This is what this screenplay looks like when it’s formatted in a screenwriting program like Final Draft. Below is a republish for Substack. More on this below1
The story starts here:
OVER BLACK -
Prayers, low as whispers, grow in strength:
VOICES
(varied)
Please, God. Let them be okay. Don’t take our baby from us. Let her live. If anyone’s up there - please!
INT. VW JETTA - NIGHT
A GASP AWAKE. EYES. They belong to IRIS - age 17, and alive.
IRIS
Jesus!
Blood stains the crushed ice cube windshield dangling above her.
She feels her stomach - the steering wheel’s an inch from her chest - the axel pierced through her seat, just above her shoulder
IRIS (CONT’D)
Fuck. No. This isn’t real. This can’t be real.
She winces and blinks. Braces. She can’t look. But she must.
IRIS (CONT’D)
No!
There, in the passenger seat next to her, is LACY - very much dead.
Iris struggles to turn. Pinned down, she can’t move.
She grips what’s left of the rear-view, attempts to twist its mangled form-
IRIS (CONT’D)
Jen! Keesha? Emily? Please, anyone- just please don’t be-
DEAD. THEY’RE ALL DEAD.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Fuck! No! Oh fuck-
Panic overtakes her. She scrambles to find her seatbelt and unlock herself. She finally does - her head hits the ceiling.
She’s pinned upside down. Completely stuck.
Hyperventilating, crying, she flails about.
It doesn’t work.
SPLASH. Liquid drips onto her chin. The bead dribbles up her jaw towards her mouth.
The flailing finally starts to work.
She loosens one leg free of the carnage - still in tact.
Balancing on her craned neck and shoulders, she pulls into a one-legged fetal position and mule-kicks what’s left of the door.
She kicks. And kicks. And kicks.
She wrestles the other leg free. Now she’s kicking with both legs.
It’s not enough force. She inches further from the door to get more momentum.
Her ARM touches something wet and cold - LACY.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Ugh! Fuck! Come on!
She elbows the body towards the opposite door, swiping her arms through glass and more pooling liquid.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Fucking! Open! Up!
With a SCREAM, she kicks as hard as she can-
Whatever’s left of the cartoon accordion driver’s door cracks open.
Again and again she kicks, inching it open, until finally, it’s cracked enough to get out.
Now the hard part - to somehow turn around and climb out of the wreckage.
She rolls up into a ball and turns onto her side. Then onto her stomach.
And little by little, inch by inch, onto her feet, back hunched. She slowly unspools, scraping herself across the jagged edges of the crumpled frame, until she reaches through-
EXT. RAVINE - NIGHT
Iris pulls herself from the mangled Jetta like a worm wriggling free from a crunched-up coke can.
She slaps onto the dirt. She’s in the basin of a ravine.
Behind her, the Jetta lies on its hood, upside down against the far side of the ravine’s crook. It clearly landed face-first before falling on top of itself.
She doesn’t look back. Only ahead. To the edge of a ravine.
A highway looms above her.
The faint glow of HEADLIGHTS pass by every few seconds overhead.
IRIS
(voice-cracking; weak)
Hello? Is anyone there? We need help!
No response. Obviously.
She’s going to have to climb.
Weakened, she approaches the cliff side. She digs her hands into the dirt, clinging to whatever she can. Clawing her way up.
With every passing light, she calls:
IRIS (CONT’D)
Hello? Hello. Hell-
She saves her strength. Grips harder.
Clambering, slipping, reaching, falling, grunting, groaning, until finally -
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
Iris’ hand grasps the edge. Fingers curl. She heaves with the last of her strength and pulls herself topside. She’s on the shoulder of a cliff-side highway. She curls up, catching her breath, until -
HEADLIGHTS break from behind a hill, BLINDING HER. Its a VAN, It slows to a stop in front of her. She winces- safe at last?
INT. MINIVAN - NIGHT
A HUSBAND and WIFE (both late 30s) stare at Iris, on all fours, covered in her friends blood, and silhouette against the gaping Jetta-sized hole in the broken guard rail.
HUSBAND
What the...
They pull to the side of the road. The wife gets out as the husband dials a number.
WIFE
How bad are you hurt?
Iris, in shock, shakes her head.
WIFE (CONT’D)
Do you remember what happened?
Her husband gets out from behind.
IRIS
My friends... I-
WIFE
Where are they? Down there?
The wife approaches the side of the road. Just close enough to see-
WIFE (CONT’D)
Oh my god. Dave! Dial 911 now!
Dave points to his phone
DAVE
(into phone)
Yeah, there’s been some kind of accident? Looks like the car went off the side of the road.
WIFE
(to Iris)
Stay where you are. We’re getting help.
IRIS
You can’t help them.
WIFE
What do you mean?
IRIS
I... killed... them.
WIFE
No- no, hon- it was an accident-
IRIS
Why aren’t I dead? With them?
The woman is taken back. But then she pulls Iris in.
WIFE
I don’t know. But be grateful you are.
Locked into the woman’s embrace, Iris begins to disassociate, her face becoming an empty stare. HEADLIGHTS BEAM on her as:
EXT. ROAD - MOMENTS LATER
HEADLIGHTS become a FLASHLIGHT as PARAMEDICS inspect Iris’ blank face in the back of an ambulance.
FLASHLIGHT becomes SIREN LIGHTS as Iris emotionlessly watches the BODY BAGS hoisted up from the wreckage and loaded into another ambulance.
SIREN LIGHTS become OVERHEAD FLORESCENCES as...
INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE - LATER
Iris stares blankly at her DOCTOR’s reassuring look. The Doctor and her PARENTS (50s) frown.
FLORESCENT BULBS become INCANDESCENTS as Iris is loaded into an MRI, buzzing as it snaps pictures of her brain...
EXT. CHURCH - NIGHT
INCANDESCENTS become LED CELL FLASHLIGHT as a REPORTER steals shots of Iris’ swollen face entering the funeral.
INT. CHURCH - NIGHT
LED FLASHLIGHT becomes CANDLELIGHT as four tribute candles are lit. Iris, near catatonic, turns away from the light to see her FRIENDS’ FAMILIES (varied), all STARING AT HER.
INT. IRIS’ ROOM - NIGHT
CANDLELIGHT becomes BLUE LIGHT as Iris doom scrolls past flashing SOCIAL MEDIA NOTIFICATIONS - all hate messages. She leans across to her nightstand for a bottle of PILLS.
INT. IRIS’ HOUSE - NIGHT
BLUE LIGHT becomes HALLWAY LIGHT through a cracked door as Iris watches her parents argue, pointing towards her. She closes the door, completely detached.
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
BLUE LIGHT becomes STROBE LIGHTS as Iris, now VISIBLY OLDER, and completely zoned out, pops more pills on the dance floor.
INT. WAREHOUSE BATHROOM - NIGHT
STROBE LIGHTS becomes BLACK LIGHT, illuminating the graffiti-covered walls around IRIS as she’s handed a baggy of more pills.
INT. DIFFERENT WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
BLACK LIGHT becomes a KALEIDOSCOPE OF NEON COLORS as Iris raves harder, face still vacant; body doing all the movement.
INT. DIFFERENT WAREHOUSE BATHROOM - NIGHT
NEON LIGHT becomes DARK RED as IRIS pours out powder onto the dingy sink basin and rails it.
EXT. FOREST RAVE - NIGHT
DARK RED LIGHT becomes GLOWSTICK LIGHT as Iris stares blankly at RAVERS and GLOVERS with their LED gloves and poi balls. Anyone else would be mesmerized. She pops another pill.
EXT. MUSIC FESTIVAL - NIGHT
GLOWSTICK LIGHT becomes STADIUM LIGHTS as Iris, now covered in ironically BRIGHT “KANDI KID” candy jewelry and NEON GLOWSTICKS, loses herself to the music amongst a swarm of RAVERS. Amongst all the light and movement, a SWIRLING BLUR of COLORS overtakes her and she disappears into the crowd...
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. IRIS’ ROOM - DAY
The door to Iris’ room swings open. Iris, still in her raver outfit, lies on top of the sheets. She barely lifts a head as her MOTHER, PETUNIA (50s), charges in.
PETUNIA
What time did you get home last night?
IRIS
(barely awake)
This morning.
Petunia rolls her eyes, tidying the mess of blankets and cereal bowls on the floor.
PETUNIA
Of course. Dare I ask, but shouldn’t you be at class right now?
IRIS
Depends. What time is now.
PETUNIA
1pm.
IRIS
Yup. Missed it. Five hours ago.
Petunia SLAMS one of the bowls down on IRIS’ desk.
PETUNIA
Jesus Christ, Iris. I know. I know, that you’re going through this, but you have to do something with yourself. It’s been five years.
IRIS
Six. And a half.
Iris lifts her head off the pillow, only to be met by a RAGING HEADACHE.
PETUNIA
I’m sorry. Just. Take a fucking night class or something. And a shower.
INT. LECTURE HALL - NIGHT
Iris, in sunglasses, is practically slumped over asleep in her chair at the back of a lecture hall.
Next to her is NED (mid 20s), like a geeky Robert Downey Jr. junior, who notices her not-subtle-at-all performance.
Mostly because she’s snoring.
NED
(whisper-yell)
Iris. Hey. Hey! Iris!
Iris snorts awake, snapping out of it.
NED (CONT’D)
You’ve got spittle from here to here.
Dazed and confused, Iris follows Ned’s finger to the massive pool of drool on her chin. She wipes her face.
NED (CONT’D)
If you want to sleep, just put your head down.
IRIS
Isn’t that more obvious?
NED
More obvious than sunglasses? At night? Inside?
Iris snatches the shades off her face and stows them away.
She lays her arms out on the empty seat in front of her, resting her chin. She observes as the PROFESSOR (Gray beard, tweed suit) swash-buckles a laser pointer across some PowerPoint slides of the human brain.
IRIS
Why is psychology so boring.
NED
It’s not boring. You’re just bored. There’s a difference.
Iris shrugs, and turns so that she’s laying her cheek on her arms. Now she’s observing Ned. She scrutinizes him.
IRIS
What’re you in for?
Ned does his own impression of Iris’ scrutinizing look back at her.
NED
An A.D. in B.S. You?
IRIS
Killing time.
NED
Until?
IRIS
I grow old enough to die.
Ned cracks a smile.
NED
I just decided to be friends with you.
IRIS
I’m still undecided.
She turns back to the teacher.
NED
It’s too bad they don’t teach late-stage Victorian era demonology in this class.
Iris turns back to Ned.
IRIS
Go on.
NED
I’m obsessed with the relationship between historical accounts of demon possession and what we now understand about psychology and mental ailments like depression.
Iris hasn’t turned away, so Ned continues.
NED (CONT’D)
Or like episodes of epidemic mass hysteria, technically mass psychogenic illness, like what invoked the Salem witch trials. Or hypnopompic hallucinations- which 20% of people all around the world experience as actual demons - sleep demons-
Iris holds up her hand to stop Ned.
IRIS
I gotta be honest with you.
Ned waits.
IRIS (CONT’D)
I’m still a little high right now. So no more demon talk please?
Ned nods.
NED
That’s why they say you shouldn’t do drugs and go to night school.
Ned pops a pill. Off Iris’ stare-
NED (CONT’D)
Sorry. This class messes with my methylphenidate schedule.
IRIS
Isn’t meth a drug?
NED
Methylphen- it isn’t- it’s for ADHD.
IRIS
Nice. You’re just as much a drug addict as me.
NED
It’s prescription!
IRIS
So is mine. I’m just... “self” diagnosed.
NED
Healthy!
EXT. CITY COLLEGE CAMPUS (PARKING LOT) - NIGHT
A STREAM OF STUDENTS empties out into the parking lot from their cars, Iris and Ned among them.
IRIS
You know, we can’t be friends.
NED
Why not?
IRIS
All my friends end up dead.
Ned smirks.
NED
Is that a threat?
Iris shrugs.
IRIS
It’s a fact.
Ned’s a little taken aback. But he persists.
NED
We don’t have to be friends.
Iris stops; staring at Ned, she assesses his intentions.
IRIS
...I already have a boyfriend.
NED
Trust me. I’m not interested.
Ned gives a cheeky grin. Iris shrugs and walks off.
NED (CONT’D)
(calling after her)
Same time next week then?
Iris throws a peace sign. Ned gets in his car and watches her leave the parking lot and plop down at the bus stop.
A GLITCH sound fills the night air as OMEN by THE PRODIGY begins:
THE PRODIGY
(music; faint shouting)
It’s an O-men!
SMASH TO:
INT. GRUNGY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Iris, back in her sunglasses and kandi rave attire, rocks out to The Prodigy in a crowded warehouse.
A DEALER KID slips over and hands her a pill. She takes it with a raised brow. He mouths: “It’s new.” She shrugs and swallows it.
Slowly, steadily, and then all at once, everything around her fades and blends together, melting and reforming and melting again right before her eyes. Iris watches in amazement.
THE PRODIGY
(music)
Now! It’s an Omen! Now!
Iris turns to the dealer kid, nodding enthusiastically. He trades her some more pills for cash, then disappears into the crowd.
THE PRODIGY (CONT’D)
Now! The writing’s on the wall... It won't go away...
It's an Omen...
Iris loses herself in the music and surrounding chaos, her movements becoming as liquid as the fluid world around her.
THE PRODIGY (CONT’D)
It’s an Omen...
You just run on automation...
Now! Now!
Then, perfectly in time with the eerie chimes of “Omen”, things get weird...
THE PRODIGY (CONT’D)
Now! The writing’s on the wall... It won't go away...
It's an Omen...
People around Iris start to turn and stare. Their faces morph - not into mush, but into tree people. Mangled, decaying, gnarled and knotted trees, with creepy tree faces.
IRIS
Oh fuck.
The trees contort more. Their faces angry. Arms outstretched. Fingers spindly, and grabby-
THE PRODIGY
It's an Omen... It's an Omen...
