Scream Script
FADE IN
ON A RINGING TELEPHONE.
A hand reaches for it, bringing the receiver up to the face of
CASEY BECKER, a young girl, no more than sixteen. A friendly face
with innocent eyes.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN’S VOICE
(from phone)
Hello.
Silence.
CASEY
Yes.
MAN
Who is this?
CASEY
Who are you trying to reach?
MAN
What number is this?
CASEY
What number are you trying to reach?
MAN
I don’t know.
CASEY
I think you have the wrong number.
MAN
Do I?
CASEY
It happens. Take it easy.
CLICK! She hangs up the phone. The CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal
Casey in a living room, alone. She moves from the living room to
the kitchen. It’s a nice house. Affluent.
The phone RINGS again.
INT. KITCHEN
Casey grabs the portable.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN
I’m sorry. I guess I dialed the wrong number.
CASEY
So why did you dial it again?
MAN
To apologize.
CASEY
You’re forgiven. Bye now.
MAN
Wait, wait, don’t hang up.
Casey stands in front of a sliding glass door. It’s pitch black
outside.
CASEY
What?
MAN
I want to talk to you for a second.
CASEY
They’ve got 900 numbers for that. Seeya.
CLICK! Casey hangs up. A grin on her face.
EXT. CASEY’S HOUSE - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING
A big country home with a huge sprawling lawn full of big oak
trees. It sits alone with no neighbors in sight.
The phone RINGS again.
INT. KITCHEN
Popcorn sizzles in a pot on the stove. Casey covers it with a
lid, reaching for the portable phone.
CASEY
Hello.
MAN
Why don’t you want to talk to me?
CASEY
Who is this?
MAN
You tell me your name, I’ll tell you mine.
CASEY
(shaking the popcorn)
I don’t think so.
MAN
What’s that noise?
Casey smiles, playing along, innocently.
CASEY
Popcorn.
MAN
You’re making popcorn?
CASEY
Uh-huh.
MAN
I only eat popcorn at the movies.
CASEY
I’m getting ready to watch a video.
MAN
Really? What?
CASEY
Just some scary movie.
MAN
Do you like scary movies?
CASEY
Uh-huh.
MAN
What’s your favorite scary movie?
He’s flirting with her. Casey moves away from the stove and takes
a seat at the kitchen counter, directly in front of the glass
door.
CASEY
I don’t know.
MAN
You have to have a favorite.
Casey thinks for second.
CASEY
Uh...HALLOWEEN. You know, the one with the
guy with the white mask who just sorta walks around
and stalks the baby sitters. What’s yours?
MAN
Guess.
CASEY
Uh...NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.
MAN
Is that the one where the guy had knives
for fingers?
CASEY
Yeah...Freddy Krueger.
MAN
Freddy-that’s right. I liked that movie.
It was scary.
CASEY
The first one was, but the rest sucked.
MAN
So, you gotta boyfriend?
CASEY
(giggling)
Why? You wanna ask me out?
MAN
Maybe. Do you have a boyfriend?
CASEY
No.
MAN
You never told me your name.
Casey smiles, twirling her hair.
CASEY
Why do you want to know my name?
MAN
Because I want to know who I’m looking
at.
Casey spins around like lightning facing the glass door.
CASEY
What did you say?
MAN
I want to now who I’m talking to.
CASEY
That’s not what you said.
MAN
What do you think I said? Casey CLICKS on the outside light. A flood light illuminates the backyard. Her eyes survey the grounds. But it’s empty. No one’s there. She turns the light out.On the stove, the popcorn POPS. CASEY
I have to go now.
MAN
Wait...I thought we were gonna go out.
CASEY
Nah, I don’t think so...
MAN
Don’t hang up on me.
CASEY
Gotta go.
MAN
Don’t...
CLICK! Casey hangs up. She checks the glass door making sure
it’s locked and then moves to the stove as...
THE PHONE RINGS.
She slides the popcorn from the stove, reaching for the phone.
CASEY
Yes?
MAN
I told you not to hang up on me.
CASEY
What do you want?
MAN
To talk.
CASEY
Dial someone else, okay?
MAN
You getting scared?
CASEY
No-bored.
CLICK. She hangs up. The phone RINGS again. She grabs it.
CASEY
Listen, asshole...
MAN
(deadly serious)
NO, YOU LISTEN, YOU LITTLE BITCH. IF YOU
HANG UP ON ME AGAIN I’LL GUT YOU LIKE
A FISH. UNDERSTAND?
Total silence. He has gotten her full attention.
CASEY
Is this some kind of a joke?
MAN
More of a game, really.
Casey eyes the glass doors, then looks up the hallway to the front
doors...moving to it. It’s unlocked. She bolts it.
CASEY
I’m two seconds from calling the police.
MAN
They’d never make it in time.
Casey moves her face flush against the door, her eye looking
through the peephole.
ANGLE THROUGH PEEPHOLE.
A distorted view of the front porch. It is empty. She relaxes a
bit, relieved.
CASEY
What do you want?
MAN
(pure evil)
TO SEE WHAT YOUR INSIDES LOOK LIKE.
Casey’s jaw drops as total fear storms her face. She hangs up the
phone, throwing it down on a side table when...
THE DOORBELL CHIMES.
Casey leaps out of her skin. She turns to the door as it chimes
again.
