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The Call
Copyright (c) 2001 Darren Monk
CAST:
BROOKE CARTER
PAUL REYNOLDS
MARIE TAYLOR
SIMON WHITE
JESS ARNOLD
TOMMY HILTON
FADE IN:
INT. CARTER RESIDENCE-KITCHEN-NIGHT
DENISE CARTER is looking at the PHOTOGRAPH of her
daughter. She then pulls out a small PHOTOGRAPH of
a baby. She wipes a TEAR away. She turns to see a
dark FIGURE. She SCREAMS.
BROOKE
Mum, calm down. What's wrong?
Denise is RELIEVED. She quickly hide the baby
PHOTOGRAPH.
BROOKE
What's that?
DENISE
Oh... Nothing, it's nothing.
BROOKE
Fine! Don't forget that I wont be home tonight.
DENISE
Why?
BROOKE
It's Marie's sleep over, you agreed to let me go.
DENISE
I didn't know it was tonight.
BROOKE
Well, it is. I'm going over there now.
DENISE
You can't, not today-
BROOKE
But you said I could, you always do this to me. I
don't ask for much do I?
DENISE
No but-
BROOKE
But nothing, Mum, I'm seventeen now, I make my own
decisions!
She tries to EXIT.
DENISE
No, Brooke. I'm sorry but you're not going.
BROOKE
Dad would of let me.
DENISE
Your Father walked out on us a long time ago!
BROOKE
I can see why!
DENISE
What?
BROOKE
Well look at you. You're an alcoholic, power
driven-
DENISE
How dare you?
BROOKE
I'm sorry, Mum. But for once in my life I'm going
to take control.
She EXITS the house.
EXT. STREET-NIGHT
She is met by TOMMY HILTON. They KISS.
TOMMY
What was all that about? I could hear your arguing.
BROOKE
She didn't want me going to the sleep over.
TOMMY
Doesn't she know I'll be there with you?
BROOKE
Tommy, if she knew you were than she would
definitely freak!
TOMMY
Oh well, let's forget about your Mum for one night.
They KISS. A CAR pulls up. Driving it is PAUL
REYNOLDS and in the PASSENGER SEAT is JESSICA
ARNOLD.
JESS
Come on you two, jump in.
BROOKE
Great!
JESS
I'm surprised your Mum let you out of the house,
Brooke.
BROOKE
Jess, I control my life, not her.
JESS
Now that's my girl! Come on, Paul.
PAUL
What?
JESS
I do want to go to Marie's before the Brad Pitt
marathon starts.
Brooke and Jess LAUGH.
PAUL
I aint watching no chick flick!
JESS
Paul, we'll be too busy doing something else!
The CAR speeds away.
INT. TAYLOR RESIDENCE-LOUNGE-NIGHT
MARIE TAYLOR, SIMON WHITE, Brook, Tommy, Paul and
Jess are SITTING. Paul and Jess are KISSING. They
are all WATCHING TELEVISION.
MARIE
Come on guys, what can we do? We have the whole
house to ourselves.
SIMON
I know what I wanna do.
MARIE
In your dreams!
Jess BREAKS away from Paul.
JESS
I have an idea.
PAUL
But... You promised we'd...
JESS
Paul, you've waited seventeen years, I'm sure you
can wait another hour.
Paul SIGHS.
BROOKE
Okay, so what's your idea?
JESS
We're going to play a game.
SIMON
What game?
JESS
A game... Where anything can happen!
INT. TAYLOR RESIDENCE-MARIE'S BEDROOM-NIGHT
We are looking at a STAR. Pull back to reveal A
STAR within a CIRCLE which is drawn on with CHALK.
Marie, Simon, Jess, Tommy, Brooke, and Paul are
SITTING around the CIRCLE. Placed around the room
are CANDLES. They are all GLANCING at each other,
exchanging CURIOUS looks.
PAUL
Jess, what the hell is this shit?
JESS
This, my darling, is something my aunt taught me.
With this, we will
conjure a spirit.
SIMON
Are you crazy? That shit never works.
JESS
Silence please.
SIMON
(WHISPERING TO MARIE) I think she's lost it!
MARIE
Shut up!
BROOKE
Jess, I don't know about this, it's a bit too...
PAUL
(SARCASTICALLY) Scary?
BROOKE
No, it's just, we shouldn't be messing with this
stuff.
JESS
I am ready to begin. I must have a possession from
each of you.
TOMMY
What?
SIMON
Just give her something of yours.
Tommy takes off his WATCH. Everyone takes out
something.
JESS
Now, place them in front of you.
They place their POSSESSION on the LINE of the
CIRCLE. Jess pulls out a POUCH. She sprinkles the
SUBSTANCE on her ITEM. She passes it to Paul.
PAUL
What's this?
JESS
The powder from the Underworld Gods.
TOMMY
What the hell are you talking about? Paul, your
girlfriend is whack!
JESS
Just pour a small amount over your possession.
Paul does so, he gives it to Brooke. She SPRINKLES
it over her HAIR BAND. She passes the POUCH to
Simon. He does the same and gives it to Marie. She
takes POURS the SUBSTANCE over her NAIL FILER. She
moves it to Tommy. He does the same and returns it
to Jess.
JESS
Good, we are ready to start.
Brooke takes a DEEP BREATH. She TURNS to Tommy with
a WORRIED expression. Jess CLOSES her EYES.
JESS
Lords of the Underworld, I ask your permission to
speak with someone
in your dimension.
SILENCE.
JESS
Send me a sign.
SILENCE. Tommy LAUGHS. Suddenly a SLIGHT WIND blows
the CANDLES out. Brooke GRABS Tommy's HAND. The
CANDLE RELIGHT by themselves.
SIMON
I take it that's our sign then!
MARIE
You don't believe in all this Voodoo shit do you?
JESS
It is not Voodoo! Now, we have permission to call
someone from the
other side.
SILENCE.
PAUL
Who?
JESS
Anyone we want.
SIMON
I wanna speak to Elvis.
Marie NUDGES him.
JESS
Fine, as we can't decide, I will summon anyone!
TOMMY
Can you do that?
SIMON
Yeah sure, it's just like dialling on the phone.
JESS
Silence!
SIMON
You're a bit demanding aren't you? Paul, she like
this in bed?
Paul SIGHS.