Iris turns to flee. She’s Snow White, and the whole warehouse has become the haunted forest-
Not just any forest. Her forest...
THE PRODIGY (CONT’D)
Now! Now! Now!
She screams, shoves, whatever she has to do to get away- from the tree people, from her forest, from her past...
She winces her eyes tight and breaks into a run…
…and slams head first into a GIANT, BULKY OAK.
Iris SCREAMS.
TREE BOUNCER
Whoa! Iris! What the fuck?
IRIS
(can’t get past his face)
Don’t- I can’t-
TREE BOUNCER
(to another tree)
Call an Uber. Keep it quiet. She must be fucked bad. I’ve never seen this girl life an eyebrow let alone trip like this.
As the trees drag her out, Iris drifts unconscious...
END MUSIC.
INT. LIVING ROOM - MORNING
Iris startles awake. She’s back on her couch at home.
She turns to find her STEP-DAD HERB (50s, nerd from before it was cool) slurping down raisin bran in the breakfast nook. Seeing Iris awake and staring at him, he also startles, spilling milk everywhere.
HERB
Oh god. Petunia!
(a regular comedian)
Doctor, we have a pulse!
Petunia rounds the corner, in slacks and a button-up, drying the last of her damp hair.
PETUNIA
At least now we know you didn’t OD.
IRIS
Wow. You’re so concerned.
PETUNIA
Iris: I’m nothing but concerned about you. All the time!
IRIS
I don’t get why you care.
PETUNIA
I care because it affects me. It affects Herb-
Iris watches Herb try to clean up the spilled cereal with one hand to keep up the appearance that he’s paying attention.
PETUNIA (CONT’D)
You have to stop doing this to yourself. If not for you, do it for us. For me.
IRIS
I- I don’t know what else to do. I don’t care about anything.
PETUNIA
(genuine)
You don’t care about me?
A glimpse of something wells up in Iris’ eyes, but she quickly snuffs it out.
IRIS
I do, but- fuck! Just fuck off!
Petunia stands her ground.
PETUNIA
No. You fuck off!
HERB
Petunia!
PETUNIA
You too, Herb!
Herb throws up his hands.
PETUNIA (CONT’D)
You want to scuttle your life down the toilet? By all means! But you won’t do it as my fucking guest!
IRIS
You’re seriously kicking me out?
PETUNIA
What else can I do Iris? Give me literally any other exit ramp and I’ll gladly take it!
Iris could scream - but nothing comes out. So she storms out.
Iris SLAMS her room door. Petunia screams after her.
PETUNIA (CONT’D)
Enjoy it while it lasts! I’ll have the hinges off that thing and evict your ass in no time flat! Watch me!
She seethes. Finally she acknowledges Herb’s puppy dog stare.
HERB
(stammering)
You know- you- love is tough.
Petunia’s look of utter and absolute disappointment sears his soul as she throws on her blazer and leaves for work.
All Herb can do is pour himself another bowl of cereal.
INT. IRIS’ ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Iris THROWS OPEN her laptop. There, on startup, is AOL INSTANT MESSENGER and an IM from STONE69.
STONE69
(on screen)
U up?
Iris immediately fires a volley of messages from her screen name: XxDedGrlWalkinxX
DEDGRLWALKIN
(on screen)
Heyyy. Omg. So glad u messaged. I fuckn HATE IT here.
STONE69
?! Wut happened?!
DEDGIRLWALKIN
I just had the worst trip of my life, and now my mom’s kicking me out, totally out of nowhere.
STONE69
Do u need a place 2 stay?
Iris considers.
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Um... Tbd.
STONE69
I know I’m far away...
Iris throws her laptop onto her bed and curls up with it.
DEDGIRLWALKIN
I know. Ugh. Ur too far away. I wanna see u so bad right now.
STONE69
Cum on over LOL.
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Omg. Ur so stupid lol.
Iris grins at the screen. It quickly fades.
DEDGIRLWALKIN (CONT’D)
I’m just so sick of this.
STONE69
Of wut?
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Life! LOL.
STONE69
Life is siiick lol wut do you mean?
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Ugh. No. It sucks. Sometimes...
STONE69
...? Wut?
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Ur going to think I sound crazy.
STONE69
Naw. Never. Tell me.
Iris’ fingers linger over the keyboard, indecisive. Suddenly, a flurry of keystrokes-
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Sometimes I wish I was never born...
No response.
DEDGIRLWALKIN (CONT’D)
More than sometimes. Like. ALWAYS.
No response.
DEDGIRLWALKIN (CONT’D)
And ur like... kinda my only reason for living.
She hits send. IMMEDIATE REGRET.
Iris panics. She starts damage control, typing wildly:
DEDGIRLWALKIN (CONT’D)
Omg. See? I sound psycho.
Stone is typing...
DEDGIRLWALKIN (CONT’D)
Im jk lol. Obvi. Idk. Im just in my feels, and like, feelin crazy LOL!
Stone FINALLY sends his response.
STONE69
Babe... dont say stuff like that... its okay... I feel the same. I’d die without U!
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Omg not even. U’d be way better off.
STONE69
But then the world woudnt have u. We need u. I need u.
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Ur the only one.
STONE69
Good. All the better 4 me. Keep u to myself. LMAO.
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Ya right. If u met me for real, u wouldnt want me.
STONE69
...Wanna bet?
Iris takes that bet. She waits.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
I want u RITE now...
She waits some more.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
Come over?
Iris clearly wants to. But...
DEDGIRLWALKIN
I don’t even know where u live.
STONE69
If I send u my address, woud u come find me?
DEDGIRLWALKIN
How do I know ur not catfishing me?
STONE69
I woud never lie 2 u. I know u 2 well.
He sends his address.
She stares at it.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
Whats the worst that could happen? U get ur wish?
Iris raises an eyebrow. She challenges him:
DEDGIRLWALKIN
LMAO. Whats my wish? U?
STONE69
No thats MY wish. I know what u really want...
Iris considers.
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Ughhh. U are very convincing. I mean, I guess if u wind up killing me, that also works.
STONE69
Babe, whatever u want! I’m all urs!
DEDGIRLWALKIN
U are such a freak LOL. Just like me.
STONE69
Exxxactly! We belong 2gether. 4ever. Til deth do us part.
DEDGIRLWALKIN
Sooner rather than later hopefully!
STONE69
LOL. Thats up 2 u.
He sends his address again.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
See u soon. xoxo.
Stone69 logs off. Iris is left a little windswept. But she copies the address down and punches it into Google maps.
INT. NIGHT CLASS - LATER
Iris, wide awake, leans over to a studious Ned. She taps him on the shoulder, interrupting his diligent note taking.
IRIS
You have a car, right?
NED
...Why?
EXT. CITY COLLEGE CAMPUS - PARKING LOT - LATER
Iris is practically chasing Ned out of the building.
NED
Absolutely not.
IRIS
Why?
NED
First of all, you barely know him. Secondly, I barely know you!
IRIS
We talk. Like a lot.
NED
You and I or he and you?
IRIS
All of the above.
Ned thinks it through.
NED
You bring up a good point. We talk too much.
IRIS
Once a week on Thursdays is not too much.
NED
I don’t know how you did on last week’s midterm, but I barely skated by, and that’s only because I’ve been in therapy since I was five.
IRIS
A road trip is a perfect way to get to know each other better! Which car is yours?
Ned pockets his keys.
NED
Where did you meet Mr. Emo prince of darkness anyway?
IRIS
America. Online. Room2257.
NED
Wow. Okay, so he’s the Emo prince of chatrooms. This is even more sketch.
IRIS
Please, Ned. This is the only thing I’ve wanted, like, truly wanted in years!
NED
It would be unethical for me to take you!
IRIS
If you don’t, I’ll find another way. I’ll take a greyhound. Or hitchhike!
NED
Bitch, are you trying to get murdered?!
IRIS
Maybe I am!
Ned studies her.
NED
Fuck. Now it would be unethical to let you go by yourself.
IRIS
Great. Can we leave tonight?
She tries to grab his keys.
NED
No, stop- stop! Tomorrow. It’s a weekend, so I can lie to my parents that I have real friends who I’m staying with- oh my god, I can’t believe I’m considering this-
Iris squeezes him - almost to the point of strangling.
NED (CONT’D)
Yes- I said yes!
She releases him. He continues to his car as she tags along.
NED (CONT’D)
My last class of the week ends at 2pm. Can you meet me here, or should I pick you up-? You know, so your parents think you’re going out with a real boy-
IRIS
Please. As if they’d care if I ever came home. I’ll just meet you here.
Ned nods. They’re at his car. Awkward silence.
IRIS (CONT’D)
But... uh... you could give me a ride home. You know. If you want.
NED
Get in. But don’t try anything.
IRIS
We’re going tomorrow. You said. I trust you.
They pile into the car. As they do...
INT. NED’S CAR - NEXT DAY
Night becomes day, and Iris plops down into Ned’s passenger seat as Ned fires up the car. Off they go…
NED
Ground rules: no drugs, no pop songs that aren’t covertly about depression, and no mentioning my real name when this inevitably blows up in your face.
IRIS
Why, are you in witness protection or something?
NED
I’m into self-protection. I don’t also want to be kidnapped.
IRIS
Stone’s not going to kidnap us, come on.
NED
His name is “Stone.”
EXT. CITY COLLEGE CAMPUS - PARKING LOT
Ned pulls out of the parking lot and he and Iris hit the highway.
NED (O.S.)1
His name cannot actually be Stone. If his legal, birth, given name is Stone, I’ll literally die.
IRIS (O.S.)
This is a long trip. Don’t make it longer.
EXT. HIGHWAY 101 - SUNSET
Ned and Iris blast MR. BRIGHTSIDE by THE KILLERS as they tear down the 101 coastline.
They crest the curve of a hill, revealing the nature around ruggedly serene BIG SUR; imagine the intro credits of Big Little Lies, but way more emo.
Ned’s rocking out to the song - it’s definitely his pick.
NED
(in between lyrics)
Good right?!
He looks over at Iris, eyes hidden behind big sunglasses.
IRIS
Its okay. I guess.
He catches her nod along with the faintest hint of a grin.
Ned grins back as he BELTS the lyrics.
NED
(singing)
But it's just the price I pay!
Destiny is calling me!
Open up my eeeaaager eyes!
Cause I'm Mr. Brightside!
IRIS
Okay Mr. Bright side. Calm down.
NED
(yelling over the music)
You know, if you were my type, we’d basically be falling in love over the course of this trip.
IRIS
You wish. On the way to meet my actual boyfriend?
NED
Actual is a funny choice of word. That would imply he’s real.
Ned turns down the music.
NED (CONT’D)
What are you going to do if we get there and he’s not? Or what if he’s not what you expect?
NED (CONT’D)
What are you going to do if we get there and he’s not what you expect?
Iris shrugs and stares out the window.
NED (CONT’D)
You’re right. Better not to consider the possibility and shatter the fantasy.
Ned bends another curve. Iris peers out over the edge.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Just- just take it easy on the turns, okay?
From the look on her face, Ned slows down.
IRIS
(deflecting)
And don’t diagnose me. You’re not a shrink yet.
Iris rustles through her bag and pulls out her PRINT OUT of their GOOGLE MAPS trip. She studies it to avoid Ned’s gaze.
IRIS (CONT’D)
We need food. As soon as possible.
NED
Where?
IRIS
Anywhere.
She points to a sign that reads: RIVER INN BIG SUR, 1 MILE.
IRIS (CONT’D)
There.
EXT. RIVER INN BIG SUR - FRONT OFFICE
Ned pulls into the parking lot of the RIVER INN, a motel with a quaint wood cottage facade. Smoke POURS out of the chimney. Iris can’t get out of the car faster.
NED
Hold on. I can’t tell if this place is cute or sinister. Maybe… both?
IRIS
Neither. It’s bougie.
She points to a YUPPIE COUPLE exiting the diner.
NED
Ugh. We’re so going to fall in love.
INT. RIVER INN BIG SUR - BAR / CAFETERIA
Iris gulps down a beer as Ned nurses some onion rings and a Diet Pepsi behind the bar of the WOODSY CAFETERIA. It looks like the mess hall of a bougie summer camp with cathedral ceilings and a sign above the bar that says, “GATHER.”
NED
I can’t diagnose you, by the way.
IRIS
Why’s that?
NED
First, I would have to perform a psychological evaluation and ask about your history.
IRIS
First, you need a degree and a license to practice.
NED
Fine. Second, I’d need to know literally anything about you. Like what’s with you and curves?
Iris gets jumpy. She orders another beer.
IRIS
Does anyone like curves?
NED
Deflection. You had a traumatic experience on a winding road. And now it must be a trigger for you...
Iris is clearly knocked off balance by the accusation.
IRIS
Pfft. What?
NED
(keeps going)
And that’s why you don’t drive. Because you were behind the wheel at the time of the event?
(off her reaction)
You were!
Iris is literally knocked off balance. She slips on her stool. Beer spills on the bar.
IRIS
Stop!
NED
Too far too fast? My bad.
IRIS
Too far period!
NED
I could feel the breakthrough, I just hadn’t earned it yet.
IRIS
Just- back off. You nosey little... Ned?
NED
Nosey Ned? That’s cute.
IRIS
No, Ned! Behind you! But be cool.
Iris nods past Ned. He turns to see TWO TRUCKER HATS (50s) in vests and beards, who peer at them from across the cafeteria.
NED
What? A couple mean mugs hot off their semis? Maybe poppin’ semis, if you catch my entendre-
IRIS
Jesus. Is anything weird about that to you?
NED
They’re just truckers, Iris.
IRIS
Exactly. Who takes a truck this way? With all these winding roads?
NED
They just think we’re hot young people. Can you really blame them?
IRIS
I can if they murder us.
NED
I thought getting murdered was your thing?
IRIS
Not- not right now- not before I at least try to meet Stone-
NED
That’s it! Maybe they are Stone.