CASEY
(calling out)
Who’s there?
Another CHIME. She moves to it.
CASEY
(louder)
Who’s there?
No answer. Fuck this. It’s time for the police. She goes for
the portable phone. Just as she picks it up...
IT RINGS.
Casey almost drops it, losing her breath...
She brings it to her ear with trembling hands, saying
nothing...listening, waiting...
A long silence. And then.
MAN
You should never say "Who’s there?".
Don’t you watch scary movies? It’s a
death wish.
Casey clutches the wall, nearly collapsing. She tries her
damndest to hang tough.
CASEY
Look, enough is enough. You had your fun
now you better leave me alone or else.
MAN
Or else what?
CLOSE ON her face, her mind thinking, calculating...
CASEY
My boyfriend will be here any second and
he’ll be pissed when I tell him...
MAN
I thought you didn’t have a boyfriend.
Busted. She holds steady.
CASEY
I lied. I do have a boyfriend and he’ll
be here any second and your ass better
be gone.
MAN
Sure...
CASEY
I swear it. And he’s big and plays
football and will beat the shit out
of you.
MAN
I’m getting scared.
CASEY
I’m telling you the truth.
I lied before...
MAN
I believe you...
CASEY
So you better leave.
MAN
His name wouldn’t be Steve, would it?
Silence. Casey buckles at the knees, losing it.
CASEY
How do you know his name?
MAN
Go to the back door and turn on the porch
light--again.
Casey, terrified, forces herself to move.. staggering to the
kitchen...to the glass doors. Her shaky hand finds the light
switch...she hits it. The back yard is lit.
Sitting in a lawn chair in the middle of the backyard is a big,
line backer of a guy, her boyfriend...
STEVE
tied and gagged. He’s been roughed up, but he’s alive.
CLOSE ON his eyes..wide in fear..staring at his girlfriend,
pleading with her.
CASEY
Oh Goddddd...
Casey SCREAMS. Her hand moves to the lock on the door.
MAN
I wouldn’t do that if I were you.
Terror rides Casey’s face. She’s petrified.
CASEY
Where are you?
MAN
Guess.
Her eyes search the yard, combing bushes, trees. He could be
anywhere-anywhere.
CASEY
(begging)
Please don’t hurt him.
MAN
That all depends on you.
CASEY
Why are you doing this?
Tears find their way, streaming down Casey’s face.
MAN
I wanna play a game.
CASEY
No...
MAN
Then he dies. Right now.
CASEY
NOOO!
MAN
Which is it?
A long silence. Casey touches the glass...staring at STEVE...this
big jock of a guy is crying too.
CASEY
What kind of game?
MAN
Turn off the light.
Her hand goes to the switch...Steve tugs and pulls at his
straps...as if begging her...his face sweat and tears...
CLICK
He disappears in the darkness. Casey moves away from the glass,
back toward the living room, unbelieving, horrified.
MAN
Here’s how we play. I ask a question. If
you get it right-Steve lives.
Three curtainless windows line one wall. Casey crouches down
behind the couch, tipping a lamp cord from it’s socket, darkening
the room. Her body quivers.
CASEY
Please don’t do this...
MAN
Come on. It’ll be fun.
CASEY
No...please.
MAN
It’s an easy category. Movie trivia.
CASEY
(begging)
..please...
MAN
I’ll even give you a warm up question.
CASEY
Don’t do this. I can’t..
MAN
Name the killer in HALLOWEEN.
CASEY
No...
MAN
Come on. It’s you favorite scary movie,
remember? He had a white mask, he
stalked the baby-sitters.
Casey goes silent...a nervous wreck...she can barely speak much
less think.
CASEY
I don’t know...
MAN
Come on, yes you do.
CASEY
Please..stop...
Casey is SOBBING.
MAN
What’s his name?
CASEY
I can’t think.
Casey has officially reached hysteria, petrified beyond all
reality.
MAN
Steve’s counting on you.
Suddenly...through tears...Godsent...
CASEY
(a whisper)
Michael...Michael Myers.
MAN
YES!
Casey SIGHS...relieved.
MAN
Now for the real question.
CASEY
NOOOO....
MAN
But you’re doing so well.
CASEY
Please go away! Leave us alone!
MAN
Then answer the question. Same category.
Casey is a blubbering, wet mass on the floor.
CASEY
..please..no...
MAN
Name the killer in FRIDAY THE 13TH.
A mad smile purses Casey’s lips. She knows this. She leaps up,
through tears, screaming...
CASEY
Jason! Jason!...JASON!
A slight PAUSE.
MAN
I’m sorry. That’s the wrong answer.
CASEY
No it’s not. It was Jason.
MAN
Afraid not.
CASEY
It was Jason. I saw that godamned movie
twenty times. It was Jason.
MAN
Then you should know Jason’s MOTHER
-Mrs.Vorhees was the original killer. Jason
didn’t show up until the sequel.
Casey is stupefied.
CASEY
You tricked me...
MAN
Lucky, for you there’s a bonus round.
But poor Steve...I’m afraid...he’s out.
This implication sends Casey running to the kitchen...to the glass
doors. She flips on the porch lights to see...
STEVE
eyes wide, sitting in the lawn chair...his belly gaping open...a
mass of blood and ripped flesh...his insides lay on the ground
between his feet...steam rising.
