FINAL DESTINATION 2
By J. Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress
FADE IN:
INT. DARK ROOM - NIGHT
TITLES OVER:
A padded wall is papered with NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS that date back
to the early 1900s:
"LOCAL FOWLER BROTHERS LOSE $35 TICKETS TO BOARD TITANIC"
appears over "FOWLER BROTHERS KILLED IN COAL MINE MISHAP."
Another series of articles reads, "JEWISH PROFESSOR DENIED
ADMITTANCE TO HINDENBURG" and "PROFESSOR RABINOWITZ KILLED
IN AVALANCHE." Etc...
Continuing along the wall, the newspaper articles all focus on the
fates of the original SURVIVORS of the FLIGHT 180 CRASH.
We DISSOLVE between the various headlines depicting the gruesome
deaths of Tod, Terry, Ms. Lewton, Billy Hitchcock, Carter and Alex
Browning.
Also in the mix are various CRIME SCENE PHOTOS of the deaths.
Decapitated torsos, crushed, mangled bodies, the charred remains
of another and the face-down body of Alex Browning.
MAPS line the walls as well, pinpointing the locations of numerous
deaths, perhaps seeking a pattern. Charts that timeline bizarre
deaths, seating charts of downed aircraft, etc...
LATEX-GLOVED HANDS tear out the last article, apply fun-tack to
its corners and place it in the center of all the others:
A REMEMBRANCE FOR THE VICTIMS OF FLIGHT 180
Friday marks one year anniversary.
END TITLES.
FLASH TO BLACK as a HAND ENTERS FRAME, PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
EXT. KIMBERLY'S NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
KIMBERLY BURROUGHS, 19, puts a folded AAA map in her mouth. She
opens the back of a RED NISSAN SUV, and places her duffel bag inside.
That done, she lets the map drop from her mouth, catches it in her
free hand and turns to hug her father, MR. BURROUGHS.
KIMBERLY
Thanks, Dad. I'll call you.
MR. BURROUGHS
You have everything, Kimberly?
Credit card, cell phone, AAA card?
KIMBERLY
Relax, Dad. It's Daytona, not
Mongolia.
MR. BURROUGHS
(playful)
Fix-A-flat? Road flares?
Sunblock? Mace?
SHAINA (O.S.)
Condoms, handcuffs, lube?
Kimberly and Mr. Burroughs turn to see --
SHAINA, 19, tall leggy brunette. Tan, tight tube top revealing her
pierced navel, Kimberly's best friend. She walks up the driveway
with her bags.
SHAINA
Just kidding, Mr. B. Don't worry,
I'll keep an eye on her.
MR. BURROUGHS
(sarcastic)
Oh, that makes me feel a lot
better.
Shaina throws her bags in, shuts the back and climbs in the SUV.
Kimberly hugs her dad, kissing him on the cheek.
KIMBERLY
I know this is the first time we've
been apart since. But everything's
gonna be okay.
MR. BURROUGHS
I know, honey. I just --
Kimberly hugs him tighter. Cutting him off.
MR. BURROUGHS
Your mother would have been so
proud of the way you've handled
yourself through all of this...
KIMBERLY
(softly)
I know, Dad.
SHAINA (O.S.)
Hello, the guys are waiting!
Kimberly gives him a quick kiss, jumps behind the wheel, starts
the car and pulls away as Shaina cranks up the stereo.
MR. BURROUGHS
Buckle up!
Mr. Burroughs waves as the girls roar off. As he looks down he spots
an OIL STAIN left by Kimberly's SUV. As he drags his shoe across
the stain, a SLIGHT BREEZE blows past his face.
CAMERA PUSHES IN as a look of concern crosses his face.
EXT. HIGHWAY ON RAMP - DAY
ON OLD WOMAN
As she pushes her supermarket cart up the on ramp. A SQUEAKY WHEEL
is shrill and disturbing.
DRIVERS of several waiting vehicles avoid staring at her weathered
face as she passes. Up ahead waiting in line, is Kimberly's red
SUV.
UP AHEAD
Waiting in line, is Kimberly's red SUV.
SHAINA (O.S.)
Watch it!
Kimberly accidentally KISSES the bumper in front of her while daydreaming.
She calls out to the driver in front:
KIMBERLY
Sorry! My fault!
Shaina looks over, concerned. In the backseat, the guys DANO and
FRANKIE laugh hard and some of Frankie's milkshake comes out of
his nose.
SHAINA
Want me to drive?
KIMBERLY
No, I'm good.
Shaina looks at Kimberly as a HAND suddenly hits Kimberly's window.
Kimberly spins around, startled.
Kimberly stares transfixed at the Old Woman, who stares back with
chilling intensity.
The kids ad-lib "Let's go" and "Fucking freak."
The Old Woman's PLASTIC BAG BREAKS, sending oranges rolling down
the on-ramp. The Old Woman breaks eye contact with Kimberly as she
rushes to retrieve them.
The signal turns from red to flashing yellow.
Kimberly pulls the SUV onto the highway, looking in the side view
mirror to see the Old Woman look up at her in SLOW-MO.
FRANKIE
Dano, shouldn't we go back and help
your mother?
DANO
Blow me.
CU ON KIMBERLY
As she looks back from the mirror and reacts to an ominous electronic
road sign that flashes "WARNING: CONSTRUCTION NEXT 180 FEET".
NISSAN SUV
Kimberly merging into traffic, NEARLY COLLIDES with a speeding yellow
mini-bus carrying a high-school football team.
Kimberly nervously jerks the wheel to the right, then realizing
she's speeding towards the road construction barrels, she swerves
back left, right behind the mini-bus at the last moment.
CLOSE.
Kimberly pulls around the mini-bus as rowdy football players tackle
each other, yelling:
FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Pile up! Pile up! Pile up!
Kimberly flicks on the radio and we hear HIGHWAY TO HELL by AC/DC
at earsplitting volume. Kimberly and Shaina jump from the shock
and reach to lower the volume.