Ned gets too excited by the thought.
IRIS
Don’t you dare-
NED
(to the trucker hats)
Stone! Hey! Come over here!
IRIS
Ned! Fuck!
Ned beckons them over. To his surprise - and Iris’ horror - THEY GET UP.
IRIS (CONT’D)
What the fuck are you doing?
NED
I have no idea. They’re going to beat us up, now, huh?
One of the truckers, in a BLUE VEST, approaches first.
BLUE VEST
Are you got damn high?
NED
What?
BLUE VEST
I asked if you’re high out of your got damn mind.
The other trucker, YELLOW VEST, sidles up next to Blue Vest.
NED
No?
YELLOW VEST
...You wanna be?
They both smirk. Blue Vest looks Iris up and down and flashes a bag of FAMILIAR PILLS.
BLUE VEST
You definitely look like you party. What do you say?
IRIS
Not with you.
Yellow Vest guffaws and slaps Blue Vest on the back.
YELLOW VEST
She called your ass.
BLUE VEST
Your loss, skank.
NED
Okay. No.
BLUE VEST
No?
NED
You don’t just call her a skank and get away with it.
YELLOW VEST
Who says?
NED
Me.
(clarifying)
Ted. My name is Ted.
The Vests exchange glances. Ned gulps.
The vests exchange glances. Ned gulps.
But then, he straightens up.
NED (CONT’D)
Okay. If this is going to turn into a fight, then... then let’s just get it over with.
Yellow Vest sizes Ned up.
YELLOW VEST
Calm down. We don’t shit where we eat.
Yellow Vest smirks. This time he slaps Ned on the back.
YELLOW VEST (CONT’D)
Don’t lose your head... buddy.
BLUE VEST
Fuckin’ waste of time. Come on.
They both head for the door.
IRIS
Wait. What is that stuff, anyway?
Blue Vest stops, actually aghast.
BLUE VEST
Oh, so now you want to party?
IRIS
No, dipshit. Answer what I asked.
BLUE VEST
Pay me, and it’s all yours.
NED
(freaking out)
Iris? Can we not, uh, do a fucking drug deal in the middle of this bougie restaurant, please?
Iris ignores Ned and palms Blue Vest a wad of cash.
Blue Vest thumbs through it on the sly.
BLUE VEST
Knock yourself out.
He tosses her the bag. The label stares back at her. It reads: SOLANACAE.
EXT. RIVER INN BIG SUR - NIGHT
Ned and Iris hurry out of the cafe. Iris still holds the bag of pills in her hands. She can’t stop staring at it.
NED
Solanaceae? That can’t be right. What idiot names their fancy designer drug after an eggplant?
Iris stops in her tracks and waits for Ned to explain. He’s at the car by the time he notices her.
NED (CONT’D)
I’ll explain it in the car. Can we go? Before we run into any more drug dealers, hillbillies, or god forbid, polos and khakis?
Iris shrugs and gets in the car.
INT. HIGHWAY 101 - NIGHT
Ned’s headlights pierce the empty road in front of them, with nothing but cliffside on their right and the dark blue nothingness of the ocean on their left.
NED
It’s the scientific name for nightshade plants. Eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes. Just your regular garden variety vegetables.
IRIS
I thought nightshade was dangerous for you?
NED
I mean, if you have arthritis or osteoporosis, I guess the oxalic acid isn’t great-
Iris stares at Ned.
NED (CONT’D)
Oh, but you’re probably referring to deadly nightshade. Different thing entirely. Actually, that’s a Solanaceae too. But that’s much cooler- Now if you took a pill laced with that, you’d be tripping balls. I’m talking delirium, convulsions, hallucinations-
IRIS
So this shit is dangerous for you!
NED
Don’t look at me, you bought it.
IRIS
Someone randomly put this in my hand at a rave a few nights ago!
NED
And you took it?!
IRIS
Worst trip of my life.
NED
Yeesh. You do have a death wish. It is seriously lucky you’re alive. That is absolutely criminal to crush up and give to someone in a pill. Actually, I’d like to know more about what you experienced- nightshade was big in witchcraft times, which you know is my jam-
He looks over. Iris stares at the pills.
IRIS
Lucky...
She stares out the window. Out at the nothingness. It’s all she sees…
Ned yawns.
NED
We’ve still got a couple hours. If I get too tired, think you can drive for a bit?
He looks over at Iris. She’s still staring out the window.
NED (CONT’D)
Right. I forgot. Your mysterious trauma.
Iris glares at him.
NED (CONT’D)
We can stop at the next motel we find I guess.
IRIS
Can we pull over so you can take a nap or something?
NED
On the side of the road? In the middle of God knows where?
Iris points to her map print out.
IRIS
Google knows where.
NED
If we do this, and I’m not saying I agree to it, but if we do, you have to promise to stay awake. You’re on watch the whole time.
IRIS
Dude. Have you met me? I stay up until the ass-crack of dawn like every night.
Ned shrugs and pulls over.
NED
And you wonder why you have so many problems.
IRIS
No, you wonder that. I’m well aware.
INT. NED’S CAR - SOMETIME LATER
Iris is wide awake, but it’s starting to get to her; the bags under her eyes start to show under her smeared makeup. She plays with the pouch of pills between her palms.
Every so often, HEADLIGHTS pass by. Each one causes her to wince. The memories...
MEMORY FLASH: HEADLIGHTS COMING RIGHT AT HER. IRIS IS BEHIND THE WHEEL. SHE SWERVES - AND CAREENS OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY-
Iris blinks the thought (and tears) away.
But then, in the side mirror, she notices a pair of STAGNANT headlights.
PARKED BEHIND THEM.
INT. NED’S CAR - NIGHT
In the side mirror, Iris notices a pair of STAGNANT headlights -- PARKED BEHIND THEM.
She watches as TWO FIGURES, cast in silhouette by the headlights, get out of either side of the vehicle.
IRIS
Shit. Ned. Wake up. Ned! Ned?
Iris turns. Ned is nowhere to be found.
IRIS (CONT’D)
What the-
TAP TAP. Iris freezes. She turns slowly - one of the SILHOUETTES is at her window.
FEMALE VOICE (O.C.)
Eerie?
Something’s not right. Iris can’t move. It’s as if she’s paralyzed.
TAP. TAP. TAP.
She can’t take her eyes off the window, the bony fingers of the silhouette that tap against its glass, and the BLOODY FINGERPRINTS now smeared against it.
FEMALE VOICE (O.C.) (CONT’D)
Eerie?! Eerie! Do you hear me?
IRIS
Wh-what did you say?
FEMALE VOICE
Eerie, it’s me. Let me in, Eerie! I know you here me!
RATATATA-TAP. The fingers continue to rap on the window, escalating in strength and intensity, rising to an almost VIOLENT LEVEL.
RATATATATATATATA-
IRIS
Stop! Go away!
The rapping stops.
But then the silhouette drops down to Iris’ level, revealing its face - COMPLETELY DRENCHED IN BLOOD.
KEESHA
WATCH OUT, EERIE! WATCH OUT!
KEESHA SCREAMS and points. Iris SCREAMS, horrified by the terror on her dead friend’s face -
NED
Iris!
INT. NED’S CAR - PRE-DAWN
Iris screams herself awake. She turns to see Ned, waiting patiently for her to come to her senses.
NED
So much for keeping watch, huh?
IRIS
What the fuck!
NED
We’re here.
IRIS
What?
Ned points ahead. In the cool blue pre-dawn twilight, a long-weathered road sign in the shape of a GNARLED OAK TREE stares back at them - literally. A pair of cheeky eyes, carved into the sign as if to give the tree a face, grimace with impish glee.
The sign reads, “STONETREE CITY LIMIT... YOU’RE (ALMOST) HERE.”
IRIS (CONT’D)
Almost here.
NED
And when were you going to tell me “Stone” lived in a town called “Stonetree?”
IRIS
You need to ask more questions before you say yes to things.
Ned shakes his head but has no rebuttal.
NED
I need to pee.
EXT. STONETREE CITY LIMITS - PRE-DAWN
Ned gets out of the car and saunters to the side of the road. It’s wooded in the distance, and grassy in the foreground. He sizes up where to “make his mark.”
He glances over his shoulder. Even with the occasional car passing now and then, he’s uncomfortable. He steps further into the brush.
Its tall grass - up to his shoulder, or higher. Finally far enough away from the highway, he unzips.
NED
(muttering)
What the hell are you doing, you idiot? No sleep. No sense.
He waits as the stream keeps going.
NED (CONT’D)
You’re enabling a suicidal drug addict. How do you feel?
He really had to pee.
NED (CONT’D)
And now you’re talking to yourself. This is how insanity starts. Reeeeal textbook of you.
Finally, he’s finished. He zips, and turns to go when -
RIP. His shirt sleeve has a tear in it. Something’s caught him by the shoulder.
It’s a FISH HOOK.
NED (CONT’D)
What the-?
Ned tugs at the hook to try and unfasten himself. It’s caught in the grass. No, it’s floating.
No, it only looks as if the hook is levitating because it’s attached to a long thin, silvery wire.
Ned finally unlatches himself. Fascinated, he tugs at the wire - it looks as if it goes on deep into the grass. He tugs a little harder - and hears what sounds like a distant charm.
NED (CONT’D)
Oh fuck.
Ned stumbles over himself as he trudges as fast as he can through the tall grass back to the car.
INT. NED’S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
Ned jumps into the driver’s seat and slams the door.
IRIS
Jesus! You good?!
NED
Give me that.
Ned snatches the Google Maps print-out from Iris and thoroughly scans through it, reading and re-reading each direction.
IRIS
Did we take a wrong turn or something?
NED
Yeah - out of the city college parking lot. Look!
Ned points to three lines in sequence.
NED (CONT’D)
We’re dead center in the middle of the emerald fucking triangle, Iris!
Iris waits for him to explain.
NED (CONT’D)
God damn it. Here, take this-
Ned reaches over her and pulls a Rand McNally Road Atlas from his glove compartment.
He tears through until he gets to Northern California. He slams his finger down and traces back and forth between Mendocino, Humboldt, and Trinity counties.
NED (CONT’D)
Emerald. Triangle. Triangle? Of emeralds.
IRIS
I see the triangle, but the fuck are you talking about emeralds?
NED
You do drugs, don’t you? This is like the illegal drug capital of the US. Speaking of, we need to go-
Ned starts reversing.
IRIS
What did you do?
NED
Nothing- maybe I tripped an alarm bell or something-
IRIS
What?! Nosey fucking Ned!
NED
I had nothing to do with this! They hooked me. More importantly - they hooked you!
Ned turns on his blinker, and waits for an opening to u-turn.
IRIS
No. Absolutely fucking not. We are not turning around. Not right now!
Iris smacks Ned’s hands off the steering wheel.
NED
Iris, your “boyfriend”, if he even fucking exists, is an actual fucking drug dealer. Isn’t that enough to peace the fuck out of here?!
IRIS
One, you don’t know that. What, everyone in this town sell drugs?! Two, maybe I like drug dealers! I do drugs!
Ned’s face lights up with epiphany.
NED
Oh. Oh, I see what’s going on here. You knew he was a drug dealer. This whole time!
IRIS
Neither of us “know” he’s a drug dealer! But yeah, I know he does drugs. Like I said- what the fuck do you think we talk about all the time!
NED
Is this why you don’t have any friends? Because you lie to all of them?
This stings Iris.
IRIS
I never lied to you.
NED
It’s called lie of omission!
IRIS
I don’t even know what that is!
Ned grips the wheel. He’s shaking. But he has no response.
IRIS (CONT’D)
If you want to go home, just fucking go home. I don’t care anymore. Take some gas money and get out of here.
She throws a wad of cash onto the seat and gets out of the car.
Ned stares at it for a beat. When he looks up, Iris is already a good distance up the road…
He rolls down the window.
NED
(yelling after her)
What, you’re gonna’ walk?
IRIS
(yelling back)
Yeah, I don’t need you anymore.
Iris points to the sign. The creepy tree stares at him.
NED
Fuck. Fuck this.
Ned drives off, leaving her in the rearview...
INT. NED’S CAR - LATER
Ned stews as he drives down the freeway. His gas tank light is on.
NED
This is what you do. You latch onto other people and try to protect them from themselves. It’s unhealthy and you have. To stop.
A ROAD SIGN indicates there’s a gas station at the next exit. He puts his blinker on and pulls off the freeway.
NED (CONT’D)
She’s an adult. She’s responsible for herself. She can make her own choices. Her own idiotic, stupid, asinine choices. But her own.
As Ned turns the bend of the off-ramp, he finds himself in a little downtown. It’s quaint; from the look of it, its only source of economic development is as a pit-stop for road trips.
NED (CONT’D)
See? This is a normal area. Normal people can live here. It’s not some god-forsaken demonic cesspool.
Ned pulls into the gas station.
Staring at him is a CRUSTY-BEARDED BACKPACKER WITH ONE-EYE and a WHITE BUNNY-RABBIT perched on his shoulder like a parrot.
As Ned pulls past the man and in front of his pump, he sees a variety of cages on the man’s backpack; some are empty, while others are occupied with other animal specimen.
NED (CONT’D)
Oh. My god.
Ned scans the rest of the gas station. Everywhere he looks, he sees similarly bizarre characters; BONE-THIN, LEATHER-FACED people with METH-POCKED CHEEKS. VAGABOND FOLKS with GAUNT FACES from years on the road. WHITE TEENAGERS WITH DREDLOCKS and BOB MARLEY T-SHIRTS...
NED (CONT’D)
Okay, those are just hippies.
The BUNNY MAN comes up to the window.
NED (CONT’D)
Oh no. No. No thank you!
Bunny man points to the pump.
BUNNY MAN
(mouthing)
I’ll pump it. You don’t have to get out.
Ned shakes his head no.
BUNNY MAN (CONT’D)
(mouthing)
Windows? Wash your windows?
