SUPERSTITIONS: THE CURSE OF THE MANY KILLERS

by

David Sumner
 "SUPERSTITIOUS"

NIGHTMARE SEQUENCE

We see flashes of various occult symbols. Burning candles, and a weird symbol chalked out
on a hardwood floor. There is a flash of light.

CUT TO:

INT OF HIGH SCHOOL CLASS

A young girl, CINDERBLOCK, yes it’s a strange name for a young girl, wakes up. We
realize it was her dream. She looks around at the students giggling and smirking at her while
the teacher, MRS MASTERSON, looks offended. Also in the class are OHRI NOCO,
CINDER’s best friend, who sits next to her and RENNY PROST, CINDER’s boy best
friend, who sits behind her. OHRI looks at Cinder sympathetically.

MRS. MASTERSON
I don’t much appreciate having one of my students
disrespect me and the rest of the class like you’re
doing.

CINDER
I’m sorry I didn’t get very much sleep last night.

MRS. MASTERSON
Hey, we all have things in our lives but that doesn’t
make it okay to disrupt the rest class. Does it?

CINDER
No, I guess not.

MRS. MASTERSON
You guess not or you know not?

Renny grimaces in response to this bullshit.

CINDER
No, I’m sorry.

RENNY
Well, actually her sleeping wasn’t really disrupting
the class; it was you telling her how bad sleeping
was that disrupted the class. Now maybe if she had
been snoring-

MRS. MASTERSON
Mr. Prost.
Parts of the class giggle. Cinder looks back at him nervous as to how this will play out.

RENNY
Yes, sir.

MRS. MASTERSON
With how bad your test scores have been lately I
hardly think you should be worrying about anyone
other than yourself.

RENNY
It’s just that it’s not Cinderblock’s fault, I mean
your lecture is so boring.

At this point several students laugh. Cinders looks amazed in a good way.

MRS. MASTERSON
Get out! Go to the principal’s office right now.

The class goes quiet now. Renny gets up and starts walking towards the door. As he passes
Cinder he winks at her. She is very pleased that he stood up for her. He goes out the door.
We hear the sound of an end of class bell ringing.

CUT TO:

INT OF HIGHSCHOOL HALL

Ohri and Cinder are walking down the hall among many other students now that class has
ended. They are walking towards the cafeteria and talking.

OHRI
Wasn’t that just the sweetest thing ever? The way
he was sticking up for you.

CINDER
Yeah, I feel kind of guilty that he got sent to the
office.

OHRI
It was like a sacrifice that he made for you. His
cross to bear, it’s sweet.

CINDER
He is extremely cool.

OHRI
You guys would be so right for each other.
 CINDER
I think so, but he just wants to be friends. That’s
really horrible when a guy says that.

OHRI
Have you ever asked him, if he wanted to maybe
take things further?

CINDER
No, but I’ve certainly left plenty of hints.

OHRI
Guys are fucking clueless. You’re going to have to
hold up a big ass sign that says, “Renny, I want to
jump your bones.”

Cinder laughs out loud. Just then, Cinder collides with DELILAH. DELILAH is also a
senior in high school who has a lot of fun picking on Cinder and her friends. Delilah gets
angry at Cinder.

DELILAH
Watch where you’re going, Pavement!

CINDER
Sorry.

OHRI
You don’t have to apologize to her.

DELILAH
She ran into me, it’s her fault.

OHRI
You don’t have to act like such a bitch about it.

DELILAH
First off, don’t use that word. Second, you guys are
shy, whiny, losers, I’m one of the cool people ergo
if we have a collision it’s your fault.

Delilah walks away. Cinder breathes a sigh of relief while Ohri shakes her head. They start
walking again.

CINDER
Wow, I totally showed her. She’ll think twice
before messing with me again.

OHRI
 Just forget her. It sucks that she’s working on that
science project with Renny. I feel so sorry for him.

CINDER
She’s probably spending more time with him than I
am.

OHRI
He doesn’t even like her.

CINDER
Nobody likes her, she’s too popular.

CUT TO:

INT OF CAFETERIA

Cinder is standing in line with her food tray. Another student, BILLY LAMOTE, sees her
and excitedly gets in line next to her. They walk along, with their trays sliding on the lunch
counter and talking.

BILLY
Hey, Cindy.

CINDER
Oh, hi, um.

BILLY
Billy.

CINDER
Right, I’m sorry, I’m so bad with names.

BILLY
That’s okay; Billy isn’t quite so easy to remember
as Cinderblock. How come your parents named you
that?

It is obvious that he is attracted to Cinder although he is not very smooth.

CINDER
My parents thought it would be funny to name their
kids after inanimate objects. My brother is named
Sledgehammer and if I had a sister she would be
named Wristwatch.
 BILLY
(Laughing)
That’s funny. You know, over in France, they have
this agency that
(MORE)
 BILLY (CONT'D)
checks out birth certificates for names and if they
don’t approve of the name a child is given they can
reject it and force the parents to come up with a
conventional name.

CINDER
Seriously? That’s wild.

At this point they have now reached the end of the lunch counter. They start going separate
ways.

CINDER
See you later.

BILLY
Bye.

Cinder and Billy walk in opposite directions. Cinder walks through the cafeteria to the table
that Renny and Ohri are sitting at. Cinder sits down at the table and they welcome her.

CINDER
Hey, did you get into much trouble with the
principal?

RENNY
Not really, I just had to make a lame apology. Mrs.
Masterson is a fucking psycho.

CINDER
Maybe, but I don’t want you getting into trouble
over me.

RENNY
Come on, you’d do the same for me.

CINDER
No I wouldn’t.

RENNY
Well... you should. (He looks off to the side of
Cinder) Ally and Matt are coming over.

Cinder looks over her shoulder and sees ALLY and MATT, two overweight Goths, walking
towards them. She turns back towards Renny with a grimace on her face.

CINDER
Not them.
Ally and Matt are now up to the table.

MATT
(In a dull monotone)
Will you guys sign our petition?