Kimberly, disturbed by this, hits SEEK -- an oldies station. A GRISLY
CAR CRASH from Nervous Norvus' TRANSFUSION album.
DANO
Christ, is this tribute to Princess
Di Day or what?
Kimberly passes a car WEAVING on her right. The driver reaching
into the back seat to quiet a BARKING DOG hanging on its head out
the window.
KIMBERLY
(unnerved)
Jesus, all the crazies are out
today.
A CLOUD passes Kimberly's head. She smells it and turns around,
taking her eyes off the road to see Dano smoking a joint.
KIMBERLY
I told you no drugs in the car! My
dad will freak!
Dano and Frankie exchange looks, God, what a geek!
DANO
(laughs)
Calm down, Kimmy. It's not drugs,
just weed.
FRANKIE
Yeah, you should have specified.
Kimberly turns to Shaina, helpless. Shaina spins around, her eyes
wordlessly tell Dano, I know she's a priss, but put it out.
Then Kimberly's CELL PHONE RINGS. She hits the speaker button.
MR. BURROUGHS (V.O.)
Kimberly? It's Dad.
KIMBERLY
Hey, Dad. What's up?
Dano defiantly blows more smoke toward Kimberly, then breaks into
an unexpected coughing fit - looking over to see a HELLS ANGEL laughing
at him. The biker's trashy GIRLFRIEND, also laughing, quickly FLASHES
HER TITS at Dano over:
MR. BURROUGHS (V.O.)
Your car's leaking either
transmission or brake fluid. I
want you to have it checked ASAP at
a gas station.
KIMBERLY
You got it, Dad. I'll call you if
I have a problem.
MR. BURROUGHS (V.O.)
I mean it. Take care of it.
KIMBERLY
I will, Dad. Bye, luv you.
Kimberly passes a STATION WAGON on her right, the DRIVER squinting
at a map while driving. A mattress and some furniture tied to the
top SHIFT as the wagon hits a bump.
SHAINA
Um, Kimberly, your dad's not gonna
call like every ten minutes is he?
Before Kimberly can answer, Dano sees a CHP speeding up behind him.
He lowers the joint at once.
DANO
(hiding bag of weed in
pants)
Shit! There's a cop behind us.
Pull into the right lane now!
Kimberly, scared, does as she's told nearly colliding with a speeding
flat bed semi hauling a huge load of logs!
A HORN BLASTS. The truck swerves. Then speeds by on the right. A
COILED CHAIN drops down to the highway.
DANO
Look first, idiot!
Shaina turns up the radio and leans over to Kimberly.
SHAINA
Ignore 'em.
ON LOG TRUCK
One end of the RUSTY CHAIN holding the logs in place rattles on
the pavement, sparking.
Looking in her rearview mirror, Kimberly turns pale - the COP pulls
in behind her.
KIMBERLY
Dano, put that out NOW.
Dano takes one last drag and flicks the joint out the window. It
bounces on the windshield of a FORD EXPEDITION to their left.
INSIDE THE EXPEDITION
KAT, 28, very corporate America, wears a navy blue power suit and
speaks into a phone headset while smoking a cigarette.
KAT
No, I'm stuck on Jury Duty so I
won't be able to pitch the
campaign. Let's get Silverstein to
come in and...
Kat sees the joint that smoulders in the dried leaves beneath her
windshield wipers. A moment later, a small FLAME crackles.
KAT
What the hell? No, not you.
Kat flicks on her WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID, successfully putting out
the joint, but her worn wipers smear ash and fluid around, impairing
her vision.
Kat turns and looks at --
DANO, dead serious all of a sudden. Staring straight ahead.
DANO
What's the cop doing? Did he see
that?
Kat sees the tailgating CHP, smiles, then resumes her conversation.
KAT
Forget it, I'll call him myself.
Kat hangs up, then looks down at her cell phone, squints and dials
a number...
PAN OFF KAT TO OFFICER THOMAS BURKE
Early 20's, rookie cop, who seems to have missed the entire exchange.
INSIDE THE POLICE CAR
Thomas speaks into his radio.
THOMAS
I was supposed to be off today.
How did I get screwed?
DISPATCHER (O.S.)
No biggie. Drake called in sick.
THOMAS
Copy that.
(switches off; annoyed)
Go on, sleep it off Drake.
Thomas tries to sip from a McDonald's coffee cup on the dashboard,
but it's TOO HOT. He places it back on the dash.
The VIBRATIONS of the road make the COFFEE CUP slide closer and
closer to the edge of the dashboard.
BACK TO KIMBERLY'S SUV
Dano nervously looks back.
FRANKIE
Relax, dude.
But Kimberly still looks uneasy as her dashboard "Check Engine"
light begins flickering.
Kimberly spots a road sign -- Next Service 18 Miles.
KIMBERLY
This trip better be worth it.
What's the guy-girl ratio again?
SHAINA
Get ready to smile, five guys per
girl.
KIMBERLY
I can live with thaaaa --
Kimberly stops mid-sentence when the WHITE VAN in front of her suddenly
SLAMS ON ITS BRAKES and pulls onto the shoulder for no reason. Kimberly
SCREAMS, swerving around the van just in time to avoid an accident.
Frankie instinctively SHOUTS at the van.
FRANKIE
What's your problem, ya fuckin'
crack baby?!
INSIDE THE WHITE VAN
ISABELLA CRUZ, late 20's and VERY PREGNANT, drives a delivery van
full of funeral wreaths, crosses and classic rose urns. Most are
marked: In Memory of Flight 180.
She chokes back sobs into a cell phone as she pulls over.
ISABELLA
...couldn't Keep your dick in check
for another month? I knew this
would happen when I got pregnant.
She pounds the steering wheel, furious.
ISABELLA
What'd the doctor say? I have to
come in to test for STDs? Goddamn
you, Jorge.