Ned shakes his head faster.
BUNNY MAN (CONT’D)
(loud enough to hear through the window)
We gotta eat too, man!
No luck. Ned doesn’t budge. The Bunny Man shrugs and backs off. Ned peels out of the station without filling up.
EXT. STONETREE EXIT - LATER
Iris, all by herself, stops in front of the off-ramp to Stonetree. The road is lined on both sides by rows and rows of oak trees. Their branches reach so far towards one another that they intertwine, forming a tree tunnel that seemingly goes on forever.
A big wooden sign hangs from the first paid of trees, with the same wooden eyes carved into it, staring down at her. It reads, “WELCOME TO STONETREE.”
She enters the tunnel...
EXT. TREE TUNNEL - MOMENTS LATER
Iris is deep enough in the tunnel now that it’s gotten dark. Not so dark that she’d mistake it for night, but dark enough to urge her to cling to the tiny pockets of light that break through the canopy. She practically hopscotches between them.
She’s got to be in the near middle of the tunnel now.
Far ahead in the distance she sees a tiny archway of light. But the road starts to droop downhill, so she can’t see the light from the way she came.
Here, the trees are more densley-packed together- causing the branches between each trunk to decay away.
A gust of wind whips up some oak leaves in front of her. As it whizzes past her ear, it almost sings to her -
WIND
(ethereal)
Eerie...
Iris shivers and darts behind her, checking her six. No one for at least a mile either direction. Curiously, no cars...
IRIS
Fucking Ned.
The wind picks up again, but Iris doesn’t wait. She picks up the pace. Practically bounding down the hill now.
Above her, the trees loom ominously - she starts to notice the contorted, gnarled faces carved into some of them.
In fact, she never noticed before, but each one has at least a single pair of cheeky, devilish eyes carved into it. Some have three or four.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Fucking- Stone-
Iris races down the hill - Snow White in the haunted forest once again - only this time there’s a light at the end of the tunnel... if she can just... make it...
BLAAAAAAAAAARE!
Iris eats shit at the horrific sound, tumbling over herself.
She tucks into a ball and rolls to the side of the road just in time as a DILAPITATED PICK-UP, at least thirty years old with the rust to prove it, careens past her.
A WOMAN with WILD EYES and FOREST GREEN HAIR thrashing past her face and out the window jams her middle finger in IRIS’ direction.
WILD EYES
Next time you’re dead, bitch!
Iris surveys the damage - scraped knees, scuff up face - and pulls herself to her feet.
IRIS
I wish.
Iris turns - another pair of headlights crest the top of the hill. Now who could this be?
The headlights slow to a stall in front of her. It’s Ned’s car. Annoyed, she continues past him. He rolls down the window and waits for her to acknowledge him.
NED
Will you get in?
IRIS
Not if you’re taking me home.
NED
I’m not leaving you out here. I’m coming with you.
IRIS
And you promise you won’t flip out again?
NED
No more flipping out.
IRIS
Even if you see us do drugs? Right in front of you eyes?
NED
Do I have to do them?
IRIS
You better not even ask. I do not want to see you on drugs.
NED
Deal.
Ned stops the car. Iris continues on for a few more steps before she stops, double-backs, and gets in the car.
IRIS
Okay. We need to find a library.
NED
Why?
IRIS
I need AOL.
Ned drives off.
NED (O.C.)
...You didn’t even get his phone number?!
IRIS (O.C.)
Ned! What did I just say!
EXT. STONETREE - MORNING
Clear of the tree tunnel, the town opens into a forest clearing. From the look of it, the forest was cleared out to be transformed into architecture.
The downtown of Stonetree takes cabincore aesthetic to the theoretical maximum limit. Timber-frame storefronts line the entire main street, and if the town’s wooded architecture seems like a relic of another time, it’s because of the people - or lack thereof.
What makes this especially unnerving is the presence of more wooden creations than people. Nearly every block is lined with wooden nymphs, pixies, and trolls, as if the whole place was fever-dreamed up by acid-fueled hippies during the 60s - and abandoned not soon after.
The DENIZENS of Stonetree that do lurk about either loiter in the shade on street corners or linger tucked away in alleyways. From the looks on their faces, they don’t often see cars they don’t recognize.
The one part of town with the most inhabitants features the “YE OLDE RUSTY CUP” - a western-style saloon with the swinging doors to prove it. Being mid-morning, its as strange a time as any for a bar to be open, let alone packed.
A few blocks further down, the pair land in front of a tiny building decorated with an intricate mural of a fairy-infested forest. A sign reads “STONETREE LIBRARY.”
NED
Charming.
INT. LIBRARY - LATER
Iris drops down into her seat in front of a windows 98 PC. She logs into AOL instant messenger.
IRIS
Here goes...
She pulls up a new chat with STONE69.
XXDEDGRLWALKINXX
(on-screen)
Hey. I’m here.
She and Ned, hovering above her, wait on baited breath.
Iris gets impatient. Antsy.
IRIS
Fuck it. You’re right. We came all this way and he probably doesn’t even exist. Fuck.
She springs out of the hot seat and flees for the exit.
NED
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy. Look!
Stone69 is typing...
A notification appears:
BLEEP. He responded.
NED (CONT’D)
(reading phonetically)
OMG! Foreal? Were u at?
Iris races back to the computer. Shoves Ned aside.
NED (CONT’D)
Jeez, he’s not all that- he can’t even spell-
Iris types furiously:
XXDEDGRLWALKINXX
Here in ur town. Im at the libary-
NED
(reading over her shoulder)
Nevermind. You deserve each other. Wait, don’t tell him where- what if its a trap?
Ned tries to commandeer the keyboard. Iris viciously fights him off.
IRIS
I don’t care! Back off!
STONE69
Didnt even no we had 1 LOL
NED
You gotta be fucking kidding me-
IRIS
Are you going to do this the whole time?
NED
Clearly books would help him?
Iris glares. Ned backs off.
BLEEP.
STONE69
Is it just u? r u alone?
Iris glances over her shoulder. Ned isn’t close enough to read.
XXDEDGRLWALKINXX
Ya just me.
STONE69
Howd u get here? ya no, wit ur car ting?
Fingers hoover over the keyboard. Debating, debating...
XXDEDGRLWALKINXX
...Magic. LOL.
STONE69
OMG so stoopid haha. K ill come pick u up. see u in ten, tops. xoxo.
XXDEDGRLWALKINXX
omg. i so cant believe it! Xoxoxox
STONE69
LOL. ur so not redy 4 this...
STONE69 has gone offline. Iris logs out, logs off, and faces Ned.
NED
So?
IRIS
Good. He’s gonna pick me up.
NED
“Me”? Not “we”?
IRIS
Yeah... about that...
EXT. STONETREE LIBRARY - MOMENTS LATER
Iris, trying way too hard to look cool and casual in her shades, leans back against the library steps. The mural of the elfin forest stands as a stalwart backdrop behind her.
Devilish pixies peak out behind toadstools while lecherous satyrs lust after sprightly fairies. Littered amongst them all, pairs of eyes stand out on every tree, watching it all unfold... watching her...
WIND
(whistling)
Eerie...
Iris shivers again. She cranks her neck, checking her six. She locks eyes with the trees. She shivers again.
WHEELS CRUNCH ON ASPHALT as a car slows to a stop in front of her. Ned’s car.
NED
Hey. Hey! You sure about this?
Iris waves him away.
NED (CONT’D)
Say the word, and I’ll get out. I reeeaaally don’t want to be a complicit bystander to your human trafficking.
IRIS
Don’t get cold feet. You’re the cavalry if this really is a sex cult trafficking thing. Take solace in that.
Iris keeps her eyes glued to the main road, ignoring eye contract with Ned.
NED
Yeah, I am so not solaced. Just promise to come clean once you establish he’s real? I will not spend more than 12 hours in this town by myself. Is that understood?
LOUD, DRONING BASS carries from an unseen car, echoing between the buildings.
IRIS
Oh fuck. This is it.
NED
Iris?
IRIS
(as inconspicuous as possible)
Yeah fine whatever, go!
Ned’s car pulls away from the curb right as a GIGANTIC, BLACK, 2004 HUMMER H2 rolls onto the strip.
With TINTED WINDOWS, its impossible to see the driver, but its now possible to hear the song is VOODOO PEOPLE by THE PRODIGY.
Iris breathes deep, nervous as all hell. She stretches her legs out in an attempt to be casually seductive while also stop them from shaking.
The Hummer halts at a stop sign just across from the library. It idles in place, as if to survey the landscape before making its approach.
INT. NED’S CAR - SAME
A few blocks up, Ned watches the HUMMER idling at the stop sign from his rearview mirror.
NED
Come on Iris... don’t be stupid now...
EXT. LIBRARY - SAME
Finally, the hummer rolls up.
Iris grips the concrete step she’s leaning on. Her fingers curl in anticipation.
The hummer parks. Car turns off. Driver door swings open.
This is it...
STONE69 (O.S.)
(from behind the hummer)
What up, dead girl!
Iris’ heart drops through her chest.
STONE69, in the flesh, jumps down from the hummer, rounds the car, and reveals himself...
...and not only is he real, but he’s a YOUNG, SMUG, and HANDSOME little HEARTBREAKER in a black tee, two SILVER chains, and messy, wanna-be rock-star hair.
Iris is stunned speechless. All she can muster is:
IRIS
Oh my god.
Stone laughs and claps his hands, as if reveling in her disbelief.
He bounds over to her and offers her his hand.
STONE69
M’lady?
Iris stares at it for a moment. He grins.
Reluctantly, but then all at once, she accepts.
And now she’s grinning, too. The first real smile she’s had in years.
INT. NED’S CAR - SAME
Ned grips the wheel, glued to the rearview as Stone helps Iris to her feet.
NED
Wow. He is real.
Ned leans forward, scrutinizing the image as if to detect any possible flaws.
NED (CONT’D)
Fuck. He’s real.
There’s nothing Ned can do now but watch as Stone leads Iris to the passenger seat, helps her up into the hummer, then races to the driver’s side and fires up the engine.
Ned instinctively turns on his own car. He cranks it into neutral, but remains parked as the hummer zooms past him.
Once a safe distance behind, Ned slows into a roll, and picks up enough speed to follow behind at a distance.
INT. STONE’S HUMMER - DAY
Iris is still in shock as she holds hands with Stone in the passenger seat of his hummer.
A pair of dice with SKULL-FACES hang from his mirror, and the whole thing is MATTE BLACK on the inside.
STONE69
This is crazy, right?
Stone seems unphased by Iris’ catatonic state.
IRIS
You have no idea.
STONE69
Uh... yes I do, haha, I’m here too.
IRIS
Right. Sorry.
They both exchange nervous laughs.
STONE69
Its not like I do this every weekend...
IRIS
No? You’re not pulling chatroom babes to your creepy woodland hideaway on the regular?
STONE69
Ha! There we go! That’s the Eerie I know.
In front of them, Stone has left the town clearing and takes a road into the forest.
IRIS
You don’t live, like, off the grid do you?
STONE69
All of Stonetree’s off the grid, technically. But no. You’ll see.
Iris glances at Stone, who offers a grin and nothing else.
She turns her attention to the side mirror. Searching for Ned...
INT. NED’S CAR - SAME
Ned tails the hummer from a good distance back, nearly out of sight.
The further they drive from the town clearing, the more the road warps around the forest, compressing in some places and growing wider in others. It’s as if the whole forest is breathing in and out around them...
Ned watches Stone’s hummer pull off to the right up ahead. Ned slows his approach. He idles right before the turn - it’s a private road.
NED
Shit.
INT. STONE’S HUMMER - SAME
Iris spots Ned’s car as it stops at the entrance to the road. She glances over at Stone to see if he’s caught on, but he seems oblivious.
She turns her attention back to the side view mirror - but Ned’s car is gone.
IRIS
Um, so like, how much farther?
STONE69
Antsy already?
Stone has a perpetual smirk glued to his face.
IRIS
No, no. Just excited.
She smiles at him. He smirks back. She grips the armrest.
EXT. PRIVATE ROAD - SAME
Ned exits his car, parked a good distance up from the entrance to Stone’s driveway, and continues up the road on foot.
INT. STONE'S HUMMER - SAME
The road twists and turns on an incline. They’re driving up a hill now. Iris grips the armrest harder. Stone glances over.
STONE69
Don’t worry. It’s just a bit more up this road.
Iris doesn’t hear him - she’s watching the road.
He slows down, and offers his hand.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
I got you. I promise.
She stares at his hand. Back to the road. Back to him.
He slows down even more. They’re practically stopped on the road.
They lock eyes.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
I promise, Eerie. You’re safe. With me.
She nods, and takes his hand. It’s a kinetic moment. Until-
STONE69 (CONT’D)
Wait-
He grabs his CLASSIC IPOD, plugged into a CASSETTE ADAPTER, and spins the wheel. One more flick, and the iconic guitar riffs from THIS COULD BE LOVE by ALKALINE TRIO blast through the stereo.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
Oh yeeeeahhh. That’s better.
He’s way too entertained by himself. Iris shakes her head.
IRIS
You’re even campier in real life.
STONE69
You love it though, huh?
IRIS
You’re lucky I’ve annihilated all my good instincts.
He turns back to the road, bopping to the tune as he drives.
IRIS (CONT’D)
You sure you can drive with one hand?
STONE69
Oh yeah. I could drive this road with my ass on the wheel.
(off Iris’ look)
Chiiiiill, I’m not gonna do it!
Despite his overconfidence, Iris settles in. Holding his hand, she’s somehow more comfortable with the curves.
Stone rounds the bend of the hill, and all of a sudden, the road rises above the treeline, revealing a hilltop with a gorgeous view of the surrounding forest.
In front of them, a MASSIVE PROPERTY comes into view: a sweeping lawn, complete with intricate landscaping, tasteful topiaries, a full-on hedge maze, and a FRENCH RIVIERA-STYLE MCMANSION that seems to stretch on for miles smack dab in the middle of it all.
