Chapter 17:
EXT. AMUSEMENT PARK – NIGHT
BILLY: This way!
He ushers Tatum into the Haunted House. He slams the door shut behind him, barricading it with a piece of wood. He grabs Tatum's hand, running through, looking for a hiding place, anything.
The haunted house comes alive. Monsters and ghosts pop out, startling them left and right. Strobe lights flash heavily, on and off. The entire attraction is going crazy.
They hear a voice – 'HELP!"
TATUM: That sounds like Gale!
BILLY: It's coming from in here!
They burst into a control room – and there, chained to a metal bar – Gale.
GALE: Oh thank God, you're here – the killer is -.
GHOSTFACE: What did I say about spoilers, Gale?
The trio watch in horror as Ghostface appears from behind a curtain.
GHOSTFACE: (cont'd) Not that any of you will be around long enough to ruin the ending. Like the way you've ruined countless lives.
TATUM: Then why you just unmask yourself, spit out the motive and be done with it? I'm sick of your shit!
GHOSTFACE: You don't want to guess? Oh the suspense must be killing you. Who could it be? Who was the obvious one? Who brought you all here …?
BILLY: (refusing to believe it) No …
Ghostface reaches up and unmasks himself.
BRYSON: Who worked here at the amusement park, knew its layout, knew how every ride operated? And who worked with James all those years ago, drank with him and got him to admit that he killed Veronica and Brian though he didn't remember saying anything to me the next day?
He tosses aside his Ghostface costume, stripping down to jeans and a t-shirt.
BILLY: We were your friends!
BRYSON: (pointing a knife) Exactly! That's the POINT! What deeper bond is there than friendship?
TATUM: Why did you do this?
BRYSON: Because you weren't there for her …
TATUM: Sidney? All this shit over Sidney?
BRYSON: In part. But we'll get to that when my partner shows up.
He steps towards them, knife pointed.
BRYSON: She had problems. She was your friend – my friend – and Billy, you knew her best of all! You didn't see the warning signs?
BILLY: She said she was getting better …
BRYSON: Oh right, as she was hallucinating left and right. None of you – Shane, who was too busy trying to get into every sophomore slut's pants to have time talk to her … Shane who caught her with Cotton Weary and didn't warn anyone that she was with an older man! Ashley – cousin of Casey Becker who made Sidney's life a living hell – who never reigned her little cousin in even once! And you – Tatum – getting knocked up by her boyfriend … well, it was all too much for her fragile mind to handle! She went off crazier than usual. And all the blood that was shed is on your hands! (Leans back) See, I'm not the bad guy here. I'm the vigilante. I got the idea from James, taking justice into your own hands against bullies and backstabbers and everyone else who was friends with her, saw the signs, and ignored them!
BILLY: You're insane … you're out of your freaking mind …
BRYSON: Maybe …
Bryson sheaths the knife and pulls out a gun. He waves it in their faces.
BRYSON: Another gift from the Captain. Now come on, you two. There's someone else that wants to meet you.
He ushers them out of the haunted house.
Gale sits there, still chained.
GALE: Umm, hello?! (blows a strand of hair out of her face) Dumbass forgot all about me.
She struggles to free herself some more.
EXT. AMUSEMENT PARK – NIGHT
Bryson aims his gun, forcing them into the front seat of the rollercoaster. He jams the START switch, then jumps into the car behind them. He sits, his gun training on them both as they ascend the lift hill up, up, up.
The train comes to a screeching halt at the top of the hill. There is a large construction platform, where repairs were made to the top of the hill. Girders are beneath them and Billy looks down. They are at least 150 feet in the air. He gulps.
Standing at the far end of the construction platform is the SECOND GHOSTFACE.
GHOSTFACE: You're late.
BRYSON: Oh, you know how it is … had to spend some time spilling the motive, explaining what went on here …
Ghostface turns.
GHOSTFACE: Welcome, Tatum, to the GRAND FINALE! But Bryson was wrong – there are some things that run deeper than friendships. Spirituality. The survival instinct. And of course …
Ghostface unmasks himself.
AUNT DESIRAE: … family. (stripping aside the Ghostface outfit) Hello Tatum. Surprised?
TATUM: No. Way! No fucking way!
DESIRAE: And why not? Someone had to be in Woodsboro, kill Billy's Dad, attack Dewey, keep the cops second guessing who and where the killers were. I drove up there yesterday, spent the night, only got back this morning just in time to ink that new little tattoo on your shoulder. And it worked … boy, the cops really went nuts when they found out one of their own was attacked.
TATUM: Why? Just tell me why?