A CRATE in the back of her van topples over and CRASHES and a flurry
of sunflower petals sails out the window. Isabella jumps in surprise
and, wiping tears from her eyes, rolls up the windows as petals
shower the visor of --
EUGENE, the Harley Rider, who smears the petals (and some squashed
bugs) around his visor and drops back.
INSIDE NISSAN SUV
Kimberly falls back into the right lane and looks uneasy as she
sees a TRUCK DRIVER guzzling from a flask as it passes the SUV,
revealing its side is an ad for FIRESTONE TIRES.
It finally clears frame, revealing a highway billboard that reads,
"DRUNK DRIVING KILLS."
Kimberly reaches back and pulls on her seatbelt in spite of laughter
from the back seat.
Up ahead, the RUSTY CHAIN seems to have more give to it. LOGS STRAIN
against it.
Suddenly, a black cloud of exhaust from a blue '83 Chevette in front
of them causes everyone to roll up their windows.
OIL DRIPS from its rusty exhaust pipe. The thick exhaust BLINDS
Kimberly.
FRANKIE
Gas it around these idiots. We do
have 1200 miles to go, you know.
Kimberly tires to enter the passing lane, but she's blocked by a
SUBURU WAGON. In the front seat, a seven-year old kid is sadistically
SMASHING two toy cars together.
Kimberly passes the Suburu and pulls up to a PACER. The Harley roars
by, startling her.
INSIDE PACER
NORA KESNER, 35, and her son TIM, 15. Tim drums on the dashboard
with two ten-ounce Naya bottles.
NORA
Tim, will you cut that out? I
can't even hear myself think.
Tim frowns and then winces, holding his jaw.
TIM
Damn, it really hurts, Mom.
NORA
I know, we'll be there soon.
Tim drops the Naya bottles on the seat. One of them quietly falls
to the floor, rolls a bit, finally settling UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.
INSIDE NISSAN SUV
Kimberly is still behind the smoke-spewing Chevette. She passes
it on the left. Frankie rolls down his window.
FRANKIE
(yells to driver)
Ever hear of the Ozone layer,
asshole?
INSIDE CHEVETTE
RORY, 27, leans down to snort a line of coke off a Def Leppard CD
case. S he looks up to see the Patrol Car is now behind him, he
reflexively taps the brakes.
Rory, eyes like saucers, sits rigidly transfixed at the wheel and
nonchalantly wipes the CD clean on his pants.
INSIDE NISSAN SUV
She has dropped back behind the Chevette and CHP car and is running
down along side of a BLACK TRANS AM.
Up ahead she sees the Highway Patrol Car flick on its LIGHTS and
pull into the shoulder around the Chevette and behind the Semi loaded
with logs.
INSIDE THE COP CAR
As Thomas pulls in behind the log truck, his coffee cup lurches
forward, spilling hot coffee all over his lap and the floor.
THOMAS
Son of a bitch.
INSIDE TRANS AM
Its driver, EVAN SCHAEFFER, 21, flashes a cocky smile at Kimberly,
clearly making Frankie jealous.
FRANKIE
A Trans Am. That shit went out
with New Kids on the Block.
DANO
Yeah. Who does he think he is?
Knight Rider?
FRANKIE
(laughs; then)
Who?
Frankie leans out and tosses milkshake on Evan's window.
DANO
You know, Hasselhoff before he did
Baywatch.
Evan, pissed off, flips off Frankie. The windshield wipers smear
around the thick milky fluid. The sun blinding him.
KIMBERLY
What's the chance of finding a nice
mature guy once we get to Daytona?
SHAINA
How does a nice mature fuck sound?
Kimberly laughs, then leans in close to Shaina.
KIMBERLY
Hey, thanks for talking me into
this trip. Ever since my mom... I
dunno, I just feel like I'm
starting to live again, you know?
Shaina smiles in understanding.
INSIDE POLICE CRUISER
Thomas bends to wipe up the mess. He only glances at the road as
he tries to soak up the coffee.
Suddenly up ahead, THE RUSTY CHAIN SNAPS! The logs roll off the
side of the truck onto the highway.
One bounces as it hits, and slams through Thomas' front winshield
and out the back, taking Thomas' head with it.
EUGENE slams on his brakes. His Harley slides out and he is SLAMMED
to the ground, sliding at 60 miles per hour across the highway,
right in front of the yellow mini-bus.
The MINI-BUS DRIVER brakes to avoid Eugene. The FOOTBALL PLAYERS
tumble forward and hit him in the head. He loses control and slides
off the road onto the grass median.
He blows a front tire and the mini-bus begins to flip, ROLLING several
times into the oncoming lanes of traffic, and is HIT by a MACK TRUCK.
Eugene slides into a huge log, and hits it with a sickening crunch.
Only to be HIT and CRUSHED by his sliding motorcycle.
Rory looks up too late and REAR ENDS Thomas' car, EXPLODING the
gas tank and HURLING Rory's dead body halfway through the windshield
where it remains half in/half onto the hood.
KAT, dialing, looks up, slams on her brakes, but SKIDS on oil from
the Chevette.
She swerves into Kimberly, SIDE SWIPES her, then swerves to miss
a huge log -- only to run head on into two more, flipping the Expedition
end over end right next to Kimberly.
Kimberly swerves back from being hit by Kat, just in time to see
a huge log ahead. She tries to turn hard to the right to avoid it,
but hits it broadside --
Sending the SUV FLIPPING OVER the top of the log and SLIDING down
the road. Inside, Shaina, Dano and Frankie are tossed around like
rag dolls, shredded by glass and shrapnel -- Frankie is EJECTED
out the side window.
Kimberly's SUV slides to a stop on its side. She looks back to her
mangled but still alive friends and up in time to see
NORA'S PACER
Nora sees the collisions ahead and slams on the brakes but the fallen
Naya bottle prevents her from braking, and she SLAMS into the back
of Kat's Expedition.
The crash test dummy collision folds her Pacer and it EXPLODES into
a huge fireball.
EVAN, blinded by the smeared windshield, is too late. He swerves
his Trans Am around the burning cars onto the wet grass.