JESS
Lords of the Underworld, we ask of you one more
thing. Please send us
someone. In return, the spirit may use my energy to
speak.
BROOKE
Jess, we can't do this-
Suddenly the CANDLES grow BRIGHTER. A strong WIND
BLOWS but the CANDLES stay ALIGHT. Items in the
ROOM begin to BLOW.
JESS
Use my energy!
TOMMY
(WHISPERING TO BROOKE) What's she doing?
BROOKE
I don't know... Jess, stop it, you're scaring me!
JESS
All hold hands!
They all do so. The WIND begins to get STRONGER. It
BLOWS everything in the room. The POSSESSIONS that
the group placed on the CIRCLE begin to RISE.
Everyone is FIXED on the ITEMS. The WIND moves
everything into the CIRCLE and then an aftershock
BREAKS them apart. They all LIE on the floor.
PAUL
What the fuck was that?
SIMON
I don't know but whatever the fuck it was, it can
stay away from me!
Everyone looks at Jess.
JESS
It didn't work.
MARIE
What?
JESS
It didn't work, the spirit rejected me.
Brooke HUGS Tommy. Jess SIGHS, Paul COMFORTS her.
INT. TAYLOR RESIDENCE-HALLWAY-NIGHT
Marie OPENS the front door. Tommy and Brooke STAND.
BROOKE
Are you sure you'll be alright alone?
MARIE
Yeah, fine. Besides, you heard Jess, it didn't
work.
BROOKE
Yeah I suppose.
MARIE
I just want to go to sleep, sorry for not being
good company.
TOMMY
It would of been if Jess hadn't of started all that
Voodoo shit.
MARIE
Yeah.
Brooke STROKES her ARM, (meaning, keep well). She
and Tommy EXIT. Marie SIGHS and CLOSES the door.
INT. TAYLOR RESIDENCE-KITCHEN-NIGHT
Marie is COOKING PASTA in the SAUCEPAN. She TURNS
the heat up. She WALKS to the RADIO and turns it
on. A song BLASTS out, she quickly turns it off.
She GLANCES at the WINDOW. She sees a SHADOW in the
REFLECTION. She QUICKLY turns round but there is
nothing there.
MARIE
Get a hold of yourself, Marie!
The phone RINGS. She is SHAKEN by it but PICKS it
up.
MARIE
Hello.
MAN'S VOICE
Hello.
MARIE
Can I help you?
MAN'S VOICE
That depends, are you Marie Taylor?
MARIE
Yeah, who's this?
SILENCE.
MARIE
Are you there?
MAN'S VOICE
Do you like games?
MARIE
Excuse me?
MAN'S VOICE
You sound like the type of girl who likes playing
games.
MARIE
What do you want?
MAN'S VOICE
Can we play a game?
MARIE
I'm a bit busy at the moment.
MAN'S VOICE
Let's play... Guess who's going to die?
MARIE
You watch too many movies!
MAN'S VOICE
Scary movies are fictional... This is real.
MARIE
Why don't you just fuck off and find something
better to do!
She puts the phone down, She picks up a TOWEL but
it RINGS again. She PICKS it up.
MARIE
Fuck off asshole!
MAN'S VOICE
Listen to me you little bitch. You can't raise the
dead and then tell them to fuck off.
Marie is SHOCKED.
MARIE
Are you...
SILENCE.
MARIE
Simon, now I know it's you! Just fuck off!
The phone goes DEAD. She SIGHS. She GRABS the
SAUCEPAN but DROPS it as it's too HOT. The SAUCEPAN
lands on her FOOT, she FALLS but tries to GRAB
something. She PULLS a CABLE which KNOCKS the KNIFE
RACK onto the FLOOR. A KNIFE STABS her LEG. She
SCREAMS. The CABLE continues along the WALL and up
into the CEILING. Suddenly CHUNKS of the CEILING
FALL down on her.
SILENCE.
Marie PULLS the KNIFE out of her LEG and HOLDS it.
Suddenly the CEILING FALLS down. Along with the
CEILING falls a BATHTUB. The LEGS on the BATHTUB
PIERCE through Marie's body as she let's out a
final SCREAM. She is still holding the KNIFE, in it
we see a REFLECTION of a SHADOW.
"The Call" TITLE FLASHES ON SCREEN.
INT. CARTER RESIDENCE-LOUNGE-MORNING
Denise is WATCHING TELEVISION. The NEWS is on, she
TURNS it up.
DENISE
(SHOUTING) Brook, get it here!
Brooke ENTERS.
BROOKE
What?
DENISE
Look.
She POINT to the TELEVISION.
NEWS REPORTER
This horrific incident occurred last night at the
victim's home. It is uncertain if Marie Taylor was
murdered or if it was just an accident. However,
there is one clue, a phone call was made to the
house just before Marie died. Although it is
uncertain who called, police are looking into it
and there should be news about it soon.
Denise TURNS the TELEVISION off.
BROOKE
Marie?
DENISE
Wasn't you there last night?
BROOKE
We left, she must of died just after...
She BURSTS into TEARS. Denise COMFORTS her.
DENISE
Are you okay?
BROOKE
She can't be dead.
DENISE
I know this might be a shock but-
BROOKE
If only we'd stayed.
DENISE
This isn't your fault.
SILENCE.
DENISE
I'd better go and see Jackie.
BROOKE
Jackie?
DENISE
Her Mother. Will you be alright by yourself?
Brooke NODS.
DENISE
Okay, I wont be long.
She EXITS. Brooke PICKS up the phone and DIALS. She
WAITS.
BROOKE
Hello, is that Tommy?
TOMMY'S VOICE
Yeah.
BROOKE
It's me, I've just seen the news-
TOMMY'S VOICE
Yeah, I heard it on the radio.
BROOKE
How could it of happened?
TOMMY'S VOICE
It was an accident.
BROOKE
How do you know? For all we know she could of
been...
TOMMY'S VOICE
She wasn't murdered. My Dad told me the ceiling
collapsed and the bath crushed her.
Brook CRIES.
TOMMY'S VOICE
I'm gonna come and see you.
BROOKE
Okay.
She PUTS the phone down. She STANDS but it RINGS
again. She answers it.
BROOKE
It's okay, Tommy, my Mum's gone out.
MAN'S VOICE
Who's Tommy?
BROOKE
Oh... Who's this?
