The Mandela Project

Chapter One

SCENE 1: EXT - NIGHT - RUNNING THROUGH CITY - 2018

SAMUEL, an average-looking teenager, is running hastily through dark city streets. There are CAR SOUNDS around him, and you can hear Sam's shortness of BREATH as his FEET FLY across the ground. He recognizes a man in a black suit and hat. The man is standing around a closed cardboard box tipped on its side, in a DIMLY-LIT alley. The man is conspicuous and has a foreboding presence, yet Sam is familiar with him.

SAMUEL

(Stops and starts catching his breath in front of the cardboard box and looks down at it, then at the man)

What is that?

GATEKEEPER

(Ignores Samuel's question, checks his watch, then taps on the box.)

Get in.

SCENE 2: INT - MORNING - SAM'S ROOM - 2018

Samuel wakes up to his phone's alarm and begins his morning routine. You hear RUSHING SINK WATER, as Sam: brushes his teeth, takes a shower, and does his hair. The camera focuses on Sam's desk as well as other characterizing items such as movie and video game posters around his room.

SCENE 3: EXT - NIGHT - 2018

SAMUEL

What so you can ship me to China?

The man sighs, cups Sam's mouth to muffle his screams, and then overpowers him and forces him into the box.

(You can hear Sam's heartbeat throughout this scene, It gets louder as Sam gets into the box and cuts out as the box closes with the end of the scene.)

"The Mandela Project" fades in across the black screen and Sam's breathing transitions to him inside the box.

SCENE 4: INT - NIGHT - IN THE BOX - 2018

FADE IN from title screen, the box is pitch-black until Sam reaches into his pocket and turns on his phone. It illuminates the simple, barren, cardboard box. He notices his phone has no signal. He looks confused, and disappointed because it means he can't text or call anyone for help inconspicuously. He kicks to test the box's resilience. He notices that he can't even make a dent hitting it as hard as he can, not only that but the gatekeeper right outside offers no response at all. Let me out man! Sam screams helplessly. He receives no answer.

SAMUEL

(Sam works his way up to frantically kicking it from all sides. It doesn't budge.)

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! fuck!

(He begins calling out to the gatekeeper outside.)

What does this have to do with my Dad? Let me out! Please! (Sam keeps banging on the box. Until he stops and starts sobbing. Another 30 seconds of screen time goes by and the gatekeeper opens the box.)

SCENE 5: EXT - NIGHT - SAME AS WHEN SAM WENT IN

As the cardboard flaps that make up the entrance to the box start to separate Sam winces looking at the gatekeeper's familiar face. He then gets up and steps out of the box with many mixed emotions. his HEARTBEAT is all over the place as he takes in his surroundings. He takes his emotions out on the man in the suit.

SAMUEL

What the actual fuck man? What was that? You just stood there! I was screaming for you to let me out... that box is empty! What was even the point of that?! (Sam pushes the gatekeeper.)