Short Film Script for the Faustian Bargain

1.
The Faustian Bargain
By
Jacob Lovett
Jacob Lovett
(401) 864-1304
Jlovet22@student.scad.edu

2. 1.
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT
We see a hand drawing with elegance, swift and confidant.
ROCKY, age 17, is content and peaceful. With flowing
strokes, he defines the hair of a woman. His eyes are
focused deeply into his work, at peace.
We see Rocky sitting on his bed with a drawing board in his
lap. Tungsten light fills the room, warm light candlelight.
A thud invades our serenity. Rocky turns to see his mother
IRENE leaning in the doorframe.
She looks to him with disheartening eyes, then approaches.
She sits on the bed beside him, leaning her head on his
shoulder and reaching her arms around him. She admires the
drawing.
IRENE
(Sympathetically)
You know your father called up the recruiter
today.
Rocky continues working with emerging tension in his eyes.
IRENE (CONT’D)
He’s so proud of you Hon, we both are.
Rocky remains disconnected.
His mother kisses him on the head and rubs his shoulder.
IRENE (CONT’D)
Dinner is on the table downstairs, you can come
down where you’re ready.
She gets up and leaves.
Rocky doesn’t stir; he remains staring thoughtfully into
the beauty of his creation.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Rocky’s father DANIEL is shown at the far end of the table,
IRENE at his right. Rocky enters, sitting down opposite his

3. 2.
parents. He swings a premade plate to the front of him and
begins to eat.
Daniel acknowledges him.
DANIEL
So it’s settled, Rocky, we’ll be meeting with the
Recruiter Tuesday afternoon. It’s at one so I’ll
be taking you out of school early. (Trying to
lighten the mood) I’m sure that doesn’t upset you
too-too much.
Rocky chuckles unenthusiastically. He doesn’t look up.
DANIEL (CONT’D)
You know, I just wish you hadn’t been so
indecisive about this, especially with only a
couple of weeks until graduation.
Rocky becomes anxious. He glances up at his mother. She is
sheepishly uninvolved. He then looks to his father and
notices something peculiar.
Daniel’s face begins to slightly morph, his cheeks and eyes
drooping and reshaping unnaturally. He begins to look
sickly. The atmosphere of the room becomes eerie, with cold
tones, filling the room. Daniel becomes decrepit,
monstrous. The food he is eating turns to rotted flesh,
bones and organs and with his mouth full he looks to Rocky
then laughs hideously, piercingly.
Rocky gasps in horror. He shakes his head in disbelief, and
then refocuses. Everything is normal. His parents are
enjoying their meals. Rocky gets up, clenching his gut in
disgust.
ROCKY
I’m all set actually, I’m gonna head to bed.
Thanks though, ma.
He heads up the stairs abruptly. His parents share confused
glances.
INT. CLASSROOM – Day
The bell rings and everyone heads to their seats. SISTER
HOLLY stands at the front of the class, waving her hands
for silence.

4. 3.
She begins to lecture.
Her voice is hollow as ROCKY recalls last night’s vision.
Rocky glances at his classmates as they fool around. The
lecture continues with a lesson on Folklore. The words,
“deal with the devil” seem to stand out, catching Rocky’s
attention. He looks at the projector screen, displaying an
image of Pope and a demon, making a deal. The face of the
demon is oddly familiar. Rocky stares thoughtfully.
Class ends with a bell. The students file out.
Sister Holly wags a finger for ROCKY to come. As he gets
up, through his eyes, we see the room shift and falter. Her
fingers turn long and sharp. Rocky’s face shows sickness.
The room returns as quickly as it came. He winces, but
manages to reach her desk.
SISTER HOLLY
(Concerned)
I noticed that you have not been as participative
as usual. Is there anything that has been
troubling you?
ROCKY
(Wavering)
N-no Sister Holly, I’ve been fine, just tired.
Late nights of homework, you know? That’s all.
SISTER HOLLY
Well, you know you always have us to talk to. I
understand that with graduation approaching, it
can be a little intimidating to think about the
journey to come…
Her words trail on to a blur. Through his eyes, we see her
face stretch into the walls. The sound of Rocky’s
increasing heartbeat floods the room.
EXT. OTHERWORLDLY LANDSCAPE – NIGHT
The sound of the heartbeat becomes a deafening hum, muting
the room. The classroom fades into darkness. Subtly,
earthlike terrain materializes around him. The ground
squishes and wriggles beneath his feet, alive. Rocky gains
his bearing and analyzes his surroundings. The environment
is dreary. Death and torture is palpable.

