Chapter 10:

INT. WOODSBORO PENITENTIARY – NIGHT

Cyrus sits in the master control room, watching the prisoners in the courtyard line up for a drill. Angelique stands next to him, arms folded. Behind them, Ned enters with a pizza.

NED: Heard this was the best place in town.

CYRUS: Not hungry.

NED: Eh well, more for me.

Ned breaks off a slice and enjoys it, the melty cheese dribbling down his shirt. Cyrus wrinkles his nose in disgust.

CYRUS: And today's report?

ANGELIQUE: No incidents. The prisoners have learned their place. (snorts) Didn't take long, now did it?

CYRUS: But still …

He zooms in on one prisoner in the courtyard. Billy.

CYRUS: That one remains defiant.

NED: Maybe he really just doesn't know anything?

CYRUS: No. I just haven't found the right pressure point to break his will. (Beat) Not yet anyway.

Angelique squeezes the older man's shoulder.

ANGELIQUE: When the time comes – he'll squeal like a pig.

NED: But what if he really is just innocent?

CYRUS: Are you suggesting that we got something wrong?

NED: No – I was just -.

CYRUS: Go check that the firewalls are secure.

NED: Don't you want any pizza?

CYRUS: NOW!

Ned raises his hands and backs away out the door. Cyrus turns to the computer monitor, staring hard at Billy.

EXT. WOODSBORO PENITENTIARY – COURTYARD – NIGHT

The PANTHYR guards have the prisoners lined up.

PANTHYR GUARD #1: Stand up straight!

PANTHYR GUARD #2: Single-file!

Billy rolls his eyes.

BILLY: We're not in kindergarten you know – we know how to line up!

One of the guards roughly shoves Billy into a larger man standing in line in front.

LARGE MAN: Watch where the fuck you're going!

BILLY: The guard pushed me!

LARGE MAN: And you're pushing me boy! Don't go making me an enemy.

Behind Billy, James shrugs.

JAMES: Don't mind Big Earl. He used to run the place when we were in the old penitentiary.

BIG EARL: Tha's right. (gestures with cuffed hands at Billy) You best sleep wit' your butthole tight tonight.

JAMES: Not a chance, Big Earl. These PANTHYR guys aren't soft girlscouts like the old guards.

BIG EARL: Hmm, we'll see.

The PANTHYR guards gesture with their weapons. The prisoners are forced to march single file back into the prison compound. As they march, Billy locks eyes with Deputy Hicks, standing legs spread, arms behind his back in a PANTHYR uniform.

INT. POLICE CRUISER – NIGHT

Dewey is on his way to the governor's rally. He has the radio playing and he's singing along with it.

DEWEY: "Puff the magic dragon … lived by the sea …"

He comes to a red light and stops. HIS CELL PHONE RINGS!

DEWEY: Sheriff Riley.

We don't hear the person on the other end.

DEWEY: What? Where? (The expression on his face is completely devastated) How bad is it? Shit! Which hospital? Forget the rally, I'm on my way!

Dewey tosses his cell phone aside and turns on his siren. He spins the car around and takes off at top speed.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL – NIGHT

Gale is in critical condition. She lies, bloodied and bandaged in a surgical room. She's overseen by DR. ORTH.

Dewey storms in, followed by Tatum and Renee. Dr. Orth steps in front of the room and holds out his hand.

DEWEY: I want to see my wife!

DR. ORTH: I'm afraid she's heading into surgery now.

DEWEY: Give it to me straight, doctor.

Dr. Orth sighs, running a hand through his hair.

DR. ORTH: I'm not going to lie to you, Sheriff. We're doing everything we can … but honestly even with the surgery, I don't see how she'll make it through the night.

TATUM: Don't tell us that! She's a survivor! She's gonna pull through!

DR. ORTH: It would be a miracle. I'm very sorry.

Dewey turns his head upward.

DEWEY: Please … a miracle …

He turns his head, peering into Gale's room. Tatum stands behind him staring as Renee places her hand on Dewey's shoulder which is now heaving.

DEWEY: I can't … I'm not ready for this … I'm not ready to say goodbye …

Renee turns to glare at Tatum. Tatum turns and walks off.

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY – NIGHT

Tatum leans against a wall. She breaks down into tears. Behind her, Mrs. Riley places her hand on her shoulder.

RENEE: Loss is all a part of growing up, Tatum.

TATUM: What do you know?

