FADE IN
ON A RINGING TELEPHONE
A hand reaches for it, bringing the receiver up to the face of CASEY
BECKER, a young girl, no more than sixteen. A friendly face with innocent
eyes.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN'S VOICE
(from phone)
Hello.
Silence.
CASEY
Yes?
MAN
Who is this?
CASEY
Who are you trying to reach?
MAN
What number is this?
CASEY
What number are you trying to reach?
MAN
I don't know.
CASEY
I think you have the wrong number.
MAN
Do I?
CASEY
It happens. Take it easy.
CLICK! She hangs up the phone. The CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal Casey in a
living room, alone. She moves from the living room to the kitchen. It's a
nice house. Affluent.
The phone RINGS again.
INT. KITCHEN
Casey grabs the portable.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN
I'm sorry. I guess I dialed the wrong number.
CASEY
So why did you dial it again?
MAN
To apologize.
CASEY
You're forgiven. Bye now.
MAN
Wait, wait, don't hang up.
Casey stands in front of a sliding glass door. It's pitch black outside.
CASEY
What?
MAN
I want to talk to you for a second.
CASEY
They've got 900 numbers for that. Seeya.
CLICK! Casey hangs up. A grin on her face.
EXT. CASEY'S HOUSE - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING
A big, country home with a huge sprawling lawn full of big oak trees. It
sits alone with no neighbors in sight.
The phone RINGS again.
INT. KITCHEN
Popcorn SIZZLES in a pot on the stove. Casey covers it with a lid, reaching
for the portable phone.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN
Why don't you want to talk to me?
CASEY
Who is this?
MAN
You tell me your name, I'll tell you mine.
CASEY
(shaking the popcorn)
I don't think so.
MAN
What's that noise?
Casey smiles, playing along, innocently.
CASEY
Popcorn.
MAN
You're making popcorn?
CASEY
Uh-huh.
MAN
I only eat popcorn at the movies.
CASEY
I'm getting ready to watch a video.
MAN
Really? What?
CASEY
Just some scary movie.
MAN
Do you like scary movies?
CASEY
Uh-huh.
MAN
What's your favorite scary movie?
He's flirting with her. Casey moves away from the stove and takes a seat at
the kitchen counter, directly in front of the glass door.
CASEY
I don't know.
MAN
You have to have a favorite.
Casey thinks for a second.
CASEY
Uh..HALLOWEEN. You know, the one with the guy with
the white mask who just sorta walks around and stalks the
babysitters. What's yours?
MAN
Guess.
CASEY
Uh....NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.
MAN
Is that the one where the guy had knives for fingers?
CASEY
Yeah...Freddy Krueger.
MAN
Freddy--that's right. I liked that movie. It was scary.
CASEY
The first one was, but the rest sucked.
MAN
So, you gotta boyfriend?
CASEY
(giggling)
Why? You wanna ask me out?
MAN
Maybe. Do you have a boyfriend?
CASEY
No.
MAN
You never told me your name.
Casey smiles, twirling her hair.
CASEY
Why do you want to know my name?
MAN
Because I want to know who I'm looking at.
Casey spins around like lightning facing the glass door.
CASEY
What did you say?
MAN
I want to know who I'm talking to.
CASEY
That's not what you said.
MAN
What do you think I said?
Casey CLICKS on the outside light. A flood light illuminates the backyard.
Her eyes survey the grounds. But it's empty. No one's there. She turns the
light out.
On the stove, the popcorn POPS.
CASEY
I have to go now.
MAN
Wait...I thought we were gonna go out.
CASEY
Nah, I don't think so...
MAN
Don't hang up on me.
CASEY
Gotta go.
MAN
Don't...
CLICK! Casey hangs up. She checks the glass door making sure it's locked
and then moves to the stove as...
THE PHONE RINGS.
She slides the popcorn from the stove, reaching for the phone.
CASEY
Yes?
MAN
I told you not to hang up on me.
CASEY
What do you want?
MAN
To talk.
CASEY
Dial someone else, okay?
MAN
You getting scared?
CASEY
No--bored.
CLICK. She hangs up. The phone RINGS again. She grabs it.
CASEY
Listen, asshole....
MAN
(deadly serious)
NO, YOU LISTEN, YOU LITTLE BITCH. IF YOU HANG UP ON
ME AGAIN I'LL GUT YOU LIKE A FISH. UNDERSTAND?
Total silence. He has gotten her full attention.
CASEY
Is this some kind of a joke?
MAN
More of a game, really.
Casey eyes the glass doors, then looks up the hallway to the front door...
moving to it. It's unlocked. She bolts it.
CASEY
I'm two seconds from calling the police.
MAN
They'd never make it in time.
Casey moves her face flush against the door, her eye looking thru the
peephole.
ANGLE THRU PEEPHOLE.
A distorted view of the front porch. It is empty. She relaxes a bit,
relieved.
CASEY
What do you want?
MAN
(pure evil)
TO SEE WHAT YOUR INSIDES LOOK LIKE.
Casey's jaw drops as total fear storms her face. She hangs up the phone,
throwing it down on a side table when....
THE DOORBELL CHIMES
Casey leaps out of her skin. She turns to the door as it CHIMES again.
CASEY
(calling out)
Who's there?
Another CHIME. She moves to it.
CASEY
(louder)
Who's there?
No answer. Fuck this. It's time for the police. She goes for the portable
phone. Just as she picks it up....
IT RINGS.
SCARY MOVIE
written by Kevin Williamson
Rewrite
July 31, 1995
FADE IN
ON A RINGING TELEPHONE
A hand reaches for it, bringing the receiver up to the face of CASEY
BECKER, a young girl, no more than sixteen. A friendly face with innocent
eyes.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN'S VOICE
(from phone)
Hello.
Silence.
CASEY
Yes?
MAN
Who is this?
CASEY
Who are you trying to reach?
MAN
What number is this?
CASEY
What number are you trying to reach?
MAN
I don't know.
CASEY
I think you have the wrong number.
MAN
Do I?
CASEY
It happens. Take it easy.
CLICK! She hangs up the phone. The CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal Casey in a
living room, alone. She moves from the living room to the kitchen. It's a
nice house. Affluent.
The phone RINGS again.
INT. KITCHEN
Casey grabs the portable.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN
I'm sorry. I guess I dialed the wrong number.
CASEY
So why did you dial it again?
MAN
To apologize.
CASEY
You're forgiven. Bye now.
MAN
Wait, wait, don't hang up.
Casey stands in front of a sliding glass door. It's pitch black outside.
CASEY
What?
MAN
I want to talk to you for a second.
CASEY
They've got 900 numbers for that. Seeya.
CLICK! Casey hangs up. A grin on her face.
EXT. CASEY'S HOUSE - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING
A big, country home with a huge sprawling lawn full of big oak trees. It
sits alone with no neighbors in sight.
The phone RINGS again.
INT. KITCHEN
Popcorn SIZZLES in a pot on the stove. Casey covers it with a lid, reaching
for the portable phone.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN
Why don't you want to talk to me?
CASEY
Who is this?
MAN
You tell me your name, I'll tell you mine.
CASEY
(shaking the popcorn)
I don't think so.
MAN
What's that noise?
Casey smiles, playing along, innocently.
CASEY
Popcorn.
MAN
You're making popcorn?
CASEY
Uh-huh.
MAN
I only eat popcorn at the movies.
CASEY
I'm getting ready to watch a video.
MAN
Really? What?
CASEY
Just some scary movie.
MAN
Do you like scary movies?
CASEY
Uh-huh.
MAN
What's your favorite scary movie?
He's flirting with her. Casey moves away from the stove and takes a seat at
the kitchen counter, directly in front of the glass door.
CASEY
I don't know.
MAN
You have to have a favorite.
Casey thinks for a second.
CASEY
Uh..HALLOWEEN. You know, the one with the guy with
the white mask who just sorta walks around and stalks the
babysitters. What's yours?
MAN
Guess.
CASEY
Uh....NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.
MAN
Is that the one where the guy had knives for fingers?
CASEY
Yeah...Freddy Krueger.
MAN
Freddy--that's right. I liked that movie. It was scary.
CASEY
The first one was, but the rest sucked.
MAN
So, you gotta boyfriend?
CASEY
(giggling)
Why? You wanna ask me out?
MAN
Maybe. Do you have a boyfriend?
CASEY
No.
MAN
You never told me your name.
Casey smiles, twirling her hair.
CASEY
Why do you want to know my name?
MAN
Because I want to know who I'm looking at.
Casey spins around like lightning facing the glass door.
CASEY
What did you say?
MAN
I want to know who I'm talking to.
CASEY
That's not what you said.
MAN
What do you think I said?
Casey CLICKS on the outside light. A flood light illuminates the backyard.
Her eyes survey the grounds. But it's empty. No one's there. She turns the
light out.
On the stove, the popcorn POPS.
CASEY
I have to go now.
MAN
Wait...I thought we were gonna go out.
CASEY
Nah, I don't think so...
MAN
Don't hang up on me.
CASEY
Gotta go.
MAN
Don't...
CLICK! Casey hangs up. She checks the glass door making sure it's locked
and then moves to the stove as...
THE PHONE RINGS.
She slides the popcorn from the stove, reaching for the phone.
CASEY
Yes?
MAN
I told you not to hang up on me.
CASEY
What do you want?
MAN
To talk.
CASEY
Dial someone else, okay?
MAN
You getting scared?
CASEY
No--bored.
CLICK. She hangs up. The phone RINGS again. She grabs it.
CASEY
Listen, asshole....
MAN
(deadly serious)
NO, YOU LISTEN, YOU LITTLE BITCH. IF YOU HANG UP ON
ME AGAIN I'LL GUT YOU LIKE A FISH. UNDERSTAND?
Total silence. He has gotten her full attention.
CASEY
Is this some kind of a joke?
MAN
More of a game, really.
Casey eyes the glass doors, then looks up the hallway to the front door...
moving to it. It's unlocked. She bolts it.
CASEY
I'm two seconds from calling the police.
MAN
They'd never make it in time.
Casey moves her face flush against the door, her eye looking thru the
peephole.
ANGLE THRU PEEPHOLE.
A distorted view of the front porch. It is empty. She relaxes a bit,
relieved.
CASEY
What do you want?
MAN
(pure evil)
TO SEE WHAT YOUR INSIDES LOOK LIKE.
Casey's jaw drops as total fear storms her face. She hangs up the phone,
throwing it down on a side table when....
THE DOORBELL CHIMES
Casey leaps out of her skin. She turns to the door as it CHIMES again.
CASEY
(calling out)
Who's there?
Another CHIME. She moves to it.
CASEY
(louder)
Who's there?
No answer. Fuck this. It's time for the police. She goes for the portable
phone. Just as she picks it up....
IT RINGS.
SCARY MOVIE
written by Kevin Williamson
Rewrite
July 31, 1995
FADE IN
ON A RINGING TELEPHONE
A hand reaches for it, bringing the receiver up to the face of CASEY
BECKER, a young girl, no more than sixteen. A friendly face with innocent
eyes.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN'S VOICE
(from phone)
Hello.
Silence.
CASEY
Yes?
MAN
Who is this?
CASEY
Who are you trying to reach?
MAN
What number is this?
CASEY
What number are you trying to reach?
MAN
I don't know.
CASEY
I think you have the wrong number.
MAN
Do I?
CASEY
It happens. Take it easy.
CLICK! She hangs up the phone. The CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal Casey in a
living room, alone. She moves from the living room to the kitchen. It's a
nice house. Affluent.
The phone RINGS again.
INT. KITCHEN
Casey grabs the portable.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN
I'm sorry. I guess I dialed the wrong number.
CASEY
So why did you dial it again?
MAN
To apologize.
CASEY
You're forgiven. Bye now.
MAN
Wait, wait, don't hang up.
Casey stands in front of a sliding glass door. It's pitch black outside.
CASEY
What?
MAN
I want to talk to you for a second.
CASEY
They've got 900 numbers for that. Seeya.
CLICK! Casey hangs up. A grin on her face.
EXT. CASEY'S HOUSE - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING
A big, country home with a huge sprawling lawn full of big oak trees. It
sits alone with no neighbors in sight.
The phone RINGS again.
INT. KITCHEN
Popcorn SIZZLES in a pot on the stove. Casey covers it with a lid, reaching
for the portable phone.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN
Why don't you want to talk to me?
CASEY
Who is this?
MAN
You tell me your name, I'll tell you mine.
CASEY
(shaking the popcorn)
I don't think so.
MAN
What's that noise?
Casey smiles, playing along, innocently.
CASEY
Popcorn.
MAN
You're making popcorn?
CASEY
Uh-huh.
MAN
I only eat popcorn at the movies.
CASEY
I'm getting ready to watch a video.
MAN
Really? What?
CASEY
Just some scary movie.
MAN
Do you like scary movies?
CASEY
Uh-huh.
MAN
What's your favorite scary movie?
He's flirting with her. Casey moves away from the stove and takes a seat at
the kitchen counter, directly in front of the glass door.
CASEY
I don't know.
MAN
You have to have a favorite.