Kimberly sees the topless Trans Am slowly roll out of a huge WALL
OF FIRE and coast to a stop. Evan comes up battered and bloody but
still alive. He is trapped in his burning car, screaming and trying
to release the seatbelt.
Then, just when she thought it was over, a HUGE SEMI slides through
the wall of fire, SMASHING the Trans Am out of the way, SPINNING
it like a top. With the back sliding at 90 degrees it keeps on coming.
KIMBERLY'S POV
The semi's grill comes right at her!
CU ON KIMBERLY
She screams and we --
CUT TO:
THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP - NISSAN SUV - 8 MINUTES EARLIER
Sweating profusely, Kimberly's eyes dart around, taking in her surroundings...
DANO (O.S.)
Flight 180. You know, that plane
crash with those kids from Mount
Abraham.
The Old Woman BUMPS the window - scaring the shit out of everyone.
The kids ad-lib "Let's go" and "Fucking Freak!"
Kimberly stares in horror as the Old Woman flashes an evil grin.
Kimberly's eyes lower to the bag of oranges --
Which BREAKS, exactly like before, and the Old Woman scurries after
them. The signal turns from red to flashing yellow.
FRANKIE
Dano, shouldn't we stop and help
your mother?
DANO
Blow me. Yellow means go,
Kimberly.
Kimberly hyperventilates in the driver's seat. Freaking. A yellow
mini-bus with football players speeds past.
KIMBERLY
Oh my god, oh my god...
Dano, confused, rolls a joint.
SHAINA
What is it? What are you?
KIMBERLY
There's going to be a huge
accident! Everyone's gonna die.
All of us! I saw it!
Dano hums the Twilight Zone theme.
FRANKIE
That's it. My turn to drive.
CLOSE UP - KIMBERLY SCREAMS!
AND WE'RE BACK
THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP
Sweating profusely, Kimberly's eyes dart around, taking in her surroundings.
DANO (O.S.)
Flight 180. Y'know, that plane
crash with those kids from Mt.
Abraham?
The Old Woman BUMPS the window - scaring the shit out of everyone.
The kids ad-lib "Let's go", "Fucking freak."
Kimberly stares in horror as the Old Woman flashes an evil grin.
Kimberly's eyes lower to the bag of oranges, which breaks, exactly
like before and the Old Woman scurries after them.
The signal turns from red to flashing yellow.
FRANKIE
Dano, shouldn't we stop and help
your mother?
DANO
Blow me. Yellow means go, Kimmy.
Kimberly hyperventilates in the driver's seat. Freaking. A yellow
mini-bus with football players speeds by.
KIMBERLY
Oh my God, oh my God...
Dano, confused, rolls a joint.
SHAINA
What is it? What are you?
KIMBERLY
There's going to be a huge
accident! Everyone's gonna die,
all of us, I saw it!
Dano hums the Twilight Zone theme.
FRANKIE
That's it. My turn to drive.
HONK! The drivers behind them start leaning on their horns. Kimberly
leans out the window and sees the Chevette, the Pacer, The White
Van, the Trans Am, the Harley...all the familiar vehicles from the
pile up. She turns on the radio, frantically scans the dial.
SHAINA
Relax, you need to chill the fuck
out.
KIMBERLY
Highway to Hell, Highway to Hell.
SHAINA
For Christ sakes girl, take a
breath.
D.J. (O.S.)
Taking you into an all request
weekend with a classic from AC/DC.
The opening guitar riff to HIGHWAY TO HELL blares from the speakers.
Kimberly turns to Shaina with a "believe me know?" look,
but Shaina's nowhere near on the same page.
HONKING behind them.
Kimberly, shaking like a leaf, pulls the SUV forwards, turning it
sideways to block off all traffic.
DANO
What the hell are you doing?
Dano shifts in his seat and sees - a Highway Patrol Car ominously
cruising up the shoulder of the onramp. He shoves a bag of weed,
along with the joint, down his pants.
DANO
Five-O's coming! Let's fucking
roll, man!
Officer Thomas Burke stops the car behind them.
FRANKIE
Jesus Christ! Here he comes!
Move!
KIMBERLY
No! We'll all die if we do!
The cop turns on his FLASHERS.
DANO
I told you she'd ruin everything!
SHAINA
Shut up, Dano, just stay cool.
(to Kimberly)
He's just stoned.
Officer Thomas Burke exits his car and approaches the passenger
side of the SUV, hand on weapon. Thomas taps the window with his
knuckle.
THOMAS
What's going on here?
KIMBERLY
(incoherent, through
tears)
There's going to be a pile up.
Logs. Bodies everywhere. I saw it
happen. It happened.
Thomas looks to the guys in back who shrug, "we don't know
her."
THOMAS
Miss, please step out of the
vehicle.
As she does, Thomas discretely unsnaps his holster. RORY nervously
eyes the action. Sneaks a paper bundle into his sock. ISABELLA,
the pregnant woman in the White Van, gets out. She gives Thomas
her friendliest smile, milking the pregnant belly.
ISABELLA
Excuse me, but is there some way we
could just drive around? I have a
delivery.
Her CELL PHONE RINGS and she leans back inside to answer it.
ISABELLA
Hey hon, you got a mysterious
caller on the answering machine
from Planned Parenthood. What's
going on?
As she listens, growing agitated, the Harley Rider dismounts and
pulls off his helmet. Revealing EUGENE DIX, 35, a nebbishy school
teacher in cool leathers.
INSIDE PACER
NORA watches the SUV, distressed.
NORA
What on Earth are they doing?
TIM
(picking up two Naya
bottles)
Who am I, David Blane?
Nora gives Tim a hard stare, then they both break into smiles. Nora
tousles his hair. And doesn't stop.
TIM
(good-natured laughter)
Okay, quit it already.
As he laughs, something pains his jaw and he winces. THOMAS isn't
quite sure what kind of insanity he's dealing with yet. Dano and
Frankie, no help, stare dead ahead.