ALLY
We’re tired of the same old menu so we’re holding
a petition to get raw pig’s blood put on the drinks.

Renny, Ohri, and Cinder all look dumbfounded. Ohri slides her tray away in an apparent
loss of appetite.

RENNY
You want pig’s blood as an alternative?

MATT
Yeah.

RENNY
Why?

ALLY
We thought it would be really funny if we gave this
petition to the school board. They are going to
totally freak when they see how many signatures we
got. All their
precious little honor students want to drink pig’s
blood.

CINDER
I think they’ll just assume that it’s a prank. I don’t
think they’ll think you were serious.

ALLY
You don’t get to say anything; you
(MORE)
ally (Cont'd)
didn’t even know what the Rocky Horror Picture
Show was.

CINDER
(Stumbling)
Well, uh, no, I guess not.

RENNY
Don’t be such a conformist, not everyone has to like
the same stuff you do.

Delilah walks up towards the table. She is standing next to Renny, looking at him and
ignoring everybody else.

DELILAH
So, Renny we’re going to get together tomorrow
night and work on our science project.

RENNY
Okay, whose house are we…

DELILAH
Well, my house would probably be a better
environment, seeing as how neither of my parents
are alcoholics.

RENNY
(Sarcastically)
Good thinking.

DELILAH
When is a good time for you?

RENNY
It doesn’t matter.

DELILAH
Okay, be there at 6.

Delilah turns towards Matt.

DELILAH
Have you been drinking?

MATT
No.
 DELILAH
Oh, well you kind of smell like Renny’s father.

Everybody suddenly looks uncomfortable. Renny let’s out a heavy sigh.

RENNY
Hey, would you like me to bring over some peanut
butter and jelly sandwiches.

DELILAH
I’m allergic to peanut butter.

RENNY
I know.

Cinder and Ohri giggle. Ally and Matt are just observing. Delilah lets out a sigh.

DELILAH
I’ll see you tomorrow.

RENNY
Can’t wait.

Delilah walks away from the table.

ALLY
(Smirking)
That was harsh.

RENNY
Yes, that’s what I love about her, she’s a people
person.

ALLY
She’s such an overachieving bitch.

MATT
Yeah, she probably has to got home and listen to
her Britney Spears CDs.

RENNY
What have you got against Britney Spears?

ALLY
You’ve got to be kidding.

RENNY
Really like that, “hit me baby one more time” song.
 ALLY
(Scoffs)
You guys are such total losers.

CINDER
Coming from you that really hurts my feelings.

Renny smiles and looks impressed with her. Ally looks at her with contempt.

ALLY
You better watch yourself, preppie bitch.

CINDER
Or you’ll what, curse me with a spell you picked
out of an Anne Rice novel or something.

ALLY
You keep talking about shit you don’t understand
and you’ll going to be really sorry.

CINDER
Are we done?

ALLY
(To Matt)
Let’s go.

Ally gives Cinder a nasty look as she and Matt walk away. As soon as they leave Cinder
turns to Renny and lets out a deep sigh of relief.

RENNY
I was actually going to sign their petition.

OHRI
Hey girl, I am so proud of you.

CINDER
I must be crazy.

OHRI
I‘m proud of you for standing up for yourself.

CINDER
I’m going to die. They’re going to find my body in
a ditch.
 RENNY
Don’t worry; I’ll be with you tonight. I’m sure I can
protect you from Ally, unless she shows up with her
gang.

CINDER
She has a gang?!

RENNY
You didn’t know?

CINDER
No.

RENNY
(Sarcastically)
Well, they’re a bunch of psychos. You better be
careful.

CINDER
Oh god, what am I going to…

She stops when she sees the smirk on Renny’s face.

CINDER
You jerk!

OHRI
That’s mean.

RENNY
Relax; you’re going to be fine. Ally was just
blowing smoke.

CUT TO:

EXT OF CINDER’S HOUSE – AFTERNOON

Cinder walks up the driveway to her front door. She opens the door and goes in.

CUT TO:

INT OF CINDER’S MAIN ROOM

Cinder walks in through the front door carrying a heavy backpack and looking tired. Her
father, Tim, and her mother, Victoria, are there in the main room. Victoria is lying on a
couch watching the TV and Tim is sitting next to her. Cinder walks through the main room
on her way to her room.
 TIM
How was school?

CINDER
Long. I’m going to take a nap now. Would you
please wake me up when Renny gets here?

TIM
Of course.

CINDER
Thank you.

She walks out of the main room and towards hers.

CUT TO:

INT OF CINDER’S ROOM

Cinder kicks off her shoes, drops her backup on the ground, walks over to her bed, and lies
down.

CUT TO:

NIGHTMARE SEQUENCE

We see flashes of the same symbol as in the previous dream.

CUT TO:

INT OF CINDER’S ROOM - NIGHT

Cinder wakes up in the dark room to the startling sound of someone knocking on her door.
She just lies there for a moment staring and spooked out. The knocking continues and she
snaps out of her quick trance.

CINDER
Yes?

TIM
(O.S.)
Honey, Renny’s here.

CINDER
I’ll be down in a minute.

TIM
(O.S)
Okay.
We hear his footsteps walking away as Cinder lets out a heavy sigh.

CUT TO:

INT OF KITCHEN

Cinder walks to the edge of the kitchen and sees Renny playing with her brother,
SLEDGEHAMMER. Cinder smiles and just looks at them. Renny doesn’t notice her at first.

SLEDGEHAMMER
My school’s having a dance and there’s this girl I
want to ask to go with, you got any advice.

RENNY
Well, the important thing is to work the casual
angle. Ask her as
(MORE)
renny (Cont'd)
if you don’t care what she says. Girls really like a
guy with confidence. The more you seem like you
don’t care if you get rejected the less likely you are
to get rejected.

SLEDGEHAMMER
That doesn’t make any sense.

RENNY
I know, but trust me. I know what I’m talking
about.

SLEDGEHAMMER
Okay.

RENNY
You know, sledgehammer-

SLEDGEHAMMER
I prefer to be called “Sledge”.