Casey thinks for a second.
CASEY
Uh..HALLOWEEN. You know, the one with the guy with
the white mask who just sorta walks around and stalks the
babysitters. What's yours?
MAN
Guess.
CASEY
Uh....NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.
MAN
Is that the one where the guy had knives for fingers?
CASEY
Yeah...Freddy Krueger.
MAN
Freddy--that's right. I liked that movie. It was scary.
CASEY
The first one was, but the rest sucked.
MAN
So, you gotta boyfriend?
CASEY
(giggling)
Why? You wanna ask me out?
MAN
Maybe. Do you have a boyfriend?
CASEY
No.
MAN
You never told me your name.
Casey smiles, twirling her hair.
CASEY
Why do you want to know my name?
MAN
Because I want to know who I'm looking at.
Casey spins around like lightning facing the glass door.
CASEY
What did you say?
MAN
I want to know who I'm talking to.
CASEY
That's not what you said.
MAN
What do you think I said?
Casey CLICKS on the outside light. A flood light illuminates the backyard.
Her eyes survey the grounds. But it's empty. No one's there. She turns the
light out.
On the stove, the popcorn POPS.
CASEY
I have to go now.
MAN
Wait...I thought we were gonna go out.
CASEY
Nah, I don't think so...
MAN
Don't hang up on me.
CASEY
Gotta go.
MAN
Don't...
CLICK! Casey hangs up. She checks the glass door making sure it's locked
and then moves to the stove as...
THE PHONE RINGS.
She slides the popcorn from the stove, reaching for the phone.
CASEY
Yes?
MAN
I told you not to hang up on me.
CASEY
What do you want?
MAN
To talk.
CASEY
Dial someone else, okay?
MAN
You getting scared?
CASEY
No--bored.
CLICK. She hangs up. The phone RINGS again. She grabs it.
CASEY
Listen, asshole....
MAN
(deadly serious)
NO, YOU LISTEN, YOU LITTLE BITCH. IF YOU HANG UP ON
ME AGAIN I'LL GUT YOU LIKE A FISH. UNDERSTAND?
Total silence. He has gotten her full attention.
CASEY
Is this some kind of a joke?
MAN
More of a game, really.
Casey eyes the glass doors, then looks up the hallway to the front door...
moving to it. It's unlocked. She bolts it.
CASEY
I'm two seconds from calling the police.
MAN
They'd never make it in time.
Casey moves her face flush against the door, her eye looking thru the
peephole.
ANGLE THRU PEEPHOLE.
A distorted view of the front porch. It is empty. She relaxes a bit,
relieved.
CASEY
What do you want?
MAN
(pure evil)
TO SEE WHAT YOUR INSIDES LOOK LIKE.
Casey's jaw drops as total fear storms her face. She hangs up the phone,
throwing it down on a side table when....
THE DOORBELL CHIMES
Casey leaps out of her skin. She turns to the door as it CHIMES again.
CASEY
(calling out)
Who's there?
Another CHIME. She moves to it.
CASEY
(louder)
Who's there?
No answer. Fuck this. It's time for the police. She goes for the portable
phone. Just as she picks it up....
IT RINGS.
Casey almost drops it, losing her breath.
She brings it to her ear with trembling hands, saying nothing....
listening...waiting...
A long silence. And then.
MAN
You should never say "Who's there?". Don't you watch scary
movies? It's a death wish.
Casey clutches the wall, nearly collapsing. She tries her damndest to hang
tough.
CASEY
Look, enough is enough. You had your fun now you better leave me
alone or else.
MAN
Or else what?
CLOSE ON her face, her mind thinking, calculating...
CASEY
My boyfriend will be here any second and he'll be pissed when I
tell him...
MAN
I thought you didn't have a boyfriend.
Busted. She holds steady.
CASEY
I lied. I do have a boyfriend and he'll be here any second and
your ass better be gone.
MAN
Sure...
CASEY
I swear it. And he's big and plays football and will beat the
shit out of you.
MAN
I'm getting scared.
CASEY
I'm telling the truth. I lied before...
MAN
I believe you.
CASEY
So you better leave.
MAN
His name wouldn't be STEVE, would it?
Silence. Casey buckles at the knees, losing it.
CASEY
How do you know his name?
MAN
Go to the back door and turn on the porch light --again.
Casey, terrified, forces herself to move...staggering to the kitchen...to
the glass doors. Her shaky hand finds the light switch...she hits it. The
back yard is lit. Sitting in a lawn chair in the middle of the backyard is
a big linebacker of a guy, her boyfriend...
STEVE
tied and gagged. He's been roughed up, but he's alive.
CLOSE ON his eyes...wide in fear...staring at his girlfriend, pleading with
her.
CASEY
Oh Goddddd....
Casey SCREAMS. Her hand moves to the lock on the door.
MAN
I wouldn't do that if I were you.
Terror rides Casey's face. She's petrified.
CASEY
Where are you?
MAN
Guess.
Her eyes search the yard, combing bushes, trees. He could be anywhere --
anywhere.
CASEY
(begging)
Please don't hurt him.
MAN
That all depends on you.
CASEY
Why are you doing this?
Tears find their way, streaming down Casey's face.
MAN
I wanna play a game.
CASEY
No....
MAN
Then he dies. Right now.
CASEY
NOOO!
MAN
Which is it?
A long silence. Casey touches the glass...staring at Steve...this big jock
of a guy is crying too.
CASEY
What kind of game?
MAN
Turn off the light.
Her hand goes to the switch...Steve tugs and pulls at his straps...as if
begging her...his face sweat and tears...
CLICK He disappears in the darkness. Casey moves away from the glass, back
towards the living room, unbelieving, horrified.
MAN
Here's how we play. I ask a question. If you get it right --
Steve lives.
Three curtainless windows line one wall. Casey crouches down behind the
couch, ripping a lamp cord from its socket, darkening the room. Her body
quivers.
CASEY
Please don't do this...
MAN
Come on, it'll be fun.
CASEY
No ... please.
MAN
It's an easy category. Movie trivia.
CASEY
(begging)
..please...
MAN
I'll even give you a warm-up question.
CASEY
Don't do this. I can't...
MAN
Name the killer in HALLOWEEN.
CASEY
No...
MAN
Come on. It's your favorite scary movie, remember? He had a white
mask, he stalked the babysitters.
Casey goes silent....a nervous wreck....she can barely speak much
less think.
CASEY
I don't know.
MAN
Come on, yes you do.
CASEY
Please....stop...
Casey is SOBBING.
MAN
What's his name?
CASEY
I can't think.
Casey has officially reached hysteria, petrified beyond all reality.
MAN
Steve's counting on you.
Suddenly...through tears...Godsent...
CASEY
(a whisper)
Michael...Michael Myers.
MAN
YES!
Casey SIGHS...relieved.
MAN
Now for the real question.
CASEY
NOOOO.....
MAN
But you're doing so well.
CASEY
Please go away! Leave us alone!
MAN
Then answer this question. Same category.
Casey is a blubbering, wet mess on the floor.
CASEY
...please ... no....
MAN
Name the killer in FRIDAY THE 13TH.
A mad smile purses Casey's lips. She knows this. She leaps up, through
tears, screaming....
CASEY
JASON! JASON!...JASON!
A slight PAUSE
MAN
I'm sorry. That's the wrong answer.
CASEY
No it's not. It was Jason.
MAN
Afraid not.
CASEY
It was Jason. I saw that goddamned movie twenty times. It was
Jason.
MAN
Then you should know Jason's MOTHER - Mrs. Voorhees was the
original killer. Jason didn't show up until the sequel.
Casey is stupified.
CASEY
You tricked me...
MAN
Lucky, for you there's a bonus round. But poor Steve...I'm
afraid...he's out.
This implication sends Casey running to the kitchen...to the glass doors.
She flips on the porch light to see...
STEVE
eyes wide, sitting in the lawn chair...his belly gaping open...a mass of
blood and ripped flesh...his insides lay on the ground between his
feet...steam rising.
A SCREAM erupts from the bottom of her soul as Casey collapses to the
floor...nearly passing out. CLOSE ON her face..pale and ghostly white. She
SOBS.
MAN
Final question. Are you ready?
She doesn't answer. A long, maddening silence. Casey reaches up and CLICKS
off the light, making Steve go away, wishing...hoping...
CASEY
Leave me alone...please...
MAN
Answer the question and I will.
Casey is curled up on the floor like an infant, rocking slowly back and
forth.
MAN
What door am I at?
CASEY
What?
MAN
There are two doors to your house. A front door and a back one.
If you answer correctly -- you live.
From where Casey sits she can see both front and back doors. She
deliberates...with her last bit of strength she tries to strategize. Eyeing
both, the front door...the back door...trying to decide between the two.
CASEY
Don't make me...I can't...I won't.
MAN
Your call.
In the darkness, Casey crawls to the kitchen counter--she leans up and
grabs a long, sharp knife.
Casey looks around her...she looks down the hall to the front door...then
turns back to the kitchen glass door as it suddenly...
SHATTERS TO BITS...
as a lawn chair comes flying through it. Exploding glass sprays everywhere.
This incites Casey like fire. She springs to her feet...bolting out of the
kitchen as a SHADOW moves quickly through the shattered doorframe.
ANGLE ON CASEY
Somewhere in the house, back flat against a window, listening to FEET ON
CRACKING GLASS. She turns and unlocks the latch, quietly sliding it up. She
can hear him move to the foyer...to the front door.
Casey lifts herself up and puts her legs through the window. She holds the
knife in one hand, the phone in the other.
Casey eases out the window, fumbling, dropping the knife back inside the
house. She starts to reach for it. Fuck it, she takes off...
EXT. SIDE OF HOUSE
Casey is at the back corner of the house.
MAN
I can hear you. I know you're here.
Casey eases along a nar Final question. Are you ready?
She doesn't answer. A long, maddening silence. Casey reaches up and CLICKS
off the light, making Steve go away, wishing...hoping...
CASEY
Leave me alone...please...
g, to the next window, she looks in...the FIGURE is
completely on the other side of the room moving toward the hall that leads
to other parts of the house.
She moves further along the house....squeezing by hedges...to the third
window...she peeks in to see the FIGURE...
STARING BACK AT HER...
His face covered with a ghostly white mask, inches from her...his eyes
piercing through...soulless...Casey SCREAMS BLOODY MURDER as a hand...
CRASHES through the glass window grabbing hold of her neck...she beats at
him trying to free herself...her nails dig into his arm..she wrenches from
side to side...finally breaking free as the hands disappear inside the
house...
EXT. CORNER OF HOUSE
Casey sails around the corner of the house, eyeing the front door. It
remains closed. Her eyes cover the sprawling, country yard when suddenly...
HEADLIGHTS APPEAR
in the distance, coming down the road towards the house...she recognizes
them instantly. Mom...Dad...she tears off across the yard toward
them...moving like lightning...
The car turns into the driveway...Casey SCREAMS, waving madly, rushing by a
tree as..
THE GHOST MASKED FIGURE APPEARS
Casey stumbles back, catching her balance...the FIGURE moves on her, arm
poised high...a flash of silver..and Casey is struck, across the chest. She
looks down to see her shirt blossoming with red...a look of bewilderment as
she drops to one knee.
The knife rises again...Casey throws her hand forward...the blade comes
down...but it's blocked by the portable phone still in her hand. She turns,
staggering to...
EXTERIOR DRIVEWAY
A MIDDLE-AGED COUPLE emerge from the parked car. They move to their front
door completely unaware of what's happening to their daughter, only feet
from them.
EXT. FRONT YARD
Casey stumbles forward...her parents ten feet away...she opens her mouth to
scream but no sound resonates...she is beyond words...staggering,
swaying...the FIGURE moving behind her.
EXT. FRONT DOOR
Her parents approach the door.
FATHER
That fish smelled strong.
MOTHER
I told you to send it back.
The father discovers the front door ajar. A puzzled look. Casey is right
behind them with one arm outstretched. If they'd only turn around....
They enter the house and close the door as...
Casey collapses on the ground, clutching her bloody chest...the FIGURE upon
her.
INT. FOYER
The father sees straight back into the kitchen...the shattered patio door.
FATHER
Jesus...
MOTHER
What is it? Where's Casey?
FATHER
(calling out)
Casey? Casey?
In a split second they're both panic stricken. The father begins searching
the house frantically. The mother is hysterical.
EXT. FRONT YARD
CLOSE on Casey...she's dragged by her feet through damp soil...the life
going fast from her body...her hand still clutching the phone.
INT. FOYER
Back in the house.
MOTHER
Where is she?
FATHER
Call the police.
The mother moves to the phone in the foyer, picks it up...there's no dial
tone. She jiggles the base.
FATHER
(searching)
Casey? Where are you honey? Call the police, goddammit.
MOTHER
The phone's dead.
Then...the softest...faintest voice is heard...
CASEY
(from phone)
Mom...
MOTHER
Oh dear God..Casey baby.
The slightest breath...a whimpering almost...from the receiver.
CASEY
(from phone)
..help me..
MOTHER
She's here, God, I can hear her. Where's my baby?
