(Scene: We just arrived at the beginning of gym class on the field
near Hazelnut Middle School. Two teams are picking players for
a soccer game. Pepper Ann and Nicky are the leaders doing the
choosing.)
Pepper Ann (in playful malice) : Be prepared to be beaten to the ground, Little!
Nicky (ditto) : I have a catheter with your name on it, Pearson! (She then points a darting finger on her side where her team is.) Park it here, Noah!
(Noah shudders and hesitantly walks to Nicky's side. Milo, who is on Nicky's team, snickers at the mock rivalry.)
Pepper Ann: Ok, I choose....
(Dieter, still in the unchosen group, waves and jumps about to try to get P.A's attention.)
Dieter: Me! Me! Pick me!
(Pepper Ann "hmms" to herself as she looks the crowd over. Cissy is putting on lipstick, Trinket is on her cell phone, Wayne Mcabe is giving a bored sneer and a group of boys are stepping on each other's feet. Dieter fidgets and waves about some more.)
Dieter: Oh Please! Please choose me Pepper Ann!
(Pepper Ann is still in deep thought as she looks on.)
Dieter: Me! Me! Meeeeeeeeeee!
Pepper Ann: I pick Dieter.
Dieter (hyper-happy): Squeeeeeeeeeeee!
(Dieter is thrilled and skips towards P.A. Happiest kid in the world.)
Dieter: Thank you Pepper Ann! Thank you!
Pepper Ann (she gives a laugh) : You wanna be my goalie again?
Dieter: Ja!
(Dieter takes off toward P.A's goal area.)
Dieter: I won't let anything get past me!
(We return to the player selection. Nicky points at Wayne Mcabe.)
Nicky (aggressive) : Stop that sneering Mcabe and park that bony booty on to my team.
(Wayne Mcabe "eeps" as he hears Nicky. We then pan pass the field quickly to a large, lonely and leafy tree. We fade to inside the tree and see that Pink Eye Pete is hiding in the tree. He pours himself some Chill-Ade in a martini glass. He glances around him as if to make sure no one can see him. Dieter is still heard faintly from a distance.)
Dieter (off camera) : Come on Pepper Ann! You are so coooooool!
(Pink Eye Pete then views the camera. He has a serious look on his face.)
Pink Eye Pete: Not many know this but there are countless dimensions as vast as space and timeless as infinity; this lies between science and superstition. Yes, they exist, as plentiful as there are grains of sand on a beach. Many have tales to tell to our soothing reality that is our world.
(Dieter is heard in the distance again.)
Dieter (off camera) : Goooooal!
Pink Eye Pete: Witness how the affections a boy has for his class friend appear endearing to the fool's eye; a mere childhood crush so it seems. But what is interpreted as adolescent puppy love could be an entirely different emotion.
(Pink Eye Pete sips from his "martini".)
Pink Eye Pete: An emotion that seesaws from loving admiration..
(The background behind Pink Eye Pete darkens.)
Pink Eye Pete (in a lower voice) : To unstable madness.
(We fade to a silhouette of Pepper Ann. She sighs.)
Pepper Ann: Where should I start? Is that what you are asking? I guess I'll begin it by admitting that I will never forget how it all happened. How the terror began on a normal school week.
(We change scenes to a full view of Hazelnut Middle school. Text written in big black letters appear: AGONY. The title fades away as we go inside the cafeteria of the school. Dieter sits next to P.A with a plate of cafeteria food.)
Dieter: I don't know why people always whine and complain about the cafeteria food. This chow mein is wunderbar!
(He eats a forkful of the food. Pepper Ann gives a disgusted look.)
Pepper Ann: Dieter... those are cheese enchiladas.
(Dieter stops eating and looks at the mass of food. He covers his mouth and gets up from his seat.)
Dieter: I'm sorry, I have to visit a toilet....
(Dieter runs off. Nicky and Milo arrive to sit with P.A. They watch Dieter as he zooms away.)
Nicky: Pepper Ann, was that really necessary?
Pepper Ann: Oh Nicky, necessary is such a constricting word, you should really know better. (She points to Dieter's unfinished food.) Now pass me his chow mein.
(Milo slides the food to P.A. She eats it and giggles.)
(We go to a new scene: We see that Lydia is in the car waiting to pick up P.A. She hums to herself and suddenly gasps as she looks out the window. P.A is spraying Dieter with a hose. Dieter whimpers as P.A blasts the hose in his face. She laughs hysterically. After a few seconds she notices her mom and tosses the hose away. Dieter collapses on the grass and whines louder.)
Dieter: I'm soaked! And I'm so cold too!
(P.A hops into the car. Lydia gives a disapproved look at P.A.)
Pepper Ann: Hey mom, how was work?
Lydia: Peppie, why did you spray Dieter with a hose?
Pepper Ann: Um, that's the new after-school program I joined. It's where you are allowed to spray any random students that are walking in your vicinity. (She pauses.) Especially Dieter. (She burts into laughter.)
Lydia: Pepper Ann! What is with you and that boy? Why do you always pick on him all the time?
Pepper Ann: I do not pick on him all the time!
Lydia: I want you to march out of this car and tell him...
(Lydia notices Dieter's mother walk toward Dieter, who is sitting and shivering on the grass.)
Mrs. Lederhosen: Dieter! What monster did this to you?!
(Lydia starts the car and takes off.)
Lydia: I love you too much for you to face Mrs. Lederhosen. She's the real unmerciful type when it comes to that boy.
(New Scene: P.A and Lydia are sitting on the couch. Moose is leaning on the coffee table.)
Lydia: The last thing I want is one of my daughters becoming a vicious bully.
Pepper Ann: What are you talking about? I'm not a bully!
Moose: Dieter is nice, why don't you like him?
Pepper Ann: I don't hate him either! It's not my fault he comes from a different country and that he's so gullible; that's what makes him really fun to tease.
(We flashback to Lydia putting away some groceries. She puts a bag of frozen vegetables in the freezer. She notices an opened bag of fertilizer in the freezer.)
Lydia (puzzled) : What? Who put my good fertilizer in the freezer?
(She then notices two cans of empty cat food on the counter.)
Lydia: And who didn't throw away the cat food tins?
(We cut to P.A's living room with P.A approaching Dieter, he looks up from his school books to see P.A with a big bowl of brown stuff and a sandwich. P.A has a mischievous smile.)
Pepper Ann (sing-songy) : Who wants a fish sandwich and chocolate ice cream?
Dieter (waving his hand high in the air) : Oh, me! Me!
(We return to reality. P.A is on her back, laughing. Lydia has her arms crossed in annoyance.)
Pepper Ann: Man, the ideas television gives us.
Lydia: Peppie, just because someone is from a different country doesn't give you the right to tease them all the time. That's not what I taught you to do.
Pepper Ann: Aw, mom...he knows that I'm just joking.
Lydia: Can you really say that? What if he doesn't? After school tomorrow I want you to apologise to Dieter, alright? And no more teasing.(she pauses) And no more fertilizer freezing.
Pepper Ann: Mom! You ruined it! I was gonna have Moose eat a bowl after dinner tonight!
Moose: You couldn't fool me into eating that in a million years.
Pepper Ann (in a cheeky tone) : Oh yeah, what about those other bowls I gave you this past week?
Moose (smiles) : Check your sock drawer lately?
(P.A's eyes widen in surprise.)
(We go to a new scene: P.A is walking with Nicky And Milo in the hallway of the school.)
Pepper Ann: Can you imagine? She wants me to apologise!
Nicky: Pepper Ann, you have been picking on Dieter for a long time. I think that's a fair thing to do considering the things you've done to him.
Milo: Heck, you should be thankful that Dieter is such a forgiving person. (He points to P.A. His voice raises.) I would be having you do my laundry and fish stick frying for a week sister!
Pepper Ann (semi-guilty) : Really? Wow, maybe I have been being pretty cruel. Now that I think of it, putting beef juice in his shampoo wasn't such a fun idea.
(We flashback to Dieter being chased by a pack of dogs. Of course, he is screaming. We return to reality.)
Pepper Ann (determined) : Right! I'm going to make this apology good! Maybe add some groveling into it too!
(Milo gives a thumbs up and Nicky smiles and gives and agreeing nod.)
(We then cut to P.A waiting by the school doors after school.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: I thought he would be available right after school but that seemed it wasn't the case. I decided to go to his house.
(P.A shrugs and begins to walk.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: If I knew I was about to enter an agonising moment of despair I would have turned away and vowed to never go into that home.
(P.A approaches Dieter's home. She knocks on the door. Mrs. Lederhosen answers. She stares at P.A.)
Pepper Ann: Hi Mrs. Lederhosen, is Dieter home?
Mrs. Lederhosen: He is attending his Pup Scouts meeting and won't be back until later.
Pepper Ann: Oh, well, I really gotta talk to him. It's important.
Mrs. Lederhosen: Well, if you like, you can wait in the house for him. I have just been called for some overtime at the hospital, and I need someone to chase away that child who hands out junk mail all the time.
(She opens the door wider to let P.A in.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: I could have said no and decide to try and catch him after school, tomorrow, but I was determined to get it over with.
Pepper Ann: Okay, that sounds good.
(Pepper Ann waves as she watches Mrs. Lederhosen drive away. She shuts the door behind her.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Little did I know that that day was my last sight of the outdoors for a month.
(P.A walks up a large staircase and walks toward one of the doors. P.A opens it into Dieter's room, adorned with some Flaming Snot posters, a Klaus Uber-Monkey Alarm clock, a German Panzer tank model, a bulletin board with magnets in the form of Germany flags. As P.A looks around she notices another door. She opens it to see that it is a bathroom.)
Pepper Ann (semi-envious) : Feh, lucky.
(P.A walks toward the bed and has a seat. She tosses her backpack to the floor.)
Pepper Ann: Well, nothing to do but wait.
(A second ticks by. P.A then grabs her backpack and zips it open.)
Pepper Ann: Oh, what the heck. One more surprise won't hurt him.
(P.A pulls out a medium sized snake out of her bag. It flicks its tongue casually. She snickers as she pulls the blankets to put it under the sheets.)
Pepper Ann (still giggling) : He's going to freak. Hm?
(She notices a remote that was hidden under the blankets. She drops the snake, which slithers its way out of the room, and picks it up.)
Pepper Ann: What's this for?
(She presses the single button on the remote. Machine-like humming is heard, a trap door then appears from Dieter's floor.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: What I found that day will be one of the many things that will continue to haunt my dreams. Something horrid...
(The word Horrid in grey bold type passes by P.A as she walks toward the secret trap door.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Something evil...
(The word Evil passes by P.A as she goes down the 5 steps and walks down the passage.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Something in bold type!
(The word Bold Type passes by P.A as she gasps in fear.)
(A section of the room is covered in pictures of Pepper Ann. With pics of her with Milo and Nicky, her playing soccer, still shots of her in her soccer uniform, pictures of her sleeping in her bed, pictures of her doing school work, eating, playing Crunch Pod, etc. Multiple candles are the only things that are providing light. She notices a pile of papers on a desk. She picks the pile up.)
Pepper Ann : These are articles I wrote for the school paper. (She shuffles the pile.) The story I got an honourable mention in that contest, (she shuffles them again.) photocopies of my school work.
(She then looks at the walls and realises that they are covered in messages in red paint.
- Pepper Ann is greatness
- Pepper Ann is cool
- Pepper Ann is perfect
- I love Pepper Ann
(P.A gapes at this twisted shrine. She takes a step back. The papers flutter away as she drops them.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: You think you know someone and then you find out they have a creepy love-shrine dedicated to you caused by their twisted heart, black from all the sin and chaos no doubt.
(We hear a faint slam of a door.)
Dieter (off camera) : Mother! I am home!
Pepper Ann: Oh God! He's home! Maybe he won't go into his room.
Dieter (off camera) : Just going up to my room!
Pepper Ann : Okay, relax. Maybe he won't come down to his secret love-shrine dedicated to me.
Dieter (off camera) : Just going to do my homework in my secret Pepper Ann love-shrine!
