Chapter 12:
INT. BEACH HOUSE – NIGHT
Tatum is sitting at a laptop in her room, doing research on the Veronica Tate and Brian Orth murders from two years ago. She visits various forums. People have different opinions.
Maybe it was a murder-suicide.
Maybe the manager did it.
I think Sidney survived and did them in after Tatum and Billy escaped.
What? Do you hear yourself? Sidney was decapitated. No way she survived!
Tatum sighs, holding her head in her hands.
The door to her room opens – JAMES enters, holding a bag of takeout.
JAMES: Got you a fish filet if you're hungry.
TATUM: I'm not, but thanks.
James folds his arms.
JAMES: What are you obsessing over there?
TATUM: (shutting the laptop) Nothing.
JAMES: You look tired.
TATUM: Stressed.
JAMES: I'm sorry our engagement weekend became this whole … mess. I wanted it to be special.
TATUM: Oh, baby it still is. I certainly won't forget it anytime soon.
She kisses him.
TATUM: (cont'd) So you have no reason to feel bad.
She turns and sits on the bed.
TATUM: I still think about her …
JAMES: Sidney?
TATUM: How could a girl that was once my best friend become such a vicious, bloodthirsty monster?
JAMES: There's no figuring it out, Tatum. Sometimes no answer is the answer. I had no answers when my dad died in that car crash or when my sister committed suicide. These things happen to the best of people. We embrace them, get stronger …
TATUM: But how? Especially if it's happening again?
JAMES: Together. Me. You. Plus the wedding to look forward to.
Tatum smiles … she kisses him.
They hear the door open below.
JAMES: C'mon, let's see who else is home.
INT. BEACH HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Tatum and James make their way downstairs to find Billy, Sarah and Prudence sitting around. Billy has a pale look on his face and he breathes a sigh of relief when he sees Tatum coming downstairs.
BILLY: Tatum? Are you okay? I'm so sorry!
He embraces her.
TATUM: (looks awkwardly at James) Uh, Billy I'm glad we're on speaking terms again but you wanna fill me in there buddy?
BILLY: Then you haven't heard?
TATUM: Heard what?
BILLY: Dewey was attacked, Gale is missing!
TATUM: WHAT?!
BILLY: Dewey's alive – Burke thinks the killer got interrupted. But that could change. He's touch and go in Woodsboro General … he lost a lot blood. They're telling his loved ones to say goodbye …
TATUM: (eyes filling with tears, hand on her mouth) … No … I can't … I'm not ready for this … Where's Gale?
BILLY: No one's been able to get in contact with her. Tatum, Tatum I'm sorry …
She nods, turning. James reaches out to her.
TATUM: I just need … I need some air …
James goes to follow but Billy holds him back.
BILLY: Wait … I know Tatum … give her a few minutes.
CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH HOUSE BACKYARD – NIGHT
Tatum cries out in fury. She can't leave town as she's still a suspect in the Captain's murder. She's not going to be able to say goodbye to Dewey if … if he passes …
She collapses on a stoop, head on her knees, crying her eyes out.
HER PHONE RINGS!
Sitting upright, she sneers down at the phone, still crying, looking at the ID. She answers.
GHOSTFACE: How does it feel, Tatum? Watching each of your loved ones picked off, one by one. Unable to save them. Does it drive you mad? Knowing Dewey is bleeding out in a hospital bed, every second that goes by taking him closer to his end … and you … unable to even say goodbye …
TATUM: I swear to God … I WILL find you! I WILL kill you!
GHOSTFACE: Leave the theatrics to Liam Neeson.
TATUM: Why are you doing this?!
GHOSTFACE: Oh Tatum, so confused, so lost. Unsure who to trust. The game is drawing to an end, but until then, I plan to torture you. Extract every raw piece of emotion. Dewey wasting away. Gale missing. The police lost and confused, looking in all the wrong places as I hide in plain sight. It must be so maddening to you!
TATUM: I'm ready! I'm done being scared! You want me! Then come get me!
GHOSTFACE: Soon, Tatum. Soon. The final preparations are being made for the FINAL SHOWDOWN! Tomorrow. Midnight. The amusement park. Call the police – Gale dies! Try to save her beforehand – she dies! Do anything at all to help her before midnight tomorrow, guess what happens?
The line goes dead and Tatum stands up. Her eyes furrow. Then, a newfound fury builds in her.
She turns and marches back into the house.
INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Billy, Sarah, James and Prudence watch as Tatum enters the living room, a new fury building in her.
TATUM: Billy … we're taking this fucker down!
BILLY: There's the Tatum I remember!