The husband returns to the foyer finding his wife clinging to the phone.
FATHER
Where is she?
MOTHER
I can hear her. Oh Mother of God, I can hear her.
The father upturns the living room.
FATHER
Casey! CASEY!
MOTHER
Not my daughter...not my..
The husband grabs hold of his wife.
FATHER
Get in the car and drive down to the Mackenzie's.
The mother throws the front door open and rushes out...the father moves
through the house when a SCREAM echoes out. That of his wife. He tears off
for the front door.
EXT. FRONT DOOR
The father rushes out the door to find his wife, on her knees, bent over,
retching. His eyes move beyond to a tree in the front yard...his stomach
fails him...his dinner rises...as he bears witness to the single, most
horrifying sight he'll ever see.
That of his only daughter as she hangs from a big, oak tree...strung
up...very much dead...her stomach ripped open.
BLACKOUT!
BEGIN MAIN TITLES
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM - SAME NIGHT
A teenage girl's room. Neat and pinkish. On the bed, amongst age-old
stuffed animals lie opened school books. The CAMERA PANS to a desk against
the wall where...
SIDNEY PRESCOTT
a young girl of 17, sits, her face glued to the computer monitor in front
of her. CLOSE ON her face. Sharp and clever with deep, lonely eyes. She's
comfortable in a plain flannel nightgown.
Her hands are at work, typing feverishly, when suddenly...
CRASH--BOOM
A noise behind her. She turns abruptly, eyeing an open window across the
room. A SCRATCHING sound. She stands and moves toward it.
EXT. WINDOW
Sidney sticks her head out the window. The late night wind hits her face as
a SHADOW appears just to the left of her, a hand reaches out, grabs her and
suddenly a FIGURE is on top of her...
INT. BEDROOM
Sid SCREAMS...pulling away from the FIGURE...breaking free, falling back
onto the floor.
VOICE
(o.s.)
Hey...it's just me.
Sid looks up to see...
BILLY LOOMIS
A young, strapping boy of seventeen. Handsome and alluring. A star
quarterback/class president type of guy. He sports a smile that could last
for days.
SIDNEY
Billy? What the....
BILLY
I'm sorry. Don't hate me.
SIDNEY
What are doing here?
BILLY
You sleep in THAT?
Billy pulls himself through the window.
SIDNEY
(whispering)
My dad's in the other room.
BILLY
I'll only stay a sec.
Suddenly...
The bedroom door BURSTS open. The doorknob catches on the open closet door
behind it, jamming it, holding it in place.
VOICE
(from behind door)
What's going on in there?
Billy quickly rolls out of sight behind the bed. Sidney unjams the door to
reveal...
MR. PRESCOTT, late 40's, a severe presence. A distracted man, nervous and
pre-occupied.
MR. PRESCOTT
Are you okay?
SIDNEY
Can you knock?
MR. PRESCOTT
I heard screaming.
SIDNEY
No you didn't.
MR. PRESCOTT
No? Oh, well...I'm hitting the sack. My flight leaves first thing
in the morning. Now the expo runs all weekend so I won't be back
til Sunday. There's cash on the table and I'll be staying at the
Raleigh Hilton...
SIDNEY
..out at the airport...
MR. PRESCOTT
..so call if you need me.
SIDNEY
Got it.
He gives the bedroom a quick once-over.
MR. PRESCOTT
I coulda swore I heard screaming.
Sidney distracts him, giving him a peck on the cheek.
SIDNEY
Have a good trip.
MR. PRESCOTT
Sleep tight, sweetie.
He gives her a wink and pulls the door closed. Billy reappears.
BILLY
Close call.
SIDNEY
What are you doing here?
Billy takes a flying leap and lands on the bed.
BILLY
It just occurred to me that I've never snuck through your bedroom
window.
SIDNEY
Now that it's out of your system.
BILLY
And I was home, bored, watching television, THE EXORCIST was on
and it got me thinking of you.
SIDNEY
Oh it did?
BILLY
Yeah, it was edited for TV. All the good stuff was cut out and I
started thinking about us and how two years ago, we started off
kinda hot and heavy, a nice solid 'R' rating on our way to an
NC17. And how things have changed and, lately, we're just sort
of...edited for television.
SIDNEY
So you thought you could sneak in my window and we would have a
little bump-bump.
BILLY
No, no. I wouldn't dream of breaking your underwear rule. I just
thought we might do some on top of the clothes stuff.
She snuggles up next to him, planting a kiss on his lips. Passionate and
gentle. He, however, responds like a shark, moving on top of her, his hands
everywhere as he presses into her...Sidney breaks away.
SIDNEY
Time to go, stud bucket.
Billy sits up. His heart isn't racing....it's POUNDING.
BILLY
See what you do to me.
Sweat has popped out all over his forehead, his breathing heavy.
SIDNEY
You know what my dad will do to you?
BILLY
I'm going...I'm going.
He moves to the window. She follows, motioning to his wound.
SIDNEY
I appreciate the romantic gesture.
She gives him a kiss goodnight. Sweet and simple.
BILLY
(whisper)
Hey...about the sex stuff. I'm not trying to rush you. I was only
half serious.
She kisses him again as he eases through the window.
SIDNEY
Would you settle for a PG-13 relationship?
BILLY
What's that?
She pulls her flannel gown open for a split second...flashing her left
breast. His mouth drops open..surprise, shock. Their eyes meet. They share
a smile.
SIDNEY
Get outta here.
CUT TO:
INT. SIDNEY's BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
CLOSE on Sidney snuggling her pillow, sleeping peacefully when...
THE RADIO ALARM BLASTS from the night table loud enough to wake the dead.
Sidney bolts up.
DISC JOCKEY
(from radio)
...found brutally murdered....
CLICK. Sidney, quick with the reflexes, shuts it off instantly. A car trunk
SLAMS shut outside.
Sidney pulls herself out of bed and leans to the window just in time to see
her Dad jumping in his car. She half waves down at him but he doesn't see
here. He's as good as gone, pulling out of the driveway and disappearing
down the road.
A moment as Sidney stands at the window, staring out after him.
EXT. SCHOOL - MORNING
CLOSE ON A SIGN
"BAYBORO HIGH SCHOOL - HOME OF THE FIGHTING BULLDOGS"
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL a picture perfect small town school. Old
and charming. Students come and go, moving about. Nothing unusual, except
for the...
six police cars, four news vans, flashing cameras, and crowds and crowds on
lookie-loo's gathered just off campus.
EXT. SIDEWALK
Sidney approaches the school seeing the commotion. Four different REPORTERS
stand in front of four different cameras giving four different news
reports.
She moves past a policeman standing guard. Her interest peaked, she stops
at the first report who is...
GALE WEATHERS
Thirties. Her smart face is overshadowed by a flashy smile and a massive
mane of chemically enhanced hair.
GALE
(for the camera)
The small town of Bayboro, North Carolina was devastated last
night when two young teenagers were found brutally butchered.
Authorities have yet to issue a statement but our sources tell us
that no arrest has been made and the murderer could strike
again...
ON SIDNEY. Moved, disturbed. From behind, a finger taps her shoulder. She
spins around to see...
TATUM RILEY, same age, fiesty, carefree.
TATUM
Do you believe this shit?
SIDNEY
What happened?
They break away from the crowd and head for school.
TATUM
Oh God! You don't know? Casey Becker and Steve Forrest were
killed last night.
SIDNEY
No way.
TATUM
And not just killed, Sid. We're talking splatter movie killed --
split open end to end.
SIDNEY
Casey Becker? She sits next to me in English.
TATUM
Not anymore. Her parents found her hanging from a tree. Her
insides on the outside.
SIDNEY
Do they know who did it?
TATUM
Fucking clueless -- they're interrogating the entire school.
Teachers, students, staff, janitors...
SIDNEY
They think it's school-related?
TATUM
They don't know. Dewey said this is the worst crime they've ever
seen. Even worse than...
(stopping herself)
Well, it's bad. They're bringing in the feds. This is big.
Sidney looks back at Gale, her face deeply pained.
INT. CLASSROOM - LATER
A frumpy old woman, MRS. TATE, faces her class. Her hands clasped together.
A tragic look upon her face.
MRS. TATE
..a terrible tragedy. An unbearable loss. It's days like today we
need prayer in school...
Sidney sits near the rear of the room. The desk in front of her sits
vacant. Sidney can't take her eyes off it.
The door opens and a student enters with a slip of paper. He hands it to
Mrs. Tate.
MRS. TATE
Sidney. It appears to be your turn, dear.
INT. PRINCIPAL's OFFICE
The room is at capacity...wall to wall with police, and the likes. Some
sit, stand, lean...
SHERIFF BURKE, a round man in his fifties, wipes the stress from his face.
SHERIFF BURKE
Who's up next?
A young officer looks at a clipboard. This is DEPUTY RILEY, better known as
DEWEY. He's a big guy, 20's, handsome in a scrubbed-clean boyish way.
DEWEY
Sidney Prescott.
Sheriff Burke gestures to bring her in. PRINCIPAL HIMBRY, 50's, an old
codger of a man wearing a sour face speaks up.
MR. HIMBY
Sidney Prescott. She was daughter of...
DEWEY
We all know Sidney, Mr. Himbry.
SHERIFF BURKE
How she doin'?
MR. HIMBRY
She's adjusted well. Maintains an "A" average. You'd never know
she...
Himbry stops short, seeing Sidney in the doorway. He rises and seats her.
SHERIFF BURKE
Hi Sidney.
SIDNEY
Sheriff Burke. Dewey.
Dewey shakes his head seriously.
DEWEY
I'm Deputy Riley today, Sid.
SHERIFF BURKE
How is everything?
SIDNEY
Good.
SHERIFF BURKE
And your Dad? How's he doing?
SIDNEY
We're fine. Thanks.
MR. HIMBRY
We'll be brief, Sidney. The police have a few questions they'd
like to ask you...
Sidney eyes them all nervously.
EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD - LATER
Students sit at the outdoor tables eating lunch. Crowded at one table is
the "gang". This consists of Sidney and Billy and Tatum.
Next to Tatum, sits her boyfriend STUART, with his arm draped across her
back. He's a Billy wannabe. Almost the jock, almost handsome, almost cool.
He tries way too hard.
Across the table is the fifth wheel, RANDY. A tall and gangly kid with no
such Billy-like aspirations. A witty jokester who elevates geek to
coolness.
TATUM
Hunt? Why would they ask you if you like to hunt?
STU
I don't know, they just did.
RANDY
Because their bodies were gutted.
Sidney flinches.
BILLY
Thanks, Randy.
TATUM
They didn't ask me if I liked to hunt.
STU
Because there's no way a girl could have killed them.
TATUM
That is so sexist. The killer could easily be female - BASIC
INSTINCT.
RANDY
That was an ice pick -- not exactly the same.
STU
Yeah, Casey and Steve were completely hollowed out. Takes a man
to do something like that.
TATUM
Or a man's mentality.
SIDNEY
(quiet, almost to herself)
How do you gut someone?
All eyes turn to Sidney. A serious silence. And then:
STU
You take a knife and slit from the groin to the sternum.
Sidney shivers down to her soul. The whole table rolls their eyes at Stu.
STU
What? She asked.
BILLY
It's called tact, you fuckrag.
STU
Sorry.
RANDY
Remember in JAWS when they caught the wrong shark at first and
Richard Dreyfuss cut it open to look for body parts and all they
found was a license plate and all this white milky goo.
Stu leans over and socks Randy in the arm.
STU
You heard Billy - shut the fuck up.
SIDNEY
Hey, Stu? Didn't you used to date Casey?
Stu's taken back, a little off guard.
STU
For about two seconds.
RANDY
Before she dumped him for Steve.
Tatum turns to Stu, surprised.
TATUM
I thought you dumped her for me.
STU
I did. He's full of shit.
RANDY
And are the police aware you dated the victim?
STU
(offended)
What are you saying? That I like killed her or something?
RANDY
It would certainly improve your high school Q.
TATUM
Stu was with me last night.
RANDY
Oooooh...before or after he sliced and diced.
TATUM
Fuck you, nut case. Where were you last night?
RANDY
Working, thank you.
TATUM
I thought Blockbuster fired you.
RANDY
Twice.
STU
I didn't kill anybody.
BILLY
No one's saying you did.
RANDY
Besides ---
(perfect Stu mimic)
"Takes a man to do something like that."
STU
I'm gonna gut your ass in a second.
RANDY
(to Stu)
Did you really put her liver in the mailbox? I hear they found
her liver in the mailbox.
TATUM
(eyeing Sidney)
Randy, you goon-fuck, I'm eating here.
Stu nibbles at Tatum's neck.
STU
Yeah, Randy, she's getting mad. I think you better liver alone.
Stu cracks up at his own joke. The others just MOAN. Sidney is about to
crawl out of her skin, trying hard to ignore it all.
EXT. SIDNEY's HOUSE - LATER
A huge two story country home with a spacious lawn.
A yellow school bus stops in front of the house and Sidney steps off.
The house looks big and lonely as Sidney moves up the walk to the front
door.
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
Sidney is on the telephone.
