resumeneverletmego

"LETMEIN"ScreenplaybyMattReevesBasedonthenovelbyJohnAjvideLindqvistFIRSTDRAFTFebruary2,2009"LETMEIN"BLACKSCREENWeHEARtheDREADFULMOANINGandHOWLINGofARCTICWIND.
FADEINveryslowly,TODISCOVERweareHIGHABOVE:ASNOWY,RURALLANDSCAPE-NIGHTAnemptyTWO-LANEHIGHWAYsnakesthroughmassivepines;MOUNTAINSloominthedistance.
ABLIZZARDragesallaround.
HOLD.
HAZYGLOWSofFLASHINGREDandBLUELIGHTsuddenlyappear,waydownthehighway.
It'saSMALLMOTORCADE.
WemakeouttwoPOLICECRUISERS,anAMBULANCE.
Thewindissofierce,wecan'tevenhearthesirensyet.
ThroughtheswirlingVEILOFSNOW,theimagelookssurreal;itcouldalmostbeapainting.
.
.
oradream.
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SMASHCUTTO:THEMOTORCADESIRENSBLARINGastheyracethroughtheblizzard.
THROUGHTHEAMBULANCEWINDSHIELDWeSEEtheHEAVYSNOWHURTLINGtowardus,obscuringtheroadahead.
TheSTROBESfromtheroofperiodicallyFLASH,andtheSNOWFLAKESsuddenlyappeartoFREEZEinmid-airforablindinginstant.
Itiscompletelydisorienting.
WeHOLDonthis,asweHEARTWOPARAMEDICSinthefrontseats(O.
S.
):PARAMEDICONE(O.
S.
)Jesus,Ican'tsee--Ican'tseeafuckingthing--PARAMEDICTWO(O.
S.
)(intoradio)Onethreeonetodispatch,comein!
INTHEBACK-QUICK,TIGHTSHOTS:THREEMOREPARAMEDICS,wearinglongRUBBERGLOVESworkfeverishlyonacompletelynakedPATIENT,whosefaceisobscuredfromourview.
TheUnseenPatientTHRASHESVIOLENTLYastheywork,incompleteagony--UNSEENPATIENT'SPOV-HANDHELD:Twistingandturning,lookingstraightupattheParamedicsastheystrugglefiercelytoholdhimdown--PARAMEDICTHREEHoldhimdown!
Gethisarms!
Gethisarms!
TheUnseenPatientGASPSandGAGS--PARAMEDICTHREEIneedanirrigationlensanda1000cc'sofsaline--!
PARAMEDICFOURGotit!
AshereachesforthePatient'seyes--rightatCAMERA--theGASPINGACCELERATES--AND--THEPATIENT'SWRISTswingsupintoFRAME,inpanic--itsnapsshortsuddenlywithaCLANG!
ItisHANDCUFFEDTOTHEGURNEY.
UPFRONTTheRADIOCRACKLEStolifeaswewatchthestrobingblizzard:RADIO(V.
O.
)Goaheadonethreeone!
PARAMEDICTWO(O.
S.
)Thisisonethreeone!
Wehaveamale,mid-fiftieswithburnsoverninetonineandahalfpercentofhisbody!
Priortoourarrivalonscene,patientapparentlydousedhishead,neckandfacewithsomesortofhighlyconcentratedacid!
Patient'sairwayisseverelycompromisedduetofumeinhalation!
Vitalsignsunstable!
Pleaseadvise!
Patientisacriminalsuspect!
We'recominginwithapoliceescortrightnow!
INBACKTheParamedicswrestlewiththeUnseenPatient--PARAMEDICFOUROK--it'sin!
Thelensisin!
2.
PARAMEDICTHREEIrrigate!
UNSEENPATIENT'SPOV--HANDHELD:MOREEXCRUCIATINGGASPINGandCHOKINGsoundsasourviewFLOODSwithSALINE--theIMAGELITERALLYRIPPLES--andWE--CUTTO:AMOVINGSHOT,DOWNAHOSPITALCORRIDOR-NIGHTWe'reFOLLOWINGONTHEBACKofaPLAINCLOTHESPOLICEMANashemakeshiswaytowardsaHOSPITALROOMDOORWAY.
Ashearrives,aPRIESTisonhiswayout.
ThePolicemanstops,allowingthePriesttopass.
ThePriestnodstohimgravely.
WeFOLLOWthePLAINCLOTHESPOLICEMANINTO:THEDARKHOSPITALROOMwhereaHEAVYSETNURSEattendstoabedontheothersideoftheroom,herbodyblockingourviewofthePatient'sface.
Sheturns,hearingthePoliceman;approaches.
HUSHEDTONES:POLICEMANCanItalktohimNURSEHecan'tactuallytalk.
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.
ThePolicemanLOOKSOFFSCREEN,pasther,seestheUnseenPatientforthefirsttime;whateverhesees,itknocksthewindoutofhim.
Henods,uttersunderhisbreath,shaken:POLICEMANIsee.
Jesus.
.
.
(then)Alright,well.
.
.
canI.
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.
justhaveafewminutesTheNursenodsandleavestheroom.
ThePolicemanmovestowardtheUNSEENPATIENT'SBEDslowly,apprehensive--FROMTHEUNSEENPATIENT'SPOV:WefinallygetaCLOSELOOKatthePoliceman'sfaceashestepsup.
He'smid-40s,withsoulfulbutdeterminedeyes.
Asmalltownsenseabouthim.
Fromhishauntedexpression,yougetthefeelinghe'sneverseenanythingquitelikethis.
MACHINENOISEsurroundsus:ARESPIRATORHISSESominously.
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3.
ThePolicemanunzipshisjacket,takesaPOLICENOTEBOOKout,opensit,placesitinfrontoftheUnseenPatient;hetakesoutaPEN,carefullyplacesthePatient'sFINGERSaroundit.
Thenhelooksup,RIGHTINTOCAMERA,strugglingabit:POLICEMANWe,uh.
.
.
Wewannaknowwhoyouare.
Beat.
HiseyesdriftdowntoTHEPATIENT'SHAND,grippingthepen.
ThereisafreshACIDSCARacrossthetopofit.
Thehandremainsperfectlystill,nointentionofwriting.
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.
POLICEMAN(CONT'D)We'llfindout,youknow.
Soonerorlater.
Youcouldsaveussomelegworkbycommunicatingwithusnow.
(beat)IjustgotoffthephonewiththeFederalBureauofInvestigation.
Guessthere'sanideayoubeeninvolvedinawholelotmorethanjustwhat'sbeengoingonaroundhere.
Likemaybethisallgoeswayback.
Otherstates.
Othercities.
(staresathim)Isthattrue(then)AreyouaSatanistYouinsomekindofcultCozifthereareothersinvolved,we'llfindthemtoo,believeme.
ThePACEoftheHEARTMONITORspeedsupabit.
ThePolicemanturns,noticing;heturnsback,tryingtogaugethereaction:POLICEMAN(CONT'D)What'sthematterIsthatitIstheresomeoneyouwannatellmeaboutPeopleyou'reinvolvedwith(beat;then)Look,I'mgonnabehonestwithyou.
Yourprognosishere.
.
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it'snottoogood.
Whatyoudid,it'sareal.
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.
shocktoyoursystem.
Theremaynotbealottatimeleft.
Somaybe.
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.
Maybeyougotsomethingshereyouwannatellme.
Thingsthatareweighingheavy.
Onyourheart.
Maybeyoucouldwrite'emdownforme.
Clearyourconscience.
TheNurseappearsagaininthedoorway:4.
NURSEI'msorry.
TheNurseatreceptiondownstairsisonthephone.
Shewantstotalktoyou.
Saysit'surgent.
ThePolicemanturnstoher,nods;thenturnsback,staresINTOCAMERA,cautious,searching,wonderingifmaybeheisonthevergeofsomethinghere.
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.
POLICEMANI'llberightback.
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OkayHeturnstogo;andweCUTFORTHEFIRSTTIMETOREVEAL:THEPATIENTUnderbandagesisaviciouslyacid-ravagedface--almostunrecognizableashumananymore.
Hauntedeyesstareoutfrommangledflesh,gazingafterthePolicemanwithasenseoffear.
Afterabeat,helooksdowninfrontofhimat:THEPOLICENOTEBOOKwherehishandrests,holdingthepen,motionless.
WeHOLDFORAVERYLONGBEAT.
Finally,fingerstrembling,heliftsthepen,beginstoWRITE.
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NURSESSTATION-MOMENTSLATERThePolicemanisonthephone.
BEHINDHIM,RONALDREAGANsilentlygivesaspeechonTV--thesoundisoff.
POLICEMANHisdaughterWhenwasthis--isshestillhere.
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Suddenly,aBEEPINGALARMsoundsfrombehindthestation--theheavysetNursechecksthebankofpatientmonitors--shequicklystartsforthesuspect'shospitalroom--thePolicemannotices,growingconcerned;weSLOWLYPUSHIN:POLICEMAN(intophone;distracted,eyesfollowingNurse)Welldidsheleaveanyinformation,aphonenumber.
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.
Theresponseonthephonesuddenlyfocuseshimagain--POLICEMAN(CONT'D)(intophone)WhatdoyoumeanalittlegirlHowlittle.
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5.
JUSTTHEN,aBLOOD-CURDLINGSCREAMerupts(O.
S.
)fromthehospitalroom!
ThePolicemandropsthephoneandrushes--BACKINTOTHEHOSPITALROOMWINDSWIRLS.
TheNurseisstandingnexttotheOPENWINDOW,horrified,herheadinherhands.
THEHOSPITALBEDISEMPTY.
ThePolicemanmovesovertoLOOK--OUTTHEWINDOW:THEPATIENT'SDEADBODYLIESTWISTEDSICKLYONTHESNOW-COVEREDGROUND,TENFLOORSBELOW!
POLICEMAN(utters,breathless)Jesus,Mary,andJoseph.
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.
INTHEEMPTYBEDThePOLICENOTEBOOKliesopen,it'spagesflutteringgentlyinthewind.
Ontop,writteninthedeadPatient'sTORTUREDSCRAWLarethewords:"Abby.
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.
I'msorry.
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.
"HOLD;then--TIMECUTTO:AWIDETABLEAUSHOTOFTHEFRONTOFTHEHOSPITAL-NIGHTWeareINSIDETHELOBBY,LOOKINGOUTthroughmassiveGLASSWINDOWS.
POLICECARSandFORENSICTEAMShavegathered.
CRIMSONSNOWdriftsserenelyovereverything,ILLUMINATEDbytheSPINNINGREDEMERGENCYLIGHTSonthevehicles.
ASMALLCROWD--thePolicemanincluded--watchesasthePatient'sbodyiszippedintoabodybag.
.
.
IntheFOREGROUND,overthis,weseeANOUTOFFOCUSIMAGEOFRONALDREAGANcontinuinghisspeech--it'saREFLECTIONfromtheLOBBYTV,onthewindowinfrontofthebody.
Downherethesoundison--it'sthe"EvilEmpire"speech:RONALDREAGANONTVThereissinandevilintheworld,andwe'reenjoinedbyscriptureandtheLordJesustoopposeitwithallourmight.
Ournation,too,hasalegacyofevilwithwhichitmustdeal.
Thegloryofthislandhasbeenitscapacityfortranscendingthemoralevilsofourpast.
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ThePolicemanliftshishand--there'ssomethinginit:it'sthePOLICENOTEBOOK;hestaresatit.
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haunted.
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6.
SUPERtheTITLECARD:"LITTLETON,COLORADO.
MARCH,1983.
"ANURSEstepsupbehindthePoliceman,startstosaysomething,andjustasheturnswe:CUTTOBLACK.
THESOUNDWASHESAWAYINTOSILENCE.
HOLD.
Afteralongbeat,westarttoHEARaCHILD'SVOICE,QUIETLYSINGING;there'ssomethingmournfulaboutit.
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EERIE.
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CHILD'SSINGINGEatsomenow,savesomeforlater.
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Eatsomenow,savesomeforlater.
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ANOTHERSUPERTITLEFADESUP:"TWOMONTHSEARLIER.
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.
"ADISTANTTRAINHORNCRIESasweSLOWLYFADEINTOREVEAL:ATWELVEYEAROLDBOY,HISBACKTOUS,SEATEDONAJUNGLEGYMWe'rePUSHINGINONHIMashesingstohimself,completelyhiddeninaHOODED,METALLICSILVERWINTERJACKET;BREATHSTEAMSaroundhisheadinthedim,blueTWILIGHT.
SNOWBLANKETSthegroundunderfoot.
Nooneelseisaround.
AsweCREEPCLOSER,theBoyreachesintohispocket,pullingoutcandies,unwrappingthem,andpoppingthemintohismouth,onebyone,inaconstantstream.
Therhythmofhissongisperiodicallyinterruptedbytheneedtochew.
BOY(singingabsently,hushed)NowandLater.
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.
thereallytastytreat.
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NowandLater.
.
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theflavorcan'tbebeat.
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Suddenly,aWOMAN'SVOICEECHOESdistantly:WOMAN'SVOICEOwwwwen.
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TheBoykeepsonsinging:BOYLookatallthose.
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.
(chews;then:).
.
.
pieces.
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.
Flavorsthatarewow.
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.
Beat.
WOMAN'SVOICEOwwwwen.
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7.
WeSTOPinCLOSEUPontheBACKoftheBOY'SHEAD--andhefinallyTURNSTOUS,inthedirectionoftheWoman'sVoice:BOY(annoyed,mouthfull)What.
.
.
!
ThisisOWEN.
Onthevergeofthirteen,hisfacestillhasadelicate,pre-adolescentandrogyny.
Helooksinnocent,almostfragile.
WOMAN'SVOICEDinnertime,honey.
.
.
!
AsOwengetsuptogo,hepullsafistfulofcandywrappersfromhispocket,dumpsthemontheground,buriestheminthesnowwithhisfoot.
CUTWIDEtoSEEwearein:AMASSIVE1960'SERAAPARTMENTCOMPLEX-COURTYARD-TWILIGHTThejunglegymsitsinameagerplaygroundatthecenterofthedesertedcourtyard.
Tallbuildingssurroundus.
AsOwentrudgesawaythroughthesnowtowardhisbuildingweCUTTO:LONGLENSCLOSEONOWEN-ATTHEDINNERTABLE-NIGHTOwensits,headbowed,holdinghisMOTHER'shandasshesaysgraceintheF.
G.
,SOFTFOCUS.
HOLDonOWENthroughout:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)BlessusOLord,andtheseThygifts,forwhichweareabouttoreceive,fromThybounty,inthenameofJesusChrist,ourLord,Amen.
Astheyreleasehands,Owen'smother'sARMreachesover,poursChablisintoaWINEGLASSintheF.
G.
--OWEN'SEYESflitabitanxiouslytotheglassasitFILLS.
.
.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)HowwasschooltodayOwenscruncheshisface,shrugsashoulder.
Shelaughs:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Thatgood,huh(noticeshe'snoteating)Hey,what'sthis--youdidn'tgoandspoilyourdinneronmenow,didyouOwenSweetie,youpromisedme.
.
.
HeguiltilystabsaforkfulofhisKraftmacandcheese:8.
OWEN.
.
.
No.
.
.
WhatIdidn't.
.
.
ThePHONERINGS.
Shestands,andweFLEETINGLYGLIMPSEforthefirsttimeshewearsaPOWDERBLUENIGHTGOWNandROBE--OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Eat.
Please,honey.
Shemusseshishairaffectionately,EXITSFRAME,ANSWERSPHONE:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Hello(shequiets,darkens)What.
No,whatOwenturns,watchingherOFF-SCREENwithgrowinganxiety.
.
.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Look.
.
.
Look,I'mnot--I'mnotgonnadiscussthisnow,okayWe'reeatingdinner.
Owen'sEYESdiscreetlyFOLLOWasshereachesintoFRAME,grabsherWINE,thenpacesO.
S.
--thePHONECORDstretchesTAUT.
.
.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Well,wehadanagreement,George.
OkayWeagreed.
.
.
(then)YouknowwhatIthinkmaybeyoubettercallmylawyer,okay.
.
.
Yes.
Right.
Becauseyouknowhe'dneverletyougetawaywiththisshit.
(beat)Don'ttalktomelikethat--Iwillnot.
Bespokento.
Inthatway!
(beat)Okay,I'mgoingnow,George,okay.
.
.
WhatHe'llcallyouback.
We'reeating,George.
SheSIGHS,re-entersFRAME,holdsoutthephone:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Yourfatherwantstotalktoyou.
.
.
OWEN(intophone,uncomfortable)Hello.
.
.
Hi.
.
.
I'mokay.
.
.
OwenstealsafinallookattheWINEGLASSashismothersetsitdownagainintheF.
G.
,RE-FILLSit.
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.
9.
INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-KITCHEN-NIGHTOwengingerlysetshisplateinthesink,whichispiledwithdirtydishes.
HepeeksTHROUGHTHEDOORWAYINTO:THEDARKENEDLIVINGROOMWherehismother,partiallyobscuredbythedoorjam,sitswithherwineglass,watchingrantingtelevangelist,Dr.
GeneScottonTV.
WeHEARthesoundofherCRYING.
Owenturnsaway,hopeless.
HeisabouttogowhenheSEES:ALARGEKITCHENKNIFELyingonthecounter.
Hiseyeslingeronit.
.
.
CUTTO:INT.
OWEN'SROOM-NIGHTAmodeloftheSPACESHUTTLEhangsfromtheceiling.
There'saTELESCOPEbythewindow.
Postersoftheplanets.
STARWARStoys.
"Beth"byKISSplayssoftlyfromacheapRADIO.
OWEN'SBAREFEETstalkslowlythoughthechaotic,clothes-strewnmessonthefloor.
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.
WeHEARhisBREATHING.
.
.
CLOSEONTHELARGEKITCHENKNIFEAsitpiercestheair,creepingforwardthreateningly.
.
.
OWEN(O.
S.
)(veryquiet,menacing)Heylittlegirl.
.
.
REVEALOwenashestepsuptohisdresserMIRROR.
He'sstrippeddowntohisunderwear,holdingtheknife,andwearingaPLASTIC,SEMI-TRANSPARENTHALLOWEENMASKwhichcompletelyobscureshisexpression.
It'sadisturbingimage.
OWEN(staringdownhis"victim")Areyoualittlegirl.
.
.
JustthenaWOMAN'SSHRIEKechoesdistantly.
OwenturnsasLIGHTSPILLSontohisceilingfromoutsidehiswindow.
There'saMAN'SVOICEtoo.
Owensetsdowntheknife,movesto:HISWINDOWAcrossthecourtyard,framedinoneoftheotherapartmentwindows,aCOUPLE,havingjustcomehome,areARGUINGpassionately.
Wecan'tmakeoutwhatthey'resaying.
10.
TheyareLARRYandVIRGINIA,early30s.
Owenwatchesthem,motionless.
Heturnshistelescopetowardsthem,cautiouslypresseshiseyetotheeyepiece.
.
.
THETELESCOPEFOCUSESonVirginiaassheyellsatLarry.
She'shot-tempered.
Hasasomewhattrashy,smalltownsexiness.
Larrytriestocalmhertonoavail,reachesforherwrist;shepullsaway.
Attheirfeet,atinyLAPDOGBARKSincessantly.
Owenjuststaresfrombehindthemask.
SlowlyBREATHING.
.
.
Finally,heturnsthetelescope.
.
.
startstopeepintootherwindows.
.
.
Hefinds:AFORTY-ISH,SHIRTLESSMAN(JACK)lyingonaBENCHinhiscrampedlivingroom,liftingweights.
HisCHESTisOVERLYDEVELOPED.
Owenpullshiseyefromthetelescope,pushesuphismask.
Helooksdownathisownscrawnychest,ashamed.
Thenhenoticessomething:thecourtyardisQUIETagain.
Helooksup,swingsthetelescopebacktoward:LARRYANDVIRGINIA'SAPARTMENTVirginiahascalmed.
Larry,contrite,rubsherarmapologetically.
.
.
Hetriestokissher,butsheturnsaway.
Hetouchesherface,triesagain;grudgingly,sheletshim.
.
.
OwenwatcheswithmorbidfascinationastheKISSbuilds.
.
.
turnsSEXUAL,asVirginiagivesin.
.
.
Larrystartstogropeher,reachesintohershirt,exposingherbreast,WHEN--VIRGINIA'SSTARTLEDEYESSUDDENLYMEETTHETELESCOPE--OWENbacksaway,terrified--ducksbehindhiscurtain.
Hestandstherefrozen,heartracing.
HOLD.
Finally,hePEEKSback:Virginiaisclosingthedrapes.
Humiliated,OwenstartstoturnawaywhenheSEES--ASILHOUETTEDU-HAULMOVINGTRUCKRUMBLEintothedrivewaybetweenbuildings.
AFIGUREclimbsout,disappearsbehindthetruck.
Afteramoment,here-emerges,strugglingwithSEVERALVERYLARGESUITCASESalongthepassengerside.
Hestops,looksupintothecab,panting,hisbreathmistingupintothefreezingair.
Hewaits.
Finally,ANOTHERMUCHSMALLERFIGUREemerges,climbingdown.
OwenLOOKS:11.
THROUGHTHETELESCOPEItisATWELVEYEAROLDGIRL.
Wrappedinadarkponcho,shehasmysterious,somewhatcoarsefeatures,likeagypsy.
Shedoesn'tevenacknowledgetheFigurewaitingbesideher.
Shejuststartsintothecourtyard.
TheFigure--aBALDING,WEARYMANINHISMID-FIFTIES--finallyfollowswiththeheavyluggage,lookingalmostlikeherservant.
Ormaybeherfather.
Owenwatchesastheymaketheirwaytowardhisbuilding.
Astheygetclose,henoticessomethingthroughthetelescope--despitethesnowyground,THEGIRLISCOMPLETELYBAREFOOT.
Owencranestolookstraightdownouthiswindow,as,rightbelowhim,thepairdisappearintotheentrancetohisbuilding.
CUTTO:ANARROWVIEWTHROUGHOWEN'SPARTIALLYOPENEDFRONTDOORWelookoutataSTAIRWELLattheendoftheEMPTYHALL.
ApproachingFOOTSTEPSECHO.
JustastheTOPoftheGIRL'SHEADstartstoappear,climbingupthestairs--OWENquicklyandquietlySHUTShisfrontdoor.
Hewaits,pressedagainstthefrontdoorastheMUFFLEDFOOTSTEPSgrowLOUDER.
Finally,hegetsthecouragetoPEEK--THROUGHTHEPEEPHOLEJustastheGirlandtheManpass,distortedandobscuredbytheLENS'FISHEYEEFFECT.
WeHEAROWENBREATHINGRAPIDLY.
.
.
EXT.
HALLWAYOUTSIDEAPARTMENT-CONTINUOUSTheDOORSLOWLYOPENSacrack,andOWENpeerscautiouslyouttoSEEtheBALDINGMAN,settingdowntheluggage,startingtoopenthedoortotheapartmentRIGHTNEXTDOOR.
OwenstaresdownagainattheGirl'sbarefeetasshewaits,herfaceturnedaway.