Iris practically falls out of her chair when she sees it.
IRIS
What the fuck! You live here?
If Stone’s smirk could consume his whole face, it probably would.
STONE69
Yup.
Iris smacks his arm to release her hand.
IRIS
That’s it. Stop the car.
STONE69
What?
IRIS
Stop the car!
Stone hits the brakes.
Iris turns to him, deadly serious.
IRIS (CONT’D)
You’re rich?!
Stone seems confused.
STONE69
What? Nooo- I mean, we do well for this area. But come on. This is Stonetree. It’s not like we’d do this well in San Jose, or, or LA-
IRIS
I’m just- so confused.
He takes her hand again.
STONE69
(gently)
Don’t you want to see it, though?
She isn’t sure.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
Come on. Let me at least give you the tour. Yeah?
IRIS
I guess. Came all this way, right?
STONE69
You’re playing. You know you want to see this house.
He pulls up and stops in the driveway. Gets out, and comes around to her door to let her out.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
Come on. Before everyone else gets here.
This another bombshell for Iris.
IRIS
Everyone else?
STONE69
My family?
IRIS
You have a family?
STONE69
I’m confused. When did I say I was like this poor little orphan you think I am?
IRIS
If you’re batman, you need to tell me right now.
STONE69
I’m not an orphan! I just said!
EXT. STONE MANOR - MOMENTS LATER
Stone leads Iris by the hand across the grounds of his insane manor. He points out various landmarks in the distance.
STONE69
And look, there’s the pit I told you about.
IRIS
Oh yeah... we saw that on the way up.
STONE69
They say its bottomless. Like you’re tryna get.
He grins.
IRIS
Easy, tiger. In your dreams.
STONE69
I’m playing! Don’t get outta pocket. It’s like Nelly.
IRIS
Oh yeah, like Nelly how?
STONE69
(sung like “Hot in Herre”)
...Unless you gonna do it!
He laughs as he welcomes her into the grand foyer.
From afar, someone peaks through the bushes, watching them.
INT. STONETREE MANOR - FITER MOMENTS LATER
Iris is blown away by the gaudy foyer, complete with spiral staircase, marble floors, and more Grecian statues than a museum in Athens.
IRIS
This is un-fucking-real.
STONE69
It’s aight.
It’s a far cry from the art of the town... in some ways classier, and in other ways, trying way too hard to be classier. But when she steps into the parlor room...
INT. STONETREE MANOR - PARLOR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A gigantic painting of a GIANT, MANGLED TREE takes center stage above the fireplace.
IRIS
Dude. What is with this town and trees?
STONE69
It’s Stonetree. This place worships trees.
IRIS
To heavily unhealthy degrees.
STONE69
Yeah, you have no idea. My dad likes that one, at least.
IRIS
No creepy eyes on it.
STONE69
I think its just asleep.
IRIS
Ohhh right, right, yeah, it must just be sleeping.
STONE69
Speaking of, you drove a long way. You must be tired...
IRIS
You going to show me your bedroom now?
STONE69
You tryna go to bed? Cause get hyphy, we can go there.
Iris plops down on the chaise lounge, taking it all in.
IRIS
I had no idea...
STONE69
That I’m such a baller?
IRIS
Like, what does your family do? Like, you must run this town, right?
STONE69
My dad maybe. We do well. But we work hard. It takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to make a living out here.
Iris gets a cheeky look in her eye.
IRIS
Be real with me.
Stone raises an eyebrow. She beckons him over. He climbs over the chaise lounge to get next to her, smiling all the way through.
STONE69
What?
IRIS
This is the emerald triangle, right?
STONE69
(smug as all hell)
Who called it that?
IRIS
You grow, don’t you?
STONE69
(playing dumb)
Pfft. What?
IRIS
You grow weed out here. That’s why you’re on acres and acres in the middle of nowhere. I bet you’ve got a huge grow right in the middle of that hedge maze out there.
STONE69
How dumb would we have to be to place our illegal weed farm right next to our house? The cops have sky patrols, you know.
IRIS
So you don’t grow drugs?
They’re practically on top of each other now.
STONE69
I never said that-
IRIS
So you have some?
STONE69
Maybe I do...
IRIS
Oh yeah? What kind?
She lures him closer to her. He tries to kiss her, but she pulls away.
STONE69
What do you want?
IRIS
Guess.
She beckons him closer again. He tries to kiss her again. Every time, she pulls back just enough to keep him at bay.
STONE69
Weed?
IRIS
Guess again.
STONE69
Coke?
IRIS
Guess again.
With all the tantalizing push and pull, he’s a puppet in her hand now.
STONE69
Molly?
Iris shrugs innocently.
STONE69 (CONT’D)
That sounds like a yes.
She shrugs again.
IRIS
Do you have some?
STONE69
Of course...
IRIS
Oh yeah? Where? Out in the maze?
He shakes his head no.
IRIS (CONT’D)
(british accent)
Here? In the “fancy room”?
He shakes his head no again.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Let me guess. Up in your room?
He shakes his head no again.
IRIS (CONT’D)
No, huh? Then they must be... in your... pocket?
She reaches deep into his pants and pulls out a baggie of pills.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Ding ding ding! I win.
He laughs and snatches the pills back.
STONE69
You’re out of this world.
Iris shrugs. But then she reaches for the pills. He quickly pockets them.
IRIS
Come on, haven’t I been good?
STONE69
I don’t know... you’ve been awfully suspicious of me.
IRIS
Aren’t you suspicious of me?
STONE69
Strangely yes... You’re kinda intense in real life.
IRIS
Intense?
STONE69
-in a good way!
Iris smirks. She glances around.
IRIS
This room is kind of intense.
She turns back to him.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Let’s check out your room.
INT. STONETREE MANOR - STONE’S ROOM - LATER
The door to Stone’s room SWINGS OPEN. Iris and Stone are already making out “intensely” as they fly through the room.
Iris stops Stone, holding him off as she inspects his room.
IRIS
No snakes... no samurai swords... you don’t have a gun, do you?
STONE69
What? No-
IRIS
Okay, this’ll do.
She continues the make-out sesh, pushing him towards the bed. She notices his COLORFUL DESKTOP iMAC G3 on his desk.
IRIS (CONT’D)
One more thing.
She pushes him onto his bed and runs to the computer.
STONE69
Wait- what are you-
IRIS
Calm down. Where’d you save that mp3 I sent you?
STONE69
(racking his brain)
Uh- Oh God- um- I think a folder called Eerie?
Iris types “eerie” into the search. She pulls up the folder, and quickly finds the song she’s looking for. She hits PLAY and CRANKS the volume.
It’s OUT OF CONTROL by CHEMICAL BROTHERS.
She nods her head to the droning beat, dancing her way back to him. Stone sits up to enjoy the show. She pushes him back down and jumps on top of him.
They suck face, pulsing with the rhythm.
He claws at her clothes.
She’s faster. She rips off his shirt and pins his arms to the bed.
IRIS
All right. Hand them over.
STONE69
What?
She leans down to his level and whispers in his ear.
IRIS
Hand. Them. Over.
STONE69
I. Can’t. Move.
IRIS
Good. I’ll help myself.
She clasps both his wrists in one hand and uses the other to reach into his back pocket this time.
STONE69
You’re unreal.
Iris shrugs.
In time with the music, she slowly pulls the baggie from his pants, taunting him all the while.
She leans back to pour them out. He tries to pulls her back, but she pushes him back down, holding him back with one hand.
As she runs a pill over her fingers, she notices something strange.
IRIS
Oh shit. These are...
STERN VOICE (O.S.)
Aaron!
Iris and Stone both whip around to see -
AN INTIMIDATINGLY BURLY MAN in a conservative button-up and cable-knit sweater. Imagine DAVE BAUTISTA dressed like Mr. Rogers.
Seeing the man, Iris LEAPS off Stone. Stone scrambles to throw his shirt back on, turn the music off, and look inconspicuous, but uh- little late for that.
STERN MAN
Are you going to introduce me to our guest?
STONE69
Heyyy dad, this is Iris. Iris, this is my father. Mr. Stone.
The STERN man nods, and warms, if ever so slightly.
STERN MAN
My apologies. Call me Trunk.
Iris offers a hand to TRUNK.
IRIS
Hi, Mr... Mr. Trunk.
Trunk smiles, but doesn’t shake her hand.
TRUNK
Aaron? Can we talk for a moment?
AARON
Sure. Eerie, give me a sec, yeah?
TRUNK
By the way, Iris, you’re welcome to join us for dinner. Forgive me for the intrusion.
IRIS
The door was open - in your defense.
Trunk smiles again. Aaron follows him out.
Iris watches from the doorway as the pair march down a long hallway and exit into a large double-door bedroom at the far end.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Aaron...
INT. STONE MANOR - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Iris creeps down the hallway, inching towards the door. She can catch the faintest bit of their conversation:
TRUNK
-completely disrespectful, let alone dangerous- to put her in such a- compromising position?!
Iris inches closer, ear against the wall...
AARON
-I’m sorry, What else do you want me to say?
Iris leans in closer...
RASPY FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)
Boo, bitch!
IRIS
Fuck!
Iris whips around. It’s the WILD EYED WOMAN with the green eyes.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Oh god, not you.
WILD EYES
Aww, not happy to see me?
IRIS
You almost ran me over.
WILD EYES
(disappointed)
I know. Could’ve saved us both a lot of trouble.
IRIS
Let me guess.
WILD EYES
(nodding)
That’s my brother you just tried to fuck.
Iris nods.
IRIS
And I would’ve got away with it, too, if it wasn’t for you meddlin’ kids-
Wild eyes SLAMS Iris against the wall and wraps her fingers around her throat.
WILD EYES
This is a wholesome family. We don’t tolerate filth.
Wild eyes tightens her fist around Iris’ neck. Iris simply stares at her, which antagonizes Wild eyes to squeeze harder.
HAITIAN VOICE (O.S.)
Venus! What are you doing?
Iris turns to see a HAITIAN MAN with short, styled, and creatively colored dreadlocks in a ONE LOVE Marley tank top. He seems to be the only one of them concerned by the strangling going on. He is DAEMON LAGUERRE (30s).
Seeing Daemon, Wild eyes (VENUS) smiles, then unhands Iris and pulls her into a hug.
VENUS
(fake girly)
What? I’m just introducing myself to Aaron’s new girlfriend. Besties!
It’s impeccably timed as the double-doors swing open and Aaron and Trunk exit the primary bedroom.
VENUS (CONT’D)
Hi daddy! Did you meet Aaron’s new girlfriend already?
TRUNK
(with a curt smile)
We’ve met. Daemon, still joining us for dinner tonight?
DAEMON
Of course. Every night.
TRUNK
Come on then. Let’s eat.
Venus and Daemon follow Trunk down the stairs, leaving Stone and Iris a few paces behind them.
STONE69
(low, to Iris)
Venus wasn’t mean to you, was she?
Iris stops him before the top of the stairs.
IRIS
I’m sorry, your name is Aaron? What the fuck, dude?
Stone (AARON) turns to face her.
AARON
Uh, yeah. Stone’s the last name.
IRIS
Is there anything else I should know? Because apparently, I don’t know shit.
AARON
Babe. Is... is this all too much for you?
IRIS
It’s A LOT.
He nods, takes a beat, then takes her hand.
AARON
I got you. Just trust me. I promise.
Reluctantly... oh... so... reluctantly... she accepts his hand.
INT. STONE MANOR - DINING HALL - NIGHT
Iris is at the end of a long dining table. To her surprise, a KITCHEN WAIT STAFF of about SEVEN serve the decadent meal of what looks like ENTIRELY FRESH VEGETABLES.
TRUNK
From our own farm. Everything here is organic and sustainably grown.
Next to her is Aaron, across from Aaron is Venus, and next to Venus is Daemon. Across from Daemon is an EMPTY DINNER PLATE.
Trunk is positioned at the far end of the table opposite of Iris. Even at this distance, he’s extremely distant.
Iris pays him no mind. Her eye-line keeps going past him. Trunk sits with his back to the archway of the lounge, so she instead focuses on the GIANT PORTRAIT OF THE TREE above the fire place, which looks like it’s sprouting from his head.
Trunk catches her stare once or twice, but doesn’t single her out. In fact, he doesn’t make much conversation at all. None of them do. They all chew in silence until -
IRIS
Is this everyone?
Everyone looks at the empty plate.
VENUS
Except Dirt.
TRUNK
(correcting)
Hyacinth is away on business. Which I’m sure Aaron already told you.
Iris shrugs.
IRIS
Yeah, Aaron doesn’t tell me a lot.
Aaron just grins through gritted teeth.
TRUNK
Where are you from, Iris? Obviously not Stone tree.
IRIS
Socal.
VENUS
Cali girl! Whahoo! Cowabunga! Surf’s up!
Daemon and Aaron smirk, but Aaron adds an eye-roll to his.
TRUNK
That must have been a long trip. Where did you park?
IRIS
I- I took a bus.
TRUNK
All the way here?
He looks at Aaron. Aaron shrugs.
TRUNK (CONT’D)
How long do you plan on staying?
IRIS
Um- well-
AARON
She’s just passing through.
TRUNK
Really? You took a ten hour bus ride just to pass through?
Before Iris can answer-
AARON
Dad. I’ll put her up at the inn.
TRUNK
Nonsense. You’re welcome to stay here, Iris. If it would be comfortable.
Iris and Aaron exchange looks.
TRUNK (CONT’D)
We have plenty of extra rooms.
Venus mouths “wholesome family” from across the table.
Venus’ sass isn’t lost on Trunk. He sits up straight.
TRUNK (CONT’D)
I prefer not to encourage... cohabitating outside of marriage. Forgive me if that’s old fashion.
Iris shrugs.
IRIS
I respect it. It’s your house.
VENUS
Except me and Daemon, huh daddy? You don’t mind us “livin’ in sin” do ya?
