"KALIFORNIA"
Screenplay by
Tim Metcalfe
Based on a story by
Stephen Levy and Tim Metcalfe
SHOOTING DRAFT
EXT. - NIGHT
It's raining like hell. Flashes of lightning reveal momentary
glimpses of a decayed urban/industrial landscape. Far below
us, a mysterious glistening wet rock lies engulfed in the
drowning earth. We descend toward the rock. Sporadic flashes
of lightning distort our perspective of the stone. It looks
strangely beautiful, like a diamond stuck in the dark mud...
Closer... Closer...
Suddenly, STRONG MALE HANDS cut across the frame and wrench
it free from its muddy grave. Even closer... And we discover
that the underbelly of this beautiful rock is teeming with
every kind of slithering repulsive insect... FLASH!!*
Lightning obliterates the frame.
(* FLASHES OF LIGHT from lightning, car headlights,
photographic strobe units and flashlights are used throughout
the following sequences as recurring transitional devices.)
CITY STREET EXT. NIGHT
We can barely see the darkened street in a run down part of
an inner city -- what we can see looks half demolished.
Flash!!
Through chain link fencing, the blinding headlights of a
70'S CHEVY arc into frame. For an instant we see the fleeting
image of a PRETTY TEENAGE GIRL. On her feet a pair of bright
red high heeled shoes. The Chevy pulls up next to her.
INT. 70'S CHEVY - NIGHT
FLASH!! An oncoming car's headlights streak across the beat
up Chevy's windshield... revealing... THE DRIVER, 45ish, as
he leans across the passenger seat and opens the car door.
The pretty teenage girl slides into the car. Dressed only in
a skirt and T-Shirt, she's soaked to the skin. Make-up runs
down her face and her hair sticks to her bare shoulders. She
seems nervous... scared even.
PRETTY TEENAGE GIRL
Thanks.
As she closes the car door the man notices that her hand has
been injured. It's bound with coarse white toweling and
stained with blood. In her other hand, she clings tightly to
a cheap yellow leather purse. He reaches forward and puts
his hand on the gear-shift, the back of his hand brushing
against her leg, she moves away. He slides the gear-shift
into drive.
Another car's headlights flare the windshield as he pulls
out into the night.
INT. ROOFLESS OLD WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Suddenly... a powerful photographic strobe light ignites!
Revealing a decrepit warehouse interior. Silhouetted briefly
against the paint chipped walls are two figures: A man, BRIAN
KESSLER, 25, short chopped hair dressed in black on black,
and a woman, CARRIE LAUGHLIN, 25, short black hair and tight
black clothes. Carrie holds a 35mm still camera, an umbilical
cord runs to a strobe light. Brian holds a flashlight in one
hand, a tape recorder in the other. He begins speaking into
the tape recorder.
BRIAN
Her father worked the night shift
here. Most nights he'd bring her
with him.
(pause)
She was eleven years old.
His flashlight scans the ominous environment. Carrie takes
flash photo.
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - NIGHT
Emerging from the blackness... The same strong male hands
that unearthed the rock now pulls his rain soaked jacket
clear of his torso. A crude bandage wrapped around one of
the fingers. The rock is slipped up under his jacket... up
against his bare chest. The jacket is pulled down to conceal
the rock and the faceless figure drifts away.
INT. ROOFLESS OLD WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
The beam of Brian's flashlight sweeps through the darkness,
revealing another room.
BRIAN
This is it. This is the where he'd
take her whenever he had the urge to
molest her.
The flashlight finds the corner in question. Flash!! The
warehouse lights up again, revealing a huge machine room.
BRIAN
Of course! Nobody would have heard
her cries over the noise of the
machines.
INT. 70'S CHEVY - NIGHT
A male hand wipes the steamy condensation clear of his car's
front window. The windshield wipers swipe incessantly at the
constant sheet of rain beyond.
DRIVER
Damn! This defroster never works...
The driver fidgets blindly with the various levers and knobs.
He finally manages to get the defroster and heater to work.
The girl leans forward into the stream of warm air.
PRETTY TEENAGE GIRL
...Mmm... feels good.
She closes her eyes, lets it blow across her face. He watches
her. His eyes linger on her body.
DRIVER
Have a problem with your car?
She pulls her wet hair off her bruised face and gives him a
nervous smile.
PRETTY TEENAGE GIRL
No.
(beat)
My problem's with men.
He throws a curious look at her, then back to the highway.
INT. ROOFLESS OLD WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Brian's flashlight moves around the room.
BRIAN
This is where she murdered her first
victim. They found his body over in
the corner, shot through the head.
The flashlight continues to search through the darkness.
BRIAN
They found her second victim over
there.
Another flash!!!!!
INT. 70'S CHEVY
Very close on the girl's yellow purse... as the metal zipper
is pulled open. The driver notices her opening the purse.
PRETTY TEENAGE GIRL
Okay if I smoke?
DRIVER
(unconvincingly)
...sure.
The driver watches as she reaches into the purse... out a
soggy pack of matches. She looks at them... I look to the
driver.
PRETTY TEENAGE GIRL
My matches are all wet. You got a
lighter?
DRIVER
(scans the dashboard)
Yeah. It's here somewhere. It's my
wife's car. Ah... there it is.
He pushes the cigarette lighter in to heat. Out of the corner
of his eye, he sees the girl's hand slip back in her purse.
And stay there. She stares at the car lighter and... waits.
The driver glances at her, then back to the lighter.
INT. ROOFLESS OLD WAREHOUSE
FLASH!! As another strobe light ignites. Tape recorder hand,
Brian continues...
BRIAN
She lured them here with the promise
of sex.
(beat)
Imagine the anger and hatred she
must have felt returning to this
place. Did she use that to help her
pull the trigger?
Carrie snaps another shot. Flash!! The blinding flash
illuminates the night rain streaming in through the fractured
remains of the ceiling.
CARRIE
Shhhhhhhhh.
Brian stops talking. Carrie scans the darkness. From the
quiet...
A Thunderous Roar!!
INT. 70'S CHEVY - NIGHT
A Blinding Flash!!
As... a semi-trailer crosses paths with the 70'S CHEVY.
Close on the girl. An intent expression on her face as she
watches and waits... for the cigarette lighter to eject. His
hand reaches deeper into her purse. The Driver tenses as he
sees this. Suddenly...
POP!! The lighter ejects.
The Driver reaches for the dash. The girl hurriedly lifts
something out from inside the bag. The Driver yanks the
lighter out... and whips a look to the girl.
INT. ROOFLESS OLD WAREHOUSE
Brian's flashlight sweeps across the shadowed remains of the
rafters and catwalks. Scanning... Listening... Brian and
Carrie glance tentatively at each other... Then slowly Carrie
lifts the portable strobe unit upward until it is pointing
into the rafters. Carrie fires a shot, triggering a brilliant
Flash!!
CUT TO:
Flash! Out of the inky black... The glistening wet rock
emerges, hurtling downwards... Tumbling end over end through
the night rain...
INT. 70'S CHEVY
The girl pulls a pack of cigarettes out of her purse. She
looks curiously to the driver whose hand is trembling
slightly.
PRETTY TEENAGE GIRL
What's the matter?
DRIVER
(unconvincingly)
...nothing.
The girl reaches out, steadies his trembling hand... and
pulls the red hot coil to the cigarette between her lips.
When... in a THUNDEROUS CRASH!! The glistening wet rock comes
smashing through their windshield!!!!
EXT. FREEWAY - NIGHT
The CHEVY brakes... Skids across the rain-slicked pavement
and turns a somersault, landing upside down on its hood.
ANOTHER ANGLE: CLOSER
The CAMERA DRIFTS ACROSS the fractured front end of the
overturned CHEVY. The twisted hunk of metal hisses...
steams... groans. The front tire spins lazily to a halt on
its mangled axle.
IN THE BACKGROUND - HIGH OVERHEAD
We see a man standing on a highway overpass. He's leaning on
the railing and calmly looking down at the wrecked car.
CLOSER
EARLY GRAYCE, 25, athletic build, big watery eyes, jet black
hair, stands by the railing. Rain streaks down his
expressionless face. He dropped the rock.
EARLY'S POV - THE 70'S CHEVY
Lying in the deserted highway. The Driver crawls out covered
with blood. Still clutched in his hand is the car cigarette
lighter. Its red hot coil extinguishing quickly to a faint
glow.
ANGLE: CLOSER ON EARLY
Calmly looking down with no pity. Even closer... Water running
down his face. Closer yet... On his eye... And right into
the dilated pupil.
As we enter it -- it's like being in a dark winding tunnel
filled with the hum of dynamos and the loud rhythmic pumping
of powerful machinery.
FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE BLACKNESS
The distant echo of a Woman's voice.
KIM (O.S.)
Are you dead or alive?
INT. APARTMENT - BRIAN'S EAR - LATER THAT NIGHT
Still hearing the whine from some tremendous dynamo, we emerge
from the inside of BRIAN'S RIGHT EARDRUM, pulling back far
enough to see his face.
KIM (O.S.)
Brian?
Brian is distracted, distant, not paying attention to the
game of "Twenty Questions" that he is playing.
BRIAN
Dead.
KIM (O.S.)
(sarcastic)
Obviously!
NEW ANGLE
A small party in progress. Graduate student types, smoking,
drinking. The usual. Carrie and Brian stand out in this group,
their look is more stylized, their attitude less complacent.
Carrie, in particular, looks restless.
CARL
Man or woman?
BRIAN
Man.
Carrie tunes in and pays attention to the game.
CLAUDIA
Real or fictional.
BRIAN
Real.
CARRIE
Ted Bundy.
Brian's eyes dart to Carrie. The look on his face tells
everyone she nailed it. Brian gets up to get another drink.
Several people laugh, amazed that Carrie knows Brian so well.
CLAUDIA
What a guess!
CARL
Doesn't count, she's disqualified.
CARRIE
Why?
CARL
Because you've been living with him,
and his thesis for the last year and
a half.
(beat)
He's probably been researching Ted
Bundy all week.
PETER
Carl, you are the world's worst loser!
Carl looks over to Carrie. She gives him the finger and a
cheeky smile.
CAROL, sitting next to Carrie, asks...
CAROL
Any word from that gallery?
CARRIE
Not yet.
CAROL
Nervous?
CARRIE
...Apprehensive. Let's not forget
these are the people who banned the
Mapplethorpe show. Anyway,
California's loaded with galleries.
CAROL
(nods toward Brian)
You mean 'Ted Bundy's' finally agreed
to leave?
Carrie watches Brian disappear into another room.
CARRIE
...Soon as he finishes his thesis.
CAROL
Listen, Eric's been "finishing" his
for over three years now.
Carrie lights a cigarette. Her frustration is showing.
CARRIE
Yeah, well Brian's got 'til the end
of the summer, then I'm outta here.
She gets up and begins weaving her way through the crowded
room. Carol follows.
CAROL
I'm sorry, but I just can't see you
veggin' out in LA-LA LAND.
CARRIE
Oh, I don't know... I think that
once I dye my hair blonde, buy a
string bikini and cultivate that
tan... I could be veggin' out with
the best of 'em...
(does a valley-
girl/beach bunny)
Like fer shurr!
Carrie and Carol share a strained laugh.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN - FEW MOMENTS LATER
The room's crowded with people. There's a lot of noise --
"shop talk," banter. Clipped conversations overlap, as we
find Brian with his friend Eric. They are in the midst of
making a blender of margaritas.
BRIAN
I'm talking about the mind and
culpability of a serial killer.
Someone who has no ability to
distinguish between right and wrong
should not be imprisoned, let alone
executed.
Eric dumps in a handful of ice cubes as Brian pours in the
booze.
ERIC
Oh, here we go again. Let's just lay
it all at the altar of misfiring
synapses, amok biochemicals and
horrendous childhoods.
BRIAN
Look, it's a fact, most of these
people suffer from a severe chemical
brain imbalance.
(beat)
That enough Tequila?
ERIC
Probably not...
Brian pours in the rest of the bottle.
BRIAN
(to Eric)
The answer is research and treatment
under hospital supervised conditions,
not the electric chair!
Eric looks for triple sec in the cupboards. PETER overhears
them on his way to the refrigerator.
PETER
Yeah, until it's your mother's head
they find in the refrigerator.
He pulls open the refrigerator door and grabs two beers.
Carrie steps up behind Brian.
BRIAN
Executing the killer wouldn't bring
my mother back.
CARRIE
Thank god!
Brian turns to see Carrie now behind him. She wraps her arms
around his neck.
BRIAN
(sarcastic to Carrie)
Ha, ha.
ERIC
Yeah, but it'd sure make you feel
better, wouldn't it?
BRIAN
No, it wouldn't make me feel better.
Peter finds triple sec in the refrigerator.
PETER
...Looking for this?
Eric takes the triple sec from Peter and pours some in the
blender. He turns it on. It whines.
CARRIE
(to Brian)
If I have to listen to one more
"tweed" talk about his dissertation,
I'm going to throw up.
ERIC
(to Brian)
Label it anyway you want, the bottom
line is these people are evil, plain
and simple.
BRIAN
(continuing with Eric)
Okay, now you want to talk about
good versus evil? Well then let's
start with Adam and Eve and the snake.
CARRIE
Who do I have to blow to get out of
here?
BRIAN
(reconsiders)
A... I gotta go.
EXT. LUCKY STREET GRILL
A relic from the fifties with large glass windows. The rain
has stopped but the streets are still wet. Early's piece of
shit Grand Prix pulls into the lot. He gets out and walks
into the diner.
INT. DINER - NIGHT
The place is almost empty. Early, still wet from the rain,
walks to the counter and sits down. He calls out to the
kitchen.
EARLY
Coffee and a bowl of chili, please.
WAITRESS (O.S.)
...Be right there.
The only other customer is an OLD MAN, sitting at the counter
nearby nursing a cup of coffee. His face half hidden under a
rain soaked hat. Early selects a tune from the countertop
juke box.
OLD MAN'S POV
Out of the corner of his eye he sees a bug (from the concrete
block) crawl out of Early's sleeve and onto the counter.
OLD MAN
(from beneath his
shadowy brim...)
The Antichrist'll be a woman, in a
man's body. Seven heads and seven
tails.
Early gazes at the Old Man curiously, then calls out to the
waitress...
EARLY
Make that to go.
Early notices the small bug crawling across the counter. He
leans closer to it and watches it. After a moment, he THWACKS
it off the counter with his thumb and finger. The bug lands
on the hot iron griddle with a SIZZLE!
EARLY glances at the Old Man again... then scoots over one
stool closer to him. Early seems curious to want to get a
glimpse under the brim of the Old Man's hat.
IN THE BACK KITCHEN AREA
The waitress is bagging Early's order to go... when the front
door slams shut!
FRONT DINING AREA
The waitress re-enters the room. It's empty. Neither the Old
Man nor Early are there. With Early's food in hand, she makes
her way along the rear of the counter toward the front door.
She glances around curiously. On the griddle, the remains of
something black and charred smoulders. Closer to the entrance,
she stares at the front door. The sign that hangs in its
window has been turned... the backside which faces her reads
"OPEN."
AT THE FRONT DOOR
She wonders about the sign for a moment, then stares curiously
out the window... not a soul in sight. She locks the door
and begins closing up for the night. She turns to make her
way to the rear of the diner then notices something. Slowly
she moves along the side wall, past a number of highbacked
booths.
HER POV
Sitting on one of the funky old leather seats in a booth are
a pair of RED HIGH HEELED SHOES (the same pair worn earlier
by the Pretty Teenage Girl). The Waitress glances nervously
about the interior. No one in sight.
AT THE BOOTH
She reaches down slowly and picks up the pair of shoes. Looks
at them closely. Stares at the inside lining. Then suddenly
out of the quiet... a voice.
EARLY
...Size 6.
The Waitress spins a startled look to the booth beyond hers!
Early leans out from behind the highback partition.
EARLY
That's right ain't it, size 6?
The Waitress... smiles, nods shyly.
EARLY
Happy birthday Adele.
ADELE
Early, you are so sweet.
This is ADELE CORNERS. She's 17, pretty, uneducated and
Early's girlfriend. She steps over to him, gives him a kiss,
then sits down on the seat across from him. She starts to
try on her new shoes.
ADELE
I feel kind of like the wizard of
oz, you know when she gets the red
shoes.
EARLY
Well Dorothy, why don't you hand me
that chili there.
She passes the bag to Early. He digs in. Between bites, he
glances over to Adele who's enthusiastically pulling on the
new shoes.
INT. BRIAN AND CARRIE'S LOFT APARTMENT - LATER THAT NIGHT
A door swings open spilling light into a darkened room. Brian
and Carrie, a little drunk, return home from the party.
Their apartment is in an old converted industrial building
in a funky low rent part of town.
Brian walks ahead, Carrie trails behind him, peeling off her
clothes. She begins unzipping her dress, unnoticed by Brian.
BRIAN
Tonight turned out to be pretty
interesting.
CARRIE
The party?
She grabs a leather cap that sits on a chair.
BRIAN
The warehouse. I'm not that drunk.
CARRIE
It was definitely the high point of
the evening.
Carrie's dress falls to the floor.
BRIAN
(getting excited)
Just being there where it really
happened. It was different... more
visceral.
CARRIE
Mmm... I love it when you talk like
that.
Brian is at the foot of the bed, he turns to see... Carrie
has transformed. She has stripped down to her black bra and
panties, fishnet stockings, a nightporter style leather cap.
A surprised Brian stands there a moment. Looking at Carrie.
She looks great.
OMITTED
Carrie pushes Brian back onto the bed.
OMITTED
Carrie climbs on top of him. She kisses his neck. Slowly
starts working her lips across his chest and down his stomach.
EXT. EARLY'S TRAILER - MORNING
A solitary trailer sits alongside a run down house.
INT. EARLY'S TRAILER - MORNING
Through the soot tinged atmosphere, sunlight filters in past
the curtained windows. Early is lying face down in bed, his
right arm extended over the side. Adele is in the kitchen
half dressed, and unsuccessfully attempting to iron one of
Early's shirts. She realizes the iron is out of water, she
sets it down and steps to the sink and fills a glass with
water. As she does she glances at a cactus on the counter.
OMITTED
ADELE
You thirsty Lucy?
OMITTED
She waters her small cactus (Lucy).
ADELE
Bet that feels good, don't it?
NEW ANGLE - THE REFRIGERATOR
Adele smiles then notices that a photo held to the fridge by
a decorative magnet has fallen to the floor. She picks it
up.