MAN'S VOICE
Tommy!
BROOKE
What?
MAN'S VOICE
My name's Tommy.
BROOKE
(CONFUSED) Tommy... Who are you?
MAN'S VOICE
I thought you knew.
BROOKE
Erg... If you want my Mum, she's just gone out.
MAN'S VOICE
I know, you just said. Does that mean you're alone
in the house.
BROOKE
Why do you want to know?
MAN'S VOICE
Just curious.
BROOKE
Yeah well, don't forget... Curiosity killed the
cat!
She PUTS the phone down. It RINGS again. She
HESITATES but decides to answer it.
BROOKE
Hello.
MAN'S VOICE
Hello, Brooke.
BROOKE
What do you want? Is that you Simon, coz if it is
then I suggest you hang up before I get angry.
The phone goes DEAD. Brooke WALKS but sees the
REFLECTION of a SHADOW in the MIRROR. The doorbell
CHIMES. She SLOWLY steps towards the front door.
She looks through the PEEP HOLE but can't see
anyone.
BROOKE
(SHOUTING) Who is it?
SILENCE. She QUICKLY pulls the door open. Tommy is
STANDING in front of her. She HUGS him.
TOMMY
I didn't know you were this upset.
BROOKE
I just had a really fucked up phone call.
TOMMY
Who from?
BROOKE
I don't know, he was really scaring me. Why didn't
you answer me when I shouted?
TOMMY
I didn't hear you. Are you alright?
BROOKE
Yeah.
TOMMY
You don't look it.
BROOKE
I'm fine, Tommy!
TOMMY
Okay, okay.
INT. CHURCH-AFTERNOON
A week has passed since Marie died. There are a lot
of people there for her FUNERAL. JACKIE TAYLOR is
saying a few WORDS.
JACKIE
Marie was a beautiful, intelligent, compassionate
young woman. It's strange, because you never know
when your time has come, death is a dark thing. We
don't know when we are going to die, or how. Death
will come for us all eventually but we have to ask
ourselves, are we going to let it take us how we
are? I want to die when I have made something of my
life, and I wont let it let it take me until I
have.
INT. TOMMY'S CAR-NIGHT
Tommy is DRIVING. Brooke is in the PASSENGER SEAT.
We see a few BOTTLES of beer on the BACK SEATS.
BROOKE
Tommy, slow down.
TOMMY
Slow down? Why, what's the point?
BROOKE
Because if you don't then we're going to crash!
TOMMY
So! You heard Mrs Taylor, we all have to die at
some point.
BROOKE
Tommy, please.
The CAR drives past Simon. Tommy REVERSES.
TOMMY
Simon.
SIMON
Oh, hi guys.
TOMMY
Get in.
SIMON
No thanks, I'm gonna walk home.
TOMMY
Just get in, Simon.
Simon NODS. He gets in the CAR. Tommy starts to
DRIVE.
BROOKE
How are you?
SIMON
Yeah, I'm okay. You?
BROOKE
Alright.
TOMMY
So, where shall we go?
SIMON
I was going home.
TOMMY
But, Simon, the night is young.
SIMON
I'm a bit tired.
Tommy PRESSES hard on the ACCELERATOR.
BROOKE
Tommy!
TOMMY
What?
BROOKE
Slow down!
Tommy IGNORES her. Simon FASTENS his seat belt.
He GRABS the FRONT SEAT.
SIMON
Tommy, you're gonna get us killed.
TOMMY
Oh well!
BROOKE
Tommy, stop it!
SIMON
You're fucking crazy, Tommy.
The CAR suddenly STOPS. Tommy TURNS to Simon. He
SMILES.
TOMMY
You think I'm crazy?
SIMON
Well... Yeah!
TOMMY
Tell me, Simon, where was you the night Marie died?
SIMON
What?
TOMMY
I spoke to your Mum and she said you didn't go home
that night.
SIMON
Are you saying-
BROOKE
Tommy, you didn't tell me that.
TOMMY
You see, my theory is, is that you tried it on with
Marie when we all left but she rejected you.
SIMON
You're fucking-
TOMMY
That made you angry didn't it? So you decided to
get your fun some other way.
SIMON
You think I killed her?
BROOKE
How could he? The ceiling fell down, how could he
do that?
TOMMY
The ceiling collapsed because someone pulled a
cable that lead through to the roof. Marie knew not
to pull that cable because she knew the
consequences... Which means, someone killed her and
I think that someone is you.
SIMON
Fuck you, Tommy.
BROOKE
Tommy, you told me it was definitely an accident.
TOMMY
I lied.
SIMON
Well, how comes you know so much about it?
TOMMY
My Dad's a cop!
SIMON
Fuck this, I'm out of here!
He gets out of the CAR.
EXT. STREET-NIGHT
He goes to CROSS the ROAD. He QUICKLY turns because
he sees the REFLECTION of a SHADOW behind him in a
SHOP WINDOW. Tommy starts the ENGINE. It scares
Simon, he STUMBLES into the ROAD. A CAR just misses
him. The CAR swerves to miss a civilian but CRASHES
into a SHOP. The SHOP window shatters, a bit of
GLASS flies into the AIR and snaps a large
TELEPHONE CABLE.
The CABLE quickly descends, it WRAPS itself
around Simon's NECK. Tommy starts to DRIVE away in
SHOCK but fails to realise that the other side of
the CABLE has attached itself to his CAR.
The CAR drives away, pulling the CABLE and
RAISING Simon into the AIR.
INT. TOMMY'S CAR-NIGHT
Tommy is PRESSING the ACCELERATOR, not realising he
is KILLING Simon. Brooke looks into the MIRROR and
sees Simon is SUSPENDED in the AIR.
BROOKE
(SCREAMING) Tommy!!
Tommy STOPS pressing.
EXT. STREET-NIGHT
Simon DROPS to the GROUND. Brooke gets out of the
CAR to see him. Simon STANDS.
SIMON
(CROAKY) Shit!
Brooke WATCHES him.
BROOKE
(SCREAMING) Simon!!
Simon TURNS but, without another frame, is HIT by a
PASSING TRUCK. Brooke is SPLATTERED with his BLOOD.
Brooke is SHOCKED.
INT. CARTER RESIDENCE-LOUNGE-NIGHT
Brooke is CRYING. She is WATCHING the NEWS, a
PHOTOGRAPH of Simon is DISPLAYED. The phone RINGS.
