EXT. A DARK COUNTRY ROAD – NIGHT
A late 70s or 80s
STATION WAGON is BARRELLING down a dark, deserted road.
SUPER: Inspired by true events.
The car slows as it
approaches a sharp S-CURVE.
SUPER: Saturday, December 23, 2006.
INT. A LATE 70s or 80s STATION WAGON
– NIGHT
A FATHER drives, a
MOTHER sits by his side in the front passenger seat. Their SON and DAUGHTER ride in the back
seat.
The father appears
irritated as he drives down the road.
Are you sure this is the right one?
The mother peeks out the passenger window to see nothing but fields and darkness.
I don’t know. All I see is fence and ditch.
(beat)
Let me check.
The vehicle THUMPS a huge pothole and SHAKES the entire car.
Larry.
What? Blame the county, not me. It’s these damn potholes.
She throws a look at him.
The mother opens the glove box and retrieves a ROAD MAP. The mother FLICKS on the dome light, attempting to read it.
Are you kidding me? How are you going to blame me for a pothole?
I have to pee, daddy!
(in rear view mirror)
You wouldn’t go back at the gas station. Why couldn’t you go then?
(long pause)
Huh?
But that was an hour ago!
(squinting at map)
We’re on 359, right?
The father looks
over to her scornfully.
No. Whatever road this is, we turned left. You said first left. This is the first left, past the sharp curve on Long Point.
Was that 762 or 359 before Long Point? I don’t think we were supposed to go straight. We should have turned left at those flashing yellow lights back there.
(to mother)
You are a terrible navigator.
He SCOWLS at her in
the dim light.
Why didn’t you just ask that gas station back there?
The father drives in
silence.
(smirks)
Of course not, because you’re a man, and men don’t ask for directions, now do they?
The father looks at
her with an irritated look on his face.
What’s the house number again?
(irritatedly)
114.
Did you tell him when we’d be there?
(sighs)
Ten or eleven.
What time is it now?
I don’t know, Larry.
Well, why won’t you check, Mary.
The mother looks
down at her watch: 11:59 PM.
Great. It’s almost midnight.
I‘m hungry.
We’ll be at Grandma’s soon, honey. Don’t worry.
We’ve been driving for hours!
A SMALL FIGURE of a
BABY is sitting Indian-style in the middle of the road.
(screaming)
Larry! Watch out!
The blurred,
transparent figure JUMPS UP, and crawls on all fours extremely fast across the
road.
The father GRABS the
wheel tightly, and SLAMS on the brakes.
EXT. A DARK COUNTRY ROAD – NIGHT
The STATION WAGON
SCREECHES to a halt, but SLIDES sideways and SLAMS into the ditch off the right
side of the road.
The car SLAMS into a
barbed wire fence and goes airborne.
The wagon lands hard
as the vehicle flips vertically at BLAZING SPEED several times, smashing all
the windows out in the darkness.
The station wagon
lands upside down in the middle of a moonlit cow pasture, with all four wheels
still SPINNING.
SILENCE, except COWS MOOING in the darkness.
A WHOOSH, the
station wagon’s front catches FIRE.
THE BARBED WIRE
FENCE is mangled, but STRETCHES right back to the way it once was.
A BRIGHT FLASH
START CREDITS:
CREDITS are DAYTIME
STILL FRAMES of Brumbelow Road. Pot
holes, skid marks, barbed wire fencing.
Cow pastures, fields of crops, run-down houses, etc.
TITLE CARD: A green, Brumbelow Road
Sign, off TX 1462.
A VERY LOUD GUNSHOT shooting the sign, causing it to SPIN.
INT. LARGE PARTY -
LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
A LOUD PARTY,
consisting of 30 or 40 high school students.
SUPER: Friday, March 30, 2007.
A BLONDE MALE,
approximately 17-19 yrs old, is on his way out the front door. He STRUGGLES to put his jacket on, his right
arm STUCK.
Brian!
BRIAN stumbles, turns around and stops in the doorway.
Hey.
(grinning)
I gotta to go.
An attractive TEENAGE FEMALE stands in the hallway with her hands on her hips.
(smiling)
Was it something I said?
He looks over,
clumsily pointing to a large decorative wall clock: 11:28 PM.
No, Liz… It’s my dad. He’s gonna kill me if I don’t get home by midnight.
Midnight? That sucks. Are you sure you can drive home okay?
I’ll be fine. I’d rather take my chances than face the wrath of him.
He CHUCKLES.
Well I need a ride… Could you take me home, too?
Brian approaches LIZ
very slowly, pulls her towards him, and KISSES her on the lips.
(smirks)
Sure. Let’s go.
They hold hands and
head out the front door.
INT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
BRIAN is driving
at a high rate of speed down a dark, deserted highway. LIZ watches Brian nervously as he shifts.
FEET on clutch
and gas pedals.
Brain grabs the
stick shift and DOWNSHIFTS. LIZ looks at
him apprehensively as the car’s engine WHINES and slows down.
Liz looks at the
car’s stereo clock: 11:48 PM.
Why are you turning here?
(smirks)
Shortcut. I can’t be late again or my keys are gone until next semester.
Yeah, but it’s almost midnight.
That’s why I’m taking the shortcut. This is quicker, trust me.
This way at midnight? Are you crazy?
(scoffs)
Those are just stories, Liz. You don’t seriously believe that crap, do you?
Liz remains
silent, staring straight ahead.
EXT. CORNER OF
LONG POINT RD AND TX HWY 36 – NIGHT
A GREEN ROAD SIGN
reads: LONG POINT ROAD
A SPORTS CAR, with
body kit and wing turns left and ZOOMS past the sign.
INT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
As BRIAN drives
even faster, the indiglo speedometer reads: 80 mph.
Don’t you think we’re going a little too fast?
(laughs)
No worries, babe. I know this road like the back of my hand.
Brian continues
driving faster, as the engine REVS louder.
Brian! Watch out!
EXT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
A DOG leaps from
a driveway on the left side of the road in an attempt to chase the car.
Brian SWERVES
wildly and SLAMS on his brakes, narrowly missing the dog.
INT. SPORTS CAR – NIGHT
BRIAN loses
control, grabbing the wheel tight and DOWNSHIFTS the car.
Shit!
His eyes are wide
with panic.
Liz grabs the
safety handle over the passenger door window tightly as she pulls her seatbelt
tighter with her left hand.
EXT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
The car SLIDES
sideways and SWERVES across the deserted road.
BRIAN desperately attempts to regain control of the vehicle as he SLIDES
halfway into the opposing ditch.
Brian is
successful, as the car SLIDES back on the road.
INT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
BRIAN looks in his rear view mirror intensely.
Damn dogs.
(sighs, laughs)
You
okay?
Yeah, thank God for the “Oh, Shit” handle.
The both LAUGH.
Liz’s face
abruptly turns serious as she looks ahead.
EXT. LONG POINT
ROAD – NIGHT
BRIAN’S CAR
approaches a sign that reads:
C.U. HEADLIGHTS
SHINE on "Zamanek Rd left, Brumbelow Rd right".
The little red
sports car slows and turns right, SLIDING onto BRUMBELOW ROAD.
INT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
BRIAN and LIZ both look down at the car stereo clock: "11:56 PM"
We’re not going to make it.
He’s gonna kill me. This’ll be my last party for a while.
(mutters)
Probably.
He BEATS on the
steering wheel with his right fist.
Damn!
INT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
BRIAN drives further down the road and approaches an "S" curve.
(yelling)
Slow down! You’re freaking me out, Brian!
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD
S CURVE – NIGHT
The car is driving
way too fast as BRIAN almost loses it halfway into the curve.
BRAKE LIGHTS
The car SLIDES on
the outside as he barely keeps the car on the road, FISHTAILING it for a
moment.
Brian is now on a
long straightaway of Brumbelow Rd.
INT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
BRIAN looks down at the speedometer: 50 mph.
Whew, that was close.
You’re gonna get us both killed if you keep driving like this. Slow the fuck down, Brian!
Brian speeds up as
soon as he spots the long straight-a-way ahead.
INT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
The car is BLAZING
down the road, at a very high rate of speed.
Damn pot holes are gonna mess up my shit…
LIZ holds onto to
her seatbelt, tightening it with every bump in the road.
Maybe if you were actually doing the speed limit… that wouldn’t be a concern, now would it?
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD
STRAIGHT-A-WAY – NIGHT
Fog is starting to
appear, very thick across the roadway.
BRAKE LIGHTS
BRIAN slows down as
he spots a yellow sign that shows an intersection crossing symbol.
INT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
BRIAN sits up in his
seat, carefully eyeing the road. LIZ
looks down at the stereo’s radio: 11:59 PM
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD
INTERSECTION – NIGHT
BRIAN and LIZ
approach the intersection in the red sports car at about 40 mph. There are no stop signs posted at the 4-way.
INT. SPORTS CAR –
NIGHT
LIZ looks down again
at the stereo clock to see the time beep over to: 12:00 AM.
The car crosses through the intersection…
As this happens, an intense BRIGHT FLASH shines through the passenger
side window, lighting up LIZ’s face.
Liz and BRIAN both
look to the right side of the sports car’s passenger window in horror.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD
INTERSECTION – NIGHT
BRIAN’s CAR gets
slammed on its right side, DRAGGED off the road, SMASHING on the driver side in
the ditch several yards away from the intersection. The car SLAMS back down, upright.
SMOKE as a SMALL
FIRE erupts from under the hood of the car.
No other cars seen in sight for miles.
INT. MOBILE HOME
TRAILER – NIGHT
AN OLD MAN is
watching TV late at night, eating a bowl of cereal.
He LEAPS from his
recliner and looks out a window near his front door.
He cannot see
anything, but a small bright light across his front yard, up where Brumbelow
Road is.
He picks up a
cordless telephone and DIALS 911.
911, what is the location of your emergency?
Yeah, hello… I think there’s been an accident in front of my house… At the corner of Beard and Brumbelow.
The old man peers
out the curtains of his window.
Is anyone hurt, sir?
I don’t know, all I see is a fire up along the fence.
Can you go outside and find out more for me?
(long pause)
We don’t go outside before or after midnight around here.
The old man hangs up
his phone.
He closes the window
curtains and retreats to his recliner. The old man sets his cordless phone down on a
nearby end table.
RING RING RING
RING The cordless phone RINGS
suddenly.
The old man refuses
to pick up the phone. Instead, he turns
up the volume on the television set and resumes eating his cereal, SMILING.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD
INTERSECTION – NIGHT
SIRENS scream as an ambulance and fire truck arrive on the side of the road.
TWO EMS TECHNICIANS
in their thirties, one male, one female, appear from the ambulance.
FIREMEN have put out
the engine fire on the car.
The male EMS
Technician grabs a flashlight from the ambulance.
He shines the
flashlight on the car’s remains:
The car is severely
smashed on the right side. The car’s
passenger side is bowed in, like a "V" shape from a massive
collision.
The male EMS
Technician approaches the vehicle cautiously as the female EMS Technician waits
on the road, holding a large emergency kit case.
The male EMS
Technician shines the flashlight inside the car.
He GASPS and immediately looks away in horror. He promptly walks back up to the road.
He shakes his head at
the female EMS technician.
Call it in.
The female EMS technician stares back at the smoldering car in disbelief.
INT. A MASTER
BEDROOM - DAY
Decorative art and
décor hang on the walls, suggesting a John Wayne fanatic lives here.
A MAN in his late
thirties walks in the bedroom from an adjacent bathroom.
SUPER: Wednesday, April 11, 2007.
A WOMAN in her late
thirties, dressed in a pink robe is sitting on the KING SIZED bed, smirking at
the man as he slides on a shirt.
Nervous?
Why should I be nervous? First day, new town.
As the finishes
putting his shirt on, it appears to be a POLICEMAN’S SHIRT. A shiny badge and name plate proudly display
across his chest as he buttons his shirt up.
What could happen?
He unzips his pants
and tucks his shirt.
(pauses, smiles)
You’ll do fine. You wouldn’t have landed the position if you didn’t do so well in your training, right?
You mean I wouldn’t have landed it if the other officer I’m replacing didn’t retire.
(beat)
Besides, the academy is a lot different from being out in the field, Cathy.
He sits down on the
bed beside her and laces up his shiny police issued shoes.
At least it’s not like Houston.
(smiling)
It’s just a little ol’ one horse town.
One horse town, huh?
He stands up, walks
over to a nearby rocking chair and grabs his POLICE ISSUED UTILITY BELT,
complete with holster and gun.
I’m just saying… Now we can enjoy peace and quiet. Nothing happens out in the country… You know?
He straps on his belt and tightens up his buckle.
Things happen. Anytime, all the time. What about that school fire last year? Some kid almost burned the entire place down… Remember?
She nods.
That would have never happened back in my day. There were no posted signs displaying no firearms on the school grounds… No metal detectors, sex in the bathrooms. It’s a whole different breed of kids, now.
He walks back
towards the bed as the wife stands up and grabs him, pulling him closer to her.
Well you should be ready for anything! You’re my John McClane!
(looks around room)
More like, John Wayne.
She SNICKERS. They both kiss passionately.
He walks to the
nightstand and picks up a black tie and wraps it around his neck.
CATHY grabs his tie
and helps by adjusting and tying it for him.
She sits back down
on the bed as he returns to the bathroom.
I’m not sure when I’ll be home. I’ll try and let you know something when I can.
I’ll be here waiting! I still need to finish with all those boxes in the living room, anyways.
He returns with a
cell phone, strapping it on the side of his belt.
He finished yesterday.
He smoothes out the
wrinkles in his shirt and rests his hands on his belt.
How do I look?
I’ve always said I loved a man in uniform.
She WINKS and stands
up from the bed. They kiss again.
The policeman is
heading out the bedroom door as the woman stops him by saying:
Frank?
He turns around and
looks at her, raising his eyebrows.
She grabs a pair of
handcuffs hanging on the headboard of the bed.
FRANK smirks and
takes the handcuffs from her.
EXT. SMALL COUNTRY
HOUSE – DAY
FRANK enters his
police cruiser, parked in the driveway at their house.
A small pickup truck
and small four door sedan are parked in front of the cruiser.
Frank starts up the
police cruiser, and slowly backs down the driveway.
EXT. WOODED SUBDIVISION
INTERSECTION – DAY
The police car approaches a small T-Shaped intersection with left blinker on.
A TEENAGE MALE wearing a backpack is standing at the corner of the
intersection, kicking rocks into the ditch.
FRANK rolls down his
window and sticks his head out.
Bus isn’t here yet, son?
Nah. Must be broke down or something.
Sure you’re not early…
(smiles)
…or late?
(shrugs)
I don’t know… I don’t see anybody else waiting.
Come on Matthew, I’ll take you.
Matthew SMILES
WIDELY, walks around the car and hops in.
INT. POLICE CRUISER
– DAY
MATTHEW looks in awe
at all the buttons and lights on the dashboard of the police cruiser.
Came in late last night, didn’t you?
SILENCE from
Matthew.
What time did you get in?
MATTHEW
I dunno, one.
Where were you?
MATTHEW
Friend’s house.
Already making friends in the area?
He nods back to his
father.
There is an awkward
silence, as neither knows what to say to each other.
So, uh… Big day for both of us, huh?
MATTHEW
Yeah, I guess so.
Aren’t you excited?
MATTHEW
Not really.
