[thunder rumbling]
[gasps]
Celeste.
Sweetie, wake up. Come on. Come on, sweetie.
Stay quiet. Okay? Mom, what’s the matter?
I want you to stay in here. Be very quiet, sweetie. Okay? [object shatters]
Do not come out no matter what.
[thunder continues rumbling]
[gasps]
[beeping] What the hell?
No freaking signal.
[gasping, shouting] [hammer clicking]
[whimpering, groans]
[grunting]
[grunts] [exclaims]
[screams]
[body thuds]
[groaning]
Don’t worry.
He’s going to get what he deserves.
Trust me.
[thunder rumbling]
[grunting, choking]
Bet you wish you looked like me and could pull the trigger yourself.
Come on.
Mom?
Mom, wake up.
Mom.
I’m sorry I couldn’t save Mom. Wake up.
[exhales]
[thunder continues rumbling]
[chattering] [horns honking]
[chattering continues]
[thunder rumbling]
[clerk] He’s so slow.
I heard you the first time.
Hey. Tom Cartright.
I’m here for the Flamme O’ Frites game.
Ah, yes. Mr. Cartright, we’ve been expecting you.
Congratulations.
You know, we bought 50 bags of those potato chips,
called the number on the bag and got the same stupid message.
"You are not a winner this time, but keep playing."
I only bought one bag.
Just got lucky, I guess.
Sure sounds like it.
We have you in suite 1316, Congressman.
Perfect.
Hey, how late is the pool open?
It’s 24 hours, sir. That’s wonderful.
Hundred laps a day keeps the doctor away.
I’m seeing double.
Billy Gray. Contest winner. Checking in.
And your best room, yeah, chief?
Of course, Mr. Gray. Nothing but the best for you.
[laughing] [woman] Celeste, do you have my purse?
Yeah, I have it. How do you think the rich get richer, sweetie?
We gotta invest and start young.
I trust you on this. Cheers.
[chuckles] Are we having fun?
We’ve upgraded you to suite 1323, Mr. Gray.
Great.
Elevator this way? Correct, Mr. Gray.
Welcome, Dr. Stevens. Thank you.
Hey, quick question if you don’t mind.
I have had a dull pain in my right side for, like, two weeks.
Any thoughts of what that could be?
Well, off the top of my head,
as long as it’s not a stabbing or a burning pain,
it’s probably a pulled muscle, so try a heating patch.
No, no, thank you.
You must be excited about the game though, Doctor.
I mean, an unreal grand prize of $20 million.
I mean, I have to admit I’ve made money in my life,
but this is a whole different level.
I bet you would love that. Yeah. [chuckles]
I said, no, thank you. What part of "no, thank you" do you not understand?
Dante.
I’m really sorry. I’m really sorry.
Yeah.
We’ll be rooting for you, Dr. Stevens.
We have you in suite 1303. 1303. Thank you.
Elevator is this way? Straight down to your right.
Hey.
Good evening, Detective Quinn,
and welcome to the Le Deux Sirenes.
It’s good to be here and happy for the damn break.
May we ask what kind of detective you are?
Robbery-Homicide.
Sounds exciting.
It has its moments.
Suite 1312.
And good luck, Detective.
Thank you.
Hi.
Miss Deveraux, welcome.
And we have you in suite 1309, Miss Deveraux.
Mmm! Lucky number 13.
I like it.
Well, we’re secretly hoping you win.
So am I.
And it’s not a secret.
And God knows you deserve it.
There’s a welcome reception starting in five minutes in the lobby bar.
Twins. Fun.
Thank you, boys.
[clears throat]
[chuckles]
[kisses]
[exhales] I love my job.
[Billy] I am a financial planner.
What I love is to see people get rich.
Says a lot about a man, don’t you think? I take great pride in it. I do.
[chuckles]
Thank you. Fabulous.
That guy is everywhere.
Anyway, what I love to do is find the right investment vehicle for nice folks
and watch their portfolio grow and grow.
It’s very satisfying.
Basically, I make dreams come true.
Really? Me too.
Is that right? What do you do, Aurora?
I’m a high-end escort, Billy.
You sell for a living.
I fuck for one.
Well, if one of us wins this thing, maybe we can do some business together.
[laughs]
My services are very, very expensive.
So are mine.
I heard it all. That’s about right. Crazy scandal.
Ah! There they are.
The other two lucky warriors
joining us in this battle of winner takes all.
Hey. Detective Michael Quinn.
This here is Dr... Uh, Surgeon.
Dr. Scott Stevens.
Excuse me. Surgeon.
And of course the senator from Alabama.
Congressman Tom Cartright. And you two are?
Billy Gray, salesman extraordinaire.
Aurora Deveraux, escort extraordinaire.
[all chattering]
Welcome one and all.
[chuckles] Love the suit.
Thank you very much. Gather around, good people. I don’t bite.
On behalf of Flamme O’ Frites and our newest spicy chip,
the Jalapeño Hell Popper,
which will light up your mouth like a sweet bolt of lightning,
I want to congratulate you on buying the lucky numbered bags
which gave you this chance to play poker
and walk out of the fabulous Le Deux Sirenes
with five years’ worth of Hell Poppers
and $20 million.
Uh, great speech, but, uh, question, Mr...
Oh! [chuckles] Damn it. Jesus.
I was so worried about promoting our sponsor
that I forgot to introduce myself.
Samuel Nicholas, your host and dealer.
Samuel, you look familiar.
Have I arrested you before? [chuckles]
I don’t know. Acting is my first love.
I usually play the guy that gets killed off in episode two.
And I’ve done my share of deodorant and Ozempic commercials.
I’ve shilled everything from hemorrhoid cream to fruit juices.
You might recognize this.
Seasonal herpes got you down? Try this new one-pill fixer.
[laughs]
A C-list character actor is how Varietysummed me up.
That’s one hell of a summary.
Well, some of us get to be Brad Pitt and some of us host poker tournaments.
You know? I’m not complaining. Happy to have a job.
[chuckles]
You were saying, Mr... Dr. Stevens.
Yes. We’re gonna be playing Texas Hold ’Em poker. Is that right?
Yes. Very good, Doctor. Let me go over the rules.
There will be three rounds followed by one hour of food service.
Nice spread of Poppers, I’m sure. Ooh, yes!
Like an exquisite explosion of pain inside your taste buds!
