Chapter 18
INT. BALLROOM – NIGHT
John still holds Renee and Tatum at gun and knifepoint. A door on the far side of the room opens – Billy enters, held at gunpoint by –
TATUM: James?
JAMES: Tatum. My love – have you missed me?
TATUM: What's – what's this all about?
BILLY: He's been one of the killers all along! He was one of Sidney's accomplices!
TATUM: What?
John joins James as he throws Billy to the floor. Tatum kneels down next to Billy as Renee leans on a chair for support.
TATUM: (caressing his face) Billy.
A soundtrack begins playing. Here Comes the Bride. Tatum and Billy stand up watching. James and John grin wickedly. A curtain parts – GHOSTFACE enters.
GHOSTFACE: Dearly beloved – we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two lovers in holy matrimony.
Tatum and Billy look at each other.
TATUM: You want to marry us?
James grabs Tatum's arm. She cries out in pain as he drags her up to the altar.
JAMES: Not you and him. You and me.
TATUM: I would never marry you!
Behind them, John points the gun at Billy.
JOHN: If you don't – Billy will have a nice new hole in his head.
JAMES: Your choice Tatum.
TATUM: Jokes on you – it won't be legal!
James points at cameras throughout the ballroom.
JAMES: We're broadcasting nationwide. The entire country – even the President – are witnesses. (motions to Ghostface) And the boss here – he's also a licensed minister. Online and all that. (Beat) Him being a killer doesn't delegitimize this.
TATUM: Being married against my will does!
JAMES: But it won't be against your will – not if you want Billy-boy to make it out of this alive.
Tatum bites her lip.
Ghostface stands there, hands folded.
GHOSTFACE: Tatum … my dear, Tatum, how I've longed for this day! I haven't seen you since you were a baby.
The masked killer takes a step forward. And another. Tatum backs up – James grabs her, holding her in place.
GHOSTFACE: (still walking) How much did John tell you? I hope not too much, I've waited over 20 years for this day to not have it ruined.
JOHN: (holding Billy at gunpoint) I told her just enough.
GHOSTFACE: (looking up) And you Renee – I'm glad you could be here as well for this wonderful occasion. A wedding – and a family reunion!
TATUM: Just get on with it! Spill the damn motive already!
GHOSTFACE: Maureen Prescott – was a conniving, man-hungry whore who could never be satisfied with one man. But then – so was Renee Riley.
RENEE: (downcast) Please don't -.
GHOSTFACE: She married poor John here, vowed to always be faithful to him. And what does she do? Meets a young cop, carries on an affair, gets pregnant by said cop, leaves the cop and returns to her husband – but then lies to the poor little baby girl. Tries to pass the little girl off to the public as John's daughter. She moved you away, hid you away from me, your own FATHER!
Ghostface unmasks himself.
NED: She said she couldn't leave her husband, Tatum. That my line of work was too dangerous, that I could get killed in the line of duty. That John could provide you with a better home than I ever could. I left it at that. I never questioned it. If it was for the good of my daughter, so be it. I kept tabs on you through the years, though. And when I found out that you were almost killed four years ago, I did a little background reading. I came back here, went to the public records to find out why Sidney Prescott would want to kill you. Of course, I found out all about Roman being Maureen's son … but that wasn't all.
(Beat)
NED: Because it seems that Maureen Prescott only had one biological child. Roman. Sidney … was adopted. I dug deeper. I took the public records from the Woodsboro Library with me, completely shocked – because it seems Maureen wasn't the only liar. As it turns out, Tatum … you were a twin.
TATUM: What?
NED: Renee and John couldn't afford twins at the time. Dewey – who was so young he could barely remember the circumstances of the pregnancy – was getting bigger and bigger. So they found a nice couple, one that seemed like they would take good care of one of the babies. Of course, had I known what a bunch of conniving manipulators they all were, I would have stepped in.
TATUM: This is crazy … it can't be true … Mom, tell me –
RENEE: I'm sorry, Tatum. It's true. Sidney … was your sister.
