Firecracker Cocktail: Part I

EXT. SUBURBIA – DAYBREAK

[The sun pierces the jagged suburban horizon, bursting, where it can, around chimneys, telephone poles, and basketball hoops.  Early morning condensation gives the sleepy streetways the look of a shimmering city.  The streetlights are flickering now, giving way to such awe-inspiring beauty. Even the birds are hesitant to break through such picturesque silence.]

EXT. DRIVEWAY – DAYBREAK

[Movement.  A well-dressed man steps from his front door, jingling his keys, juggling his coffee from hand to hand, as he orders a handful of papers into a weathered folder portfolio, and heads for his car.  At the door of his recent, but not new, model hybrid, he struggles to find the fingers to lift the handle.  Calamity.

Lying on the ground, soiled and disheartened, he raises his electronic keychain and presses the ‘Unlock’ button.]

EXT. GIRLS’ ROOF – DAYBREAK

[A young woman, McCall, sits on the edge of the roof, across the street, watching the mayhem.  Her eyes smile.]

INT. SARA’S BEDROOM – DAYBREAK

[Sara lies in bed, staring at the ceiling; her sheets and comforter are heaped around her.  The sound of water rushing through pipes resonates throughout the room.  She runs the back of her hand over the sheets beside her, testing the warmth.]

INT. GIRLS’ BATHROOM – DAYBREAK

[Standing in the clouding condensation, Kyndra wipes the steam from the mirror before her.  The reflection is absolutely vulnerable, but strength lies within the eyes.  In her hand is a small bottle of prescription pills, which she fondles the bottle in an almost hostile way.  The pills are swallowed.  She lays the orange capsule on its side at the edge of the sink.  We focus on the warning.  ‘DO NOT TAKE IF PREGNANT.’  The reflection has once again disappeared, lost in the steam.]

INT. BOYS’ LIVING ROOM – DAYBREAK

[A door slams.  A figure passes in the foreground and, after a beat, passes back.  After a long beat it enters and comes to rest, unfocused, in the severe foreground.  It’s hands are busy, working on some tedious procedure.  The face slowly comes into clarity.  Aaron holds his hand open, plucking shattered glass from the palm.  He wipes the blood on his jeans.  He is laughing quietly to himself.]

INT. BOYS’ KITCHEN – DAYBREAK

[The television brings bad news.  Leon eats it up, along with his morning cereal.  Every homicide, every abduction, every hurricane, every oil leak – he loves it.  Behind him is motion and sound.  Deron dually makes himself breakfast and lunch.  A nametag is pinned to his polo.]

EXT. BOY’S DRIVEWAY – DAYBREAK

[A rusty, dented hatchback shutters into the driveway and dies.  Shaun opens the door and drops his feet out.  He sits for a moment.  There is an incredible sadness about him.  He rests his tired head in his hands, greasy hair slipping between his blackened fingers.]

EXT. SIDEWALK – DAYBREAK

[William stares down the stretch of pavement that lies before him.  He’s kneeling down, double-knotting his shoe with gentle restraint.  He pauses, letting his body go limp, closing his eyes in silent meditation.  He breathes deeply, then deeper, then releases, launching himself down the street.]

INT. MICHELLE’S BEDROOM – DAYBREAK

[Before a large vanity bureau, looking into the mirror, sits Michelle brushing her long, dark hair.]

INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN – DAYBREAK

[Cathy is eating a bowl of cold cereal.]

EXT. APARTMENT ALLEY – DAYBREAK

[In an alleyway, just outside of a stout, brick apartment building, a figure stumbles forth.  Emily wraps her fingers around the grimy edges of a trashcan and hurls.  With one hand she reaches up and pulls her hair back before vomiting once again.  She stands back up and wipes the residue from her lips and the tears from her eyes.  She carries on through the alley.]

EXT. APARTMENT PORCH – DAYBREAK

[Emily emerges from around the corner of the apartment building to see Monica lighting a cigarette.  Monica looks weary, stressed.  Emily gives her an uncomfortable smile and walks past.  Monica gives her nothing.]

INT. JESSE’S BEDROOM – DAYBREAK

[Lights flash and flicker throughout the room, playing across the face of a young man in impromptu slumber.  Jesse is slumped over a keyboard, the remnants of a weeks worth of snacks scattered about his workspace.  An alert blinks on the computer screen.  The date reads ‘October 29th, 2007’.  The message reads:

‘Happy Birthday!’]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – DAY

[The trees are bare, save for a few crows.  The air is still.  An empty house stands on a large plot of browning grass, with no other civilization in sight.  The time of day is debatable, as the sky is overcast, and the lighting is flat.

A mid-nineties model Oldsmobile is parked 50-100 feet from the house, a girl standing outside, between house and car.  Another girl, Michelle, has just exited the vehicle and is approaching Monica.  Monica is staring at the house.

The windows are broken and boarded up, the porch is collapsing, and the roof is generously perforated.  The setting is gothic.  Monica views this in a distressing light.  Michelle does not.]

MICHELLE
It’s perfect, yes?



MONICA
I’m not so sure about that.  I’m not sure my father would approve of any of this.

[Michelle approaches the house in amazement.]

MICHELLE
Oh, it’s perfect, Monica. How old did you say it was?

MONICA
I think he’s trying to sell the property.  He’s already paid for my books this fall.  I’m already wasting his money.

MICHELLE
You don’t suppose someone’s died here do you?

[Monica returns to the car, entering on the passenger side.  Aaron is in the driver’s seat, a lit cigarette in his bandaged hand.  The interior is filled with an abrasive haze.]

INT. AARON’S CAR – DAY

[Monica pulls a box of cigarettes from his jacket pocket.  He hits the cars lighter.  She pats the box in her palm and pulls a cylinder out.]

MONICA
This is so stupid.

AARON
[smiling]
Is your dad going to like this?

MONICA
No.  But I can’t say I’ve known him to appreciate much in the way of my business.  [nodding to Michelle]  She wants to have party.  A Halloween thing.  Girls only.

[The lighter ‘clicks’.  Aaron removes it and hands it to Monica.]

AARON
Girls only?

MONICA
She wants to have a séance.

[She lights her cigarette and returns the lighter.  Aaron is smiling, shaking his head.]

AARON
No good. No good can come of this.

MONICA
Exactly.  But it’s Halloween, you know.  I don’t know if I can talk her out of this one.

AARON
Witchy freak.  I love it.

[Monica shakes her head and smiles.  Aaron moves in to kiss her on the cheek.  Monica giggles and half-heartedly pushes him away.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – DAY

[Michelle excitedly explores the property as if on holiday.]

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD – DAY

[We see the car at a distance, rambling down the dead country road, thumping over a set of railroad tracks.]

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – EARLY EVENING

[Leon and Jess drive through the empty edges of civilization, the wind in their hair, the sun on their faces.  Leon lights a cigarette and uses it to light a firecracker, tossing it out the window the instant before fuse meets body.  It explodes beside him.]

EXT. FIELD – EARLY EVENING

[Jess and Leon run about throwing firecrackers, bottle-rockets, and Roman-candles at each other.]

EXT. GAS STATION – EVENING

[Deron, wearing his polo and name-tag, jogs out to the ringing payphone.  He lifts the receiver.]

LEON [V.O.]
Deron, baby?  What time are we getting off?

DERON
Not for a while, Leo.

INT. PIZZA PARLOR – EVENING

[Leon leans over the counter, telephone cradled in his shoulder as his fondles a firecracker in one hand and a lighter in the other.  He glances around the store suspiciously.  Through the front windows we see Jess fucking around in the parking lot.]

LEON
Well, give me a time and a date and we’ll pick you up.  Aaron wanted to hang out for a bit, then head to Shaun’s, see if we can’t cheer him up, y’know?

EXT. GAS STATION – EVENING

[Deron leans against the payphone as a man reaches out the front door of the gas station and beckons him back in.  He ignores the call.]

DERON
I’m done at 1:30.  I gotta’ go, bro.

INT. PIZZA PARLOR – EVENING

[Leon lights the fuse of the firecracker.]

LEON
Alright, alright.  See you in a bit, bud.

EXT. GAS STATION – EVENING

[The man leaves the door and marches after Deron.]

DERON
Bits and pieces.

[On the other end of the phone we hear a loud ‘crack’.  Deron smiles and hangs up.]

CUT

[Darkness.  We hear the telephone ring through the filter of a receiver.  It rings, and rings, and rings.  A ‘click’ is heard as an answering machine picks up.  The outgoing message is played.  A ‘beep’.]

         SHAUN [V.O.]
Emily?  This is Shaun.  I’ve been…  Missing you.  I know you said it was the end, but…  I was just wondering if…  I just…  Do you want to talk?  I don’t know.  Phone me.  Please?

[He hangs up hesitantly.]

INT. EMILY’S BEDROOM

[Emily sits alone on the bed, the answering machine beside her.  She is painting her nails.  The tape stops recording and rewinds.]

INT. SHAUN’S BEDROOM

[Shaun sits on the floor beside his bed, the telephone in his lap.  He stares off into space, longingly.  He picks up the phone again, hesitates, holding his breath, then hangs up once again.  Then snaps and throws the phone across the room.]

INT. RESTAURANT – EVENING

[The atmosphere is elegant, and the décor is opulent, and Cathy and William sit, glowing, in the middle of it all.  William, wearing a fashionable suit, smiles sincerely at his shimmering date.  There is something off about Cathy.  Something missing.]


WILLIAM
It’s been six months, Cath, and I know you’re not one for gifts or celebrations, but…

[Cathy perks up and smiles disingenuously.]

CATHY
Oh, William, you shouldn’t.  I didn’t even think to get you anything.

[William reaches into his pocket, then the other.  He seems confused.]

WILLIAM
Hold on a moment, Cath.

[William stands and leaves the restaurant, going back to the car.  Cathy’s smile disappears instantaneously, replaced by a cold, efficient stare.  She lifts a bit of food to her mouth and chews it slowly, uninterested.  As William returns, so does her hollow smile.

William stands behind her, glowing with pride and anticipation.  He reaches around and rests a beautiful, gold necklace upon her throat.  Cathy gasps.]

CATHY
Oh, William!

[William goes back to his seat.]

WILLIAM
I know, Cathy, I know.

[Cathy removes the necklace and weighs it in her hand, transfixed by it’s magnificence.]

WILLIAM
I love you Cathy.

[Cathy continues to love the necklace, but does not say a word to William.  His smile fades.]

EXT. BAR AND GRILL – NIGHT

[Kyndra and Michelle exit a generic sports bar franchise into a poorly lit parking lot.  Michelle wears a tight, white blouse and a black miniskirt.  Kyndra wears a loose fitting blouse; longs black slacks, and is in the process of unpinning a nametag.]

MICHELLE
Such bullshit.

[Kyndra unbuttons the top button of her blouse.]

KYNDRA
Yeah.

INT. KYNDRA’S CAR – NIGHT

[Michelle jerks her body into strange shapes as she changes into more casual wear in the passenger seat next to Kyndra.

Michelle talks, but we don’t hear what she’s saying.  Kyndra is distant.]

INT. GIRLS’ KITCHEN – NIGHT

[A key is heard scraping into the kitchen door deadbolt.  A turning and a ‘click’, before the door creaks open and Kyndra walks through the door.  Michelle cuts past her and quickly out of the room.

Sara leans casually in the frame of an adjacent, interior doorway.]

SARA
I made dinner, but…  I wasn’t very hungry.  The rest is in the fridge.

         KYNDRA
Veggie patties?

         SARA
Of course.

         KYNDRA
I can smell it.

[Kyndra floats over to the refrigerator and opens it, staring in.]

         KYNDRA
Could we talk for a short while?

[Before Sara can respond, the door opens and McCall enters, flashing an awkward look across the room from Sara to Kyndra.]

         MCCALL
Is Michelle home yet?

         SARA
Sure, Call.  She’s upstairs.  I’m sure you could…  Sneak up on her, yeah?

INT. GIRLS’ STAIRWELL – NIGHT

[McCall begins to excitedly run up the stairs, but slows to a creep, a quiet smile forming across her lips.]

INT. GIRLS’ HALLWAY – NIGHT

[McCall edges along the wall, shouldering up with the first doorway.  On the other side of the frame Michelle shuffles around her cluttered bedroom, piling papers and books upon her mattress.

McCall bites her lip.]

INT. AARON’S CAR – NIGHT

[Jesse sits behind the wheel, Leon to his right.  Leon is carving up a stick with a collapsible buck-knife.

The back passenger door behind Leon opens and Deron flies in.]

DERON
Evening boys.

[Deron reaches forward and slips a tape into the stereo.  Music blasts into the small space.]

EXT. GAS STATION – NIGHT

[The car speeds away.]

INT. AARON’S CAR – NIGHT

[Deron bobs his head in the backseat.  Leon nudges Jess and points out the window.]

EXT. DOWNTOWN – NIGHT

[Aaron and Shaun walk down the sidewalk.  The noisy car pulls up behind them, parallel to the walkway, tapping the horn.  The car stops beside them and Leon leans out the window.  Pointing at the two with his knife.]

LEON
You two.  Inside, motherfuckers.

[Shaun stares at him frowning.  Aaron, smiling, ushers him into the backseat.]

INT. AARON’S CAR – NIGHT

[Illuminated by the passing streetlights, the boys squirm uncomfortably in the compact car.]

INT. BOYS’ KITCHEN – NIGHT

[The five boys enter, stomping through the doorway.  Deron and Leon proceed to the sitting room, while the others stay in the kitchen.]

INT. BOYS’ LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

[Deron and Leon enter and sit, flipping on the television.  Behind them we see a clear view of the kitchen.

Jesse begins to make a sandwich, making multiple trips to the fridge and surrounding cabinets.  He presses play on a nearby tape-player and a garbled mess of bass and drums pounds out.

Shaun has parked himself at the kitchen table and is slouching in the height of broken-hearted depression.  Aaron gives him an aggressive neck massage and whispers in his ears.

Deron looks over his shoulder at the unfolding scene.]

         DERON
So, tonight’s going to be a bummer.

[Leon keeps his eyes set on the television.]

         LEON
Yep.

         DERON
When do you think he’s going to get over this whole “Emily thing” and move on?

         LEON
Never.

[Aaron gives up on Shaun and heads into the living room.]

         AARON
Hey, you guys wanna’ help me dig this kid out? 

         LEON
Fuck no.

[Jesse enters with a delicious sandwich.]

         AARON
Really?  A brother’s in trouble and you’re just going to watch – what is this?

[Aaron suddenly becomes interested in whatever is on the television.  Jesse appears in the room.]

         JESSE
Shaun’s going to bed.

[Shaun drifts through the room and up the stairs.  The room falls silent in his presence.  Leon lights a cigarette.]

         LEON
Good.  I hope he baits the worm and forgets that bitch.  Or at least shoots himself in the face.

         DERON
Are you serious?

         JESSE
Put that out.

[Leon smothers his cigarette and places the rest in his pocket.]

         LEON
Yeah, of course I’m serious.  If I ever fall for a stupid cunt like Emily Frome, please just shoot me in the face.

         DERON
This is why you don’t have a girlfriend.

         LEON
This is why I’m happy.

         DERON
You’re not happy.

         LEON
Yeah, whatever.

[Aaron steps over the back of the couch and sits beside Deron.]

         AARON
Well, boys, I think I might have something that might change that for all of us.

[Deron and Leon look at Aaron. Apprehensive.  Jesse eats asandwich.]

INT. GIRLS’ KITCHEN – NIGHT

[Kyndra and Sara sit at the kitchen table, each with a cup of hot chocolate.]

         SARA
So it’s…  Haunted?

         KYNDRA
No.  Well, not officially.  Michelle gets “vibes” from it, though.  Which is…  Not as interesting as it sounds.

         SARA
“Vibes”?  That girl gets vibes from traffic-lights.

[Kyndra smiles.]

         KYNDRA
So the idea is that we get some candles and a ouiji board, and we head out to this old house in the middle of desolation, and we…  See some ghosts.

         SARA
Sounds like a party.

         KYNDRA
Yeah, if you don’t go, I won’t.

         SARA
It’s Monica’s father’s, yes?

         KYNDRA
Yeah, so Emily will be there, along with that psycho Cathy.

         SARA
I cannot comprehend those two.  They just don’t make sense to me.  And what’s bizarre is that Monica sees herself as “in league” with them.

         KYNDRA
They’re wealthy. 

[They each take a sip of their hot chocolate and wipe their lips with their wrists.]

         SARA
So, what?  This is our plan for Halloween?  Are we wearing costumes?

         KYNDRA
I suppose.  Maybe.           

[They each take a sip of their hot chocolate and wiping their lips with their wrists.]

KYNDRA
If you don’t go, I won’t.

EXT. BOY’S HOUSE – SUNRISE

[We see the backside of the boy’s broken, old home, still lying in the shadows of the early morning sun.  An upper floor window slides open and Shaun climbs down, dropping with a ‘thud’ on the unkempt lawn.  He straightens himself out, adjusting his satchel, and heads for the garage.]

EXT. STREET – SUNRISE

[Shaun emerges on a bicycle, pushing himself as hard as he can.  His breathing becomes heavier as he gains momentum, but he closes his mouth and clenches his teeth, holding the air in.  His hands twist around the handlebars and his bottom lifts from the seat.  He pedals faster.]

EXT. GIRL’S ROOF – SUNRISE

[McCall smiles as light touches her face.  Michelle squirms under her arm.  They lie in the morning dew.]

INT. WILLIAM’S BEDROOM – SUNRISE

[Cathy and William lay under the covers.  Cathy slips away.]

INT. BOY’S KITCHEN – SUNRISE

[Deron goes through the motions, preparing for work.  He pauses.  His nose is bleeding.]

INT. JESSE’S BEDROOM – SUNRISE

[Leon sleeps curled up in the corner of Jesse’s bed, drool dripping onto the comforter.  Jesse stares at the television screen, his fingers moving in perfect orchestration.  He slurps Mountain Dew from a straw.]

INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN – SUNRISE

[Monica sits at the kitchen table, an empty bottle in her hand, her head resting on the table.  She looks down on Emily, who lies upon the couch, surrounded by her vices.]

INT. BOY’S LIVING ROOM – SUNRISE

[Aaron lies on the couch, fully clothed, shoes on.  He opens his eyes and smiles.  Across from him, on the coffee table, sits a resealable bag full of small pink capsules.  It is concentrated dyphenhydramine.  He reaches out and grabs them, stuffing them into his pocket.]

INT. GIRL’S BATHROOM – SUNRISE

[Kyndra leans in the corner of the shower, letting the water run down her back, fear in her eyes and trembling on her lips.  Outside, sitting on the edge of the sink, lies a pregnancy test.  It reads positive.  An orange prescription pill bottle rests in the trashcan.]

INT. SARA’S BEDROOM – SUNRISE

[Sara sits in pajamas, cross-legged, at the end of her bed, the comforter and sheets pulled back.  She has a book out and is reading intently.]

EXT. FOREST – MID-MORNING

[Shaun sits on the trunk of a fallen tree, his bike lying below him.  He holds a small, semi-automatic pistol in his hands.  He looks down at its profile, moving his thumb slowly over the grip and to the ‘safety’.  He clicks it into the ‘off’ position.]

INT. JESSE’S BEDROOM – NOON

[Aaron sits at Jesse’s computer desk a telephone to his ear, with Deron on the other end.  Jesse and Leon are gone.  Aaron has opened an e-mail from Monica and is currently skimming it.  As Aaron and Deron’s conversation progresses, we pan over Monica’s message, but do not focus on the whole thing.  The message reads as follows:

“hey…  i wanted to talk to you about tonite…  you know how things are between my mom and my dad.  you know how it is between him and me.  i know we don’t like to talk about it, but the last time we spoke he hit me in the stomach and I had a huge bruise.  it sucked.  I hate him.  i can’t look at that asshole anymore.  not after that.  if i had to choose, i wouldn’t ever go back to that piece of shit house out in the middle of nowhere, but michelle and the girls have plans.  and so do i…  we’re all spending the night fucking around and trying to summun ghosts and we’re going to get completely wasted…  wish you could be there ;) but after tonite i want you and your friends to burn that ugly place down. do whatever you have to, i don’t care…  thx, bai

p.s. after everyone passes out, you wanna meet up?  honk if you show xoxo!!!]

         AARON
So you’re cool after work tonight?

EXT. GAS STATION – NOON

[Deron stands at a payphone outside of work, an unlit cigarette in his mouth.]

         DERON
Yeah, of course, bud.  Are you sure Monica’s going to be okay with this?  I mean… You know…

INT. JESSE’S BEDROOM – NOON

INTERCUT PHONE SEQUENCE

         AARON
She’ll be fine.  It’s Halloween.  Everybody’s in a good mood.

         DERON
Yeah, well, that’s…  Debatable.  I hear she can be a real bitch.

         AARON
That’s my girlfriend, fuckface.  And, yes, absolutely she can be a huge, fucking bitch.  But I’ve been working on her sense of humor.

         DERON
Whatever.  Does Leon have enough fireworks?

         AARON
Leon always has enough fireworks.  And stink-bombs, and silly-string, and air-horns, and water-balloons.  That kid’s been stuck in the fourth grade half his life, I swear it.

         DERON
Yeah, speaking of – Don’t you think this is a little juvenile?  I mean, showing up uninvited is one thing, but this?  This is a little ridiculous, bud.  Even for us.

         AARON
Exactly.  Showing up uninvited?  Half the girls already expect that.  Boring.  That’s why we have to make a scene.  It’s the spirit of the season, Deron.

         DERON
No, Aaron, candy is the spirit of the season.  As well as jack-o-lanterns and scary clowns.  And, anyways, if they expect us, how’s this going to work?

         AARON
It’ll be scary because it won’t be us scratching at the window or popping in to say ‘boo’.  It’ll be scary because we’re going to take things to the next level.  We’re going to give them more than they could ever expect, or even want to expect.  This is going to be a Halloween for the history books, my friend.  A night like no other.  I’m sure of it.

         DERON
You know how stupid that sounds, right?  We’re fucking adults, bud.  This is Halloween.  Why do we have to put forth this much effort?  How scary can we be?  How scared can they get?

[Aaron looks down at the pills on the desk beside the computer monitor.  He smiles.]

INT. AARON’S CAR – AFTERNOON

[Aaron drives, with Leon and Jesse in the backseat.  Jesse fiddles with a Gameboy just behind Aaron, while Leon slouches low in the opposite corner.]

         LEON
Seriously?  William?  He’s such a fucking square.

         AARON
I’ve already mentioned it to him, alright?  It was a terrible accident, but we won’t let it ruin our fun.  If we don’t let him come, he might blab to Cathy, and that bitch is insane.

         LEON
So he wants to come?

         AARON
He thinks it’s cute.

         LEON
What a fucking tool.  He’s going to…  Fuck.  Shit.  Can we at least pull a double scare on him?  Them and then him?  Some sort of crazy, bear-trap shit?  Can I cut his fucking legs off?  Aaron?

         AARON
What?  No.  No, we have to play along and make nice.  The best we can do is to keep him in the dark as long as possible.

         LEON
Fuck.  Shit.

         JESSE
Keep him in the dark about what?  You said you already told him?

         AARON
Yeah, well, there are certain…  Specifics…  That I’d rather keep clandestine for the time being.

[Jesse, already distracted, becomes discouraged by his Gameboy experience.]

         JESSE
Damn.

         LEON
We should get some disguises, yeah?

INT. COSTUME SHOP/SECOND-HAND STORE AFTERNOON/EVENING

MONTAGE

[This scene will play out as a collection of shots juxtaposing the girls, which consist of Emily, Michelle, Monica, McCall, and Kathy, against the boys, which consist of Aaron, Leon, and Jesse, in their respective pre-Halloween shopping experiences.  The girls try on costumes and masks and giggle at the horrific, seasonal memorabilia in the Halloween outlet.  The boys wander through second hand stores looking at jackets, dusters and leather gloves.  Leon looks for knives and weapons of all kinds.  Aaron picks up flash-lights.  Jesse finds a ski mask.]

INT. GIRL’S KITCHEN – NIGHT

[Kyndra sits costumed at the kitchen table, her purse and car-keys sitting before her.  The back door opens and Sara walks in with a bag full of groceries, which she sets on the counter top.]

         SARA
You look a little over-dressed for a night at home playing Scrabble, hey.

[Kyndra smiles.]

         KYNDRA
I had a sort of change of heart and mind.  Bad day at the office.  I really need to blow off some steam tonight, you know?  Plus I don’t really trust any of them with my car.  You’re still welcome to skip out, if you’d like.  In fact, I might prefer it.

[Sara reaches into the grocery bag and retrieves a paperback novella.]

         SARA
It’s okay.  I have a date.

[She reaches into the bag once more and pulls out a sack of assorted candies.]

         SARA
And, hey, someone’s got to sit by the door and fatten up this little American kids, right?

[Kyndra smiles and stands up, gathering her things.  She pauses before leaving to give Sara a firm hug.]

         SARA
Happy Halloween.

EXT. APARTMENT PORCH – NIGHT

[Aaron and Monica stand under the porch light, smoking.  A cluster of brown, paper grocery bags sit beside them on the porch.  Aaron pretends to be picking at the bandage on his hand while he eyes up the groceries.]

         MONICA
So what’ll you do without me?

         AARON
Just a bit of mucking around with the boys.  [looking to the bags]  I don’t think we’ll need as many drinks, but we’ll have some fun.

         MONICA
Be safe, hey.  Don’t let Leon talk you into anything terribly unlawful.

[Aaron throws a spent cigarette into the darkness.]

         AARON
You’re ridiculous.  I’ll be fine.

         MONICA
I’ll bet.

[As Monica throws her drops her cigarette and squishes it with her shoes, Aaron pats himself down for another.]

         AARON
Say, have you got any extras?

[Monica peeks into her purse, then into the grocery bags.]

         MONICA
Shit.  I’ll be right back.

[Monica runs into the building, leaving Aaron with the groceries.  His eyes shift side-to-side as he smiles and reaches into his jacket pocket.]

INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN – NIGHT

[Monica enters the apartment and passes Cathy in the kitchen on the way to her room.  On her way out, two packs of cigarettes in her hands, Cathy stops her.]

         CATHY
Monica?

[Monica stops to listen, but seems anxious to leave.]

         MONICA
Yes, Cathy?

         CATHY
I’m going to marry William.  He’s handsome and in high social standing.  He’s from a well-founded family and has plenty of career potential.  It’s the smartest thing to do in my position.  It’s only a matter of time before he proposes.

         MONICA
What does this –

CATHY
Your boyfriend, Aaron…  I want him to stay away from William.  I’ve made an intelligent investment with this boy, and I’d like yours to stay away from him.  Because obviously intelligence has had nothing to do with your relationship, and because William’s incredibly impressionable.  And I don’t want my William winding up anything like that delinquent you call a man.

[Monica stares in disbelief, words nearly forming on her lips, but unable escape her throat.]

EXT. APARTMENT PORCH – NIGHT

[Aaron stands, smoking, on the porch, as Kyndra pulls up in her car, McCall and Michelle already in the backseat.  From behind him Monica and Cathy exit the building, a heavy tension between them. 

Aaron smiles, motioning to his cigarette.]

         AARON
Look what I found.

         MONICA
Goodnight, Aaron.

[Monica and Cathy each grab a grocery bag and head to the vehicle, passing Aaron as quickly as possible.  Aaron, slightly confused, reaches down for the last grocery bag, lifting it just as Emily exits.  She plucks it from his hands just as she passes.]

         EMILY
Thanks, cutie.  [winking]  See you around.

[We watch Aaron as the vehicle clamors away, packed full of costumed girls and alcohol.  He smiles and pulls an small, empty, plastic bag from his pocket.]

EXT. ROAD – NIGHT

[Two headlights approach a lonely railroad crossing, deep in the heart of nowhere.  As the vehicle rolls over the railroad tracks, a bottle falls from one of the windows, shattering on the pavement.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Kyndra’s car snakes it’s way down the long driveway and up to the old, empty house.  Shadows drift across the walls and through the broken windows. As the car slows to a stop, the headlights shine upon the home, as though it were a stage, before dying with the engine and leaving all in darkness once again. 

The girls exit the cramped vehicle, juggling shopping bags of liquor, candy, and snacks.  They chatter and giggle up to the front door.  Michelle and McCall are the first to get to the house and wait by the front door.]

         MONICA
What are you waiting for?

         MICHELLE
Is it not locked?

         MONICA
You think this place has a lock?

         MCCALL
I guess it doesn’t have a freezer either.

[Monica smiles and shakes her head.]

         EMILY
We’ll just have to eat the ice-cream first, hey.

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[We enter the old house with them and watch as Monica organizes the living room into something more comfortable, plugging in lamps and tossing empty boxes into the corner.  The other girls do their part, dusting off couches and hiding rubbish.

Monica tries the first lamp, which sparks and fizzes as it flickers to life.]

         KYNDRA
Whoa.

         MONICA
So, the bathroom doesn’t work, the upper floor is unsafe, and the basement is off limits, okay?  And watch out for loose nails.

         EMILY
What a palace.

         CATHY
Whose idea was this?

[Michelle brings out a ouija board and some candles, and sets them on an old coffee table.]

         MICHELLE
Who wants to play?

[Kyndra and Monica share a look.  The alcohol finally comes out and the party begins.]

EXT. FOREST – NIGHT

[The light of the moon illuminates the eager faces of Aaron and the others as they hide in the woods near the house, watching the girls.  Monica appears in a window, bottle in hand and opens it for air.  Giggling and chatter emerge from the opening.]

         AARON
Perfect.

         DERON
This is really weird.  I have to admit that I’m horrendously uncomfortable.

         WILL
I don’t, know.  This is probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever done.  Cathy never lets me run around past ten o’clock.

         DERON
What?

[A rustle behind them makes everyone jump.  Leon leaps out of the darkness and into the moonlight, smiling, slightly out of breath.]

         JESSE
Hey, Leon.

         AARON
Man, where were you?

         LEON
It’s a fucking long bike ride, okay?  And I had to bring all this shit.

[He slings the backpack from his shoulders.]

         LEON
I’ve got firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman-candles, and one of those big canon things, plus a couple of my own creations just in case we want things to get real fucked up.  Hey, Aaron.  What’s the hold up?

AARON
Okay, right.  Now that we’re all here, let’s get a little closer, boys.

[They move as shadows up to a fallen tree nearer to the house.]

         AARON
Leo, you think you can get close enough to listen through that window?

[Leon eyes it up.]

         LEON
Sure thing, Skip.

         AARON
Super, get up there and have a listen.  Wait until everything dies down, right, then come back and get us.

         LEON
Can’t Jess come with, keep me company?

         AARON
Jesus.  I don’t want you two chatting and mucking everything up, yeah?  You go alone.

[Leon, unexcited, leaps off towards the house, leaving his backpack behind.]

         WILL
Do you know what you’re doing?  Do you, like, do this kind of thing all the time?

         DERON
Not when you’re around.

         WILL
This is so exciting.

[Aaron catches Leon as he turns for the house.]

         AARON
Hey, and call us if anything crazy goes down, yeah?

         LEON
Crazy like what?

         AARON
Crazy like…  Nothing.  Go.

[Leon departs and Aaron slouches behind the tree with the others.  Deron checks his watch, while Jesse retrieves his Gameboy.  Shaun stares at the moon.]

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Montage.  Inside, the party rises, with drinking, snacking, and ouiji board fun, until it peaks and falls.

Finally, just Emily and Monica remain conscious, though barely, sitting at a small table beneath a dusty overhead fixture.  Emily drinks straight from a large bottle, which is almost empty.]

         MONICA
Are you going to finish that all by yourself.

         EMILY
My life is shit.  And I’m stuck here with you bitches and dykes on the sluttiest Holiday of the year.  Besides President’s Day.  So yeah.  And that ‘Call’ girl helped.  She knows how to…  Party.

[Monica looks down at the sleeping call, who adjusts herself beside Michelle, dropping her own large bottle from her fingers, letting it roll under the couch.]

         MONICA
Looks like she had more than her fair share.  I don’t think anyone helped her with that one.

         EMILY
Did you here me?  I said my life is shit.  It couldn’t be worse.

         MONICA
What happened with Shaun?

         EMILY
Nothing.  That was the…  Problem.  It happened with everyone else.  The…  Intercourse, that is.  Not that he knew about it.  He’s so oblivious.  It’s hard, though, for me.  It’s hard being so perfect…  So perfect to someone that you can’t…  You can’t help but disappoint.

[Monica stands, taking Emily’s bottle and drinking from it.  Placing the bottle back into her limp hand, Monica wraps Emily’s loose fingers around the body.]

         MONICA
Sometimes it’s just enough to know somebody out there cares about you.  Whether they hate you or love you, as long as they’re thinking of you…  You should be grateful.  Sometimes Aaron can be so distant.  You know, I asked him to come see me tonight, and he never even –

[Monica, who has just begun pacing, looks down to see a sleeping Emily.  A smile almost appears on her face before a grimace takes hold.  She clasps her stomach and stumbles from the room.

She vomits in a dark corner.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Leon sits, nearly asleep, beneath the open window, before he is unsubtly yanked from his half slumber by the rattle of a dropped bottle.  He looks out over the yard, seeing Aaron’s head pop up over the top of the log.

He eases his back up from against the house and stands up.  He’s not quite tall enough to see in the window, so he pulls a large chunk of wood over to the side of the house and uses it to elevate himself.  He peeks in.]

INT. ABANDONED HOSE – NIGHT

[Cathy lies peacefully on the couch, an angel.  McCall and Michelle lie in the center of the floor surrounded by empty ice-cream tubs and candy wrappers, as well as bottles, cans, and the ouija board.  Kyndra sleeps sitting upright, leaning in the corner.  The candles are all burned down.  Emily sits at the table slumped over, a bottle at her feet, still slowly rolling away.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT 

[Monica walks into the room, rubbing her eyes.  Leon freaks and drops down to ground level, but, in doing so, causes the bit of wood to collapse and cause a ruckus.]

         LEON
Shit.

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Monica hears the sound.  She cautiously, and curiously, looks at the open window, taking a few steps towards it.]

         MONICA
Aaron?  Are you there, Aaron?

[She hears feet scamper from beneath the window-sill and pushes her head out to see a figure dart around the corner toward the back yard.  She whispers loudly after him.]

         MONICA
Aaron!

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT 

[Aaron, upon seeing the figure in the window, ducks low behind the protective log.]

         AARON
Shit.

         DERON
What’s he doing?

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Monica leans back into the house, confused and slightly frightened]

         MONICA
Shit.

         EMILY
What is it?  Did somebody throw up?

[Monica turns, startled.]

         MONICA
No, go back to sleep, sweetie.  Everything’s all right.

[Monica rushes to soothe Emily as she stands up.]

         EMILY
Hold up, I have to take a wicked piss.

[Emily stumbles for the front door, but Monica gets in her way, accidentally stepping on Michelle in the process, waking her as well.]

         MONICA
Don’t go out there, Em.

         EMILY
Why?

         MICHELLE
What’s going on?  Did somebody throw up?

         EMILY
I have to pee.

         MONICA
Hey, can you hold for a bit?

         EMILY
No.  I’m drunk.

         MICHELLE
What’s out there Monica?

[Monica sighs and leans her back against the door.]

         MONICA
I think it might be Aaron.  I told him to meet me after the party.  I’m sorry.

         MICHELLE
But the party isn’t over, yet.

         EMILY
So why can’t I pee outside?

         MONICA
Because, whoever’s out there ran away when I heard them snooping.  So, either it’s Aaron and he’s trying to fuck with me, or it’s not Aaron, and I’m about to get super freaked out, okay?

         MICHELLE
It could be spirits.

         EMILY
I have to piss, and I don’t care who’s out there.

[Emily tries to push past Monica, but just trips over Michelle and falls to the ground laughing.  McCall rolls over, still sleeping.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Leon sits just around the corner from the front door.  His eyes glance about, his mind lost in thought.  He whispers to himself sharply before coming to a decision.  He shakes head and laughs quietly to himself as he pulls out a glass bottle full of fireworks all attached to one long fuse.  He pulls out his lighter.]

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Michelle and Emily help each other up, giggling.  Kyndra, now awake, watches silently from the corner.]

         MONICA
I don’t know…  Why I’m paranoid, okay?  But, please, just wait until we know who’s out there.  He said he’d signal me.  Let’s just wait.

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Leon whispers one last phrase to himself before lighting the fuse, rolling the bottle up to the front door, and bolting to hide behind Kyndra’s car.  Deron surprises him there, the backpack of goodies slung over his shoulder.]

         DERON
What are you doing, Leon?

         LEON
It’s okay, brother.  The fun’s about to begin.

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

         MICHELLE
Tell you what, I’ll escort Miss Emily out to the loo. She can watch my back…  I’ll watch hers.  If there’s a ghost out there, I want to see it.

[Emily and Michelle giggle some more and push past Monica, opening the door.  Emily shouts out the door.]

         EMILY
Hey, piss ghosts!  Put on your raincoats!

[Monica pushes the door shut, as the giggling starts up once more.  She is not pleased.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Shaun’s ears perk up from behind the log.]

         SHAUN
Was that Emily?

         WILL
I think so.  What did she say?

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Emily leans on Monica as Michelle opens the door again and takes half a step out onto the porch before –]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Leon plugs his ears and Deron follows suit.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Shaun and the rest peek eagerly over the top of the fallen tree.  Shaun sees the spark in front of the door but does not understand.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Michelle is still smiling as the firecracker cocktail explodes at her feet sending her backward into the house.  Cathy and McCall are shaken awake by the blast.  Emily screams.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Aaron and the others duck down, afraid.  Shaun instantly panics.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Deron cringes and Leon laughs.]

         DERON
What the fuck?

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Behind the log Shaun is worried.]

         SHAUN
Why did she scream?  That was Emily.  Why did she scream?  What did he do?

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Monica and Kyndra rush around Michelle, lowering her to the floor and closing the front door.  Glass shards protrude from her face, dripping blood down her pale cheeks.  Just below her chin, deep in her neck, sticks a huge piece of the bottle, whose edges have struck a vein.  Blood squirts and pours everywhere.  Emily stands back in shock.]

         EMILY
Fuck!  Fuck!

         MONICA
Somebody get some towels!

         KYNDRA
Where?

[Monica holds her hands over the wound, trying to stop the blood.]

         MONICA
I don’t know.  I don’t know.  Just get me some cloth, or a shirt, or…  Something!

[Kyndra leaves Michelle’s side, scouring the surrounding area, looking for something to serve as a bandage.]

         MCCALL
What happened?

         MONICA
I don’t know!

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Behind the log the boys squirm.]

         WILL
What was that?

         AARON
I don’t know.

         WILL
Did we do that?

         JESSE
That was Leon.

         AARON
What did he do?

         JESSE
Firecracker cocktail.

         WILL
What?

         SHAUN
That was Emily’s scream.

         AARON
I’m sure she’s fine.  It was just a joke right?

[Jesse looks ill.  Shaun reaches into his satchel, slowly.]

EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Behind the car Leon is still laughing as he reaches into his pocket for a few more fireworks.  Deron swats them away.]

         DERON
What the fuck are you thinking?  You stupid fuck.

         LEON
What?  This is what we’re here for.

         DERON
Was that glass?  What the fuck?  You might’ve killed one of them, you sick freak.

         LEON
Who cares?

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT

[Monica and Kyndra are trying to stop the bleeding, but it’s all too much.  Michelle stares at McCall who stands nearby, crying.]

         MCCALL
What the fuck is going on here, Monica?  What is this?

         MONICA
It’s going to be okay, Call. It’s all going to be okay.