(Untitled)
well, that chapter is closed... it would have been nice to say goodbye, good luck, best wishes and all that, but, like the song says, we don't always get what we want... at least i have all my kitchen stuff and the other half of my clothes...
i'm sore form the trip... too long in the car... not to mention horror movie set-ups in real life... cra-
i'm sore form the trip... too long in the car... not to mention horror movie set-ups in real life... cra-
(A group of five kids in an apartment. They are bringing boxes downstairs to pack in a car.)
Beki: This isn’t mine. I gave this to her. I don’t want it back.
Leah: She’s just trying to upset you. The best revenge is to just not let it get to you.
Beki: I don’t want to get back at her. I just want her to act like a fucking adult. Why can’t she be mature. Why does she want to erase me from her past. We need to go home tonight. I don’t want to stay here.
Leah: Ok. I had kinda figured that would happen anyway.
(They bring down the last of Beki’s things and then Beki goes up to check one more time that they have everything. They all pile into the van and drive away. Beki continues to vent. Outside of the city they stop to get gas and Beki, Morghan, and Brandon go in to get some coffee while Jim fills up the tank.)
Leah: Jim, Beki doesn’t need to be driving tonight. See if you can convince her to stop for the night.
Jim: Yeah she’s really upset and with this weather...it’s just not a good combination. I’ll see what I can do.
(The others come back to the car. Jim pulls Beki aside.)
Jim: Are you sure you don’t want to stop.
Beki: We can stop and get something to eat and drink a pot of coffee. But I want to go home tonight.
(Once on the interstate, they start looking for an exit with a Waffle House or Denny’s. They don’t notice the cop pull up behind them until his lights are on. They pull off.)
Beki: I just want to scream. Hello, officer, is there a problem?
Officer: Did you know your bumper is falling off?
Beki: Oh has it gotten worse? I was in an accident a few days ago and I noticed it was looking a little unstable. But I can’t really get it fixed until we get home.
Officer: (with a stern look) I think you should get it fixed tonight. There’s a mechanic at the next stop who can help you with it. There’s also an inn there. You shouldn’t be driving in this weather. You’re gonna end up getting yourselves killed in this rain.
Beki: Thanks, Officer...?
Officer: Griffin. Now you kids be careful. It’s a dangerous night to be out.
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Beki: We are leaving as soon as this is fixed. I don’t think I could sleep tonight anyway.
Mechanic: Howdy, folks. What seems to be the problem?
Beki: (stares at him like he is crazy.) My bumper is falling off.)
Mechanic: Oh yeah. That looks pretty bad there. Tell you what come back first thing in the morning and I’ll fix that right up.
Beki: We need it fixed tonight.
Mechanic Sorry, miss but I’m shut down already. Won’t be doing anything else till the morning. But what you can do is there is an inn right down the street get ya a good night’s sleep, get ya somethin ta eat, relax, and fix it in the morning.
Beki: Listen to me you fucking hick. I need to be out here tonight. I need my car to be fixed tonight. And if you can’t help me then I’ll just go somewhere.
Mechanic: You should watch how you talk to people, little girl. Or ya just might find the person you’re talking to isn’t very nice. In fact you just might make them angry. Sides there isn’t another mechanic for bout an hour down the interstate. Less of course you wanna go back up north.
Beki: No!
Jim: Beki, come on. It won’t be too bad. We could all use some relaxation, anyway.
Beki: Fine I’ll come back in the morning.
Mechanic: (grinning suspiciously) I’ll see yall later then.
(They drive down the street to the Econo Lodge. Jim goes in to get their room. He comes back with a key and points out the truck stop across from there room. They park the car and stretch before moving over to the truck stop. They enter a seemingly dead restaraunt.)
Leah: I guess there isn’t much of a night life here.
Beki: (snide comment for Beki to write.)
Jim: (response to snide comment)
(They enter the smoking section and turn the corner to a full section of staring eyes. They quietly turn down another corner to find another smoking room. They order and chat while waiting on their food. The rain continues to pour down. The weather station is broadcast on the tv. There are advisories about snow flurries the next morning. The mechanic sits off in the corner eating a CFS. The place had cleared out by then. The mechanic leaves. The kids finish and pay and run back to the room. The waitress begins to clean up. She hears something in the other room. She goes to check it out.)