Finally,shestepsinside.
TheBaldingManpicksuptheluggage,stepsinafterher.
INT.
OWEN'SROOM-NIGHTOwenliesonhisbed,eatingNowandLaters,LISTENINGtotheSOUNDSofhisnewneighborscomingthroughthewall.
There'saSTRANGE,EERIEGROANING.
.
.
aRHYTHMICSCRAPING.
.
.
WeMOVEINONOWENasheleansclosetothewall,tryingtomakeouttheINTENSESOUNDSwithabuildingsenseofdread.
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.
12.
We'reCLOSEonHISWIDEOPENEYESwhenwehearaSUDDENLOUDBANGFROMTHEWALL--andweFLASHCUTTOAHAUNTINGVISION:ANAQUABLUEFIELD--VERYSHALLOWFOCUSCRIMSON-COLOREDCLOUDSBILLOWandGROWdisturbingly--itlookslikeBLOODPOURINGintoPURE,CLEARBLUEWATER.
.
.
WeHOLD--THENSEETHREELIGHTENINGFASTCUTSOFTIGHTSHOTS:--FLESHTEARS--!
--VICIOUSDEMONICEYESSTARE--!
--BLOODSPRAYS--!
OWENGASPS,sitsupwithaSTART!
CUTWIDEtoREVEALweare:INT.
OWEN'SROOM-MORNINGOwensitsinbed,inexactlythespotwelefthimlastnight,havingjustawakenedfromanightmare.
Hestartstogethisbearings,looksaroundhimattheroominthemorninglight.
Finally,hestaresatthewall.
Everythingisquietnow.
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-MORNINGOwenstepsoutofhisbuildingwearinghisheavyjacketandaBACKPACK.
HestartsacrossthecourtyardwhenheSPOTS:ABAREFOOTPRINTinthesnow.
Heturnsback,looksup.
.
.
intheapartmentnexttohis,theWINDOWShavebeenCOMPLETELYBOARDEDUPfromtheinsidewithNEWSPAPERANDCARDBOARD.
Ashestares,westarttohear:CHILDREN'SVOICESIpledgeallegiance.
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.
totheflag.
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.
oftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SMIDDLESCHOOLHOMEROOM-MORNINGWe'reMOVINGPASTabout30STUDENTS,givingthepledge:STUDENTS(CONT'D)AndtotheRepublic.
.
.
forwhichitstands.
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.
FINDOWEN,handoverhisheart,recitingwiththeothers--STUDENTS(CONT'D)OneNation.
.
.
underGod.
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.
SPLAT!
AhugeSPITBALLslapsontoOwen'sjacket.
Heturnstoseeoneofthestudentssmilingcruelly.
ThisisKENNY.
Resigned,Owenstartstoscrapethemessoff,andweCUTTO:13.
INT.
INDOORMIDDLESCHOOLPOOL-MORNINGPre-classchaos.
KIDSINBATHINGSUITSscream,splash,pusheachotherintothepool.
Stillfullydressed,OwenwalksupbehindhisSerbianP.
E.
teacher,MR.
ZORIC,saysmeekly:OWENMr.
Zoric.
.
.
Mr.
Zoricturns,seesOwenisnotinhisbathingsuit:MR.
ZORICOwen--c'mon,serious.
.
.
againOWENIhaveacold.
Mymomwrotemeanote.
HeholdsoutTHENOTE:clearlyinOwen'sownhandwriting,misspellingsandall,itreads:"PLEASEEXSCUSEOWENFROMSWIMING.
HEHASACOLD.
"Mr.
ZoricstaresatOwenforalongbeat;takespityonhim:MR.
ZORICOkay.
Gositinbleecher.
Owensits,looksoutatTHEPOOL,abitmiserably,SEEING:KENNYwho,alongwithTWOCOHORTS,circlesandaccostsaGIRLWITHVERYDEVELOPEDBREASTS;theboyskeepdisappearingunderthewater,grabbingather.
Shebacksaway,shriek/laughinguncomfortably,whenKennyappearsbehindherandundoesthestraponherbikiniwithatug--shegrabsitbeforeitcanfall,SCREAMSforMr.
Zoricatthetopofherlungs--Mr.
Zoricturns,seesKennylaughinghysterically--MR.
ZORICOkay,Kenny!
Tenlaps!
Now!
KENNYIdidn'tdoanything.
.
.
!
MR.
ZORICNow!
OrImakeittwenty!
Kennypoundsthewaterwithhisfist,and,asZoricturnsaway,theGirlSOCKShimINCREDIBLYHARDinthearm.
Owencan'thelpbutsmile--butit'sunfortunatetiming,becauseatjustthatmoment,KennyfeelsOwen'sstare,turns--Owenstopssmilingabruptly,avertshiseyes,wishinghewereinvisible;butsadly,he'snot.
Kennyglares,andweCUTTO:14.
INT.
POOLLOCKERROOM-MORNINGOwenspinsthetumbleronhislockerasfastashecan--hepopsitopen,quicklygrabshisbackpackwhenheHEARS--VOICE(O.
S.
)Heylittlegirl.
.
.
OwenturnstoseeKennyandhisfriends(DONALDandMARK)surroundinghim,stilldrippingintheirsuits.
Kennyistwirlingawettowelintoawhip--heSNAPSitsuddenlyintoOwen'sface--OWEN(recoilinginpain)Ow!
Don't.
.
.
!
KENNYAreyoualittlegirl.
.
.
HeSNAPSitviciouslyagain--Owenbendsover,coveringhisface,tryingtoprotecthimself--asKennymovesincloser--KENNYThat'swhyhewon'tgoswimming--hedoesn'twanteveryonetoseewhatalittlefuckinggirlheis--Desperate,Owentriestomakeabreakforit--buttheygrabhim,wrestlehimviolentlytotheground--hestartstoscream,butKennycovershismouth--OwenGASPSforair--OWEN'SPOV-HANDHELD:Asheflailsinpanic--Kennygigglessadistically--KENNYHoldhimdown!
Gethisarms!
Gethisarms!
Astheydo,KennyreachesunderthewaistbandofOwen'spants,seizeshisUNDERWEAR,YANKSitupwards,slowlySTRETCHINGitintoabrutalWEDGIE--OwenSQUIRMSFRANTICALLYforanexcruciatingmoment,untilsuddenlyaPUDDLEstartstoGROWonthegroundbyhislegs--DONALDrealizes,repulsed--backsoff--DONALDDude,shit!
Ithinkhepissedhimself!
15.
KENNY(laughingoutofcontrol)Oh.
.
.
!
Shit.
.
.
!
DONALD(wipinghimselfwithhistowel,horrified)Hefuckingpissedhimself!
Thethreeofthemscrambleup--Markcheckstoseeifheissoiledtoo--hekicksOwen'ssideindisgust--MARKJesus!
Fuckingfreak!
Owenjustliesthere,astheyheadoff--Kenny'suncontrollableLAUGHTERECHOES.
AfewCLASSMATESstaredownatOwen,askance,changingattheirlockers.
Owengetsupslowly,pickshisbackpackofftheground.
.
.
CUTTO:OWEN'SHANDGRABBINGFIVEPACKSOFNOWANDLATERCANDIESfromahugecandydisplay--WEARE:INT.
LITTLETONVIDEOARCADE-LATEAFTERNOONOwenwaitsinlineatthepaycounter.
Theafterschoolcrowdishere,andtheDINfromthegamesisDEAFENING.
OwenlooksoverataTENTHGRADECOUPLEmakingoutbytheMS.
PAC-MANmachine,theirtonguesdeepineachother'smouths.
Owenstares,whensuddenlyheBARELYHEARStheVOICEoftheSEVENTEENYEAROLDCOUNTERMANcallinghimoverthecacophony.
Embarrassed,OwenplaceshiscandyandaTWENTYDOLLARBILLontheglasscounter.
AstheCountermangrabsthemoney,OwenNOTICESsomethingintheCOUNTERDISPLAYCASEbelowit--anOPENPENKNIFEamongsomeknickknacks;HISEYESFIXONIT.
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-TWILIGHTOwensitsonthejunglegymwithhisnewPENKNIFE.
Heunwrapsacandy,STABSitwiththeknife,putsitinhismouth--OWEN(singing,mouthfull)Eatsomenow,savesomeforlater.
.
.
AmetalDOORTHUDSshut--Owenquiets,turnstosee:16.
THEBALDINGMANhavingjustexitedhisbuilding.
OwenwatchesastheMansetsdownaDUFFLE,vainlyattemptingtolightacigaretteinthewindwithhisBICLIGHTER--"FLIT--FLIT--FLIT.
.
.
"TheMan'seyesdriftup,suddenlyfeelingOwen'sgaze--ThetwoSTAREateachotherforaneerie,suspendedmoment.
Owenattemptsasmile;buttheBaldingManjustpicksuptheduffle,startsouttowardthestreet--weWATCHFROM:AVERYHIGHSHOT,LOOKINGSTRAIGHTDOWNOVERTHECOURTYARDOwenremainsmotionlessonthejunglegym,watchinghimgo.
.
.
HOLD.
Then,justasOwenfinallystartstoquietlyresumesinging--OWENEatsomenow,savesomefor--WESMASHCUTTO:EXT.
WAL-MARTPARKINGLOT-LONGLENSSHOT-NIGHTHOLDonthequiet,mostlydesertedlot,bathedinsodiumvaporlight.
.
.
AFTERABEAT,weSEEsomeBLURRYMOVEMENTintheF.
G.
--weHEARthefamiliar"FLIT-FLIT-FLIT"oftheBICLIGHTERagain;SMOKErisesINTOFRAME,andwerealizewearenowWATCHINGfromtheBALDINGMAN'SPOV,overhisshoulder.
.
.
ABEATEN-UPDATSUNB-210pullsintothelot,parks.
ABARELYSIXTEENYEAROLDKIDgetsout,headstowardthestore.
.
.
HEARaLONGEXHALE;aSTREAMOFSMOKEblowsintoF.
G.
view.
.
.
CUTTO:THEDATSUN'SDRIVERDOORSeenfromtheshouldersdown,theBaldingMan'sGLOVEDHANDSslideatowtruckdriver's"SLIMJIM"downthecar'swindowandintothedoor,DIGGING.
.
.
until.
.
.
theDOORLOCKPOPSUP.
CUTTO:INT.
DATSUN-MOMENTSLATERTotalSTILLNESS,QUIET.
We'reinback,lookingtowardtheemptyparkinglotthroughthewindshield.
17.
TheSIXTEENYEAROLDapproaches.
WeHEARtheVERYFAINTsoundofBREATHING.
.
.
fromsomewhereinthecar.
.
.
HOLDastheKidgetsin,startstheengine,drivesout.
.
.
Afterafewmoments,weNOTICEsomethingBLURRYmovingverysubtlyintheF.
G.
;theKiddoesnot.
.
.
CUTAROUNDTO:THEREVERSEANGLEpasttheKidashedrives.
Rightbehindhim,justvisibleinshadow,isaFIGURE(theBaldingMan)inaprimitivelookingCLOTHMASKwiththeeyescutout.
TheFigureWAITS,motionless,poised,foraverylong,disturbingbeat.
.
.
WeHEARaPASSINGTRAINgettingCLOSER.
.
.
LOUDER.
.
.
Then,astheKidbrakes--aTRAINHORNBLARES--andtheFigureLUNGESforward,JAMSthegearshaftintoparkwithoneglovedhand--usestheothertoMASHaWETCOTTONPADoverthestartledKid'snoseandmouth!
It'smessy,brutal--CLOSEONtheFIGURE'SIMMOBILE,MASKEDHEADastheKIDFLAILSMADLY(O.
S.
)!
TheutterterrorintheKid'smuffledSCREAMSisexcruciating--liketheprimalsquealofananimalexperiencingthesudden,incomprehensiblerealizationitisbeingslaughtered.
Itgoesonwaytoolong.
Finally,heQUIETS;frombehindthemaskwehearHEAVY,RAPIDBREATHING--asthebreathingstartstoslow,weCUTTO:HIGHANGLE-OUTSIDETHECAR-ATATRAINCROSSINGANAMTRAKTRAINfinishespassinginfrontoftheDatsun,stoppedonasleepy,twolaneroad;noothercarsarearound.
TheCROSSINGGATESLIFT,butthecardoesn'tmove.
.
.
CUTTO:THEABANDONEDDATSUN-LATEROnaSECLUDED,MOUNTAINROAD;thedriverdoorisajar.
PANSLOWLYtoaSNOWYHILLSIDEWOODbesidetheroad.
WeHEARRUSTLINGSOUNDSfromwithintheTREESupthesteepincline.
.
.
INTHEWOODPartiallyOBSCUREDBYTREES,weSEEtheSIXTEENYEAROLDKIDSUSPENDEDBYHISFEETonaROPE,SLUNGoveraTREEBRANCH.
NowinaCLEAR,PLASTICRAINSLICKER,stillwearinghismask,theBaldingManfinisheshoistingtheboy'sbody,pullingtheropewithallhisstrength,grunting,pantinghard--CLOSEONtheDUFFLE:TheManreachesin,pullsoutaFOLDINGHUNTINGKNIFE(lookingalotlikeamuchscarierversionofOwen'spenknife),aLARGE,PLASTICJUG,andaFUNNEL.
.
.
18.
CLOSEPROFILEONtheUP-SIDE-DOWN,SILHOUETTEDHEADoftheBOY:BREATHsteamsgentlyfromhisnostrils;heisstillalive,butheavilysedated.
TheManENTERSFRAME,crouchedonhisknees,movesinclosetotheBoy'sface.
Heopenstheknife,pressesitdelicatelyagainsttheBoy'sneck--then,allatonce,THRUSTStheknifeupward,PUNCTURINGanartery!
WewatchinSILHOUETTEasBLOODDRAINSinaTHICK,THROBBINGSTREAM.
.
.
TIPDOWNtoseeitFILLINGthePLASTICJUGbelow.
NearbyFOOTSTEPSCRUNCHinthesnow--startled,theManturnstoseeADEER,watchinghim.
Theystareateachother.
TIMECUTTO:THEWOOD-MINUTESLATERTheManiscarefullyre-packinghisduffle.
Hehasremovedtheclothmask;hisfaceisred,sweaty,hiseyeshaveafarawaylook.
Helooksnumb.
Bitter.
Hereachesdown,picksuptheplasticjug,nowfilledwithblood.
Walkingbacktowardtheduffle,hegentlypullsthefunneloutofthejug,juststartstoscrewonalidWHEN--HISLEGSINKSSHARPLYthroughthesnowintoaholehiddenbelow--helosesbalance,DROPStheJUG--itgoesTUMBLINGDOWNtheHILLSIDE--!
Hescramblesup,andrunslamelydownthehillafterit;heEMERGESONTO--THESNOWYMOUNTAINROADneartheBoy'sabandonedcar.
ThemostlyEMPTYJUGsitsonitssideinthestreet,BLOODPOOLINGaroundit.
TheManstaresatit,devastated,outofbreath,inpain,AS--DISTANTHEADLIGHTSappearwaydowntheroad--theManturnstoseeASNOWPLOWheadingthisway.
Panicked,hehobblesover,grabsthejug,andclambersbackupthehill,DISAPPEARINGintothewoodsOVERTHISweHEARasHUSHED,MENACINGVOICE:VOICE(OWEN)What'sthematterAreyouscaredCUTTO:EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-NIGHTOwenstands,holdinghisOPENPENKNIFEthreateningly,staringatsomethingOFF-SCREEN:OWENAreyouscared,littlegirlHuh19.
Ashelungesforwardwiththeknife,wePANwithhimtorevealhis"victim"--ATREE.
HeTHRUSTShisknifeintothebarkwithallofhismight.
Again.
Andagain.
Finally,hestops.
Ashecatcheshisbreath,hesuddenlyfeelsachill,asifsomeoneisthere--heturnstosee:THENEWNEIGHBORGIRL,standingonthejunglegym,watchinghim,expressionless.
Upclose,herfacelookstired,abit.
.
.
malnourished.
Herhairlookslikeithasn'tbeenwashedinaverylongtime.
Herclotheslookold,ill-fitting,liketheycouldhavecomefromtheGoodWill.
GIRLWhatareyoudoingOWEN(suddenlyembarrassed)Nothing.
(then)WhatareyoudoingGIRLNothing.
Beat.
Owentriestomakeconversation:OWENYouguysjustmovedin,didn'tyouUpstairs.
Shelooksathim.
GIRLHowdoyouknowOWENIlivenextdoor.
(points)Rightthere.
Pause.
Finally,shenods.
Jumpsdownfromthejunglegym.
GIRLJustsoyouknow,Ican'tbeyourfriend.
OWEN.
.
.
WhyWhatdoyoumeanGIRLDoestherehavetobeareasonThat'sjustthewayitis.
Andshegoes.
Hewatchesher,forastunnedbeat.
Then:20.
OWENWellwhosaidIwantedtobeyourfriend.
.
.
!
Butshe'salreadygoneintothebuilding.
INT.
HALLWAYOUTSIDEOWEN'SAPARTMENT-NIGHTOwenstickshiskeyinthefrontdoorlockwhenhehearsFOOTSTEPScomingupthestairwell;theyhaveanODDCADENCE.
OwenturnsastheBaldingManappears,LIMPINGupthestepswithhisduffle.
Theireyesmeetbriefly.
ThenOwenopenshisdoor,disappearsinside.
TheMancontinuestowardsus;ashepassesOwen'sdoor,heSTOPSforamoment,staresatit.
.
.
thenmoveson;CUTTO:THEOTHERSIDEOFTHEDOOROwenhashiseyepressedtothepeephole,breathingthroughhismouth,tryingtobeveryquiet.
Heslowlybacksaway,LISTENINGtotheMan'sIRREGULARFOOTSTEPS.
.
.
thedoornextdoorCREAKSOPEN.
.
.
thenTHUDSSHUT.
INT.
OWEN'SROOM-NIGHTOwenistakingoffhisjacket,whenhestartstohearMUFFLED,INDECIPHERABLEYELLINGcomingthroughthewallfromtheneighbors'apartment.
HejumpsslightlyashehearsaSUDDEN,STIFLEDCRASH,andaTHUD.
TheYELLINGCONTINUES.
Concerned,Owenmovesapprehensivelytowardthewall,PRESSESHISEARTOIT.
.
.
Theyellingbecomesabitmoreintelligible--butitisnotclearwhosevoiceitis--there'ssomethingunsettling,almostFEROCIOUSLYINHUMANaboutit--maybeit'sjustacoustics,orthewayitdistortsthroughOwen'swall:VOICE(THROUGHWALL)(near-hyperventilation).
.
.
SUPPOSEDTODOAMISUPPOSEDTOGOOUTANDDOITMYSELF!
HUH!
(longpause;then:)SAYSOMETHING!
!
!
Owenlistens,onpinsandneedles,astheargumentgoesSILENTforaLONGMOMENT.
.
.
wecanjustbarelymakeoutsomeoneHYPERVENTILATING.
.
.
HOLD.
Then,finally,weCUTTO:21.
THEOTHERSIDEOFTHEWALLWeareCLOSEontheBaldingMan,whositsatatable,lookingdown,quietlydespondent;allofthegearfromhisduffle--includingtheempty,blood-stainedjug--isscatteredacrossthefloorbehindhimlikeithasbeenhurledthere.
WeareshootingPASTTHEARMofanOUTOFFOCUSFIGURE(coulditbetheGIRL),standinginFOREGROUND--theFigureisHYPERVENTILATING,waitingforaresponse.
TheBaldingManglancesupattheFigure,thenlooksdownagain,bitterlyashamed.
Finally,almostinaudibly,hesays:BALDINGMAN.
.
.
Forgiveme.
Exasperated,theFigureSTORMSOFF,WIPINGTHROUGHFRAME.
.
.
WeCUTBACKTO:OWENhisearstillagainstthewall,anxiouslywaitingformore.
Butnothingmorecomes.
Asheedgesawayfromthewall,we--CUTTO:AMOVINGSHOT,DOWNACROWDEDMIDDLESCHOOLHALLWAY-MORNINGWe'reWITHOWENashepassesthroughTHRONGSofARRIVINGSTUDENTS--there'saHUSHEDEXCITEMENTcoursingthroughthecrowd,somethingisgoingon.
.
.
Upahead,OwenseeskidsgatheringinCLUSTERSoutsidetheADMINISTRATIONOFFICE,whisperingtoeachother,spyingintothewindows--AsOwenreachesthem,hePEERS,withtheothers,INTOTHEOFFICEWINDOWS:inthewaitingareaareseveralUNIFORMEDPOLICEOFFICERS.
Theirexpressionsaregrave.
OnetalkstoawomanwholookslikeshecouldbethePRINCIPAL.
Behindthecounter,SECRETARIESarecrying.
AMAN'SVOICEinterrupts,frombehindthekids:MAN'SVOICE'Scuseme,fellas--canIgetthroughhereOwenturns--IT'STHESMALLTOWNPLAINCLOTHESCOPFROMTHEOPENINGOFTHEFILM.
Thegrouppartstolethimintotheoffice--ashepasses,weHEAR:PRINCIPAL(V.
O.
)Assomeofyoumayhaveheard,therewasanincidentlastnight,andoneofourrecentgraduateswaskilled.
.
.
22.
OwenwatchesasourPOLICEMANstepsuptothePrincipal--theotherCopturns,introducesthem;heshakesherhand,CUTTO:INT.
MIDDLESCHOOLAUDITORIUM-MORNINGTheENTIRESTUDENTBODYlistenstothePRINCIPALasshespeaksatapodium.
ThePLAINCLOTHESPOLICEMANstandsbehindherwiththeotherUNIFORMEDCOPSandVARIOUSFACULTYonstage.
PRINCIPAL(CONT'D)IknowmanyofyouknewScottie.
Hewasabright,funnystudent,andarealgroupleaderwhomanyofyouknewfromhiscontinuinginvolvementwithourYoungLifeChristianassociation.
.
.
ONOWEN,inthecrowd,hisbackpackcradledinhislap:PRINCIPAL(CONT'D)Thepoliceassuremethateverythingpossibleisbeingdonetofindthoseresponsibleforthistragedy,butinthemeantime,weshouldallbeonthelookoutforanysuspiciousactivity.
.
.
OwenHEARSaSTRANGLEDLAUGH--hepeeksbehindhimtoseeKENNY,MARKandDONALD,acouplerowsback;they'requietlyjokingaround,unmovedbytheproceedings.
DonaldsuddenlyglancesinOwen'sdirection--Owenquicklyturnsaway,SLINKSDOWNinhisseat,hidingfromtheirview--PRINCIPAL(CONT'D)Yoursafetyisournumberoneconcern.
CUTTO:AFRONTPAGENEWSPAPERARTICLEABOUTTHEMURDERTheHEADLINE:"LOCALTEENBRUTALLYSLAININWOODS".
There'sayearbookPHOTOofScottieTate;aSUB-HEADLINE:"Victimdrainedofblood,Policesuspectritualkilling".
SCISSORSlaybythearticle;it'sbeencutout.
WEARE:INT.