TRUNK
I don’t really have a choice, do I?
DAEMON
You know I appreciate the hospitality, Mr. Stone-
TRUNK
Don’t mention it. Iris, I assume Aaron also didn’t tell you that everyone in this house earns their keep?
Iris stares at Aaron, who avoids eye contact by pretending to be focused on a cut of broccoli.
IRIS
Correct. He did not mention that.
Aaron looks up, faux-innocent.
TRUNK
Daemon gets to stay here because he works. Venus gets to stay here because she works.
VENUS
And because I’m your favorite!
TRUNK
Aaron gets to stay here because he works, lest he forget it.
AARON
Hey!
TRUNK
He scrapes by. Barely.
AARON
That’s not fair. I do my part-
Trunk gives in, putting his silverware down.
TRUNK
You do. That’s true. So you get to stay.
IRIS
So what do I have to do? To stay?
Everyone looks at Trunk. Trunk smiles.
TRUNK
That remains to be seen.
Everyone looks at Iris. Iris nods.
IRIS
Dope.
She wipes her face, puts her napkin down, then puts down her silverware.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Um. May I be excused for a second?
EXT. BACK PATIO - NIGHT
Iris shuts the patio door behind her. She’s out on an expansive deck overlooking an INFINITY POOL and the massive backyard, lined on all sides by HEDGE MAZE.
She stares off into the distance. She pulls a pill from her bag and POPS IT.
RUSTLE. In the bushes. Iris squints into the dark.
RUSTLE RUSTLE.
Iris glances back towards the house. The rest of the family is inside at the dinner table.
Iris spots a pine cone on the far end of the deck. She slowly slumps over to it. She leans down, peering around. She picks it up, and holds it by her side.
RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE.
Iris CHUCKS the pine cone into the dark bush.
THWACK!
It connects.
VOICE (O.S.)
Fuck! What the!
A body lurches from the bush. It’s -
IRIS
Ned!
NED
You clocked me! What is this, League of their own?
IRIS
Keep your voice down!
NED
You’re a monster with that underhand!
Iris shushes him and chases him out of the window’s line of sight and into the shadows where the patio light can’t reach.
IRIS
You’re alive!
NED
So are you! Wait, why would I be the one in danger?
IRIS
You disappeared.
NED
Yeah. Because I’m sneaky. I’m glad you found me, it’s freezing out here. So, what’s the catch?
IRIS
What do you mean?
NED
Young, dumb, and hot? Just like you thought?
Iris nods.
NED (CONT’D)
That can’t be it. Clearly.
He gestures to the hedge maze, infinity pool, and mansion.
IRIS
They’re rich. And weird as fuck. But they’re... them. They’re real.
NED
Great. That’s great. You came, you saw. You met your idol. They say never to do that, but you did, and you made it out. So we can go now right? Isn’t that enough risky business for one weekend?
IRIS
Dude. I’m not leaving. We just met. And we didn’t even... get down to business, if you know what I mean.
NED
I wish I didn’t. So fuck him, get it out of your system, and then let’s leave.
Iris looks longingly back at the house.
NED (CONT’D)
So what? You’re gonna stay?
IRIS
I don’t know, they want me to work the farm or something if I do.
NED
Uh-uh. That’s commune shit. And if I know one thing about communes, it’s that they’re all covertly cults.
IRIS
Maybe...
NED
Oh god. Please don’t say it.
IRIS
Maybe a cult is what I need.
NED
No! Iris! Get your fucking head straight!
IRIS
Maybe I can tell them about you, and then you can stay too!
NED
Fuck no! Definitely not, if it means getting recruited into a cult-
IRIS
You said it’s a commune! Maybe.
NED
Seconds ago you wished it was a cult!
IRIS
Whatever. I’m saying I want to stay, Ned. I told you, I’m staying!
NED
(outburst)
I don’t want you to wind up dead!
Iris is a little taken back by the sentiment.
NED (CONT’D)
I can... I can wait it out. If that’s what you need. I’ll go stay in town somewhere.
IRIS
Seriously? You’d rather go hole up in a motel back there then here?
NED
Sure. Why not. For twenty four hours? If that’s what it takes for you to come to your senses?
IRIS
I can’t promise I’ll be ready when you come back.
NED
Then so be it. That’s on me. But I can’t take a front row seat and do nothing as you destroy your life.
Iris lets out a curt laugh.
IRIS
What life?
Ned returns the laugh.
NED
Yeah. You’re right.
He throws up a peace sign, stuffs his hands in his pockets, and disappears into the shadows.
Iris shivers. She turns around.
THERE’S A MAN STARING AT HER.
IRIS
Jesus, fuck!
His face cast half in silhouette, half lit by the moon, two white orbs jutt out from dark, sunken sockets. Jet black hair covers half an emaciated face, all jaw and bone.
EMACIATED MAN
Sorry.
IRIS
What?!
He steps out from the shadows so the porch light catches on him. Despite the ghastliness of his jawline, his face threads the needle between grotesque and almost preternatural beauty.
EMACIATED MAN
Sorry I startled you.
IRIS
Who the fuck are you?
EMACIATED MAN
Dirt.
He (DIRT) holds out a hand. It’s... covered in dirt.
IRIS
Is that your real name?
DIRT
It’s how people know me.
Iris glances up at the house.
IRIS
You don’t, like, live out here do you?
DIRT
I was working.
IRIS
This late?
DIRT
It’s not late.
Dirt glances up at the moon.
DIRT (CONT’D)
Actually, you should probably go back in. You’ve been out here a long time.
Something dawns across Iris’ face.
IRIS
You’ve been watching me.
DIRT
For a minute or so. Sure.
IRIS
So you know about-
DIRT
He’s your... friend?
IRIS
I haven’t told anyone about him.
DIRT
Don’t worry.
He shakes his head. Iris nods.
IRIS
Thanks. Dirt.
She turns to head back up to the house.
DIRT
He’s right you know.
She stops and turns around.
IRIS
This is a cult?
DIRT
You should fuck him and get it out of your system.
Iris smirks.
IRIS
That’s a really weird thing for you to say to me.
He shrugs.
DIRT
I can’t tell you the other part.
IRIS
What other part?
DIRT
I’ll see you later, Eerie.
Dirt ventures forth into the shadows and out of sight.
Iris turns back around - and BUMPS RIGHT INTO SOMEONE ELSE.
IRIS
Fucking! Again!
It’s just Aaron. He grabs her, as if to calm her down.
AARON
Iris, Iris, Iris. It’s me. Chill.
Iris flails until Aaron lets go of her.
AARON (CONT’D)
I was just wondering where you ran off to, damn.
IRIS
I don’t know, getting some air.
Aaron nods past her, towards where Dirt just was.
AARON
I take it you met Dirty boy.
IRIS
Oh my god, please don’t call him that.
AARON
What? He’s my brother.
IRIS
Exactly. Also, you told him about my nickname?
Aaron just grins.
AARON
Of course I didn’t. You saw him, he’s a lurker. He picks up on stuff.
She pushes past him to go inside.
AARON (CONT’D)
Naw, naw, naw. Let’s get out of here.
Iris raises an eyebrow.
IRIS
Out of your giant, sick ass mansion? To go where?
AARON
On a date.
He grins. Iris eyes him suspiciously. But...
IRIS
Sure. Why not.
INT. NED’S CAR - NIGHT
Ned’s back in his car, driving the lonesome forest road in the dark.
He’s got I’M NOT OKAY by MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE BLASTING.
He drums along on his steering wheel, each percussive hit harder than the last.
NED
(singing along)
Well, if you wanted HONESTY-
That's all you had to saaay.
I never want to let you down-
Or have you go-
“it's better off this way”-
He notices a pair of headlights behind him.
NED (CONT’D)
Shit. Of course.
Ned steps on it. The headlights seem to keep up.
NED (CONT’D)
(singing along)
I’m nooot okay.
I’m not OKAAAAAY.
I’m not OKAaaaaay.
He rounds a bend a little too quick. He corrects, but it freaks him out enough to slow down.
NED (CONT’D)
You weaaar me ooooout-
The headlights are gaining on him.
NED (CONT’D)
(humming intermittent, losing focus)
What will it take to show you
That it's not the life it seems? I've told you time and time again
You sing the words but don't know what it means-
The forest road clears into a straight away.
NED (CONT’D)
Finally-
He speeds up again.
NED (CONT’D)
(singing again)
I held you close as we both shook-
For the last time! Take a good hard look!
He’s PUSHING his tiny car to the limit.
NED (CONT’D)
I’M NOT OOOKAAAY! I’M NOT OKAAAY! I’M NOT-
Ned SLAMS to a stop. The car behind him SKIDS, SWERVES, and VEERS OFF THE ROAD into the treeline.
CRASH!
All is silent (except the breakdown of I’m NOT OKAY) as Ned peers into the darkness, looking for the car.
NED (CONT’D)
(whispering in time with Gerard Way)
I’m... oh... okay. I’m... OH...
He revvs his engine and takes off again.
NED (CONT’D)
OKAAAAY!!! I’m OKAY NOW!!
High on adrenaline and emo music, Ned FLIES off down the road, screaming at the top of his lungs.
Once he (and his music) fade away into the horizon, slowly but surely, the mangled, beat-up old oldsmobile reverses back onto the highway, and creeps along into the distance, too.
INT. YE OLDE RUSTY CUP SALOON - DAY
Ned WHOOPS and HOLLERS as he downs a shot at the bar. The WEATHERED BARTENDER (60s) watches, both nonplussed and seemingly impressed at the same time.
NED
I’m alive, baby! I’m so fucking alive! Whooo!
He spins around on his stool, surveying the saloon.
Entirely made of wood, the place looks as if it was formerly a church that’s been reclaimed, with the bar where the altar would be, and a long naive with tables along the aisles.
The rest of the patrons seemingly pay him and his outbursts no mind. In fact, for as FULL as the place is, it seems that its DENIZENS mostly keep to themselves. They aren’t even really talking to each other.
Ned spins back around, facing the bartender.
NED (CONT’D)
Sheesh. This place always this dead?
The Bartender barely grunts in response.
NED (CONT’D)
(feeling the buzz)
I’ll take a double. Make it another.
SOMEONE sidles up and plops down next to Ned at the bar.
Ned glances over, but avoids eye contact.
The SOMEONE flashes a bony finger, and the Bartender nods. Not even a moment later, the Bartender has both drinks ready and places them in front of both men.
NED (CONT’D)
Heh. Cheers.
Ned raises his glass, looking the man in the face for the first time.
It’s DIRT. He nods, and clinks Ned’s glass.
DIRT
Cheers.
Ned’s taken back by Dirt’s “enthusiasm” - and honestly, his look.
In fact, he’s so taken aback, after he takes a sip of beer, he double takes - and notices a long, thin, STREAM OF BLOOD running diagonally from Dirt’s forehead to his chin. It’s almost easy to miss between with the long, dark, stringy bangs sweeping across his face.
NED
Whoa, man. You got something from here to here.
Dirt follows Ned’s direction and dabs a bit of blood onto his finger.
DIRT
Ah. You’re right.
NED
You good?
Dirt shrugs.
DIRT
Must have hit my head.
Ned grabs a stack of cocktail napkins from behind the bar and crumples them up into Dirt’s bony fingers.
Dirt nods a thank you. With a single, almost manic swipe, he smears the napkins across his face, clearing the blood but also kind of just smearing it around.
He faces Ned for a confirmation.
NED
Yeah, I mean, you got it.
Dirt nods and turns away again.
Ned glances around to see if literally anyone else is seeing this dude. But no one else could be bothered.
So Ned leans in.
NED (CONT’D)
Hey man, can I ask you a question?
Dirt turns back to Ned and waits for the question.
NED (CONT’D)
What the fuck is wrong with this town?
Ned points to the corners of every bannister and beam, where hidden little impish tree-faces, unnoticeable from afar, have been carved into every available nook and cranny.
NED (CONT’D)
What’s with all the fucking trees?
Dirt glances around, as if he never noticed it before.
DIRT
Maybe they just... love trees.
Ned leans in.
NED
No, no, no, no- there is a borderline... collective psychosis at work here. No one loves trees this much. Not even artsy-fartsy acid-dropping hippies.
Dirt shrugs.
NED (CONT’D)
And while I’m on the subject, have you noticed everyone in this bar is... zonked out of their minds?
Dirt offers a stupefied glance around.
DIRT
Maybe they just... hate their life?
Ned nods, taking it all in.
NED
The facts are thus: they love trees. But hate their life.
He drinks more of his drink.
NED (CONT’D)
Unhappy hippies...
Ned contemplates on this as he downs his drink. Then he cracks up.
NED (CONT’D)
What if they’re just unhappy hippies? Whoever heard of unhappy hippies?
Dirt laughs along with Ned.
NED (CONT’D)
(suddenly serious)
Besides when they’re protesting.
Ned glances around again.
NED (CONT’D)
Maybe they’ve protested so long, with no impact, that they’re just... defeated. To drink away their sorrows at the end of the Earth...
DIRT
Maybe...
NED
(working through it)
Or maybe they had a perfect life out here, away from the Vietnam war and the Reagan era and the neo-cons and the Bushes. And now they’re depressed for another reason.
Dirt nods along, trying to follow Ned’s train of thought.
NED (CONT’D)
No, it’s the same reason it always is. The military industrial complex, come to their borders. No, the war on drugs. No, the drugs. The drugs, yes! Aha! Not the drugs! The capitalists! Big business. The Stones!
Puppy-dog eyed, Ned turns to Dirt to back him up.
Dirt stares blankly back at him. The Bartender’s eyes bounce back and forth between Ned and Dirt, as if waiting for something to go down.
Ned suddenly gets very dizzy.
NED (CONT’D)
No. Can’t be. I need a library.
He slips off his stool, and throws an arm around Dirt.
NED (CONT’D)
Can you take me to the library?
DIRT
Wherever you wanna go.
