A lonely ex-professor receives a visit from a charming former student who performs a magic card trick that shows different ways, delightful and disastrous, that the evening could reshape their lives.

SYNOPSIS:

Rex Mathis, 48, a former professor, finishes a solitary Friday night dinner and feeds the stray cats. The doorbell rings: his visitor, Theo Johnson, 25, identifies himself as a former student and Rex as his favorite professor. Theo has brought the three books Rex has published for autographs. From the somewhat autobiographical novel, Theo knows Rex is gay and has bipolar disorder. Topics become even more personal as they have drinks and talk. Each reveals that he is bitter about his academic experiences, Rex because he was excluded from and “drummed out” by the tenured elite, Theo because his English degree has proven useless. To lift the discussion, Theo does a simple “pick a card” magic trick.

The first card is the King of Hearts, which Theo says reflects Rex, a man likely to provide guidance. Conversation evolves, and Rex’s guidance looks increasingly like a bad thing—it led to Theo’s choice of major, which led to his career malaise. Theo seems to struggle with an untreated mental illness. Rex ultimately finds Theo in the bathtub, having slashed his own throat. Panicking, Rex rushes to call for help. The night resets to the moment of the card trick.

The second card is the Ten of Diamonds, which Theo says stands for financial success. Drinking more and more, Rex and Theo brainstorm about starting a lucrative business that would help people avoid bitter academic experiences like their own. They give a presentation to an imaginary audience about the business’s awesomeness. The fun peaks, and the night resets.

The third card is the Jack of Hearts, which Theo identifies with himself, an amorous young man. Theo mentions that he and his girlfriend are in an open relationship, identifies himself as pansexual, and flirts with Rex. Rex thinks he’s too old for Theo, but the seduction continues and lands them in bed. Rex is thinking about the possibility of love when the night resets.

The fourth card is the Nine of Spades, which Theo identifies with nightmares and death. Theo blames Rex much more directly for the sad shape of his life. When Rex goes to get them drinks, Theo pulls a knife and binds Rex’s hands and feet. Forcing him to brainstorm ways life could be better, Theo tortures Rex. Rex tries to escape. Theo kills him. The night resets.

The fifth card is the Queen of Clubs, which Theo says is a confident, dark-haired woman, likely his girlfriend Georgia, who arrives moments later. Georgia charms Rex, but scintillation fades to sadness as Georgia and Theo talk about their upcoming road trip across America, a youthful adventure in which Rex has no part. They leave Rex alone with his stray cats. The night goes on.

CALLING CARDS was a finalist in the Great American Script Contest, 2021, was a selection for the SoCal Film Awards, 2021, won Best Feature, Psychological Thriller at the Silver State FF, 2020, and was a quarter-finalist at the Screenwriters’ Network Screenplay Competition, 2020.