Disclaimer: I do not own Scream; this is merely a fanfiction.

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EXT. GRAUMAN'S CHINESE THEATER – NIGHT

Dozens of celebrities mill around outside the famed LA theater. They wave and smile as they walk up the red carpet.

SMASH ON: RUBY ROZE, the premier MC, a middle-aged woman with a lot of facial work done. Not her real name – she based it on Ruby Rhod from The Fifth Element, though she looks more like Rita Skeeter from Harry Potter.

RUBY ROZE: And we're here at the Grauman's Chinese Theater, all anticipating the premiere of Stab! Oh look – guests are already arriving! Who's that coming – oh, just Courtney Love, shot like usual. Moving on – and we have – oh my, is that David Schwimmer?

DAVID SCHWIMMER: slowly walks by, head down. Ruby grabs his arm and he sighs.

RUBY: David!

DAVID SCHWIMMER: Oh … hey …

RUBY: Are you looking forward to the premiere tonight?

DAVID SCHWIMMER: (sighing) I guess …

RUBY: If you could have just one thing come out of tonight's premiere, what would it be?

DAVD SCHWIMMER: World peace …

Ruby SHOVES David Schwimmer aside and he staggers into a bunch of groupies as Ruby takes center stage on the red carpet.

RUBY: Who's that coming now? Is that – oh my, it's Harrison Ford!

HARRISON FORD sees her coming. His eyes widen in horror and he tries to rush past her into the building. Oh no, not on her watch!

RUBY: Harrison! Harrison dear!

HARRISON FORD: Crap!

RUBY ROZE: Harrison dear, it's been far too long!

HARRISON FORD: (gritting his teeth) I was hoping it would be longer …

RUBY: (playfully punching his arm) You're such a kidder! Now, you made an unexpected return in The Rise of Skywalker. Is this truly the end of Han Solo?

HARRISON FORD: Yeah, but I was promised that last time too …

RUBY: Han Solo is dead, yet you still get to play him! What a treat!

HARRISON FORD: More like my own personal hell. (suddenly points) Hey – look what Paula Abdul's wearing!

RUBY: (spinning her head) Where?!

Harrison Ford takes the opportunity to take off running into the building.

RUBY: And it looks like the premiere's director has arrived. Oh Roman – Roman Bridger!

ROMAN BRIDGER (30) approaches in a tux, smiling warmly.

ROMAN: (kissing her cheek) Ruby!

RUBY: Tell me dear, this is your directorial debut, isn't it?

ROMAN: Well, I mean, I made several music videos –

RUBY: What do you say to those who accuse you of profiting off of murder?

ROMAN: (looking directly into the camera) I say – you're wrong. These events were horrific, but we need to understand why. Why did Sidney Prescott and Cotton Weary commit murder? What drove Bryson and Desirae to butcher those kids? That's what I'm going for.

RUBY: What about the pending lawsuit by Billy Loomis and Tatum Riley?

ROMAN: It'll blow over and they don't have any legal standing. I mean come on – this is a true story! Are we going to sue every filmmaker who depicts historical events? Then no more World War II movies. This movie was artistically done –

RUBY: You depict the deaths of their friends.

ROMAN: Tastefully. Tasteful depictions of the deaths of their friends. When Stu gets his head slammed into a bunch of knives, you have my word that it was filmed with the utmost respect.

RUBY: What about the guy who was eaten by a shark?

ROMAN: Well, he was a douche.

RUBY: Now, is it true that the film has more than one ending?

ROMAN: Multiple endings. I had to ship nearly a dozen different scripts to hide the true ending. Not one cast member has the complete screenplay.

RUBY: And why was that?

ROMAN: Can't ruin the surprise twist.

RUBY: Surprise twist? But we all know that Cotton and Sidney are the killers!

ROMAN: That's not the twist I'm talking about. There's one final surprise, one that's going to blow everyone's minds!

RUBY: Well, I can't wait to see it!

ROMAN: It'll be – and pardon the pun – to die for!

RUBY: (seeing someone approach behind Roman And here's the star herself! Daisy Kean! Daisy – tell me what it's like to depict the famous Tatum Riley?

Roman steps aside as DAISY KEAN (22) approaches. Gorgeous blonde actress, though a relative newbie to film.