Waitress: Hello? Is someone there? Have a seat and I’ll be right with you.
(She turns around and suddenly someone runs by cutting her arm. She cries out and grabs a fork.)
Waitress: You better come out or I’m gonna call the cops. Don’t test me you damn son of a...
(The killer appears again this time cutting her throat. Her blood drips into the white sausage gravy. Back at the room, Beki and Jim sit on the far bed and Morghan and Leah claim the front. Brandon looks around.)
Brandon: So who am I sleeping with.
Morghan: The floor.
Brandon: Come on, man.
Leah: Why don’t you go ask for a cot?
Brandon: I couldn’t just...
Leah and Morghan: No!
(Brandon starts to the Hotel Lobby to ask about a cot. He mutters to himself as he pulls his jacket close. As he is running his foot catches something and he falls and twists his ankle. He stands up putting his weight on his good leg and looks down at the tire iron that tripped him. He limps a little further and hears something. He turns around. There is no one there but the tire iron is gone. Brandon begins to run as best he can back to the room, but his leg goes into a hole hidden underneath a puddle. He tries to get up but before he can, someone hits him with the tire iron. Brandon tries to fight back in vain. His brains are splattered on the wet cement as the mystery killer continues to beat the living shit out of him.)
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Beki: Better. I’m glad I can just be done with that part of my life. And now that I have my kitchen things again, I’m cooking a dinner for all of you.
Leah: Well, I do like to eat. Do you think that you and Jim might need some alone time?
Beki: That would be wonderful. But yall don’t have to...
Leah: Shut up. I’ve got it covered. (Stops and looks around.) How long has Brandon been gone?
Jim: Hmm, it has been a while I guess. He probably hooked up with some girl.
Leah: Hey, Mookie. Ya wanna come and walk with me to see if we see Brandon somewhere?
Morghan: Not really. I’m pretty tired.
Leah:Yes you do. Besides this is a strange town. Who knows what will happen if I go wander off on my own.
Morghan: Oh so I’m your protection.
Leah: No actually you’re my decoy for if something comes after me. Come on let’s go.
(They go out into the rain and run towards the truck stop. They discover the video poker machines and start to play. Camera flashes back and forth from the two girls joking around in the Truck Stop and the couple having sex. Morghan runs out of money or gets bored and walks off to get some coffee. Leah continues to play. Beki and Jim finish and decide to go let the girls know that it’s safe to come back. They enter the Truck Stop and see Leah playing.)
Jim: Hey, did we lose another one?
Leah: Morghan is having a stimulating conversation with the police officer right over there.(They all turn to see Morghan flirting with the young cop.) I think she’ll be ok. I mean, hello, she’s got the law for company. I’m ready to get some sleep.
(They leave to go back to the hotel room. Morghan continues to flirt with the cop, plaing with her hair and her necklace, until suddenly her necklace snaps. She laughs and lloks down at the chain in her hand.)
Morghan: I’ll be right back. I’m gonna see if I can fix this.
(She goes to the bathroom and begins to fight with the chain. She looks down as she pulls the two sides of the chain back around her neck. Suddenly hands come around and pull the chain tight against her neck, choking her. She tries to pull the chain away unsuccessfully. Her body goes limp and he drops her too the floor. In the room Leah sits up in bed gasping and looks at the clock.)
Leah: Beki! Jim! Morghan’s still not back.
Jim: She’ll be back soon.
Beki: Maybe she went home with the cop.
Leah: No something is wrong. I need to go look for her.
Beki: Leah, you shouldn’t go out alone.
Jim: I’ll go look for her. ( he leaves to go look around.)
Leah: I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
Beki: I’m sure everything is fine. She’s probably just out having fun.
(Jim goes into the lobby but no one is there. When he leaves the lobby he sees the cop and calls out to him.)
Jim: Hey, do you know where Morghan went?
Cop: Who is that?
Jim: The blond. The one you were having coffee with.