Pepper Ann (in quiet fright) : Oh Fuzzy...
(She looks around the room and then starts blowing out the candles.)
(We cut to Dieter entering his room. He sees the trap door open.)
Dieter (tsks) : I shouldn't be so careless.
(Dieter enters his secret room and sees that only one candle is lit. He approaches it and shakes his head.)
Dieter: Now all my candles are out!
(He takes the lone candle and uses it to re-light all the other candles. As more light appears we see that P.A is hiding under the desk. Dieter has yet to notice her. He then takes a photo from his pocket.)
Dieter: And another picture to add to my awesome portfolio!
(He takes a tack and turns his back to P.A to put up a photo of her throwing away a gum wrapper to the wall of pictures. P.A sees her chance and she runs out from her hiding spot, out of the secret room, out from Dieter's room and towards the stairs.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Fortune was obviously on vacation that day and disaster was taking over the full time shift.
(In slow motion, P.A trips over herself and she falls down the stairs. Loud bumps and booms are heard as she heavily hits the steps and lands painfully onto the floor. She moans as she lies motionless at the bottom of the stairs. A nasty cut on her head begins to bleed. The scene becomes dark as P.A blacks out.)
Dieter's Voice: You really got banged up, didn't you Pepper Ann?
(The blackness fades as P.A awakens. Dieter is looking down at her, some bandages are in his hands.)
Pepper Ann: Wha..?
(She tries to get up, as she is lying on Dieter's bed, but gives a cry of pain. One of her feet is covered in thick bandages, she has a bandage covering the wound on her head and that her face and arms are heavily bruised. Dieter shakes his head.)
Dieter: Now Pepper Ann, be a good patient and take these to make the pain go away.
(He offers what appears to be candy in the shape of the Klaus Uber-Monkey.)
Pepper Ann: What's that?
Dieter: They are chewable painkillers. They work very good.
(Dieter crams the medicine in P.A's moth. She looks at him with apprehension.)
Pepper Ann (mouth full) : Hey, uh, shouldn't I be in a hospital?
Dieter: Oh Pepper Ann, you silly girl! Why go to the hospital when all the supplies are here in my home? My mother is a doctor you know, and I learned all kinds of knowledge about medecine. (The background darkens as he becomes hyper-happy) I'm going to take great care of you!
(P.A's eyes widen. She gulps the medicine that was still in her mouth.)
Dieter (still insanely happy) : I consider it such an honour that you are in my home!
(P.A "eeps" and attempts to get up again, she grits her teeth in quiet pain. Dieter places a blanket over her.)
Dieter: Now, now, you have much recovering to do Pepper Ann. You should really get some sleep.
Pepper Ann: I think what I need is..
(Out of nowhere Dieter sticks a large hypodermic needle into her arm. P.A yells out and collapses into a drug induced sleep.)
Dieter (happy and casual) : Good night Pepper Ann!
(Dieter skips out of the room happily.)
(We cut to Lydia peering out the window of her home. It is night-time and she appears very worried. She then walks toward her phone and dials a number.)
Lydia (nervous) : Yes, Hazelnut Police please. I...I think my daughter has gone missing.
(We then go to a Sherry Spleen newscast. She is in front of the Pearson house.)
Sherry Spleen: The citizens of Hazelnut were shocked to hear of the disappearance of young Pepper Ann Pearson.
(P.A's yearbook picture appears in the upper left corner of the screen.)
Sherry Spleen: Last seen after three o'clock near Hazelnut Middle School. No one knows where the rambunctious girl has gone, it's almost as if she completely vanished from the face of the earth.
(We go to Nicky being interviewed.)
Nicky: Its just so disturbing how this just happened. (Nicky sniffs sadly.) It's also a joke how I was one of the last people to talk to her and (her voice raises) I HELPED ACHIEVE SQUAT! (She cries.)
(Milo is then the next interviewer.)
Milo: I refuse to believe P.A would have run away. She would have told us if there was trouble at home. She also would have been coaxing us to run away with her and aid in building her little shanty home and help hunt game.
(We cut to an interview with Mr. Carter.)
Mr. Carter: Sure she was late most of the time to my classes and it was common of me to rue her brazen antics but I honestly really didn't want her to end up missing. She may not realise this but there are alot of people who love her.
(We go to a scene of many kids looking quietly and sadly at P.A's empty desk. Another scene shows of kids leaving flowers, toys and candy at her locker. Sherry Spleen's voice over is heard.)
Sherry Spleen's voice: Police are still continuing the search for Pepper Ann Pearson. If anyone knows of any information that may aid them; please do so now and call the local police.
(We then cut to an interview with Dieter.)
Dieter: When I found out Pepper Ann was supposed to see me at my home and never showed up it almost killed me. I got down on my knees and begged for it not to be true. (he sniffs)
(We cut to P.A in Dieter's bed, she is watching the t.v. Still injured and immobile.)
Pepper Ann: That big liar. How can he get away with this? You'd think the police would search his house at least.
(Dieter then enters his room. He is holding a tray of food, he turns off the TV before approaching P.A)
Dieter: Hello Pepper Ann! I brought you your dinner!
(He lets her have a look at the food. Which appears to be Souvlaki on a bed of rice.)
Pepper Ann: Dieter, I'm going to go out and say it; there is definitely something wrong with you! I don't...
(She's interrupted by Dieter stuffing a forkful of food in her mouth.)
Dieter: You should understand that things happen for a reason. It was fate for you to come in my home and have me nurse you back to health. You have not realised it yet, Pepper Ann, but you are the greatest person that has ever lived! (Dieter gets a crazy-wistful look on his face.) We are soul mates!
Pepper Ann: Look, I like you because you are my friend but what you are saying about this freaky soul mate stuff states clearly that your mentality needs a quick look over.
(Dieter crams another forkful of food in her mouth.)
Dieter: Now Pepper Ann, you really shouldn't talk like that or someone won't get their dessert. (he shows her some of the monkey shaped pain medicine.)
Pepper Ann: Your mother has a conscience like normal people! She'll call the police eventually!
Dieter (somewhat sad) : Yes, mother was one of those people.
Pepper Ann (alarmed) : "Was?"
(We go to a flashback. Dieter is talking with his mom.)
Mrs. Lederhosen: Dieter! What possessed you to kidnap the girl you like and imprison her in our house?!
Dieter (somewhat protective) : She was ment to come here! She was ment to stay! She was ment to be with me!
Mrs. Lederhosen: What are you? You don't talk like my son! My son would never commit something so bizarre and cruel!
Dieter (Yelling) : I knew you wouldn't want me to be happy with my Pepper Ann! You were always striving to make me miserable! I won't let you take away my Pepper Ann! (He becomes calm.) I anticipated this...(he shows her a document.) Be prepared to be deported mother.
Mrs. Lederhosen (taking it) : What is this?
Dieter: It seems your green card has expired and you are no longer legal in this country. You will be deported tomorrow morning.
(Before Dieter's mom can speak men in suits barge in and swarm her.)
Suit guy 1: You are going to have to come with us into custody.
Mrs. Lederhosen (staring at Dieter) : You did this...how could you?!
Dieter (in distress.) : Oh no! Where are you taking my mother?!
Suit guy 2: Sorry son, you can say good bye to her in the morning.
(The police take away Mrs. Lederhosen. Two black cars speed off. Dieter peers out the window before closing some curtains. We return to the present. P.A gapes in dismay.)
Pepper Ann: You set up your own mom?!
Dieter (almost in tears) : She was in the way. She was going to ruin everything, I couldn't let it happen. You and I were ment to be! (his voice returns in a excessively happy tone) Have some more!
(Dieter stuffs more food in P.A's mouth. She angrily spits it back at him.)
Pepper Ann (raging) : You're a crazy freak!
(Dieter narrows his eyes, he wipes the food from his face. He stares at P.A with, what appears to be, boiling hate.)
Dieter (his voice low and scary) : I thought you were nice Pepper Ann, but it seems that you are just another loud and mean American.
(Dieter then darts his hand toward P.A's hurt foot grabbing it and then squeezing it. P.A screams in pain. She shuts her eyes and grits her teeth silently.)
Dieter: I don't think I should be around you for a little while Pepper Ann. See how you like coping without your medicine.
(Dieter gets up and throws the food tray across the room, P.A cowers at the noise, Dieter walks toward the door. He stops in the door way. A vicious look is upon his face.)
Dieter (mad) : Don't think you can hold on to hope Pepper Ann. Nobody will come for you, not the police, your parents, your sister, your friends, nobody. No one knows you are here. You should be more concerned for my health; because if I die, (his voice is almost screaming) you die!
(Dieter shuts the door and he is heard storming away. A few seconds pass and the slam of the front door is heard. P.A stares at the door in shock. Her conscience appears on the wall.)
Conscience: Hey, go for it while you still have time. Maybe you can get out.
Pepper Ann: It's going to hurt, but I so want out of this house of doom.
(P.A tries to get out of the bed without causing pain. But it proves awkward as she moves on her stomach. She grunts in pain, but she tries to lower herself onto the floor by moving down head first. She tests her arms, although her face tells that it hurts while she holds herself up. Her conscience looks on.)
Conscience: Slow now, slow...
(P.A unexpectedly falls out of the bed. We cut to a full view of Dieter's house. We hear P.A scream in extreme agony. We return to see P.A sprawled on the floor. Her conscience is worried.)
Conscience: Hang in there..
Pepper Ann (in quiet misery) : Oh God, that hurt..
(P.A slowly gets her composure back. She drags herself toward the door. She struggles to reach the door handle. It's locked.)
Pepper Ann: What...locked from the inside?
Conscience: What now? (She points to the window.) Try the window!
(P.A glances at the window across the room. It seems so far away.)
P.A: Nuh-uh, not right now. I hurt too much.
(P.A lies by the door for a few moments. She then drags herself to the bathroom in Dieter's room, the door is thankfully open, she crawls toward the bathtub and leans on it.)
Pepper Ann: I would sell my eyes for some of Dieter's pain candy right now. You have no idea ...
(She fumbles at the faucets and manages to turn the water on to a small, slow pour. She puts her hand out and collects some of the water. She drinks it sloppily. The conscience looks on in pity.)
Conscience: This can't be happening..
(Tired of the water, P.A grabs a nearby towel and wraps it around herself. Tears appear in her eyes as she sniffs sadly.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: That was how I found that I had to play by Dieter's rules; the hard way.
(White text appears as we see Dieter entering his room, Two Days Later, he seems in a better mood. He notices P.A is not in the bed. As the text disappears he glances inside the bathroom to see her sprawled out near the toilet.)
Dieter (happy) : Hi Pepper Ann! What are you doing on the bathroom floor? You silly girl!(He picks P.A up and tucks her in the bed.) There we go! Comfy?
Pepper Ann (hatefully) : Marvelous....
Dieter: Oh you are such a kidder Pepper Ann! I brought you a surprise. (He shows her a few candy bars and the monkey shaped medicine.)
Pepper Ann (desperate) : Gimmee...
(She munches the bars and medicine in five seconds. Dieter smiles as he watches her.)
Dieter: There are moments my mind gets flustered sometimes. That's what makes me get in a really bad mood. (He becomes over cheerful.) Would you like some dinner full of deliciousness?
(P.A nods mournfully. Dieter prances away but he stops at the door way.)
Dieter: I'm sure that helped you learn your lesson Pepper Ann. I don't like it when you make me angry and have me leave you without food or yummy medicine for two days. You should watch what you say, ja?
(Dieter smiles warmly and leaves P.A. She sighs.)
Pepper Ann (sadly) : Well, at least his food's good...
(We switch scenes to Aunt Janie's house, it appears to be late in the night. Uncle Jojo is sitting on the floor reviewing some papers. Aunt Janie quietly enters and notices her husband.)
Aunt Janie: Jojo, what are you doing up at this hour?
Uncle Jojo: I've decided to pursue the case on my own. The force isn't doing enough to find Pepper Ann; there are just so many holes here and there. Something must have been missed.
