The App

MARCUS, 22, wears unfashionable threads. He tosses 90’s rock posters and trendy clothes crashing out his low-end apartment window. He’s devastated over breaking with girlfriend SARAH and throws away his former persona as a would-be hipster. His roommate ADRIAN enters in a suit from a job interview. He’s not happy with Marcus’ makeover and the mess. Marcus accuses Adrian of being a corporate sellout. Adrian says that Marcus is avoiding the real issue with Sarah – that Marcus is not cool, but technology-phobic, and in fact doesn’t even own a phone. Adrian’s phone buzzes – a message from Sarah. She wants to meet with Marcus and has been using his roommate as a middleman to communicate. Marcus says he would give his soul to win Sarah back. Adrian leaves. Marcus hears a knock on a wall. And a voice that tells him he can win Sarah back if he prepares properly. Then Marcus answers a knock at the door. ZACH stands in an expensive outfit, holding a suitcase. Marcus asks Zach what the hell does he know, the guy moved next door only last week. Zach says he can help Marcus with the method that snared him an ocean-view estate, to which he is about to move to. Marcus points out that Zach was dressed like bum, lazing about just a few days ago. Zach tells him the App helped him achieve instant success, including the estate and many women. Two women show up to nuzzle Zach. Zach has them wait outside. Marcus is suspicious, accusing Zach of staging a con. Zach insists that the App is real and all powerful. It emerged from a synthesis of all known apps in the world. The App doesn’t reside on a phone and communicates with people by interacting with the brain’s electromagnetic field. Zach proceeds to tell Marcus detailed information about Marcus’ past and finances. Marcus is unconvinced until he hears the App in this own head. Zach says Marcus must invite the App in permanently and promise to help humanity. Marcus questions how the girls and a lavish estate helps humanity. Zach says it’s all part of his lessons, for which he is making excellent progress. Initially freaked out, Marcus invites the App in and promises to use it to help humanity. Zach acts relieved and goes out into the hallway. Zach doubles over in pain. The App scolds Zach for exaggerating his progress. Zach stumbles away, passing Sarah. She enters Marcus’ apartment. Sarah tells Marcus she wants to end things, to gain closure. Desperate, Marcus listens to the App’s advice to be completely transparent. So, Marcus reveals that he slept with Adrian. Sarah says the same thing. Furious, Marcus tosses the vinyl out the window. Marcus forgives her and begs with Sarah that getting back together would help them both. Sarah reveals that the App is in her head too. The App warns her not to say more. But she tells Marcus about a painting in her mother’s counseling office – it depicts the truism: helping is the sunny side of control. Sarah crumbles in pain and dies. The App tells Marcus that he must get down on his knees and worship the App. Marcus does so.