[Note: thefollowing sequencewill take place in ONE SHOT.]
We'removing through the crowd,headed towards ourpeople.
As weAPPROACH, we can hear LILY'SPAINED CRIES. Rob's
holdingher tight in his arms --she's sobbing hysterically
We canhear Hud trying to catchhis breath. As hegets
close,we see Lily nearly BUCKLE inRob's arms -- it'sas
thoughher legs give out entirely-- between SOBS --
LILY
-- whatwas that -- what wasthat
Marlenatries to help -- butLily's a wreck shepushes
Marlenaand Rob away -- backsagainst the wall behindher
holdsher head in her hands --the TEARS nearly chokingher --
LILY
--please -- what happened -- somebodyplease tell me what happened--
6/8/07 CLOVERFIELD by DrewGoddard 53.
Hud anglesthe camera towardsRob. He's taken a fewsteps
away. He's staring forward. Blank expression on hisface.
There'ssomething EERIE about it-- he's so deeply INSHOCK
that heseems to have disconnectedfrom the world entirely.
Chirp. We hear a noise. It'sa quick beep, barelyaudible.
In fact,nobody even reacts toit.
LILY
-- itjust came from nowhere-- he didn'tsee it -- he didn'teven see it - -hewas there and thenhe was gone --
(throughsobs)
Whatwas that? Whatjust happened...
Marlenacrouches next to Lily
MARLENA
Idon't know ...I don'tknow ...
Hud anglesback TOWARDSROB -- he's still standing inthe
middleof the street. WithTHAT LOOK on his face --it's as
thoughhe's completely short-circuited.
HUD (0.S.)
(tryingto catch his breath)
Rob-- Rob -- I'm sorry --I'm so sorry--
But Robdoesn't respond. Chirp. We hear THAT SOUND again.
HUD (O.S.)
Rob -- are you okay, man? Rob?
Rob doesn'tsay a thing. Juststands there. Shell-shocked.
HUD (O.S.)
Rob?
CRASH! Just then, the soundof a WINDOWSHATTERING jolts
Hud. He swings the camera --
ACROSS THE STREET-- we seeSEVERAL PEOPLE kickingin the
doorof a corner ELECTRONICSSTORE. LOOTERS immediately
stormthe place --
Hud swingsthe camera backto the group -- Marlena'sglancing
outat the CHAOS building inthe streets. She looksat Hud --
6/8/07 CLOVERFIELD by Drew Goddard 54.
CONTINUED (2)
MARLENA
We can't stayhere...
Chirp. There'sthat sound again. Hud swings the cameraback
towards Rob --
HUD (O.S.)
Rob ...wegotta get moving. It'snot safe here. We gotta --
(tryingto think)
I don'tknow. We could goup, try the Williamsburg...Or try tocross to theother side... try theTunnel or something-- I don't know. L don't know--
(beat)
But she'sright -- we can't stay here --we gotta do something...
Chirp. HudHOLDS ON ROB. It'snot even clear if Rob's
hearing Hudright now --
HUD (O.S.)
What dowe do, Rob?
AROUND THEM --we can hear the distantsounds of people's
SCREAMS; thedull thudding of whatsounds like EXPLOSIONS
Chirp. Thereit is again. Onlythis time --
Rob seems torecognize it. In fact,the sound seems toroust
him slightly. He glances down, reachesinto his pocket
And pulls outhis phone. As he flipsit open, realizes
ROB
(almostto himself)
There'sa message...
Rob hits abutton on his phone, tryingto playback butthen --
Chirp. Robtenses as he realizesTHAT NOISE he's been
hearing isthe sound of his batterydying --
ROB
No --
He tries todial again, but -- Ch-chirp. The phone DIES
OUTRIGHT.
ROB
6/8/07 CLQVERFIELD by DrewGoddard 55.
CONTINUED (3)
We hear hisbreath catch in histhroat -- PANIC buildingin
his chestas he tries to hold himselftogether. His eyes
dart up,glances around -- what doI do ...what do I do ...
And then, suddenly,without warning
Rob turnsand starts walking away.
HUD (O.S.)
Rob --?
It's likehe's in a trance. We canhear Rob mutter to
himself ashe passes Hud
ROB
My phone'sdead...
Hud swingsthe camera towardsMarlena and Lily. Marlena's
lookingat Rob in disbelief --
MARLENA
Whereare you going?
(glancesat Hud)
What'she doing?
Hud turnsto FOLLOW ROB. But Rob'smoving fast, makinga
beelineright towards the ELECTRONICSSTORE. As Hudhurries
to catchup, we see LOOTERS emergingfrom the store --
Two guysare carrying a FLATSCREEN TELEVISION. Another
person isracing out with a STEREO. Rob walks rightby them.
Doesn'teven seem to notice.
HUD (O.S.)
Rob,what are you doing? Wait --
As theyapproach the entrance --
HUD (0.S.)
UhRob ...this store's closed.