SIDNEY
(into phone)
You sure I can stay over? My dad won't be back til Sunday.
TATUM
(through phone)
No prob. I'll pick you up after practice.
SIDNEY
Tell your mom I said thanks.
TATUM
Yeah, yeah...look, are you okay?
SIDNEY
Uh-huh, it's just...you know, the police and reporters...it brings it all
back.
TATUM
I'll be there by seven. I promise.
SIDNEY
Thanks, Tatum.
TATUM
Later.
Sidney hangs up. She takes a seat at her computer and boots it up. She sits
in front of it staring at the blue screen...her own reflection staring
back.
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER
Sidney comes down the stairs, her arms carrying a change of clothes,
toothbrush, make-up...
She opens the hall closet and EDROOM - LATER
Sidney is on the telephone.
SIDNEY
(into phone)
You sure I can stay over? My dad won't be back til Sunday.
TATUM
(through phone)
No prob. I'll pick you up after practice.
SIDNEY
Tell your mom I said thanks.
TATUM
Yeah, ye the teen murders in North
Carolina...
Sidney switches channels.
REPORTER #2
The State Bureau of Investigation has joined forces with local authorities
to help catch what the Governor has called the most heinous....
The channel switches again. Gale Weathers appears, standing in front of the
school. Her white teeth gleaming.
GALE
This is not the first time the small town of Bayboro has endured such
tragedy. Only a year ago, Maureen Prescott, wife and mother, was found
raped and murdered...
An old black and white snapshot fills the screen -- a woman, beautiful and
familiar.
CLOSE ON SIDNEY
eyes frozen, mesmerized by the image. Suddenly she CLICKS the TV off. Her
eyes go to the clock on the end table. 5:45 PM. Her eyes then move to the
framed photo next to it...the same black and white photo stares at her...a
healthy, vibrant woman. An older version of Sidney.
Sidney curls up on the sofa, closing her eyes tight...
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER
The clock on the end table reads 7:15 PM. Sidney is fast asleep on the
couch. The phone RINGS. Sidney leaps up grabbing the portable phone.
TATUM
(from phone)
Practice ran late. I'm on my way.
SIDNEY
(eyes clock)
It's past seven.
TATUM
Don't worry. Casey and Steve didn't bite it til way after 10.
SIDNEY
I'm not worried.
TATUM
Good, 'cause I wanna swing by BLOCKBUSTER and get us a video. I was
thinkin' Tom Cruise in ALL THE RIGHT MOVES. You know, if you pause it just
right you can see his penis.
SIDNEY
Whatever. Just hurry.
TATUMphoto next to it...the same black and white photo stares at her...a
healthy, vibrant woman. An older version of Sidney.
Sidney curls up on the sofa, closing her eyes tight...
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER
The clock on the end table reads 7:15 PM. Sidney ihis voice. It sounds a little distorted.
SIDNEY
I have no idea.
MAN
Scary night, isn't it? With the murders and all, it's like right out of a
horror movie or something.
SIDNEY
Aha, Randy, you gave yourself away. Are you calling from work? Tatum's on
her way over.
MAN
Do you like scary movies, Sidney?
SIDNEY
I like that thing you're doing with your voice, Randy. It's sexy.
MAN
What's your favorite scary movie?
SIDNEY
Don't start. You know I don't watch that shit.
MAN
And why is that?
SIDNEY
(playing along)
Because they're all the same. It's always some stupid killer stalking some
big breasted girl -- who can't act-- who always runs up the stairs when she
should be going out the front door. They're ridiculous.
A brief silence.
MAN
Are you alone in the house?
SIDNEY
That is so unoriginal. You disappoint me Randy.
MAN
Maybe that's because I'm not Randy.
SIDNEY
So who are you?
MAN
The question isn't who am I. The question is where am I?
SIDNEY
So where are you?
MAN
Your front porch.
This gives her pause. She moves to the window and pulls aside the drapes.
SIDNEY
Why would you be calling me from my front porch?
MAN
That's the original part.
ANGLE THROUGH THE WINDOW. She can't quite see all of the porch.
SIDNEY
Oh yeah? Well I call your bluff.
Sidney goes to the front door. She unlocks the bolt, unsnags the chain, and
pulls the door open...revealing the front porch.
COMPLETELY EMPTY.
She steps out onto it, phone still in hand. A single light shines overhead
illuminating the porch, but little beyond. Darkness is all around.
SIDNEY
So where are you?
MAN
Right here.
Sidney peers out into the darkness past thick shrubs that grow on either
side of the porch.
SIDNEY
Can you see me right now?
MAN
Uh-huh.
SIDNEY
What am I doing?
She sticks a finger up her nose, pretending to pick. Silence. No answer.
SIDNEY
Good try, Randy. Tell Tatum to hurry. Bye now.
MAN
If you hang up, you'll die just like your mother.
Sidney stops dead in her tracks, speechless.
MAN
(deadly)
Do you want to die, Sidney? Your mother didn't.
His seriousness unnerves her. Sid flies off the handle.
SIDNEY
FUCK YOU! YOU CRETIN!
She hangs up on him. Moves back inside the house. Locks, chaings, and bolts
the door when...
A FIGURE COMES LEAPING OUT OF THE HALL CLOSET
rushing her, ramming into her side...the phone flies...the FIGURE ison top
of her as she goes down...SCREAMING...
She looks up to see the FIGURE, darkly dressed with a pale, distorted face,
white and ghostly...a mask.
Her instincts surface and she kicks up with her foot making contact with
his leg...he topples over...coming right at her, his hand finding her neck.
Suddenly, a long silver blade appears above her.
Sidney pulls, jerks, twists...finally she lifts her torso forward knocking
the FIGURE off her...sending him reeling into the living room. Wasting no
time, Sidney leaps to her feet.
She moves to the front door, unlocks it...pulls it open...it catches on the
chain. Shit! She pushes it closed again looking behind her..the FIGURE has
risen, knife in hand. Sidney pulls on the chain and then--inexplicably
turns and...
RUNS UP THE STAIRS. The FIGURE right behind her.
INT. UPSTAIRS LANDING
The FIGURE leaps at Sidney taking hold of her foot, she grabs madly at the
wall...her hands grasp a framed painting--a quiet country home, subdued
colors, done in oils -- she rips it from the wall swinging it behind
her....
It catches the FIGURE head on, smashing against his skull, sending him
backwards, tumbling down the stairs. Sidney races to her bedroom...
INT. BEDROOM
She locks the door shut, then pulls her closet door open, placing the edge
right at the door knob just as...
THE FIGURE POUNDS AGAINST THE BEDROOM DOOR...
ramming it, it rips open, but the closet door catches it in a crazy
vise-like hold.
Sidney grabs the desk phone. It's dead...off the hook downstairs.
The figure rushes the door several times...the frame splinters..but won't
give.
Sidney is at her computer, she punches at the keypad madly.
CLOSE ON SCREEN AS WORDS APPEAR.
FAX MODEM
9-1-1 SEND
The knife slashes through the crack in the door wildly.
ON SCREEN AGAIN
HELP KILLER
34 ELM STREET
Sidney pressed SEND when it occurs to her--all is quiet. The FIGURE is
gone. A fearful silence. She looks around...the only sound her own rapid,
terrified BREATHING.
ON THE SCREEN
"Stay calm. Police enroute."
Suddenly a NOISE at the window...Sidney looks up to see...
BILLY
her boyfriend, staring at her, surprised.
SIDNEY
Oh Billy...please....God...
BILLY
I heard screaming. The door was locked. Are you okay...
SIDNEY
He's here. He's trying to kill me....
Billy pulls himself through the window. As he does, a small black object
falls from his dark jeans. It hits the floor as Sidney eyes it...a sleek,
compact cellular phone.
Sidney stops in her tracks. Their eyes meet...an eternity. A SIREN is heard
in the distance. Sidney bolts...
BILLY
Hey...wait...what's goin...
Billy reaches for her. Sidney unblocks the bedroom door and tears out of
the room.
INT. LANDING
Sidney nearly falls down the stairs...
INT. FOYER
She rips the chain off the door, pulls it open, coming face to face with a
white, ghostly mask. A massive SCREAM erupts from her gut as...
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK
to find Dewey -- Deputy Riley, holding it. Red lights flash, sirens BLAST
as car after car surrounds the house.
Sidney falls into the safety of Dewey's arms.
EXT. FRONT YARD - MINUTES LATER
The yard is a whirlwind of activity. An ambulance, squad cars, cops
everywhere.
CLOSE ON BILLY'S FACE
as it SMASHES against the hood of a police car. His hands are being cuffed,
his rights being read.
BILLY
(screaming)
I didn't do anything! Sid...where's Sid? Ask her, she'll tell ya...
Dewey holds a car door open as Sheriff Burke steps out.
DEWEY
We got him, Sheriff. Billy Loomis.
SHERIFF BURKE
Hank Loomis' kid? Aw...Jesus...
DEWEY
He's her boyfriend.
They approach Billy as he's being placed in a squad car.
BILLY
Sheriff...I didn't do it...please, call my Dad, please...
The squad car disappears with Billy as another car comes to a stop in front
of the house. Tatum gets out, freaked beyond belief.
Back to the Sheriff and Dewey as they storm across the yard.
DEWEY
I was first to respond.
SHERIFF BURKE
What were you doing out here?
DEWEY
Drive by patrol.
SHERIFF BURKE
How is she?
DEWEY
She's tough.
SHERIFF BURKE
Have to be. The shit she's gone through.
Across the yard, sits Sidney, in the back of an ambulance as PARAMEDICS
check her out.
Sheriff Burke and Riley approach.
SHERIFF BURKE
We're seeing a lot of you today.
She tries to smile but fails.
DEWEY
You gonna be able to come down to the station and talk to us a bit?
SIDNEY
..yeah...
Tatum appears, barreling past an OFFICER.
TATUM
What happened? Oh God...
Tatum rushes to her, grabbing hold of her.
DEWEY
(to Tatum)
What are you doing here?
TATUM
Oh, God, Sid, I'm sorry I was late.
DEWEY
You can't be here, Tatum. This is an official crime scene.
SIDNEY
It's okay. She was supposed to pick me up.
TATUM
Her dad's out of town. She's staying with us.
DEWEY
Does mom know?
TATUM
Yes, you doofus.
Two news vans come driving up the street
SHERIFF BURKE
The vultures are coming. Let's get you out of here.
EXT. STREET
A big, white news van comes to a stop in front of the house. The side door
slides open and Gale Weathers hops out just in time to see Sidney being
escorted to a squad car.
GALE
I'll be damned.
Jumping from the driver's seat is KENNY, Gale's cameraman and flunky. An
earnest, young chap on the chubby side.
KENNY
What? What?
GALE
Jesus! The camera - hurry!
But it's too late. Sidney is as good as gone. Gale sees Tatum moving
quickly to her car.
GALE
Excuse me?
Tatum looks up to see Gale Weathers rushing her.
GALE
Was that Sidney Prescott they took away?
TATUM
I don't know.
Tatum hops in her car, ignoring her.
GALE
What happened to her?
TATUM
I'm not talking to you.
Tatum's car peels out as Kenny comes running up with his camera.
KENNY
Where'd she go?
Gale spins around, flashing her pearly whites.
GALE
Look, Kenny, I know you're about fifty pounds overweight but when I say
hurry please interpret that as...MOVE YOUR FAT TUB OF LARD ASS NOW!
Gale moves back to the van leaving Kenny miffed.
INT. POLICE STATION - LATER
A small town station. The bull pen is a little square room with four desks
and tonight - it's hopping. Cops everywhere.
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Sidney sits at a desk drinking a cup of water. She wears the Sheriff's
jacket over her shoulders. Dewey approaches.
SIDNEY
Did you reach my Dad?
DEWEY
You're sure it was the Hilton?
SIDNEY
At the airport.
DEWEY
He's not registered. Could he have gone to another hotel?
SIDNEY
I don't know. I guess.
DEWEY
We'll find him, Sid. Don't worry.
Sidney stares blankly, numb.
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Billy sits opposite Sheriff Burke. Next to Billy, sits his father, HANK
LOOMIS, an older version of Billy.
SHERIFF BURKE
What are you doing with a cellular telephone, son?
MR. LOOMIS
It's my phone. He was just playing around with it.
SHERIFF BURKE
You got some idea of playing around, boy.
BILLY
I didn't call anyone with it. I just took it for fun.
MR. LOOMIS
Everybody's got one now. Why don't you check the phone bill for chrissakes.
Call my carrier -- AirFone Comp. They'll have records of every number
dialed.
SHERIFF BURKE
Thank you , Hank. We're on it. What were you doing at Sidney's house
tonight?
BILLY
I just wanted to see her, that's all.
SHERIFF BURKE
You rode your bike out there?
BILLY
Yes, sir.
SHERIFF BURKE
And last night? Sidney said you crawled through her window last night too?
MR. LOOMIS
(surprised)
You were out last night?
BILLY
I watched TV for a while but then I felt like going for a bike ride.
SHERIFF BURKE
Did you ride past Casey Becker's house?