I’m sorry, Mr. Gray. They make me say this shit. You understand.
Too bad we couldn’t bring any guests. Just wondering.
Our sponsor actually thought it would be a distraction.
You have the opportunity to win a prize
that could change your life in more ways than one.
And it’s the game that’s most exciting,
so although it’s televised, there’s no live audience
and no guests allowed.
Well, I, for one, wanna wish each and every one of you
bonne chance.
Thanks. Whatever that means.
Listen, I gotta run. I’ve got a Zoom audition for Red Bloods.
It’s not a great show and I don’t love the star, but it’s a network gig
and I’m so close to getting my health insurance through the union.
Gotta go for it.
I have to admit, I love that show.
Really? You worry me, Doctor. [laughs]
Anyhoo, your golden key cards will give you elevator access
to the Cordova Room, our exclusive gaming suite.
First game begins promptly at 8:00 p.m.
Don’t be late.
Did you guys know it was televised?
[sighs] [phone buzzing]
[buzzing continues]
[buzzing]
[sighs]
Hey.
What?
What are you saying? My wife is...
[screams]
No, no.
What about my stepdaughter? Is she okay?
Thank God. Thank God.
I’m tough on crime ’cause I lost my wife to a violent criminal.
A vote for Tom Cartright is a vote for justice.
[applause]
Get me some dirt on any of them.
I need an edge, something I can slip in while we’re playing.
Maybe spin ’em off balance.
Call me back.
[police siren wailing]
There’s the scumbag. Let’s take him.
Freeze! Chicago PD! Hold on, asshole.
Drop the bag.
All right, open it up.
Open the fucking bag!
[groaning]
[exhales]
Oh, God.
[monitor beeping]
Oh, God.
You’re the best, Billy.
And they are a bunch of fucking amateurs.
[Billy] Hello. Hello.
I’m so glad you could make it
and I truly hope you are ready to start making the big bucks.
The deal we talked about is still available, but I can’t hold it for long.
I’ve got clients begging me to get in on this one.
Oh, Christ, I’m hot.
This is gonna be fun.
[bell dings]
[elevator bell chimes]
[beeps]
[elevator bell chimes]
Okay.
Oh, yeah.
[exhales]
Nice.
[elevator bell dings]
Game on, boys.
Hello, boys.
[chattering]
That’s what I think.
[gasps] Oh!
There we go.
Try not to sweat so much. Bad for camera.
I’m feeling a little exposed here.
There are so many more cameras than I thought.
I know we all signed up for this, but isn’t this all getting a little weird?
I think it’s good to get a little exposure.
Your breath smells. Thanks, little guy.
What if we have to pick our nose or something?
Try not to. Use these.
Welcome to my world.
But, hey, if you’re that nervous, might be best to drop out.
Yeah, hey, Doc, you could quit anytime you want.
Okay, it’s not gonna happen. Okay?
Nice try, boys, but I’m here to fucking win too.
Can I say "fucking"? I’m going to.
I fucking love this.
[theme music playing]
Wow. [audience applauding]
Whoa.All right.
That’s cool.
[applause continues]
[Dante] Ladies and gentlemen,
allow me to introduce to you
a man that needs no introduction.
Originally hailing from the great North
and now residing in the deep, hot South,
our host,
Samuel Nicholas!
Welcome to the Flamme O’ Frites Jalapeño Hell Poppers Poker Challenge!
We are streaming live on popperspoker.com
where you can follow along and comment in real time
and root for your favorite player.
And speaking of the players, let’s meet ’em, shall we? [audience cheering]
Some of you may already be familiar with
the three-term congressman from the great state of Alabama,
Tom Cartright.
I’m playing for all my constituents back home.
That’s so sweet.
Next is esteemed surgeon Dr. Scott Stevens, a confirmed bachelor.
But who wouldn’t want to marry a man who’s taken an oath to do God’s work?
You don’t want to have kids? No. Never.
Hey, drop a comment in the chat if you’d like a shot from the good doctor.
Oh, no. Please don’t.
Right out of central casting, we have Detective Michael Quinn.
A 15-year veteran of the Chicago, Illinois Police Department,
he’s been named Detective of the Year three years in a row.
Four. Four, actually.
Why, if I am ever brutally assaulted by some sick psychopath,
I pray it is Michael Quinn assigned to my case.
Just give me a call. Oh, I will.
Mesdames et messieurs, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you
this handsome gentleman,
Mr. Billy Gray, salesman extraordinaire.
The best financial planner in these United States.
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Samuel.
So modest, so humble,
and with such great hair.
[audience laughing, applauding]
And last but not least, our sole female contestant,
Ms. Aurora Deveraux. Hi.
An extraordinary woman
whose passion is to help fellow females less fortunate than herself
and bring justice to those who have unjustly escaped.
Who the hell wrote that?
It’s pretty good, isn’t it? I love it. It’s fabulous.
Each contestant will start with $10,000 in chips
with our winner taking home the grand prize
of $20 million in cold, hard cash.
[audience applauding]
Wow.
[Samuel] Kept on constant refrigeration,
it will be icy when you place it in your very large suitcase.
Hey, how about a hand for our Flamme O’ Frites Flamette Dancers?
Yes. [Billy] Bravo, bravo.
[Aurora] Gorgeous girls.
Thank you, ladies. You’re doing the Lord’s work.
Well, let’s get things started, shall we?
Let’s play poker!
Eight of diamonds.
Queen of hearts.
Ten of clubs.
I like that action, baby. I’m in.
[Samuel] Final bets. Final bets.
I’m in. [Samuel] Care to raise, Congressman?
Yes, I’m in. Two hundred from the future president.
I like the sound of that.
Match again.
I’ll call.
Two hundred from the angel of Singapore.
I was born in Oak Brook. Singapore sounds more exotic.
You shouldn’t eat so much. It makes you look fatter.
Dante, shoo, shoo. Shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo.
He likes you.
Next round, next round, next round.
[scoffs] Fuck.
We can curse, right?
We would prefer if you didn’t.
Big thanks to our sponsor, the Flamme O’ Frites Jalapeno Hell Popper.
These Flamme O’ Frites ain’t too shabby.
Call 500,
raise another thousand.
Billy Boy coming in hot.
Let’s see what you got.
Full house. Queens over tens. And the congressman takes it.
[laughs] There we go.