RENNY
Yes, and Cinderblock prefers to be called “Cindy”.
Now, Sledgehammer, I’m amazed at how quickly
you’ve grown up. I remember the first time I saw
you when your mother brought you home from the
hospital. You were so tiny and now look at you,
getting ready for your first school dance. Makes me
so proud.

CINDER
You’re embarrassing him. That’s my job.

RENNY
You ready to go?

CINDER
Yeah.

CUT TO:

INT OF MAIN ROOM

Renny and Cinder are at the front door. Cinder calls to her parents who are both sitting on
the couch.
 CINDER
Renny and I are going out; we’ll be back in a little
while.

Cinder opens the front door and walks out of it.

VICTORIA
You just make sure to bring her back safe.

RENNY
Don’t worry, she’s in good hands.

TIM
What’s that supposed to mean.

RENNY
(Stammering)
Well, uh, I didn’t mean-

Cinder reaches in, grabs Renny, and pulls him outside. The door closes behind

CINDER
(O.S.)
‘Bye dad!

CUT TO:

INT OF CAR DRIVING - NIGHT

Renny is driving and Cinder is sitting in the passenger seat. They’re not saying anything.

CINDER
I feel like I should say something.

RENNY
What?

CINDER
Don’t know, just something to break up this
uncomfortable silence.

RENNY
I‘m not uncomfortable, are you?

CINDER
I just feel like we should be talking.

RENNY
I can’t think of anything.
 CINDER
You know who’s really good at talking? That kid,
Billy, from history class.

RENNY
Really?

CINDER
(Trying to make Renny jealous)
Yeah, him and I get along great. He’s really
interesting. We have a great rapport.

RENNY
I love that about you, the way you use those big
grown up words like rapport.

CINDER
(Ignoring him)
I think Billy likes me. Maybe he’ll ask me out on a
date.

RENNY
If he did, would you say “yes”?

CINDER
Maybe.

RENNY
He seems kind of like a mama’s boy to me.

Cinder smiles to herself.

CUT TO:

INT OF MALL

Cinder and Renny are walking together in the mall. There are very few people as it is almost
closing time.

CINDER
I guess we have to hurry seeing as how the mall
closes in 10 minutes.

RENNY
I didn’t know it closed at 9:00, I thought it closed at
10:00.
 CINDER
Do you know what you want?

RENNY
I was hoping to browse a little bit. But I guess I
don’t have much time before the security men in
flak jackets come to escort us out with cattle prods.

CINDER
Well, you need to get a gift for your dad; do you
know what he wants?

RENNY
No idea, what do you get for a fifty year old
alcoholic with no job who spends all day sitting on
his ass watching TV.

CINDER
There’s a Sharper Image right there.

RENNY
Cool!

Renny takes off in one direction. Cinder gestures in the opposite way.

CINDER
I’m going to be in this store.

Cinder starts walking in the direction she gestured in.

CUT TO:

INT OF CLOTHING STORE

Cinder is checking out the various shirts hanging. The place is deserted.

LOUDSPEAKER
(O.S.)
The mall is closing now. Would all shoppers please
proceed to the checkout lines.

Cinder stops looking at the shirts and starts heading towards the exit. She walks out of the
store and into the main mall. She looks at the Sharper Image and sees that it’s closed. She
looks around for Renny but can’t see him. Several store lights go out and the mall gets
noticeably darker. She still looks around.

CINDER
Renny?
There is no answer. We hear footsteps coming from behind her. She turns around and sees
Renny walking up to her. Renny is walking differently than before.

CINDER
Hey, there you are. Did you find a gift for your dad?

Renny stops a few feet from her and doesn’t say anything. He just smiles a very creepy
smile at her. Cinder is looks at him oddly.

CINDER
The mall’s pretty much closing, we’d better go.

RENNY
Go?

CINDER
Yes, the mall is closing. We should leave.

RENNY
It’s you.

CINDER
Yes.

RENNY
It’s really you.

CINDER
Renny, you’re acting really weird.

RENNY
I really didn’t think it would work this smashingly
well. But it did, here I am and here you are.

CINDER
Okay, you are seriously freaking me out, whatever
you’re doing it’s not funny. Can we please just
leave before security guards throw us out?

RENNY
I don’t think the old man with the flashlight is going
to be much trouble.

CINDER
(Trying to be funny)
Well, you know he has a whistle too.
 RENNY
You’re a very pretty girl.

CINDER
Uh, thanks.

RENNY
I’ll bet you have to beat the boys off with a bat.

CINDER
Not really.

RENNY
Oh so you just spread ‘em for anybody?

CINDER
What?

RENNY
Don’t think I don’t know about you. Eagerly
inviting boys between your pretty legs.

As he says this he raises his hand to stroke her face. She slaps him hard in the face.

CINDER
(Teary eyed)
Go to hell, you bastard.

RENNY
One of us is going to hell, but it’s not me.

Renny punches her in the face and she falls to the ground. She’s laying on the ground crying
and trying to get a handle on what has just happened. Renny circles her and then kicks her in
the stomach, hard. She gasps hard and looks as if she is going to throw up.

RENNY
You disgusting slut. Time to put you down like the
bitch you are.

Renny quickly kneels down next to her and tries to wrap his hands around her throat. She
scratches and fights but he gets his hands around her throat and starts choking her. She’s
clawing and fighting but can’t loosen his grip. Finally, she goes for his eyes and he’s forced
to let go to protect himself. She uses the opportunity to run into the clothing store and away
from him. By this time he has recovered and has run in after her. He chases her between the
aisles. Loose clothing hits both of them. He has her in his sights, he is the faster runner. He
loses sight of her when she ducks behind some piles of clothing. By the time he gets there
she is gone, hiding somewhere amongst the piles of clothing.
The metal security gate over the entrance starts coming down and the lights go out. Renny
smiles. The gate is now down separating the store from the rest of the mall. Cinder and
Renny are now alone in the dark.

RENNY
It’s just you and me little girl.