BILLY
No, I didn't. I didn't kill anyone, Sheriff.
SHERIFF BURKE
We're gonna have to keep you, Billy. The governor's got SBI, FBI, and god
knows who else on their way down here.
Billy fights tears.
BILLY
This is crazy. I didn't do it.
Sheriff Burke eyes him up and down, very carefully.
INT. POLICE BULL PEN - MINUTES LATER
Tatum has joined Sidney. The sheriff's dorr opens and Billy is led out by a
coupla UNIFORMS. Burke and Dewey appear in the door watching Tatum comfort
Sidney.
OUT OF EAR SHOT
DEWEY
That ghost mask is sold at both Kroger's and WalMart. Neither of which keep
purchase records.
SHERIFF BURKE
What about the cellular phone bill?
DEWEY
They're pulling Loomis' account. But it'll be morning before we see
something. You think he did it?
SHERIFF BURKE
Twenty years ago I woulda said not a chance. But these kids today...damn if
I know.
TATUM
(o.s.)
Hey..Dewey. Can we go now?
DEWEY
Hold up a sec....
SHERIFF BURKE
She staying with you?
DEWEY
We haven't located her dad yet.
TATUM
(o.s.)
Goddammit, Dewey!
Dewey turns to her, his face red.
DEWEY
(screaming)
What did Mama tell you? When I wear this badge you treat me like a man of
the law.
TATUM
I'm sorry Deputy Dewey-boy but we're ready to go.
SHERIFF BURKE
Use the back way. Avoid the circus.
EXT. POLICE STATION - SIDE DOOR
The door opens and Sidney, Tatum, Dewey, and a coupla OFFICERS exit
avoiding the horde of REPORTERS that can be seen around the corner waiting
anxiously at the front entrance.
DEWEY
I'll get the car. Wait here.
Dewey takes off. From the darkness of the alley, Gale Weathers appears with
Kenny and his camera. They've been waiting.
GALE
Hello, Sidney.
Sidney spins around to see Gale, standing, smiling at her. Sidney's body
tightens and her face goes taut.
GALE
Some night. Are you alright?
Their eyes meet in a cold familiar stare. Sidney says nothing. She's
visibly shaking.
GALE
What happened?
TATUM
She's not answering any questions. Just leave us alone, okay?
SIDNEY
It's okay, Tatum. She's just doing her job. Right, GALE?
GALE
Yes, that's right.
Dewey, in a squad car, turns into the alley and pulls up. The other news
people have wisened up. They begin to flock the alley.
SIDNEY
How's the book?
GALE
It'll be out later this year.
Sidney tries to contain herself...squeezing a clenched fist.
SIDNEY
I'll look for it.
GALE
I'll send you a copy.
In a blurred, unexpected instant, Sidney brings her fist forward, SMASHING
it hard into Gale Weather's face. The impact sends Gale reeling backwards,
knocking into Kenny as they both tumble to the pavement.
ON SIDNEY...breathing deep, a sense of satisfaction on her face.
INT. TATUM's BEDROOM - LATER
A spacious bedroom. Typical. Tatum and Sidney lay on the bed. They both
wear night shirts.
TATUM
God, I loved it. "I'll send you a copy." BAM! Bitch went down. "I'll send
you a copy." BAM! Sid--SuperBitch!
Dewey appears in the doorway holding a bag of ice.
DEWEY
I thought you might want some ice for that right hook.
Sidney sits up, takes the ice, and puts it on her hand.
DEWEY
I'll be right next door. Try to get some sleep.
Dewey moves back out the door.
SIDNEY
Any word on my Dad?
DEWEY
(turning to her)
Not yet, but we're looking. If you need anything...
TATUM
Yeah, yeah, yeah....
Dewey smiles, pulling the door closed on his way out. Sidney lays back
down.
SIDNEY
Just another sleepover at the Riley's.
TATUM
Just like old times, ain't it?
SIDNEY
No, nothing's like it used to be.
Sidney rolls over on her side, away from Tatum.
A telephone RINGS somewhere in the house.
TATUM
Do you really think Billy did it?
SIDNEY
He was there, Tatum.
TATUM
I knew the guy was too perfect. He was destined to have a flaw.
A KNOCK at the door. It opens and a friendly, graying woman pops in. This
is MAMA RILEY. She wears a comforting smile.
MAMA RILEY
Telephone, dear.
TATUM
Who is it?
MAMA RILEY
It's for Sid.
SIDNEY
My Dad?
Mama Riley shakes her head sadly.
TATUM
Take a message.
SIDNEY
It's alright. I'll get it.
Sidney takes off out the door. Mama Riley motions to Tatum.
MAMA RILEY
(whispers)
How is she?
Tatum shrugs.
INT. HALLWAY
Sidney grabs the phone at the end of the hall.
SIDNEY
Hello?
MAN
(from phone)
Hello, Sidney.
IT'S HIM. The CAMERA does a Hitchcock as Sidney's entire body goes
weak...his VOICE moving through her...invading her. She CRIES OUT.
SIDNEY
NOOOOOOO....
Mama Riley turns in the doorway. Tatum comes bolting out of the bedroom.
MAN
(from phone)
Poor Billy-boyfriend. An innocent guy doesn't stand a chance with you.
SIDNEY
LEAVEMEALONE!
MAN
Looks like you fingered the wrong guy...AGAIN.
SIDNEY
Who are you?
TATUM
Hang up, Sid.
MAN
Don't worry. You'll find out soon enough. I promise.
Mama Riley BEATS on a closed bedroom door.
MAMA RILEY
Dewey! Dewey!
MAN
This is gonna be fun, Sidney. Just like old times.
CLICK.
Dewey flies out of his room wearing only his boxers...holding his gun.
DEWEY
What? What?
The phone goes dead. Sidney stands frozen.
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
Sidney and Tatum sit at the kitchen table, dressed and ready for school as
Mama Riley serves up breakfast. A small television sits on the counter
BLARING.
Dewey, in uniform, stands near the door, talking on the phone.
MAMA RILEY
I think you girls really should stay home today.
TATUM
Your objection is duly noted.
SIDNEY
I'd rather be around a lot of people, Mama Riley.
From the TV, Sidney hears her name, "SIDNEY PRESCOTT...." All eyes go to
the television.
REPORTER
(on TV)
..who escaped a vicious attack last night was the daughter of Maureen
Prescott who was brutally killed last year when convicted murdered Cotton
Weary...
INSERT OF COTTON WEARY, in prison fatigues. A once handsome man, now
haggard and worn.
REPORTER
(cont'd)
...broke into their home and savagely raped and tortured the deceased.
Cotton Weary is currently awaiting appeal for the death sentence handed
down after the young Sidney testified against him. She was the key witness
in the state's prosecution...
SIDNEY
It's never gonna stop. Is it?
Dewey is off the phone.
DEWEY
Billy was released. His cellular bill was clean. He didn't make those
calls.
SIDNEY
Somebody called me, Dewey. I'm not making it up.
DEWEY
I know. We're checking every cellular account in the county. Any calls made
to you or Casey Becker are being cross-referenced. It's gonna take time but
we'll find him.
SIDNEY
And my Dad? Any word on him?
Riley shakes his head "no."
EXT. SCHOOL STREET - LATER
Once again, REPORTERS line the street attacking students as they make their
way to school, asking questions, hungry for that teenage insight.
Dewey's patrol jeep cruises by. Sidney watches from the passenger's window.
INT. PATROL JEEP
Dewey pulls up in front of the school. Tatum hops out while Sid lingers,
suddenly unsure. Dewey takes notice.
DEWEY
Hey, it's school. You'll be safe here.
Sidney forces herself out of the jeep as a microphone is shoved in her
face...
REPORTER
How does it feel to almost be brutally butchered?
Dewey leaps from the car, intercepting the reporter.
DEWEY
Leave the girl alone, will ya? She wants to go to school.
Sidney eyes the newsvan that's pulled up behind her. The side door slides
open and Gale Weathers steps out.
TATUM
Come on, Sid.
SIDNEY
Just a sec...I need to talk to someone.
She heads over to Gale.
EXT. NEWSVAN - STREET
Sidney, puts her head down, hiding her face...avoiding other reporters as
she makes her way to...
Gale who sits in the open door, checking her face in a mirror. Makeup tries
hard to hide Sidney's handiwork -- a swollen black and blue right cheek.
Gale spots Sidney immediately and leaps to her feet.
GALE
Stop right there.
Sidney throws her hands up in surrender.
SIDNEY
I'm not here to fight.
GALE
Just stay back.
SIDNEY
I want to talk to you.
GALE
(calling into the van)
Kenny. Camera. Now.
Kenny's head darts out from the van.
SIDNEY
Off the record. No cameras.
GALE
Forget it.
Sidney contains herself.
SIDNEY
Please. You owe me.
GALE
I owe you shit.
Gale moves inside the van. But Sidney is relentless.
SIDNEY
You owe my mother.
GALE
Your mother's murder was last year's hottest court case. Somebody was gonna
write a book about it.
SIDNEY
And it had to be you with all your lies and bullshit theories.
GALE
What is your problem? You got what you wanted. Cotton Weary is in jail.
They're gonna gas him. A book is not gonna change that.
SIDNEY
Do you still think he's innocent?
Gale's interest is peaked. She eyes Sidney suspiciously.
GALE
He was convicted in a court of law. Your testimony put him away. It doesn't
matter what I think.
SIDNEY
During the trial, you did all those stories about me. You called me a liar.
GALE
I think you falsely identified him. Yes.
SIDNEY
Have you talked to Cotton?
GALE
Many times.
SIDNEY
Has his story changed?
GALE
Not one word. He admits to having sex with your mother but that's all.
SIDNEY
He's lying. She wouldn't have touched him. He raped her, then butchered
her. Her blood was all over his coat.
GALE
He was drunk that night. He left his coat at your house, after your mother
seduced him...
SIDNEY
I saw him leave wearing it.
GALE
But couldn't it have been someone else you saw wearing that coat? The same
person who planted it in Cotton's car, framing him? The same person who
really killed your mother?
A long beat. Sidney considers this for the millionth time.
SIDNEY
No, Cotton murdered my mother.
But there's doubt in her voice. Gale's face lights up.
GALE
You're not so sure anymore, are you?
Sidney clams up.
SIDNEY
No, it was Cotton.
Tatum comes waltzing up.
TATUM
(to Gale)
Nice welt.
Gale ignores her, zeroing in on Sidney, half-realizing.
GALE
The killer is still on the loose, isn't he? These murders are related.
TATUM
Yo--let's rock.
Sidney starts to fidget.
SIDNEY
I'm sorry I mangled your face.
She takes off with Tatum. Gale calls after her.
GALE
Wait, Sidney, don't go...
But Sidney and Tatum have already disappeared in the crowd of students
moving across campus.
Gale looks to Kenny.
GALE
Jesus Christ! An innocent man on death row. A killer still on the loose.
Kenny, tell me I'm dreaming.
KENNY
You want to go live?
Gale's mind races with possibilities.
GALE
No, not so fast. We have nothing concrete.
KENNY
When did that ever stop you? You can't sit on this. This is huge.
GALE
If I'm gonna blow this up -- I need hard proof.
KENNY
But it's so much easier when we make it up.
GALE
Not this time. I owe Cotton that much. Hell, even I thought the man was
guilty.
EXT. SCHOOL CAMPUS - SECONDS LATER
Tatum and Sidney make their way across campus.
TATUM
Just relax. You're at school now. No one can get you here.
SIDNEY
But if it wasn't Billy it could be anybody. He could be here at school
right now.
They move up the walk as a FIGURE falls in step behind them, sporting a
WHITE GHOST MASK.
TATUM
Serial killers are smart by definition. They minimize their risk. They plan
and pre-calculate everything. Showing up here would be like the most
lame-brain move he could make.
SIDNEY
He promised me he'd be back.
As easy as the figure appeared, it disappears--falling out of sight, unseen
by either of them.
TATUM
I wouldn't put too much stock in a psycho's promise.
They move up to the front steps toward the main doors of the school as the
GHOST MASKED FIGURE reappears...standing at the top of the steps...Sidney
sees it first, stopping dead in her tracks.
She steps back, spinning around to find...
A GHOST FACE behind her as well, both of them approaching, closing in on
her. Sidney starts to SCREAM when the two ghosts bust up LAUGHING, tearing
off across campus.
EXT. STREET
In front of the school we catch a REPORTER doing a live remote. He holds a
mask in his hand.
REPORTER
This morning several students, in what appears to be a prank, have been
spotted wearing masks. School officials have yet to comment but this is the
same type of mask worn by the killer...
INT. HALLWAY - MINUTES LATER
Just before the bell. The hallway is congested with students heading to
class. Tatum is at her locker with Sidney.
SIDNEY
This is a mistake. I shouldn't be here.
TATUM
I want you to meet me right here after class, okay?
Billy appears in the crowd, with Stu tagging behind. Tatum spots him first.
TATUM
Shit, what is he doing here?
SIDNEY
I bet he's pissed.
TATUM
Just ignore him. You had good reason to think what you did.