Pretty cool how you’re going to the same school I went to.
MATTHEW
(smiling)
They had school back then?
FRANK looks over and
frowns at him.
Ha ha, that’s real funny, wise guy.
(beat)
Next time I’ll make you ride in the back.
He BANGS his hand
twice on the cage behind his head and throws a GRIN. Matthew scowls and looks out the window.
MATTHEW
Why couldn’t I have waited until next Monday
to start?
(scoffs)
…Just a few more days.
Oh? You want to stay home and help your mother unpack? I can turn around.
Matthew frowns, and
stares ahead in silence.
Exactly.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - FRONT
ENTRANCE – DAY
MATTHEW gets out of
the police cruiser and walks up the front steps to the school.
INT. SCHOOL FRONT
ENTRANCE – DAY
He walks inside the
school and the halls are empty.
SILENCE
He spots a sign that
reads: “MAIN OFFICE” with an arrow pointing up.
VERY LOUD BELL
Matthew is shaken as he looks up to a bell sounding off in his ears, directly
above him.
Suddenly the entire
foyer is filled with STUDENTS going from all directions to different classes,
carrying backpacks and schoolbooks.
He gets BUMPED and
SHOVED by several STUDENTS, almost falling over.
MATTHEW
Hey, watch it!
(to
himself)
Great…
Must be late.
INT. POLICE STATION
BRIEFING ROOM – DAY
A POLICE CHIEF is
briefing FOUR OFFICERS seated at a table.
POLICE
CHIEF
I want all of you to pick up a hot sheet of
the most recent stolen cars in the area, on your way out. Also, make sure you all have your…
He looks at the
glass window on the door. Frank is
standing there nervously.
POLICE
CHIEF
…department issued…
The Chief waves him in. FRANK opens the briefing room door as it
CREAKS LOUDLY.
POLICE
CHIEF
Officer Bellows! Nice of you to finally join us, here on your
first day!
All the officers
turn around and frown at him, shaking their heads.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Sorry, Chief.
I had to drop my son off for school this morning. He missed the bus.
POLICE
CHIEF
Frank, I thought by letting you take the
cruiser home, that’d help you get here, ready to go, and on time?
Frank looks back,
nervously at him and smiles.
POLICE
CHIEF
I want everyone to meet our newest addition,
Officer Frank Bellows.
Frank smiles again,
waving to the other officers.
POLICE
CHIEF
He’ll be taking over Runesworth’s patrol.
The entire room
fills with GHOST MOANS and BOOGEYMAN SOUNDS.
BOOs and OOOOs. Frank looks at
the officers, surprised and confused.
POLICE
CHIEF
Everyone quiet! All of you shut up and act like real police
officers.
(long
pause)
This is not showing Officer Bellows a good
example of this department.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What’s the big deal?
OFFICER
IN THE BACK
You’ll see.
LAUGHTERS and
OOOOOOOs fill the room again.
POLICE
CHIEF
I said shut it! Briefing dismissed! Get out there and do your jobs. Bellows!
Come over here!
The room clears out
quickly as everyone rushes out.
Frank walks up to
the front of the briefing room and takes a seat.
The CHIEF walks
around his podium, approaching Frank.
POLICE
CHIEF
Frank, good to see you again.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(nodding)
It’s great to be here, sir.
POLICE
CHIEF
Pretty impressive record I received from your
instructor over at Harris County Academy.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Thank you, sir.
POLICE
CHIEF
How’s the family? Your wife?
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS
Good.
She’s fine. Still getting settled
in.
POLICE
CHIEF
That’s great… It was nice meeting her last
night when you two came to get the cruiser.
Frank smiles back politely.
POLICE
CHIEF
(pauses)
So anyways, hey listen… Got a report of some
missing cattle in the area. I want you
to go out there and check it out when we’re done here.
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS
Cattle, huh?
Sounds exciting.
POLICE
CHIEF
You want excitement? We had a real nasty collision, about two
weeks ago off that same road. This marks
the seventh fatality out there this year…
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Seventh this year?
POLICE
CHIEF
(nodding)
…all on the same road.
(raises
eyebrows)
Frank looks at him
with total surprise.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Sounds like a dangerous road to be on.
POLICE
CHIEF
Off Beard and Brumbelow. That’s close to your home, isn’t it?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
I’m not sure… I’ve have been studying the
maps all week. That does sound familiar…
(beat)
Off 1462?
POLICE
CHIEF
Yes.
This was a double fatality… A
Brian Bradshaw and Elizabeth Cassidy…
(beat)
So sad, two of our local teens. I knew Brian and his father well. He was such a good, young man. Autopsy from last week ruled it as DUI. The coroner reports suggest it was a hit and
run.
(pauses)
It was not
a hit and run, Frank.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What makes you say that?
THE POLICE CHIEF
stands in silence. He walks over to his
podium and grabs a HERALD COASTER newspaper.
POLICE
CHIEF
March 30th.
He SLAPS the paper
down on the table in front of Frank.
C.U. HEADLINE READS: BRUMBELOW ROAD
STRIKES AGAIN! TWO KILLED IN BIZZARE HIT AND RUN CRASH.
A black and white
photo of Brian’s car, smashed up in the ditch.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
So maybe it was an 18 wheeler, or something?
POLICE
CHIEF
Not at midnight, Frank.
Frank nods and
raises an eyebrow.
POLICE
CHIEF
We need to talk about your new patrol area.
Frank looks up at
the Chief with a puzzled expression across his face.
INT. HOUSE - LIVING
ROOM – DAY
CATHY BELLOWS opens
all the windows in the room. She maneuvers
her way through endless stacks of moving boxes.
She sits down on a
recliner covered in plastic, picks up a pack of CIGARETTES and lights one up.
A large stack of
boxes FALLS on top of her.
CATHY
BELLOWS
(to
herself)
Shit!
Her cigarette starts
to burn one of the boxes as she STOMPS the flame out with a nearby decorative
pillow.
EXT. SMALL AIRSTRIP
– DAY
A worn down wooden
sign reads: “TINY TIM’S TINY LIL’ AIRSTRIP – Crop Dusters for hire. Since 1980!”
A GREASY MECHANIC
PILOT is wrenching underneath the plane’s engine as A PILOT IN COVER-ALLS holds
a tall can and smokes a cigarette.
BEER
DRINKING PILOT
Are you going to spray any today?
GREASY
PILOT
Not if I don’t get this damn thing to stop
spewing oil all over the place.
BEER
DRINKING PILOT
Aren’t we going to lose our contracts if we
keep cancelling fields, Mick?
MICK
THE PILOT
I’ll get it fixed, don’t you worry about
nothing.
BEER
DRINKING PILOT
Why don’t you take the other plane, and go
dust the ones off Thompson Highway? You
know, take a break.
MICK
THE PILOT
You’re giving me orders?
BEER
DRINKING PILOT
Hey, someone’s gotta stay here to answer
phones.
MICK
THE PILOT
So what about the phones? Like we’re not already backed up.
BEER
DRINKING PILOT
I’m just saying, Mick. Maybe you need a break.
MICK
THE PILOT
Screw that, Andy… Why don’t you do something
around here instead of sitting on your lazy, beer drinking ass all the time?
ANDY
THE PILOT
Well, if you’d fix this damn thing, maybe we
can take both planes out!
MICK
THE PILOT
And you can’t take the other plane out while
I try to finish up here? I’m probably
going to be stuck working on this all week.
You keep breaking ‘em faster than I can fix ‘em.
(beat)
I mean it… You’re so worthless, man. I don’t even know why Tim hired you.
ANDY
THE PILOT
Because I’m the better pilot than you!
He lifts his beer
high in the air, and spills some on Mick.
MICK
THE PILOT
I can fly and I’m the mechanic, so that makes
me more valuable…
Mick SLIDES out from
under the plane. He points a wrench at
Andy.
MICK
THE PILOT
All I gotta do is say something to Tim and
you’re outta here, man. I mean it,
Andy. You better start doing something
around here.
ANDY
THE PILOT
Alright, fine! I’m going then. Jeez.
Andy STUMBLES his
way into the hangar as Mick shakes his head and continues WRENCHING on the
plane.
EXT. COW PASTURE -
DAY
FRANK is walking
with a FARMER along a long stretch of dirt road.
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS
How many cows would you say you’re missing?
FARMER
I had close to 60 of em. Now I’m down to 13.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You only have 13 left?
The farmer NODS as the
two approaches a cattle guard with a heavily chained and locked gate.
FARMER
No broken locks. No open gates. No tire tracks, nothing.
Frank looks down and
inspects the ground at their feet.
FARMER
Damnedest thing, don’t ya think?
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS
Where’s your house?
The farmer nods
west.
FARMER
About four or five miles down the road, off
Long Point.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
When did you first realize the cattle were
missing?
FARMER
About a month ago or so, I realized a few
kept turning up missing… you know, got out the fence, wandered off…
FARMER
…something.
But when I got here today, I knew something just wasn’t right. There’s too many of them missing now.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Have you talked to any of the other livestock
owners around here?
FARMER
All of us are missing cattle around here! Anybody down this road, for that matter.
(beat)
No one off Zamanek, of course. Probably one of those guys, stealing the cattle
and selling ‘em before we get a chance to brand ‘em.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Why would you say that?
FARMER
It’s all the calves, all under 3 to 4 months
of age, that’s why!
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Why don’t you brand them right away?
FARMER
Too stressful on them… They won’t suckle, you know? If you can’t get ‘em strong at that age,
their worthless.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
How many calves do you have left now?
FARMER
Now?
None… All that’s left is the old ones!
Frank kneels down
and inspects the ditch. He looks over
the grass and road.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Wouldn’t someone need a trailer or something
to haul them off?
FARMER
Most likely.
That’s some heavy calves.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Have you ever recovered any of them?
FARMER
I’ve gotten 4 or 5 calls from neighbors in
the past few weeks. They’ve told me
about a dead calf or two in their backyard, all scratched up to pieces.
Frank SPINS around
and stands up.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
How’d they know the calves were yours?
FARMER
I’ve called and asked them, if they seen any around!
They’d call me when they’ve shown up in their yards.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You said they were scratched up?
FARMER
Yeah, you know – like a giant tiger or
mountain lion. All scratched to a bloody
mess.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Or maybe like a barbed wire fence?
The farmer and Frank
eye each other in deep thought.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD
- INTERSECTION – DAY
FRANK gets out of
his police cruiser and looks down the long stretch of Brumbelow.
He immediately
starts sweating, looking at a patch of dead grass along a barbed wire fence where
BRIAN’S CAR crashed.
Frank walks back to
his police cruiser and gets inside.
INT. FRANK’S POLICE
CAR – DAY
FRANK grabs a
clipboard in the passenger seat and flips through some sheets. He looks up, through the windshield and spots
A MAILBOX just ahead.
Frank throws down
the clipboard and STARTS the car.
EXT. MOBILE HOME
TRAILER – DAY
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS gets out of his police cruiser and walks up a rigid set of makeshift
steps to a trailer.
He KNOCKS RAPIDLY on
the door and looks around the yard.
Finally, an OLD MAN
opens the door slowly.
OLD
MAN
Yes? Well
what is it?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Hi. My
name is Officer Frank Bellows of the Needville Police Department.
(beat)
I’d like to ask you a few questions about the
incident that occurred in front of your residence on March 30th… Do you have a
moment, sir?
OLD
MAN
I ain’t never seen you out here before.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
I just joined the force, sir.
OLD
MAN
Well… Somebody already came by a few weeks
ago. Why don’t you go ask him? What do you want from me?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
That was probably the coroner, sir.
OLD
MAN
No, it wasn’t the coroner… it was Dave, one
of the volunteer fire department.
(beat)
I know Dave…
I don’t know you, though.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Regardless, sir. I need to ask you a few more questions. Can I come inside, please?
The old man pauses,
then opens the door slowly and steps aside for Frank to enter.
INT. SINGLE-WIDE
MOBILE HOME TRAILER – DAY
The inside is smoky
and dark. FRANK stands near the front
door as the OLD MAN takes a seat in his recliner. The old man points to a worn sofa across from
him.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What is your name, sir?
He retrieves a small
notebook and pencil from his breast pocket.
OLD
MAN
I already toad ‘em I didn’t see nothin’ that
night.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Your name, sir?
OLD
MAN
Heard it, though.
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS
What did you hear?
OLD
MAN
Sounded like a damn car crash, whadya’ think
I heard?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Can I please get your full, legal name, sir?
OLD
MAN
Irving Michael Peterson. You can just call me Irve.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Thanks, Irve.
He SCRIBBLES down in
his notepad.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
How long have you lived out here, Irve?
IRVE
Where’s Runesworth? I’d expected him to be here if anybody’s gonna show up asking questions.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
He’s retired now. That’s why I’m here. I thought I’d stop by and ask you some more
questions.
IRVE
That’s funny.
He never mentioned nothing about no retirement to me.
Frank SCRIBBLES more
down in his notepad. He appears
irritated at Irve.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
How long you lived here?
IRVE
Here?
Oh I’d say about… well over 40 years in total.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
That’s a very long time.
IRVE
No shit it is! I moved back here in uh, 77. Got the land from my daddy.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
And how do you know Runesworth?
IRVE
It’s a small town! Everybody knows everything and everyone around
here.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
How long have you known him? Were you two close?
IRVE
I met Runesworth in 86. No, maybe it was 87. Wait, it was definitely 85.
Frank SCRIBBLES in
his notepad. He gets agitated more with
each SCRATCHING OUT of the years as Irve talks.
IRVE
Ya, 85.
So anyways, yeah, he’d stop by to check up on me. Quite a bit, actually…
(pauses,
eyeballs Frank.)
…every time someone’d die.
Frank looks up and
stares at Irve with curiosity.
IRVE
Been a while now, though. Hadn’t stopped by last couple of deaths.
(thoughtfully)
Hmmph.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You mean months?
IRVE
Deaths.
I meant what I said. I’m not that
senile, ya know.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
So you knew Runesworth for over twenty years?
Irve nods.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
When did you last see him?
IRVE
I reckon it was Christmas time… Some wagon
flipped in the ditch over there.
(pauses)
Suppose you and I are going to get to know
each other real good, eh?
Irve CACKLES back at
Frank. Frank replies with a half-smile.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(clears
throat)
The Chief of Police did tell me about all the
fatalities this year.
IRVE
Did he tell you that the road was cursed? I bet he didn’t tell you that, now did he?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Cursed?
IRVE
It’ll getchya if you’re not careful.
(beat)
Just don’t be ‘round here at midnight. No
matter what, ya hear me? Speeders,
drunkards, hoppers, pill poppers or not.
Mark my words …
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What will get you?
IRVE
Nobody knows! … There’s stories… legends about it. People been getting killed off that road for
years…
(pauses)
…long as I been here, anyway.
Frank eyes him
carefully and writes more down in his notepad.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What about all the people who live here,
right off the road?
IRVE
Just don’t go out at night.
(pauses)
Simple as that. You’re safe if ya stay in. If ya don’t meddle with it at midnight, I
done toadja.
Frank stares back at
Irve, as if he’s crazy.
INT. SCHOOL
CLASSROOM – DAY
MATTHEW BELLOWS is
sitting in a classroom, staring blankly out the window.
The school bell RINGS and the class jumps to life, hurrying outside the
classroom. Matthew exits the classroom
as a fellow STUDENT greets him outside.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY
– DAY
MATTHEW stops short
as a MALE BLONDE HAIRED STUDENT meets him outside the classroom doorway.