She IGNORES it. Denise ENTERS and answers the
phone.
DENISE
Hello.
SILENCE.
DENISE
Hello!
She HANGS up. She SITS with Brooke.
DENISE
Are you okay?
SILENCE.
DENISE
Brooke, talk to me.
BROOKE
What am I suppose to say?
DENISE
Tell me how you feel.
BROOKE
How I feel? Two of my best friends have died within
the space of a week. How do you think it makes me
feel?
The phone RINGS. Brooke REACHES for it and answers
it. Denise EXITS.
BROOKE
Hello.
MAN'S VOICE
Hello, Brooke.
Brooke SIGHS.
BROOKE
Who are you?
MAN'S VOICE
My name's Simon... Oh no, sorry, my mistake... He's
dead!
BROOKE
You are a sick fuck!
MAN'S VOICE
I'm not the one whom raised the dead.
Brooke is SHOCKED.
MAN'S VOICE
That's right, Brooke. You thought it was just a
game... I'm going to show you how wrong you are!
The phone goes DEAD. Brooke is SHOCKED. She DIALS a
number.
BROOKE
Hello, Jess?
JESS'S VOICE
Oh, hi Brooke.
BROOKE
I think we need to talk!
EXT. STREET-NIGHT
Brooke, Tommy, Jess, and Paul are WALKING. They
TURN down an ALLEY and end up outside the TAYLOR
RESIDENCE.
PAUL
What are we doing here?
BROOKE
We're going to die!
They all exchange CURIOUS looks.
PAUL
Brooke, what the fuck are you talking about?
BROOKE
I think someone out there is tracking us down.
JESS
What?
BROOKE
Remember the night we tried to speak to someone
from the "Underworld".
TOMMY
What about it?
BROOKE
I think we did bring someone here, I think we
brought someone to life.
JESS
No, it didn't work. The spirit rejected me.
BROOKE
What if it didn't? What if it only rejected you
because it didn't need you.
TOMMY
Brooke, I think you should go home.
BROOKE
No, Tommy. I know what I'm talking about, I'm not
crazy. Think about it for a minute, These strange
deaths only started happening when we did that
whole Black Magic thing. You said yourself, Tommy,
you think Marie was murdered.
They all THINK.
JESS
Okay, so if this is all true. How could a spirit
exist in this world without a Human body to posses.
They all look at each other.
BROOKE
The only answer to that question is... One of us is
possessed... One of us is the killer!
The AIR is filled with NERVOUSNESS. Jess BACKS away
from Paul.
PAUL
You don't believe this shit do you, babe?
JESS
After we were at Marie's you went home... Did you
really go home?
PAUL
Jess, I aint a murderer!
TOMMY
Stop it! What about last night? Simon's death was
an accident, we could see it, Brooke.
Brooke THINKS.
TOMMY
Brooke!
BROOKE
You tried to drive away, if I hadn't of seen Simon
was attached to the cable, you would of killed him.
TOMMY
What are you saying?
BROOKE
You're the one!
TOMMY
No, I'm not... I promise.
JESS
Alright, everyone, stop. There is one way we can
find out.
INT. ARNOLD RESIDENCE-AUNT MAGGIE'S ROOM-NIGHT
Jess, Brooke, Tommy, and Paul ENTER. Maggie is
SITTING. The room is filled with all kinds of WEIRD
things. Jess WALKS towards her.
MAGGIE
What can I do you for, young one?
JESS
I think... We think one of us is possessed by a
spirit.
MAGGIE
What spirit?
JESS
(HESITATING) Well... Erg...
BROOKE
A spirit of the Underworld.
Maggie is SHOCKED.
MAGGIE
Are you stupid? None of you are trained, are you
telling me you opened a rift for a spirit to pass
through?
Jess NODS. Maggie GRABS her hand.
MAGGIE
Quickly, we must act quickly!
Everyone HOLDS hands.
PAUL
De-ja-vous!
MAGGIE
I will try to release the spirit from the
possessed... Aniah toron unixali, omnol vordei-
She STOPS. Everyone TURNS to her. She lowers her
HANDS.
JESS
What's wrong?
MAGGIE
None of you are possessed.
TOMMY
What?
MAGGIE
How dare you have a laugh at my expense, this is
all very serious!
BROOKE
We know and we are telling the truth, two of our
friends have been killed.
MAGGIE
I refuse to listen to you. Get out, all of you.
JESS
Aunt Maggie-
MAGGIE
(SHOUTING) Get out!
The all EXIT.
INT. GRAVEYARD-AFTERNOON
A week has passed. Brooke is LAYING flowers on
Marie and Simon's GRAVE. She wipes a TEAR away.
Tommy APPROACHES her.
TOMMY
Are you okay?
BROOKE
Tommy, what is going on?
TOMMY
I know you believe what you say, but we have to
face it, these deaths were accidental. No one is to
blame.
SILENCE.
TOMMY
Come on, I'll take you home.
BROOKE
No, I have to see someone.
INT. ARNOLD RESIDENCE-MAGGIE'S ROOM-AFTERNOON
Brooke ENTERS. Maggie TURNS to her in DISGUST.
MAGGIE
I thought I told you to leave me alone.
BROOKE
Maggie, please... We need your help.
MAGGIE
Why should I help you?
BROOKE
Because if you don't... We will all die.
Maggie THINKS.
MAGGIE
Fine... Tell me what happened.
BROOKE
Okay. We were at Marie's house, Jess suggested we
played a game. We were all sitting in a circle with
a star in the middle of us all. Jess said the
spirit rejected her but I'm not so sure. Marie died
and then Simon, I'm afraid that...
MAGGIE
What is it?
BROOKE
We were sitting: Marie, Simon, Jess, Tommy, me, and
Paul... Marie and Simon were the first to be
killed.
MAGGIE
And?
BROOKE
I think we're being killed off in the order we were
sitting.
MAGGIE
But how do you know that? Where would the spirit
know where to start, a circle has no corners, why
would it start with Marie and not you?
BROOKE
I don't know... All I know is, Jessica is next!
INT. ARNOLD RESIDENCE-LOUNGE-NIGHT
Jess is WATCHING TELEVISION. She is EATING a packet
of CRISPS. The phone RINGS. She answers it.
