The phone RINGS. The young girl pulls the shower curtain aside to reveal a robe hung on a hook. She grabs it, running from the bathroom, into the living room, grabbing the phone.
GIRL: Hello?
A menacing VOICE responds.
VOICE: Hello?
IN THE THEATRE
MAUREEN: I hate this shit.
ON SCREEN
VOICE: Why did you hang up on me?
GIRL: Who is this?
IN THE THEATRE
MAUREEN: Why doesn't she just hang up and call the police? Stupid..
PHIL: Shush.
MAUREEN: I'm gonna pee. You want anything?
He nods. Maureen stands and moves up the aisle.
INT. LOBBY - SECONDS LATER
Maureen hits the stairs to...
INT. BASEMENT LOUNGE - SAME
INT. GIRL'S RESTROOM - SAME
INSIDE THE STALL - MOMENTS LATER
Maureen eyes the crack in the stall door. Not much is visible. Suddenly, a SHADOW
sweeps by. The footsteps stop.
Maureen finishes up quickly. She flushes, throws the stall door open and rushes out to
find...
THE BATHROOM EMPTY.
The stall doors are all closed. Maureen shoots for the door. She rips the door open as a
FIGURE rushes her...
A YOUNG GIRL followed by her FRIEND, both perky and loud. They hurl past
Maureen, LAUGHING and carrying on.
GIRL #l: I got so scared my bladder rolled.
GIRL #2: You chicken shit. It's just a movie.
GIRL # l: No, it really happened. It's a true story.
Maureen is out the door. Now thoroughly spooked.
INT. BASEMENT LOBBY - SAME
LUNGING FOR HER, grabbing her, spinning her around. She SCREAMS MADLY as
the Ghost starts LAUGHING. The mask comes off. It's Phil.
MAUREEN: You ass.
PHIL: I'm sorry, I'm sorry but I had to. It was too easy.
MAUREEN: You are so not funny.
Phil takes her in his arms.
PHIL: Come on, baby. Lighten up a little, will ya?
MAUREEN: I get scared really easy, okay.
PHIL: You gotta go with it. Scary movies are great foreplay.
He's sincere. He leans down and plants a kiss on her. She caves, kissing him back. Sweet
and sensual.
MAUREEN: I just have a hard time with insipid, sexist violence.
PHIL: (nibbling her neck) We can still Sandra Bullock it.
MAUREEN: (nibbling back) Sandra started without us. We can stay.
He kisses her again, then breaks away.
PHIL.: Yeah? Okay. I gotta whizz. Meet me upstairs?
MAUREEN: Want some popcorn?
PHIL: Butter.
Maureen moves up the stairs out of sight. Phil turns, reaching for the bathroom door just
as a...
GHOST MASKED FIGURE appears in his path. Phil steps back, surprised. Suddenly, a
flash of silver shoots forth as Phil is pierced with a long sharp knife. Quick and silent. He
bellies over just as the Ghost Shape strikes again. Phil goes down without a scream.
CUT TO:
INT. LOBBY - SECONDS LATER
INT. DARK THEATER - SECONDS LATER
ON SCREEN
IN THE THEATER
PHIL sits with the mask on. The reflection from the movie bouncing against it in the
darkness.
MAUREEN: Give it up.
She sits down, with the popcorn.
MAUREEN: How many stabs did I miss?
ON SCREEN
IN THE THEATER
MAUREEN: Why doesn't she run?
Phil turns to her, bringing his finger to his masked lips, SSSHHING her.
ON SCREEN
IN THE THEATER
MAUREEN: This is so tired.
She turns her attention to Phil.
MAUREEN: Hey, you...pasty face...
Phil ignores her. She reaches over in the darkness putting her hand on his knee. She inches
it up. The Ghost-masked Phil just stares ahead.
MAUREEN: Whatsa the matter? Can't I get your ghost?
ON SCREEN
IN THE THEATER
Maureen stares at her hand...
ON SCREEN
IN THE THEATER
Maureen sees it, her mouth billowing forth a LOUD SCREAM
That is matched by the entire audience as they SCREAM at the screen.