A SCREAM erupts from the bottom of her soul as Casey collapse on
the floor...nearly passing out. CLOSE ON her face...pale and
ghostly white. She SOBS.
MAN
Final question. Are you ready?
She doesn’t answer. A long, maddening silence. Casey reaches up
and CLICKS off the light, making Steve go away...wishing,
hoping...
CASEY
..leave me alone..please...
MAN
Answer the question and I will.
Casey is curled up on the floor like an infant, rocking slowly
back and forth.
MAN
What door am I at?
CASEY
What?
MAN
There are two doors to your house. A
front door and a back one. If you answer
correctly-you live.
From where Casey sits she can see both front and back doors. She
deliberates...with her last bit of strength she tries to
strategize. Eyeing both, the front door...the back door trying to
decide between the two.
CASEY
Don’t make me...I can’t...I won’t.
MAN
Your call.
In the darkness, Casey crawls to the kitchen counter-she leans up
and grabs a long, sharp knife.
Casey looks around her...she looks down the hall to the front
door...then turns back to the kitchen glass door as it suddenly...
SHATTERS TO BITS...
as a lawn chair come flying through it. Exploding glass sprays
everywhere.
This incites Casey like fire. She springs to her feet...bolting
out of the kitchen as a SHADOW moves quickly through the shattered
doorframe.
ANGLE ON CASEY
Somewhere in the house, back flat against a window, listening to
FEET ON CRACKING GLASS. She turns and unlocks the latch, quietly
sliding it up. She can hear him move through the foyer...to the
front door.
Casey lifts herself up and puts her legs through the window. She
holds the knife in one hand, the phone in the other.
Casey eases out the window, fumbling, dropping the knife back in
the house. She starts to reach for it. Fuck it, she takes off...
EXT. SIDE OF HOUSE
Casey it at the back corner of the house.
MAN
I can hear you. I know you’re here.
Casey eases along a narrow path between a tall fence and the side
of the house...going for the front yard. She must pass the three
curtainless windows. She gets to the first one and peeks in...
The FIGURE has pulled open the foyer closet, searching for her.
Casey creeps along, to the next window, she looks in...the FIGURE
is completely on the other side of the room moving toward the hall
that leads to other parts of the house.
She moves further along the house...squeezing by hedges...to the
third window...she peeks in to the FIGURE...
STARING BACK AT HER...
His face covered with a ghostly white mask, inches from her...his
eyes piercing through...soulless...Casey SCREAMS BLOODY MURDER as
a hand...
CRASHES through the glass window grabbing hold of her neck...she
beats at him trying to free herself...her nails dig into his
arm...she wrenches from side to side...finally breaking free as
the hands disappear inside the house...
EXT. CORNER OF HOUSE
Casey sails around the corner of the house, eyeing the front door.
It remains closed. Her eyes cover the sprawling country yard when
suddenly....
HEADLIGHTS APPEAR
in the distance, coming down the road towards the house...she
recognizes them instantly. Mom...Dad...she tears off across the
yard toward them...moving like lightning...
The car turns into the driveway...Casey SCREAMS, waving madly,
rushing by a tree as...
THE GHOST MASKED FIGURE APPEARS
Casey stumbles back, catching her balance...the FIGURE moves on
her, arm poised high...a flash of silver...and Casey is struck,
across the chest. She looks down to see her shirt blossoming
red...a look of bewilderment as she drops to one knee.
The knife rises again...Casey throws her hand forward...the blade
comes down...but it’s blocked by the portable phone still in her
hand. She turns staggering to...
EXT. DRIVEWAY
A MIDDLE-AGED COUPLE emerge from the parked car. They move to the
front door completely unaware of what’s happening to their
daughter, only feet from them.
EXT. FRONT YARD
Casey stumbles forward...her parents ten feet away...she opens her
mouth to scream but no sound resonates...she is beyond
words...staggering, swaying...the FIGURE moving behind her.
EXT. FRONT DOOR
Her parents approach the door
FATHER
That fish smelled strong.
MOTHER
I told you to send it back.
The father discovers the front door ajar. A puzzled look. Casey
is right behind them with one arm outstretched. If they’d only
turn around...
They enter the house and close the door as....
Casey collapses on the ground, clutching her bloody chest...the
FIGURE upon her.
INT. FOYER
The father sees straight back into the kitchen...the shattered
patio door.
FATHER
Jesus...
MOTHER
What is it? Where’s Casey?
FATHER
(calling out)
Casey? Casey?
In a split second they’re both panic stricken. The father begins
searching the house frantically. The mother is hysterical.
EXT. FRONT YARD
CLOSE ON Casey...she’s dragged by her feet through damp soil...the
life going fast from her body...her hand still clutching the
phone.
INT. FOYER
Back in the house.
MOTHER
Where is she?
FATHER
Call the police.
The mother moves to the phone in the foyer, picks it up...There
is no dial tone. She jiggles the base.
FATHER
(searching)
Casey? Where are you honey? Call the
police, goddammit.
MOTHER
The phone’s dead.
The...the softest...faintest voice is heard...
CASEY
(from phone)
..help me...
MOTHER
She’s here, God, I can hear her.
Where’s my baby?
The husband returns to the foyer finding his wife clinging to the
phone.
FATHER
Where is she?