OWEN'SROOM-LATEAFTERNOONOwensitsonthefloor,bythenewspaper,openingaNOTEBOOK,packedwithclippings,scrapsofpaper.
.
.
WeHEAROWEN'SMOM'SMUFFLEDVOICEfromtheotherroom;she'sveryupset:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Iwantyoutocomestraighthomeafterschool,okay.
.
.
!
23.
Owenignoresher,turningthepagesofhisnotebook.
INSIDEareOTHERARTICLEShe'scollected--GRISLYNEWSSTORIES.
.
.
MURDERS.
.
.
ASSASSINATIONS.
.
.
SERIALKILLINGS.
.
.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)AndIdon'twantyougoingoutsidethecomplexwhenyougethomeeither--notuntiltheycatchthisguy!
Stayinthecourtyard.
.
.
!
Doyouhearme.
.
.
!
Inthebook,Owen'seyeslingeronhisownCRUDESKETCHofaPLANTOBLOWUPTHESCHOOL--andafewCHILD-LIKEDRAWINGSOFBLOODY,SEVEREDHEADS,withnamesscrawledunderneath:"KENNY","MARK","DONALD";hesmiles.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Owen.
.
.
!
Finally,Owenfindsanemptypage--heslipsthenewarticleintoit,closesthebook,satisfied.
Hegetsup,goestohisdesk,isabouttoputthenotebookinanopendrawerwhenheglancesOUTTHEWINDOWAT:THECOURTYARDHestaresattheEMPTYJUNGLEGYMforabeat,WHENSUDDENLY--Owen'sMother'svoicegrowsLOUDER,likeshe'sapproaching--OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Iwantyoutopromiseme,honey--WeHEARthesoundofhertryingtoopenOwen'slockeddoor--OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Hey.
.
.
what's--(KNOCKSondoor,HARD)Owen!
Owenquicklyburiesthenotebookdeepinthedrawer,grabsthecutupnewspaperonthefloor,hidesitunderhisbed--INT.
HALLOUTSIDEOWEN'SBEDROOM-CONTINUOUSTHEDOOROPENS--we'reshootingLONGLENSpastOWEN'SMOTHER,SOFTFOCUSintheF.
G.
She'sinherbluerobe,ahalf-fullWINEGLASSdanglesfromherhand--OWENSEESIT.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Whatareyoudoing.
.
.
OWENNothing.
24.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Well,didyouhearme--OWENYes!
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Okay.
.
.
(quiets,softening)Ijust.
.
.
Idon'twantanythingtohappen.
.
.
Tomybaby.
.
.
ShestartstoCRY.
Owenimmediatelyfeelsbad.
Hemovestoherslowly,hugsher.
.
.
WeCONTINUETOSTAYONLYONHIM,ashespeakssoftly,tryingtocomfortherasshebeginstoSOB:OWENIt'sokay,Mom.
.
.
Don'tworry.
.
.
(then,evenquieter:)I'lljuststayinthecourtyard.
.
.
Ialwaysstayinthecourtyard.
.
.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)(squeezinghim,emotional)Okay,sweetie.
.
.
Thankyou.
.
.
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-TWILIGHTOwenexitshisbuilding.
AcrossthewayheSEESJACK(theweight-lifterwesawthroughthetelescopeearlier);hewearsanINSULATEDRUNNER'SOUTFIT,stretchinghislegsagainstthewall.
HelooksoveratOwen,nodshello,JOGSOFF.
Owenstartsforthejunglegym;helooksupattheBOARDEDUPWINDOWSoftheapartmentnexttohis.
.
.
nosignsoflife.
.
.
JUNGLEGYM-LATEROwensitsbyhimself,playingwithaRUBIK'SCUBE,strugglingwithit.
Afteralongbeat,AFIGUREcomesupquietlybehindhim,sitsonthejunglegym.
It'stheGIRL.
Owencantellshe'sthere,butdoesn'tturn.
Finally,shespeaks:GIRLOh,it'syouagain,huhOwendoesn'trespond,pretendingtobeoccupiedbytheCube.
GIRLYouknow,Ireallywannabeleftalone.
.
.
OWENMetoo.
25.
GIRLSoleave.
Owendoesn'tturn,butdecidestotakeastand,firesback:OWENYouleave.
(then,abitweaker)I'velivedherewaylongerthanyou.
.
.
Beat.
Shejustacceptsthat.
Sitsthere.
ShelooksattheRubik'sCube,tremendouslycurious,despiteherself:GIRLWhatisthatOWEN.
.
.
ThisShenods,defensive.
Helooksatherlikeit'ssoobvious:OWENIt'saRubik'sCube.
(then,isshenuts)Youdon'tknowRubik'sCubeGIRLIsitapuzzleOWENYeah.
.
.
Wannatry(beat,holdsitout)Tryit.
Youcangiveitbacktomorrow.
GIRLThat'sokay.
Imightnotbeheretomorrow.
OWENDayaftertomorrowthen.
ButI'mgonnaneeditback.
GIRL.
.
.
HowdoyoudoitOWENYougottamakeeachsideallonecolor.
(hedoesaside)SeeFinally,shetakesit.
Getstowork.
Beat.
Owennotices:26.
OWEN.
.
.
Yousmellkindafunny.
Andshelooksquiteill.
Sopale.
Frail.
Sheglancesup,self-conscious;returnstothepuzzle.
Owenseesherclothesarethin,wornout,likeastreeturchin's:OWENAren'tyoucoldGIRL(eyesonthepuzzle)No.
OWENWhynotGIRLIdunno.
Idon'treallygetcold.
Beat.
Hewatchesher,soabsorbedintheCube.
Afterawhile,hegetsup.
Waitsforhertolookup;shedoesn't.
Sohestartstowalkaway.
.
.
watchingher.
.
.
tentative.
.
.
OWEN.
.
.
Seeyoutomorrowthen.
.
.
AndasOwenheadsoff,WESTAYWITHTHEGIRL,totallyfocusedonthepuzzle.
ThedoortothebuildingCREAKSopenandSLAMSshut;andshelooksup,turnstoseeOwenisgone.
Justthen,weHEARanINHUMANGROWLandGURGLE.
TheGirldoublesover,inexcruciatingpain.
.
.
WeHOLDonher,asshestruggles,BREATHINGSLOWLY.
.
.
Finally,shelooksup,glancingaroundthecourtyard,warily.
Shegetstoherfeet,weary,stumblestowardthestreet.
.
.
EXT.
BRIDGEUNDERPASSNEARENTRANCETOTHECOMPLEX-NIGHTAFIGUREJOGStowardsus,slowingasheapproachestheunderpass.
It'sJACK,outofbreath,onhiswaybacktothecomplex.
Asheentersthedarkunderpass,hehearsaquiet,FRAGILEVOICE--it'sEERIE:FRAGILEVOICEHelpme.
.
.
Itstartleshim,helooksaround;butit'sdarkunderhere:JACK.
.
.
HelloFRAGILEVOICEPlease.
.
.
Helpme.
.
.
27.
Finally,justbarely,heSEESsomethingagainstthewallinadarkheap--it'sthelittleGirl.
.
.
Shelooksterrible.
.
.
JACKHeythere.
.
.
AreyouokayWhathappenedGIRLIfelldown.
.
.
JACKYeah.
.
.
Can'tyougetup.
.
.
GIRLNo.
.
.
JACKHowoldareyou,sweetheartDoyoulivearoundhere.
.
.
GIRLIliverighthere.
.
.
Canyoucarryme.
.
.
JACKOkay,sweetheart.
.
.
sure.
.
.
Whydon'tyou--here.
.
.
(bendsdowntolifther)Grabontome.
.
.
Okay.
.
.
WeWATCHthetwoofthem,theirFIGURESinSILHOUETTE:shereachesoutherTREMBLINGARMS,triestograbontohim--GIRLThankyou.
.
.
JACK(liftinghergingerly)Yougotit.
.
.
GIRL(strugglingtoholdon).
.
.
yeah.
.
.
JACK(feelsherslipping)Yougotit--THEN--ALLATONCE--THEGIRL'SBODYCONVULSESVIOLENTLYAROUNDJACKWITHINCREDIBLESPEEDANDSTRENGTH!
SHEBITESVICIOUSLYINTOHISNECK,EASILYOVERPOWERINGHIM,EVENTHOUGHHE'STHREETIMESHERSIZE--HESCREAMS,STAGGERINGTERRIBLYINUTTERSHOCKANDHORROR--28.
JACKJESUSCHRIST!
!
!
JESUSCHRIST!
!
!
AndheCOLLAPSES,theGirlonhimlikeavice!
HOLDasshetakesaLONG,THIRSTYDRINKfromJACK'SMOTIONLESSBODY.
.
.
Finally,sheliftsherhead.
BLOODSTREAMSDOWNHERFACE.
Shelookshaunted,disturbed.
Then,inoneswiftmove,shereachesdown,andTWISTSHISHEADSHARPLY,SNAPPINGHISNECK.
Shegetsup,looksaroundtoseeifanyonehasseen.
Nooneisaround.
Andsherunsoff,herbodyagainmovingjustlikealittlegirl's--seemingfrightened,vulnerable,fragile.
.
.
CUTTO:JACK'SAPARTMENT-NIGHTWe'reLOOKINGTHROUGHOWEN'STELESCOPE,PANNINGTHROUGHtheemptylivingroom,lightsstillon.
.
.
TheTELESCOPESWINGSOVERandREFOCUSESonANOTHERWINDOWwhereLARRYANDVIRGINIAsitinthedarkintheirpajamas,watchingDYNASTYonTV.
LarryhasahandonVirginia'sBARETHIGH.
.
.
TheTELESCOPEHOLDSinanticipationofanyexcitingdevelopments--WHEN--westarttoHEARMUFFLEDARGUING--REVEAL:OWENHetakeshiseyeawayfromthetelescope,andturnstowardhisBEDROOMWALL.
Thenewneighborsarefightingagain.
Hemovescloser,climbingontohisbedtolisten,concerned.
ThistimeitdefinitelysoundslikeTHEFATHERistheoneYELLING.
.
.
thewordsareINDECIPHERABLE.
AsOwenpresseshiseartothewall,hecanBARELYmakeoutaFEWFRAGMENTS:BALDINGMAN(THROUGHWALL).
.
.
EXPECTMETOCLEANITUPNOW,DON'TYOU.
.
.
!
(moreINDECIPHERABLEWORDS;then:).
.
.
BITCH!
There'saSUDDENLOUDBANG!
Owenjerksawayfromthewall,startled.
HeLISTENS,catchinghisbreath.
.
.
buttheneighborshaveGONESILENTagain.
Athoughtoccurs.
.
.
Owengetsupslowly,movestoTHEWINDOW,PEERSDOWNAT:THECOURTYARDAfteramoment,thereisANOTHERBANG(aDOORSLAM)attheBUILDINGENTRANCEbelow,andtheBALDINGMANSTORMSOUTintothecourtyard.
HeLIMPSwithhisDUFFLEtowardTHESTREET.
.
.
HOLD,asOWENWATCHES;then,asitSTARTSTOSNOW,CUTTO:29.
AFROZENLAKE-NIGHTLarge,expansive,still.
.
.
WeHEARWATERTRICKLING;PANTO:THESHORELINE.
WherefreshwaterfromaSMALLAQUEDUCTPIPEflowsintoanopeningintheice.
.
.
TheBaldingManDRAGSJACK'SBODYthroughthesnowtowardtheopening.
.
.
it'stoughworkwithhisbadleg,andJackwasabigman.
Finally,theBaldingManHEAVESTHEBODYintothewater.
ItFLOATS.
Winded,angry,theBaldingManfindsaLONGSTICK,andpressesitintoJack'schest.
Helimpsprecariouslyalongtheedgeoftheshore,GUIDINGtheFLOATINGBODYwiththesticktowardtheSOLIDICE.
.
.
Asitreachestheperimeter,theBaldingManTHRUSTSthestickagainstthebody,attemptingtosubmergeitundertheice--butitSLIPS,andtheManstumbles,almosttumblingin.
Herecovers.
.
.
carefullyrepositionsthestick--DEADBODY'SPOV-FLOATINGONWATERlookingupattheManashegetsthestickinplace.
Heisseething.
Usingallhismight,hisfacecontortinginabrutalgrimace,heletsoutaVICIOUS,ENRAGEDGRUNT,andwePLUNGEUNDERTHEWATER--theSOUNDGOESSILENT--weCUTTO:THEHAUNTINGVISIONBLOODYCLOUDSbillowinginCLEARBLUEWATER--asweHOLDonthehorrificallybeautifulimage,weHEARQUIETBREATHING.
.
.
SomethingOUTOFFOCUSDRIFTSDOWNintoview--justasweGLIMPSEitisaSEVEREDHEAD--weHEARAGASP,andCUTTO:INT.
OWEN'SROOM-MORNINGOwenAWAKESwithastart.
Anothernightmare.
HOLD.
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-MORNINGOwenemergesfromhisbuildinginhisjacketandbackpack,hestartsacrossthecourtyardwhenheNOTICESsomething.
.
.
CLOSEONTHERUBIK'SCUBE.
Itrestsonthejunglegym,coveredinfreshsnow.
Owenpicksitup,brushesitofftosee,ITISCOMPLETELYSOLVED.
Owenisstunned.
HelooksupattheBOARDEDUPWINDOWS.
TurnsbacktotheCube,OVERJOYED.
EXT.
OWEN'SMIDDLESCHOOL-MORNINGWeTRACKwithOWENashewalksalongtheCHAINLINKFENCEtowardtheentrance--hestaresattheCubeindisbelief,oblivioustoallelse.
AsheEXITSFRAME,wecometoRESTONaMAKESHIFTSHRINEontheFENCE:pictures,letters,candles.
30.
It'saMEMORIALtoScottieTate.
WePULLFOCUStoOWENashereappearsbehindthefence,walkinguptotheschool,stillgazingattheCube.
TheBELLRINGS,Owenstartstorun.
.
.
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-TWILIGHTOwen,stillholdingtheCube,arrivestofindtheGirlalreadywaitingonthejunglegym.
ShelooksCLEAN,HEALTHY,she'sdressedbetter.
Shesmilesathim.
OWENHowdidyoudoit!
GIRLIjust.
.
.
twistedit.
(smiles)DoIsmellbetternowHesmiles,embarrassed.
.
.
shedoes.
Heshrugs,awkward.
OWEN.
.
.
What'syournameGIRLAbby.
What'syours.
.
.
OWENI'mOwen.
(then)HowoldareyouGIRL(ABBY)Twelve.
Moreorless.
WhataboutyouHelooksatherqueerly:OWENTwelveyears,eightmonths,andninedays--whatdoyoumean,"moreorless".
.
.
When'syourbirthdayABBYIdon'tknow.
OWENYoudon'tknowDon'tyoucelebrateyourbirthday(shedoesn'trespond;then)WhataboutyourparentsTheymustknow.
.
.
Stillnoresponse.
31.
OWENDon'tyougetbirthdaypresentsABBY(simply)No.
Helooksather,takingawfulnessofthatin.
Beat.
Then:OWENWell.
.
.
youcan.
.
.
havethis.
Ifyouwant.
ABBY(smiles,touched)That'sokay.
It'syours.
Helooksatthesolvedcube,indisbelief.
Stillexcited.
OWENIreallydon'tgethowyoudidthis.
.
.
Beat.
Shelooksathim.
ABBY.
.
.
WantmetoshowyouHesmiles.
Mixesupthecoloredsquares.
Saysquietly:OWENYeah.
.
.
ABBYYouhavetostartwiththecorners.
.
.
Hewatchesherasshestartstotwist.
.
.
staresatherhair,herface.
.
.
she'sactuallyquitebeautiful.
WeCUTWIDERON:THETWOOFTHEMONTHEJUNGLEGYM;MUSICfadesup,weHEAR:AGIRL'SVOICE(JULIET)WiltthoubegoneItisnotyetnearday.
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SENGLISHCLASS-DAYZEFFERILLI'S"ROMEOANDJULIET"playsona16MMPROJECTORinthedarkenedclass--JULIETliesnakedinthesheetsstaringatROMEOintheearlymorninglightashedresses,preparingtoleave.
ThereisquietGIGGLINGamongtheclassattheromantic/sexualcontentonthescreen.
TheTEACHERglancesupfromabookatherdesk,thenbackdown,oblivious.
32.
Payingnoattentiontothemovie,Owensits,copyingsomethingoutofaBOOK:it'stheMORSECODEALPHABET.
Hewritesoutthedotsanddashesforeachcorrespondingletterwithacertainintensity,anurgency.
.
.
Acrosstheroom,Kennysitswithalong,broken-offRETRACTABLECARANTENNAinhishand--smilingslyly,hestretchestheantennaouttoitsfulllength,reachesover,tapstheshoulderofACHUBBYGIRLWITHGLASSESinthenextaisle,thenquicklypullsitaway,retractsitagain.
TheGirlturns,annoyed,can'tfigureoutwho'stappingher.
.
.
Pleased,Kennyturns,lookingforhisnextvictim,whenhespotsOwen,ontheothersideoftheroom,copying.
.
.
ThesightofOwensodeeplyimmersedinsomethingsomehowirksKenny;hestaresathimdarkly,wonderingwhathe'supto.
.
.
HOLDonOwenashewrites.
.
.
Hestartstobouncehisleg,anxious,excited.
.
.
Hepincheshiscrotchreflexively.
.
.
Hastopee.
.
.
Butkeepsrightonworking.
.
.
Onamission.
.
.
ONTHESCREEN,RomeokissesJulietfarewell--ROMEOImustbegoneandlive,orstayanddie.
.
.
INT.
BATHROOMSTALL-DAYCLOSEONOWENashefinishespeeing.
Hezipshisfly,andreachesouthisleg,abouttoflushthetoiletwithhisshoewhenhehearsagroupofFOOTSTEPSinthebathroom--thesoundofMETALSCRAPINGechoes.
.
.
Owenfreezes.
.
.
ThereisaKNOCKatthestalldoor.
.
.
Owenremainsperfectlystill.
.
.
Then,aloudBANGING.
.
.
Finally,Owenflushes,unlocksthedoor,opensit,stepsslowly--OUTSIDETHESTALLKenny,DonaldandMarkwaitforhim.
Marksitsonametaltrashcanproppedagainstthebathroomdoor,blockingit.
KENNYWhatwereyouwritingbackthere.
.
.
OWEN.
.
.
WhatdoyoumeanKENNYInCook'sclass.
(beat)Let'sseeit.
.
.
33.
Beat.
Owenlooksathim,decidestotakeaquietstand.
.
.
OWEN.
.
.
No.
KENNY.
.
.
NoKennyapproaches,extendstheoldcarantennainhishand.
.
.
KENNYWhereisit.
.
.
SLAM--helashestheantennaviciouslyagainstOwen'sleg!
KENNYWhereisit.
.
.
SLAM--evenHARDER!
ButOwen,inpain,remainssilent.
.
.
KENNYShowme!
Frustrated,Kennyswingshigher,SLASHESOWEN'SFACE!
Owen,stiffasaboard,clencheshiseyesshut,hischeekBLEEDING.
DONALD.
.
.
JesusChrist,dude.
.
.
!
KENNY.
.
.
What.
.
.
DONALDYouexplainthattohismom.
.
.
KENNYThat'sokay.
.
.
HewalksupclosetoOwen,grabshimhardbythehair--Owenkeepshiseyesshut.
.
KENNYShe'snotgoingtotellhermomonus,isshe.
.
.
Shefelldownontheplayground,that'sall.
.
.
RightRight.
.
.
Owenslowlyopenshiseyes,squints,preparingformore--KENNYSayit,littlegirl.
.
.
Sayit.
.
.
TheSCHOOLBELLRINGS.
34.
DONALDC'mon,dude.
.
.
Let'sgo.
.
.
Kennyjuststandsthereforamoment,staringOwendown.
Finally,theystarttogo.
Owenwatches,terrified.
.
.
HOLDonhisfrightenedface,asweHEAR:OWEN(V.
O.
)(whispering,miserable)Ifelldown.
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-DINNERTABLE-NIGHTONOWENashesitsthere,headhunglow,aBAND-AIDonhisface;hismom,seenfromshouldersdown,setsfoodinfrontofhim,ashefinishestellingherabouthis"accident":OWEN.
.
.
Ontheplayground.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)(takeshisfaceinherhands)Wellyouhavetobemorecareful,honey.
.
.
OkayIdon'tliketoseemybabyhurt.
.
.
Shekissesthetopofhishead.
Owennods,ashamed.
Then:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Eat,sweetie.
Please.
AssheheadsOFF-SCREEN,OwenSTABShismacandcheese,butdoesn'teat;hejustsitsholdingthefork,angerbuilding.
.
.
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-JUNGLEGYM-NIGHTAbbywatchesasOwendigsfoldedpiecesofpaperoutofhisbackpack--theMORSECODEkeyshecopieddown.
HismoodissomuchbrighternowthatheisatAbby'ssideagain--OWENHere,look--Imadeoneforyou,andoneforme--AbbyseesacopyofROMEOANDJULIETinthebackpack--picksitup,recognizingitwithatinysmile:ABBYAreyoureadingthisOWENIt'sforschool,it'sboring--c'mon,look.
.
.
!
It'ssocool.
.
.
!
35.
(MORE)Wecantalktoeachother.
.
.
!
Throughthewall.
.
.
!
Shelooksathim,suddenlyuncomfortable.
.
.
Putsdownthebook.
Staresatthepaperforamoment.
.
.
Saysquietly:ABBYCanyouhearmethroughthewallOwensuddenlyrealizeshejustletsomethingslip,wisheshehadn't.
.
.
Heshrugsashoulder,awkward,guilty:OWEN.
.
.
Onlysometimes.
.
.
Beat.
Sheputsdownthepaper,staresathershoes.
.
.
ABBYWhatabouttheothernight.
.
.
Didyouhearanythingtheothernight.
.
.
OWEN.
.
.
Alittle.
.
.
(beat;then,quiet,tentative)Whatwasyourdadsomadabout.
.
.
Noresponse.
Helooksather.
Shestilldoesn'tlookup.
OWENWhere'syourmom.
.
.
AreyouparentsdivorcedABBYMymomisdead.
Owenlooksather.
Takesinthehugenessofthat.
Then:OWENMymomanddadaregettingadivorce.
Shelooksup.
Smilessadly.
Seestheband-aidonhischeek.
ABBYWhathappenedthere.
.
.
Shepointstohischeek.
Helooksaway.
OWENJustsomekids.
Atschool.
Shelooksathim,concerned--hetriestobrushrightpast:36.
OWEN(CONT'D)OWENWheredoyougotoschoolanywayIneverseeyou--ABBYOwen,listen.
Hestops.
Shelooksathim,deadlyserious.
OWEN.
.
.
What.
.
.
ABBYYouhavetohitback.
(then)Youhavetohitbackhard.
Beat.
OWEN.
.
.
Therearethreeofthem.
.
.
ABBYThenyouhitbackevenharder.
(beat)Hitthemharderthanyoudare.
Andthenthey'llstop.
OWEN.
.