JESS
Hello, Jessica speaking.
PAUL'S VOICE
Hello, babe.
JESS
Hi.
PAUL'S VOICE
What are you doing?
JESS
I'm watching a video.
PAUL'S VOICE
What one?
JESS
Something about trains!
PAUL'S VOICE
That explains a lot! Do you want me to come over?
JESS
No.
PAUL'S VOICE
Why not?
JESS
I just want to be alone.
PAUL'S VOICE
Jess, what's going on-
A BEEP interrupts him.
JESS
Hold on, I've got another call coming through.
She PRESSES a button on the phone.
JESS
Hello, Jess speaking.
MAN'S VOICE
Hello.
JESS
Who is this?
MAN'S VOICE
Who's this?
JESS
I just told you. What can I do for you?
MAN'S VOICE
I just want to have a chat.
JESS
Erg... Hold on.
She PRESSES a button on the phone.
JESS
Paul, someone's on the other line. I'll call you
back.
PAUL'S VOICE
But-
JESS
I'll phone you later.
She PRESSES a button on the phone.
JESS
Hello.
MAN'S VOICE
Hello, Jessica.
JESS
Who are you?
MAN'S VOICE
I don't think you really want to know that.
JESS
Why?
MAN'S VOICE
Coz it might scare you.
JESS
Nothing scares me.
MAN'S VOICE
Not even Black Magic?
SILENCE. Jess is UNEASY.
MAN'S VOICE
Do you like Black Magic?
JESS
Yeah, it's alright.
MAN'S VOICE
Do you like bringing the dead to life?
JESS
No.
MAN'S VOICE
But isn't that what you did?
JESS
What?
MAN'S VOICE
You brought me to life!
JESS
(HESITATING) I don't know who you are, and I don't
really care, just leave me alone.
She HANGS up. She looks out the WINDOW, she sees
the REFLECTION of a SHADOW. She QUICKLY turns round
but there is no one there. She CLOSES the CURTAINS
and WALKS towards the LAMP. It FLICKERS on and off,
TENSION builds as she REACHES to TURN it off. She
ENTERS the BATHROOM and looks in the MIRROR. She
puts her head in the SINK to WASH her face. She
TURNS the tap on and SPLASHES her face. She REACHES
for a TOWEL but the doorbell CHIMES, it makes her
JUMP. She KNOCKS the TOWEL RACK into the AIR. It
SMASHES the MIRROR. A bit of the MIRROR SLICES
Jess' NECK as she looks up. She SCREAMS.
EXT. ARNOLD RESIDENCE PORCH-NIGHT
Brooke HEARS a SCREAM. She PUSHES the door and
ENTERS the house.
INT. ARNOLD RESIDENCE-LOUNGE-NIGHT
Brooke RUNS in. She PEERS into the BATHROOM and see
Jess on the FLOOR. She RUSHES to her.
BROOKE
Jess!
She GRABS a TOWEL and HOLDS it against Jess' NECK.
She helps her up and they WALK towards the SOFA.
Jess FALLS down. Brooke goes to get the phone but
it RINGS. She QUICKLY answers it.
BROOKE
(PANICKY) Hello!
MAN'S VOICE
Hello.
BROOKE
Please, help, we need an ambulance or something-
MAN'S VOICE
I know you do.
BROOKE
What?
MAN'S VOICE
I wont let you get away with it, Brooke.
BROOKE
Get away with what?
MAN'S VOICE
Murder!
Brooke is SHOCKED. She HANGS up but it QUICKLY
RINGS again. She answers it.
BROOKE
Look you sick fuck, I am not a murderer!
PAUL'S VOICE
Brooke, what are you doing there?
BROOKE
Paul, quick, you have to get over here.
PAUL'S VOICE
What's wrong?
BROOKE
It's Jess... Just hurry!
EXT. STREET-NIGHT
Paul is RUNNING. He arrives at the ARNOLD RESIDENCE
but sees an AMBULANCE and POLICE CARS outside. He
RUSHES to Brooke.
PAUL
What's going on?
BROOKE
Jess... She's lost a lot of blood, I tried to help
her but...
PAUL
Is she... Dead?
BROOKE
No, but her chances aren't very good.
Two MEN APPROACH Brooke. AGENTS THOMAS and ASHFORD.
THOMAS
Brooke Carter?
BROOKE
Yes.
THOMAS
I'm Agent Thomas and this is Agent Ashford. We
would like to ask you a few questions.
BROOKE
Erg... Okay.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM-POLICE STATION-NIGHT
Ashford SITS across from Brooke.
ASHFORD
What were you doing at Jessica Arnold's house?
BROOKE
I... I'm her friend.
ASHFORD
You don't often go to her house, do you?
BROOKE
No, not always.
ASHFORD
So why tonight?
BROOKE
Because... You wouldn't believe me.
ASHFORD
Try me.
Brooke EYES him. She LEANS forward.
BROOKE
Do you believe in Black Magic?
ASHFORD
No, I don't believe in any kind of magic. Why?
BROOKE
Two weeks ago, before Marie died, all of us did
something.
ASHFORD
All of you?
BROOKE
Me, Tommy, Paul, Jess, Marie, and Simon. We were
just having a bit of fun, we tried to speak to a
dead person. Jess knew how to do it because her
Aunt practices it. But something went wrong, a
spirit got into this world and now it's killing us
one by one.
ASHFORD
(SCEPTICAL) A spirit?
BROOKE
I know this must sound really fucked up but it's
true. And it's killing us in the order of how we
were sitting. First Marie, then Simon, and now
Jess. I don't know why it's doing it. All I know
is, is that it uses a phone to communicate before
it kills.
ASHFORD
So you're telling me that some dead guy phones it's
victims and then kills them?
Brooke SIGHS.
ASHFORD
Wouldn't it be more rational to presume that you
are actually the murderer?
BROOKE
I haven't killed anyone.
ASHFORD
We've been looking at your record, Brooke. It seems
that you have been in trouble with the law before.
BROOKE
So.
Ashford OPENS a FOLDER. He READS.
ASHFORD
Your Father killed himself a while ago, but it was
thought that he was murdered.
BROOKE
What are you getting at?
ASHFORD
Did you kill your Father?
BROOKE
(HESITATING) No.
Ashford SIGHS.