MOTHER
I can hear her. Oh Mother of God,
I can hear her.
The father upturns the living room.
FATHER
Casey! Casey!
MOTHER
Not my daughter...not my...
The husband grabs hold of his wife.
FATHER
Get in the car and drive down to
the Mackenzie’s.
The other throws the front door open and rushes out...the father
moves through the house when a SCREAM echoes out. That of his
wife. He tears off for the front door.
EXT. FRONT DOOR
The father rushes out the door to find his wife, on her knees,
bent over, retching. His eyes move beyond to a tree in the front
yard...his stomach fails him...his dinner rises...as he bares
witness to the single, most horrifying sight he’ll ever see.
That of his only daughter as she hangs from a big oak
tree...strung up...very much dead...her stomach ripped open.
BLACKOUT!
BEGIN MAIN TITLES
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM - SAME NIGHT
A teenage girl’s room. Neat and pinkish. On the bed, amongst age-
old stuffed animals lie opened school books. The CAMERA PANS to a
desk against the wall where...
SIDNEY PRESCOTT
a young girl of 17, sits, her face glued to the computer monitor
in front of her. CLOSE ON her face. Sharp and clever with deep,
lonely eyes. She’s comfortable in a plain, flannel nightgown.
Her hands are at work, typing feverishly, when suddenly...
CRASH-BOOM
A noise behind her. She turns abruptly, eyeing an open window
across the room. A SCRATCHING sound. She stands and moves toward
it.
EXT. WINDOW
Sidney sticks her head out the window. The late night wind hits
her face as a SHADOW appears just to the left of her, a hand
reaches out, grabs her and suddenly a FIGURE is on top of her...
INT. BEDROOM
Sid SCREAMS...pulling away from the figure...breaking free,
falling back onto the floor.
VOICE
(o.c.)
Hey...it’s just me.
Sid looks up to see...
BILLY LOOMIS
A young, strapping boy of seventeen. Handsome and alluring. A
star quarterback/ class president type of guy. He sports a smile
that could last for days.
SIDNEY
Billy? What the...
BILLY
I’m sorry. Don’t hate me.
SIDNEY
What are you doing here?
BILLY
You sleep in THAT?
Billy pulls himself through the window.
SIDNEY
(whispering)
My dad’s in the other room.
BILLY
I’ll only stay a sec.
Suddenly...
The bedroom door BURSTS open. The doorknob catches on the open
closet door behind it jamming it, holding it in place.
VOICE
(from behind door)
What’s going on in there?
Billy quickly rolls out of sight behind the bed. Sidney unjams
the door to reveal...
MR. PRESCOTT, late 40’s, a severe presence. A distracted man,
nervous and pre-occupied.
MR. PRESCOTT
Are you okay?
SIDNEY
Can you knock?
MR. PRESCOTT
I heard screaming.
SIDNEY
No you didn’t.
MR. PRESCOTT
No? Oh, well...I’m hitting the sack. My
flight leaves first thing in the morning.
Now the expo runs all weekend so I
won’t be back til Sunday. There’s cash
on the table and I’ll be staying at the
Raleigh Hilton...
SIDNEY
..out at the airport...
MR. PRESCOTT
..so call if you need me.
SIDNEY
Got it.
He gives the bedroom a quick once over.
MR. PRESCOTT
I coulda swore I heard screaming.
Sidney distracts him, giving him a peck on the cheek.
SIDNEY
Have a good trip.
MR. PRESCOTT
Sleep tight, sweetie.
He gives her a wink and pulls the door closed. Billy reappears.
BILLY
Close call.
SIDNEY
What are you doing here?
Billy takes a flying leap and lands on the bed.
BILLY
It just occurred to me that I’ve never
snuck through your bedroom window.
SIDNEY
Now that it’s out of your system.
BILLY
And I was home, bored, watching
television, THE EXORCIST was on
and it got me thinking of you.
SIDNEY
Oh it did?
BILLY
Yeah, it was edited for TV. All the good
stuff was cut out and I started thinking
about us and how two years ago, we started
off kinda hot and heavy, a nice solid "R"
rating on our way to an NC17. And how
things have changed and, lately, we’re just
sot of...edited for television.
SIDNEY
So you thought you could sneak in my
window and we would have little bump-
bump.
BILLY
No, no. I wouldn’t dream of breaking your
underwear rule. I just thought we might do
some on top of the clothes stuff.
She snuggles up next to him, planting a kiss on his lips.
Passionate and gentle. He, however, reacts like a shark, moving
on top of her, his hands everywhere as he presses into
her...Sidney breaks away.
SIDNEY
Time to go, stud bucket.
Billy sits up. His heart isn’t racing...it’s POUNDING.
BILLY
See what you do to me.
Sweat has popped out all over his forehead, his breathing heavy.
SIDNEY
You know what my dad will do to you?
BILLY
I’m going...I’m going.
He moves to the window. She follows, motioning to his wound.
SIDNEY
I appreciate the romantic gesture.
She gives him a kiss goodnight. Sweet and simple.
BILLY
(whisper)
Hey..about the sex stuff. I’m not trying
to rush you. I was only half serious.
She kisses him again as he eases through the window.
SIDNEY
Would you settle for a PG-13
relationship?
BILLY
What’s that?
She pulls her flannel gown open for a split second...flashing her
left breast. His mouth drops open...surprise, shock. Their eyes
meet. They share a smile.