Cinder is hiding in one of those circular clothing holders, like a small child. She hears the
sound of clothing hangers being knocked down. She peers through two pairs of pants and
sees Renny ripping hangers off the racks. He is heading towards her direction. She hurries
out the opposite side right before Renny gets to hers and knocks it down. She hides behind
other pieces of clothing. Renny continues ripping down hangers. Cinder grabs a couple of
wire hangers and begins untwisting them.

Renny is randomly ripping down hangers. He is becoming increasingly frustrated.

RENNY
You can’t hide forever, you little slut!

Cinder sticks her head up from the middle of an aisle. Renny sees her and heads towards her.

CINDER
Renny! Please, I just want to talk to you. Why are
you doing this?

Renny doesn’t answer or even break stride as he runs towards her. He goes into the aisle and
she backs away to the other end. As he runs towards her he doesn’t notice that she has
untwisted two hangers tied them between two aisle posts like a trip wire. He does indeed trip
on it and falls face first to the ground. He gets up and is a little bit disoriented. Cinder grabs
a smaller stand and smacks Renny on the side of the head with it. He falls on top of one of
the racks that hold up the clothes and throes it down on the ground with his weight. He just
lies there, barely moving while Cinder is standing over him, holding the rack and
hyperventilating. Renny looks at her with a wide-eyed look of confusion.

RENNY
Cinder? What the hell is going on? Where am I?

Cinder is in shock. She is confused, angry, and heartbroken. Finally the lights come on and a
couple of security guards come in through the back door.

SECURITY GUARD #1
What’s going on? Who’s in here?

The guards run up to Cinder.

SECURITY GUARD #2
Are you okay?
Renny looks scared and confused. Cinder looks bruised, teary-eyed and is still holding the
rack as a defensive weapon.

CUT TO:

INT OF MALL- LATER

Cinder is sitting on a couch while an E.M.T. looks at her. She is holding an ice pack to her
face. Renny is handcuffed and being questioned by a cop. There are a few cops and security
guards scattered around. Cinder looks at Renny as he looks at her. Their eyes meet and he
looks conflicted and confused. Cinder’s parents walk into the area and see her. They run to
Cinder and Victoria puts her hand on Cinder’s shoulder.

VICTORIA
Are you okay?

CINDER
Yeah.

VICTORIA
What happened?

CINDER
Renny and I had come here and it was almost
closing time. And he came at me and he said really
nasty things and he tried to kill me.

TIMOTHY
What?!

CINDER
Yeah, he punched me right in the face and tried to
strangle me.

VICTORIA
Why?!

CINDER
I don’t know. He was completely different. After I
hit him on the head with this metal pole thingy he
looked at me like he couldn’t remember what
happened.

Timothy let’s out a deep sigh and walks over to where Renny is. The cops notice him and
move so that they could get in his way if they needed to.
 TIMOTHY
What the hell did you do, Renny?! We invited you
into our home, I let you baby-sit Sledge.

RENNY
Mr. Watson, I swear to god, I have no idea what
happened, one minute I’m looking at crappy
gadgets to get my dad and the next I’m lying on the
floor with your daughter standing over me. I would
never let anything happen to her much less hurt her
myself, I swear.

TIMOTHY
Well, you’re not coming anywhere near my
daughter again. You come near my family and I’ll
kill you.

POLICE OFFICER
Please step aside sir.

Renny looks like he’s about to cry. The officers start leading him away. Timothy does not
interfere. Cinder sees Renny being walked out of the mall. Their eyes meet briefly.

CUT TO:

INT OF CINDER’S ROOM – THE NEXT DAY

Cinder is lying on her bed staring at the ceiling. There is a knock at the door.

CINDER
Who is it?

OHRI
(O.S.)
It’s me.

CINDER
Come in.

The door opens and Ohri steps in.

OHRI
Hi.

CINDER
Hi.
 OHRI
How are you doing?

CINDER
Well, let’s see, my best friend in the whole world,
we’ve been friends since kindergarten, and he called
me a slut and tried to kill me.

OHRI
Why?

CINDER
I have no idea. He just changed and he wasn’t the
same guy.

OHRI
Maybe he’s crazy, you know schizophrenic or
something.

CINDER
Well, afterwards he did say that he blacked out, but
he has never done this before. He’s never had
blackouts before. This doesn’t make any sense.

OHRI
Are you coming to school tomorrow?

CINDER
Yeah, what else am I going to do?

OHRI
That’s great; Billy and I could use your help on that
project after school.

CINDER
Right, I remember saying I was going to do that.
That seems like a long time ago.

OHRI
You want me to sleep over?

CINDER
(She breaks down)
Well, seeing as how you’re the only friend I have
left…

Ohri swoops in and hugs her. Cinder is crying.

 CINDER
I just don’t get why this happened. I loved him.

CUT TO:

INT OF HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

The hallway is full of students going to their classes. Cinder walks up to one of the lockers,
and starts working the combination on the lock. Ally and Matt walk up to her.

ALLY
Hey, nice shiner you got there. I hear your
boyfriend’s in jail for it.

CINDER
He’s not my boyfriend.

ALLY
See, that’s great that you get out of an abusive
relationship. Remember, you can do better.

CINDER
Go to hell.

ALLY
Somebody’s upset. Did you mouth off to him like
that?

Cinder has opened her locker and pulled out a book. She slams the locker shut and walks
away from Ally.

ALLY
Maybe you just bring out the crazy in people.

Cinder keeps walking and doesn’t look back.

CUT TO:

INT OF CLASSROOM – AFTER SCHOOL

Cinder, Ohri, and Billy are working on some artwork for their history project. The project
involves making a diagram of the battle of Yorktown. The land portion of the battle has little
toy soldiers representing the French and American forces on one side and the British troops
fighting with their backs to the sea on the other side. Cinder places the last artillery cannon
on the field.

CINDER
What else do we need?
 OHRI
I think that’s it. We’re done.

BILLY
With this part, we still need to show the French
ships blocking Cornwallis’ escape.

OHRI
Later, I’m tired, I want to go home.