Aunt Janie: Jojo... my sister would appreciate that immensely. All of us.
Uncle Jojo: Pepper Ann means alot to to us all. (He pauses) Where were you? Judging from you sneaking in you must have done one of your infamous stunts for the environment.
Aun Janie: Let's just say that monster who voted no on the conservation for Lake Filburt's population of albino mudskippers won't be leaving his bathroom for a month.
(She tosses two large containers of liquid laxative in her blue recycle box. Jojo's eyes widen in surprise.)
(New Scene: We return to P.A in bed. Her face appears she is in deep thought. Her conscience watches her from the wall.)
Conscience: Looks like you've thought of something.
Pepper Ann: I'm going for it. I'm gonna try and get out of here; once and for all.
(P.A winces as she plows a hand under the bed. We see that she grabbed a hockey stick, a souvenir from the German hockey team for winning the silver medal in the 1994 Olympics.)
Pepper Ann: I noticed this under that monster's bed when he left me. (She attempts to get up as she uses the stick as a crutch. She still winces with pain.) This is good.
Conscience: What about the door?
(P.A shows her a crude "key" made of paperclips.)
Conscience (unsure) : I don't know...
Pepper Ann: Writers do it all the time in books, it should work.
(After a long moment a "click" is heard as the door unlocks.)
Pepper Ann (excited) : What do you know! It worked!
(P.A slowly limps out of the door with the aid of the stick. Her conscience becomes a transparent body and follows her.)
Pepper Ann: Dieter won't be back from school for another two hours. That'll give me plenty of time to escape his prison of horrors.
(P.A is in some pain as she grunts; slowly going down the stairs. After completing the stairs she pants heavily and leans on a wall. Her conscience continues to watch.)
Conscience: It's okay to take a break you know.
Pepper Ann (determined) : No way! I've had enough of this nightmare!
(P.A briskly limps to the front door. As her hand grasps the door disappointment appears on her face as it is locked.)
Pepper Ann (hopeful) : A phone...
(P.A limps toward the living room, she scans the room for a phone and sees one.)
Pepper Ann: Yes!
(She hurries toward it and presses 9-1-1 rapidly.)
Pepper Ann (desperate) : Somebody! Help! I've been kidnapped by my crazy friend who thinks I'm his soul mate; and it's extremley disturbing!
(P.A realises there is no answer or even a dial tone.)
Pepper Ann: Hello?
(She notices the phone is light. She lifts the phone to see that it's hollow; only a shell of a telephone. She stares at it with bewildered horror. Her conscience gapes. P.A puts the phone back where it was; anger crosses her face.)
Pepper Ann (furious) : You damn, crazy kid...
(P.A limps out of the living room and into the kitchen. She looks around and opens multiple cupboards. She finds one filled with prescription drugs and notices countless boxes of the monkey shaped, chewable medicine.)
Pepper Ann (relieved) : Sweet Fuzzy, thank you.
(She crams the medicine in her mouth and chews furiously. She takes extra boxes with her by stuffing them down her shirt. Her conscience watches.)
Conscience: What if he notices some are missing?
Pepper Ann: He's got tons of the stuff. No way he would notice a few boxes.
(As she shuts the cupboard. P.A's face suddenly pales.)
P.A's voice over: I never really had a sixth sense but I suddenly had an eerie feeling that I should get back to where I was.
(We then cut to Dieter walking home. A mere five houses away. We return to P.A, she begins to quickly limp away. Her conscience looks at her.)
Conscience: What? What's wrong?
Pepper Ann (fearful) : I just got a really, really, bad feeling...
(P.A struggles toward the stairs, it proves to be a painful and slow task as she tries to go up the stairs. We then go to Dieter as he walks up his walkway. Returning to P.A we see she has completed half the stairs. She is sweating uncontrollably. Cut again to Dieter, one of the books he's carrying falls. He stops to pick it up. We cut to P.A on her final step and her eyes widening as she hears the very faint click of Dieter unlocking the front door. She hobbles into her room, grabs her paperclip key, locks the door, slides her hockey stick crutch under the bed and gets into it. She heaves a relieved sigh and hides her stolen medicine under the mattress. After about half a minute Dieter enters the room.)
Dieter: Hello Pepper Ann! The school was fortunate to let us out early today! Now I can have more time to prepare for my...(he notices P.A is drenched in sweat) Pepper Ann, you are practically drowning in your own sweat! What have you been doing?
Pepper Ann (angrily) : You know perfectly well what I've been doing... (she begins to yell) I've been lying here suffering! I need pills!
Dieter (guilty) : Oh Pepper Ann! I am so sorry! I'll get you some.
Pepper Ann (screaming) : I want them now Dieter! Now!
Dieter: It'll only take a second.
Pepper Ann (desperate) : I don't want to be in pain anymore Dieter; make it go away...
Dieter (saddened) : It breaks my heart to see you like this.
(Dieter leaves. The conscience appears.)
Conscience: Smooth!
Pepper Ann (somewhat proud) : Heh, I know.
(Scene: It's a new day at the school, Uncle Jojo is watching the kids during the noon break. Principal Hickey approaches him.)
Hickey: I think you are wasting your time.
Uncle Jojo: I just want to ask the kids of what they know.
Hickey: Knock yourself out, I doubt you'll be given anything new though, kids today like to change their stories.
(Hickey leaves. Uncle Jojo sighs as he walks away. We then see that he is talking to Trinket.)
Trinket: Look, I'm sorry Pepper Ann is missing but I was never a good friend to her. I only really invited her to my parties because everyone would bug me to invite her and it was the only way I could get Craig Bean to show up.
Unlce Jojo: I'm sorry, but I am asking everyone today, don't feel like only you are being badgered.
Trinket (huffs) : One thing I think everyone has noticed is that Dieter seems the most traumatised out of the whole school. He mopes and whines all the time, (she imitates Dieter) "Oh, Pepper Ann. It's so cruel how someone could just take her away. Pepper Ann would have thought of a wonderful idea for our group project. Pepper Ann would eat these beef kidneys." (she returns to her normal voice.) He just never stops with the melancholy, y'know?.
(Uncle Jojo then notices Dieter happily walking toward the school.)
Uncle Jojo: Thank you Trinket, excuse me.
(He walks towards Dieter. Dieter then becomes dramatic.)
Dieter: Oh, Officer Jojo, I am so sorry about Pepper Ann. It's so horrible that someone in this town could have just disappeared so suddenly.
Uncle Jojo: Dieter, Pepper Ann was going to your house the day she disappeared. I understand she wanted to apologise to you for some persistent teasing she has afflicted onto you for sometime.
Dieter: Is that so? Well, I understand Pepper Ann can get a bit over excited but I never really took it as insulting. (he laughs) It was actually quite amusing most of the time.
Uncle Jojo: Did you see her at all that day?
Dieter: No, not really. The only times I would see her would be in the hallways off to our classes.
Uncle Jojo (sighs) : Well, if you know of anything else, I guess you know who to call. (he clears his throat) I should apologise to you, I understand your mother was deported a short time ago. Are you staying with someone?
Dieter: Well my Pater is actually flying in tomorrow morning. I won't be alone for long.
Uncle Jojo: I see, well, just remember who to see if anything come up, ok?
Dieter: Oh, ja! Of course!
(As Uncle Jojo turns away, Dieter gives a frown of suspicion before quickly entering the school. We return to Uncle Jojo looking somewhat lost. He notices a school newspaper in the trash; the headline reads: Hickey Denies Funding For Extreme Detention Summer Camp. Jojo notices a quote from the writer of the article, Dieter Lederhosen, that reads: "Hickey will realise that there is a justice higher than that of the law. The justice of an angry mob.")
Uncle Jojo: Justice of an angry mob...why does that sound familiar?
(He pockets the paper and exits the school. Puzzlement seems to be swimming in his head as he heads for his car.)
(We return to P.A: She is again out of bed and attempting to try and break out of Dieter's house. Her conscience tags along as P.A finds out that even the back door of the home is locked. She snarls in rage.)
Pepper Ann: I hate this! I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!
Conscience: There has to be another phone in the house somewhere.
(P.A limps away with her hockey stick crutch toward a book case. She seems to be ignoring her conscience.)
Pepper Ann: The only option I have is the windows. I can probably break some of them if I throw my body against them.
Conscience: Are you crazy? You'll kill yourself!
Pepper Ann: I'm willing to take the risk, I am NOT staying here for the rest of my life as some puppet soul mate with some crazy foreigner.
(P.A leans on the book case, as she does a photo album titled: All About Me! plunks out.)
Pepper Ann: Hmm?
(P.A and her conscience peer at the album. P.A opens it and we see that it is a scrap book about Dieter. It includes simple stuff like his birth announcement and a few birthday cards and photos. However, it quickly begins to get more weird. A b&w photo of a badly hurt man is seen with the headline: Performer Nearly Dies At Klaus Uber-Monkey Show. P.A notices another b&w picture of the crime scene with a large crowd watching. She turns the pages to another headline and more photos: Two Children Suffocate From Smoke In Unexplained Fire. The photos show the faces of two young girls and that of the class photo of their other classmates. P.A's eyes widen as she notices that Dieter is one of the children in the class photo.)
Conscience: That can't be.
(P.A turns a page to another article. Uber-Monkey Show Becomes Disaster With Death Of Three Performers.)
Conscience (horror-filled) : Okay, that does not sound very good...
(P.A turns more pages. We notice that the papers are from Hazelnut instead of Dieter's native Germany. Frightening Fuzzy World Accident Injures Six while another reads, Boys Wounded From Fireworks Mishap. P.A sees that each of these articles has a picture of Dieter, which says he had witnessed the calamity of both of these accidents.)
Pepper Ann: Dear Lord...
(She flips a page to another one, Nine Orchestra Players Still Not Found; Search Likely To Be Called Off. P.A begins to sweat. She turns the page to an article about Dieter's mother being deported from the country; Respected Doctor Deported. P.A again turns the page and sees her own face staring at her in a newspaper article: Free Spirited Girl Goes Missing, the page next to it has another article; Missing Girl Likely Dead: Police.)
Pepper Ann (frightened) : Sweet Fuzzy...
(P.A slams the book shut and puts it back where it was. She points to her conscience.)
Pepper Ann: Tomorrow. Escaping. My mind's made up.
(P.A then begins to hobble back to her place in Dieter's room.)
(We fade to P.A resting in bed. It is now night time; soft footsteps are heard.)
Dieter (off camera) : Pepper Ann.
(P.A opens her eyes and looks towards the door. The darkness nearly hides Dieter but we see two menacing shines from the light reflecting from his sunglasses. He steps out of the darkness and approaches P.A.)
Dieter: I know you have been out.
Pepper Ann (eyes wide) : What?
Dieter: You've been out of your room, Pepper Ann.
Pepper Ann (nervous) : No, I haven't..
Dieter: I know because I know.
(He shows a spool of nearly invisible thread. We then cut to brief shots all over Dieter's home and we notice threads are around all the rooms. Many strands are broken as its clear that P.A has been through them. We return to a profusely sweating P.A.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: I was caught, I had no clue of what to do. Denial, stupidly, was my only great idea at the time.
Pepper Ann: I..I don't know what you are talking about.
Dieter (he begins to pace) : I know you have been out twice, Pepper Ann. I couldn't figure out how you did it at first but then I found your ingenious little key and your walking stick.
(Dieter flashes the paperclip key and holds up the hockey stick.)
Dieter: I also found your fingerprints over my book. (He gives a sinister smile) I thought you would be interested in seeing it so I put it out in the open for you to review. I figured you would be ignorant of my native language so I replaced some of the articles with the English versions.
(P.A begins to fidget, dreading the unexpected.)
Dieter: I can only imagine what you must think of me. (He pushes his sunglasses up on his nose. Two more glints of light reflect from the lenses.) Eventually you'll accept the idea of staying with me.
(Out of nowhere Dieter then produces a large shovel.)