ADELE
Now if that ain't Momma's little
angel.
Adele puts it back onto the fridge. It is a photo of a young
Early with his mother. In the photo Early appears to be about
ten or eleven. he stands next to his mother. Her arm is draped
over his shoulders, she is holding a drink. A cigarette butt
dangles between her fingers. Nearby a portable radio is tuned
to music, when the local radio jingle comes on and segues to
the news.
NEW ANGLE ON EARLY
A handkerchief bandana is tied around his head and over his
eyes.
The NEWSCASTER'S voice gets louder.
NEWSCASTER (O.S.)
...two more victims last night, when
a twenty pound rock smashed through
the windshield of their car...
CLOSER - EARLY'S FACE
Slowly he reaches to his face and lifts the bandana up off
one eye. Even closer on his left eyelid. It flutters... pops
open and blinks. Now... his eyeball stares right at us. The
pitch black pupil contracts in the morning light. The
newscaster's voice continues to amplify...
NEWSCASTER
This was the third such attack in
the past month and while an extensive
police operation is underway... no
arrests have yet been made.
The newscaster's voice quickly fades away. Early calmly closes
his eyes and drifts back to sleep.
EXT. EARLY'S TRAILER - LATE MORNING
Early emerges from the trailer drinking a bottle of beer. He
looks around the yard, it's full of various kinds of useless
junk. He walks over to his car. Adele appears in the doorway
of the trailer in her bathrobe.
ADELE
Early...
She glances around to make certain that no one's looking,
then 'flashes' her body to Early with a giggle.
ADELE
Have a good one.
Early smiles. Adele turns back into the trailer then,
remembers...
ADELE
Oh... I forgot to tell you, Mr.
Diebold was by again yesterday.
Early looks at the run down house next door where Diebold
lives. A beat up red pick-up is parked in front.
ADELE
He said, if he ain't got the rest of
his money by the end of the month,
he's gonna "kick us the...
(spells the word fuck
to avoid saying it)
F-U-C-K outta here."
Early works his jaw, thinking.
EARLY
He said that, huh? Cursed in front
of you?
Adele nods.
ADELE
You gonna talk to him?
Early gets in his car.
EARLY
If he comes back, don't answer the
door.
Early revs the raspy engine.
ADELE
Suppose he hears me inside?
Adele's words are unheard as Early pulls away flinging his
beer bottle at a couple of chained PITBULLS in Diebold's
front yard.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
INT. BRIAN AND CARRIE'S LOFT - AFTERNOON
Brian enters the darkened loft interior.
BRIAN
I picked up some Chinese. Did you
hear from the gallery?
Brian turns the corner, he's immediately greeted by a series
of erotic images being projected on the far wall. They are
slides of Carrie's photographic work. In regard to the nature
and content of Carrie's photographic work, her photographs
address the sexual collision of opposites. "What if's." The
subjects of her photographs are hypothetical and highly
unlikely partners. Studies in contract. Moments of passion.
BRIAN
(tentative)
You got your slides back.
From across the room, he hears Carrie's disembodied voice.
He drifts toward the couch.
CARRIE
Yeah, same old shit. Too graphic...
not suitable for mass consumption...
one of those... I forget. Who cares.
Brian finds her slumped down on the couch. He sits down.
She's got a drink in her hand. A bottle on her lap. She
continues to click through the slides. As she rambles on,
it's obvious that she's definitely under the influence of
something 90 proof.
CARRIE
Christ Brian I'm dying here... you
are too, you just don't know it yet.
You're too busy working on that damned
thesis... And, thing is... when you
finally do finish it, it's just gonna
get filed away on some shelf at the
University Library... then what?
Brian can see she's upset. Drowsy from the booze. He just
watches her. Listens. Her words linger in his head.
CARRIE
(continues)
I thought you wanted to be a writer.
BRIAN
(quietly)
...I do.
CARRIE
Then you can write anywhere. Let's
get out of here, while we still can.
BRIAN
Carrie, come on... we can leave
anytime we...
CARRIE
No we can't. We can never leave once
you start talking about tenure...
and vacation pay... and parking
privileges and... oh shit! let's
just go to California now, right
now, before it's too late.
BRIAN
...just like that?
CARRIE
Just like that. Load up the Lincoln...
point it West... stop when we hit
the fucking ocean.
The bold graphic sexual photographs of Carrie's continue to
accentuate her comments.
CARRIE
That's half the kick anyway. Doing
something you've never done before.
Experiencing something... different.
Something... unpredictable.
Brian notices an envelope on the floor nearby. He picks it
up. Opens it. Inside, he finds the photographs Carrie took
at the warehouse. Interested, he shuffles through them. He
becomes more and more intrigued with what he sees.
BRIAN
...These are great.
He glances over to Carrie... she's fallen asleep. He reaches
over and quietly pulls the drink glass from her hand.
EXT. EARLY'S TRAILER - LATE AFTERNOON
Early's Grand Prix has a head of steam up as it tears across
the drive and hangs a hard right into his parking space next
to the trailer. Suddenly, Early hits the brakes hard! Another
car is parked there.
INT. EARLY'S TRAILER
Early spills through the doorway.
EARLY
Adele, who's car's that out...
Early spots his PAROLE OFFICER standing in the bedroom area
snooping around. He has a prosthetic hand which he uses to
search through Early's things.
PAROLE OFFICER
She's not here.
The Parole Officer hiccups throughout the scene.
EARLY
What are you doin' here? I ain't
supposed to be at the Parole Office
'til tomorrow, two o'clock.
Early notices the man looking through some of his letters
and papers.
PAROLE OFFICER
Social call.
The Parole Officer opens one of the closet doors, pilfers
through things inside, as if searching for something. Early
is getting pissed off but says nothing.
PAROLE OFFICER
You're supposed to call me when you
lose your job Early. I stopped by
the mirror factory today, you left
quite a mess behind there.
EARLY
Wasn't my fault...
He lifts his crudely bandaged middle finger.
EARLY
...It was dangerous there and they
treated me like shit.
Parole Officer steps over to the refrigerator, opens it,
snoops around inside.
PAROLE OFFICER
(swallows a hiccup)
Yeah... Well you never have been
'treated right'... Have you?
(hiccup)
Your father was pickin' on you when
he threw you out of the house for
stealing the tires off his truck.
The Marines misunderstood you when
they gave you that dishonorable
discharge.
He finishes with the refrigerator and continues his search
through the drawers and cabinets of the trailer.
PAROLE OFFICER
(hiccup)
...The police were way out of line
when they stopped you from beating
that bartender half to death. And no
doubt God'll be pickin' on you on
Judgement Day...
EARLY
I ain't got nothing against God.
It's the people he let come into the
world... lot of them should have
been stopped at the door. What are
you looking for?
The Parole Officer ignores the question. He steps up to a
sink overflowing with dirty dishes.
PAROLE OFFICER
That girlfriend of yours ain't much
for housekeeping, is she.
Early dismisses the place with a glance.
EARLY
I'm thinking about moving...
Early opens the refrigerator, grabs a bottle of beer.
EARLY
Maybe down to Texas... Probably get
some work on them offshore oil rigs.
Hear the pay's good... hell, the
weather's got to be better'n here.
Early sits down at the table. The Parole Officer steps over
to him.
PAROLE OFFICER
What are you talking about? You know
you can't leave the state.
(hiccup)
What you can do is get a job.
The Parole Officer pulls a slip of paper from his shirt
pocket, sets it on the table.
PAROLE OFFICER
You be at this personnel office,
Friday, three o'clock sharp.
EARLY
What is it?
PAROLE OFFICER
...Janitor's job.
EARLY
Oh man... come on, I don't want no
janitor job.
Early lifts his beer for another drink. The Parole Officer's
prosthetic hand snaps tight around the neck of the beer
bottle, just inches from Early's lips.
PAROLE OFFICER
Hey, I don't give two shits about
what you want or don't want... I'm
telling you to be there Friday, three
o'clock sharp or the sheriff will be
here for dinner. You understand?
With that Early looks up at the man, almost defiantly, then
stands up. The Parole Officer hiccups again. Early stares at
him for a moment.
EARLY
You oughta think about putting a bag
over your head... Might cure them
hiccups.
The Parole Officer shakes his head in disgust and walks out
of the trailer to his car.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
BRIAN'S DESK IN ANOTHER PART OF LOFT APARTMENT - NIGHT
Brian's in the midst of working his way through pages and
pages of thesis notes scattered atop his desk. Using
chopsticks he shovels Chinese straight out of the carton as
he studies Carrie's warehouse photographs.
CARRIE'S POV
As we approach Brian from behind, moving closer, closer.
NEW ANGLE - BRIAN'S DESK
Carrie steps up behind him. She's rubbing her eyes, having
just awakened. A hangover beckons. Brian notices her.
BRIAN
Hey. I didn't have the heart to wake
you.
CARRIE
Thanks. What are you doing?
BRIAN
Well, I sat down with my tapes and
your photographs, which are great by
the way... and I started writing.
Carrie grabs his container of Chinese and takes a few bites.
Listens.
CARRIE
So how's it going?
BRIAN
...I think it's the best stuff I've
done.
Carrie glances over his shoulder at his writing.
BRIAN
...and I think I know why.
CARRIE
Why?
BRIAN
Because I was there. And for a moment
that night I understood how she came
to pull the trigger.
CARRIE
(sarcastic)
This mean your finally going to finish
your thesis?
BRIAN
Look, fuck the thesis. I think there's
a book here. Your photographs and my
research, together.
CARRIE
A book on the warehouse murders?
BRIAN
A book on some of the most infamous
murderers in America. I want to go
to where they lived and where they
killed and I want you to photograph
it.
Brian reaches down to the floor and pulls a large map of the
United States up and lays it out on his desk. He traces a
route West. Along the way, specific locations have been
circled.
BRIAN
What I'm thinking is, we can drop
down through Tennessee, across
Arkansas and into Texas, from there
it's a straight shot into California.
(pause)
"We don't stop... until we hit the
fucking ocean."
OMITTED
CARRIE
It's about fucking time, Kessler!
I'd just about given up on you.
BRIAN
We don't have enough money, but we'll
figure something out.
Carrie steps up to Brian.
BRIAN
...It's either the best idea I've
had in a long time... or there's way
too much MSG in this stuff.
Brian looks at the container of Chinese in his hand. Carrie
takes it from him, sets it down on the road map. Kisses him.
EXT. EARLY'S TRAILER - DAWN
Early exits the trailer and climbs into his Grand Prix.
INT. GRAND PRIX
Early tries to get the engine to tick over. Then... He sees
JOHN DIEBOLD, his landlord, emerge from his house and begin
lumbering toward the Grand Prix. The two panting ugly-ass
pitbulls trot alongside their master.
DIEBOLD
(shouts)
Hold on a minute there boy!
EARLY
Shit!
Early tries the engine again. Still won't start. Diebold,
getting closer. The dogs are barking.
DIEBOLD
Goddamit, you're gonna settle up
that rent here and now.
Hurriedly, Early tries the engine one more time. It starts.
Grinning from ear to ear, Early pulls away before Diebold
and his dogs reach him.
Pissed, Diebold grabs a rock and hurls it, hitting Early's
car.
The car stops, dead in its tracks.
DIEBOLD
I've had it with your bullshit boy.
I want my money.
INT. GRAND PRIX
Early looks in the rear-view mirror and sees... Diebold
standing there confrontational.
Early throws the gearshift into reverse...
EXT. EARLY'S TRAILER
Tires screeching, the car surges toward Diebold and the dogs.
Scared shitless... Diebold begins back peddling. Confused,
the pitbulls bark, then follow suit.
Early laughs as he stalks Diebold.
Diebold jumps out of the way of the Grand Prix just as it
pulverizes his portable barbecue.
Early shifts it into drive and barrels out of the drive.
NEW ANGLE - DIEBOLD
As soon as the Grand Prix is out of sight...
DIEBOLD
(hollering)
You sonofabitch! Come back here!
Furious, he turns to find Adele staring at him from the window
of her trailer.
DIEBOLD
That's it! You tell him... I want
you both the fuck out of here by
Sunday or I'm gonna call the Police.
Adele starts laughing, she tries to hide it with her hand.
DIEBOLD
...You won't be laughing come Sunday
little girl.
Muttering to himself, he turns back toward his house. He
then notices what Adele is laughing at. One pitbull is trying
to hump the other.
DIEBOLD
Elvis! Get the fuck off him!
NEW ANGLE - ADELE
Peering out at him from the trailer window laughing at the
dogs.
EXT. PARKING LOT - UNIVERSITY
Brian pulls up in his BLACK '62 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. The
suicide doors and leather interior have seen better days.
Brian locks his car and walks into the building.
INT. LOBBY OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - AFTERNOON
Brian steps up to a large bulletin board. He sees several
'Ride-Share' notes to various cities on the board. He pins a
Ride-Share note onto the board. We see the note is headlined
in red - "CALIFORNIA"
CAROL
You know, they say one of these
days...
Brian glances over his shoulder.
BRIAN
(sarcastic)
...the whole thing's going to slide
into the ocean... Yeah, I know.
Carol peers over Brian's shoulder and reads the note.
CAROL
"Looking for someone to take turns
at the wheel and share expenses...
on a week long cross country blue-
highways tour of historic murder
sites..."
(beat)
You gotta be kidding. Who in their
right mind would want to do that?
BRIAN
...I would.
Brian smiles at her and walks away.
CAROL
(watching Brian walk
away)
Like I said...
She shakes her head.
EARLY
Where's the personnel office at?
Carol turns to see Early.
RITA
(points down the hall)
First door on the left.
She walks away. Early's eye catches the bulletin board, he
sees in bold red marker - "CALIFORNIA."
EXT. EARLY'S TRAILER - LATE THAT NIGHT
Adele steps out of the trailer.
ADELE
Early?
She walks carefully around the junk piles. It's dark; hard
to see. She comes to the edge of a deep dark hole and peers
in... She can't see anything but hears the rustling of a
shovel digging.
ADELE
Early? You down there?
The sound of digging stops.
EARLY
(from inside the hole)
What's up Adele? Dinner ready?
ADELE
Almost.
After a moment's hesitation, Early resumes his digging.
ADELE
Early...
The digging stops again.
ADELE
Tell me more about California.
The moonlight illuminates his face when he looks up at her.
EARLY
Well... for one thing... They think
faster out there, on account of all
that warm weather they got; cold
weather makes people stupid, that's
a fact.
ADELE
I guess that'd explain why there's
so many stupid people around here.
EARLY
Yeah, and in California you never
have to buy fruit 'cause it's all on
the trees everywhere you turn...
(beat)
...and, 'course there ain't no speed
limit out there, and all drugs are
legal... And I heard your first
month's rent is free; state law. I
figure 'til we get settled we can
just move around month to month...
ADELE
What'll we do out there?
EARLY
Well... the very first thing we're
gonna do... is get us a couple of
six packs of Lucky Lager and climb
up on toppa' that famous Hollywood
sign and howl at the moon...
Early lets out a playful howl, as Adele looks up over her
shoulder at the moon.
ADELE
You know... I read once... Ain't
nothin' on that big old moon 'cept
some old golf balls those astronauts
left behind.
EARLY
Bull. That ain't right... Government
sends people there all the time,
just don't want us to know about it.
Adele smiles and begins walking back to the trailer.
ADELE
Don't be long now, dinner's 'bout
ready.
EARLY
I heard that.
After a moment, Early climbs out of the hole and stands in
the moonlight for a moment. We see that he's completely naked
except for a pair of high top steel toed work boots. Early
gazes up into the night sky, looking at the cold white moon.
EXT. BRIAN AND CARRIE'S LOFT - DAWN
Brian exits loft carrying two bags. Carrie is also carrying
a bag, and smoking a cigarette, as they walk to the car.
CARRIE
What did he sound like on the phone?
OMITTED
BRIAN
Real polite. Kept calling me 'sir.'
Brian throws the bags in the open trunk with the other bags.
BRIAN
(grins)
I like that.
CARRIE
I still think we should have met
them first.
BRIAN
Beggars can't be choosers. They were
the only ones who answered the ride
share note, remember?
Carrie bows her head and folds her hands in mock prayer.
CARRIE
Please God, we're gonna be stuck
with these people for a week, don't
let them be as boring as Brian's
friends. Anything... but that.
Brian throws a needling glance to Carrie and slams the car
hood shut. They both get into the car, Brian behind the wheel.
INT. LINCOLN
BRIAN
Oh, yeah... He had a real thick accent
right outta "Deliverance."
(quotes from the movie)
"Still? Who said anything about a
still? Get ya ass up in them woods!"
CARRIE
Funny, very funny.
Brian starts the car. It backfires loudly startling Carrie.
Brian laughs.
BRIAN
(quoting again)
"Aintry? This river don't go to
Aintry."
EXT. LINCOLN ON STREET
The engine revs again and the Lincoln pulls away down the
street.
EXT. BUS STATION - DAWN
PAN UP from Adele's new red high-heeled shoes. We hear Adele
speaking with an unfamiliar tone of authority to her voice.
ADELE
We shouldn't be doin' this, Early.
You leavin' the state, ridin' around
with strangers... besides, what kinda
people would want to stop at places
where other people was murdered.
The camera slowly reveals Adele... and the fact that she is
alone as she voices her concerns. Then from behind her Early
approaches. Just in time to hear...
ADELE
What if they're dangerous?
EARLY
They ain't dangerous Adele. They're
writers.
Startled, Adele drops her shoulder bag. It lands on top of a
couple of cardboard boxes and a beat up old duffle bag --
all their possessions. A few personal items spill out of it.
ADELE
Early Grayce!
She kneels down to pick things up.
ADELE
(changes subject)
Did you settle things with Mr.
Diebold?
EARLY
Yeah I left him with the car... We're
all squared up now.
EARLY'S POV
As Adele picks up her spilled personal possessions, Early
notices her prized cactus in the bag.
EARLY
What's this?
He angrily reaches in and grabs it.
ADELE
Early!
She reaches for the cactus but misses.
EARLY
What kind of a person would carry a
cactus in her purse!
Adele bites her lip almost crying. Suddenly, Early looks
past Adele to see something, Adele turns too.
NEW ANGLE
The Lincoln comes gliding into view.
INT. LINCOLN - PULLS INTO BUS STATION - DAWN
Through the windshield we see Early... Adele by his side.
CARRIE
You've got to be kidding me, they
look like Okies!
Brian honks the horn, Early waves back.
