FADE
IN:
INT.
SFX
A
white flash fills the screen, accompanied by a long, low roll of thunder.
Slowly move down a tunnel of swirling colors and electrical discharges.
CU -- GALE moving toward the camera, squinting, his hair blown about by wind.
There
is another flash, longer this time, during which is heard a menacing laugh that
is quickly replaced by an angelic chorus. The light and music fade.
CUT
TO:
INT.
LODGE -- NIGHT
GALE
awakens on a rustic couch, covered by a plaid wool blanket. Next to him, a fire
roars in the fireplace, providing the only illumination. Groggily, he looks
around the rustic room.
Across
the room, a door slides open, revealing an ASTRONAUT in an unmarked, glaringly
white spacesuit. The Astronaut moves always in slow motion. It enters the room
and crosses to Gale. The Astronaut points to a lamp on the table behind Gale’s
head, causing the lamp to light up.
Gale
turns around to look at the lamp and sees a cup of coffee on the table. He
picks it up, but it is ice cold. The Astronaut holds out its hands and takes
the cup. Its hands and the cup shimmer with silvery-blue energy. The coffee is
now steaming hot. Gale takes it back and takes a sip. The Astronaut exits as it
came in. As the door slides shut again, the lamp goes out.
The
fire flares up and leaps out of the fireplace, forming into the LADY OF LIGHT.
Gale tries to get up, but she holds up her hand.
LADY OF LIGHTDisruption. Disruption. You have crossed the amber circle. You have seen beyond your eyes. You have seen into the darkness.GALELlewellyn...LADY OF LIGHTShimmering. Shimmering. You have disrupted the circle. You must shatter it. You must stop the carnage forever.GALEHow?LADY OF LIGHTDarkness. Darkness. You have the key. You have found the lock. You must journey down the dark tunnel.GALEWe destroyed the tunnel.LADY OF LIGHTTime is of the essence. Time is of the essence. You must find the Electrical Man. He is the locksmith.GALEWhere?LADY OF LIGHTTime is of the essence.
Lady
of Light bends down and kisses Gale passionately. The colors explode on the
screen. Slow fade to black.
TERRENCE (V.O.)I don’t believe it...
CUT
TO:
INT.
TWINSBURG HOSPITAL -- TUESDAY MORNING
GALE
opens his eyes. Standing by his bed are SHERIFF, TERRENCE, and DUNCAN, who is
drinking a cup of coffee.
DUNCANMartin?GALEWhere am I?SHERIFFThe hospital. We’re getting to make a habit of this.GALESheriff Armstrong. I’m back. What hit me?
Duncan
indicates his cup and takes a sip. He grimaces.
SHERIFFThe cup of coffee delivered to your room was poisoned.DUNCANMoreso than usual.TERRENCEAgent Gale, it’s nothing short of a miracle that you’re alive. There was enough strychnine in that cup of coffee to kill a bull elephant.GALEWhat happened?TERRENCEIt’s hard to say. We’re analyzing it now.DUNCANUnfortunately, the good doctor’s magnifying glass keeps steaming up.GALEBob, there was a note...SHERIFFWe found it. Penny didn’t write it. In fact, whoever did didn’t even try to imitate her handwriting.DUNCANWelcome to amateur hour, folks.GALEThat may be so, Duncan. But whoever just tried to kill me came very close to succeeding.
Suddenly,
a NURSE rushes into the room.
NURSESheriff! Sheriff Armstrong!
The
nurse bumps into Duncan, causing him to spill his coffee onto Gale’s stomach.
Gale yelps in shock. Terrence pulls back the sheet, but the coffee has seeped
into the bandage around Gale’s stomach.
TERRENCEDamn it! Help me get this dressing off!
Terrence
and Duncan work furiously.
NURSESheriff, you’ve got to come quick!SHERIFFWhat’s going on?NURSEThere’s a fight downstairs with a visitor and one of your deputies. He needs your help!SHERIFFAll right, let’s go!TERRENCESweet heaven, would you look at that.DUNCANI’ll be damned!SHERIFFWhat?
Sheriff
leans in to look at Gale’s stomach. His stab wound has completely healed.
GALEThe dagger wound... it’s gone.
Duncan
looks in his coffee cup with puzzlement.
CUT
TO:
INT.
HOSPITAL HALLWAY -- MORNING
SHERIFF
and NURSE emerge from the stairwell. They find LYNDON and ALBERT struggling
with DUANE.
DUANEBastards! Bastards! Who did it? Who did this? I’ll kill ’em!LYNDONDuane! Duane!SHERIFF(grabbing Duane)Duane! Settle down! Stop it!DUANE(relents)My father is lying in there like a vegetable and I want to know who did it! Tell me!SHERIFFWe’re investigating it, Duane! We’ll do what we can, but if you want to be allowed to visit, then you’ve got to behave! Or you can go right back to your cell!DUANEOkay, I got it. Just let me be alone with him for a minute.SHERIFFAll right.
CUT
TO:
INT.
ALAN’S HOSPITAL ROOM -- MORNING
DUANE
enters. ALAN is lying in bed, his head bandaged. He is unconscious. Duane looks
at him for a moment.
ALAN(mumbles)No... no... walls all around... so cold... the darkness...DUANEI’m gonna find who did this to you. And they’re gonna pay for it. Nobody walks all over the Cartwrights and gets away with it. Nobody!
CUT
TO:
INT.
HOSPITAL HALLWAY -- MORNING
DUANE
comes back out to where SHERIFF, LYNDON, and ALBERT are waiting.
DUANEAll right.SHERIFFLyndon, take Duane back to the station.LYNDONRight, Sheriff.
