Chapter 13:
INT. TATTOO PARLOR – EARLY MORNING
Tatum marches into the tattoo parlor, her soul on fire. Lyssa is wiping down a register. She smiles.
LYSSA: Tatum? Hey, I'm so sorry about your brother and sister-in-law.
TATUM: (walking past her) Thanks.
LYSSA: If there's anything …
TATUM: Appreciate it.
The hanging beads leading to a back doorway part. Aunt Desirae comes out, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She sees Tatum standing there and she wipes her eyes.
DESIRAE: Oh, honey … I've been so worried … please … please, won't you stay here with me? I'm scared for you –
TATUM: You don't need to be. I'm sorry Auntie, but this isn't a social call. I've come for a tattoo.
Aunt Desirae is genuinely puzzled.
DESIRAE: A – a tattoo?
CUT TO:
Tatum is lying on her stomach, Desirae working on her bare shoulder, Lyssa assisting.
DESIRAE: What do you want it to say?
TATUM: "Krieger."
LYSSA: Isn't that a little close to "Krueger"?
DESIRAE: (smiling affectionately at Tatum) It's German. It means "Warrior."
She gets to work.
INT. BEACH HOUSE – Early Morning
Tatum storms back into the house. Prudence, Billy, Sarah and James are waiting for her. She looks around.
TATUM: Where are the others? Bryson, Shane, Carrie, Ashley and Greg?
Billy and James look at each other nervously.
BILLY: We assumed they would be out late … they never came back!
TATUM: What?
JAMES: We wanted to call the police – but you told us he'd kill Gale if we did.
TATUM: Fine. Looks like we have more lives to save.
BILLY: Together. We did it before, we'll do it again.
JAMES: I don't think this is smart. We should call the police. Tatum, I don't care if the police tell us to stay in town. We can't! I took the liberty of packing our stuff already. I'm getting you out of here!
TATUM: Go if you want. I've had enough running.
BILLY: That's the badass I remember!
JAMES: I'm sorry – I've held my tongue long enough! I have to say something! (pointing to Billy) This kid is obsessed with you. I'm sorry but it's true! He's got it in his head that you're some crime-fighting duo – he's going to get you killed!
BILLY: Hey – that's too far!
JAMES: No way! How do we know that he isn't behind it all, hmm? That he's staging the murders in a bid to get back with you!
Sarah stands up.
SARAH: I'm sorry, I don't have to listen to this! I don't have to listen to my boyfriend get berated and accused!
A fighting match ensues! Prudence sighs, goes into the kitchen, gets an airhorn and HONKS it!
PRUDENCE: That's enough!
The room falls silent.
JAMES: (to Billy) I'm going to do the right thing by my girlfriend. I'm taking her out of here.
BILLY: That's not your decision!
JAMES: I've made it my decision! Because you clearly don't care -.
Billy PUNCHES James across the jaw. James takes it, wipes the blood away, smiles.
BILLY: You better believe I care! I care about this girl more than anyone in this world!
Billy stops, realizing what he just said. Sarah's eyes go wide, and Billy's mouth opens.
BILLY: Oh, Sarah, come on it's just an expression!
SARAH: I've tried to be patient with you Billy. I thought – eh, he went through a rough breakup, he needs a good girl to show him love. But you're not fixable, Billy. And I know when to call it quits. I won't play second fiddle to anyone and I won't be the girl you "settle for."
BILLY: Sarah … please …
SARAH: My bags were packed the other night, at the engagement. I'm calling an uber.
She kisses Billy on the cheek.
SARAH: Bye, Billy.
She turns and looks at Tatum.
SARAH: When you come to your senses and realize what he means to you, treat him well. He's a good guy.
She turns and vanishes upstairs, leaving Tatum open mouthed.
CUT TO:
INT. SAN MARTIN POLICE STATION – AFTERNOON
Debbie Loomis is sitting in the police station guest lounge alone. Bored. Playing on her phone. Wayne walks past her.
DEBBIE: Can I get any info on why I'm being detained?
WAYNE: Just sit tight, Mrs. Loomis.
DEBBIE: Not 'Mrs. Loomis' anymore. Salt. My maiden name. Debbie Salt.
WAYNE: Just sit tight Ms. Salt.
DEBBIE: You said that several hours ago! I slept on that damn bench over there! (waves her hand) Can I at least get some lunch? A sandwich? A panini? No? Not even a cup of coffee?
WAYNE: We're going as fast as we can.
She sighs.
A cop approaches Wayne.
COP #1: Another missing persons report. Mr. Simmons – the manager of the amusement. He vanished at the same time as Gale.
WAYNE: Put the word out. And has anyone heard back from Rogers?
COP #1: Not yet, sir.
Debbie listens intently. As the two officers converse, she slowly rises to her feet and sidles out the door.
EXT. BEACH HOUSE – AFTERNOON
BILLY: I wish you wouldn't leave.
Sarah is standing there with her luggage, an UBER behind her.
SARAH: I think we both knew it wouldn't last, Billy. You take care of yourself.
She kisses him on the cheek and enters the UBER. Billy watches in frustration as the car takes off.
MONTAGE:
Tatum ties her hair back, puts on her combat boots and tight jeans. Slides a switchblade down her thigh.
Billy, comes out of the basement. Hocky sticks. Just like last time.
Prudence grabs pepper spray.
James is staring out a window, dreading what he's been dragged into.
Tatum passes by him – he grabs her.
JAMES: Hey … I'm sorry. I'm just freaked out and worried about you. I'm here … I'll help you …
Tatum smiles, kisses him on the lips, before turning, making the preparations. James turns to look out the window … the sun is already setting.
EXT. AMUSEMENT PARK PARKING LOT – NIGHT
Billy's car pulls up into the parking lot. They four of them – Billy, Tatum, Prudence and James – exit. They stare up at the towering, dark and closed amusement park ahead of them.
They inhale. The deep breath before the plunge.
Together, they go in.