Cop: Nope. Maybe she went back to play some more poker.
Jim: I guess I’ll check in there. ( As the cop walks away, Jim notices a silver cross hanging from a chain in his hand.) Wait a minute. (His eyes are on the cross as realization hits him. He swallows.) Nevermind. My imagination.
(The cop stares at him coldly as he lifts the chain to put it in his pocket. Jim begins to back away as the cop turns back toward his car. Jim turns and begin to run to the room. The cop jumps into the car and runs Jim down. He backs away and Jim tries to push himself up. Then the cop runs over him one more time before speeding away. The girls hear a noise and run outside. They see Jim lying on the ground, dead, and the car driving off. Beki screams and falls to her knees. Leah helps Beki up and back into the room. She tries the phone but there is no dial tone. They run to the truck stop. They check everywhere but can’t find anyone. They stumble over the dead waitress in the kitchen. Then the find Morghan in the bathroom. They run out to try the lobby and run right into the cop. He helps them back to their room where he begins to question them.)
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Leah: No. It was too dark.
Cop: Can you think of anyone who would have something against your three friends? Anyone who would have a reason to kill them?
Leah: No. No one.
(Someone comes over the radio and the cop goes to answer it. Beki sits there quietly for a second before speaking.)
Beki: He said three not two.
Leah: What?
Beki: He said three but we didn’t say anything about Brandon. I really thought he was with some girl. How does he know that Brandon is missing too.
(The girls stare at each other as the cop comes back.)
Cop: Is something wrong? Did you think of someone?
Beki: The mechanic. He threatened us. I mean we got into an argument. And he said something about us needing to be careful before we make someone angry.
Leah: This is too much. This is too much! I need some air. My lungs! Please, Beki. Come walk with me. I’m so scared. Please.
Beki: (catches on) I’m just gonna take her outside for a minute. There’s cigarettes in the car. (They walk outside. They both count to three and then break off running to the car. The cop runs after them before veering off to his own car. The girls take off and head towards the interstate. The cop is catching up to them. They drive as fast as they can.)
Beki: Seatbelt! (They both strap on their seatbelts. and Beki slams on her brakes. The cop runs into them and hits his head on the steering wheel, knocking him out. The girls try and start their car again but the engine won’t start. They take off into the woods. Leah begins to check for her phone.)
Leah: Wait! (She turns back and then sees the cop getting out. She decides against going for the phone. She leads the way into the woods. Beki trips and falls down slope. When she opens her eyes, she sees the cop looking down at her. He grins evilly and raises his gun. Everything goes black for Beki. Leah continues to run without realizing Beki fell. She turns around when she hears the gunshot and sees that she is alone. She looks around nervously and then grabs a large branch. She hides behind a big tree trunk and waits. She hears the cop coming. As he nears her his steps slow.)
Cop: Come out come out wherever you are. I promise I won’t hurt you. I just want to talk. (Leah exhales silently and waits. The cop comes even with the tree. She counts to three and then swings at his arm, knocking the gun away. She hits him across the face. They continue to fight. The branch breaks as Leah misses and knocks it against a tree instead. Leah backs away looking for a weapon. He approaches her and puts his hands around her neck. He lifts her off the ground about a foot. Suddenly there is a gunshot. The cop lets Leah down and she collapses to the ground. He moves his hand to his back and when he brings it back there is blood. He turns around and there is Beki, wounded but not dead. Beki raises the gun one more time and shoots the cop in the head. Leah stands weakly and tears fill her eyes. She runs up to support Beki and help her out of the woods. They make it back to the interstate and flag down a car. The mechanic pulls up beside them.)
Mechanic: Damn girls, do yall know what it means to relax? (The girls get in the car silently.) So where are your friends? (Still no answer)What exactly happened. You look like you’ve been to hell and back. (The girls both get out cigarettes and light them.) You really should quit those. They’re gonna kill you, ya know. (Beki turns to stare coldly at the mechanic. She readjusts the shirt she is holding against her wound so that the mechanic sees then she looks back up, takes a drag and blows it at him. As the camera pulls away she leans her head against the seat and sleeps.)
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