"SCREAM 2" (1997)

An old preserved movie theatre. The kind only found in a small town. Very picturesque. The marquee in front reads:

"SNEAK PREVIEW TONIGHT 'STAB' Rated R"

A line has formed around the block, GUYS and GIRLS – mostly college age.

CLOSE on a girl, MAUREEN, no more than 18. A friendly face with innocent eyes. She stands in line with her boyfriend PHIL, same age. A handsome counterpart.

He pulls her close, snuggling with her.

Maureen and Phil reach the box office, presenting their tickets.

They pass through the front doors where an USHER stands randomly handing out GHOST MASKS. A Hollywood variation of a most familiar one. Phil takes one.

The small theatre is nearly packed to capacity. Maureen and Phil enter, moving down the aisle searching for two seats. A YOUNG GIRL SCREAMS, whizzing by them as a GHOST MASKED GUY chases after her. The crowd LAUGHS. Everyone is having fun.

Maureen and Phil find aisle seats down towards the screen just as the lights DIM. People FAKE SCREAM in terror. A very lively crowd.

"A ROBERT RODRIGUEZ FILM"

Phil gets in her face, playing with her. She swats him.

He obliges.

"BASED ON THE BOOK "THE WOODSBORO MURDERS" BY GALE WEATHERS"

Maureen looks behind her, toward the rest of the audience. A sea of white ghost faces fill the theatre. The publicity masks actually glow in the dark. A chilling sight that leaves Maureen extremely spooked.

Inside the house, a YOUNG GIRL, Alicia Silverstonish is taking a shower. The water cascades over her nubile body. Suddenly, a FIGURE is glimpsed through the curtain. It's all very PSYCHO.

A menacing VOICE responds.

VOICE Hello?

VOICE You tell me.

VOICE Why did you hang up on me?

He nods. Maureen stands and moves up the aisle.

Maureen emerges from the theatre and into the small lobby. It is dark and shadowed. She moves down a long hallway to a staircase. A "BATHROOM" sign with an arrow points downstairs.

Maureen hits the stairs to...

A small lounge leads to two bathroom doors. Very low lighting. Maureen descends the stairs, heading for the...

A large bathroom. Five stalls line one wall. The door CREAKS open. Maureen enters and shoots for a stall.

INSIDE THE STALL – MOMENTS LATER

Maureen finishes up, fastening her pants. Suddenly, the bathroom door CREAKS open. Maureen listens. FOOTSTEPS are heard. Loud and heavy.

Maureen eyes the crack in the stall door. Not much is visible. Suddenly, a SHADOW sweeps by. The footsteps stop.

Maureen finishes up quickly. She flushes, throws the stall door open and rushes out to find...

A YOUNG GIRL followed by her FRIEND, both perky and loud. They hurl past Maureen, LAUGHING and carrying on.

GIRL #l I got so scared my bladder rolled.

GIRL #2 You chicken shit. It's just a movie.

GIRL # l No, it really happened. It's a true story.

Maureen is out the door. Now thoroughly spooked.

Alone, Maureen moves for the stairs when a FIGURE emerges from the shadows. A GHOST MASKED SHAPE appearing behind her...

LUNGING FOR HER, grabbing her, spinning her around. She SCREAMS MADLY as the Ghost starts LAUGHING. The mask comes off. It's Phil.

Phil takes her in his arms.

He's sincere. He leans down and plants a kiss on her. She caves, kissing him back. Sweet and sensual.

Maureen moves up the stairs out of sight. Phil turns, reaching for the bathroom door just as a...

GHOST MASKED FIGURE appears in his path. Phil steps back, surprised. Suddenly, a flash of silver shoots forth as Phil is pierced with a long sharp knife. Quick and silent. He bellies over just as the Ghost Shape strikes again. Phil goes down without a scream.

Maureen is at the concession. A GIRL at the counter hands her change and Maureen is off with soda and a tub of popcorn.

SCREAMS and GASPS from the audience as the movie plays on.

Maureen makes her way back to her aisle seat. She sits down next to...

She sits down, with the popcorn.

Phil turns to her, bringing his finger to his masked lips, SSSHHING her.

She turns her attention to Phil.

Phil ignores her. She reaches over in the darkness putting her hand on his knee. She inches it up. The Ghost-masked Phil just stares ahead.

She doesn't notice as Phil pulls a long sharp hunting knife from inside his coat jacket. Maureen's hand moves up Phil's jacket... something stops her. She feels something on her fingers... something wet. She pulls her hand back, the reflected movie illuminating bloody fingers.

Maureen stares at her hand...

Figure grabs her with one hand, the other one clutching the hunting knife.

Maureen sees it, her mouth billowing forth a LOUD SCREAM that is matched by the entire audience as they SCREAM at the screen.

Someone YELLS "Sit down." Maureen turns to several PEOPLE who begin to react. She turns behind her to see the Ghost Face coming at her again... knife raised.

Maureen stumbles forward, her bloody body moving down to the front of the theater. Suddenly, the entire audience begins...

SMASH CUT TO

FADE IN:

A typical college dorm room. Industrial strength furniture. There's two of everything.

A RINGING phone stirs a YOUNG GIRL in bed, asleep under a mound of blankets and pillows. The girl starts to rise as the phone is answered. A VOICE is heard. Brass and sassy.

VOICE (O.S.) Hello... uh-huh... Who is this? Well, we identify ourselves around here. No, you can't. Uh-huh... yeah, right...

The girl rolls out of bed, her hair falls away to reveal her face – It's SIDNEY PRESCOTT. Two years older has brought a maturity to this beautiful young woman. Her face posses a survivor's edge. Stronger and more determined, she appears to have weathered the storm.

She stands and moves to...

VOICE Hello Sidney.

A VOICE spits out of the phone. Deep and haunting. Sidney doesn't flinch.

VOICE What's your favorite scary movie?

VOICE You tell me.

Sidney grabs a small device hooked to the phone. She takes a look at its display.

Silence.

CLICK! The phone goes dead.

She hangs the phone up, turning to Hallie.

Sidney grabs her robe and shower bucket as Hallie channel surfs. Various morning news programs are on their small TV. Snippets are heard.

The channel switches. A YOUNG MAN is being interviewed. Attractive, sullen. Sad.

His voice stops Sidney cold. She turns to the television.

Hallie hits the remote. The man's image disappears as the TV goes off. Hallie turns, all smiles.

Sidney turns from the television. Momentarily lost. Recovery is immediate.

Sid moves to the door and throws it open. A GHOST FIGURE LEAPS at her. She SCREAMS but then stops herself.

It's just a costume hung from her doorframe. Preset, to scare. Another prank. Sidney rips it down, turns to Hallie, throwing the costume at her.

