CUT TO:

EXT. WOODSBORO HIGH – AFTERNOON

Nicholette walks down the steps of Woodsboro High. Cinema Club ran late that afternoon and now very few people are left on campus. She doesn't know if she's comfortable hanging out with seniors like Jill and Kirby, but then she is technically family. Maybe it would be good to get to know them better.

She takes out her cell phone and dials. Dewey answers.

DEWEY: Hey sweetie – I can't talk long, but how was your day?

NICHOLETTE: It was okay.

DEWEY: Did you make any new friends?

NICHOLETTE: A few …

DEWEY: That many?

NICHOLETTE: Well, Jill Roberts seems nice.

DEWEY: Oh, so you met Jill? She's a sweet girl. Just runs with the wrong crowd sometimes. Don't let Kirby Reed or Olivia Morris pressure you into doing things you know are wrong.

NICHOLETTE: Yeah, I know … Jill kinda asked me to hang out tonight. After homework of course!

(Beat)

NICHOLETTE: Uncle Dewey?

DEWEY: Actually, that's not a bad idea. Is Kirby driving you?

NICHOLETTE: I thought you said to watch out for Kirby?

DEWEY: Yeah, but I'm going to be working late tonight so I won't be around and I don't want you home alone!

NICHOLETTE: What about DJ?

DEWEY: He'll be spending the night with his buddies Craig and Lyle. I'll be checking in with him. You check in with me every hour tonight, okay?

NICHOLETTE: Uncle Dewey, you sound worried. Is everything okay?

DEWEY: Fine. Fine. Everything's fine. Why would ask that? I'll see you tomorrow, it's gonna be a long night. Remember – every hour on the hour. I love you.

NICHOLETTE: Love you too …

He has already hung up.

CUT TO

EXT. COTTON WEARY HOUSE- AFTERNOON

Dewey pockets his phone and watches as Sean and Jess' bodies are rolled away in body bags. Hoss and Perkins are taking photos and the other investigators are taking notes.

DEWEY: Alright folks … that's a wrap.

He's approached by Hoss.

HOSS: Sir … this is tough for me. The one victim … he's my girlfriend's son.

DEWEY: (beat) I'm very sorry, Hoss.

HOSS: Look … do you mind if I take the night off? To be with her? She shouldn't be alone and the PD is more than staffed.

DEWEY: (clapping him on the shoulder) Go be with her. I'll see you tomorrow. Perkins'll cover you.

HOSS: You're the best.

Hoss spares a sad glance over the two body bags being loaded into a van and sighs.

HOSS: I don't know how I'm going to break it to her …

Dewey watches as he walks of the crime scene. HIS PHONE RINGS! Dewey answers.

DEWEY: Hello?

We cut to:

INT. LA OFFICE BOARD ROOM – AFTERNOON

GALE WEATHERS-RILEY is standing in a professional dress alone in a board room, on the phone with Dewey.

GALE: Really Dewey? Really? Two teens gutted and hung up and you don't think to call me?

We intercut now between both of them, Dewey in Woodsboro and Gale in her board room in LA.

DEWEY: How'd you find out?

GALE: Don't pretend like I don't hack your phone. It's happening again.

DEWEY: It is not! It's been over a decade. This was just an isolated incident, some freak trying to shake the town up or something.

GALE: Oh you are in such denial. An isolated incident? Really? When their bodies were found at Cotton Weary's old place?

DEWEY: Gale, please don't -.

GALE: Shut up and listen. Or have you forgotten that I helped solve not one, not two, but three of these things?

DEWEY: Gale -.

GALE: Who found that tunnel underneath Weary's old house to begin with? Who found out in San Martin that James once worked at the theme park with Bryson? And who found out that Sidney was adopted?

DEWEY: Then why now, Gale? Everything's been quiet for over a decade, so why would a copycat start up now?

GALE: You're an investigator, use your head! Who suddenly makes a surprise return to Woodsboro for the very first time?

DEWEY: Sonny Bono?

GALE: Am I talking to a wall here?

DEWEY: (realizing) shit … Nicholette! You think the killer's coming after her?

GALE: Uh – duh!

DEWEY: Good thing I told her to go to Jill's place …

GALE: Jill Roberts? With creepy Kate?

DEWEY: That's the one.

