The Great Escape Room
INT. DAVE'S LOFT - DAY
The gang - DAVE, ALEX, JANE, BRAD, MAX, and PENNY - are sitting around Dave's living room, laughing and enjoying themselves.
DAVE
So, guys, I have a surprise for you. I booked us an escape room for tonight!
The gang exchanges looks of excitement and fear.
PENNY
(hesitantly)
I've never done an escape room before. And to be honest, I've always found the concept of willingly being locked in a room a bit unnerving... and not in a normal, fun 'Penny freaking out' type of way.
BRAD
Don't worry, babe. It's a team-building thing. We'll all be there together to help each other out.
Intercut with various brief shots of the escape room adventure they are talking about.
ALEX
So, what's the theme of the room?
DAVE
It's called 'The Great Mysterious Mansion.' It's got a bunch of riddles and puzzles.
MAX
Riddles and puzzles? I love riddles! Did you know I once solved the Gordian knot?
JANE
(sarcastically)
Really, Max? You solved an ancient, impossible knot? Let's keep it real here.
MAX
(defeated)
Fine, I just saw it in a movie.
INT. MYSTERIOUS MANSION - NIGHT
The gang stands in the entrance area of the escape room, excited and slightly nervous. A CREEPY INSTRUCTOR debriefs them on the rules.
CREEPY INSTRUCTOR
You have one hour to solve the mystery and find the key to escape. This room is filled with puzzles and riddles, and I assure you, it's not for the faint of heart. Are you ready?
PENNY
I've never been more ready for anything in my life. And by 'ready,' I mean 'terrified to the point of almost peeing.'
CREEPY INSTRUCTOR
(laughing sinisterly)
Good luck.
He exits, leaving the gang in the room.
The gang splits up into pairs: Dave and Alex, Jane and Brad, Max and Penny.
INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT
Dave and Alex discover an old bookshelf containing various books with obscure titles.
DAVE
(pointing at a book)
Look, the title of this book is an anagram. It must be a clue!
ALEX
Dave, that's just 'The Hobbit.'
DAVE
Oh. My bad.
Alex smirks, and they continue searching.
INT. VICTORIAN PARLOR - NIGHT
Jane and Brad inspect a grandfather clock that stands ominously in the corner.
BRAD
(gasps)
Jane, the clock's hands are moving backwards! What the--
JANE
Brad, honey, you're looking at it in the mirror.
BRAD
(slightly embarrassed)
Right. Sorry.
INT. CREEPY KITCHEN - NIGHT
Max and Penny are trying to solve a recipe-based riddle.
PENNY
So, if we combine these ingredients, we get...
MAX
(grinning)
A delicious cake that comes to life and gives us the key!
PENNY
How about we just try solving the riddle?
Max rolls his eyes, but he agrees. They continue to decipher the recipe.
As the gang gets closer to solving the escape room, they become more frantic and excited. The adventure brings them all closer together as friends.
Finally, they're all in the main room, congregating around the floor where the key is hidden.
BRAD
We did it, guys! We solved the mystery of the Great Mysterious Mansion!
ALEX
And with five minutes to spare!
The gang exchanges looks of pure joy and accomplishment.
As they're about to exit, Penny notices something odd about the wallpaper.
PENNY
Wait a second, guys. Something doesn't feel right...
TO BE CONTINUED
The Lost Treasure of Chicago
EXT. CHICAGO - DAY
Establishing shot of the Chicago skyline.
INT. DAVE'S FOOD TRUCK - DAY
Dave is chopping vegetables, while Alex looks concerned. Max, Jane, Brad and Penny are all gathered and talking in the truck.
ALEX
Guys, guess what I found out today?
MAX
Please tell me you uncovered a new flavor of hot dogs for the food truck.
BRAD
(Max) That's what you want her to say?
PENNY
Max has his priorities.
JANE
Alright, spill it Alex!
ALEX
Okay, so I was at the library, doing some research, and I came across an old story about a hidden treasure somewhere in Chicago.
PENNY
Oooh, I love treasure hunting.
DAVE
I'm not sure spending time on a treasure hunt is a great idea for us. Let’s focus on our own thing here.
MAX
I think we should go for it. Maybe it's something valuable and we could split the loot!
BRAD
(Max) Not sure if it’s as easy as it sounds.
PENNY
Never hurts to try. Where do we start, Alex?
ALEX
According to the story, the treasure was buried by a wealthy businessman back in the 1700s. There’s this riddle we need to solve to pinpoint the location.
INT. JANE AND BRAD'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The gang gathers around the dining table, trying to figure out the riddle. The riddle appears on screen as they read it.