Lyndon
and Duane exit.
SHERIFFAlbert, thanks for your help.ALBERTOf course. When I got to work this morning, the deputies had it blocked off with tape. They told me Alan had been pushed out the window.SHERIFFIt looks that way.ALBERTNaturally, I came right over. Do you know if he’ll be all right?SHERIFFDoctor Terrence says it’s too soon to tell.
Sheriff
and Albert walk down the hall together. KIMMY passes them, stops, and watches
them go around a corner. She continues on. She looks terrible, with a vague,
distracted look on her face. She approaches another room, hesitates at the
door, and goes in.
CUT
TO:
INT.
HOSPITAL ROOM -- MORNING
The
blinds are closed. KIMMY walks over and opens them. A man lies in the bed,
hooked up to various tubes. She sits down next to him, begins to cry, and
buries her face in the blanket. Pan over to reveal that it is ELLIOTT.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
HIGH SCHOOL -- MORNING
CUT
TO:
INT.
SCHOOL HALLWAY -- MORNING
PENNY
is with some girlfriends.
PENNYOkay, I’ll see you later.
She
goes to her locker and dials the combination of her lock. The lock opens, she
removes it, and opens the door. The locker is empty. She is surprised. She
turns around to find that NICHOLAS has come up right behind her.
PENNYWhere’s all my stuff?NICHOLASIt’s in my locker. Where it belongs.
He
takes the lock from her hand.
NICHOLASYou won’t need this anymore.PENNYI don’t know your combination.NICHOLASLet me whisper it to you.
Nicholas
kisses her on the ear and the neck. She smiles. Close up of the combination
lock dangling from Nicholas’s hand.
CUT
TO:
INT.
KENT’S HOME -- MORNING
ROSEMARY
comes up the stairs and goes to Kent’s room. She opens the door, but he is not
there, and his bed has not been slept in. She is worried, so she picks up the
phone on the desk and dials.
ROSEMARYYes. I’d like to check if my son came in to school today. Kent Clapsaddle. Tenth. I see. No, no problem. Thank you.
Rosemary
exits the room. She goes by the door of Aunt Elspeth’s room and pauses. She
tries the door. It is unlocked.
CUT
TO:
INT.
AUNT ELSPETH’S ROOM -- MORNING
ROSEMARY
opens the door and enters. JANET is sitting on the floor by the door with her
legs up against her chest. She is in a daze. The room is softly illuminated by
flashing red and blue lights from an offscreen source.
ROSEMARYYou! What are you doing in here? Who let you in? Answer me!
Rosemary
grabs Janet and pulls her to her feet and shakes her. Janet comes to her
senses.
ROSEMARYAnswer me, damn it!JANETNo! Let go of me! Let me go, damn you! You’re mad! You’ve all gone mad! What kind of ghouls are you?ROSEMARYShut up! You don’t understand anything! Just shut your filthy mouth!JANETI certainly don’t understand anything as monstrous as that!
Pan
across the room to a giant chamber where a bed would normally be. The chamber
is black with red and blue lights blinking on it. Through a transparent section
can be seen the perfectly preserved cadaver of an old woman.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
TWINSBURG HOSPITAL -- MORNING
TERRENCE (V.O.)Agent Gale! Agent Gale!
CUT
TO:
INT.
HOSPITAL HALLWAY -- MORNING
GALE,
dressed in his dark suit and tie, emerges from his room. TERRENCE follows him.
TERRENCEAgent Gale, I must protest! Until we know more about--GALEDoctor, you have my absolute assurance that I have never felt better. My wounds have healed and there are several matters that demand my immediate attention.TERRENCEAgent Gale, you know perfectly well that wounds like those don’t just disappear overnight. There isn’t even a scar! We don’t know what happened to you...
DUNCAN
approaches.
DUNCANThe man has a point, Martin. Whatever healed that wound didn’t come from my coffee, and frankly, after the last cup you had, you should be in a stainless steel drawer.GALEDuncan, there are powers at work here far beyond our ability to comprehend. I have been given a glimpse of those powers and the delicate balances they maintain. Those balances have been upset, and it is my duty to restore them.DUNCANI don’t know what frequency you’re tuned in to, Martin, but I must strongly urge caution.GALEThank you, Duncan.
Gale
walks off down the hall and exits.
TERRENCEThere’s just no reasoning with that man.DUNCANTold you.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
VALLEY -- TUESDAY NOON
BRADLEY
is sitting on a rock by the river. ALBERT approaches.
ALBERTHello, Bradley. I’m Albert Collins. Millicent’s father.BRADLEYYeah?ALBERTYou’ve been excused from school today?BRADLEYThat’s right.ALBERTI see. May I ask when your sister’s funeral will be?BRADLEYYeah. It’s tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon.ALBERTYou know, I used to come to this rock at times myself. When I was young, I would sit here, much as you are now, and I’d look into that water, always flowing by.BRADLEYGreat.ALBERTIt helped me put into perspective the bad things that happened to me.BRADLEYThis was more than just some “bad thing!” Megan was murdered in our own living room! I found her!ALBERTBradley, I know the kind of grief you’re feeling. I know it very well.BRADLEYMaybe you do.
CUT
TO:
INT.
ROSEMARY’S PASTRY SHOP -- NOON
DANI
enters, wearing a business suit. ROSEMARY is behind the counter.
ROSEMARYDani! I’ve got something to tell you! Last night, when I was closing, the--
GALE
enters and comes up to the counter.
ROSEMARYExcuse me a minute.DANISure.ROSEMARY(to Gale)May I help you?GALEYes. Hello, Danielle.DANIMartin.GALEMay I buy you lunch?DANII’m sorry, I’m just picking something up. I have to run some errands.GALEToo bad.DANIPlease, go ahead.GALE(keeps looking at Dani)I’ll just have one of those delicious-looking croissant sandwiches.ROSEMARYOkay. That will be a dollar twenty-nine.GALE(pays)There you go. Thanks. Keep the change.
Gale
smiles at Dani. She smiles back. He goes to sit down.
ROSEMARYLast night, I met a man! You should have seen him! He looked great, and he--
PATRICK
enters.
PATRICKDani!
Dani
turns around. Gale watches intently as Patrick walks over to Dani.
PATRICKI’ve been looking for you.DANIWhat do you want?PATRICKI needed to get some of my stuff from the house, but you’ve changed the locks!DANIYes, it was Elliott’s idea, and I think it was a good one.PATRICK(grabs her)Well, let me tell you something, you little--GALE(standing behind Patrick)Is there a problem here?PATRICKFamily quarrel, pal. Butt out.GALEMaybe you should calm down and let go of the young lady.
Patrick
swings his fist at Gale, who dodges the blow. Gale grabs Patrick’s arm and
twists it around his back. Gale pushes Patrick out the door onto the sidewalk.
PATRICKYou’re asking for trouble!
Patrick
storms off. Dani heads for the door, going past Gale.
DANIThank you.
She
hurries off in the opposite direction.
ROSEMARYVery good. He’s had that coming to him. Have a cup of coffee on the house.
Rosemary
pours a cup of coffee. Gale looks at it.
GALENo, thank you.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
SHERIFF STATION -- TUESDAY AFTERNOON
CUT
TO:
INT.
SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- AFTERNOON
LYNDON
is putting up posters advertising the annual Festival of Lights sponsored by
the Maple Lodge. He drops his thumbtacks.
LYNDONDarn it!
Lyndon
gets down on his knees to gather up the thumbtacks. ABIGAIL comes up and stands
behind him.
ABIGAILHello, Lyndon.LYNDONHi.ABIGAIL(kneels down)What are you doing?LYNDONI dropped my thumbtacks.ABIGAILOh. I wanted to tell you...LYNDONYes?ABIGAILI had a wonderful time last night.LYNDONMe too.
Lyndon
leans over to kiss her, putting his hand on a tack.
LYNDONOw!
CUT
TO:
INT.
JAIL -- AFTERNOON
DUANE
is in his cell. SHERIFF approaches.
DUANEHey, how long am I gonna be cooped up in here?SHERIFFWe’re planning an operation to catch Patrick Clapsaddle red-handed.DUANEYeah, let me guess. I’m the bait.SHERIFFYou got it. If you want to get out of here, that is. Your choice.DUANEVery funny. Not.SHERIFFLook, Duane, I know how you feel, what with your dad in the hospital. But you’re responsible for your own actions. And you’ll take the consequences.DUANEYeah. Spare me the sermon.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
HIGHWAY -- AFTERNOON
A
pack of tough-looking BIKERS come roaring down the road. Two bikers wearing
helmets are in the lead. They are dressed the same and riding identical
motorcycles. They zoom past the Twinsburg sign, heading into town.
CUT
TO:
INT.
ROSEMARY’S PASTRY SHOP -- AFTERNOON
ROSEMARY
is on the phone, but there is no answer on the other end. She hangs up, looking
worried. The door jingles and the clinking of spurs is heard. She turns around.
A pair of intricately designed cowboy boots steps into the shot. Pan up to
reveal a MAN in a fancy cowboy costume.
MANHowdy, little lady.ROSEMARYYou’ve come back.MANHell, darlin’. A pack o’ stampedin’ buffalo couldn’t keep me from gittin’ another gander at them sparkly eyes o’ yourn.ROSEMARYReally?MANYou bet. ’Ceptin’ that sparkle’s lookin’ mighty dim at the moment. Tell me yer troubles, little buckaroo.ROSEMARYIt’s my son. He didn’t come home last night. I called the high school this morning, but he never came in.MANHeck, I wouldn’t worry none about that. The boy’s just sowin’ his wild oats is all. He’ll be back when his belly starts a’rumblin’. You take it from me.ROSEMARYI’m sure you’re right... I don’t know your name.MAN(draws his pistols and twirls them)They call me Oregon Blackthorn, sharpshooter extraordinaire!ROSEMARYWow!
CUT
TO:
EXT.
SHERIFF STATION -- TUESDAY EVENING
CUT
TO:
INT.
SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- EVENING
GALE
enters. ABIGAIL is at her desk.
ABIGAILGood evening, Agent Gale. How are you?GALEEvening, Abigail. As the saying goes, never felt better. What’s going on?ABIGAILWell, Agent MacNeil has been setting up some equipment in the conference room. Video equipment, I mean.
The
BIKERS pull up outside.
GALEPerfect. He must have his final report on the murders ready.
The
two lead bikers march in and remove their helmets. They are identical twins DAN
BARRETT and DON BARRETT.
DANWe want to see Sheriff Armstrong!DONAnd we want to see him now!
Abigail
gasps. Gale squints. SHERIFF comes out of his office.
SHERIFFGale, good to see you back on your feet.GALEGreat to be here, Bob.SHERIFFCan I help you gentlemen?DANI’m Dan Barrett. This is my brother Don.DONWe head up the American Modified Motorcycle Organization.DAN(produces a slip of paper)We’ve got a permit to use the Shadygrove campground for our convention this week.SHERIFFYes, I remember. Is there a problem?DONThe whole place has been torn up for construction.SHERIFFWhat?DANBy Cartwright Developers. The foreman there told us to get lost.DONWe’ve got a lot of people outside and nowhere to set up camp.SHERIFFRight. I’ll drive out to Shadygrove with you and see if we can’t get to the bottom of this.DANFair enough.SHERIFF(to Gale)Coming?GALENot this time, Bob. I’ve got a meeting with Duncan.
CUT
TO:
INT.
SHERIFF STATION -- CONFERENCE ROOM -- EVENING
GALE
enters. DUNCAN has set up a VCR with a monitor and a remote and has put up
various maps.
DUNCANPull up a chair, Superman. As per your request, I’ve put together a comprehensive report on the recent killings.GALEThank you, Duncan.
Gale
takes a doughnut and starts to pour himself a cup of coffee. He stops, then
presses the intercom button.
GALEAbigail?ABIGAIL (V.O.)Yes?GALEWould you bring me a glass of milk, please?ABIGAIL (V.O.)Certainly.DUNCANGetting down to business...ABIGAIL (V.O.)Agent Gale?GALEYes, Abigail?ABIGAIL (V.O.)Did you want two percent or one percent?GALEOne percent, please. Skim, if you have it.DUNCANWhenever you’re ready.GALEProceed.
Duncan
starts the tape. An image of Theresa Chavez comes on. He freeze-frames it.
DUNCANTheresa Chavez, 16. Runaway. Found in a wooded area in southern Ohio last year. She had been beaten and stabbed with a broadsword, tiny fragments of which were found embedded in her ankle bones. Fragments that match the sword from the Collins basement. She was found with her wrists bound by shoelaces from her own hiking boots. The letter W had been burned into the underside of the fourth toe of the right foot.GALEAt the time of the murder, Millicent Collins was staying with her father. Tuppence was supposedly at a librarians conference in West Virginia that, it turns out, never took place. In actuality, she was leading the cult activities of the Medieval Re-creation Society.
Duncan
advances the tape to a photo of Millicent.
DUNCANMillicent Collins, 17. Found in a wooded area on the outskirts of Twinsburg ten days ago. She had been tortured, slashed, and stabbed with the same broadsword, the match made from fragments extracted from two of her ribs. She had been tied up with nylon rope. The letter Y was found burned into the underside of the fourth toe of the right foot.GALEMurdered after returning from the high school dance. The next morning, she had planned to elope with her boyfriend and escape her tormentor, using the money gotten through the sale of illegal drugs.
Duncan
advances the tape to a picture of Leigh.
DUNCANLeigh Pfiffer, 23. Found wrapped in plastic which was caught on branches protruding into the river where she had been dumped. Her body had been badly mutilated. She had been bound with barbed wire. The letter N had been burned into the same position on her foot as the others. These killings demonstrate the tendency of serial killers to become more violent and destructive with each victim.GALEAnd Penny Gardner was very nearly next.
Duncan
advances the tape to a picture of Tuppence.
DUNCANTuppence Collins, 46. Demonstrated symptoms of schizophrenia and dissociative disorder, believing herself to be possessed by the spirit of an ancient warrior. Confessed to the killings of Millicent and Leigh, as witnessed by Penny Gardner. Killed while resisting arrest from a stab wound to the heart, delivered by Special Agent Martin Gale. Before dying, she again confessed to the killing of her daughter.GALEThat’s the official version?DUNCANFranklin found your version somewhat... colorful.GALEI see. And Megan Thomas?
Duncan
advances the tape to a photo of Megan, followed by footage of the murder scene
and autopsy.
DUNCANHorse of a different color, Martin. Megan Thomas, 16. The reconstructed scenario goes as follows. 12 noon -- the victim’s parents leave for the day. 1:15 -- the victim’s brother leaves for a friend’s house. 3:00 -- the victim makes a phone call to Grey’s Bike Shop, her place of employment. At about this time, we believe her killer came to the door. She let him in.GALEShe knew her attacker?DUNCANThere were no signs of forced entry. This person then beat her, undressed her, and raped her. Then, he took two tent spikes and a mallet from the basement and drove the spikes through her forearms, into the hardwood floor, like this.
Duncan
extends his arms to make a T shape.
GALEThe only neighbors home at the time reported hearing nothing out of the ordinary.DUNCANThey also reported they had been playing their stereo at the time. After immobilizing his victim in this way, the killer then raped her a second time. He proceeded to vandalize the house, destroying photographs and smearing the victim’s blood on the walls. This took an hour to an hour and a half. Then he terminated his victim’s life with several blows to the head. She would have bled to death shortly in any case. 11:30 -- the victim’s brother returns, finds the body, and contacts the police. The parents also call the police upon their return minutes later. No letters were found anywhere on the victim’s anatomy. In fact, I see no correlation between this and the other murders.GALEDifferent killers.DUNCANNo question about it.GALEThank you, Duncan. Good work.
Gale
squints.
CUT
TO:
INT.
FUNERAL HOME -- EVENING
MEGAN
is laid out in her casket, with the bottom half of the lid closed. BRADLEY,
PENNY, NICHOLAS, ALBERT, CASEY, WILMA, and other anonymous townspeople are
present. Pan from a close-up of Megan’s face around to Albert, who is talking
to Casey and Wilma.
ALBERTBelieve me when I say that I know what you’re going through.WILMAWe know, Albert. Thank you.ALBERTThere’s a certain feeling when you lose a child, especially in such a violent way, that no one who hasn’t felt it can ever understand. But if there is anything I can do for you...
Pan
over to Nicholas and Penny, talking to Bradley.