GALE: Good. She'll be safe there. Jill's a good girl, she'll keep her out of trouble. If there's one thing history has shown it's that I'm an excellent judge of character.

DEWEY: Is that all? 'Cause I've got a lot of paperwork and a killer to track down.

GALE: No it is not all. Why wasn't I the first one you called?

DEWEY: Well I don't know, Gale. Maybe it's for the same reason that you didn't tell me that the guy you're producing this new talk show with happens to also be your ex-boyfriend.

GALE: Oh come on, would you stop with this jealousy crap! Yes, I dated Lester for four years. Yes, we were hot and heavy. Yes he proposed and I said yes. But that's all ancient history and all before I got back with you. So can you just drop it?!

DEWEY: How about you drop him?

GALE: I don't have time for this, Dewey. Lester's coming to sign some contracts. Then I'm coming back to Woodsboro first thing tomorrow and you and I are going to solve this! Okay! You and me, just like old times!

DEWEY: (smiling for the first time) Old times …

GALE: Old times. I promise. And don't tell Billy anything! Not just yet! Not until we know for sure – Tatum needs him right now and she can't afford to get worked up.

DEWEY: I know. She needs all of us, but we're all off doing our own things while she wastes away in a hospital bed. (beat) Alright. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you.

She's already hung up. Dewey looks down at his phone sadly, but with a hint of optimism and nostalgia. Just like old times!

CUT TO:

Gale turns, tossing her phone back into her purse. She pulls out a compact mirror, doing her hair, then straightens her dress. The door to the board room opens – in comes LESTER MANOR, big time CEO of a multi-billion dollar television network. Handsome, shiny teeth, perfectly combed hair.

LESTER: Gale! It's been too long! You … wow, you look great!

GALE: (unable to catch her breath upon seeing him – he only got more attractive with age) I … uh … yes, well, good to see you!

LESTER: (motioning at the paperwork in her hand) Those for me?

GALE: Oh – yes!

Lester sits at the table and Gale joins him. He begins thumbing through the paperwork, signing several lines.

LESTER: That appears to be in order. Congrats, Miss Weathers. You are now going to have your very own television show!

GALE: Actually, it's Mrs. Now.

LESTER: I know what I said. (beat) Dinner tonight -.

GALE: I really shouldn't -.

LESTER: I know a really nice waterfront restaurant, only an hour's drive. The best lobster in town! Or, if you can't stand seafood, best cuts of red meat you've ever had!

GALE: I -.

LESTER: We have to discuss the show's format, remember?! It's a business dinner! (Beat) It's not cheating on your husband if you eat my red meat, now is it?

Gale does a double-take.

LESTER: I'll pick you up at nine.

GALE: Okay … sure, if it's just to discuss the show. But I have to be home early. I gotta be back in Woodsboro first thing.

LESTER: (grinning) I'll make sure Cinderella is back from the ball before midnight, don't worry.

CUT TO:

EXT. LA OFFICE – AFTERNOON

Gale strides out of the office building, briefcase in hand, towards her car. She's still fuming over Dewey. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees two men in ties approaching her.

MAN: Excuse me – Misses Riley?

GALE: Yes? Do I know you?

MAN: Detective Mark Kincaid, LA PD. This is my partner, Detective Wallace.

WALLACE: Morning.

GALE: Am I under arrest?

KINCAID: No. No, we're just … warning people to be observant, that's all.

GALE: (opening her car door) I'm a journalist. That's my job -.

Kincaid hands her a piece of paper. It's a missing person's report. The woman in the photo – strongly resembles Gale.

KINCAID: We're investigating a string of disappearances in the area. Women. Some young, some middle-aged. They all have the same unique characteristics.

GALE: Which are?

KINCAID: Similar height to you. Similar hair color, heck even style. And they all happen to be involved in media in some way. Journalists, podcasters, YouTubers …

WALLACE: It's been going on for months, years even. The latest disappearance … was a few weeks ago.

GALE: Thanks for the heads up -.

Kincaid stops her from closing her door.

KINCAID: I would think you'd take this a little more seriously, Misses Riley.

GALE: I faced down not one, not two, but three psycho killers in ghost masks. Sidney Prescott ring a bell? Cotton Weary? Yeah, I helped take them all down. (Closes the door, puts on her sunglasses and speaks through her open window) Like I said – no concerns here.

With a screech of her tires, her car is off. Kincaid stands there, shaking his head.