KIMBERLY
(trying to calm herself)
The radio played the same songs,
the old lady's bag broke the exact
same way it did in my premonition.
Kimberly erupts into a panic when she sees the LOG TRUCK speed past.
She grabs at Thomas for emphasis.
KIMBERLY
THAT's the truck that's going to
kill everyone!
THOMAS
Alright miss, calm down. I just
need this lane open. I need you to
pull your vehicle onto the
shoulder!
KIMBERLY
You're not listening to me! You
have to do something!
EVAN impatiently yells out the window of his TRANS AM.
EVAN
Arrest this whack-job, wouldja?
Some of us have lives, y'know.
Kimberly looks to Shaina for support, but even Shaina can't meet
her eyes.
KIMBERLY
Why won't anyone listen to me?
Thomas, subtly reaching for his cuffs.
THOMAS
I'm not going to tell you to calm
down again --
A SERIES OF CRASHES AND EXPLOSIONS ARE HEARD. In the distance. It's
neverending. Horrific. Kimberly's face crumbles. She screams in
horror and collapses against the SUV.
Thomas runs to his patrol car.
The White Delivery Van makes a J-turn out of the line of cars and
SPEEDS down the onramp in reverse, Isabella screaming angrily into
her cell phone.
ISABELLA
You couldn't keep your dick in
check for a month?!
The other drivers exit their cars, craning their necks to see what's
happened up ahead. Kat takes a deep drag off her smoke.
KAT
Great, now I'm really gonna be
late.
Thomas barks into the radio handset --
THOMAS
L.A. 51, I need assistance and
requesting paramedics for a major
T.A. At --
INSIDE THE SUV
Frankie watches the traffic start to back up as a couple of passing
cars BRAKE HARD. Shaina anxiously watches Kimberly pacing behind
the SUV.
SHAINA
Kimberly, what's going on?
Kimberly moves toward Shaina's window. As she leans her head into
Shaina's window, an ominous BREEZE blows back their hair and we
hear the BLARING HORN of a TRUCK.
And Kimberly is unexpectedly yanked backward by Thomas!
From nowhere, a SHRIEK of BRAKES as a JACK-KNIFED TRUCK plows the
SUV across the frame! CRASH! Flying debris misses Kimberly and Thomas
by inches!
Kimberly cries in horror into Thomas' shoulder as her friends burn
up in the wreckage.
EXT. POLICE STATION - ESTABLISHING SHOT
INT. POLICE STATION - CONTINUOUS
CHAOS. Evan, the driver of the Trans Am, impatiently speaks to DETECTIVE
SUBY, late 40s, professional with an open face that makes him a
great listener.
EVAN
I don't know what you want from me.
Some crazy chick blocks the highway
with her car, said there'd be an
accident and there was. Big deal.
Even a broken watch is right twice
a day...
Officer Thomas Burke passes by, heading into --
INT. A ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Kat, Eugene, Nora, Tim, and Rory sit in a large room, waiting to
give statements. Unlike Evan, these witnesses are clearly distraught.
KAT
Not to sound insensitive, but how
much longer is this going to take?
EUGENE
If I don't get back to my classroom
soon, the kids'll tear the room
apart.
NORA
Those poor people. To think it
would've been us if not for...
PAN OVER TO REVEAL KIMBERLY. She's still in shock, her mind far
away. Thomas sits close to her, speaking softly.
THOMAS
Tell me again how it started.
KIMBERLY
Like I said, it was like I was
there. I remember everything. The
sounds of the crashes, the smells,
the look on Shaina's face...
THOMAS
Do you remember what triggered it
all?
KIMBERLY
The log truck...and everybody I
guess. Everyone was driving like a
maniac. And somehow I knew
something horrible was going to
happen, even before it did.
Something clicks for Thomas, but he forces himself to speak calmly,
like a lawyer leading a friendly witness.
THOMAS
You knew? You just mean a hunch,
right? A bad vibe, maybe?
The other drivers stare at Kimberly.
KIMBERLY
More than that. All the songs on
the radio were about car crashes.
Some kid's banging toy cars
together.
(looking at her)
She was dialing her cell phone with
her headset on.
(points to Rory)
His car was leaking oil all over
the road.
RORY
Hey, don't be knockin' the
Chevette.
But the others listen intently now. Especially Kat, who spies her
headset buried deep in her purse.
KIMBERLY
Billboards about accidents. Kids
yelling "pile up" for no reason.
It all felt...just wrong.
Just like...
(swallows; hesitates)
THOMAS
Like what?
Kimberly sighs and looks down. The room becomes eerily silent, except
for the FLICKER of a florescent light.
KIMBERLY
I know this sounds crazy...but you
all heard about Flight 180, right?
The kid who got off the plane?
Thomas' eyes widen -- then a startling CRASH as Rory, leaning back
in his chair, tips over. Thomas rolls his eyes as Rory grins sheepishly
and picks himself up.
THOMAS
You mean Alex Browning.
KIMBERLY
(looking down)
...My Premonition was just like
his.
NORA
What are you talking about?
EUGENE
(sarcastic)
Oh, you must have read about that
kid who had a dream about a plane
crash so he got his buddies off the
plane? Then the thing blew up just
like in the dream?
NORA
Maybe...
Eugene sees Nora and Tim are hooked and speaks in scary campfire
tones.
EUGENE
But this is where it starts to get
freaky. So a month goes by,
everything seems cool, but then the
survivors start dying one boy one.
'Cause when your number's up, it's
up, right? Some people said Death
itself started coming for them,
hunting down every last one, until
they were all dead.
Everyone tenses up.
THOMAS
Well, not quite all of them. Clear
Rivers checked herself into a
padded room at Stoneybrook.
Kimberly, affected, looks to Thomas for confirmation.
KIMBERLY
You do believe me, don't you?
BANG! Everyone jumps as Detective Suby pounds on the door and opens
it.
DETECTIVE SUBY
Officer Burke? Could I see you in
here?
