THE WRONG CODE
Duration: Approx. 30 Minutes
CHARACTERS
ANIKA (18): Introverted, sharp, finds escape in gaming.
ARJUN (16): Anika's younger brother.
MUM (40s): Anika's mother. (Tamil/English accent).
DAD (40s): Anika's father. Stoic, preoccupied.
JESSIE, CHLOE (18): Anika's girl friends/classmates.
LIAM (18): Anika's boy friend/classmate (gives the code).
NARRATOR (V.O.): A detached, omniscient voice.
SETTING
A terraced house in Manchester, a school classroom, and a digital void.
A. OPENING BLOCK (3 Minutes)COLD OPEN (3 Minutes)EXT. TERRACED HOUSE, MANCHESTER - DAWN (6:00 AM)
A simple, grey brick terraced house.
Camera PANS from the exterior, through the window...
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
...to the warm, bustling kitchen. ANIKA'S MUM (40s), in a traditional salwar kameez, is cooking.
MUM (Tamil/English accent) She lives in a dream, paa. Always on that screen. No seriousness for the future. I wake at six to cook, and she is still sleeping.
INT. ANIKA'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
ANIKA (18) is asleep in bed.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Anika slams her hand down on the snooze button.
INT. HALLWAY / LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
ANIKA'S DAD (40s), in a suit, is tying his shoes. Stern expression.
NARRATOR (V.O.) Routine. Precision. These were the only rules Anika's father understood.
Dad stands, adjusts his tie. He glances at a framed FAMILY PHOTO. The portrait contrasts sharply with the silent tension of the house.
Dad leaves for the office without a word.
Camera tracks up the staircase...
INT. ANIKA'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Anika is now sitting up, opening her laptop. The blue-white light instantly floods her face.
B. ACT I: THE MORNING DIVIDE (7 Minutes)INT. ANIKA'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Anika's fingers move instantly to the keyboard. Headphones on.
ARJUN (12) is waking up.
ARJUN Morning. Still on that game?
ANIKA (Focused) Yes. This is where the real work is. It's the only place I can think straight.
On screen, her virtual HEIST is nearing completion.
SFX: Electronic crescendo! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! The screen flashes gold.
Anika lets out a quiet "Yes!"
CHIME! A chat window flashes.
CHAT WINDOWJESSIE: Hey! Ready for tonight?CHLOE: Sharp 10 PM! Don't be late!LIAM: We're playing a new mission! It's epic!
Anika stares. A genuine SMILE spreads. They are including her.
NARRATOR (V.O.) For Anika, this was not a social invitation. This was an assignment. A confirmation that she, the girl who felt invisible, was needed.