BLONDE
HAIRED STUDENT
What’s up?
You gotta ride?
MATTHEW
BELLOWS
Nah, I’m hitting the bus.
BLONDE
HAIRED STUDENT
Screw that, man. You can ride with me.
MATTHEW
BELLOWS
Nah, I better not… Parents.
BLONDE
HAIRED STUDENT
Dude, your parents won’t find out. You can hang over at my house until the bus
shows up.
Matthew hesitates, shifting his eyes around.
BLONDE
HAIRED STUDENT
Look, you won’t get home until almost five
riding the bus, man.
MATTHEW
BELLOWS
(raises
eyebrows)
Alright.
Cool.
The two walk down
the crowded halls of the school.
Everyone is scrambling to leave the campus.
BLONDE
HAIRED STUDENT
Your old man get onto you for getting home so
late?
MATTHEW
BELLOWS
Nah, it’s cool. He asked where I was and shit, but I was
like, whatever.
BLONDE
HAIRED STUDENT
Sweet.
EXT. TRAILER – DAY
FRANK exits Irve’s
trailer, and heads down the steps. IRVE
follows and stands outside the trailer at the bottom of his steps.
Frank shakes Irve’s hand as he says:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Thanks for your time, Mr. Peterson.
IRVE
See ya real soon, Officer!
Irve CACKLES again
loudly at Frank. Frank looks at him with
disbelief. He turns and walks back to
his police cruiser.
Frank opens the door
and sits down in his police cruiser. Irve
sits on his steps and watches Frank with a smile.
INT. FRANK’S POLICE
CRUISER – DAY
FRANK turns left
onto Beard Road, and approaches the intersection of Beard and Brumbelow.
EXT. BEARD RD AND
BRUMBELOW RD INTERSECTION – DAY
FRANK’S POLICE
CRUISER turns left onto BRUMBELOW ROAD, and SPEEDS down the straightaway of
Brumbelow.
INT. FRANK’S POLICE CRUISER – DAY
FRANK is driving
down Brumbelow in deep thought. He STARES
off into the scenery on the sides of the road.
EXT. TX FM 1462 AND
BRUMBELOW RD T-INTERSECTION – DAY
FRANK’S POLICE
CRUISER stops at the junction as a BRIGHT YELLOW 70s CAMARO RUMBLES by.
The police cruiser’s
light bar flashes to life as the car SPINS OUT and turns left to follow the
speeding car.
EXT. TX FM 1462 –
DAY
Frank’s police
cruiser is stopped behind the yellow sports car on the side of the road.
INT. YELLOW SPORTS
CAR – DAY
MATTHEW is seated in
the front passenger seat, looking in the side mirror apprehensively while
holding a cigarette.
The BLONDE HAIRED
friend is sitting calmly in the driver seat as he PUFFS a cigarette.
SIDE VIEW MIRROR
IMAGE: FRANK gets out of the police cruiser, holding a ticket book.
MATTHEW
Aw, shit.
Matthew FLICKS his
cigarette out the window with lightning speed.
BLONDE
HAIRED FRIEND
Chill out, Matt. Don’t be acting all paranoid.
MATTHEW
It’s my dad.
BLONDE
HAIRED FRIEND
Ha ha, Oops.
MATTHEW
Yeah, oops is right. I’m not supposed to be riding with anybody
else besides the bus or my parent’s cars.
BLONDE
HAIRED FRIEND
Relax, we’ll tell em you missed the bus. It’s your first day, no big deal.
MATTHEW
Maybe, but I’m still gonna get it for not
calling.
KNOCK on driver
window.
The blonde haired friend rolls down his window slowly as he tries to SHHH
Matthew and calm him down. Matthew is
very nervous and turns his head, facing out the passenger window.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
License and registration.
The blonde haired
friend leans over and grabs his insurance card from the glove box. Matthew continues to have his head turned
away.
FRANK leans down and
looks into the car. The driver unbelts
his seatbelt and retrieves his wallet. He
hands the license and insurance card to the officer.
Frank takes the
license and insurance. He looks them
over and clips them on his ticket book.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Why were you in such a hurry, James?
JAMES
Lot’s of homework?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Right.
Nice try, Mario Andretti.
(beat)
You do know I’m going to have to write this
one down? I can’t give you a warning
since you were doing 15 miles over the posted limit. I might have been nicer if it were 5.
James flicks some
ash off his cigarette over the driver window.
JAMES
Sorry, Officer.
Frank starts
SCRIBBLING down on his ticket book, reading over James’ license and
information.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
I’m also going to ignore that cigarette,
seeing as you’re not 18 yet, Mr. Johenstein.
JAMES immediately
FLICKS the cigarette out the window, barely missing Frank’s head.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
…And the littering.
James SLUMPS down in his driver seat, uneasy.
Matthew nervously
stares out the passenger window with his head turned.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You live off Franklin?
JAMES
Yes, sir.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(smiling)
Looks like we’re going to be neighbors.
RIP! Frank tears the ticket off the ticket book
and hands the ticket, license, and insurance card back to James.
James SCOWLS and
SNATCHES everything from Frank.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Try to keep it under 60 next time, Mr.
Johenstein. Your insurance expires soon,
so don’t forget to put the new card in your glove box. Oh, and Matthew?
Matt spins his head
around and leans in, towards the center console and looks up at his father.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Hop in the car, son.
JAMES
(quietly)
Busted.
Matt opens the door
and gets out of James’ car. He solemnly
walks back to Frank’s police cruiser and opens the front passenger door. Frank walks to the cruiser:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
In the back.
MATTHEW
Aw, Dad.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(sternly)
I said… in the back.
James’ car RUMBLES
to life as he SPEEDS away, WAVING.
INT. FRANK’S POLICE
CRUISER – DAY
MATTHEW sits silently
in the back seat of the cruiser as FRANK drives.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
So… How was your first day?
MATTHEW
What do you think? I’m riding in the back of a police car.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You know your mother and I don’t want you
riding with other kids. Things happen
with teenage boys and cars… They tend to show off.
MATTHEW
Yeah right.
We were just going home, you know.
We weren’t doing anything wrong.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Oh, really?
So I pulled him over just to say ‘hello’, huh? Maybe if he weren’t breaking the law and
speeding I wouldn’t have caught you riding with him. Right?
Matthew sits in
silence.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Exactly.
(long
pause)
So, does your mother know you’re smoking now?
Matthew’s eyes get
wide with panic.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Come on, son.
I know you’re trying to fit in, be cool, or whatever.
Matthew rolls his
eyes and shakes his head.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
But don’t make the same mistakes your mother
and I made when we were kids.
MATTHEW
(angrily)
But Dad…
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
No buts!
It’s a nasty habit. Your mother
and I quit years ago.
Matthew SCOFFS, then
raises his eyebrows at what he just said.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Well it’s nice to see you already making
friends at school, I guess.
MATTHEW
I didn’t meet him at school, dad.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Oh really?
How do you know him, then?
MATTHEW
You ask too many questions.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Do you see the big, shiny black and white
police car you’re riding in?
MATTHEW
(long
pause)
I was riding my bike down the subdivision,
you know, getting to know the area… I met him at the creek bridge.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
So that’s where you were last night, huh?
(beat)
Have you met his parents yet?
MATTHEW
Yes,
Dad.
(irritatedly)
Man, do you have to know everything?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Well, if you’re off smoking and riding in
cars with him, I better know everything about him and his family.
(beat)
…Capeshe?
MATTHEW
(sighing)
Yeah, I got it.
EXT. AIRSTRIP – DAY
MICK THE PILOT is
underneath the small crop duster, as oil SPEWS and dumps all over his face.
He SLIDES out from
under the plane. His face and chest is
drenched in oil.
MICK
THE PILOT
SHIT!
ANDY THE PILOT walks
from the small hangar, chugging another beer.
ANDY
THE PILOT
How’s it going, Mr. Goodwrench?
Mick grabs a rag and
starts wiping off the oil from his face.
MICK
THE PILOT
We’re going to need a new pan and
gasket. Damn thing is trashed… What are you still doing around here?
ANDY
THE PILOT
I can’t fly without the spray. Where is it?
MICK
THE PILOT
Aw, come on Andy! You were supposed to order it yesterday,
remember? You should already have it by
now!
Andy stares at Mick
blankly.
ANDY
THE PILOT
(shrugs)
Guess I forgot.
MICK
THE PILOT
I’m gonna have to order some parts for this
thing. I guess I’ll have to call in more
spray, too. Man, you are such a
waste! We can’t do anything today!
ANDY
THE PILOT
So we’ll do it tomorrow. Nothing we can do about it, now can we?
Mick walks away in
disgust, heading into the small hangar.
INT. AIRPLANE HANGAR
– DAY
MICK THE
PILOT/MECHANIC heads to a small door that reads, “OFFICE”, walks in and SLAMS
the door behind him.
INT. AIRPLANE HANGAR
- TINY OFFICE – DAY
MICK THE
PILOT/MECHANIC picks up the phone and DIALS a number.
MICK
THE PILOT
(on
phone)
Yeah Hi, Tim… It’s Mick.
(pause)
Listen… I need to talk to you about
Andy. Got a minute?
EXT. HOUSE – DAY
Frank’s police
cruiser pulls up to their house. FRANK
gets out and opens the back passenger door for MATTHEW.
Matthew runs up to the house as Frank says:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
I’m going back on my shift. Be sure and tell your mother how you got
home.
(pause)
You know I’m going to ask her later, right?
Matthew stops at the
front door and SIGHS as he opens it.
Frank sits inside
his police cruiser and backs out of the driveway.
INT. DINING ROOM -
NIGHT
MATTHEW BELLOWS and
his mother, CATHY BELLOWS, are seated at the dining room table enjoying dinner.
Matthew PICKS at his
food nervously.
MATTHEW
When’s Dad coming home?
CATHY
Later.
MATTHEW
Do I have to help with anymore boxes after
dinner?
CATHY
No, you can go do whatever. I’m almost finished.
(beat)
How was school?
MATTHEW
School was good.
CATHY
Did you make any new friends?
(beat)
Anybody exciting I should know about?
She eyes him
carefully as Matthew CLINKS his fork down on the plate.
MATTHEW
He already told you, didn’t he?
She smiles and takes
a bite of her food.
MATTHEW
What did he tell you?
CATHY
(coyly)
Told me what?
MATTHEW
You know…
(smiling)
The house did smell faintly of cigarette
smoke in the living room when I came in.
(thoughfully)
Funny, I don’t smell it anymore. Hmm.
CATHY
Alright fine.
I’ll talk to your father.
MATTHEW
Can I ride with James anytime? After school?
She throws “the
look” at him.
CATHY
Don’t push it.
MATTHEW
If I take the bus, it’ll be forever until I
get home. Like 5 or 6.
She finishes her
last bite on the plate as she looks at him, silently.
MATTHEW
That’s what James told me!
Matthew’s attention
turns to the front window of the house.
Frank’s police
cruiser pulls up through the trees of the driveway.
MATTHEW
Dad’s home.
Matthew finishes his
plate and SHOVES it away from him. He
finishes a glass of milk as the front door SWINGS open and FRANK steps inside
in full police uniform.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Hey.
Cathy stands up,
walks over to Frank and kisses him on the cheek.
CATHY
How are ya?
Get ya a plate. It’s still warm!
Cathy walks back to
the dining table. She proceeds to start
cleaning up the table and dishes.
CATHY
Long day?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You could say that. More like a weird day.
She looks at him,
curiously.
INT. AIRPLANE HANGAR
– NIGHT
MICK abruptly opens
the office door and walks outside the airplane hangar, SLAMMING it behind him.
ANDY THE PILOT is
leaned against the broken down crop duster, GUZZLING another tall can.
MICK
THE PILOT
Andy!
Listen up. I just got off the
phone with Tim.
ANDY
THE PILOT
Great.
(BURPS)
Daddy, Mick’s being mean to me.
MICK
THE PILOT
More spray will be here, first thing in the
morning.
Andy takes a final
swig from the can and nods.
MICK
THE PILOT
You’re going to dust the entire sheet on the
board this week while I finish this here plane.
ANDY
THE PILOT
Wait a damn min-
MICK
THE PILOT
You need this job, don’t you? If you don’t like it, call Tim back and talk
to him about it.
ANDY
THE PILOT
How am I supposed to…
Mick SWOOPS up a
tool bag and CLANGS a bunch of wrenches in the bag, storming off. He jumps in his JEEP and SPEEDS OFF as Andy
watches with a dropped jaw.
INT. LIVING ROOM -
NIGHT
FRANK BELLOWS sits
in a recliner watching TV. CATHY is
sitting on the sofa, relaxing in pajamas.
CATHY
Do you think it’s cursed?
FRANK
BELLOWS
You know I don’t think curses are real. If you believe in something enough, your mind
makes it come true.
MATTHEW walks in from the hallway in a tee
shirt and jeans.
MATTHEW
Makes what come true?
FRANK
BELLOWS
Nothing.
Just some crazy old man, telling ghost stories about some road a few
miles away.
CATHY
Where are you going? Don’t you have homework?
MATTHEW
Nah, it was my first day. Can I go out, now?
FRANK
BELLOWS
Where to?
MATTHEW
I dunno, down the street.
FRANK
BELLOWS
You mean James’ house?
MATTHEW
Ya, so?
Frank looks up from the TV and eyes his son
carefully.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Alright, be home before 10.
MATTHEW
10?
Come on, Dad.
FRANK
BELLOWS
You’re not getting in at all weird hours of
the night, like last night.
Matthew
starts to head out the front door.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
And, hey!
Matthew
stops immediately in the doorway. He
SPINS around and eyes his father.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Your mother and I can’t afford to take you to
school anymore, like this morning, either.
(beat)
You made my ass late, you know.
(smiling)
Why don’t you find out exactly when that bus
comes around here when you talk to your little friend?
MATTHEW
I could always get a ride with him, instead.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(shakes his head)
Unnh, uh.
Don’t think so. You’re not riding
with other kids. Capeshe?
Matthew SIGHS and SLAMS the front door behind him.
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS
(yelling)
And don’t slam the door!
(to
Cathy)
That kid’s trouble. I don’t trust him.
CATHY
Which one?
Frank turns to her and pauses:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Both of them.
EXT. LIBRARY – DAY
SUPER: ALBERT GEORGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS drives up in his police cruiser and walks through the entrance of the
library.
INT. LIBRARY - FRONT
COUNTER – DAY
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS walks toward an ELDERLY LIBRARIAN WOMAN sitting behind a
counter.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Hello.
My name is Officer Frank Bellows of the Needville Police Department.
OLD
LIBRARIAN LADY
So you’re the new officer in town? It’s very nice to meet you, Officer
Bellows. I’m the librarian, Olga
Huntington.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Hi, Olga.
Nice to meet you as well.
Frank observes the
room intently.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Listen, I don’t have much time. I’m on patrol in the area, and I just wanted
to stop by and ask a quick question.
OLGA,
THE OLD LIBRARIAN
Sure, what’s your question?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Do you keep all the old newspapers on file
around here?
OLGA,
THE OLD LIBRARIAN
We don’t exactly keep them around, you
know. This is a very small library,
Officer.
Frank looks around
disappointedly, and bored.
