FADE
IN:
EXT.
WOODS -- SATURDAY NIGHT
Carrying
powerful flashlights, GALE, KRIZMAN, and the MAPLE LODGE ELDERS walk through
the woods. They come upon the pit filled with dark water and surrounded by
mossy rocks. The full moon shines on the water.
KRIZMANThis is the place. Here is the gateway into the Shadowrealm. Are you ready to begin your journey?GALEYes.KRIZMANRemember this: Time is of the essence.
Krizman
and the Maple Lodge Elders form a circle around the pit, shining their
flashlights on the water’s surface. Gale stands at the edge and looks down into
the water.
MAPLE LODGE ELDERSFrom the darkness to the lightIn the flames beyond your sightShadows of the soulEnter now the holeDaylight dims to howling nightSouls released into their flightDoorways of the soulEnter now the hole
Gale
steps down into the water and fades away. The Maple Lodge Elders repeat the
chant.
NEW
ANGLE
Watching
from a short distance, hidden in the brush, is SALTARES. He moves away quietly.
CUT
TO:
INT.
SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- NIGHT
LYNDON
and ABIGAIL sit close together, but they do not look at each other.
ABIGAILI was so worried when the lights went out. I mean, I couldn’t help thinking what if something happened because we couldn’t see and one of us got hurt or something, and then we would have all those problems of being in the hospital, and then if you got hurt, I wouldn’t have a bodyguard and then who knows what could happen then? That’s when I thought how silly I was to be going on like that, but what happened was, I didn’t know why you were avoiding me all week, so I asked the Sheriff’s girlfriend, because, after all, she’s traveled all over the world, and she said you were getting bored and needed a challenge.LYNDONA challenge? What kind of a challenge?ABIGAILShe said if you felt I was a challenge, then you’d stop avoiding me, so I entered the contest because the Queen of Lights is sort of glamorous.LYNDONOh, pooky, I don’t need a challenge. I did it for you. I thought maybe I should stay away from you because I’m dangerous. I killed a man. I shot him right in the head and he died right there on the floor. And I meant to do it. I never killed anybody before, and they always say it gets easier after you do it once, and I didn’t think it was safe for you to be around me if I can be so bloodthirsty.ABIGAILOh, shoogums, I don’t feel safe anywhere except when I’m with you.
They
look at each other.
LYNDONOh, pooky...ABIGAILShoogums...
They
kiss. SHERIFF comes by and stops several DEPUTIES in front of Lyndon and
Abigail.
SHERIFFWas there any sign of their vehicle, which way they might have gone?2ND DEPUTYNo, sir. Nothing.SHERIFFDamn it! They can’t have just vanished. Everyone knew Yvonne. How did they get her through our security perimeter without anyone noticing anything?3RD DEPUTYSir, three of the deputies from over in Dunham didn’t check in after the kidnapping. I just called the Dunham sheriff, but he said none of his men had even been able to come.SHERIFFYou’re saying we had impostors?3RD DEPUTYIt looks that way. But they were sure good. Everything checked out when they signed in this morning.SHERIFFThey played us like a bunch of hicks and made off with Yvonne when I should have been expecting it! And what the hell happened to Agent Gale?4TH DEPUTYNobody’s seen him, Sheriff. But that other fed, Agent Duke, he left here late this morning.SHERIFFGood.4TH DEPUTYYeah, but he took one of the prisoners with him. He was supposed to have him back by nine, but they never showed up.SHERIFFWhat? Which prisoner?4TH DEPUTYProfessor Saltares.SHERIFFSaltares? What did he want with him?
Sheriff
squints.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
NEIGHBORHOOD STREET -- SUNDAY MORNING
A
girl rides her bicycle down the sidewalk, a bag of newspapers slung across the
handlebars. Church bells chime in the distance.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
VALLEY -- MORNING
A
train slowly pulls across a crumbling old bridge over the river.
CUT
TO:
INT.
KENT’S HOME -- KITCHEN -- MORNING
KENT
staggers in the back door. ROSEMARY and OREGON, in bathrobes, are eating
breakfast.
ROSEMARYKent!
Rosemary
rushes over to Kent and helps him to the table.
ROSEMARYSit down! Where have you been?OREGONLook at his wrists! He’s been hog-tied!ROSEMARYKent, what happened to you? What’s going on?KENTJanet... she wants revenge... on everyone. Cartwright... why she came back. Kidnapped me... her and her son... framed James... the festival... festival...ROSEMARYWhat? What’s he talking about?OREGONHe’s beat. Let him get some rest, and we’ll go to the Sheriff.ROSEMARYOh, my baby...
Rosemary
embraces Kent and rocks him gently.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
OLIVERA MANSION -- MORNING
CUT
TO:
INT.
OLIVERA MANSION -- KITCHEN -- MORNING
NICHOLAS
and DUANE enter through the kitchen door.
NICHOLASIt’s open.DUANEDoesn’t look like anybody’s here, man.NICHOLASLet’s just check around. I don’t trust Chip. Who knows what he did after you clobbered him.DUANEC’mon, Grey. I don’t like this...