Got full prescription strength on the doctor.
Fuck.
I think the temperature’s gone up a full ten degrees in here.
I call and I raise.
If I hadn’t already chewed my nails down to the quick,
I’d be biting them right now.
I’m all in.
Call.
[sighs] I fold.
Fold.
Sorry, sweetie pie.
That’s four nines.
[audience cheering]
Wow, it would appear that our angel from Casablanca is...
Read ’em and weep, boys.
[Samuel] A straight flush.
Whoo-hoo!
Shit. I don’t believe it. How does that happen?
I can barely believe it. But believe it. [laughs]
Well, Aurora Deveraux leaves us on a high note
as we conclude round one.
All the contestants will be back for round two,
which begins in exactly one hour.
[elevator bell chimes]
Really thought you were toast, Aurora. You and me both.
I was praying for that ten on the river.
Yeah. What are the odds of that? Miraculous.
I could use a drink. Me too. Calm my nerves.
Same. How about I meet you boys in the lobby bar in five?
I could use a stiff one.
Mmm.
[Aurora] You have really big hands. Has anyone ever told you that?
I also love that shirt, Billy.
[Billy] It’s not always complicated.
[Quinn] Yeah, my wife passed about 12 years ago. Hit and run.
Yeah, one day she’s there, the next she’s gone.
I know just how you feel.
You don’t have to answer, but I was just curious how you, uh...
Became a prostitute?
Bad childhood?
Check.
Home invasion robbery. He killed my wife, Anna.
Did they catch the psycho?
Left our house with $300 and a fake Rolex worth a hundred bucks.
Oh, man. They executed him a couple years ago.
Good. Yeah.
But then you blossomed into this stunning teenager.
You saw what that did to the gullible, horny men.
Check.
Dropped out of high school?
Check.
And then I went to prison.
Oh. The story grows more complex. Doesn’t it just?
Must feel incredible when you solve a case, bring in the bad guy.
Imagine how you felt when they caught your wife’s killer.
To be able to bring that kind of justice to a family...
that’s what keeps me going.
And is your real name Aurora Deveraux?
What do you think?
I think she’s the invention of a very smart young lady...
who’s had a lot of bad luck.
And check.
On a happier note, seems like you’ve stayed the forever bachelor.
If you must know, I was married in my 20s,
but my wife left me.
Hmm.
For an ugly, obese, elderly woman.
Ouch.
If you win, I can double that money for you.
[gasps] Really?
Just between us, I’m working this crypto deal out of Michigan
that Elon Musk wants to be a part of.
It’s big. We’re talking 50% returns, maybe more.
You’re a surgeon, right? What kind, exactly?
The fake tits kind, right? No.
The saving lives kind.
Of course. I was kidding, bro. I was kidding.
Whatever. [chuckles]
I take the first leap so my clients know I’ve got skin in the game.
That’s what separates me from my competition.
We all win together or...
We all lose together. Exactly.
And you never lose.
I have an 87% success rate
and the documentation to back that up.
And have I been fucked in the ass once or twice?
You bet. But I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Neither am I.
The only difference is when I get fucked in the ass, I make money.
[laughs]
Cheers.
What are you kids talking about?
Getting fucked in the ass, Tommy.
In more ways than one. Isn’t that right, Billy?
[Quinn] I should have sat at this table. Wish you had.
I think I’m gonna go ahead up to my room.
I’m gonna draw a long, hot bath and, you know...
masturbate.
Just find it really takes the edge off.
Do you, uh... Do you need any help?
It’s actually the one thing I like to do alone, Mr. Gray.
Good luck, boys. Gonna need it. See you in round two.
[chuckling]
[exhales]
[chuckles]
[voice whispers] Quinn.
Quinn.
When in Rome...
[sighs]
Oh, wow. [chuckles]
[moans]
Oh, fuck, that’s good.
[voice whispers] Quinn.
What have you done?
[sighing]
Oh, Christ.
[moans]
[moaning]
Excuse me, sir.
Sir, can we help you?
You shouldn’t be down here, sir. Oh, yeah.
I got lost. Just trying to get back to my room.
What the fuck is going on in here?
Yes, there was a gas leak from the dryers a few days ago.
A gas leak?
A few of the guests complained of headaches.
Dizziness. Seeing things.
Yes, best not to be in this area for now.
I guess I did smell something.
Ah, we’ll have maintenance come right down and take a look.
Yes, we should go back upstairs, sir.
[elevator bell dings]
Tom?
Celeste.
I can’t believe it’s you. I saw your picture on the thing.
Wow. Oh!
I’m so happy to see you. What are you doing here?
You won’t believe it, but I’m in a poker tournament.
I won a contest-- Flamme O’ Frites Spicy Jalapeño...
Hell Poppers! I love those.
They’re like an explosion of exquisite pain in your mouth.
That’s it. Yeah.
Oh, you look...
You just look wonderful. I haven’t seen you in...
Well, been a long time.
Yeah, I was seven when you...
I’m so sorry.
After your mother’s murder,
I was so lost.
I shouldn’t have sent you away.
I thought it was for the best,
but I didn’t know how to raise a child alone.
Let’s not rehash the past.
I mean, you were my stepfather and we barely knew each other.
At least we got the bastard.
Yeah. I didn’t wanna go to the execution.
I just couldn’t... I just couldn’t relive that again.
But I read that you went.
Yeah.
I wasn’t going to, but...
it was closure for me.
I wanted to see him suffer.
Hey, I got married.
I can see that. [laughs]
Celeste, I’m so happy for you.
I’m so glad we bumped into each other. What are the odds?
I know.
Yeah. Fate’s a funny thing.
Mmm.
Well, my reception’s going late.
So maybe you could come when the tournament’s over?
Yes. Yeah?
I would love to. Wow. Okay.
Celeste, your husband is looking for you. Well, look, I have to go.
But good luck with the tournament, and I’ll see you tonight.
Just great seeing you again.
Same here.
Bye.
I’m coming.
[elevator bell dings]
[Celeste] Somebody get a doctor!
I’m a doctor.
Oh, thank God. What happened?
He fainted. Okay. All right. Support his head.
Okay. Okay. All right. Temperature’s good.
Nice, strong pulse.
I think he’s just gonna need some cold... water.
[groans]
Doctor, are you okay?
I don’t feel so good. [groans]
You’re bleeding.
What?