BROOKE
Look, you have nothing on me, there's no reason why
you should keep me here any longer.
ASHFORD
Fine... Go, get out of here.
Brooke STANDS.
ASHFORD
Just remember, we'll be watching you.
BROOKE
Alright.
She EXITS.
INT. HOSPITAL-NIGHT
Jess is in her HOSPITAL BED. TUBES are ATTACHED to
her. She OPENS her EYES. She looks into a MONITOR
and sees the REFLECTION of a SHADOW. She STRUGGLES
to TURN but sees nothing. She MOANS, finding it
hard to move. A NURSE ENTERS.
She is HOLDING a JUG of WATER. She TURNS to see
Jess but SPILLS some WATER in the MONITOR.
NURSE
Are you alright, Jessica?
Jess MOANS.
NURSE
Don't worry, you're in good hands now.
She EXITS. Jess SIGHS. The MONITOR starts to
CRACKLE. We see that SPARKS are FLYING. One of the
SPARKS ignites Jess' BED. She manages to FALL onto
the FLOOR. She CRAWLS towards the door but one of
her TUBES catches on FIRE. It then ignites her
CLOTHES. She tries to put it out but can't. She
GRABS the FIRE EXTINGUISHER but it FALLS and ROLLS
to the MONITOR. The MONITOR is pushed off it's
TABLE and it FALLS on Jess' HEAD... ELECTROCUTING
her! A NURSE RUNS in and sees Jess SHAKING because
of the VOLTS running through her BODY.
NURSE
(SCREAMING) HELP!!
INT. CARTER RESIDENCE- KITCHEN-AFTERNOON
Brooke TURNS the RADIO on. It is a REPORT of Jess'
DEATH. The doorbell CHIMES. Brooke opens the FRONT
DOOR. Tommy and Paul are STANDING there. They
ENTER. Paul is OBVIOUSLY UPSET.
PAUL
What's this about, Brooke?
BROOKE
There's something you have to know.
TOMMY
What?
BROOKE
Don't you think this is all a bit too coincidental?
TOMMY
Brooke, deaths happen-
BROOKE
Yeah they do, but not like this. I know there is a
spirit out there and I know it wants us. I don't
know why and I don't intend to find out, I just
want to get rid of it.
PAUL
Brooke... Jess, Marie, and Simon are dead... It's
no one's fault!
BROOKE
But it is! We released a spirit that night and we
have to return it, before it gets us! Do you want
to die?
TOMMY
No.
Paul SHAKES his HEAD.
BROOKE
I've worked out who's next.
PAUL
How?
BROOKE
It's in the order we were sitting when we conjured
the spirit.
TOMMY
We weren't sitting in an order were we?
BROOKE
Marie, Simon, Jess... They were sitting next to
each other.
TOMMY
Okay, so who's next?
BROOKE
(PAUSING) It's... You!
TOMMY
(SHOCKED) Me?
BROOKE
And then it's me.
PAUL
I'm last?
TOMMY
I'm going to die next?
BROOKE
Tommy, no one is going to die. We're going to stop
this fucker!
He NODS.
PAUL
How?
BROOKE
We seek the help of a professional.
INT. ARNOLD RESIDENCE-MAGGIE'S ROOM-NIGHT
Tommy, Brooke, and Paul are STANDING in front of
Maggie.
BROOKE
I know you have no reason to help us-
MAGGIE
This spirit does not belong in our world, I must
return it before it takes anymore lives.
BROOKE
You'll help us?
MAGGIE
Yes.
TOMMY
What do we have to do?
MAGGIE
First... Research.
PAUL
What? I just want to kill this asshole!
MAGGIE
How are you going to kill it when it is already
dead?
Paul SHRUGS.
MAGGIE
We must find out who the spirit is and why it is
trying to kill you.
BROOKE
How do we do that?
MAGGIE
We contact it.
TOMMY
How do we do that?
SILENCE.
BROOKE
We phone it!
They look CONFUSED.
INT. ARNOLD RESIDENCE-LOUNGE-NIGHT
Brooke, Maggie, Tommy, and Paul are SITTING in a
CIRCLE with a phone in the middle of them. They are
all STARING at it. Maggie pulls out a BOOK.
BROOKE
What's that?
MAGGIE
This will allow us to talk to it.
She OPENS the BOOK. She READS.
MAGGIE
Oolan, voray, ziron, runal, limbray.
A SLIGHT WIND blows across the ROOM. They all WAIT.
Suddenly the phone RINGS. Paul goes to answer it
but Maggie stops him.
MAGGIE
No... Tommy must speak, the spirit will talk to him
as he is next.
Tommy is WORRIED as the RINGING continues. He
finally answers it.
TOMMY
(HESITATING) Hello...
MAN'S VOICE
Hello, Tommy.
Tommy COVERS the phone.
TOMMY
It's him, it's the... The thing!
MAN'S VOICE
Tommy... Tell your friends that I know what they're
up to.
TOMMY
How?
MAN'S VOICE
I know everything.
TOMMY
Who are you?
MAN'S VOICE
You don't need to know that.
TOMMY
Yes I do, I need to know who killed my friends.
MAN'S VOICE
I'll give you a clue, Tommy boy... I am at the
cemetery, near the big tree.
The phone goes DEAD. Tommy puts it down. He TURNS
to Brooke.
BROOKE
What did he say?
TOMMY
He's at the cemetery, near the tree.
PAUL
Let's go and get him!
MAGGIE
Wait, you are not prepared.
PAUL
Fuck that, I want to get him!
MAGGIE
Paul, you must be patient.
PAUL
HE fucking killed my girlfriend, I want revenge!
MAGGIE
Revenge can be a dangerous thing, it blocks the
things in your mind that are important. You must
let me help you, or it will kill you.
Paul NODS.
EXT. CEMETERY-NIGHT
Maggie, Tommy, Brooke, and Paul are WALKING. They
WALK towards the BIG TREE. They look around.
TOMMY
Well, where is he?
PAUL
He aint gonna turn up, he's just messing with us!
A WIND blows a LEAF towards a GRAVESTONE. They all
look at it. Brooke KNEELS down and WIPES away the
DIRT. She SHOCKED by what it says. She JUMPS back.
Paul looks at it.
PAUL
"Charlie Stone, died nineteen-eighty-nine".
TOMMY
Is that the spirit?