SIDNEY
Get outa here.
INT. SIDNEY’S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
CLOSE on Sidney snuggling her pillow, sleeping peacefully when...
THE RADIO ALARM BLASTS from the night table loud enough to wake
the dead. Sidney bolts up.
DISC JOCKEY
(from radio)
..found brutally murdered...
CLICK. Sidney, quick with the reflexes, shuts it off instantly.
A car trunk SLAMS shut outside.
Sidney pulls herself out of bed and leans to the window just in
time to see her Dad jumping in his car. She half waves down at
him but he doesn’t see her. He’s as good as gone, pulling out of
the driveway and disappearing down the road.
A moment as Sidney stands at the window, staring out after him.
EXT. SCHOOL - MORNING
CLOSE ON A SIGN
"BAYBORO HIGH SCHOOL. HOME OF THE FIGHTING BULLDOGS"
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL a picture perfect small town
school. Old and charming. Students come and go, moving about.
Nothing unusual, except for the...
six police cars, four news vans, flashing cameras, and crowds and
crowds of lookie-loo’s gathered just off campus.
EXT. SIDEWALK
Sidney approaches the school seeing the commotion. Four different
REPORTERS stand in front of four different cameras giving four
different news reports.
She moves passed a policeman standing guard. Her interest peaked,
she stops at the first reporter who is...
GALE WEATHERS
Thirties. He smart face is overshadowed by a flashy smile and a
massive mane of chemically enhanced hair.
GALE
(for the camera)
The small town of Bayboro, North Carolina
was devastated last night when two young
teenagers were found brutally butchered.
Authorities have yet to issue a statement
but our sources tell us that no arrest
has been made and the murderer could
strike again...
ON SIDNEY. Moved, disturbed. From behind, a finger taps her
shoulder. She spins around to see...
Tatum Riley, same age, feisty, carefree.
TATUM
Do you believe this shit?
SIDNEY
What happened?
They break away from the crowd and head for school.
TATUM
Oh God! You don’t know? Casey Becker
and Steve Forrest were killed last night.
SIDNEY
No way.
TATUM
And not just killed, Sid. We’re talking
splatter movie killed-split open end to
end.
SIDNEY
Casey Becker? She sits next to me in
English.
TATUM
Not anymore. Her parents found her
hanging from a tree. Her insides on the
outside.
SIDNEY
Do they know who did it?
TATUM
Fucking clueless-they’re interrogating
the entire school. Teachers, students,
staff, janitors...
SIDNEY
They think it’s school-related?
TATUM
They don’t know. Dewey said this is
the worst crime they’ve ever seen.
Even worse than...
(stopping herself)
Well it’s bad. They’re bringing in the
feds. This is big.
Sidney looks back at Gale, her face deeply pained.
INT. CLASSROOM - LATER
A frumpy old woman, MRS. TATE, faces her class. Her hands clasped
together. A tragic look upon her face.
MRS. TATE
..a terrible tragedy. An unbearable
loss. It’s days like today we need
prayer in school...
Sidney sits near the rear of the room. The desk in front of her
sits vacant. Sidney can’t take her eyes of it.
The door opens and a student opens with a slip of paper. He hand
s it to Mrs. Tate.
MRS. TATE
Sidney. It appears to be your turn.
INT. PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
The room is at capacity...wall to wall with police, and the likes.
Some sit, stand, lean...
SHERIFF BURKE, a round man in his fifties, wipes the stress from
his face.
SHERIFF BURKE
Who’s up next?
A young officer looks at the clipboard. This is DEPUTY RILEY,
better known as DEWEY. He’s a big guy, 20’s, handsome in a
scrubbed-clean boyish way.
DEWEY
Sidney Prescott.
Sheriff Burke gestures to bring her in. PRINCIPAL HIMBRY, 50’s,
an old codger of a man wearing a sour face speaks up.
MR. HIMBRY
Sidney Prescott. She was daughter of...
DEWEY
We all know Sidney, Mr. Himbry.
SHERIFF BURKE
How she doin’?
MR. HIMBRY
She’s adjusted well. Maintains an "A"
average. You never know she...
Himbry stops short, seeing Sidney in the doorway. He rises and
seats her.
SHERIFF BURKE
Hi Sidney.
SIDNEY
Sheriff Burke. Dewey.
Dewey shakes his head seriously.
DEWEY
It’s Deputy Riley today, Sid.
SHERIFF BURKE
How is everything?
SIDNEY
Good.
SHERIFF BURKE
And your Dad? How’s he doing?
SIDNEY
We’re fine. Thanks.
MR. HIMBRY
We’ll be brief, Sidney. The police have a
few questions they’d like to ask you...
Sidney eyes them all nervously.
EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD - LATER
Students sit at outdoor tables eating lunch. Crowded at one table
is the "gang". This consists of Sidney, Billy and Tatum.
Next to Tatum, sits her boyfriend STUART, with his arm draped
across her back. He’s a Billy wannabe. Almost the jock, almost
handsome, almost cool. He tries way to hard.
Across the table is the fifth wheel, RANDY. A tall and gangly kid
with no such Billy-like aspirations. A witty jokester who
elevates geek to coolness.
TATUM
Hunt? Why would they ask if you like
to hunt?