CARRIE
Jesus... They've probably got five
bucks between them. Turn around.
BRIAN
Lighten up...
ON EARLY AND ADELE
ADELE
Geez, they look kinda weird.
EARLY
You just smile, let me do all the
talking.
ADELE
How many times you gonna tell me
that?
EARLY
(smiling at Brian)
As many times as it takes.
EXT. BUS STATION
Brian stops the Lincoln and gets out. He approaches Early
and shakes his hand, then Adele's.
BRIAN
Hi I'm Brian... Early, and you must
be Adele.
An awkward moment as everyone just stands there... until
Brian reaches for Adele's bag.
BRIAN
Let me help you.
Brian picks up her bag and carries it to the Lincoln. Adele
is instantly won over by the gesture -- Early leery of it.
INT. LINCOLN
Carrie watches as Brian and Early carry their things to the
trunk. Carrie leans forward and sets the trip odometer to
zero. When she sits back up, Adele is standing at her window.
ADELE
Hi, I'm Adele.
CARRIE
(reserved)
Carrie.
She turns away from the window...
ADELE
(shyly)
I like your hair.
Carrie turns back, rolls down window...
CARRIE
...Pardon?
ADELE
...I said, I like your hair.
CARRIE
...Thank you.
She turns and sees Early reflected in the side mirror watching
her. He grins at her, Carrie looks away.
NEW ANGLE: FROM INSIDE THE TRUNK OF THE LINCOLN
Brian crams the last of the bags in, as Early watches.
BRIAN
Tight fit.
EARLY
Best kind.
Brian looks to him, Early grins and winks. Brian slams the
Lincoln trunk lid shut.
SCREEN TO BLACK
EXT. EARLY'S BURNING TRAILER - DAWN
From the blackness... The camera rises from a pile of rubble.
As it ascends we reveal Diebold's pitbulls howling and digging
at a mound of fresh earth where Early's hole used to be.
The crackling flames of a nearby fire illuminate the scene.
Deep in the distance, the wail of approaching sirens.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Reveal that it's Early's trailer and car that are on fire.
INT. TRAILER
Flames consume the magazine photos of Elvis and Priscilla,
Farrah and Ryan, Early and Adele. Along with them, the black
and white photo of young Early and his mother.
EXT. BUS STATION - DAWN - OVERHEAD ANGLE
On the Lincoln as it exits the Bus Station. The camera
descends toward a lone trash can, to find there, lying amidst
the debris inside... Adele's cactus.
EXT. CITY STREETS - MORNING
The Lincoln passes through on its way out of town.
INT. MOVING LINCOLN - MORNING
Brian behind the wheel, Carrie riding shotgun. Early and
Adele are sitting in the back seat. An awkward silence
prevails. Brian clears his throat.
BRIAN
Uh, we can stop somewhere if you and
Adele haven't had time for breakfast,
Early.
EARLY
Well, it's like this, Mr. Kessler.
BRIAN
Brian.
EARLY
Well, it's like this, Bri'. I don't
eat much in the mornin', never have.
Maybe a beer once in a while; Lucky
Lager's my favorite.
Brian raises his eyebrow a tad, but is not really curious
about it.
ADELE
It's because of what he read in a
book once... That folks needin'
breakfast is a myth, or whatever,
put out by those cereal people.
A glance passes between Brian and Carrie. Is she for real?
CARRIE'S POV - IN VANITY MIRROR
Early motions Adele not to talk so much.
NEW ANGLE
BRIAN
So what do you do Early?
EARLY
Oh... I do some work up at the Merrick
Mirror factory, or I used to...
ADELE
One night we figured out how much
bad luck he must have comin' from
all them mirrors he broke...
(beat)
Four hundred and ninety four years
to work it all off... After he dies,
he'll have to keep coming back to
earth over and over and over...
CARRIE
Karma.
Adele and early show no sign of understanding the word.
ADELE
What?
CARRIE
Karma...
(beat)
You know, if you do something bad to
somebody fate will pay you back by
something bad happening to you.
ADELE
That French ain't it?
Carrie glances at the odometer on the dash... THE FIRST MILE
clicks over.
EXT. LINCOLN - OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY
Everyone takes a last look at the familiar countryside. Carrie
is snapping photos of the twisting concrete overpasses and
the gloomy grey sky beyond.
INT. LINCOLN
Adele watches Carrie, intrigued by the obvious skill Carrie
shows with the camera. Brian glances into the rear-view mirror
at Adele.
BRIAN
So Adele, did Early happen to mention
the places we'll be stopping at?
ON ADELE'S REFLECTION IN MIRROR... then Early leans in front
of her.
EARLY
Yeah Bri' I did.
Adele leans against Carrie's front seat.
ADELE
(to Carrie)
Are you takin' the pictures?
CARRIE
(surprised)
...Yeah.
ADELE
Is it hard to learn?
CARRIE
Not really.
Early pulls Adele back toward the back seat.
EARLY
(to Brian)
You gonna talk to the people who did
those murders?
BRIAN
That's a good idea. Unfortunately
most of them have been executed.
EARLY
...Too bad.
EXT. LINCOLN
Lincoln drives off down the highway.
EXT. EARLY'S TRAILER - LATER
Police and Firemen sift through the smoking ruins of Early's
trailer. The Parole Officer pulls up in his car, he gets out
and approaches a Police Officer.
PAROLE OFFICER
What happened?
POLICE OFFICER
Who are you?
PAROLE OFFICER
His Parole Officer.
POLICE OFFICER
Right, I talked to you on the phone.
They say it's a torch job, that sound
like your boy?
PAROLE OFFICER
Could be.
POLICE OFFICER
Where would we find him?
PAROLE OFFICER
Hell if I know, crazy son of a bitch
said he was thinking of moving to
Texas.
POLICE OFFICER
Without his car?
We see the smoldering remains of Early's Grand Prix. In the
background Diebold's pitbulls are being dragged away by a
Dog Wrangler.
POLICE OFFICER
What about the owner of the house...
(reads from note pad)
...this John Diebold, any idea where
he might be?
PAROLE OFFICER
No, but I can tell you he's not gonna
be too happy about this.
From inside Early's hole we hear a voice call out.
LABORER (O.S.)
Jesus Christ!
Parole Officer and Police Officer turn back toward the
trailer, as people rush to the site.
NEW ANGLE - OVERHEAD
The camera aerials down past those gathering around the
freshly dug hole to... a Laborer standing at the bottom of
the pit. Alongside his shovel, we see that a man's arm has
been unearthed.
LOW ANGLE UP TO THE TOP OF THE HOLE
The Police and Parole Officer join several others standing
there.
PAROLE OFFICER
...Diebold?
POLICE OFFICER
...That'd be my guess.
PAROLE OFFICER
Looks like somebody cut off his ring
finger.
POLICE OFFICER
Well now I'd say that's the least of
Mr. Diebold's problems.
The two men look to one another... as others begin to unearth
the body.
EXT. MOVING LINCOLN DRIVING DOWN COUNTRY ROAD
Close up, Diebold's ring on a hand twisting open a bottle
cap. Pull back to reveal that it is Early as he opens a bottle
of Lucky Lager beer and takes a sip. On the back seat between
them sits a brown paper bag. Adele reaches into the bag and
pulls out a cheap pocket camera. Excitedly she rips open the
box and pulls out the camera. She leans over and kisses Early.
ADELE
Thank you.
Early reaches in the bag and pulls out a small plastic bottle
of mineral water and an orange juice.
EARLY
All right, who gets the...
(can't pronounce name)
...water.
Carrie turns around, Early hands her the water. Early leans
forward and hands Brian the orange juice.
EARLY
Here you go Bri'. Got a couple a
bags of chips and some jerky, just
holler if you want some.
Then Early reaches past Brian to the rear-view mirror and
hangs a plastic St. Christopher statue around it.
EARLY
Can't hurt.
BRIAN
How much do I owe you?
EARLY
Forget it.
Adele struggles to understand the camera instructions on the
side of the box. She leans forward and shows Carrie her
camera.
ADELE
(embarrassed)
Guess I don't know the first thing
about cameras.
Carrie deliberates her response for a moment, then...
CARRIE
Well, the first thing... is you need
film. Preferably black and white.
Carrie pulls a roll of film out of her bag and takes Adele's
camera to load.
ADELE
You wouldn't have any color film,
would ya?
CARRIE
...Yeah, sure.
She pulls a roll of color film out of her camera bag and
quickly snaps it into the camera.
ADELE
I like things in color, pink, purple,
and red. I dunno, black and white is
kinda... boring.
Carrie points the camera at a smiling Adele and snaps the
first picture.
CARRIE
You just aim and press the button.
Adele takes the camera.
INT. LINCOLN
Adele focuses her camera at the scenery out the side window
of the car.
ADELE
Look, Pigeon Forge!
ADELE'S POV
Road sign to Pigeon Forge.
EXT. LINCOLN
Adele leans out the side rear window to get a better view.
ADELE
I've heard of that! It's where Dolly
Parton has her park. "Dollywood". I
just think that's so clever.
Hollywood. Dollywood. Get it?
With that, she plops back down into the back seat.
INT. LINCOLN
EARLY
(under his breath)
Shush, Adele.
ADELE
Early, can we stop there... just for
a little while.
EXT. HIGHWAY
As we see the car disappearing into the distance, we can
still hear Adele rambling on.
ADELE (O.S.)
...I've always wanted to go there...
It could be such fun.
FADE OUT:
EXT. LARGE ISOLATED OLD FARM - AFTERNOON
The Lincoln approaches on a dirtroad and passes a mailbox
with the name "BAXTER" on it. The Lincoln turns into the
long driveway.
INT. LINCOLN - SAME TIME
Brian begins talking into a small portable tape recorder.
BRIAN
The Novaks are all gone but the fence
that Michael Zaruba was hired to put
up is still here.
He glances to Carrie, who fires off several photos of the
fence and yard.
The Lincoln continues slowly down the long drive... Up ahead
through the windshield Brian sees a beautiful old farm house.
BRIAN
The Novaks embraced the young drifter
as one of their own.
EXT. LINCOLN
The Lincoln slows to a halt. Carrie and Brian exit the car
and begin walking toward the house. Early follows. Adele,
uncertain about what's transpiring, trails behind.
ADELE
Hey you two.
Brian and Carrie turn to see... Adele training a camera on
them.
ADELE
Give me a smile now.
Brian and Carrie look to one another then force a weak smile.
Early jumps in and throws a pair of devil's horns up behind
Brian's unsuspecting head as... the shutter clicks.
Brian and Carrie quickly turn their attention back on the
house.
BRIAN
(continues into tape
recorder)
Neighbors said he was a quiet young
man, who was often seen pushing the
children on the swing set.
An unusual bird house and a tricycle sit in the front yard.
To the side of the house are the remains of an old swing
set. Carrie finds an interesting angle on the swing set,
with the house in the background, SNAP! She fires off a shot.
BRIAN
(continuing)
Everything was fine until the day
the family ran out of work for
Michael, and had to ask him to leave.
As Carrie frames up another shot, Early crosses in front of
her camera. Realizing he is in Carrie's photo he stops and
poses. Carrie looks to Brian.
BRIAN
Sorry, Early... Could you step out
the way, for a second?
Early is surprised that they don't want him in the photograph.
He wanders away from the front of the house. Meanwhile, Adele
photographs the moment.
BRIAN
The first one to die was the nine
year old daughter...
Just then... A NINE YEAR OLD GIRL comes running from around
the side of the house. She stops dead when she sees all of
them. Carrie snaps a final photo.
BRIAN
Hello.
The little girl scans all their faces.
BRIAN
...My name's Brian, what's yours?
The little girl remains silent. Brian rolls a look to Carrie
then back to the little girl.
BRIAN
...Could I speak to your parents?
After an awkward pause, the little girl silently crosses the
yard to the porch and opens the front door.
GIRL
(rudely)
Pa! There's more of them.
EXT. REAR OF HOUSE - SAME TIME
Looking into the house through a kitchen window we can see
into the entrance hall and through to the open front door.
Brian waits outside on the porch, as the little girl enters
the house looking for her father. Inside the kitchen, right
next to the window, is a side table with a telephone and a
purse on it.
Suddenly... Early's reflection appears in the window; he has
obviously seen the purse.
AT THE FRONT DOOR
Brian motions for Carrie to join him.
AT THE SWING SET
Adele watches Brian and Carrie for a moment, then loses
interest. She stands on the seat of the swing and begins
swinging.
AT THE REAR OF THE HOUSE
Early tries to push up the kitchen window. It barely lifts
three inches before jamming. Through the room we see the
little girl and her father step to the front door.
EXT. FRONT DOOR
A MIDDLE AGED FARMER with tanned leathery skin. He is not
happy. Brian extends his hand...
BRIAN
(friendly)
Hi, my name is Brian Kessler.
The father says nothing and does not respond to the extended
hand. Brian retracts his hand.
BRIAN
(continues -- less
confident)
I'm a writer, I'm working on a book
about famous murderers.
AT THE SWING SET
Adele swings higher. Her summer dress ripples in the wind. A
smile on her face.
EXT. KITCHEN WINDOW
Early's entire arm is through the opening. His shoulder
presses against the window pane. But still he can't reach
the purse. So, he grabs the tablecloth and begins pulling it
toward him. The purse slides closer, inch by inch. All the
while, he keeps one eye on the Farmer across the room.
EARLY'S POV (ACROSS THE ROOM) The Farmer's back is turned to
the kitchen as he listens silently to Brian.
BRIAN
...I'm sure you're aware that this
is the Novak house...
AT THE SWING SET
Adele swings even higher. She's lost in the moment. Euphoric.
EXT. FRONT DOOR
BRIAN
(corrects himself)
...I mean, this was the Novak house...
(pause)
With your permission I'd like to
come in and photograph...
Before Brian can finish, the man slams the door in his face.
INT. KITCHEN (ANGLE ON FARMER)
The Farmer turns away from the front door.
FARMER
(muttering)
Goddamned ghouls...
IN THE KITCHEN
We see that Early and the purse have gone.
EXT. FRONT DOOR
Brian is surprised. He just stands there a moment. He's not
sure whether to knock again.
EXT. SWING SET
The empty swing sways back and forth.
EXT. LINCOLN
Brian and Carrie walk back to the car.
BRIAN
(upset)
We could have been in and out of
there in less than ten minutes...
CARRIE
Hey, I got some great stuff... it's
okay.
Brian continues on in a huff until Carrie breaks stride and
stops. She pulls him next to her.
CARRIE
It's okay... okay?
Brian glances back at the house. She interrupts his glance,
kisses him.
BRIAN
(continuing on the
heel of the kiss)
...That house is part of American
history now, whether he likes it or
not.
They enter the car.
EARLY
Forget about it Bri'. I wouldn't be
surprised if that Karma thing don't
come back and get him.
Carrie, surprised at Early's new found philosophical belief.
She looks into her side view mirror... And sees Early smiling
back at her. Carrie looks away...
CARRIE'S POV
Shifts from the mirror to the house in the background... as
the car pulls out of the driveway, the little girl watches
from her porch.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
EXT. - LINCOLN PULLS UP TO MOTEL AND PARKS.
INT. MOTEL RESTAURANT - NIGHT
A small roadside diner. A fair number of people inside having
dinner. Adele, Early, Carrie, and Brian are seated at one of
the tables.
AT THEIR TABLE
Carrie watches Early eat with a kind of horrible, rude
fascination. He has no table manners at all. He eats with
his elbows on the table, fork wedged in the fist of his right
hand. All the while, he chews with his mouth open. He's
serious about his "eating."
BRIAN
(studying his map)
Well we've come three hundred miles
so far. Not a bad day's haul.
Early doesn't bother to respond. He keeps eating.
BRIAN
You got any family or friends in
California, Early?
CU ANGLE ON EARLY
With a piece of bread he mops up the gravy on his plate.
EARLY
(chewing)
Nope... You?
ANGLE UNDER THE TABLE
Early's foot itches... He tries to scratch it but it doesn't
do any good.
BRIAN (O.S.)
No.
ADELE (O.S.)
Me neither. How 'bout you Carrie?
CARRIE (O.S.)
No.
ANGLE - THE GROUP
As Brian folds up the map. Early takes off his boot, then
his well-worn sock. Carrie's look of disgust grows as Early
brings his foot up onto his lap and scratches it while he
eats. Carrie puts her fork down: dinner is over for her.
ADELE
...Well, least we got each other.
That's somethin'.
OMITTED
OMITTED
Brian looks up, sees Carrie's expression... Then what's
causing it... Early mops up the last bit of food on his plate.
He notices Brian and Carrie staring at him and slowly puts
his foot back down on the floor -- then the sock.
Brian picks up the check to see the total... Starts pulling
his wallet out... Isn't quite sure how to bring up the tab
to Early.
EARLY
Thanks Bri', I'll get the next one.
(prompts Adele)
Think it's time we hit the sack.
Early winks at Brian, Carrie catches the wink. Early and
Adele get up and head for the door. Adele waves goodnight.
ADELE
(to Carrie)
Sweet dreams.
INT. CARRIE AND BRIAN'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Close on Carrie, she is reflected in a mirror. Reveal, Carrie
wearing only a T-shirt is at the vanity angrily brushing her
teeth. In the bathroom next to her, a bath is running. In
the adjacent bedroom, Brian is in the bed working on his
notes.
INT. BATHROOM
CARRIE
(spits out a mouthful
of water)
You mean because I object to having
somebody take off their shoe and
scratch their foot while I'm eating
I'm prejudiced?
INT. BEDROOM - SAME TIME
BRIAN
(reading notes)
He can't help the way he was raised.
I kinda feel sorry for him.
INT. BATHROOM
Carrie pauses in brushing her teeth.
CARRIE
Feel sorry for him? Obviously you
didn't get a whiff of that sock?
BRIAN (O.S.)
Bitch, bitch, bitch!
CARRIE
(under her breath)
Up yours.
BRIAN
I heard that.
INT. BATHROOM
Carrie finishes brushing her teeth. Secretively she gives
Brian the finger...
BRIAN (O.S.)
...heard that too.
Carrie glances at the bath water running in the tub. It's
rusty brown and disgusting. She pulls the plug on the bath
idea.
INT. EARLY AND ADELE'S MOTEL BATHROOM ROOM - SAME TIME
The tap is running at the sink as Early empties the stolen
purse. He adds the last few coins to a small pile of cash.