ON SCREAM
IN THE THEATER
ON SCREEN
IN THE THEATER
ON SCREEN
IN THE THEATER
Maureen stumbles forward, her bloody body moving down to the front of the theater.
Suddenly, the entire audience begins...
APPLAUD AND CHEER
Maureen, swaying from side to side,
turns to the crowd and emits a HORRENDOUS BLOOD CURDLING SCREAM as...
ON SCREEN
IN THE THEATER
SMASH CUT TO BLACK.
SMASH CUT TO BLACK.
TITLE CARD "SCREAM 2"
FADE IN:
INT. DORM ROOM - MORNING
A RINGING phone stirs a YOUNG GIRL in bed, asleep under a mound of blankets and
pillows. The girl starts to rise as the phone is answered. A VOICE is heard. Brass and
sassy.
VOICE: (o.c.) Hello...uh-huh... Who is this? Well, we identify ourselves around here. No,
you can't. Uh-huh...yeah, right...
The girl rolls out of bed, her hair falls away to reveal her face--It's SIDNEY PRESCOTT.
Two years older has brought a maturity to this beautiful young woman. Her face posses a
survivor's edge. Stronger and more determined, she appears to have weathered the storm.
SIDNEY: I got it.
She stands and moves to...
HALLIE: her roommate and friend. An attractive young black woman. Twenty at most.
Brazen. Fun. Full of life. She hands the phone to Sidney.
HALLIE: Knock yourself out.
SIDNEY: Hello?
VOICE: Hello Sidney.
A VOICE spits out of the phone. Deep and haunting. Sidney doesn't flinch.
SIDNEY: Yes?
VOICE: What's your favorite scary movie?
SIDNEY: Who is this?
VOICE: You tell me.
Sidney grabs a small device hooked to the phone. She takes a look at its display.
SIDNEY: Cory Gillis. 442-8730.
Silence.
SIDNEY: (cont'd) Hot flash, Cory--prank phone calls are a criminal offense prosecuted
under penal code 653M...
CLICK! The phone goes dead.
SIDNEY: (CONT'D) Enjoy the movie.
She hangs the phone up, turning to Hallie.
HALLIE: Time to change numbers again?
SIDNEY: Nah...I think it'll die off. It's opening weekend. Let's see how it goes.
Sidney grabs her robe and shower bucket as Hallie channel surfs. Various morning news
programs are on their small TV. Snippets are heard.
REPORTER: (from TV) "..The two victims, Maureen Evans and Phil Stevens..."
The channel switches. A YOUNG MAN is being interviewed. Attractive, sullen. Sad.
YOUNG MAN (from TV): Please, I just wanna be left alone.
His voice stops Sidney cold. She turns to the television.
HALLIE: He sure gives a lot of interviews for someone who wants to be left alone.
Hallie hits the remote. The man's image disappears as the TV goes off. Hallie turns, all
smiles.
HALLIE: Get your ass in gear. You're late. Don't forget we've got rush at the Deltas
tonight. Don't wear anything you don't want trashed. Sid? Sid?
Sidney turns from the television. Momentarily lost. Recovery is immediate.
SIDNEY: I can't believe I let you talk me into going Greek.
Sid moves to the door and throws it open. A GHOST FIGURE LEAPS at her. She
SCREAMS but then stops herself.
It's just a costume hung from her doorframe. Preset, to scare. Another prank. Sidney rips
it down, turns to Hallie, throwing the costume at her.
SIDNEY: Pumps. Nice handbag. Whaddya think?
Sid is surprisingly cool. She exits out the door, leaving Hallie staring at the Ghost Mask in
her hands.
CUT TO:
EXT. DORMITORY - MORNING - LITTLE LATER
REPORTER #2: Sidney, did you know the victims?
REPORTER #1: Do you feel responsible for the murders?
SIDNEY: What murders?
Microphones are shoved in her face as Sidney is seiged upon by journalists and TV
cameras. She starts to panic.
REPORTER #3: Do you think there will be more murders?