PENNYI really wish I could say something that would help, Bradley. I really do.BRADLEYHey, it’s cool.NICHOLASDon’t worry about how you feel, man. Everybody’ll understand.BRADLEYWhat, do you want me blubbering and crying? What good would that do?NICHOLASThat’s not what I mean. But you don’t have to pretend. That just hurts you.BRADLEYWell, I’m all right. I...
Bradley
sees JAMES enter and glares at him. James looks around nervously and walks up
to the casket. He looks down at Megan’s face. He tries not to cry, but the
tears come anyway.
BRADLEYWho does he think he is, the dirty--NICHOLASBe cool, man.
Penny
goes over to James.
PENNYJames, are you all right?JAMESI just needed to see her... one last time...
James
exits quickly. Penny returns to Nicholas and hugs him. Bradley scowls, seething
with anger.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
SHADYGROVE DEVELOPMENT -- EVENING
SHERIFF,
DAN, DON, and other BIKERS arrive at the former campground, which has been torn
up for construction. A sign announces new upscale homes to be built. Workers
are milling about, getting ready to go home. The FOREMAN and a COMPANY REP,
wearing a business suit, come out to meet the Sheriff.
COMPANY REPCan I help you, Sheriff?SHERIFFI want to know why this construction has gotten underway ahead of schedule. These people have a legal permit to use the land this week, and the campground wasn’t scheduled to be closed until after Valentine’s Day.COMPANY REPI’m afraid those figures have been changed, Sheriff. And you may recall that when Cartwright Enterprises acquired this land as part of a deal with the city six months ago, all permits issued for use of the land were rendered null and void.DANWhat does she mean, a deal with the city?SHERIFFCartwright offered to help finance the widening and repairing of roads around the mall in exchange for the rights to develop the campground.DONThat’s a hell of a way to run a city.FOREMANNobody’s used this land except for those bikers for years anyway! This development will bring in a lot of money.COMPANY REPHe’s right, of course.DANWell, what are we supposed to do? We had an agreement! We paid for this week already!SHERIFFI’m sure we can come up with an equitable solution...COMPANY REPJust remember who your constituents are, Sheriff. The people who will benefit from this development, not these bikers who come roaring into town once a year.SHERIFFLook, I don’t like the way you--
Suddenly,
a biker woman screams. There is a lot of commotion from the construction
workers. Sheriff tries to see what’s going on. People start running around. The
ASTRONAUT appears, glowing eerily, coming toward them in slow motion. It
approaches Sheriff.
ASTRONAUTFestival...
CUT
TO:
EXT.
NIGHT
A
yellow traffic light flashes.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
WOODS -- TUESDAY NIGHT
JAMES
walks alone in the woods. He stops at an elm tree and leans his head against
it. He caresses the bark of the tree, then hugs it. He sinks to the ground in
tears. Slow fade.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
SHADYGROVE DEVELOPMENT -- WEDNESDAY MORNING
GALE
and SHERIFF check out the scene of the strange sighting.
SHERIFFIt came out of the woods right over there. It was glowing. When it got up closer, I could see it was a man, only much bigger and bulkier. It looked like a radiation suit, or maybe an astronaut.GALEAstronaut...SHERIFFThat set any bells ringing?GALEI don’t believe it! Bob, have you ever experienced a semi-conscious state in which your brain is very active, producing vivid images that fade totally once you regain consciousness?SHERIFFSure, I guess so.GALENothing but the vaguest impression remains. But I remember now! Before I awoke in the hospital yesterday morning, I had a vision of myself traveling down a tunnel toward a light source. At first, I believed this to be the normal post-death experience. However, I found myself by the fireside of a rustic lodge. An astronaut appeared and gave me a cup of coffee. Then, I had a conversation with the Lady of Light.SHERIFFThe one from your other dream?GALEYes, she came out of the fireplace and told me I have to find the Electrical Man or Llewellyn will return.SHERIFFI thought we sealed Llewellyn off by destroying the tunnel!GALEApparently, that was only a temporary solution. We need something more permanent.SHERIFFSo it’s not over.GALEI’m afraid not. And if he kills again, it will be my fault.SHERIFFI don’t know about any electrical men, but the astronaut said one thing before it disappeared.GALEWhat was it?SHERIFFIt said, “festival.”GALEMeaning?SHERIFFYour guess is as good as mine.GALEDamn. Bob, we’ve got our work cut out for us.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
TWINSBURG INN -- MORNING
CUT
TO:
INT.
TWINSBURG INN -- SUITE -- MORNING
JANET
is lying in bed, talking on the phone. She has tea and a newspaper on a tray.
JANETHello, darling. I’ve got some bad news. No, it’s nothing major, just a little snag. It’s James Clapsaddle. He’s Kent’s uncle. The little snoop made a tape recording of our conversation Sunday night. I don’t know! But he’s trying to make trouble. Well, he wants a cut, of course. Yes, I know we... yes. Well, it’s not as simple as that, he’s...
Janet
glances down at the paper. A picture of Alan is on the front page with the
caption “DEVELOPER ATTACKED IN OFFICE -- Cartwright in coma after fall from
window.” Her eyes grow wide.
JANETDamn him!
CUT
TO:
INT.
KIMMY’S APARTMENT -- MORNING
KIMMY
answers the door. It is GALE and SHERIFF. Kimmy has been drinking.