CUT
TO:
INT.
OLIVERA MANSION -- DINING ROOM -- MORNING
NICHOLAS
and DUANE enter through the door from the kitchen.
NICHOLASLook!
Duane
is stunned. ANASTASIA is still tied to the dining room table. She is dead. They
go over to her body.
DUANEJeez...NICHOLASHe just left her here... She must have died like this. How could he... He murdered her!
Duane
stares at the body in horror. Then he looks at Nicholas. Suddenly, Duane bolts
from the room.
NICHOLASDuane! Duane!!
CUT
TO:
EXT.
OLIVERA MANSION -- MORNING
DUANE
runs away from the house. Slow-motion.
CUT
TO:
INT.
CARTWRIGHT OFFICES -- MORNING
ALAN
is sitting on his desk, watching old home movies projected onto a portable
screen. The flickering images show Alan, Yvonne, and baby Duane at Christmas.
They seem very happy. ALBERT enters the office.
ALBERTAlan, you wanted a special meeting? What’s up?ALANCome in, Albert, come in.
Alan
turns off the projector.
ALANThere’s something very important I have to discuss with you.ALBERTWhat is it?ALANAlbert, we’ve been working together for a very long time, haven’t we? I mean, we’re like partners, you and I. We help each other out, give each other advice.ALBERTYes, but...ALANAnd I have always known I could count on you to tell me the truth. I can’t tell you how important that is to me. When a man reaches my position, it becomes very difficult not to be surrounded by babbling yes-men. But you, Albert, you are different.ALBERTWell, Alan, I...ALANAlbert, I have crossed the Rubicon. I see now what I must do. As you know, lately I have been going through a process of self-reëvaluation. And I have come to realize the extent of the baggage I’ve been carrying. And my path has become clear. Here, in this office, I’ve become soft. Developing real estate, wheeling and dealing, what does it all mean? I’ve lost touch with the primal elements of my nature, those drives deep within that make us men. And so, I am leaving it all behind, Albert, and I am going to the Yukon.ALBERTThe Yukon?ALANYes. To where the land is rugged and the air is clean. Where a man can be truly alone to discover himself and his role as a man. But needless to say, I am aware of my responsibilities here, and so I am placing this company into your hands, Albert. I want you to take over for me.ALBERTAlan, I don’t know what to say.ALANAlbert, words are nothing to a man. What matters is action!
Alan
embraces Albert and pats him on the back.
CUT
TO:
INT.
KENT’S HOME -- LIVING ROOM -- MORNING
KENT
sits in a chair drinking hot chocolate. OREGON enters.
OREGONYour mother and I reckon you ought to tell the Sheriff what you know ’bout them kidnappers. Somebody got kidnapped from the Festival of Lights last night, too. So why don’t we go down to the station?KENTNo.OREGONLook, I know these owlhoots is bad news, and they worked you over pretty good, but they got justice comin’ to ’em. And the Sheriff’s the one to even the score. You know where they’re holed up. You gotta tell the law!KENTI can’t do it!OREGONWhat’re you talkin’ about, boy?KENTYou don’t know what they did to me. From her first day here, she had me wrapped around her little finger. She turned me inside out. I just want to forget it, all right? I can’t do it! I just can’t!OREGONNow, you listen to me. In the days o’ the Old West, a man knew his duty and he did it. There weren’t no shortage o’ evil in the world then, and many a strong man got laid low by it. But then, he can either sit hunched over his whiskey with his hands shakin’ so hard he cain’t hold his pistol, or he can get up on his feet and see that justice comes to whoever done him wrong. Now, I ain’t sayin’ you should take the law into your own hands, but the Sheriff ain’t got no magic crystal ball, so he needs every citizen to do their part. Y’see, if there’s gwine to be justice in a man’s life, he has to see to it himself that it gets done. There’s a lot o’ talk about heroes in the Old West, but it weren’t bein’ a good killer what made a man a hero. It was doin’ right no matter what it cost. And every man knows in his heart what’s right, otherwise he’s just a low-down snake what thinks he’s a man. Now, what you gwine to do? What you gwine to be?KENTAll right. I’ll do it.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
VALLEY -- MORNING
NICHOLAS
and PENNY meet by a large rock next to the river. They embrace.
PENNYWhat is it? What’s wrong?NICHOLASIt’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. Duane and I ran into some bad stuff.PENNYWhat happened?NICHOLASYou’re not involved. It’s better to keep it that way.PENNYNicholas...NICHOLASIt’s going to be okay. I love you.PENNYI love you so much. But we just can’t rush things. That was wrong of us. I’m not ready to...NICHOLASIt’s okay.PENNYI dream about our future together, and it’s so perfect. But we have to get there one step at a time. I want to go to college and get my head together before we make that kind of commitment to each other. I think we should wait until after college.NICHOLASWell, I don’t think I’m going to college. It’s just not for me. There’s been so much going on, so much I have to sort out. I’m just going to get on my bike and go. And just ride. It’s something I need to do.PENNYI’ll miss you.NICHOLASCome with me.PENNY(tearfully)I can’t, Nicholas. I can’t. But you go. And you’ll come back with lots of great stories, and we’ll be together. It will all work out. I know it will.NICHOLASI’ll never stop loving you. Whatever happens.