Sidney is mortified. She pushes and shoves but there is no escape. The questions come at
her like lightning. She sees a whole in the crowd and goes for it as a REPORTER, a
flashy woman--all hair and teeth, thick sunglasses, moves in her way.
FLASHY REPORTER: Did you kill them last night, Sid? Has it gotten to you? Have you
finally snapped?
The onslaught continues. Cameras flash, reporters shove. Gale moves in front of Sid,
holding the crowd at bay. The reporters begin to throw questions at Gale.
GALE: (to Sid) Quick, get outta here.
SIDNEY: What's going on?
GALE: Just go. l'll find you later.
Sid wastes no time. She takes off, running around the side of the building. She stops, takes
a breath, but the reporters are on her tail. She looks up to see a...
SMALL CAMPUS SECURITY VEHICLE
MAN'S VOICE: (from the vehicle) Hop on, Sid.
Sid goes for it as two hands reach out to help her. One smooth move and Sidney is in the
arms of...
DEWEY RILEY: She looks at him. Her face a book of questions.
SIDNEY: What's going on, Dewey?
He smiles at her. A safe, warm smile. His face as cute as ever.
DEWEY: It'll be alright.
CUT TO:
EXT. SECURITY CART - MINUTES LATER
SIDNEY: Three hundred people watched? Nobody did anything?
DEWEY:
They thought it was a publicity stunt.
SIDNEY:
Oh my God. How could it happen?
DEWEY:
They don't know. It was carefully planned. Earlier in the day the victims received
anonymous passes to the movie.
SIDNEY:
It's a copycat killer I knew this would happen. That fucking movie.
The cart comes to a stop in front of a building.
DEWEY:
As of now, they don't see any relation. But they're checking it out. The state, Special Task
Force, FBI--they're all here. They'll find the guy.
SIDNEY:
Yeah, right.
DEWEY:
Look, Sid, why don't you take off? Disappear for a few days. I'll come with you.
SIDNEY:
No. I will not crawl under a rock. This is a fucked-up world and people kill people all the
time. I'll just get used to it.
Dewey steps down off the security cart and helps Sid off.
DEWEY:
Nothing will happen to you. I promise.
Sid's tough demeanor is cracking. She takes a deep breath.
DEWEY:
That's why I'm here, right? We take care of each other. C'mon, I'll walk you to class.
He starts off, for the first time, a severe limp is visible as his left leg drags behind him.
SIDNEY: You go, it's all stairs, I can take it from here.
DEWEY Don't worry...
SIDNEY Dewey, I'm completely equipped with mace, alarm whistle, keyring, knife, a degree in defensive combat...
DEWEY Just in case...
SIDNEY No. This is nothing, Dewey. I'll be okay. Go back to work and let me get back to my quasi pseudo-happy existence.
Sidney reaches up and gives her pseudo-brother a kiss, then takes off for the building.
Dewey watches until she disappears inside, then limps back to his security cart.
CUT TO:
EXT. STUDENT UNION PARKING LOT - MINUTES LATER
Gale gets out of the newsvan, her cellular affixed to her ear.
GALE I don't know...no one's talking. What's the studio's position? Never happen. They'd be
stupid to pull the movie. With all this free press--they're gonna have huge numbers this
weekend. It'll break box office records. Of course I have bumps.
Gale's CAMERAMAN can be seen behind her, in the van fussing with equipment.
GALE (cont'd) I need two minutes at six o'clock. I wanna do a piece on the slain kids--no sympathy shit--
let's stick with the movie angle. I wanna pull a clip from an old film...
Gale turns to her cameraman, snapping her fingers.
GALE (cont'd) Hey, what was the name of that movie?
The guy looks up at her. It's RANDY. Two years older but still the charming jokester.
RANDY HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE. MGN/UA. 1980. Tom Hanks' first film.
GALE (cont'd)
(into phone) HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE. Yeah, find it. Don't worry, I've got it covered...I have a
plan. Yeah, I'll get it. Give it a rest--I said I'll get it. Later.
She hangs up, turning to Randy.
GALE (cont'd) Pressure's on. You ready for this?
RANDY I'm there, man. No worries. I got ya covered. I'm so there. That's why I'm here--because I'm there.
Randy holds up his camera--stoked.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL OF FILM - LATER
INT. CLASSROOM - SAME
SNOTTY GUY Sequels are too handicapped. By definition alone, they're inferior films.
Hallie sits on a couch next to MICKEY, 20's, atheletic, cool and rowdy. Arms enwrapped.
MICKEY Bullshit generalization. Many sequels have surpassed their original.
SNOTTY GUY
Name one.
MICKEY
ALIENS Far better than the original.
ANOTHER GUY
Subjective.
SOME GIRL
Life's subjective. I much prefer Ridley Scott.
The conversation overlaps, everyone arguing..making their point about ALIENS VS.
ALIEN.
HALLIE
No way. ALIENS rocked. "Stay away from her--you bitch."
SNOTTY GUY
I'll give you that one. Name another.
MICKEY
T2.
SOME GIRL
You've got a hard-on for Cameron.
SNOTTY GUY
A bigger budget does not make a better movie. TERMINATOR one is historical.
Someone screams out, "You Sarah Connor?" as the TEACHER, a young artsy type,
speaks up.
ARTSY TEACHER
How about THE GODFATHER PART II?
Ooooohhh. The whole room goes worship silent. All in agreement.
SNOTTY GUY
The almighty exception. Name another.
A YOUNG MAN, handsome and smooth, jumps into the conversation. His name is
Derek.
DEREK
EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Smarter story. Improved effects.
From the back of the room, Sidney watches him. Fixated.
HALLIE
I liked JEDI. With the furry things.
Everyone BOO'S. "Ewoks blow."
MICKEY Lucas and his Romper Room stage.
HALLIE I got. I got it. FRIDAY THE 13TH, PART 20.
SNOTTY GUY Case in point. The entire horror genre was destroyed by sequels.
ARTSY TEACHER Really? And why do you think that is?
SNOTTY GUY Sequels suck. Hello. It becomes about: money and no one's interested in quality.
DEREK It's more than that. Horror films are only as good as their villains. How can Freddie and Jason possibly be scary after they've been diluted through five or six sequels.
TEACHER What's the solution? If you were making a sequel today what would you do differently?
The class stews on this. Derek turns, spotting Sidney in the back of the room. She gives a half wave. He starts for her, excusing himself.
SNOTTY GUY The point is - I made my point. Sequels suck.
INT. CORRIDOR - SAME
Derek and Sidney move out into the hallway. Derek throws his arms around her protectively.
DEREK How are you? You weren't in class. I called as soon as I heard...
SIDNEY I skipped. Too many "That's her" looks.
DEREK I'm sorry, baby. What can I do'?
SIDNEY Don't ask what you can do. No coddling. Life rolls on status quo.
He looks at her with bedroom eyes.
DEREK I can do that. And I can also do this.
He moves on her, wrapping her in his arms and kissing her passionately. She breaks away, laughing.
SIDNEY No PDA.
But it's a failed objection. He kisses her again and they're soon devouring each other like
two people in love. Right in the middle of the hallway.
CUT TO:
EXT. STUDENT UNION - LATE AFTERNOON
CROWDS have gathered for the press conference that is being held by the university.
Reporters and cameras have been roped off to the side. On stage, DEAN FISHER, a sharp
looking woman in her forties is talking to spectators.
DEAN FISHER (reading from a prepared statement) "..and we feel this unfortunate isolated tragedy in no
way reflects upon our fine school and we should trust that the authorities and FBI are
acting quickly to bring us answers..."
Beside her stand uniformed COPS, the local SHERIFF, FBI AGENTS. She continues on...
IN THE ROPED OFF NEWS SECTION
FEMALE VOICE (o.c.) Gale? Can I have a second?
Gale spins around to find DEBBIE SALT, the flashy reporter who she decked earlier,
standing in front of her.
GALE Look, I'm sorry about the face.
DEBBIE SALT Job hazard. Debbie Salt, stringer-- NEWSWEEK. Answer a few questions?
GALE Fair enough.
DEBBIE SALT What are you doing here? I thought you had retired from field reporting?
The woman has immediately put Gale on the defensive. TWO OTHER REPORTERS
have taken notice. Suddenly, CAMERAS are on Gale.
GALE Well, you know I'm dear to the subject matter.
DEBBIE SALT And much richer as a result.
GALE Do I know you? You look familiar.
DEBBIE SALT I took your vulture seminar seminar at Berkeley last year.
GALE Good for you.
And in seconds the vultures are upon her as Gale Weathers is beseiged by REPORTERS.
The questions spew forth. "Why are you here?" "Is this the work of a copycat killer?"
"Have you talked to Sidney?" etc.
GALE
(ever smooth) Guys, you're missing the show.
And with that Gale wanders off into the crowd.
ON STAGE
SHERIFF
No, we have no evidence of a serial killer. We think the killer acted deliberately and not at
random...
ON THE LAWN
DEREK But what are they doing? He's talking but he's not saying anything.
JOEL Sounds like they don't know anything.
HALLIE Do you think they'll cancel Hell Week?
MICKEY You're getting nailed - you're not getting out of it.
From across the way, two gorgeous sorority type girls, LOIS and MURPHY stand with
their FRATERNITY JOCK BOYFRIENDS. All looks and attitude. Their eyes are on
Sidney as they huddle in a conspiratory stance.
JOEL
Have they questioned you yet, Sid?
SIDNEY This has nothing to do with me, Joel. There's an estimated 270 serial killers currently
active in the US at any given time. I can't control that. Who's hungry?
HALLIE I have rehearsal.
MICKEY I have to watch rehearsal.
Hallie kicks him. Joel moves to Sid.
JOEL I gotta hit the library. Anatomy. Some of us have real majors. You gonna be okay, Sid?
SIDNEY You're not allowed to ask that.
JOEL I'll stop by the Deltas tonight.
SIDNEY Thanks, Joel.
Joel smiles, heading out as the two sorority girls, Lois and Murphy saunter over.
LOIS Hello, pledges. Enjoying yourselves?
Instantly, Hallie stands at attention. Sidney joins begrudgingly.
HALLIE Yes, sister Lois. Very much so. Thank you for asking.
MURPHY Good. We need your help, pledges. Are you familiar with the Deltas TP fundraiser?
The pledges shake their heads. Suspicious. Lois withdraws two rolls of toilet paper from her book bag and passes them out.
LOIS (cont'd) In our efforts to raise money for our favorite cause...
MURPHY ..this week's TKE kegger...
LOIS We ask that you sell individual squares of toilet paper for a mere nickel a piece.
MURPHY We've set you each at a five dollar quota.
MICKEY Come on, guys. Uncool.
MURPHY Am I getting fraternity interference, Mickey?
SIDNEY It's okay. I can peddle toilet paper.
DEREK Sid, you don't have to. Sidney takes her toilet paper.
SIDNEY No special treatment. I can do this. C'mon Hallie.
She throws him a comforting glance. She's okay with this. She heads off with Hallie. Derek watches.
DEREK How do you put up with this Greek shit?
MICKEY Hey, it's cool. Hallie's into it, I'm into Hallie...
Maureen is not having a good time. She's already spooked.
The phone rings again.
Maureen shifts in her seat.
Maureen emerges from the theatre and into the small lobby. It is dark and shadowed. She
moves down a long hallway to a staircase. A BATHROOM sign with an arrow points
downstairs.
A small lounge leads to two bathroom doors. Very low lighting. Maureen descends the
stairs, heading for the...
A large bathroom. Five stalls line one wall. The door CREAKS open. Maureen enters and
shoots for a stall.
Maureen finishes up, fastening her pants. Suddenly, the bathroom door CREAKS open.
Maureen listens. FOOTSTEPS are heard. Loud and heavy.
Alone, Maureen moves for the stairs when a FIGURE emerges from the shadows. A
GHOST MASKED SHAPE appearing behind her...
Maureen is at the concession. A GIRL at the counter hands her change and Maureen is off
with soda and a tub of popcorn.
SCREAMS and GASPS from the audience as the movie plays on.
A patio chair comes flying through a glass door. The young girl in the movie tears off
running, SCREAMING, flying through the room.
The crowd is really with the movie. Some even talk to the screen. "You dumb bitch. Get
out of the house." etc.
Maureen makes her way back to her aisle seat. She sits down next to...
The young girl slips out a side door, completely terrified. In her hand, she holds a portable
phone.
Maureen offers Phil popcorn.
The young girl runs by a window. She looks in. A GHOST MASKED KILLER stares
back. The Figure CRASHES through the window attacking her. She fights him off,
getting away, running...
Everyone in the theater is SCREAMING. Maureen tries her best to detach herself from
the movie. She eats her popcorn.
The young girl is running through the yard. The Ghost Killer is right behind her, chasing
her...she SCREAMS....
Maureen pretends to watch the movie while her hand continues to move between Phil's
legs. She stares ahead, WINCING at what's about to happen to the girl on screen.
She doesn't notice as Phil pulls a long sharp hunting knife from inside his coat jacket.
Maureen's hand moves up Phil's jacket...something stops her. She feels something on her
fingers...something wet. She pulls her hand back, the reflected movie illuminating bloody
fingers.
The Ghost advances on the young girl, grabbing her, pulling her to him, raising high a
long, hunting knife. The young girl is helpless...
Maureen looks at Phil, confused...as if seeing for the first time...IT'S NOT PHIL. She
pulls away when, the Ghost-masked Figure grabs her with one hand, the other one
clutching the hunting knife.
The young girl is stabbed in the heart.
Maureen is helpless. The knife comes fast and furious, striking her in the stomach. She
falls forward, into the aisle as...
The young girl, clutching her bloody chest...drags herself, crawling across wet grass...the
killer behind her...raising his knife again.
Popcorn flies as Maureen falls forward, into the aisle, clutching her bloody stomach. She's
speechless, unable to
SCREAM. She holds her bloody hand out for all to see, begging for help. She stumbles
down the aisle.
Someone YELLS "Sit down." Maureen turns to several PEOPLE who begin to react. She
turns behind her to see the Ghost Face coming at her again...knife raised.
The young girl is slashed again.
The knife slices into Maureen again...then again. The theatre audience is starting to take
note as the Ghost keeps slashing at her repeatedly with the knife. A horrifying, sickening
sight.
The young girl lets out an enormous EAR SCREECHING SCREAM that mirrors
Maureen's as the killer attacks one last time, stabbing her, silencing her forever.
The Ghost slashes out one last time, direct and fierce. Maureen falls back against the
movie screen...very much dead. Her arms flail across the screen...smearing blood over the
wide screen image of the GHOST MASK.
A typical college dorm room. Industrial strength furniture. There's two of everything.
(silence)
Hello?
Sid steps outside of her dorm. The morning sun shines down as Sid breathes in, taking in
the day just as FIFTY NEWS REPORTERS NOB HER.
appear, moving towards her. It slows down.
The security cart trots along, passing STUDENTS coming and going. Dressed smartly in a
campus security outfit, Dewey maneuvers the cart across the campus grounds. Sidney
rides beside him, horrified as she listens to him.
A newsvan pulls up and parks next to a trough of other newsvans and REPORTERS.
Some are doing live remotes, others ready themselves for the next onslaught.
Sidney moves down a hallway. Not your typical school building. Through open doorways,
film equipment is glimpsed. Editing bays and the like. She's in the Film Department.
She comes upon an open door and peers in. A large room, a class is in progress. She slips
in quietly.
Sidney takes a seat at the back of the room. A handful of FILM STUDENTS sit around
on torn couches heavy in discussion. Sid goes unnoticed as she watches a whirlwind
debate. A SNOTTY GUY is pontificating a point.
The place is a circus. The front steps of the student center have been roped off to form a
platform. A podium and mike have been placed center.
Gale walks through the crowd, listening to the Dean.
The LOCAL SHERIFF, a smart looking guy in his 50's is fielding questions.
Students and concerned faculty stand. Among them are Sidney, Derek, Hallie and Mickey.
Next to them stand JOEL, 20's, black, sensible and friendly. A very intelligent face.
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