Oh, my God.
[Celeste gasps] [groaning continues]
[gasps] Oh, God.
[groaning continues]
[screams]
[screaming]
[all screaming]
[alarm buzzing]
Oh, God.
[sighs]
[buzzing stops]
[theme music playing] [grunts]
[exhales]
Here we go.
Meine Damen und Herren,
willkommen round deux!
Aurora was nearly eliminated in the first round,
but she got a straight flush in the final heart-stopping turn
to keep her hopes alive.
She’s currently in last place. [audience groans]
Congressman Cartright is in the lead,
followed by gritty Detective Michael Quinn.
Dashing boy Billy’s in third and the good Dr. Stevens is in fourth.
Our streaming audience has grown by millions,
so let’s get straight to it, shall we, and let’s play poker.
[audience applauding]
You seem pleased, Congressman. I am, Samuel.
My stepdaughter got married today.
She’s staying right here in this hotel. Can you believe it?
Incredible.
I can’t tell you how much it meant to me, reconnecting with her.
Wonderful.
Even if I lose, which I doubt,
I feel like I’m a winner already just coming here.
Yes. Yes. Very good. Keep sucking.
Comments are coming in from popperspoker.com,
and our poll of favorite players has Aurora in the lead.
"Love your hair," says Jenny from Los Angeles, California.
And Conrad aka The Creep from Chicago asks,
"Do you remember me?"
Oh, of course.
Miss you, Connie. Call me. Let’s go on another date.
Joann from Phoenix declares,
"Dr. Stevens wields a scalpel the way Leatherface wields a chain saw."
[chuckles]
But Paul from San Francisco says, "You’re a lifesaver."
[Quinn] In.
Here, have some more ’cause I’m not coming back.
The comments about you, Detective, are a little rough around the edges.
Possibly the "Defund the Police" crowd.
Nobody likes cops anymore.
See what the world’s like without us.
You are my favorite.
Billy, some rather nasty comments coming at you from the good people of Illinois.
What did you do to that state?
[Samuel] What a round!
Aurora, our angel from Zanzibar, is in the lead with 17,000.
Right behind is Congressman Cartright with 15,000.
Detective Quinn and Dr. Stevens are dead even at 7,000.
And BDE investment broker Billy is nearly broke,
trailing the pack at just 4,000.
Folks, keep those comments coming
and don’t forget to vote for your favorite player on popperspoker.com.
We’ll take an hour break and then the final round.
The round which determines who will walk out of here a winner and who won’t
begins at midnight.
[beeps]
Be nice once this is over.
I’m sweating like a pig in there. I’m having a blast.
Yeah, because you’re winning. True.
God, my right side is killing me for some reason.
Maybe your appendix? No. It’s probably just stress.
I’m gonna go find my stepdaughter.
There’s something so phony about Samuel. Creeps me out.
He’s just a struggling bush-league actor.
What about that Dante guy always touching me?
It’s a bit much.
And the girls dancing in cages?
I like that part. They’re sexy as hell.
Agreed.
Something’s off about this whole thing, the game.
You should definitely quit.
You’d like that, wouldn’t you?
[chattering, laughing]
[elevator bell dings] [chattering continues]
Excuse me.
Oh, congratulations.
That’s the guy who ripped me off.
Yeah.
Hey, Billy. Billy, right?
I think you got me confused with someone else.
No, you’re Billy Gray.
You remember my wife, asshole?
You remember what you did to her?
Seems like maybe you’ve had a little too much to drink, pal.
And I don’t want any trouble.
[Brian] You ripped her off. Face me like a man.
Fuck.
Celeste. How do I know this girl? Celeste.
What the fuck is her last name?
Shit.
Okay.
Just think, Billy.
Celeste. What city is she from?
Fuck.
This is all too weird. I don’t need this shit. I’m out of here.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[elevator bell dings]
Sir.
Excuse me, Mr. Gray.
Mr. Gray, you can’t leave.
[chattering] [horns honking]
Taxi.
[exhales] Airport, please.
[exhales]
Sir, why aren’t we moving?
[screams]
Fuck.
[sighs]
Okay. Popperspoker.com.
What the fuck?
Samuel Nicholas.
What the hell?
None of this makes any sense.
Quinn.
Quinn, open up.
Hey. Listen to me.
Whoa. You don’t look so good there, Billy boy.
Just listen. I checked the Internet. There is nothing about this contest.
No website, no live stream. There’s no Samuel Nicholas. Nothing.
If you’re trying to scare me into leaving, you’re gonna be very disappointed.
It ain’t happening.
This is not what we think it is.
I just tried to leave.
The hotel? So you quit.
There is nothing to quit.
I’m in the back of a taxi. I closed my eyes for a second.
Bam. I’m right back here in my room, like I never left.
There’s some very bad shit going on here.
Sounds like maybe you had a nightmare.
Look for yourself.
All right.
Hmm.
All right. Hold on, hold on.
See? You see? See what I mean?
What the fuck?
You’re the cop. What do we do? All right. Hold on, hold on.
I don’t even know how to say this, but I...
I went down to the spa earlier.
I walked into this door
and there was a bunch of freaks there watching a couple fucking.
One of ’em had a shotgun.
They were all wearing masks.
Then suddenly the place was empty. Just...
What?
And the fucking twins from reception were right there behind me.
They said something about there being a gas leak,
but I know what the fuck I saw.
I know what the fuck I saw.
Okay.
So what do we do?
There’s a police station four blocks from here.
Go back to your room.
I’m gonna get to the bottom of this.
[door opens, closes]
Detective Quinn. Not now. Not now.
Detective Quinn.
What?
What the fuck?
Where is everyone?
Hello!
What the fuck is going on here?
[voice whispers] Repent.
Repent.
What the hell? I’m back where I started.
No.
No, no.
How do I get out of here?
[voice whispers] Repent.
No, no, no, no.
It’s impossible.
No! No!
No.
No!
This doesn’t make any fucking sense!
No!
What the fuck?
No service. What the...
Hello!
Billy?
[keyboard clicking] Oh, God. Uh, try again.
Google the hotel. Okay.
[Stevens] Holy shit.
[Aurora] Well, for God’s sake, try and send an email.
[computer chimes]
Nothing. Oh, God.
Maybe this is some kind of prank TV show.
That could send me through space and time?
I don’t think so.
What if it’s like Squid Game?