Pepper Ann (super nervous) : Whoa, whoa Dieter, whatever you're thinking of doing, don't do it.
(Dieter begins to lift the shovel, he takes aim of P.A's ankles.)
Pepper Ann: H..Hey, come on why would I run away.. huh? (she laughs nervously) I mean, aren't we ment to be?
Dieter: Please don't fuss now, Pepper Ann.
Pepper Ann's voice over: It's frightening to think that a friend could execute something so disturbing and insane. But there it was, reality had never felt so horribly wrong that day.
(Dieter takes the shovel back, prepared to strike.)
Pepper Ann (officially freaked out) : For the love of Fuzzy Dieter... stop that...
(Dieter brings the shovel full force onto P.A's ankles. We cut to a full view of Dieter's house as we hear P.A's anguished yell of pain and agony.)
(We go to a new scene: Uncle Jojo is reading some papers in his living room. He gives a chuckle.)
Uncle Jojo (loud) : This is some story, Pepper Ann wrote. I think she should have been given first place for it; or a very close second.
Aunt Janie (off camera) : Yes but that Principal Hickey probably wouldn't allow it. I mean, the plot is about him being a crazed sociopath who roams the streets hunting for cats and hobos at night; I'm surprised she even got an honourable mention for that story.
(As Jojo continues to read P.A's story his eyes fall on a line in P.A's tale: "He has to be stopped," the girl cried, "Only then will he realise that there is a justice higher than that of the law. The justice of an angry mob!" )
Uncle Jojo (suddenly remembering): That's...
(He rummages in his pocket and unfolds the school newspaper he found. The sentence in P.A's story is practically identical to what Dieter wrote in the article.)
Uncle Jojo: Interesting.
(We go to the next day: P.A is lying on a couch in Dieter's living room. We notice that both her feet are wrapped in casts. She glares as Dieter walks in and he gives a wave across from the living room.)
Dieter: Isn't this nice to be out of bed Pepper Ann?
Pepper Ann (sarcasm goes here) : Wonderful, I've always wanted to have a great view of the other side of your living room.
Dieter (laughs) : You are so funny Pepper Ann! I've brought you down here so you can witness the beginning of your future.
(Dieter flashes two airline tickets.)
Dieter: On Monday morning you will be coming with me to Germany. I bought bleach to change your hair colour so people won't grow suspicious and I have a wheelchair for you to use as well.
(P.A gapes in shock.)
Dieter (excessively happy) : And if you cooperate I won't have to inject you full of tranquilizers for the entire trip!
Pepper Ann (dumbstruck) : What?!!
Dieter: We then can begin our happy life! I am sure you will learn the language quickly, we can go to school together and then attend Universität. After we graduate we can get married and have great high paying jobs and then raise our perfect children Jürgen and Sabine.
(P.A looks on in stupefied shock.)
Dieter: Oh! One of the first places I'd like you to see would be the Klaus Jeep Show, they offer free showings of his cartoons!
(Dieter then produces two puppets, one of the Klaus Uber-Monkey and the other with a shark in a beret.)
Dieter (as the shark) : I'll see to it that you will never win another race you Übel monkey!
(Dieter gasps as a vase is thrown at his head, he dodges it in the nick of time, as his puppets flutter to the floor the vase shatters. He darts a look at P.A.)
Dieter: Pepper Ann!
Pepper Ann (angry determination) : There is absolutely NO way that I will let that happen!
Dieter (getting mad) : Don't you raise your voice at me Pepper Ann!
Pepper Ann: Or what? You'll kill me? Take your best shot you psycho!
Dieter (hurt) : Why are you so mean Miss you-would-be-dead-at-the- bottom-of-my-stairs-if-it-wasn't-for-me?
Pepper Ann: Oh, gee, no reason, you keeping me prisoner in your house, you abandoning me without any food, breaking my ankles...
Dieter (annoyed) : Don't get me angry again Pepper Ann!
Pepper Ann: Nothing's stopping you from taking something blunt to my head Dieter. Tell me, what are you going to do after you kill me? Take my body to a taxidermist? Preserve my head in a jar? Sleep with my clothes as if they were some crude toy? Bath in my blood? Well go ahead! (She spreads her arms wide.) Be my guest!
(Dieter gives a horrified gasp, he clasps a hand to his chest. He narrows his eyes at her.)
Dieter (low and angry) : That's disgusting.
(Dieter then runs away, frightened at P.A's grim challenge. P.A's conscious appears.)
Conscience: Are you officially crazy? What was that about?
Pepper Ann: Look, I have nothing to lose. I have no hope of ever getting out of here at all. I may as well accept the...
(P.A stops talking as she notices a police car park in front of Dieter's house through the window. She recognises it as Uncle Jojo's.)
Pepper Ann (in disbelief) : Uncle Jojo..?
(P.A stares at the window, it seems everything will be okay now. But then Dieter approaches her, hypodermic needle in hand and jabs it into P.A. She tries to fight against him but the drug is swift, as she pulls at his hair Dieter finally fights her off and drags her down to his basement.)
Dieter: I do not understand you. I feed you, I tend to your health and you continue to push away from your destiny - acknowledge your future Pepper Ann!
(P.A keeps a death grip on one of Dieter's arms. Her eyes blaze with persistent resistance, her teeth clench as she tries to fight against the tranquilizer. Dieter finally breaks free of her as a doorbell is heard. He closes the door to the basement as he leaves. P.A's eyes open and close constantly as she continues to resist the drug.)
Pepper Ann (hushed and determined) : I won't let you....
(We then go to Dieter allowing Uncle Jojo into the house.)
Dieter: I have to say that I wasn't expecting anyone today.
Uncle Jojo: Well, I just wanted to see how you were coping. Has your father managed to get here safely?
Dieter (stammering a bit) : Actually, he did not arrive, I will be leaving for Germany on Monday actually. My family wishes me to be home with them; what with the deportation of my mother and all.
Uncle Jojo: I'm sorry this had to end this way, you and your mother seemed to like it here in Hazelnut.
Dieter: Yes, but I will never forget the good memories here even with the tragedy of Pepper Ann I am starting to become assured that everything will be alright.
Uncle Jojo: I actually came here to talk about Pepper Ann with you, Dieter.
Dieter: If you insist, but would you like a Kaffee before we discuss this further?
Uncle Jojo: Uh, If its no trouble.
(Dieter skips off. Uncle Jojo looks around the living room and notices a couple of ruffled blankets on the couch. He approaches one of them and touches it.)
Uncle Jojo: It's warm..
(Suddenly a loud crash is heard, Uncle Jojo jolts with surprise and walks toward the basement door. We then cut to P.A, she has succeeded in fighting off the drug and toppling some empty paint cans and an old typewriter from a table.)
Pepper Ann (weakly) : Down here...down here...Uncle Jojo.
(Unlce Jojo opens the door. He gasps as he sees P.A sprawled on the basement floor.)
Uncle Jojo: Pepper Ann! It's you!
(Suddenly, sensing trouble, Uncle Jojo whips around to see Dieter behind him. In slow motion Dieter darts his hand toward Jojo's holster and grasps his gun. Dieter aims it at him. We cut to a horrified P.A as we hear the sound of three gunshots and the slump of the body.)
Pepper Ann (yelling) : Uncle Jojo!
(Dieter tosses the gun away as he steps over Jojo's body, he gives an accusing look at P.A.)
Dieter: It is your fault he is dead Pepper Ann. I would have sent him on his way after fooling him with my innocence but you just had to make a scene. Your selfishness caused your uncle's death.
(P.A looks on in petrified horror. Dieter narrows his eyes and points a mocking finger at her.)
Dieter: You have no one to blame but yourself.
(P.A looks down at the floor. Guilt is all over her paling face.)
Dieter: But do not worry Pepper Ann, like I have said before, things happen for a reason and I have prepared for this scenario.
(Dieter walks toward P.A. He stops about a metre away from her and looks down at her.)
Dieter: You and I were ment to be together forever Pepper Ann. Now our time in this world must end. Do not worry Pepper Ann, I have prepared for what must be done.
(Dieter then goes to a closet and opens the door to reveal multiple containers of gasoline.)
Dieter: I have some matches in the Küche. Once I am finished dousing the house we can leave this world; like the legendary Phoenix burning in its own flame and rising out of the ashes to meet our eternal rest.
(P.A gapes in silence as Dieter happily skips past her with two containers of gasoline.)
Dieter (all happy and casual) : I will start with the top levels first! (he stares at P.A) It will be so magnificent Pepper Ann.
(Dieter leaves P.A, her mind racing for an idea.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: I have to admit, I was ready for my death for those few, awful seconds but an idea then struck me.
(P.A gives a soft scream as the snake, the one she was planning to put in Dieter's bed, plops onto her head. She realises what it is and her face tells us her mind has concocted a plan.)
Pepper Ann (hush) : I'm not kicking the bucket yet...
(We then cut to Dieter humming happily to himself as he pours gasoline all over his house. He is just finishing off his last container.)
Dieter (cheerful) : All done! Now to welcome the soothing comfort of a suffocating death!
(Dieter then pockets a nearby booklet of matches before prancing toward the basement.)
Dieter: Everything is all ready Pepper Ann!
(Dieter walks toward P.A, splashing a small puddle of gasoline, happiest kid on earth.)
Pepper Ann: Wait!
Dieter: Now don't be afraid Pepper Ann, the smoke will only be a tad uncomfortable as it fills your lungs, once you are unconscious your death will be as peaceful as sleep.
Pepper Ann: It's not that, I just want you to know that I finally realise that we are ment to be together.
(Dieter gives a curious look.)
Pepper Ann: I know we must die now Dieter, but there is something I need to tell you before we leave the land of the living.
Dieter (all misty eyed) : Oh Pepper Ann...
Pepper Ann: Come closer.
(Dieter walks closer to P.A.)
Pepper Ann: I mean REALLY close.
(Dieter crouches onto his knees and is now nose to nose with P.A. Curiosity all over his face.)
Pepper Ann: I just want to say...
(P.A grabs Dieter's shirt.)
Pepper Ann: ..that you have..
(P.A then stuffs the snake, which she successfully hid behind her, down Dieter's shirt. Dieter screams with bloody murder as he tries to get the snake out of him.)
Pepper Ann (yelling) : Been a soulless monster!!!
(As Dieter continues to struggle against the harmless snake. P.A begins to crawl swiftly away, her knees pounding painfully on the stairs, as she reaches the top she is about to slam the door when Dieter suddenly tackles her. His hands strangling her neck.)
Dieter: You filthy liar! You lie!!!
(Dieter and P.A struggle more, they knock over a small table as they fight. Dieter gives a fierce shove and pushes P.A a good distance away from him.)
Dieter: Abschied...
(Dieter then casually tosses a lit match (how? Not even the camera witnessed it! to the gasoline soaked carpet. Huge flames engulf the entire room as the house begins its fearsome burn.)
Pepper Ann: No!
(A back draft explodes. In a confusing twist of fate we see P.A on the lawn as it appears the back draft threw her out of the burning house, she stares at the flaming house with confused horror at her survival and the insanity her friend has caused. Sirens are then heard along with concerned murmurs from the towns people. P.A then blacks out.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Who would have thought that I would survive those unfortunate disasters. (she sighs) They could have been prevented, I know it sounds like further self-blame but I know these horrors could have been avoided.
(We go to a new scene of P.A buying a drink from a vending machine in a deserted park. She sighs happily at the quietness, she takes a sip from her drink.)
Pepper Ann: Ah, no whiny kids, no complaining old people and their stupid, yappy little dogs. I could..
(P.A turns and sees Dieter. He is holding a big scary knife.)
Dieter (ridiculously happy) : Hi Pepper Ann! Are you finally ready to die with me now?
(We then see P.A jolt awake in her bed. She turns on her light and looks out her window.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Sleep is never generous for me. If only I could just forget the horror, so I can be given a decent night of sleep without me waking in a frenzied wreck.
(We cut to an alley. A tattered newspaper glides by: Catholic Shoolgirl Vanishes From School is the headline. A picture of Didi O'Shaunessy is included in the article. The paper blows away and exits from our view.)
