Chapter 15:

INT. MAYOR OSBORNE'S OFFICE – NIGHT

The mayor sits in his chair, watching a plasma screen tv. Governor Terrence is pacing and several police officers stand at the ready. They're watching live, as the escaped prisoners tear up Downtown Woodsboro and move into the more rural neighborhoods. The National Guard has put up roadblocks and confrontations are occurring on the streets.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: This is an outrage! I have never, in my entire career –

MAYOR OSBORNE: With all due respect, the prison was your idea.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: - and I -.

MAYOR OSBORNE: Those PANTHYR guys were hired by you too.

An aide approaches.

AIDE: Governor Terrence – President Biden is on the line. The VP is with him.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: (exchanging glances with the Mayor) Crap. (extending his arm and taking a cell phone) Yes, Mr. President. Yes, I'm watching it live. I'm here in Woodsboro with the mayor. Yes, Mr. President. No, Mr. President. What? Comparing it to COVID? I don't think it's as serious – yes I see the news! Yes, okay Mr. President. I'll call you in a half hour with an update.

He hangs up, rubbing his eyes.

MAYOR OSBORNE: It's getting worse. The entire nation is watching us … and …

The mayor changes the channel. Reports from across the nation are coming in. Stories of sickos – inspired by Ghostface – have taken on the ghost mask and are committing random murders nationwide. He puts on CNN.

CHRIS CUOMO: Yes, now we have another report from South Dakota. A man has been arrested in a ghost costume for killing his girlfriend. This makes the total nationwide count of 66 in less than four hours. Inspired by the madman in California, many across the nation are donning the familiar ghost mask –

The mayor puts it on mute.

MAYOR OSBORNE: It's like he's started a nationwide movement.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: You can't blame me for that. You cannot -.

MAYOR OSBORNE: All the talk shows are calling for your resignation! Governors Murphy, Cuomo and several others are demanding you step up or step down!

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: What more can I do?!

MAYOR OSBORNE: Washington and Arizona are offering assistance.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: (not hearing him) I'll be the laughingstock of the nation.

MAYOR OSBORNE: And now Trump is making a statement.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: Oh God!

The door opens – Cyrus and Angelique storm in, followed by Ned.

GOVERNOR TERRENCE: Thank God! Please tell me you have good news!

CYRUS: The National Guard isn't enough. You need us.

MAYOR OSBORNE: With all due respect – that prison break happened on your watch.

CYRUS: That prison break happened because we were under strict orders not to kill. (turning to the governor) But those orders can be revoked. Just say the word. Give us the free reign we should have had from the beginning and I promise you – those streets will be cleared by morning.

MAYOR OSBORNE: Governor – you aren't listening to this? You surely won't give a mercenary army free reign to kill in the streets? Let the National Guard do its job!

A scream comes from the office next door. The news networks are all showing new footage leaked by the killer – LESLIE AND TANYA'S CORPSES, GUTTED, ARE HUNG FROM TREES ON THE FRONT YARD, SWAYING IN THE WIND.

CYRUS: Do you want more of that to happen, Governor?

Terrence's eyes stare at the two girls' corpses. He lowers his eyes.

TERRENCE: You have free reign. Whatever it takes.

Cyrus smiles and turns to leave – the governor grabs his arm.

TERRENCE: If any civilians are caught in the crossfire -.

CYRUS: We'll be discrete.

INT. GOVERNMENT BUILDING – NIGHT

Cyrus, Angelique and Ned exit the Mayor's office into a hallway.

NED: What's the plan?

CYRUS: Disperse the entire security force. I don't care if any of those prisoners return alive.

ANGELIQUE: What of the killer?

CYRUS: (walking forward) He'll stop when he gets what he wants.

NED: Sir?

CYRUS: We have a new priority. Tatum Riley and Billy Loomis. We deliver them to the killer – and force him to show his ugly mug.

NED: We can't hand those two kids over!

CYRUS: I thought I was working with PANTHYR guards – not pussies.

NED: Angelique – you can't -.

ANGELIQUE: We follow orders, Ned. Put out the word to the rest of the force. Billy Loomis and Tatum Riley are now Priority #1.

CUT TO:

EXT. DOWNTOWN WOODSBORO – NIGHT

Tatum darts into an alley. She watches in horror as more businesses and buildings are set on fire. The prisoners have set up vantage points on all sides.

Militia men, made up of ordinary citizens, drive by in pickup trucks, trading shots. The National Guard marches down the street in armored vehicles, spraying tear gas, driving the criminals back. More criminals pop up behind other buildings, opening fire.

Woodsboro has officially become a war zone.

Tatum backs up – a shadow falls over her.

PRISONER #1: Well lookie here boys – we got a yung'un.

PRISONER #2: Ah, it's been so long since we've had a woman …

The second prisoner reaches out a gnarled hand, grasping at Tatum's shirt.

TATUM: Leave me alone!

She reaches into her purse, ready to grab Dewey's taser.

A fourth shadow appears. The three escaped prisoners turn – Big Earl is there. He grabs all three prisoners and knocks their heads together, dropping them like flies.

BIG EARL: Some prisoners just have no re'spct. (motions with his hand) Go. Get someplace safe.

TATUM: T-thanks …

BIG EARL: No thanks necessary – jus' go! Hide!

Tatum nods. She turns, back onto the street –

- AN ARM GRABS HER AND PULLS HER INTO A CAR!

Tatum is about to unleash the full bottle of pepper spray when she brightens up.

TATUM: Carrie!

Carrie sticks her car in gear and takes off, away from the carnage.

CARRIE: Figured you'd be out and about. And that you'd do something stupid and turn yourself in.

TATUM: How'd you find me?

CARRIE: I didn't. I figured you'd be where most of the action is.

TATUM: I have to turn myself in -.

CARRIE: To lure the killer out. Then you're not doing it without me.

TATUM: Carrie …

CARRIE: I was there in San Martin Inlet. There in that amusement park. I didn't turn my back on you then either.

TATUM: Thanks Carrie!

TATUM'S PHONE RINGS!

CARRIE: It's him. Answer it.

Tatum does, putting the phone on speaker.

GHOSTFACE: So, you decided to turn yourself in to me after all?

TATUM: Where? Where are you?

GHOSTFACE: At the place where it all began. And for some extra insurance, some friends want to say hello!

She hears two voices screaming.

JOHN: Tatum! Run away!

RENEE: Forget us! Save yourself!

Tatum feels fury building down to her bones.

TATUM: If you hurt them –

GHOSTFACE: No one ever hurts their insurance, Tatum. Come, and they'll be left unharmed. Ten minutes. Or I swear Tatum, I'll slice them up from groin to sternum!

TATUM: Where it all began … Cotton Weary's old house.

GHOSTFACE: You're a smart girl. See you soon.

The phone cuts out and Tatum stares at Carrie, who nods.

CARRIE: Cotton's old place it is.