They
kiss.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
WOODS IN SUMMER -- DAY
GALE
finds himself at the top of a stone staircase leading down into the woods. He
descends, looking at the sunlight filtering through the green leaves. He then
walks down a trail through the woods.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
SHERIFF STATION -- SUNDAY AFTERNOON
CUT
TO:
INT.
SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- AFTERNOON
KENT
and OREGON enter. ABIGAIL is at her desk.
ABIGAILMay I help you?KENTI need to talk to Sheriff Armstrong.ABIGAILI’m afraid Sheriff Armstrong is extremely busy right now...KENTYou don’t understand. I know what happened at the festival. I know who did it!ABIGAILOne moment, please.
Abigail
activates her intercom. Oregon looks at Kent, nods, and smiles.
CUT
TO:
INT.
SHERIFF STATION -- SHERIFF’S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
Pull
back from the red roses on Sheriff’s desk. SHERIFF sits behind the desk and
KENT sits in the chair across from him.
SHERIFFYou think the people who kidnapped you also kidnapped Yvonne?KENTYes. Her name’s Janet Flynn, she’s a friend of my mother’s. Her son’s named Jeremy. But it’s Alan Cartwright they want. I figured it out while I was their prisoner. He must be Jeremy’s father, because Janet told me she and Alan were lovers a long time ago and she got pregnant. She wanted to use me to get revenge on Cartwright, but it didn’t work out, so they tried something else. But I was in the way, so they took me to their hideout and tied me up. I heard them say they had to get to the festival yesterday, and that they had bigger fish to fry. Then I heard Cartwright’s ex-wife was kidnapped from the festival. It all makes sense!SHERIFFThis hideout. Do you know where it is?KENTWell, not really. I was unconscious when they took me there, and when I escaped, I had to go through the woods and it was dark. But I can tell you it was an old church. It can’t have been used in decades from the look of it. But it was definitely a church.SHERIFFThere’s only one it could be! Kent, thank you!
Sheriff
gets up and exits. Kent looks at the roses and shivers.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
WOODS IN SUMMER -- DAY
Flowers
sway in the gentle breeze as GALE comes to the bottom of a steep hill. He looks
up and then begins to climb. Dead branches and shifting rocks make the going
treacherous. Then, Gale realizes there are tree roots protruding from the
ground which he can use as handholds. He pulls himself up the hill. He stops
midway up, finding under a root a piece of slate with a primitive drawing on
it. The drawing shows several strange symbols, as well as a stick-figure
picture of a person with two heads, one colored in and the other not.
Surrounding the figure are a moon, a drum, a flame, and a lightning bolt. Gale
puts the piece of slate in his jacket pocket and continues up the hill.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
CUT
TO:
INT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
YVONNE
is tied to the altar table. JANET and JEREMY stand on either side of her. DUANE
is in the background.
JEREMYShe’s awake.JANETGood morning.YVONNEWhat do you want?JANETI want revenge on the person who corrupted me, destroyed my life, drove me from my home, and left me and my child at the mercy of strangers.YVONNEShould I know you?JANETYou’re just a means to an end, my dear. It’s not you we want, it’s Alan Cartwright. And your death will draw him irretrievably into my web.YVONNEDuane... is that you? Please, help me!JANETDuane? Your mother’s asking for you.YVONNEDuane... why?DUANEWhy not? I don’t owe you anything! You left me. You went off on some stupid journey to find yourself! Well, what about me? Where were you when I needed you? You were always trying to help the whales or the rainforests or a bunch of dumb natives! But you never did anything to help me! I was eight years old! Why should I care what happens to you?YVONNEDuane, please...DUANEI hate you. I hate you!
Janet
gives Duane a hug.
JANETIt’s all right, dear. Everything’s going to be made right again. Trust me.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- DAY
GALE
walks along a trail. On his left is a dense pine forest. On his right is the
edge of a high cliff overlooking a wooded valley below. The sun is shining
brightly on the green landscape. There are no signs of civilization. Gale looks
up at the pine trees, tall and straight. Then, he hears the echo of laughter on
the wind. He finds Dani’s clothes in a heap on the side of the trail. He kneels
down and examines them. Suddenly, DUKE appears behind him.
DUKEI knew you’d follow me! Welcome to the End of the World, Martin. But you’re too late. The power of the Shadowrealm will be mine!GALEYou’re insane. How did you get here?DUKEYou’re not the only one with friends in high places!GALEThe power here will only destroy you.DUKELiar! You won’t rob me of it!
Duke
attacks Gale. They fight. Duke knocks Gale down onto the edge of the cliff,
gets on top of him, and tries to strangle him.
CUT
TO:
INT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
JANET,
JEREMY, and DUANE ready their firearms. YVONNE is tied to the altar table.