Sid is surprisingly cool. She exits out the door, leaving Hallie staring at the Ghost Mask in her hands.

Sid steps outside of her dorm. The morning sun shines down as Sid breathes in, taking in the day just as FIFTY NEWS REPORTERS NOB HER.

REPORTER #2 Sidney, did you know the victims?

REPORTER #1 Do you feel responsible for the murders?

Microphones are shoved in her face as Sidney is seiged upon by journalists and TV cameras. She starts to panic.

REPORTER #3 Do you think there will be more murders?

Sidney is mortified. She pushes and shoves but there is no escape. The questions come at her like lightning. She sees a whole in the crowd and goes for it as a REPORTER, a flashy woman – all hair and teeth, thick sunglasses, moves in her way.

Sidney's eyes flare. Her fist starts to clench when...

BAM! Someone beats her to it. A fist flies out from the crowd, connecting with the flashy woman's face. She drops. Sid spins around to find...

The onslaught continues. Cameras flash, reporters shove. Gale moves in front of Sid, holding the crowd at bay. The reporters begin to throw questions at Gale.

Sid wastes no time. She takes off, running around the side of the building. She stops, takes a breath, but the reporters are on her tail. She looks up to see a...

Sid goes for it as two hands reach out to help her. One smooth move and Sidney is in the arms of...

He smiles at her. A safe, warm smile. His face as cute as ever.

The security cart trots along, passing STUDENTS coming and going. Dressed smartly in a campus security outfit, Dewey maneuvers the cart across the campus grounds. Sidney rides beside him, horrified as she listens to him.

The cart comes to a stop in front of a building.

Dewey steps down off the security cart and helps Sid off.

Sid's tough demeanor is cracking. She takes a deep breath.

He starts off, for the first time, a severe limp is visible as his left leg drags behind him.

Sidney reaches up and gives her pseudo-brother a kiss, then takes off for the building. Dewey watches until she disappears inside, then limps back to his security cart.

A newsvan pulls up and parks next to a trough of other newsvans and REPORTERS. Some are doing live remotes, others ready themselves for the next onslaught.

Gale gets out of the newsvan, her cellular affixed to her ear.

Gale's CAMERAMAN can be seen behind her, in the van fussing with equipment.

Gale turns to her cameraman, snapping her fingers.

The guy looks up at her. It's RANDY. Two years older but still the charming jokester.

She hangs up, turning to Randy.

Randy holds up his camera – stoked.

Sidney moves down a hallway. Not your typical school building. Through open doorways, film equipment is glimpsed. Editing bays and the like. She's in the Film Department.

She comes upon an open door and peers in. A large room, a class is in progress. She slips in quietly.

Sidney takes a seat at the back of the room. A handful of FILM STUDENTS sit around on torn couches heavy in discussion. Sid goes unnoticed as she watches a whirlwind debate. A SNOTTY GUY is pontificating a point.

Hallie sits on a couch next to MICKEY, 20's, atheletic, cool and rowdy. Arms enwrapped.

The conversation overlaps, everyone arguing... making their point about ALIENS VS. ALIEN.

Someone screams out, "You Sarah Connor?" as the TEACHER, a young artsy type, speaks up.

Ooooohhh. The whole room goes worship silent. All in agreement.

A YOUNG MAN, handsome and smooth, jumps into the conversation. His name is Derek.

From the back of the room, Sidney watches him. Fixated.

Everyone BOO'S. "Ewoks blow."

The class stews on this. Derek turns, spotting Sidney in the back of the room. She gives a half wave. He starts for her, excusing himself.

Derek and Sidney move out into the hallway. Derek throws his arms around her protectively.

He looks at her with bedroom eyes.

He moves on her, wrapping her in his arms and kissing her passionately. She breaks away, laughing.

But it's a failed objection. He kisses her again and they're soon devouring each other like two people in love. Right in the middle of the hallway.

The place is a circus. The front steps of the student center have been roped off to form a platform. A podium and mike have been placed center.

CROWDS have gathered for the press conference that is being held by the university. Reporters and cameras have been roped off to the side. On stage, DEAN FISHER, a sharp looking woman in her forties is talking to spectators.

Beside her stand uniformed COPS, the local SHERIFF, FBI AGENTS. She continues on...

IN THE ROPED OFF NEWS SECTION

Gale walks through the crowd, listening to the Dean.

Gale spins around to find DEBBIE SALT, the flashy reporter who she decked earlier, standing in front of her.

The woman has immediately put Gale on the defensive. TWO OTHER REPORTERS have taken notice. Suddenly, CAMERAS are on Gale.

And in seconds the vultures are upon her as Gale Weathers is beseiged by REPORTERS. The questions spew forth. "Why are you here?" "Is this the work of a copycat killer?" "Have you talked to Sidney?" etc.

And with that Gale wanders off into the crowd.

From across the way, two gorgeous sorority type girls, LOIS and MURPHY stand with their FRATERNITY JOCK BOYFRIENDS. All looks and attitude. Their eyes are on Sidney as they huddle in a conspiratory stance.

Hallie kicks him. Joel moves to Sid.

Joel smiles, heading out as the two sorority girls, Lois and Murphy saunter over.

Instantly, Hallie stands at attention. Sidney joins begrudgingly.

The pledges shake their heads. Suspicious. Lois withdraws two rolls of toilet paper from her book bag and passes them out.

Sidney takes her toilet paper.

She throws him a comforting glance. She's okay with this. She heads off with Hallie. Derek watches.

He tips his hat curtly, then starts off. She stops him.

He turns on her. His eyes on fire.

This stings Gale.

Gale is at a loss.

Dewey turns and limps away, leaving Gale staring after him. Her face smashed fiat.

Sidney pockets her change, looks up to see Gale, standing alone. She goes to her.

Beat. People have begun to notice the two of them talking. Reporters and spectators have slowly circled them. Gale looks around. She spots Randy, who appears behind Sid, with his camera. Gale gives him the nod. He throws the camera up, hits the light.

Sid spins around, surprised to see him.

But then she sees someone else, standing off to the side. A man she recognizes immediately. He looks at; her, his face sullen, broken. Sidney loses her breath.

He moves to her.

Gale motions to Randy. He maneuvers, getting the two of them in frame. A long moment, Sidney just stares at him. Completely off guard. She looks to Randy who aims the camera directly at her... filming her.

She turns back to Gale, staring holes through her, realizing she's been set up. She looks back to Cotton. She doesn't know what to say. She turns back to Gale. Eyes aflame.

Sidney storms off, disappearing in the crowd. Cotton turns to Gale. His face pained.

He takes off, pushing through the crowd. Randy stops filming.

Randy is clearly not happy about his part in this. It's in his voice.

Randy's face reveals otherwise.