.
WhatiftheyhitmebackABBYYouhaveaknife.
OWENYeah.
.
.
Butwhatifthey--ABBY--ThenI'llhelpyou.
Helooksather.
.
.
OWEN.
.
.
YouYou'reagirl.
.
.
Shetoucheshishandgently,reassuringly.
Helooksdownatherhand,touchinghis.
.
.
Finally,hetentativelyrubshisfingeragainsthers.
Looksbackupather.
Shesmiles:ABBYI'malotstrongerthanyouthink.
.
.
37.
Finally,hesmiles.
Somehowmoreencouraged.
Heslipsthepaperbackinherhand,grabshis,getsup;looksather.
.
.
OWENComeon.
.
.
Shelooksathim,confused.
Hestartstogo.
.
.
OWENComeon.
.
.
!
Sherises,andhetakesoff,runningtowardthebuilding--weCUTTO--AHIGHANGLElookingdownatthem,asAbbychasesafterOwenplayfully.
.
.
REVEALThisistheBALDINGMAN'SPOVfromhisapartmentwindow.
.
.
Hehaspeeledbacksomeofthecardboardandnewspaper,standsthereWATCHING.
.
.
Helooks.
.
.
JEALOUS.
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SROOM-NIGHTStillfullydressed,Owenlies,studyinghisMorseCodecheatsheetonhisbed,closetothewall,listeningforAbby.
.
.
Suddenly,heHEARSaMUFFLEDCOMMOTIONfromnextdoor:ABBY(THROUGHWALL).
.
.
Move.
.
.
(then).
.
.
Ihavetogetinthere.
.
.
!
Owenlistens,concerned.
.
.
ONTHEOTHERSIDEOFTHEWALLWeWATCHthroughaDOORWAYastheBaldingMansitsonanakedmattressnexttothewall,newspaperinhand,aSMALLTRANSISTORRADIOplayingCLASSICALMUSICathisside.
HestaresupatAbbywhowaitsimpatiently,forhimtomove.
.
.
Finally,lookingalmostwounded,hepicksuphislittleradioandgetsup,limpingawaytowardthedoorway--hestartstoclosethedooras,BEHINDHIMweSEEAbbyclimbontothemattresswithhercheatsheet--sheKNOCKSonce;aKNOCKcomesback--CLOSEONtheBaldingMan'sfaceashefinishesshuttingthedoorintheF.
G.
Hestandsthere,listening,perturbed.
.
.
38.
BACKINOWEN'SROOMOwenstartstoTAPouthismessageonthewalltoAbby:OWEN(whisperingtohimself)S.
.
.
W.
.
.
E.
.
.
E.
.
.
CLOSEONhischeatsheet,ashecontinues--onthepaper,hehaswrittenoutthecodeforthephrase:"SWEETDREAMS".
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SMIDDLESCHOOL-INDOORPOOL-DAYQuiet.
Betweenclasses.
Owenmakeshiswaytoalittle,windowedSIDEOFFICE,wherehefindsMr.
Zoriconhisbreak,readingthepaper,sippingcoffee.
OWENMr.
Zoric.
.
.
MR.
ZORIC(glancesup,thenbackatnewspaper)Yes,OwenOWENIwaswondering.
AbouttheafterschoolstrengthtrainingclassCanpeoplestill.
.
.
signupZoriclooksup.
Lowershisnewspaper.
HestaresatOwen,tryingtomakeoutwhatisgoingon,sensesit'sserious:MR.
ZORIC.
.
.
YouliketogetstrongOwenshrugs,embarrassed;Zoricnods,slow.
.
.
Then:MR.
ZORICOkay.
Fouro'clock.
Youcome.
Wemakeyoustrong.
Owennods.
Zoricreturnstohispaper.
Owenstartstogo--MR.
ZORICHey.
.
.
Owenturnsback.
Zoricglancesup,thenbackatthepaper:MR.
ZORIC.
.
.
Weteachyouswimmingtoo.
Owensmilessweetly:39.
OWEN.
.
.
Okay.
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SMOM'SBEDROOM-TWILIGHTAnunmadebed.
Emptywineglassesonthenightstand.
Owensneakscautiouslyin,peeksatthepartiallyopeneddoortotheadjoiningbathroom;hearsTHESHOWERrunning.
.
.
HemovestoHISMOTHER'SPURSE,sittingopenonherdresser.
Hereachesin,carefullypullsoutHERWALLET.
.
.
opensit.
.
.
takesoutaTWENTYDOLLARBILL.
.
.
Hestartstoputthewalletback,whenheSEES--APOSTCARDIMAGEOFJESUSCHRISTANDTHESACREDHEARTstuckonthedressermirrorabovehim:Jesusstaresdownwithhislookofinfinitecompassion;Owenstaresback,wary.
.
.
INT.
HALLWAYOUTSIDEAPARTMENTS-TWILIGHTOwenquietlyexitshisapartment,walksnextdoortoAbby's.
HeKNOCKSonthedoor,whenhehearsIRREGULARFOOTSTEPS--heturnstoseetheBALDINGMANapproachingfromthestairwell,carryinganemptyplastictrashcan.
AsheseesOwen,theBaldingManslowstoastop,staresstone-faced,menacingly.
.
.
Owensmilesathim,unsure,alittleafraid.
.
.
AfteraLONGBEAT,theMansighsslowly;thenspeaks,veryquietly,ominously:BALDINGMANYouknow.
.
.
Iwaslikeyouonce.
.
.
Owenstaresathim,uncomfortable.
Then,evenmorequiet:BALDINGMAN(almosttohimself)Iwasjust.
.
.
likeyou.
Beat.
Owenisbewildered.
Growinganxious,heutters:OWEN.
.
.
Is.
.
.
Abbyhome.
.
.
ButtheManjustkeepsstaring,lostinthought--justas,Abbyopensthedoor.
Shestartstosmile,seeingOwen--buthersmilesfadesassheseestheBaldingMantoo.
Wonderswhatexactlyisgoingonouthere.
.
.
Relieved,Owenturnstoher:40.
OWENHey.
.
.
Hersmileimmediatelyreturns.
ABBYHey.
Andthetwoofthemheadoffdownthehalltogether,astheBaldingManwatches.
.
.
Abbystealsalookbackathim.
.
.
Glaresathim.
.
.
INT.
LITTLETONVIDEOARCADE-NIGHTOwenandAbbystandatthesameMs.
Pac-ManmachinewhereOwensawtheTenthGradecoupleFrenchkissingearlier.
.
.
Abbywatches,fascinatedasOwenplayswithgreatintensity.
Ashedies,Owenscruncheshisface,laughs;hegesturesit'sAbby'sturn.
Shetakesthejoystick,unsure,butsmiling.
.
.
THECANDYCOUNTER-MOMENTSLATEROwenputsdowntheTWENTYDOLLARBILLtopayforabunchofPACKAGESOFNOWANDLATERS;hegesturestothecandy,soexcited;hehastoSHOUTovertheBLASTINGVIDEOGAMESOUNDS:OWENWantsome!
They'rereallygood!
They'remyfavorite!
Abbylooksatthecandy,oddlyuncomfortable--ABBY(shakesherhead,wavesherhand)No,Idon'twantit.
.
.
!
Owenisabithurtshedoesn'twanttoatleasttotrysome;buthemakesthebestofit,pointstothedisplay:OWENWell.
.
.
!
Whatdoyoulike.
.
.
!
Youcanhaveanythingyouwant.
.
.
!
Abbytriestobepolite;itcomesoffcolderthanshemeans:ABBYIdon't.
.
.
reallyeatthisstuff!
OWEN(nods,smiles,aletdown)Oh.
.
.
!
Okay.
.
.
!
OwenturnstotheSeventeenYearOldCounterman:41.
OWENIguessthat'sit.
.
.
!
TheCountermantakesthecash,givesOwenthechange.
AbbywatchesasOwencollectshiscandy,tryingtohidehisdisappointment.
Shefeelsbad.
ABBYWell.
.
.
maybeIcouldtryjustone.
.
.
!
Owenlooksup,suddenlyexcited.
Heopensapackage,givesherapiece.
Sheputsitinhermouth.
Hewatchesforherreaction.
Shesmilesforhim,nods.
Hegrins,sopleased--CUTTO:EXT.
STREET-MOMENTSLATERAbbystandsVOMITINGVIOLENTLY,bentoveragainstthesideofabuilding.
Standingbackabit,Owenwatches,feelingjustterrible.
Finally,shelooksup,embarrassed,sad.
.
.
ABBY.
.
.
Sorry.
Owenlooksatherthere,seemingsothin,sofrail,sobroken--hisheartaches.
.
.
Hesowantstocomforther.
.
.
Hemovestoher,awkwardly,and,outofnowhere,justputshisarmsaroundher.
.
.
holdshertight.
.
.
Abbystandstherestiffly,armsatherside,abitstunned.
Finally,sherelaxesherbody,givesintohim.
Sherestsherheadagainsthis.
.
.
Buthereyeslooktroubled.
Then:ABBY(whispers)Owen.
.
.
DoyoulikemeOWEN(stillholdingher)Yeah.
.
.
(then)Alot.
Beat.
ABBYWouldyoustilllikeme.
.
.
evenifIweren'tagirl.
.
.
OWEN(beat).
.
.
Whatdoyoumean.
.
.
42.
Butshedoesn'trespond.
Finally,hesays:OWENIdunno.
.
.
Iguessso.
.
.
Asshelistens,Abby'sEYESDRIFTtoOWEN'SBARENECK--sotantalizinglyclosetohermouth.
.
.
HerPUPILSWIDENsubtly,involuntarily--shecatchesherself,hastoresistherimpulses.
.
.
Shestiffens,pullsaway,afraid.
Owenlooksather,confused.
OWEN.
.
.
WhyShesmilessadly,recovering;looksdownathershoes,shakesherhead:ABBYNoreason.
.
.
EXT.
ENTRANCETOAPARTMENTCOURTYARD-NIGHTOwenandAbbywalksidebyside,backintothecourtyard.
.
.
Somewhereinthedistance,thefamiliarTRAINHORNechoes.
.
.
OWENSowhereareyoufromHowcomeyouguysmovedhere.
.
.
ABBYWe.
.
.
movearoundalot.
OWENYeah,butwhywouldyoumovehereIhateithere.
SomedayI'mgonnagetout.
.
.
(smilesather)AndI'llnevercomeback.
.
.
(beat,looksaway)Peopleherearejust.
.
.
stupid.
AbbylooksatOwen.
Shestops,reachesforhishand--heseesit,startstoreachback,WHEN--OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Owwwwen.
.
.
!
Startled,Owenpullsaway;he'ssuddenlyangry,embarrassed:OWEN(muttering)OhGod.
.
.
Hangon.
.
.
43.
Heheadsintocourtyard--weCUTTO:ThePOVfromOWEN'SAPARTMENTWINDOW,lookingDOWNpastOwen'sMother'sOUTOFFOCUSHEAD--OwenLOOKSUPATUS:OWENWhat.
.
.
!
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Wherewereyou!
Icalledyou!
OWENI'mrighthere!
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Youpromisedmeyouwouldn'tleavethecourtyard--!
OWEN--Ibeenherethewholetime.
.
.
!
!
!
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Well,comeup!
It'stimefordinner.
.
.
!
OWENOkay.
.
.
!
!
!
WeCUTBACKDOWNtoOwen,ontheground;heturns.
Abby'sgone.
INT.
HALLWAYOUTSIDEAPARTMENTS-MOMENTSLATEROwentrudgesupthesteps--findsAbbywaiting,sittingbyherdoorway.
.
.
shestandsasOwenapproaches;shesmiles:ABBYNight.
.
.
Owensmilesback.
Nods.
.
.
Then,hegoesinsidehisapartment.
.
.
Shewatchesasheshutsthedoor.
.
.
Then,shestartstoopenherowndoor.
.
.
INT.
ABBY'SAPARTMENT-KITCHEN-NIGHTAbbyenterstofindtheBaldingMangrimlypackinguphisduffle--shewatches,unseenbyhim,asheneatlyplacesthefreshlywashedplasticjuginthebag.
Finally,shespeaks:ABBYYougoingout.
.
.
44.
Helooksather.
Thengetsbacktowork.
Notlookingatherashefinallyspeaks,quietly,bitterly.
.
.
Theairistense:BALDINGMANIsthereachoice.
.
.
(then)IthinkmaybeI'mgettingsloppy.
MaybeIwanttogetcaught.
.
.
MaybeI'mjust.
.
.
tiredofthis.
.
.
Hestaresather.
Then:BALDINGMANWhatwouldyoudoiftheyfoundmeYoudon'tthinkthey'dcomelookingforyou.
.
.
Peoplehaveseenmyface.
Theyknowwelivehere.
ABBY(tentative,abitafraid).
.
.
Youlooktired.
Maybeyoushouldn'tgotonight.
.
.
BALDINGMANWhatelseamIgoodfor(then,relentsbitterly,unabletolookatheranylonger)Don'tworry.
.
.
Iwon'tletthemfindyou.
I'vealreadythoughtofwhattodo.
IfIhaveto.
IjustwantyoutoknowwhatIgothroughforyou.
.
.
Shemovesovertohimslowly.
Heturns,seeingherthere.
Hesoftens,lowershimselftoher.
Shetoucheshisface.
Hecloseshiseyes.
Thenopensthem,looksdown,vulnerable:BALDINGMANPleasedon'tseethatboyagain.
.
.
Okay.
.
.
Helooksupather.
Butshecan'tholdhisgaze.
Shelooksdown.
Hehardensagain,knowswhatthatmeans.
Hegetsup,andresumespackinghisequipment.
SEEShisBICLIGHTER,andCIGARETTESonthecounter.
.
.
Picksthemup.
.
.
CUTTO:45.
EXT.
YMCAPARKINGLOT-LONGLENSSHOT-NIGHTOUTOFFOCUSSMOKErisesintheF.
G.
aroundtheBLURRY,SILHOUETTEDHEADoftheBaldingManashewatchestheYMCAENTRANCEinthedistance.
AfewTEENAGERSandYOUNGMENexitwithgymbags,laughing,carousing,unawareofhim.
.
.
Astheygetintheircars,PULLFOCUStobackoftheBaldingMan'shead.
Hetakesalast,longdragonhiscigarette,then,FLICKSitaway;theburningashessparklebriefly.
.
.
INT.
YMCA-HALLWAY-NIGHTLightsgooutintheemptycorridor;it'sclosingtime.
Atthefarendofthehall,justoutsidethefrontdoor,wecanseeaCOUPLEofHIGHSCHOOLERSwaitinginthecold,chatting.
PANSLOWLYAWAYtoaCLOSEDLOCKERROOMDOORonthesideofthehall.
Frominside,QUIETRUSTLINGECHOES.
.
.
INT.
YMCA-LOCKERROOM-SHOWERAREA-NIGHTInoneofthedarkenedshowerstalls,theUNCONSCIOUSBODYofaLANKYTEENAGERhangsup-side-downonaropefromtheshowerhead.
Wearinghisclothmask,theBaldingMandigsitemsoutofhisduffle--theplasticjug,thefunnel,theknife.
.
.
Hesetsthejugandfunnelinplace,rightundertheTeenager'shead.
.
.
Hegetsonhisknees,bytheTeenager'shead,startstoopenthefoldingknife,preparingtocut.
.
.
BACKINTHEHALLWAYTheHighSchoolerschattingoutsidelookliketheyaregettingimpatient--oneofthemyanksopenthefrontdoor--YELLS:HIGHSCHOOLKIDWhatthefuck,Dan!
!
!
Let'sgo!
!
!
INTHELOCKERROOMTheBaldingManfreezes,hearingthevoice.
.
.
Hewaits.
.
.
Listening.
.
.
WhenhestartshearingAPPROACHINGFOOTSTEPS--HIGHSCHOOLKID(O.
S.
).
.
.
Dan.
.
.
!
!
!
Tryingnottopanic,theBaldingManstandsslowly,movestothelockerroomdoor,hearsthefootstepsgettingcloser.
Hepresseshimselftothewall,grippingtheknifetensely,preparingtoambushanyonethatcomesthroughthatdoor,ifitcomestothat.
.
.
HetriestocontrolhisBREATHING.
.
.
46.
ThedoorSHAKESassomeonetriestoopenitfromtheotherside--it'sLOCKED--there'sasuddenBANGINGonthedoor--HIGHSCHOOLKID(O.
S.
)AREYOUINTHERE,DAN.
.
.
!
!
!
CLOSEONTHELANKYTEENAGERashehangsintheshowerstall,unconscious,serene.
.
.
HIGHSCHOOLKID(O.
S.
).
.
.
DAN!
!
!
TheLankyTeenager'seyesbarelyflutteropen,groggily,maybehearinghisname.
Butheistotallyoutofit.
.
.
INTHEHALLTheHighSchoolKidstandsoutsidetheLockerRoomdoor--theOtherKidcallsfromthefrontentrance--OTHERKIDWhat'sgoingon,man.
.
.
!
TheHighSchoolKidstartswalkingawayfromtheLockerRoom,backtowardtheentrance--HIGHSCHOOLKIDIdon'tknow!
Idon'tknowwhereheis.
.
.
!
THEBALDINGMANListensasthefootstepsstarttogetquieter.
.
.
CUTTO--THELANKYTEENAGER'SUP-SIDE-DOWNPOVAshiseyesFOCUS,seeingtheBaldingManinhismask,pressedominouslytothewallbythedoorwiththeknife--Thehorroroftheimage,startstobringhimto--LANKYTEENAGER.
.
.
Hey.
.
.
Startled,theBaldingManturnstotheLankyTeenager--theTeenager'seyeswiden,heSCREAMSSUDDENLY--LANKYTEENAGERHELLLLLLLP.
.
.
!
!
!
HELLLL--TheBaldingManpanics,doesn'tknowwhattodo--47.
INTHEHALLTheTwoHighSchoolersheartheSCREAMING,scramblebacktowardtheLockerRoom--LANKYTEENAGER(O.
S.
)(CONT'D)--LLLLPME.
.
.
!
!
!
TheyspotaJANITORdownanotherhallway,pushingacart--HIGHSCHOOLKID(totheJanitor)Hey!
JANITORWhatareyoukidsdoing--!
HIGHSCHOOLKID--Doyouhavethekey.
.
.
!
BACKINTHELOCKERROOMMoreBANGINGatthedoor,astheLankyTeenagercontinuesSCREAMING!
TheBaldingManusesallhisstrengthtoslideaheavymetalbenchinfrontofthedoor--thenheturns,rushestowardtheTeenager,whostartstoSHRIEKevenlouder!
TheManquicklygathersuphisequipment--thejug,thefunnel--andstuffsitallintohisduffle!
Heturns,looksaroundforanotherexit,butthereisnone.
.
.
!
AKEYSCRAPESintotheLockerRoomdoor--andthelockturnswithaLOUDCLICK--!
Nowheretogo,theBaldingManheadsstraight--INTOTHESHOWERSretreatingintothefartheststall--hepresseshimselfintothecorner,slidesdownthetiletothefloor,coweringincompleteterror.
.
.
Hestartsdiggingmadlyintotheduffle,finallypullingouttheGLASSJAROFACID,justas--THELOCKERROOMDOORopens,SLAMMINGSHORTintothemetalbench!
TheMenbehindthedoorPUSH,andthebenchSTARTSTOSLIDE--SCRAPINGSLOWLYAGAINSTTHEFLOOR--!
48.
THEBALDINGMANripstheclothmaskoffhisface!
Hereachesdown,unscrewsthelidfromtheglassjar--heliftsitnearhishead,breathinghard,HESITATING,when--heHEARStheHighSchoolersandJanitorfinallyenteringtheLockerRoom--!
Intotalanguish,theBaldingManbraceshimself,withnotamomenttolose--heWHISPERSafinal,PAINEDCRY--BALDINGMAN.
.
.
Abby.
.
.
!
--thenDOUSESHIMSELFWITHTHEACID,pouringitoverhishead--andasitSTARTStoSIZZLEandSMOKE--HISSCREAMSECHOHORRIFICALLYthroughouttheLARGE,TILEDSPACE.
.
.
!
CUTTO:INT.
OWEN'SROOM-OVERHEADSHOT-NIGHTQuiet.
Dark.
Owenliesinbed,staringupattheceiling,deepinthought.
Thefaintestsmilegrowsonhisface,thenfadesaway.
Finally,unconsciously,hereachesouthishand,gentlytouchesthewall,pressinghispalmflat,tenderlyagainstit--INT.
ABBY'SROOM-OVERHEADSHOT-ATTHATSAMEMOMENTAbbyliesonthemattress,herhandalreadyonthewall,asiftouchingOwen'sontheotherside.
Stillfullydressed,sheliesthere,perfectlystill.
.
.
whenaLOW,inhumanGROWLbreaksthesilence.
.
.
Abbyrollsontoherside,clutchingherstomach,lookingfrail.
.
.
Hungry.
.
.
Alone.
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SMIDDLESCHOOL-WEIGHTROOM-LATEAFTERNOONOwenliesgruntingonaweightbench,strugglinghardwithsomeverylightchestpresses,asMr.
Zoricsitsnearby,readingtheNEWSPAPER--theHEADLINEreads:"RITUALKILLERCAUGHTINTHEACT--SUSPECTATTEMPTSSUICIDE--HOSPITALIZED,INCRITICALCONDITION".
Zoriclooksupfromthepaper,seesOwenawkwardlybattlingtheweight--putsdownthepaper,helpshimliftthebarsafelyup.
.
.
Owenlooksathim,abitembarrassedathowweakheis;butZoricnodsencouragingly:MR.
ZORICDon'tworry.
Isgood.
Verygoodforstart.
49.
Owensmiles,andweCUTTO:OWEN'SPANTS,STUFFEDINAURINALIntheLOCKERROOMBATHROOM.
Disgusted,depressed,Owenstandstherestaringinhisunderwear,partiallydressed.
Hecarefullyfishesthesoakedpantsoutwithhishand,danglingthemawayatarm'slength.
.
.
EXT.
OWEN'SMIDDLESCHOOL-WIDESHOT-LATEAFTERNOONTRACKWITHOWENashestartsforhomeinthewaninglightoftheday,wearinghisjacket,hisbackpack,andhislittlegymshorts.
Hisbreathmistsisthefreezingair.
.
.
Inhishandhangsaclearplasticbagcontaininghiswetpants.
.
.
CUTTO:CLOSEONTHEBALDINGMAN'STRANSISTORRADIOastheLOCALNEWSplaysthroughHEAVY,SURGINGSTATICfromitstinnyspeaker:NEWSCASTER.
.
.
Policesayanunidentifiedmanhasbeenarrestedinconnectionwiththerecentritualmurderofalocalhighschoolhonorstudent.
.
.
REVEALABBYwholiesinafetalpositiononthenakedmattressinthedarkroom,staringatit.
Concerned,shepickstheradioup,tryingtoadjustthereceptionastheNewscastercontinues:NEWSCASTER.
.
.
Thesuspectishospitalizedincriticalconditionwithsevere,self-inflictedacidburnsoverhisfaceandtorso,makingitimpossiblesofarforauthoritiestodeterminehisidentity.