5. 4.
A silhouetted figure on an adjacent hill is visible.
Rocky steps closer, trembling.
Indistinct whispers emerge with each step.
The figure’s shape defines through the thick haze,
revealing a tall, ghoulish figure, its body rising and
falling with audible breaths. Rocky is petrified.
ROCKY
(Muffled, as if in a dream)
Who-Who are you?
The figure stands unperturbed, the whispers heightening to
a clamor.
ROCKY
(Drowned out by wind)
Did you bring me here? What do you want?!
The whispers grow to a roar, with winds matching the
intensity. Rocky struggles to remain grounded as dust and
debris enshrouds him.
The figure steps forward, unaffected by the environment. It
stops a step before Rocky’s face reaching a clawed hand
through the wall of dust, then clenching in a beckoning
motion.
The winds swirl around him, forcing him into submission.
The voices are now thunderous cries.
He tries to scream.
Rocky is pulled into a dark depth. Everything Goes silent.
CUT TO BLACK
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD – DAY
ROCKY is in a familiar neighborhood, with no recollection
of his walk. He is confused and his face reflects that of
bewilderment. Without questioning, he continues home.
INT. BEDROOM – DAY
ROCKY slams open his bedroom door and hastily passes
through his room dropping his bags and falling onto his
bed. He slumps over onto his pillows and lies there for a
beat.

6. 5.
He looks up and to the nightstand beside his bed, looking
to a portrait of his father in military garb. He looks
confident and proud. Rocky gives it a harsh stare for a
moment and lays it down. He grabs for the drawer just
beneath it and pulls out a small sketchpad. He turns over
and begins to sketch. He looks out his window to the
setting sun for inspiration. He begins to draw it swirling
majestically over mountains. It is serene and beautiful.
As he continues, the work begins to reflect that of his
visions the day before. The landscape is abstract and
distorted, and just before the sun stands the imposing
figure, silhouetted in a dark haze. Rocky glares hatefully
into his work. A knock comes from his door, breaking his
concentration.
ROCKY
(Caught off guard)
Come in!
DANIEL opens the door and enters.
DANIEL
Hey Rock, how’re you doing man?
ROCKY
I’m doing good dad, just getting some ideas out.
DANIEL
Yeah? Can I see?
Rocky reluctantly hands him the notebook. Daniel grabs it
and quickly skims it over. He looks at it puzzled then
hands it back to him.
There is a Pause between the two.
Daniel begins to pace around and looks to the picture set
down beside atop his nightstand. He lifts it back up and
admires.
DANIEL
You know son, there is a great deal of fortitude
to be had from the military. As a young man
growing up with parents that couldn’t see my
talents, it was the best thing for me.

7. 6.
He continues to pace around, picture in hand.
DANIEL (CONT’D)
If not for that type of structure in my life, I
probably would’ve ended up in prison, or who
knows, maybe even dead. I won’t make the same
mistake my parents made, I’m gonna give you that
chance to prove your talents.
Rocky clenches his gut as the sickness creeps up. He holds
it back. He attempts to intervene.
ROCKY
You know dad, I-
DANIEL (CONT’D)
You’ll be joining a brotherhood Rocky, surrounded
by people who will protect you and keep you from
losing yourself. This is an opportunity for
greatness, something that your mother and I can
both see in you. All we have to do now is take
this one step.
Rocky stares out thoughtfully.
He places the picture right side up beside his bed.
DANIEL (CONT’D)
Your making the right choice Rock, you’ll realize
that in time.
He leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
Rocky stares blankly for a moment, and then looks at his
drawing. We are brought in slowly to the shadowy figure
silhouetted before the sun.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM – NIGHT
DANIEL makes his way into bed beside IRENE. He pulls the
covers over him and sits for a while, letting out a deep
sigh. Irene sets down a magazine and looks to him.
IRENE
What’s wrong sweetie.
DANIEL
It’s Rock, I’m a bit worried about him.