A small street that dead-ends in a cul de sac. Large old homes populate it. Greek signs adorn the place. Welcome to Sorority Row.

A huge living room. Divided sensibly in several sections. Nicely done. Et is empty except for one girl who lies on the couch watching television. This is CICI, pretty with a lively energy about her. She channel surfs while talking on the phone.

CICI (on phone) No, they broke up again. Bailey won't stop drinking and Sarah can't take it anymore.

CICI No, he quit the whole God thing. He has issues. The previews for next week...

BEEP! BEEP! Call waiting bleeps through.

CICI (CONT'D) Hold up... someone's calling. (she clicks over) Chi Omega House.

A MAN'S VOICE. Deep and alluring.

CICI Yes.

CICI Cici. Who's this?

CICI Ted? Where are you? Are you drinking? Hold on.

She clicks back over.

CICI (CONT'D) Teddy's on the other line. He sounds drunk. I'll call you back.

CICI I won't.

CICI Alright, alright... I'll call you back.

She clicks back over.

CICI (CONT'D) Okay, Ted, you sound loaded. What's up?

Realizing, it's not Ted.

CICI Oh, I'm sorry. My bad. I thought you were someone else.

CICI Who do you want to speak with? Nobody's here.

CICI We're co-sponsoring the Acid Rain mixer at the Sig Ep. house tonight.

CICI I'm designated driver. I have to be here in case a sister calls and needs a ride.

CICI "Drink with your brain." That's our motto. Who are you calling for?

CICI What if I said goodbye?

CICI Why do you always answer a question with a question?

CICI I'm impatient. Look, do you wanna leave a message for someone?

Silence. No response.

CICI (CONT'D) Hello? Hello? Where'd you go?

Silence again. And then...

Almost a whisper. Simple. Direct. His voice pierces Cici. Her eyes widen. BEEP! Call waiting CLICKS through.

CICI Just a second. (clicks over) Yes?

Cici gets up and moves to...

Cici checks the front door, making sure it's locked.

CICI No, some creep asshole trying to scare me.

BUMP! A noise from upstairs. Cici spins around to the staircase.

CICI Shit.

CICI I heard a noise.

CICi Upstairs.

BUMP! Something moves upstairs. It sounds almost like footsteps.

CICI Shit. Cici moves to the staircase. She peers up it.

CICI (CONT'D) (calling out) Hello? Hello?

CICI Stop it...

Cici looks up the staircase again.

CICI (soft whisper) I don't think I'm alone.

Floorboards CREAK above her. Cici freaks.

CICI I'm outta here.

She flies to the door, unlocking it, throwing it open. She moves out onto the...

A wooden porch with a bulb glowing overhead. She stands on the porch steps, looking back, through the open door, into the house. The phone starts to CRACKLE.

CICI Outside.

Cici looks up and down the street. A YOUNG GUY walks along the sidewalk.

CICI (calling out to him) Hey, you? HELLO? HELL0?

The guy wears a headset, his head bobbing to the beat. He doesn't see her. Cici looks up the street to a sorority house down the block. Lights burn from within. People come and go.

CICI (CONT'D) There's something going on at the Delta Zeta's. I'm gonna walk down.

Cici moves further down the porch steps. The phone begins to CRACK severely.

CICI What? I can't hear you...

CICI I'm losing you.

CICI Okay, okay. I'll call now. I'll call you back.

Cici hangs up the phone. She hits the "TALK" button. Nothing but static. She tries again. She can't get a dial tone. She looks back to the front door. She hesitates quickly, debating, then she moves back up the porch steps.

She tries the phone again. It still won't connect. She moves back to the front porch. It connects. Major static. She dials 511.

VOICE (major static) Campus Security.

CICI Hello, I'm calling from the Chi Omega...

VOICE (too much static) I'm sorry. I can't hear you. Hello?

Cici eyes the open front door. She inches back to it.

VOICE We... bad..connec... call back.

The phone goes dead.

CICI Shit.

Cici redials. The same static.

VOICE Hello?

CICI I'm calling...

VOICE I can't hear you.

Cici peers through the front door, into the house. It's completely empty. Cici steps back inside the house. The connection becomes much clearer.

CICI I'm calling from the Chi Omega house. Someone is harassing me. Hello?

There's no one on the line.

CICI (CONT'D) Shit!

SUDDENLY, A FIGURE APPEARS BEHIND HER. A HAND GRABS HER.

Cici spins around, SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER.

Standing before her is DAWNIE, a young girl, sweet, pre-occupied.

CICI Jesus, you scared me. What are you doing here?

CICI I thought you were going to the mixer?

CICI Just some asshole trying to scare me.

The front door remains wide open. The phone RINGS. Cici stares at it in her hand. She doesn't answer it.

Cici nods, answering the phone. ROCK MUSIC BLARES from the receiver.

CICI Hello?

CICI Where are you?

CICI They're at Grogs.

Dawnie grabs the phone, moving into the living room. She moves to a mirror and fusses with her hair.

CICI I'll go. I don't mind. Really.

Dawnie hangs up the phone, turning to Cici.

Reflected through the mirror is the foyer. Neither see as a SHROUDED FIGURE appears through the front door. Dawnie turns back to the mirror just as the Figure sweeps into the dark dining room and out of sight.

Dawnie starts back for the front door. The phone RINGS.

Dawnie grabs it.

Dawnie throws her the phone and races out the door.

She SLAMS the door shut behind her. A second later we hear it lock. Dawnie brings the phone up to her ear.

CICI Hello? Ted?

Cici nearly collapses. She's starting to lose it.

CICI WHAAAATT?

Cici hangs up, throwing the phone across the room. She moves back to the foyer where an alarm panel is positioned in the wail. She hits a coupla digits and a BEEP is heard as she activates the alarm.

She checks the door, making sure it's locked, then she turns and moves into the...

A large, dark kitchen. Cici moves to the frig and opens it, She gives it the once over. The frig light reflects against her face. She closes the refrigerator, not seeing the Shadow that bounces across her back.

Cici moves to a sliding glass door that overlooks the backyard. She checks the lock. Secure. Then, the phone RINGS.

She turns to the phone that's attached to a nearby wall. It RINGS AGAIN. She reaches for it, answering it.

CICI Hello?

SUDDENLY, TWO HANDS LUNGE OUT OF THE DARKNESS

One finds her neck, the other grabs her by the hair, wrenching her head backwards and spinning her around, shoving her, pushing her into the...

Two doors down from Chi Omega. A big, old Gothic home serves as the Delta Zeta sorority. MUSIC PLAYS from inside. It sounds like a party.

The room is filled with fifteen to twenty people. SORORITY GIRLS and FRAT BOYS who SCREAM and CHEER as they watch four girls who sit on their knees, hands behind their back, in front of a coffee table devouring plates of macaroni and cheese topped with whipped cream.