RIDDLE: "Under the guardians of the eternal moon, where the Winged beings flock not too soon. Beneath the resting giant’s core, Will a hidden path unlock the door."
MAX
Sounds like Dr. Seuss on steroids.
JANE
Okay, let’s break it down. What could be the guardians of the eternal moon?
BRAD
Maybe it’s a reference to an old building or monument?
ALEX
Or something celestial? Like a constellation!
PENNY
What about the “Winged beings”? That seems like some heavy symbolism.
DAVE
Or maybe it’s just birds? There are a lot of bird statues around the city.
MAX
The resting giant…that seems significant.
JANE
Definitely. But what could be considered a giant in Chicago?
PENNY
I know! The Skydeck! It’s the tallest observatory in the city!
MAX
Or maybe this...
Max holds up his phone, showing a photo of a giant statue in a park.
DAVE
It could be it. I think we should go check out these places.
BRAD
Alright, let’s find this treasure!
MONTAGE OF SEARCHING THROUGH CHICAGO - TRIPS TO MONUMENTS, MUSEUMS AND ICONIC LANDMARKS WHILE SOLVING CLUES - NO DIALOGUE - MUSIC PLAYS OVER
INT. DAVE'S FOOD TRUCK - LATE AFTERNOON
The gang gathers back at the truck, exhausted and a little frustrated. The sun is setting over Chicago.
BRAD
This is harder than I thought!
PENNY
I never thought we'd be chasing birds all day in Chicago.
ALEX
But it’s kinda fun, right?
MAX
It's like a grown-up Easter egg hunt!
JANE
Guys, maybe we should recheck the riddle, we might have overlooked something.
DAVE
Alright, let’s take another look.
They read the riddle again, and Penny suddenly has an epiphany.
PENNY
Guys, I figured it out! We were so close!
The rest of the gang looks at Penny, eagerly waiting for her to reveal the answer.
TO BE CONTINUED.
The Great Cake-Off
INT. DAVE AND ALEX'S APARTMENT - DAY
Dave is in the kitchen, meticulously following a cake recipe. Alex watches from the living room.
ALEX: Dave, why are you so stressed about this cake?
DAVE: This isn't just a cake, Alex. It's my entry for the annual Chicago Cake Off. I've been perfecting my recipe for weeks.
CUT TO:
INT. MAX AND PENNY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Max and Penny are sitting on the couch, in their pajamas, surrounded by delivery food.
PENNY: We really need to get our lives together, Max.
MAX: What do you mean? This is the dream.
PENNY: There's grease stains on my sweatpants from Tuesday's pizza.
MAX: There's a reason they're called 'sweatpants' and not 'meet-the-parents pants'!
CUT TO:
INT. BRAD AND JANE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Brad and Jane are going through their mail.
JANE: Brad, I think it's time for you to give up your dream of being a ventriloquist.
BRAD: No way! I have real talent! America's Got Talent, here I come!
Jane opens an envelope and gasps.
JANE: Well, here's something that might change your mind. It's an invite to Dave's annual cake-off!
CUT TO:
INT. DAVE AND ALEX'S APARTMENT - DAY
The gang is gathered around Dave's finished cake masterpiece. Brad still has his ventriloquist dummy.
PENNY: (to Alex) So, are you going to help Dave with his cake?
ALEX: No, I have a secret cake recipe up my sleeve. May the best cake win.
Jane gets an evil grin on her face.
JANE: How about we make this interesting? Whoever loses the cake-off has to get a tattoo chosen by the winner.
Everyone agrees enthusiastically, except for Dave.
DAVE: Wait, what?
TO BE CONTINUED
Happy Endings: The Haunted Mixer
INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
PENNY walks into the room with excitement on her face, carrying a stack of flyers. MAX, ALEX, DAVE, and JANE are sitting on the couch.
PENNY
Guys, guys, guys! Get ready for the best Halloween party of the century! I present to you the Haunted Mixer!
ALEX
Ooooh, can I bring some spooky cupcakes?
JANE
As long as they don't taste scary, like last year.
DAVE
That's great, Pen. The last Halloween party we had was a real, uh, treat?
MAX
I think the term you're looking for, Dave, is 'nightmare fuel'.
BRAD enters the room.
BRAD
I'm game. But only if it's actually haunted, and not like that haunted hike Jane and I went on one time where the scariest thing was the expressions of the bored teenage employees.
JANE
Hey! That hike wasn't a total waste. It inspired my award-winning Zazzle store.
PENNY
Trust me, it’s going to be amazing. There's going to be food, drinks, a DJ, costumes, and, yes, the place is actually rumored to be haunted.
