Shriek: Original script
General plot: Using a voice over narration, one student tells the story of how her friends should have known how to survive a murder spree using their knowledge of scary movies.
OPEN: Liz, walking to school, knowing a bit of information that nobody else knows.
Liz: (Voice over) I'm sure most of you have seen scary movies. But I'll bet none of you have actually lived through one. I've done both, and the first turned out to be quite useful in the end. It's true; scary movies saved my ass.
So, when does the story start? Thursday morning, first period - the day after the murder of one of our very own teachers.
After walking through entrance, cut to hallway, Liz and Michelle are walking into class late.
Liz: Did you hear about Mr. Cartman?
Michelle: No, what happened to Mr. Cartman?
Liz: He's dead. (makes a throat-slit gesture) His throat was cut so deep that his head nearly came off. He was found in his garage, his legs run over by his own car.
Michelle: How did you find that out?
Liz: Huh?
Michelle: I mean, were you there? How would you know something like that?
Liz: Are you implying something?
Michelle: Well, if anyone would want to rip someone up like that, it would be you.
Liz: Maybe, but if anyone would want to kill a teacher, it wouldn't be me. I have no reason to kill a teacher.
Michelle: I guess so…
Liz: But there are many people who do.
Michelle: (pause) What?
Liz: Everyone in this school complains about teachers. You never see me complaining, do you?
Michelle: (another pause) Well…no, but…why don't you ever complain about teachers?
Liz: Because they're not worth my time and lung capacity. So, that rules me out.
Michelle: Rules you out?
Liz: As a suspect. (turns to Michelle) Everybody's a suspect now, except for me. If I were you, I'd stop complaining about everything unless you want to be suspected of everything. Let's see, there's teachers, janitors, lunch ladies, students - especially students…
Michelle: Wait -
Liz: …Oh, and don't talk about any movies, either. Especially scary movies.
Michelle: Why movies?
Liz: Because as soon as a person is murdered, they'll go though all the detective crap, then they'll try to connect the whole thing to a movie. Then they'll look for suspects. It all works out in the end for the actual killer, because then they can blame the whole film industry for their actions and plead insanity. Some people think that's why scary movies were made in the first place, as an excuse for killers.
Michelle: (uninterested, but wary) Okay.
Liz: (going on) But it's not. Scary movies are an art form, created by geniuses who know how bored we are with life, who know that nothing interesting happens to us, so they invent this world where people can be killed, but it doesn't matter that innocent people are dead because they don't really exist!
Michelle: So, what does any of that have to do with Mr. Cartman?
Liz: It could have everything to do with Mr. Cartman.
They give each other suspicious looks.
CUT TO: McDonald's. Everyone is sitting in a booth, after school.
Liz: (Voice Over) So, I think I freaked Michelle out enough. But it was true, unfortunately. Not only could one of our own classmates be a killer, but they could also get away with it.
At a french fry break that day after school, we ended up discussing some bogus rumor about Mr. Cartman.
Stan: Come on. People don't get gutted. That's just a stupid movie thing.
Michelle: Hey, I heard what I heard.
Liz: Not that stupid. What about all those cannibals like Jeffery Dahmer? I'm sure he must have gutted some of those little boys.
Stan: Little boys?
Liz: Yeah, wasn't he a pedophile, too?
Stan: (slightly disgusted) He could have been, but…ewwwww!
Kyle: Yeah, really. Not during lunch.
Liz: Wuss.
Michelle: Come on, Kyle's not a wuss. He's just got a sensitive stomach. Isn't that right, Kyle?
Kyle: If we're talking about cannibalistic pedophiles, I'm a huge wuss.
Liz: Told you.
Stan: So, where did you hear the rumor that Mr. Cartman was gutted?
Michelle: In French.
Liz: Who said it?
Michelle: Harry Troy. He said it was even on the news.
Liz: He's full of crap. There's no way he was gutted. That's way too obvious.
Stan: What?
Liz: It's too obvious. It's right out of "Prom Night" or even "Scream." No one would be that simple to figure out. Killers want to stand out. They wouldn't copy movies like that. They want to be original.
Kyle: Since when do you know so much about killers?
Liz: Watch a few movies, take a few notes.
Stan: I thought you said that movies didn't influence killers.
Liz: They don't, they just provide an excuse.
She and Stan give each other different looks; Liz an almost omniscient look, Stan an almost admirable look.
Liz (Voice over): Stan was an interesting guy. He liked scary movies as much as the next guy, but he just never thought about their effect before. But then again, what could you expect from a guy who listens to Weezer?