CINDER
Me too.

BILLY
Okay, let’s put this away. My mom’s coming to
pick me up soon.

OHRI
My mom’s coming soon, too. Oh wait, no she’s not,
I drive.

Cinder laughs and Billy shakes his head.

BILLY
You calling me a mama’s boy?

OHRI
Hey, lots of kids still need rides to school, there’s
no shame in it.

She chokes back laughter as she says this last bit. Billy throws his backpack on.

BILLY
Whatever.

CINDER
I’m leaving now. Who’s closing up the room?

BILLY
I‘ll walk out with you, Ohri’ll close up.

CINDER
Is that okay?

OHRI
(Suggestively)
That’s fine; you two enjoy your walk.
Cinder rolls her eyes.

CUT TO:

INT OF HALLWAY

Cinder and Billy are walking down a hallway together.

BILLY
I’m sorry about what happened with you and your
friend.

CINDER
Oh…yeah…thanks.

BILLY
Just out of all curiosity…what did happen?

CINDER
I don’t know.

BILLY
How can you not know?

CINDER
(Snappy)
I just don’t know. Look, I really don’t want to talk
about this, ok?

BILLY
(Defensive)
Sorry.

Billy and Cinder continue walking. They are now both uncomfortable and don’t know how
to continue.

CINDER
I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to snap at you.

BILLY
That’s ok. If you ever do need someone to talk to…

CINDER
Thank you.

Billy nods his head and Cinder looks down and away.
 CUT TO:

EXT OF SCHOOL ENTRANCE – LATE AFTERNOON

Billy’s mother, Melinda, is at the entrance. She greets Billy and Cinder. Her car is parked
several feet away at the curb of the student pick up area.

MELINDA
Hey honey.

Melinda brushes a stray lock of hair off of Billy’s forehead then turns to Cinder.

MELINDA
Oh, who’s this lovely young woman?

Billy turns to Cinder to introduce her to his mother.

BILLY
Mom, this is a friend of mine, Cinder. Cinder, this
is my mother.

CINDER
Nice to meet you.

Cinder shakes Melinda’s hand. Melinda holds onto Cinder’s hand and smiles.

MELINDA
So, this is the Cinder. Billy’s told me so much
about you.

CINDER
(Jokingly)
I deny everything.

Melinda keeps smiling, doesn’t let go of Cinder’s hand, and doesn’t laugh.

MELINDA
Yes, Billy showed me a picture of you, but I must
say, you are much prettier in person.

BILLY
Uh…Mom?

Cinder pulls her hand away.

MEDLINDA
Oh, don’t be embarrassed Billy. She’s probably
used to it by now. I’m sure you have broken quite
 a few hearts, haven’t you? Not planning to break
my Billy’s, are you?

Cinder shakes her head.

CINDER
Not really.

Cinder starts to turn away.

BILLY
Hey mom, I’m going to walk Cindy to her car. I’ll
be right back.

MELINDA
Oh, didn’t I raise such a perfect young gentleman?

Melinda pats Billy’s head.

BILLY
(Embarrassed)
Mom…

MELINDA
Okay…I’ll wait in the car. Good to know you,
Cindy.

Billy walks Cinder to her car as Melinda gets into her own.

CINDER
You showed her my picture?

BILLY
I was looking through last year’s yearbook, that’s
all. I’m sorry about my mother.

CINDER
She seems a little…

BILLY
Daffy?

CINDER
Well, it seemed kind of rude to say it.
 BILLY
Once you get to know her, she’s alright. When my
dad died a couple of years ago, she took it kind of
hard. She’s like super protective of me now.

CINDER
I’m sorry…about your dad.

They arrive at Cinder’s car.

CINDER
See you later.

BILLY
Later.

Billy walks away. Cinder gets in her car.

CUT TO:

EXT OF GAS STATION

Cinder’s car pulls up next to one of the pumps.

CUT TO:

INT OF GAS STATION STORE

Cinder walks in and goes towards the back area. She grabs a Gatorade out of a refrigerator.

DELILAH
(O.S.)
Hello.

Cinder turns around and sees Delilah, standing with a jumbo sized bag of Doritos. Cinder is
surprised to see her.

CINDER
Hello?

DELILAH
Have you talked to Renny, yet?

CINDER
What?
 DELILAH
I talked to him, in jail, last night. He feels bad about
what happened the other night even though he has
no idea what happened. What did happen?

CINDER
How is that any business of yours?

DELILAH
Well, um, he is my partner. That science project
isn’t done yet. Seeing as how you’re the one who
put him in jail, I figure you could tell me what
happened.

CINDER
Even if I wanted to talk about it, which I don’t, I
wouldn’t talk to you.

DELILAH
Why not, I’m a pretty good listener. And come on,
it’s not like you have that many people to talk to.

CINDER
Do you ever think anything you don’t say?

DELILAH
Actually, you’d be surprised at how many people
find my bluntness appealing.

CINDER
I’m not one of them. So the next time you’re
thinking of offering your opinion, why don’t you
just assume that I don’t care.

DELILAH
God, just ‘cause you have one doesn’t mean you
have to be one.

CINDER
I’m leaving now.

Delilah closes her eyes and when she opens them she looks like a different person. She has
just been possessed by whoever possessed Renny. Cinder walks away, oblivious to what has
happened. Possessed Delilah eyes her with malice.

CUT TO:
EXT OF GAS STATION

Cinder is standing next to her car holding the gas pump. Possessed Delilah walks up to the
pump on opposite side of Cinder. She’s whistling “Time is on my side” as she slides up next
to Cinder and kicks her in the stomach. She falls backward.

CINDER
What the hell?!

POSSESSED DELILAH
Don’t make this difficult. Get it through your thick
head!

Possessed Delilah walks up to Cinder and starts kicking her in the stomach as she lies on
the.

