Trick

By
Priscilla Yip

z3459053@zmail.unsw.edu.au

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM

KEITH sits at a table, handcuffed. He is a man in his
mid-twenties of average features, height and
weight. Keiths hands are placed on top of the table, the
restraints in plain sight, but in contrast he seems quite
relaxed in his chair. He has a slight smile on his face,
and his whole demeanor is confident and self-assured.
Opposite Keith sits a CONSTABLE wearing a button-up shirt
rolled to the sleeves, black tie and pants. A blazer is
folded over the chair behind him, and attached to his belt
is a gun and badge. He wears a plain gold band on the
fourth finger of his left hand. He is a middle-aged man.
His face is stern, but laugh lines around his eyes and
mouth suggest he is not always so.
KEITH
Let me tell you a story,
officer...
Keith leans forward, smirking slightly, and says his next
words like a secret.
KEITH
... that no one will ever
believe.
IN ANOTHER ROOM
A computer monitor on a desk shows a real-time recording
of the interrogation room, in fuzzy black and white.
Keith turns to look directly at the camera, smiles, and
the screen turns black.
INT. KEITHS APARTMENT - NIGHT
SUPER: TWO DAYS AGO
Keith returns home, looking exhausted. He wears a cheap
suit and carries a black briefcase. The apartment itself
is small and cluttered, with plain furniture that looks
worn out and papers and litter strewn about.
Keith drops his keys in a bowl next to the door. Next to
the bowl is a small framed photo of Keith and a little
girl; he has his arms around her as they both laugh into
the camera.
Keith walks further inside the apartment, throwing his
briefcase onto the couch with one hand and loosening his
tie with the other.
In front of the couch is a coffee table; along with random
scraps and litter, there is an assortment of what seems to

2.

be basic magic paraphernalia scattered about - a few decks

of cards, a wand and a long string of brightly coloured
handkerchiefs. On the side of the table theres also a box
covered with drawings of magic hats, wands, bunnies and
stars, and large text on the front saying "THE BEGINNERS
MAGIC KIT".
Keith collapses onto the couch and lays his head over the
back. He rubs his eyes roughly, a yawn escaping.
His arms fall back down and his head lolls to the side. He
is asleep within moments.
CUT TO:
IN THE KITCHEN - LATER
Keith shuffles to the refrigerator, having woken up from
his nap. He opens the freezer door and stares at the
contents inside, rubbing sleep out of one eye.
The freezer is bare, except for a small stack of frozen
meals. Keith grabs the one off the top and closes the
freezer door.
He puts the meal - a frozen pasta penne - in the microwave
and pushes a few buttons.
Keith watches his dinner rotate around and
around. Eventually, the microwave beeps.
Keith takes his food, grabs a fork out of a drawer and
walks back to the couch.
He sits down and picks up the remote off the coffee table
in front of him, pressing a button to turn on the TV.
However, the TV doesnt turn on, and Keith jabs the button
a few more times, looking confused. He sets his food down,
gets up and walks over to the TV, hitting the side with
his hand.
Nothing happens and Keith reaches out a hand, ready to hit
it again. Just before he makes contact, the TV flickers
on.
Keith looks satisfied and goes back to the couch, sitting
down and picking his meal back up.
He watches a TV program avidly while scarfing down his
dinner.
CUT TO:
Having finished his food, Keith looks at the objects on
his coffee table.

3.

He reaches a hand out to the magic box - it can be seen

that theres a post it note stuck to the top, with the
words "Shell like it if you try this." written on it.
Keith starts to slide the box towards him, but catches
sight of the time on a watch on his wrist.
He contemplates the box and his watch for a few seconds,
but eventually heaves a tired sigh, leaves the box on the
table, gets up and retreats to his bedroom.
INT. KEITHS APARTMENT - MORNING
Keith walks into the kitchen tucking his shirt into his
pants, getting ready for work. His tie hangs untied around
his neck. His motions are lethargic, tired.
He walks to the fridge and grabs another frozen meal,
tossing it into the microwave, closing the door.
Before he can press the button to turn on the microwave,
he is caught up in a yawn.
Unbeknownst to him, still in a half-asleep state, the meal
has started cooking without him touching a button.
It takes a few seconds, but in the midst of tying his tie,
Keiths head snaps up. He drops the tie and rushes
forward, grabbing the sides of the microwave with two
hands.
As soon as he touches it, the microwave turns off and he
flinches back.
Keith narrows his eyes, contemplating the microwave and
looking back at the TV in the living room, remembering the
night before.
He hesitantly reaches a hand out again and places it on
the microwave, staring intently at it.
It turns on.
Keiths eyes widen and as he watches, the timer on the
microwave display starts flickering rapidly, randomly
changing numbers.
He looks slightly panicked, but takes a deep breath and
concentrates on the microwave.
After a few seconds, the numbers slowly count back down to
7 minutes, and the microwave resumes its cooking.
Keith removes his hand, steps back and stares at his hands
in wonder.

4.