EARLY
Can you believe thirty bucks for
this room... for what? A lumpy
mattress, that crummy TV and a
crapper.
ADELE (O.S.)
Early, sing me a song.
Early continues to sift through all the items from the purse.
EARLY
Which one.
INT. EARLY AND ADELE'S MOTEL ROOM
Adele starts to sing a song.
OMITTED
Early start sing with her... As the song ends.
ADELE
(laughs)
Hey can we go to that Chinese
restaurant when we get to Los Angeles?
You know, to see all them famous
footprints?
ON EARLY IN BATHROOM
Early reaches down into the bottom of the purse and pulls
out a pair of glistening stainless steel scissors.
EARLY
Only if they let me put mine down
too.
He stares at the scissors curiously, then switches off the
bathroom light.
DARKNESS
BRIAN (O.S.)
Look Carrie, we're gonna be stuck
with these people for a week...
Click, a light is turned on. Revealing...
INT. BRIAN AND CARRIE'S ROOM - SAME TIME
Brian has turned on the nightstand light. He and Carrie are
lying in bed.
BRIAN
...And all I'm saying is I think we
ought to try and get along with them.
That's all.
CARRIE
You try, I'm gonna pretend they're
with somebody else.
BRIAN
Carrie.
CARRIE
I don't want to talk about it.
Brian turns the light off. From the blackness...
CARRIE
Pretty smooth how he stiffed us on
dinner?
Brian switches the light back on.
BRIAN
He didn't stiff us. He paid for the
gas remember.
Silence... Brian reaches out for the light... when
CARRIE
I'm telling you he's nearly broke
and we're going to end up paying for
those two.
Brian decides to leave the light on. He moves closer to
Carrie. He slides up against her backside. He reaches for
her under the sheets. Kisses her neck.
BRIAN
You finished?
Carrie pushes her body up against his in response.
CARRIE
...Um, maybe... maybe not.
Brian's mouth moves down along her back. He slips beneath
the sheets. From the expression on her face, she obviously
approves... Yet she can't resist slipping in another remark...
CARRIE
...Um... Funky fucking sock.
Carrie rolls over on her back. Brian moves on top of her.
Kisses her stomach.
CARRIE
...and what's with that hair? Is
that grease or motor oil or what?
Carrie reaches down and grabs two fists full of Brian's hair.
She pulls him to her. He slides up along her chest, kissing
her. Things heat up. She reaches out, grasps his arms. Pulls
him closer.
CARRIE
...you believe that tattoo? Looks
like he had another girls name there
and carved it out.
Brian bites at her neck. She stops talking. His sweating
shoulder presses against her face. She turns her head to
encourage him.
In the dresser mirror... she sees their shadowy reflections.
Their bodies atangle under the sheets.
CARRIE
...and that body odor.
Their reflection in the mirror intrigues her. Intoxicates
her. His aggression excites her. She pulls him into her. The
metal bedframe bangs against the motel wall repeatedly as
they make love.
Then slowly, the camera bisects the plaster and lumber divider
and emerges in the next room...
TO FIND
Early leaning quietly against the same wall. Listening to
them. As he does, he uses the scissors to cut through the
crusty bandage on his finger. Then, across the room he notices
Adele in bed asleep... the scissors stop.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
EXT. EARLY'S MOTEL ROOM - MORNING
Early exits his motel room, opens a bottle of Lucky Lager
against a soda dispenser, and walks over to the motel diner.
INT. MOTEL DINER
Early enters the diner drinking his morning beer. Adele is
not with him. He spots Brian and Carrie seated opposite one
another in one of the booths. He walks up to their table and
drops down uninvited on the seat next to Carrie.
BRIAN
Morning...
Early lifts his beer bottle in salute.
EARLY
Bri'.
CARRIE
Where's Adele?
EARLY
She wasn't feeling so good.
The WAITRESS arrives with a menu, offers it to Early.
WAITRESS
Breakfast?
EARLY
(burps)
Nah... Don't eat breakfast. Never
have.
The Waitress notices Early's bottle of beer.
WAITRESS
Ah sir... sir.
She gets Early's attention.
WAITRESS
(concerned)
We ah... don't have a liquor license
here. So I'm afraid...
EARLY
Well don't be, I got plenty more
where this one came from.
The Waitress gives him a curious look and walks away.
Just then, Brian look past Early... A surprised expression
crosses Brian's face. Early turns to see... Adele approaching
the table. Her hair has been crudely chopped to resemble
Carrie's. It looks like shit.
CARRIE
(at a loss for words)
You cut your hair.
Adele smiles, pleased with Carrie for noticing. She sits
down next to Brian.
ADELE
Early cut it.
(smiles at Early)
...Once he gets an idea in his head
there's no holding him back.
Carrie looks to Brian curiously. Adele is distracted by a
small cactus on the window near the table.
BRIAN
Nice job Early.
Carrie notices Adele's 'new' (stolen) purse... We see the
wheels turning in Carrie's head. How? Where?
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
EXT. MOTEL - LATER
Early walks toward the Lincoln. It is parked outside Brian
and Carrie's room. The front door is ajar, he pushes it open.
He sees Carrie's reflection in the bathroom mirror, she's in
her underwear, pulling on her jeans. Early watches her for a
moment. There's no mistaking what's on his mind... as his
eyes scan her body. Carrie pulls on her T-shirt, steps out
of the bathroom and sees Early just outside the door.
EARLY
...Need a hand with those bags?
CARRIE
No, thanks, I can manage.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - SAME TIME
Carrie turns back to the dresser and gathers up the last few
things. She glances into the dresser mirror looking for
Early's reflection at the door, but he's gone. Relieved, she
turns the corner to grab her bags and finds Early standing
right there! Looking at her. He startles her.
EARLY
I got 'em.
He picks up her bags and walks out of the room. Carrie watches
him, then she steps to the doorway.
BRIAN (O.S.)
All set?
CARRIE
(startled)
Fuck!
BRIAN
Take your time.
CARRIE LOOKS BACK TO EARLY
CARRIE'S POV - EXT. MOTEL
Early places the bags in the Lincoln's trunk. Adele sees
Early carrying Carrie's bag, Adele looks jealous.
EXT. MOTEL
In the foreground Carrie's door closes.
TO BLACK.
EXT. LINCOLN/HIGHWAY - LATER
Lincoln passes through frame.
INT. MOVING LINCOLN - NOON
Brian at wheel, Carrie next to him loading her camera. Early
in the back seat, Adele next to him pulls out some make up
from her bag, we see the little cactus from the motel lobby.
She begins to put on some lipstick. Early reaches into the
frontseat and grabs the manuscript that sits between Brian
and Carrie.
EARLY
(starts to read)
This the book your writing?
BRIAN
It's just a work in progress, kinda
rough.
EARLY
This guy killed a mess of people.
BRIAN
Who?
EARLY
Henry Lucas.
BRIAN
Henry Lee Lucas. Well he was only
convicted of killing eleven but he
claimed to have killed over three
hundred.
EARLY
Wonder what all them people done
made him so mad?
Brian looks to Early in his rear-view mirror.
BANG!!
The front tire blows... the car lurches. Brian reacts, pulling
the Lincoln to the side of the road in a dusty halt.
EXT. LINCOLN/HIGHWAY - NOON
Brian and Early unload the trunk to get to the spare tire.
AT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE
Brian struggles with the wheel and the jack.
EARLY
Here Bri' let me do that.
Early takes over. He pulls off his shirt, jacks the car up
and begins replacing the wheel with ease.
EARLY
How did he get away with it for so
long anyhow?
BRIAN
He almost always killed strangers.
Spent years moving on from one place
to another. That made it real hard
to track him down.
Carrie scans the landscape with her camera. She sees Adele
walking around a small roadside graveyard. She is reading
the epitaphs on the headstones. Carrie fires off a few shots.
Then she sees Early, she can't help but notice Early's lean
body. She zooms in on his muscles and prison tattoo. Click!!
Early completes the task. Together he and Brian begin putting
everything back in the trunk.
Suddenly, from behind, Adele jumps onto Early's back,
surprising him. He gives her a "horsey ride" around the
Lincoln.
ON CARRIE
She notices Early's wallet on the ground.
ON EARLY AND ADELE
She's riding him, covering his eyes playfully.
ON CARRIE
She picks up the wallet.
BENEATH THE LINCOLN
Early's feet galloping.
ON CARRIE
She opens the wallet to find two one dollar bills inside.
WITH EARLY AND ADELE
As they come around the side of the car and to a stop in
front of Carrie. She holds up his wallet... watches his eyes.
CARRIE
You dropped this.
ADELE
Early Grayce if this ain't your lucky
day.
She hands the wallet back to him. Something between them
goes unspoken.
EXT. A GAS STATION - LATER THAT DAY
The Lincoln pulls in.
INT. LINCOLN
BRIAN
I guess it's your turn to pay Early.
Early nods and Brian looks over to Carrie, making sure she
heard. The four of them get out of the car.
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
Early starts toward the gas station store. He checks his
wallet, two dollars left. Carrie and Adele lean against the
car. Carrie lights up a cigarette. She watches Early to see
what his next move will be. Brian removes the gas cap and
sticks the gas pump nozzle in. It pumps away.
CLOSE ON THE GAS METER
It starts turning over... $$$$$ Click... Click... Click...
EXT. GAS STATION
(crossing the tarmac)... with Early. His face expressionless.
His mind racing...
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
Brian walks around the Lincoln; checking the tires. Carrie
watches Early intently.
CLOSE ON EARLY
He walks toward the entrance.
HIS POV
Inside the store he sees a video surveillance camera. It
worries him. Distracts him momentarily.
Suddenly from behind him... o.s. A car horn HONKS LOUDLY!
Early turns to see a late model Mercedes behind him. He just
gazes at the driver. Aggravated, the driver leans on the
horn and motions Early out of his way. Early stares at the
man a moment longer, then steps to one side and lets the car
pull past him.
WIDE ON THE GAS STATION
A FAT MAN in his late thirties exits from behind the wheel
of the Mercedes. Early watches him as he takes a money clip
from his pocket and walks toward the entrance to the mini
market.
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
The gas meter dial continues to go around. $$$$$ Click...
Click... Click...
NEW ANGLE
The girls leaning against the car. Adele watches Carrie take
a drag on her cigarette.
ADELE
I used to smoke before I met Early.
But he broke me of that.
Her remark gets Carrie's attention.
CARRIE
Broke you?
ON EARLY
He watches the Fat Man inside the office.
EARLY'S POV - EXT./INT. GAS STATION
The Fat Man pays THE ATTENDANT for gas and is handed the
restroom key.
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
Brian walks to the front of the Lincoln. He passes Carrie
and Adele...
ADELE
Early don't think women should smoke
or curse or drink liquor.
CARRIE
So you don't do any of those things.
Carrie takes a quick look to the mini-market. She's lost
sight of Early.
ADELE
Better not, or Early'd whip me.
CARRIE
(back to Adele)
He whips you?
INT./EXT. BATHROOM
The Fat Man turns the key and enters the bathroom. The door
starts to swing shut behind him, but...
TWO FINGERS catch it before it does.
ADELE (O.S.)
Only when I deserve it.
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
Brian lifts the hood of the Lincoln... Reaches for the
radiator cap.
INT. BATHROOM
The Fat Man is standing at the urinal. He has a ureterostomy
bag he's emptying, when...
Early's hand hits the blow dryer. A whirring sound fills the
room. The Fat Man turns his head. Early lunges at him from
behind, yanks his head back and rips a switchblade across
his throat!
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND - CU
A BLAST of steam from the radiator startles Brian!
INT. BATHROOM
The Fat Man clutches at his throat. Sees the blood on his
palms. He looks up in shock. Early pounds the man's head
into the wall.
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
Brian checking the oil, pulls out the dip stick.
NEW ANGLE: CU
Black oil runs down the metal blade.
INT. BATHROOM
The Fat Man falls to his knees against the urinal. His hand
grasping the lever. The urinal flushes. Water flows. The Fat
Man's blood mixes with it. The urinal overflows. The blood
tinged water spills onto the white tile floor. Early pries
the dead man's fist off the lever.
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
Brian slams the Lincoln's hood shut.
INT. BATHROOM
Early struggles to turn the fat corpse over.
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
Brian steps up to the gas nozzle and pulls it out of the
car.
INT. BATHROOM
Early reaches in the dead man's pocket and removes his money
clip.
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
The gas meter stops turning.
INT. BATHROOM
Early calmly washes his hands in the beat up ceramic sink.
He pulls a comb from his pocket and combs his hair in the
mirror.
EXT. GAS PUMP ISLAND
Brian pulls a squeegee across the front windshield. Water
washes the dirt away.
INT. BATHROOM - EXTREME CU
The bloody water spiralling down the drain hole.
EXT. GAS STATION
Early exits the bathroom... and runs straight into Brian,
about to enter.
EARLY
(friendly)
Hey Bri'... ah... You don't want to
go in there. It's a real mess, if
you know what I mean.
Brian glances at the bathroom door. Down below, a thin stream
of the Fat Man's blood begins to trickle out from under the
door... just barely touching the toe of Brian's shoe.
BRIAN
That bad?
EARLY
...Then some.
Early puts his arm around Brian and turns him back toward
the car.
AT THE CAR
Adele takes a photo of them, approaching. The attendant steps
up to Carrie.
ATTENDANT
(to Carrie)
Comes to twenty eight dollars.
CARRIE
Talk to him.
Carrie points to Early. As Brian and Early approach the car,
Early pulls out the money clip.
EARLY
Call it an even thirty.
Early peels off thirty bucks from the money clip. He sees
Carrie watching him, Early smiles.
EARLY
I'll drive Bri'.
Hearing that, Carrie climbs into the back seat. Adele climbs
over the backrest into the frontseat.
EARLY
Adele, get in the back.
She climbs again into the backseat.
EXT. LINCOLN CRUISING
INT. LINCOLN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD - DAYTIME
Early is driving. Brian riding shotgun, is making some notes
in his manuscript. Adele is teaching a reluctant Carrie to
play a card game called "SNAP."
ADELE
...Hey you're good. Thought you said
you never played before?
CARRIE
I haven't... I'm a fast learner.
ON EARLY AND BRIAN
EARLY
...They never caught that Black Dolya
Killer, huh?
BRIAN
Dahlia, no.
EARLY
Now why is that?
BRIAN
Some people think it's because he
never killed again. He just
disappeared back into society.
EARLY
You don't sound too convinced 'bout
that?
BRIAN
I always thought it was the work of
a serial killer. Anyone who took
that much time and care bisecting
another human being must have been
enjoying it and would have done it
again. And again. Until someone
stopped him.
EARLY
That your... "theory", ain't that
what they call it?
BRIAN
Yeah.
EARLY
You wanna hear mine?
Carrie listens in as she continues to play cards with Adele.
BRIAN
(amused)
Sure.
EARLY
Ain't you goin' to record it?
Brian picks up his tape recorder.
BRIAN
(into tape)
Early Grayce, June twenty third.
Brian hands Early the hand held tape recorder.
EARLY
(into tape)
Well I'll just bet he's still alive.
Old, livin' in some trailer park or
somethin' somewhere, but still alive.
Thinkin' every night 'bout what he
done. Goin' over and over it in his
mind. How smart he was for getting
away with it.
Carrie is chilled by the intensity of Early's remark. She
watches him out of the corner of her eye. SMACK! Adele's
hand hits the pile of cards and she wins the game. Startled,
Carrie turns back to Adele.
ADELE
(to Carrie)
You lose!
BRIAN
(to Early)
I suppose anything's possible.
Brian puts one leg across the other and goes back to his
notes.
NEW ANGLE: CLOSE UP BRIAN'S SHOE
Revealing... the blood encrusted toe of his shoe.
NEW ANGLE: CU ON EARLY
EARLY
You ever play any pool Bri'?
EARLY'S POV
Up ahead a HONKY TONK BAR with a large sign "POOL TABLES,
BOWLING & MUSIC"
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
The Lincoln passes by the LARGE SIGN.
BRIAN (O.S.)
I can hold my own...
EXT. MOTEL - DUSK
A high angle looks down on the modest cluster of rooms below.
The motel sign pulses erratically in foreground. Moths flicker
about the light.
CLOSER
The Lincoln is parked in front of Brian and Carrie's room.
The horn honks. Early is behind the wheel, engine running.
Brian steps out of the motel room.
CARRIE (O.S.)
Hey Minnesota Fats!
Carrie appears at the door holding her camera.
CARRIE
(sarcastic)
Don't forget your key.
She hands Brian the key.
BRIAN
Why'd I open my big mouth?
Brian takes the key and walks to the car.
Carrie sees Adele standing outside her door. Brian enters
the Lincoln.
CARRIE
(to Adele)
Why didn't you go with them?
The Lincoln pulls away.
ADELE
I told you how Early feels 'bout a
woman drinking.
CARRIE
How'd you meet Early?
Carrie swings the camera around to Adele, and snaps off a
shot.
ADELE
(grins)
I was hitchhiking' one day and he
picked me up. At first I wasn't gonna
get in on account of his car was in
such sorry shape. I said, "I ain't
never seen a white man drivin' a car
like this."
Carrie snaps another shot of Adele. Every once in a while
Adele feels like she should be "posing" for the shots that
Carrie's taking of her. So, occasionally, as she carries on
her conversation with Carrie, she does.
CARRIE'S POV THRU CAMERA
ADELE
(continues)
An' he said right back, "You shouldn't
judge by appearances little lady...
this vehicle might just be a flying
saucer disguised as a car, for all
you know."
CARRIE'S POV THRU CAMERA - AS SHE ZOOMS IN TIGHTER ON ADELE
ADELE
Well, I got in and we got to talkin',
and the next thing I know, I'd moved
in with him in this old trailer.
(beat)
Hey! Wouldn't it be something if we
all ended up sharing a house together
in California?
ON CARRIE
She lowers the camera from her eye and studies Adele.
CARRIE
You know I can fix that haircut for
you, if you want?
ADELE
You can?
EXT. BOWLING ALLEY BAR - NIGHT
A nondescript "joint" on the outskirts of town. American
cars. American pickup trucks parked outside. The Lincoln
pulls into foreground and parks. Early gets out of the Lincoln
and looks around.
EARLY
I wonder if there's any "doors" out
here?
Brian exits the Lincoln and looks at Early questioning.
EARLY
You know... "openings" to other
dimensions.
(pause)
I read there are a lot of them out
West, mostly in the desert. They say
if you know what you're doing, you
can travel anywhere in the Universe
in a matter of seconds. Wouldn't
that come in handy?