DAISY: it was incredible! I feel like I'm one of the few people who really knows the true Tatum Riley!

RUBY: If I'm not mistaken, this is your first film appearance?

ROMAN: And she knocked it out of the park!

RUBY: But I understand that your personal life has also been marked with tragedy. Much like Tatum's

DAISY: I lost my mother a few years ago. It was hard, but I channeled my emotions into acting. Every performance is to her memory. It was my life dream to be an actress and my Mom was always in my corner.

ROMAN: (grabbing Daisy's arm) Ruby – if you'll excuse us, we need to cut this interview short. The premiere is starting momentarily.

RUBY: Of course – but before you go, one final question. Daisy – you've had some stalking incidents as of late.

ROMAN: As I said –

DAISY: Yeah. Someone tried to break into my house the other night. My cell phone went missing. Only just got a new one.

RUBY: Do you have any concerns that … well, maybe someone who can't tell fact from fiction might be inspired by these films? Might copycat the murders and come after you, thinking you're the real Tatum?

ROMAN: Ruby – that's not appropriate –

DAISY: It's something that keeps me up at night every now and then. I think that's what makes this movie so scary – that it could happen. That someone – anyone – could be inspired to don a ghost mask and go Michael Myers on everyone. It's a haunting thought.

RUBY: (turning to the camera) There you have it! Daisy Kean, Roman Bridger. Actress and director. And now, we turn to –

Roman takes Daisy by the hand and leads her through the crowds into the theater.

INT. LOBBY – NIGHT

The two walk through the crowds of celebrities and directors in the lobby. Roman is now in a mood.

ROMAN: You shouldn't have said all that about the stalking. We've got enough bad press about this movie as it is.

DAISY: I was just answering honestly.

ROMAN: You don't get it. Haven't you ever heard of Robert Delmer Boyer?

DAISY: Should I have?

ROMAN: He went nuts in '82 after watching Halloween II. Francis and Eileen Harbitz, an elderly couple. He stabbed them 43 times.

DAISY: What?

ROMAN: Claimed that the movie made him do it. It was known as the Halloween II Murders.

DAISY: I didn't –

ROMAN: And with Bryson and Desirae copycatting Sidney and Cotton, there's been an intense media blitz that this movie could inspire another copycat.

DAISY: They can't blame the movies! Movies don't create psychos!

They reach the entrance to the auditorium. Roman sighs as he turns to her.

ROMAN: No. But they do make them more creative.

He turns into the auditorium, leaving her standing there.

INT. AUDITORIUM

Hundreds of movie stars, patrons, media personalities, etc. sit in the auditorium talking amongst themselves. A hush falls over them as the lights dim and Roman steps up onstage.

ROMAN: Ladies and gentlemen – thank you all for coming! (spreads his arms out) Who's ready for Stab?

The audience cheers and goes nuts.

ROMAN: Now, the producer of this film, John Milton, should be here to introduce the film, but it looks like he's running late. (Looks worriedly at the other members of his team who merely shrug) So I guess I'll just have to fill in. Before we start rolling, I'd like to read to you a quote from Wes Craven. (pulls out a card, adjusts his glasses) "Horror is like boot camp for the psyche. In real life, human beings are packaged in the flimsiest of packages, threatened by real, and sometimes horrifying dangers, events like Columbine. But the narrative form puts these fears into a manageable series of events. It gives us a way of thinking rationally about our fears."

The room is in silence as the audience remembers the famed filmmaker.

ROMAN: Never forget, that while we may jump, laugh and yell at the dumb blonde to not go behind the door that the killer is so obviously hiding behind – the characters in this movie were real. They lived. They breathed, got angry, sad, had dreams and aspirations. They were cut off in the most brutal of ways. Never forget that. (Beat) And now – we present Stab!

The lights dim and the projector flares to life, the horrid green words STAB filling the screen. The movie opens … an actress is portraying Casey Becker, home alone as she answers a fateful phone call …

ROMAN'S PHONE VIBRATES!

He looks down. Incoming call. From John Milton. Excusing himself, Roman vanishes behind a doorway with a neon EXIT light.

INT. THEATER EXIT HALLWAY – NIGHT

Roman walks down the dark hallway behind the screen leading to an emergency exit. He stops behind the screen; the sounds from the movie are playing, but muted due to the padding of the walls. He answers his phone.

ROMAN: John I swear you had better be on your way! I had to step in and read your Wes Craven quote.

MILTON: I know, I know! I had a few things on my desk that I needed to take a stab at. I'm here now.

ROMAN: Well get in here! Investors are already worried with the lawsuits and if the producer doesn't show up –

MILTON: I'm here, relax! Just – can you do me one favor? Can you go to concessions and just grab me a small bag of popcorn?

ROMAN: I am not your little coffee-bellboy anymore!

MILTON: Of come on, for old time's sake. It'll be quick!

ROMAN: Dammit Milton!

INT. AUDITORIUM

Daisy Kean settles into her seat, watching the film with several of her other cast members. They watch as the actress playing Casey Becker is chased on screen by a ghost masked killer. Daisy, however, has other things on her mind.

She has her new phone in her lap. She's texting her boyfriend BRENDAN. "This movie is gonna blow."

He texts back: "Come upstairs. I got the best seats in the house. The guy who works the projector booth let me up."

She writes: "I don't think we'll be doing much texting ;)"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!"

She rises, excusing herself, wading down the aisle. She stares up at the screen one final time – the killer's mask is front and center. She shudders, before pushing a door open in the rear of the theater and vanishing out of sight.

INT. LOBBY:

Roman is standing at the concession booth. It's dark and no employees are in sight. Roman still has his phone to his ear.

ROMAN: Looks like they've closed for the night. Tough luck.

MILTON: That's okay, I've had enough popcorn for the night anyway.

ROMAN: What do you mean?

MILTON: Go behind the counter.

ROMAN: What?

MILTON: Don't worry, like you said, the concession stand is closed. There's something there I want to show you. A gift for being such an awesome director!

ROMAN: (in disbelief) Are you on something right now?

MILTON: Can't I show my appreciation? Come on, trust me.

Rolling his eyes, Roman swings his legs over the counter and is standing in the concession booth. Behind him are candy displays and a ten foot long popcorn popping machine.

ROMAN: Okay, I'm behind the counter. Now what?

MILTON: Take a look in the popper.

Getting more annoyed by the second, Roman approaches the popper. It's bottom is deep and dark.

MILTON: Take a look … and see your surprise …

Roman steps up to the popper. The soundtrack is thudding. He looks down –

MILTON'S CORPSE IS STUFFED DOWN IN THE BOTTOM, STAB WOUNDS ALL OVER HIM, HIS FACE HORRIBLY BURNED WITH POPPING OIL!

ROMAN: Oh shit!

He stumbles back against the counter. There's a CLICK on the other end of the phone and Milton's voice changes to an all-too-familiar tone.

GHOSTFACE: DID YOU THINK IT WAS OVER ROMAN?! DID YOU?!

Roman is backing away.

ROMAN: What do you want? What the HELL do you want?!

GHOSTFACE: I know the twist ending of your little flick, Roman.

ROMAN: What?

GHOSTFACE: You reveal the truth at last. Sidney Prescott had a long-lost brother.

(Beat)

ROMAN: How?

GHOSTFACE: Is that why you made this little movie? A guilty conscience? Was this your way of unburdening yourself? What really happened, Roman? Did you find out who your Mommy Dearest was? And when Maureen Prescott didn't welcome you with open arms, you went to little Sissy Sidney, didn't you? You hoped if Mommy didn't accept you, maybe your long-lost little sister would! And how did that work out for everyone, Roman?

ROMAN: She –

GHOSTFACE: But your little vindictive self found out a tad wee more about Mommy Dearest, didn't you? And how did little Sidney like hearing about Mommy's affair with Billy-Boy's Daddy? Not one bit, huh? So answer me Roman – who really killed Maureen Prescott?

Roman staggers to the end of the concession booth, past mountains of candy. He leans against a door, looking around frantically.

ROMAN: I never expected Sidney to go off like that!

GHOSTFACE: She and Cotton drove the blades into her back – but you were the one who held their arms!

ROMAN: No! I didn't know Sidney would kill her! I never meant –

GHOSTFACE: You're responsible for all of this. You started a chain reaction that set Sidney off to kill her mother, her friends – you have so much blood on your hands. You created Sidney Prescott – and you created me! Well rest assured – your guilty conscience is about to be UNBURDENED!

The door behind Roman SPRINGS OPEN – a knife is PLUNGED into his back. The killer rips it out and Roman staggers forward into a candy display, strewing it all over the floor. He stumbles to his feet as GHOSTFACE glides into the concession booth behind him, blocking his path into the auditorium. The sounds of the movie can be heard over the loudspeakers, drowning out his cries for help.

Roman turns, sees a door – the PROJECTION BOOTH. He limps forward, blood dribbling from his mouth.

INT. PROJECTION BOOTH

Daisy is walking through the dark booth area looking for her boyfriend.

DAISY: Brendan?

No response. All that can be heard is the whirring of the projectors and the movie playing. She peers through the booth's window and watches as the Casey Becker actress screams onscreen.

DAISY: Talk about overacting.

A BLACK GLOVED HAND GRABS HER! She screams, spins – GHOSTFACE is there!

The killer unmasks – it's BRENDAN, laughing and grinning as he strips off the robe.

DAISY: (shoving him) You're such an ass!

BRENDAN: (holds up the mask) The studio's giving these out for the premiere. (nods to the auditorium below) See?

Below, she sees people in the audience wearing the ghost mask, cheering.

DAISY: Enough with the scares. Between you and Roman popping out on set in that mask –

He grabs her and kisses her.

BRENDAN: That better?

DAISY: A little. But you're not forgiven yet!

He grins, his hands going lower, drawing her in for another kiss. Behind them, the door SWINGS OPEN. Roman is there, panting, BLEEDING OUT.

DAISY: (rolling her eyes) Roman! Perfect timing as always!

ROMAN: We … gotta go!

BRENDAN: Is that … is that blood?

DAISY: (completely unconvinced) Wow, you guys are really upping the quality of these pranks. Let me guess – that's corn syrup coming out of your mouth. Same stuff they used for pig's blood in Carrie.

Behind Roman, GHOSTFACE appears. Roman slowly staggers forward, losing lots of blood, his vision swimming.

DAISY: (seeing Ghostface) Wow, you guys really topped yourselves this time.

Ghostface looks at her, then down at Roman who has sunk to his knees, bleeding out. The killer lifts his arm and SLUGS his knife between Roman's shoulder blades.

BRENDAN: (realizing this is real) Oh shit!

He watches horrified as Ghostface STRIKES again. And again. And again and again. Roman is facedown, no longer even moving.

DAISY: (rolling her eyes) That is so clearly corn syrup. Give it up, Roman. (Beat) Roman?

BRENDAN: (grabbing her arm) This is no joke! Run!

Ghostface's head shoots up as he stares at Brendan and Daisy. The young couple turn, running down the dark corridor. With a grunt, Ghostface YANKS his knife out of Roman's back, darts to his feet and gives chase.

CUT TO:

INT. AUDITORIUM

Ruby Roze is watching Stab play onscreen. She watches as Casey Becker struggles with Ghostface. She sighs, clearly bored, and gets up.

INT. LOBBY

Ruby stands at the concession booth. She wants a snack.

RUBY: Hello? (frustrated) Doesn't anyone work here?

That's when her eyes fall on the floor. Puddles of blood litter the tiles. She squints her eyes, confused. She swings around the side of the concession booth and follows the trail of blood to the popper … She SCREAMS as she sees JOHN MILTON'S CORPSE stuffed inside.

She turns to run – SLIPS on a puddle of blood and cracks the back of her head on the floor. ANGLE ON: Ruby Roze lies unconscious surrounded by a pool of blood.

INT. PROJECTION BOOTH

Brendan and Daisy race down the dark projection corridor. They come to a dead end. Brendan shoves Daisy behind a large projector.

BRENDAN: Stay there! Don't come out until I tell you!

DAISY: Brendan …

She crouches down behind the machine. Brendan grabs a film reel and crouches behind a table.

Ghostface storms into the area, his cloak flowing, head turning left and right looking for his victims. Brendan springs out from behind, SLAMMING the film reel into the killer's head. The killer staggers into a machine and Brendan SLAMS the reel down again and again. Ghostface lashes out, SLASHING Brendan across his stomach. Brendan staggers back, his shirt blossoming red. He raises the heavy reel again –

Ghostface CHARGES, tackling him into a table. The killer slams him down face first into the table, before flipping him onto his back and STRIKING downward. THUNK. Brendan's eyes glaze over and his mouth goes slack as the knife impales him to the table. The killer yanks the blade from his chest.

CUT TO:

Daisy is huddled in a corner, behind her projector. She peers around the corner – Brendan and the killer are GONE. Breathing deeply, she darts around the corner, crouching low. She pulls out her new cellphone and begins to dial 9-11.

HER PHONE RINGS MID-DIAL! It's Roman's number. She shakily answers.

DAISY: Please … please, just –

GHOSTFACE: (singing) Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true …

Her eyes dart around. She peers through a window in the booth into the auditorium below. The movie is still playing, Casey Becker being savaged beyond recognition.

GHOSTFACE: (singing) I'm half CRAZY over the likes of you …

DAISY: Please …

She begins BANGING on the glass overlooking the audience. No use – the glass is SOUNDPROOF. The audience continues to enjoy the movie as she bangs helplessly.

Ghostface SPRINGS up behind her, grabbing her mouth with a gloved hand, her phone clattering uselessly to the floor.

INT. AUDITORIUM

The audience is really into the movie. They watch as Casey Becker falls backwards, the Ghostface on screen raising his knife for the final blow.

THE MOVIE STOPS DEAD!

The audience murmurs, wondering what's going on. The screen remains blank. Suddenly, the loudspeakers BLARE TO LIFE. Ghostface's voice echoes through the theater's sound systems.

GHOSTFACE: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Please excuse this interruption. I'll be your host for this evening's little half-time show the producers have put together for you!

The audience is clearly confused, but excited with anticipation. A half-time show? This was something new.

The movie screen BLARES TO LIFE. The quality is not as good, as though what is being projected is being recorded on a phone. It is. It's a livestream being projected onto the movie screen.

DAISY IS ON SCREEN, BOUND AND GAGGED TO A CHAIR!

GHOSTFACE: How about a little audience participation? Daisy – our little Tatum Riley actress – has kindly agreed to be the contestant for our live gameshow!

The audience is thrilled. They don't realize this is the real thing. They think this is some kind of promotion for the movie.

GHOSTFACE: This is how we'll play. I'll ask a few questions and if the audience can answer, little Daisy here lives. Get it wrong – she DIES!

The audience is laughing, taking it all as a big joke.

GHOSTFACE: How about a practice question? Can someone – anyone – name for me the killer from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre?

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (yelling enthusiastically) Leatherface!

GHOSTFACE: Yes! Now for the speed-round!

Daisy is struggling onscreen, crying behind her gag. The audience is totally buying it.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Wow – she really is a great actress!

GHOSTFACE: Director of Let Me In?

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Matt Reeves!

GHOSTFACE: The 2014 adaption of a science fiction novel starring Scarlett Johanson?

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Under the Skin!

The audience applauds and cheers. The doors to the auditorium SWING OPEN – Ruby Roze staggers in, covered in BLOOD.

RUBY: Stop! This isn't part of the show!

The audience sees her covered in blood. They laugh. They think Ruby is in on the game.

RUBY: John Milton's body is in the concession booth! Please!

She stares around in horror as the audience laughs, goes along with her. One audience member dons a Ghostface mask and rushes her, pretending to stab her with a plastic knife.

RUBY: She's going to die! Please, why won't anyone listen?!

GHOSTFACE: (going along with it) Marvelous acting! Let's all give a hand to our MC Ruby Roze for being such a great sport and willing to be covered head to toe in corn syrup!

The audience cheers and applauds.

RUBY: PLEASE! SHE'S GOING TO DIE!

GHOSTFACE: Enough with the trivia! Let's get to the good part! You all came to watch Stab! Who wants to see me gut our little Tatum Rile actress?

The audience cheers and applauds.

GHOSTFACE: I can't hear you!

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Do it! Split her open!

GHOSTFACE: If you insist …

RUBY: NOOOOOO!

Ghostface appears on the screen behind Daisy. He raises his knife – and PLUNGES it into Daisy's chest. The audience is applauding. They love it. But some stop. Daisy's muffled screams seem a little too genuine, the blood a little too real …

The audience goes silent as Daisy's head goes LIMP.

ANGLE ON: Ruby Roze – absolutely horrified. She cries out with a nightmarish scream as the title page cuts across:

SCREAMMAKE 3