Pepper Ann (in playful malice) : Be prepared to be beaten to the ground, Little!
Nicky (ditto) : I have a catheter with your name on it, Pearson! (She then points a darting finger on her side where her team is.) Park it here, Noah!
(Noah shudders and hesitantly walks to Nicky's side. Milo, who is on Nicky's team, snickers at the mock rivalry.)
Pepper Ann: Ok, I choose....
(Dieter, still in the unchosen group, waves and jumps about to try to get P.A's attention.)
Dieter: Me! Me! Pick me!
(Pepper Ann "hmms" to herself as she looks the crowd over. Cissy is putting on lipstick, Trinket is on her cell phone, Wayne Mcabe is giving a bored sneer and a group of boys are stepping on each other's feet. Dieter fidgets and waves about some more.)
Dieter: Oh Please! Please choose me Pepper Ann!
(Pepper Ann is still in deep thought as she looks on.)
Dieter: Me! Me! Meeeeeeeeeee!
Pepper Ann: I pick Dieter.
Dieter (hyper-happy): Squeeeeeeeeeeee!
(Dieter is thrilled and skips towards P.A. Happiest kid in the world.)
Dieter: Thank you Pepper Ann! Thank you!
Pepper Ann (she gives a laugh) : You wanna be my goalie again?
Dieter: Ja!
(Dieter takes off toward P.A's goal area.)
Dieter: I won't let anything get past me!
(We return to the player selection. Nicky points at Wayne Mcabe.)
Nicky (aggressive) : Stop that sneering Mcabe and park that bony booty on to my team.
(Wayne Mcabe "eeps" as he hears Nicky. We then pan pass the field quickly to a large, lonely and leafy tree. We fade to inside the tree and see that Pink Eye Pete is hiding in the tree. He pours himself some Chill-Ade in a martini glass. He glances around him as if to make sure no one can see him. Dieter is still heard faintly from a distance.)
Dieter (off camera) : Come on Pepper Ann! You are so coooooool!
(Pink Eye Pete then views the camera. He has a serious look on his face.)
Pink Eye Pete: Not many know this but there are countless dimensions as vast as space and timeless as infinity; this lies between science and superstition. Yes, they exist, as plentiful as there are grains of sand on a beach. Many have tales to tell to our soothing reality that is our world.
(Dieter is heard in the distance again.)
Dieter (off camera) : Goooooal!
Pink Eye Pete: Witness how the affections a boy has for his class friend appear endearing to the fool's eye; a mere childhood crush so it seems. But what is interpreted as adolescent puppy love could be an entirely different emotion.
(Pink Eye Pete sips from his "martini".)
Pink Eye Pete: An emotion that seesaws from loving admiration..
(The background behind Pink Eye Pete darkens.)
Pink Eye Pete (in a lower voice) : To unstable madness.
(We fade to a silhouette of Pepper Ann. She sighs.)
Pepper Ann: Where should I start? Is that what you are asking? I guess I'll begin it by admitting that I will never forget how it all happened. How the terror began on a normal school week.
(We change scenes to a full view of Hazelnut Middle school. Text written in big black letters appear: AGONY. The title fades away as we go inside the cafeteria of the school. Dieter sits next to P.A with a plate of cafeteria food.)
Dieter: I don't know why people always whine and complain about the cafeteria food. This chow mein is wunderbar!
(He eats a forkful of the food. Pepper Ann gives a disgusted look.)
Pepper Ann: Dieter... those are cheese enchiladas.
(Dieter stops eating and looks at the mass of food. He covers his mouth and gets up from his seat.)
Dieter: I'm sorry, I have to visit a toilet....
(Dieter runs off. Nicky and Milo arrive to sit with P.A. They watch Dieter as he zooms away.)
Nicky: Pepper Ann, was that really necessary?
Pepper Ann: Oh Nicky, necessary is such a constricting word, you should really know better. (She points to Dieter's unfinished food.) Now pass me his chow mein.
(Milo slides the food to P.A. She eats it and giggles.)
(We go to a new scene: We see that Lydia is in the car waiting to pick up P.A. She hums to herself and suddenly gasps as she looks out the window. P.A is spraying Dieter with a hose. Dieter whimpers as P.A blasts the hose in his face. She laughs hysterically. After a few seconds she notices her mom and tosses the hose away. Dieter collapses on the grass and whines louder.)
Dieter: I'm soaked! And I'm so cold too!
(P.A hops into the car. Lydia gives a disapproved look at P.A.)
Pepper Ann: Hey mom, how was work?
Lydia: Peppie, why did you spray Dieter with a hose?
Pepper Ann: Um, that's the new after-school program I joined. It's where you are allowed to spray any random students that are walking in your vicinity. (She pauses.) Especially Dieter. (She burts into laughter.)
Lydia: Pepper Ann! What is with you and that boy? Why do you always pick on him all the time?
Pepper Ann: I do not pick on him all the time!
Lydia: I want you to march out of this car and tell him...
(Lydia notices Dieter's mother walk toward Dieter, who is sitting and shivering on the grass.)
Mrs. Lederhosen: Dieter! What monster did this to you?!
(Lydia starts the car and takes off.)
Lydia: I love you too much for you to face Mrs. Lederhosen. She's the real unmerciful type when it comes to that boy.
(New Scene: P.A and Lydia are sitting on the couch. Moose is leaning on the coffee table.)
Lydia: The last thing I want is one of my daughters becoming a vicious bully.
Pepper Ann: What are you talking about? I'm not a bully!
Moose: Dieter is nice, why don't you like him?
Pepper Ann: I don't hate him either! It's not my fault he comes from a different country and that he's so gullible; that's what makes him really fun to tease.
(We flashback to Lydia putting away some groceries. She puts a bag of frozen vegetables in the freezer. She notices an opened bag of fertilizer in the freezer.)
Lydia (puzzled) : What? Who put my good fertilizer in the freezer?
(She then notices two cans of empty cat food on the counter.)
Lydia: And who didn't throw away the cat food tins?
(We cut to P.A's living room with P.A approaching Dieter, he looks up from his school books to see P.A with a big bowl of brown stuff and a sandwich. P.A has a mischievous smile.)
Pepper Ann (sing-songy) : Who wants a fish sandwich and chocolate ice cream?
Dieter (waving his hand high in the air) : Oh, me! Me!
(We return to reality. P.A is on her back, laughing. Lydia has her arms crossed in annoyance.)
Pepper Ann: Man, the ideas television gives us.
Lydia: Peppie, just because someone is from a different country doesn't give you the right to tease them all the time. That's not what I taught you to do.
Pepper Ann: Aw, mom...he knows that I'm just joking.
Lydia: Can you really say that? What if he doesn't? After school tomorrow I want you to apologise to Dieter, alright? And no more teasing.(she pauses) And no more fertilizer freezing.
Pepper Ann: Mom! You ruined it! I was gonna have Moose eat a bowl after dinner tonight!
Moose: You couldn't fool me into eating that in a million years.
Pepper Ann (in a cheeky tone) : Oh yeah, what about those other bowls I gave you this past week?
Moose (smiles) : Check your sock drawer lately?
(P.A's eyes widen in surprise.)
(We go to a new scene: P.A is walking with Nicky And Milo in the hallway of the school.)
Pepper Ann: Can you imagine? She wants me to apologise!
Nicky: Pepper Ann, you have been picking on Dieter for a long time. I think that's a fair thing to do considering the things you've done to him.
Milo: Heck, you should be thankful that Dieter is such a forgiving person. (He points to P.A. His voice raises.) I would be having you do my laundry and fish stick frying for a week sister!
Pepper Ann (semi-guilty) : Really? Wow, maybe I have been being pretty cruel. Now that I think of it, putting beef juice in his shampoo wasn't such a fun idea.
(We flashback to Dieter being chased by a pack of dogs. Of course, he is screaming. We return to reality.)
Pepper Ann (determined) : Right! I'm going to make this apology good! Maybe add some groveling into it too!
(Milo gives a thumbs up and Nicky smiles and gives and agreeing nod.)
(We then cut to P.A waiting by the school doors after school.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: I thought he would be available right after school but that seemed it wasn't the case. I decided to go to his house.
(P.A shrugs and begins to walk.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: If I knew I was about to enter an agonising moment of despair I would have turned away and vowed to never go into that home.
(P.A approaches Dieter's home. She knocks on the door. Mrs. Lederhosen answers. She stares at P.A.)
Pepper Ann: Hi Mrs. Lederhosen, is Dieter home?
Mrs. Lederhosen: He is attending his Pup Scouts meeting and won't be back until later.
Pepper Ann: Oh, well, I really gotta talk to him. It's important.
Mrs. Lederhosen: Well, if you like, you can wait in the house for him. I have just been called for some overtime at the hospital, and I need someone to chase away that child who hands out junk mail all the time.
(She opens the door wider to let P.A in.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: I could have said no and decide to try and catch him after school, tomorrow, but I was determined to get it over with.
Pepper Ann: Okay, that sounds good.
(Pepper Ann waves as she watches Mrs. Lederhosen drive away. She shuts the door behind her.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Little did I know that that day was my last sight of the outdoors for a month.
(P.A walks up a large staircase and walks toward one of the doors. P.A opens it into Dieter's room, adorned with some Flaming Snot posters, a Klaus Uber-Monkey Alarm clock, a German Panzer tank model, a bulletin board with magnets in the form of Germany flags. As P.A looks around she notices another door. She opens it to see that it is a bathroom.)
Pepper Ann (semi-envious) : Feh, lucky.
(P.A walks toward the bed and has a seat. She tosses her backpack to the floor.)
Pepper Ann: Well, nothing to do but wait.
(A second ticks by. P.A then grabs her backpack and zips it open.)
Pepper Ann: Oh, what the heck. One more surprise won't hurt him.
(P.A pulls out a medium sized snake out of her bag. It flicks its tongue casually. She snickers as she pulls the blankets to put it under the sheets.)
Pepper Ann (still giggling) : He's going to freak. Hm?
(She notices a remote that was hidden under the blankets. She drops the snake, which slithers its way out of the room, and picks it up.)
Pepper Ann: What's this for?
(She presses the single button on the remote. Machine-like humming is heard, a trap door then appears from Dieter's floor.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: What I found that day will be one of the many things that will continue to haunt my dreams. Something horrid...
(The word Horrid in grey bold type passes by P.A as she walks toward the secret trap door.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Something evil...
(The word Evil passes by P.A as she goes down the 5 steps and walks down the passage.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Something in bold type!
(The word Bold Type passes by P.A as she gasps in fear.)
(A section of the room is covered in pictures of Pepper Ann. With pics of her with Milo and Nicky, her playing soccer, still shots of her in her soccer uniform, pictures of her sleeping in her bed, pictures of her doing school work, eating, playing Crunch Pod, etc. Multiple candles are the only things that are providing light. She notices a pile of papers on a desk. She picks the pile up.)
Pepper Ann : These are articles I wrote for the school paper. (She shuffles the pile.) The story I got an honourable mention in that contest, (she shuffles them again.) photocopies of my school work.
(She then looks at the walls and realises that they are covered in messages in red paint.
- Pepper Ann is greatness
- Pepper Ann is cool
- Pepper Ann is perfect
- I love Pepper Ann
(P.A gapes at this twisted shrine. She takes a step back. The papers flutter away as she drops them.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: You think you know someone and then you find out they have a creepy love-shrine dedicated to you caused by their twisted heart, black from all the sin and chaos no doubt.
(We hear a faint slam of a door.)
Dieter (off camera) : Mother! I am home!
Pepper Ann: Oh God! He's home! Maybe he won't go into his room.
Dieter (off camera) : Just going up to my room!
Pepper Ann : Okay, relax. Maybe he won't come down to his secret love-shrine dedicated to me.
Dieter (off camera) : Just going to do my homework in my secret Pepper Ann love-shrine!
Pepper Ann (in quiet fright) : Oh Fuzzy...