Brian looks at him blankly. He can't think of a thing to say
in response. Early walks toward the entrance of the bar.
Brian joins him.
BRIAN
By the way, I'm not much of a pool
player.
EARLY
Shit, it ain't hard to play pool. I
can teach you everything ya need ta
know.
BRIAN
Yeah?
EARLY
Hell yeah! I'll even spot ya a few
points first game.
BRIAN
Wait a minute. You're gonna hustle
me?
EARLY
Nah... how much money have you got?
They both laugh and enter the bar.
CARRIE'S MOTEL ROOM - SAME TIME
Adele is sitting in a chair in front of the dresser mirror
drinking a beer. Carrie is cutting her hair. In the mirror
Adele watches Carrie for a moment. She notices the cigarette
dangling from her lips.
ADELE
How do you get your cigarette to
stay there like that.
Carrie looks in the mirror.
CARRIE
I'm cool.
ADELE
Could I try that?
Carrie takes out a fresh cigarette and hands it to Adele.
Together they stare into the mirror with their dangling
cigarettes. Adele drops her cigarette, as she reaches down
for it she notices Carrie's portfolio.
ADELE
What's this?
CARRIE
It's a portfolio of my work.
ADELE
Your pictures. Can I see 'em?
CARRIE
Sure.
Adele grabs the black leather binder and sets it in her lap.
Carrie continues to cut Adele's hair. Adele opens the binder
and takes a look at the first erotic image and slaps the
cover back down. She's embarrassed.
ADELE
Jesus!
Carrie watches her in amusement. After a moment, Adele
reconsiders, and opens the book. She gazes at the shocking
photograph.
ADELE
You took this picture?
CARRIE
Took 'em all.
Carrie resumes cutting Adele's hair. Adele thumbs through
several photographs.
CARRIE
That's me.
ADELE
No it is not!
CARRIE
Hold still.
ADELE
Sorry. Boy I'll tell ya, if Early
found a picture of me like that I'd
be black and blue for a week.
Adele notices Carrie's scowl in the dresser mirror. Carrie
stops cutting.
CARRIE
(suddenly serious)
You shouldn't let him do that to
you...
ADELE
Do what?
CARRIE
Adele... are you serious?
ADELE
(defensive)
You think Early's bad to me, don't
you?
CARRIE
Yeah.
Carrie starts cutting Adele's hair again.
ADELE
Well... You're wrong. I ain't saying
Early ain't never hit me... but he
never hurt me.
When Carrie doesn't respond, Adele grabs Carrie's scissor
hand and stops her from continuing. Carrie looks at Adele's
reflection in the dresser mirror.
ADELE
(continues)
...When I was fourteen years old
three boys raped me in the back of a
truck, and beat me so bad I was in
bed for almost four months...
(beat)
...I feel safe with Early, most the
time he treats me pretty good. And I
know he wouldn't let nothin' like
that ever happen to me again...
Carrie is speechless, Adele looks in the mirror at her new
haircut.
ADELE
Hey, that ain't so bad now.
INT. BOWLING ALLEY BAR
The patrons are young men and women. Eighteen to thirty. The
River's Edge kids today. Leather. Ludes and Beer. Wasted.
Rowdy.
We follow one of the waitresses through the bar... As she
passes by a pool table one of the players, A LARGE YOUNG
CRACKER, makes a grab at her...
LARGE YOUNG CRACKER
When you gonna give me so o' that!
She spins safely out of his reach.
WAITRESS
Maybe when you grow up a little sonny.
Some guys, close enough to hear her over the noise, laugh at
her put down. She moves on until she reaches...
Brian standing near a small high table. Early's not with
him. She sets four beers down on the table. Brian tries to
talk to her over the music. He leans in close. His mouth to
her ear.
BRIAN
These aren't Lucky Lager, I ordered
Lucky Lager.
WAITRESS
Sorry honey, 'ain't nothin Lucky
around here.
The waitress laughs. Brian smiles and glances around the
room. He notices the Large Young Cracker staring at him.
ACROSS THE ROOM
Early steps out of the bathroom and makes his way back to
Brian.
NEW ANGLE ON BRIAN
He watches the waitress disappear into the crowd, then turns
to find the Large Young Cracker in his face!
YOUNG CRACKER
What did you say to her city boy!
The Young Cracker is obviously very drunk.
BRIAN
Nothing, I jus...
YOUNG CRACKER
(cuts him off)
What's a jism gargling cum drunk
fairy like you looking at a pretty
girl like that for anyway?
The Young Cracker doesn't notice Early return from the
bathroom. He moves in next to Brian. Early is relaxed and
nonchalant as he looks over the Young Cracker. He leans closer
to Brian.
EARLY
(matter of factly)
You'd better hit him first Bri',
'cos it's comin'.
With his eyes on Brian, Early grabs a beer. Brian is scared,
and confused, with one ear and one eye on the Young Cracker,
the other on Early.
YOUNG CRACKER
This yur' boyfriend?
BRIAN
(dumbfounded)
What?
EARLY
Hit him.
Early looks at the beer.
EARLY
(angry)
Bri' this shit ain't Lucky Lager!
Early takes a swig off the beer, grimaces and sprays it out.
It hits the Young Cracker. The Cracker looks down at his
shirt in shock. Early is oblivious.
YOUNG CRACKER
(to Early)
Hey Asshole!
Brian is frozen, confused, doesn't know who to address. Early
continues to ignore the Young Cracker.
BRIAN
They don't stock it here Early.
YOUNG CRACKER
(to Early, furious)
Why you fuckin'...
The Young Cracker moves to hit Early. Early swiftly smashes
his beer bottle into the oncoming face. The Young Cracker
doubles over clutching his face in agony. Early kicks him in
the face, sending the Young Cracker to the ground. Early
finishes him off with several more kicks from his heavy work
boots.
Two large tough guys approach Early and Brian. Brian's heart
racing, Early cool as a cucumber. Instead of taking on Early,
they stop, reach down and drag the unconscious man away. The
waitress returns to their table.
WAITRESS
Sorry about that, he's always causing
trouble.
She sets down two beers and two shots, doubles.
WAITRESS
These are on the house.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
INT. CARRIE AND BRIAN'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Carrie and Adele split the last bottle of beer between them.
They are sitting on the floor and Adele has Carrie's foot in
her lap. She's painting Carrie's toenails bright red. Neither
of them is feeling any pain.
ADELE
My momma's a beautician. Guess that's
where I get it from. She wouldn't
hear of my moving in with Early...
on account of his just getting out
of jail and all. Ain't seen her in
nearly a year now. I wish she'd call
me, just once.
CARRIE
(interrupting)
What's Early been in jail for?
ADELE
(reluctantly)
Carryin' a gun.
CARRIE
...Anything else?
ADELE
An' resistin' arrest... At least
that's what the Police said.
CARRIE
Jeez... Adele!
Adele realizes she has said too much, looks at her watch.
ADELE
I'd better be goin'. It's late.
Adele hastily weaves her way out the door.
CARRIE
Great.
Carrie stares down at her feet. Red toenails. Cottonballs
between the toes.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
EXT. THE BOWLING ALLEY BAR
Early and Brian exit the bar. They make their way to the
Lincoln. On the way...
EARLY
Got to see a man about a mule.
Brian looks at Early, doesn't understand.
EARLY
Gotta take a piss.
Early branches off behind the car.
EARLY
Any reebs left in the back seat?
Early starts to take a leak.
EARLY
Aaahhhhh...
(relief)
That's what we used to call a beer
when we was kids... Beer spelled
backwards.
Brian reaches in the back seat and grabs the last Lucky Lager.
He crosses to the other side of the car and hands Early the
beer.
BRIAN
Last one.
Early stares at the last of the Lucky Lagers.
EARLY
...Well I probably drunk more than
my share, anyway... you go on an'
have it.
BRIAN
No, it's all yours. It's on me...
for saving my ass back there.
Early takes the beer.
EARLY
Hey, that's what buddies are for,
right...?
Early polishes off the rest of the bottle and heaves it into
the woods.
EARLY
(voice drops almost
to a whisper)
You know those doors I was talking
about? Found two of them back in
Kentucky. Shit, I wasn't even looking
for one the first time. Me and the
boys are just swingin' our sickles
by the side of the road, and I turned
around and there it was... this door
with this bright blinding white light
all around it... course I'm thinkin'
I must be sunstroked or somethin'...
so I close my eyes figurin' I'll
count ten and it'll be gone right...
so I'm countin'...
(he closes his eyes)
...1-2-3-4-5... an' I'm 'bout ta
piss myself right... -6-7-8-9... 10.
An' I open my eyes slow, spectin' it
won't be there right...
When Early opens his eyes, he sees a concerned look on Brian's
face.
EARLY
(unconvincingly)
...and it wasn't.
An awkward silence.
Then Early starts laughing. Brian follows suit. They both
climb back in the car. Their forced laughter trails off.
Brian shifts the Lincoln back into gear and segues
awkwardly...
BRIAN
What were you "swinging a sickle"
for?
Early stares at Brian. For a moment Brian is unsure what
Early will say, or do? Then Early grins...
EARLY
For... 'bout three years.
Brian brakes their eye contact, looks back out onto the
highway and just drives off.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
INT. BRIAN AND CARRIE'S MOTEL ROOM - LATER
The door opens revealing Brian silhouetted in the doorway.
Under the influence of Lucky Lager, he fumbles with the key...
gets inside and noisily shuts the door behind him. Carrie
remains stonily silent, in the dark.
BRIAN
Gotta see a man about a mule... What's
wrong?
A few seconds pass.
CARRIE
The same thing that's been "wrong"
the whole trip. Your good buddy Early.
Carrie, in bed, switches on the side table light. Reveals
Brian leaning on the wall trying to get his shoes off without
falling over.
BRIAN
Who said he's my good buddy?
CARRIE
You sure been acting like you were...
(redneck accent)
...Out whoopin' it up, a drankin'
and ever' thang.
Brian points to the empty beer bottles on the table.
BRIAN
Hey come on, you two were drinking
too... so what's the big deal.
Brian throws his shoes somewhere and heads toward the
bathroom.
CARRIE
Yeah, and you should've seen how
terrified she was that he'd find
out. He beats her.
BRIAN
How do you know that?
CARRIE
She told me...
(adding)
...but only when she "deserves" it.
Did you know he was in jail?
BATHROOM
Brian turns on the light. Takes a piss. A long one.
BRIAN
Yeah, for stealing a car. Aaahhhh.
Suddenly, from right behind him:
CARRIE (O.S.)
Bullshit!
Startled, Brian turns to see Carrie.
CARRIE
...He told her it was for carrying a
gun, but the truth could be murder
for all we know.
No response from Brian. Carrie walks away.
LIVING ROOM
Carrie steps over to the bed, pulls the sheets back. Brian
leans out the bathroom door:
BRIAN
Stop being so fucking melodramatic!
If it was murder he'd still be locked
up or on parole, in which case he
wouldn't be allowed to leave the
state.
CARRIE
Maybe he wasn't allowed to leave!
Geezus Brian!
Brian smacks himself on the forehead (a sarcastic "how stupid
of me!") He pulls his shirt off over his head, and admits...
BRIAN
(sarcastically)
Of course! The accent, the clothes,
and those table manners!... He's got
to be a mass murderer!
(pause)
What else could he be?
He switches off the bathroom light, steps out of the doorway,
and begins to pull his jeans off. Carrie climbs into bed.
BRIAN
You know, it wouldn't even surprise
me if he turned out to be... a
Republican!
Brian tosses his jeans and moves toward the bed. Carrie
switches off the the only light in the room. In the dark, we
hear a thud as Brian trips over a chair.
BRIAN
Goddamnit!... my fucking toe!
EXT. BRIAN AND CARRIE'S MOTEL ROOM - A MOMENT LATER
Carrie leaves the motel room, ice bucket in hand.
CARRIE
(to Brian inside room)
Try not to lose consciousness 'til I
get back.
EXT. MOTEL CORRIDOR
At the far end of a narrow hallway, Carrie finds an ice
machine rumbling away noisily. The only illumination, a single
fluorescent light bulb, hangs suspended above it.
AT THE ICE MACHINE
With her arm buried inside the ice machine, Carrie scavenges
for what little ice there is... when, out of the corner of
her eye, she notices...
SOMEONE standing at the other end of the corridor. The
silhouette of a man.
Carrie stops. Her eyes scan the claustrophobic hallway for
another way out. There is none.
She tries to ignore the situation. Grabs another handful of
ice cubes. The man approaches. Carrie stops again. Her mind
races. The man's face slowly becomes visible as he nears the
fluorescent light. It's Early.
EARLY
Ain't you done enough drinking for
tonight?
CARRIE
...Brian hurt his foot.
Early reaches past her into the ice machine and grabs a
solitary cube. He puts it in his mouth, sucks on it. His
torso is drenched in sweat. He catches Carrie staring at
him.
EARLY
Sometimes... Don't know why it is...
I get so hot I can't stand it. I
just start sweating like a dog. You
ever get like that?
CARRIE
(tenuous)
No.
Early spits the ice cube back into his hand. He presses it
against the back of his neck.
EARLY
I can feel it start to run down my
neck...
(he turns his back to
show her)
...and down my back... right into my
pants.
Carrie follows a bead of ice water as it slides down between
his shoulder blades and along his back.
EARLY
...and everything starts stickin'
together... keeps running down the
back of my legs like two rivers racin'
for my boots, see who gets there
first.
He snaps a look back to Carrie and finds her looking at his
ass. She diverts her glance.
EARLY
You never get that hot, huh?
Carrie shakes her head no. Early looks in his hand to see
that his ice cube has melted.
CARRIE
I gotta get back before this ice
melts.
Carrie tries to slip past him. He reaches back into the
machine, momentarily blocking her exit. He grabs another ice
cube. His face only inches from hers.
EARLY
...never?
CARRIE
No, never. Excuse me.
He pops the ice cube in his mouth and lets her pass.
EARLY
You like Skynard?
No response, Early chews up the ice cube.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
EXT. LINCOLN LEAVING THE MOTEL - NEXT MORNING
The car crawls out of the parking lot.
INT. LINCOLN
Carrie is driving. Brian is contending with a major hangover.
There is still a silent tension between Brian and Carrie
from the argument the night before. Early is in the back
with Adele. Brian moves his head and moans.
ADELE
My daddy always took sauerkraut juice
and tobasco sauce for a hangover,
mixed in one egg not two, and some
tomato juice...
From the front seat, Brian's hand springs up in a desperate
plea for an end to Adele's colorful description.
BRIAN
I'm okay, thanks.
Brian rolls down his window for some fresh air, as the car
pulls away.
EXT. LINCOLN ON HIGHWAY - MOMENTS LATER
THE CAR IS HEADING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD.
INT. LINCOLN
Carrie glances over at Brian, who is now asleep next to her.
She looks up into her rear-view mirror...
CARRIE'S POV: IN THE MIRROR
Early is asleep, leaning against the door. Adele is rummaging
through a large canvas bag on the seat next to her.
Suddenly... The wail of an approaching ambulance gets Carrie's
attention. It roars by. Carrie glances in the mirror again.
The next instant, unexpectedly...
EXT. LINCOLN
She furiously pulls the car off the road to an abrupt halt.
INT. LINCOLN
Brian's heads bangs against the side window.
BRIAN
What! What!
Carrie nods toward the back seat. Brian turns and sees Adele
looking back at them questioningly. Beside her, Early rustles.
BRIAN
What is it?
CARRIE
Look again!
Brian notices that Adele's rummaging has revealed an automatic
pistol in the open canvas bag. Brian stares at it. Early's
eyes open.
EXT. PARKED LINCOLN - LATER
A deserted plain. It's very quiet here. Until the silence is
broken by the sound of gunshots. Reveal Early teaching Brian
how to shoot. A row of tin cans are set up on a rusty old
car. It's obvious that Brian's enthralled with the idea of
shooting the gun. Even if he isn't hitting anything.
EARLY
Only thing my old man ever gave me
is that goddamn .45.
Brian fires off another shot, misses again.
EARLY
Bri', you're jerkin' it when you
pull the trigger, hold it real steady.
Nearby stands an unhappy Carrie. Adele pulls her yoyo out of
her pocket.
ADELE
Boys'll be boys.
Carrie doesn't respond. Adele offers the yoyo to Carrie.
ADELE
You know any tricks?
Carrie shakes her head no. Adele withdraws her offer.
ADELE
You wanna learn some?
Again Carrie declines. Her steely gaze returns to Brian.
ON EARLY AND BRIAN
Early helps Brian to hold the gun.
EARLY
Steady... Breath in... now let half
of it out, and... fire.
BANG!! The can flies off the tree stump. Brian turns to Carrie
to see her reaction... but she's already on her way back to
the car, and she's furious. Concerned, Brian starts to follow
after her... But Early grabs his attention.
EARLY
Bri, I want you to keep this gun...
consider it a present. Never know,
California could turn out to be a
dangerous place.
Brian gazes at the gun resting in the palm of his hand.
EXT. AN EMPTY HIGHWAY - DAY
The Lincoln rolling along.
INT. LINCOLN
Brian is driving. Carrie keeps to herself. In her side mirror
she catches a glimpse of Early curled up in Adele's lap. She
watches a moment longer... and realizes that they are making
out. Beginning to kiss and touch one another.
EXT. HIGHWAY NEAR ABATTOIR - LATE AFTERNOON
The Lincoln turns off the main highway onto a dirt road. In
the distance, we see a large rundown building.
INT. AN OLD DESERTED ABATTOIR - AFTERNOON
The Lincoln pulls up to the ramshackle structure. Brian
glances to the back seat to make a remark to Early and Adele
and sees that they are amorously engaged.
Brian and Carrie start to gather their stuff. Carrie opens
the glove compartment, inside are boxes of film... and the
.45 automatic. She takes a few packs of film, and closes the
glove compartment.
EARLY
Tell ya Bri., I'm still a little
sleepy,... think Adele and me are
gonna take us a fiesta.
CARRIE
(pissed off)
Siesta.
Carrie reaches over and takes the keys from the ignition,
locks the glove compartment and pockets the key. Both she
and Brian exit the car. As they start to walk toward the
structure Brian hears a sound, he turns back to see. Adele
leaning forward into the frontseat as the lincoln's big white
top starts to come up.
INT. ABATTOIR
Even in daylight, the interior of the dilapidated old building
is equal parts unnerving, austere, and menacing. The last
rays of sunlight stream through what remains of the windows.