Brooke RUNS away. Tommy CHASES her. He GRABS her.
TOMMY
What's wrong?
BROOKE
I know who it is!
Maggie and Paul APPROACH them.
PAUL
What's going on?
BROOKE
The spirit, it's... My Father!
TOMMY
(SHOCKED) What?!?
PAUL
Wait a minute, your dead Dad's trying to kill us?
Why would he want to kill you?
BROOKE
(HESITATING) Because I killed him.
TOMMY
You killed your Dad?
BROOKE
It's not what it sounds like. He was a violent man,
he use to beat my Mum. One night, he they were
arguing...
WE TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO 1989 WHEN BROOKE WAS ONLY
SIX YEARS OLD.
INT. STONE RESIDENCE-LOUNGE-NIGHT
CHARLIE STONE and Denise are ARGUING.
DENISE
It wasn't my fault, I tried to tell you.
CHARLIE
Don't answer me back!
He PUNCHES her. Denise FALLS to the FLOOR. He KICKS
her in the STOMACH. Brooke ENTERS.
BROOKE
(SCREAMING) MUM!!
Charlie GRABS a CANDLE HOLDER, he LIFTS it above
Denise's HEAD, (he is going to HIT her). Brooke
GRABS a ROPE, she HOOKS it around Charlie's NECK
and PULLS. She doesn't let go, Charlie STRUGGLES
but Brooke keeps her GRIP. Suddenly, Charlie
FALLS... He is DEAD. Denise HUGS Brooke.
DENISE
Thank you... I love you.
WE GO BACK TO THE PRESENT DATE.
EXT. CEMETERY-NIGHT
Brooke, Maggie, Tommy, and Paul are STANDING.
BROOKE
My Mum made it look as if he had hung himself, even
though the police thought I killed him.
Tommy HUGS her.
PAUL
So now he's back for revenge?
BROOKE
It looks that way!
TOMMY
Don't worry, we'll get him, before he gets us.
Tommy STEPS back but TRIP over a ROCK. He GLANCES
at Maggie and in her GLASSES, he sees the
REFLECTION of a SHADOW. He GRABS a BRANCH but
BREAKS it. He ROLLS down a HILL and LANDS in a
RIVER. Suddenly, a TREE FALLS and LANDS on him. We
see him FACE DOWN in the RIVER.
Meanwhile, a STORM is beginning. Tommy is still
trying to get up but the TREE is FORCING him into
the RIVER. Brooke, Paul, and Maggie RUSH to him.
Tommy is able to get up but a LIGHTNING BOLT hits
the RIVER. We see Tommy being ELECTROCUTED... It
STOPS, and Tommy appears to be DEAD.
BROOKE
(SCREAMING) TOMMY!!
Paul HOLDS her back. She looks up to the SKY, as
the STORM stops.
BROOKE
(SHOUTING) Come on, come and get me... I'm next, so
just fucking kill me!!
PAUL
Brooke, calm down.
BROOKE
No, this is it. I'm going to stand up to him!
EXT. STREETS-NIGHT
Maggie, Brooke, and Paul are RUNNING. It is
RAINING.
PAUL
Where are we going?
MAGGIE
We have to go to my house and get some things.
BROOKE
What things?
MAGGIE
My book, it's the only way we can exile your
Father's spirit from our world.
Suddenly Maggie SLIPS and FALLS to the GROUND. She
KNOCKS a BIN over, it ROLLS and HITS a STREET POST.
It BENDS and almost STABS her but Paul PUSHES her
out of the way.
PAUL
Shit, that was close!
They STAND. Brooke looks CONFUSED.
BROOKE
Why did he try to kill you?
MAGGIE
(BREATHLESS) Excuse me?
BROOKE
I'm suppose to be next, he just changed his plan by
trying to kill you.
MAGGIE
Your theory must be wrong.
PAUL
So that means...
BROOKE
Anyone of us could be next.
MAGGIE
Quick, we must hurry.
They RUN.
INT. ARNOLD RESIDENCE-MAGGIE'S ROOM-NIGHT
Maggie is COLLECTING things and putting them in a
bag. Brooke and Paul are looking around.
PAUL
(WHISPERING TO BROOKE) There's some pretty fucked
up shit in here.
BROOKE
Yeah, but this "fucked up shit" might just save our
lives.
MAGGIE
We are ready.
PAUL
For what?
MAGGIE
We must banish Charlie Stone from this world. We
need somewhere safe, where he cannot get to us.
They THINK.
PAUL
Church?
MAGGIE
Yes, good thinking.
INT. CHURCH-NIGHT
Maggie, Brooke, and Paul ENTER. They RUSH to the
CENTRE. Maggie BEGINS to lay out the ITEMS she
brought. She PULLS out Tommy's WATCH. Brooke picks
it up and CRIES. Paul COMFORTS her.
PAUL
I know how you feel, Brooke. I lost Jess.
BROOKE
I really loved him.
PAUL
I know.
Maggie CONTINUES to set up. They all hear THUNDER.
Brooke looks up to the STAIN-GLASS ROOF. It begins
to SHAKE. She slowly STEPS back, never taking her
eyes off the ROOF. Paul sees her and is CURIOUS.
BROOKE
(FIXED ON THE ROOF) Paul... The...
Suddenly a loud THUNDER makes Brooke JUMP. She
FALLS back and KNOCKS a CANDLE. It IGNITES a
SUBSTANCE... It EXPLODES. Maggie is THROWN back and
HURLS her BOOK in the AIR. The BOOK SMASHES through
the STAIN-GLASS ROOF. Large CHUNKS of the GLASS
FALL down.
BROOKE
(SCREAMING) PAUL!!
She DIVES towards him and PUSHES him out of the
way. The bits of GLASS SLICE through Maggie's SKIN.
She tries to MOVE but the whole CHURCH begins to
SHAKE. A METAL POLE falls from the ROOF. It IMPALES
Maggie's HEAD... Blood SPRAYS over Brooke and Paul.
PAUL
(STUNNED) Fuck this, I'm out of here!
He goes to RUN but more METAL POLES fall, LANDING
either side of him. He tried to ESCAPE but one of
them SLICES his LEG. He SHOUTS in PAIN. Brooke
RUSHES to him. She PULLS him TOWARDS the DOORS.