DESIRAE: Let's just chalk it up to insanity. I mean, do we need a motive? Isn't scarier without one? No … ? Fine … then let's just say that friendship isn't the only bond you've ignored …
TATUM: I've never ignored you …
DESIRAE: No. But Nan … I watched her waste away, die in my own house. Every day, asking for you – 'where's Tatum?' 'Why isn't Tatum visiting me?'. Do you know what it's like … to tell your dying mother that her own granddaughter has too much going on to come see her … and it's not like you were all that busy. I mean, going around, getting yourself knocked up, and then not being able to bothered to visit your dying grandmother … that was just … wrong. And so, as Nan suffered, I've made you suffer. And what better way than by attacking you from all sides. Billy's daddy because what better way to torture you than by forcing you to watch Billy in pain over his father's loss … Gale … And my favorite, Dewey … I left him alive – only just – just to torture you with the knowledge that you wouldn't get to say goodbye to him … as you should have said goodbye to Nan … is that motive enough for you?
TATUM: You know what – you're right!
This surprises Desirae.
TATUM: (cont'd) I was a shitty granddaughter. I should've visited her, cherished every last second I had with her. And you know what – it haunts me. It tortures me every night that I missed out on seeing her, that I didn't get to say goodbye …
DESIRAE: Oh, but you haven't suffered enough. What an added gem that your little fiancé … is also a psycho just like us … And now … we're going to kill the other man in your life. Slowly. Drop of blood by drop of blood … you'll slowly watch him drain.
Bryson trains his gun on both Billy and Tatum as he hands Desirae his hunting knife.
DESIRAE: (to Bryson) Thanks love … I couldn't have done it without you.
THUNK!
Bryson's face pales as Desirae twists the knife into his gullet.
DESIRAE: (cont'd) But of course, there needs to be a fall guy.
She kisses Bryson on the forehead, before gently shoving him over the edge of the platform. Bryson plummets a full 150 feet, landing with a splat.
Desirae turns to Billy and Tatum who are so far beyond even being surprised.
DESIRAE: And of course … as an added bonus … there's already a murderer trapped up on that Ferris Wheel. So, the police will think Jimmy-boy, who I played game after game with all night, was Baby Bryson's partner.
Desirae takes a step toward them. Billy and Tatum back away – behind them is the roller coaster track. They're trapped.
BILLY: (to Tatum) When I say go, jump into that car.
TATUM: What?
BILLY: It's the only way!
DESIRAE: Now kids, it's not proper to whisper in front of polite company. Nan would have taught you that, had you been around!
She raises the knife.
BILLY: Now!
He and Tatum leap into the roller coaster train. With his foot, Billy kicks the train off from the platform. It begins to descend down the hill.
DESIRAE: NO!
She leaps after them, landing in the last car of the train. The train plummets the full 150 foot drop, before arcing upwards into another hill. Billy and Tatum hold on for dear life. The train slows on its ascent as the track curves into a turn.
Behind them, Desirae is climbing through the seats, grinning madly. She ducks beneath a wooden girder. She's getting closer.
BILLY: When I say jump – jump!
Tatum nods.
The coaster arcs through a pretzel turn, before diving again. As the train crests at the bottom of the hill – ten feet off the ground, Billy yells.
BILLY: NOW!
They leap off together rolling into each other's arms. They watch as the train continues past them, up another hill, Aunt Desirae shooting them a death look. She leaps out of the train, landing on her ankle with a sickening crack.
That doesn't even stop her. Desirae limps on, knife in hand, giving chase.
They pass Bryson's body on the ground, limp with blood.
DESIRAE: Tatum … Auntie just wants to have a little chat with you!
They look around, looking for a place to go. Behind them, Desirae is gaining ground.
DESIRAE: Where will you go? I control this entire park! Every ride, every attraction … there' s nowhere you can hide!
They pass a line of trees. SOMETHING DROPS FROM THE TREES, KNOCKING TATUM AND STU BACK!
Shane and Ashley's gutted bodies hang from nooses.
Tatum falls backwards on her rear. Billy stops, reaches out –
DESIRAE STABS HIM IN HIS SIDE! BILLY SCREAMS AS SHE THROWS HIM ASIDE.
Tatum crawls backwards. Desirae slams her foot into her chest, knife raised.
DESIRAE: The family reunion ends here!
V/O WOMAN'S VOICE: I agree!
Desirae turns – and gets slung with several bullets, riddling her in the chest. Desirae stands motionless for a second, her mouth open, before she collapses.
DEBBIE LOOMIS IS STANDING THERE, THE GUN FROM MR. LOOMIS' HOUSE IN HER HANDS AND SMOKING!
Billy rises to his feet, his side bleeding, but his face overjoyed.
BILLY: Mom!
DEBBIE: Hiya honey … you okay? Tatum?
Billy helps Tatum to her feet.
BILLY: Gale … she's still trapped …
CUT TO:
Gale still bound in the Haunted House, screaming herself hoarse.
GALE: HELLOOOOO!
CUT BACK:
DEBBIE: I'm sure she's fine. The cops are on their way. Thank God I made it in time.
TATUM: How – how'd you know I was here?
DEBBIE: A hunch. Heard Deputy Wayne or whatever his name is talking about Gale and the amusement park manager going missing. I guessed good.
BILLY: Really good!
They turn … DESIRAE SPRINGS TO LIFE, KNIFE RAISED.
DEBBIE: Oh crap!
The gun goes off in her hands – one final shot into Desirae's head, blowing it clean off. Her corpse sways, before collapsing backwards.
DEBBIE: I didn't even mean for it to go off …
EXT. AMUSEMENT PARK – NIGHT
Body bags are carried away in the parking lot. The cops lead Billy, Tatum, Gale and Debbie to an ambulance. They see a stretcher – Greg! He made it out alive. And standing over him as a very attractive girl, caressing his face affectionately.
GREG: Hey guys! I made it out alive! And guess who came to surprise me over on Spring Break?
BILLY: (eyes squinted) Mona?
GREG: I told you guys she was real!
She leans in and kisses him.
In the back of a squad car, driven by Detective Wayne, is James.
TATUM: Can I have a minute?
She walks away from Billy and Debbie and stands looking into the back of the squadcar. The window rolls down and James looks up at her.
JAMES: I never wanted to hurt you …
TATUM: I know.
JAMES: Do you still love me …?
TATUM: When I love, I never stop. But … some things …
JAMES: (nodding) This is it, between us, isn't it?
Tatum plays with her hand, biting her lip nervously. She sighs and removes the engagement ring, placing in on the car's windowsill.
TATUM: I'm sorry, James.
JAMES: I understand.
TATUM: Maybe I'll visit you in prison … maybe …
JAMES: I knew the risks two years ago.
TATUM: Do you regret it?
JAMES: Do I regret avenging my sister? No. Do I regret killing? Yes. Do I regret hurting you? Most of all.
She nods, holding back tears.
TATUM: Goodbye, James.
She reaches in and touches his face. He closes his eyes, enjoying feeling her fingers one final time. She turns and walks away. He watches her sadly, nodding, recognizing what his actions have cost him.
He accepts it.
INT. WOODSBORO HOSPITAL – THE NEXT AFTERNOON
Dewey is lying in a hospital bed, in the same room that once held Randy Meeks. He is surrounded by Tatum, who is holding his hand, Gale, his other, Debbie and Billy. Greg was transferred there and is in an adjacent bed, Mona with him.
Dewey is wide awake. The doctor is talking.
DOCTOR: He lost a lot of blood … luckily, we had some voluntary donors.
TATUM: Who?
The doctors turn – CARRIE is wheeled in by a nurse, her arm in a sling. She smiles.
CARRIE: I was here … I match his blood type … how could you not use me?
TATUM: Carrie? How?
CARRIE: Bryson got a little careless with the knife … the stabs weren't as deep. Maybe his heart wasn't as in it as he thought …
BILLY: (nodding, hoping there's some truth to it) I hope.
Dewey looks up at Tatum.
DEWEY: Thank you … for coming to see me …
TATUM: I'm only glad I don't have to say goodbye! You made it, Dewey!
DEWEY: (to Gale) Told you I didn't like him!
GALE: You're never gonna let me live it down.
BILLY: So what now for you guys?
DEWEY: Well … I get some leave once I'm out of here … how about a vacation?
GALE: Not another one …
DEWEY: Somewhere far away … where there are no psychos … I'm thinking Jersey …
TATUM: Okay, now we know the medication's making him loopy.
GALE: I'm thinking of making a documentary.
DEWEY: Oh no, someone hide all the cameras!
They all laugh. Tatum meets Billy's eye and she smiles.
FADE IN
EXT. WOODSBORO CEMETERY – EVENING
Billy is kneeling at Mr. Loomis' grave. He says no words. He places a flower on the top and stands up, wiping his eyes.
Tatum appears behind him. He turns to her … they embrace … Billy breaks … he presses his eyes into her neck and she holds him. He wipes his eyes, stares into hers.
Tatum draws him in … kisses him …
The two turn and walk, hand-in-hand, towards the sunset.
FADE OUT
THE END