OLGA,
THE OLD LIBRARIAN
That’d pile up quick around here!
We do have them all stored on the microfilm,
though.
Frank SPINS around
with a smile.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
How far back?
INT. LIBRARY - MEDIA
ROOM – DAY
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS is seated at a small desk in a dark, tiny room. He scans several newspaper negatives on an
old microfiche projector.
Beside him are
several microfiche flat sheets scattered everywhere on the desk.
At his feet, reside
4 or 5 boxes with different years stamped on the sides:
1975-1980,
1980-1985, 1985-1990, 1990-1995, 1995-2000, 2000-2005, and PRESENT. The 1975-1980 one is open.
Frank is writing
down notes from time to time, as pages strike his interest.
C.U. on projector screen: Title of newspaper, THE HERALD COASTER.
TWO KILLED IN CRASH,
Brumbelow Road - Officer Eric Runesworth reported both dead from impact.
Frank SLIDES OUT the
sheet, grabs another microfiche sheet:
FAMILY OF THREE FOUND IN FIELD, Brumbelow Road - Officer Eric Runesworth on the
scene.
Frank SLIDES OUT the
sheet, grabs another microfiche sheet:
MYSTERIOUS MOTORCYCLE CRASH, Brumbelow Road - Officer Eric Runesworth arrived
on the scene approx 22 minutes after ETD.
Frank SLIDES OUT the
sheet, grabs another microfiche sheet:
He scans the dial from left to right, and stops as his eyes widen:
C.U. CATTLE THEFTS
INVESTIGATED, Brumbelow Road.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS (V.O.)
(reading
quietly)
March 9, 2005 - They may not arrive on
horseback carrying rifles and ropes, with bandanas covering their lower faces,
but cattle rustlers are still keeping lawmen busy trying to track them, and the
cattle they take.
He pauses, looks up at window near door. He looks back at the projector screen and
continues:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS (V.O.)
(reading
quietly)
On Feb. 16, Robert Vacek went to one of his
pastures in Longpoint to feed his cattle, just like any other day. The only
problem was that his 11 calves were no where to be seen. According one of the
neighbors in the area, Vacek’s animals were seen in the pasture on Wednesday
morning, Feb. 15. But on Feb. 16, after looking closely at the lock on the
gate, it was evident that no one had disturbed the gate or the lock.
(beat)
Officer Eric Runesworth, local police officer
of the Needville Police Department, said there cattle were pastured in an area
of the county (Brumbelow Road, off FM 1994) “where there is not a house for
about a mile and a half, but is populated enough to observe unusual activity.
Frank SCRIBBLES down
in a notepad, looks back at the projector.
Frank SCOFFS, and
leans back in his chair in deep thought as a LOUD KNOCKING on door startles
him.
Frank stands up,
composes himself and opens the door.
INT. LIBRARY – DAY
OLGA is waiting outside the door with wide eyes.
OLGA,
THE OLD LIBRARIAN
Just making sure you’re alright in there!
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Yes, thank you. I’m fine.
OLGA,
THE OLD LIBRARIAN
Alrighty!
Don’t you get those fishies outta order!
We won’t be able to find anything around here if you do.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(smiles)
Don’t worry, I won’t.
She just stands
there, staring at Frank. Frank looks
back with a blank face.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Was there anything else?
OLGA,
THE OLD LIBRARIAN
Uh, yes Officer.
(quietly)
We’ll be closing in about an hour.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(smiles)
Oh…
Right. I’ll… I’ll only be a few
more minutes.
He SLAMS the door in
her face.
OLGA,
THE OLD LIBRARIAN
Well!
My, oh’ my.
She shakes her head
with a smile and walks off.
INT. LIBRARY – MEDIA
ROOM – DAY
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS peers out the small window and SIGHS relief.
He returns to his
chair and retrieves another film, this time from the PRESENT box.
C.U. on projector
screen: THE HERALD COASTER.
BELOVED LOCAL TOWN
POLICEMAN FOUND DEAD, Brumbelow Road – December 26, 2006.
Frank squints his eyes, reading the projector screen:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS (V.O.)
(reading
quietly)
Officer Eric Runesworth's body was missing
for 3 days when local farmers found his body in a wheat field near Brumbelow
Rd. Police reported his body was
discovered behind a local farmer’s 23 acre plot, off Providence and
Brumbelow. The body was found with scratches
all over his entire body by some sort of wild animal, local authorities
reported. Locals informed police he was
investigating an overturned station wagon that killed a family of four, just a
few days earlier.
Frank snatches up
the microfiche sheet and FLINGS open the door.
INT. LIBRARY – DAY
OLGA is checking out a small stack of books for an ELDERLY LADY at the counter.
FRANK hurries to the
counter and SMACKS the microfiche sheet down in front of her and the woman.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(smiles)
I
need a favor.
She looks up and
smiles widely.
INT. POLICE CRUISER
– DAY
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS sits down in his cruiser as the radio SQUAWKS:
POLICE
CAR RADIO (V.O.)
NP-4, 1-ADAM-3… Come in, car 3.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
10-8. NP-4, 1-ADAM-3, over.
POLICE
CAR RADIO (V.O.)
There you are, Frank. Chief requesting 10-19. Over…
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
NP-4, 1-ADAM-3, copy that… On my way, over
and out.
EXT. LIBRARY - DAY
Frank’s police cruiser SPEEDS out of the parking lot.
INT. POLICE STATION
– CHIEF’S OFFICE - DAY
The NEEDVILLE POLICE CHIEF is seated at his desk as the front door to his
office FLINGS wide open and OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS rushes in.
Frank SLAPS down an
oversized, blown up XEROX copy of the newspaper article on the chief’s desk:
A blast of wind from
the slapped down sheet hits The Chief across his face as he looks up to Frank,
SIGHING.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Anything
else you’d care to tell me about my patrol area, Chief?
The Chief looks up
at Frank with a concerned look across his face, grimacing.
EXT. TINY AIRSTRIP –
DAY
MICK is WRENCHING
underneath the plane with engine troubles.
CLANGS and BANGS
emit from the undercarriage of the plane.
ANDY THE PILOT is
covered in dirt and sweat. He gives a
tired look as he wipes his brow with a dirty rag.
ANDY
THE PILOT
Hey Mick?
MICK
THE PILOT
Yeah!
CLANG! Mick drops a wrench.
MICK
THE PILOT
God damnit.
What do you want, now?
Andy retrieves a
beer can from his back pocket.
ANDY
THE PILOT
I got the other plane juiced up and full of
spray again. I’m going to need a break
for a second.
He starts to pull
the beer can’s top open.
MICK
THE PILOT
As long as it doesn’t involve popping a tall
can, sure.
Andy stops short,
and returns the beer can to his back pocket.
Mick slides out from
under the plane and sits up.
MICK
THE PILOT
Are you going to finish all the fields by
seven or eight?
He wipes his
forehead with a rag.
ANDY
THE PILOT
I’ll finish the sheet, don’t worry.
(beat)
I’ll work all damn day and night if I have
to.
MICK
THE PILOT
Good.
I’d hate to make another phone call.
ANDY
THE PILOT
I said I’ll take care of it, alright? I don’t need you threatening my ass or
telling me what to do around here all the time.
MICK
THE PILOT
What’s the matter? Don’t like it, do you? Remember that next time you’re barking orders
at me.
ANDY
THE PILOT
So, are you finally gonna have that finished
today?
MICK
THE PILOT
Tomorrow.
I need another hose that’s busted.
The parts house is about to close.
Andy SCOFFS.
MICK
THE PILOT
I’ll finish up what I can today. Don’t you worry about nothing… I’ll being
dusting with you by tomorrow, alright?
ANDY
THE PILOT
Aiite.
He scowls and walks
back in the hanger.
INT. AIRPLANE HANGER
- DAY
ANDY THE PILOT grabs
his beer can from his back pocket. He
pops the top and GUZZLES the entire can in one swig.
MICK
THE PILOT
(to
himself, mocking)
What’s the matter? Don’t like it, do you?
(beat)
Been working on that piece of shit for a
week, now… ya bastard.
INT. POLICE STATION
– CHIEF’S OFFICE - DAY
The POLICE CHIEF is sitting on the corner of his desk, looking down at OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS as they talk.
NEEDVILLE
POLICE CHIEF
Look,
he was old. He simply had a cardiac
arrest while on duty.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Having
scratches all over his entire body does not constitute a heart attack. Come on, Chief… I’m a cop. You had to know I’d find out.
NEEDVILLE
POLICE CHIEF
A
wild animal? What does it matter? I
didn’t think it was necessary or relevant to your patrol, Frank.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
I
would think I have a right to know if someone I am replacing was murdered off
some spooky, backwoods county road.
NEEDVILLE
POLICE CHIEF
There
was no evidence he was murdered, Frank.
Don’t try to make it into something it’s not.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
So
what else do you think isn’t necessary… or relevant, sir?
NEEDVILLE
POLICE CHIEF
We
don’t like to ask too many questions around here, Frank. Everyone knows about that road. I tried to warn you to not get too involved.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Don’t
get involved?
(beat)
So
what am I supposed to do when I’m chasing a drunk driver… or a speeder?
The police chief
stares at him, completely emotionless.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What
if it’s midnight and I’m called out there for pursuit?
(beat)
What
do I do, then? Let them die? Do I just let them go?
The police chief
turns and looks out the window in silence.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
That’s
great. Serve and protect, my ass!
Frank SCOFFS, gets
up from his chair, SWINGS open the chief’s door and SLAMS it behind him as he
rushes out of the room.
The Chief SIGHS as
he stares out the window.
INT. DINING ROOM -
DAY
FRANK BELLOWS, MATTHEW BELLOWS, and CATHY BELLOWS are seated at the dining room
table, enjoying a quiet dinner.
CATHY
BELLOWS
Well
maybe you could transfer?
Frank CRAMS a roll
in his mouth, chewing.
CATHY
BELLOWS
Like
Rosenberg or Richmond?
He shakes his head
and swallows his food.
FRANK
BELLOWS
No,
they’re all full. That’s why we ended up
out here in the first place.
CATHY
BELLOWS
Angleton?
MATTHEW
BELLOWS
Can
I be excused?
Cathy nods at
Matthew, smiling.
FRANK
BELLOWS
(SIGHS)
It
was the only opening, Cathy. What, am I
supposed to just give up after only a week on duty? We haven’t even lived here for a month yet.
CATHY
BELLOWS
There’s
nothing wrong with that, dear. Sometimes
you have to find your place. Maybe this
one isn’t right for you or this family.
FRANK
BELLOWS
And
move again? Don’t think so.
Matthew makes a
frown, grabs his dishes and walks into the kitchen. He tosses his plate and glass in the sink.
MATTHEW
BELLOWS
Can
I go outside?
FRANK
BELLOWS
Where
are you going?
MATTHEW
BELLOWS
Down
the street…
(shrugging)
James’
house.
Cathy eyes her
husband as she takes a bite of food.
Matthew stands there, waiting.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Be
home before ten.
MATTHEW
BELLOWS
Aw
come on, it’s the weekend, Dad.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Ten. Your mother and you have church in the
morning.
MATTHEW
BELLOWS
How
come you don’t have to go? You never go
with us.
Cathy eyes her
husband carefully as she takes another bite of food. She raises her eyebrows as Matthew stands
there, arms crossed.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Unless
I get called in, I’m going to work on the yard in the morning. And don’t worry about why I don’t go.
Matthew rolls his
eyes and heads out the front door.
FRANK
BELLOWS
(yelling)
You
could help me with the lawn instead!
FRANK
BELLOWS
Would
you believe that kid?
Cathy glares at
Frank.
FRANK
BELLOWS
What?
EXT. TINY AIRSTRIP –
DAY
Engine parts are
scattered across the ground as MICK THE PILOT is trying to finish up before it
gets dark.
The other small
airplane LANDS on the tiny airstrip nearby and stops several yards away.
ANDY
THE PILOT
Hey Mick?
MICK
THE PILOT
(sighing)
Yeah.
What’s up?
CLANG! Mick drops another wrench. Andy walks up to Mick, carrying a small
clipboard.
ANDY
THE PILOT
Still got two more fields. Should be done by midnight.
He LIFTS a sheet or
two from the clipboard. He throws the
clipboard nearby.
MICK
THE PILOT
It’s starting to get dark. I’m going to rebuild the gaskets inside the
hanger. Help me pick up these tools and
parts before you head out again.
Andy nods and starts
gathering parts for him.
MICK
THE PILOT
What two fields are left?
He wipes his
forehead with a rag.
ANDY
THE PILOT
Um, rice field… off 762. No, wait.
I got three. There’s one off Long
Point, too.
MICK
THE PILOT
What’s the other one, then?
ANDY
THE PILOT
Beard…
He BELCHES very loudly.
ANDY
THE PILOT
Some wheat and shit.
MICK
THE PILOT
If you get back out there soon, you might get
it all done in time.
(beat)
You can take tomorrow off, if you do.
Andy raises his eyebrows. He bends over close to Mick and picks up some
wrenches.
Mick looks concerned and SNIFFS the air near
him.
ANDY
THE PILOT
(frowning)
I’m tired, Mick. I been flying all day. My ass is numb.
MICK
THE PILOT
Have you been drinking again?
Andy SCOFFS.
MICK
THE PILOT
I can smell that shit on your breath, Andy.
ANDY
THE PILOT
So I had a few, what’s it to ya? I been getting’ everything done so far,
haven’t I? Get off my sack, man.
He SCOWLS and walks
back into the hanger with some tools. There is a mild stumble to his pace.
MICK
THE PILOT
(muttering
quietly to himself)
Next time, try vodka instead…
EXT.
MOBILE HOME - DAY
A small wooded
property.
The front end of
James’ car is jacked up on jack stands, with the hood popped up.
A pair of legs is
sprawled underneath. BANGING and WRENCH
RATCHETING emanate from under the bumper.
Suddenly, the legs are
YANKED and DRAGGED from under the car.
JAMES, SCREAMING IN
TERROR, SLIDES out the front of the car with a WHAM! James SLAMS his head from under the front
end, rubbing it in pain.
MATTHEW stands over
him, LAUGHING hysterically.
JAMES
Asshole!
Jesus, you scared the shit out of me.
Where did you come from, anyways?
Shit.
MATTHEW
(smiling)
Sup?
James still rubs his
head as he looks up at Matthew:
JAMES
Nothing… Chillin’… just pissing myself… You?
MATTHEW
Shit.
JAMES
(getting
up)
Well, I got some other guys coming over
tonight. Gonna camp out, smoke some
shit…, you know.
Matthew nods.
MATTHEW
Cool.
I’m down. I gotta call the house
a little later and ask though, aiite?
JAMES
Sure…
Help me throw some gear in the camper over there.
James points at a closed
POP UP CAMPER, nearby in the weeds.
MATTHEW
In that?
How’s that gonna happen? You
couldn’t fit a small rodent in there.
JAMES
Nah, dude.
It pops up… You crank it.
MATTHEW
Oh, cool.
I never seen one of those before.
They walk over to
the camper:
MATTHEW
What kinda shit are we putting in here?
JAMES
Uh, sleeping bags, smokes, some chips and
shit… I gotta small TV, too.
MATTHEW
How’s this work?
James walks around
the rear and pulls out the crank. He
starts winding it and the camper rises from the base. The camper pops up and out as it springs to
life.