Sidney, Hallie, and two other girls, TERI and LUCE tear into the macaroni with all their might. Gobbling it up, making a mess of themselves. Mickey is next to Hallie, coaching her on. On Sid as she finishes her plate.

A whistle BLOWS.

Sid sits up. Macaroni and whipped cream is all over her face. She smiles the victor. Everyone APPLAUDS.

Hallie, a face full of grime, eyes Sid.

They crack up. Someone passes her a towel. She stands wiping her face, looking across the room as Derek enters through the front door. She waves at, him. He hurries over.

She swats him.

He shakes his head.

Suddenly, a FRAT BOY pops into the room.

People begin to stand, moving to the windows and front door. Sidney looks to Derek.

Everyone comes flying out of the front door and into the yard as POLICE CARS WHIP BY. SIRENS BLARING.

"Yo – let's check it out." "C'mon." The entire crowd takes off in droves down the street. All except for...

Captain Tyler, the Sheriff, police, FBI... the house is crawling. Dewey sifts around on his own, checking things out.

The Sheriff turns to his men.

Dewey is all ears.

Derek and Sid stand on the porch, his arms around her. Her face is numb.

Sidney, indifferent, moves through the open front door, back inside the house. Her face and mind detached from what's going on. Derek remains on the porch, watching the spectacle. Slowly, the door behind him closes.

Sid moves through the living room, she grabs her coat when the phone RINGS. She looks at it suspiciously... knowingly... she reaches for it.

The VOICE. Low and haunting. Sidney closes her eyes. When she opens them tears are immediate But still, she refuses to crack.

The Voice has never sounded more evil... more seductive. Sidney doesn't flinch. She holds steady.

And with that Sidney hangs up the phone, SLAMMING it down. Silence. And then...

The Voice comes from inside the room... behind her. Sidney spins around and finds herself staring at the...

A sustained moment. A stand off. Sidney doesn't move. But then the killer withdraws his trademark. A long, steel hunting knife... blood stained.

She struggles with the door, there are too many locks, the Ghost is already upon her. She looks to the stairs, thinks better of it... flies through the dining room.

Derek is going nuts trying to get into the house. He moves along the porch to the windows, looking through. He watches as the Ghost Figure chases her into the kitchen. Derek looks about the porch. He rears his foot back and kicks in the window.

Sid moves through the kitchen to the back door. She struggles with the lock as the Ghost is right behind her. She barely makes it out the back door...

A large, fenced in yard. Lots of big oak trees. Sid flies down the back porch and into the yard. She moves across it, passed trees and shrubs. She spots a closed fence door in the back of the yard. She looks behind her to find...

Sid stops, catches her breath, then peers from behind the tree. The yard is completely empty. She goes for the fence door, slowly moving around the tree.

BUMP! A noise in the darkness. She spins around, still making her way around the tree, moving backwards, walking right into a FIGURE. She SCREAMS, spinning around, finding herself face to face with...

He takes her into his arms, comforting her, as she holds on for dear life.

The early sun casts light upon an otherwise dark and joyless morning as the blood stained campus slowly comes to life.

The local campus security office has been converted into a media event. News trucks, cameras and REPORTERS stand guard outside while inside...

The place is packed. No longer just a campus security office. The place has been converted to the local police station as well as FBI headquarters. UNIFORMS and SUITS swarm the place.

In a back section of the room, Sheriff Hartley and Captain Tyler are in a huge discussion with Dean Fisher. Tempers are heated. Its been a sleepless night for all.

Dewey listens to this exchange, slowly stepping forward.

They both turn to him.

Sheriff Hartley steps forward.

Dewey is not a welcome participant. Eyes roll. Captain Tyler pulls Dewey aside.

Just then, Gale Weathers appears being ushered in by TWO UNIFORMS. Dean Fisher greets her with smiles The FBI and local police fawn over her.

Captain Tyler gives Dewey a patronizing pat on the back, sending him off.

Dewey's face couldn't be more burned.

A chalk board in front of them. Three names are written on it under the label "Victims" – "MAUREEN EVANS, PHIL STEVENS, CICI TAYLOR"

Gale is at the chalk board

The room goes quiet. Dewey watches from the back of the room. His eyes burning holes into Gale.

Captain Tyler sits up.

Dewey speaks up. His voice soft but heard. The entire room stares at him, knowingly. Gale's eyes find his. He looks away.

The room breaks into a fury as they jump into action. Gale stops Captain Tyler.

Sid, Derek, Hallie, Mickey, and Joel lounge among pillows and blankets. The remains of a sleepover. Joel parts the blinds.

Hallie reads from a notebook in her hand.

Derek puts his arms around her, pulling her close. Mickey and Hallie argue about this evening. Joel moves out the door.

Derek kisses her sweetly.

He kisses her again.

A huge one-stop for students. Comprised of several open floors, it looks like a mini-mall. A cafeteria, book store, movie theatre, arcade, etc. fill the place.

Gale moves through the lobby area when she sees Debbie Salt heading her off. She tries to bolt but she's not fast enough.

Gale charges off, moving to a nearby newsstand. The tabloid papers exploit what's going on. Crazy headlines about the murders dominate the newsrack.

Gale is clearly bothered by this. Just then, a phone RINGS. She pulls it from her pocket.

It's the Killer. His voice is unmistakable.

Gale knows immediately. She looks around for help. A CAMPUS COP is across the lobby.

Gale gets testy with him.

Gale stops cold. She looks around. The place is alive with people. He could be anywhere.

She continues moving to the Campus Cop.

A deadly warning. Gale stops. She plays it cool. She looks above her to the upper floor. STUDENTS hang over a balcony.

Silence.

CLICK. The phone goes dead. Gale spins around, doing quick circle to make sure no one's around her. She turns and heads off, right into...

A large tiered theatre. Seats five-hundred. Old but preserved and updated. A rehearsal is in progress. SEVERAL ACTORS stand stage center running lines as stagehands work on the set around them.

Sidney is one of them. She moves around the stage, very animated. More alive than ever. She dons a Russian accent. Convincing. A promising actress.

An awkward silence. Everyone looks at each other. Finally, Lois, the bitchy sorority girl speaks up.

The actors break up as Sidney, frustrated, walks across a make shift bridge that takes her across the orchestra pit and down the stairs into the house where Hallie sits watching. Sid's bodyguards can be seen sitting scattered about.

The DIRECTOR, mid-30's, intelligent, friendly.

Sid nods in agreement. The Director smiles at her.

She grabs her things and heads off with Hallie when...

VOICE Sid?

Sid turns to find Randy moving through an aisle. He had been watching rehearsal. Sid's face tenses.