POSSESSED DELILAH
This world…(kick) is better off (kick) without you
in it! (kick)

Cinder is reeling on the ground gasping for air. Possessed Delilah takes off her belt makes it
into a loop and throws it around Cinder’s neck choking her. Cinder grabs the belt, turns, and
kicks Possessed Delilah. Possessed Delilah goes down. Cinder takes off towards an alley
way, and while she’s running she removes the belt from around her neck. Possessed Delilah
runs into her car and turns the ignition.

Cinder is running down the alley as the car being driven by Possessed Delilah starts
barreling in after her. There is a trash can in front of a yellow concrete post about forty feet
in front of Cinder. Above this is a retracted fire escape ladder attached to the side of the
building. Cinder is running towards the garbage can as the car gains on her. Possessed
Delilah is grinning maniacally as she floors the gas.

DELILAH
Time to die, you little whore!

Cinder reaches the garbage can and using it to give her height jumps up and grabs the
bottom rung of the fire escape ladder and pulls her legs up above the car right as the car
crashes into the yellow post. The car comes to a full stop underneath Cinder. Cinder loses
her grip on the ladder and falls on top of the car. She is lying on the hood of the car, bruised
and exhausted. She looks through the window and sees that Delilah is unconscious. Cinder
breathes a sigh of relief and rests her head on the windshield.

Suddenly, the retractable ladder falls down. Cinder screams as the ladder comes down
towards her. Cinder’s head is between the ladder’s two prongs as the ladder impacts the
windshield. The windshield cracked but held together. The ladder’s bottom rung is less than
an inch away from Cinder’s eyes. She is physically uninjured by the falling ladder but
scared shitless.
The car door opens Delilah, not possessed anymore, stumbles out. She looks at Cinder with
utter confusion. Cinder slides out from under the ladder and gets into a defensive position
behind her car.

DELILAH
What the hell is going on?

CINDER
You tried to crush me, with the fucking car!

DELILAH
I did not.

CINDER
Did too!

DELILAH
Did not!

CINDER
Did too!

DELILAH
Did not! Last thing I remember was you being rude
to me in the store and then I’ve got this really bad
headache.

CINDER
You’ve got to be kidding me.

DELILAH
I seriously don’t remember anything.

CINDER
You stay the hell away from me.

DELILAH
Seriously, I don’t remember trying to hurt you.

CINDER
Seriously, you come near me and I’ll kill you.

DELILAH
Okay, you obviously are just a little bit on edge, so
I’m just going to go home now. Maybe we can talk
at school when you’ve had a chance to calm down.
Delilah turns around and walks back towards her car. Cinder looks at her with horrified
astonishment.

CUT TO:

EXT OF DELILAH’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Detective BRYAN SARNIER pounds on the front door of Delilah’s house. The door opens
and Delilah looks at him.

DELILAH
Who are you?

BRYAN SARNIER
I’m detective Sarnier. I wanted to ask you some
questions.

CUT TO:

INT OF CINDER’S HOUSE – THE NEXT DAY

Cinder is sitting on a couch with Tim, her father, sitting next to her. They are in the living
room. Detective Sarnier is sitting in a chair across from them. Victoria is sitting in another
chair off to the side. Cinder looks more bruised and has a circular bruise around her neck.

DETECTIVE SARNIER
So I talked to Ms. Malder and she denies
everything, she says that she saw you in the gas
station,
that you and she talked, that she then left and that
was it.

Cinder and her parents let out a heavy sigh of angst.

TIMOTHY
Well, you’re still going to charge her, right?

DETECTIVE SARNIER
We have no evidence that corroborates your story.

CINDER
What?! She tried to kill me! She fucking chocked
me! She tried to crush me with my car!

DETECTIVE SARNIER
I’m afraid it’s just your word against hers. There’s
no surveillance footage of that area of the gas
 station and no physical evidence that you didn’t
crash the car yourself.

CINDER (ON THE VERGE OF TEARS)

What about my neck, what about fingerprints, or
forensic evidence like on that Goddamn CSI show!?
Why would I make this up?

Cinder’s parents are angry and Detective Sarnier looks like he would rather be anywhere
else.

DETECTIVE SARNIER
I’m just trying to explain why there’s not enough
for the DA to prosecute.

TIMOTHY
This is bullshit!

DETECTIVE SARNIER
I talked to Delilah and she really seemed to be
telling the truth and we also looked at your medical
records and that you have a family history of mental
illness.

TIMOTHY
Are you talking about my Uncle Esther? It’s not his
fault they considered gender confusion a mental
disease back in the 60s.

Cinder storms off in a huff. Timothy and Victoria look at her as she leaves then Victoria
refocuses on the Detective.

VICTORIA
This is insane. My daughter is not crazy!

DETECTIVE SARNIER
Look, we’re still investigating, and you can easily
get a restraining order.

VICTORIA
Oh we will, and we’re going to get an attorney and
we’re gonna sue your ass!

She storms of to go after Cinder. Timothy stays behind with Detective Sarnier.

CUT TO:

INT OF KITCHEN
Cinder is standing over the counter and hyperventilating. Her mother comes into the kitchen
and starts to put her arm around Cinder. Cinder motions that she doesn’t want to be touched,
so Victoria backs off.

CINDER
I just can’t understand why this is happening.
Renny was my friend and now Delilah; it just
doesn’t make any sense.

She kicks the cabinet.

VICTORIA
I don’t understand it either. Sometimes the people
we think we know just aren’t who we thought they
were.

CINDER
It’s the strangest thing though. It didn’t seem like
Renny or even Delilah when they attacked me.
They seemed like somebody else, both of them
seemed like they were
(MORE)
 CINDER (CONT'D)
the same person, like they were possessed or
something.

Victoria doesn’t know how to respond. They hear the front door close and look towards the
living room where Timothy is coming from. Timothy walks into the kitchen.

TIMOTHY
He’s gone

VICTORIA
Good

TIMOTHY
Listen, the cop told me that Renny posted bail
yesterday, so he’s back with his father now.

Victoria lets out a deep sigh. Cinder walks out of the kitchen. Her parents watch her leave
and then look at each other.