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The DOOR OPENS. Detective Suby enters, leading Thomas. Through a
two-way mirror, they can see the others chatting anxiously.
DETECTIVE SUBY
Tell me you didn't start up on that
Flight 180 shit again.
(beat)
Did you?
THOMAS
Of course not. That would be
irresponsible and unprofessional.
Detective Suby's persistent glare makes Thomas uncomfortable.
THOMAS
Look, you weren't there. It was
weird. She knew that log truck was
gonna cause an accident, she knew.
(beat)
Never mind.
DETECTIVE SUBY
I thought we were finished with
this bullshit. This is police
work, not the psychic Hot Line.
But Thomas isn't listening. He's glued to Kimberly's words. When
Detective Suby realizes this, he stops and listens.
KIMBERLY
But if I was never meant to pull
over, then we all should have died
in the pile up.
TIM
Which means Death could be coming
for us.
Detective Suby looks pissed off.
DETECTIVE SUBY
Way to console the witnesses Burke.
At the same time, we watch Evan enter the other room, grab his jacket
and wave goodbye to the others.
DETECTIVE SUBY
You got 'em thinking Death is after
them? Shit, they're the luckiest
sons o' bitches on the planet. Get
this guy Evan Shaeffer; Yesterday
the kid wins the lotto and today
some looney bitch blocks traffic
and he avoids the worst pile up in
years. I should be so damn
unlucky.
INT. A ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Kimberly, Nora, Tim, Kat, Eugene and Rory now seem affected by what
they've heard.
KAT
What if it's true? What if it's
happening all over again?
The fluorescent light above FLICKERS ominously. Nora, disturbed,
stands up in a huff, grabbing Tim's arm.
NORA
You're all certifiable, you know
that? I can't believe I've been
listening to this crap. Come on,
Tim, let's go outside.
TIM
Jeez, Mom, stop trippin'.
EUGENE
Look lady, we're just yankin' your
chain.
RORY
Yeah, you're acting like we all
just got the Diff'rent Strokes
curse or something.
Eugene and Rory burst out laughing. Nora shakes her head, disgusted.
NORA
What's wrong with you people?
Nora pulls a reluctant Tim out of the room. As she opens the door,
the others watch Detective Suby and Thomas appear from nowhere to
calm her down. When the door swings shut, an awkward silence. Suddenly,
the door opens again and Thomas leads Mr. Burroughs inside. Mr.
Burroughs sees Kimberly and chokes back tears.
MR. BURROUGHS
Kimberly...
The sight of her father crying is enough to make Kimberly's own
dam burst. She rushes over to him and buries her head in his chest,
sobbing.
MR. BURROUGHS
Can I take her home?
Thomas nods.
DETECTIVE SUBY
Sure, you can all go.
By now, the fluorescent light flickers out of control. When Rory,
Kat and Eugene stand up, Thomas looks helpless.
KAT
First I'm stuck with Jury Duty, now
this nonsense.
RORY
Yeah, I hate to love and leave ya,
but I've been over this X-Files
shit since the sixth season.
As Thomas watches them file out, the fluorescent light POPS. Then
DARKNESS.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Kimberly sits at the table. Mr. Burroughs sets down a cup of tea
before her. Both are shaken.
KIMBERLY
I know it's crazy, but I'm really
scared for the others. I've got
this terrible feeling.
MR. BURROUGHS
What feeling?
KIMBERLY
That it's not over yet.
She picks up the tea, it clatters in her trembling hands.
MR. BURROUGHS
Don't worry. Everything will be
fine, you'll see.
INT. EVAN'S STAIRWELL - DAY
A dingy singly light bulb illuminates the narrow stairwell. Evan
appears in the darkness, carrying a brand new television with some
packages on top. He's unable to see the long rickety stairwell he
climbs.
The stairs are littered with Chinese take out MENUS and a TONKA
TRUCK apparently left by some kids.
As Evan slowly climbs the staircase, a FAT MAN comes down, forcing
Evan to lean against -
THE RAILING - which CREAKS and BENDS. After the FAT MAN passes,
Evan slowly continues up again, TEARING HIS SHIRT on a nail.
EVAN
Motherfucker.
A HEATING DUCT CLICKS ON. The air blows a TONKA TRUCK slowly toward
the center of the staircase, directly in Evan's path - but Evan
just misses it!
He continues past MORE TOYS, nearing the top stair -
The Airduct coughs, sending menus fluttering toward Evan's feet
and he slips on them! He juggles the TV - but ultimately rights
himself and continues down the hallway.
INT. EVAN'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Dim, cheap, probably roach-infested. As Evan enters, the small packages
fall off the TV box and onto the floor.
Evan places the TV by the door, looks at his torn shirt, but fuck
it, who cares; he's on a natural high. He peels his shirt off, revealing
his PIERCED NIPPLES, flicks on the radio and DANCES his way over
to the fridge and grabs a drink.
In the tiny kitchenette area, a small swarm of flies hovers over
a grease-filled frying pan.
Evan recoils, throws open the window and throws the grease to the
sidewalk five stories below. An ominous BREEZE enters --
And a kitchen cabinet slowly BLOWS OPEN. Some FORKS and KNIVES slide
forward on poorly stacked plates. Daring to fall into the toaster.
Evan spills some cooking oil on the range while pouring it into
the frying pan, then dumps in some frozen mozzarella sticks. Evan
puts the frying pan on the stove and turns it on HIGH.
He then grabs a container of CHINESE FOOD and rests it on the counter
next to the fridge. On the fridge, several colorful MAGNETS spell
out HEY E.
PUSH IN on the H - which mysteriously drops into the Chinese food
- the word EY E remaining. Oblivious, Evan puts the food in the
microwave and turns it on.
ANGLE ON STOVE
The cooking oil creeps toward the range... Evan hits PLAY on his
answering machine and rushes across the room to tear open his packages...
VOICE (O.S.)
Dude! You suck! You buy one
fucking ticket in your whole life
and win twenty grand? We're going
whoring in Prague, you know this!