Sid is definite. Hallie backs off, heading up the aisle, against her better wishes.

Sidney looks at him Long and hard, a smile slowly appearing.

He nods, knowingly.

Gale and Dewey are with Captain Tyler and Sheriff Evans.

Tyler doesn't argue. He's too crazed. Dewey avoids Gale's stare.

A movie is in progress. STAB.

Mickey, Joel, and Derek are crowded around a table in the Student Union Cafeteria.

Hallie comes waltzing up.

Hallie plops down, giving Mickey a big kiss.

Hallie kisses Mickey again.

Suddenly, he leaps up on the cafeteria table and begins to sing at the top of his lungs.

Everyone has taken notice. They begin to cheer and sing with him.

Hallie can't help but be touched. He finishes up, ending on a last, final note. As he does, he pulls a necklace from around his neck. His Greek letters dangle from it. He places them around her neck, kissing her.

Hallie breaks away. She swats him.

Hallie smiles, her eyes misty. Derek and Joel eye each other.

Sid and Randy continue watching the movie. The guards behind them are way engrossed.

Tori starts to cry.

Sid emerges from the theatre and into the lobby. She moves into a curtained section where the water fountain is. She looks up and sees Randy flying out of the theatre. He exits outside looking for her. The cops are right behind him.

VOICE Hello Sidney.

Sidney spins around. Cotton Weary stands before her. shoulders slumped, his face pained.

A long silence. Sidney is hanging on by threads.

More silence.

And with that, Cotton flips on a dime. His face turns evil. Sidney races by him as he throws out his arm, stopping her just as...

Sid nods as she watches the officers arrest him. They do a body search, pulling from his coat a large revolver. Cotton just smiles.

Sid and Randy walk up the steps to the school library. The ever helping guards behind them.

She mimes an air lock valve.

There's something sad about this exchange. These two people understand each other

Sidney watches as Randy shoves off, disappearing across campus. Sid turns to find Derek leaning against a pole.

A long moment. He looks at her, hoping she'll say otherwise.

Derek nods. So that's how it's going to be. He turns and wanders off, not looking back once.

The newsvan is parked at a curb. It sits out of the way overlooking the student commons area. A grassy area where students sit and conjugate.

Gale walks back and forth with the cellular attached to her ear. Dewey sits leans against the van, watching her. He still has a crush but hides it as best he can.

Gale hangs up, she looks to Dewey. Smiles.

Gale stares at him, stunned. A moment as the tension swirls about them.

Dewey approaches her. Gale has never been more taken with him. They stand incredibly close.

They're nearly touching now. Just then, Randy approaches.

Gale backs away from Dewey, breathless. Her cellular phone RINGS. She eyes Dewey, then hands it to Randy.

Randy takes the phone.

Shit! Randy motions to Gale and Dewey. It's him. He points around campus, mouthing "He's watching." Gale grabs Dewey.

Gale and Dewey race off, across the grassy area where STUDENTS come and go.

Randy eyes Dewey and Gale, they move through Students, searching.

Dewey is on the his walkie. "I need back-up." He has a hard time keeping up with Gale. He hobbles along.

Dewey appears.

Suddenly the newsvan door RIPS OPEN, a GHOST MASKED FIGURE lunges out grabbing Randy by the neck. The move is quick and precise. A hard yank and Randy is wrenched back into the newsvan. The door SLAMS shut.

Dewey circles the van as Gale moves to the sliding side door. She tears it open as...

RANDY'S BODY FALLS OUT. Blood everywhere. His throat slit.

Gale's SCREAM is heard all over campus.

Yellow tape has been placed around the newsvan. People have gathered as Randy's body is taken out on a stretcher.

Captain Tyler and Sheriff Hartley share frustrated faces.

Different UNIFORMS whirl by.

Sheriff Hartley looks up as REPORTERS flock them, surrounding them in questions.

A room of the library sectioned off exclusively for computer use. It consists of thirty to forty cubicles that house computer terminals. Every cubicle is full. The place is packed.

Sid sits at a terminal busy at work. Her two police guards wander up and down the cubicles keeping an eye out.

The guy leans over and takes a look at Sid's monitor.

The guy returns to his own computer. Sidney eyes the screen suspiciously. She hits ALT + M. A message pops up on the screen.

"YOU'RE GOING TO DIE TONIGHT."

Sidney freaks. A muffled CRY. She shoots up, looking about the crowded room. He could be anywhere. The two guards take notice, rushing over to her.

She points to the screen. The men instantly break up and cover the room. They start pulling people from their terminals to check their screens.

Sidney backs away from her screen, her terror growing.

Suddenly, it starts flashing and BEEPING again. She looks around. She slowly moves toward it, drawn uncontrollably. She hits ALT + M. Another message pops up:

"THE POLICE CAN'T SAVE YOU."

Captain Tyler and Sheriff Hartley are drilling a very subdued and cool Cotton.

Gale sits at a table. Dewey approaches. He places a hand on her shoulder. They're both at a loss.

Silence.

Just then, the Sheriff and Captain emerge from their office. Cotton is escorted out behind them. Gale moves to him.

She looks him dead in the eyes.

Just then, the OFFICER behind the counter brings him his gun in a plastic bag. Cotton takes it out and checks it over. Gale is surprised to see the gun.

Cotton pockets the gun and heads out. Gale rejoins Dewey and the others.

Day turns to night and college life comes to a deadly stand still as everyone observes the imposed campus restrictions.

The fraternity house sits dark and quiet. A YOUNG MAN walks up the walk to the front door. He TAPS on it three times and it quietly opens as he's ushered in.

The young man makes his way down a long hallway, down a spiral staircase, through a thick basement door and into...

Derek is seen with his video camera. He's filming Lois and Murphy. They talk into the camera. Both tipsy chatty.

Mickey approaches as Derek finishes up.

They take off to the kegs.

Derek shrugs. He's clearly upset by it when from out of nowhere, SEVERAL FRAT BOYS appear, picking Mickey up, lifting him over their heads. Everyone starts CHEERING and CLAPPING.

They carry him around the room, CHANTING. The frat boys abduct Mickey, taking him up the stairs and out sight. Others lookie loo's follow. Derek grabs his camera and bolts.

Sidney is trying to focus on homework while Hallie channel surfs. She finds a channel. On screen, Siskel a Ebert are reviewing a movie.

Hallie clearly wishes she were there.

They're reviewing STAB. Hallie switches channels. There's a KNOCK on the door. Sid answers. It's Dewey and Gale. From the look on their faces...

SPLAT! Gobs of gooey food goes flying through the air exploding perfectly all over...

More food and slime come barreling at him. A drunk Lois and Murphy pull the police tape down from the previous night's crime scene and begin to Mayflower him. The crowd goes crazy.