Rob walksright inside, passinglooters on the way out. Hud
hesitatesfor a moment, then followshis friend --
A91 INT.ELECTRONICS STORE - NIGHT A91
-- insidethe store. As Robmakes his way down theaisles,
passinglooters.
HUD (O.S.)
Rob --seriously --
Theypass SEVERAL TELEVISIONSmounted on the wall --
6/8/07 CLOVERFIELD by DrewGoddard 56.
HUD (O.S.)
We shouldn'tbe h--
And Hud stopsin his tracks, anglestowards the TELEVISIONS
as he realizes--
There areNEWSCASTS playing on thescreens.
ON THE FIRSTTELEVISION -- we seeFOOTAGE of the BROOKLYN
BRIDGE. A news shot shows us aGIANT HOLE torn rightthrough
the centerof the structure.
But it's theSECOND TELEVISION thatcatches Hud's
attention...
THE NEWS BANNER reads:"CREATURE ATTACKS NEW YORK."
ON THE SCREEN:a helicopter shot islooking down on thecity,
through thealleys of SKYSCRAPERS. And there, behindone of
the buildings,is --
THE MONSTER.
It's hard tomake it out clearly --it's dark, we get the
sense thehelicopters don't wantto get too close. Butas
their spotlightsflare across it,we see enough to know
That's a creature,all right. It'sABSOLUTELY ENORMOUS as
big as the skyscrapersaround it, ifnot BIGGER. Itsmassive
body scrapesagainst a nearby building,sending DEBRIS
EVERYWHERE --
HUD (O.S.)
Oh jesus...
RUMBLE. Hudjerks, surprised, andswings the camera towards
the front ofthe store --
THROUGH THE DOORS --we can see aconvoy of MILITARY HUMVEES
and TROOP TRANSPORTS racingpastus down the street
Hud swings thecamera back TOWARDSTHE TELEVISIONS. We seeA
LOOTER has stoppedwhatever he wasdoing and is now watching
the televisionwith HUD --
On the firstscreen we see a FIELDREPORTER standing
behind whatlooks like a MILITARYBLOCKADE --
On the secondscreen -- the helicopter'sangling around,
trying to geta better vantage pointof the MONSTER. Hud
reaches forward,TURNS THE VOLUME UPon both screens --
6/8/07 CLOVERFIELD by Drew Goddard 57.
CONTINUED (2)
SECOND SCREEN(V.O.)
confirmonly that it emergedfrom the waterssouth of Manhattana littleover --
FIELDREPORTER
currentlyin the processof evacuatingthe city, hopingto containthe creature to the Baxter/Bayardarea --
Hud glancesover at the Looternext to him --
HUD (O.S.)
That'snot far -- that's onlylike, what,twenty, twenty-fiveblocks from here...
The Looterjust glances at him,nods. As the NEWSCASTS
continue,Hud turns back towardsthe front doors. Curiosity
getting thebest of him, he heads--
B91 EXT. STREETS- NIGHT B91
-- backOUTSIDE. DOWNTHE STREET -- we see a CONVOYof
militaryvehicles -- they're rollingslowly towardsus,
HERDING PEOPLEaway from thenorth part of the city
A VOICEbarks orders over aTRANSPORT'S LOUDSPEAKER
LOUDSPEAKER
continue south -- no citizens willbe allowed north ofCanal for anyreason --
Hud headstowards them, ducksround the corner. Angles the
cameraDOWNTHE STREET --
IN THE DISTANCE-- we can seethe same HELICOPTER
SEARCHLIGHTS wesaw on theNEWSCASTS. We recognizeone of
the SKYSCRAPERS;we see thesame TRAILS OF DEBRISsnaking up
intothe sky. We hear the faintRUMBLINGS of thebuildings
shaking-- the noise has almostbecome commonplace --
Hud ZOOMS IN,we CATCH A GLIMPSEof movement behindthe
skyscraper. It looks likethe GHOSTLY WHITE SILHOUETTEof
the creature;one of the SPOTLIGHTShits it justas
THE MONSTER'STAIL whipsup above the skyscrapers.
6/8/07 CLOVERFIELD by DrewGoddard 58.
Hud GASPS. Behind him, we hearthe military convoy getting
closer, theLOUDSPEAKER BLARING. Hud turns, hurries round
the corner,and back into --
C91 INT. ELECTRONICSSTORE - NIGHT C91
-- the store. DOWNTHE AISLES, towardsthe back of the
store, wecan see Rob tossing asideboxes of CELL PHONES and
ACCESSORIESas he searches for theright battery --
HUD (O.S.)
Rob we don't want to be hereright Dml
But Rob doesn'teven look up --he's intense, on a mission.
As Hud hurriesdown the aisle towardshim --
He passesthe TELEVISIONS. And a fewmore LOOTERS arenow
watching thescreens with RAPT ATTENTION. Hud can't help
himself --he glances towards the screens
ON THE FIRSTSCREEN -- the helicopterhas angled a little
closer --we see THE MONSTER'S BACK --it's HUNCHEDOVER,
seems tobe rubbing its body againsta building We heara
COMMENTATOR'SVOICE. He soundsa bit flummoxed
COMMENTATOR(O.S.)