CUT TO:

INT OF OHRI’S HOUSE AND ROOM – EARLY EVENING

Cinder and Ohri are lying on Ohri’s bed watching TV. Ohri looks at Cinder. She is nervous
and curious.

OHRI
So, you feeling okay, really?

CINDER
I’m fine. I just had two people try to kill me for no
discernable reason other than that I’m good.

OHRI
Yeah, that does kinda suck.

They both go quiet again and stare at the television. There is a knock on the door.

OHRI
Come in.

The door opens. Mrs. Noco is there. She has a plateful of rice krispie treats.

MRS. NOCO
I made rice krispie treats, do you girls want some?
Ohri takes one. Cinder passes.

CINDER
No, thank you.

MRS. NOCO
I just want you to know that you are welcome here
whenever.

CINDER
Thank you.

MRS NOCO
If you need anything, tell me.

CINDER
Thank you, I will.

Mrs. Noco leaves the room and closes the door behind her. Ohri chomps into her square.

CINDER
I’m not looking forward to school. Both Renny and
Delilah are going to be there. Plus all the other kids
are going to be weird around me. Everything’s just
so screwed up. I can’t understand why Renny did it.

OHRI
You know, in Scream, Neve Campbell’s boyfriend
turned out to be the killer, you know.

CINDER
And what? Him and Delilah are in cahoots, or
something. Renny can’t stand Delilah.

OHRI
It does seem kind of farfetched.

CINDER
Well if you think that’s farfetched.

OHRI
What?

CINDER
Well, it seemed like Renny and Delilah were the
same person. Like they were somebody else. Like
somebody was possessing them.
 OHRI (LAUGHS)
That’s crazy.

CINDER
Are you saying I’m crazy?

OHRI
No, I’m saying the idea is crazy. Possession that’s
just in the movies. It’s not real.

The phone rings. Ohri leans over and picks it up off the night stand and answers it.

OHRI
Hello? It’s for you.

Cinder takes the phone. Ohri mentally kicks herself for not asking who it was.

CINDER
Hello?

DELILAH
I wanted to talk to you about yesterday.

CINDER
Delilah?

DELILAH
I really don’t remember what happened after us
talking in the store.

CINDER
(Interrupting her)
Let me refresh your memory. You tried to kill me.

DELILAH
I swear. All I remember is waking up in the car.

CINDER
You liar, you told the detective you weren’t in my
car at all.

DELILAH
Well, yeah. I don’t really feel like going to jail for
something I don’t remember doing. Besides, what
motive would I have?
 CINDER
You’ve always hated me, ever since middle school.

DELILAH
I never hated you, I just didn’t like you. You’re
obnoxious, whiny, petulant, and pathetic, but if I
was going to kill somebody just for that, there’d be
a whole fuckin’ load of dead people at our high
school.

CINDER
Go to hell.

Cinder shuts off the phone and clenches it tightly in anger. She then hands it to Ohri, who is
looking sheepish.

OHRI
I really should’ve asked who it was. What did she
want?

CINDER
She was trying to convince me that she was
innocent.

OHRI
Did she?

Cinder just looks at her.

CUT TO:

INT OF CINDER’S HOUSE – SAME NIGHT

Cinder walks into her room, sets her purse and tosses her keychain onto her dresser. The
keychain falls behind her dresser and Cinder lets out an annoyed sigh. Cinder walks out of
her room and into the kitchen and there she sees her father clutching his head. She sits down
on a stool.

CINDER
Where’s mom?

TIMOTHY
She went out to the library.

CINDER
Are you all right?
He is still holding his head.

TIMOTHY
Just feeling a little woozy.

He sits down on a stool with his back facing her.

CINDER
Are you sure you’re all right?

Timothy slowly turns around and faces Cinder. On his face is an evil grin. The way he’s
looking at Cinder reminds her of how both Renny and Delilah looked when they attacked
her. Cinder turns pale when she realizes that her father is now possessed.

POSSESSED TIMOTHY
Oh, I’m just fine, sweetheart. Why don’t you just
wait right here. There’s something daddy wants to
show you.

Possessed Timothy saunters out of the kitchen and into the bedroom. Cinder stands up and
rushes towards her room. She enters her room and looks inside her purse. She doesn’t find
what she’s looking for. Then she looks towards the dresser. She rushes to the dresser and
tries to reach behind it for her keys. The space is to narrow. She exerts force on the dresser
in an attempt to move it. It doesn’t budge. She is panicking as she tries again to move the
dresser and this time she exerts so much force that the dresser falls on her bed. Drawers fall
out and clothes go on the floor. She quickly grabs her keys and turns to leave but standing
there, blocking her way is her possessed father.

POSSESSED TIMOTHY
Well, look at this mess.

CINDER
I was trying to get my keys from behind the dresser
and I accidentally tipped it over.

POSSESSED TIMOTHY
I guess you have to be punished.

Possessed Timothy pulls out a handgun from behind his back and points it at Cinder. Cinder
is, understandably, terrified by this.

CINDER
Dad no!

POSSESSED TIMOTHY
Spare the rod, spoil the child.
Possessed Timothy squeezes the trigger but the gun doesn’t fire. He pulls it back to check on
it. The safety is on. He flicks it off. Cinder quickly grabs a softball nearby and slams into
Possessed Timothy’s face. He clutches his face and she uses that to jump over the dresser
and push him with all her force. He goes down in the doorway and she is carried by
momentum into the kitchen. Cinder lands on her face but quickly gets up and runs towards
the kitchen exit. Possessed Timothy is on his knees as he aims the gun at Cinder and fires.
She barely gets around the kitchen doorway and narrowly misses being hit. She runs to the
front door and quickly unlocks it, opens it, and runs outside.

CUT TO:

EXT OF HOUSE

Cinder runs to her car and has to unlock the door. She unlocks the door with her keys, opens
it, and gets into her car.

CUT TO:

INT OF CAR

Cinder sticks her key into the ignition and starts the engine. She immediately puts the car
into reverse and backs out of her driveway so fast she hits her neighbor’s mailbox. She then
puts the car into drive right as she notices her possessed father at the front door with the gun
in his hand. She immediately accelerates.