Hallie consoles Sidney. Dewey and Gale nearby. Sidney is a stone rock. It's frightening to watch her hold it together.

Sidney starts packing an overnight bag.

A burn. It comes out of nowhere. Gale goes silent. A KNOCK at the door. Dewey opens to find a Police guard standing with Joel.

Joel is ushered in. He says his hello's, moving to Hallie. Gale and Dewey move out into the hall with the guards. Sid continues to pack. Her face rigid.

He points to Dewey who talks to Gale in the hallway.

She gives Sidney a hug before she can object, then she and Joel race out into the hallway as Dewey sticks his head in.

He looks at Joel and Hallie.

Gale steps in.

Hallie and Joel race outta there before any more objections. Dewey turns to Gale.

Dewey turns to Sid who now stands ready in the doorway.

Sidney's exterior keeps hardening.

Mickey is still tied to the tree. He's so completely covered in hardened gook it looks like he's wearing clothes. The last of the crowd has left. They've gone back to the party. He stands shivering in the cold.

He checks the chain that holds him secure. It's composed of several bike locks and steel twine. He's not going anywhere.

BUMP! He hears a noise. He looks to the nearby shrubs and beyond. Nothing. Just a noise of the night.

A dark room. A slight disturbance at the door and it comes popping open. Light from the hall floods the room as Dewey and Gale slip in and close the door behind them.

Dewey pulls out his flashlight and begins to search the room. He sifts through drawers and a closet.

Gale LAUGHS at this. She reaches over and pats his buttock.

Dewey points the light to a framed picture. It's of Joel and Derek. A buddy pose. She sifts through some text books on the desk.

A moment. Then in a splash, they're outta there.

A squad car makes it's way down the quiet campus street.

Sidney sits in the backseat. The two police officers ride in front.

POLICE GUARD #1 Actually, I don't know.

POLICE GUARD #2 We're meeting another car that will transport you the rest of the way.

POLICE GUARD #1 Safety precautions.

The car comes to a halt in front of a stop light.

POLICE GUARD #1 We feel like Kevin Costner.

Sidney smiles at this just as the car door rips open on the passenger's side. Two hands reach in and yank Police Guard #2 from the car. He starts to CRY OUT but it's cut short.

Sid SCREAMS as the Police Guard behind the wheel struggles with his seat belt. He looks up to see a Ghost Masked Figure move around the side of the car towards his door. He reaches for his gun but it's too late. The Ghost has the door open.

A flash of silver and the Police Guard's throat is slit.

Sidney looks behind her as the guard's dead bodies lay sprawled in the middle of the road. She turns to the door, BEATING and CLAWING at it. She leans back, manic, and KICKS at the window with her feet. No use.

The car makes its way down the deserted street

Sidney takes notice as the car turns onto another campus street. Big, stone school buildings line each side of a thin, road.

She eyes the Ghost through the rearview window. The white masks turns as hidden eyes bore through her. The Ghost hits the gas, picking up speed.

Sidney looks to the book bag on the seat beside her. She rips it open, rustling through it frantically. She pulls books, pencils, paper... Sid grabs a long, yellow No.2 pencil. She grips it hard, looking to the metal grate just behind the driver's seat. The Ghost's neck is right up against it.

Sid takes the pencil and positions it right behind the Ghost's head, ready to attack.

Without pause, Sid RAMS the pencil through the grate, into the Ghost's neck. It lodges there as the Ghost falls forward in pain, losing control of the wheel for a moment.

The car jumps the curb and SLAMS against a building. The Ghost yanks the wheel, over correcting. He tries to bring it back to the road but doesn't see the lamp post that stands directly in the car's path.

The Squad car makes direct contact with the lamp post, SLAMMING into it, bringing the car to a CRASHING HALT, lodging it agaisnt the building's stone exterior.

Smoke rises from a bashed engine as it emits a fatal rumbling.

Sid quickly pulls herself together, looking about, sizing up her options. She tugs on the door handle. It won't budge. She looks to the passenger's side of the car. It's flush against the building.

Then she notices the metal grate. The edge has been pried apart in the crash. Sidney reaches for it, pulling on it, bending it backwards...

CREAK!

Sid tries to stifle the noise it makes, all the while eyeing the Ghost who remains unconscious. She creates an opening large enough for her to crawl through. She lifts herself up and pulls herself through to the...

The only way out is through the driver's door.

After what seems an eternity, she slowly reaches over with her foot and nudges the Ghost. No movement. Nothing.

She slides across the seat towards the Ghost, moving to his side. She reaches with her hand and pushes on the Ghost's shoulder. His body moves, slumping back against the back of the seat. It clears space for her to pass through.

She sits up on her feet, facing the Ghost. With her leg, she reaches over him, straddling him. She leans against the steering wheel, her arm quickly reaching for the door knob.

HONK!

Her back brushes against the horn. Sid TENSES, her face a little more than a foot from the Ghost Mask. He doesn't move. He's completely out cold. Sid pushes the car door open and starts to slide completely over the Ghost when she stops.

She looks to the Ghost.

THE GHOST COMES TO LIFE

Lunging forward. Sidney SCREAMS, leaping, falling out the car door.

Sid hits the pavement hard. She lifts herself up when her entire body is YANKED VIOLENTLY BACKWARDS.

The Ghost has hold of her foot, pulling her back into the car. Sidney KICKS and WRITHES breaking free. She hops to her feet as the Ghost emerges from the car. Sidney SLAMS the car door shut. It catches the Ghost, knocking him backwards.

Sid tears off, down the street, running, burning up the pavement.

The film school sits in the still darkness.

Dewey and Gale move down a dark and shadowed hallway. THUMP! They stop cold.

Dewey keeps moving.

Dewey has lead her to a door marked "LECTURE HALL".

The same room seen earlier. A large, rounded room with three levels of seats that shoot straight up to the ceiling. A podium stands center. Video monitors hang from the ceiling in different places around the room.

Dewey and Gale enter. If not for the red EXIT SIGNS that hang over the exit doors, the room would be completely dark.

They move down the first level of chairs to the lecturn.

CLICK! STATIC! A noise from above takes their attention. They looks up as a video monitor comes to life. Images appear.

CLICK! Another monitor comes to life. More home shot video footage. This time of a big house. A closer look reveals it to be the Chi Omega Sorority House. A young girl stands on the front porch talking on a portable phone. It's Cici.

CLICK! ANOTHER MONITOR TURNS ON.

It's Randy standing outside the newsvan with the cellular phone to his ear.

CLICK! Another monitor turns on. It's of a man and woman back to the camera. The couple move in frame. It becomes apparent quick. It's Gale and Dewey. As they stand in the room live. They're being taped.

CLOSE ON DEWEY AND GALE

Dewey spins around. He reaches for the gun he no longer carries.