That was fiction. A movie.
It was a series, lover boy.
Same fucking thing.
It’s really not the same.
I think we should confront Samuel, ask him what’s going on.
Yeah, let’s do it.
Come on.
[elevator bell dings]
There he is.
[Samuel] Welcome, one and all.
We need to know what the hell’s going on around here, Samuel.
The game. The contest.
Flamme O’ Frites Jalapeño Hell Poppers. Cut the bullshit.
What is this place?
[nervous chuckle]
[whispers] Cameras.
[clearing throat]
Not here.
Meet me in the lobby bar in five minutes.
I went online just like all of you and everything about me has been wiped.
Like my life, my name,
my credits...
My IMDb page, it’s gone.
I’m trying to put on a brave face, but I’m genuinely freaked out.
Is there anyone in charge, like from the tournament or the company?
Not here.
I got hired remotely,
and when I showed up yesterday the room was already set up.
Those women and that Dante character were already here, but nobody else.
Have you guys been smelling gas?
I saw some weird shit coming back from the spa.
The twins were there
and they said something about there being a gas leak.
So you’re both hallucinating all of this from a gas leak?
That would suggest carbon monoxide poisoning,
and that’s an odorless gas.
I tried to leave and couldn’t.
Respectfully, I was not hallucinating.
What do you mean you couldn’t leave?
I got into a taxi and...
right back in my room.
You realize that’s impossible.
No, no, no. Same thing happened to me, man.
I tried to make it to the police station. I could only get so far.
I ran into that fucking "Repent" poster and then right back here at the hotel.
Oh, come on.
[Samuel] I don’t understand.
And I’m supposed to shoot a national soap commercial on Friday.
Like, I need that money.
I’m not gonna get stuck here.
Okay, all right. Look, why don’t we all leave together?
We’ll check it out and then you’ll all feel better.
Yeah, if there’s no host then-- No contestants.
No game. Let’s do it.
All right. Yeah.
Okay.
What... Where is everybody?
I told you.
[chattering] [horns honking]
We’re outside.
Just keep walking.
Did you get this far last time? Don’t stop. Let’s go. Let’s go.
Let’s cross here. Come on, let’s cross here.
[bell jingles]
Jesus, kid. Asshole!
[truck horn blaring] [all screaming]
What the hell? The fuck.
What the... [Aurora] This is a dream.
This has got to be a dream. This is a nightmare.
Why did I even take this job? I’m an actor.
I should be doing things like movies and plays and comedy specials.
I was a comedian for two years and I was good.
I was Ellen DeGeneres good.
Maybe this is some kind of AI beta test.
You know, like an experiment and we’re the guinea pigs.
I think we’re fucking dead.
I saw my stepdaughter.
She was real. We’re not dead.
This isn’t some virtual reality program.
We’re alive and we’re gonna get the hell out of here.
How?
We must be here for a reason, right?
Otherwise, why us?
Maybe they want us to do something?
Who? Who is "they"?
I don’t know.
Look, has anybody done anything that you regret in your life?
Did you hurt someone?
Have you...
Have you done any terrible things?
Okay.
If this gets us out of here,
then yes.
I will confess.
I killed a man.
Yeah.
At least I think I did.
[moaning]
[Aurora] Well, technically I didn’t kill him.
[all gasp]
Oh! [moaning continues]
Okay, he put the collar on and he wanted to be choked.
Choke me. Like this?
So I gave the man what he asked for.
[gasping]
Yeah, obviously I was aware he couldn’t breathe.
His choke chain worked a little too well.
So then I left him there asphyxiating.
So yeah, he probably...
died.
In my defense, he did want to know how one woman could be so fucking sexy
and so very nasty all at the same time.
Now the asshole knows. Doesn’t he?
Don’t judge me.
Uh, I-I guess it’s...
All right, it’s my turn to confess.
[Stevens sighs] Um...
Well, after my wife left me...
I was in bad... really bad shape.
I convinced myself that if I made enough money,
I could win her back.
I started gambling,
and I always lost.
I was in so much debt.
And I met a guy.
He offered me 20 grand a pop
to harvest kidneys.
[monitor beeping]
People live with only one kidney all the time.
I paid off my anesthesiologist as well as my nurse.
And then I did it.
And take it quickly.
Took a perfectly healthy kidney
out of a 30-year-old man.
Then I did it again, and I did it again.
I rationalized that those kidneys were going to people who really needed them.
My wife never came back.
But year after year I took that money.
Scary how easy it was.
I, uh... didn’t murder anyone...
choke some client or harvest people’s organs, but...
I am a grifter.
Confidence man.
I steal people’s money.
There was this one guy.
Mr. and Mrs. Kovalenko, I lost money too.
I’ve told you over and over these things happen.
We gave you our retirement savings.
Our daughter is telling us to call the police.
What are the police gonna do? You made an investment and it went bad.
Don’t you think I’m sick about all of this?
No, I don’t.
You’re an evil son of a bitch
who pissed away our life savings.
Mr. Kovalenko, if you want to call the police, call them.
But I’m not having this conversation. Understood?
Aleksander!
Yes, we will not have this conversation again.
Calm down. You don’t need to do this.
[Mrs. Kovalenko] Oh, my God! [gasps]
[Mrs. Kovalenko] No!
I didn’t kill him.
He shot himself.
I wanted to be a good cop,
a good detective.
But after my wife died,
I lost my way. I...
I took bribes. I stole.
Put innocent people in jail.
[exhales]
And I killed.
I killed.
Open the fucking bag!
Drop the gun. What?
Drop the fucking gun!
Sir, I don’t...
Come on. Let’s go.
[Aurora] You’re up, Congressman.
It’s gonna make you feel so good.
Took a while to figure out who killed my wife Anna.
There was a violent break-in from the front door.
Anna and my stepdaughter were upstairs.
My wife Anna was the rich one in the family.
Sweetie, wake up. Come on. Come on, sweetie.
If she divorced me...
I’d be ruined.
The place was ransacked. Jewelry and my Rolex stolen.
Do not come out no matter what. Okay? Okay.
[gasps]
We kept a gun in the closet.
Although it did her no good. There were no bullets in it.
[gasping, shouting] [hammer clicking]
[whimpering, groans]
I convinced myself...
[screams]
[body thuds]
...I’d be better off staying with her.