.
.
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-NIGHTOwensitsaloneonthejunglegym,withhisRubik'sCube.
He'sgottwosidesdone,andisworkingonathird.
.
.
Losinginterest,hestops,looksupattheboardedupwindowsofAbby'sapartment,staresforalongtime.
.
.
Waiting.
.
.
Finally,heSIGHS,disappointed,wonderingwheresheis.
.
.
ItSTARTSTOSNOW.
.
.
CUTWIDEONTHECOURTYARD--OVERTHISweHEAR:50.
ANNOUNCER'SVOICELadiesandgentlemen,thePresidentoftheUnitedStates:RonaldReagan!
AsexcitedAPPLAUSEbreaksout,weCUTTO:INT.
HOSPITALLOBBY-RECEPTIONAREA-NIGHTTheAPPLAUSEplaysoveraTELEVISIONinthedesertedlobby.
Reaganwalksuptothepodium,shakestheAnnouncer'shand,asthecrowdcontinueswithitsstandingovation:RONALDREAGANONTVThankyou.
.
.
Thankyouverymuch.
.
.
Oblivious,theADMITTINGNURSEsitsreadingamagazine.
Afteramoment,Abbyenters,walksslowlytothecounter;sheputsonabitofanact,lookingsad,lost.
.
.
therearesnowflakesinherhair.
.
.
ABBYExcuseme.
.
.
I'm.
.
.
lookingformyfather.
.
.
ADMITTINGNURSEIsheapatienthere.
.
.
ABBYYeah.
.
.
They.
.
.
broughthiminlastnight.
.
.
(looksdown,ashamed).
.
.
Thepolicedid.
ADMITTINGNURSE(suddenlyrealizingwhoshemeans,pained).
.
.
Oh.
.
.
Isee.
.
.
Abbylooksup,vulnerable,lookslikeshemightcry:ABBYDoyouknowwhereheis.
.
.
TheNurselooksatherforabeat,feelingterribleforher,triestobegentle:ADMITTINGNURSEHe's.
.
.
he'sonthetenthfloor,sweetie.
.
.
Butit'srestricted.
.
.
Beat;shelooksatAbbywithasadsmile,picksupthephone:51.
ADMITTINGNURSELook--whydon'tIcallthem,tellthemyou'rehere--ButAbbyimmediatelystartstobackoff--ABBY--Oh,no--that'sokay.
.
.
Andsheheadsforthedoor.
Surprised,theNursewatcheshergo,stillholdingthephone.
Then,justbeforeAbbyexits,shenoticessomethingwithhorror--Abbyisbarefoot.
.
.
ADMITTINGNURSE(underherbreath)OhmyGod--youpoorthing.
.
.
Shehangsupthephone,andrunsafterAbby--ADMITTINGNURSEHey--!
Sweetie--!
EXT.
FRONTOFHOSPITAL-WIDESHOT-IMMEDIATELYTheAdmittingNursecomesouttoseethatAbbyisalreadygone,nowheretobefound.
Shelooksaround,confused,concerned.
Finally,sheturns,headsback.
.
.
Asshere-entersthebuilding,weHOLD--aSHADOWontheFACADE,threefloorsup,suddenlySTARTSMOVING--STARTSCLIMBING--it'sABBY.
.
.
!
INT.
TENTHFLOORHOSPITALROOM-NIGHTSNOWSWIRLSoutsidethewindow.
WeHEARtheOMINOUS,RHYTHMICHISSINGofaRESPIRATORjustOFF-SCREEN.
Afteramoment,Abbyappears,crouchingontheledge.
.
.
SheSTARESatsomethingO.
S.
,pained;thenknocksgentlyontheglass.
.
.
HOLD.
WeHEARaRUSTLINGofSHEETS.
.
.
Abbywavessadly,asaBLURRYFIGUREstartstomakehiswayslowlyINTOFRAME.
.
.
It'stheBaldingMan,hisfaceravagedbyacid;hehobblesweaklytothewindow,wheelinghisIVandHEARTMONITORwithhim.
ANAIRTUBEsnakesfromhisneck.
Hepullsopenthewindow.
.
.
ABBY.
.
.
MayIcomein.
.
.
Hegesturestohistwistedmouth,hisneck:hecan'ttalk.
Abbynods.
TheManleanshisheadoutthewindow,closetohers.
Shelooksathim,heartbroken;hereyesstarttotear.
52.
Shelooksdown,ashamed,whispers:ABBY.
.
.
I'msorry.
.
.
Shelooksbackupathim,tearsstreamingdownhercheeks.
.
.
Struggling,hereachesout,touchesherface.
.
.
Gentlywipesawayhertears.
.
.
Shetakeshishandinbothofhers,pressesittohercheek.
Closeshereyes.
Trembling.
Finally,startingtorecover,shelooksupathim,vulnerable.
Ataloss.
.
.
Shesmilessadly:ABBYIdon't.
.
.
knowwhattodo.
.
.
(then;kindly)Whatwouldyoulikemetodo.
.
.
Helooksather,hesitating.
Thenhereachesuptothetubeinhisneck,andYANKSitout--anALARMontheMONITORstartstoBEEP.
TheBaldingManleansdown,vulnerablypresentinghisnecktoher,gesturestoit.
.
.
Abby'sexpressionturnsgrave,asshestaresithim.
Shetoucheshisheadsoftly.
.
.
Then,suddenly,shebendsdown,andBITESintohisneck--BLOODSPURTS,sheDRINKSDEEPLY.
.
.
TheWINDstartstopickupastheBaldingMangoeslimp--theDRAPESaresuckedoutthewindow,WHIPPINGFURIOUSLYaroundthemastheMan'sbodyslumps--Abbypullsaside,blooddrippingfromhermouth--shewatchesastheManstartstoFALL--heDROPSTENFLOORStothesnowcoveredgroundbelow--!
ABLOOD-CURDLINGSCREAMeruptsfrom--INSIDETHEROOMTheHEAVYSETNURSE(fromtheopeningofthefilm)hasjustentered--sheRUSHEStowardtheopenwindowwheretheDRAPESTWISTWILDLY,obscuringtheview--!
RealizingtheBaldingManmusthavejustjumped,sheputsherheadinherhands,horrified--ThePOLICEMANburstsintotheroom,andweREPEATTHEMOMENTFROMTHEOPENINGOFTHEFILM!
EXT.
LEDGEOUTSIDEWINDOW-CONTINUOUSThePolicemanleansout,staringdownattheBaldingMan'sbody--onlynow,fromthisVANTAGEPOINT,weareabletoREVEALsomethingwecouldn'tseebefore--unseenbythePoliceman--53.
ABBYstandspressedtothewall,watching,terrified,justoutofsight--asthePolicemanuttersbreathlessly--POLICEMANJesus,Mary,andJoseph.
.
.
HOLDonABBY,asthePolicemanretreatsinside,toGENERALCHAOSandYELLING.
.
.
AstheOFF-SCREENPANICBUILDS,Abbymovestotheedgeoftheledge,gazingsolemnlydown.
.
.
Finally,sheLEAPSintotheair,andOUTOFFRAME!
CUTTO:THEWORDS:"ABBY.
.
.
I'MSORRY.
.
.
"SCRAWLEDintheBaldingMan'shandwritinginthePOLICENOTEBOOK.
REDLIGHTSTROBESoverthepaper--weARE:EXT.
FRONTOFTHEHOSPITAL-LATERThePolicemanstaresatwordsinhisnotebook,haunted,astheBaldingMan'sbodyisliftedinthecoroner'svan.
.
.
AWOMAN'SVOICEExcuseme.
.
.
Officer.
.
.
ThePolicemanturns--POLICEMAN.
.
.
YesIt'stheAdmittingNursewhospokewithAbbyinthelobby--Shemovesupclose,visiblyshakenbytheproceedings.
.
.
ADMITTINGNURSEI'mtheadmittingnurse.
.
.
Ithinkwespokeonthephone.
.
.
POLICEMAN(remembering)Oh.
Right.
Aboutthelittlegirl.
.
.
Shenods.
Heturnstoafreshpageinhisnotebook.
.
.
WeSTARTTOPUSHSLOWLYINONHIM.
.
.
POLICEMANWhatcanyoutellmeabouther.
.
.
54.
INT.
OWEN'SROOM-NIGHTAbbyappearsoutsideOwen'spartiallyopenedwindow,ontheledge.
TheBaldingMan'sbloodstillstainsherface.
.
.
SheTAPSontheglass.
.
.
ABBYOwen.
.
.
!
Inbed,Owenstartstowakeup,completelyoutofit.
.
.
Abbywhispers:ABBYCanIcomein.
.
.
Hestartstogetup--Abby'salarmed:ABBYNo--wait--don'tlookatme.
.
.
Owengroans.
.
.
getsbackundercovers.
.
.
facingaway.
.
.
drifting.
.
.
ABBYButyouhavetosayit.
.
.
ThatIcancomein.
.
.
OWEN.
.
.
Youcancomein.
.
.
ABBYCloseyoureyes.
.
.
OWENThey'realreadyclosed.
.
.
Shecomesin.
.
.
Shequicklygetsoutofherbloodyclothes,undressingcompletely.
.
.
andclimbintobedbehindOwen.
.
.
OWENHow'dyougetuphere.
.
.
ABBY(beat)Iflew.
OWENYeah,right.
.
.
(then,feelssomethingbehindhim,openseyes)Hey.
.
.
you'renotwearinganything.
.
.
!
(then)Andyou'refreezing.
.
.
!
55.
ABBYSorry.
.
.
Isthatgross.
.
.
Beat.
OWENNo.
(then)WherewereyoutodayIwaitedforyou.
.
.
ABBY.
.
.
Ihadtogoout.
OWENOh.
(then)Abby.
.
.
ABBYYeah.
.
.
OWENWillyougosteadywithmeABBY(beat)Whatdoyoumean.
.
.
OWENWillyoubemygirlfriend.
.
.
ABBYOwen.
.
.
I'mnotagirl.
.
.
OWENYou'renotagirl.
.
.
ABBYNo.
OWENWhatareyou.
.
.
ABBYIdon'tknow.
.
.
I'm.
.
.
I'mnothing.
OWENOh.
(then)Youknow,it'sokayifyoudon'twannabemygirlfriend.
Youdon'thavetomakestuffup.
.
.
56.
ABBYCan'twejustkeepthingsthewaytheyare.
.
.
OWEN(hurt)Yeah.
.
Ofcourse.
.
.
Hestopstalking,givesherabitofthesilenttreatment.
Shecantellshe'shurthim.
Feelsguilty.
.
.
ABBYDoyou.
.
.
haveto.
.
.
doanythingspecialwhenyougosteady.
.
.
OWEN(poutingslightly)No.
.
.
ABBYSoeverything'sthesameOWEN(obviously)Yeah.
.
.
Beat.
ABBYOkay.
Wecangosteady.
OWEN.
.
.
ReallyABBYSure.
Hesmiles.
Closeshiseyes.
AbbystaresatOwen'sback.
.
.
gentlycaresseshisshoulder,runningherfingersdownhisarm.
.
.
andoverhishand.
Shetakeshishandinbothofhers,andliftsit,putsisagainsthercheek,closeshereyes--it'sagestureeerilyreminiscentoftheoneshemadewiththeBaldingManjustbeforehedied.
.
.
Andastheybothdriftoffintosleep.
.
.
TIMECUTTO:THEVIEWFROMOWEN'SWINDOW-PRE-DAWNHOLDforaLONGBEAT,untiltheSUNjustpeeksoverthehorizon,FLARINGCAMERA.
.
.
It'sbeautiful,lyrical.
.
.
57.
ATHINSLIVEROFGOLDENLIGHTreachesoverthebottomlipofthewindow,SLICESsilentlyintotheroom.
.
.
projectingpatternsonthewall.
.
.
REVEALOWENandABBY,bathedinSOFTBLUEAMBIENCE,asleepinbed,likeRomeoandJuliet.
TheLIGHTreachestowardthem.
.
.
CLOSEONABBY'SARM,astheRAYofSUNLIGHTslowlyspreadsout.
.
.
finally.
.
.
TOUCHINGherSKIN--thedelicatesurfaceBLISTERSSUDDENLY,startstoSMOKE--!
ABBY'SEYESSNAPOPEN--sheyanksherarminstinctivelyoutofthelight,startled,inpain!
Shebacksquicklyawayfromthelight,intothecorner,pullingtheblanketaroundher.
Shelooksaroundtheroominhorror,stunnedthatsheletherguarddownsolowastofindherselfrighthere,rightnow.
.
.
Besideher,Owenremainsblissfullyinslumber.
Herbacktothewall,Abbyreachesoververy,verycarefully.
.
.
grabsthecord,gentlylowerstheblinds.
.
.
HOLDonherasshesitsthere.
.
.
catchesherbreath.
.
.
CUTTO:THEWORDS:"IMUSTBEGONEANDLIVE,ORSTAYANDDIE.
.
.
"WRITTENonasmallSCRAPOFPAPERlyingonthepagesofanOPENBOOKonOwen'sDESK.
Belowthewords,aHEARThasbeendrawn.
LIGHTSUDDENLYSPILLSacrossthepaperasweHEARthesoundofmetalBLINDSBEINGYANKEDOPEN.
AHANDentersFRAME,picksthepaperup--It'sOWEN,havingjustgottenup;hereadsthenote,sleepy.
Heturnsthescrapover--it'safullyrippedopenpackageofNowandLatercandies.
Heliftstheopenbookthescrapwaslyingon,looksatthecover--it's"RomeoandJuliet".
Owenlooksbackatthescrap--SEESbelowtheheartiswritten,"OWEN+ABBY".
Owensmiles.
EXT.
OWEN'SWINDOW-MORNINGThewindowopens,andoutpopsOwen'shead--helooksaroundatthegreatdropbelow,tothenarrowwindowsills,coveredwithundisturbed,virginsnow.
.
.
Howdidshegetupherelastnight.
.
.
It'simpossible.
.
.
INT.
SCHOOLBUS-DAYOwensitsamongarowdyCROWDofMIDDLESCHOOLSTUDENTS,silentlyreadinghiscopyof"RomeoandJuliet"--hisbrowisfurrowed,thebookishardtounderstand.
.
.
58.
Thecrowdstartstogetevenmoreexcited,lookingoutthewindow--Owenstopsreading,looksoutthewindowtoseeTHEFROZENLAKE,asthebusapproaches.
.
.
It'saschoolfieldtrip.
.
.
Alongthedistanthorizon,aPASSENGERTRAINspeeds.
.
.
EXT.
BUS-MOMENTSLATERTheStudentsfileoffthebus,carryingICESKATES;somehaveHOCKEYSTICKSandHELMETS.
.
.
Mr.
ZoricandaFEWOTHERTEACHERSsupervise,directingthestudenttraffic--MR.
ZORICIfyouplayhockey,youplaythisside!
Freeskate,thisside!
Everyonecarefulforholesinice!
Stay!
Away!
Fromholes!
Webewatching!
Soyouplaysafe!
AsOwenstartstoputonhisskateswiththeothers,Kenny,Donald,andMarkstepupbehindhim--KennyputshishandonOwen'sshoulder,leansin,speakingtohimquietly,smiling:KENNYIhopeyoubeenlearninghowtoswim.
.
.
Coztodayyou'regoin'in.
.
.
Andthethreebulliesheadouttotheice.
Owenwatchesthemgo,withagrowingsenseoftrepidation.
.
.
andanger.
.
.
CUTTO:ASMALL,FROZENAQUEDUCTPIPEalongtheshore.
ItlookslikethepipewesawthenighttheBaldingMandumpedthebodyoftheweight-lifterintothewater--onlynowtheentireSHORELINEISFROZENSOLID.
Owen'sfeettrudgebythepipeinskates.
.
.
Heisscouringtheareaforsomething.
.
.
AGROUPOFGIRLSskateintothearea,laughing,tryingouttheirbest(andnotparticularlyimpressive)figureskatingmoves--oneofthemisthegirlKennyaccostedinthepool.
Ignoringthem,Owenkeepssearching;hespotssomething,digsitoutofthesnow.
.
.
It'saLONGSTICK--itcouldbethesamesticktheBaldingManusedtosubmergethebodyundertheice,thoughthere'snowaytobesure.
.
.
OwenBANGSthestickagainsthispalm,testingitsstrength.
.
.
CUTTO:59.
EXT.
MIDDLEOFTHELAKE-MOMENTSLATERKenny,Donald,andMarkmaketheirwayacrosstheice.
.
.
FinallycominguponOwen,whostandsabouttwentyfeetinfrontofaHOLEINTHEICE,holdingthelongstick.
Hestaresatthem.
Kennysmiles.
KENNYIsshereadyforaswim.
.
.
Owensaysnothing,justsetshisjaw;butitisclearheisveryafraid.
.
.
Hegripsthestickharder,raisesitslightly,bracinghimselffortrouble.
.
.
Kennynotices:KENNYWhattayathinkyou'regonnadowiththat.
.
.
OWEN(tryingtobebrave)I'mgonna.
.
.
hityouwithit.
.
.
Ifyoutryanything.
.
.
Kennylooksathisfriends,smilesmockingly:KENNYReally.
.
.
Wow.
.
.
NEARTHEEDGEOFTHELAKEAshetriestoorganizeahockeygame,Mr.
ZoricsuddenlyseesOwensurroundedbytheboysneartheholeintheice.
.
.
Hewatchesthemwithgrowingconcern.
.
.
BACKINTHEMIDDLEOFTHELAKEKenny'ssmilefadesashestaresOwendown.
.
.
KENNYYouknowwhatIthink.
.
.
Owenremainssilent.
.
.
KENNYIdon'tthinkyou'regonnadoafuckingthing.
.
.
Ithinkyou'rejustgonnastandthere,likethelittlegirlyouare.
.
.
AndI'mgonnagrabthatstick.
.
.
andramitrightupyourass.
.
.
Andthen.
.
.
(beat,hardens)You'regoin'swimming.
60.
Donaldseessomething,isgrowinguncomfortablewithallthis;saysquietlytoKenny:DONALDDude--Zoricisovertherecheckingusout--letitgo.
.
.
We'llbeathislittleasslater.
.
.
ButKennyisn'tgoingtobetheonetoblink.
.
.
hejustkeepsstaring.
.
.
Owenistrembling.
.
.
KENNYGimmethestick.
.
.
Owendoesn'tdaremove.
Kenny,sensingweakness,suddenlylungesforward,andOwen,panicked,SHUTSHISEYES,andSWINGSTHESTICKwithALLHISMIGHT!
ITCONNECTSsquarelywiththesideofKenny'shead,andKennyDROPS,stunned--!
MARKHolyshit!
Areyoufuckingcrazy!
Owenopenshiseyes,shockedtoseeKenny,crumpledontheice,grippinghisearinexcruciatingpain--BLOODGUSHES!
KennystartstoSCREAM--!
MR.
ZORICturns,hearingKenny'sagonizedscreams--oneoftheotherTeachersimmediatelyheadstowardthemiddleofthelaketoinvestigate--Zoricisabouttogotoo--whenheHEARSMORESCREAMSfromtheotherdirection--!
HeturnstoseetheGROUPofGIRLSattheshoreline,bytheaqueduct--thegirlKennyaccostedinthepoolisSCREAMINGandCRYING,horrified--Zoricstartsintheirdirection.
.
.
!
INTHEMIDDLEOFTHELAKETheTeacherrushestoKenny'said,shockedbytheamountofblood--Owenwatches,absolutelyterrifiedatwhathehasdone--!
Hestandsthere,frozen.
.
.
dropsthestick.
.
.
MEANWHILE,ATTHESHORELINEWewatchinWIDESHOTasZoricarrives--thegirlsarehuddledtogether,comfortingeachother;oneofthempointstosomethingbytheedgeofthelake--Zoriclooks,andtheblooddrainsfromhisface.
.
.
Herecovers,startstopullthegirlsaway--then,heturnsback,staring,aghast.
.
.
CUTTO:61.
JACK,THEWEIGHT-LIFTER'SBODYHALF-SUBMERGEDunderwater,andHALF-FROZENintotheice.
ACHAINSAWCARVESaroundhim.
.
.
CUTTO:EXT.
LAKE-WIDESHOT-LATERPOLICECARS.
FIRETRUCKS.
ACROWDhasgathered,watchingalongwiththeStudentsasaCRANEliftsanENORMOUS,SOLIDBLOCKofICECONTAININGJACK'SBODYintotheair.
.
.
WeZOOMSLOWLYinonMR.
ZORICinthedistanceasheanimatedlydescribeswhathappenedtoaMANINASUIT,whohashisbacktous,takingnotes.
.
.
APAIROFCOPSneedtosqueezeby,andZoricstepsaside,stilltalking--asheandthePOLICEOFFICERrotate,switchingplaces,weSEEZorichasbeentalkingtotheSMALLTOWNPOLICEMANfromtheopeningofthefilm;weCONTINUINGZOOMINGSLOWLYin,untilhisHAUNTED,andCONCERNEDfacefillsframe.
.
.
CUTTO:INT.
PRINCIPAL'SOFFICE-LATEAFTERNOONONOWEN,profile,hisheadhunglow.
HismothersitsoutoffocusintheF.
G.
PRINCIPAL(O.
S.
)GivemeonereasonIshouldn'tsuspendyou,Owen.
.
.
(beat)CanyouthinkofoneOwenkeepshisheadlowered,miserable.
PRINCIPAL(O.
S.
)Look,IknowaboutKennyandhisfriends,believeme--I'vehadtodealwiththemmanytimes--butwherewouldyouevergettheideathatthisisthewaytohandlethingsThisinnot.
Theway.
Tohandlethings.
Don'tyouknowwhatcould'vehappened.
.
.
(then)Youseemlikeasmartkid.
Ijustdon'twanttoseeyougoingdownthewrongpath.
.
.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)(verysoftly,distraught)He'sagoodboy.
.
.
hereallyis.
.
.
62.
INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-NIGHTOwentakesoffhisjacket;hismomisalreadyONTHEPHONE:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Hello.
.
.
IsGeorgethere.
.
.
Excuseme.
.
.
Thisishiswife--who'sthis.
.
.
TheDOORBELLRINGS.
Owenlooksathismom,whoisangrilyimmersed;hetrudgesforthedoor,ashecontinuestohear:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Well,hello,Cindy.
.
.
CouldyoupleasetellGeorgethatIcalled,andthatIneedtotalktohim.
.
.
Aboutourson.
.
.
It'surgent.
Yes--ifheevengivesashit.
.
.
Owenopensthedoor--it'stheSMALLTOWNPOLICEMAN:POLICEMAN(gravetone)Hithere.
.
.
YourmomordadhomeOwenlooksathim,suddenlyworried--doesthishavesomethingtodowithKenny.
.
.
OWENUm.
.
.
yeah.
.
.
(then)Mom.
.
.
!
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)(stillonthephone)Thankyou,Cindy.
.
.
Goodbye.
.
.
(hangsup,then,annoyed)What.
.
.
!
HerFIGUREentersthehallway--sheslows,seeingthePoliceman.