8. 7.
IRENE
…Hmm
DANIEL
I mean, he seems distant, reserved. He says this
is what he wants to do, and at first he was so
excited, but now when its time to come down to
it, he is reserved and can’t look me in the eye
without a worried expression. I don’t know Irene;
I just wish he would communicate with me.
IRENE
Well maybe he’s just scared, it’s a big decision,
and maybe he’s having second th-
DANIEL
(Dismissively)
No, it can’t be, he’s told me many times that
this is what he wants to do, this is his choice.
He turns over, pulling the covers over him.
Irene sighs and turns out the lamp beside her.
EXT – OTHERWORLDLY LANDSCAPE – NIGHT
Rocky explores the deathly world deeper, crawling through
crevices that pulse and constrict as he enters. He pushes
his way through spiny vegetation that reach out as he
passes. Voices are heard, clearer than before, expressing
woes of dreams unfulfilled. Rocky emerges from the brush
and enters a clearing that looks out to a path leading to
tall and elongated watchtowers, lumbering over with
distortion. He continues to follow it. Chainlike adornments
hanging from stakes mark the path.
He stops in shock as a stout winged creature waddles by,
disregarding his presence. Rocky enters a clearing,
watchtowers encircling. He makes sure to stick to the
sides, out of sight. A figure walks out onto one of the
balconies, patrolling. Rocky scales the perimeter
cautiously.
The figure stops, listening. Rocky holds his breathe. The
figure’s head slowly turns in his direction.

9. 8.
Rocky’s Heart is pounding. It turns back through the
doorway. Rocky continues, relieved finding a path at the
far end of the clearing.
He bumps directly into one of them, clearly visible and
staring deeply into his eyes. Rocky falls back, petrified
with fear. He fumbles backward. The figure steps forward.
Rocky continues to stumble right into the clearing.
The figure steps closer, reaching out his hand.
ROCKY
Wh-What do you want?!
He is now in the center of the clearing. Figures emerge
from the edges of the clearing centering in on him. They
all share the same tall, imposing presence. He is trapped,
no-where to go. The whispers are now accompanied by a
booming of crying and yelling. Tortured souls. Each figure
is cloaked. They peel back their hoods revealing copies of
Rock’s face. Rocky looks at inching closer to one in
curiosity. The figure has a helmet on, riddled with bullet-
holes. The face is expressionless, only a mockery of his
own. It frowns, opens his mouth, and unleashes a shockwave
of voices, screaming with torture and despair.
Rocky falls to the ground in fear. The beings pull their
cloaks over him. He is once again overcome by darkness.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
ROCKY awakes in his room. It was a dream. He looks out of
his window to see DANIEL pulling out of the driveway,
waving to IRENE as she stands in the doorway. He looks at
the calendar, its Tuesday. The camera zooms in on the day
with the words “Meet with Recruiter” marked in red marker.
INT. CAFETERIA – DAY
ROCKY is shown sitting at a lunch table with a few of his
friends, locked in a heated debate about who is hotter,
Natalie Portman or Jessica Biel. Rocky is not
participating. His is focused and reserved, repeating the
images over and over again in his mind.
One of the nuns approaches the cafeteria overseer across
the lunchroom and whispers something in his ear. The both

10. 9.
look over to ROCKY. The man nods and walks over toward
Rocky.
The sickness begins in Rocky’s gut; he looks pale.
CAFETERIA OVERSEER
Rocky, your father is here to pick you up.
The whole room becomes an elongated blur, met
with a long hum. It swiftly returns to shape.
Rocky gets to his feet.
INT. CAR – DAY
DANIEL is driving the car with ROCKY in the passenger’s
seat. They are silent. Rocky is looking out of the window,
disconnected. Daniel is shuffling in his seat,
uncomfortable at the silence. He attempts to break it.
DANIEL
So, today’s the big day; The day to become the
man your destined to be!
There is a pause.
DANIEL (CONT.)
It wont be a long process, he’s just going to
have you fill out some forms; the physical
screening and such, nothing too intensive. Then
you’ll be an official man of the Armed Forces. A
man in uniform, just like your old dad.
He smiles and looks over to him.
ROCKY
(After a pause)
Yup, it’s a big day.
We see Rocky’s face in the reflection, trees passing by.
ROCKY
(Under his Breath)
The day I sign my soul away.
INT. RECRUITING OFFICE – DAY
ROCKY and DANIEL enter the recruiting office. A man in
full-military garb is seated at a desk with a welcoming
smile on his face. The RECRUITING OFFICER stands up.

11. 10.
RECRUITING OFFICER
Welcome! Please, take a seat.
They both sit down, Rocky seated in the chair directly in
front of the officer’s desk, Daniel seated in a metal chair
in the back of the room, spectating anxiously.
RECRUITING OFFICER
So your father and I have been speaking for a few
weeks now and you seem like a prime candidate for
the U.S. Armed forces. He tells me you’re a hard
worker and like to work with your hands.
Rocky feigns a smile and nods his head.
RECRUITING OFFICER (CONT.)
Great, then you’ll be pleased to find that we
have many great opportunities for a man like you.
Please, let’s begin.
He hands Rocky a packet.
RECRUITING OFFICER (CONT.)
Just go ahead and fill these out and we’ll get
started.
Rocky looks back to his father. Daniel gives him thumbs up
and a smirk. Rocky returns his eyes to the packet. As he
attempts to read the words, they begin to dance around the
page, stretching and distorting in his vision. Rocky grows
tense with sickness, and tilts his head slowly up toward
the recruiter. The recruiter looks at him confused, his
face begins to droop and distort.
RECRUITING OFFICER
(Drowned out)
Do you have a question?
The room sags and fills with darkness, stretching like
elastics into a new form. The Recruiter stretches downward,
molding with the floor, now made up of rock and earth.
INT. DARK CAVE – NIGHT
ROCKY gains his bearings and looks around. He is now in a
cave, dimly illuminated by a scarce amount of torches
lining the walls. Rocky decides to continue on.