[grunting] [gasping, choking]
A year later, I ran for my congressional seat.
I’m tough on crime ’cause I lost my wife to a violent criminal.
Using her murder and her money as a launching pad.
A vote for Tom Cartright is a vote for justice.
A homeless man was convicted 11 years later.
I watched them execute him.
[grunting]
The only thing I really regret
was murdering her in front of Celeste.
[thunder rumbling]
I planned it for months
and not once did I even think of turning back.
Everything I took, Rolex, jewelry,
I left with a homeless man.
I convinced myself that I hated her.
I wanted a new life.
I left my cell phone in the hotel back in Mississippi.
I bought a cell phone jammer, and I cut the landline.
I hate myself for it.
[Celeste] Mom?
Mom? Mom.
Mom, wake up.
Please wake up.
Stop staring at me like that.
[gasps]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[elevator bell dings]
[Billy] I don’t know what to think about all this. It was insane.
Insane.
You all saw what I saw, right?Yeah.
What’s happening to us?
Maybe it’s part of the game.
What if we’re being watched just to see how we react?
Like a Truman Show kind of thing?
Hey, maybe there is a gas leak,
but I saw what you all did.
And that ain’t possible.
We don’t know what’s possible or impossible anymore.
Because clearly this is happening.
To all of us except Samuel.
We saw everyone’s sins except his.
Fuck. Let’s get him.
[whirring]
[elevator bell dings]
Where is he?
Where’s Samuel?
Where is he?
Where the fuck is he?
He’s changing for the final act.
It’s his most important moment, he told me.
Then why don’t you tell us what the fuck is going on here?
Who, me? Compadre, I’m just a bit player.
Samuel’s the one with all the good lines in the script.
I just got cast as the midget.
I want fucking answers, and I want ’em now.
Whoa, so angry.
You have no idea.
How do we get out of this hellhole?
Guys, just let him talk. Christ!
Hellhole? This isn’t hell. A five-star hotel?
No, no, no.
If this was hell, Congressman, the churches would be empty.
Now he doesn’t even have an accent. Are we dead?
No. Not that I could tell, Billy.
I’m going home. I don’t belong here.
With all due respect, Doctor, you’re all here for a reason.
Speak English.
I’m just saying what I was told to say.
You’re not just playing for money anymore,
you’re playing for your very survival.
And in this final round, only one of you will survive.
What are you talking about?
Only one of you will leave here with a chance to redeem themselves.
This is insane.
Maybe so. But I’m just a hired hand.
In case you haven’t noticed, I do fucking everything around here.
Bartending, makeup, cameras, cleaning.
I even have to hydrate the dancers so they don’t die on my clock.
If this place was unionized, I’d file a complaint.
What if I don’t want to play anymore?
No one’s forcing anyone to play.
If you don’t show up,
it’s just a better chance for the others to win.
If I may, I would suggest that you all go back to your rooms,
take a shower, maybe a little dip in the hotel pool, use the spa.
Do whatever you need to prepare yourself for the final round at midnight.
It’s gonna be the most important game of your lives.
I can’t wait to see the outcome.
My balls are tingling.
I need to win.
I need to leave this fucking place.
You gotta win.
If you don’t show up, it’s just a better chance for the others to win.
Gotta do what you gotta do.
[voice whispers] Quinn.
[door opens]
[voice whispers] The doctor is waiting for you.
Don’t let me stop you.
No! [groaning]
[choking, gasping]
One down.
[voice whispers] I’m coming for you.
[knocking]
Aurora!
[knocking continues] Aurora.
Aurora! Hey!
Stevens is dead.
He committed suicide.
[gasps]
Ah, such a waste.
[grunting] [groaning, choking]
Oh, you cunt.
[screaming]
[gasping, choking]
[groans]
That’s two down.
[voice whispers] Your turn, Billy Boy.
[knocking]
Billy!
Billy, we got a problem.
What’s up?
Okay. Okay.
[groaning]
It’s nothing personal, bro.
[tank clangs]
Three down.
[voice whispers] Senator Cartright.
Hey. I didn’t see you there.
They’re dead.
You all right?
They’re all dead.
[exclaims]
[grunting, gasping]
[inhales]
[exclaims] [grunts]
That’s four.
They never recovered any of the bodies...
Samuel. ...is the problem.
So it’s less fun than it sounds. Samuel.
Oh, if it isn’t good Detective Quinn.
Or should I say bad Detective Quinn?
It’s fucking hot. You’re early.
All of a sudden you don’t look like that scared, unemployed actor anymore.
Oh, yeah, I’m sorry for the theatrics, but I do as I’m employed to.
Whatever.
I’m done playing your games.
The fucking midget said if no one else shows, I win.
Um, they prefer "little people." And his name is Dante.
Dante.
[Samuel laughs]
But I have to tell you, you are one of my favorites.
I’ve never seen anyone like you. Right?
So vicious. Cruel. Selfish. Mm-hmm.
Dare I say it, evil.
Very evil.
All right, they’re dead, all right?
I killed them all. I’m the last one.
Those are the rules.
The last one gets a second chance. The last one gets to go home.
I want to go home!
I want to go home.
[Samuel] Aw.
[snickers] Yeah, that’s...
that’s not what’s gonna happen. [laughing]
Yeah, Dante, I guess you did say that, but...
Mm-hmm. ...I’m afraid you’ve misconstrued the meaning.
How can I explain this in a more visually exciting way?
Oh, I know.
You can get up now, Detective Quinn.
[fingers snap]
[screams]
[gasps] [screaming]
[gasps] [screaming continues]
[gasps]
[screams] Fuck!
[gasping, exhaling]
Hey, look, I wish I could explain it all,
but this is just the game and we’re gonna have to play by its rules.
And no one can die here until the final cards are dealt.
So it’s futile to try.
Um, to be clear, the others are gonna be really pissed at you.
They had to experience your violence the same way you experienced getting shot.
But don’t worry.
They are alive and well and getting ready for the final round.
I’m going to fucking hell, aren’t I?
No. You have just as much chance to win as anyone else.
The luck of the cards will determine your fate.
Isn’t that fun?
No. It fucking sucks.
[elevator bell chimes]
Oh, shit.
Hey, guys, sorry about the whole killing you thing. My bad.
You beat me to death with the butt of a fire extinguisher.
Samuel shot me in the chest five times just to show me what it felt like.