STU
I don’t know, they just did.
RANDY
Because their bodies were gutted.
Sidney flinches.
BILLY
Thanks Randy.
TATUM
They didn’t ask me if I like to hunt.
STU
Because there’s no way a girl could have
killed them.
TATUM
That is so sexist. The killer could
easily be female-BASIC INSTINCT.
RANDY
That was an ice pick-not exactly the
same.
STU
Yeah, Casey and Steve were completely
hollowed out. Takes a man to do
something like that.
TATUM
Or a man’s mentality.
SIDNEY
(quiet, almost to herself)
How do you gut someone?
All eyes turn to Sidney. A serious silence. And then:
STU
You take a knife and slit from the groin
to the sternum.
Sidney shivers down to her soul. The whole table rolls their eyes
at Stu.
STU
What? She asked.
BILLY
It’s called tact, you fuckrag.
STU
Sorry.
RANDY
Remember in JAWS when they caught the
wrong shark at first and Richard Dreyfuss
cut it open to look foe body parts and all
they found was a licence plate and all this
white milky goo.
Stu leans over and socks Randy in the arm.
STU
You heard Billy-shut the fuck up.
SIDNEY
Hey, Stu? Didn’t you use to date Casey?
Stu’s taken back, a little off guard.
STU
For about two seconds.
RANDY
Before she dumped him foe Steve.
Tatum turns to Stu, surprised.
TATUM
I thought you dumped her for me.
STU
I did. He’s full of shit.
RANDY
And are the police aware you dated the
victim?
STU
(offended)
What are you saying? That I killed
her or something?
RANDY
It would certainly improve your high
school Q.
TATUM
Stu was with me last night.
RANDY
Oooooh...before or after he sliced and
diced.
TATUM
Fuck you, nut case. Where were you last
night?
RANDY
Working, thank you.
TATUM
I thought Blockbuster fired you.
RANDY
Twice.
STU
I didn’t kill anybody.
BILLY
No one’s saying you did.
RANDY
Besides-
(perfect Stu mimic)
"Takes a man to do something like that."
STU
I’m gonna gut your ass in a second.
RANDY
(to Stu)
Did you really put her liver in the
mailbox? I hear they found her liver
in the mailbox.
TATUM
(eyeing Sidney)
Randy, you goon-fuck, I’m eating here.
Stu nibbles at Tatum’s neck.
STU
Yeah, Randy, she’s getting mad. I think
you better liver alone.
Stu cracks up at his own joke. The others just MOAN. Sidney is
about to crawl out of her skin, trying hard to ignore it all.
EXT. SIDNEY’S HOUSE - LATER
A huge two story country home with a spacious lawn.
A yellow school bus stops in front of the house and Sidney steps
off.
The house looks big and lonely as Sidney moves up the walk to the
front door.
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
Sidney is on the telephone.
SIDNEY
(into phone)
You sure I can stay over? My dad won’t
be back til Sunday.
TATUM
(through phone)
No prob. I’ll pick you up after
practice.
SIDNEY
Tell your mom I said thanks.
TATUM
Yeah, yeah...are you okay?
SIDNEY
Uh-huh, it’s just...you know, the police
and reporters...it brings it all back.
TATUM
I’ll be there by seven. I promise
SIDNEY
Thanks, Tatum.
TATUM
Later.
Sidney hangs up. She takes a seat at her computer and boots it
up. She sits in front of it staring at the blue screen...her own
reflection staring back.
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER
Sidney comes down the stairs, her arms carrying a change of
clothes, toothbrush, make-up...
She opens the hall closet and pulls a small overnight bag from the
top shelf. Moving into the living room she loads it up, plopping
down on the sofa, hitting the TV remote.
CLOSE ON THE SCREEN
A news reporter fades in.
REPORTER #1
(on TV)
The entire nation was shocked today by
the teen murders in North Carolina...
Sidney switches channels.
REPORTER #2
The State Bureau of Investigation has
joined forces with local authorities to
help catch what the Governor has called
the most heinous...
The channel switches again. Gale weathers appears, standing in
front of the school. Her white teeth gleaming.
GALE
This is not the first time the small town
of Bayboro has endured such tragedy. Only
a year ago, Maureen Prescott, wife and
mother, was found raped and murdered...
An old black and white snapshot fills the screen-a woman,
beautiful and familiar.
CLOSE ON SIDNEY
eyes frozen, mesmerized by the image. Suddenly she CLICKS the TV
off. Her eyes go to the clock on the end table. 5:45 PM. Her
eyes then move to the framed photo next to it...the same black and
white photo stares at her...a healthy, vibrant woman. An older
version of Sidney.
Sidney curls up on the sofa closing her eyes tight...
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER
The clock on the end table reads 7:15 PM. Sidney is fast asleep
on the couch. The phone RINGS. Sidney leaps up grabbing the
portable phone.
TATUM
(from phone)
Practice ran late. I’m on my way.
SIDNEY
(eyes clock)
It’s past seven.
TATUM
Don’t worry. Casey and Steve didn’t bite
it til way after ten.
SIDNEY
I’m not worried.
TATUM
Good, ’cause I wanna swing by BLOCKBUSTER
and get us a video. I was thinkin’ Tom Cruise in
ALL THE RIGHT MOVES. You know, if you
pause it just right you can see his penis.