EXT. CEMETERY-NIGHT
Brooke DRAGS Paul OUTSIDE. She TURNS to see a DARK
SHADOW. She PULLS out a NECKLACE, it is a CROSS.
She HOLDS it up high.
BROOKE
Come and get me!
She KNEELS down to Paul. She looks at his WOUND.
PAUL
(IN PAIN) Go.
BROOKE
I'm not leaving you.
PAUL
Please, Brooke... Go, save yourself.
A loud BANG catches their attention. The CHURCH is
falling to PIECES. Brooke GRABS Paul and lifts him
on his FEET. They try to RUN but Paul FALLS. Brooke
RUSHES to him. He PUSHES her away.
PAUL
Get out of here!
BROOKE
NO!
A LARGE piece of STAIN-GLASS SEVERS Paul's FINGERS.
He SHOUTS in PAIN. Brooke WATCHES in HORROR as a
DARK SHADOW rises above Paul.
BROOKE
Holy shit!
Paul looks up and sees the SHADOW. Brooke is FIXED
on it.
BROOKE
What do you want? Why are you doing this?
SILENCE.
BROOKE
Just tell me-
Her MOBILE PHONE RINGS. She HESITATES but answers
it.
BROOKE
Hello...
MAN'S VOICE
This is the END!
The phone goes DEAD. She THROWS the phone and
CLUTCHES Paul. They get into the WOODS, it is DARK
with SHADOWS everywhere.
PAUL
How the fuck can we kill it?
BROOKE
We can't...
PAUL
But Maggie was gonna!
Brooke THINKS.
PAUL
Brooke-
BROOKE
That's it, I have to complete the spell. I must
banish it from this world.
PAUL
Go then!
BROOKE
I'm not leaving you alone.
PAUL
Brooke, I'll be fine. Just go and save the world!
Brooke KISSES him on the CHEEK and RUNS.
INT. CHURCH-NIGHT
Brooke ENTERS. The ROOF is almost gone. Everything
is almost DEMOLISHED. She WALKS through the RUBLE
and STANDS at the EQUIPMENT Maggie was setting up.
Suddenly a STRONG WIND blows, Maggie's BOOK begins
to DRIFT but Brooke CATCHES it. She opens it at the
PAGE it was at and READS.
BROOKE
Agmah... Doovre....Inly-
a plank of WOOD FALLS from the CEILING and SNAPS a
thin ROPE. The ROPE is attached to a very large
JESUS CHRIST SYMBOL. It PLUMMETS to the FLOOR and
causes the CANDLES to set alight the ROWS of SEATS.
BROOKE
Juron... Kimal... Torros-
She is interrupted by an EXPLOSION as the FIRE
IGNITES a BOTTLE of VODKA in front of Brooke. She
tries her best to continue.
BROOKE
I ask of you, Gods of the Underworld, to take the
entity you sent. It has caused havoc and chaos-
The FIRE RAPIDLY spreads throughout the ENTIRE
CHURCH. Brooke is SURROUNDED by the FLAMES.
BROOKE
(SHOUTING) Banish the entity from this world, take
it back. Exile it from this dimension... Banish it,
banish it-
The whole CHURCH MOANS and CREEKS. The doors BURST
open... It is Paul.
PAUL
(SHOUTING) Brooke!!
She TURNS and realises the CHURCH is about to
COLLAPSE. She READS the BOOK.
BROOKE
(EXCLAIMING) Exile it, banish it, exile it, banish
it! Take it back and never let it return to this
world, it has no purpose here. Take it, take it...
I beg of you, Gods of the Underworld, take Charlie
Stone! Please, take-
A SHADOW forms over Brooke. She looks up and sees
the FACE of her DECEASED FATHER. The SHADOW gets
closer to her but it suddenly STOPS. It begins to
SHUDDER... Then, it CLOSES in on itself. Brooke
TURNS to see Paul.
BROOKE
(SMILING) I did it!
Suddenly the CHURCH COLLAPSES. Paul is able to get
away. He helplessly looks on as the BUILDING FALLS
on Brooke.
12 months later...
INT. CARTER RESIDENCE-LOUNGE-NIGHT
Denise and Paul are SITTING, WATCHING TELEVISION.
DENISE
Right, I'm going for my bath.
She EXITS as Brooke ENTERS. She KISSES Paul and
SITS with him.
BROOKE
What you watching?
PAUL
Nothing much, why?
BROOKE
There's a film on that I want to watch.
PAUL
Not a scary one I hope.
BROOKE
You know I don't like scary movies!
INT. CARTER RESIDENCE-BATHROOM-NIGHT
Denise is RUNNING the BATH. She check the
TEMPERATURE but QUICKLY takes her HAND out. She
WIPES it on a TOWEL, which she THROWS over the
SHOWER CURTAIN RAIL. She PULLS the EXTENSION LEAD
into the BATHROOM, hooking it round almost
everything. She TURNS to the MIRROR but sees the
REFLECTION of a SHADOW, she TURNS but nothing is
there.
DENISE
Don't do this to yourself.
She gets in the BATH. She realises the TOWEL is
still on the RAIL. She STANDS but SLIPS. She GRABS
the RAIL but PULLS it down. She steps into a HOOP,
(of the EXTENSION LEAD), the LEAD PULLS and
TIGHTENS the HOOP. Denise tries to RUN but is
CAUGHT by the LEAD. She is HURLED into the AIR and
SMASHES through the WINDOW, where her HEAD CRASHES
through the PORCH ROOF.
INT. CARTER RESIDENCE-LOUNGE-NIGHT
Brooke JUMPS.
PAUL
What?
BROOKE
Did you hear something?
PAUL
No.
Brooke STANDS. Paul is CURIOUS. Brooke WALKS
towards the front door, Paul STEPS in front of her.
PAUL
Stand back.
He GENTLY pulls OPEN the door. Brooke SCREAMS when
she sees Denise's HEAD through the ROOF. She FALLS
backwards, GRABBING the phone. She accidentally
TANGLES the phone CORD around Paul's NECK. She
pulls it as she FALLS. Without noticing, she HOOKS
it around her ANKLE. She tries to RUN, but at the
same time is STRANGLING Paul. She JUMPS into the
KITCHEN but looks up to see... A SHADOW!!
The End?
BY DARREN J MONK
Copyright (c) 2001 Darren Monk
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This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.