12. 11.
Rocky makes his way through the cavern, pushing his way
through a labyrinth of animal bones and puddles. A light
source begins to form deeper in the tunnel. Rocky proceeds
to follow it.
He emerges into a large room filled with gold and riches.
The voice of a young woman is heard singing a beautiful
song. He continues astonished and bewildered. He becomes
entranced by the beautiful voice. He turns a corner
entering an alcove with WOMAN 1 and WOMAN 2 lying naked on
sofas, stroking their bodies alluringly. A MAN in a cloak
stands facing the adjacent wall.
Rocky slowly approaches the man in the cloak. The man turns
to face him, swiftly and unnaturally. Rocky stops. The man
pulls his cloak first revealing a red torso adorned with
jewelry, and a head of long, curling horns. The man reaches
a clawed hand out motioning for Rocky to come forward.
Rocky steps forward and approaches one of the women. She
embraces his face and looks in his eyes, singing.
He lifts his head up and turns to the man who is smiling.
He nods his head over to empty couch and proceeds to sit.
Rocky follows, the woman releasing his face. He sits beside
the man. Rocky is irresolute, looking around the room
admiringly. He looks back to the man who is nodding at him.
All of this can be his. The man reaches his arm around him
maintaining eye contact. The whispers slowly and quietly
begin to emerge. The man reaches a hand out to Rocky.
Rocky looks at it, the whispers growing louder. Rocky
slowly reaches out his hand. The whispers grow to a loud
clamor. His hand reaches closer. The man’s face begins to
twist into a devilish grin. The whispers are now
thunderous.
ROCKY
(Suddenly)
NO!
He reaches to the sofa’s side, grabbing a long spiked pole
and stabs it directly into the heart of the man. The women
shriek loudly and the man gasps with pain. Rocky digs it
deeper and harder. The whispers are now sorrowful moans.
The room begins to turn to a storm, the gold and jewelry
floating around like paper. The man ignites into flames,
laughing maniacally. The room is now a cyclone, everything
disintegrating and turning to dust. The women are now

13. 12.
skeletons, carried off in the storm. The environment grows
dark and the world around him fades.
INT. RECRUITER’s OFFICE – DAY
ROCKY is seated in the chair adjacent the RECRUITING
OFFICER. DANIEL is seated patiently behind them. The
Officer pushes a paper forward for him to sign.
RECRUITING OFFICER
Your all set, just sign here!
Rocky pushes the contract away.
ROCKY
No, no I can’t do it.
Daniel stands up, abruptly.
DANIEL
What?
ROCKY
I wont do it dad, this isn’t me, and this isn’t
what I want to do.
DANIEL
But what could you possibly mean? This is your
dream, our dream! This is what you’ve always
wanted.
ROCKY
No, dad, this is what you’ve always wanted! You
see, I already have what qualities the military
could give me, I have you to thank for that. But
you see, I’m not afraid of failure. I’d rather
starve doing something I love than thrive doing
something I don’t.
DANIEL
(Anxiously)
But if this isn’t what you want to do then what
is?
ROCKY
I want to do art dad… I wan’t to be an artist.
There is a pause.

14. 13.
DANIEL
(Defeated)
You want to do art, huh?
He looks to the face of the young recruiter, longingly.
He turns to Rock in acceptance.
DANIEL
Son, if you want to do art, then dammit, you’re
going to do art.
Rocky smirks. Daniel pats him on the back. He looks to the
Recruiting officer who is slightly little taken aback.
DANIEL
Thank you for your time sir, but it seems that my
son will not be joining the armed forces today or
any day for that matter. We’re sorry for wasting
your time.
Daniel looks to Rocky, smiling, placing his hand on his
shoulder.
DANIEL
Come on Rock; let’s go get a burger at some
greasy spoon.
Rocky gets up and hugs his dad; they put their arms around
each other’s shoulders and exit through the door.
FADE OUT