Hertoneimmediatelychanges,quiets:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
).
.
.
Oh.
.
.
What'sthisabout.
.
.
POLICEMANI'mafraidthere'sbeenanincidentwithoneofyourneighborshereinthecomplex.
.
.
Sowe'rejustgoingaround,talkingtopeople.
.
.
seeifanyoneknowsanything.
.
.
OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
).
.
.
Whatkindofincident.
.
.
63.
ThePolicemanglancesatOwen--thismaynotbeappropriateforhisyoungears;Owen'smotherimmediatelypicksuponit:OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)(firm)Owen--whydon'tyougotoyourroom.
.
.
Owenhesitates,disappointed.
ThePolicemansmilesapologetically,andOwenheadsoff--hestealsafinallookatthemfromdownthehall--OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Wouldyouliketocomein,Officer.
.
.
AsthePolicemanenters.
.
.
CUTTO:INT.
OWEN'SROOM-NIGHTDejected,Owenenters,shutsthedoor.
.
.
setsdownhisbackpackbyhisdeskwhenheseesaFLASHfromoutsidehiswindow.
HeHEARSVOICES.
Helooksout--ACROSSTHECOURTYARDThere'sACTIVITYinsideJACK'SAPARTMENT.
OwenlooksTHROUGHHISTELESCOPE:it'sSEVERALPOLICEMANinLATEXGLOVES.
.
.
TAKINGFLASHPICTURES.
.
.
SEARCHINGFOREVIDENCE.
.
.
Owenwatchesforamoment,transfixed.
.
.
whenheHEARSBARKINGacrossthecourtyard:heswingshisTELESCOPEovertoFINDVIRGINIA,outonherbalcony,alsosilentlycraningtotrytospyalookatwhat'sgoingoninJack'sapartment--hertinylapdogiscradledinherarms--Sheturns,suddenly,SEEINGOWENSTARINGATHERTHROUGHTHETELESCOPE--sheglares,goesbackinside,yanksthedrapesshut.
Owensighs.
Thenheturns,LOOKSATHISWALL.
.
.
INT.
ABBY'SROOM-NIGHTLookingill,AbbyliesonhermattresswhenshestartstohearquietKNOCKINGonthewall.
.
.
MorseCode.
.
.
Itmakeshersmilesadly.
ShelooksoveratthewallwhereshehastapedOwen'scheatsheet,startstodecodehistapping.
.
.
Sheraisesherhand,abouttoknockbackwhenshehearsMOREKNOCKING--FROMTHEFRONTDOOR.
Abby,turns,frightened.
.
.
INT.
ABBY'SAPARTMENT-HALLWAY-NIGHTAbbycreepstowardthefrontdoor,oneggshells,tryingnottomakeasound.
.
.
MOREKNOCKINGonthedoor.
.
.
64.
Shereachesthedoor,stepsuponhertip-toestolook--THROUGHTHEPEEPHOLETheSMALLTOWNPOLICEMANstandsoutsidethedoor,waiting.
.
.
Abbybacksawayfromthedoor.
.
.
staresatitforaLONGBEAT,notknowingwhattodo.
.
.
Finally,shehearsFOOTSTEPS,asthePolicemanstartstowalkaway.
.
.
hearshimKNOCKINGFAINTLYonsomeotherdoor.
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SROOM-NIGHTOwenliesonhisbed,nexttothewallwaitingforresponsefromAbby.
Hegivesup,disappointed.
Turnsoffthelight.
INT.
OWEN'SMIDDLESCHOOL-WEIGHTROOM-LATEAFTERNOONCLOSEONOwenonthebenchpress--hepusheshard,huffingandpuffingwiththebarbell;there'sanewfireinhislittlebody.
.
.
INT.
INDOORMIDDLESCHOOLPOOL-LATEAFTERNOONOwentrainsinthepool,holdingtheedge,kickinghislegs.
VOICEHeyOwen.
.
.
OwenlooksuptoseeMark,thesmallestofthebulliesstandingthereinhisbathingsuit--hehasabitofasmileonhisface,he'shardtoread:MARKLook'slikeyouwentforaswimafterall,huh.
.
.
Owenglaresathim,wonderingifthisisgoingtobetrouble;butseeingOwen'sexpression,Markimmediatelybacksoff:MARKI'mjustkidding.
.
.
Andhemovesoff,sheepish,totheothersideofthepool,jumpsin.
Owenwatches,surprised:isheafraidofOwennowEXT.
MIDDLESCHOOLPOOLBUILDING-TWILIGHTOwenemergesfromthebuildingwhenheoverhearsVOICES--hesuddenlybacksaway,frightened,hidesbehindacolumn--65.
OWEN'SPOV:DONALDandKENNY,aHUGEBANDAGEonhisear,havejustgreetedMARK,who'sjustcomeoutofthebuilding;asOwenwatches,anOLDER,TALLERKID(KENNY'SBROTHER)suddenlyrunsupbehindKenny,andplayfully--thoughbrutally--wrestleswithhishead--DonaldandMarklaugh--Owen'sintrigued:KENNY'SBROTHERHow'sthecripple.
.
.
!
Kenny,themuchweakerofthetwo,wrestleshisbigbrotheroff,pissed,protectinghisear:KENNYJesusChrist,dude--lookout.
.
.
!
KENNY'SBROTHER(laughing)Man,thatkidwailedonyourass--(yellsinhisbadear)Canyoustillhearme,bro--!
KENNYStop.
.
.
!
HeSOCKShisolderbrotherhardinthearm;butKenny'sbrotheronlyseemstoenjoyit,thisishisideaofhumor.
Finally,heeasesup,smiles:KENNY'SBROTHERYougoinghomeKENNYNo,we'regoingovertoMark's.
.
.
KENNY'SBROTHERWellcanIborrowyourkeys.
.
.
Iforgotmine.
.
.
Pleeeeeease.
.
.
Kennysoftens,givingin--pullsouthiskeys,handsthemover;hisolderbrothermussesKenny'shair:KENNY'SBROTHERThanks.
.
.
Seeyouathome,littlegirl.
.
.
Kennypusheshimoff,instantlymadagain.
Kenny'sbrotherheadsoff.
Kennyturns,seesDonaldandMarkgrinning:KENNYShutup.
.
.
66.
DONALD(tryingtostopsmiling)Wedidn'tsayanything.
.
.
KENNYShutup.
.
.
Astheyheadoff,Kennyglowering,histwofriendstryingtohidetheirpleasure,OWENSMILES.
.
.
sohappytoseethetablesturnedonhisnemesis.
.
.
OVERTHISWEHEAR:OWEN(V.
O.
)(quietlyexcited)Abby.
.
.
Ididit.
.
.
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-JUNGLEGYM-NIGHTOwenandAbbyonthejunglegym.
Abbyturnstohim:ABBYYoudidwhat.
.
.
OWENTheyweregonnapushmeinahole.
Intheice.
SoIgotabigstickandIhitKennyreallyhardinthehead.
Hehadtogotothehospital--Iwasalmostsuspended.
ButIdidit.
Whatyousaid.
Istooduptothem.
Abbylooksathim,surprised.
.
.
takingthatin.
.
.
ABBY.
.
.
Owen.
OWEN.
.
.
YeahAbbyslowlyleansin,kisseshimgentlyonthecheek.
Shepullsback,smilesathim,proud.
Owenbeams,embarrassed.
Beat.
Anideastrikes;heasksquietly:OWENHey.
.
.
Youwannagosomewhere.
.
.
ABBY(quiet,intrigued)Where.
.
.
Hehopsdown,reachesoutahandtoher,mysteriously;shelooksathim,thentakesit,easingoffthejunglegym--CLOSEONHERBAREFOOTasittouchesthesnow.
.
.
andCUTTO:67.
DARKNESSFOOTSTEPSECHO.
.
.
AFLASHLIGHTsweepsthroughFRAME,illuminatingHAND-INKEDWORDSONANOLD,DUSTYDOOR:"KEEPOUT",and"ENTERUPONPENALTYOFDEATH".
OwenentersFRAME,pushesashoulderhardintothedoor,itopensREVEALING:INT.
APARTMENTCOMPLEX-BASEMENTSTORAGEROOM-NIGHTAdim,dingy,concretespace,butasecretworldallitsown,furnishedwithmismatcheditemssalvagedfromthetrash:aSUNKENARMCHAIR,anOLDCOUCH,aTHREADBAREPIECEOFCARPET.
.
.
BEERandLIQUORBOTTLESlitterthefloor.
TherearePILESofDOG-EAREDGIRLYMAGAZINES.
AtthecenterofitallisaBATTLE-SCARREDPINGPONGTABLE,aholepunchedthroughoneside.
Abbytakesitallin,walkingaroundwithachildlikegrin.
OWENTherewasthiskidwhousedtoliveinthebuilding.
Tommy.
Heusedtohangoutdownherewithsomeofthehighschoolkids,and.
.
.
theywoulddrinkandsmoke.
Anyway,sometimeswhentheolderkidsweren'taround,he'dplaypingpongwithme.
Hewasprettynice,but.
.
.
thenhemovedaway.
(beat,lookingaround)Ikindalikeitdownhere.
.
.
ABBYIt'scool.
.
.
OWENIdon'tthinkanyoftheadultsevenknowaboutit.
.
.
Abbyfindsonoldcassetteplayer,pressesplay:"TheGunsOfBrixton"byTHECLASHbegins,asAbbycontinueshertour.
.
.
ABBYSo.
.
.
whatdidyouwanttododownhere.
.
.
Beat.
Owensmiles,watchingher.
.
.
OWENIhaveanidea.
.
.
closeyoureyes.
.
.
Abbystops,looksathim.
Shesmiles.
Closesthem.
68.
OwenquietlytakeshisPENKNIFEoutofhispocket.
HeglancesatAbby,thenopensit,presseshisthumbcarefullyagainsttheSHARPTIP.
.
.
Heswallows,bracinghimself.
.
.
Thenpresseshard,suddenly,againsttheblade,SLICINGOPENHISTHUMB--heGRIMACESsilentlyinpain,asitstartstoBLEED.
.
.
ALOT.
.
.
Hesmiles:OWENOkay.
.
.
let's.
.
.
makeapact.
.
.
Abbyopenshereyes.
OwenholdsouthisBLOODYHAND:OWEN.
.
.
youandme.
.
.
SeeingtheBLOOD,AbbyimmediatelyFREEZESinHORRORandDREAD.
.
.
HerPUPILSWIDEN,likeananimalabouttopounce--Oblivious,Owenstepstowardher,handdripping--heofferstheknife,tryingtoallayanyfears--OWENIt'sokay--itonlyhurtsforasecond,it'snobigdeal.
.
.
Abbybacksaway,herstomachGROWLING--sheholdsherselfrigid,FIGHTINGVICIOUS,HUNGRYURGES.
.
.
whensuddenly,sheSEESOWEN'SBLOODPUDDLINGonthefloor;HEREYESFIXONIT--HOLDforalong,suspendedbeat,assheSTARES,MESMERIZED.
.
.
LOSINGHERSELFTOINSTINCT.
.
.
Owenstilldoesn'tgetit,AS--ALLATONCE,AbbyDROPStotheground,HOVERINGFEVERISHLYoverthePUDDLEonallfours!
SheSNARLSRAVENOUSLY--OWENwatchesinshock,asABBYSTICKSANEERILYLONGTONGUEOUTofhermouth,beginsLICKINGTHEBLOODofftheconcrete!
OWEN(breathstolen).
.
.
Abby.
.
.
AbbysuddenlyLOOKSUP--herFACE,smearedwithdirtfromthefloor,isTRANSFORMED!
ShehasDEMONICEYES,herEXPRESSIONISTORTURED,SAVAGE--shedoesn'tevenlooklikeachildanymore.
.
.
!
QUIVERINGPRIMALLY,sheHISSES,archingherback,ontheVERGEOFATTACK:ABBYGoaway.
.
.
!
ButOwencan'tmove.
.
.
heisterrified.
.
.
hiseyesstarttowellwithtears.
.
.
AbbyGLARESFURIOUSLY,POSSESSED:69.
ABBYGO.
.
.
!
!
!
Buthecan't!
Then--knowingifsheweretostayevenaninstantlonger,itwouldbeover--sheturnssuddenly,makingabreak--andRUNSWILDLYforthedoor--!
Oweniscompletelystunned--!
INT.
BASEMENTCORRIDOR-IMMEDIATELYFOLLOWINGABBY--assheSPRINTSMADLY,PANTING,GRUNTINGlikeawild,panickedbeast!
HERBAREFEETSLAPconcrete,pickingupspeed--WESTAYWITHHERASSHEGOES--UPMETALSTAIRS--BOUNDINGFORTHEEXITDOORS--!
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-HIGHANGLE-NIGHTAbbyburstsintothecourtyardandheadsSTRAIGHTFORATREE.
.
.
likeaferalcat,shelaunchesrightupthetrunk,CLIMBINGSWIFTLY,EERILY--hernailsSCRATCHING,CLAWINGatthebarkasshegoes.
.
.
ATTHETOPOFTHETREEWeFINDher,settlinginthebranches,RABID,herSENSESHEIGHTENED,aHUNGERUNLEASHED,NEEDINGTOBESATED.
.
.
Shepeersaroundthecourtyardbelow--herpupilssowide,herEYESARESOLIDBLACK.
.
.
Suddenly,sheHEARSasmalldog'sBARKING--TURNS--BELOWVIRGINIAisenteringthecourtyard,walkinghertinydog.
She'smovingfast,angry,likemaybeshe'sjusthadafight--fiftyfeetbehind,LARRYfollows,tryingtocatchup;hecallsafterher:LARRY(outofbreath)Goddammit--Virginia.
.
.
!
Butshekeepsgoing,towardsherbuilding--anddirectlyintothepathof--ABBY--whoABRUPTLYLEAPSDOWN,KNOCKINGVIRGINIA,FACEDOWN,INTOTHESNOW!
VIRGINIASCREAMS,THRASHINGWILDLYasABBYSINKSHERTEETHINTOHERNECK,TEARINGFLESH--BLOODSPURTSoutintothesnowasAbbybeginsRUTHLESSLYFEEDING,SLURPING.
.
.
!
Besidethem,thelittlelapdoggrowlsandbarksprimevally--70.
Hearingthescreams,LarrybeginstoRUN!
Hecomesuponthesceneinutterpanicandshock,freakingout--heLUNGESsuddenlyatABBY,KICKINGherFIERCELY--andABBYisKNOCKEDFREE,TUMBLINGintothesnow--!
Abbyliftsherhead,stunned--herMOUTHOOZESBLOOD,PIECESOFFLESHSTILLINHERTEETH.
.
.
LarryseestheBLOODpouringfromVirginia'sshreddedneck--hestartsforAbbyinablindrage--LARRYWhattheFUCK--!
Butbeforehecanreachher,Abby,terrified,snappingbacktoreality,TAKESOFF!
LarrySCRAMBLESafterher,SKIDDINGaroundinthesnow,butAbby'sagilityandspeedwayaretoomuchforhim--and,inaninstant,she'sgone!
JUSTTHEN,OWENemergesintothecourtyard,dazedasCOMMOTIONbuildsaroundhim--LarryRANTSdesperately,totallyoutofbreathasRESIDENTSAPPEARontheirbalconiestoseewhat'sthematter:LARRY(crying,hysterical)Somebodycall9-1-1.
.
.
!
!
!
SOMEBODYCALL9-1-1.
.
.
!
!
!
Herushestohisgirlfriend'sside,asBLOODSTILLGUSHESFREELYfromherneck--he'sinacompletefrenzy--CLOSEONOWEN,asLARRYSCREAMSECHOthroughthecourtyard:LARRY(O.
S.
)(agonizeddisbelief)JesusChrist--shebither.
.
.
!
!
!
SHEFUCKINGBITHER.
.
.
!
!
!
HOLD,asDREADsetsinOwen'seyes.
.
.
Then,TIMECUTTO:HIGHANGLE-OVERCOURTYARD-LATERREDFLASHINGLIGHTS.
ACROWDOFNEIGHBORSwatch,asPARAMEDICSloadVirginiaintoanAMBULANCE,LARRYatherside.
.
.
CUTTOREVEAL--THISISTHEPOVFROMOWEN'SWINDOW.
Owenstandstherewatching,visiblyshaken;helooksdown,squeezinghisthumb,finishessealingaBAND-AIDaroundit.
Hestaresatit.
.
.
Thenlooksupslowly,acrosstheway.
.
.
atLarryandVirginia'sEMPTYAPARTMENT.
.
.
atJACK'S.
.
.
CUTTO:71.
LIGHTSPILLINGACROSSOWEN'SMOTHER'SBODYassheliesinbedinherBLUENIGHTGOWN,PASSEDOUT,FACEBURIEDinthepillow,herHAIRSPLAYEDchaotically.
.
.
weARE:INT.
OWEN'SMOM'SBEDROOM-NIGHTOWENstands,backlitinthedoorway,havingjustopenedthedoor;hestaresinathismotherinthedarkroom.
.
.
BEAT.
OWEN(quiet,vulnerable).
.
.
Mom.
.
.
Butshedoesn'tstir.
.
.
OwenlooksoverattheEMPTYWINEBOTTLEandGLASSonthenightstand,realizesshe'sgoingtobeoutforquitesometime.
.
.
HOLDONOWEN'SSTARINGEYES,bathedinshadow;theylookfrightened,helpless.
.
.
westarttohearaFILTEREDPHONERING.
.
.
Finally,aWOMAN'SVOICEANSWERS;shesoundsSLEEPY:WOMAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER).
.
.
Hello.
.
.
CUTTO:INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-KITCHEN-NIGHTOwensitsonthefloorclutchingthephone,hisarmshugginghiskneestohischest,hisbackagainstthecabinets.
.
.
Helooksscared,onthevergeofbreakingdown.
.
.
(NOTE:theentireconversationisEXTREMELYINTIMATE,QUIET,INTENSE.
.
.
)OWENHi.
.
.
Ismydadthere.
.
.
WehearQUIET,INDISTINGUISHABLEVOICES,then,aMANgetson:MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)Hello.
.
.
OWENDad.
.
.
CanItalktoyou.
.
.
Foraminute.
.
.
MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER).
.
.
Sure,pal.
.
.
Whatisit.
.
.
What'swrong.
.
.
Owencan'tspeak.
.
.
startstocry.
.
.
OWENIdunno.
.
.
72.
MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)What.
.
.
OWEN.
.
.
Doyouthink.
.
.
Isthere.
.
.
Istheresuchathing.
.
.
AsevilMAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER).
.
.
What.
.
.
OWEN.
.
.
Can.
.
.
peoplebeevilIsthattrueIsthatreal.
.
.
SILENCE.
.
.
Then:MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)Whatareyoutalkingabout,pal.
.
.
Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout.
.
.
(longbeat)Did.
.
.
somethinghappen.
.
.
Owendoesn'tknowwhattosay.
.
.
Hisfathergrowsanxious:MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)Whereareyougettingthis.
.
.
Fromyourmother.
.
.
Allher.
.
.
religiouscrap.
.
.
OWENNo.
.
.
MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)JesusChrist--don'tlistentothatshit,okay.
.
.
OWEN(heartsinking)No--that'snot--Buthisfatherisn'tlistening,somepastconflictalreadytriggered--MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)--Goddammit.
.
.
!
Awayfromthephone,wecanjustBARELYHEARtheWoman--WOMAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)What'swrong--73.
MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)(totheWoman)She'sfillinghisheadwithallthiscrap.
.
.
!
(then,backintophone)YouknowwhatOwen,listen--putyourmotheronthephone,okayIwannatalktoher.
.
.
OWENUm,she's.
.
.
she'snothere.
.
.
MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)Wellpleasehavehercallmewhenshegetsback,alright.
.
.
(beat)Okay.
.
.
Owenmakesonelastdesperateattempt:OWENDad.
.
.
MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)(cuttinghimoff)Owen,Iwantyoutogetthatcrapoutofyourhead,okayYoumotherjust.
.
.
shehasproblems.
.
.
andI'mgonnatalktoher.
SoIdon'twanttohearanymoreaboutthis,alrightOweniscrushed.
.
.
OWEN.
.
.
Yeah.
.
.
MAN'SVOICE(PHONEFILTER)(softensagain)Okay.
Good.
Youhaveagoodnight,pal.
Iloveyou.
AndI'msorryaboutthelastcouplemonths,butI'llseeyourealsoon,okayIpromise.
Maybenextweekend.
.
.
OWEN(worldcavingin)Okay.
.
.
Iloveyoutoo.
.
.
Hangsup.
LeavingOwenbackwherehewas.
Completelyalone.
CUTTO:74.
ABBY'SNOTE:"IMUSTBEGONEANDLIVE,ORSTAYANDDIE.
.
.
"Owenstaresatit,curleduponhisbed.
HelooksattheHEART,"OWEN+ABBY"beneathit.
.
.
Finally,hesteelshimself,andraiseshishandtothewall.
.
.
Hehesitates,then.
.
.
KNOCKSforcefully.
Hewaits,heartracing.
.
.
Nothing.
Heturnsaway,mayberelieved.
.
.
until.
.
.
aKNOCKcomesfromtheotherside.
Owenturnsbacktothewall.
.
.
INT.
ABBY'SAPARTMENT-FRONTDOOR-NIGHTAbbyopensthedoorslowly,lookinghealthierthanshehasbeen.
SeesOwenwaitingthereinhisjacket.
Theairischarged.
Theystareateachother.
Finally,Owensays:OWENCanIcomein.
.
.
Shesmiles,abitwary,nods.
Heisabouttoenter;then:OWEN.
.
.
Youhavetosayit.
.
.
Shelooksathim,surprisedbyhistone;hersmilefades.
.
.
ABBY.
.
.
Youcan.
.
.
comein.
.
.
Hedoes.
.
.
shefollows,self-conscious,ashewalksdownthehallcautiously,seeingherplaceforthefirsttime.
.
.
It'sdesolate,almostnofurniture,belongingsinpiles.
Spartan.
Owentakesitinsilently;thenhejuststopswhereheis,handsinhisjacketpockets,notlookingather.
.
.
OWEN(quietly)Areyouavampire.
.
.
Sheglancesdownatherbarefeet.
.
.
ABBYI.
.
.
needblood.
Tolive.
Yes.
Helooksather.
.
.
OWENAreyou.
.
.
dead.
.
.
ABBYNo.
(then)Can'tyoutell.
.
.
75.
OWENBut.
.
.
howoldareyouReally.
ABBYI'mtwelve.
.
.
(then,stilltryingtounderstanditherself)But.
.
.
Ibeentwelveforaverylongtime.
.
.
Owenglancesaround,wary.
.
.
OWENWhere'syourdad.
.
.
ABBY(beat,guilty).
.
.
Hewasn't.
.
.
mydad.
.
.
Owenlooksather,nods.
Owentakeastepintothediningroom.
OnanoldtableisacollectionofSTRANGE,WORNOUTTOYSfrommanydifferenteras,someofthemlookingalmostlikeANCIENTGAMESorPUZZLES.
.
.