(She looks around the room and then starts blowing out the candles.)
(We cut to Dieter entering his room. He sees the trap door open.)
Dieter (tsks) : I shouldn't be so careless.
(Dieter enters his secret room and sees that only one candle is lit. He approaches it and shakes his head.)
Dieter: Now all my candles are out!
(He takes the lone candle and uses it to re-light all the other candles. As more light appears we see that P.A is hiding under the desk. Dieter has yet to notice her. He then takes a photo from his pocket.)
Dieter: And another picture to add to my awesome portfolio!
(He takes a tack and turns his back to P.A to put up a photo of her throwing away a gum wrapper to the wall of pictures. P.A sees her chance and she runs out from her hiding spot, out of the secret room, out from Dieter's room and towards the stairs.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Fortune was obviously on vacation that day and disaster was taking over the full time shift.
(In slow motion, P.A trips over herself and she falls down the stairs. Loud bumps and booms are heard as she heavily hits the steps and lands painfully onto the floor. She moans as she lies motionless at the bottom of the stairs. A nasty cut on her head begins to bleed. The scene becomes dark as P.A blacks out.)
Dieter's Voice: You really got banged up, didn't you Pepper Ann?
(The blackness fades as P.A awakens. Dieter is looking down at her, some bandages are in his hands.)
Pepper Ann: Wha..?
(She tries to get up, as she is lying on Dieter's bed, but gives a cry of pain. One of her feet is covered in thick bandages, she has a bandage covering the wound on her head and that her face and arms are heavily bruised. Dieter shakes his head.)
Dieter: Now Pepper Ann, be a good patient and take these to make the pain go away.
(He offers what appears to be candy in the shape of the Klaus Uber-Monkey.)
Pepper Ann: What's that?
Dieter: They are chewable painkillers. They work very good.
(Dieter crams the medicine in P.A's moth. She looks at him with apprehension.)
Pepper Ann (mouth full) : Hey, uh, shouldn't I be in a hospital?
Dieter: Oh Pepper Ann, you silly girl! Why go to the hospital when all the supplies are here in my home? My mother is a doctor you know, and I learned all kinds of knowledge about medecine. (The background darkens as he becomes hyper-happy) I'm going to take great care of you!
(P.A's eyes widen. She gulps the medicine that was still in her mouth.)
Dieter (still insanely happy) : I consider it such an honour that you are in my home!
(P.A "eeps" and attempts to get up again, she grits her teeth in quiet pain. Dieter places a blanket over her.)
Dieter: Now, now, you have much recovering to do Pepper Ann. You should really get some sleep.
Pepper Ann: I think what I need is..
(Out of nowhere Dieter sticks a large hypodermic needle into her arm. P.A yells out and collapses into a drug induced sleep.)
Dieter (happy and casual) : Good night Pepper Ann!
(Dieter skips out of the room happily.)
(We cut to Lydia peering out the window of her home. It is night-time and she appears very worried. She then walks toward her phone and dials a number.)
Lydia (nervous) : Yes, Hazelnut Police please. I...I think my daughter has gone missing.
(We then go to a Sherry Spleen newscast. She is in front of the Pearson house.)
Sherry Spleen: The citizens of Hazelnut were shocked to hear of the disappearance of young Pepper Ann Pearson.
(P.A's yearbook picture appears in the upper left corner of the screen.)
Sherry Spleen: Last seen after three o'clock near Hazelnut Middle School. No one knows where the rambunctious girl has gone, it's almost as if she completely vanished from the face of the earth.
(We go to Nicky being interviewed.)
Nicky: Its just so disturbing how this just happened. (Nicky sniffs sadly.) It's also a joke how I was one of the last people to talk to her and (her voice raises) I HELPED ACHIEVE SQUAT! (She cries.)
(Milo is then the next interviewer.)
Milo: I refuse to believe P.A would have run away. She would have told us if there was trouble at home. She also would have been coaxing us to run away with her and aid in building her little shanty home and help hunt game.
(We cut to an interview with Mr. Carter.)
Mr. Carter: Sure she was late most of the time to my classes and it was common of me to rue her brazen antics but I honestly really didn't want her to end up missing. She may not realise this but there are alot of people who love her.
(We go to a scene of many kids looking quietly and sadly at P.A's empty desk. Another scene shows of kids leaving flowers, toys and candy at her locker. Sherry Spleen's voice over is heard.)
Sherry Spleen's voice: Police are still continuing the search for Pepper Ann Pearson. If anyone knows of any information that may aid them; please do so now and call the local police.
(We then cut to an interview with Dieter.)
Dieter: When I found out Pepper Ann was supposed to see me at my home and never showed up it almost killed me. I got down on my knees and begged for it not to be true. (he sniffs)
(We cut to P.A in Dieter's bed, she is watching the t.v. Still injured and immobile.)
Pepper Ann: That big liar. How can he get away with this? You'd think the police would search his house at least.
(Dieter then enters his room. He is holding a tray of food, he turns off the TV before approaching P.A)
Dieter: Hello Pepper Ann! I brought you your dinner!
(He lets her have a look at the food. Which appears to be Souvlaki on a bed of rice.)
Pepper Ann: Dieter, I'm going to go out and say it; there is definitely something wrong with you! I don't...
(She's interrupted by Dieter stuffing a forkful of food in her mouth.)
Dieter: You should understand that things happen for a reason. It was fate for you to come in my home and have me nurse you back to health. You have not realised it yet, Pepper Ann, but you are the greatest person that has ever lived! (Dieter gets a crazy-wistful look on his face.) We are soul mates!
Pepper Ann: Look, I like you because you are my friend but what you are saying about this freaky soul mate stuff states clearly that your mentality needs a quick look over.
(Dieter crams another forkful of food in her mouth.)
Dieter: Now Pepper Ann, you really shouldn't talk like that or someone won't get their dessert. (he shows her some of the monkey shaped pain medicine.)
Pepper Ann: Your mother has a conscience like normal people! She'll call the police eventually!
Dieter (somewhat sad) : Yes, mother was one of those people.
Pepper Ann (alarmed) : "Was?"
(We go to a flashback. Dieter is talking with his mom.)
Mrs. Lederhosen: Dieter! What possessed you to kidnap the girl you like and imprison her in our house?!
Dieter (somewhat protective) : She was ment to come here! She was ment to stay! She was ment to be with me!
Mrs. Lederhosen: What are you? You don't talk like my son! My son would never commit something so bizarre and cruel!
Dieter (Yelling) : I knew you wouldn't want me to be happy with my Pepper Ann! You were always striving to make me miserable! I won't let you take away my Pepper Ann! (He becomes calm.) I anticipated this...(he shows her a document.) Be prepared to be deported mother.
Mrs. Lederhosen (taking it) : What is this?
Dieter: It seems your green card has expired and you are no longer legal in this country. You will be deported tomorrow morning.
(Before Dieter's mom can speak men in suits barge in and swarm her.)
Suit guy 1: You are going to have to come with us into custody.
Mrs. Lederhosen (staring at Dieter) : You did this...how could you?!
Dieter (in distress.) : Oh no! Where are you taking my mother?!
Suit guy 2: Sorry son, you can say good bye to her in the morning.
(The police take away Mrs. Lederhosen. Two black cars speed off. Dieter peers out the window before closing some curtains. We return to the present. P.A gapes in dismay.)
Pepper Ann: You set up your own mom?!
Dieter (almost in tears) : She was in the way. She was going to ruin everything, I couldn't let it happen. You and I were ment to be! (his voice returns in a excessively happy tone) Have some more!
(Dieter stuffs more food in P.A's mouth. She angrily spits it back at him.)
Pepper Ann (raging) : You're a crazy freak!
(Dieter narrows his eyes, he wipes the food from his face. He stares at P.A with, what appears to be, boiling hate.)
Dieter (his voice low and scary) : I thought you were nice Pepper Ann, but it seems that you are just another loud and mean American.
(Dieter then darts his hand toward P.A's hurt foot grabbing it and then squeezing it. P.A screams in pain. She shuts her eyes and grits her teeth silently.)
Dieter: I don't think I should be around you for a little while Pepper Ann. See how you like coping without your medicine.
(Dieter gets up and throws the food tray across the room, P.A cowers at the noise, Dieter walks toward the door. He stops in the door way. A vicious look is upon his face.)
Dieter (mad) : Don't think you can hold on to hope Pepper Ann. Nobody will come for you, not the police, your parents, your sister, your friends, nobody. No one knows you are here. You should be more concerned for my health; because if I die, (his voice is almost screaming) you die!
(Dieter shuts the door and he is heard storming away. A few seconds pass and the slam of the front door is heard. P.A stares at the door in shock. Her conscience appears on the wall.)
Conscience: Hey, go for it while you still have time. Maybe you can get out.
Pepper Ann: It's going to hurt, but I so want out of this house of doom.
(P.A tries to get out of the bed without causing pain. But it proves awkward as she moves on her stomach. She grunts in pain, but she tries to lower herself onto the floor by moving down head first. She tests her arms, although her face tells that it hurts while she holds herself up. Her conscience looks on.)
Conscience: Slow now, slow...
(P.A unexpectedly falls out of the bed. We cut to a full view of Dieter's house. We hear P.A scream in extreme agony. We return to see P.A sprawled on the floor. Her conscience is worried.)
Conscience: Hang in there..
Pepper Ann (in quiet misery) : Oh God, that hurt..
(P.A slowly gets her composure back. She drags herself toward the door. She struggles to reach the door handle. It's locked.)
Pepper Ann: What...locked from the inside?
Conscience: What now? (She points to the window.) Try the window!
(P.A glances at the window across the room. It seems so far away.)
P.A: Nuh-uh, not right now. I hurt too much.
(P.A lies by the door for a few moments. She then drags herself to the bathroom in Dieter's room, the door is thankfully open, she crawls toward the bathtub and leans on it.)
Pepper Ann: I would sell my eyes for some of Dieter's pain candy right now. You have no idea ...
(She fumbles at the faucets and manages to turn the water on to a small, slow pour. She puts her hand out and collects some of the water. She drinks it sloppily. The conscience looks on in pity.)
Conscience: This can't be happening..
(Tired of the water, P.A grabs a nearby towel and wraps it around herself. Tears appear in her eyes as she sniffs sadly.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: That was how I found that I had to play by Dieter's rules; the hard way.
(White text appears as we see Dieter entering his room, Two Days Later, he seems in a better mood. He notices P.A is not in the bed. As the text disappears he glances inside the bathroom to see her sprawled out near the toilet.)
Dieter (happy) : Hi Pepper Ann! What are you doing on the bathroom floor? You silly girl!(He picks P.A up and tucks her in the bed.) There we go! Comfy?
Pepper Ann (hatefully) : Marvelous....
Dieter: Oh you are such a kidder Pepper Ann! I brought you a surprise. (He shows her a few candy bars and the monkey shaped medicine.)
Pepper Ann (desperate) : Gimmee...
(She munches the bars and medicine in five seconds. Dieter smiles as he watches her.)
Dieter: There are moments my mind gets flustered sometimes. That's what makes me get in a really bad mood. (He becomes over cheerful.) Would you like some dinner full of deliciousness?
(P.A nods mournfully. Dieter prances away but he stops at the door way.)
Dieter: I'm sure that helped you learn your lesson Pepper Ann. I don't like it when you make me angry and have me leave you without food or yummy medicine for two days. You should watch what you say, ja?
(Dieter smiles warmly and leaves P.A. She sighs.)
Pepper Ann (sadly) : Well, at least his food's good...
(We switch scenes to Aunt Janie's house, it appears to be late in the night. Uncle Jojo is sitting on the floor reviewing some papers. Aunt Janie quietly enters and notices her husband.)
Aunt Janie: Jojo, what are you doing up at this hour?
Uncle Jojo: I've decided to pursue the case on my own. The force isn't doing enough to find Pepper Ann; there are just so many holes here and there. Something must have been missed.
Aunt Janie: Jojo... my sister would appreciate that immensely. All of us.