ALEX
Remind me to never try out your party planner. A haunted venue?
MAX
I'm with Al. I'm not trying to communicate with some Civil War soldier's ghost.
DAVE
As long as they're not flirting with our girlfriends, a little supernatural activity might be fun. But seriously, where is this haunted house?
PENNY
It's at this old mansion just outside of town. It's been abandoned for years, and there have been ghost stories about it for forever.
JANE
I don't know, Penny. It might be too spooky for me.
BRAD
Come on, babe, let's give it a shot. Like your mom always says, 'the squeaky wheel gets the oil.'
JANE
(mocking)
Well, when you put it that way... I'm in.
EXT. HAUNTED MANSION - NIGHT
The group, dressed in their Halloween costumes, approaches the CREEPY, FOREBODING MANSION. To their surprise, it seems to be deserted with no sign of life, no guests, no party host, or even the glow of festive string lights.
ALEX
I'm starting to think this might not be the spot, Pen Pen.
MAX
Or it's the perfect place for a ghost to lure its victims.
PENNY
Guys, chill. The party planner said it would be here. Just trust me on this. Lighten up!
DAVE
What are we supposed to do, pal around with cobwebs and spiders?
BRAD
(chuckling)
Maybe they got here too early and kicked it with the old homeowners. Boom! Fun.
JANE
I'm going to send something salty to that party planner. Let's just head back, guys.
As they turn to leave, a door CREAKS open, revealing the dark interior.
MAX
I guess spooky invitations weren't enough. Now this place is opening its own doors?
BRAD
I don't know, guys. Maybe we should give it a chance?
JANE
Five minutes. That's all I'm allowing before I drag you away by your not-so-scary monster costume. Got it?
BRAD
Deal.
As they enter the creepy mansion, the door slowly CREAKS shut behind them, plunging them into darkness.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Reveal
INT. LOFT - DAY
Alex, Dave, Max, Penny, Brad, and Jane are all gathered around the TV. The atmosphere is tense.
ALEX
This documentary is so intense! Who knew the history of homemade jams could be so compelling?
JANE
(whispering)
You're just a sucker for local artisan stories.
PENNY
(cutting in)
Guys, speaking of intense, I have a surprise for all of you.
DAVE
A surprise? This better be good, Penny.
PENNY
I'd like to think so. I've signed us all up for a city-wide scavenger hunt.
BRAD (excitedly)
A scavenger hunt? Say no more.
MAX
What? And ruin my weekend plans of not leaving the house?
PENNY
(Laughing)
C'mon Max, it'll be fun! Plus, it's for a good cause?
MAX (sarcastically)
What priceless cause might that be?
PENNY
Well, the winning team gets to donate ten grand to their favorite charity. And one of those charities is an animal sanctuary for cats who lost their whiskers. So, Alex, it's perfect for you.
ALEX
Aw! I do have a weak spot for whiskerless kittens.
EXT. STREETS - DAY
Alex, Dave, Max, Penny, Brad, and Jane are in teams of two, running around the city for different scavenger hunt items.
INT. THRIFT STORE - DAY
Alex and Dave are in the thrift store, looking for a vintage tea set.
ALEX
If we find it, we can test it with my jam.
DAVE
(Glaring)
Alex, focus.
INT. PARK - DAY
Max and Penny are searching for a four-leaf clover, causing a scene.
MAX
This is the stupidest scavenger hunt list. Whoever created it should have a serious look at their life choices.
PENNY
Says the guy responsible for Cheeseburger Mondays, Taco Fridays, and which may I remind you, extended shopping hours for Grocery Mart.
EXT. CITY HALL - DAY
Brad and Jane are in front of City Hall, arguing if the team who wins should donate to a cat or dog shelter.
JANE
This is not up for discussion, Brad. Cats are clearly better.
BRAD
(glower)
Does your winning argument come from the fact that the judge is sister, by any chance?
JANE (genuinely surprised)
What? No, I have no idea what you're talking about.
BRAD
(smirky)
So, suddenly, my wife is a terrible liar? I know all about the cat decor bought last week.
INT. LOFT - NIGHT
Everyone gathers back at the loft, bragging about their found items, until suddenly...
PENNY
Wait a minute! You guys cheated? Your sister was the judge? !
JANE
(Lying)
No, I-I didn't know that! That is a huge coincidence, I swear.
TO BE CONTINUED
Happy Endings: Food Flight
INT. LOFT - DAY
Dramatic music PLAYS as Max (Adam Pally) and Penny (Casey Wilson) engage in a culinary showdown in the loft's kitchen.