CUT TO: Liz's house, at night.
Liz: (Voice over): Since I saw "Scream" for the first time, I never really liked to be home alone. I mean, it hadn't really scared me, but the thought of some psycho pissing me off over the phone wasn't really something I wanted to do all by myself. That was something I'd invite Stan over to help me out with.
The phone rings. It rings three times before Liz reluctantly answers.
Liz: (hesitant) Hello?…Oh, hi!…No, I wasn't there today…I was at an assembly watching some singer that sounded like broken glass scraping a chalkboard…I don't even remember…What time is it?…Michelle, that's so bad! Tell Kyle that. He would worship you…Wait, say that again…
While Liz is on the phone, someone is lurking outside of the house in shadows. Liz does not notice.
(Cont'd) What are you talking about, "the way he was looking at me"? He doesn't look at me like that…If he did, I'd probably laugh at him…Maybe I don't want to get anywhere with him. Maybe I'm happy where I am…
She hears a rustling of bushes next to her house and looks out the window to see bushes moving.
(Cont'd) Michelle, I have to go…There's someone outside my house. I'm calling the police, then leaving…I can get to my car without leaving my house. It's in the garage…I don't know where to go!…Can I go to your house?
There is a knock on the door. It startles her.
(Cont'd) I'm coming over now. Forget the police.
She hangs up the phone and rushes to the kitchen. She grabs the biggest knife she can find then runs to the hall closet for her keys. While looking in the closet for her coat, the door knocks again and scares her again. Her first instinct is to hide in the closet, but it's a rule that if there is a killer outside of your house, you should never hide in the closet. Liz grabs her coat, containing her keys, and tiptoes into the garage, not turning off any lights. She gets into her car in the garage, still with the knife. After closing the car door, she looks in the rearview mirror and presses the button to open the garage door. She starts the car, turns off the radio, and looks in the rearview mirror again for clearance.
The garage door is closing. Someone else is in the garage with her. Liz cautiously opens the garage door again and this time shifts the car into reverse. The car moves backwards slowly as she starts to back out of the garage. She looks forward and sees a black figure right in front of her car. Liz SCREAMS as the black figure jumps up onto the hood of the car. She quickly backs up and the figure falls off in the driveway. He runs after the car down the driveway as Liz closes the garage door. She backs down the driveway into the street, the figure chasing after her. On her way down, Liz closes the garage door. By the time the figure is ready to go back in the house, the garage door is closed and he is stranded. Liz's car speeds down the street and turns around the corner.
CUT TO: Michelle's house, a few minutes later. Liz pulls up in her car and rings the doorbell. Michelle answers. Liz is holding the knife she brought with her and Michelle SCREAMS.
Michelle: OH, MY GOD!!!
Liz: (oops, I'm holding a knife) Oh, sorry.
Michelle: (letting Liz in) Is that your knife or his?
Liz: Mine.
Michelle: Did you have to use it? Is there blood on it?
Liz: No. But I think I locked him out of my house after he jumped on my car and rolled off in my driveway.
Michelle: So, he didn't like put up a fight or anything?
Liz: Nope. Well, I guess he did with my car. At least he didn't call me on the phone. I would have just had to make fun of him then.
Liz sits on the couch and sighs.
(Cont'd) We should have a big party tomorrow night. Maybe it'll calm things down.
Michelle: Good idea! I'll call up Kyle and Stan.
Liz (Voice over): God, just like "Halloween." Attacked in the garage. I never thought my life would become a scary movie. As long as no one would find out, I'd be home free. But, the next day, everyone knew.
CUT TO: School the next day, in the girl's bathroom. Liz walks in a stall to blow her nose and hears two girls talking.
Girl #1: She was never attacked. I think she made the whole thing up.
Girl #2: (flushing) I know, really. That girl is just starving for attention.
Girl #1: (walks out of stall after flushing) I know! "Oh, look at me! I'm Liz! I told everybody I was attacked by a killer because I have nothing better to do!"
Girl #2: (walks out of stall) Oh, my God! That was so funny!
Liz: (in stall, imitating them) "Oh, my God!"
The girls turn around and look at each other. Liz stands on the toilet to hide herself.
Girl #2: Did you hear something?
Girl #1: Yeah.
Girl #2: (leans toward stall door) Hello?
Liz: (in "Exorcist" voice) Leave or feel my wrath, bitch!
The girls run out screaming as Liz steps down and throws the tissue in the toilet. She flushes it and walks out of the stall.
(Cont'd) They didn't wash their hands. How unsanitary.