The light falls on a long ominous row of wicked looking meat-
hooks hanging from the ceiling.
Carrie is getting her camera equipment ready. She's quiet
and uncommunicative.
NEW ANGLE
CLOSE, on a small audio cassette player as it comes to rest
on a giant butcher block table in the center of the room.
Brian pops a cassette in the player.
CARRIE
What's that?
BRIAN
A copy of a tape they found. He
recorded everything.
Camera in hand, Carrie begins to move about, despite the
fact that this place repels her.
Brian presses a button on the audio cassette player. The
small tinny speaker plays a bad recording of something we
slowly come to realize is the unmistakable sounds of a woman
being tortured and pleading for her life.
FLASH!! FLASH!!
Carrie fires off a series of shots from different angles.
Brian scans the place trying to imagine what happened. Screams
from the audio tape bounce off the walls.
BRIAN
(speaks into his small
hand held tape
recorder)
His mother had him working in here
before he was eight years old...
killing animals with a sledgehammer
that was bigger than he was.
Brian and Carrie walk through the remains of a doorway into
another room.
BRIAN
When she was pissed at him, she'd
beat the shit out of him and lock
him in here overnight...
The pleas for help and screams on the tape subside to a steady
whimpering.
BRIAN
(continuing)
...Eventually the boy wakes up one
morning, picks up that sledgehammer
and starts hurting back.
FLASH!! FLASH!!
Carrie takes a few more shots of the ominous interior. Then
she stops, turns and walks out of the room. She's had enough.
Brian follows after her.
BRIAN
There's more...
CARRIE
I'm finished.
Carrie stops to pick up the rest of her gear.
BRIAN
Look... I know you're pissed off
about the gun, and I don't blame
you...
Carrie wheels around to face him.
CARRIE
Brian, I'm not pissed off. God damm
it, turn that thing off.
She switches off the cassette player.
CARRIE
I'm scared. A week ago you would
never have even thought to pick up
that gun. This afternoon you're out
there wielding it around like Clyde
fucking Barrow, for Christ's sake!
What's with you?
BRIAN
Okay, it was a cheap thrill, it was
stupid, I admit it, alright?
(pause)
But let's not blow this. Not now...
Let's just get the photos.
CARRIE
I can't believe I agreed to do this.
OMITTED
BRIAN
Oh come on, don't give me that shit...
you wanted to take these photos as
much as I wanted you too.
CARRIE
Wrong! I was willing to do whatever
it took to get you up off your ass
and on the way to California...
There's a big difference.
Carrie storms out of the place. She exits the tunnel, and
makes her way toward...
THE LINCOLN
As she approaches it, through the rear windshield she sees...
Early and Adele fucking wildly!
Carrie wants to turn away, but she can't stop watching them.
Fascinated, she raises the camera to her eye and zooms in on
them.
THROUGH CARRIE'S CAMERA LENS: ON EARLY AND ADELE
Early is sitting against the back seat. Adele is straddling
him. Carrie's finger finds the shutter button.
Early's arms move up under Adele's dress... Her hands press
up against the roof. She's trembling... Wavering... Carrie's
finger presses down on the button, CLICK!!
Then in one swift movement Early sweeps Adele onto the back
seat. Close on Early's face. He's sweating... Lips moving...
Talking dirty to Adele.
Keeping her finger on the button, Carrie rapid fires through
a whole roll of film. She's oblivious to the whine of the
motor drive once all the film is shot out.
Then unexpectedly!! Early looks directly into the camera, at
Carrie. And smiles... And continues to fuck Adele.
A chill rushes through Carrie, she almost drops the camera.
She runs back toward the tunnel... and right into Brian's
arms. He startles her. She pulls away from him.
CARRIE
Brian I want him out of our car!
BRIAN
Why, what did he do?
CARRIE
Brian get him out of the car. Next
gas station either he leaves or I
do!
OMITTED
EXT. DESERT - DUSK
The Lincoln passes through frame. In the background, the
surreal image of an industrial complex bathed in an eerie
artificial light.
INT. LINCOLN PULLS INTO A GAS STATION - TWILIGHT
An electrical storm is in full swing.
EXT. GAS STATION
The Lincoln barely comes to a stop at the pumps before Carrie
storms out of the car and heads toward the gas station
interior. She leaves Brian to break the news to Adele and
Early.
INT. GAS STATION
The only person inside is a YOUNG MALE ATTENDANT. He's
watching TV behind the counter as Carrie enters. On the TV
we see a NEWSMAN. We only catch fragments of what he is saying
because the storm outside is affecting the TV reception.
CARRIE
Twenty dollars in the tank and a
carton of cigarettes.
In fact, each time the lightning flashes occur all of the
electrical power at the station is affected. The fluorescent
lights outside and inside begin to flicker and falter
sporadically.
NEWSMAN
...the ex-mental patient with a
history of arrests is still at
large...
Static.
Carrie looks at the TV, watches for a moment. It doesn't
hold her attention. She looks away and notices Adele leaving
the car. Adele walks toward a Coke machine at the other end
of the gas station.
ATTENDANT
Here's your cigarettes...
Carrie turns back toward him.
ATTENDANT
...And change. Better be careful,
looks like a bad one coming. Where
you headin'?
CARRIE
California.
ATTENDANT
Hear it never rains there. Must be
nice.
He buttons up his rain coat and goes out into the night to
gas up the Lincoln. Carrie pulls a pack of cigarettes from
the carton, nervously lights one up. She looks out the window
toward the Lincoln.
EXT. GAS PUMPS
Through flashes of lightning and thunder she sees Brian in
the car talking to Early. Early listening quietly. Brian
looking adamant yet apologetic. The attendant fills the
Lincoln's tank.
INT. GAS STATION
Simultaneously, as Carrie watches this... Behind her on the
TV screen... A wave of interference scrambles the picture.
NEWSCASTER
...we would like to repeat...
Static.
NEWSCASTER
...there is a nationwide manhunt
for...
Static.
INT. GAS STATION - ON THE TV
The static clears and the Newscaster appears.
NEWSCASTER (O.S.)
...is believed responsible for the
murders of his landlord John
Diebold...
Static.
EXT. GAS PUMPS - TIGHTER ON LINCOLN
Brian's still talking -- using his hands to explain. Early
is watching him with a resigned expression.
INT. GAS STATION - ON THE TV
A video tape image of a familiar gas station recorded by a
surveillance camera.
NEWSCASTER
...of the fatal stabbing and robbery
of Mr. Joseph Davies Robbins...
NEW ANGLE ON CARRIE
She stares at the TV with growing horror as she notices a
familiar black Lincoln in the background. In mid-ground, a
male figure approaches the video camera unknowingly. Slowly,
Early's image becomes visible.
NEWSCASTER
If you see this man...
Carrie panics, turns toward the door and runs smack into the
arms of a dripping wet Early Grayce! Early stares at her and
drops his bag to the ground.
EARLY
I ain't ridin' in no bus... bitch.
Then... Early notices himself on the TV.
NEWSCASTER (O.S.)
...call your local police or FBI...
Static.
Early grabs Carrie around the neck and yanks her into the
back office. He pushes her down onto a chair.
EARLY
You just sit there and keep your
mouth shut.
He searches behind the cash register and finds a sawed-off
shotgun. He shuts the TV off.
EARLY
I knew that boy'd have a hogleg here
somewhere.
The Attendant rushes back in from the pouring rain. Early
points the sawed-off shotgun at him.
EARLY
Get over here.
Early forces him into the office.
EARLY
Sit your ass down in that corner.
Adele enters the adjacent room. She checks out the various
vending machines in search of candy. Early taps on the window
and motions her into the office. She sees Carrie in the chair,
scared to death, and Early aiming the gun at the Attendant.
ADELE
Early, what're you doin'?
EARLY
Go back to the car and keep Brian
there. I don't want him in here...
(beat)
Do it Adele... Now!
Adele looks back at Carrie, then hurries out. Early empties
the cash register.
EARLY
What's your name, boy?
ATTENDANT
(very scared)
Walter Livesy.
EARLY
Think. I might just have to kill you
Walter. How do you feel about that?
ATTENDANT
Not so good. You sure you have to?
EARLY
I don't know. Wish I did.
CARRIE
Early, just think...
EARLY
Shut your mouth.
INT. LINCOLN
Adele opens the door on the driver's side looking scared.
Brian is in the passenger seat. He's looking in the glove
compartment for a map. The .45 automatic Early gave Brian is
clearly visible. Adele stares at it.
BRIAN
Adele, what are you doing back here?
Adele gets in and starts looking under the seats.
ADELE
...Lost my purse... Could you help
me look for it? It's probably under
the seat.
INT. GAS STATION
The Attendant is reaching up, handing Early the money from
his pockets. Carrie is seated in front of him.
EARLY
Where you from Walter?
ATTENDANT
(nervous shake)
Vernon, Florida.
EARLY
Never heard of it, any huntin'?
ATTENDANT
Turkey mostly.
EARLY
Turkey's are real smart. Smarter
than most people think...
Early rips the phone out of the wall.
EARLY
Tell you what Walter, you lie down
there now... You make sure you stay
put for a while after we leave...
Okay?
The attendant nods yes.
ATTENDANT
...Mind if I hold that Bible?
EARLY
What do you need a Bible for?
The attendant has no response.
EARLY
You think I'm goin' to kill you.
Well that'd make me a liar then
wouldn't it?
ATTENDANT
No sir.
Early takes the Bible off the desk and hands it down to the
Attendant.
EARLY
Here you go.
The frightened young man lies face down on his stomach
clutching the Bible and starts to pray.
On the counter next to him Early notices a large stuffed
"happy face" display. "Free with every 20 gallon purchase."
He grabs one, stares at its face curiously.
EARLY
(mumbles to himself)
I wonder if Adele would like one of
these?
(beat)
Nah...
Suddenly... He puts the barrel of the gun between the "happy
face" eyes... Points it at the back of the attendant's head.
Carrie begins to scream. Early pulls the trigger.
The blast explodes the "happy face" and rips into the back
of the Attendant's head, killing him.
INT. LINCOLN - SIMULTANEOUSLY
A thunderous crackle of lightning all but masks the gunshot.
The rain starts pouring down.
BRIAN
What was that?
Adele stares blankly back.
INT. GAS STATION
The room fills with billowing down stuffing. As the stuffing
floats to the floor it sticks to their hair, skin and
clothes...
EARLY
(surprised at the
feathers)
What the fuck!
INT. LINCOLN
Brian opens the door to leave.
EXT. GAS STATION
Early drags Carrie out of the office toward the car. Brian
sees them running toward the car. They spill into the back
seat. Brian sees Carrie is upset.
BRIAN
Carrie, what's wrong?
(to Early)
Early, we went through this already,
you have to leave.
From the back seat Early wipes some more feathers from his
face, then points the Attendant's gun at Brian's head.
EARLY
(spits out a feather)
'Fraid not Bri'... Drive Adele.
Adele starts the car. She pulls out of the station and into
the rainstorm.
INT. GAS STATION
The last of the feathers fall like snow. The whole room is
now white except for a red stain around the head of the dead
Attendant.
INT. LINCOLN - A MOMENT LATER
The car moves down the highway. Early in the back seat is
still trying to brush away feathers.
EARLY
Hate to be an Indian-giver but I'm
gonna have to ask for my gun back.
Brian reaches in the glove compartment. He removes the gun
and hands it to Early.
BRIAN
(to Early)
What happened back there?
Carrie sits in the corner of the back seat, covered in
feathers but not even noticing them.
CARRIE
He shot him in the head... oh God!
Adele turns to the back of the car to face Carrie.
ADELE
(raising her voice)
He did not, you liar. Take that back.
The Lincoln swerves off onto the side of the road. Adele
looks to the front again and steers it back onto the highway.
CARRIE
He's a killer, Brian... He's fucking
insane.
EARLY
Everybody just shut up!
Early picks some more feathers off himself.
EARLY
You two just cooperate and do what I
say, and we'll all arrive safe and
sound in California, as planned...
unless, of course, Adele don't kill
us first with her driving.
NEW ANGLE - EXTREME CU
The St. Christopher statue swings from the rear-view mirror.
The windshield wipers sweep back and forth against the pouring
rain.
EXT. AN ISOLATED ABANDONED STORE - NEXT MORNING
The Lincoln pulls up at the rear of the store. Adele exits
carrying a couple of bags of Chinese take-out food.
INT. ABANDONED STORE
Adele enters the decrepit store. The others are inside. Brian
and Carrie are tied up. Brian watches Early intently as he
takes one of the bags from Adele. He begins opening one of
the carry out containers.
EARLY
What the hell is this stuff?
ADELE
It's Chinese food. It was the only
place open. You said you was starving,
you'd eat anyth...
Early opens another container. Stares curiously at the
contents.
EARLY
Yeah but, what is it?
ADELE
I don't know, they didn't speak too
good English.
Early sets the container down.
EARLY
And just what exactly are the Chinese
doing here in the middle of the
American desert anyway?... Didja get
the beer?
Adele somewhat reluctantly hands Early a bottle of beer from
a second bag.
EARLY
..."Chink" beer!
Early notices that Brian is watching him intently. He mistakes
Brian's interest for hunger.
EARLY
Oh hell, I'm sorry Bri. Adele, honey,
untie Brian, he's starving over there.
(pause)
Carrie, you want some?
Carrie doesn't respond at all. Adele unties Brian.
Early pulls out his gun, puts it on the table next to him.
Brian sits across from Early. He watches as Early rummages
impatiently through the carry out paraphernalia.
EARLY
Where's the damn forks and spoons
at!
Frustrated, Early finally takes a gulp of Chinese food right
out of the container. It goes down rough.
EARLY
...Is it just me, or has this whole
trip been goin' downhill ever since
we ran outta Lucky Lager?
Brian picks up a pair of chopsticks, then reconsiders, puts
them back down and, like Early, gulps from the container.
NEARBY, Carrie sits quietly. As she listens to the two men
talk... she notices something on her arm. She lifts her arm
up to get a closer look.
HER POV
She sees that a few of the white down feathers still cling
to her. Closer... and she sees that one of the tiny feathers
is tinged with blood. The Gas Station Attendant's. It freaks
her.
ON BRIAN AND EARLY
BRIAN
(quietly)
How many people have you killed Early?
Early stops... thinks for a moment.
ON CARRIE
She tries to brush the bloodied feather away... but with her
hands bound, she can't reach it.
ON BRIAN AND EARLY
EARLY
Well now, how many people d'you see
me kill?
Brian shakes his head.
BRIAN
None.
ON CARRIE
In quiet desperation, she raises her arm to her lips... and
blows the solitary blood tinged reminder away.
ON BRIAN AND EARLY
Early stares at Brian.
EARLY
...Well then, that's how many I
killed.
BRIAN
(unconvincingly)
If you say so.
EARLY
Damn right I do.
ON ADELE
Adele watches the tiny down feather drift to the floor.
ON BRIAN AND EARLY
Early picks up a different container and gulps some down.
After a moment...
EARLY
You never killed anyone have you
Bri'?
Brian shakes his head no.
EARLY
You never even seen anybody killed,
right?
Brian stops eating and looks at Early.
BRIAN
What are you getting at?
Early leans closer to him.
EARLY
You wanna tell me how'n the hell you
gonna write a book 'bout somethin'
you don't know nothin' 'bout?
Eye to eye, the two men stare at one another. Brian has no
answer.
EARLY
Ya see what I'm sayin'?
(beat)
Ha!
BRIAN
(nervously mimes the
same)
...Ha.
Early goes back to gulping down his dinner. This time he
gets a spicy one.
EARLY
(a nod toward the
carry out container)
...watch out for that stuff, it bites.
Brian gazes at the cluster of Chinese carry-out food
containers. An ironic reminder of an earlier conversation.
He lets out a weak ironic laugh.
BRIAN
(recollecting to
himself)
...way too much MSG.
EXT. LINCOLN - TRAVELING - DAY
INT. LINCOLN DRIVING DOWN BACKROADS - DAY
Early is behind the wheel, not a care in the world. Adele
sits beside him playing with her camera. She turns and aims
the camera at Brian and Carrie in the back seat, their hands
are bound.
ADELE
Smile.
Neither makes any attempt at smiling. Adele snaps their photo
anyway. In the front seat, she sits quietly for a moment
then leans over to Early and whispers something to him.
EARLY
No way. I guarantee you he was
breathing when I walked outta there.
Adele sits back quietly. Carrie wants to speak but doesn't.
EARLY
Hey... Ain't we getting near the
next murder site... Bri?
BRIAN
Forget about it, doesn't matter.
EARLY
Hell it don't...
(beat)
...Hand me Brian's map there Adele.
One day I'm gonna pass some store
and see your book in the window. Me
and Adele gonna buy a copy for our
coffee table.
NEW ANGLE
Carrie silently fuming in the back seat. Brian stares at the
rope that binds his wrists.
EXT. OLD DESERTED MINE AREA - LATER THAT DAY
The Lincoln drives down the dirt access road and stops. They
all get out, Early unties Brian and Carrie.
EARLY
Figured your hands might be starting
to hurt.
Early looks down the hill to the old mine building.
EARLY
Let's have a look. You girls coming?
Carrie's steely gaze answers Early's question.
ADELE
Can I just wait here?
Early leans into the car and picks up Adele's camera.
EARLY
Don't worry Bri', I'll take the
pictures.
(to Adele, with a
kiss to her cheek)
...you stay here with Carrie.
(to Carrie)
You run off... Bri' pays the price.
Karma, remember?
Pistol in hand, Early follows Brian down the hill. Adele
begins nervously playing with her yoyo.
Carrie watches as Brian and Early disappear around a bend in
the dirt road. Out of the corner of her eye, she hones in on
Adele's yoyo.
Adele becomes increasingly intense about manipulating the
yoyo, controlling it. Until she's lost in it. A momentary
refuge.
ADELE
This is called walk the dog.
NEW ANGLE - EXTREME CU
A huge excruciatingly tight shot of the yoyo in slow motion.
Its string unraveling as it spins downward. Carrie pulls her
gaze away.
CARRIE'S POV
The desolate surrounding landscape, a bright blue sky, the
scrubbrush. And no one who can help them. Carrie turns and
looks over her shoulder down the hill.
EXT. OLD MINE BUILDING
The old mine building, rusted and deserted since the late
'20's.
EARLY
So tell me... what happened here?