MATTHEW
That’s tight.
INT.
CROP DUSTER PLANE - NIGHT
It is very dark
inside the small airplane’s cockpit.
ANDY THE PILOT takes a GULP from a tall can. He taps on some gauges and squints out the
window.
He BELCHES loudly
and turns the plane, approaching a field.
EXT.
SMALL CROP DUSTER PLANE - NIGHT
The small plane
ZOOMS down over a field as spray jets HISS from the underneath the rear of the
plane.
A MIST coats the
field as the plane rises back into the sky, narrowly missing a power line.
The engine SPUTTERS
and almost STALLS out as the plane makes another approach.
INT.
CROP DUSTER PLANE - NIGHT
ANDY THE PILOT grabs
his beer can and GULPS the last remains.
He CRUSHES the can and TOSSES it, somewhere behind his seat.
EXT.
POP UP CAMPER - NIGHT
MATTHEW and JAMES
are carrying sleeping bags. James throws
his sleeping bag on the ground and CLICKS open the camper door.
They enter inside while
carrying the sleeping bags.
INT.
POP UP CAMPER - NIGHT
JAMES and MATTHEW
throw down the bags on the floor inside the cramped, tiny camper.
MATTHEW
Wow…
(thoughtfully)
It feels bigger in the inside.
JAMES
(tugging
on crotch)
That’s what your momma said to me last night,
Beeyotch.
James BURSTS with
LAUGHTER as Matthew frowns.
MATTHEW
Gee, that’s great. So you’re having sex with my mother,
now? That’s gross.
BANG… BANG… BANG…
slowly, outside. The boys look at each
other with surprise.
MATTHEW
What was that?
The camper RATTLES and SHAKES violently.
Matthew and James are freaking out, SCREAMING.
JAMES
Shit!
What the fuck?!
The both grab each other,
trying not to fall over on top of anything.
The door FLIES open
as TWO TEENAGE BOYS step inside to find Matthew and James hugging each
other.
James and Matthew
look at each other and push each other off.
They look RED FACED and embarrassed as the two PLOP down on nearby seats,
LAUGHING.
CAMO
BOY
What are you two homos doing in here?
TANK
TOP BOY
Yeah, good thing we showed up when we
did! They were practically all over each
other.
The both LAUGH.
JAMES
Nice…
Maybe if you didn’t pound outside like the fucking poh poh…
(beat)
…And shake this sum bitch like a damn
earthquake, we wouldn’t be all scared half to death and shit.
James jumps up and
makes a quick threatening gesture at Camo Boy.
Camo Boy FLINCHES.
James PUNCHES Camo
Boy in the left arm, twice.
JAMES
Two for flinching, bee snatch.
Matthew half-smiles
and watches Camo Boy as he rubs his arm.
TANK
TOP BOY
This the dude you were telling us about, Jiminy?
JAMES
Yeah.
Matt, this is Steve and Chris.
They’re “special”. That’s why I
let them hang out with me. I feel kinda
sorry for them.
He LAUGHS.
CAMO
BOY
Steve.
MATTHEW
Sup.
TANK
TOP BOY
Chris.
Chris and Steve both
slap Matthew’s hands, exchanging nods as they sit down nearby each other.
MATTHEW
I seen you around.
CHRIS
We don’t have any classes with ya. What grade you in?
MATTHEW
Junior…
You?
Chris and Steve both
light up CIGARETTES and nod.
STEVE
Class of 2008.
JAMES
Let’s grab the rest of the shit inside the
house. Matthew, you gonna call your
parents?
CHRIS
Aw. You
gonna call Mommy?
(Mocking)
Mommy?
Can I stay the night with James?
We want to hug and be close to each other tonight…
Chris and Steve both
start LAUGHING hysterically as James joins in.
James lights a cigarette, shaking his head.
JAMES
You want one?
James hands a
cigarette to Matthew. Matthew lights up.
MATTHEW
So?
Hey… My parent’s care, what can I
say?
EXT.
JAMES’ HOUSE - NIGHT
JAMES is carrying a
television as CHRIS and STEVE are carrying bags of chips and sodas.
They walk to the camper as MATTHEW walks out the front door of James’ house.
INT.
POP UP CAMPER – NIGHT
CHRIS and STEVE find an empty space inside
the camper and PLOP down.
JAMES sets down the small black and white TV
and sits beside the other two.
A quiet KNOCK, KNOCK on door of camper.
JAMES
You don’t have to knock, dude. Just get in here, man.
The front door opens
quietly as Matthew steps inside. He
looks down at the three boys as Steve is holding up a joint.
STEVE
Here, Matt.
Schpark it.
JAMES
Hold up…
What did your parents say, dude?
STEVE
So what if he can or not, he can still light it up!
JAMES
His dad’s a cop. I don’t want him leaving my house smelling
like fucking pot, numb nuts.
Steve and Chris look at each other,
carefully.
MATTHEW
Nah. They
said it was cool. I gotta be back in the
morning though.
Steve lights up the joint with a Zippo. He takes a puff as smoke fills the camper
instantly.
JAMES
(raises
eyebrows, waving finger)
Alright.
No wake and bakes, Matthew.
They all LAUGH. Steve passes the joint to Chris. He grabs it and puffs on it twice.
CHRIS
It’s the weekend, man… Why’s your parents all asking you to come
home in the morning ‘n shit, dawg?
Matthew rolls his eyes and SIGHS.
STEVE
Yeah, how come?
Chris passes the joint to Matthew. He grabs it and puffs on it twice, coughing.
MATTHEW
Um, I got church…
The camper gets SILENT for a second. All three other boys bust out in LAUGHTER,
eyeballing one another.
Matthew SIGHS and passes the joint to
James. He grabs it and puffs on it,
twice.
CHRIS
That’s some good shit, man. You always got the best smoke outta any of
us, Steve. Sheeeit.
Steve nods with respect. Smoke has filled the entire camper.
STEVE
So like, uh, Matt… What do you think of Nerdsville,
dude?
James puffs on the joint some more.
MATTHEW
It’s definitely a small town. Nothing around here but cows and fields… not
exactly a whole lot going on for you guys out here, now is there?
JAMES
You said it.
Nothing but drinking, smoking, and the occasional pooh-nanny.
James puffs on the joint again.
JAMES
Where did you say you was from, again?
MATTHEW
St. Louis…
CHRIS
Oh hells , nah. You ain’t Bogarting that shit. Give that back, mother fucker!
Chris SNATCHES the joint back from
James.
STEVE
St. Louis?
Dude, that’s kinda far, man.
How’d you end up way out here?
Matthew grabs a bag
of potato chips and opens the bag. He
starts MUNCHING on a handful of chips…
MATTHEW
My grandma was sick. She lived in Houston… We moved there so my
Dad could help take care of her for a whiles.
Chris puffs on the joint as James sticks his
hands in the bag of chips. He stuffs
some chips in his mouth with a CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH.
CHRIS
Lived?
MATTHEW
Yeah.
She passed away last year.
Pneumonia or something… Dad had
started the police academy out there and found a job out here, I guess.
CHRIS
(snickering)
Still doesn’t explain how you ended up way
the fuck out here.
Chris puffs on the joint.
MATTHEW
It’s his hometown. He said he didn’t want to be working for
Harris County.
(beat)
Too big, too crowded… too corrupt.
They all NOD.
James
Yeah, Houston sucks.
(SCOFFS)
Prolly git killed or run down on the first
day.
INT.
CROP DUSTER PLANE - NIGHT
ANDY THE PILOT is
squinting his eyes out the front windows of the small cockpit.
TOTAL BLACKNESS across the windows of the plane.
A BABY’S CRY and
SCREAMING as Andy looks out the side windows to see a hidden moon.
Andy returns his confused gaze out the front to see:
A BRIGHT FLASH and A
GHOSTLY BABY’S FACE eerily ZOOMING across the window.
Andy SCREAMS and pulls on the steering of the small plane.
EXT. CROP DUSTER
PLANE – NIGHT
The plane’s engines
SPUTTER and STALL. The plane rises
suddenly, and takes a nosedive.
The plane SMASHES to
the ground, across Brumbelow Road's straightaway with a WHOOSH, suddenly catching
FIRE.
INT. DISPATCH ROOM –
NIGHT
A FIRE DEPARTMENT
DISPATCHER is overwhelmed by calls to the station.
The switchboards are
BLINKING like crazy.
DISPATCHER
Needville Volunteer Fire Department. What’s
your emergency?
(pauses)
Yes, we are already aware of the situation,
sir. We have sent a truck immediately.
She hangs up the
call to answer another within seconds:
DISPATCHER
Needville Volunteer Fire Department. What’s
your emergency?
(pauses)
We have been getting calls like crazy, mam… A
truck should be there within minutes.
She hangs up the receiver
to answer yet another call.
INT. FIREHOUSE –
NIGHT
4 or 5 FIREFIGHTERS
are suiting up as a nearby giant wall clock reads 12:05 midnight.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD -
STRAIGHTAWAY – NIGHT
The plane crash is
spread across the entire road. FIVE
FIREFIGHTERS are desperately attempting to douse the fiery wreckage.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM
– NIGHT
An alarm clock reads
12:10 AM as a nearby phone RINGS.
The bed is
motionless as two bodies lie underneath sheets and blankets. AN ARM appears from under the sheets of the
bed and clumsily grabs the phone:
FRANK
BELLOWS (O.S.)
(tiredly)
Yeah…
(yawning)
What is it?
(pauses)
A 1000… 10-78? Yeah.
3000 got it… Where?
(beat)
Alright, I’ll be there in 15…
Sheets fly off as
FRANK BELLOWS clumsily leans over and SLAMS the phone down. He sits up and rubs his eyes in the darkness.
CATHY
BELLOWS (O.S.)
(under
sheets)
What’s a 10-78, baby?
FRANK
BELLOWS
(pauses)
It’s a plane crash… in the middle of the
road.
INT. POP UP CAMPER – NIGHT
The camper is completely SMOGGED OUT with
thick clouds.
The BOYS are LAUGHING at anything and
everything.
MATTHEW BELLOWS is PUFFING on what remains of
a tiny roach from the joint.
A POLICE SIREN in the distance, as Matthew drops
the roach with a panic stricken look across his face.
The other boys start HOWLING at him:
CHRIS
You alright, Matt?
STEVE
(snickering)
Yeah, dude.
Sounds like your dad is coming to arrest you!
The POLICE SIREN gets LOUDER. Chris opens a shade as the boys peer out a
small camper window:
A FLASH of red and blue lights ZOOMS by. The SIREN gets softer again.
Chris closes the shades.
CHRIS
Man, he was hauling some serious ass.
JAMES
Your daddy takes the car home?
MATTHEW
Yeah.
He said it’s easier since everything’s like a half hour away from
anything…
(beat)
Being all… out here in Bum Fuck, Egypt and
shit.
He picks up the
roach and throws it in an ashtray. Steve
looks down at his watch, and turns on the Indiglo light.
STEVE
Little after midnight.
CHRIS
Must be Brumbelow… Ooooooo…
Chris waves his
hands in front of his face as he LAUGHS.
James lights up a
smoke and hands one to Matthew.
MATTHEW
Brumbelow?
JAMES
Shut up, Chris… Fucking pothead.
MATTHEW
Wait.
What’s he talking about?
JAMES
Bunch of bullshit, that’s what.
STEVE
Nah dude.
There’s some truth to that shit.
Chris and Steve
light up a cigarette as James opens a window.
CHRIS
There’s this road… few miles away, off
1462. They say it’s haunted.
MATTHEW
I think my dad was talking about it the other
day. He was checking out a car wreck or
something.
(beat)
Some old man that lives off there was telling
him ghost stories.
STEVE
Yeah, man.
I had a cousin that knew somebody that died off that road. No lie, dude.
JAMES
Like I said… Bullshit. You always got a cousin that knew somebody
doing something. Swallowed pop rocks with
soda and died, someone got shot in the head and lived, ate a lump of coal and
shit out a diamond…
(looks
at Matthew)
…never ends.
STEVE
Nah, man. That last one was from a movie. Listen to me…
CHRIS
Hey… I heard this too, listen to him… It was in the papers and shit, dawg.
STEVE
Legend has it, if you drive down the road
late at night while drunk, you'll be killed by this imp that haunts the area.
MATTHEW
What’s a gimp?
STEVE
Nah, man.
Imp. I. M. P. Imp., not Gimp. Like limp, but with no “l”.
MATTHEW
Whatever, what is it?
CHRIS
It’s a half baby, half goat. A baby or something, I dunno. A goat’s body with a baby’s head.
(pauses)
Yeah. Yeah,
that’s it. He hops across the road like
a dog or rabbit or some shit.
Matthew looks at
Chris and Steve like they are completely nuts.
MATTHEW
What?
JAMES
They need to stop smoking so much pot, that’s
what.
(points)
It’s making you two all retarded and shit.
CHRIS
It was in the Herald Coaster a long time ago…
(beat)
See, there was this article in the paper,
about this guy on a motorcycle who died in the middle of the road. In the
center of the stretch of road, there's this really sharp
"S-curve". The motorcycle was
found in the field right in front of the curve. The guy's body was found 30
feet from the motorcycle, with claw marks all over his body… His head was decaffeinated like 40 yards
away.
JAMES
Death by a lack of coffee?
STEVE
He forgot his Starbucks, dawg.
They
all LAUGH except Chris.
CHRIS
You know what I mean. Decapitated, whatever. So anyways…
(beat)
Everyone blamed the imp, and police never
found out how he got the claw marks all over him. After the autopsy, they found out that he was
highly intoxicated when he died.
STEVE
Naw man, you got it all wrong dude.
(to
Matthew)
The claw marks are from the barbed wire
fence. Fence shot out, right across the
road. Took his head off, like 50 feet
away from the bike, man. It was at the
intersection with no stop signs.
CHRIS
I heard it was the S-Curve.
STEVE
Either way, shit’s been happening for years
off that road. Accidents, farmers
killed, animals missing and shit.
MATTHEW
Missing cows?
CHRIS
Yeah.
JAMES
Just a ghost story for parents to tell their
kids not to drink and drive.
CHRIS
It has nothing to do with drinking. It’s all about when you drive down it.
MATTHEW
What do you mean?
CHRIS
Yeah. It comes out right at midnight. Anybody that lives off that road don't go
home or leave until before or after midnight.
MATTHEW
That some scary shit.
JAMES
If you believe in it.
A very LOUD BANG on
door of camper. The door FLIES open with
the silhouette of A MAN in a black hooded sweater.
The dark figure of
the man stands in the doorway. The hood
covers his face in darkness.
HOODED
MAN
Heeeeeyy!
JAMES
(SIGHING)
Dad, what are you doing?
A LONG DRAMATIC
PAUSE as the figure just stands there, completely silent. All the boys start to look at him, nervously.
JAMES
Uh, Dad?
The figure steps in
slowly as the boys start to back up.
An aged man’s face,
in his early fifties, appears as he pulls back the hood.
HOODED
MAN
Hey.
What are you guys doing in here?
All the boys are
relieved. Matthew is unsure.
JAMES
Nothing, pops. Just telling stories about Brumbelow.
JAMES’
DAD
Shit.
I knew that story back when I was in school.
JAMES
See? I
told you guys. Flippin’ idiots…
JAMES’
DAD
Damn!
Smells like one of them Cypress Hill concerts up in here.