SIDNEY
Whatever. Just hurry.
TATUM
Bye.
She hangs up the phone. It immediately RINGS again.
SIDNEY
(into phone)
Tatum?
MAN’S VOICE
(from phone)
Hello, Sidney.
IT’S HIM. THE VOICE FROM BEFORE.
SIDNEY
Hi. Who is this?
MAN
You tell me.
Sidney thinks, trying to place his voice. It sounds a little
distorted.
SIDNEY
I have no idea.
MAN
Scary night, isn’t it? With the murders
and all, it’s like right out of a horror
movie or something.
SIDNEY
Aha, Randy, you gave yourself away. Are
you calling from work? Tatum’s on her
way over.
MAN
Do you like scary movies, Sidney?
SIDNEY
I like that thing you’re doing with your
voice, Randy. It’s sexy.
MAN
What’s your favorite scary movie?
SIDNEY
Don’t start. You know I don’t watch that
shit.
MAN
And why is that?
SIDNEY
(playing along)
Because they’re all the same. It’s
always some stupid killer stalking some
big breasted girl-who can’t act-who
always runs up the stairs when she should
be going out the front door. They’re
ridiculous.
A brief silence.
MAN
Are you alone in the house?
SIDNEY
That is so unoriginal. You disappoint me,
Randy.
MAN
Maybe that’s because I’m not Randy.
SIDNEY
So who are you?
MAN
The question is not who am I. The
question is where am I?
SIDNEY
So where are you?
MAN
Your front porch.
This gives her pause. She moves to the window and pulls aside the
drapes.
SIDNEY
Why would you call me from my
front porch?
MAN
That’s the original part.
ANGLE THROUGH WINDOW. She can’t quite see all of the porch.
SIDNEY
Oh yeah? Well I call your bluff.
Sidney goes to the front door. She unlocks the bolt, unsnags the
chain, and pulls the door open...revealing the front porch...
COMPLETELY EMPTY.
She steps out onto it, phone still in hand. A single light shines
overhead illuminating the porch, but little beyond. Darkness is
all around.
SIDNEY
So where are you?
MAN
Right here.
Sidney peers out into the darkness past thick shrubs that grow on
either side of the porch.
SIDNEY
Can you see me right now?
MAN
Uh-huh.
SIDNEY
What am I doing?
She sticks her finger up her nose, pretending to pick. Silence.
No answer.
SIDNEY
Good try, Randy. Tell Tatum to hurry.
Bye now.
MAN
If you hang up, you’ll die just like your
mother.
Sidney stops dead in her tracks, speechless.
MAN
(deadly)
Do you want to die, Sidney? Your mother
didn’t.
His seriousness unnerves her. Sid flies off the handle.
SIDNEY
FUCK YOU! YOU CRETIN!
She hangs up on him. Moves back inside the house. Locks, chains,
and bolts the door when...
A FIGURE COMES LEAPING OUT OF THE HALL CLOSET
rushing her, ramming into her side..the phone flies..the FIGURE is
on top of her as she goes down...SCREAMING...
She looks up to see the FIGURE, darkly dressed with a pale,
distorted face, white and ghostly...a mask.
Her instincts surface and she kicks up with her foot making the
contact with his leg...he topples over...coming right at her, his
hand finding her neck. Suddenly, along, silver blade appears
above her.
Sidney pulls, jerks, twists...finally she lifts her torso forward
knocking the FIGURE off her...sending him reeling into the living
room. Wasting no time, Sidney leaps to her feet.
She moves to the front door, unlocks it...pulls it open...it
catches on the chain. Shit! She pushes it closed again looking
behind her..the FIGURE has risen, knife in hand.
Sidney pulls on the chain and then-inexplicably turns and...
RUNS UP THE STAIRS. The FIGURE right behind her.
INT. UPSTAIRS LANDING
The FIGURE leaps at Sidney taking hold of her foot, she grabs
madly at the wall...her hands grasp a framed painting-a quiet
country home, subdued colors, done in oils-she rips it from the
wall swinging it behind her...
It catches the FIGURE head on, smashing against his skull, sending
him backwards, tumbling down the stairs. Sidney races to her
bedroom...
INT. BEDROOM
She locks the door shut, the pulls her closet door open, placing
the edge right at the door knob just as...
THE FIGURE POUNDS AGAINST THE BEDROOM DOOR...
ramming it, it rips open, but the closet door catches it in a
crazy vice-like hold.
Sidney grabs the desk phone. It’s dead...off the hook downstairs.
The figure rushes the door several times..the frame splinters..but
won’t give.
Sidney is at her computer, she punches at the keypad madly.
CLOSE ON SCREEN AS WORDS APPEAR.
FAX MODEM
9-1-1 SEND
The knife slashes through the crack in the door wildly.
ON SCREEN AGAIN
HELP KILLER
34 ELM ST
Sidney presses SEND when it occurs to her-all is quiet. The
FIGURE is gone. A fearful silence. She looks around...the only
sound her own rapid, terrified BREATHING.
ON THE SCREEN
"Stay calm. Police enroute."
Suddenly a NOISE at the window...Sidney looks up to see...
BILLY
her boyfriend, staring at her, surprised.
SIDNEY
Oh Billy...Please...God...
BILLY
I heard screaming. The door was locked.
Are you okay...