Billy and Stu approach. Billy's face is solemn.
BILLY
Hi, Sid. Can we talk a sec?
Sidney says nothing. She can barely look at him. Tatum intervenes.
TATUM
You know if I were accused of carving up two people, I'd take the
opportunity to skip school.
STU
Hey, go easy, Tatum. He didn't do it.
BILLY
Talk to me, Sid.
Suddenly, a SCREAM erupts. All eyes go to a GHOST MASKED STUDENT running
down the hall, screaming wildly, running amuck.
SIDNEY
Why are they doing this?
STU
Are you kidding? This is like Christmas.
Billy punches Stu in the side.
STU
Owwww....
BILLY
You open your mouth and stupidity pours out.
STU
Sorry.
Sidney, clearly upset, takes off down the hall. Billy races off after her.
TATUM
(yelling)
Stay away from her, Billy.
Tatum SLAMS her locker shut as the bell RINGS.
INT. CORRIDOR - SECONDS LATER
With first period underway, the halls have cleared. One or two straggling
students can be seen rushing to class.
Sidney moves quickly down the hall, rounding a corner, running smack
into...
BILLY
They collide hard catching Sidney off guard, scaring the life out of her.
She falls backwards, but Billy catches her fall.
SIDNEY
Jesus, SHIT!
BILLY
Hey, hey, it's just me.
Sidney pulls away from him quickly. Billy feels the slight.
BILLY
What? You don't still think it's me?
Sidney catches her breath.
SIDNEY
No...I don't..it's just..Oh God, Billy, someone was there, someone tried to
kill me.
BILLY
The police say I scared him off. It wasn't me, Sid.
SIDNEY
I know. He called again last night at Tatum's house.
BILLY
See, it couldn't have been me. I was in jail. Remember?
SIDNEY
I'm so sorry...please understand.
BILLY
Understand what? That I got a girlfriend who would rather accuse me of
being a psychopathic killer than touch me.
SIDNEY
You know that's not true.
BILLY
Then what is it? Is there somebody else?
SIDNEY
No...
BILLY
Is it the sex thing? Am I being too pushy?
SIDNEY
No, it's me, Billy. I need some time. I'm still adjusting to my mom.
BILLY
It's been a year since she died.
SIDNEY
(correcting him)
Tomorrow. One year tomorrow.
BILLY
When are you gonna let that go, Sid? When my mom left my dad -- I just
accepted it. This is the way it is. She's not coming back.
SIDNEY
(sharply)
Your parents split up. It's not the same thing. Your mom left town, she's
not in a coffin somewhere.
BILLY
You have to move on, Sid.
Sidney starts to walk away but turns back, angry.
SIDNEY
I'm glad to know you're coping so well with life, Billy. But some of us
aren't so perfect. Some of us are just trying to hold on.
Sidney disappears through a door marked GIRL'S BATHROOM, leaving Billy
alone in the hallway. He SMACKS his forehead, pissed at himself.
INT. GIRL'S BATHROOM
Large and spacious. Closed bathroom stalls line one wall facing a row of
sinks and a huge mirror. Sidney enters as TWO GIRLS tinkle and talk -- each
from their respective stalls.
GIRL #1
She was never attacked. I think she made it all up.
GIRL #2
Why would she lie about it?
GIRL #1
For attention. The girl has some serious issues.
Sidney listens intently.
A toilet FLUSHES. Sidney quickly jumps in a stall, hiding, just as GIRL #1
appears from a stall. She looks like her voice - a snotty little twit.
GIRL #1
What if SHE did it? What if Sidney killed Casey and Steve?
GIRL #2
And why would she do that?
GIRL #1
Maybe she was hot for Steve and killed them both in a jealous rage.
Another toilet FLUSHES.
GIRL #2
What would Sidney want with Steve? She has her own bubble-butt boyfriend
Billy.
GIRL #1
Maybe she's a slut just like her mom.
INSIDE THE STALL Sidney listens. Her face weakening.
GIRL #2
You're evil.
GIRL #1
Please, it's common knowledge. Her mother was a trollop.
GIRL #2 appears from her stall - another twit. They both stand in front of
the mirror adjusting two snotty faces.
GIRL #2
Cut some slack. She watched her mom get butchered.
GIRL #1
And it fucked her up royally. Think about it. It makes perfect sense. Her
mom's death leaves her distraught and hostile at a cruel and inhumane
world, she's disillusioned, where's God, etc. Completely suicidal. And one
day she snaps. She wants to kill herself but realizes teen suicide is out
this year. And homicide is a much healthier therapeutic expression.
From the stall, Sidney listens, her heart pounding, jaw quivering.
GIRL #2
Where do you get this shit?
GIRL #1
Ricki Lake.
The two girls exit. Sidney moves out of the stall, catching her reflection
in the mirror.
SIDNEY
Pathetic.
Water DRIPS somewhere from a leaky pipe as wind WHISTLES in from the
cracked transom above the bathroom door. It sounds almost like a whisper,
"Siddneey..."
Sidney spins around. What the....She checks out the bathroom. The doors to
the stalls are all closed. She bends down and scans beneath them, looking
for feet. No one. Nothing.
Sidney turns back to the mirror. Suddenly...
MAN
(o.c. whisper)
Siddneey...
Unmistakable this time. The VOICE strikes Sidney like a nail through the
eye. It comes from one of the stalls. She stands thunderstruck, eyeing the
stalls thru the mirror.
SIDNEY
Is someone there?
A long, morose silence. And then:
MAN
(softly, simply)
It's me, Sidney.
Sidney spins around. Fuck no! HE'S HERE. Terror floods her face. She eyes
the exit door, then the row of stalls she must pass to get into it.
She checks under the stalls again. Nothing...where the fuck is he? She
takes a step forward when...
TWO FEET step down from a toilet onto the floor in the last stall. Sidney's
face draws tight as the stall door begins to CREAK open. She bolts forward,
making a break for it...but slips on wet floor...her feet flying out from
under...
Sidney reaches out...grabs hold of a sink...saves herself from
falling...she glimpses a GHOST MASK in the mirror coming for her. A hand
grabs her shoulder as she SLAMS her body through the exit door...narrowly
escaping.
INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
Sidney flies out of the bathroom door SCREAMING..burning up the hallway,
not looking back. A TEACHER, hearing her SCREAM, peers out from an open
doorway...as Sidney sprints by him, not stopping...running madly.
INT. PRINCIPAL's OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
CLOSE on a red-faced Principal Himbry as he reads someone the riot act.
MR. HIMBRY
I'm sickened. Your whole havoc-inducing, thieving, whoring generation
disgusts me.
The CAMERA SWINGS AROUND to reveal two GHOST MASKED STUDENTS standing at
attention. Mr. Himbry rips the mask off of one of the student's heads.
MR. HIMBRY
Two students have been savagely murdered. And this is how we express our
compassion and sensitivity?
He rips the mask off the other student.
MR. HIMBRY
We throw on a mask and dance around campus just hoping someone else gets
butchered before we get bored again. You're both expelled.
The GHOSTS doth protest...
GHOST #1
Aw, come on, Mr. Himbry, it was just a joke.
GHOST #2
Yeah, that's not fair.
A deep rooted hostility has taken over Mr. Himbry's face. Neither student
budges, scared to even breathe.
MR. HIMBRY
No, it's not fair. Fairness would be to rip your insides out and hang you
from a tree so you can be exposed for the desensitized, heartless little
shits that you are.
Suddenly the door BURSTS open and Sidney appears, hysterical.
SIDNEY
(crying)
He's here...I saw him...he's here.
Mr. Himbry rushes to her, arms outstretched.
MR. HIMBRY
Easy child.
Sidney collapses into his arms.
EXT. SCHOOL STREET - MINUTES LATER
Dewey's patrol jeep is parked in front of the school. He stands in the open
driver's door talking on the radio.
SHERIFF BURKE
(from radio)
She's okay. Looks like some boys were teasing her. Himbry's shutting down
the school though. I want you to take a look around.
DEWEY
Yes sir, Sheriff.
Dewey shuts the jeep door and heads for campus when Gale Weathers appears,
her fake face aglow.
GALE
Hi! Gale Weathers. Field Correspondent, INSIDE STORY.
DEWEY
I know who you are, ma'am. How's the eye?
GALE
Productive. So they're closing down the school?
DEWEY
Well...uh..yes ma'am. For the time being.
Dewey heads for the school building. Gale scurries along side him
flirtatiously.
GALE
And why is that? Has something happened?
DEWEY
You're not supposed to be here, ma'am.
GALE
I know, I should be in New York covering the Sharon Stone stalker but who
knew? Please, call me Gale. You look awfully young to be a police officer.
Dewey's eyes wander down to Gale's long legs, the way her hips move as she
walks...he's clearly distracted.
DEWEY
I'm twenty-five years old, ma'am.
GALE
Twenty-five, huh? In a demographic study I proved to be most popular
amongst males, 11-24. I just missed you. Of course, you don't look a day
over twelve, except in the upper torso area. Does the force require you to
work out?
Dewey looks away, blushing a bit.
DEWEY
No, ma'am. Because of my boyish good looks, muscle mass has increased my
acceptance as a serious police officer.
They approach the school's front entrance. Suddenly, Mr. Himbry's VOICE is
amplified through intercoms across campus via the PA system. They stop to
listen.
MR. HIMBRY
(via PA)
Your attention please. Due to the recent events that have occurred and
until it comes to a resolve--effective immediately--all classes are
suspended til further notice. The Bayboro Police Dept. has also asked me to
announce a city wide curfew beginning at 6 o'clock PM. I repeat...
Gale speaks over Mr. Himbry's VOICE
GALE
Boy, you people sure do make a fuss over a serial killer.
DEWEY
Serial killer is not really accurate, ma'am. The killer has yet to strike
twice.
GALE
Well, we can hope, can't we? We certainly don't have any leads. A ghost
mask, a cellular phone--not much there.
DEWEY
We're tracking the cellular phone bill.
GALE
Really? You small town guys are good. And have you located Sidney's father?
DEWEY
No, not yet.
GALE
He's not a suspect, is he?
DEWEY
We haven't ruled out that possibil...
Dewey, realizing he's said too much, clams up.
DEWEY
If you'll excuse me, ma'am.
GALE
Am I keeping you? I'm sorry.
DEWEY
That's quite alright. If I may say so, ma'am, you're much prettier in
person.
Dewey starts up the school's front steps as the bell RINGS.
GALE
So you do watch the show?
He turns to her earnestly as STUDENTS come pouring out the front doors.
DEWEY
I just turned 25. I was 24 for a whole year.
GALE
You are precious. Please, call me Gale.
She smiles deliciously, gives him a wink, then struts off as Dewey, like a
nervous little school watches her go.
INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - SECONDS LATER
School is clearing out. The halls have begun to empty as Tatum escorts
Sidney down the hallway.
TATUM
It was just some sick fuck having a laugh.
SIDNEY
It was him, Tatum. I know it.
Tatum wants to believe her but...
TATUM
You are not to be alone again. Is that clear? If you pee--I pee.
Stu appears.
STU
Is this not cool or what? Hey, Sid, what happened?
TATUM
For once, Stu, drop it.
STU
Okay, but whatever you did--the entire student body thanks you.
Stu moves to Tatum and gives her a kiss.
STU
And to celebrate this impromptu fall break, I propose we have a party.
Tonight, my house.
SIDNEY
Are you serious?
STU
My parents are out of town. It'll be like my hurricane bash last year.
Nothing extreme. Just a few of us, hangin'.
Tatum warms to the idea.
TATUM
This could be good. What do you think, Sid?
SIDNEY
I don't know...
TATUM
Come on. Pathos has its perks.
Sidney considers trying hard to be good spirited.
STU
Remember, there's safety in numbers.
SIDNEY
(giving in)
Yeah, okay...whatever.
STU
Cool. See you guys tonight. Bring food.
Stu speeds off, sliding down the empty hallway.
INT. PRINCIPAL's OFFICE - LATER
Mr. Himbry sits at his desk staring at the ghost masks before him. He picks
one of them up, snickering.
MR. HIMBRY
Damn...
He stands and moves to the closet next to his office door. He pulls it open
to reveal a mirror hooked inside the door. He tries the mask on, pulling it
over his face, looking in the mirror when...
A KNOCK AT THE DOOR stops him. He rips the mask off his head, turns to his
office door and opens it to reveal...
AN EMPTY DOORWAY. He pokes his head into the outer office area and looks
around. But no one's there.
MR. HIMBRY
Yes? Hello?
The place is empty. A little suspicious he closes the door, catching his
reflection in the closet mirror. He looks at the mask in his hands. Jesus,
even he's jumpy. Two seconds later...
ANOTHER KNOCK AT THE DOOR. Himbry grabs the door quickly, this time
throwing it open. Again no one's there. He steps out into the outer office
determined to catch a prankster.
INT. OUTER OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Completely empty. Mr. Himbry moves through the outer office and into the
school corridor. The overhead lights have been turned off and the corridor
is now dark and deserted. He looks up and down the hall. Only a JANITOR is
seen in the distance pushing a broom.