SHERIFFMiss Clapsaddle?KIMMYYeah? What do you want?SHERIFFWe need to talk to you about your brother.KIMMYChip? Is he out? I thought... wait.SHERIFFNot Chip. Patrick.KIMMYOh. Come in.SHERIFFWe’re sorry to disturb you, but it’s important, and we found out you hadn’t gone to work this morning.KIMMYNo, I’m not feeling well. It’s this damp weather, you know. The cold’s murder on my back.GALEWe’ll only be a few minutes, ma’am.KIMMYWell, I don’t know what I can tell you. He doesn’t tell me much about what he does, you know, so I don’t know if he’s done anything or what he’s done. I haven’t seen him all week, to be honest.SHERIFFDo you have any idea where we could get ahold of him? We’d like to talk to him.KIMMYNo, I don’t know. Please, I don’t know anything. I don’t know what’s going on.GALEMa’am, Elliott Grey was hospitalized last night with a gunshot wound. I understand you two were close. Can you tell us anything about that?KIMMY(starts to cry)No. Elliott... I just don’t know. I don’t know why these things happen to me. What have I done? Why can’t I just be left alone? I don’t want to be involved.
Gale
motions to Sheriff that they should leave.
SHERIFFThank you for your time, ma’am.
Gale
and Sheriff exit. PATRICK comes out of the back bedroom, puts his hand on
Kimmy’s shoulder, and squints.
CUT
TO:
INT.
ALAN’S HOSPITAL ROOM -- MORNING
ALAN
is in bed, still unconscious. JANET enters.
JANETWell, well. How the mighty are fallen. Was it Kent? Tell me! Stupid, impetuous boy! It was too soon. I hadn’t closed my net around you. Now, everything may be lost! Wake up, damn you! You’re not going to escape my revenge this easily, Alan. You corrupted me. You destroyed me! And now, I’m going to destroy you. I’m going to take everything you have. But you have to be there to see it -- to see me standing over you with my foot on your throat! After all these years of planning, of nursing my hatred for you, I’ll not be cheated of it now! Do you hear me?ALAN(mumbles)Walls... no... concrete blackness... no... no... please... I can’t breathe... no sunlight... closing... they’re closing in on me...
Janet
squints at him, then turns and exits.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
FIRST BANK OF TWINSBURG -- WEDNESDAY NOON
CUT
TO:
INT.
DANI’S OFFICE -- NOON
DANI
is at her desk, getting ready to go to lunch. GALE approaches.
DANIMartin.GALEGood morning, Danielle.DANIWhat can I do for you?GALEI’d like to talk to you.DANIAll right.GALEAbout your husband.DANII’d rather not discuss my husband, Agent Gale.
She
starts to walk away.
GALEDid you know he was involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs?DANI(stops)No. No, I didn’t. Are you certain?GALEWe are in the process of gathering evidence. Does this surprise you?DANINot really. In fact, it explains a great deal. He was always buying things, little things, and I didn’t really know where the money came from. I guess I assumed he had been gambling. He’d often be out all night, or go on little trips that he wouldn’t talk about. I just thought he was having an affair or something.GALEI’m afraid it is worse than that. We have arrested a high school student who sold Patrick’s drugs to his fellow students.DANIKids? That’s awful!GALEYes.DANIAgent Gale... Martin, I’ll readily admit that there’s nothing between Patrick and me anymore. I’ll be happy to assist your investigation in any way I can.GALEDanielle, you are a good woman.DANIThank you. And thank you for coming to my rescue yesterday. You were quite wonderful.GALEPreserving the peace is part of my job, Dani. May I buy you lunch?DANIThat won’t interfere with your case?GALEI don’t think so.
CUT
TO:
INT.
CORBETT HOME -- NOON
WAYNE
comes out of his bedroom in his pajamas and stretches. He walks past the front
door and sees his school bag on the floor. He smiles to himself. He goes into
the kitchen and pours himself a bowl of cereal. He loads it up with sugar and
then breaks up pieces of a banana on it. He squishes the banana between his
fingers and laughs.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
CEMETERY -- WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
Megan’s
funeral is underway. GALE, SHERIFF, BRADLEY, PENNY, TERRENCE, NICHOLAS, LYNDON,
ALBERT, CASEY, WILMA, and other townspeople are present. The MINISTER is also
on hand.
MINISTERIt is with a heavy heart that I find myself performing this particular duty once again under such tragic circumstances. We are reminded that sorrows do not walk alone. We have lost another of our fair daughters, and there is no peace in our hearts. Our tiny town, isolated, we thought, from the evil and strife of the world. But we have learned that tragedies are visited upon us even here. Megan was intelligent. She was creative. She was beautiful. And we are the lesser for her passing.
JAMES
approaches and stands a short way off. Bradley sees him and is infuriated.
MINISTERWe must find that strength within that allows us to go on, remembering always the brightness that she gave to our hearts, and the--BRADLEYNo! You bastard! Get out of here!
Bradley
breaks out of the crowd and attacks James. They fight on the ground. Casey and
Wilma start screaming at him. Gale and Sheriff move in to break it up. Albert
holds Bradley back.
BRADLEYYou killed her! How dare you come here? You filthy murderer!SHERIFFBradley, that’s enough!BRADLEYYou’ve got no right to be here!ALBERTBradley!PENNY(to James)Are you okay?
James
runs off.
PENNYJames!SHERIFFJames! All right, let him go.
Albert
lets Bradley go. Bradley wipes his mouth on his sleeve.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
AFTERNOON
Maple
trees sway in the wind against a pale gray sky.
CUT
TO:
INT.
DAY
A
glass of milk sits on a wooden table.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
CEMETERY -- AFTERNOON
The
cemetery is deserted, save for JAMES, who returns to Megan’s fresh grave. He
looks at the headstone. PENNY approaches.
PENNYJames?JAMESHi.PENNYI’m sorry about what happened. Everyone felt awful for you.JAMESYeah.PENNYI know you’re very upset. You really liked Megan. Do you want to talk? I’m here if you do. You don’t have to always be alone.JAMESI think I’m more comfortable alone.PENNYOkay.