(whisper)
Hold on, the boss is coming.
A CLICK, then hold MUZAK: AC/DC's HIGHWAY TO HELL.
ANGLE ON MAGNET in Chinese food. SPARKING. It pops and fizzles.
And ugly sound.
As many similar messages continue, Evan unwraps a new ROLEX! He
slides it over his wrist, admiring it.
ANGLE ON KNIFE
Lazily sliding off the shelf and into the toaster, protruding about
an inch and a half. Hardly noticeable.
By now, Evan has opened the next package; a gaudy gold and diamond
encrusted horseshoe ring.
He carries the ring into the kitchenette, sees the Chinese food
is FLAMING, and his hands flash out to turn it off -- A SMALL EXPLOSION
from the microwave startles him.
The RING falls into his drain/garbage disposal!
EVAN
Damn it!
Evan reaches INTO THE DRAIN, his fingers searching for the ring.
When he tries to pull his hand back out, the ROLEX CATCHES.
Another small EXPLOSION from the microwave, this one cracking the
GLASS. A Solo Plastic Cup nearby begins to melt.
Flames sputter around the rim of the frying pan. In moments, the
oil from the pan IGNITES. A small fire.
Evan sees all this and YANKS with all his might. No use. As the
FIRE slowly spreads to nearby cereal boxes, Evan starts to panic.
He continues yanking... Stuck.
He sees a bottle of PALMOLIVE on the other end of the counter. His
fingers reach for it.
Slightly out of his grasp. But his fingertips are just long enough
to knock the bottle backwards - where it rests against TWO SWITCHES.
The FIRE ALARM goes off. The PHONE RINGS.
Evan desperately lifts his leg and tries to use his foot to edge
the Palmolive over. By pushing the bottle up against the wall, it
threatens to turn on one of the switches.
ANGLE ON FINGERS
In the GARBAGE DISPOSAL. A SWITCH is flipped - but the light goes
on. And the Palmolive lazily falls, resting on the remaining switch.
EVAN
Come on, come on...
Evan makes one last push with his foot - accidently flipping the
SWITCH - the GARBAGE DISPOSAL GRINDS METAL!
Evan, horrified, miraculously yanks his hand free, brushing against
the knife in the toaster.
When the SHOCK goes through Evan's body, his other hand jerks out,
knocking the flaming frying pan to the floor.
The entire kitchen is in flames, including the new TV blocking the
door. The window slams SHUT! The room fills with smoke.
EVAN
Jesus Christ!
Evan grabs a fire extinguisher. A mere dribble of foam comes out.
He begins COUGHING in the smoke.
Evan tries the window - STUCK! He has no choice but to smash the
kitchenette window with the fire extinguisher to get to the fire
escape.
He drops the fire extinguisher, starts to climb out the window,
hears a creak and looks up just as --
A large jagged shard of glass comes CRASHING down at him -- Evan
jumps back just in time as it shatters before him. The fire completely
engulfs the kitchen.
He bravely jumps through the window pane, landing on the fire escape.
He runs down the fire escape from floor to floor.
A LARGE BLAST from his window showers him with glass and brick shrapnel,
but ultimately, he makes it to the fire escape's lowest level, intact.
He tries to lower the rusty metal ladder to the ground. It budges
once, then twice, but won't go down. So he climbs over the railing
and gently drops to the ground.
Safe and sound, he breathes a sigh of relief and turns to walk --
SUDDENLY he slips on the very grease he threw out the window, his
legs shoot out from under him and he lands on his back.
The rusty ladder suddenly dislodges and hurls downward -- coming
right for Evan's face -- but stops halfway!
As Evan laughs, breathing a final sigh of relief, it suddenly PLUMMETS
again -- impaling Evan through his eye socket!
INT. POLICE STATION - COMPUTER ROOM - NIGHT
Thomas sits at the computer terminal. He checks to make sure no
one's watching as he enters a SEARCH for Alex Browning.
Ten websites come up, all devoted to the Flight 180 Curse. Thomas
scrolls around, seeing the death pix and autopsy photos of Flight
180 "survivors".
Headlines blare, "Freak Accident?" "Bizarre Coincidence?"
describing the way the victims died. As Thomas begins a localized
search of the word, "PREMONITION" --
SPOOKY HUMMING from behind him.
Thomas whirls around to see Det. Suby looking over his shoulder,
humming the music from an old monster movie. Suby presses one hand
to his forehead, the other polishing an apple against his vest.
DETECTIVE SUBY
(as if entranced)
Ooooh, I see it now. Your
future... A transfer to another
department.
Suby bites the apple, casually offering nothing more. Thomas, embarrassed,
flicks off the computer, stands.
THOMAS
You've made your point.
DETECTIVE SUBY
Good. Cause we just got some new
info and I don't need you getting
freaky on me.
THOMAS
What?
DETECTIVE SUBY
Evan Shaeffer's dead. Guess he
wasn't as lucky as we thought.
Detective Suby shrugs and walks away, munching the apple. Thomas
looks stunned.
INT. KAT'S ROOM - NIGHT
Kat cradles a phone to her shoulder. She watches television and
crushes Oreos into a bowl of ice-cream.
KAT
No, Mom. Just turn on any station,
they've been playing it all day.
(beat; rolls her eyes)
Yes, Mother. Channel four will do
just fine. Here it is, gotta go.
She hangs up the phone, mesmerized by the report:
FOOTAGE FROM A HELICOPTER shows the pile up wreckage.
ANCHOR MAN (V.O.)
Route 18 was backed up for almost
nine hours today when a record
breaking pile up...
INT. NORA'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Nora and Tim watch the same report.
ANCHOR MAN (V.O.)
...killed An estimated 18 people.
Emergency crews spent hours sifting
through the wreckage.
INT. EUGENE'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Eugene looks up from grading midterm bluebooks to watch.
ANCHOR MAN (V.O.)