MR. HIMBRY
Little shits.
Mr. Himbry returns to his office.
INT. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Himbry reenters his office, moving to his desk, when he spots the closet
door NOW CLOSED SHUT.
This gives him pause--he had left it open. Hadn't he? Suddenly, he can't
remember. He shifts, uneasy, reaching for the door knob, pulilng the door
open to reveal...
AN EMPTY CLOSET. He stands still a moment, suddenly realizing someone could
easily now be standing behind the open closet door. Nervously, he pushes it
shut to reveal...
NOTHING. Himbry shakes away his jitters, realizing he's spooked himself. He
continues to his desk, pushing his office door shut when...
A GHOST MASKED FIGURE lunges from behind it...knife in hand. Quick and
easy. Three quick jabs to the stomach and Himbry goes down. The GHOST
MASKED FIGURE towering above him.
EXT. TATUM'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON - LATER
The late afternoon sun is quickly disappearing.
Tatum and Sidney rock on the front porch looking out onto the small town
neighborhood. Dewey's patrol jeep is parked in the driveway.
Despite loud music, BLARING from an inside stereo, this is a quiet moment.
TATUM
Maybe Cotton Weary is telling the truth. Maybe he was having an affair with
your mom.
SIDNEY
So you think my mom was a slut too?
TATUM
I didn't say that, Sid. But you know there were rumors. Your dad was always
out of town on business. Maybe your mom was a very unhappy woman.
SIDNEY
If they were having an affair how come Cotton couldn't prove it in court?
TATUM
You can't prove a rumor. That's why it's a rumor.
SIDNEY
Created by that little tabloid twit Gale Weathers.
TATUM
(delicately)
It goes further back, Sid. There's been talk about other men.
SIDNEY
And you believe it?
TATUM
Well...you can only here that Richard Gere-gerbil story so many times
before you have to start believing it.
A long silence as Sidney agonizes over all of this. She stands up and moves
to the edge of the porch and stares out onto the neighborhood.
SIDNEY
If I was wrong about Cotton, then he's still out there.
TATUM
Don't go there, Sid. You're starting to sound like some Wes Carpenter
flick. Don't freak yourself out -- we've got a long night ahead of us.
SIDNEY
You're right. I'm cracking up. Ignore me.
TATUM
Come on, let's rock.
Sid follows Tatum inside the house never seeing the GHOST MASKED FIGURE
that stands across the street, under a tree. His presence so subtle and
unobtrusive you'd have to see this movie a second time to know he was there
all along.
EXT. MAIN STREET - LATER
Stu is moving along main street when Billy comes barreling up next to him.
BILLY
How'd you do?
STU
Piece of cake. She'll be there.
BILLY
Thanks, butt wart. You did good.
STU
So you gonna try and make up with Sid?
BILLY
Duh..that's quick.
STU
I was just asking. Why are you always at me?
BILLY
Because I'm trying to build your self-esteem. You're far too sensitive.
STU
Oh....
Billy thumps Stu's forehead.
BILLY
You ready to party hard tonight?
STU
You know it.
They come to a building centrally located in the heart of Main Street. A
huge, blue monstrosity that's bigger than the local bank and post office
combined. The sign in front reads BLOCKBUSTER.
INT. BLOCKBUSTER - CONTINUOUS
Your typical Blockbuster - huge and crowded. Randy, in his Blockbuster get
up, is busy reshelving returns when Stu appears - knocking the videos out
of his hand.
STU
Jesus, this place is packed.
RANDY
(picking up videos)
We had a run in the mass murder section.
STU
You coming tonight?
RANDY
Yeah, I'm off early--curfew you know. (looking off) Now that's in poor
taste.
STU
What?
Randy refers to Billy who stands down the aisle talking to TWO GIRLS. (The
twits from the bathroom perhaps.)
RANDY
If you were the only suspect in a senseless bloodbath would you be standing
in the horror section?
STU
It was all a misunderstanding. He didn't do anything.
RANDY
You're such a little lap dog. He's got killer printed all over his
forehead.
STU
Then why'd the police let him go?
RANDY
Because, obviously, they don't watch enough movies. This is standard horror
movie stuff. PROM NIGHT revisited.
Randy moves down the aisle, reshelving videos.
STU
Why would he want to kill his own girlfriend?
RANDY
There's always some stupid bullshit reason to kill your girlfriend. That's
the beauty of it all. Simplicity. Besides, if it's too complicated you lose
your target audience.
STU
So what's his reason?
RANDY
Maybe Sidney wouldn't have sex with him.
STU
She's saving herself for you.
RANDY
Could be. Now that Billy's tried to mutilate her, you think Sid would go
out with me?
STU
I think her father did it. How come they can't find his ass?
RANDY
Because he's probably dead. His body will come popping out in the last reel
somewhere...eyes gauged. See, the police are always off track with this
shit, if they'd watch PROM NIGHT they'd save time. There's a formula to it.
A very simple one. Everyone's always a suspect--the father, the principal,
the town derelict...
STU
Which is you...
RANDY
So while they're off investigating a dead end, Billy, who's been written
off as a suspect, is busy planning his next hunting expedition.
BILLY
(o.c)
How do we know you're not the killer?
Randy spins around to find Billy right behind him. Busted.
RANDY
Uh...hi, Billy.
BILLY
Maybe your movie-freaked mind lost it's reality button?
Randy shrugs, laughing it off.
RANDY
You're absolutely right. I'm the first to admit it. If this were a scary
movie, I'd be the prime suspect.
STU
And what would be your motive?
RANDY
It's 1995--motives are incidental.
EXT. MAIN STREET
Dewey's patrol jeep makes its way down Main Street. It's almost dark. The
street is close to deserted.
INT. PATROL JEEP - CONTINUOUS
Dewey's behind the wheel having a heated conversation with Tatum while Sid
stares out the window.
DEWEY
A party? Mom's gonna kill you. Then me.
TATUM
Don't be so self-righteous. It's just a little blow-out -- we'll be
perfectly safe.
Sid stares out the window. CLOSED SIGNS fill the storefronts, a few people
rush to their car, in a hurry to beat curfew.
SIDNEY
God, look at this place, it's THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN.
DEWEY
Hey, I saw that movie. True story, 'bout some killer in Texas.
TATUM
Hey, Sid. Just think if they make a movie about you. Who's gonna play you?
SIDNEY
Oh, god...
Dewey comes to a stop, parking the car in front of the police station. He
looks to Sid with a brotherly smile.
DEWEY
I see you as a young Meg Ryan myself.
SIDNEY
Thanks, Dewey. But with my luck they'd cast Tori Spelling.
EXT. PATROL JEEP - CONTINUOUS
They pile out of the jeep. Dewey heads for the station.
DEWEY
I'll just be a few minutes. Don't go far.
The girls take off for the local supermarket that sits across the street.
SIDNEY
Is Billy going to be there tonight?
TATUM
He better not be. I told Stu to keep his mouth shut. I think we can live
without EVERYBODY'S ALL AMERICAN for one night.
They approach the grocery store. Small and simple. Sid and Tatum grab a
shopping cart from the bin and enter the store, pushing the cart through
two sliding glass doors.
A lone CHECKOUT LADY behind the counter, big and frumpy, looks up from
counting money.
CHECK OUT LADY
You girls gonna have to hurry it up. We're under curfew.
TATUM
Two minutes tops.
They make a bee-line for the junk food section just as the automated doors
slide shut behind them and a...
GHOST MASKED FIGURE appears, out of nowhere, standing just outside,
watching, quietly through the glass store windows.
EXT. POLICE STATION - SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Sheriff Burke's face heats up as Deputy Riley marches in, hurriedly.
SHERIFF BURKE
Dewey! Where the hell you been, boy?
DEWEY
Keeping my eye on Sidney.
SHERIFF BURKE
Listen up, Dewey, because it's bad. Read bad. Aircomp just faxed us. The
calls were listed to Neil Prescott - Sidney's father. He made the calls
with his cellular phone. It's confirmed.
DEWEY
Couldn't his cellular number have been cloned?
SHERIFF BURKE
There's more. Guess what tomorrow is? The anniversary of his wife's death.
It all fits. He's our man.
DEWEY
Have you contacted the Bureau?
SHERIFF BURKE
They believe he's out of state by now. We'll keep roadblocks and curfew in
effect through the night. If he's not picked up by morning--we'll do a
house to house.
DEWEY
You think he could still be in town?
SHERIFF BURKE
He'd have to be crazy. Where's Sidney?
DEWEY
She's with my sister. Should I bring her in?
SHERIFF BURKE
Hold off for now. Just stay close to her.
DEWEY
She'll be with her friends over at Stu Maker's tonight.
SHERIFF BURKE
Watch her. Don't let on -- just keep your eyes out.
DEWEY
Yes, sir.
INT. SUPERMARKET - FEW MINUTES LATER
Sidney and Tatum push a basket through the junk food section. The store is
completely empty. The girls gab freely.
SIDNEY
Billy's right. Whenever he touches me, I just can't relax.
TATUM
You have a few intimacy issues as a result of your mother's untimely death.
It's no big deal. You'll thaw out.
SIDNEY
But he's been so patient with me, Tatum. You know, with all the sex stuff.
How many guys would put up with a girlfriend whose sexually anorexic?
TATUM
Billy and his penis don't deserve you.
Sidney grabs some chips and salsa from the shelf. Down the aisle, through
the storefront window the GHOST MASKED FIGURE still stands watching their
every move.
EXT. SUPERMARKET
Sid pushes the cart out of the glass door with Tatum riding it. The GHOST
MASKED FIGURE is nowhere to be found.
SIDNEY
What do you think about when you're having sex?
TATUM
With Stu, there's little time to stop and reflect. But sometimes before, to
relax and get in the mood, I think about Grant Goodeve.
Sid pushes the cart and Tatum across the street.
SIDNEY
Who?
TATUM
Grant Goodeve -- the oldest brother on EIGHT IS ENOUGH. Remember that show?
He was the one who lived off alone. He wouldcome around every now and then
with his guitar and sing "Eight is enough to fill our lives with love..."
He had all these brain dead sisters and that idiot brother from CHARLES IN
CHARGE. God, I was in love with Grant, he was so hot. The show came on
every day afterschool right during my puberty years. Grant Goodeve was very
instrumental in my maturing as a woman.
SIDNEY
How does that get you in the mood with Stu?
TATUM
During foreplay, I sing the theme song to myself. "Eight is enough to fill
our lives with love..." It's a real turn on.
SIDNEY
No way.
TATUM
Grant wrote the song himself. I'm convinced the lyrics had a secret
meaning, "Eight is enough..."
Sid pushes the cart up to Dewey's jeep. Tatum hops off.
SIDNEY
What secret meaning? Like a Satanical thing?
TATUM
Watch the show, Sid. His basket is bigger than the one you're pushing.
SIDNEY
TATUM!
TATUM
Oh, Sidney. WHAT? A guy can talk tits til he's dead but the minute you
mention an eight inch weenie. Watch out.
Sidney stops just short of a laugh. Tatum pulls the back jeep door, loading
the groceries in. Behind her, the GHOST MASKED FIGURE appears, just out of
their sight, behind the jeep's open back door.
TATUM
There's that sense of humor. I knew it still existed. Ohh, Sid, let's have
some fun tonight.
SIDNEY
Deal.
Sidney moves to the back door and closes it shut, when from behind...
DEWEY stands. Sid jumps, startled.
DEWEY
You girls ready.
SIDNEY
Yeah.
DEWEY
Looks like I'm your personal bodyguard tonight, Sid.
TATUM
No, Dewey. You'll ruin the whole night.
DEWEY
Sorry, police orders. I'll stay out of the way, I promise.
TATUM
Shit.
Tatum kicks the shopping cart out of the way, blindly. It rolls down the
road by itself, gaining speed on a decline running smack into the GHOST
MASKED FIGURE who stops the cart cold with one hand.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT
Dewey's jeep makes it's way down a long, winding road. Headlights
illuminate the thick woods that line each side. Following behind them at a
discreet distance is a huge white newsvan.
Dewey comes to the end of the road. It dead ends at...
STU'S HOUSE which sits alone in a clearing, big and ominous with no
neighbors in sight. A huge old home just ripe for a night of fun
and...terror.
From the looks of things the party has already started. Music is BLARING. A
few KIDS hang on the porch.
INT. LIVING ROOM - MINUTES LATER
A big room with KIDS sprinkled throughout-smoking, drinking, cutting up. A
stereo BLASTS music while the TV airs around the clock killer coverage.
Tatum and Sid enter with groceries. Various FRIENDS greet them.
TATUM
Caterer's here.
The girls carry bags through a hallway that opens up onto an enormous
kitchen. Stu and some GUYS are leaning over the sink drinking beer through
a funnel.
TATUM
That's mature.
STU
Where you guys been? We had to start without you.
EXT. STU'S HOUSE - ROAD
The newsvan pulls up and parks unobtrusively on the side of the road a few
feet down from the front yard.
INT. NEWSVAN
Kenny and Gale move around inside the van. Kenny hovers over a control
panel complete with video monitors.
