Social Network

The Social Network

screenplay

by

Aaron Sorkin

BASED ON THE BOOK “THE ACCIDENTAL BILLIONAIRES” BY BEN MEZRICH

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FROM THE BLACK WE HEAR--

1

MARK (V.O.)

Did you know there are more people with

genius IQ’s living in China than there

are people of any kind living in the

United States?

ERICA (V.O.)

That can’t possibly be true.

MARK (V.O.)

It is.

ERICA (V.O.)

What would account for that?

MARK (V.O.)

Well, first, an awful lot of people live

in China. But here’s my question:

FADE IN:

INT. CAMPUS BAR - NIGHT

MARK ZUCKERBERG is a sweet looking 19 year old whose lack of

any physically intimidating attributes masks a very

complicated and dangerous anger. He has trouble making eye

contact and sometimes it’s hard to tell if he’s talking to you

or to himself.

ERICA, also 19, is Mark’s date. She has a girl-next-door face

that makes her easy to fall for. At this point in the

conversation she already knows that she’d rather not be there

and her politeness is about to be tested.

The scene is stark and simple.

MARK

How do you distinguish yourself in a

population of people who all got 1600 on

their SAT’s?

ERICA

I didn’t know they take SAT’s in China.

MARK

They don’t. I wasn’t talking about China

anymore, I was talking about me.

ERICA

You got 1600?

MARK

Yes. I could sing in an a Capella group,

but I can’t sing.

2.

ERICA

Does that mean you actually got nothing

wrong?

MARK

I can row crew or invent a 25 dollar PC.

ERICA

Or you can get into a final club.

MARK

Or I can get into a final club.

ERICA

You know, from a woman’s perspective,

sometimes not singing in an a Capella

group is a good thing?

MARK

This is serious.

ERICA

On the other hand I do like guys who row

crew.

MARK

(beat)

Well I can’t do that.

ERICA

I was kid-MARK

Yes, it means I got nothing wrong on the

test.

ERICA

Have you ever tried?

MARK

I’m trying right now.

ERICA

To row crew?

MARK

To get into a final club. To row crew?

No. Are you,...