Dirt accepts Ned’s arm around him, and guides him out the door.
EXT. ABANDONED PARK - NIGHT
Aaron’s BLACK HUMMER rolls to a stop in front of a DILAPIDATED PUBLIC PARK, complete with a metal geodesic dome climber, chain-link swing-set, and HALF of an ELABORATE WOODEN JUNGLE GYM that looks as if it was sawed in half.
That’s because of the GIGANTIC, GAPING SINKHOLE positioned right where the other half would be.
Iris and Aaron get out of the car.
IRIS
Romantic.
Aaron grins.
AARON
Come on.
He guides her by the hand.
IRIS
You’re a real cheeseball, you know?
AARON
What? I want my lady to feel safe and protected. I’m your big guard dog. Awoof! Awoof!
On the playground, Iris is torn between where to go.
IRIS
Swings, climber, or jungle gym?
AARON
Is this a personality test?
IRIS
You already failed.
She runs to the swings and hops on. Aaron pushes her.
AARON
I see you. Little miss pamper-puss.
IRIS
Dude you are so weird in real life.
AARON
Yeah you have no idea.
IRIS
Swings are great. They’re like drugs for kids. You get so-
Aaron gives her a running start and...
IRIS (CONT’D)
Hiiiiigh!
She goes so high that it’s clear she’s going to hit the pole. Instead, she back-flips out of it - barely sticking the landing.
AARON
Yo! Nicely done!
IRIS
Holy shit. I can’t believe I can still do that.
Aaron waddles through the woodchips.
AARON
(imitating her scream)
Speaking of “hiiiiiigh”
He flashes the bag of drugs from before.
IRIS
Now we’re talking.
Iris snatches it from him. She inspects it, turning the bag over in her hand.
IRIS (CONT’D)
I knew it! You have this shit too?
She flashes the label at him. It reads: SOLANACEAE.
IRIS (CONT’D)
I almost died on this shit last week. Remember that crazy drug I told you about?
Aaron scratches his head, but nods.
AARON
Right. But it couldn’t have been this shit. This won’t kill you.
IRIS
It’ll drive you insane, that’s what it’ll do.
AARON
Nahh. This shit’s legit. It’s not like that.
IRIS
What the fuck is it, then? Cause it’s not your daddy’s ecstasy, that’s for sure.
AARON
Haha. Actually...
Iris is stunned.
IRIS
It is your daddy’s ecstasy. What the fuck? Youre family gets rich off poisoning people?
AARON
It’s not poison! What, you think its actual nightshade? We call it Nightshayde. With a y.
IRIS
Oh that’s adorable. With a Y.
Aaron blows her off and goes to lay down on the double-slide part of the jungle gym (the little kid’s slide). Iris slowly makes her way over and lays down next to him.
IRIS (CONT’D)
All right listen. What kind of crazy backwoods hill drugs is your crazy family cooking up here? That’s all I want to know.
They lie side by side now.
AARON
It’s a party drug. It’s like MDMA, but the chemicals are a little different. A little more psychotropic, as you know. Can you believe I’ve actually never tried it?
IRIS
You’ve never got high off your own supply?
Aaron shakes his head.
AARON
Do you believe in ghosts?
Iris thinks about it. She shrugs.
IRIS
Not really. Other than the ones we keep hanging around.
AARON
What about demons?
INT. LIBRARY - LATER
Ned, on the verge of passing out, holds his head with his hands, elbows locked on the computer desk, as he reads out loud to DIRT, who watches over his shoulder.
He’s got a passage from The Tree of Life by E.O. James.
NED
(reading from screen)
-That in many cases, it was from the sacred tree that the posts and pillars emerged is very probable. As we have seen, the tree acquired
its sacredness by virtue of its vitality manifest in its powers of growth, and fruitfulness, by its numinous qualities in primeval forests and groves, and its early... connexions... with magic plants, the water of life, the omphalos and... immortality.
His eyes droop until he slaps himself back into action.
Frenzied with a temporary mania, Ned switches to another link.
NED (CONT’D)
(reading )
“One of the oldest traditions in Slavic worship is considered to be, the so-called – Cult of the Trees. Dated back to some sources from the 10th century, the ritual was practiced honoring life and death. The Slavs back then worshiped trees that had ties with some form of deity in them. They prayed to them... made sacrifices... and even went in confession in front of the roots with a silent whisper…” Are you getting all of this?
DIRT
I think so...
NED
God, why am I so... no, I gotta keep going... “it was considered that every year the tree dies and comes back to life, symbolizing the cycle of life and cosmic rebirth. In Slavic Mythology, the world itself is portrayed as a giant oak tree, whose branches are the heaven, the stump is the earth and the roots – the underworld... Perun is always sitting on top of the Tree, sometimes depicted as an eagle, and Volos, between the roots, depicted as a serpent...”
Ned shows a picture of VOLOS... a creepy, unearthly SERPENT DEMON that almost seems to SLITHER OFF THE SCREEN.
Ned leans back, widening his eyes.
NED (CONT’D)
Whoa. Did you see that?
Dirt leans in, almost as if he does... but then he shrugs no.
NED (CONT’D)
(still reading)
Whatever. “It was believed that when a thunder, struck some believers house, it was to protect them from Volos who had escaped the underground and was hiding somewhere inside the believer’s home...”
THUNDER cracks above. Ned and Dirt look at each other.
They share a pregnant, frightened pause until...
They both BUST UP into laughter.
EXT. ABANDONED PARK - SAME
Aaron and Iris both glance up at the sky.
IRIS
Get a lot of surprise thunder storms out here?
AARON
Ah shit. That’s not good. We better head back.
Aaron moves to get up. She pulls him back down.
IRIS
Hey. I don’t believe in demons. Other than the ones we keep with us. From the stuff we’ve done.
Aaron nods. A little disappointed.
IRIS (CONT’D)
But why are you asking me this?
AARON
I’m going to sound crazy.
IRIS
Not to me. I promise.
He turns on his side to face her. She does the same.
AARON
I... hear voices.
Iris is nonplussed.
AARON (CONT’D)
And see visions.
IRIS
Really? When?
AARON
Throughout the day. Not every day. But time to time.
IRIS
So...?
AARON
So I can’t do any psychedelics. At all.
IRIS
Aha. So you’ve lied to me once again.
AARON
Okay that one was a lie. The rest were just things I didn’t tell you. But in my defense, you never asked.
IRIS
So... why do you carry around a bag of your dad’s psychedelics if you dont’ do them?
AARON
I want to. With you. For my first time.
Iris nods. And then THE RAIN COMES DOWN, HOT AND HEAVY AND ALL AT ONCE.
Caught in the sudden storm, Iris and Aaron laugh and rush up the steps of the jungle gym to get out of the rain.
As they dip and weave through the elaborate wood jungle gym, monster-faced TREES pop out at them - carved into the walls of the structure.
IRIS
Fuckin’ A these damn trees.
Aaron just laughs.
Everywhere they go, they encounter some type of rain spill-over until they reach their only solace; in the tallest turret, a four-by-four platform completely covered by a domed, apex-roof. It also happens to be where the slide begins.
Iris and Aaron stop, relieved to finally be out of the line of fire. They’re also closely crammed together.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Pick up where we left off?
She pushes him down and sits on his lap. Surprised, he pulls her towards him.
IRIS (CONT’D)
I should tell you. I saw visions too. When I took this stuff.
Iris pours two of the pills into her hand, and sticks out her tongue, egging him on to the do the same.
IRIS (CONT’D)
So if you’re going to do it, be ready to see some shit. Cool?
Aaron grins.
AARON
You’re probably one of the craziest girls I’ve ever met.
IRIS
You want to do this or not? I don’t believe in peer pressure.
AARON
I want to do it.
IRIS
Stick out your tongue.
She smushes his cheeks together to get him to stick his out. She places both pills on both tongues in unison.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Bon voyage.
LIGHTNING CRACKLES through the dark, illuminating their expressions as the drugs slowly kick in...
INT. LIBRARY - SAME
Ned’s leaning on Dirt’s shoulders, who is now behind the computer reading to Ned:
DIRT
(reading from screen)
“As with all things religious, the Slavs made a separation between good and evil trees. Some trees were considered holy. They listened to people but could not speak back. Communicating with these trees was like a form of meditation, or psychological release for a troubled soul...” Should I keep going?
Ned snaps awake, and pressed down on Dirt’s shoulders, indicating he should continue.
DIRT (CONT’D)
(reading)
“...Somewhere a person could unpack all their deepest and darkest secrets in confidentiality and hope for an answer. The evil trees, on the other hand, are the ones that shelter demons... and those that could be used for dark magic rituals...” Ned?
Ned’s fully passed out on Dirt. Dirt sighs and inches out from under him. Despite his thin stature, Dirt easily hoists Ned up onto his shoulders and carries him out of the library.
On his way out, he makes eye contact with the LIBRARIAN (60s). She HEAD NODS Dirt as if he does this every week. Dirt nods back.
EXT. ABANDONED PARK - JUNGLE GYM TURRET - SAME
Iris and Aaron make-out heavily. They each have an IPOD EARBUD in one ear. They’re listening to some EMO SONG of Aaron’s.
IRIS
Wait. This isn’t right. Let me-
Iris loosens the ipod out of Aaron’s pants and flips to a song. It’s SETTING SUN by THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Now we’re talking.
She puts one earbud in her ear and one in Aaron’s.
She leans into his non-earbudded ear.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Keep up the pace. To the music.
Aaron shakes his head, grinning all the while.
They continue... but as they do, the world starts to warp around them...
Something’s changing with the music all right... but it’s not their bodies.
All around them, it’s as if the WOODEN structure is wobbling. Boards almost seem like they’re coming undone... coming alive...
IRIS (CONT’D)
Fuck. Here it is.
Aaron laughs as the BOARDS begin to TWIST around him, locking him in place, dragging him down.
AARON
Fuck, dude!
Aaron is LITERALLY MELTING into the wood. Becoming part of it.
IRIS
Relax. It’s not real!
AARON
It looks fucking real to me!
Aaron pulls himself up from the boards - only now he has a WOODEN FACE.
IRIS
Whoa.
Aaron runs his fingers along the gnarled wood of the mask that’s covering his face. And in an instant, he SNATCHES IT off and throws it into the sky. It transforms into a RAVEN and flies away until its STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
Iris is stupefied.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Wait. How did you do that?
AARON
It’s in our head, right? We control it. It does what we want. Questions is. What do you want?
Iris thinks for a moment. CRASH! The THUNDER from the lightning booms throughout the play structure.
The BOOM resonates in her ears. It crashes OVER and OVER again. Clearly it’s not from the actual thunder. Like an echo.
She turns to the earbud that’s fallen out of her ear in the chaos. She lifts the earbud closer to her ear. THE BOOMS of the thunder echo begin to speed up. Now all of a sudden it matches the BASS of her song. And when she puts the earbud in, the whole WORLD begins to morph to the song’s rhythm.
To her rhythm.
IRIS
Okay. This I can work with.
Now, instead of the world wobbling and morphing around her, it’s warping in time with the music, and in time with her body against Aaron’s. The whole world pulses as she pulses.
Aaron’s taken aback.
AARON
Whoa, whoa. Easy. You’re gonna make me-
Iris grins. She’s still got the whole world moving to her rhythm, including Aaron.
IRIS
If you’re gonna do that, you better take off your pants.
AARON
You sure- I mean- you want to do that? Now? Here?
She turns to the one seemingly safe space - the entrance to the SLIDE.
IRIS
We can go in there.
AARON
No no no- we don’t want to go in there.
She grinds against him harder, faster-
AARON (CONT’D)
No we can’t- we shouldn’t-
She gets off him, crawling backwards towards the dark tunnel of the slide.
AARON (CONT’D)
No, Iris, seriously- it’s not safe-
She eggs him on, wrapping her legs around him, pulling him in to her.
AARON (CONT’D)
Fine, we can- but not in there-
IRIS
Why not?
She sticks her head into the nothingness as if to taunt him -
But it backfires. BAD.
As the song breaks down, so does Iris’ reality.
Now, the pulsing rhythm of the world starts to convulse TOWARDS HER.
The dark walls of the plastic pull inward, trapping her.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Oh shit- no-
CHEMICAL BROTHERS (O.S.)
(singing)
You're the devil in me
I brought in from the cold
You said your body was young
But your mind was very old-
You're coming on strong and I like the way,
the visions we had have faded away.
You're part of a life I've never had-
All of a sudden the walls change. They’re no long plastic, but TWISTED METAL.
And just like that, she’s no longer in a slide - she’s in a WRECKED CAR, TRYING TO WRESTLE HERSELF FREE.
IRIS
Fuck! NO! LET ME OUT! LET ME!
The car CRUNCHES and CONDENSES AROUND HER. It’s like it’s in a trash compactor, compacting itself.
CHEMICAL BROTHERS (O.S.)
(singing)
I'll tell you that it's just too bad-
I'll tell you that it's just too bad
I'll tell you that it's just too bad-
I'll tell you that it's just too bad-
I'll tell you that it's just too-
She squirms towards any available empty space, but it’s condensing too quickly. She’s being swallowed whole -
AND THEN A DIFFERENT CRUNCH occurs. A SCREECHING, HOWLING SQUEAL of METAL being peeled apart.
Whatever is peeling the car, is now peeling her out of the car wreck.
It’s the JAWS OF LIFE.
No, it’s AARON!
No, wait a minute - it’s DIRT?
DIRT
The fuck is wrong with you two?
Iris comes to in Dirt’s arms. Aaron is freaking out in the corner, a crumpled up mess.
Iris quickly steals herself against Dirt and gets to her feet.
The world around her is still wobbling, but its much more sedated now from its recent highs.
DIRT (CONT’D)
Yeah, real smart, hooking up in the slide to nowhere land.
Dirt points his bony finger over the side of the jungle gym. Iris turns and sees that the end of the slide exits into the SINK PIT, which from this vantage point, still has NO BOTTOM IN SIGHT.
