Chapter 15:
OPEN ON:
COMPLETE DARKNESS
V/O TATUM: Billy? Billy? Is that you?
V/O BILLY: Ugh …
A dim green light flares on!
A small indoor track ride. Billy sits in the front car, his wrists bound to the handlebars by a strange, mechanical handcuff. Tatum is in the car behind him, wrists also bound. The two struggle.
BILLY: It's no use …
TATUM: I'm not giving up …
BILLY: The others?
TATUM: I don't know …
BILLY: It's all my fault. All this.
TATUM: How so?
BILLY: It was my idea. I suggested to Bryson a Spring Break vacation, invite all our friends.
TATUM: You didn't know …
BILLY: I led you all here to the slaughter …
TATUM: No! We're getting out of this! Now think!
BILLY: I never meant for you to get caught up in all this again, Tatum. I really didn't.
TATUM: I know.
BILLY: I never would've put you in harm's way.
TATUM: Billy – now's not the time …
BILLY: If not now, then when?
TATUM: Stop talking like this! We're getting out of here! There's no need to take a trip down memory lane!
BILLY: And why not?
TATUM: Because it's ancient history!
BILLY: Then why are we still in each other's lives?
Tatum is crying now.
TATUM: I was scared, okay! Things didn't work out the first time between us when I left Woodsboro! I thought I put it all behind me, but then I come back, and you're still your same goofy self, but now you'd moved on with Sidney! And then … then, after the murders, we get together again and you were still so damn sweet and caring and patient with me and I got overwhelmed and scared!
BILLY: Of what?
TATUM: Of losing you! Things were getting too real, too fast, we had just survived a murder spree and then you go ahead and pop the question?! Really Billy?!
BILLY: I knew what I wanted. I thought you did too.
TATUM: I did – but we were kids, Billy. Just out of high school! I didn't say I wanted to end things, I just said that we should wait to get engaged for a few years! You're the one who lost his shit and took it so personally! You really hurt me with the things you said to me that day, Billy! So yeah … I split. I moved on, found James.
BILLY: And here we are. And I'm just supposed to accept it and forget about you, right?
TATUM: No … I don't want you to forget … Ugh, I don't even know what I'm saying …
BILLY: Why? Why don't you want me to forget …?
TATUM: Billy …
BILLY: Why, Tatum?
TATUM: BECAUSE MAYBE I STILL FUCKING LOVE YOU, OKAY?! Maybe I'm just hurt and confused and James was a rock I could rely on, and of course I love him too, but …
BILLY: (tears in his eyes) That's all I needed to hear …
TATUM: What?
BILLY: Because I love you too, Tatum. I always have and always will. I tried to move on the first time with Sidney and look at how that turned out. Then Sarah … I could never connect with her the way we did … so maybe she was the rebound girl, I don't know! Did I have feelings for her, sure I did. But it was never the same … the nights I would kiss her, and imagine it was you … how I'd lay in bed holding her, and wish I was holding you …
TATUM: Billy …
BILLY: And if we're gonna die, I want you to know!
He turned his head to look at her. She was staring him, crying. She leans forward suddenly and their lips barely touch.
The LIGHTS zoom on!
Gears begin moving and the cars begin slowly, slowly riding along the track. Billy and Tatum sit there, horrified at what lay in store for them next.
INT. FUN HOUSE – NIGHT
James staggers toward the end. There – he sees it – a long rotating tube, leading to the exit. And at the end of the tube …
BRYSON AND GREG are tied in two chairs, gagged, eyes wide.
James takes a step forward – HIS PHONE RINGS! He answers.
GHOSTFACE: Not another step further. Now, Ashley and Shane already had their game. They lost I'm afraid they're – OUT.
JAMES: No …
GHOSTFACE: But as for Bryson-boy and Gregory, they may still have a chance. So I'll pose a question to you, James. The same one Shane failed to answer. Why are you here?!
Bryson and Greg struggle in their gags.
JAMES: You're the quizmaster. You tell me!
GHOSTFACE: That isn't how this works, Jimmy-boy! Maybe I should just gut them both right now!
James sighs. He runs a hand through his hair.
JAMES: Because …you know …
GHOSTFACE: I know what?
JAMES: About … her …
GHOSTFACE: And who is 'her'?
JAMES: Emily.
GHOSTFACE: Correct answer!
JAMES: You know –
GHOSTFACE: Uh-uh, not yet. We'll leave that for the final round. Well Jimmy-boy, you got the question right. You get to move on to the Special Round! And take a guest with you. But unfortunately – I can only give you one freebie, soooo…
The LIGHTS FLARE OUT!
THERE'S SCREAMING BEHIND A GAG.
SQUISH!
SPLAT!
When the lights come on, BRYSON'S STOMACH HAS ALSO BEEN COMPLETELY OBLITERATED! HIS INTESTINES LAY IN HEAPS ON HIS KNEES!
Greg is panicking, shrieking.
Throwing caution to the wind, James surges through the spinning tunnel. He reaches Greg, pulls out his switchblade and frees Greg, who is babbling.
GREG: We … we were at the aquarium. Last thing I remember is getting a call from Monica and a strange guy bumps me. I felt a pinch in my neck and that's it!
JAMES: (nodding) C'mon!
CUT TO:
INT. INDOOR RIGHT – NIGHT
The train rides slowly along its track, Billy and Tatum still bound to it. Around them, Ghostface's voice rings through the intercom.
GHOSTFACE: Welcome to your Ghost Tram. I'll be tonight's host! Shall we meet the next CONTESTANT?!
A screen flares in front of them. Depicted on it is the Merry-Go-Round.
SARAH IS THERE, STRAPPED TO ONE OF THE HORSES!
Billy's eyes go wide!
The train comes to a stop. As if spring-rigged, their handcuffs snap open. The two look at each other, before climbing out of the train.
GHOSTFACE: You have five minutes!
CUT TO:
EXT. AMUSEMENT PARK MIDWAY – NIGHT
Billy and Tatum race through the amusement park. They reach the antique carousel. The lights and music FLARE ON! Ghostface's voice BLARES through a loudspeaker.
GHOSTFACE: Welcome contestants, to the next round! A special guest appearance for one time only!
BILLY: Sarah!
She's struggling, bound to one of the horses!
BILLY: She's an innocent! She has nothing to do with any of this! I'm the one you want!
GHOSTFACE: Oh, she's involved. She dated you. That was her death sentence.
BILLY: Screw this!
He charges to the Merry-Go-Round, ready to save Sarah. The carousel COMES ALIVE, moving, rotating.
GHOSTFACE: Another step and I'll slice her from groin to sternum.
Billy falters. The carousel stops, Sarah facing them, eyes wide.
GHOSTFACE: So tell me loverboy … does Sarah know you were only using her?
BILLY: I wasn't –
GHOSTFACE: Oh, but you were. She was the rebound right? RIGHT?!
TATUM: Why are you doing this?!
GHOSTFACE: Because … you're all garbage humans. You leave nothing but waste and destruction and misery in your wake. You're life-ruiners, sucking vitality from the innocent. Take Sarah for instance. A beautiful girl. Whole life ahead of her. And yet – her picture-perfect boyfriend led her to this!
BILLY: I've done a lot wrong. But she doesn't deserve to pay for my sins!
GHOSTFACE: No … you do.
BILLY: Then do it! Punish me!
GHOSTFACE: I'm about to. Tell me, Billy, what would it do to you for little Sarah here to learn how you really feel about her?
BILLY: Don't … she doesn't deserve to be hurt like this …
GHOSTFACE: Hurting her is hurting you. Sooo
The loudspeakers blare with Billy's voice:
V/O BILLY RECORDING: Because I love you too, Tatum. I always have and always will. I tried to move on the first time with Sidney and look at how that turned out. Then Sarah … I could never connect with her the way we did … so maybe she was the rebound girl, I don't know! Did I have feelings for her, sure I did. But it was never the same … the nights I would kiss her, and imagine it was you … how I'd lay in bed holding her, and wish I was holding you …
Sarah's eyes brim with tears as she stares at Billy, incredulous, truly hurt beyond comprehension. Her heart is completely broken.
BILLY: Sarah … I'm sorry … I never meant to hurt you …
GHOSTFACE: But that's what you do, Billy-Boy. You're a destroyer. You and Tatum and all your friends. And now – now, I'm going to make you all pay!
BILLY: Fuck it!
He dashes for the carousel, Tatum right behind him. He jumps onto it, grabbing hold of Sarah.
BILLY: I'm going to get you out of here … I promise …
Tatum turns –
GHOSTFACE IS CHARGING THE CAROUSEL FULL FORCE!
TATUM: Billy!
He rolls out of the way, dodging. The carousel begins rotating, the horses going up and down. Sarah is crying. Billy ducks and weaves between the horses, Ghostface chasing him down. Billy dodging him. Ghostface slashes – his blade bounces off a horse. He grunts as Billy slides over a saddle, landing opposite him.
Tatum's hands are trembling, working Sarah's bindings. These bindings are rope. Tatum's eyes are blackened with running mascara as she works the knots.
TATUM: I'm going to get you out of here.
The carousel is rotating faster now, faster, out of control!
Ghostface grabs Billy, slicing up his arm. Billy yells, punching the masked figure. The ghost goes falling back, slamming into a horse. Billy charges, grabbing the robe, fist reared back – Ghostface headbutts him. Billy staggers, flying off the now speeding carousel, landing on his back, slamming hard. He groans.
Tatum finally undoes the knots and Sara slides free of her horse and they jump off the ride.
They watch in horror – Ghostface springs off the carousel like a demonic bat, his robes flowing. He kneels down by Billy, knife raised.
TATUM: NO!
She begins running – SARAH outpaces her. She jumps, tackling the killer.
Billy's head is spinning as he sits up. Tatum rushes to him, grabs his arm. They watch Sarah struggle with the killer.
SARAH: Run! Billy!
Ghostface strikes again, and again and again. He spins Sarah around, blood pouring from her chest and mouth. She reaches out a hand to Billy.
SARAH: … I love you … run …
THUNK!
Ghostface tosses her body aside. Billy watches in horror … she gave her life for him. They stare back up at the ghost mask.
TATUM: Go!
She grabs his arm and the two take off running – and run, smackdab into a SECOND GHOSTFACE! The two wince, a pinching pain in their necks. Ghostface steps back, holding two needles. Tatum and Billy stagger, their vision swimming … and they collapse into unconsciousness.