Owenlooksatthem.
.
.
OWENWhatareallthese.
.
.
ABBY(smilessadly,shrugs).
.
.
Ilikepuzzles.
.
.
HestepsovertoaseriesofOPENBOXESagainstthewall;inside,sortedintogroupsareWATCHES,WALLETS,CLOTHING.
.
.
OWENWhataboutthisstuff.
.
.
ABBYThey'rejustthings.
.
.
(beat)Youcantakewhateveryouwant.
.
.
OwenseesRUMPLEDCASHinoneoftheboxes.
There'salot.
Ahorriblethoughtoccurs:OWENThesearethingsfromthepeopleyoukill,aren'ttheyYoukillthem,andthenstealfromthem,right.
.
.
Shedoesn'trespondimmediately--itspookshim--hestartsforthedoor,angry--76.
OWENI'mwannagohomenow.
.
.
ButsheBLOCKSHISWAY,sad,doesn'twanthimtoleave.
.
.
OWENIwannago.
.
.
Areyougonnaletme.
.
.
(then,withanedge)Whatareyougonnadotome.
.
.
Stung,shelooksupathim,thenbackdown;shestepsoutofhisway,whispering,heartbroken:ABBY.
.
.
Itoldyouwecouldn'tbefriends.
.
.
AndOwenheadsforthedoor.
Shelooksup,watcheshimgo.
.
.
AndasweHEARtheDOOROPENandSLAMSHUT,weCUTTO:THEHALLWAY-IMMEDIATELYWhereOwenstandsoutsideAbby'sfrontdoor,heart-racing,breathinghardthroughhisnose,tryingtocalmdown.
.
.
HOLD.
Then--CUTTO:EXT.
HOSPITAL-DAWNHOLDastheSUNcracksoverthehorizoninthedistance.
.
.
CUTTO:AMOVINGSHOT,DOWNAHOSPITALCORRIDOR-DAWNWeFOLLOWaPOLICEMANapproachingaHOSPITALROOMDOORWAY.
.
.
Ashewalks,weARCinfrontofhimtoseeit'stheSMALLTOWNPOLICEMAN;heslows,looksinto:THEHOSPITALROOMIt'sDARK,theDRAPESAREDRAWN.
VIRGINIASLEEPSinbed;she'sSTARTLINGLYPALE,ALMOSTBLUE.
.
.
Herneckisheavilybandaged,anIVtubetrailsfromherarm.
.
.
SlumpedbutawakeinachairbythebedisLARRY;helookslikehe'sbeenupallnight.
HeglancesupatthePoliceman,whoSPEAKSVERYQUIETLY,notwantingtodisturbVirginia.
.
.
77.
POLICEMANHi.
.
.
AreyouLarry.
.
.
Larrynods.
POLICEMANYoumindifItalktoyouforaminute.
.
.
Tiltshishead,indicatingthehall.
LARRY.
.
.
Sure.
Larrygetsup,EXITSFRAME--butweSTAYONVIRGINIA.
.
.
wePUSHSLOWLYINonher,sleeping,asweHEARthetwomen,justoutsidethedoor,speakinginHUSHEDTONES:POLICEMAN(O.
S.
)Sorrytobotheryou.
.
.
(then).
.
.
How's.
.
.
shedoing.
.
.
LARRY(O.
S.
)(grim,shaken)It'sbeen.
.
.
quiteanight.
.
.
Theyhadtogiveheralmostsixpintsofblood.
.
.
We'restillwaitingtoseeifherbodyrejectsit.
AsLarryspeaks,VIRGINIA'SEYESOPENwithaQUIETSTART,asifwakingfromanightmare--herPUPILSARESOLIDBLACK.
.
.
Shelooksaround,disoriented,seestheIVDRIP.
.
.
looksdownatthelineSTUCKINHERARM.
.
.
ASPOTOFHEROWNBLOODissoakedonthebandage;VIRGINIASTARESATIT,TRANSFIXED.
.
.
INTHEHALLWAYThePolicemannods,sympathetic--butthere'sasenseofquieturgencyashespeaks--POLICEMANWell,Iwon'tkeepyoutoolong.
Ijust,Ineedtoaskyouaboutthedescriptionyougave.
Ofthelittlegirl.
BEHINDHIM,OUTOFFOCUS,INTHEDOORWAY,wecanjustmakeoutsomeMOVEMENTintheshadowsinVIRGINIA'SBED.
.
.
78.
POLICEMAN(CONT'D)(referstohisnotebook)Yousaidshehaddarkhair,wasaroundtwelveyearsold,andwasn'twearingshoes.
.
.
LARRY.
.
.
That'sright.
ThePolicemanpullssomethingfromhisnotebook,showsLarry:POLICEMANHaveyoueverseenthismanHe'sasuspectinamurderinvestigation.
Larrylooksatit:it'saSKETCHOFTHEBALDINGMAN.
.
.
LARRYYeah.
.
.
Maybe.
.
.
Lookslikeaguyinourbuilding.
Movedinacouplemonthsago,Ithink.
POLICEMANDidhehaveadaughterLikethegirlyoudescribedLARRYIdon't.
.
.
Idon'tknow.
I'veonlyseenhimafewtimes.
.
.
AsthePolicemanlistens,theMOVEMENTintheroombehindhimcontinues,growsmoreactive.
.
.
AndnowthereareFAINTSOUNDSinthedarkness.
.
.
DRIPPINGsounds.
.
.
LARRY(CONT'D)(concerned)YouthinkthisisrelatedtothemurdercasePOLICEMANMaybe.
We'restartingtothinkthetwoofthemmayhavebeenpartofsomeSataniccult.
.
.
LARRY(aghast)What.
.
.
POLICEMANWefoundanotherbodyfewdaysago.
.
.
SameM.
O.
Thevictimwascompletelydrainedofblood.
.
.
79.
THEDAYNURSEappearssilentlybehindthePoliceman,pausesattheopendoor,checkingthepatientfile,abouttoenter,unawareoftheactivityinside.
.
.
POLICEMAN(CONT'D)Buttherewerebitemarksonthevictim'sneck.
Smallones.
Likeachild's.
LARRY(horrified)JesusChrist--whatisthatgirl--what'sgoingon.
.
.
OverthePoliceman'sshoulderWESEEtheDAYNURSEstepinside,disappearingintothedarkenedroom--INTHEROOMShemovestothewindow,OPENSTHEDRAPES;turnstoSEE--VIRGINIAHUNCHEDOVER,GNAWINGandSLURPINGoverherownarm,likearabidanimal--suddenly,feelingthelightspilloverherbody,sheTURNS--BLOODDRIPSFROMHERMOUTH--andfromaFRESHBITEWOUNDONHERARM--SHE'SBEENSUCKINGHEROWNBLOOD--!
Panicked,theDayNursesuddenlyREACHESOUTTOSTOPHER--DAYNURSEOhmyGod--whatareyou--!
BUTVIRGINIA'SSKINIMMEDIATELYBEGINSTOBLISTERANDSMOKEINTHEDAYLIGHT!
SHESCREAMSINAGONYand--justastheDayNurseGRABSHER--VIRGINIASUDDENLYERUPTSINTOFLAMES!
!
!
THEINFERNOQUICKLYENGULFSTHEMBOTH--WEHEARACHORUSOFTHEIRSHRIEKING.
.
.
!
IT'SAPUREVISIONOFHELL!
LARRYANDTHEPOLICEMANBURSTINfromthehall--theHEATissointense,theyareforcedtostopdeadintheirtracks.
.
.
!
Theystarehelplesslyatthesceneincompleteshockandhorror.
.
.
!
80.
INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-KITCHEN/DININGAREA-NIGHTTIGHTSHOTS:Reachingintotheoven,Owengasps,burninghimselftryingtograbatvdinner--hewaveshishandintheairtocoolit,reachesforapotholderinadrawer--ANOTEontherefrigeratorreads:"HISWEETIE,MEETINGWITHTHELAWYERTONIGHT.
BEHOMELATER.
THERE'SAPOTPIEINTHEFREEZER!
ILOVEYOU!
GODBLESS!
MOM.
"TheTVisonnearby--Owenisn'tevenpayingattention:TVNEWSCASTEROnepatientandanursediedearlythismorningwhenafivealarmfirebrokeoutonthetenthfloorofLittletonMemorialHospital.
Thecauseofthefireisstillunknown,butauthoritiesbelieveitmayhavebeenelectrical.
.
.
Owensits,getssettledwithhisdinnerjustas--ThereisaKNOCKatthedoor.
.
.
MORSECODE.
Owenstiffens.
.
.
CUTTO:THEFRONTDOORItopens,revealingAbby.
Shesmileshopefully:ABBY.
.
.
Hey.
OWEN(coolly).
.
.
Hey.
Theystandthereawkwardly,Abbywaitingtobeinvitedin.
.
.
Finally,Owenopensthedoorabitwiderforhertoenter.
.
.
Shesmilesuncomfortably.
.
.
ABBYYou.
.
.
havetoinvitemein.
.
.
It'syourhome.
.
.
Aquiettaunt:OWENWhatifIdon't.
.
.
(then)Whycan'tyoujustcomein.
.
.
81.
Shelooksathim,smilefading.
.
.
OWENIstheresomethingintheway.
.
.
Shestaresathimsorrowfully.
.
.
Finally,shemakesthedecision.
.
.
Steelsherself.
.
.
Enters.
.
.
Owenshutsthedoor,andturns,waitingskeptically.
.
.
Atfirst,nothinghappens.
Shejuststandsthere,rigid,eyesfiercelylockedonOwen's.
.
.
Butthen.
.
.
slowly.
.
.
somethingstartstohappen.
.
.
herbreathingbecomeslabored.
.
.
andthen,shestartstoBLEED.
.
.
fromherEYES.
.
.
herNOSE.
.
.
herMOUTH.
.
.
herPORES.
.
.
!
SheBEGINSTOSHAKE,GRIMACINGinUTTERTORMENTasBLOODDRENCHESherskin,herclothes--!
ITLOOKSLIKESHE'SDYING--!
Horrified,Owenimmediatelyregretswhathe'sdone--lungesforward,grabbinghershoulders--!
OWENNo!
Stop!
YoucancomeIN!
Abbysuddenlyrelaxeshermuscles,relieved.
Panicked,Owenlooksathertoseeifthebleedinghasstopped.
Ithas.
Heimmediatelyhugshertight.
Closeshiseyes.
.
.
Heholdsher;then,headonhershoulder,stillcatchinghisbreath,heANXIOUSLYUTTERStheunthinkable:OWENWhatifIdidn'tsayanything.
.
.
Wouldyouhavejustkeptbleeding.
.
.
ABBYIknewyouwouldn'tletme.
.
.
OWEN(openshiseyes,afraidofthethought).
.
.
But.
.
.
whatifIdid.
.
.
Abbyfinallycloseshereyes,whispersquietly,simply:ABBY.
.
.
Iknewyouwouldn't.
INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-LIVINGROOM-MOMENTSLATEROwensitsonthecouch,staringupatAbbywhostandsbeforehim,clothescoveredinblood.
Owenisstillreeling:82.
OWEN.
.
.
Whoareyou.
.
.
Beat.
Shelooksathim,adefiantlookinhereye.
.
.
ABBY.
.
.
I'mjustlikeyou.
OWENWhatdoyoumeanAbbystaresathim,herdemeanorchanging.
.
.
shestepsslowlyforward,hoveringmenacingly,brandishinganimaginaryknife:ABBYWhat'sthematterAreyouscaredAreyouscared,littlegirlHuhOWEN(suddenlyafraid).
.
.
Whatareyoudoing.
.
.
ABBYThosearethefirstwordsIeverheardyousay.
Outside.
Beat.
Owengrowsself-conscious.
OWENYeah,but.
.
.
Idon'tkillpeople.
.
.
ABBYButyou'dliketo,ifyoucould.
.
.
Togetbackatthem.
.
.
RightOWEN(quiet,grudging).
.
.
Yeah.
.
.
ABBYTogetrevenge--OWENBecausetheyhurtme,becauseI--ABBYBecauseyouwanttolive.
Justlikeme.
(then)IdoitbecauseIhaveto.
Tosurvive.
Shelooksathim,becomingserious,quietlypleading:83.
ABBYOwen.
.
.
Bemealittle.
.
.
ShemovesveryclosetoOwen,reachesout,toucheshisface--CLOSEONOWEN'SEYESASHESUDDENLYSEESQUICKFLASHESOFAVISION:WeHEAROwenandAbbyQUIETLYBREATHINGasweFLEETINGLYSEE--DEMONICEYESSTARINGatus--!
ATWISTEDMOUTHOPENS,BARINGITSTERRIBLEFANGS--!
ABBY(V.
O.
)(CONT'D)(whispers,emotional)Please.
.
.
Foralittlewhile.
.
.
ACHILD'SSHOULDERISRAVAGEDFIERCELYBYTHETEETH--!
THECHILD'SFEETKICKANDTHRASHINTERRORANDPAIN--!
ABBY(V.
O.
)(CONT'D)Beme.
.
.
SUDDENLY,WESEETHECHILD'SFACE--IT'SABBY--!
EYESRED,STREAMINGWITHTEARS,ALOOKOFUNSPEAKABLEPAIN--!
IT'STHEMOMENTSHEBECAMEAVAMPIRE--SOMANYYEARSAGO!
BUTASHERMOUTHOPENS,ABOUTTOSCREAM--IT'SOWEN'SSCREAMWEHEAR,ASIFHE'SSCREAMINGHERSCREAM,FEELINGHERPAIN.
.
.
!
REVEALOWEN--Backinthelivingroom.
Hiseyesredwithtears.
WECATCHAFLEETINGGLIMPSEOFABBY'SEYES,ANCIENT,TIRED--butbeforetheyfullyregister,theyareachild'sagain.
.
.
OwenandAbbystareateachother.
Silent.
Emotional.
Owenraiseshishand,unconsciouslyrubshisshoulder,inthesamespotwhereAbbywasbitteninthevision.
.
.
CUTTO:84.
ASHOWERHEADasSTREAMSbegintogentlyFLOW.
WeseeaCHILD'SFEET--ABBY'S--onwhiteporcelainasWATERSWIRLSaroundthem,WASHINGBLOODintothedrain.
.
.
CUTTO:OWENstillinthelivingroom,deepinthought,theexperiencehejusthadresonatinginhishead.
WecanHEARtheSHOWERRUNNINGinthebackground.
HOLD.
Then--CUTTO:ARECORDPLAYEROwen'shandsetsdowntheneedle.
.
.
TheRomantics'"WhatILikeAboutYou"startstoplay--LOUD--weare:INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-LIVINGROOM-MOMENTSLATEROwenputshishandsinhispockets,listenstothemusic,boppinghisheadsubtly,walkingaroundtheroom.
Heissettingamood,tryingtobenonchalant.
HespiesaquicklookdownthehalltoseeifAbby'soutoftheshoweryet.
Amomentlater,Abbyappears,wrappedinatowel,clutchingherbloodyclothes.
Sheslows,hearingthemusic.
GlancesatOwen.
Smilesappreciatively.
Bopsherheadalittletoo.
Owensidlesuptoher,handsstillinhispockets.
Hehastoyelloverthemusic--gesturestowardhismom'sbedroom--OWENYoucanborrowoneofmymom'solddressesifyouwant.
.
.
!
Abbylooksathim,nodsappreciatively,anddisappearsintothebedroom.
Owenwatcheshergo.
.
.
Afteramoment,Owenapproachesthebedroomdoorway,drawn--CLOSEONHIMashePEEKSin,curious--catchesaFLEETINGGLIMPSEofABBYdressing--momentarilytransfixed--but--Beforeshecancatchhim,heducksoutofthedoorwayagain--walksbackintothemiddleoftheroom.
.
.
85.
Abbyemergesinanold,outofdatedress,smiling.
Shespinsshyly,modelingitforOwen;thefirsttimewe'veseenherinadress,shelooksadorable.
Owensmiles,blushingatthesightofher--when--WeHEARtheFRONTDOORSLAMMING--OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Hello.
.
.
!
Panicked,OwengrabsAbby'swrist,herbloodyclothes,andtheyruninto--OWEN'SROOMAbbyrunsstraightforthewindow,opensitup--shegoesrightoutontheledge,withouthesitation--OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)Owen.
.
.
!
Whereareyou.
.
.
!
Alarmed,Owenturnstowardhisdoor--OWENI'minhere.
.
.
!
I'llberightthere.
.
.
!
Heturnsbacktothewindow--andAbbyisalreadygone.
Abitstunned,hestickshishead--OUTTHEWINDOWToseeAbby,impossibly,alreadystickingherheadoutherwindow,nextdoor.
Shesmilesathim.
Hesmilesback.
INT.
ABBY'SAPARTMENT-DININGROOM-NIGHTAbbysitsonthefloorinherdarkenedapartment,playingwithherpuzzles.
.
.
bored.
.
.
lonely.
.
.
Shestopsforamoment,staresabitlonginglyatthewallthatadjoinsOwen'sapartment.
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-LIVINGROOM-NIGHTOwenstandslookingathismotherwholies,outoffocus,passedoutonthecouch.
TheonlylightintheroomisthebluepulsingfromtheTVSCREEN.
Hestarestomakesurehismomiscompletelyasleepasheslowly,silentlypullsonhisjacket.
.
.
Finally,hetiptoespasther,OUTOFFRAME.
.
.
AsweHEARtheFRONTDOORQUIETLYOPENING,weCUTCLOSEONtheTELEVISION;it'salocalPUBLICSERVICEANNOUNCEMENT:86.
TVANNOUNCERIt'steno'clock.
Doyouknowwhereyourchildrenare.
.
.
WeheartheDOORCLICKSHUTasOwenleaves.
.
.
CUTTO:AMOVINGPOVSHOT-THROUGHACARWINDSHIELDSLOWLYAPPROACHINGOWENandABBY'SBUILDINGCOMPLEXintheearlymorning.
.
.
Thecarslowstoastop.
.
.
Windhowls.
.
.
CUTTO:ALONGROWOFMETALAPARTMENTMAILBOXESasweMOVEALONGthem,hearingFOOTSTEPS.
.
.
WeSTOPonONE:thereisnonamelabel,justtheoldgluefromnamespast.
.
.
ASHADOWfallsoverthemailboxastheFOOTSTEPSQUIET.
Wecanseeadistortedreflectioninthemetal,asaFIGUREstaresatthemailbox;butit'stoodistortedtorecognize.
.
.
CUTTO:APOVSHOT-MOVINGINTOTHECOURTYARD-EARLYMORNINGMoreFOOTSTEPS,snowcrunchingunderfootastheCAMERACREEPSforward,lookingupattheWINDOWSintheBUILDINGSABOVE.
.
.
TheCAMERAFINDSABBY'SWINDOW,BOARDEDUPwithCARDBOARD.
.
.
TheCAMERASTOPS.
.
.
SodotheFOOTSTEPS.
.
.
CUTAROUNDTO:THEREVERSEANGLE-POVLOOKINGDOWNFROMABBY'SWINDOWTHESMALLTOWNPOLICEMANstaresupatusforebodinglyashestandsinthecourtyard,besidetheemptyjunglegym.
.
.
INT.
ABBY'SAPARTMENT-DININGROOM-EARLYMORNINGLyinginthemiddleofthefloor,coveredinablanket,surroundedbypuzzles,Owenwakesup.
Stillfullydressed,helooksaround,disoriented.
Abbyisnotthere.
HespotsaNOTEonthetable:"Hi,Owen.
Goodmorning.
Iaminthebathroom.
Pleasedonotcomein.
WanttohangoutwithmeagaintonightIreallylikeyou.
Love,Abby.
"Suddenly,there'saLOUDKNOCKatthefrontdoor.
Owenturns.
Hegetsup,movesveryquietlyinto--87.
THEHALLWAYHeapproachesthedoor;carefullypresseshiseyeagainst--THEPEEPHOLEThePolicemanisrightoutside.
HeKNOCKSHARDagain.
OwenFREEZES,doesn'tknowwhattodo.
.
.
Hetakesastepbackward,andthefloorboardmakesalong,sustainedCREAKunderfoot.
.
.
!
OUTSIDEThePolicemanturns,hearingthecreak.
.
.
knowssomeoneisinside--heBANGSevenharderonthedoor--POLICEMANHello!
ThisisLittletonP.
D.
!
(bangsagain)HELLO!
OPENTHEDOOR!
OWENstandsthere,stiff,tryingnottomakeasound,WHEN--THEPOLICEMANsuddenlyDRAWSHISGUN,raiseshisfoot--andSLAMSHISHEELintothedoornearthelock--!
OWENJUMPSasthedoorSTARTSTOCRACK--!
Hespins,andRUNS--INTOTHEKITCHENFLATTENSHARDagainstthewall,HIDING,PANTING--JUSTAS--THEFRONTDOORSLAMSOPEN,andthePolicemanenters,grippinghisgun--POLICEMANPOLICEOFFICER!
!
!
Helooksaround,strainingtoseeintheDARKapartment--OWENremainsperfectlystillagainstthewallashehearsFOOTSTEPSCREEPINGCLOSER.
.
.
!
AndCLOSER.
.
.
!
88.
POLICEMAN(O.
S.
)HELLO.
.
.
!
ThePolicemanappearsinthedoorwaytothekitchen,RIGHTNEXTtowhereOwen'sbackispressed--wecanseethemboth,buttheycannotseeeachother.
.
.
!
Owenholdshisbreath,canfeelthePolicemanstandingnearby.
.
.
ThePolicemanGAZESin.
.
.
then.
.
.
moveson.
.
.
Owenlistensashepasses.
.
.
then,hegatherscourage,dartshisheadnearthedoorjamandPEEKS:INTOTHEDININGROOMwherethePolicemancontinueshissweep.
.
.
HespotsBOXESonthesideoftheroom,peersin,butit'stoodarktosee.
.
.
OwenwatcheswithjustoneeyepastthedoorframeasthePolicemantakesahandoffhisgun,andreachesuptothecardboardandblanketscoveringthewindow--heYANKSasmallsectionaway,LETTINGSOMELIGHTintotheroom.
.
.
ThePolicemanlooksbackintheboxes,seestheWALLETS,WATCHES,andCASH.
.
.
ThenheseesSOMETHINGBALLEDUPonthefloor,nudgesitintothelightwithhisfoot--it'sABBY'SBLOODDRENCHEDCLOTHING;thePolicemanlooksatthebloodwithgrowingalarm,imaginingtheworst--heputsbothhandsfirmlybackonhisgun--fearcreepingintohisvoice:POLICEMANHELLO.
.
.
!
Owenwatchesinhorroras--THEPOLICEMANturns,spottingAbby'sNOTEnearthetable.
.
.
Hereacheswithonehand,picksitup.
.
.
readsit.
.
.
LOOKSUPAT--THECLOSEDBATHROOMDOOROwenliterallystopsbreathingforamoment,staringwithdreadasthePolicemanRAISESHISGUN,andSTARTSSLOWLYDOWNTHEHALLWAY,TOWARDSIT.
.
.
THEPOLICEMAN'SPOVMOVINGFORTHEDOOR.