SIDNEY
He’s here. He’s trying to kill me...
Billy pulls himself through the window. As he does, a small black
object falls from his dark jeans. It hits the floor as Sidney
eyes it...a sleek, compact cellular phone.
Sidney stops in her tracks. Their eyes meet...an eternity. A
SIREN is heard in the distance. Sidney bolts...
BILLY
Hey...wait...what’s goin..
Billy reaches for her. Sidney unblocks the bedroom door and tears
out of the room.
INT. LANDING
Sidney nearly falls down the stairs...
INT. FOYER
She rips the chain off the door, pulls it open, coming face to
face with a white, ghostly mask.
A massive SCREAM erupts from her gut as...
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK
to find Dewey-Deputy Riley, holding it. Red lights flash, sirens
BLAST vas car after car surrounds the house.
Sidney falls into the safety of Dewey’s arms.
EXT. FRONT YARD - MINUTES LATER
The yard is a whirlwind of activity. An ambulance, squad cars,
cops everywhere...
CLOSE ON BILLY’S FACE
as it SMASHES against the hood of a police car. His hands are
being cuffed, his rights being read.
BILLY
(screaming)
I didn’t do anything! Sid...where’s Sid?
Ask her, she’ll tell ya...
Dewey holds a car door open as Sheriff Burke steps out.
DEWEY
We got him, Sheriff. Billy Loomis.
SHERIFF BURKE
Hank Loomis’ kid? Aw..Jesus...
DEWEY
He’s her boyfriend.
They approach Billy as he’s being placed in a squad car.
BILLY
Sheriff...I didn’t do it...please, call
my Dad..please...
The squad car disappears with Billy as another car comes to a stop
in front of the house. Tatum gets out, freaked beyond belief.
Back to the Sheriff and Dewey as they storm across the yard.
DEWEY
I was first to respond.
SHERIFF BURKE
What were you doing out here?
DEWEY
Drive by patrol.
SHERIFF BURKE
How is she?
DEWEY
She’s tough.
SHERIFF BURKE
Have to be. The shit she’s gone through.
Across the yard sits Sidney, in the back of an ambulance as
PARAMEDICS check her out.
Sheriff Burke and Riley approach.
SHERIFF BURKE
We’re seeing a lot of you today.
She tries to smile but fails.
DEWEY
You gonna be able to come down to the
station and talk to us a bit?
SIDNEY
..yeah...
TATUM appears, barreling past an OFFICER.
TATUM
What happened? Oh God...
Tatum rushes to her, grabbing hold of her.
DEWEY
(to Tatum)
What are you doing here?
TATUM
Oh, God, Sid, I’m sorry I was late.
DEWEY
You can’t be here, Tatum. This is an
official crime scene.
SIDNEY
It’s okay. She was supposed to pick me
up.
TATUM
Her dad’s out of town. She’s staying
with us.
DEWEY
Does mom know?
TATUM
Yes, you doofus.
Two news vans come driving up the street.
SHERIFF BURKE
The vultures are coming. Let’s get you
out of here.
EXT. STREET
A big, white news van comes to a stop in front of the house. The
side door slides open and Gale Weathers hops out just in time to
see Sidney being escorted to a squad car.
GALE
I’ll be damned.
Jumping from the driver’s seat is KENNY, Gale’s cameraman and
flunky. An earnest young chap on the chubby side.
KENNY
What? What?
GALE
Jesus! The camera-hurry!
But it’s too late. Sidney is as good as gone. Gale sees Tatum
moving quickly to her car.
GALE
Excuse me?
Tatum looks up to see Gale Weathers rushing her.
GALE
Was that Sidney Prescott they took away?
TATUM
I don’t know.
Tatum hops in her car, ignoring her.
GALE
What happened to her?
TATUM
I’m not talking to you.
Tatum’s car peels out as Kenny comes running up with his camera.
KENNY
Where’d she go?
Gale spins around, flashing her pearly whites.
GALE
Look, Kenny, I know you’re about fifty
pounds overweight but when I say hurry
please interpret that as...MOVE YOUR
FAT TUB OF LARD ASS NOW!
Gale moves back to the van leaving Kenny miffed.
INT. POLICE STATION
A small town station. The bull pen is a little square room with
four desks and tonight--it’s hopping. Cops everywhere.
INT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Sidney sits at a desk drinking a cup of water. She wears the
Sheriff’s jacket over her shoulders. Dewey approaches.
SIDNEY
Did you reach my Dad?
DEWEY
You’re sure it was the Hilton?
SIDNEY
At the airport.
DEWEY
He’s not registered. Could he have gone
to another hotel?
SIDNEY
I don’t know. I guess.
DEWEY
We’ll find him, Sid. Don’t worry.
Sidney stares blankly, numb.
INT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Billy sits opposite Sheriff Burke. Next to Billy, sits his
father, HANK LOOMIS, an older version of Billy.
SHERIFF BURKE
What are you doing with a cellular
telephone, son?
MR. LOOMIS
It’s my phone. He was just playing
around with it.
SHERIFF BURKE
You got some ideas of playing around, boy.
BILLY
I didn’t call anyone with it. I just
took it for fun.
MR. LOOMIS
Everybody’s got one now. Why don’t you
check the phone bill for chrissakes.
Call my carrier--AirFone Comp. They’ll
have records of every number dialed.