CUT TO: After school, Stan meets Liz by her locker.
Liz: Hello.
Stan: Hi. So, I hear people have been giving you all kinds of crap today, huh?
Liz: Yeah, but it's no big deal.
Stan: Are you sure? I'll tell 'em off for you if you want.
Liz: No, thank you. But that's very sweet of you to think of that. Did you find that on a desk calendar or something? "I'll tell 'em off if you want"?
Stan: No, I just happen to mean it. Sometimes you're so cynical, you know?
Liz: Yeah, but I can't help it if I don't trust anyone.
Stan: Well, do you at least trust me?
Liz: (thinking) Can I trust you?
Stan: If you can't trust me, who can you trust?
Liz: I think I saw that line on some rape-warning pamphlet.
Stan: (he puts his arm around her and walks her away) What are we gonna do about you?
Liz: Why don't we figure that out tonight?
Stan: At the party?
Liz: Yeah.
Stan: Sure. Sounds good.
Liz: Good. So, Michelle told you the whole thing last night, huh?
Stan: No, actually I heard it from Kyle. Michelle figured she'd save herself a phone call if I called Kyle to tell him about the party.
Liz: (wondering) Did you tell anyone else?
Stan: No, I thought you'd want to keep it to yourself.
Liz: Did Kyle tell anyone else?
Stan: No, we both decided not to. That's what Michelle told us to do.
Liz: Well, then how did everyone find out if we were the only four people who knew about it?
They give each other a slightly scared look.
CUT TO: The party at somebody's house. Kyle is walking through the house and eventually meets up with Liz and Michelle. People are hanging out in the living room.
Liz: (Voice over) Parties usually relax me, but little did I know, tonight's was going to be a little different. It started out innocent enough, but most parties do. Don't they?
Kyle: (gets a bottle of soda from the refrigerator) So, where's Stan? Isn't he coming?
Liz: Yeah, he's showing up later. He's picking up nachos or something.
Michelle: Oooo, nachos. How romantic.
Liz: (rolling eyes) Please.
Liz sees Stan walk through the front door.
(Cont'd) Oh, look. There he is. I'll be right back.
Stan: (screaming from the front door) They so didn't have any cheese! I'm so pissed!
He sees Liz and walks over to her.
(Cont'd) Oh, Liz! There's something you should know.
Liz: And that is?
Stan: The dead body of Miranda Frederick was found this afternoon by another student. She was in the dumpster outside of the gym.
Liz: Eww, no way!
Michelle: Miranda Frederick? Was she murdered?
Stan: They said she jumped out of the window.
Liz: Well, she couldn't have killed herself.
Kyle: Why not?
Michelle: Yeah, why not?
Liz: Come on! She's the head cheerleader! Why would she kill herself at the school she "loves"? She was pushed.
Stan: (Wow!) So, she was murdered!
Liz: Obviously! Cheerleaders are the easiest targets! Excuse me a second.
Liz leaves for the living room and Stan follows her.
Stan: So, who do you think did it? Do you think it was the same guy?
When they are gone, Kyle and Michelle talk to each other.
Kyle: Do you find that a little frightening?
Michelle: Just a little.
They both look at each other, with the same thought: Liz is a little weird.
(Cont'd) Did you bring that CD with you?
Kyle: It's in my car. I'll go get it.
They kiss each other on the lips quickly as Kyle walks past Michelle out the front door. Michelle walks into the living room with the partiers.
Outside, Kyle is leaning in his car, looking for the CD. Suddenly he is pulled under the car. He SCREAMS as he becomes caught under the car. The car starts and drives over him, killing him. (Show Kyle under the car, then show the killer driving while Kyle SCREAMS)
Inside, in the living room, Michelle thinks she hears Kyle scream.
Michelle: Did you guys hear that?
Liz: Hear what?
Michelle: I think I just heard Kyle scream.
Stan: Where is he?
Michelle: Out by his car. I think I'll go check on him.
Liz: Yeah, right. Only if you wanna die, too.
Michelle: What?
Liz: Michelle, it's practically a law! If you go investigate a strange noise, you're destined to be killed. I'm disappointed in you, Michelle.
Michelle: (visibly pissed at this particular theory) Yeah, well laws were made to be broken. I'll be right back.
Michelle leaves and walks out the front door. She sees Kyle under his car, squished, and SCREAMS. She turns around to run and SCREAMS again when the killer chases her with a knife down the street. Michelle runs the other way.
Back in the living room, Stan is "quizzing" Liz.