.
.
WecanHEARhisMEASUREDBREATHINGasheCLOSESIN.
.
.
89.
OWENLEANShisheadoutintothedarkenedhallway,watchingthePoliceman'sbackashecreepsaway,finallyARRIVING--ATTHEDOORThePolicemanlistensfornoisefrominside,hearsnothing.
.
.
HereachesahanddowntotheKNOB,gentlygripsit.
.
.
triestoTURNitslowly.
.
.
itMOVES.
.
.
ALLATONCE,heFLINGSOPENTHEDOOR,GRIPSHISGUNINBOTHHANDS,ANDGAZESIN--!
It'sevenDARKERinside.
.
.
HeREACHESAHANDIN,feelingaroundforalightswitch--findsone,FLICKSIT:nothing.
.
.
Sofinally,heSTEPSABRUPTLY--INSIDElooksaround,tryingtoseeinthedarkness.
.
.
Ashiseyesadjustslightly,hecanjustmakeout--ANOLD,STAINEDBLANKETspreadoverthetopoftheBATHTUB.
.
.
Heleansincloser,stillholdingthegun.
.
.
theSTAINSlooklikeBLOOD.
Hereachesahandfreefromhisgun,andquicklyLIFTSofftheblanket.
.
.
underneathareMOREBLANKETS,wrappedaroundsomethinginthetub--somethingshapedlikeaBODY.
.
.
ThePolicemanquicklyPEELSthosebacktoo--revealingABBY.
Hestaresather,moveshisfaceclose,cannottellifsheisdeadoralive.
.
.
Heglancesabovethetub,nowabletoseethattheBATHROOMWINDOWisthoroughlycoveredwithCARDBOARDandBLANKETS,SEALEDalongthesillwithELECTRICALTAPE.
.
.
Hereachesahandup,feelingfortheedgeofthetape--findsit--and--JUSTASheSTARTSTOTEARITBACK--LETTINGATINYBITOFLIGHTIN--AVOICECRIESOUT--ATTHEVERYSAMEINSTANT,ABBY'SEYESOPEN,PAINEDBYTHELIGHTASHERARMSIZZLES--!
OWEN(O.
S.
)NO!
STOP!
Startled,terriblyonedge,thePolicemanturns,levellinghisGUNatOWEN,standingintheHALLWAYbehindhim--!
90.
POLICEMAN(spooked,breathless)ChristAlmighty,son--!
--ANDBEFOREHECANFINISH,ABBYLEAPSUPFROMTHETUBANDATTACKSHIMFROMBEHIND,SINKINGHERTEETHINTOHISNECK!
!
!
Owenwatches,horrified,asthePolicemanFLAILSVIOLENTLY,BLOODSPRAYINGasABBYFEASTSGRUESOMELY,VICIOUSLY--THEGUNCLATTERStothelinoleum--!
THEPOLICEMANGRABSABLOODYHANDonthedoorframetokeepfromcollapsing--hisTERROR-FILLEDEYESLOOKUP,LOCKONOWEN'SasheREACHESHISOTHERHANDOUT--PLEADINGFOROWEN'SHELP--!
OWENstaresback,TORTURED.
.
.
Unconsciously,Owen'sHANDSTARTSTOLIFT.
.
.
REACHOUT.
.
.
HESTEPSSLOWLYTOWARDTHEBATHROOM.
.
.
ThePolicemanSEESOWEN'SHAND,REACHINGinhisdirection--!
HisBLOODYHANDLOSESITSGRIPonthedoorframe,andhestumblesbackward--BUTHEPERSEVERES,STILLREACHINGDESPERATELYWITHHISOTHERHANDFOROWEN'S--WHENITSUDDENLYDAWNSONHIMTHATOWENISREACHINGFOR--THEDOORKNOBOWENGRABSIT,YANKS--ASTHEPOLICEMANSCREAMSINHORROR--POLICEMANNOO--!
ANDTHEDOORSLAMSSHUT--SEALINGTHEPOLICEMAN'SFATE!
Owenbacksawayfromthedoorincompleteterror,listeningtotheHORRIBLESCREAMINGANDBANGINGfrombehindthedoor.
.
.
It'sunbearable--heTURNSAWAY,TREMBLING.
.
.
Finally,hehastocoverhisears.
.
.
WeHEARGURGLING,andthenthetell-taleSNAPPINGofthePoliceman'sneck--andallofasudden,everythinggoes--SILENT.
HOLD.
Abbyemergesfromthebathroom,stillwearingOwen'smother'solddressfromlastnight;shehasbloodalloverherface.
91.
Owenlowershishandsfromhisears,standsthere,stunned.
.
.
Abbywalksupbehindhim,putsherarmsgentlyaroundhisbody.
Herexpressionismournful,nosenseofvictoryatall.
.
.
sheutterssadly,holdinghimtight:ABBYThanks.
.
.
TIMECUTTO:THEHALLWAY-MOMENTSLATEROwenandAbbystareateachother,silent.
.
.
Apainedsenseofwhatiscoming.
.
.
Neithersurewhattosay.
.
.
Finally,Abby,themoreexperiencedofthetwo,speakssoftly,crushed:ABBYOwen.
.
.
Ihavetogoaway.
.
.
Owenlooksather,ataloss,vulnerable.
.
.
knowsshe'sright.
.
.
butcan'tevennod.
.
.
Shestaresintohiseyes.
.
.
it'sexcruciating.
.
.
Then,sheleansslowlytowardhim,andforthefirsttime,despiteherblood-drenchedlips,theyKISS.
.
.
along,last,tenderembrace.
.
.
Finally,theypart,bloodnowonOwen'slipstoo.
.
.
Hestaresathisfeet,sadly,knowingitisover.
.
.
shedoestoo.
.
.
MichaelAndrewsandGaryJules'soulfulcoverofTearsforFears'1982hit,"MADWORLD"startstoplayasweCUTTO:INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-MORNINGOwenwalksinthedoorandOwen'smother--intheotherroom--immediatelyrushesover,hysterical,beginningtocry--OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)OhmyGod--!
She'sangry,emotional,relieved,allatthesametime;shegrabshimbytheshoulders,crouchesdownrightinfrontofhim--butweareONOWEN'SFACE--OWEN'SMOTHER(O.
S.
)OhmyGod!
(squeezeshimtight)Don'teverdothatagain!
Wherewereyou!
Wherewereyou!
Owenstaresoffassheholdshim,hismindsofaraway:92.
OWEN.
.
.
withafriend.
.
.
HOLD.
.
.
"MADWORLD"CONTINUES--CUTTO:INT.
OWEN'SROOM-NIGHTOwensitsathisdeskwithhisbookofclippings.
.
.
infrontofhimisthelatestNEWSPAPERARTICLEtoaddtothebunch--theGIANTHEADLINEreads:"WHOWASHE"Thesub-headlinecontinues,"'RITUALKILLER'SUSPECTSTILLUNIDENTIFIEDAFTERSUICIDE";thePOLICESKETCHOFTHEBALDINGMANispictured.
.
.
Owengazesathisdesk,dispirited,nolongerinterestedinhisclippings,whenheHEARSACARDOORSLAM.
.
.
Suddenly,hefillswithtrepidation,standsup,movestothewindowtoSEE:ASILHOUETTEDTAXIIDLINGinthedrivewaybetweenbuildings.
AFIGUREfinishesputtingaLARGESUITCASEintothetrunk.
.
.
comesaround,opensthepassengerdoorforaSMALLERSILHOUETTEDFIGUREwhositsin--OwenseestheoutlineofatinyBAREFOOTasitliftsupintothecar,justbeforethedoorcloses.
.
.
PUSHINGIN,CLOSEONOWENashewatchestheTAXIpullaway.
.
.
disappearinthedistance.
.
.
Sooverwhelmed,hecan'tevencryyet.
.
.
"MADWORLD"CONTINUES,OVER.
.
.
INT.
ABBY'SAPARTMENT-NIGHTTHECAMERAMOVESTHROUGHtheHAUNTINGLYEMPTYSPACE.
.
.
She'sgone.
.
.
INT.
BASEMENTCLUBHOUSE-NIGHTCAMERAMOVESPASTthewords,"ENTERUPONPENALTYOFDEATH".
.
.
intotheDESERTEDCLUBHOUSE.
.
.
PASTtheOLDARMCHAIRandCASETTEPLAYER.
.
.
PASTthePINGPONGTABLE.
.
.
TheCAMERAFINALLYCOMESTORESTONsomethingslumpedinadarkcorneroftheroom,hiddenbehindthesunkencouch.
.
.
It'sthePOLICEMAN'SBODY.
.
.
And,as"MADWORLD"comestoanend,weCUTTO:93.
EXT.
APARTMENTCOURTYARD-MORNINGTheJUNGLEGYMsitsempty,surroundedbysnow.
VERYCLOSEONOWEN'SFACENosepressedbehindthefoggingglassofhiswindow,staringdownatthecourtyard.
Nowhe'scrying.
.
.
WeHOLDinSILENCEastearsstreamdownhissad,expressionlessface.
.
.
Afteralongmoment,thePHONERINGSbehindhim.
.
.
Hedoesn'tmove.
.
.
ItRINGSagain.
.
.
.
.
.
andAGAIN.
.
.
Heturns,shufflesofftogogetit.
.
.
INT.
OWEN'SAPARTMENT-KITCHEN-MORNINGOwenpicksupthephone.
Doesn'tevensayhello.
MARK(PHONEFILTER)Hello.
.
.
IsOwenthere.
.
.
OWENYeah.
.
.
MARK(PHONEFILTER)HeyOwen,it'sMark.
Mr.
Zoricwantedmetocall.
Hewantstoknowifyou'recomingtonight.
OWENWhydoeshewanttoknow.
.
.
MARK(PHONEFILTER)Idunno.
Iguesscozyouhaven'tbeencomingthelastfewdays.
.
.
OWENOh.
I'mnotreallysure.
MARK(PHONEFILTER)Ok.
Hey,Owen.
.
.
Bytheway.
.
.
IthinkwhatyoudidtoKennywasgood.
Hedeservedit.
OWEN.
.
.
Youdo.
.
.
94.
MARK(PHONEFILTER)Yeah.
Justsoyouknow.
Owentakesthisin.
.
.
arayofhopethatthingscanchange.
.
.
EXT.
PHONEBOOTH-ATTHATSAMEMOMENTMarkwaitsontheline,listeningtoseeifOwenisbuyingthis.
.
.
Outsidetheglass,Donald,Kenny,andKenny'sOlderBrotherwatch.
.
.
MARK(finally,intophone)Well.
.
.
ThenmaybeI'llseeyoutonight,huhOWEN(PHONEFILTER).
.
.
Yeah.
Markglancesoverattheothers,nods.
.
.
EXT.
MIDDLESCHOOLPOOLBUILDING-TWILIGHTWarmlightemanatesthroughthewindowsfrominsideasSNOWdriftsdownallaround.
.
.
INT.
LOCKERROOM-TWILIGHTOwenfinishesgettingintohisworkoutclothes--at-shirtandbathingsuit--whenawarmvoicegreetshim--MR.
ZORIC(O.
S.
)Ah!
Speakofdevil!
Thereheis!
OwenlooksuptoseeMr.
Zoricsmilingathim;Owensmiles:OWENHi.
.
.
MR.
ZORIC(patsOwen'sshoulder)Goodtoseeyou.
Westartinpooltoday.
Andheheadsoutofthelockerroom.
Owengrabshistowel,andstartsouttoo,whenherunsintoMark--whostandsthereawkwardly,almostasifhewerewaitingforOwen:MARK(smiles)Hey,Owen.
.
.
Owenregardshimwarily,nods,andheadsout--95.
Markwatcheshimgo.
.
.
Thenhewalksacross,stepsovertoanEXITDOOR;hecracksitopen,stickshisheadout--WHISPERStosomeoneoutthere:MARKHe'shere.
.
.
EXT.
BACKOFMIDDLESCHOOLPOOLBUILDING-NIGHTTIGHTSHOTS--asthewindhowls,andsnowswirls--KennyandDonalddouseanoverflowingDUMPSTERwithKEROSINE.
.
.
laughingquietly,shushingeachother--KENNY'SBROTHER(O.
S.
)(hushed)Hurryup.
.
.
!
INT.
INDOORMIDDLESCHOOLPOOL-NIGHTOwenholdstheedgeofthepool,treadingwaterasMr.
Zoricstandsabovehim,supervising--Owenbreathesin,lowershisfaceintothewater,breathesout.
.
.
in.
.
.
out.
.
.
in.
.
.
MR.
ZORICThat'sit.
.
.
that'sgood.
.
.
!
MarkrunsupbehindZoric--outofbreath--MARKMr.
Zoric--there'safire!
MR.
ZORIC(turns,alarmed)What!
MARKOutside!
Inback!
Zoricnods--turnsback--MR.
ZORICOwen,Iberightback!
Owen,slows,nodding,asZoricabruptlyheadsoff.
.
.
OwenlooksupatMark,whoglancesathim,thenavertshiseyes,walkingawayinthedirectionZoricwent.
.
.
EXT.
BACKOFMIDDLESCHOOLPOOLBUILDING-NIGHTThedumpsterisABLAZE,flamesreachingintothesky--nooneinsight--96.
INT.
MIDDLESCHOOLPOOLBUILDING-HALLWAY-NIGHTZoricrushesfortheexitdoors,disappearsthroughthem--weHOLDforamoment.
.
.
someonestepsoutfromhiding.
.
.
it'sKenny'sBrother.
Hewalksuptothedoors.
.
.
SNAPStheDEADBOLTintoplace,lockingZoricout.
.
.
INT.
INDOORMIDDLESCHOOLPOOL-NIGHTOwencontinuestreadingwateronthesideofthepool,whensuddenlyheHEARSYELLING--hiseyeswidenseeingKenny'sBrother,Kenny,DonaldandMarkstormingintotheroom--headingstraightforhimalongtheedgeofthepool--KENNY'SBROTHEREverybodyout!
Move!
Let'sGO!
Frightened,KIDSclimboutofthepool,scamperingaway--Owenpanics--liftshimselfout--andRUNSMADLY--fortheLOCKERROOM--!
ThebulliesFOLLOW--!
INTHELOCKERROOMOwenskidsonwetfeetinfrontofhislocker--SPINStheTUMBLER--heripsopenthedoor,diggingfranticallyintohispants--hefindshisPENKNIFE--OPENSIT--TURNS--JUSTAS--Kenny'sBrother,Kenny,Donald,andMarkallstumbleintotheroom,convergearoundhim.
.
.
Owenlooksatthem,holdinghislittlepenknife,trembling,shiveringashedripsinhisbathingsuit.
.
.
Kenny'sBrothersmiles--KENNY'SBROTHERWhatareyougonnadowiththat.
.
.
HestartsslowlytowardOwen,whoraisestheknife,hishandvisiblyshaking.
.
.
AsKenny'sBrotherclosesin,Owenstaresathim,suddenlyrealizeshejustcan'tdoit--andattemptstomakeabreak,ploughingstraightintoKenny--whoGRABShim--theyALLGRABHIM!
Kenny'sBrothereasilysnatchesthepenknifeoutofOwen'sgrip!
Then,heSEIZESoneofOwen'slegs,andbeginsVICIOUSLYDRAGGINGHIMoutofthelockerroom--OwenSQUIRMSinpainandpanic--astheothersfollow--!
97.
BACKINTOTHEPOOLAREAKenny'sBrotherdragshimstraighttowardthepool--callsouttoKennyandDonald--KENNY'SBROTHERGrabhisarms!
Gethisarms!
Theydo,andthethreeofthemsuddenlyLIFTOWENUP,andTOSSHIMINTOTHEDEEPENDOFTHEPOOL--OWEN'SPOVPLUNGINGintothewater!
HeFLAILSMADLY,unabletoSWIM!
HeGAGSVIOLENTLY,BOBBINGhisheadinandoutofthewater,GULPINGforair.
.
.
!
Finally,hemanagestolatchahandontotheedgeofthepool.
.
.
Hepullshisheadup,justoutofthewater,coughing.
.
.
Kenny'sBrother'sfeetappearbesidehim,andhecrouchesdownnexttoOwen'sface,holdingOwen'spenknife.
.
.
HegrabsOwenbythehairwithhisfreehand--OwenWINCES--KENNY'SBROTHER(quietly)KnowwhoIam.
.
.
Owenlooksathim,terrified.
.
.
nodsyes.
.
.
KENNY'SBROTHERGood.
ThenyouknowwhyI'mhere.
HestaresatOwen.
Smiles.
KENNY'SBROTHERWe'regonnahavealittlecontest.
OkayYoustayunderwaterfor.
.
.
threeminutes.
HemovestheknifeclosertoOwen'sface.
.
.
KENNY'SBROTHERIfyoucandoit,I'lljustgiveyoualittlenick.
Onyourcheek.
Butifyoucan't.
.
.
I'llpokeoutoneofyoureyes.
GotitAneyeforanear.
Owenlooksathim,fillingwithdread.
.
.
OWENBut.
.
.
that'simpossible.
.
.
98.
KENNY'SBROTHERThat'syourproblem.
.
.
Kenny,stillwearingabigbandageonhisear,stepscloseroverhisbrother'sshoulder,gettingagoodlookatOwen.
.
.
Heglowersathim,preparingforrevenge.
.
.
Kenny'sBrothergripsOwen'shairhard;Owengrimaces--KENNY'SBROTHERThreeminutes.
Bettertakeadeepbreath--OwenstartstoSUCKAIRIN--AS--WITHOUTWARNING--Kenny'sBrotherFORCESOWEN'SHEAD--UNDERWATEROwenPLUNGESDOWN,EYESWIDEOPEN,hisCHEEKSPUFFEDwithair.
.
.
!
BUBBLEStricklefromhislips.
.
.
KENNYstaresonbitterlyashisbrotherholdsOwendown.
.
.
SeeingOwen'sarmsflailingslightlyunderthewater,DonaldandMarkexchangealook,suddenlyworriedthatthismaygetoutofhand.
.
.
Marklooksat--THELARGECHRONOMETERonthewall.
.
.
astheSECONDHANDslowlysweeps.
.
.
UNDERWATEROwenstartstomakeWHININGsounds,strugglingtoholdhisbreath.
.
.
Panicfillshiseyes--aSTREAMOFBUBBLESflushesfromhismouth--THEBUBBLESAPPEARonthewater'ssurface,aboveOwen'shead--seeingthem,Kennyfinallystartstogetnervoustoo--KENNY(quietly)Okay,Jimmy.
.
.
KENNY'SBROTHERShutup!
Beat,astheywaitabitlonger;then--99.
DONALDC'mon,man,thisisstupid--KENNY'SBROTHERIsaidshutup!
TheyallSTARESILENTLY;it'sstartingtogotoofar.
.
.
UNDERWATEROwenisturningred.
.
.
itdoesn'tlooklikehecanlastmuchlonger--whenSUDDENLY--wehearaMUFFLEDCRASHfromabovewater--UNSEENBYOWEN--aSHADOWSWEEPSthroughthecenterofthepoolbehindhim--asifsomethingwereflyingoverthesurfaceofthewater--weMOVEINCLOSEONOWEN'SEYES--OWEN'SPOV-SHALLOWFOCUSstaringintotheCLEARBLUEWATER--weBARELYhearwhatcouldbeSCREAMSfromabovethepool--andwebegintoSEEBLOODYCLOUDSBILLOWINGDOWNfromthesurface--thisisthesameexactimagefromOWEN'SNIGHTMARES--THEYHAVEALLBEENAPREMONITIONOFTHISVERYMOMENT--!
!
!
SomethingOUTOFFOCUSDRIFTSDOWNintoview--itisKENNY'SBROTHER'SSEVEREDHEAD--!
!
!
BACKONOWEN'SFACEasheSEESit!
Behindhim,aPAIROFWILDLYKICKINGLEGSARESUDDENLYDRAGGEDjustbelowthesurfaceofthewater,allthewayacrossthepool,TRAILINGCLOUDSOFBLOODastheygo--!
ATTHESAMETIME--KENNY'SBROTHER'SHEADLESSBODYSLUMPSintothepool,rightinfrontofOwen--andtheGRIPonOWEN'SHEADisRELEASED--!
OWENSURGEStotheSURFACE,COUGHINGFORAIR,SLAPPINGMADLYatthewater--heGRABStheWALL--!
WESTAYCLOSEONHIMASHEGASPSFORAIR,PANTINGHARD,EYESSHUT!
AllaroundhimweHEAROFF-SCREENSCREAMING,MAYHEM,SPLASHING--!
Thenallatonce,itfinallySTOPS.
WehearonlythesoundofOwen,ashisbreathingslows.
.
.
AFIGUREquietlymovesupnexttohiminthewater.
.
.
Heopenshiseyes,SEES--100.
ABBY'SFACEinchesfromhis,eyesstaringlovinglyathimtomakesureheisokay.
.
.
Flecksofbloodandwaterspatterherface.
.
.
Sheislikeavision.
Owensmilesatthesightofher.
Shesmilesback.
Finally,shereachesover,takeshishandinbothofhers,pressesittohercheek.
Closeshereyes.
CUTTO:THEPOOL-HIGH,WIDESHOT-MOMENTSLATERAtableauofthebloodyaftermath.
Thebullies'bodiesliescatteredaboutalongtheedges,andinsidethepool.
Thewaterisstillsettling.
OwenandAbbyaregone.
HOLD.
Then--CUTTO:AMOVINGSHOT,DOWNTHEAISLEOFAPASSENGERTRAINWe'reFOLLOWINGonthebackofaTRAINCONDUCTOR.
.
.
Hestops,FINDINGOWEN,aloneinhisseat,backpackathisside--CONDUCTORScuseme,son.
.
.
canIseeyourticketOwenhandsitover.
Theconductorchecksit,thenlooksdownatthefloor,seeingaLARGE,CARDBOARDCARTONamongafewotheritemsofluggage;thecartonstretchesintotheaisle--CONDUCTORThatyours.
.
.
Owennods.
TheConductorlooksatit,slightlyannoyed,butthenjustwalksoff.
.
.
Owenstaresoutthewindow.
Beat.
AQUIETKNOCKINGbegins.
.
.
frominsidethebox.
MORSECODE.
Owenlooksatthecarton,smiles.
HebeginsTAPPINGamessagebackastheTRAINSTARTSTOMOVE.
.
.
Thenheturnsbacktothewindow,lookingoutastheTRAINGATHERSSPEED.
.
.
OutsideitisSUNRISE.
Hetakesoutapieceofcandyfromhisbackpack,putsitinhismouth,watchingastheworldmovespast,hisBACKTOUS.
.
.
101.
OWEN(singsquietly)Eatsomenow,savesomeforlater.
.
.
He'sleavinghisoldlife.
.
.
foranother.
.
.
WeseehisFACEREFLECTEDinthewindow:helooksemotional.
OWEN(singsquieterstill)Eatsomenow,savesomeforlater.
.
.
And,astheTRAIN'SHORNRINGSOUT,BUILDING--weSUDDENLY--CUTTOBLACK.
THEEND.
102.