JEREMYWith Kent’s unfortunate escape, we’ll have to be prepared for trouble. Those boys have been content to take the law into their own hands so far. Let’s hope they continue to do so.JANETDon’t worry. That sniveling little turd doesn’t have the balls to go to the police. He’s terrified of me.JEREMYDon’t be so certain, Mother.DUANEWhat’s that?
Duane
goes to one of the front windows.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
Several
police cars pull up and surround the building. Numerous DEPUTIES get out of the
cars and take up defensive positions, their guns trained on the building.
SHERIFF gets out of his vehicle, carrying a megaphone.
CUT
TO:
INT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
DUANE
looks out the window. JEREMY comes up behind him as JANET stands near the
captive YVONNE.
DUANEIt’s Sheriff Armstrong!JEREMYWell, it looks like your little boy-toy decided to kiss and tell after all, Mother.
Janet
grimaces, then holds up her shotgun.
JANETThen let’s show them all a good time.
Jeremy
pushes Duane out of the way and puts his assault rifle up to the window.
EXT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
SHERIFF
holds up his megaphone.
SHERIFFAttention! This is the sheriff! I want everyone inside the building to come out with your hands in the air. We have you surrounded. Surrender now before anybody gets hurt.
CUT
TO:
INT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
JANET,
JEREMY, DUANE, and YVONNE as before.
JANETToo late for that, Sheriff. Twenty years too late.
Jeremy
opens fire.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
Bullets
rip along the police cruisers. SHERIFF hits the dirt. The DEPUTIES return fire,
blasting away at the window.
SHERIFFCease fire! Cease fire!
The
firing stops. Sheriff returns to a defensive position, next to LYNDON.
LYNDONAre you okay?SHERIFFJust fine, Lyndon. They have a prisoner. I don’t want her getting caught in the crossfire. We’ll try to negotiate. Everyone hold your fire unless I give the word!
JEREMY
yells out the window of the church.
JEREMYWe have Ms. Temple, Sheriff! How she fares depends on you! Do not force us to take drastic measures!SHERIFF(through the megaphone)There’s no way out, Mr. Flynn! Don’t make it worse for yourself!
CUT
TO:
INT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
JANET,
JEREMY, DUANE, and YVONNE as before.
JANETThis is a disaster! She’s just dead weight, let’s kill her now!JEREMYDon’t be idiotic! We may need her as a bargaining chip!JANETHow dare you speak to me that way?!
Yvonne
struggles against her bonds, but it is no use.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- DAY
DUKE
is strangling GALE on the edge of the cliff. Gale manages to knock Duke back
and gets up. They scuffle. Duke hits Gale in the head, knocking him backwards.
Gale stumbles off the edge of the cliff. As he falls, Gale grabs a large, sturdy
tree root sticking out of the ground at the edge. He struggles to climb back
up, but Duke comes up to him, gloating.
DUKEThis is the place where worlds end, Martin. Only one of us can pass on alive. And it won’t be you! Your world ends now!
Duke
is about to stomp on Gale’s wrist when Gale grabs his trouser leg with his free hand and yanks him
off balance. Duke falls over the edge of the cliff but grabs another tree
root. As Gale climbs back onto the trail, the root Duke is hanging onto snaps,
sending Duke tumbling down into the river far below. Gale lays down on the
ground, exhausted.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
SHERIFF,
LYNDON, and the DEPUTIES maintain their positions, watching the dilapidated
building.
SHERIFFDamn it, we can’t just sit here all day. They won’t talk and we can’t take the chance of a full assault. There’s only one option. I’m going in. Alone.LYNDONYou could be killed!SHERIFFI’ll take that chance.
Sheriff
moves along behind the police cars nearer to a side of the church without
windows. He begins to creep closer to the building.
CUT
TO:
INT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
JANET
stands near the captive YVONNE. DUANE watches out one window while JEREMY
watches out another, both with guns at the ready.
JEREMYI don’t see the Sheriff. Duane?DUANENo sign of him over here.JEREMYDamn it, what’s he up to?
Jeremy
looks over at the stairs leading up to the belfry.
JEREMYMother, take over my position. I’m going to get a better view.
Jeremy
climbs up the stairs. As he reaches the belfry, the old staircase collapses
under him, but he is able to get a handhold and pull himself into the small
loft where the bell used to be.
JANETJeremy! Are you all right?JEREMYI’m fine! Just keep cool! All right, you bastard, where are you?
Jeremy
peers out at the circle of police cars.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- DAY
GALE
continues along the trail, then emerges from the pine forest.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
FIELD IN WINTER -- DAY
GALE
looks out over a vast, empty plain. It is now a gray, overcast day. He walks
out onto the field. A large puddle of water suddenly appears in front of him
and he stops. Then, RAMONA appears across the water and holds up her hand. Gale
is startled. Ramona walks through the puddle and takes Gale’s hand. The puddle
disappears. Ramona leads Gale to where she was standing before. Gale looks down
and sees BROWNTURTLE sitting on a blanket on the ground. Brownturtle puts his
hands over his eyes, then opens his hands and looks at Gale. Gale squints.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
SHERIFF
sneaks toward the church building. He is halfway between the circle of police
cars and the church.