KENNY
What's the plan?
GALE
Prep the compact, we'll hide it in a window and tape all of tonight's
festivities.
Kenny picks up a compact video camera the size of his fist. He checks its
battery pack.
KENNY
The control board's glitched. You know we can't carry a live picture.
GALE
What's the delay?
KENNY
About thirty seconds.
GALE
As long as it records I don't give a shit. We're not doing a remote.
Gale slides open the side door and steps out into the darkness, not seeing
the FIGURE that stands behind her. A hand grabs her shoulder, Gale's heart
stops as she spins around to find...
Dewey, smiling, extremely pleased to see her.
DEWEY
Evening, ma'am.
GALE
Deputy...good evening.
DEWEY
What brings you out to these parts?
GALE
You never know when or where a story will break.
DEWEY
Not much story here. Just a bunch of kids cutting loose.
GALE
Then what are you doing here?
DEWEY
Keeping an eye on things. Checking the place out.
GALE
Mind if I join you?
Dewey considers for a whole two seconds.
DEWEY
Not at all.
Gale leans in the van, grabs the camera from Kenny's hand, and throws it in
her bag. She gives Kenny a wink.
INT. KITCHEN
CLOSE ON a microwave. Popcorn POPS inside. CAMERA WIDENS TO REVEAL...
Sid, Stu, and Tatum moving about the kitchen, preparing a junk food feast.
Other TEENS pop in and out. Randy appears amongst them. He carries an
armful of videos.
RANDY
I thought we'd make it a BLOCKBUSTER night.
He lets the videos splatter across the kitchen counter. Stu and Tatum dive
in.
STU
I thought everything was checked out.
RANDY
I had 'em hid in the foreign section.
Sidney peruses the videos.
SIDNEY
THE FOG, TERROR TRAIN, PROM NIGHT - How come Jamie Lee Curtis is in all
these movies?
RANDY
She's the Scream Queen.
STU
With that set of lungs - she should be.
TATUM
(to Sid)
Tits--see.
INT. LIVING ROOM - FEW MINUTES LATER
The party is going strong. Ten maybe fifteen people stand, sit, lean. Some
crowd around the floor in front of the television. Randy is taking a vote.
RANDY
How many EVIL DEADs?
(hands go up)
How many HELLRAISERs?
Hands go up. BICKERING AD-LIB, etc.
The doorbell RINGS. Stu goes for it.
STU
I got it. Tatum get me a beer. They're in the fridge in the garage.
TATUM
What am I? The beer wench?
STU
(o.c.)
Hey, guess who's here? It's that chick from INSIDE STORY?
They look up the hallway to see Dewey and Gale standing in the foyer.
TATUM
Shit, Dewey!
Everyone perks up, eyeing Gale.
TATUM
What is she doing here?
DEWEY
She's with me. I just wanted to check on things.
The GUYS in the room are drooling over Gale. Including Stu.
TATUM
So you did- now leave..and take your media muff with you.
Tatum takes off for the kitchen.
Gale has quickly become the focus of the party. All eyes are on her.
SOME TEEN
I watch your show regularly.
STU
This must be big news to be on INSIDE STORY.
GALE
Huge.
ANOTHER TEEN
Wanna interview us?
RANDY
We could be like two grief stricken students and we'll say really nice
things about our good friends who were slaughtered senselessly.
STU
I can cry on cue.
Gale eyes the bookshelf above the television.
GALE
Maybe later?
Suddenly, Gale starts to COUGH.
GALE
Can I trouble you for some water?
STU
How 'bout a beer? Randy-get the lady a beer.
RANDY
You get it.
Gale slips the camera from her bag--hits the ON switch and holds it behind
her...waiting for the right moment.
BACK IN FOYER
SIDNEY
Have they found my father?
DEWEY
Afraid not.
SIDNEY
Should I be worried?
DEWEY
Not yet.
INT. KITCHEN
Tatum is alone in the kitchen. She empties popcorn into a bowl, then pulls
open the refrigerator...looks quickly, then remembers...
She moves through the adjoining laundry room to the...
INT. GARAGE
The kitchen door opens and light floods the darkened garage. Tatum stands
in the doorway searching for a light switch.
She finds a button and hits it. BRRRMMM! The electric garage door starts to
rise. Wrong switch. She hits it again and it closes.
She finds another switch. CLICK. A small lightbulb overhead comes on,
barely lighting the large two car garage, leaving pockets of shadows along
the wall.
Tatum spots the refrigerator against a far wall and heads for it, not
seeing the kitchen door, quietly, slowly, closing behind her, sealing her
off from the rest of the house.
Tatum stumbles to the refrigerator and throws it open. Its light casts a
glow across her face.
CRASH-BOOM!
Tatum jumps, spinning around just in time to see a cat escape through a
large pet door that's built into the garage door. She smiles at her
jumpiness.
Tatum loads up with as many beer as her hands will carry and heads back to
the kitchen.
At the kitchen door, she juggles the beer, reaching for the knob. It's
locked.
TATUM
SHIT!
She KICKS it with her foot several times.
TATUM
Hey, Shitheads!
A moment. No answer.
TATUM
OH SHIT PISS!
Tatum leans over and, with her elbow, hits the garage door button. BRRRMM!
It begins to rise.
She moves towards the rising door, beer in hand. Suddenly, CRR-BRRRM! The
garage door RESETS, reversing direction, moving down, closing.
TATUM
What the...
Tatum spins around to see..
A GHOST MASKED FIGURE
Silhouetted in the dark, next to the kitchen door, his hand on the switch.
Tatum at once GASPS, taken back, but then relaxes.
TATUM
Is that you, Randy? Cute.
The FIGURE stares at her, blankly.
TATUM
And what movie is this from? I SPIT ON YOUR GARAGE.
Tatum takes a step towards the FIGURE.
TATUM
Lose the mask. If Sidney sees it, she'll flip.
The FIGURE shakes his head slowly from side to side.
TATUM
Oh, you wanna play psycho killer?
The FIGURE slowly nods.
TATUM
Can I be the helpless victim?
The FIGURE slowly nods again.
TATUM
Okay, let's see. "No, please don't kill me, Mr. Ghostface. I want to be in
the sequel."
Tatum takes a step to move around the FIGURE, but he steps too, blocking
her.
TATUM
Cut, Casper. That's a wrap.
Tatum moves again, sidestepping the FIGURE, but he's faster and cuts her
off.
Tatum juggles the beer against her chest with one hand and with the other
pushes the FIGURE hard, knocking him aside.
TATUM
Randy -- will you stop?
But as the FIGURE intercepts, lunging forward, grabbing her wrist hard,
Tatum stumbles...beer cans hit the floor, spewing..
TATUM
You little shit.
Tatum yanks hard, releasing his hold when a flash of silver catches her
eye. She looks down, glimpsing a long sharp blade as it darts forward,
cutting into her forearm...
Tatum pulls back, horrified, as the moment turns deadly serious.
The FIGURE advances on her--knife out, ready. She staggers backwards,
holding her bloody arm, backing into the refrigerator, SCREAMING.
TATUM
Who are you?
The FIGURE lashes out with the knife. Tatum dodges it, leaping back against
the fridge. The FIGURE advances. Instinctively, she rips the top freezer
door open, BASHING the FIGURE in the face, sending him backwards, reeling.
Tatum bolts to the ...CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. In a panic, she BEATS and PULLS
on it, trying to make it lift. She eyes the FIGURE, he's recovering...
She goes for the pet door, dropping to the floor, diving for it..she wedges
her upper body through, her head, shoulders, torso just as the...
FIGURE pounces, grabbing hold of her feet. Tatum goes crazy SCREAMING and
KICKING trying to get through.
EXT. GARAGE DOOR
Tatum is half in/half out of the pet door. She BEATS and JERKS wildly,
unable to see the FIGURE on the other side...
A true fighter, Tatum kicks hard, making direct contact with the FIGURE,
knocking him away.
She takes the moment to pull herself through further...but she
stops..stuck. She pulls and tugs but can't move. She listens but hears
nothing. Where did he go? An agonizing silence. And then...
CRR-BRRRM! The garage door is activated. It begins to rise upward, taking
Tatum with it. She SCREAMS MADLY.
TATUM
NOOOOOOOO.....
Tatum's arms and legs fly about violently as she tries to free herself from
the door, but it moves too fast, carrying her up...
She looks above to see where the door rolls back into garage rafters just
as her neck hits the first beam, SNAPPING instantly.
INT. FOYER - MINUTES LATER
It's getting late and SOME KIDS leave through the front door, muttering,
"parents and curfew", etc. The door hangs open wide. Sid moves to close it
when....
BILLY appears in a classic fake scare.
SIDNEY
Billy? Jesus, you scared me.
Stu appears.
STU
(with a wink)
Dude. What are you doing here?
BILLY
I was hoping Sid and I could talk.
SIDNEY
If Tatum see you--she'll draw blood.
STU
You guys can go up to my parents room? to talk and WHATEVER.
BILLY
Subtlety, Stu. Look it up.
SIDNEY
It's okay. We need to talk.
Sid grabs his hand and leads him up the staircase. Randy appears from the
kitchen just in time to see Sid and Billy disappear upstairs.
RANDY
What's Leatherface doing here?
STU
He came to make up.
RANDY
There goes my chance with Sid.
STU
Like you had one.
INT. NEWSVAN
Kenny fidgets at the control board. He hits a coupla buttons, bangs the
side of the monitor and a picture emerges...the living room. The camera is
positioned just above the television...
ON SCREEN
The party is in full swing. Several TEENS sit right in front of the
television. Because of the camera's position they appears to be staring
right into the lens.
Suddenly, the van's side door slides open and Gale pops in.
KENNY
Got a picture. Perfect placement. We can see everything.
Gale is ecstatic.
GALE
Tell me, Kenny, has a cheesy tabloid journalist ever won the Pulitzer?
INT. BEDROOM
A large, master bedroom with glass doors that lead out onto a balcony.
Sid and Billy stare at each other for a long moment. Awkward.
SIDNEY
So...
BILLY
So...I'm sorry. I've been a selfish shit and I'm sorry.
SIDNEY
No, Billy. I'm the one who's been selfish and self-absorbed with all of my
post traumatic stress.
BILLY
You lost your mom...
SIDNEY
But you're right - enough is enough. I can't wallow in the grief process
forever and I can't keep lying to myself about who my mom was.
Billy bows his head quietly, knowingly.
SIDNEY
I think in some weird analytical, psychological bullshit way I'm scared I'm
gonna turn out just like her, you know? Like the bad seed or something...
BILLY
Oh Sidney...
SIDNEY
Everytime I get close to you I see my mom. I know it doesn't make sense.
BILLY
Sure it does. It's like Jodie Foster in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS when she kept
having flashbacks of her dead father.
SIDNEY
But this is life. This isn't a movie.
BILLY
Sure it is, Sid. It's all a movie. Life's one great big movie. Only you
can't pick your genre.
Billy moves to her. They embrace, tenderly.
SIDNEY
I wanna let go. I do...
BILLY
Ssshh...everything's gonna be okay. I promise.
Sidney takes the initiative, acting on impulse, kissing him long and hard.
She breaks away passionately, out of breath.
SIDNEY
Why can't I be a Meg Ryan movie?
Billy nibbles her neck.
BILLY
Sshh..it's okay.
SIDNEY
Or even a good porno.
BILLY
(shocked)
What?
She stares at him, her eyes sexually charged.
SIDNEY
You heard me.
BILLY
(incredulous)
Are you serious?
SIDNEY
(surprising herself)
Yeah...I think so.
They smile at each other.
INT. LIVING ROOM - MINUTES LATER
The camera sits on the book shelf lodged between two knickknacks,
completely inconspicuous. The CAMERA WIDENS to reveal several TEENS
watching the TV--the horror diehards.
TEEN #1
Look, here it comes. SPLAT!
TEEN #2
The blood's not the right color. Why do they do that? It's too red.
RANDY
Here comes another...
TEEN #3
Predictable. Knew he was going to bite it.
BORED TEEN
How can you watch this shit over and over?
RANDY
Shhhhh.
STU
I wanna see Jamie Lee's breasts. When do we see Jamie Lee's breasts?
RANDY
Not until TRADING PLACES in '83. Jamie Lee was always the virgin in horror
movies. She didn't show her tits until she went legit.
BOY TEEN
No way.
RANDY
That's why she always lived. Only virgins can outsmart the killer in the
big chase scene in the end. Don't you know the rules?
Stu finishes his beer.
STU
What rules?
Randy hits the pause button on the remote and stands in front of the
television, explaining.
RANDY
There are certain rules that one must abide by in order to successfully
survive a horror movie. For instance: 1. You can never have sex. The minute
you get a little nookie--you're as good as gone. Sex always equals death.
2. Never drink or do drugs. The sin factor. It's an extension of number
one. And 3. Never, ever, ever, under any circumstances, say "I'll be right
back."
STU
Want another beer?
RANDY
Yeah.
STU
I'll be right back.
Everybody "ooohhs".
RANDY
There he goes folks - a dead man. Wave bye-bye.
THE END