Uncle Jojo: Pepper Ann means alot to to us all. (He pauses) Where were you? Judging from you sneaking in you must have done one of your infamous stunts for the environment.
Aun Janie: Let's just say that monster who voted no on the conservation for Lake Filburt's population of albino mudskippers won't be leaving his bathroom for a month.
(She tosses two large containers of liquid laxative in her blue recycle box. Jojo's eyes widen in surprise.)
(New Scene: We return to P.A in bed. Her face appears she is in deep thought. Her conscience watches her from the wall.)
Conscience: Looks like you've thought of something.
Pepper Ann: I'm going for it. I'm gonna try and get out of here; once and for all.
(P.A winces as she plows a hand under the bed. We see that she grabbed a hockey stick, a souvenir from the German hockey team for winning the silver medal in the 1994 Olympics.)
Pepper Ann: I noticed this under that monster's bed when he left me. (She attempts to get up as she uses the stick as a crutch. She still winces with pain.) This is good.
Conscience: What about the door?
(P.A shows her a crude "key" made of paperclips.)
Conscience (unsure) : I don't know...
Pepper Ann: Writers do it all the time in books, it should work.
(After a long moment a "click" is heard as the door unlocks.)
Pepper Ann (excited) : What do you know! It worked!
(P.A slowly limps out of the door with the aid of the stick. Her conscience becomes a transparent body and follows her.)
Pepper Ann: Dieter won't be back from school for another two hours. That'll give me plenty of time to escape his prison of horrors.
(P.A is in some pain as she grunts; slowly going down the stairs. After completing the stairs she pants heavily and leans on a wall. Her conscience continues to watch.)
Conscience: It's okay to take a break you know.
Pepper Ann (determined) : No way! I've had enough of this nightmare!
(P.A briskly limps to the front door. As her hand grasps the door disappointment appears on her face as it is locked.)
Pepper Ann (hopeful) : A phone...
(P.A limps toward the living room, she scans the room for a phone and sees one.)
Pepper Ann: Yes!
(She hurries toward it and presses 9-1-1 rapidly.)
Pepper Ann (desperate) : Somebody! Help! I've been kidnapped by my crazy friend who thinks I'm his soul mate; and it's extremley disturbing!
(P.A realises there is no answer or even a dial tone.)
Pepper Ann: Hello?
(She notices the phone is light. She lifts the phone to see that it's hollow; only a shell of a telephone. She stares at it with bewildered horror. Her conscience gapes. P.A puts the phone back where it was; anger crosses her face.)
Pepper Ann (furious) : You damn, crazy kid...
(P.A limps out of the living room and into the kitchen. She looks around and opens multiple cupboards. She finds one filled with prescription drugs and notices countless boxes of the monkey shaped, chewable medicine.)
Pepper Ann (relieved) : Sweet Fuzzy, thank you.
(She crams the medicine in her mouth and chews furiously. She takes extra boxes with her by stuffing them down her shirt. Her conscience watches.)
Conscience: What if he notices some are missing?
Pepper Ann: He's got tons of the stuff. No way he would notice a few boxes.
(As she shuts the cupboard. P.A's face suddenly pales.)
P.A's voice over: I never really had a sixth sense but I suddenly had an eerie feeling that I should get back to where I was.
(We then cut to Dieter walking home. A mere five houses away. We return to P.A, she begins to quickly limp away. Her conscience looks at her.)
Conscience: What? What's wrong?
Pepper Ann (fearful) : I just got a really, really, bad feeling...
(P.A struggles toward the stairs, it proves to be a painful and slow task as she tries to go up the stairs. We then go to Dieter as he walks up his walkway. Returning to P.A we see she has completed half the stairs. She is sweating uncontrollably. Cut again to Dieter, one of the books he's carrying falls. He stops to pick it up. We cut to P.A on her final step and her eyes widening as she hears the very faint click of Dieter unlocking the front door. She hobbles into her room, grabs her paperclip key, locks the door, slides her hockey stick crutch under the bed and gets into it. She heaves a relieved sigh and hides her stolen medicine under the mattress. After about half a minute Dieter enters the room.)
Dieter: Hello Pepper Ann! The school was fortunate to let us out early today! Now I can have more time to prepare for my...(he notices P.A is drenched in sweat) Pepper Ann, you are practically drowning in your own sweat! What have you been doing?
Pepper Ann (angrily) : You know perfectly well what I've been doing... (she begins to yell) I've been lying here suffering! I need pills!
Dieter (guilty) : Oh Pepper Ann! I am so sorry! I'll get you some.
Pepper Ann (screaming) : I want them now Dieter! Now!
Dieter: It'll only take a second.
Pepper Ann (desperate) : I don't want to be in pain anymore Dieter; make it go away...
Dieter (saddened) : It breaks my heart to see you like this.
(Dieter leaves. The conscience appears.)
Conscience: Smooth!
Pepper Ann (somewhat proud) : Heh, I know.
(Scene: It's a new day at the school, Uncle Jojo is watching the kids during the noon break. Principal Hickey approaches him.)
Hickey: I think you are wasting your time.
Uncle Jojo: I just want to ask the kids of what they know.
Hickey: Knock yourself out, I doubt you'll be given anything new though, kids today like to change their stories.
(Hickey leaves. Uncle Jojo sighs as he walks away. We then see that he is talking to Trinket.)
Trinket: Look, I'm sorry Pepper Ann is missing but I was never a good friend to her. I only really invited her to my parties because everyone would bug me to invite her and it was the only way I could get Craig Bean to show up.
Unlce Jojo: I'm sorry, but I am asking everyone today, don't feel like only you are being badgered.
Trinket (huffs) : One thing I think everyone has noticed is that Dieter seems the most traumatised out of the whole school. He mopes and whines all the time, (she imitates Dieter) "Oh, Pepper Ann. It's so cruel how someone could just take her away. Pepper Ann would have thought of a wonderful idea for our group project. Pepper Ann would eat these beef kidneys." (she returns to her normal voice.) He just never stops with the melancholy, y'know?.
(Uncle Jojo then notices Dieter happily walking toward the school.)
Uncle Jojo: Thank you Trinket, excuse me.
(He walks towards Dieter. Dieter then becomes dramatic.)
Dieter: Oh, Officer Jojo, I am so sorry about Pepper Ann. It's so horrible that someone in this town could have just disappeared so suddenly.
Uncle Jojo: Dieter, Pepper Ann was going to your house the day she disappeared. I understand she wanted to apologise to you for some persistent teasing she has afflicted onto you for sometime.
Dieter: Is that so? Well, I understand Pepper Ann can get a bit over excited but I never really took it as insulting. (he laughs) It was actually quite amusing most of the time.
Uncle Jojo: Did you see her at all that day?
Dieter: No, not really. The only times I would see her would be in the hallways off to our classes.
Uncle Jojo (sighs) : Well, if you know of anything else, I guess you know who to call. (he clears his throat) I should apologise to you, I understand your mother was deported a short time ago. Are you staying with someone?
Dieter: Well my Pater is actually flying in tomorrow morning. I won't be alone for long.
Uncle Jojo: I see, well, just remember who to see if anything come up, ok?
Dieter: Oh, ja! Of course!
(As Uncle Jojo turns away, Dieter gives a frown of suspicion before quickly entering the school. We return to Uncle Jojo looking somewhat lost. He notices a school newspaper in the trash; the headline reads: Hickey Denies Funding For Extreme Detention Summer Camp. Jojo notices a quote from the writer of the article, Dieter Lederhosen, that reads: "Hickey will realise that there is a justice higher than that of the law. The justice of an angry mob.")
Uncle Jojo: Justice of an angry mob...why does that sound familiar?
(He pockets the paper and exits the school. Puzzlement seems to be swimming in his head as he heads for his car.)
(We return to P.A: She is again out of bed and attempting to try and break out of Dieter's house. Her conscience tags along as P.A finds out that even the back door of the home is locked. She snarls in rage.)
Pepper Ann: I hate this! I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!
Conscience: There has to be another phone in the house somewhere.
(P.A limps away with her hockey stick crutch toward a book case. She seems to be ignoring her conscience.)
Pepper Ann: The only option I have is the windows. I can probably break some of them if I throw my body against them.
Conscience: Are you crazy? You'll kill yourself!
Pepper Ann: I'm willing to take the risk, I am NOT staying here for the rest of my life as some puppet soul mate with some crazy foreigner.
(P.A leans on the book case, as she does a photo album titled: All About Me! plunks out.)
Pepper Ann: Hmm?
(P.A and her conscience peer at the album. P.A opens it and we see that it is a scrap book about Dieter. It includes simple stuff like his birth announcement and a few birthday cards and photos. However, it quickly begins to get more weird. A b&w photo of a badly hurt man is seen with the headline: Performer Nearly Dies At Klaus Uber-Monkey Show. P.A notices another b&w picture of the crime scene with a large crowd watching. She turns the pages to another headline and more photos: Two Children Suffocate From Smoke In Unexplained Fire. The photos show the faces of two young girls and that of the class photo of their other classmates. P.A's eyes widen as she notices that Dieter is one of the children in the class photo.)
Conscience: That can't be.
(P.A turns a page to another article. Uber-Monkey Show Becomes Disaster With Death Of Three Performers.)
Conscience (horror-filled) : Okay, that does not sound very good...
(P.A turns more pages. We notice that the papers are from Hazelnut instead of Dieter's native Germany. Frightening Fuzzy World Accident Injures Six while another reads, Boys Wounded From Fireworks Mishap. P.A sees that each of these articles has a picture of Dieter, which says he had witnessed the calamity of both of these accidents.)
Pepper Ann: Dear Lord...
(She flips a page to another one, Nine Orchestra Players Still Not Found; Search Likely To Be Called Off. P.A begins to sweat. She turns the page to an article about Dieter's mother being deported from the country; Respected Doctor Deported. P.A again turns the page and sees her own face staring at her in a newspaper article: Free Spirited Girl Goes Missing, the page next to it has another article; Missing Girl Likely Dead: Police.)
Pepper Ann (frightened) : Sweet Fuzzy...
(P.A slams the book shut and puts it back where it was. She points to her conscience.)
Pepper Ann: Tomorrow. Escaping. My mind's made up.
(P.A then begins to hobble back to her place in Dieter's room.)
(We fade to P.A resting in bed. It is now night time; soft footsteps are heard.)
Dieter (off camera) : Pepper Ann.
(P.A opens her eyes and looks towards the door. The darkness nearly hides Dieter but we see two menacing shines from the light reflecting from his sunglasses. He steps out of the darkness and approaches P.A.)
Dieter: I know you have been out.
Pepper Ann (eyes wide) : What?
Dieter: You've been out of your room, Pepper Ann.
Pepper Ann (nervous) : No, I haven't..
Dieter: I know because I know.
(He shows a spool of nearly invisible thread. We then cut to brief shots all over Dieter's home and we notice threads are around all the rooms. Many strands are broken as its clear that P.A has been through them. We return to a profusely sweating P.A.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: I was caught, I had no clue of what to do. Denial, stupidly, was my only great idea at the time.
Pepper Ann: I..I don't know what you are talking about.
Dieter (he begins to pace) : I know you have been out twice, Pepper Ann. I couldn't figure out how you did it at first but then I found your ingenious little key and your walking stick.
(Dieter flashes the paperclip key and holds up the hockey stick.)
Dieter: I also found your fingerprints over my book. (He gives a sinister smile) I thought you would be interested in seeing it so I put it out in the open for you to review. I figured you would be ignorant of my native language so I replaced some of the articles with the English versions.
(P.A begins to fidget, dreading the unexpected.)
Dieter: I can only imagine what you must think of me. (He pushes his sunglasses up on his nose. Two more glints of light reflect from the lenses.) Eventually you'll accept the idea of staying with me.
(Out of nowhere Dieter then produces a large shovel.)
Pepper Ann (super nervous) : Whoa, whoa Dieter, whatever you're thinking of doing, don't do it.
(Dieter begins to lift the shovel, he takes aim of P.A's ankles.)