BRIAN
Two brothers, prospectors, lived
here. Up until a few years back.
Flash! -- Early takes a photo with the Instamatic.
EARLY
(coaxing)
...and?
BRIAN
They picked up hitchhikers... young
men... and brought them back here.
Early scans the grounds.
EARLY
Where'd they do it?
Reluctantly Brian leads Early toward the old mine building.
At the opening, Early hesitates.
EARLY
Bri.
Brian stops in his tracks.
EXT. LINCOLN - TIGHT CLOSE UP
Adele's yoyo skitters across the gravel road surface.
EXT. OLD MINE BUILDING
Brian turns back to Early.
EARLY
This ain't going to give me
nightmares, is it?
EXT. LINCOLN - TIGHT CLOSE UP
Then in a snap!... the yoyo recoils into Adele's palm.
CARRIE'S POV
A distant empty ribbon of road.
ON CARRIE
Her eyes searching for anyone who could help.
ADELE (O.S.)
This is one of my favorites... rock
the cradle.
INT. OLD MINE BUILDING
Brian and Early are silhouetted against the dying sky. Flash!!
Early takes another photo.
BRIAN
...They asked them just before they
were executed why they did it. They
said "to be famous."
(beat)
Why do you do it?
Flash!! Early takes a flash photo of Brian, momentarily
blinding him.
EARLY
Do what Bri?
Early moves slowly toward Brian.
BRIAN
We both know you didn't have to kill
that gas station attendant.
Brian's eyes dart nervously to the gun dangling in Early's
palm. Flash!
EXT. LINCOLN - TIGHT CU
In slow motion Adele's hands manipulate the yoyo and string.
INT. OLD MINE BUILDING
BRIAN
You wanted to.
(beat)
Why?
Flash! Brian flinches. Early remains silent as he closes in
on Brian.
BRIAN
It make you feel good? Powerful?
(Flash!)
Superior, what? Come on Early, tell
me something.
(Flash!)
Were you angry?
Early's boot lands toe to toe with Brian's shoe.
BRIAN
(tentative)
Who are you angry with Early... your
mother, your father?
Eye to eye, the two men stand there.
EARLY
You want to know about my daddy,
I'll tell you about my daddy, Bri...
EXT. LINCOLN
Carrie walks over to Adele at the car. Adele doesn't miss a
beat with her yoyo.
CARRIE
Adele, listen to me... Early's sick;
he should be in a hospital.
Adele screws up the trick. She pulls the yoyo off her finger
and throws it in the back seat. She leans into the front
seat and cranks the radio up to the max. Closing her eyes,
she begins moving to the music, and tries to ignore Carrie.
CARRIE
(shouting over the
music)
The police are after him, he's a
murderer!
ADELE
(uncertain)
...That's not true.
CARRIE
(shouting)
What?
ADELE
(shouting back)
That's not true!
NEW ANGLE
A POLICE CAR pulls into frame, unnoticed by Carrie and Adele
in the background.
INT. POLICE CAR
MALE OFFICER
Let's take a look.
FEMALE OFFICER
I'll call in the plate.
The Male Officer exits, unlocking his holster. The Female
Officer picks up the police radio and calls in the license
plate number.
EXT. LINCOLN NEAR MINE AREA
The radio is blaring. Adele continues to dance despite
Carrie's pleas.
CARRIE
(shouting)
...I wouldn't lie to you, Adele. . .
I saw him kill that man.
ADELE
(defensive)
Early didn't kill nobody, he wouldn't
do that. I don't know why you're
saying those things. You ain't my
friend.
With that, Adele stops her dancing and turns away from
Carrie... To see the Male Officer walking toward them.
ADELE
Please don't say anything Carrie.
The Male Officer continues toward them. It looks like he's
talking to them... but his voice is inaudible under the
deafening radio.
NEW ANGLE: FAVORING THE TWO POLICE OFFICERS
The Female Officer sticks her head out of the police car and
yells to her partner. He turns to listen.
FEMALE OFFICER
We got a match, I'll call for back
up.
As the Male Officer turns back, he sees Adele reach into the
front seat of the Lincoln. The Male Officer draws his revolver
and levels it at Adele.
NEW ANGLE: FAVORING ADELE AND CARRIE
Click! Adele shuts the radio off, total silence. As Adele
leans back out of the car, she turns, facing directly into
the barrel of the Male Officer's gun.
MALE OFFICER
All right ladies, I want both of you
to slowly step away from the ca...
BANG! A single gunshot rings out! The Male Officer jerks
back and falls to the ground. Adele screams! Carrie whips a
panicked glance around and sees... Early running toward them.
Brian, bewildered, follows behind.
BRIAN'S POV (RUNNING)
Ahead of him, he watches Early race past the wounded Male
Officer. He kicks the Officer's revolver out of reach and
rushes toward the police car.
Early fires his gun repeatedly as he charges the car!
The Female Officer pulls her gun and starts to get out of
the car, when... a shot shatters the windshield hitting her
in the chest. She collapses back onto the seat.
ON BRIAN
He stops at the sight of the wounded Male Officer. Shocked,
he watches the man writhing in pain. His hands clutching his
crotch. His blood oozes into the dirt.
Early approaches the police car. He sees the dead cop and
hears the radio dispatcher.
POLICE RADIO
Officer needs help, shots fired, six
Adam five, one eighty-seven, suspects
wanted in multiple murders. Location
unknown, last seen...
Brian is not sure what to do. He looks around... sees the
Officer's handgun lying in the dirt. He takes a step toward
it, when... another gunshot rings out! Brian stops. Looks to
the police car. He sees Early standing there, smoke belching
from the dashboard... the police radio is dead.
Early walks back toward Brian and the others. He steps over
to the injured Male Officer on the ground.
EARLY
Tell me that don't hurt.
Early picks up the wounded cop's gun. He hands it to Brian
as he trains the .45 automatic at Brian's chest.
EARLY
Shoot him. You'll be doing him a
favor.
Brian looks to Early in disbelief.
OMITTED
BRIAN
No, no, I can't.
Early cocks the pistol and pushes the barrel to Brian's head.
Brian looks down at the wounded cop who is writhing in pain.
EARLY
(No,) It's the answer to all them
questions of yers.
Brian won't do it. He drops the gun to the ground.
EARLY
Now you'll never know.
Early cocks his pistol.
BRIAN
...Don't do it. Early, look at him,
look at his face. That's not your
father.
Early stares at the wounded cop's face.
EARLY
I know that. That there is a policeman
in a world of pain. And this is what
you call a mercy killin'.
Early shoots the cop again. The cop lays still.
Early reaches down and takes the dead cop's handcuffs. He
casually points the little camera at the dead cop. Flash!!
EXT. LINCOLN - ON BACKROADS - LATER
The Lincoln hurtles down the road.
INT. LINCOLN
Early driving. Adele in the passenger seat looks bewildered.
Carrie and Brian in back, handcuffed, eyes hollow with
exhaustion and fear. Then out of the quiet...
EARLY
I'm still waiting.
Adele looks across the seat to Early. Her face drained of
all expression.
EARLY
(disappointed)
Not so much as a simple "thank you."
Adele at a loss. Finally... confused...
ADELE
(empty)
...thank you.
EARLY
Thank you for what?
(becoming aggravated)
What are you thanking me for Adele?
ADELE
(hesitantly, she admits)
...I don't know.
EARLY
Well Adele... it was for...
(screaming at her)
...saving your fucking life back
there!
She shrinks away from him.
EARLY
(gesturing with his
fingertips a fraction
apart)
Darlin' you were 'bout that far from
spendin' the night at the morgue.
You understand?
CARRIE
He wasn't going to shoot her, you
murdering son of a bitch!
Early looks into the rear-view mirror. Brian tries to defuse
the situation.
BRIAN
Carrie... stop it.
CARRIE
(explodes)
What the fuck is wrong with you
Brian!? If you'll stop taking notes
for once and open your eyes... you'll
see that he is a homicidal fucking
killer. He is... for real!
BRIAN
Shut up Carrie, please... just shut
up!
EXT. LINCOLN ON DESERTED HIGHWAY - SUNSET
The Lincoln drives along an old deserted highway passing
occasional gas stations and dilapidated motels.
INT. LINCOLN ON DESERTED HIGHWAY - SUNSET
Early is driving. He notices something in the distance.
EARLY'S POV - NIGHT
Off in the distance... an oasis of greenery.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
EXT. THE MUSGRAVE HOUSE - ARIZONA/UTAH BORDER - DUSK
A home in a secluded valley near the desert. It has a cactus
garden. The garden is illuminated so it can be enjoyed at
night.
Reveal... the Lincoln parked by the front door.
EXT. LINCOLN - CLOSER
Adele gazes out the passenger-side window. She's enthralled
by the sight of all the cacti.
ADELE
...I luv' cactuses 'cos they're so
strong. Don't need much care really.
Reveal Brian handcuffed to the steering wheel beside her. He
cranes his neck to see out the rear window...
BRIAN'S POV
Early steps up to the front door of the house and rings the
bell. Carrie stands beside him. A light comes on inside. The
door slides open a crack and MRS. MUSGRAVE, an attractive
older woman with silver hair, peers out with a puzzled look.
INT. LINCOLN - SAME TIME
Adele rambles on.
ADELE
(far away)
...You can forget about 'em forever
and then look at 'em and they're
doin' even better than before.
BRIAN
(watching the house)
Adele... we gotta do something before
Early kills someone else.
BRIAN'S POV
Of Early and Carrie as they are let into the house.
INT. LINCOLN
Adele is still rambling on about her interest in cacti.
ADELE
...There ain't nothin' can kill 'em.
They can live for two even three
hundred years.
BRIAN
Adele for god sake please lis...
ADELE
(she glances over to
Brian)
There ain't nothing we could do.
Once Early sets his mind on somethin',
well thats the end of that.
Adele drifts back to the cacti.
INT. MUSGRAVE LIVING ROOM - A LITTLE LATER
CLOSE ON A PORCELAIN CACTUS
One of many we now reveal to be atop a fireplace mantle.
Adele leans in against the mantle and scrutinizes the cactus.
Carrie and Brian sit on the floor, back to back, their arms
bound around the leg of a piano by a pair of police handcuffs.
Mrs. Musgrave is standing nearby. She's overwhelmed. Numb.
She pours herself a glass of bourbon.
MRS. MUSGRAVE
(to herself)
It's just like in that dream I had.
If only I had seen their faces.
She takes her drink and sits down on the couch nearby. Adele
drops down quietly on the chair next to her.
ADELE
(tries to cheer Mrs.
Musgrave up)
You've got beautiful cactuses here,
I just love 'em. My momma used to
keep a garden.
Mrs. Musgrave downs most of her drink with the first try.
Distressed, her head slumps down.
EARLY (O.S.)
(from the kitchen)
Hey Bri... You ever stop to think
that if you switched the two letters
in your name...
(entering the room)
...it would spell Brain.
Early, his pistol wedged in his belt, appears from the kitchen
eating a sandwich. Between bites... He walks over and rips
the phone out of the wall unit. He glimpses Mrs. Musgrave.
EARLY
What's wrong with her?
ADELE
(sorry for her)
She had a dream that somethin' like
this was gonna happen.
Early notices the glass of bourbon in her trembling hands.
He steps over to her and takes the glass away.
EARLY
I'll bet she did.
He sets the glass down next to a recent picture of Mrs.
Musgrave and an ELDERLY MAN with silver hair.
EARLY
Where's your husband?
MRS. MUSGRAVE
(lying)
...I'm a widow.
Early looks at her, he doesn't believe her.
EXT. MUSGRAVE HOUSE - NIGHT
Everything is quiet beneath the star studded sky. The same
elderly man pictured with Mrs. Musgrave is studying the sky
through a powerful telescope. MR. MUSGRAVE is an amateur
astronomer. o.s. the SOUND of a door opening. Then footsteps.
MR. MUSGRAVE
(excited)
Is that you Peaches? Come, you must
see Saturn tonight. The rings are
sensational!
INT. STUDY - GLASS DISPLAY CASE
Early leans into frame, staring at the display case.
EARLY'S POV
Inside of it is a four foot long replica of the first ATOMIC
BOMB, "Fat Boy." Faded newspaper articles on the wall indicate
Mr. Musgrave had something to do with the bomb's initial
construction. An old photo on the bookshelf shows a much
younger Mr. Musgrave in a '50's kitchen. He is laughing and
embracing a '50's style female mannequin.
MR. MUSGRAVE (O.S.)
My oh my, this is quite rare, quite
rare indeed. Come have a look...
Early's eyes drift over to a set of golf clubs that sit in
the corner of the room.
MR MUSGRAVE'S POV - THROUGH TELESCOPE
The planet Saturn and its glorious rings.
MR. MUSGRAVE (O.S.)
Peaches?
OMITTED
THWACK!! The planet turns into a blur of light... then
blackness.
INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME - ON BRIAN AND CARRIE
Brian and Carrie are still cuffed to the piano, in the
background we see Mrs. Musgrave and Adele looking out the
window into the backyard.
BRIAN
(whispers to Carrie)
You gotta talk to her. She looks up
to you, she'll listen to you.
CARRIE
I tried talking to her at the mine.
It didn't work.
BRIAN
Then try again, (it's our only
chance.)
EXT. HOUSE - LATER
Early is leaning on a golf club looking through the telescope.
ADELE (O.S.)
Early?
He pulls his eye away as Adele arrives.
ADELE
(excited)
Early, Mrs. Musgrave has the most
beautiful little guest house out
back and... well, no one's stayin'
in it... it's just empty. And she
said if me and you wanted to, well
maybe we...
Suddenly, o.s., a scream pierces the moment!
Early and Adele turn toward the doorway to see Mrs. Musgrave
screaming. The older woman's eyes staring past Adele to the
floor nearby. Adele follows the terrified woman's gaze to
find... Mr. Musgrave's body lying on the floor. A bloodied
wound in the back of his head. All of Adele's enthusiasm
drains from her face.
EARLY
(to Mrs. Musgrave)
Well 'Peaches'... you're a widow
now.
Mrs. Musgrave collapses to the floor.
INT. LIVING ROOM - SHORT WHILE LATER
Brian and Carrie are still cuffed to the piano. Across from
them, Early sits in an overstuffed chair looking through
Carrie's collection of erotic photography.
EARLY
(to Brian)
Have you seen this one? That don't
leave much to the imagination now
does it?
He looks at another photograph. Confused, he turns it upside
down, stares at it.
INT. THE DEN - SAME TIME
Mrs. Musgrave is laid out on the couch. Adele, deep in
thought, watches over the older woman. Finally Adele reaches
into her purse, pulls out her small potted cactus then walks
across the room to a table. Its top is covered with small
potted cacti. She gently places hers among them.
ON MRS. MUSGRAVE
Mrs. Musgrave begins to regain consciousness. Her eyes open
to find... Adele standing over her. Adele brings her finger
to her lips -- Shhhh.
INT. LIVING ROOM
Early looks through several more photos. He stops on one of
a nude woman's torso. Early looks at it for a moment... then
extends the photo out toward Carrie, comparing it to her.
EARLY
(smiles and shakes
his head in disbelief)
That's you ain't it?
Carrie doesn't answer him. Then, in the background directly
behind Early... Adele and Mrs. Musgrave quietly appear. Carrie
notices them as they start to cross the hallway to the
kitchen. Early sees Carrie's eyes glance past him. He turns
to see why... when...
CARRIE (O.S.)
You're right Early...
Early stops. Looks back to Carrie. Brian also turns to her
curiously.
CARRIE
...It is me. Do you like it?
Early looks at the photo again. Adele and Mrs. Musgrave now
cross safely to the kitchen. Carrie eyes meet Early's. He
smiles, pulls the nude photo of her close to his face... and
licks it.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME TIME
Adele quietly opens the back door.
ADELE
Go on now... please.
Mrs. Musgrave is confused, is it a trick? She looks into
Adele's eyes... and knows it's not. The old lady turns and
walks out into the dark desert. Adele stands at the open
door, watching Mrs Musgrave escape.
ADELE
(in a whisper)
...Call me.
INT. LIVING ROOM - A MOMENT LATER
Early finishes looking through the photographs. He closes
the cover of the portfolio.
EARLY
Well they say there's room fur all
kinds in California... and that's
where we're gonna be this time
tomorrow. California.
(beat)
Adele honey?
INT. KITCHEN
EARLY (O.S.)
Adele?
Early enters, and sees Adele standing at the back door. Adele
turns to face him. Early looks past her into the night and
realizes what she's done. He strides across the room pulling
the pistol from his waistband.
AT THE KITCHEN DOOR
Early pushes Adele out of the way.
EARLY
(shouting)
Peaches! Come on back here. There
ain't nothin' for you to be afraid
of.
EARLY POV - EXT. CACTUS GARDEN
Aside from the occasional pools of light illuminating the
cacti, it's very dark. There's no sign of Mrs. Musgrave.
INT. KITCHEN
He steps outside and starts firing his gun into the
blackness... bullets THUNK into the cacti.
EARLY
(shouting over the
gunfire)
Nobody wants to hurt you Peaches!
ADELE
Early! Stop!!
Desperate, Adele grabs a large potted cactus. She rushes
toward Early. Swinging the cactus like an unwieldy bat, she
pummels the side of his head. He stumbles forward,
disappearing into the darkness. Adele stands outside the
kitchen door, bewildered. Then...
EARLY (O.S.)
Oww! Oww!! -- FUCK!!!!
Early re-emerges from the shadows. Adele's eyes widen when
she sees him. His cheek has long bloody gashes where the
cactus ripped the flesh.
EARLY
(perplexed)
Honey... What do you think you're
doin'?
Adele starts to cry.
EARLY
Oh, n'jus what in hell you crying
'bout? I'm the one got hit.
ADELE
I changed my mind, Early. I'm not
gonna climb up that Hollywood sign
with you... I decided. I think your
mean, and you hurt people.
A look comes over Early's face that we've never seen before.
That he's never felt before. Hurt. He doesn't know how to
deal with it. And he definitely doesn't like it.
INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME (INTERCUT WITH PREVIOUS SCENE)
BRIAN
Carrie, watch for Early.
CARRIE
What are you going to do?
BRIAN
I'm going to try and lift the end of
the piano. If I can... slide your
cuffs free.
Carrie glues her eyes to the kitchen doorway. Brian presses
his back up under the belly of the piano and using all his
strength manages to lift the piano an inch off the floor.
Carrie slides her cuffs out from under the leg.