Up
in the belfry, JEREMY looks around and spots Sheriff approaching. He brings his rifle up to aim it.
JEREMYAshes to ashes, dust to dust...
Jeremy
stands up, ready to fire at Sheriff. LYNDON spots Jeremy up in the belfry.
LYNDONSheriff! Get down!
Jeremy
opens fire on Sheriff, who dives to the ground and rolls out of the way in
time. The DEPUTIES open fire on the belfry. Jeremy is hit several times, and
blood spews out of his body as the bullets tear through him. Blood spurts out
of his mouth as he collapses.
CUT
TO:
INT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
YVONNE
is tied to the altar table. DUANE is crouching at one window with his gun.
JANET is at another window with her shotgun. Hearing the gunfire, she turns to
see JEREMY’s body come crashing through the space where the staircase had been
and hit the pile of rubble. She drops her gun and runs over and cradles the
body in her arms.
JANETNo... my baby... my baby! No!
She
looks at Duane, who is staring at them.
JANETThis is all her fault! Murdering bitch! She killed your brother! She murdered my baby! Kill her! She deserves to die! Kill her now!
Duane
gets up and walks over to Yvonne, holding up his gun.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
FIELD IN WINTER -- DAY
BROWNTURTLE
sits on a blanket on the ground. RAMONA stands next to him. GALE faces them.
BROWNTURTLEThe clocks run backwards now. The wide path will take you there. The Great Abyss is where you will find them -- love and hate together. You must see beyond your eyes. Many are the falsehoods. At the crystal gateway you may enter. Follow the wide path only. Time is of the essence.
Gale
turns and crosses the plain back to the path along the edge of the pine forest.
He turns and looks back across the plain, but Brownturtle and Ramona have
vanished. Gale follows the path to a point where it curves into the pine
forest. Around the entrance to the forest, many slender white branches
crisscross, resembling a crystalline structure. Gale enters the forest, where
it is again summer. He looks back out at the bleak, wintry plain, then
continues on into the sunlit pine forest.
CUT
TO:
INT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
JANET
cradles JEREMY’s bloody body. DUANE approaches YVONNE, who is tied to the altar
table, aiming his gun at her.
YVONNEDuane... don’t listen to her. She’s been telling you lies. I never meant to stay away so long. It just happened. I’m sorry, Duane. I love you. She’s just using you. Please, don’t listen to her. She doesn’t care about you. We can make it better, Duane, better for all of us. Don’t do this. Think about it, Duane. Don’t do it.JANETKill her! What are you waiting for? Shoot, damn you!
Janet
gets up and crosses to Duane.
JANETYou little jellyfish!
Duane
spins and strikes Janet across the face with his gun. She falls to the floor,
unconscious.
YVONNEOh, Duane, Duane!
Duane
unties Yvonne. She sits up and they embrace.
DUANEMom... I’m so tired of being scared...YVONNEIt’s going to be all right now, honey. It’s going to be all right. It’s going to be all right.DUANEIt’s all over.
Duane
gets up and walks over to the door.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
DERELICT CHURCH -- AFTERNOON
DUANE
opens the front door and steps out. He is still holding his gun.
One
of the DEPUTIES sees him and takes aim.
SHERIFF
sees what’s about to happen and runs back out into the open. Slow-motion.
SHERIFFNo!
The
deputy fires his gun. Slow-motion.
Duane
is hit. He reels, then crumples to the floor in the doorway. Slow-motion.
YVONNE
runs to Duane and takes him in her arms. Sheriff runs over, holding up his
hands to signal the deputies to lower their weapons.
YVONNEDuane... Duane!
Yvonne
cries. Sheriff puts his hand on her shoulder. Blood seeps into Duane’s shirt as
he lies unconscious.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- DAY
GALE
walks down the path through the pine forest. There are many small side-paths
diverging from the main one. Sunlight filters through the tall trees. Gale
looks down one side-path and sees a strange spectacle. MILLICENT, wearing her
formal gown, is on her knees, her hands tied behind her back and her ankles
also bound with nylon rope. She is wearing a choke chain around her neck and a
leash. Holding the leash is TUPPENCE, brandishing a hot poker in her other
hand. LLEWELLYN stands behind Tuppence, holding her arms and directing her
movement as if she were a puppet. The broadsword is stuck in the ground in
front of them. ALBERT is in a large cage nearby, blindfolded. He rattles the
bars. They are all screaming. Gale squints, then moves on.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
HOSPITAL -- SUNDAY EVENING
CUT
TO:
INT.
HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM -- EVENING
TERRENCE
enters the waiting room. SHERIFF and YVONNE are standing together. ALAN is
sitting, hunched over.
SHERIFFIs he going to be all right?TERRENCEWell, we’ve got the bullet out, but it’s a bad wound. It’ll be touch-and-go through the night. Right now, I can only give him a fifty-fifty chance of pulling through. I’m sorry.