IRIS
Oh shit.
DIRT
Yeah. You idiots.
Dirt turns to his brother.
DIRT (CONT’D)
But this one should have said something.
AARON
I-I was trying. She wouldn’t listen, she was just trying to fuck my brains out or something-
Dirt turns to Iris.
IRIS
What? That’s what you told me to do, wasn’t it?
Dirt turns back to Aaron.
AARON
I tried to get her to stop- really-
IRIS
You’re a good guy Aaron. We get it.
AARON
But then she started freaking out man. It was like it trapped her-
DIRT
Like what trapped her?
IRIS
...the slide.
Dirt ignores her. Instead, he hoists Aaron to his feet.
DIRT
What fucking trapped her, Aaron?
AARON
You know, bro. You know.
Dirt sighs, and then CROSS BODY DECKS Aaron in his face.
Aaron HOWLS with pain and rage.
DIRT
Shut up. Dad will just have me do it again when he finds out.
IRIS
Okay, can one of you tell me what the fuck is going on?! You want me to sleep with him, now you don’t want me to sleep with him, you want me to do your drugs, now you don’t want me to do your drugs? What the fuck?
Dirt turns to Iris with a heavy sigh, and then - BAM!
EVERYTHING GOES DARK.
EXT. HEDGE MAZE - NIGHT
Iris wakes up. She’s lying in a bed of grass and roots. All around her is tall HEDGES. The world around her still morphs and swirls a bit - she’s still high.
The next thing she notices is her bindings - something has her bound to the dirt. She wriggles to test it - it’s tight.
IRIS
Oh shit.
Her exclamation catches the attention of SHADOWS lurking in the dark. It seems that now she’s awake, something’s about to go down.
The first face she recognizes gets close enough to notice.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Daemon?
He leans in close, by her torso, and begins whispering what sounds like an enchantment.
IRIS (CONT’D)
What are you doing, Daemon?
He makes eye contact with her for a moment, but immediately regrets it. He looks down, and continues his low chant. She can’t make out the words.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Dude. What’s going on? Come the fuck on.
As he continues to chant, the other shadowy figures begin to collect around her.
The next face she sees is TRUNK. He stands at her feet, staring over her, stone-faced in judgement, like a gargoyle.
He nods to two other men. THEY CIRCLE AROUND and begin to LIGHT CANDLES.
IRIS (CONT’D)
Whose this? Hey! Who are you?
(to Trunk)
What are they lighting? This is a ritual, right? To what? Your freaky tree gods?
(back to the candle lighters)
Hey! You! Someone! Talk to me!
One of the CANDLE LIGHTERS, a BIG AND BURLY MAN with a LONG RED BEARD, turns and GETS UP IN HER FACE, SNARLING.
TRUNK
Mulch! Leave her. Don’t let her antagonizing get to you. Weed, get your brother, will you?
The OTHER CANDLE LIGHTER, a SCRAWNIER version of the other one, pulls back his brother. Iris squints at them.
IRIS
I know you two! You fucking truckers! I know you!
She pulls at her binds - they’re almost loosening. Daemon leans over Iris, tightening each of her binds.
IRIS (CONT’D)
And you, you’re just gonna cast some witchy spell on me, let them sacrifice me, and do nothing?
In between his reaches over her, he places SOMETHING in the folds of her shirt. She looks up at him, but he refuses to acknowledge it. He chants SLIGHTLY louder.
She turns back to Trunk.
IRIS (CONT’D)
You said I was going to work for you? Now you’re what? Sacrificing me or some shit?
Trunk seems displeased at her constant interjections.
TRUNK
(almost out of obligation)
I told you you’d have to earn your stay. I never told you how. Or for how long.
Daemon gets up and rejoins the crowd. Now Iris is staring Trunk dead in the face.
IRIS
Go ahead. I don’t care. Sacrifice me. Be my fucking guest. You’re doing me a favor!
TRUNK
If you continue to plead, we’ll have to bind your mouth as well.
IRIS
I’m not pleading. You’d know if I was pleading. Joke’s on you. I want this. You managed to pick the one girl in the world who wants to fucking die. Congratufuckinlations.
Trunk smiles.
TRUNK
We know.
This makes Iris irate.
IRIS
Where’s Aaron. Let me at least say goodbye- Aaron! Aaron!
Her panic stars to grow. She squints to see the other faces in the shadow, but can’t.
She flails about, wrestling as hard as she can with the binds - but it’s no use. They’re extra tight now.
IRIS (CONT’D)
(manic, raged)
You better bind my mouth shut, bitch! Because I’ll scream to high heaven the second you touch me! Better bind my eyes shut while you’re at it, because I’ll, I’ll stare you right into the grave! I promise! I promise that!
The next face she sees is Venus - who leans over her with a leather GAG.
VENUS
Gladly.
Iris immediately SCREAMS. Daemon returns to hold her down while Venus gags her. Iris gets at least ONE BITE in on Venus’ finger.
This drives Venus mad. Once she pins the leather gag to the dirt with a stone mallet, she grabs Iris’ left hand and BITES ONE OF IRIS’ FINGERS CLEAN OFF.
VENUS (CONT’D)
You like to bite? You like biting?!
Iris SCREAMS through the gags, crying and yelping.
VENUS (CONT’D)
No one ever does, do they? Not as much as me, anyway, huh babe?
She necks Daemon on her way up, rejoining the crowd.
Daemon stands up over Iris now. With one last forlorn look, almost a look of pain rather than purpose. He disappears.
And now all is left is a wall of faceless HOODED FIGURES staring at her. And Trunk, at her feet.
Iris, true to her promise, wishes him bloody murder through her stare, piercing and dead on even through her fear.
It’s a little too much for him. He looks up, ahead of her, and raises his palms to the sky.
TRUNK
Father, we give you this blessing. So that you might feed yourself. So that you may feed us. Feed us, father, so that we might thrive in your shade. Your nightshade.
Iris desperately scans the crowd for a friendly face. For someone. For Aaron... Ned...
Someone moves towards her. Swift. With intention.
TRUNK (CONT’D)
Feed, father! Feed, now, and prosper! Feed now, and bleed! Bleed! BLEEEEEED!
The body reaches her. He lowers his HOOD. It’s DIRT.
DIRT
(low, just to her)
I’m sorry. I really liked you.
And with that, DIRT RAISES A STAKE, and POUNDS IT THROUGH HER HEART.
CUT TO:
BLACK.
But then light.
It’s eyes, opening.
The eyes glance around. Confused. He looks from the hands holding his mouth shut to ring of bodies surrounding a ceremonial circle.
In front of the circle is the LARGEST, MOST GNARLED, JET BLACK OAK TREE. And at the base of its unnatural horror, someone has carved the MOST DEMONIC LOOKING FACE into its trunk. It has reddish purple stains under its eyes - stains from crying blood.
The group of bodies close in around the circle, cutting off the view of the eyes.
Until finally, a petulant woman stomps her feet -
VENUS
Daddy! It didn’t work!
The eyes watch as the hulking Trunk cuts through the crowd. He stares at the tree’s face, then down from the face to the ground, where a dead body lies. Iris’ body.
NED
No!
Ned breaks free from one of the hoodies holding him back and cuts through the crowd.
Looming above Iris’ dead body is Dirt, who seeing Ned, immediately rushes up to stop him.
NED (CONT’D)
What did you do to her! What the fuck did you do!!
Venus pops up behind Dirt, taunting Ned.
VENUS
We killed her, you dumbshit!
She sticks her tongue out as if murder was a schoolhouse game.
NED
I knew it. I knew you all were a fucking cult!
TRUNK
I’m sorry, who’s this?
DIRT
Iris’ friend.
NED
You’re a murderous, tree cult! Worshiping a murderous, demon tree!
He points at the tree.
NED (CONT’D)
Volos! Volos! I know you! I know what you are!
TRUNK
Dirt? Get him out of here?
DIRT
What do you want me to do with him?
FAMILIAR VOICE
(from the crowd)
Kill him.
Ned and Dirt turn around. It’s Aaron.
NED
Of course. The emo prince of darkness had to be in on it. You couldn’t have just been a normal, nice kid in a fucked up cult family.
AARON
We’re not a cult, dude.
NED
No? What the fuck do you call this?
He’s surrounded by cultists, candles, and a ritual sacrifice.
AARON
We’re drug dealers.
Ned blinks a few times.
AARON (CONT’D)
The cult stuff... that’s just to make sure the magic works.
NED
Fucking drug dealer cult. I was right twice!
The crowd’s clearly beyond agitated now. Trunk tries to control the mob.
TRUNK
Dirt! Get him fucking out of here!
AARON
No, dad, I’m serious! We should kill him. The ritual didn’t work right? I think that’s because Iris wasn’t a virgin.
Ned laughs.
NED
Oh that’s adorable. You thought... Iris? A virgin? You met Iris, right?
Everyone looks at him dumbfounded.
NED (CONT’D)
It’s just so profoundly dumb of you... it’s actually impressive.
TRUNK
DIIIIRT!
Dirt sighs, and drags Ned by the collar in front of the tree.
DIRT
(to Ned)
I’m sorry, Ned.
NED
Wait, wait, wait- you’re actually gonna do it? How do you know- I’m not a virgin!
AARON
My left nut, you’re not!
Dirt throws Ned down on top of Iris’ dead body.
NED
Oh fuck. No no no-
Face to face with Iris, Ned sees she’s well and truly dead.
NED (CONT’D)
(tearing up)
They actually did it... those bastards...
He wraps his arms around her and cries into her shoulder.
VENUS
We already did all the voodoo shit, right Daemon? We can just kill him?
DAEMON
The ritual’s been set. What evil was in the air, it remains.
Trunk rolls his eyes.
TRUNK
You know I don’t like doing things impromptu like this.
VENUS
Aww, come on daddy, we wasted a whole weekend otherwise. Let’s at least give it a shot.
TRUNK
(going through the motions)
Father, we give you this blessing so that you might feed yourself, so that you may feed us. Feed us, father, so that we might thrive in your shade - your nightshade -
Dirt looks around for the stake - Ned notices it’s still in Iris’ body. He tries to not so subtly pull it out.
VENUS
Ew, what is he doing? Is he trying to un-virgin himself on his friend’s dead body?
NED
(yelling to distract them)
That’s disgusting! Of course not! She’s not my type!
TRUNK
SILENCE! ALL OF YOU!
Trunk turns to Dirt - “what’s the hold up?”
Dirt shows his empty hands.
TRUNK (CONT’D)
Don’t you have anything to kill him with?
VENUS
Use your bare hands!
Dirt SIGHS, and reaches over Ned to STRANGLE HIM from behind.
Ned finally retches the stake free.
He pivots around, and JABS it into Dirt’s face. All he manages is to BUST out a tooth.
DIRT
Really?
NED
I trusted you!
DIRT
I drugged you.
NED
You took me to the library after!
Dirt doesn’t know how to respond to that.
MULCH
Hey, Dirt! I got you!
Dirt turns to see Mulch pull up with a WHEELBARROW full of wood. On top of all the logs? A GLEAMING WOODSMAN AXE.
TRUNK
There we go. Nice hustle, Mulch.
MULCH
Thanks, chief.
Mulch tosses the axe to Dirt.
TRUNK
All right Dirt, get it ready.
Dirt pins Ned’s squirming body to the ground with his boot.
DIRT
Sorry Ned. I really did like you.
NED
(choking on Dirt’s boot)
Then don’t... kill me!
TRUNK
Feed, father! Feed, now, and prosper! Feed now, and bleed! Bleed! BLEEEEEED!
Dirt sighs. He raises the axe above his head. But looking down at Ned’s squirming body, something in him falters.
Trunk eyes the uncertainty.
TRUNK (CONT’D)
Damn it, Dirt. We’re running out of time for the ritual.
Dirt lowers the axe.
DIRT
You do it, then.
TRUNK
I’m your father. You do what I say.
DIRT
I do what you say every single day. Just for once, I’m asking for a break-
Trunk slaps Dirt, silencing him.
TRUNK
You don’t get a break. You’re a slave. We’re all slaves, unless we give the tree what it wants. Venus!
Venus wrestles the ax from Dirt’s hands.
VENUS
Happy to do my part, daddy!
And with a swing of her AXE - THERE GOES NED’S HEAD.
And everyone goes silent.
They gather around, all staring at the tree’s face.
They push in... waiting on baited breath...
Ned’s blood, beneath them, begins to pool in the dirt.
Begins to soak in...
And then, as if the blood was soaking through the earth, going up the roots of the tree, and out of the tree’s face...
The tree begins to CRY a DARK PURPLE LIQUID.
It’s CRYING NIGHTSHAYDE.
Trunk quickly pulls a SPILE from his robe, and slams it into the tree to collect the sap.
TRUNK
It’s through this beautiful blood, this beautiful feast, that we feed. Lest us never forget.
He stares at Dirt. Dirt nods and drops his head, submissive.
CUT TO:
THE DARK. AGAIN.
Only this time, something stirs in the nothing…
Go to the next page to continue the story from this point on:
Thanks for your interest in A Page a Day! A bit about the project:
This is a screenplay for a horror feature film. I’m keeping the official title and logline under wraps for now, but I will eventually update this page with that information once the pertinent details have been revealed in the story.
The story is meant to be neo-gothic and stylized, with plenty of “camp” and gore - think Evil Dead, where it takes itself seriously and has a lot of fun. Another project that is tonally similar to the spirit of this project would be the 2018 action horror movie Mandy. Hopefully, I’ll earn that tone as I continue to develop it.
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If you don’t know this writing style, this is written in screenplay format. This might be unique to read on Substack - I’m experimenting with form and format a bit. If it reads weird, or you have a better suggestion, reach out and let me know.
Screenplay pages are shorter than novel pages, so if the pages feel short, don’t worry. I’m not trying to cheat the system; it’s a feature, not a bug!
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