He looks around the room, up to the two levels above them. He spots a small light on the second level. He squints his eyes and sees a FIGURE standing behind it.

Dewey hands her his flashlight and takes off for the stair rise that leads to the upper level.

But Dewey is gone, leaving Gale alone. She turns to the monitor to see her face in fear-stricken CLOSEUP.

He reaches it, finding nothing but a camera and tripod. It sits alone against the railing. Dewey surveys the second level. Empty seats everywhere. Completely bare.

Dewey looks down to the main floor... to Gale who looks up to him.

Dewey turns to leave, his eye catching a monitor that hangs level with the railing. On the monitor, Gale is in frame, looking up at Dewey, her face fear stained. She takes a step forward, moving out of frame, revealing

He eyes the exit door as it slowly closes. He moves for it.

Gale races down the hallway, eyeing the nearest door. She tears it open, disappearing into...

Gale finds herself in the student studios. She stands in a huge control booth that overlooks a dubbing stage. Lots of glass walls and doors. It has a maze quality.

Gale moves out a side door and into a dubbing room. Darkness everywhere Gale stops for a second, listening as she main door CREAKS open. And then FOOTSTEPS are heard, making their way towards her.

Gale proceeds deeper into the studio. She moves into a sound proof room and closes the door. Not seeing the...

She doesn't hear him. The room is sound proof. He BEATS against the glass. Still, she doesn't turn to him.

She also doesn't see the Killer that appears behind Dewey. He moves on him swift and focused.

Gale turns to the window to see Dewey, his face smashed against it, blood smeared across the glass. She moves to the window, her face only inches from his. A moment as their eyes meet. Dewey's life is near gone. His eyes reveal it.

Gale BEATS against the glass window.

Dewey's body slides down, out of view. Gale is mortified. She looks to the Killer who has already made his way through the control booth. He's coming for her. She races to the door, throws the things away.

She manages to pull the door open just enough to slide through. And she's off and running.

Gale finds a door and plows through it, stopping only long enough to lock it.

BAM! The Ghost RAMS it from the other side but it holds. Gale surveys her surroundings. She's in a storage room. She eyes another door. She moves through it and out into...

Sidney races down the deserted street. Not a soul in sight. She reaches a corner, moves off the road and passes through a series of trees and shrubs, coming out onto...

The houses have long since gone to sleep. The Delta Zeta House stares at Sidney. Lights burn from within. Sid goes for it.

Sid makes her way up the front porch. She POUNDS on the front door, SCREAMING her lungs out.

Sid wastes no time, she moves along the wraparound porch, beating at the windows. But nothing. Everybody is off partying. Suddenly, Sid hears something. A WHIMPERING. She turns to find Murphy and Lois, laying, strewn across the end of the porch. Passed out.

Sid runs to them.

Sid kneels over Murphy, shaking her. Murphy's eyes open and she GIGGLES. The girl is completely wasted. She has no comprehension skills at all.

Sid looks to Lois. She's in worse shape.

Sid contemplates, not knowing what to do. She leaves them, moving down off the porch and around to the back of the house. She gets to the back door, tries it. It's locked too.

Sidney checks out the yard. Off to the side, she spots a big tree with a...

BODY, lying next to it in a heap on the ground She moves toward it.

As Sid approaches she sees clearly that it's Mickey. He lay on his side, curled, knees to chest, his arm still chained to the tree.

A look of dread creeps across her face. He lay there very much dead.

She kneels over his body just as it stirs, lifting up, rising. Mickey's face comes into view, coated in dried funk, his eyes wide.

Mickey pulls on his chained arm.

Sid inspects the chain. It's meant to hold.

Sidney moves to the shed that's attached to the garage. Leaning against the side are a row of garden tools. Sid settles on a shovel.

Sid returns to Mickey who has risen to his feet. He's pulling and twisting the bike chain that binds him.

Sid lifts the shovel up and brings it down directly on the lock. It bends somewhat but stays in tact.

CLANK! A noise behind them. They both spin around peering into the night.

Sidney, determined, raises the shovel high and brings it down with great force. It CRACKS the lock, loosening it.

Mickey pulls on it. It won't quite give.

Sid raises the shovel again, unfaltering. She doesn't see the Ghost Masked Figure that slides down from the tree branch behind her. The Figure moves quickly and gracefully, coming to a stance directly behind Sid.

Mickey looks up, just in time.

Sid turns just as the Killer strikes. But Sid is ready. Without thought, she swings the shovel at the Ghost, catching his mid- section, sending him flying.

Mickey goes ballistic chained to the tree. He pulls, twists, squirms... anything to free himself.

The Ghost rises, moving on Mickey. Sidney sees this.

Sidney distracts the Ghost. She takes off, the Ghost following her. She moves around the tree, sprinting across the yard, running smack into...

Sid watches as one of the Ghosts withdraws his knife. She turns to the other. His knife is already poised. They close in on her, ready to strike.

She looks for an escape. There's not one. BAM!

Suddenly, Mickey appears, barreling into one of the Ghosts. They go sprawling across the grass.

Sidney makes her break, she runs passed them, towards the front of the yard.

Mickey leaps to his feat. The Killer right behind him. He now finds himself in Sid's predicament. He doesn't know where to run. The two Killer's close in on him.

Sidney gets to the corner of the house. She stops... she doesn't want to leave Mickey. She turns back around just in time to see...

Mickey sandwiched in between the two Ghosts. They're knives strike at the same time. One through the stomach, the other through the back. They withdraw their knives. Mickey's body suspends, momentarily hanging in the air. Then collapses to a heap on the ground.

Both Ghosts turn to Sid at the same time. She takes off running, along the side of the house, through a row of shrub that take her to...

Sid is back on the campus street, running down the middle of it.

She spots a car stopped at a red light half a block up. KIDS are inside, rock music BLARES. Sid SCREAMS and SCREAMS but they don't hear her. She runs, feet pounding, toward them but the light turns green and the car takes off. It's taillights fading in the night.

She turns finding herself alone in a parking lot. The theatre sits in the distance. She spots someone entering the theatre. It looks like Hallie.

But Hallie doesn't hear her. Sid races forward.

Gale races down the empty campus street. She eyes an emergency phone that's attached to a street lamp. She goes for it.

Gale rips the phone from its cradle, presses the CALL button.

VOICE (from phone) What is your emergency please?

VOICE Are you in danger now?

VOICE Where is your attacker?

VOICE Stay under the safety light. Help is on its way.

Just then, Gale hears a NOISE. A door opening. She looks up to see Sidney disappear through the side theatre door.

But Sidney has already disappeared inside. Gale yells into the phone.

Gale throws the phone down and tears off for Sidney.