Yvonne
lays her head on Sheriff’s chest.
ALANWhy? Why?!? Now, when I’ve realized I’ve been wrong! Now, when I try to make up for it! Now, I lose my son! I try to do good, and he’s taken from me! What kind of a world is this?YVONNEStop it! Stop it!
Yvonne
cries. Alan buries his face in his hands. Terrence puts his hand on Sheriff’s
shoulder, then walks out of the room.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- DAY
GALE
continues down the path. Along another side-path, he sees MEGAN, her arms
nailed to the ground with large spikes. She looks up at him, blood running down
her face. JAMES stands over her, holding a mallet. His head bursts into flames
and he jumps around. Gale squints. Suddenly, Megan becomes DANI, in the same position
and clothing.
DANIMartin...
Gale
starts to go to her but then hears the echo of laughter in the trees. He
hurries off down the main path.
CUT
TO:
INT.
ALBERT’S APARTMENT -- EVENING
ALBERT
and BRADLEY are finishing dinner.
ALBERTHow are your parents doing?BRADLEYThey’re okay, I guess. Jean went home this morning, back to Cincinnati. I can’t blame her, really. It’s been two weeks now since Megan died. I think I’m over the shock of it all, but I still feel kind of numb. Like there’s a dull throbbing in the back of my head that won’t go away. And there’s such an emptiness in the house, like something that’s so missing, it’s tangible.ALBERTYes.BRADLEYYou know, you said you could understand the way I feel, because you lost Millicent and your wife, because they were both murdered.ALBERTI feel that same emptiness, that longing for someone who’s not coming back.BRADLEYBut I don’t think you do understand. You can’t. Because of the way we are, just the way I am, it’s not the same. Megan was my sister, but I never -- I always thought I’d have the chance sometime to... I mean -- I never told her I loved her. And now I can’t.
Bradley
puts his hand on his forehead and tries to will away the tears. Albert puts
his hand on Bradley’s arm.
ALBERTShe knows, Bradley. She knows.
Bradley
starts to cry.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- DAY
GALE
continues quickly down the path. He finds TUPPENCE. She is on her knees, her
hands and feet chained around a tree behind her. She is collared, with a chain
going up to a sturdy branch.
TUPPENCEHelp me! Please, help me! I didn’t do anything wrong! Please, free me!
Gale
stops and looks at her.
TUPPENCEYou! I recognize you! Are you real? Have you come to save me? Please, I can’t stand any more torture! I didn’t kill anybody! Set me free! You can do it, just touch the chain! Please, please!
Gale
squints, then hurries away.
TUPPENCE(cries)No!
CUT
TO:
INT.
KENT’S HOME -- DINING ROOM -- EVENING
ROSEMARY,
OREGON, ELLIOTT, KIMMY, NICHOLAS, PENNY, KENT, and RAMONA are having dinner.
They are all engaged in light conversation. Then, Elliott stands.
ELLIOTTI want to thank Rosemary for this great meal and for your hospitality to me and my family. I also want to take this opportunity to make a very special announcement. The fact of the matter is that I’ve asked Kimmy to be my wife, and she’s accepted.ROSEMARYOh, congratulations!PENNYThat’s wonderful.
Nicholas
shakes Elliott’s hand. Kent stands up.
KENTExcuse me.ROSEMARYKent--?
Kent
leaves the room. Ramona gets up and follows him.
CUT
TO:
INT.
KENT’S HOME -- LIVING ROOM -- EVENING
KENT
is looking out the window as RAMONA enters.
RAMONAKent, what’s wrong?KENTJames should be here. I have to talk to him right away.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- DAY
GALE
moves down the path, then stops. Beside a tree a few feet from the path, he
sees PENNY and LLEWELLYN engaged in a groping kiss. Penny looks at Gale while
Llewellyn kisses her neck. Gale squints, then is startled. Suddenly, Penny has
become DANI, wearing the same clothes. She smiles seductively and goes back to
necking with Llewellyn. Gale runs off down the path.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
SHERIFF STATION -- EVENING
CUT
TO:
INT.
JAIL -- EVENING
KENT
enters and goes to the cell holding JAMES.
JAMESWhat do you want?KENTI had to come and tell you what’s happened. After I heard you were arrested, I went back and found the tape. I destroyed it. But Janet and her son caught me. They took me to their hideout, but I was able to escape. It’s all right, though. Jeremy’s dead and Janet’s been arrested, so you don’t have to worry.JAMESWorry? Worry?!? What the hell are you talking about?KENTTheir plot to frame you. It’s collapsed. You’ll be free any time now.JAMESAre you stupid? They had nothing to do with it.KENTWhat?JAMESListen to me. I killed Megan. Do you hear me? I murdered her with these two hands and I liked it! Her blood was on my skin and I licked it off! Get the picture?
Kent
squints at James and begins slowly backing away.
JAMESAnd where were you? Huh?!? Where were you when I needed you? Always off somewhere hiding! You traitor! You whimpering little slug! But you’ll pay the price! You will! The next time you need me, just watch, because I won’t be there! And then you can rot! You can burn! You can shrivel up! You deserve it!