Stan: So, if you get elected prom queen, you can't wear the crown because you'll be drenched in pig's blood?
Liz: That's right, especially if you're a religious fanatic.
The phone rings. Kyle isn't there to answer it. Liz looks at Stan.
(Cont'd) Should I let the machine get it?
Stan: no, answer it. Just say it's Kyle's house.
Liz picks up the phone.
Liz: Hello?…Yeah?…
She hears something that causes even her to become a little disturbed.
(Cont'd) …Holy shit…
Liz holds her hand to the phone and tries to get everyone's attention.
(Cont'd) (very seriously) You guys, listen up.
Everyone in the room looks at Liz.
(Cont'd) They're threatening to take Titanic out of the local multiplex. There's a big protest going on over there.
Girl #3: What are we waiting for?
Girl #4: I won't let them take away my Leo! I'll kill them!
Girl #5: Let's get the hell outta here!
Every single girl in the room runs out of the house. The guys chase them. Liz hangs up the phone and chases after the crowd. Soon, the house is empty except for her and Stan. Stan is standing around.
Stan: So, what now?
Liz: The house is empty…
Stan: Yeah?
Liz: We're all by ourselves…
Stan: Yeah?
They have been walking closer and closer to each other, making some kind of advance toward each other.
Liz: (spoiling the moment) Where are Kyle and Michelle?
Stan: (making a face as if a record has been scratched) Huh?
Liz: (she looks outside) They're not here!
Stan: Maybe they went to the protest.
Liz: Oh, please. They haven't even seen Titanic.
She grabs his hand and drags him outside.
(Cont'd) Look! There's Kyle's car!
Liz and Stan look under the car.
Stan: Well, there's Kyle.
Liz takes a moment to panic.
Liz: Then where's Michelle?
She walks away and two steps later she sees Michelle's dead bloody body on top of the car. Stan looks, too, and starts to SCREAM…Liz claps her hand on his mouth to stop him.
Liz: No! Do you want him to hear us? Don't overreact!
Stan: (sarcastic, but panicking) Overreact?! Me? No, of course not! Why should I overreact to two dead bodies? That would be silly!
Liz: Shut up!
Stan: I can't shut up! I think I'm gonna be sick!
Liz is looking at something moving behind him. Her eyes widen.
Liz: Well, don't do it now.
Stan: Why not?
Liz: Because we gotta run away now!
Liz yanks his arm and they run into the house. Liz locks the door. They both sit on the couch at the same time.
Stan: So, you're the expert. What do we do now?
Liz: I don't know! I didn't know this was gonna actually happen!
Stan: Come on! No excuses! I don't wanna die!
Liz: Gimme a break! I've never had a killer after me! Have you? Huh? Do you have any ideas?
Stan thinks for a second, then the back door opens.
Stan: We could run up the stairs!
Liz: Great idea! Let's go!
They both head toward the stairs, but Liz stops.
Stan: What are you doing?!
Liz: Going into the kitchen. For a knife. You should always carry around a butcher's knife while being chased by a killer. I'll be right back.
Stan: Oh, my God!
Liz quietly sneaks into the kitchen around the opposite wall. The knife block is right on the edge of the counter. She looks across to the back room and sees the killer lurking around. She slips the biggest knife out of the block and hides behind the wall. The killer hears the noise and walks towards the wall Liz is hiding behind. Stan is hiding behind the wall on the other side of the kitchen, waiting for Liz. Liz tiptoes through the dining room, then the living room, meeting Stan on the other side. They are halfway up the stairs when Stan realizes something.
Stan: (whispering) Hey, Liz?
Liz: (weilding knife) Yeah?
Stan: I don't think the stairs are such a good idea. Maybe we should just leave the house.
Liz: Yeah, right. So the killer can strike again? No way. We're gonna kill him.
Stan: What?!
Liz: Come on! Don't be such a baby!
Stan: Can't we just run him over with a car? Do we really have to stab him? That's so…so…violent!
Liz looks at the knife and contemplates the potentially nasty situation.
Liz: You're right. Let's go.
They sneak back down the stairs. Just as they reach the door, the killer sees them and chases them. They both SCREAM and Liz drops the knife in a panic. They run out of the house and see Stan's car in the distance.
(Cont'd) You'd better have your keys in your pocket!
Stan: Yup! You know me! Always prepared!
Stan takes the keys out of his pocket and they jump into his car. He locks all the doors and starts the car. The killer is standing in the light of the headlights. Admitting defeat, he removes his mask. It's…
Those of you who would like to know who the killer is, you can e-mail me your guesses.
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