MAX
Ha! I shall win this food fight, you pastry pinhead!
PENNY
Oh, you'll eat your words when I'm done with you!
Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) and Jane (Eliza Coupe) run in from the living room, tired but excited.
JANE
How many hours have they been at this?
BRAD
I lost count. Honestly, I just want them to finish so we can have some food for once.
Dave (Zachary Knighton) and Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) enter, oblivious to the ongoing food war.
DAVE
Another successful wedding catering job in the bag!
Dave whips up a ginormous tub of salad, big enough to feel proud about.
ALEX
Wow, this salad is amazing, Dave!
PENNY
Hey, can't you see we've got a food fight happening here?
Max launches a spoonful of whipped cream at Penny, but she ducks, and it hits Dave's salad instead.
DAVE
Hey! Not the salad!
Brad smirks then bursts into an oddly rhythmical chant.
BRAD
Salad fight! Salad fight! Salad fight!
The other four join in the chant, each picking up lettuce leaves and hurling them at each other.
JANE
(to Alex) So, how did it go with that photographer at the wedding?
ALEX
Oh my god, he was amazing. He taught me how to take a selfie where I don't look like I have extra chins.
Penny narrowly dodges a flying tomato from Max.
PENNY
I heard he's single, so...any sparks fly?
ALEX
Nah, he's not really my type.
BRAD
The kind with a pulse and a wedding gig?
PENNY
(throwing lettuce) Hey!
WADE, a handsome stranger (late 20s, in plain but clean clothes) enters the loft.
WADE
Uh, hi. I'm Wade, from down the hall. I heard a lot of noise...
Alex, instantly smitten, tosses her head back and gives a flirty laugh.
ALEX
(laughing) Oh, we're just throwing some fresh veggies around!
MAX
You mean destroying our only food supply.
The screen freezes in a playful lettuce clash moment. The TITLE appears:
'Happy Endings: Food Flight'
INT. LOFT - A FEW MINUTES LATER
Everyone is cleaning up the mess. Wade is engaged in small talk with each of the gang members.
WADE
I'm an event planner. I moved in last week, and I'm still waiting for the padded envelopes to come in. You guys seem like a fun bunch!
JANE
Oh, we simply love throwing themed 'welcome to the building' parties...
DAVE
Yeah, food fights, salsa dancing, cat fashion shows...
WADE
Feeling honored. But seriously, thank you for welcoming me.
He shares a meaningful glance with Alex.
BRAD
Oh, speaking of parties, Jane and I need to make a reservation for the big anniversary dinner!
JANE
That's right, five glorious years of marital bliss!
Eyebrows raise with excitement, and the screen freezes.
'TO BE CONTINUED'
Happy Endings: The Fountain of Youth
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
The gang, ALEX, DAVE, MAX, BRAD, JANE, and PENNY, are sitting around the coffee table, squabbling about a new bar that's opening in the city.
ALEX
I heard this place has a fountain of youth shot. They say you take it and look five years younger the next day.
PENNY
Honey, that's called a spray tan.
JANE
Or any of my six different facial treatments I do every night.
BRAD
Trust me, bro. If that were true, I'd be downing them like Skittles!
MAX
Am I the only one curious to try it? Just for laughs?
DAVE
I'm in. The only thing better than drunken mistakes is looking fresh doing them.
INT. NEW BAR - NIGHT
The group is hanging out at the new bar, sipping on their drinks. ALEX leads them to the shiny, bubbling fountain filled with the colorful "fountain of youth" shots.
ALEX
Well, here goes nothing! Cheers to looking younger!
The gang each takes a shot and drinks it.
BRAD
If we all end up looking like children tomorrow, I'm blaming you.
JANE
A child with six facial treatments? Not the worst thing in the world.
INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - MORNING
The gang has crashed at ALEX'S place, and they all slowly wake up.
MAX
Check it out, guys. Do I look younger?
DAVE
Well, you look... different.
PENNY
Hey, I think you do!
Suddenly, JANE bolts upright, eyes wide.
JANE
Wait a minute... Look at this!
She points at her face, which is unnaturally smooth and youthful.
ALEX
Oh my God, I'm a baby!
One by one, the gang checks their faces, each looking a few years younger.
BRAD
Okay, okay. This is impressive...but how do we make it stop?
PENNY
You guys, I have a meeting in two hours! I can't go in looking like this!
MAX
Relax, Penny. It's probably just a temporary thing, like when you wake up from a nap and your face is all weird.
The gang exchanges worried looks.
JANE
I hope so...
TO BE CONTINUED
