Chapter 7:

INT. WOODSBORO PD – NIGHT

Gale, Dewey, Deputy Hicks and Mayor Osborne are sitting in Dewey's office.

GALE: This is absolutely ridiculous, Mayor Osborne! You and the governor have no proof that Billy committed those murders! And now the governor's stuffed him in that – in that Alcatraz you and he have created!

MAYOR OSBORNE: Look, you have to see it from our perspective. The movie theater murders are causing a public panic – nationwide. The governor is under a lot of strain and now even the President is getting involved. You don't realize – the President is threatening to call in the National Guard to prevent another massacre. We have to make it look like we're doing something, that we have someone in custody.

GALE: (folding her arms) Oh well, I guess if the governor's political aspirations are on the line, then we can justify sacrificing Billy. (Beat) What about the movie theater murders, hmm? What evidence do you have connecting Billy to that?

MAYOR OSBORNE: Nothing yet, but I'm sure our investigation –

GALE: Billy was a victim of two murder sprees. He was a suspect in the first one and you know what – he was completely innocent! You've got the wrong the guy!

MAYOR OSBORNE: You've said this before! You said Cotton Weary was innocent! You made a whole Netflix documentary – made a whole lot of cash – and it turned out he did it!

GALE: Look – my temporary lapse in judgment -.

MAYOR OSBORNE: That's enough. I have a meeting.

Gale stops him.

GALE: What about the message found written on the wall of the crime scene?

MAYOR OSBORNE: How did you -?

GALE: Oh please, it's so easy to snag a few crime scene photos around here. No offense, Dewey. 'Maureen Lied!'

MAYOR OSBORNE: It could mean anything!

GALE: I read the transcripts from the phone call made to Roman Bridger.

MAYOR OSBORNE: You know, I really could have you arrested. That's police info -.

GALE: The killer said something about Roman being the child of Maureen Prescott. Apparently, she gave him up for adoption. When he tried to reconnect with her, she rejected him so he went to Sidney. My guess is he didn't figure Sidney would go nuts and kill half the town.

DEWEY: So why kill Roman Bridger?

GALE: It sounded like the killer was blaming Roman for setting Sidney off. So maybe the killer lost someone in the massacre – and they blamed Roman for it. But that doesn't explain Candace's murder.

DEWEY: But who do we know that lost someone in the massacre?

All of their eyes turn to Deputy Hicks. His eyes go wide and he raises his hand.

DEPUTY HICKS: Oh no, just 'cause my sister -.

DEWEY: Deputy Hicks was with me last night. I can vouch for him.

GALE: Yes, but the last two times there were two killers!

MAYOR OSBORNE: Which means that Billy could still very well be our guy! Look, I've had enough. You're lucky I don't order Deputy Hicks to haul you in Gale. The governor and the president are expecting a phone call. I gotta go.

The mayor throws on a coat and storms out of the office. Gale folds her arms and looks at Dewey.

GALE: The national guard? What next, the army?

DEWEY: He's afraid, Gale. Look, this is bigger than you realize. The last two murder sprees were national news – they even made a movie about it! The eyes of the entire country – maybe the world even – are going to be on Woodsboro. If there's another massacre –

GALE: What are you saying, Dewey?

DEWEY: Look, there's talk on the streets. If the killer strikes again, many of the townsfolk are getting their '44's and their gonna form mobs to hunt this guy down. If the National Guard is sent in … that's a recipe for disaster. And who knows what these PANTHYR guys will do?

GALE: (realizing) It's what the killer wants …

DEWEY: Hmm?

GALE: The pandemonium. Chaos in the streets. You'd think it would make things harder for him – but no. He'll have the entire town, national guard, these PANTHYR guys – all fighting each other instead of fighting him. Allowing him to move about and kill freely …

DEWEY: Gale … we really need your help. Who do you think it is?

GALE: I thought you ordered me to stay off the case.

DEWEY: Gale …

GALE: The timing of the arrest is suspicious. And trying to frame Billy? If I had to place a bet – someone didn't want that wedding to take place … someone doesn't want Tatum marrying Billy. Anyway, I'm gonna do some more digging. See you at home.

She gives Dewey a peck on the cheek before walking out the door. Dewey flaps a manilla envelope on his desk when a police badge is slammed down in front of him. He looks up at Deputy Hicks.

DEPUTY HICKS: Sir – I'm resigning.

DEWEY: What?

DEPUTY HICKS: I was gonna tell you earlier, but then everything blew up. I was offered a job – with the PANTHYR Guards.

DEWEY: You can't work for them! They're ruthless, brutal –

DEPUTY HICKS: And efficient. I believe in them, Sheriff – and if you're right, and Billy isn't our guy – I'd rather have thoseguys watching my back. No offense.

DEWEY: Deputy … I need you …

DEPUTY HICKS: Sorry, Sheriff.

He turns and walks out the door.

INT. TATUM'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Tatum is sitting, puffy-eyed, holding a glass of wine. Martha, Carrie, Leslie and Tanya are with her, comforting her after the wedding got put on hold.

TANYA: Welp, better you find out now than after you said 'I do'.

LESLIE: Imagine having married that creep?

TATUM: Billy did not kill anyone!

TANYA: I can understand the shock –.

TATUM: You're not listening! He's innocent. (Beat) Doesn't anyone believe me?

Tanya and Leslie look away. Tatum scoffs.