Kent
reaches the door and exits. James screams after him maniacally, then rattles
the bars and jumps around the cell like a screeching chimpanzee.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- DAY
GALE
comes to the end of the path, which runs along the edge of a steeply sloping
ravine. He stops for a moment, then turns around. Behind him, a few yards away,
is a strange J-shaped tree that makes a natural seat. Sitting on it is
MILLICENT, wearing an elegant black gown. Gale walks up to her. Millicent
stands and smiles at him. Then she gives him a kiss. The MAN WITH A DRUM,
wearing a tuxedo, appears behind them, beating on a large kettle drum. He
disappears again. Gale looks at Millicent. She is looking at where the Man with
a Drum was, then turns her head and looks again at Gale. Then she looks back at
where the Man with a Drum was. Gale looks too. The WOMAN IN RED LEATHER appears
there and begins to dance. Suddenly, her body bursts into flames.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- NIGHT
Suddenly,
it is dark, the only illumination provided by the flaming body of the WOMAN IN
RED LEATHER. GALE looks at MILLICENT. Then, he is startled, for in Millicent’s
place is LLEWELLYN. He grins at Gale, then strikes him across the face,
knocking him to the ground. Gale attacks Llewellyn and they fight savagely.
Llewellyn knocks Gale down into the ravine. Gale tumbles down the slope but
stops himself and climbs back up. As he reaches the edge of the ravine, Gale
finds Llewellyn waiting for him, but Gale grabs Llewellyn’s ankles and pulls
him off balance. Llewellyn falls backwards, smashing his head into the J-shaped
tree. Blood spurts out of Llewellyn’s head. Gale struggles to his feet, reeling
with exhaustion. Millicent stands watching him as the flaming woman dances
around.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
TWINSBURG HOSPITAL -- SUNDAY NIGHT
CUT
TO:
INT.
CHIP’S HOSPITAL ROOM -- NIGHT
CHIP
lies in bed, awake, as TERRENCE examines him.
CHIPReally, Doc, I feel fine.TERRENCEI’ll be the judge of that. You took a couple of nasty knocks on the head. Do you remember what happened?CHIPNot really. It’s all a blur, ever since I got out of prison. I remember being in a phone booth and it was raining. But after that, it’s just a big blur.TERRENCEWell--
A
NURSE enters.
NURSEDoctor Terrence? Could you come with me, please? It’s your, um, special patient...TERRENCE(to Chip)Excuse me.
Terrence
exits with the nurse.
CUT
TO:
INT.
HOSPITAL HALLWAY -- NIGHT
TERRENCE
and the NURSE walk quickly down the hall. They pass ZEKE, coming the other way.
Zeke smiles to them and waves.
CUT
TO:
INT.
BOX LADY’S HOSPITAL ROOM -- NIGHT
TERRENCE
and the NURSE enter. The BOX LADY is sitting in bed, meowing like a cat.
Terrence squints.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
MAPLE LODGE -- NIGHT
SHERIFF
and LYNDON are in the parking lot, where only a couple of other cars remain.
SHERIFFDani’s car is still here, but there’s no sign of her or Gale. They couldn’t have just vanished off the face of the earth.LYNDONBut why would Agent Gale leave in the middle of an investigation?SHERIFFHe wouldn’t. But Agent Duke seems to have disappeared too. And I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a connection. From what Gale told me--
The
black-and-white CAT emerges from the woods and rubs itself up against Lyndon’s
legs. Lyndon bends down to pet it.
LYNDONHi, kitty. Remember me?SHERIFFLyndon...
Then,
KRIZMAN comes out of the woods behind the cat.
KRIZMANSheriff, the friends you search for need you. Urgently.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
PINE FOREST IN SUMMER -- NIGHT
The
flaming WOMAN IN RED LEATHER continues her dance as GALE stands at the edge of
the ravine. LLEWELLYN rises to his feet, blood streaming down the side of his
head, and laughs. The MAN WITH A DRUM appears again, wearing his tuxedo and
beating on his kettle drum. TUPPENCE and LEIGH appear out of the darkness on
either side of MILLICENT, then they walk up to Llewellyn and merge into him.
Gale, suddenly bathed in white light, has a vision.
DANI
is in a cave, wearing an iron collar and chain, dancing languidly within a circle
of fire.
The
vision, the white light, and the Man with a Drum fade away. Llewellyn catches
Gale off-guard and strikes him in the head, knocking him backwards. Gale grabs
Llewellyn and pulls him over the edge of the ravine. They both tumble down the
slope and disappear into the darkness.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
WOODS -- NIGHT
At
the pit filled with dark water and surrounded by mossy rocks, GALE and DANI
appear, lying on the ground unconscious. SHERIFF, LYNDON, and KRIZMAN rush up
to them.
SHERIFFMartin? Martin!
CUT
TO:
INT.
TWINSBURG INN -- GALE’S ROOM -- NIGHT
GALE
awakens in his bed, wearing his pajamas. SHERIFF and TERRENCE are nearby.