She
turns to leave.
JAMESPenny? I guess I’d be more comfortable staying in bed all day, too. But I’m better off getting up and going to school.PENNYYou’re a neat guy, James. Why does Bradley hate you so much?JAMESI don’t know. I guess it was over Megan. He was afraid of me.PENNYWhy?JAMESBecause I... I loved her.PENNYI didn’t know. I’m sorry.JAMESHe didn’t want us to ever be together. I guess I didn’t measure up to his standards.PENNYDid Megan know how you felt?JAMESNo... no, I never told her.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
SHERIFF STATION -- AFTERNOON
CUT
TO:
INT.
SHERIFF STATION -- CONFERENCE ROOM -- AFTERNOON
GALE
has a glass of milk. SHERIFF pours a cup of coffee.
SHERIFFMilk?GALESomehow, coffee has lost its appeal.SHERIFFI don’t blame you.
BRADLEY
enters.
SHERIFFBradley, come on in.GALEQuite a show you put on, Bradley.BRADLEYHey, I was upset and I lost it, all right? He shouldn’t have showed up anyway. That guy, man, he gives me the creeps.SHERIFFWhat can we do for you?BRADLEYWell, I know Megan told you about some dream she had about Millicent...GALEYes, it was very helpful.BRADLEYWell, she was always having weird dreams. She told me about one the day after Millicent died. I didn’t think too much of it until now.GALECan you tell us about it?BRADLEYShe said it was about me, and I’d been nailed to the wall of a room that was going around and around. She said blood was running all over and making really sick sounds.GALEWhat kind of sounds? Did she say?BRADLEYLike sloshing noises.GALEYes, I see what you mean. Marked similarities to her own death. Thank you, Bradley.BRADLEYSure.GALEOne last thing.BRADLEYYeah?GALEDid your sister keep a diary?BRADLEYNo, she didn’t really like writing very much. She sure drew all the time, though. She’s got stacks of drawings in her room.GALEThank you, Bradley.SHERIFFThanks for coming in.
Bradley
exits. Gale squints at his milk.
CUT
TO:
INT.
ROSEMARY’S PASTRY SHOP -- WEDNESDAY EVENING
ROSEMARY
is serving some CUSTOMERS when KIMMY enters, drunk.
KIMMYRosemary?ROSEMARYHi, Kim.
Kimmy
leans on the counter right next to the customers.
KIMMYRosie, I gotta talk to you.ROSEMARYJust a minute. I’m helping these people.KIMMYNow! I gotta talk to you right now.ROSEMARY(to customers)I’m sorry.(to Kimmy)Look, sit down and I’ll be with you in a minute!KIMMYThat’s what you always say, you’re always too busy for me. It’s always been like that! You never change!ROSEMARYWill you be quiet?! Lower your voice!KIMMY(screaming)I’m not going to be ignored! Don’t tell me what to do! You always are so bossy! I hate you!ROSEMARYLook at you, you’re drunk out of your mind! If you want to talk to me, get sobered up first! I’m not going to listen to you rant and rave like a babbling idiot!
The
customers exit.
ROSEMARYWait! Come back, don’t -- Oh, thanks a lot, you stupid bitch! Look what you’ve done!KIMMY(crying)I hate you! I’ll never speak to you as long as I live!
Kimmy
storms out. Rosemary takes the glass coffee pot and hurls it at the wall in
frustration. The pot shatters and coffee runs down the wallpaper.
CU -- COFFEE on the wall.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
WOODS -- EVENING
GALE,
SHERIFF, and LYNDON approach a hunting cabin.
SHERIFFThis place belongs to Patrick Clapsaddle. He comes up here in the summers to hunt. He could be hiding out here now.GALEHe may be armed. We’ll have to use extreme caution.SHERIFFRight.GALELyndon, extreme caution.LYNDONRight.
They
check around the cabin, but it appears deserted.
CUT
TO:
INT.
HUNTING CABIN -- EVENING
SHERIFF
opens the door. GALE and LYNDON follow him in.
SHERIFFWell, let’s see what we can find.LYNDONSheriff.GALEKeep on your guard.LYNDONSheriff.SHERIFFWhat is it?LYNDONI have to go to the bathroom.SHERIFFWell, all right. Just be careful.
Lyndon
goes to the bathroom, turns on the light, and closes the door.
GALECheck the kitchenette. I’ll try the fireplace.SHERIFFGood idea.
Sheriff
searches the cupboards and the refrigerator. Gale shines his flashlight up the
chimney and feels around. The toilet flushes and the sink water is heard
briefly.
SHERIFFAnything?GALENot yet.LYNDON (O.S.)Sheriff! Agent Gale! Sheriff!
Lyndon
comes out of the bathroom. Sheriff and Gale go up to him.
SHERIFFWhat’s wrong?LYNDONI flushed the toilet when I was done, you know, but the bowl didn’t refill, so I thought something was wrong and I took the lid off the tank to check it out and I found this!
Lyndon
holds up a large Ziploc bag containing cocaine.
GALELyndon, you just hit the jackpot!
CUT
TO:
INT.
DANI’S HOME -- WEDNESDAY NIGHT
DANI
enters from the garage, carrying two bags of groceries. She sets the bags down
on the kitchen counter and takes off her coat and shoes. She begins putting the
groceries away. She rubs her neck. She is very tired. She walks through the
living room, taking off her business suit.
In
her underwear, Dani goes in the bathroom and runs a bath. She takes off her
bra. Her panties drop around her ankles and she steps out of them.
Dani
goes into the hall and opens the linen closet. She takes out some baby powder
and a fresh towel. Suddenly, she is grabbed and spun around. It is PATRICK.