Suddenly, the watch on his wrist beeps and he turns his

arm to look at the time. His eyes widen, and he curses
under his breath.
Keith rushes off, grabbing his briefcase from the couch
while trying to put on his jacket.
He stuffs his feet into his shoes at the doorway, grabs
his keys and leaves the apartment, slamming the door
behind him.
A few seconds later, the door reopens and Keith pokes his
head back inside, looking at the food in the microwave
still rotating.
He waves a hand in its direction uncertainly, and the
microwave turns off.
He beams and closes the door.
INT. OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Keith sits on a swivel office chair in a cramped cubicle.
The room is filled with dozens of identical cubicles, lit
with cold blue fluorescents and the constant sound of
typing and clicking. Like his home, Keiths work desk is
quite messy, with papers and pens everywhere.
Keith looks bored out of his mind, staring at an outdated
computer monitor and typing nonstop. He appears to work
for a bank, based on the content of the screen which has
account numbers, balances, credits and debits.
Suddenly, his phone beeps. He fishes it out of his pocket
- an old Nokia brick - and opens the message.
TEXT DISPLAY: "AWAITING PAYMENT: RENT 04/16, $285"
Keith looks at the message and sighs. He tosses his phone
onto the desk and leans back in his chair, rubbing his
forehead.
Suddenly he perks up, having a lightbulb moment.
He sits straight in his chair and looks around nervously.
No one is paying attention to him.
Keith hesitantly puts his hand on the edge of the computer
monitor.
Nothing happens.
He persists, staring intently at the screen.
After a few seconds, the screen seems to lag, and a small
pop-up box appears on the corner of the screen.

5.

TEXT DISPLAY: "TRANSFERRING FUNDS..."

Underneath the words is a green progress bar, moving from
0% to 100%.
Keith looks surprised, then elated. He keeps his hand on
the computer, watching the bar move forward.
A few seconds after the transaction is complete, his phone
beeps again with a new message. Keith picks it up and
presses a button to view the message.
TEXT ON SCREEN: "$100 HAS BEEN DEPOSITED INTO YOUR
ACCOUNT"
Keith is overjoyed. He pumps his fist, laughing silently
into his hand. His joy fades into determination.
Keith looks around again, checking for suspicious eyes,
then places his hand back on the computer.
MONTAGE - MONEY TRANSFERS
-- Several pop-up boxes appear on the screen, one after
another, each for a different fund transfer.
-- On the monitor, a bank balance next to an account
number slowly drains to $0.00.
-- Numerous progress bars reach 100% on the screen.
END MONTAGE
INT. KEITHS APARTMENT - NIGHT
Keith slams the door open to his apartment excitedly,
rushing over to the coffee table with his briefcase.
He sits down, opens his briefcase and takes out a chunky
old laptop. He turns it on, logs into a banking website
and sees his account balance.
TEXT DISPLAY: "$10,931.60"
Keith holds his hands to either side of his head in
disbelief. He whoops loudly, punching his hands in the
air.
In the distance, police sirens sound.
Keith looks to the window worriedly, then begins typing
quickly.
The police sirens get louder.
On the screen, a prompt message pops up.

6.

TEXT DISPLAY: "CONFIRM TRANSFER OF FUNDS? YES/NO"

Keith clicks the Yes option.
Just as the police sirens get almost unbearably loud, they
suddenly turn off.
Keith snaps his head to the window, then moves over to the
curtain. He peeks outside, eyes widening as the reflection
of red and blue lights hit the room.
He rushes back to the couch, placing his hands on both
sides of the screen and concentrating hard, shutting his
eyes.
The sound of urgent footsteps come up the stairs and Keith
is distracted, looking up at the door.
Someone knocks on his door.
POLICE
Police, open up!
Keith looks frantically at the door and back at the
laptop, redoubling his efforts, concentrating so hard that
beads of sweat appear on his forehead.
After a few tense moments, Keith opens his eyes and looks
at the screen with a relieved sigh as the police pound at
the door.
He gets up and walks towards the door, leaving the laptop
on the table. He has a calm smile on his face. Halfway
there the door slams open, having been forced open.
Keith raises his hands in surrender, still smiling, and
continues walking forward. On his laptop screen, unseen to
the policeman, a pop-up box can be seen.
TEXT DISPLAY: "TRANSACTIONS WIPED"
The screen goes black.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - PRESENT
Keith and the constable sit across from each other. The
constable looks angry.
CONSTABLE
You wont get away with this.
KEITH
(smirking)
Wheres the evidence, officer?

7.
A knock comes at the door and another POLICEMAN enters.
The constable stands up, moving over to the doorway to
converse with him in harsh whispers.
POLICEMAN
We cant find the money - theres
no trace, anything.
Keiths smile grows.
The constable gestures towards the recording camera on the
corner of the wall, but the policeman shakes his head and
shrugs helplessly.
POLICEMAN
Weve got nothing to hold him on.
The constable fists his hands by his side. He turns slowly
to stare at Keith, gritting his teeth.
Keith, smiling, stands up and walks to the doorway,
somehow having gotten out of his handcuffs. He tosses the
cuffs to the constable and gives him a salute as he walks
out the door.
IN THE HALLWAY
As the door closes behind him, Keith collapses against the
hallway next to the door. He breathes a relieved sigh, his
hands shaky.
He gathers himself and walks away.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - MORNING
SUPER: A WEEK LATER
Keith walks into a hospital room. A young GIRL sleeps on
the bed tucked into the covers, wearing a standard
hospital gown that dwarfs her small frame. There is a
chair next to the bed.
Keith walks to her side and bends, kissing her on the
forehead and smoothing her hair back.
The girl wakes up with the action, blinking her eyes
sleepily.
Keith smiles softly at her and drags the chair closer,
sitting down and holding her hand in both of his.
GIRL
Mommy says you paid for the
operation.
Keith pauses, then smiles.

8.

KEITH
Dont worry about that. Ive got
something to show you.
Keith withdraws his hands and takes something out of his
pocket; a coin.
Keith manipulates it between his hands a few times, and it
disappears. He reaches forward and produces the coin from
behind the girls ear. Keith presents it to the girl with
a flourish.
The girl squeals and claps her hands, reaching out for the
coin.
GIRL
How did you do that?
Keith smiles.
KEITH
Magic.
THE END.