The theatre is big and old. Plush chairs, balcony, huge proscenium stage.

Sidney enters through a side house door. She pulls on it, releasing the emeregency lock. She makes her way down the aisle toward the orchestra section.

The stage is dark and bare with the exceptions of the furniture from the DEATHTRAP set. BUMP! A noise from the stage wings.

Sidney moves down front to the little bridge that extends out over the orchestra pit. She crosses it and moves to stage center, peering into the wings on either side of her.

Complete darkness.

DRIP! DRIP!

Something drips down from above and onto Sidney. She wipes it from her face when...

CLICK! A spot light turns on from the back of the house, illuminating Sid center stage. She jumps at this, unnerved. She looks to her hand, covered in crimson. Then out to the house... the light is blinding.

CLANK! A NOISE from above..ropes, pulleys moving. Sid looks up as a set wall comes PLOWING down at her. She leaps out of the way, falling to the floor.

The wall falls into place on the stage. It is the back wall of the set that's dressed with framed pictures and antique weapons and...

Sid backs up, moving, racing toward the wings when another wall flies in, sealing the backstage area off, trapping her. She looks in shock at...

Attached to it, is the body of Joel. Dead. Blood everywhere. And then, Sid hears...

CLAPPING!

A single pair of hands from somewhere in the house... applauding. She turns around and spots a FIGURE moving down the aisle. She can't make out who it is.

Sid bolts. She spots the set door up center, near Dewey's body. She goes for it, ripping it open to find...

COTTON WEARY STANDING IN THE DOORFRAME

Sid SCREAMS. But then sees his face, he looks scared. And then, Cotton's body falls forward to the floor, his arms and legs bound by electric tape.

Sid turns back to the front of the stage. The Figure is now walking across the bridge, holding something... a light attached to a video camera. She's being filmed. Sid looks back to Cotton who looks up to her with pleading eyes.

Sid is paniced. She doesn't know what to do. She leans down to untie him but stops.

VOICE (from behind video camera) You've seen this movie before, haven't you?

Sidney looks to the voice. The camera is pulled away to reveal...

Sidney remains silent.

Side backs away from Cotton. She doesn't trust either one of them. Derek watches her, amused.

Derek begins filming again.

Sidney says nothing. She egdes away, moving to the wall where Hallie hangs.

Suddenly, Hallie comes to life behind Sid, reaching out, grabbing her. Sid JUMPS. She spins around to find Hallie breaking out in a torrent of GIGGLES. Very much alive.

Sidney stares in mortal shock as Hallie cuts herself down from the wall with a big hunting knife.

Sidney's eyes go back and forth between the two.

Derek's right. Sid's face appears completely tortured.

Sidney stares them down. She's been here before.

Sid is waning.

Sid turns to Cotton. She kneels down and begins to untie him.

Derek dummy lunges at her with the knife. Sid backs off.

Gale approaches the side theatre door. She pulls on it. It's locked.

She moves down along the theatre to another door.

Hallie and Derek move around Sid, taking turns filming her with the camera.

Cotton pull and twists on his bound wrists. Sid had loosened them somewhat. He tries to finish undoing them.

Derek reaches in his pocket for a coin.

He flips the coin.

Gale eyes a door that's marked "STAGE DOOR". She opens it and steps in coming face to face with a...

Gale's face is a mass of confusion.

Derek releases Sidney, shoving her, she falls to her knees, next to Cotton.

Hallie moves in on her.

VOICE (off camera) Don't blame the movies, Sid. Movies don't create pyschos.

Sid stops dead in her tracks as these words still her very soul. The Voice comes from the wings. They all turn as Gale Weathers appears. Behind her, with gun in hand, is Debbie Salt. Derek grabs the camera. He doesn't want to miss a second.

Sidney mouth drops, her face aghast, as she looks to Debbie Salt. She recognizes her immediately.

Gale stops cold.

Gale turns to Debbie Salt.

Sidney is completely horror stricken. She stands in total disbelief.

Debbie Salt/Mrs. Loomis looks to both Derek and Hallie, smiling.

Hallie raises her hand.

Debbie points the gun at her, quickly, simply... and FIRES. Sid and Gale SCREAM as a bullet through the forehead sends Hallie flying back against the flat wall. Her body drops to the floor. Dead.

Derek drops the camera, completely taken back. He looks to Debbie.

Debbie turns the gun on him. FIRES AGAIN. Derek moves, the bullet catches him in the stomach. He drops to his knees. Debbie FIRES again. Derek takes another bullet. This time dropping. Very dead. His body falls near Cotton who has remained suspiciously quiet through this ordeal. He eyes Derek's knife that now lay near his wrists.

Cotton looks up.

Debbie moves to Cotton, shrugging.

Just then, Cotton leans up, freed from his bindings. With the knife in hand, he lunges for Debbie Salt. It strikes her, lodging into her chest. She goes back. Cotton doesn't stop, he stabs her again and again. She goes down. Dead.

Gale rushes to Cotton as he jumps to his feet. She helps him with the last of his bindings. Sid looks about at the body count on stage. It's mounting. She takes a deep breath. Relieved.

Gale gives him a hug.

He hugs her back. She doesn't see as he rises the knife behind her, bringing it down in one swift, maniacal move. Gale's body jerks, a moment of shock and then she goes limp as the knife lodges in her back.

Sidney turns just in time to see Cotton toss Gale's body down into the orchestra pit. He turns, facing Sidney. The bloody knife in hand.

Cotton moves to Derek's body where the video camera lay, he pulls the tape from it.

He holds up the video cassette. Murder in his eye.

Cotton lunges for her. Sid tears off, slipping through the set door to...

She almost reaches the end when COTTON RIPS THROUGH THE SCRIM!

Sidney ducks, bypassing him. She comes to the stage door. It's locked. She turns, seeing the metal ladder that's attached to the wall. It leads to the catwalk above.

Sid goes for it. She climbs up the ladder with lightning speed.

Cotton, up and running, is close behind.

The catwalk sits above the open fly space where flats and a large chandelier are stored in the air.

Sid reaches the top and takes off running down to the ending.

AND THAT'S AS FAR AS I'VE GOTTEN.

WHAT HAPPENS IS SID AND COTTON FIGHT TO THE FINISH, HE CHASES HER THROUGH HANGING FLATS, THEN DOWN THE FLY RAIL, BACK TO THE STAGE. SID GETS FINDS A KNIFE AND STABS COTTON.

HE STABS HER BACK. THEY FIGHT, CONTINUING TO STAB EACH OTHER UNTIL THEY BOTH DROP CENTER STAGE. THEY LAY NEXT TO EACH OTHER, NEITHER ABLE TO MOVE. THEIR EYES SLOWLY CLOSE.

THE END (FOR NOW)