-- at thispoint, everything ispure speculation--
ON THE SECOND SCREEN --we see aMILITARY OFFICER tryingto
move the FIELDREPORTER away fromthe BLOCKADE. She's trying
to finishher report --
FIELDREPORTER
-- willnot comment on the courseof action,but it's clear there'sa sizablemobilization of
Hud anglesback towards the FIRSTSCREEN. The HELICOPTER
SHOT has zoomedin a bit. We cansee what looks like FLAKES
OF SKIN fallingoff the monster'sback
COMMENTATOR(O.S.)
perhapssome sort of symbiotic relationshipwith the creature. A parasite,if you will --
The shot ZOOMS IN,following a flakedown to the ground. And
as the flakehits the street... itMOVES.
6/8/07 CLOVERFIELD by Drew Goddard 59.
ANCHOR (O.S.)
OH --whatever it is, it's moving
The image isblurry, but we can seePIXELATED MOVEMENTas the
spider-likeparasite skitters acrossthe ground. We seeit
race towardsthe MILITARY PERIMETER--
ON THE SECOND SCREEN --we see thecamera SHAKE as GUNFIRE
rings out --
ON THE FIRSTSCREEN -- the parasiteLAUNCHES ITSELF atthe
soldier...WWWSSHHLLK!! The soldierSCREAMS -- thoughthe
image isblurry, we get the sensethat something VIOLENTand
HORRIBLE ishappening to him --
COMMENTATOR(O.S.)
Oh mygod
And the firstscreen ABRUPTLY CUTS tothe NEWS STUDIO. The
Anchorman,unprepared, staresback at the camera, stunned--
ANCHOR
(horrified)
Uh ...
ON THE SECOND SCREEN --we canHEAR the FIELD REPORTER
SCREAMING,and then it also CUTSto STANDBY FOOTAGE --
MARLENA (0. S.)
Whatare you guys doing?
Hud swingsthe camera to FINDMARLENA as she pullsLily
throughthe front doors --
MARLENA
We haveto get out of here --like, now. Where's --
(seesover Hud's shoulder)
Rob!
Theyhurry RIGHT PAST HUD. He turns to follow them. In the
backof the store, we SEE ROB tearingopen a CELL PHONE
PACKAGE. He yanks out thebattery
MARLENA
Rob-- we gotta go. Themilitary's evacuatingthis wholeplace
Rob slamsthe battery intohis phone. Checks the signal--
it'sgood. He turns, movestowards the back corner. Where
it'squiet. Marlena throwsa glance towards Hud --
6/8/07 CLOVERFIELD by DrewGoddard 60.
CONTINUED (2)
HUD (O.S.)
Don't lookat me -- I've tried--
MARLENA
Rob --it's the army andthat thing'sright over --
Rob flashesMarlena a look thatstops her in her tracks--
ROB
Quiet.
Rob hits abutton, holds the phoneto his ear. Triesto
listen. Looks frustrated -- thisisn't working.
He holds thephone down, hits abutton. Cranks up the
volume. We realize -- he's puttingit on SPEAKERPHONE
There's amoment of silence --Rob, Hud, Lily, andMarlena
all stareat the phone, waitingin tense anticipation,then
BEEP -- themessage starts playing
And BETH'SVOICE fills the air --
BETH
(overphone)
Rob --Rob I can't -- ohgod -- I can'tmove --
She soundsPANICKED, HYSTERICAL
BETH
(overphone)
Rob --it fell -- my apartment-- the wholewall fell on me --
Hud's ANGLING INON ROB as Beth'smessage plays --
BETH
(overphone)
I can't I'm bleedingand L can'tmove
C-CRACK --Just then, A VIOLENTSOUND rings out overthe
phone -- itsounds like concretetearing in half --Beth
SCREAMS --we hear her PANICKED BREATHING asshe gasps--
BETH
(overphone)
Oh god Rob -- Rob -- ROB
And it CUTS OUT.
6/8/07 CLOVERFIELD by DrewGoddard 61.
CONTINUED (3)
We're CLOSEON ROB as the messageends. As we HOLD ON HIM,
we can seeit all play out on hisface as he stares atthe
phone theHORROR at what he'sjust heard, the building
PANIC inhis chest, the overwhelmingsense of HELPLESSNESS
Nobody saysa word. Nobody knowswhat to say.
And Rob? He just stares at thatphone. We see his jaw
clench,we get the sense he's fightingoff tears, his
breathingbecomes more and moredesperate...
But then,after a few beats... somethingchanges in Rob.
We see himfight it all off -- it'sas though he doesn't
allow himselfto panic. Rightthere, on the spot, hemakes
up hismind. Knows what he hasto do. We see it WASH OVER
HIM -- Robsets his jaw, glancesup at Hud ...
As Rob staresat us, we see COLD RESOLVEin his eyes,and --
WE (FINALLY)CUT TO: