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PYRAMIDS
FADE IN:
EXT. AN EGYPTIAN LANDSCAPE NIGHT
Moonlight illuminates a PYRAMID. The landscape is airless, no sand
flying.
The area is devoid of life as well, no Egyptian tribes roaming around,
no chariots on the run.
The image seems a little odd---
it's actually a PHOTOGRAPH.
INT. MENDEL RESIDENCE DAY
The photo image of the pyramid rests on a computer table. DAVID MENDEL,
17 is asleep on his bed. His leg sagging from one side.
A ROSARY dangles from the top of a hanger stuck to the wall. As if by
a miracle, the Rosary falls and lands on a STAINLESS STEEL CAN mounted
on a table.
A PINGPONG BALL also rested on the table starts to roll off, it drops
and bounces a few times. It moved as if a ghost or an invisible man has
touched it.
OUTSIDE THE HOUSE,
It snows.
MARTIN MENDEL, a man of 53, dark brown hair cooks some bacon on a pan.
Martin is David's uncle. He has a lpeasing look on his face that
manages to let people know he is a good man.
He sets the pan on the table and puts some strips of bacon no two
saucers. Martin draws attention to the window, a SCHOOLBUS is parked up
in front of their yard.
The driver starts HONKING his horn.
MARTIN
Hey, David. Looks like the field trip
ain't gonna start at nine like they told you.
David comes running down the stairs, barefooted and on boxers. He turns
to his uncle and gies him a snappy "good-morning" gesture.
EXT. THE HOUSE DAY
David apporaches the bus and waves.
The driver gives him a "What the fuck is going on?" look. One of the
students laugh.
DAVID
You bastards said you were coming at nine.
David starts jumping and shivering.
DAVID
It's fucking cold out here.
The driver lets out a sigh of contempt.
DRIVER
Didn't Mr. Madsen tell you there was gonna be
a slight change of plans?
David can't stand the pricking sensation of frost on his feet anymore.
David turns around and runs back to the house.
DRIVER
Come on, Dave, we're running a little late,
what are you gonna do this time?
INT. THE BUS
Unknown to David, MR. MADSEN is actually inside. He stands up and peers
through the window.
He can't see David or Mr. Mendel through the screen door. A student is
blocking is view. He taps the student by the shoulder.
STUDENT
Sir?
MADSEN
Excuse me.
INT. THE HOUSE DAY
David is on the floor, tensing as the pain of his sore foot assaults
him.
Martin smiles, he's also much of a cheerful man.
MARTIN
Frost bite.
David stands. He looks through the screen door, eyeing the driver who
doesn't turn his head away from the house.
DAVID
Go!!! I'll walk.
MARTIN
It ain't gonna be easy, Dave.
DAVID
Where's your first stop gonna be?
EXT. MUSEUM DAY
A ROW OF STUDENTS enter through the foyer. One of them is David and his
best friend JOSH.
SARAH DAVIES, the tour guide introduces them to the weird artifacts
dislayed in the room.
The students break their line and begin sight-seeing.
David is a kid in his early senior-year, so is Josh and ---
JOSH
Reese?
DAVID
I dn't know, what could have gotten into her?
JOSH
You tell me, pal.
DAVID
I guess she just got too tired to wake up.
David glances at his watch.
DAVID
Jeez, it's still 8:00.
PROFESSOR BUNNEL, 60, and head of the museum enters the exhibit. Sarah
gets the attention of all the kids.
SARAH
Hey kids, meet Professor Bunnel.
A very solemn, Mr. Madsen observes the room.
BUNNEL
Good morning, I'm head of the museum and I'd
like to introduce you kids to the pyramid blocks.
The kids, including Josh and David turn their attention to a GOLD 5
nich pyramid that lays on red foam. It's not covered by glass though,
that's odd.
DAVID
Cool.
BUNNEL
Now, this is what we call the pyramid.
It's made of real gold, it got shipped from
a museum somewhere in Egypt. I know it's not
covered by glass and we should be keeping it
guarded, but I can explain...
Bunnel shifts his gaze from the pyramid to the students.
BUNNEL
It broke and we're trying to get
it fixed.
Everybody laughs.
Josh doesn't.
BUNNEL
But you can't touch it. It's made of
three parts. They are called the pyramid
blocks. They are joined, and together they
form the triangular shape of a pyramid.
Hence we call the item pyramid.
BUTCH REDFORD steps forward.
BUTCH
Why not?
BUNNEL
You're not allowed to steal it.
Josh starts whispering to David's ear. David doesn't turn away from the
golden pyramid. He's deeply fascinated.
BUNNEL
Speaking more seriously this time,
you cannot touch the pyramid because rumor
has it that it is a cursed artifact.
BUTCH
Just a fucking rumor.
Bunnel seems to get a little irritated this time. He raises his voice.
BUNNEL
It isn't just a fucking rumor. It could be true.
BUTCH
What makes it cursed then?
BUNNEL
From what I know...I'll tell you what I
can tell you...you dislodge the three blocks
you would summon a spirit of the damned and
then that ghost will haunt you. The spirit will
haunt you. And maybe even kill you.
Josh smiles and turns to David. Looks like he doesn't buy this guy's
crap.
Josh taps David on the shoulder and gestures him to move a few steps
backward.
JOSH
This guy's shitting us.
DAVID
What?
JOSH
He couldn't afford to let go of something
like that worth a million bucks, could he?
DAVID
I don't think so.
An irritated Mr. Madsen confronts both of them.
MADSEN
Look if you think this guy's running crap
and you don't like it, you two better shut
up. We don't wanna insult anybody here.
Bunnel finally succeeds shutting Butch up after several doses of his
bullshit and wisecracks.
BUNNEL
Now, let me tell you about the origin
of the pyramids. To this day, scientists
have not yet ascertained the factual origin
of these objects. The larges speculations
include Atlantis.
David steps forward.
DAVID
Atlantis? I thought the island sank.
BUTCH
Shut the fuck up, Mendel, let the man talk!
BUNNEL
Yes, but before it sank, many speculated that
the Atlantians have influenced the Egyptians
greatly in building the pyramids.
Sudden fascination strikes David.
DAVID
Exactly where, and how was this pyramid
found?
BUNNEL
With all due respect to you...and to the public,
we don't know.
David moves to Josh.
DAVID
You're right.
JOSH
Right about what?
DAVID
He's lying.
JOSH
Whatever, it probably ain't gold on the
outside. It's probably just "paint", know
what I mean?
DAVID
Yeah.
JOSH
Outside and in, I don't know. He probably
doesn't have a fucking clue himself.
Bunnel nods as he starts gesturing the kids to move along with him.
BUNNEL
All right, I guess we've had enough talk
about our pyramid blocks, now I'll...
The students follow Bunnel.
Bunnel starts leading them to anotehr corner of the room. Bunnel now
has his attention and the students' on a sword.
This time, it's covered by glass.
Bunnel starts his discussion on the sword.
David and Josh, along with Butch don't follow the rest of their
classmates. And they don't need to worry about this:
Madsen is captivated by the sword. He sure won't catch them. The three
are fascinated with the pyramid.
Sarah Davies sees them and approaches.
SARAH
Listen guys, I know that this shouldn't be
any of my business, but don't you think you
could tick off your teacher by not following
through?
BUTCH
No, I don't think so.
Butch steps forward.
BUTCH
You know what, Ms. Davies, my teacher wouldn't
mind. Our teacher. It's just that we can't get our
eyes of this baby.
Butch points to the pyramid.
SARAH
Well, you couldn't steal it. If that's
what your plan is.
Butch shrugs.
SARAH
See, we have state of the art surveillance
cameras.
BUTCH
No, really, we'll catch up with you guys.
Go, we won't do anything stupid.
Sarah turns around.
She walks to where the rest of the students are.
Butch starts scanning theplace. Butch focuses on the ceiling. Above.
DAVID
What's wrong, Butch?
BUTCH
That was crap, there aren't any surveillance
cams.
Beat.
JOSH
Who would care, we're not planning
shit now are we?
The group moves to another room in the museum.
BUTCH
Or are we?
DAVID
Look, she said state of the art,
for God's sake there could be cameras
on the floor.
JOSH
Really?
BUTCH
Bull.
DAVID
Whatever.
David signals for Josh to follow him. He has got to join the rest this
time. He'd be seriously fucked if he got a suspension.
DAVID
Come on, Josh!
BUTCH
Mendel, wait up!
DAVID
What?
BUTCH
Something for you to do.
DAVID
What man?
Josh and David move cloer to Butch.
BUTCH
Grab hold of that pyramid for me,
will 'ya?
DAVID
You think I'm fucking stupid, Butch?!!!
Butch digs his left hand into his pocket. He pulls out a DOLLAR BILL.
He hands it to David.
David doesn't take it.
DAVID
What's this?
Butch withdraws his bill. He balls it up.
Butch gestures David to move forward.
BUTCH
Come on.
David does.
DAVID
What? You gonna pull one of your sick
fucking pranks?
Butch inserts the bill into David's right hand pants pocket.
BUTCH
I wanna touch it. I want to do something
worth doing once in awhile.
David grabs hold of the golden pyramid. Suddenly, he feels air rush
into his ears, fog clouding his mind.
His stomach.
Then --- three of them panic as Bunnel walks right into room.
Butch slaps David's back.
The pyramid falls. It gets dislodged into its THREE PIECES. Bunnel can
only watch in shock and surprise.
He runs toward them and seems to yell "Noooooo", but the words don't
come out of him.
He moves closer to them, finally he steps in front of David and the
two.
BTUCH
Okay, sorry, David, that was what I
meant by worth it.
Butch, with a tone of sympathy in his voice, starts giving explanations
to the stricken proffessor.
BUTCH
---so, I believe that you and Mr. Mendel have
something to talk about.
BUNNEL
What have you done?!!!
DAVID
I-I-I didn't ------
INT. MENDEL RESIDENCE LATE DAY
David enters. As he breaths, he lets out CLOUDS OF FOG from his mouth.
David moves to the kitchen.
DAVID
Uncle Martin?
David takes off the gloves in his hand. Tosses them to a nearby table.
He takes off his shoes too.
Then, he takes of his sweater, and he puts on the T-shirt that he set
on the sofa earlier.
David walks up the stairs. He checks the BATHROOM.
The door's open.
Clearly, there's no one there. He checks the STORAGE ROOM as well.
INT. STORAGE ROOM
He enters. No one here. David sees the glass window just meters near
the ceiling of the room.
David spots a METAL STOOL. He steps up on it. Closes the window.
David steps out of the storage room, moves toward the stairwell and
goes down.
DAVID
Uncle Martin!!!
All right, he gets it. Martin isn't around.
David walks to the couch and crashes. He's real tired.
DAVID
(to himself)
Why the fuck is it a bad day today?
David grabs a pillow and naps on it.
FADE OUT.
LATER:
David's still asleep on the couch. Then KNOCKS are heard from the door.
David wakes up. David heads for the door. Opens it.
DAVID
Hello? Who is it?
MARTIN
(O.S.)
Dave, it's me.
Martin enters. He carries a SHOTGUN. He places it on the table.
Martin reaches into his pocket.
He grabs a SMALL BOX OF SHOTGUN CARTRIDGES. Places it on the table too.
David shuts the door.
David turns to the gun and studies it ecstatically, like a child.
MARTIN
Hey, nephew, what's wrong? Ain't seen
any of these before?
DAVID
You bought it?
MARTIN
Yup. Can't afford to let some midnight
thieves sneak into our house. No, siree.
DAVID
Well, it's not like we live in a notorious
neighborhood, do we?
Martin doesn't take off anything. He doesn't seem to be on a rush.
Martin sits on the stairs.
DAVID
Wait, do you have a liscence for this thing?
David picks up the gun, it's pretty heavy. But not too heavy for him.
He aims at the T.V. set. Then he sets down the rifle hastily.
MARTIN
Yeah, I got a liscense. I got one, just today.
DAVID
Really.
MARTIN
I'm kidding. I don't have a liscense. And
besides, it's only for home defense. Just to...
keep us safe, that's all.
EXT. SIDEWALK DAY
Bunnel and David stand on snowy surface. David holds a pingpong RACKET.
He's using it to bounce the ball back and forth.
He's a pretty good player.
David finally fumbles. He picks up the ball from the snow. Pockets it.
He tucks the racket between his pants and sweater.
DAVID
It wasn't my fault, that other kid ---
Butch, he pushed me in the back. He
pushed me...then I dropped it.
BUNNEL
Now, don't you start telling me any lies,
it won't do you any good.
DAVID
Professor, I'm not lying.
David embraces himself. He's starting to get shaky.
BUNNEL
We better hurry back to the museum.
It's freezing here.
INT. MUSEUM DAY
Bunnel and David stand face to face.
BUNNEL
He wanted to touch it. He gave you a dollar?
DAVID
Yup. The only reward for me was the dollar.
Sir, he wanted that shit to happen.
BUNNEL
Did he want the shit to happen, or did he want
to hold it.
DAVID
He wanted to pull the prank. He paid a buck.
HE pulled it.
BUNNEL
I wonder how much time you spent, thinking about
what you did.
DAVID
Not much.
David drops the pingpong ball once again, and pulls out the racket.
Then he starts bouncing it on the floor.
BUNNEL
Have you heard me talk during your field
trip?
David shrugs. He misses to strike the ball. Picks it up as it bounces.
DAVID
I'm not sure. Well...some.
BUNNEL
Then you heard me talking about
it being cursed.
DAVID
It.
BUNNEL
The pyramid.
DAVID
Am I supposed to believe that?
BUNNEL
That would depend.
David retires once again with his pingpong exercise as Bunnel steps
closer.
BUNNEL
Did you feel anything at all...
DAVID
Professor?
BUNNEL
When your palms touched the pyramid.
David's face tightens.
DAVID
I'm not sure.
BUNNEL
Once you destroy the shape of the
pyramid by dismantling it, a spirit.
A bad spirit will be unleashed. It
will haunt you. It will hurt you, and
it has its reasons for hurting you.
An unrelenting force...
DAVID
A ghost?
BUNNEL
As you probably could call it.
INT. REESE PEARSON'S HOUSE LATE DAY
REESE PEARSON, 17, David's girlfriend is extremely pretty. She's seated
on a couch. Feet stretched and rested on a table.
David's on a wooden chair.
DAVID
So, why didn't you go?
REESE
Why bother. I'd rather stay here
than get stuck up on a bus with frozen
engines.
DAVID
I didn't say anything about the bus
getting busted in the middle of the road,
did I?
REESE
If you hand't decided to cut class on
our field trip during fall about a year
ago, you would have figured out what I
meant.
Reese draws her legs away from the table. David coughs. Fog forms in
his mouth.
David brushes some snow off his hair.
REESE
It was pretty fucking irritating.
And our teacher wouldn't let us step
down from the bus.
DAVID
Now, I get the picture.
Reese leans forward.
REESE
Did you have a good time at the field trip?
David shrugs.
REESE
Did you?
DAVID
Well---
REESE
Oh, you might be wondering how I
answered the test. Kate gave me her
scoop.
DAVID
I had a...good time.
REESE
Sure?
Beat.
DAVID
Well, not really.
REESE
I get it. It was boring.
Reese leans back.
David is rather stiff, though in a relaxed mood and disposition.
DAVID
What? All these trips bore the hell
out of me.
Beat.
DAVID
I broke something.
REESE
(playful)
Dude, that's minus one on Uncle Martin's
check book.
David starts speaking some words. But stutters.
DAVID
---it didn't break. It sort of came apart.
David stands. He rubs his temples like a frustrated middle-aged man.
Much like his uncle possibly, then he locks a gaze on Reese.
DAVID
(calm)
Look, I guess...I don't really
wanna talk about it.
A long moment goes by.
David starts studying the shelf. Something comes to his attention.
DAVID
You like Dean Koontz?
REESE
Yeah.
DAVID
Stephen King?
Reese shrugs.
REESE
Doesn't live up to my expectations.
DAVID
Darkfall, Voice of the Night, Ticktock,
let's see...
INT. BATHROOM (DAVID'S HOUSE) NIGHT
David finishes brushing teeth.
He keeps his toothpaste and toothbrush in proper containers. Then he
fixes a tight gaze on the mirror. There's something about the mirror.
Or is it his face?
David scratches his nose. He then stands erect, with stiff posture and
somewhat studies himself in front of the mirror. Weird.
David, still standin on the spot before the mirror, brushes his hair
with a comb. David runs the faucet and begins throwing water over his
face. He face is probably itching.
Then he goes back to his staring at the mirror ritual.
Suddenly, a DARK SHADOWY FIGURE appears. Behind him. It's a HUMAN
SILHOUETTE he sees and IT IS standing in his bedroom.
What the fuck is it?
David turns and can still see the person, ghost or whawtever it is
standing few meters away from him, and to the immediate left of his
bed. He stares at it for a few seconds before...
It vanishes. Instant. Right before his very eyes.
David hesitates to move.
Then he finally urges himself to budge three steps.
There's only a LAMP on in the bedroom. He picks up his pingpong ball
from the table on his left, the table near the wall.
He looks at the EXACT SPOT that he saw the "ghost" appear.
He hurls the pingpong ball righ there, to that spot. Nothing. No
reactions from anything. Nobody was there. He was obviously just
hallucinating.
DOWNSTAIRS,
David talks to his uncle.
DAVID
You sure you didn't come upstairs?
To my room?
MARTIN
Yes.
DAVID
Oh well...
MARTIN
Something's bothering you?
DAVID
No...I...
Martin frowns.
DAVID
Heard.
David mumbles something.
DAVID
I saw --- I --- never mind.
INT. LIVING ROOM LATER
David drops to the couch, where Martin is also seated. It's really late
this hour, yet none of them look beat.
MARTIN
Tell me something, Dave, did you learn
something from the field trip?
DAVID
Did it change my life?
MARTIN
Did it?
Beat.
DAVID
Well...
David lets out a chuckle.
DAVID
It---
MARTIN
Yes.
DAVID
It gave me a certain mood. A feeling I
can't describe.
MARTIN
Why?
David shrugs.
MARTIN
You know, when I was in third grade,
I got to this...no, we got to a museum
once and there were these paintings of
corpses and there was this real human
skull.
DAVID
They said it was real?
MARTIN
It could have been a bust, but one
of my classmates said, that---
DAVID
I'm sure it wasn't real.
David rubs his eyes. Whoops he's starting to get sleepy.
MARTIN
Uh, well when in comes to cases
like that, we never know. We just
never know. You never know.
DAVID
Did it give you nightmares?
Martin shakes his head.
MARTIN
No.
DAVID
Never?
Beat.
MARTIN
Yup.
David yawns. Getting more sleepier here.
DAVID
I miss Mom and Dad.
MARTIN
Two months is just sixty-days, Dave. I
know you do.
DAVID
I can't believe it, I've been orphaned
since two months, but I can feel it like
it happened the day before.
MARTIN
They loved you, they were special.
DAVID
They were special.
MARTIN
Gee, you might wanna hit the sack, you gotta
wake up early tomorrow.
DAVID
No worry on that department.
David stands.
EXT. STREET NIGHT
Martin and David stand in front of a WRECKED TAXI.
The bodies of the DRIVER AND DAVID'S PARENTS ARE INSIDE.
ALL DEAD.
A police offocier, his name HUDSON talks to Martin. Martin is pale and
keeps swallowing.
MARTIN
What happened?
HUDSON
The car crashed.
Martin's face tightens. David is as pale as a ghost.
MARTIN
I CAN FUCKING SEE THAT! Now,
what happened?
HUDSON
You are---this boy's---
Hudson points to David.
DAVID
He's my uncle.
MARTIN
Oh Christ, Jesus, Jesus tell me what
happened.
HUDSON
Our primary evaluation of this was that
it was an accident brought about by
drunk driving...
MARTIN
Then what?
HUDSON
Then I'll tell you know that we know
for a fact that they didn't die because
of the crash.
DAVID
What?
HUDSON
That's right.
MARTIN
Cut with the bullshit, tell me something!
Hudson holds a coffee cup in his hand. Despite how tense things are
going, he still manages not to lose his appetite for caffeine.
He takes a sip. Then thrusts it forward to Martin.
HUDSON
We got some coffee nearby, you want some
chugs to make you warm?
Martin shakes his head. Hudson withdraws the cup.
HUDSON
They were killed. Assassinated.
MARTIN
What the fuck are you talking about?
Someone radio-controlled the vehicle and
forced it to crash?
Beat.
DAVID
They were shot...
HUDSON
Stabbed.
MARTIN
What? The bodies are in the car, I don't
think you could be telling me about stab
wounds right now.
HUDSON
Early on, I put on some gloves and I checked
the bodies myself.
MARTIN
What?---
Martin takes a breath. Calms down. Apparently, sod does David. They're
tough all right.
MARTIN
What kind of person would stab three
people in a cab and---
HUDSON
He could have lifted up the driver's
foot and rammed the pedal so it would crash
right here.
MARTIN
What?
HUDSON
The killer wanted it here.
MARTIN
Was he after the driver, or my brother and
my sister in law?
HUDSON
We don't know.
MARTIN
Bullshit.
HUDSON
We don't know.
MARTIN
Anything you can tell me. This second.
HUDSON
Yeah, I forgot, the driver's name is
Stan Harris. And we will dedicate ourselves
to tracking the guy responsible for all this.
INT. THE LIVING ROOM NIGHT
David's on the exact spot he was before. Standing. Martin still on the
couch.
DAVID
Yeah, you don't have to worry. Good
night.
INT. DAVID'S BEDROOM NIGHT
David's alseep. Lying prone. Blankiet covering his legs only.
The entire room is silent. Snow continues to fall outside. The window
at one corner of the room is fogged up.
Suddenly --- AN ARM, hovers over David's neck. It's someone's arm all
right.
The arm backhands David, he rolls over sideways and lands on the floor.
Awake.
DAVID
Shit!
David stands.
Moves closer to his trusty table. He switches on a lamp.
Suddenly, David hears wind howling outside. The window is open! The
only glass window in his room, in fact. What the fuck is going on?
DAVID
(whispers)
Shit.
His door is wide-open. It always is.
Time to call for some help.
DAVID
Uncle Martin!!!
INT. MARTIN'S ROOM
He feels the rush of panic as David's voice wakes him. He gets up, runs
to David's room.
DAVID
Uncle Martin.
MARTIN
What happened?
DAVID
I think someone is inside the house.
MARTIN
What? That's ridiculous. The doors are
all locked. No one can get in. And let's
not forget that we need not worry about
these things, because anybody who tries
to mess with us commits suicide.
DAVID
What?
MARTIN
Have you forgotten about my shotty?
DAVID
SO YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S A BURGLAR
IN HERE!
MARTIN
(soft)
David, no. I mean what happened?
DAVID
I was asleep, when something hit me.
MARTIN
What?
DAVID
I felt something like...
MARTIN
Like what?
DAVID
Like a fist strike me at the back
of my neck.
MARTIN
Felt?
DAVID
Yeah.
Beat.
MARTIN
David, it was a dream.
DAVID
No.
Beat.
MARTIN
David, no one can get in the house.
No one can get to us.
David sighs.
MARTIN
Dave, it's a dream. You moved, twitched.
It happens when you dream.
David shakes his head slowly.
DAVID
I hope you're right.
INT. MUSEUM DAY
David talks to a rather irritated Professor Bunnel.
BUNNEL
I told you not to mess with the
pyramid, but you did. Now you
pay the price if you're being haunted.
DAVID
But can you at least give me a bit
of advice, help me!
BUNNEL
NO.
DAVID
Sir, I told you I'm not at fault.
Just because---
BUNNEL
What?
Beat.
BUNNEL
Just because what?
DAVID
Sir, have you been able to piece
the pyramid blocks back together.
BUNNEL
No. I've been to busy this time
around, so that wouldn't give me time
to fix the golden pyramid.
DAVID
Professor, please.
BUNNEL
Please what? Frankly, Young Mr. Mendel
I don't owe you anything. But rather,
you owe me.
Beat.
BUNNEL
And you should be glad that I didn't
make you make up for what you did.
David takes a long deep breath. He's frustrated all right.
DAVID
Sir, please help me out!
BUNNEL
And how am I supposed to help you?
In what specific way?
DAVID
Tell me something about the ghost
that has been summoned...because
I tampered with the pyramid.
BUNNEL
Are you sure you've been encountering
a ghost.
DAVID
No.
BUNNEL
Then I'm afraid I cannot be of help to
you.
INT. REESE'S HOUSE NIGHT
David and Reese are seated on a couch. The TV is on, in fact it's the
only thing that's lighting up the living room.
REESE
So, that's what happened.
David nods.
REESE
You lost. Butch got what he wanted.
How could you have let him get it?
DAVID
Well, he paid me a buck.
REESE
Bullshit, Dave.
Beat.
REESE
And this professor won't give you
any help?
DAVID
He won't.
REESE
But can he?
DAVID
Not sure, though.
DAVID
By the way, where's your mom and dad?
REESE
They'll be coming. They'll arrive in
'bout an hour.
REESE
So, I guess he'll one day start coming
after you trying to get back.
DAVID
No, that's not what worries me.
Not at all. Um...I've told you about
those RUMORS of his. You know what happens
when you mess with the pyramid blocks?
REESE
Yeah?
Reese raises a brow.
REESE
Is it happening to you?
DAVID
(whispers)
Maybe.
REESE
David, how could that be? I mean, you're
probably hallucinating. Do you actually
believe what Bunnel has told you?
DAVID
It wasn't what he told me. He told
it to us. The students.
REESE
So?
DAVID
What he said was real. Is real,
for me.
REESE
Dave, start planning for Christmas
dinner.
DAVID
I'll invite you...
REESE
Good.
DAVID
Um, you read a lot of supernatural
books?
REESE
Some.
INT. MENDEL HOUSE NIGHT
David and Martin are seated near the dinner table. No, they're not
eating. They're having a conversation.
The entire house is dark. It's late at night and only one light is on.
It's near the patio door of the kitchen.
MARTIN
You had a fine date?
DAVID
Nah, it wasn't a date, Uncle Martin.
MARTIN
Reese is nice, isn't she?
DAVID
She is.
Martin coughs and ---
MARTIN
Is everything all right, Dave?
DAVID
Yes.
MARTIN
You miss them. I know.
DAVID
I do.
David nods.
DAVID
We go to Heaven when we die, don't we?
They did, for sure, but---
MARTIN
You?
DAVID
Yes?
MARTIN
Dave, you're a good kid. You don't have
to worry about death. Just think happy thoughts
you know. Don't think about bad things.
DAVID
Yeah.
The tall shadowy figure appears in the hallway. It scares the hell out
of David, who sees it just standing there.
He nudges Martin's elbow getting his attention.
DAVID
Uncle Martin!
MARTIN
What?
DAVID
Do you see it?
MARTIN
What...see what?
DAVID
That!
MARTIN
David, I don't see a thing!
DAVID
That! That!
The figure disappears.
MARTIN
David?
DAVID
What.
MARTIN
What did you see?
DAVID
I saw---
MARTIN
You saw nothing. You should quit your
habit of staying up so late, you know.
INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA DAY
David and Josh are seated face to face on a table. The table is white
and shiny.
Milk boxes rest beside their food trays.
JOSH
So, Dave, how's life?
David forces a smile, then he shakes his head slowly as he chews.
DAVID
Not so good.
JOSH
Cheer up, dog 'ya having one 'o them
yuletide blues?
David shrugs.
JOSH
So?
DAVID
I---
JOSH
Speak up.
DAVID
I've been feeling guilty.
JOSH
About what?
Josh finishes his lunch. He fixes his spoons on a tray. Sips some milk.
JOSH
Guilt about what, David?
Why do you feel guilty...why...
have you done something wrong?
DAVID
I'm not sure.
JOSH
You know you have been acting weird
lately.
DAVID
What?
JOSH
Ever since that artifact accident took
place at the field trip, you've been wearing
guilt all over you, dog.
DAVID
What?
JOSH
I guess that elderly dude, the professor's
already asking for some pay...to compensate for
what you've done, and you've afraid to tell
Uncy Marty.
DAVID
I told you, IT WASN'T MY FAULT!
Josh snaps his finger after pointing to David.
JOSH
That?
DAVID
Josh, come on, you know it was Butch.
JOSH
You did it, you were at fault, and
thank Butch for not wanting back the
dollar.
DAVID
Where's that son of a bitch by the
way?
JOSH
He's absent. Muthafucka musta been
cutting class 'cause he feels it's
too cold a day for learning.
DAVID
Look, maybe I need a psychiatrist.
Maybe I need help. I don't know what
but something is definitely bugging me.
JOSH
What???
INT. MUSEUM NIGHT
David and Sarah Davies stand just near the exit of the museum. Some
tourists are still around and it's far from closing time.
DAVID
So he isn't here?
SARAH
Well, David, he had to go somewhere.
Sarah suddenly gets a surprised look on her face.
SARAH
Why are you here? Why so anxious to talk to
him?
DAVID
I've been having problems.
SARAH
Excuse me?
DAVID
It's about the pyramid thing.
SARAH
Oh, yeah.
DAVID
So---
SARAH
Well, don't worry. You didn't break it, did
you? You didn't scratch it. It's dismantled.
That's all. But I guess you already know that.
David scratches his head absently.
DAVID
Um, where is it?
SARAH
Kept.
DAVID
Where?
SARAH
Does it even matter?
DAVID
I am being haunted---
Beat.
DAVID
I think a ghost has come to haunt me.
The ghost has already touched me once...
when I was sleeping and it is gonna get
to me again. God knows what it'll do next
time.
Sarah frowns, confused.
SARAH
What are you saying?
DAVID
I'm saying that it's true?
SARAH
What is true?
DAVID
I'm saying---
SARAH
You can't be serious.
DAVID
I'm saying that it's cursed.
SARAH
Yes.
DAVID
I mean, surely, you've heard it
from Professor Bunnel. You've
heard him talk about it, right?
SARAH
Yes I have.
DAVID
Help me out then.
SARAH
How?
DAVID
Tell me, how do I make the ghost
go away, if what I really saw was
a ghost.
SARAH
Saw? If? Come on, you're not even
sure.
DAVID
Sure I'm sure, I saw it in the dark,
the shadows.
Beat.
DAVID
Tell me what you know, or whatever the
hell there is to tell me, Ms. Davies.
SARAH
I'll tell you what I know...the ghost
has a reason. A purpose. He's here for
a reason. He's haunting you for a reason.
He'll get to you. But he'll do it slowly.
That's all I can say...
DAVID
Wait, wait, you said---how did you know
this? Bunnel mentioned it? Is it an evil
spirit, is it...
EXT. CHURCH LATE DAY
It's less snowy now. Reese and David sit on the CONCRETE STAIRS of the
Church. Both are wearing jackets and gloves.
DAVID
I don't know. Maybe I'm
going mad, that's all.
REESE
Not mad, just upset.
DAVID
Yeah, yeah, I'm upset.
REESE
Dave, cheer up, I know it's
been hard for you, but try to
lighten up a little.
DAVID
It's hard.
REESE
What you told me earlier's really
creeping me out...
DAVID
Sorry.
REESE
No, it's okay. You need to be kept
company. Maybe that's all you need.
DAVID
Maybe.
REESE
Just talk! To me, Josh...your
uncle. Just talk...
DAVID
Do you believe in ghosts?
REESE
You do.
DAVID
No, no, DO YOU?
REESE
I'm not sure.
DAVID
I think I know why ghosts do exist.
They're here on earth
REESE
Yeah, yeah, what's your theory?
DAVID
Unfinished business, do you agree?
REESE
Yeah...
DAVID
There you go. That's it.
REESE
But usally it's more than that.
DAVID
What?
INT. DAVID'S BEDROOM NIGHT
David stands in front of the window.
Something's catching his eye.
David sees a GIRL AND A GUY in the living room of the house just in
front of his.
They start stripping off their clothes.
David smiles. Cool, this is free porno.
The girl becomes half-naked as she starts kissing the guy. David starts
to laugh.
The girl takes off her undies, so does the guy. They start making out
on a couch.
David still laughs. He's impressed. The girl sure has a nice ass.
He's seen enough. David starts to back away from the window, he's
getting closer and closer to the CLOSET behind him. he's not smiling
anymore but the image of his horny neighbors isn't shaken off his head
yet.
He leans on the closet.
SMASH!
A sound is heard from inside the closet. Then TWO HANDS smash through
the closet door and grab David's clavicle. It hurts, he can't move, the
right hand then touches David's cheek. It's as cold as a corpse.
David then breaks free from the hands, and he punches them.
At least he tries.
His PUNCHES PENETRATE THESE MYSTERY HANDS!
They are the hands of a ghost!
Scared, he backs away from the closet and just when he darts his eyes
back to it, the hands are gone.
What the fuck happened?
INT. DAVID'S BEDROOM NIGHT
Martin stands in front of the broken closet. He's confused and also
mad. He's talking to David.
MARTIN
What the hell happened here?
DAVID
I'm not sure. I swear, I'm not
sure what happened.
MARTIN
No way, you have to be sure, you're
the only one who sleeps here, and at home
you spend most of your time in this room.
DAVID
Uncle Martin, I don't know. Are you mad?
MARTIN
Am I mad? Hell yeah, one of MY closets
is damaged. This is MY HOUSE!
DAVID
I'm sorry.
MARTIN
David, what did you do?
DAVID
Nothing.
MARTIN
Don't lie.
DAVID
I'm not lying.
MARTIN
All right, David, you're old
enough...you're mature, now tell
me what happened. I can smell a liar
in front of me.
DAVID
Uncle Martin. I don't know.
MARTIN
I asked you what you did. You
said "nothing." You did something.
DAVID
No, I didn't do anything.
MARTIN
You swear it?
DAVID
Yes. I swear.
MARTIN
David, you've been a strange person
lately.
DAVID
Why do you say that?
MARTIN
You're not typical David Mendel.
DAVID
What?
MARTIN
I mean, you used to fool around,
do...stuff around the house, ahhh...
you know what I'm talking about.
DAVID
No, I don't.
MARTIN
It's like, now you're all quiet. You're
all...well...
INT. BUILDING NIGHT
It's a huge building. An ATTRACTIVE FEMALE SECRETARY sits on her desk.
Without that desk, the building practically has the look of a mansion.
But with the desk, it's like a mansion that has been converted into an
office.
David walks toward the secretary.
DAVID
Ummm...I've scheduled an appointment
with Mr. Penn. Doctor Penn...
SECRETARY
Yes. He's here, and if you---
INT. PENN'S CLINIC NIGHT
David and DR. PENN shake hands.
Dr. Penn is a man with gray hair and a beard. He sits on his chair.
David in front of him.
DAVID
Good evening.
PENN
Good evening.
DAVID
So, let's get started.
PENN
Yes. You are David Mendel...
DAVID
Yes.
PENN
Oh, Merry Christmas before anything else.
DAVID
Uh, yeah. Likewise.
PENN
You look like a smart kid.
DAVID
Thanks.
PENN
You smart?
DAVID
Not...I don't know.
PENN
So, what's on your mind, Dave?
DAVID
I feel guilty.
PENN
Well, I've heard that a lot of
times. I've had patients who were
guilty and they had their guilt
for a reason.
DAVID
My parents died two months ago.
PENN
I'm sorry. Now, regarding your feeling
of guilt, don't worry about it, you feel
sorry...you feel that you caused their...
you know...but don't worry. Guilt can redeem
someone. It can be redeeming.
DAVID
I guess.
PENN
If...you don't mind me...asking...
how did they---
DAVID
They died in a cab.
PENN
Car accident?
DAVID
Sort of.
PENN
David, were you in the cab?
DAVID
No.
PENN
What happened?
DAVID
Actually, someone forced the cab
to crash. He killed the driver and
both my parents. I feel bad everytime
I think about that...I know they've been
murdered. I know it. And I would do anything
to get back at the person who killed them.
PENN
I'm sure you do...and you will. Just
be patient and---
INT. REESE PEARSON'S HOUSE NIGHT
Reese and David talk. Both are on a couch. The T.V.'s on.
DAVID
I saw a shrink.
REESE
What?
DAVID
I guess I'm a little disturbed,
and that session was useful.
REESE
You told him that you were depressed?
DAVID
Yup.
REESE
Your Uncle recommended him to you?
DAVID
No, I scheduled for an appointment myself.
REESE
What?
DAVID
I did it all by myself.
REESE
At least your Uncle knows.
DAVID
No, he doesn't.
REESE
Why?
DAVID
Come on, does he really have to know.
REESE
What do you think of the psychiatrist?
DAVID
He's good. He gives some great advice to
me and...
REESE
You didn't tell him about the ghost thing
did you?
DAVID
No.
REESE
Oh well.
Beat.
REESE
You really have to waste your money on
a shrink?
DAVID
Well, I saved it up...
REESE
Even then...I mean, come on you could
just turn to your Uncle for advice.
It's that easy. Plus it's free.
DAVID
No.
REESE
You should have told him about that
shadowy figure that visits you from
time to time...
DAVID
What?
REESE
It could be a figment of your imagination.
DAVID
No, no, Reese. I am not crazy.
REESE
Go on, David tell the...what's his name?
DAVID
Doctor Penn.
REESE
Tell him. You could be suffering from
schizophrenia. The closet? The broken
closet, you could have broken it yourself.
Haven't you thought of that?
DAVID
No. It DID HAPPEN. IT WAS REAL! THOSE HANDS!
REESE
Or you could be going mad...
INT. GARAGE NIGHT
Martin shows David his GRAY CAR, it's nicely polished and it hasn't
been used yet when the snow started.
MARTIN
Well, just letting you know that you
can use this thing...you can drive on
your way to school...
DAVID
Thanks.
MARTIN
Yeah, you can...
DAVID
That's odd.
MARTIN
What?
DAVID
Of all the time we had...the 60 plus
days, you chose to introduce me to it
when it's the time of the year when
engines freeze.
MARTIN
Haha, I guess I was just a little
lazy before...
DAVID
Oh well, thanks.
MARTIN
You know how to drive don't you?
DAVID
You still need to fire up the car though,
when was the last time you used this?
MARTIN
I don't know, three months...
DAVID
Wow.
MARTIN
It's just me. I'm too lazy to drive, it's weird,
I know, but...
DAVID
Thanks again anyways.
Martin digs into his pocket. He shows David the---
MARTIN
Keys.
David palms the keys.
DAVID
Okay.
INT. DAVID'S BEDROOM NIGHT
A WALLCLOCK
reads 11:30. Gosh, it's really late.
David's seated, and he's working on his table. The lamp is on. David's
holding a pen, and he's using it to draw on a drawing book.
His homework.
David has his full concentration on his homework. He isn't thinking of
anything else.
Suddenly---
A SHADOW appears on the wall, it darkens the room. It's that of a tall,
human figure. Uh-oh, it's the ghost again!
David knows this, but he still has his eyes, his hands, his mind on his
drawing.
DAVID
Uncle Martin, I'm gonna sleep in awhile,
don't worry, I just have to do this project of
mine, I don't wanna get a B minus or worse a C
when I---
David faces left. Where the doorway is. His pencil DROPS TO THE FLOOR.
It is the ghost. It's the shadow of the ghost.
David reacts.
DAVID
No!
David squints his eyes, trying to get a good look at it. It's creeping
him out, but it's also making him curious. It marches forward.
Then, David grabs hold of the stainless steel can, the one that has
always been resting on his table.
He hurls it toward the figure. The ghost.
IN THE WALL,
The shadow disappears.
DAVID'S POV,
Nothing's standing in the doorway. No one.
David gets up. Thinks. If it wanted to kill him or hurt him, why did it
take time and and waste seconds standing in front of him? And why would
it vanish if what he used to defend himself was a stainless steel can.
It's just a fucking can. Why?
INT. MENDEL HOUSE NIGHT
The door opens. David enters. Martin's seated on a couch, reading a
newspaper.
He puts the newspaper down.
MARTIN
Oh, hi there!
DAVID
Hi, Uncle Martin!
MARTIN
How you doing?
DAVID
Fine.
MARTIN
So, let's eat.
INT. KITCHEN LATER
David's washing dishes.
Martin's seated on the dinner table. His mind is empty. He's thinking
of nothing, until---
DAVID
Uncle Martin?
MARTIN
Yeah, Dave.
DAVID
Have you ever thought of getting back
at the guy who...
MARTIN
There you go again, Dave. Entertaining
the regrets, Jeez, what time is it?
DAVID
No, I'm not---
Beat.
DAVID
I'm asking you, what would you do
if you saw the man who murdered...
MARTIN
I would shoot him with my gun.
DAVID
Don't you think we should start digging
for clues?
MARTIN
Well, that cop, he ---
DAVID
Officer Hudson?
MARTIN
He said he'd keep in touch. He's going
to the bottom of this...
MARTIN
Even as we speak.
DAVID
That feels better.
MARTIN
Yeah, he'll keep in touch with us. And
he'll call! He's a good guy, you know that.
DAVID
If you saw the corpse of the man.
The man we're looking for, what would
be on your mind?
MARTIN
Good question...
MARTIN
---I'd want to know his real name. Who
he really is, where was he born, and I'd
be glad that he was a corpse. If that happened.
DAVID
Well, I'd do anything to know his. Or her
name.
MARTIN
Thanks for washing the dishes, Dave.
DAVID
No prob.
MARTIN
I'll go to sleep now.
DAVID
All right.
MARTIN
Good night, Dave.
DAVID
Good night, Uncle Martin.
INT. PIZZA PARLOR NIGHT
David and Reese are eating a pizza. Beside David's plate is a can of
root beer. Reese's is hot chocolate.
REESE
Thanks for buying me dinner, Dave.
DAVID
No, problem, Reese.
REESE
So, when was the last time you asked
me out?
DAVID
I'm not sure.
REESE
Well. Thanks again......
REESE
How did the project thing go?
DAVID
Oh, it was fine. I passed.
REESE
Good.
DAVID
Now, there's nothing much to worry about.
REESE
And what about the uh---
DAVID
The ghost. The phantom.
REESE
Phantom? Is that what we're gonna call
it now?
DAVID
Yeah, I still saw it. It still...came.
REESE
Don't worry, it's your imagination, Dave.
You're imagining things, you broke the cabinet,
and if something else physical happens. Physical
proof, you did it. You just don't know what you're
doing when the schizophrenia ---
DAVID
Reese. I told you I AM NOT CRAZY.
REESE
Oh well, let's just eat in peace.
DAVID
Yeah.
REESE
Have you ever heard of the Stamp massacre?
David gets done with his pizza. Sips some rootbeer.
DAVID
No.
REESE
No?
DAVID
Haven't heard of it.
REESE
It happened about 5 months ago.
They say that the killer was a real
psycho, he was deranged, his style of
killing...
DAVID
What do I care about him?
REESE
Nothing. It just crossed my mind. I read
about it recently.
DAVID
I want it to stop!
REESE
What?
DAVID
The ghost. I want it to stop coming back.
REESE
What are you gonna do?
INT. PENN'S CLINIC LATE DAY
David is having another session with Dr. Penn.
PENN
Visions?
DAVID
Yes.
PENN
You sure these are visions?
DAVID
Maybe. My girlfriend says I have been,
I could be...suffering from hallucinations,
schizophrenia...the broken closet, you know.
I did it myself.
PENN
And do you believe her?
DAVID
I'm not sure.
PENN
Are you still mad?
DAVID
Mad?
PENN
Upset. About your parents.
DAVID
I still am.
PENN
Then that could be a definite cause
of your...ailment.
DAVID
Mental sickness.
PENN
If it is.
DAVID
But disregarding that, I felt it happen.
I saw it happen. It was real.
PENN
Are you sure?
DAVID
I'm dead sure.
PENN
Well.
DAVID
Did you have other patients who suffered from
schizophrenia?
PENN
I've had lots.
DAVID
Did they have hallucinations?
PENN
They imagine people. They imagine friends.
DAVID
Friends?
PENN
Ever see that Russel Crowe movie?
DAVID
Gladiator.
PENN
No. Never mind.
DAVID
I've seen Gladiator.
PENN
Anyways, when they imagine these people,
they talk with them. They even argue.
And in their minds, the argument is real.
There is a physical confrontation. And
things break. Vases. Tables. Windows shatter,
and the person who did it was the patient,
the sick patient himself.
DAVID
You're saying that I smashed up my own closet?
PENN
Yes. It's definitely possible. And what do you
really want? I mean, is seeing me really helpful
to you?
DAVID
I don't know. I don't know what's useful to
me anymore. I haven't told my uncle about this.
PENN
Lighten up, David.
DAVID
I got it!
INT. MUSEUM NIGHT
Bunnel and David are seated, and on the table in front of them are the
pyramid blocks. Still apart, but still the gold still shines. It's been
kept most of the time since David tampered with it, but it still looks
brand new.
DAVID
What else is there to know about the pyramids?
BUNNEL
What I've told you before.
DAVID
Anything else the Egyptians told you? Or whoever.
BUNNEL
Well, the ghost. The evil spirit is capable
of killing.
DAVID
What?
BUNNEL
He'll hurt somebody else's soul. He'll
murder.
DAVID
Then what?
BUNNEL
That person's soul will be trapped in
one of the pyramid blocks.
DAVID
Are you sure?
BUNNEL
Well---
DAVID
Do you buy what that person said?
BUNNEL
No.
DAVID
No?
BUNNEL
Unless a teenager would tamper with it,
and would start turning to me for help
because the curse has affected him or her.
Yes, I'm talking about you.
DAVID
You believe it.
BUNNEL
Not necesarrily.
DAVID
All right, put it back together.
Bunnel gathers the pyramid blocks in his hands, and forms the
triangular shape of one pyramid. He attempts to make them STICK. So
they would bond again.
Bunnel holds the tip of the pyramid with his right hand, tries to lift
it. But the blocks fall apart.
It's clearly not how it was when it was delivered to him. The three
pyramid blocks where linked forming one solid object.
BUNNEL
It doesn't work. It's broken for good.
We can't put it back together.
DAVID
No way.
BUNNEL
I might as well not waste my time with this,
no thanks to you for breaking it.
DAVID
No, no, try it again.
Bunnel does the same thing again. No luck.
DAVID
No.
BUNNEL
Come on, kid this is a waste of time,
if you're desperate, help yourself.
Bunnel stands. So does David. He walks away from the long table, and
makes his way to the exhibit.
David follows him.
DAVID
No!
BUNNEL
Come on, we're almost closing. Go home.
DAVID
Please.
BUNNEL
Please what?
DAVID
Help me!
BUNNEL
I don't owe you anything.
DAVID
Please, I want it to stop. The haunting to
stop.
BUNNEL
I'm sorry, help yourself, son.
DAVID
Come on!
BUNNEL
Go home.
INT. REESE'S HOUSE NIGHT
David and Reese on a couch. Both are watching TV. A bowl filled with
potato chips sits on the glass table in front of them. David takes some
chips off the bowl, now he has a palm full. He uses his other hand to
pick some up of those chips up. Eats. Reese isn't rather hungry. She's
a little tired, but her eyes still focus on the TV set.
DAVID
I have a question.
Beat. Reese yawns.
DAVID
Can ghosts kill?
REESE
Um---
DAVID
I mean, you know a heck a lot about
ghosts, and surely you could give me
some insights...
David yawns also.
DAVID
...as to whether they can...kill or...
REESE
No, they can't.
DAVID
What book did you know that from?
REESE
They can't.
DAVID
Are you sure?
REESE
David, you think I'm a fucking idiot.
DAVID
No, I---
REESE
They just keep coming back to you, and...
they always want to...get to you...
DAVID
What book---
REESE
Look, I'M NOT SURE WHICH ONE, OKAY!
DAVID
(whispers)
Sorry.
REESE
They can't kill.
Reese shakes her head.
REESE
They can't.
DAVID
Why not?
REESE
They can't, although...if this...
Beat. Reese frowns. Takes a breath.
REESE
...ghost haunting you...keeps coming
back to you, he definitely wants to hurt
you. But obviously,
Reese frowns again.
REESE
evil spirits can't kill.
Reese raises a brow.
REESE
They can't.
DAVID
Something else...
Reese edges closer to David. Puts her arm around his shoulders.
REESE
What?
DAVID
How do you stop these...
REESE
You can't.
DAVID
What?
REESE
You never can.
Reese shakes her head.
REESE
Maybe only God can stop this...
force that has its desire on...
giving you...
Reese takes a breath.
REESE
Yeah, maybe only God can stop the
ghost.
DAVID
But why can't it get to me right away?
REESE
What?
DAVID
I mean, first it appears, then it vanishes,
in...
David frowns.
DAVID
Irregular intervals.
REESE
It just CAN'T stick with you for a long
period of time.
DAVID
So, it's afraid of me?
REESE
No.
Reese yawns again. Shuts her eyes, she rests her head on David's
shoulders.
REESE
No, it's not.
INT. MENDEL HOUSE NIGHT
The house is dark. Martin hasn't arrived.
David walks up the stairs. David eyes the shotgun momentarily. It's at
the tip of the staircase, near the banister.
He reaches the second floor.
He walks through the hallway, he glances at Uncle Martin's room, walks
forward, and ---
Shit!
The Storage Room.
The window he closed before is now open. The high glass window. It's
open and some snow are starting to fall in the room.
He walks into the storage room.
He stares at the window. Shit, shit, this is really creeping him out.
What's he gonna do? What happened? He's sure that Martin didn't open
the window. He wouldn't.
David steps closer to it.
He grabs hold of the stool, stands on it.
His head is now directly in front of the window. He stares at the
glass. He doesn't bother to close it yet.
He just stares.
Then the GHOST APPEARS! As if he climbed up the window! It's dark, he
can't make out the features of the ghost in the window, but it's
staring him in the eye.
The ghost's eyes sparkle. But still, he can't see its features, all he
can see are those creepy, glowing eyes.
The ghost's hands reach out through the window and grab his collar.
It manages to lift him, until David's head bangs on the glass window,
it shuts.
David drops to the floor.
He continues to stare at the window in shock.
The ghost is gone.
He hurries out of the room, and makes his way to the staircase. He
picks up the shotgun. He checks the chamber. Luckily there's a bullet.
Looks like Uncle Martin just wants to be extra safe from burglars.
He replaces the chamber.
The gun is now ready to fire.
David's scared shit, but he has to confront his enemy. He walks slowly
toward the storage room.
Slowly, slowly.
This has got to stop.
DAVID
I'VE GOT TO SAY SOMETHING!!!
David holds the rifle properly, in shooting position. He's just about
ready to blow anything away, right now.
DAVID
WHO ARE YOU???!!!
David starts to sweat, he's getting even more scared.
DAVID
WHO ARE YOU? ANSWER ME!!!
DAVID
AND WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?
He inches closer to the doorstep of the storage room.
DAVID
YOU WANNA TALK, YOU'RE LONELY,
YOU WANNA KILL ME? YOU WANNA TAKE
A SWING, YOU DEAD SON OF A BITCH,
WHAT?
DAVID
WELL, TELL YOU WHAT, PAL, YOU
DON'T KNOW WHO YOU'RE FUCKING WITH.
DAVID
IF YOU'RE DEAD...SHIT, WHAT AM I
SAYING OF COURSE YOU'RE DEAD!!!...
I'LL KILL YOU AGAIN!!!
Finally, David steps into the storage room and ---
Nothing. There's no ghost in the window.
He has got to find the guts to move. He grabs the stool again, stands
on it. Opens the window.
He positions the shotgun barrel into the window, now it's sticking out.
David pulls the trigger.
BANG!
The burst defeans David, he drops to the floor.
INT. PENN'S CLINIC LATE DAY
David and Doctor Penn talk.
DAVID
I'm not seeing things.
PENN
You swear it?
DAVID
Yes.
PENN
How can you be sure?
DAVID
I'm not.
PENN
You want me to give you some
medication. I'll prescribe you these---
DAVID
No.
PENN
What are we gonna do then?
DAVID
I don't know.
PENN
You still find talking to me helpful, David?
DAVID
Oh, yeah. Don't worry.
DAVID
Could I have been seeing things? Could
I have imagined the whole thing?
PENN
Yes.
DAVID
Do you believe me?
PENN
You said you imagined the whole thing.
Well, at least you asked me. Yes, I
believe you, you are seeing things, and
by now your hallucinations are probably
getting worse.
DAVID
The ghost grabbed me in the neck.
PENN
What else?
DAVID
What do you mean what else?
PENN
What else.
DAVID
What?
PENN
What else---what did it hurt?
DAVID
I was lifted up. Up into that window.
PENN
You could have lifted yourself up, climbed.
DAVID
No.
PENN
David, do you still find a point to being here?
DAVID
I don't know, I go to the museum, I consult
psychics, ask them about supernatural things.
PENN
And this pyramid thing that you're talking
about. What is it? Is it---
DAVID
It could be the cause. I could be seeing a
real ghost.
PENN
Did this professor confirm it, David?
DAVID
No. In fact, he's not sure.
PENN
I don't know how I can help you, David,
if you can't tell me what's going on with
you. Frankly, I can't evaluate you myself.
Unless you told me about things that disturb
you emotionally...so, what's it gonna be?
DAVID
I'm sure of it.
PENN
What?
DAVID
I AM NOT SEEING THINGS.
INT. DAVID'S HOUSE NIGHT
David holds the receiver of the telephone. He dials up a number.
DAVID
Hello.
HUDSON
Who is this?
DAVID
Officer, this is David Mendel.
HUDSON
How, 'ya doin', kid Merry Christmas!
DAVID
Yeah, likewise.
Beat.
DAVID
I was wondering...
HUDSON
Ah. Let me guess.
DAVID
Yeah?
HUDSON
We haven't found your parents killer yet.
DAVID
You sure? How long---
HUDSON
It's like a needle in a haystack situation,
son you know what I mean?
DAVID
But will you eventually find him.
David sits on the couch beside the telephone table. He scratches his
head.
DAVID
Will you---
HUDSON
Yeah. But, I guess it'll take some time.
David sighs.
HUDSON
But tell you what, I'll keep in touch...
INT. MUSEUM NIGHT
Bunnel and David talk.
BUNNEL
It did?
DAVID
Yes.
BUNNEL
You have got to be shitting me.
DAVID
No.
BUNNEL
And---
DAVID
It was cold. The hands touched me. Really
cold. Freezing cold.
BUNNEL
Are you sure?
DAVID
It happened.
BUNNEL
I always thought I heard bullshit about
the pyramid.
DAVID
It's not bullshit.
BUNNEL
We both know that now.
DAVID
Can you figure out a way to make this all
stop?
BUNNEL
The haunting?
DAVID
Please.
BUNNEL
There have to be ways, but it's hard.
My mind can't point to one solution.
DAVID
Please.
BUNNEL
I gotta think. I have to be given
lots of time to think.
DAVID
Is it that hard?
INT. KITCHEN NIGHT
David and Martin are seated on the dinner table. Eating. Martin is
angry.
MARTIN
Well, I should have known, I should
have kept it...
DAVID
But I had to!!!
MARTIN
Had to what? Fire it at the window?
David, you could have killed someone,
a random person, you never know!
DAVID
(whispers)
Uncle Martin.
MARTIN
What?
DAVID
There's something I've wanted to tell you.
MARTIN
What?
DAVID
It's about the field trip.
MARTIN
What happened?
DAVID
Something happened in the field trip.
David goes on and tells him the whole story.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. REESE'S LIVING ROOM NIGHT
David and Reese are on the couch. David puts his arms over Reese's
shoulders.
DAVID
I don't know if I'm going anywhere.
REESE
Well, at least you told your uncle about it.
DAVID
Yeah, but he's still mad at me though, for
firing the gun.
REESE
Yeah...you shouldn't have.
DAVID
This is gonna end soon.
REESE
I hope.
DAVID
What?
REESE
Almost everytime you step in here.
You creep me out. But that's just now...
with all you're going through, know what
I mean?
DAVID
Yeah.
Beat.
DAVID
You wanna go with me tomorrow?
REESE
Where?
INT. MUSEUM LATE DAY
David and Reese are inside. David faces Professor Bunnel.
DAVID
So, how are things going?
BUNNEL
For me? Things are going fine. There's...
wait, David, I have to tell you.
DAVID
The pyramids. I figured it all out.
BUNNEL
What?
DAVID
You tried to put them back together, right?
BUNNEL
Yes.
DAVID
But they won't lock!
BUNNEL
They won't.
DAVID
Even how hard you tried.
BUNNEL
No luck.
DAVID
I figured it all out.
BUNNEL
What have you figured out?
DAVID
I'll lock them myself.
BUNNEL
What?
DAVID
You never let me hold them, you
never let me touch them when we
were attempting to piece it together,
I didn't even bother to tell you to
make me try.
BUNNEL
Could it work?
DAVID
It will. I broke it. I'm the one
who deserves to fix it. To piece
it back together.
BUNNEL
That's what I've been trying to---
DAVID
What?
BUNNEL
One of the blocks was stolen.
DAVID
What?
BUNNEL
I left it on one of the tables, and
then one of the pyramid blocks...just gone.
It was daytime when I forgot all about it.
I just left the blocks in the table. I was
disorganized, busy...many were touring
in the exhibit. I couldn't...
DAVID
No.
REESE
Do you have any suspects?
BUNNEL
We do have surveillance cameras.
David, there's something else...
DAVID
What?
BUNNEL
I think I remember one of your schoolmates,
or was it a classmate. I checked into one
of the surveillance tapes and there he was...
DAVID
Who?
BUNNEL
I think it was the rude kid.
DAVID
The rude...
REESE
Who?
DAVID
Rude?
BUNNEL
Yes.
DAVID
Reese, who could---
REESE
Rude, nasty?
BUNNEL
Yes. He was...
REESE
David.
David turns to Reese.
REESE
It was Butch. It could only have been him.
DAVID
That son of a bitch!
INT. JOSH'S APARTMENT LATE DAY
Josh's apartment is pretty much like Reese's. Only its less spacious.
And less...tidy. Josh sits in front of his study table. Pencil in hand.
His TABLE LAMP is on.
David stands. His back leans against the wall, decorated with flowered
wall paper. His face tightens. Angry.
DAVID
I can't believe the son of a bitch
took it!
JOSH
Believe it, David.
Josh raises a brow.
DAVID
What?
JOSH
He's always capable of pulling shit
like that! Like how he set you up for...
breaking the pyramid to pieces.
DAVID
I say this again and again. I didn't
break it. It came apart. If I did break
it...HE DID IT.
David takes a breath.
DAVID
His fault.
David shakes his head.
DAVID
I just hate that motherfucker.
David frowns.
DAVID
Can you help me out?
JOSH
What, man?
DAVID
Help me.
JOSH
Help you what?
DAVID
Go to his house, and take that golden
pyramid block back.
JOSH
Sorry, dude. I got some homework to do.
DAVID
Come on, man---
JOSH
No is the answer.
Beat. David sighs.
DAVID
I wonder what the fuck is he gonna do
with it.
JOSH
Sell it.
DAVID
How---
JOSH
He'll just leave town. Find a pawnshop.
Josh lets go of the pencil he's holding.
JOSH
Now, he ain't gonna earn a million...
Josh shrugs.
JOSH
Probably, he could barter it for ten
thousand bucks.
EXT. HOUSE NIGHT
David stands on a snowy lawn. He wears a winter jacket and gloves.
He stands before a two-story house. It's Butch Redford's house. He
checks the garage.
The garage door is open. No car.
He scans the house. He looks and glances at one of the windows. Then he
turns around, glances at the gray car. It's his uncles gray car. He
used it to come.
INT. THE HOUSE NIGHT
David enters through the front door.
As he steps in, he takes off his gloves. Pockets them. He checks the
MASTER BEDROOM, no one.
He checks the BATHROOM. It's empty.
Then he makes his way to one of the rooms, the door is ajar, he steps
closer, closer---
He flings it open. Nope. No one.
This doesn't make any sense. Now, if there's no one in the house, why
the fuck isn't the front door locked?
He makes his way to the stairs. He climbs the stairs.
He checks the second floor.
He checks everywhere. Every corner, every room. He can't find somebody,
at least Butch's mom or dad. Or Butch himself.
He goes downstairs.
He scans the place. Just to be sure. If Butch isn't here, then he has
to get out.
He looks at a CD component, with two speakers. It catches his eye. He's
always wanted one of these---
Butch creeps up from behind him, holding a HOCKEY STICK.
Butch takes a swing.
It smashes on David's back. Hurting him. David falls to the floor.
David manages to get up.
DAVID
The pyramid!
BUTCH
What?
DAVID
Give it to me...
BUTCH
Come on, Dave, you wouldn't turn it in
would you...if you were me, I were you,
I wouldn't.
Butch drops the hockey stick.
BUTCH
It's worth a million.
DAVID
I need it.
Butch reaches into his pocket. He displays the pyramid block. He grips
it with his fingers, when---
David throws a punch.
Butch falls back. The pyramid clatters to the floor. David grabs it.
Pockets it.
Butch appears to be unconscious.
David steps out of the house.
Then he trips, stumbles. His face kissing the snow. David can barely
move. The frost hurts him. It tortures him.
DAVID'S POV,
All black.
He fights to get up. But he falls again. His face in the snow.
IT'S ALL BLACK, HE CAN'T SEE. BUT IT'S REALLY COLD. HIS FACE IS FROZEN
RED.
He gets up.
Walks to the gray car. Opens the door and steps in.
David's in the driver's seat. He takes the pyramid out from his pocket.
Holds it. Now there's nothing to worry about.
He examines it, sees if there was any damage done---
Then from behind, from behind the car, Butch emerges.
He grabs David's back, pulls him.
Now, how the fuck did he get in?
They fight inside the car. Struggling to get the pyramid.
The fight is taken outside.
Both of them are out of the car now. Punching. Kicking.
BUT THE PYRAMID IS ON THE GROUND, AND IT'S NEAR A DRAINAGE! IT COULD
FALL IN THE SEWER ANY TIME.
David and Butch continue to fight. David punches Butch, Butch kicks
David, then they end up throwing elbows.
Then, the ghost appears! He can be called a phantom actually, he's all
black, shadowy.
The ghost approaches from behind the fighting teens. The ghost's hands
reach out and grab Butch by the neck. The ghost hurls Butch far away.
Then Butch lands on the snow.
The ghost tries to fight David. He tries to get to David.
But David drops, and TOUCHES THE PYRAMID.
The ghost disappears!
So, he's afraid of the pyramid.
INT. DAVID'S BEDROOM NIGHT
David's lying in his bed. He's not asleep though. The pyramid rests on
his bedside table.
The phone rings.
HUDSON
Hello?
DAVID
Yeah.
HUDSON
This is Officer Hudson. Hey, kid,
can I talk to your uncle?
DAVID
Well---
HUDSON
Nah, I'll just talk to you. We know the killer.
DAVID
Who?
HUDSON
Stanley Harris. Yeah, the driver. He killed
himself right after he killed your mom and dad.
Stabbed them. They musta had an argument of
some sort, it's weird really, but we figured
it out just now. Yeah, the driver was the killer,
and you know what?
DAVID
What?
HUDSON
He also killed one family recently. The Stamp
family. Ever heard of them?
DAVID
Yes.
HUDSON
Well, there goes.
DAVID
So---
HUDSON
And if he were alive now, God forbid he'd
be coming after you, oh he would!!! Oh yeah!
David drops the receiver. Hangs up.
DAVID
So, it IS YOU! YOU FUCK!
David holds the pyramid block.
INT. MUSEUM LATE DAY
David is holding the pyramid blocks. He pieces them together, forces
them to link and TING!
They stick to each other, like magnets. Now they're solid again. Bunnel
watches in awe.
DAVID
It's over.
BUNNEL
It's over.
David shakes hands with Bunnel.
DAVID
I suppose I would be doing this. Thanks.
BUNNEL
Thank you.
EXT. SIDEWALK LATE DAY
David walks in one of the snow-filled sidewalks. Coldness spikes the
air as he strides through.
Then suddenly---
It's back. The ghost. But this time, he can see the face.
The ghost grabs him by the neck and forces him into a wooden door. The
ghost stares at him, as if trying to intimidate him.
Stanley Harris looks like a zombie, his head torn, bruises in his face
from smashing in the steering wheel.
DAVID
Why did you kill them?
INSERT FLASHBACK:
David throwing the can, the can drops.
There was the rosary inside. The rosary!
INSERT FLASHBACK:
David holding the pyramid in the street that night.
The ghost disappearing.
END FLASHBACKS.
David stares fearlessly at his enemy. He then turns around, and flings
the wooden door open.
It's a Church.
He pulls Stan's hands and miraculously he's able to bring his body in,
he's able to touch a ghost.
Then Stan falls to the floor of the Church.
Stan gets up. David starts backing away.
Stan approaches slowly. Then Stan starts turning pale. Then blue.
Glowing blue.
Stanley's body finally explodes!
The explosion rocks the Church, David flies and lands near the altar.
The pews tumble in domino fashion.
Now IT IS OVER. God has KILLED Stanley for good.
Astonished, David gets up and looks at the incredible sight. It's like
Raiders of the Lost Ark!
EXT. MENDEL RESIDENCE DAY
David, Martin, Josh, and Reese are inside the house. Martin is holding
a plate with a roast turkey in it.
It's Christmas!
Then, something catches David's eye.
Someone outside the house. Someone familiar.
He steps out of the house. It's Bunnel.
BUNNEL
I just wanted you to know.
DAVID
Yes.
BUNNEL
I had the pyramid shipped to Egypt. Now we're
all safe from curses!
DAVID
Good.
BUNNEL
That's all.
Bunnel turns around. Goes.
But---
BUNNEL
Oh, David, Merry Christmas!
DAVID
Merry Christmas, Professor.
Bunnel walks through the sidewalk, he goes farther, farther, and
finally disappears into the blizzard.
INT. MENDEL HOUSE
Reese turns to David.
REESE
What was that about?
DAVID
He just wanted to greet.
FADE OUT: THE END
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