Possessed Timothy shoots at Cinder’s car as she drives away. Her side window shatters. Her
car turns the corner and speeds out of harm’s way.

CUT TO:

EXT OF RENNY’S HOUSE – LATER THAT NIGHT

Cinder walks up to Renny’s front door. There is a loud television going on inside. She
hesitates before knocking on the door. We hear the voice of JAMES PROST, Renny’s
father, from inside the house.

JAMES
I need you to answer the door! Renny! There’s
somebody at the goddamn door!

RENNY
Why don’t you talk louder I don’t think the whole
neighborhood heard you.

The door opens and Renny stands there. He looks at Cinder with surprise and is obviously
nervous.
 CINDER
Hey.

RENNY
Hi.

CINDER
How are you doing?

RENNY
Fine, how are you?

CINDER
Oh, um, my father just tried to kill me.

RENNY
Oh, I’m sorry. Do you know why?

CINDER
I think he was possessed by some kind of demon or
poltergeist.

RENNY
That sucks.

CINDER
Can I come in?

RENNY
Sure.

He moves out of the way. Cinder inters the house.

INT OF RENNY’S HOUSE

Renny’s house is dark, illuminated mostly by the TV in the main room. Jim Prost, Renny’s
father, is an overweight, older man lying on the couch watching the TV. The channel is Fox
news. The house is messy with magazines and clothes strewn everywhere. Jim turns around
to look at Cinder.

CINDER
Hello, Mr. Prost.

JIM
Hey, Cindy right?

CINDER
Cinder.
 JIM
Cinder, what are you doing here?

CINDER
I wanted to talk with Renny.

JIM
Didn’t you say he tried to kill you?

CINDER
Not really. I’m not pressing charges or anything.

Jim goes back to watching TV.

JIM
Okay then.

Renny shrugs and leads Cinder to his room.

INT OF RENNY’S ROOM

Renny leads Cinder into his room and closes the door to block out the sounds of the TV.
Cinder sits down on the bed. Renny sits next to her.

RENNY
I just want to say again how sorry I am. I swear I
had no idea what I was doing; I can’t remember a
thing that happened.

CINDER
I believe you. I know this is going to sound crazy,
but I think that someone or something possessed
you, Delilah, and my dad.

RENNY
Okay.

CINDER
While I was being attacked, nobody was acting like
themselves. They were acting like somebody else.
With the way they spoke, moved,
(MORE)
 CINDER (CONT'D)
just totally different. I knew that wasn’t my father
just by the way he looked at me.

RENNY
You know what’s really crazy? I believe you.

CINDER
Really?

RENNY
Back in the mall, it felt like I was going somewhere,
I don’t know how to describe it.

Cinder starts crying. Renny holds out his arms for her and she leans in and he holds her.

CINDER
I can’t understand why the hell this is happening to
me. Why the hell do I have to get caught up in a
goddamn episode of the X-Files? I’m going to die.

RENNY
No.

CINDER
Yes I am. How the hell do I stop whatever the hell
this is?

RENNY
I don’t know but we’re going to figure it out
together. Tomorrow we’ll go to your house and
search the internet until we figure out what this is.

CINDER
No, I can’t go back to my house. I don’t know if my
dad’s still trying to kill me.

RENNY
Okay then we’ll go to the library.

CINDER
Why don’t you have internet? It’s the 21st century
you know.

RENNY
You can blame my dad. He’s getting the social
security checks and it was either internet or cable
TV, and God forbid he not be able to watch the
O’reilly Factor everyday.

CINDER
You can’t come with me, I don’t know if you’re
going to get possessed again.

RENNY
You can’t go alone, what if you bump into
somebody else who is possessed. You need
someone to cover your back.

CINDER
What if both you and Ohri come? Then if one of
you goes evil I’ll still have somebody to help me.

RENNY
That’s a good idea. We should invite Delilah too.
Even though she wasn’t in control she still kinda
owes you.

CINDER
No I hate her. She made fun of me since 6th grade.

RENNY
She’s got a black belt in karate so she could totally
back you up.

CINDER
Yeah, or join in with the person trying to kill me.
Besides, you don’t even like her.

RENNY
Yeah, there is that.

CINDER
Renny, there’s something I have to tell you.

RENNY
What?

CINDER
I love you.

RENNY
I love you too.
 CINDER
Really?

RENNY
Of course, we’ve known each other forever. In fact,
there was something I wanted to ask you a couple of
days ago, but then I got possessed, went evil, and
that kind of fucked up my plans. I wanted to ask
you, um, if you wanted to maybe take our
friendship to the next level. We’ve been friends
forever, right?

CINDER
Right.

RENNY
I think that seeing as how we’ve known each other
since kindergarten and we’ve been so close that
we’re more than friends. When we interact with
other people I don’t want to introduce you as my
best friend because you’re more than that to me.

CINDER
Yes?

RENNY
I was hoping that I could refer to you as my sister.

CINDER
What?

RENNY
Because we really are just like siblings and it’s too
complicated to say to people how long we’ve
known each other you know it’s just easy if we’re
brother and sister. What do you think?

CINDER
Um, okay.

RENNY
Great. That’s awesome. I’m so glad, sis.

Renny turns his head away from her and breathes a sigh of relief. She lets out a silent
expression of extreme frustration. She stops before Renny turns to look at her again.

RENNY
Do you want to spend the night here?
 CINDER
No, I can’t run the risk of you going evil on me. I’ll
sleep alone in my car.

RENNY
Okay, so I’ll meet you tomorrow in the library
around noon?

CINDER
Sure, and I’ll get Ohri to meet us there.

RENNY
Okay?

CINDER
Okay.

Cinder starts to walk out.

RENNY
I promise you, we’re going to get you through this.
No matter what.

CINDER
Thanks.

Cinder leaves his room.

CUT TO:

A FIELD IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE – LATE NIGHT

Cinder’s car is parked. We see Cinder inside, reclining, trying to get to sleep.