RENEE: More than you think. When you live as long as I have, you see lots of people come and go. It never gets easier, no matter how hard you prepare for it.

TATUM: I'm not prepared for this.

RENEE: Neither am I. I'm not prepared to lose Gale … or you.

Tatum sniffles and looks away.

TATUM: Gale's a survivor and so am I.

RENEE: I know … but even survivors have to come to terms with their own mortality. (Beat) When Billy's released … you have to tell him about the cancer, Tatum.

TATUM: Y-you don't believe Billy did it anymore?

RENEE: No. He's in prison, so how could he have attacked Gale? And even if there's an accomplice … Billy would never hurt Gale. (takes Tatum's hands) I know I've not been a good mother to you. I have been selfish and I'm sorry. I was hard on you, but there was a reason. Oh Tatum, there's so much I have to tell you -.

A man's shadow falls over them. Tatum's Dad, John, is standing there, in a jacket, hands in pockets.

JOHN: I'm not interrupting anything, am I?

TATUM: (hugging him) Daddy …

JOHN: I came as soon as I heard. How's Dewey?

TATUM: Not holding it together very well.

JOHN: He never could …

John's eyes lock with his ex-wife.

JOHN: (Nods) Renee.

RENEE: (standing up) I'll give you some alone time. Dewey needs me anyway.

Renee walks away gracefully as John sits down on a bench with Tatum.

JOHN: I … I didn't interrupt a moment with your mother, did I? Not that those come along all that often …

TATUM: No, Dad, don't worry about it.

JOHN: How are you holding up, sweetie? We didn't get to talk after the wedding was interrupted.

TATUM: Dad … (sighs) Dad there's something I have to tell you that I've been hiding from you, and Dewey and Billy and, well … pretty much everyone but mom …

JOHN: Tatum?

TATUM: Dad, I'm dying. I have cancer. The doctors don't know how long I have. The more generous ones think several years. Others say a few months … I don't know …

JOHN: My God … and Billy …?

TATUM: Like I said, he doesn't know …

JOHN: I mean – he has a right to! I had a right to!

TATUM: Dad -.

JOHN: (standing up) I know I wasn't a good father, but I would have been there! Had I known, had you told me –

TATUM: I wanted to -.

JOHN: I would have been there!

(Beat)

TATUM: (looking down at her hands) I'm sorry.

John sighs. He runs his hand through his hair and sits down with her. He opens his wallet and hands her a bent business card.

JOHN: Here … I know a doctor in Colorado. Dr. Kevorkian. No, not that Dr. Kevorkian! You don't know how many times I've tried to get him to change his name. He's a cancer specialist.

TATUM: Dad, I've been to a specialist -.

JOHN: This one has been able to contain many cancers, extend his patient's lifespans, for decades even. Please, Tatum … go see him.

TATUM: I've been to enough doctors -.

JOHN: Please … just give him a chance … for me … please …

TATUM: (taking the card and nodding) I will …

John stands up.

JOHN: I better go see to Dewey. I'll check in on you in a few.

Hands in his pockets, John follows in Renee's wake down the hallway. Tatum stares down at the card, silent for a few minutes, a small glimmer of hope filling her.

HER PHONE RINGS!

Here he is – the killer, ready to taunt her.

TATUM: (answering) What the hell do you want you fucking psycho?! Gale was no threat to you!

GHOSTFACE: She was getting too close to the truth. I couldn't let the happen. Not before our grand reunion!

TATUM: What truth? What are you talking about?!

GHOSTFACE: And Sidney thought everyone was lying to her? Heh, you're surrounded by professionals! Some of them could win academy awards with the number of lies they tell you on a daily basis!

TATUM: What do you care? Huh? Huh?!

GHOSTFACE: I make it my business to care. After all, what runs deeper than family? A bond of blood.

TATUM: You could've just finished Gale! Made it quick! Why drag this out?! Why torture us like this?!

GHOSTFACE: Consider it a favor, Tatum. At least this time you get the chance to say goodbye in person. After all, wasn't that Desirae's beef with you? Consider it a gift. I won't be merciful next time.

TATUM: Just tell me why! Why are you doing all this?!

GHOSTFACE: Uh-uh, not yet. My magnum opus is nearly complete, but rest assured Tatum, before the end of the night the full web of lies will be untangled! Oh, I can't wait for it! You should be excited too! After all, don't you want to know the full truth? Don't you want to know the final secret of Sidney Prescott?!

And the line goes dead, leaving Tatum standing there shaken and in tears.