MARTHA: (slowly) I believe you.

CARRIE: I do too. Billy helped save me in that amusement park in San Martin Inlet. There's no way he's a killer.

TANYA: Whatever you say. I need more wine.

She goes into the kitchen and begins pouring. Martha looks like she wants to say something.

MARTHA: Umm … Tatum, I did find something that you might find interesting …

CARRIE: Is it one of those pirated horror films again? Come on, not now.

MARTH: No – no, not quite. A video made by my brother. I stumbled on it the other day going through some of … some of Randy's old computers. You know, back when he was running his podcast with Stu?

Tatum sits up.

TATUM: What are you talking about?

MARTHA: Okay … does your laptop sync to the tv?

TATUM: I don't know …

Martha begins tinkering with the laptop. The tv blares on.

MARTHA: Got it.

The face of RANDY MEEKS appears on the screen. Tatum's face softens at the memory of her old friend. She sits in silence as Tanya returns with more wine.

TANYA: Who's the geek?

CARRIE: Tanya, I'm going to be saying this a lot in the future – shut the fuck up!

Tanya looks as though she's been slapped. She plops herself on a chair as Martha leans in, eyes wide, wiping her eyes. Carrie sits next to Tatum as Leslie hugs her knees on the couch as Randy begins speaking on the tv.

RANDY: What's a modern day murder spree without making a warning tape? (Shrugs) Well guys, if you're seeing this, you've been through the sequel gauntlet and back. Without me. If you're seeing this video, that means the killer has returned. Rules? Forget it! There are no rules anymore! The slasher genre has died out – run its course! Hoisted on its own petards! Too many remakes with the same damn dumb subplots, no audience investment anymore and also the legal troubles. Apart from Danny McBride's Halloween, there ain't nothin'! The biggest trend right now is that there is no trend! No rules, no topics off limits and no one way to approach the idea of cinema horror! The rules that used to ensure your survival – gone. And if you're seeing this, I'm living proof of that.

Tatum shifts, leaning forward, eyes wide.

RANDY: What we have now in the slasher genre – since reboots are pretty much the only ones getting greenlit – are retcons. Laurie is Michael's sister? Wrong! Chucky is a doll possessed by a serial killer? Nope, a glitch in his programming is what sets him off now. See, that's the beauty – no rules, so all established lore can be changed at will. Forget what you think you know about the past! Billy is an innocent victim? … maybe. But maybe he was there in the background all along, assisting with the kills. Perhaps there are more secrets, the hidden past ready to throw its mask off and devour us all! Maybe – just maybe – there is more than meets the eye going on around us. A survivor from an earlier massacre is the new killer? Possibly – or even someone you thought was killed last time! As I said, all bets are off! So to all my fellow horror afficionados, I wish you adieu, so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye. And to some others … I'll be seeing you soon. Because more than likely some of the main cast are going to be joining me before all is said and done …

The tv flares off. Tatum sits there, staring at the screen along with Carrie and Martha. Leslie and Tanya shrug.

TANYA: Well - who wants jello-shots?

CUT TO:

Tatum waves the group goodbye as the girls leave. Carrie lingers.

CARRIE: I'll call you in a little bit.

Tatum nods. They hug and Carrie takes off for the night. Tatum closes the door, turns and pours herself a glass of wine. Her eyes fall on a picture on an end-table – herself and Billy. She sighs.

Her cell phone rings!

The soundtrack thuds!

Tatum looks down – she doesn't recognize the number but she's gone through this so many times by now that she knows instinctually who it is.

TATUM: Yes?

GHOSTFACE: Poor Billy-Boyfriend. He can never get the girl. Every time you two get close, the forces of fate intervene to tear you apart. It's almost as if you two just. Aren't. Meant. For each other.

TATUM: Yeah? Well I don't believe in fate -.

GHOSTFACE: Heh … before all is said and done Tatum – you will.

TATUM: Really? Then why go to these great lengths, huh? If the forces of the universe are bending against us, what do they need you for?

GHOSTFACE: For the divine imperative. The forces of the universe decide who is worthy and who isn't. I am simply the agent through which they act to bring a cleansing fire to this world.

TATUM: Ah, a god complex. That's a new one.

GHOSTFACE: I would have thought someone in your circumstances would be a believer … what with your remaining time dwindling down.

TATUM: What are you -?

GHOSTFACE: How come you haven't told Billy-Boy yet?

TATUM: That's none of your business! Look, is there a point to this?! Because in case you haven't noticed – Billy and I are still alive! Sidney, Cotton, Bryson and even my bitch Aunt Desirae all tried. Yet we're still here despite everything they did! So what makes you any different, huh? Tell me!

GHOSTFACE: Because I know you, Tatum. Better than you even know yourself.

TATUM: And what does that mean?

GHOSTFACE: Who better to know you – than family?

TATUM: My family would never -.

GHOSTFACE: And I'm sure you said the same thing about your Aunt Desirae! Oh, there's so much to tell you Tatum. So many lies have been hissed in your ears. I'll be the one to CUT through the haze and SEVER fact from fiction!

TATUM: Why wait? Why not spill your guts right now?!

GHOSTFACE: Not yet. I want everything to be perfect for our little reunion. The final confrontation! But in the meantime, I have a town to destroy. (Beat) Keep your eye on the tv!

The phone goes silent and Tatum stands there in frustration and confusion, the soundtrack thudding.