Pepper Ann: H..Hey, come on why would I run away.. huh? (she laughs nervously) I mean, aren't we ment to be?
Dieter: Please don't fuss now, Pepper Ann.
Pepper Ann's voice over: It's frightening to think that a friend could execute something so disturbing and insane. But there it was, reality had never felt so horribly wrong that day.
(Dieter takes the shovel back, prepared to strike.)
Pepper Ann (officially freaked out) : For the love of Fuzzy Dieter... stop that...
(Dieter brings the shovel full force onto P.A's ankles. We cut to a full view of Dieter's house as we hear P.A's anguished yell of pain and agony.)
(We go to a new scene: Uncle Jojo is reading some papers in his living room. He gives a chuckle.)
Uncle Jojo (loud) : This is some story, Pepper Ann wrote. I think she should have been given first place for it; or a very close second.
Aunt Janie (off camera) : Yes but that Principal Hickey probably wouldn't allow it. I mean, the plot is about him being a crazed sociopath who roams the streets hunting for cats and hobos at night; I'm surprised she even got an honourable mention for that story.
(As Jojo continues to read P.A's story his eyes fall on a line in P.A's tale: "He has to be stopped," the girl cried, "Only then will he realise that there is a justice higher than that of the law. The justice of an angry mob!" )
Uncle Jojo (suddenly remembering): That's...
(He rummages in his pocket and unfolds the school newspaper he found. The sentence in P.A's story is practically identical to what Dieter wrote in the article.)
Uncle Jojo: Interesting.
(We go to the next day: P.A is lying on a couch in Dieter's living room. We notice that both her feet are wrapped in casts. She glares as Dieter walks in and he gives a wave across from the living room.)
Dieter: Isn't this nice to be out of bed Pepper Ann?
Pepper Ann (sarcasm goes here) : Wonderful, I've always wanted to have a great view of the other side of your living room.
Dieter (laughs) : You are so funny Pepper Ann! I've brought you down here so you can witness the beginning of your future.
(Dieter flashes two airline tickets.)
Dieter: On Monday morning you will be coming with me to Germany. I bought bleach to change your hair colour so people won't grow suspicious and I have a wheelchair for you to use as well.
(P.A gapes in shock.)
Dieter (excessively happy) : And if you cooperate I won't have to inject you full of tranquilizers for the entire trip!
Pepper Ann (dumbstruck) : What?!!
Dieter: We then can begin our happy life! I am sure you will learn the language quickly, we can go to school together and then attend Universität. After we graduate we can get married and have great high paying jobs and then raise our perfect children Jürgen and Sabine.
(P.A looks on in stupefied shock.)
Dieter: Oh! One of the first places I'd like you to see would be the Klaus Jeep Show, they offer free showings of his cartoons!
(Dieter then produces two puppets, one of the Klaus Uber-Monkey and the other with a shark in a beret.)
Dieter (as the shark) : I'll see to it that you will never win another race you Übel monkey!
(Dieter gasps as a vase is thrown at his head, he dodges it in the nick of time, as his puppets flutter to the floor the vase shatters. He darts a look at P.A.)
Dieter: Pepper Ann!
Pepper Ann (angry determination) : There is absolutely NO way that I will let that happen!
Dieter (getting mad) : Don't you raise your voice at me Pepper Ann!
Pepper Ann: Or what? You'll kill me? Take your best shot you psycho!
Dieter (hurt) : Why are you so mean Miss you-would-be-dead-at-the- bottom-of-my-stairs-if-it-wasn't-for-me?
Pepper Ann: Oh, gee, no reason, you keeping me prisoner in your house, you abandoning me without any food, breaking my ankles...
Dieter (annoyed) : Don't get me angry again Pepper Ann!
Pepper Ann: Nothing's stopping you from taking something blunt to my head Dieter. Tell me, what are you going to do after you kill me? Take my body to a taxidermist? Preserve my head in a jar? Sleep with my clothes as if they were some crude toy? Bath in my blood? Well go ahead! (She spreads her arms wide.) Be my guest!
(Dieter gives a horrified gasp, he clasps a hand to his chest. He narrows his eyes at her.)
Dieter (low and angry) : That's disgusting.
(Dieter then runs away, frightened at P.A's grim challenge. P.A's conscious appears.)
Conscience: Are you officially crazy? What was that about?
Pepper Ann: Look, I have nothing to lose. I have no hope of ever getting out of here at all. I may as well accept the...
(P.A stops talking as she notices a police car park in front of Dieter's house through the window. She recognises it as Uncle Jojo's.)
Pepper Ann (in disbelief) : Uncle Jojo..?
(P.A stares at the window, it seems everything will be okay now. But then Dieter approaches her, hypodermic needle in hand and jabs it into P.A. She tries to fight against him but the drug is swift, as she pulls at his hair Dieter finally fights her off and drags her down to his basement.)
Dieter: I do not understand you. I feed you, I tend to your health and you continue to push away from your destiny - acknowledge your future Pepper Ann!
(P.A keeps a death grip on one of Dieter's arms. Her eyes blaze with persistent resistance, her teeth clench as she tries to fight against the tranquilizer. Dieter finally breaks free of her as a doorbell is heard. He closes the door to the basement as he leaves. P.A's eyes open and close constantly as she continues to resist the drug.)
Pepper Ann (hushed and determined) : I won't let you....
(We then go to Dieter allowing Uncle Jojo into the house.)
Dieter: I have to say that I wasn't expecting anyone today.
Uncle Jojo: Well, I just wanted to see how you were coping. Has your father managed to get here safely?
Dieter (stammering a bit) : Actually, he did not arrive, I will be leaving for Germany on Monday actually. My family wishes me to be home with them; what with the deportation of my mother and all.
Uncle Jojo: I'm sorry this had to end this way, you and your mother seemed to like it here in Hazelnut.
Dieter: Yes, but I will never forget the good memories here even with the tragedy of Pepper Ann I am starting to become assured that everything will be alright.
Uncle Jojo: I actually came here to talk about Pepper Ann with you, Dieter.
Dieter: If you insist, but would you like a Kaffee before we discuss this further?
Uncle Jojo: Uh, If its no trouble.
(Dieter skips off. Uncle Jojo looks around the living room and notices a couple of ruffled blankets on the couch. He approaches one of them and touches it.)
Uncle Jojo: It's warm..
(Suddenly a loud crash is heard, Uncle Jojo jolts with surprise and walks toward the basement door. We then cut to P.A, she has succeeded in fighting off the drug and toppling some empty paint cans and an old typewriter from a table.)
Pepper Ann (weakly) : Down here...down here...Uncle Jojo.
(Unlce Jojo opens the door. He gasps as he sees P.A sprawled on the basement floor.)
Uncle Jojo: Pepper Ann! It's you!
(Suddenly, sensing trouble, Uncle Jojo whips around to see Dieter behind him. In slow motion Dieter darts his hand toward Jojo's holster and grasps his gun. Dieter aims it at him. We cut to a horrified P.A as we hear the sound of three gunshots and the slump of the body.)
Pepper Ann (yelling) : Uncle Jojo!
(Dieter tosses the gun away as he steps over Jojo's body, he gives an accusing look at P.A.)
Dieter: It is your fault he is dead Pepper Ann. I would have sent him on his way after fooling him with my innocence but you just had to make a scene. Your selfishness caused your uncle's death.
(P.A looks on in petrified horror. Dieter narrows his eyes and points a mocking finger at her.)
Dieter: You have no one to blame but yourself.
(P.A looks down at the floor. Guilt is all over her paling face.)
Dieter: But do not worry Pepper Ann, like I have said before, things happen for a reason and I have prepared for this scenario.
(Dieter walks toward P.A. He stops about a metre away from her and looks down at her.)
Dieter: You and I were ment to be together forever Pepper Ann. Now our time in this world must end. Do not worry Pepper Ann, I have prepared for what must be done.
(Dieter then goes to a closet and opens the door to reveal multiple containers of gasoline.)
Dieter: I have some matches in the Küche. Once I am finished dousing the house we can leave this world; like the legendary Phoenix burning in its own flame and rising out of the ashes to meet our eternal rest.
(P.A gapes in silence as Dieter happily skips past her with two containers of gasoline.)
Dieter (all happy and casual) : I will start with the top levels first! (he stares at P.A) It will be so magnificent Pepper Ann.
(Dieter leaves P.A, her mind racing for an idea.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: I have to admit, I was ready for my death for those few, awful seconds but an idea then struck me.
(P.A gives a soft scream as the snake, the one she was planning to put in Dieter's bed, plops onto her head. She realises what it is and her face tells us her mind has concocted a plan.)
Pepper Ann (hush) : I'm not kicking the bucket yet...
(We then cut to Dieter humming happily to himself as he pours gasoline all over his house. He is just finishing off his last container.)
Dieter (cheerful) : All done! Now to welcome the soothing comfort of a suffocating death!
(Dieter then pockets a nearby booklet of matches before prancing toward the basement.)
Dieter: Everything is all ready Pepper Ann!
(Dieter walks toward P.A, splashing a small puddle of gasoline, happiest kid on earth.)
Pepper Ann: Wait!
Dieter: Now don't be afraid Pepper Ann, the smoke will only be a tad uncomfortable as it fills your lungs, once you are unconscious your death will be as peaceful as sleep.
Pepper Ann: It's not that, I just want you to know that I finally realise that we are ment to be together.
(Dieter gives a curious look.)
Pepper Ann: I know we must die now Dieter, but there is something I need to tell you before we leave the land of the living.
Dieter (all misty eyed) : Oh Pepper Ann...
Pepper Ann: Come closer.
(Dieter walks closer to P.A.)
Pepper Ann: I mean REALLY close.
(Dieter crouches onto his knees and is now nose to nose with P.A. Curiosity all over his face.)
Pepper Ann: I just want to say...
(P.A grabs Dieter's shirt.)
Pepper Ann: ..that you have..
(P.A then stuffs the snake, which she successfully hid behind her, down Dieter's shirt. Dieter screams with bloody murder as he tries to get the snake out of him.)
Pepper Ann (yelling) : Been a soulless monster!!!
(As Dieter continues to struggle against the harmless snake. P.A begins to crawl swiftly away, her knees pounding painfully on the stairs, as she reaches the top she is about to slam the door when Dieter suddenly tackles her. His hands strangling her neck.)
Dieter: You filthy liar! You lie!!!
(Dieter and P.A struggle more, they knock over a small table as they fight. Dieter gives a fierce shove and pushes P.A a good distance away from him.)
Dieter: Abschied...
(Dieter then casually tosses a lit match (how? Not even the camera witnessed it! to the gasoline soaked carpet. Huge flames engulf the entire room as the house begins its fearsome burn.)
Pepper Ann: No!
(A back draft explodes. In a confusing twist of fate we see P.A on the lawn as it appears the back draft threw her out of the burning house, she stares at the flaming house with confused horror at her survival and the insanity her friend has caused. Sirens are then heard along with concerned murmurs from the towns people. P.A then blacks out.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Who would have thought that I would survive those unfortunate disasters. (she sighs) They could have been prevented, I know it sounds like further self-blame but I know these horrors could have been avoided.
(We go to a new scene of P.A buying a drink from a vending machine in a deserted park. She sighs happily at the quietness, she takes a sip from her drink.)
Pepper Ann: Ah, no whiny kids, no complaining old people and their stupid, yappy little dogs. I could..
(P.A turns and sees Dieter. He is holding a big scary knife.)
Dieter (ridiculously happy) : Hi Pepper Ann! Are you finally ready to die with me now?
(We then see P.A jolt awake in her bed. She turns on her light and looks out her window.)
Pepper Ann's voice over: Sleep is never generous for me. If only I could just forget the horror, so I can be given a decent night of sleep without me waking in a frenzied wreck.
(We cut to an alley. A tattered newspaper glides by: Catholic Shoolgirl Vanishes From School is the headline. A picture of Didi O'Shaunessy is included in the article. The paper blows away and exits from our view.)