CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT
SIDNEY PRESCOTT sits at a laptop, typing. Her eyes scan articles about Gale Weather's new Netflix documentary. Next to her is a bottle of pills …
There's a tap on the window. She jumps.
A handsome jock is outside her windowsill. She quickly closes the laptop and stashes the pill bottle in her drawer. She fixes her hair and smiles.
SIDNEY: Billy …
BILLY LOOMIS crawls through her window.
BILLY: Been a while since I've been up here …
SIDNEY: Yeah, well, you know Daddy. If he found you up here again, he'd probably gut you.
BILLY: No doubt. That's why we need to be more subtle about things …
Billy playfully draws her in and kisses her. He suddenly becomes serious.
BILLY: I wanted to check in on you. Now that the show is airing …
Sidney sighs, sitting on her bed.
SIDNEY: I'm fine, Billy. Really.
BILLY: Sid …
He goes over to her laptop and opens it, revealing all the articles about the show.
BILLY: … I know you too well.
SIDNEY: Better than I know myself.
Billy sits down on the bed with her.
BILLY: You can't let that show get you down. Now listen - my Dad is looking up legal options … maybe you can sue Gale Weathers for slander …
SIDNEY: I'm not interested in another drawn-out court battle. I've gone through it all before.
She gives him an upbeat smile.
SIDNEY: I'll just ignore it and hope it goes away. It should blow over soon.
BILLY: You do know I'm here for you, right?
Sidney looks up at him, confused.
SIDNEY: Of course … how can you ask that?
He stands, pacing, hands in his pockets.
BILLY: It's just … I feel like you've been pushing me away. You don't answer half my calls, you've canceled nearly a dozen dates … Are we okay, Sid? Am I losing you?
SIDNEY: Billy …
BILLY: You can tell me, you know. Just be honest. I can handle it … if you want to take a break …
SIDNEY: Of course not. Billy … I'm sorry … It's just with this show airing and the nation thinking I'm some crazy, hallucinating -.
BILLY: Are the hallucinations getting better?
SIDNEY: I've got it under control.
There's a knock on her bedroom door.
SIDNEY: Shit, it's my Dad. You better hide!
She shoves Billy under her bed. He's cramped underneath. Sidney sits on the bed nicely, hands folded on her lap. More weight presses down on Billy, who grits his teeth.
The door opens and Sidney's father, NEIL PRESCOTT enters. He's sweating, tired.
SIDNEY: Daddy … you're home late …
NEIL: Had to work overtime. The mill's understaffed and Old Joe broke a hip…
Sidney nods.
NEIL: But … I have some great news! Sid, I got a job interview. Upper management at another construction company! In New Jersey! Some developers are putting up some high rises along the Hudson and they're looking for a guy like me!
SIDNEY: Daddy … that's great!
Her face falls.
SIDNEY: But … would we have to move? All my friends … and I don't know about Jersey, Dad. I don't need to get sucker-punched by Teresa Guidette.
NEIL: Sid, you of all people should know better than to trust TV. Most of Jersey is rural … like Woodsboro. They don't call it the Garden State for no reason.
He sits on the bed, squishing more weight down on Billy.
NEIL: It could be a fresh start. For both of us. After …
He fumbles with his fingers.
NEIL: Besides … there's no guarantee I'll get it. It's only a preliminary interview and then I'd have to go through two more rounds of interviews. But – more importantly – the meeting is in Jersey City. I'd have to leave for a few days …
SIDNEY: It's fine, Dad. You've gone on business trips before.
NEIL: But with everything going on -.
SIDNEY: Dad … it's fine.
NEIL: Okay … if you're sure ? My flight leaves in two hours.
He hugs her. She presses her face into his neck.
NEIL: Call me. At any time. For any reason. I'm always here for you, Sidney.
He kisses her on the forehead, before closing the door. Sidney waits until his footsteps fade away and the front door slams shut before motioning for Billy to come up for air. Billy staggers to his feet.
BILLY: Your dad's leaving … so … you get the house to yourself … Ourselves?
SIDNEY: Billy … come on.
BILLY: Sid … we used to be Ed and Lorraine Warren from The Conjuring. Now I feel like the monster from It Follows, with you afraid to even touch me, like I'll pass on some curse or something.
SIDNEY: I'm sorry. I never meant to make you feel that way, Billy. How about a date night? Here. Tomorrow. You, me and an assortment of Netflix horror movies.
BILLY: You're the best.
He kisses her forehead and begins climbing out the window.
SIDNEY: Billy? How about a PG-13 preview?
She flashes him.
Billy falls out of the window as we FADE OUT.
FADE IN
EXT. WOODSBORO HIGH – MORNING
A motorcycle pulls up to the school. The helmeted rider kicks it into park and steps off, removing her helmet. TATUM RILEY … ripped jeans, boots, rock and roll shirt … she's a badass. She puffs a cigarette and sighs, staring up at the school.
TATUM: Hello Woodsboro High, my old friend. I'm back.
She grabs her schoolbooks and makes her way up the quad, the entire student body staring at her, some whispering behind their hands. Tatum flips them off and enters the building.
INT. SCHOOL – CORRIDOR
Casey Becker is standing at a locker in her cheerleading outfit. Her friend, JENNA STEPHENS, stands next to her, clutching her books. Jenna is a Stage Five Clinger, glomming on to Casey in the hopes it makes her look cooler.
CASEY: … and now the bitch isn't even responding to my texts. I'll bet you she was with Jake last night.
JENNA: Who would blow you off for him?
Casey's eyes catch MR. LOVEDGE, the handsome young school psychologist making his way towards his office. Their eyes lock for a brief moment.
CASEY: I know … when there are so many other pieces of choice meat.
Jenna nudges Casey as Tatum appears at the end of hall. Casey angrily slams her locker shut.
CASEY: Speaking of meat … Look who's back.
Tatum is making her way down the hall. Casey grins evilly and leans in to whisper into Jenna's ear.
CASEY: I hear the reason she left mid-sophomore year is that she got pregnant. Some college jock or something. Left school, lost the baby. And then … I hear she shaved her head and joined a cult …
JENNA: Her hair looks fine now though.
She sees Tatum approach Mr. Lovedge, who is fumbling with a key to his office, juggling his bag and textbooks. She's asking him for directions. Mr. Lovedge smiles and points down the hall. Casey's eyes narrow as she watches Mr. Lovedge smile at Tatum.
CASEY: Oh fuck no.
Tatum is now at her locker, trying to work the combination. She finally gets it open, when the the locker door is slammed shut.
TATUM: Excuse you – oh, Casey Becker. Still the school bitch I see. And Jenna, still her little sycophant? Nice to know things haven't changed around here. But where's your third little friend, Megan? Don't tell me the Three Bitchketeers have broken up?
CASEY: Cute. I just wanted to be the first one to welcome you back, Tatum. I must say, you look good after two years. No, honestly. I like your new style. Does Uncle Jessie know you stole his dungarees?
TATUM: You look good too, Casey. I like your new hairstyle. It really screams Village of the Damned.
Jenna chuckles. Casey shoots her an evil look.
CASEY: And does dear Sidney know you're back?
TATUM: Why the concern about her?
CASEY: Oh nothing. But with the Netflix show exposing her as a brain-addled freak after the death of her mother, I'm just worried you may spill that teenie-tiny little secret you hid from her when you left.
TATUM: I don't know what you're talking about.
CASEY: I'm sure you don't … but I bet Billy'll be happy to see you again. Tell me, Tatum – is he as good a kisser as Sidney says?
Tatum slams the locker shut and grabs Casey, slamming her into a locker. Jenna screams and Casey struggles, ready to knock her out.
TATUM: You don't know shit. You don't say shit. Do we have an understanding?
Casey stares up at her through grit teeth. Behind Tatum, Mr. Lovedge appears.
MR. LOVEDGE: What's going on?
Tatum releases Casey, who smooths her skirt.
CASEY: Tatum here just attacked me, Mr. Lovedge. I'm afraid I won't ever recover from this brutal assault. I think I need a session with you to … talk about my feelings.
She winks at Mr. Lovedge, before giving Tatum an evil grin and walking off with Jenna. Mr. Lovedge motions for Tatum to follow him into his office.
MR. LOVEDGE: Let's have a chat, shall we?
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY
Two dudes are arguing. RANDY MEEKS, the resident nerd and film geek, fan of all things macabre. STU MACHER is there, wearing sunglasses inside to hide the redness of his eyes. He's the resident pothead and right now, is high as a kite.
STU: C'mon man.
RANDY: Stu, I already told you this morning – no way.
STU: Man, you didn't tell me nothing man …
RANDY: You literally forgot our whole conversation. Stu, some advie – lay off the pot.
STU: Just let me on the show, man. C'mon. With this sexy voice, it'll help my chances with the ladies.
RANDY: Oh yeah, because girls find Doogie Howard so appealing.
STU: Who …?
RANDY: Forget it.
Randy grabs his textbook and looks up to see Billy and Sidney together. Sidney had made good on her promise to Billy. The two were kissing. Stu claps Randy on the shoulders.
STU: Bummer, man.
RANDY: I thought she was gonna break it off with him?
STU: Break his tongue off, looks more like.
Billy and Sidney, holding hands, approach the duo. Billy and Stu high-five each other.
BILLY: What's going on fellas?
STU: Well Randy here agreed to let me on his podcast.
RANDY: What? I did not –
SIDNEY: Really? That's nice of you, Randy.
RANDY: (beaming, hoping this'll score points with Sidney) Oh. Yeah. It is nice of me. Stu, eight o'clock tonight.
Stu wraps his arms around Billy and Sidney, drawing in Randy too.
STU: So what's the plan for the weekend, guys? I could sneak us into a college party, my brother's a frat boy. We could drive out to the beach … visit my dealer 'X-Ray' for some edibles.
BILLY: Sid and I were planning on hanging out, just watching some scary movies.
STU: Bro, I love scary flicks! I'll bring the kegs, we'll all take a shot every time someone asks "Who's there" –
BILLY: Stu – no offense – Sidney and I wanted it to be just the two of us.
Stu looks offended, but Randy is seething.
STU: It's cool. It's fine … I got other friends to hang out with anyway.
Sidney turns her head. A figure is standing at the end of the hallway. A blonde girl with wide, staring eyes. She is staring hard at Sidney. Not moving.
SIDNEY: Hey … does anyone know who that girl is?
STU: Girl?
He flops off his sunglasses – his eyes are indeed red.
STU: That's 'Sickie-Hickie'.
BILLY: In English, Stu.
STU: Judy Hicks. Just moved here. Creepy as fuck, though I'd bang her.
Sidney rolls her eyes and Billy shakes his head.
STU: What? What I say?
Billy and Sidney walk off, hand in hand.
STU: What's their deal?
He turns to Randy.
STU: So … I've been meaning to ask you … can I come on your podcast?
Randy facepalms.
INT. HALLWAY
Billy and Sidney are heading towards their first period when the door to Mr. Lovedge's office swings open and Tatum stumbles out, nearly falling into the pair. Billy grabs her by the arm, helping her to steady. They lock eyes and Billy's mouth opens.
BILLY: Tatum?
TATUM: Billy? Sidney?
SIDNEY: Tatum? We … didn't know you were coming back.
TATUM: Surprise … I'm back for senior year.
SIDNEY: You never answered any of my phone calls.
TATUM: Sid –
SIDNEY: Or text messages. Emails. IMs. Letters.
BILLY: Sid, I don't think this is the time –
SIDNEY: You really hurt me when you ended our friendship, Tatum.
TATUM: You don't understand …
SIDNEY: You're right. I don't. Well, welcome back Tatum. I'd ask you to hang out, but I'm afraid you'll up and drop out again without a word.
Sidney storms off. Billy stares at Tatum before running a hand through his hair and following.
Tatum sighs.
TATUM: Welcome back Woodsboro High.
EXT. MURDER HOUSE – MORNING
SHERIFF BURKE surveys the old wooden farmhouse. Police barriers were set up. Deputy DEWEY RILEY clumsily salutes.
DEWEY: No sign of the other body sir.
SHERIFF BURKE: Shit.
He watches as Jake's body is led away in a body bag.
Dewey scratches his head and stares at the bloodstains covering the recovered Corvette Stingray and whistles. The front is smashed and dented.
SHERIFF BURKE: Looks like the killer drove the car back up here after smashing that tree on the road. Must've brough the second victim's body back. I want this entire scene surveyed.
A female voice echoes through the police work.
V/O GALE WEATHERS: Sheriff! Sheriff Burke!
BURKE: Aaw shit.
GALE WEATHERS, her cameraman KENNY in tow, rushes up with a microphone. The sheriff pulls his hat over his eyes.
BURKE: Get rid of her deputy.
Dewey holds a hand up, keeping Gale Weathers at bay.
DEWEY: I'm sorry, Miss Weathers. This is a police matter – no civilians!
GALE: Then maybe you can help me, Deputy. What of the reports that one of the victims dialed 9-11 and was denied help?!
DEWEY: I can't comment –
GALE: How can the people of Woodsboro have faith in those pledged to serve and protect when they won't even respond to a plea for help?!
DEWEY: The operator in question has been fired and we're launching an investigation.
GALE: That's not good enough for the people of Woodsboro, Deputy!
DEWEY: Well, I can personally assure you that we will catch this perpetrator. I'm on the case!
GALE: Excuse my lack of confidence, Deputy. Especially after the way the Cotton Weary case was bungled.
DEWEY: We followed all the proper protocols –
GALE: I talk to Cotton Weary. Visit him every week. He gives me exclusive interviews, heck they even let me call him from time to time. I even visited him last night. He has a different perspective. And now another killing on his property, and you don't think it's connected?
DEWEY: Ma'am, I'm afraid I can't comment –
Another officer yells from inside the house.
OFFICER #1: Sherriff, Deputy! Come quick – it's bad, real bad!
DEWEY: (nodding) Good day, Miss Weathers.
Dewey turns and races into the house. Gale waits till the coast is clear and slips under the police tape and motions for Kenny to follow and keep recording. They pass the blood-spattered Corvette.
INT. CELLER
The Sherriff and Dewey follow several officers into the basement. Dewey holds a handkerchief to his face, in utter shock.
Behind them, Gale steps down into the basement. Her eyes widen.
GALE: … Mother of God …
MEGAN'S BODY is chained to the piping in the basement, in the same position that Maureen's body had been found in. Her stomach was ripped open and her innards are piled at her feet.
And on the wall, daubed in Megan's blood, a message:
WRONG GUY