PATRICKNo Lone Ranger to rescue you this time, Dani. I said I wanted to talk to you.
CU -- DANI is scared to death.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
WOODS -- NIGHT
GALE,
SHERIFF, and LYNDON walk through the woods with their flashlights.
GALENow we’ve got hard evidence against Clapsaddle.SHERIFFIf we can find him.GALEDon’t worry, he’ll -- what on earth?SHERIFFWhat?
Gale
shines his light on a tree. There is a tap in the wood with a bucket hanging on
it.
SHERIFFOh, yeah. People draw the sap to make their own maple syrup. It’s the best there is.GALEIncredible.SHERIFFI think this stand belongs to the Box Lady. She’s always had the best maple--GALEBob!
Gale
shines his light on another tree. Two legs are coming out from the other side.
They run over and go around the tree. Tied to the tree, with sap dripping on
her head, is the BOX LADY.
GALEThe Box Lady!SHERIFFShe’s alive!GALEShe appears to be in some kind of trance. Ma’am? Ma’am! Can you hear me?LYNDONWhere’s her box?
CU -- GALE squints.
CUT
TO:
INT.
HOSPITAL HALLWAY -- NIGHT
Pan
down a hallway, past an empty nurses’ station. Cut to an empty waiting room, a
television playing silently.
CUT
TO:
INT.
ALAN’S HOSPITAL ROOM -- NIGHT
ALAN
lies in bed, restless.
ALAN(mumbles)The walls... everywhere... all around me... I can’t stand it... can’t see... can’t breathe... no sun... no light... no... no... NO!
He
wakes with a start.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
TWINSBURG INN -- NIGHT
CUT
TO:
INT.
GALE’S ROOM -- NIGHT
GALE,
in his pajamas, is making an audio recording.
GALERoseanne, I now conclude another busy day, grateful that events have allowed me another chance for a decent night’s sleep. As you know, being a Special Agent for the Bureau is no nine-to-five job, and I am often called upon to work around the clock. I admit, since I have come to Twinsburg, I have slept better that ever in my adult life. There is a strange and unmistakable quality of tranquility here, despite the dark and often violent events that have rocked this tiny community. The splendor of the natural world which surrounds this town lends an aura -- no, a scent of peacefulness to the...
The
sound of many motorcycles fills the air as they roar up, gun their engines, and
stop. Many voices are heard outside, Gale looks out the window.
GALERoseanne, at least six dozen motorcycle enthusiasts have just parked their vehicles in the inn parking lot and are now heading for the lobby. Although I had thought they would not be necessary on this assignment, I am fortunate to have with me my silicon ear-pillow earplugs. One must be prepared for any eventuality.
CUT
TO:
INT.
CORBETT HOME -- NIGHT
A
late-night talk show is playing on the television. WAYNE is asleep on the
couch, with a bag of snacks next to him and a bottle of soda pop overturned on
the floor. Suddenly, the TV screen is filled with static as the reception is lost
completely. The house begins to shake, and Wayne wakes up. He looks around in
confusion, then goes to the kitchen.
As
Wayne enters the kitchen, a bright white light fills the house from the
backyard. Suddenly, in the back door bursts EMMA -- young, beautiful, and
bursting with energy.
EMMAI’m back!
CUT
TO:
INT.
GALE’S ROOM -- NIGHT
GALE
is asleep in bed. An eerie light illuminates him. Small bolts of electricity
dance around the room and coalesce into the ASTRONAUT. Gale wakes up and is surprised.
The Astronaut holds out its hand for a moment. Gale suddenly realizes he has
earplugs in and quickly takes them out.
ASTRONAUT--ssage.GALEWait!
The
Astronaut fades away. Gale realizes he’s missed something important.
CUT
TO:
EXT.
CEMETERY -- NIGHT
BRADLEY
is at Megan’s grave.
BRADLEYMegan, why did you leave me like this? First Millicent, now you?! Why? What’s going on? Everything used to be so simple! I knew the score, but now everybody’s dying and there’s nothing I can do! I told you to stay away from that James Clapsaddle. I told you! You should have listened to me! Now it’s too late... I don’t want you to be dead! Megan... don’t leave me all alone...
Bradley
hears a noise and looks up. A girl approaches, wearing a heavy denim coat. Her
hair is hidden in a headwrap. She smiles. It is MEGAN.
GIRLBradley...?
FADE
OUT
Special
Agent Martin Gale, 34. FBI agent.
Sheriff
Robert Armstrong, 36. Sheriff of Twinsburg.
Megan
Thomas, 16. Corpse.
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.
Abigail
Voigt, 24. Sheriff’s secretary.
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.
Wayne
Corbett, 9. Local boy.
Lyndon
Pfiffer, 26. Deputy.
Albert
Collins, 48. Lawyer.
Patrick
Clapsaddle, 33. Brother of Rosemary, husband of Dani.
Duncan
MacNeil, 38. FBI forensics expert.
Emma
Corbett, 25. Mysteriously rejuvenated woman, mother of Wayne.
Casey
Thomas, 41. Father of Megan and Bradley.
Wilma
Thomas, 40. Mother of Megan and Bradley.
Box
Lady, 53. Local eccentric.
Kimmy
Clapsaddle, 38. Sister of Rosemary.
Lady
of Light. Mystical being.
Oregon
Blackthorn, 35. Wild West enthusiast.
Dan
Barrett, 30. Motorcyclist, twin of Don.
Don
Barrett, 30. Motorcyclist, twin of Dan.
Minister
Nurse
Company
Representative
Construction
Site Foreman
High
School Students
Bikers
Mourners
Pastry
Shop Customers