I get it. Okay? [Cartright] Good for him.
You drowned me.
You slit my throat.
You choked me to death.
Yeah. [clears throat]
Gather ’round, good people. I don’t bite.
When you first said that, I believed it. I don’t now.
Who are you?
I think I’m the greatest actor that ever lived.
Better than Brando.
Hell, maybe even better than Leo.
You look like the devil.
That’s pretty cliché.
That’s so cliché.
What did you guys think of the collective confessions?
That was really fun, huh?
Could we get on with it?
Okay, Detective.
Here are the rules for the final round, the grand finale.
Each of you was destined to spend an eternity in hell.
But now one of you will have the chance
to escape that fate.
Oh, my God.
No, no, no. Let’s keep him out of this, shall we?
I should never have come here. Doctor.
Did you really think you had a choice?
Well, I shouldn’t be here.
I’m no saint, but...
Billy, believe me.
Every one of you is here because you deserve to be.
That’s what I told them.
Now, my sponsor, who shall remain nameless,
loves the idea of salvation,
and so this game was created.
You won’t believe it, but we get to do another one tomorrow.
You should see that group though.
There are two child molesters and only one of them is a priest.
It’s gonna be fun.
Is there any questions so far?
So you’re saying there’s a chance we can go home.
Leave this place.
Very good, Billy.
So we’re gonna play a whole other round.
Yeah, that does seem a bit much, doesn’t it?
So, how about this?
We’ll just play one hand, and everybody’s all in.
One hand to determine who leaves and who doesn’t.
Actually, each of you will be leaving here.
One going out
and four going down.
Down?
Down.
What about the money?
The $20 million.
[laughs] I love this guy. Billy.
No.
There’s no money.
Mmm.
[blows kiss]
The prize is now your freedom.
Isn’t that worth more than paper?
Now please, sit.
[scoffs]
[chuckling]
Aw, such sad faces. Let’s turn those frowns upside down.
You look nervous. I get it.
I would be too.
Can you just deal so we can get this over with?
I almost forgot, there is a very important piece of business to attend to
before the final hand.
This is...
Well, let’s call it the "Come to Jesus" moment.
[chuckles]
You don’t know it, but there is one person that connects you all.
And they are the reason you sit at this very table.
You look confused. Let me explain.
[thunder rumbling] [glass shatters]
And once again, our story begins with you, Congressman.
Christ, not again.
You know what I did and why I’m here.
I do know what you did to your wife Anna.
But it’s what you did to this little girl that I want to talk about.
Celeste.
Yeah, Celeste. That’s right.
Do you realize the horror you forced this little girl to witness?
[Samuel] Children are the true innocents of the world,
and any evil committed upon them is the most heinous of all.
And she never knew it was you that murdered her mother.
What you did next began her journey into despair.
I don’t want to go away. I don’t like him.
He’s your father.
And I-- I can’t take care of you, at least not right now.
Please don’t send me away.
You gotta be brave for your mama.
Yeah?
And I’m gonna come see you. I promise you.
I promise.
[Samuel] How could you?
You simply couldn’t take care of her.
So you sent her back to her alcoholic birth father,
where she lasted about a month
before she was taken into Child Protective Services.
And then she was shuttled, again and again,
through six different foster homes.
She bounced around from one to the next, never feeling like she belonged anywhere,
simply neglected or uncared-for by most,
brutalized and molested by others.
And if that weren’t enough,
at age 16 Celeste developed an acute case of appendicitis.
And that’s where you enter stage left, Dr. Stevens.
A routine appendectomy until you stole the kidney
of a healthy 16-year-old girl.
How much did you get for that?
I... I don’t know.
I’m sorry.
[Samuel] I believe you.
Oh, God.
But your little procedure left Celeste in constant agony,
and as often happens pain medications ran out.
She needed to find relief somewhere.
But there’s a cost to that lifestyle, and Celeste paid the price.
That’s dark.
And you left her susceptible to all kinds of predators.
Predators like Detective Michael Quinn.
On her 18th birthday poor, unfortunate Celeste
was released from the foster care system and dumped on the streets.
[chuckles]
Do you remember this part? This is a good part.
I had nothing to do with the robbery.
So why’d you try to run from me? Hmm?
I was scared.
I met this guy once at a shelter, but I swear, I never...
I know, I know.
You know?
Well, I’m sure you’re innocent.
Probably just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Unfortunately, you have no way to prove it,
and we found this on you.
I don’t care if you’re guilty or innocent.
To be honest with you, I just want to get this case off my desk.
I can easily just put you in jail...
or...
[Quinn grunting] [sirens wailing]
Do you remember this part? Yeah, I remember.
Hey.
Where’s Quinn? He’s out of town for a few weeks.
I’ll be working with you.
Choke me.
[grunting]
[groans]
You promised we’d only have to do this once.
Yeah.
Sorry.
I don’t want to do this anymore.
Really?
Are you sure?
Are you positive?
I’m positive.
[Samuel] And when she wouldn’t let you rape her anymore,
you threw her in jail anyway.
She spent three years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit.
But our bad detective just moved on to the next contestant.
[chuckles]
But all was not lost.
Because on her 21st birthday, Celeste was released
and inherited $200,000 from her mother’s will
that had been left in trust.
And that’s when salesman extraordinaire Billy Boy Gray
got his talons into her.
I know $200,000 sounds like a lot, Celeste.
But you need to turn that into 400 and then 600 and so on.
How do you think the rich get richer?
Is there any chance I could lose it? Slim to none.
I’ve got almost a million in on this one myself,
but the window is closing fast
and I need to know tonight if you want to do this.
If you’re not feeling it, if you’re scared, walk away.
Like I said, I got people chomping at the bit for this one,
but I’d rather see someone like you start making that real money
rather than these rich assholes.
It seems like this isn’t for you, and I get it.
It’s totally cool.
No harm, no foul.
I wish you nothing but the best, Celeste.
Wait.
[Samuel] You really are a confidence man.
And in just a year you turned that 200K into absolute zero.
I’m actually curious, how many people did you do that to?
I don’t know.
[Samuel] You don’t know? I do.
It was exactly 56 poor souls
who had the misfortune of meeting you.
Two weeks later,
Celeste Janice Atkinson,
in an attempt to dull the pain of her once-promising life, self-medicated...
[sighs] ...as she had always been taught.