James rolls his eyes
and shakes his head. Matthew’s eyes
almost pop out of his head.
JAMES’
DAD
I smell it, let me inhale it. Come on, don’t hold back on me now. Where is it?
Matthew looks over to Steve as his jaw drops.
STEVE
You’re too late, old man. You got to be quick around here.
JAMES’
DAD
I know you better than that, Steve. Where’s your stash dude?
CHRIS
Old people aren’t allowed to say dude anymore,
dude.
JAMES’
DAD
Oh? That a fact?
(smirking)
When is it no longer cool to say dude
anymore?
CHRIS
When people like me tells you so!
All the boys LAUGH
at James’ Dad.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD – NIGHT
FRANK pulls up in his police cruiser at the
smoldering remains of the plane in the middle of the road.
He exits the car with a grimacing look as he walks closer to the scene,
carrying a large flashlight. A CRANE is
lifting the plane to the side of the road.
A CORONER is wheeling away a COVERED GURNEY
to a dark van.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Excuse me, can I take a look?
CORONER
Not much to see, Officer. It’s pretty bad.
The coroner stops and unzips the bag as Frank
leans over slowly to look at:
A TERRIFIED EXPRESSION of ANDY THE PILOT, all
charred up with severe, bloody cuts across the face.
Frank recoils back with discontent.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What is that?
Frank pauses, and unzips the bag more to get
a better look of the torso. He pulls on
what remains of his shirt and jacket:
Cuts, lashes, and gashes across the entire
chest on the burnt remains of the pilot.
CORONER
(pointing)
Must have hit the fence over there.
Both turn as Frank shines the flashlight over
to where the coroner is pointing:
C.U. Perfectly aligned, brand new barbed
wire.
Both turn around to the other side of the
road:
C.U. Once again: perfectly aligned, brand new
barbed wire.
The both turn to each other, confused.
INT. POP UP CAMPER – NIGHT
C.U. A baggie of 3 joints. A HAND grabs one of the joints.
STEVE holds up a joint and hands it over to
JAMES’ DAD. The other boys are smirking
as MATTHEW looks over to JAMES with a surprised look across his face. James shrugs and smiles back.
James’ dad pulls the hood back over his head as he exits the tiny camper.
MATTHEW
Man, I thought we were totally busted.
Matthew grabs the bag of chips from James and
realizes its empty, holding it upside-down.
JAMES
Nah, only when we’re out and don’t have none
for him.
He LAUGHS.
CHRIS
Light up another one. Talking to Dick takes away my high, bra.
STEVE
No shit.
Major buzz killer.
Steve throws the baggie over to CHRIS. Chris fishes out another joint from the
baggie and closes it.
MATTHEW
You know… We could always go check it out for
ourselves.
Chris throws the baggie back to Steve and
lights up the new joint.
JAMES
My dad’s got a camcorder.
CHRIS
Oh hells naw.
We’re not going out there. Fuck that shit.
STEVE
(puffing)
Uh uh.
No way, man. I’m with Chris on
this one.
JAMES
It’s all bullshit. You guys don’t seriously believe in that
shit, do you? Maybe… we should go.
Steve passes the joint to Chris.
JAMES
Make it an adventure… we’ll take video proof
of it. Put an end to all the
stories. We’ll be local celebrities!
Chris puffs on the joint once.
MATTHEW
I got a new digital camera I got from
Christmas last year. Takes great night
shots.
Steve and Chris throw a look of uneasiness at
each other. James gets up and punches
Chris in the arm.
JAMES
Come on you pussies! Don’t you want to find out for yourself since
you two started it?
Chris puffs on the joint again. He taps Matthew on the shoulder. Matthew, spaced out, turns and receives the
joint from Chris.
STEVE
Started what?
I ain’t started shit.
CHRIS
Yeah, what are you talking about, man?
JAMES
I’m just saying… You two idiots brought it up.
(snickering)
So let’s go and prove you bitches wrong.
MATTHEW
(puffing)
We could always walk down it, instead of
driving…
CHRIS
It has nothing to do with driving or
walking. Doesn’t matter. If you’re there, right at midnight… you’re
dead. Just like that.
MATTHEW
If you’re scared, just say you’re scared.
CHRIS
Hey newbie, I ain’t afraid of nothing. I’m just lazy, man. Fuck it.
JAMES
Chris, you don’t have to lie to make friends,
man. Come on now.
MATTHEW
(puffing)
Yeah, it’s all just stories. That’s it.
Matthew hands the joint over to James.
CHRIS
Hey, stories come from somewhere, don’t
they? There’s always truth to something
out there or some shit.
James puffs twice on the joint, slowly.
STEVE
(shrugs)
Can’t do it tonight. It’s already after midnight.
(beat)
We got a school night tomorrow night, and all
next week, so…
CHRIS
Yeah, and besides, your hoopty’s all busted
up on jack stands and shit.
They all LAUGH at James.
CHRIS
Too bad, otherwise I’d say let’s do it.
JAMES
Car’ll be running before school on Monday,
ass.
They all shrug and nod at each other, totally
stoned.
JAMES
(blows
smoke)
Great, so we’re on for next Friday
night!
CHRIS,
STEVE
(in
unison, solemnly)
Great.
James and Matthew eye each other and
LAUGH. James hands the joint over to
Steve.
EXT. BELLOWS HOUSE – DAY
A sweaty FRANK BELLOWS is mowing the front
yard with a push mower as MATTHEW rolls up on his bicycle.
Frank cuts the mower off and wipes his brow.
FRANK
BELLOWS
You’re late.
MATTHEW
Sorry, stayed up too late.
FRANK
BELLOWS
So did I.
MATTHEW
We heard ya.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Yup.
Frank walks to the porch and grabs a squeeze
bottle of water.
MATTHEW
What happened?
FRANK
BELLOWS
Plane crash.
MATTHEW
Wow.
What kind of plane?
FRANK
BELLOWS
(sipping
on water)
Small duster… crashed right in the middle of
the road.
MATTHEW
Anybody die?
Frank NODS at Matthew with concern.
MATTHEW
What road?
Frank stares off at the woods as he takes
another sip from his squeeze bottle.
MATTHEW
(louder)
Dad?
Frank snaps out of his gaze and turns back to
Matthew.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Small road a few miles away… Brumbelow.
Matthew’s eyes widen as he runs up the stairs
to go inside.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Why don’t you help me finish up out here, if
you plan on seeing your friends anymore?
MATTHEW
Alright, let me go change right quick.
EXT. JAMES’ HOUSE – DAY
JAMES, MATTHEW, CHRIS, and STEVE are loading
JAMES’ car with backpacks and other gear.
Flashlights, snacks, sleeping bags, etc.
JAMES
(to
Matthew)
You got batteries?
MATTHEW
Yeah.
Rechargeables.
JAMES
(to
Steve)
You got the shit?
STEVE
Four twentay!
You know it, bro.
MATTHEW
Four twenty?
STEVE
Yeah.
You know, 420 at 420. It’s April 20th, man. Hold up…
Steve looks down at
his watch. He quickly SNATCHES his
backpack from the backseat of James’ car.
STEVE
Hey. 420
on 420 AT 420, dudes.
James pulls out a
freezer bag full of pot and joints from the backpack. He takes out a joint and shoves the bag into
the backpack.
JAMES
Not in front of my house, Cheech… take that
shit back there or in the camper.
Steve retrieves a
zippo from his pants and motions for them to follow into the camper. James closes the car door and they all follow
Steve.
Halfway to the camper,
Steve lights up the joint.
MATTHEW
So where did 420 come from anyways?
STEVE
(puffing)
Don’t know, man.
(shrugging)
International smoke time. That’s all I know.
CHRIS
In
1972, some teenagers at a High School in California used to meet after school
at 4:20 p.m. to smoke weed around a statue.
All three stop
suddenly and look dumbfounded at Chris.
CHRIS
What?
JAMES
Chris… How do you know that shit, man? You can’t remember which hand’s left or right
when you jack off.
CHRIS
(shrugs)
Wikipedia…
JAMES
You got nothing else to do but look up shit
on Lickapedia…
CHRIS
It’s…
It’s Wiki… pedia….
JAMES
Well, Wiki-whatever, bee snatch. I thought you only used the Internets for
porn.
MATTHEW
Ha.
The Internets…
Matthew and James
LAUGH at Chris.
Steve shakes his
head as he passes the joint to Matthew.
Matthew takes it and puffs on it as they walk inside the camper.
EXT. FRANK BELLOW’S HOUSE - DAY
FRANK BELLOWS pulls up the driveway in his
police cruiser.
INT. FRANK BELLOW’S HOUSE - DAY
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS walks through the front
door as his wife, CATHY BELLOWS is setting the dining room table for two.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Table for two?
CATHY
BELLOWS
Matthew’s staying over at James’ house
tonight.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Again?
It’s hard enough to see him as it is.
He walks over to Cathy and grabs her close to
him. He smiles at her:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Time to take advantage of the situation, eh?
CATHY
BELLOWS
Maybe… Can I be the cop this time?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
We shall see… but um, let’s eat first, I’m
starving.
He kisses her and SMACKS her butt. She rolls her eyes.
CATHY
BELLOWS
Ah, yes.
The quickest way to a man’s nether region…
INT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Candles dimly light the room. FRANK and CATHY are under the covers of the
bed as they kiss softly and GIGGLE at each other playfully.
EXT. JAMES’ HOUSE - NIGHT
MATTHEW, JAMES, CHRIS, and STEVE pile up in
James’ car.
Steve and Chris are in the back seat as
Matthew PLOPS down in the front passenger seat.
James starts to sit down in the driver seat when:
JAMES’
DAD (O.S.)
Heeeeey!
You’re not going anywhere!
JAMES
Why not, pappy?
James’ dad walks down the steps, approaching
the car.
JAMES’
DAD
Where ya going to, boy?
JAMES
Nowhere, just some party down the road.
James’ dad leans into the car on the driver
side door.
JAMES’
DAD
I seen you packing all that shit up in there.
(pauses)
You need a sleeping bag and flashlights to go
to a party?
JAMES
(shrugging)
I don’t know… We might stay overnight.
STEVE
(leans
over front seat)
You writing a diary… Anne Frank?
All of them bust out LAUGHING at him.
JAMES’
DAD
Alright smart ass, what you got for me? Nobody’s goin’ anywheres ‘till I get payment
for passage out this here driveway.
JAMES
Give him a joint so he’ll stop pissing and
moaning.
James’ Dad SMACKS James upside the head.
Steve opens his backpack and grabs his bag of
pot and joints.
STEVE
Just for you, old man.
He SMILES as he pulls out a paper thin joint
and hands it over the seat. Jamess dad
snatches it with a confused look and steps back from the car slowly, STARING at
it.
JAMES’
DAD
What the hell is this?
JAMES
Be glad it wasn’t thinner, old man. We’re out of here.
EXT. JAMES’ HOUSE – NIGHT
A CAR DOOR SLAM with the FOUR BOYS LAUGING
hysterically as the car SPINS out the driveway onto the street.
The car does A LONG BURN OUT in front of the
house and takes off at a high rate of speed.
JAMES’
DAD
(eyeing
paper thin joint)
That’s what I thought, boy.
EXT. DARK COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT
HEADLIGHTS illuminate a street sign off a
curve that reads: BRUMBELOW AND KEMP.
James’ car RUMBLES by and stops on the side
of Kemp Road, a few feet away from the cross sign. The lights shut off as the engine GROWLS to a
stop. MATTHEW and JAMES exit the car as
STEVE and CHRIS follow behind.
JAMES
What time it is, Steve?
Matthew and Steve put on backpacks from
inside the car. Steve looks down at his
watch, pushing a side button as his Indiglo light turns on.
STEVE
11:40.
MATTHEW
Wait…
Matthew grabs James and pulls him back as they
all stop.
MATTHEW
Maybe we shouldn’t do this.
JAMES
Are you pussing out, dude? Come on, man.
We’re the ones who convinced these two idiots.
CHRIS
Convinced?
I don’t know about all that noise.
STEVE
It’s not too late.
James turns around and goes to the trunk of
his car. He pops the trunk and fishes
around for a minute. He closes the lid,
carrying a camcorder and a small bag.
JAMES
We’re here… We’re going. Let’s move out.
James turns on the camcorder and flips open
the LCD screen.
Matthew takes a shoulder strap off his
backpack and grabs it sideways to open it.
He pulls out his digital camera bag.
He opens the bag and retrieves the digital camera.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD S-CURVE - NIGHT
NERVOUS LAUGHTER
fills the area. JAMES is rolling the
camcorder as a red light BLINKS. MATTHEW
snaps a FLASH of the S-CURVE as all four boys walk along the side of the road.
MATTHEW
Must be the S-Curve.
Smoke hovers over
STEVE as he puffs on a joint nervously.
JAMES
Yup.
Hey, Steve… What time it is?
STEVE
About 10 minutes since the last time you
asked, punkass.
JAMES
No abouts, Steve. Check, dude.
Steve looks down at his watch, pushing the
side button as his Indiglo light turns on.
STEVE
11:53, man.
JAMES
Coo.
CHRIS
I’m freaking out, dudes. This shit is…
A cow MOOS in the
distance, loudly. The MOO turns into a
slow MOANING, then a quieted and horrific DYING NOISE.
CHRIS
…spooky?
JAMES
What… the hell… was that?
MATTHEW
Holy cow.
JAMES
More like unholy cow, am I right?
Steve starts PUFFING
frantically on his joint as Matthew snaps a FLASH with the camera.
CHRIS
Give me that shit, man.
Steve hands over the
joint to Chris. The boys exit out of the
S-Curve and now are walking down the pitch black, dark straight-a-way of
Brumbelow.
MATTHEW
No stars out.
Matthew turns around
and snaps a FLASH of James’ car, right where they parked under the cross street
signs.
James is moving the
camcorder around, from the boys to the road, to the side of the road, slowly,
in one continuous shot back and forth.
CAMERA FLASH from
Matthew, as Chris looks up, blind, with smoke coming out his nose.
CHRIS
That’s nice.
Real nice. Now I can’t see.
Matthew LAUGHS as
Chris hands over the joint to him.
James is squinting
down at his LCD screen as a small glow illuminates his face.
He stops suddenly.
The other boys stop
short as well, with Chris bumping into Steve.
Steve spins around as Chris shrugs.
MATTHEW
What?
James looks over to
the left side of the dark, desolate road.
MATTHEW
What is it?
JAMES
I… I don’t know.
The other three look
over to the left side as well.
JAMES
Probably nothing.
CHRIS
Did you see something? Come on man!
Tell us.
STEVE
He saw something.
MATTHEW
What did you see?
JAMES
I said… I don’t know.
CHRIS
Play it back, dude.
They huddle together
in a tight circle, in the middle of the road as James fumbles with buttons on
the camcorder.
JAMES
Damn it. I can’t see shit!
A FLASH as Matthew
snaps a photo to the left of the road.
James shakes his head back and forth as he proclaims:
JAMES
Thanks, that’s better. Now I really can’t see shit.
A small BLUE GREEN
GLOW as Steve illuminates the Indiglo on his digital watch. The watch displays 11:59:15 PM.
STEVE
Here…
James struggles, but
succeeds in rewinding the tape. The boys
peek over his shoulders at the viewfinder when:
A SCREECHING,
METALLIC RUSTLING sound emanates from both sides of the road.
The boys look up in horror. The camcorder DROPS to the ground with a:
BRIGHT FLASH
INT. MASTER BEDROOM – DAY
FRANK and CATHY
BELLOWS wake up in the bed, smiling at one another. Frank looks over at the alarm clock: 10:47
AM.
FRANK
BELLOWS
I wonder if Matthew’s back or not.
CATHY
BELLOWS
Probably not.
FRANK
BELLOWS
I’m going to need him today so we can go get
some lumber and build that tool shed I been talking about the last few days.
CATHY
BELLOWS
I’ll go make some brunch.
She KISSES him on the cheek.
INT. BELLOW’S HALLWAY - DAY
FRANK walks down the
hallway in a bath robe, scratching his head and YAWNING very loudly. He KNOCKS twice on a door in the middle of
the hallway.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Matthew!
Come on, wake up. I need ya to go
into town with me today, bud.
SILENCE
FRANK
BELLOWS
Matthew!
He opens the bedroom
door.
INT. MATTHEW BELLOW’S BEDROOM - DAY
FRANK peeks inside
Matthew’s room. A twin-sized bed, is
neatly made with the sheets and blanket tucked in, completely uninterrupted. Moving boxes shoved in a corner.
FRANK
BELLOWS
(to
himself)
Figures.
He walks into the
hallway and closes the door behind him.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
LOUD BUBBLING, a
coffee maker brews on the countertop.
FRANK sits at the
dining room table, rapping his fingers on the table in thought. CATHY is making pancakes and boiled eggs as
bacon SIZZLES on the stove top.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Do you have that kid’s number?
CATHY
BELLOWS
He put it on the fridge, dear.
Frank gets up from
the dining room table and walks to the refrigerator door. He reads a magnetic message board.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Would you call over there?
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
CATHY BELLOWS hangs
up a wall mounted phone as FRANK BELLOWS sits at the dining table.
CATHY
BELLOWS
No answer.
FRANK
BELLOWS
I’ll go over there after we eat…
EXT. JAMES’ FRONT YARD - DAY
FRANK BELLOWS parks
in the driveway of James’ house. He exits
his small pickup truck.
He looks around the
yard as he exits the truck and walks up to the front porch of the small
trailer.
EXT. JAMES’ HOUSE - DAY
Frank KNOCKS on the
front door, very rapidly and loudly.
No answer as he
looks around, and up at the clear blue sky.
Frank KNOCKS on the
front door again, even louder and harder.
Still no answer.
EXT. JAMES’ FRONT YARD - DAY
He walks down the
porch and looks around the trailer, to the left and right.
He walks around the
left side and carefully examines the backyard.
EXT. JAMES’ BACK YARD - DAY
Frank turns and heads
back to his truck when:
JAMES’ DAD stands
right behind him.
JAMES’
DAD
Can I help you?
FRANK
BELLOWS
Hello.
My name is Frank. Officer Frank
Bellows… I’m looking for my son Matthew.
I believe he’s friends with your son.
JAMES’
DAD
Matthew?
The new kid, huh? Yeah, he was
over here with some of the other guys in the neighborhood. They camped out again last night.
FRANK
BELLOWS
I didn’t catch your name?
He extends his right
hand to shake. James’ dad looks down at
his hand and shakes it cautiously.
JAMES’
DAD
Name’s Richard Johenstein. Everybody calls me Rick.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Do you know where the boys are, Rick?
FRANK BELLOWS and
RICK JOHENSTEIN walk towards the front yard.
RICK
JOHENSTEIN
Boys left late last night… something about a
party up the road.
EXT. JAMES’ FRONT YARD - DAY
FRANK BELLOWS and
RICK JOHENSTEIN stop in front of the mobile home trailer.
Frank has an angry,
concerned look across his face as he looks at the driveway.
FRANK
BELLOWS
My son’s not allowed to ride with anyone else
in a car except his parents or a licensed adult.
RICK
JOHENSTEIN
Sorry, Frank.
If I knew that I wouldn’t have let him leave with them like that.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Understood.
We need to indicate a better means of communication from now on.
An uncomfortable
SILENCE as they look in different directions.
RICK
JOHENSTEIN
Never came home yet, I guess.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Do you know what party?
RICK
JOHENSTEIN
James didn’t really say. I questioned them about it, though. They had a lot of gear with them.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Gear?
RICK
JOHENSTEIN
Yeah.
You know… sleeping bags, flashlights, backpacks.
(beat)
Looked like they were going out in the woods or
something.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Flashlights, huh?
Frank walks back
over to his truck and opens the door. He
stands outside the truck for a moment as:
RICK
JOHENSTEIN
James did tell me they might stay overnight,
wherever it was they were goin’.
FRANK
BELLOWS
I can’t believe you let them leave without
knowing exactly where they were going, Rick.
Frank steps out of
the truck and points to Rick.
FRANK
BELLOWS
When my son comes over here, I expect him to
stay here…
(beat)
You let me know when they return and you send
my boy home, okay?
Rick NODS in
acknowledgement and raises his eyebrows.
Frank gets inside the truck and starts the engine.
Frank puts the truck
into gear and starts to back up.
Rick walks closer to
the truck and waves his hand.
RICK
JOHENSTEIN
Hey, Frank?
Frank stops and
turns his head around.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Yeah.
RICK
JOHENSTEIN
I don’t know if this’ll help but…
(beat)
A week ago when they camped out, they were
telling stories about that imp off Brumbelow Road. Might have went out there… with all that gear
and all.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Imp?
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD - DAY
A BLISTERING HOT SUN
Brumbelow Road’s
straight-a-way. A small tiny figure is
walking alongside the road in the distance.
A CATATONIC,
wide-eyed, MATTHEW BELLOWS walking very slowly, DRAGGING his digital camera on
the ground by the strap. His face and
arms are bloody, completely scratched up.
His clothes are dirty and torn.
There is NO SOUND,
complete SILENCE.
A small truck
arrives, it's FRANK BELLOWS. He gets out
the truck, and runs up to Matthew, and grabs him, spins him around and gets in
his face. SILENCE as Frank is yelling at
Matthew in slow motion.
Matthew doesn't say
anything, just emotionless and expressionless, in complete shock. Frank starts shaking Matthew, nothing. Complete SILENCE, no sounds.
Frank looks down, SNATCHES
the camera from Matthew and pushes him in the truck.
INT. FRANK BELLOW’S TRUCK - DAY
MATTHEW sits
completely catatonic in the front seat.
FRANK is driving the truck up and down Brumbelow, looking out the
windows on both sides.
It is no longer
SILENT.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Matthew!
Can you hear me? Where are the
other boys?
Silence from
Matthew. Just an empty stare out the
windshield.
FRANK
BELLOWS
How many of you went out last night? Matthew!
He SLAMS on the brakes
and SHAKES Matthew.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Listen
to me! How many?
FRANK
BELLOWS
Damn it!
I told you to not get in the car with other kids, Matthew.
He drives up and
down Brumbelow, searching for the others.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD AND KEMP ROAD CROSS
STREET - DAY
Frank’s truck SLAMS
on the brakes, right up to James’ car.
FRANK exits the
truck and looks around the abandoned car.
He peers through the
glass and opens the passenger door.
He goes through the
seats, and checks the floorboards hurriedly.
He BANGS on the roof
of the car.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Shit!
God damnit!
EXT. BELLOW’S HOUSE - DAY
FRANK BELLOWS pulls
up to their home, and parks alongside his police cruiser. He picks up MATTHEW BELLOWS and carries him
into the house.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
FRANK BELLOWS sets
MATTHEW BELLOWS down on the living room sofa as CATHY BELLOWS walks in from the
hallway, smiling.
Her smiling turns
immediately to pure terror as:
FRANK
BELLOWS
Take him to the hospital!
CATHY
BELLOWS
Oh my God!
What happened, Frank?
FRANK
BELLOWS
Get ready!
Now, Cathy!
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
FRANK BELLOWS runs
down the porch steps and heads to his police cruiser.
INT. FRANK BELLOW’S POLICE CRUISER - DAY
FRANK BELLOWS sits
down and grabs the radio as it SQAWKS:
FRANK
BELLOWS
This is NP-4, 1-ADAM-3… 10-10 A. Dispatch, over.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
Roger that… Dispatch, over.
FRANK
BELLOWS
One positive, 10-53 found near 11-24. Brumbelow and Kemp… Multiple unknown
10-65’s… Over.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
Roger that… 10-45, Stand by… over.
FRANK
BELLOWS
10-45C. Over…
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
Request for 11-40? Over.
FRANK
BELLOWS
11-42.
Negative… Enroute to hospital now in civilian vehicle.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
Roger that, Adam Five. Codes 2 and 8 arriving on scene of 11-24.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Copy that… Enroute to 10-20. 10-8 over and out.
Frank exits the
police cruiser as CATHY BELLOWS is carrying MATTHEW out the front door.
EXT. FRANK BELLOW’S HOUSE - DAY
CATHY BELLOWS is
hysterical as Frank tries to calm her.
He opens the door of
a nearby four door sedan and takes Matthew from Cathy’s arms. He struggles as she does not want to let him
go.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Start the car, Cathy. Take him to Richmond’s medical center. Okay?
She nods and gets in
the driver seat, STARTING the car. She
backs out the driveway in a hurry as Frank runs inside the house.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD - DAY
DOGS BARKING in the
background as THREE K-9 OFFICERS are holding leashes on large dogs sniffing
around.
Several POLICE
OFFICERS are walking along the sides of Brumbelow Road, searching the
area.
There are at least
four or five police cruisers parked alongside the road. An ambulance with TWO EMS TECHNICIANS stand
by, bored and awaiting instructions.
FRANK BELLOWS pulls
up in full uniform and parks his police cruiser next to a dark SUV.
He exits the car and
approaches a nearby officer.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
The father of one of the missing subjects
said there were three boys.
POLICE
OFFICER
(shakes
head)
Nothing.
Local neighbors and farmers
are helping with the search, walking out in the fields to try and help.
A
VOICE (O.S.)
Over here!
Someone is holding
up a broken, mini DV camcorder tape in the field. People start rushing over and crowding the
person. Frank jumps the barbed wire
fence and runs over.
Frank takes the tape
from them and hands it over to another officer…
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Get this to the station and have someone see
what they can get off it…
The officer nods and
grabs the tape, running off with it.
Frank grabs his head
and spins around, completely under high stress, sweating profusely.
POLICE
CHIEF
Frank…
You can’t focus right now. Go to
the hospital and find out how your son’s doing.
(beat)
There’s nothing you can do right now. We’ve got close to fifty people out here
searching. We’ll find them.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You’re right.
Call my cell if you find anything.
POLICE
CHIEF
That video will tell us something. It’s all on the tape, I’m sure. A picture’s worth a thousand words, Frank.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What did you say?
INT. FRANK BELLOW’S TRUCK - DAY
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS is in the passenger floorboard of his small truck at his house. He SNATCHES the digital camera up from the
floor and runs inside the house.
INT. OFFICE - DAY
A HAND pushing a
MINI-SD memory card into a slot on a computer.
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS is seated in front of a computer in a small office room of the house.
C.U. COMPUTER
SCREEN… RIGHT CLICK, NEW FOLDER
C.U. COMPUTER
SCREEN… TWO WINDOWS OPEN, A CLICK and DRAG of files over to NEW FOLDER.
Frank intently
watches the screen as the files copy. He
opens an image previewer and watches the images as he presses down on the
keyboard:
C.U. COMPUTER
SCREEN:
Shots of 3 boys,
smiling and smoking, almost scared.
Darkness fills the backgrounds behind all of them.
All shots of the
boys show TRANSLUCENT FIRE TRAILS behind each of them.
C.U. COMPUTER
SCREEN:
A few shots of the
road: there are blurry, grey flashes
going across the road, very odd and mysterious looking.
FRANK grimaces, looking
deeply concerned and bewildered.
RING, RING… He gets
a phone call on his cell phone. Frank
fishes his phone off his belt.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Bellows.
CELL
PHONE (V.O.)
Frank, we got something off the tape.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Yeah?
Well what is it?
LONG PAUSE
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Hello?
CELL
PHONE (V.O.)
You better get down here right away, Frank.
He yanks the memory
card out of the computer, closes out the windows on the computer and heads out
the room.
INT. POLICE BRIEFING ROOM - DAY
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS opens the door and steps inside to see TWO OFFICERS standing at the
front of the room, talking quietly.
A WHITE NOISE, from
a nearby TV and VCR on a cart.
The officers stop
talking immediately and turn to Frank.
POLICE
OFFICER
Hit the lights Frank.
Frank stops with a confused look.
POLICE
OFFICER
Easier to see it in the contrast of the dark.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
See what?
WHITE SNOW
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD - NIGHT
Amateur footage
starts, recapping the startling events of the boys walking along the s-curve.
Lots of random cuts,
snowy footage, SCRATCHED BADLY.
A BRIGHT FLASH
METALLIC SCREECHING,
with MATTHEW, CHRIS, and STEVE’s faces screaming bloody murder. Matthew passes out in shock, falling in the
ditch.
The camera drops to
the middle of the road, sideways.
There is a very
quick flash of a small animal leaping across the road.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS (V.O.)
Stop.
Stop it right there…
INT. DARK POLICE BRIEFING ROOM - DAY
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS stands close to the TV set, the other two officers seated at chairs up
front. One is holding a remote control.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Did you see that?
POLICE
OFFICER HOLDING REMOTE
I did.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Rewind it.
POLICE
OFFICER HOLDING REMOTE
Hold on.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Can you freeze frame that? In slow motion this time?
POLICE
OFFICER HOLDING REMOTE
Yeah, I’ll try.
C.U. TELEVISION
SCREEN:
The video pauses on
what looks sort of like a small baby's face, and a hoof hand blurred across the
screen.
POLICE
OFFICER HOLDING REMOTE
Is that a…
(beat)
A baby?
Can you clean that image up? Hit
the tracking or something…
POLICE
OFFICER HOLDING REMOTE
It’s the tape.
OTHER
POLICE OFFICER
We tried our best. If you want more, we’re probably going have
to send it over to Rosenberg’s lab.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What?
OTHER
POLICE OFFICER
They got better equipment to do this sort of
thing, Frank.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Alright, nevermind for now. Play it through.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD - NIGHT
WHITE SNOW
The camera image is
going in and out, and the camera image somehow gets dragged along road.
An odd, twisted
mangled object and tall grass from a field.
WHITE SNOW
INT. POLICE BRIEFING ROOM - DAY
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS is even closer to the TV set, the other two officers standing. One is holding a remote control.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What was that last thing? The weird twisted thing?
OTHER
POLICE OFFICER
Look like a fence or something.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Did anybody find the camera itself?
POLICE
OFFICER HOLDING REMOTE
We couldn’t find anything else.
They eject the tape. The tape SPITS OUT the converter. Film stock spews from the converter all over
the floor…
The tape is ruined.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Shit!
Here… Take this to the lab.
Frank hands the
Mini-SD memory card to one of the officers.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
I’m going to go check on my son.
Both cops nod as
Frank leaves the room.
INT. POLICE CRUISER - DAY
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS punches a number on his cell phone as he drives away from the station.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on
phone)
Hey… How’s he doing?
INT. A HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - DAY
CATHY BELLOWS is
standing in front of a hospital window, staring outside. She SIGHS.
CATHY
BELLOWS
(on
phone)
He’s entered a state of traumatic shock. Doctors
don't know if he'll come out of it.
(beat)
They are going to keep him for a few days to
observe him. He's been put on IV fluids,
the whole nine.
INT. POLICE CRUISER - DAY
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on
phone)
I’m on my way over there, now.
INT. A HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - DAY
CATHY
BELLOWS
(on
phone)
What the hell happened to my baby,
Frank?
INT. POLICE CRUISER - DAY
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on
phone)
I don’t know, Cat. That’s what I’m trying to find out.
INT. A HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - DAY
CATHY
BELLOWS
(on
phone)
Well, there’s no use in coming over here now,
he’s completely knocked out.
(beat)
Go and find out who did this to our son,
Frank!
INT. POLICE CRUISER – DAY
SILENCE as Frank drives on.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on
phone)
Listen, I’ll stop by a little later,
okay? I have a few things to check out.
(pauses)
Are you alright?
SILENCE
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on
phone)
I love you.
We’re going to get through this…
I promise.
INT. A HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM – DAY
CATHY BELLOWS starts CRYING as she says:
CATHY
BELLOWS
(on
phone)
I love you too, Frank. I’ll see you.
I’ll call if anything changes.
She hangs up the
phone, stuffing it in her purse.
She stares out the
window for a long while, wiping tears from her face.
INT. POLICE CRUISER – DAY
He grabs the police
radio and calls dispatch:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
This is NP-4, 1-ADAM-3… 10-36. Dispatch, over.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
Copy that… What is your information, NP-4,
1-ADAM-3? Dispatch, over.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Tell Anderson… That I want to know the second
the lab gets anything off those images from that SD card… Code 2. Over.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
Roger that… 10-45, over.
FRANK
BELLOWS
Over and out…
INT. POLICE CRUISER – DAY
Frank continues to
drive as the radio SQUAWKS to life:
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
Come in NP-4, 1-ADAM-3… Over.
He grabs the radio:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
NP-4, 1-ADAM-3…, come in.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
10-23… Stand by… Over.
He SIGHS as he waits
and drives on.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
10-68… Supervising lab agent requests you
call his office. Code 1. Over.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Copy that.
What’s the number? Over.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
10-23 for 10-36…
(pause)
Adam, John, Sam, Robert… Over.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Copy, Over and out.
INT. POLICE CRUISER – DAY
Frank THROWS down the police radio and grabs
his cell phone off his belt. He punches
in some numbers…
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on phone)
Hey John… What did you get off those photos?
LAB
AGENT JOHN (V.O.)
Frank, there was nothing on it to read.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on phone)
What?
He SLAMS on his
brakes.
EXT. A TWO LANE COUNTY HIGHWAY – DAY
The back wheels of
Frank’s police cruiser LOCK UP as the car SKIDS sideways across the road with
smoke. The car comes to a SCREECHING
halt in the middle of the road.
INT. POLICE CRUISER – DAY
Frank SLAMS a fist on the steering wheel.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on phone)
What the hell are you talking about,
John? I saw them myself!
LAB
AGENT JOHN (V.O.)
It was an empty memory card. Not a single thing was on it.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on phone)
But you could read it, right? No errors or anything?
LAB
AGENT JOHN (V.O.)
No errors.
Just nothing on it.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on phone)
Thanks John.
I’ll get back with you.
He TOSSES his phone on the passenger seat and
throws his hands on the steering wheel of the car. He bends his head down, over his arms on the
wheel and SIGHS.
INT. FRANK BELLOW’S HOUSE - OFFICE – DAY
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS runs inside the office room in his house. He SCOOTS the chair up close to the computer
as he sits down, out of breath.
C.U. COMPUTER
SCREEN:
He opens "new
folder" he created earlier on the desktop but the folder is empty.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(yelling)
What the fuck!
He BANGS the top of the desk.
C.U. COMPUTER
SCREEN:
Google search for
"imp", new window:
Wikipedia: An imp is
a mythological being similar to a fairy, frequently described in folklore and
superstition.
C.U. COMPUTER
SCREEN:
Google search for
"imp brumbelow":
Nothing really turns
up, just pages of home improvement pages, import files systems, etc. No leads.
C.U. COMPUTER
SCREEN:
Google search for
"brumbelow road" texas:
Nothing shows up but
names of people, land for sale… Then on page 2 of google results: Cattle thefts
investigated…
C.U. COMPUTER
SCREEN:
Google search for:
"imp" "brumbelow rd":
… like 20 minutes
from my mom's house… road late at night while drunk, you'll be killed by this
imp that haunts the area…
Frank closes all the
windows and runs out the office in a hurry.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD AND KEMP ROAD - NIGHT
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS pulls up in his police
cruiser. He stops the car approximately
where JAMES’ CAR was parked.
A FEW K-9 Officers and SOME CIVILIANS are still searching the fields in the
distance with flashlights.
Frank approaches a
K-9 officer walking along the fence with a dog.
K-9
OFFICER
It’s getting too dark. We’re going to have to
call the search off for today…
(beat)
We’ll start up again at dawn.
Frank NODS disappointedly.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Do you know where they towed the car to?
K-9
OFFICER
Not sure.
I was on the other side, eastbound.
Dispatch would know.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Thanks.
Frank walks to his
car, and stands over the roof as he grabs the police radio.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
This is NP-4, 1-ADAM-3… 10-97 Brumbelow and
Kemp. Dispatch, over.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
Copy that… Dispatch, over.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Where is the 11-24 that was at current 10-20?
Over…
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
10-23. 1-ADAM-3…
(long
pause)
Vehicle transported to local garage in
downtown city limits… over.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Roger that… NP-4, 1-ADAM-3, over.
RADIO
DISPATCH (O.S.)
10-23 for 10-20, 1-ADAM-3…
EXT. AUTO GARAGE CENTER - ENTRANCE - NIGHT
A GREASY AUTO
MECHANIC is walking with OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS, outside an auto garage.
GREASY
MECHANIC
Car’s out back if ya wanna take a lookie,
Officer.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Thanks.
EXT. AUTO GARAGE CENTER - REAR – NIGHT
THE MECHANIC AND
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS approach James’ car, sitting alone in a grassy field
behind the garage.
INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
A DOCTOR approaches
CATHY BELLOWS, with a hand on her shoulders.
He tells her
something softly, as she SCREAMS out in agony.
She grabs the doctor’s
arms as she pulls herself down on the floor slowly, CRYING and completely irrational.
INT. JAMES’ CAR - NIGHT
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS is searching through the car with a flashlight, looking under the seats
as his cell phone RINGS. He looks at the
display as he answers:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on
phone)
Hi, baby.
Gimmee some good news.
(long
pause)
Hang on.
Calm down, honey. I… I can’t
understand you. Slow down, babe.
INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
CATHY BELLOWS is
CRYING, sitting on the floor against the wall.
She is rocking and holding herself with one arm, phone in the other
hand:
CATHY
BELLOWS
(on
phone, screaming)
I
said he’s fucking dead, Frank!
INT. JAMES’ CAR - NIGHT
As OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS continues looking under the seats of James’ car, he stops immediately:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on
phone)
What did you say?
INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
CATHY BELLOWS
continues CRYING, sitting on the floor against the wall.
CATHY
BELLOWS
(on
phone, stammering)
Matthew went into medical shock, and, and,
and his heart st…stopped.
(pause,
sniffling)
He di…died 8 minutes ago.
EXT. AUTO GARAGE CENTER - NIGHT
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS falls down to the ground, dropping his cell phone.
CATHY
BELLOWS (V.O.)
Frank? …
Frank? Hello?
Frank sits there
against the car, tears rolling down his face.
He repeatedly POUNDS
the door of the car in anger.
INT. POLICE CHIEF’S OFFICE - NIGHT
THE CHIEF is putting
on a wind breaker, on his way out the door when:
Chief's door FLIES
OPEN, with OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS running in yelling:
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You tell me everything you know about the
fucking road, right now!
The chief, surprised
- sits down at his desk, SIGHING.
POLICE
CHIEF
Calm down, Frank.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You try calming down when you find out your
only son has just fucking died!
Frank, with a wild
crazy-eyed look, approaches the Chief closer.
POLICE
CHIEF
Oh God, I’m so sorry Frank.
(beat)
I’m afraid there’s really only one man that
can tell you anything.
EXT. MOBILE HOME
TRAILER – NIGHT
A LOUD KNOCKING on the
front door. OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS stands
outside on the small porch, pacing.
The door opens
slowly as a smiling IRVE steps outside.
IRVE
I knew you’d be back.
INT. LIVING ROOM –
NIGHT
OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS
and IRVE sit in the dark living room, drinking coffee.
An eerie glow comes
from a small black and white television set playing on mute in the background.
IRVE
I grew up out here as a child, ya know. Moved away, then came back after my daddy handed
it over to me.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Yes. We
covered that already, Irve. Tell me what
you know about this road.
IRVE
Okay, well… I tell you what I know. Trouble started almost as soon as I got here,
really.
(pauses)
See, there was this goat farm, whose land was
getting seized by the government. This was
going on for years…
(beat)
They were even trying to take that land from
his daddy… shortly before he signed the land over to his son.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
The government? Back taxes or something?
IRVE
Not, not like that at all. Seismic activity… You know, drilling for oil.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
There’s oil? Out here? In this area?
IRVE
(nodding)
Black suits would come by, offering to pay
buckoos of dollars to get that land from him. But the farmer wouldn’t budge. He refused to give up his land!
(beat)
His land was given unto him from his daddy,
and his daddy, and so on. You can’t give
that up to nobody.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Did the farmer fight back?
IRVE
I’m getting to that, see? One day I suppose, he comes in from deep out
in the fields, you know… a normal hard days work…
(beat)
When he returns home, his house and land’s on
fire! The house was gone within
minutes! His wife and newborn baby died
in that house, ya know.
Frank’s eyes start
welling up, as a tear ROLLS down the side of his face.
IRVE
With his family gone now… The land now
worthless, all his livestock and crops all burnt up… He had nothing left!
Frank’s wipes the
side of his face with this sleeve.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
So, so what did he do about it? What happened?
Irve nods and SIPS
his coffee.
IRVE
He cleared everything with a box blade and that
was it. Like nothing ever happened. What could anyone do? He gave up!
Frank sits there in
silence, staring at the muted television set.
He SIPS his coffee slowly.
IRVE
People say it’s the spirit of that little
baby and one of them goats.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
You mean, like a satyr?
IRVE
(shakes
head)
Satyrs are often described as faint-hearted
folk, mischievous and dangerous, but shy and cowardly. No…
He CACKLES at
Frank. Frank returns his laughter with a
cautious look.
IRVE
(shakes
head)
This is nothing like a satyr. Might look like one, but that’s about it. What this is… is a force that’s pure
evil. Bent on revenge, that’s what.
(beat)
Most people around here just think it's all
pish posh… even though we don't go out at night.
He WINKS at Frank.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What happened to the land?
IRVE
He gave up!
He finally let them dig up the property.
Frank stares at his
coffee cup with deep sadness.
IRVE
They came, they drilled… didn't get nothing
of course.
(beat)
The rig and equipment kept burning up and
getting destroyed, no matter how many
times they tried to rebuild or fix it.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Who owns it, now?
IRVE
Nobody knows who owns the deeds now. Nobody wants to know… Would you?
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
What stretch of land is it, exactly?
IRVE
From the intersection all the way to
1462.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
Who else could I talk to that has lived here
as long as you have?
He LAUGHS and says:
IRVE
The few that did live out here, they’re all
gone now. That was a long time ago.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
And where do you think those 3 boys are? What
might have happened to them?
IRVE
Oh, you’ll find them… Sooner or later they’ll show up. They always do. But don’t you try to find IT, though. You won’t find what yer lookin’ fer.
Frank looks at his
watch and starts to get up.
IRVE
All you’ll find is eternal peace if you go
around asking fer it.
Irve points to his
wrist watch.
IRVE
You might as well stay for another cup of
coffee, Officer.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
I’ll be fine.
Thanks for your help.
IRVE
I done warned ya, son. Don’t try to meddle with powers your mind
can’t even begin to grasp. You better
wait at least another half hour…
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
I have plenty of time. I’ll make it.
I have to go find my wife…
INT. FRANK BELLOW’S
POLICE CRUISER – NIGHT
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS drives back on the main road and looks at his clock on the cruiser's
dash: 11:50 pm
Frank makes a call
on his cell phone, no answer. He SMACKS
the steering wheel.
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS
(on
phone)
Hey honey, it’s me. Let me know where you’re at… Call me as soon as you get this, okay? Love you, bye.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM
– NIGHT
A CELL PHONE is
VIBRATING on a nightstand and FALLS off.
A CREAKING back and
forth, like a rocking chair.
A PAIR OF LEGS, SWINGS from rafters in the
ceiling.
INT. FRANK BELLOW’S
POLICE CRUISER – NIGHT
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS drives on BRUMBELOW ROAD very fast.
INT. IRVING’S MOBILE
HOME TRAILER - DAY (FLASHBACK)
IRVE
I grew up out here as a child, ya know. Moved away, then came back after my daddy
handed it to me.
INT. NEEDVILLE
LIBRARY MEDIA ROOM - DAY (FLASHBACK)
OFFICER
FRANK BELLOWS (V.O.)
(reading)
Police reported his body was discovered
behind a local farmer’s 23 acre plot, off Providence and Brumbelow.
INT. FRANK BELLOW’S
POLICE CRUISER – NIGHT (END FLASHBACK)
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS speeds on, the engine ROARS louder.
IRVE
(V.O.)
I reckon it was Christmas time…
IRVE
(V.O.)
People been getting killed off that road for
years…
(pauses)
…long as I been here, anyway.
IRVE
(V.O.)
…trouble started almost as soon as I got
here, really.
IRVE
(V.O.)
I moved back here in uh, 77. I got the land from my daddy.
IRVE
(V.O.)
Irving Michael Peterson. You can just call me Irve.
A loud BOOM! THUMP
THUMP THUMP… his tire blows out!
He drives on,
SQUINTING his eyes to a:
SMALL TODDLER BABY
sitting upright, in the middle of the road.
Frank SLAMS on the brakes and cuts the wheel.
SPARKS fly
everywhere from his front left tire. The
car slides around on bare metal rim.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD
– NIGHT
The police cruiser
slides sideways. OFFICER FRANK BELLOWS
loses control and FLIPS the car in the ditch.
INT. FRANK BELLOW’S
UPSIDE DOWN POLICE CRUISER – NIGHT
FRANK BELLOWS nose
bleeds from the airbags deploying. He
undoes his seat belt as he FALLS down into the roof of the upside down
car. He exits the vehicle, severely
bruised.
EXT. BRUMBELOW ROAD
– NIGHT
OFFICER FRANK
BELLOWS gets out the vehicle, A WHOOSH as the car’s front end catches FIRE.
As Frank runs to the
road, the barbed wire fence STRETCHES across the road from both sides of the
ditches.
The barbed wire
WRAPS around his head and body twice, COILS tightly up, and SLICES his head and
torso off in 3 pieces.
EXT. MOBILE HOME
TRAILER – NIGHT
IRVING sits on his
front porch steps, staring at the sky.
He stands, and walks down his driveway slowly.
He bows his head
very slowly, staring at the ground while shaking his head.
FADE OUT:
END CREDITS: