNE walks inside.


JUNE
       Hey, girl.  You off to that tournament of yours?


GIRL
       Yes, I am.


JUNE
       Sweet, well, good luck.


GIRL
       Thanks.


She starts to pass June, but June hesitates.


JUNE
       Hey, I’m not going to see you for awhile; you have a few minutes?  Maybe for a quick game before you go?


She grins.


JUNE (CONT’D)
       You can never pass up a game. . .


The Girl opens her mouth to object, then pauses, and slowly smiles.


GIRL
       All right.  Can I pick the game?


JUNE
       Sure.


The girl reaches into her bag, and pulls out a deck of cards.  The Girl takes her gloves off.  By so doing, new tattoos are revealed on her wrists; matching intricate designs, one wrist a Heart, and on the other a Spade, each behind the number, “53.”


JUNE (CONT’D)
       Hey, nice tattoos!


GIRL
       Thanks.


JUNE
       But, wait. . . 53?


GIRL
       It’s a card thing.  All right, so how about a game of 52 Pickup?


JUNE
       Um. . . okay. . .


The Girl grins maliciously and, in one hand, pulls back on the edges of the deck so that they fly out from her hand in a glorious arc, scattering everywhere.


JUNE (CONT’D)
       What the hell?  What is this?


GIRL
       This the game.  You pick up the cards, while I go off to my - uh - Tournament.


JUNE
       Lucky you.  What game is it you’re playing there?


A beat.


GIRL
       Pretty much the same thing.


She grins wider and walks out the door.


FADE OUT.


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