EXT. PENITENTIARY – NIGHT
Cotton is led, shackled, into a police van. Two officers seat him in the back before taking the driver's seat and passenger seat. They put the car in ignition and take off down a dark, lonely road towards Woodsboro.
Cotton sits in the back, looking down at his hands, surveying his life. He holds a small photograph – him and his mother, when he was five years old. He smiles sadly.
Meanwhile, the two cops up front are arguing.
COP #1: I mean, the cops always bite it in these films. Have you seen Misery? KAPOW! Shotgun to the chest!
COP #2: C'mon man, you're freaking me out. This isn't a horror movie!
COP #1: And the rules … the rules have changed. Drastically. All about love stories these days.
COP # 2: You're full of crap, you don't what you're talking about.
COP #1: 2017's The Mummy. That hot chick that played the Mummy was in love with Tom Cruise.
COP # 2: You actually watched that shit?
COP #1: It was a good flick!
COP #2: You only liked it because you have a thing for Sofia Boutella!
COP #1: Who wouldn't? Then there's 2020's The Invisible Man.
COP #2: What's your point?
COP #1: The monster will always try to make the protagonist fall in love with him. Even if it's against their will.
COP #2: You're overthinking things.
COP #1: Okay, but I'm telling you – couple of grunts like us – we're nothing but knife-fodder. Anyway, ETA on Woodsboro?
COP #2: (checking the GPS) Another the minutes. Anyway do you want – LOOK OUT!
He points.
GHOSTFACE IS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD!
COP #1: Shit!
He swerves, losing control of the van. It smashes down a hill, tree branches hitting it left and right as the cops struggle to regain control. The van SMASHES into a tree, impaling Cop #1 through the eye!
Behind them, Cotton has been thrown about. He has a wound on his head. He is looking around frantically, terrified.
COP #2 jumps out, gun in hand.
GHOSTFACE leaps from the roof, tackling the cop to the ground, stabbing him all over. The killer flips the cop onto his back. The cop spits up blood.
COP #2: Fuck Tom Cruise!
The killer slugs his knife into his chest.
Inside the van, Cotton is struggling.
COTTON: Help! Somebody fucking help me!
The back doors of the van are swung open. Cotton backs away as Ghostface stands there. The killer holds up a match … and Cotton's eyes widen in horror as he sees a trail of gasoline leading from the street.
In the distance, on the road, the woods are suddenly lit up as the van explodes in a giant fireball.
EXT. TATUM'S HOUSE
Tatum is sitting outside on her stoop, holding her knees. Dewey's car, alarms blaring, slams up into the driveway and he staggers out.
DEWEY: Tatum! Where's Sidney?!
Tatum's eyes are puffy from crying.
TATUM: We had a fight … she left …
DEWEY: You let her leave?! Gah!
TATUM: Dewey, what's going on? Is Sidney safe?
DEWEY: The police van carrying Cotton Weary was just found. Both cops dead. Cotton was burned to death!
TATUM: Shit!
Dewey speaks into his receiver.
DEWEY: I want an alert put out for Sidney Prescott. Repeat, she is missing and in danger.
He turns to his sister.
DEWEY: You need to stay here and lock yourself up.
TATUM: The fuck I am!
DEWEY: Don't argue with me!
TATUM: Sidney's my friend –
DEWEY: And I'm your brother. And police chief. You're going under house arrest.
He grabs her arm and drags her inside.
TATUM: I am not five, Dewey.
DEWEY: And I am not losing anyone else I care about!
He throws Tatum into the house, locking the door behind him.
Inside, Tatum eyes her motorcycle keys.
INT. CAR – NIGHT
Dewey settles into his car. Someone is already sitting in the passenger seat.
GALE: You need help!
DEWEY: Gale! What the hell are you doing here!
GALE: I'm helping you save Sidney. I dragged her name through the mud – I owe it to her! Now drive!
INT. BILLY'S HOUSE – NIGHT
The doorbell rings. Billy, frantic, opens it and melts into relief as Sidney falls into his arms, crying.
SIDNEY: Billy … please … it's not true … tell me it's not …
Billy holds her close.
BILLY: You really walked all this way from Tatum's house?
SIDNEY: Please … Billy … I'll forgive you if you tell me it's over, that's it's all in the past.
Billy pulls Sidney inside and closes the door. He runs a hand through his hair.
SIDNEY: I'm just giving you one chance to explain. Fuck the interview, screw Cotton, all I care about is you and me …
BILLY: It's true.
Sidney looks away, crying.
BILLY: It was before we got together … sophomore year. She got pregnant and just up and moved away. Then she lost the baby and wouldn't respond to any of my phone calls or texts or anything … so I moved on. I moved on with you Sidney … I fell in love with you …
SIDNEY: You love me?
BILLY: More than anything in this world. I never wanted to hurt you, Sidney, you have to believe me …
She looks into his eyes.
SIDNEY: I believe you … I just … I just …
She collapses into his arms and he holds her.
SIDNEY: I love you too …