TERRENCEThere he is.GALEWhere am I?SHERIFFIt’s okay. Just take it easy.GALEDani! How’s Dani?SHERIFFShe’s going to be just fine.TERRENCEWhat you need right now is rest.GALEDoctor, Bob, would you please excuse me? I need to make a phone call.SHERIFFSure.GALEI need to make a phone call.SHERIFFOkay.
Sheriff
and Terrence exit.
CUT
TO:
INT.
ALBERT’S APARTMENT -- NIGHT
ALBERT
is doing a crossword puzzle. There is a knock on the door. He gets up.
ALBERTComing! Who’s here at this hour?
He
opens the front door. Outside is EMMA, wearing her white fur coat.
ALBERTEmma! Come in.EMMAThank you. I needed to see you.
Emma
comes inside. Albert closes the door.
ALBERTWhat’s on your mind?
Emma
turns around and slips off her fur coat, under which she is completely naked.
EMMAYou are.
Albert
takes her in his arms. They kiss passionately.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
SHERIFF STATION -- NIGHT
CUT
TO:
INT.
SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- NIGHT
SHERIFF
is talking to LYNDON. ABIGAIL is at her desk. GALE enters, dressed in his dark
suit and tie.
SHERIFFWhat are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?GALEI’m afraid I can’t afford the luxury of lying in bed when there’s work to be done. I’m leaving immediately for Peoria, where I’m meeting up with Franklin and Duncan. They have quite a case unfolding there, apparently. I came to say goodbye.SHERIFFThis all seems kind of sudden.GALEWell, Bob, my work in Twinsburg is done. I have to be moving on.SHERIFFWhat about Dani?GALEWe’ll be in touch. It’s my hope that Dani and I will be together for a very long time to come.SHERIFFWell, then, it was a real pleasure to work with you, Martin. If you’re ever out this way, stop in. And if you ever need us, we’ll be there.GALEUnderstood.
Gale
and Sheriff shake hands.
GALELyndon, your bravery is exceeded only by the size of your heart. A rare combination. Keep up the good work.LYNDONThank you, Agent Gale.GALEAbigail, I wish all the best to you and yours.ABIGAILGood bye, Agent Gale.GALEGood bye.
Gale
exits the building. Sheriff watches him go and smiles to himself.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
WOODS -- NIGHT
At
the rock formation, SALTARES lies on the sacrificial stone. He is dead. A large
group of hooded CULTISTS surround the rock formation, holding candles. The
masked CULT LEADER holds up the ornate dagger and wipes the blood off it. Then
he removes his facemask. It is GALE. He bursts into maniacal laughter.
FADE
OUT
Special Agent Martin Gale, 34. FBI agent.
Sheriff Robert Armstrong, 36. Sheriff of Twinsburg.
Megan Thomas, 16. Dead high school sophomore.
Bradley Thomas, 18. High school senior, Megan’s brother.
Alan Cartwright, 50. Real estate developer, mall owner.
Penny Gardner, 17. High school senior.
Duane Cartwright, 18. High school senior, Alan’s son.
Lyle Terrence, 62. Local doctor.
Rosemary Clapsaddle, 40. Owns pastry shop/catering service.
Nicholas Grey, 17. High school senior.
Elliott Grey, 42. Owns bike shop, uncle of Nicholas.
Kent Clapsaddle, 16. High school sophomore, Rosemary’s son.
Abigail Voigt, 24. Sheriff’s secretary.
Tuppence Collins, 46. Dead librarian.
Dani Clapsaddle, 29. Rosemary’s sister-in-law.
Janet Flynn, 39. Twinsburg native returned from England.
James Clapsaddle, 18. High school senior, Rosemary’s brother.
Lyndon Pfiffer, 26. Deputy.
Millicent Collins, 17. Murdered girl, daughter of Tuppence.
Gabriel Saltares, 44. College professor.
Albert Collins, 48. Lawyer, father of Millicent.
Emma Corbett, 25. Mysteriously rejuvenated woman.
Box Lady, 53. Local eccentric.
Kimmy Clapsaddle, 38. Sister of Rosemary.
Llewellyn the Marauder. Killer from the Dark Ages.
Leigh Pfiffer, 23. Dead library aide, sister of Lyndon.
Zeke Chomski, 68. Mailman.
Yvonne Temple, 36. Environmentalist, mother of Duane.
Oregon Blackthorn, 35. Wild West enthusiast.
George Brownturtle, 103. Native American mystic.
Ramona Wingfeather, 18. Maple Lodge janitor, Native American.
Sergei Krizman, 68. Maple Lodge Elder.
Jeremy Flynn, 20. Criminal mastermind, son of Janet.
Chip Clapsaddle, 31. Ex-con, Rosemary’s half-brother.
Anastasia Olivera, 30. Wealthy and beautiful corpse.
Wynton Duke, 48. FBI agent, Gale’s former partner.
Deputies
Nurse
Maple Lodge Elders
Cultists
Man With a Drum