Not realizing this would be the last time.
Her brief life over at 22,
her pain finally gone.
[sighs]
All the terrible things that human beings inflict on one another.
The incremental evils can be as bad as the big ones.
[projector clicks, shuts off]
Each of you is responsible for that death.
A slow-moving murder.
An innocent person destroyed by the people she trusted.
People who should have cared for her,
but instead did nothing but take advantage of her.
What about her?
Oh, we’ll get to her. [chuckles]
So here we are.
The final hand.
And everyone is all in.
The winner gets a reprieve as promised.
And the losers, well, we know their fate.
So...
let’s play poker!
Here we go.
Why don’t we just turn ’em over?
Where’s the drama in that?
[Samuel chuckles]
How are we feeling, players? Bad Boy Billy.
You are a son of a bitch. I’ve been meaning to tell you that.
Congressman Cartright from the great state of Alabama.
Let’s go, Sam.
Aurora, the angel from Oak Brook.
Finally got it right.
Thank you.
The always nervous Dr. Stevens must have a good hand.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
[Samuel chuckles, clears throat]
Bad cop. Detective Quinn.
Fucking hot in here.
This is nothing.
Let’s see that river card, Sam.
My, my, my.
Has there ever been a game of poker with higher stakes than this?
I don’t think so.
All right, ladies and germs, the moment of truth.
I’m gonna point to you and you turn over your cards. Ready?
Michael.
I got a full house, Sam.
Queens over jacks.
Yeah! [laughing]
Yeah! [Samuel chuckles]
[Samuel] Impressive.
William. Tens, baby.
Four of them.
What?
[Samuel]Oh, boy.
That’s bullshit.
Dr. Scott.
Four jacks.
Fuck! That’s bullshit!
What are the odds?
It’s 4,164-to-one, to be precise.
I’m going home. I’m going home!
Not yet. Not quite yet. Tom.
Will he be our future president
or just another lost soul in hell?
Looks like a possible presidential run, Samuel.
Straight flush.
What? No.
Come on. [Cartright laughs]
Aurora.
I don’t suppose you could beat a straight flush.
Royal flush.
What? This is fucking rigged.
You wanted her to win. [shouting, arguing]
You wanted her to win the whole time. This is bullshit, man.
I wanna see the deck. It’s a fake deck.
Let me see those cards. It’s fucking bullshit.
[Samuel] Gentlemen,
I promised one of you would be redeemed and I am a man of my word.
Aurora was like my guardian angel.
Sweetie, wake up. Wake up, sweetie.
Come on. Come on, sweetie.
Don’t worry.
He’s going to get what he deserves.
Trust me.
[Celeste] My imaginary friend who always looked after me.
[thunder rumbling]
Bet you wish you looked like me and could pull the trigger yourself.
Mom.
Mom, wake up.
Wake up. Wake up, Mom.
Mom.
Wake up.
I’m sorry I couldn’t save Mom.
[Celeste] And she was the woman I always wished I could be.
And now I got the chance to be her.
And here we are.
Celeste, I’m so sorry.
I know that’s meaningless now,
but I wanted to say it before.
Yeah, me too.
I’m sorry for what I did to you.
And I deserve whatever’s coming to me.
[Stevens] Yeah.
Celeste, I sinned against you
and I’m gonna pay for those sins.
I’m sorry to every single person I did that to.
Nothing I say will change anything,
but I regret what I did.
I really do.
Celeste, is there anything you want to say?
I forgive you.
All of you.
I need to... so badly to remove this burden from my soul.
[Samuel, Celeste laughing]
Dante.
Gentlemen, please sit.
Please sit.
Wow.
What a way to end the show. [laughs]
[exhales]
You boys were absolved of your sins.
Your apologies were true and from the heart.
And this beautiful angel from heaven--
forgave you.
What a beautiful ending. Reminds me of church.
I now regret strangling so many cats and priests.
You know, it is like church.
You go, you atone for your sins,
you beg God for forgiveness,
and God, in his benevolent mercy,
forgives.
But alas, it’s not church...
and I’m not God.
[all screaming]
[both laughing]
Wow!
Wasn’t that great? Yeah.
I thought you’d just take them down in the elevator with you.
Oh, no. I wanted something cinematic to be memorable for you.
I mean, it was, it just...
kind of scared me a little bit when the lights went up for a second.
Yeah, I just didn’t want you to see their souls
actually being extracted from their bodies.
It can be really gruesome. Yeah.
It’s very funny though.
[both laughing]
You did it.
Can I walk you home? Yes. Yes, please.
[elevator bell dings] [doors slide open]
[both laughing]
It was a pleasure working with you, ma’am.
We will certainly miss you.
Milton, Lomax.
The pleasure was all mine.
Thank you, Dante.
Adios,my beautiful angel.
All right, gentlemen, let’s reset. I’ll see you shortly.
[exhales]
Do you ever get a break?
Oh, no. No rest for the wicked.
You know, when God offered me this chance for justice and redemption,
I thought he was kidding.
I mean, I almost didn’t take it.
Like, he seems to play these kind of games.
[chuckles] Well, I’m very glad you did.
It was so fun getting to play Aurora.
She’s my imaginary friend,
and she’s just like this superhero I always wanted to be.
You played it perfectly.
Are you doing this again?
Well, we agreed to 500 games, but I’m having a lot of fun.
I hope we get to do more.
You’re so good at it.
Thank you.
Can I ask you something? Yeah.
Does he like me?
God? Yeah.
He’s very passive-aggressive and he can be truly insulting,
and I don’t like to show it, but it can hurt my feelings.
No, no, he really respects you.
Really? Did he say that?
’Cause you don’t have to say that to make me feel better.
No, no. I really mean it. He really sees you as a true partner.
You know, he said to me
that sometimes he thinks you do your job better than he does his.
No.Yeah.
[chuckles] Really?
Because I quite like him, you know.
That’s so sweet. He really likes you, too. Seriously.
Wonderful.
[both laughing]
Thank you so much!
I just... Oh, I feel like a weight has been lifted.
I feel lighter than air.
My angel from Oak Brook.
I won’t soon forget you.
[chuckles]
I gotta get back downstairs.
Keep the home fires burning hot, you know.
Hotter than a Spicy Jalapeño Hell Popper?
Oh, no. Not even close, my dear.
[giggles]
[bell dings]
[chimes]