TATUM: No …
NED: But the one who needs to be fully blamed is already dead. Roman got a little too curious for his own good, and when Sidney found out she was adopted, she just couldn't take it! Couple that with Roman revealing Maureen's affairs with Hank Loomis and she finally. Just. Snapped! But I already punished Roman. And Sidney punished Maureen. And now – there's only one last piece to this puzzle.
Ned nods to Renee.
TATUM: NO! Don't hurt her! I'll do whatever you ask! Please!
NED: I want to be a family again. I want to attend your wedding.
TATUM: Yes! Anything!
NED: But not to Billy! He fucked you and your sister. Knocked you up. Broke your sister's heart when she found out. Oh no – I had to put a stop to that wedding! Besides, I have a more suitable partner for you – one who was there for your sister and who has a deep, UNDYING love for you!
James grins!
NED: But first – you wouldn't deny me a father-daughter dance?
JAMES: Isn't it customary to do that after the ceremony?
NED: In case you haven't noticed, this isn't your normal wedding.
He holds out a black gloved hand.
NED: My daughter.
Shaking, Tatum takes his hand – and they're off – waltzing. Tatum absolutely sickened and horrified, Ned absolutely gleeful as they glide around the ballroom, his Ghostface robe flowing with each step. He takes Tatum – and spins her.
James stands there watching.
Renee's fingers tighten around a seat – unable to do anything to help her daughter, ashamed of her actions.
Ned spins Tatum again, drawing her in close. He places a gentle, loving kiss on her forehead. Tatum is repulsed.
Billy looks up at Renee.
BILLY: Mrs. Riley … you can still do something …
RENEE: I … I can't …
BILLY: You can't let this happen!
RENEE: There's nothing –
BILLY: She is your only daughter! You've already lost one – don't lose another!
Renee's fingers tighten around the chair.
RENEE: I …
Her eyes open. She grabs the chair. John turns – RENEE SMASHES THE WOODEN CHAIR ACROSS HIS HEAD. His gun skitters. Billy dives, grabbing it. John is up, ready to charge. Billy aims – BLAM! BLAM!
Two gunshots to the chest. John stands there, his shirt blooming red. He sways, looking around, before his eyes roll up into his head and he collapses. Dead.
James is already moving, aiming his own gun at Billy.
Ned grabs Tatum, holding her close, gritting his teeth.
JAMES: No one is stopping this wedding!
Tatum lifts her foot and SMASHES it onto Ned's boot! Ned howls in pain and releases her. Tatum grabs a champagne bottle and SMASHES it into her father's head, sending him falling to the ground.
Billy dives behind a chair as James opens fire.
BILLY: Run Tatum!
Tatum turns – taking off through a side door. Ned springs to his feet, knife in hand, his Ghostface robe flowing.
NED: NO!
He takes off running after his daughter.
Billy springs out from behind a chair, ready to blast James into oblivion – the gun clicks. Out of ammo.
James grins demonically.
JAMES: Sorry Billy-boy – looks like you don't get the girl.
Billy's eyes widen as James pulls the trigger.
THUNK!
Billy squeezes his eyes shut. The bullet never hits him. He opens his eyes.
Renee dove in front of Billy, taking the bullet for him. She lies there, a trickle of blood running from her mouth, her breathing shallow and ragged.
James tosses aside his gun and withdraws his knife, charging Billy. Billy is on his feet. James brings the knife down – Billy catches his arm, struggling. James pushes Billy into a table, pressing the knife down, inching closer, closer to his chest.
Billy reaches out and grabs a plate, smashing it into James' head. He kicks out with his foot, striking James in the gut. The killer falls back. Billy dives again, grabbing James' gun as James jumps to his feet –
James sees the danger too late.
JAMES: Oh.
Billy unleashes hell with the gun, riddling James with bullets until James' gun is out of ammo. James sways. He sighs.
JAMES: … Tatum …
He collapses to the floor in a heap.
Billy tosses the empty gun aside and rushes to Renee's side.
BILLY: You saved me.
RENEE: And now … you have to save … her … please Billy …
And Renee's chest heaves one final time … and moves no more.