CARRIE
What about you?
BRIAN
I don't know.
Carrie's eyes dart back toward the kitchen. Then she notices
a chair nearby.
CARRIE
Can you lift it again? Just lift it,
hurry.
Carrie grabs the chair. As Brian lifts the piano, she pushes
the chair beneath the underside of it. It holds the piano
suspended an inch off the floor. Brian drops to the floor
and slips the cuffs free.
When... a solitary gunshot rings out from the cactus garden.
A moment later, Early steps quietly into the room. He's
pulling the last few cactus needles from his face. He sees
Brian and Carrie standing.
EARLY
You two been busy in here.
BRIAN
What happened to Adele?
EARLY
Well, let's put it this way.
(beat)
I need me a new woman.
A shocked silence. Brian and Carrie look to one another.
Carrie moves toward the kitchen but Early stops her! Brian
rushes at him. Early sticks the .45 automatic in his face!
EARLY
Sorry about this Bri...
He starts to squeeze the trigger.
CARRIE
(desperate)
Early, don't.
Early stops. He looks to Carrie.
CARRIE
I'll do whatever you want. You want
me to go with you, I'll go with you.
Just don't kill him.
Early deliberates the situation, then eases up off the
trigger... and smiles to Brian.
Then, without warning, he hits Brian over the head with the
butt of the .45 automatic. Brian falls to the floor
unconscious.
OMITTED
EXT. MUSGRAVE HOUSE - EARLY MORNING
As Early finishes tieing one of the replicant bombs, Little
Boy onto the hood. He reaches down and grabs a six pack of
beer on the ground and shoves it in the back seat, then slides
into the driver's seat next to an anxious Carrie. Carrie is
now wearing one of Adele's floral dresses.
EARLY
Think anyone will notice?
Carrie doesn't answer, Early laughs.
INT. LINCOLN
Early looks out over the expanse of the desert. He sees a
dirt fire road.
EARLY
I'll bet there's a 'door' out there...
save us some time.
Carrie doesn't understand what he means. Nonetheless, she
nods her head in agreement.
EXT. MUSGRAVE HOUSE
The Lincoln heads out, past the cactus garden, into the
darkness.
THE LINCOLN'S HEADLIGHTS REVEAL
Adele's lifeless body on the ground near her beloved cacti.
FADE TO BLACK WITH THE DEPARTING HEADLIGHTS
INT. MUSGRAVE LIVING ROOM - MORNING
Brian is handcuffed on the floor. His eyes open slowly as he
begins to regain consciousness. He senses someone behind
him. He pivots around to see Mrs. Musgrave kneeling down to
help him.
EXT. DESERT - SAME TIME
In the distance, a cloud of dust reveals the Lincoln,
traveling at high speed along the dirt fire road.
INT. LINCOLN - SAME TIME
Early still behind the wheel. Carrie sits up against the
passenger side door. She is tense and guarded. Out the window,
nothing but empty desert.
EARLY
Pass me a beer hon'.
Carrie quietly responds. She kneels on the front seat and
reaches into the back. She grabs a bottle by its neck, and
pulls it from the six pack of beer. Bottle in hand, she
hesitates a moment...
NEW ANGLE: EARLY'S POV IN THE DRIVING MIRROR
Early watches Carrie.
EARLY
You wanna hit me with that, huh?
NEW ANGLE
Carrie reconsiders and sits back in the far corner of the
front seat.
CARRIE
(not looking at him)
No.
She hands the bottle to him. Early reaches out for the beer,
but instead of taking it, he clasps his hand over hers.
He looks at her and begins to squeeze...
EARLY
Stop lyin'... I can see right through
you.
Early squeezes even harder -- Carrie begins to wince with
pain. She waits for the glass bottle to shatter in her hand.
EARLY
Who d'ya think you're foolin'?
(beat)
I know you better than you think...
CARRIE
(confused)
...You're hurting me...
Early hits the brakes. The car screeches to a halt in a cloud
of dust. Early squeezes on her hand even harder and begins
to drag her toward him.
EARLY
I seen the way you been lookin' at
me since we met... Snappin' my photo
when you thought I wasn't lookin'.
Wanting me...
Carrie turns her head away. Early pulls her closer.
EARLY
I saw you when I killed that boy...
He grabs her hair with his other hand... Pulls her head around --
forcing her to look at him. Early has Carrie right up against
him, looking right into her eyes.
EARLY
(whispers)
You were plenty hot.
CARRIE
(explodes)
You sick twisted fuck! You don't
know shit about me.
She struggles trying to free herself. Early, his face only
inches from hers, smiles...
EARLY
Sick... some people might say takin'
photos of me and Adele humpin' in
the back of the car is sick.
Carrie struggles even harder, but Early tightens his hold.
EARLY
...You know what I mean?
CARRIE
...I know I'd love to smash this
bottle right in your fucking face.
Suddenly... Early releases Carrie, taking the beer from her.
Carrie retreats back into the corner of the passenger side.
EARLY
That's better... Honesty... I like
that in a woman.
He gives her a grin, then opens the bottle.
EARLY
But I'll tell ya... when we get to
California, we're gonna have to do
something 'bout that gutter mouth of
yours.
Early takes a gulp of beer.
EXT. LINCOLN - SAME TIME
Early throws the bottle of beer out the window (it ain't
Lucky Lager), slams the Lincoln into "drive" and accelerates
along the dirt road.
INT. MUSGRAVE LIVING ROOM
MRS. MUSGRAVE
He's pulled out all the lines. The
nearest phone is twenty miles east
of here.
Brian notices an old pickup truck parked outside.
EXT. MUSGRAVE HOUSE - THE NEXT MOMENT
An anxious Brian hustles into the cab of the pickup truck.
Some tools are in the back. Brian still wears the handcuffs
around his wrists. Mrs. Musgrave stands near the front door.
BRIAN
Which way did they go?
MRS. MUSGRAVE
(pointing)
He took the fire road.
BRIAN
Take your car and get to that phone.
Call the police.
Brian starts the pickup and drives off.
EXT. DESERT - LATER
The wind has picked up. An old wooden gate blocks the fire
road. On either side, barbed wire as far as the eye can see.
The Lincoln roars into frame and powers through the barrier.
The gate smashes into splintered pieces of wood.
INT. LINCOLN - SAME TIME
Carrie leans against the passenger door. Early's eyes scan
the open desert -- looking for the elusive 'doors.' Carrie
reaches for her pack of cigarettes. Early, without a word,
reaches out and takes the pack from her. He crumples it up
and throws it out the window.
NEW ANGLE
Carrie's eyes go to the instrument panel. The temperature
gauge is in the red.
EXT. DESERT
The pickup truck arrives at a crossroads and skids to a halt.
Brian tries to guess which direction to take. Then he spots
Early's discarded beer bottle up ahead. The truck accelerates
straight ahead, tires spinning.
EXT. DESERT - LATER, THE SUN IS ON THE HORIZON
The winds continue to escalate, blowing harder and harder.
The Lincoln approaches on the fire road. A trail of steam is
streaming out from under the hood, blinding Early's view.
Finally, Early slams on the brakes and skids 180 degrees to
a halt... Steam pours out of the Lincoln's grill. The Lincoln
has had it.
Early is indifferent and looks around. About a hundred yards
away, barely visible through the growing sand storm, an old
1950's style building.
INT. LINCOLN
Early opens the back door. He grabs a box of supplies (some
rope, a kerosene lamp etc.)
EARLY
Come on.
Carrie slowly begins to respond. She slides across the front
seat.
NEW ANGLE: CLOSE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
Carrie's hand crosses frame and pulls out a knob on the dash.
EXT. DESERT - LATE AFTERNOON
The sun is starting to set behind a distant mountain range.
In the far distance... The pickup truck, revealed by its
trail of dust, crosses the vast landscape.
EXT. '50'S DESERT HOUSE
Early and Carrie struggle through the growing sand storm.
Carrie throws a last curious glance back to the Lincoln as
they reach the front door.
INT. '50'S DESERT HOUSE
The front door is kicked open. Early enters the room with
Carrie in tow.
CLOSE ON EARLY
He looks around the room... A smile forms on his face.
EARLY
Howdy, my name's Early Grayce and
this is my girl Carrie. I hope you
don't mind us bargin' in like this
but a... we was on our way to
California when our car broke down,
and...
EARLY'S POV (AS HE EXPLAINS)
A living room fully decorated in '50's furniture. Sand covers
everything... Including...
A FAMILY OF FOUR MANNEQUINS placed around the room: The father
sits in front of the TV... The mother (the same mannequin as
in Mr. Musgrave's old picture) is toppled over a kitchen
counter... The little girl is seated at a table... The little
boy is playing with his toy plane on the floor.
EARLY (O.S.)
Well... it's gettin' pretty rough
out there, so if it's all the same
to you, we'll be staying the night.
EXT. '50'S HOUSE
Early slams the front door shut.
CAMERA PULLS AWAY - REVEALING
The building is a single story '50's home of extremely cheap
construction. It's in bad condition.
EXT. DESERT - THE SMASHED WOODEN GATE
The last rays of the setting sun reveal the pickup truck
heading toward the smashed remains of the wooden gate. The
pickup truck hurtles through the opening left by the Lincoln.
NEW ANGLE
On a collapsed old wooden sign. It lies on the ground a few
feet away from the gate posts.
"DREAMLAND" - NUCLEAR TEST RANGE DANGER - KEEP OUT
INT. '50'S DESERT HOUSE - NIGHT
Wind and sand blow freely through the remains of the windows.
A solitary kerosene lamp dimly illuminates the living room
area. Its flickering light finds... Early, stripped to the
waist, crouched over the broken TV set. He fidgets with the
knobs. Then the mangled rabbit ears antenna. Carrie sits on
some blankets in the corner next to the couch. She's scared
to death. Her eyes scan the battered room. Debris everywhere.
Amidst all of it, Carrie's erotic photographs have been placed
about the room.
ON EARLY
Still unable to get the TV to work, he smacks it a good one
on the side.
With the smack!... Carrie whips her look back toward Early...
To find he's lost interest in the TV. He turns toward Carrie.
Stares at her for a moment. Then with a hint of a smile, he
begins to move toward her. The time has arrived.
He reaches down, grabs her by the shirt and pulls her to her
feet. Carrie doesn't resist. He's rough with her as he kisses
her on the lips. Carrie pulls her mouth away from his. She
seems confused, unsure of her feelings. Early watches her,
until her eyes come back to his. Then she steps forward
crowding her body against his, as she slips one hand around
his neck and kisses him deep and hard...
Suddenly Early breaks the kiss and backhands Carrie hard
across the face. She lands on the floor several feet away,
the palm of her right hand is bleeding.
Early looks down to his waist to find a large piece of glass
protruding from his side.
He pulls the glass shard out, blood drips down his side and
onto his jeans.
Carrie gets up and races into the back bedroom, frantically
looking for a way out, there is none. On the bed the two
adult mannequins now lie naked. They have been placed,
intertwined in a grotesque sexual position.
Carrie turns and rushes back toward the door. Early intercepts
her and throws a punch to her stomach, which doubles her
over. Then Early sends a second punch to her face, she
stumbles backward, landing onto the bed amongst the
mannequins. Early begins undoing his belt.
EARLY
(friendly)
You'll like it...
A violent gust of wind sends several of the erotic photos
swirling through the air. One of the photos whips across
Early's chest. The wind holds it there momentarily.
EARLY
Not a lot, but you'll like it.
Early peels Carrie's photo off him, the blood from his wound
covers the back of it. He slaps it against the nearest wall.
It sticks. He walks toward her.
INT. PICKUP TRUCK - BRIAN'S POV
The high winds have turned into a full fledged sandstorm.
Brian is still driving dangerously fast. The dim lights of
the old pickup illuminate only a short stretch of dirt road
ahead and the swirling sand.
He passes a road sign: 'DEVASTATION DRIVE'
Then... As the pickup truck comes around a corner Suddenly...
directly in front of him -- Headlights!!
Brian reacts... too late!!
The pickup truck ploughs into the vehicle, and tumbles end
over end through the open desert, before finally coming to
an abrupt halt.
INT. '50'S DESERT HOUSE - NIGHT
With each thrust of Early's body, Carrie's badly bruised
face contorts with pain and hatred
FADE IN:
EXT. DESERT
Sand blows in through the smashed windshield of the wrecked
pickup truck. Brian is upside down with his eyes shut. A
trickle of blood runs down his face. Camera booms up a dirt
slope to reveal the Lincoln, beyond it on the hill above
sits the desert house. The glow of the kerosene lamp is
visible through the windows.
FADE OUT:
EXT. DESERT HOUSE - DAWN
The storm is over... No sand blowing. No wind. No nothing.
COMPLETE SILENCE!!!!
The dawn light reveals the devastated '50's house to be one
of a cluster, set at the end of a 'Doom Town' cul-de-sac.
INT. '50'S HOUSE - SAME TIME
In the darkened bedroom, Early's solitary figure rustles
atop the bed. Slowly, he awakens. His eyes open. Across the
bed, a pair of handcuffs is locked around the bedpost. In
the other cuff is Carrie's motionless hand.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, Early sees something in
one of the nearby rooms. Curious, he stands, shoves the .45
automatic in his waistband and walks toward the hallway.
As he passes through the living room and enters the hallway,
his face contorts with a strange sense of wonderment.
EARLY'S POV
A blinding light is shafting through cracks and broken gaps
around the front door frame... It looks like a magical "door"
shrouded in a wall of light!
ON EARLY
In disbelief he pulls his gaze away from the "door"... and
sees through a window at the opposite end of the house...
the morning sun rising. With that he turns his attention
back to the front door!
EARLY
I knew there was doors out here!
He walks toward the doorway of light. He grins as he opens
the "door" and steps through it. The sunlight momentarily
blinding him.
EARLY'S POV
A black shadow hurtles toward him out of the brightness...
Eventually it blocks out all the light until... WHAAMM!!!!
EXT. DOOR
A blow knocks Early back through the doorway. He slams to
the ground, on his back. The gun falls from his jeans and
slides across the floor. A look of joyful amazement over the
blood covered remains of his face, he tries to get up, but
can't.
EARLY'S POV
Brian, silhouetted, steps into the doorway. He holds a shovel
raised, ready to deliver a second, fatal blow... but when he
sees Early incapacitated on the floor, he lowers the shovel
to his side. His handcuffed hands reach down and picks up
Early's gun. He trains it on Early, then walks around him to
enter the house. Brian's eyes slowly adjust to the interior...
EARLY'S POV
From on his back, Early looks out the open "door." He sees
two large shards of glass standing vertical in the sand,
reflecting the sun's rays back toward the house. He realizes
that the glass, placed there by Brian, is what created the
effect of the "door." He starts to laugh.
EARLY
(laughing)
That was damn tricky of you Bri.
Brian searches for Carrie.
BRIAN
Carrie... Carrie... it's over.
ON BRIAN
He moves into the back bedroom and finds Carrie. She is
crouched on the floor, handcuffed to the bedframe. He moves
to help her. As he gets closer, he sees her badly bruised
face and realizes what's taken place throughout the night.
Brian stops. The sympathetic expression on his face changes.
With hatred in his eyes, he pivots around, strides out of
the bedroom and moves toward the front of the house to Early.
in the front room Gun in hand, Brian rushes back into the
room. He wields the pistol toward the ground where Early
lay... but Early's not there.
Brian's eyes dart around the room... then suddenly, from
behind him, Early grabs him!
He wrenches Brian's head back and whips his belt buckle knife
toward his throat!
Brian manages to lift his hands to his neck an instant before
the knife tears through his flesh. The knife slices a vicious
wound across the back of Brian's right hand. He drops the
gun to the floor. Brian elbows Early in the ribs and pulls
away from him. He reaches to the ground for the gun, but
Early kicks him in the stomach and sends him crumbling to
his knees.
EARLY
Go ahead Bri, ask me something.
(beat)
You wanna know how I'm feeling'?
Well I'd say I'm feelin' pretty damn
good.
On all fours, Brian reaches out for the gun, but Early kicks
it across the room.
EARLY
How 'bout you? You feelin' good?
Another kick to Brian's chest. The wind rushes out of him.
EARLY
...'Cause you sure don't look so
good.
(beat)
Or maybe you're feelin'... powerful.
That it, you feeling powerful?
Superior? I know I am.
Early unloads a ferocious kick to the side of Brian's face!
His head snaps back, his handcuffed arms buckle and he falls
flat to the ground.
EARLY
What? Am I angry with my daddy? Now
why would I be angry with my daddy...
you're the one hit me with the shovel.
And you're the one's gonna wish you
hadn't.
With one last effort, Brian manages to pull himself back up
to his knees. He focuses on the gun ahead of him and tries
to crawl toward it. But Early's foot shoves Brian. He flips
over onto his back, landing in front of the bedroom doorway.
Early moves toward him, knife in hand.
As Early moves toward Brian, unexpectedly from inside the
doorway, the torso of the female child mannequin whips past.
Her hardened molten face slams into Early's bloodied face.
Early stumbles backward.
Brian crawls for the gun and grabs it. From his knees he
turns, steadies the weapon, takes a quick breath... and fires.
Hitting Early square in the chest!
Early falls to the ground on his back. Brian lifts himself
to his feet.
He sees that Carrie has dragged the bedframe to the doorway,
and in her free hand she holds the child mannequin by the
leg.
Gun in hand, Brian steps over to Early. Early's body is still.
Blood oozes from the hole in his chest. On a silver chain
around his neck is the key to Brian and Carrie's handcuffs.
Brian reaches down and grabs the keys... when suddenly Early's
arm springs up from his side. His hand grabs Brian's shirt
collar. Brian is startled by the move, then realizes that
Early's hold is weak. His fingers tremble. Finally his arm
drops back down to his side.
EARLY
Hey Bri... I think I need a doctor.
What d'ya say?
The two men stare at one another for a moment... then Brian,
with one hand still on the handcuff keys, shoves the .45
automatic firmly under Early's chin.
CLOSE ON BRIAN
BRIAN
...Sorry 'bout this Early.
o.s. BANG!! rings out as...
CLOSE UP on the chain and keys snapping free from Early's
neck.
CLOSE UP on Brian's handcuffs hitting the dusty wooden floor.
CLOSE UP on Carrie's handcuff swinging empty against the
rusty bedpost.
TRANSITION TO:
A montage of the photographs taken throughout the journey.
Last image: A book "On The Road To Madness" By Brian Kessler.
THE END
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