...hoping To recover any survivors
from this tragic collision. So
far, the police are refusing to
release the names of the victims
until their families are notified.
INT. KIMBERLY'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Mr. Burroughs numbly watches the same report. He doesn't see Kimberly
enter behind him from the kitchen.
ANCHOR WOMAN (O.S.)
The camera of a highway patrol car
managed to catch this shocking
footage --
B/W CAMERA FOOTAGE from Thomas' car shows Thomas tackling Kimberly
to the ground just as a jack-knifed truck plows into the SUV.
MR. BURROUGHS
My Lord...
A GASP from behind him. Mr. Burroughs spins to see Kimberly fighting
back tears and picks up the remote, prepared to click of the TV
-- but she stops him.
KIMBERLY
Don't. I have to see this.
Mr. Burroughs reluctantly keeps the newscast on.
INT. RORY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
It's a party. Rory, surrounded by BUDDIES, shakes a triumphant fist
at the television. HE WHOOPS with delight, spilling popcorn everywhere.
RORY
Whoohoo! You see that shit? Right
there? That's my fuckin' car right
there! Oh God, that's dope.
After high-fiving his peeps, he bends to table level and snorts
a freshly chopped line.
ANCHOR MAN (O.S.)
In other news, a freak accident
took the life of a lotto winner.
Rory looks up to see the DMV photo of Evan. As he takes in the report,
his mood radically shifts. He looks like he's been hit by a train.
MONTAGE
Of Kimberly, Nora, Tim, Eugene and Kat watching. They all take the
news very hard as the FOOTAGE shows Evan's BODY being carried away
by EMT workers. Eugene, however, shakes his head sadly but goes
back to grading blue books.
TIM'S BEDROOM - LATER
Tim's eyes are glued to the latest Stephen King novel. Nora peers
in.
NORA
Come on, Tim, lights out already.
Tim starts at her voice, then reluctantly puts down the book.
TIM
Mom?
NORA
Yeah?
TIM
You think... You think those guys
were b.s.-ing us today or what?
Nora swallows, trying to seem brave.
NORA
Oh, please. Some people just need
some serious rewiring, that's all.
But neither of them are convinced.
NORA
Get some sleep.
Nora kisses his forehead and leaves the room. After she leaves,
Tim opens his nightstand drawer, pulls out a dusty nightlight and
plugs it in.
INT. NORA'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Nora closes her bedroom door. And locks it. She nervously checks
the closet and even lowers the blinds. Finally, she takes out a
business card and dials a number. She hangs up, then dials again.
NORA
Officer Burke, please?
INT. KIMBERLY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mr. Burroughs tucks a still-shaken Kimberly into bed. In one of
his hands is a nearly empty glass of scotch.
KIMBERLY
It's okay, Dad. I'm not ten
anymore.
Mr. Burroughs catches himself being overprotective.
MR. BURROUGHS
I'm sorry. I'm just so happy that
you're safe.
KIMBERLY
I love you too, Dad. Goodnight.
But Mr. Burroughs isn't ready to leave. He finishes his drink.
MR. BURROUGHS
You know, after your mother died...
Kimberly tenses, bracing for the worst.
MR. BURROUGHS
There were so many times I didn't
think I could last another day. I
can't even tell you some of the
things I thought about.
KIMBERLY
I used to have those feelings, too.
But that's when I'd think of Mom.
Her strength...and courage. And
I'd pray that maybe I'd grow up to
be as brave as she was. And the
bad thoughts would go away.
MR. BURROUGHS
(choking up)
I don't know what I'd do if I lost
you.
Mr. Burroughs leans over, kisses her forehead and leaves. Just as
he's out the door, he braces at the distant sound of a CAR SKIDDING
out of control. The ENDLESS SCREECH is nerve shattering. Mr. Burroughs
stands frozen, tensing for the inevitable crunch. But there is none.
And he leaves.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. KIMBERLY'S ROOM - NIGHT
The room is dark except for one burning candle. Kimberly tosses
and turns. The wind sends a single branch scraping against her window.
A porch swing SQUEAKS back and forth. Adding to her anxiety.
A BREEZE ENTERS, sputtering out the candle. Kimberly sits upright
in bed and sees the WINDOW IS SHUT. Huh? She lights a match and
sees the candle wax dripped onto her table, forming the gooey shape
of a...180? The match goes out in her hand. The room is dark again.
Headlights from passing cars cast eerie shadows on her ceiling.
Shadows resembling PLANES seem to transform into a SKULL.
Kimberly, freaked out, looks around to see the blinking light from
the VCR: it flashes 18:0 a few times, then 12:00.
She can't take it anymore. She yanks the VCR cord from the wall
and flicks on the lights, ridding the room of shadows. And anxiously
turns on her computer.
EXT. STONEYBROOK HOSPITAL - DAY
Kimberly drives a beat up Hyundai through an eerie morning mist
that surrounds the grounds of the Stoneybrook Hospital.
ANGLE ON
A computer printout in the shotgun seat: MAPQUEST directions to
"Stoneybrook Hospital".
As Kimberly drives through the gate, the mist almost seems to follow
her inside.
A SIGN offers a choice between "Emergency/Medical Care"
or "Psychiatric Treatment Center." Kimberly drives to
the mental ward.
INT. MENTAL WARD - DAY
A PHYSICIAN in a lab coat leads a nervous Kimberly down the center
of a long corridor. The Physician consults a clipboard.
PHYSICIAN
...at the request of the patient,
you are to relinquish any sharp
objects such as nail files,
pencils, pens, safety pins, bobby
pins, no matches, lighters, belts,
belt buckles, earrings, chokers,
shoelaces...
Kimberly watches carefully as the Physician comes to a door and
punches "4514" into the electronic lock. They continue
down another corridor.
Lights flicker,patients cackle and moan in the B.G.
PHYSICIAN
...paper clips, watches, food,
drinks, keys, poisons, pills and
medications.
(looks at Kimberly)
You have a cell phone on you?
Kimberly nods, hands it over.
PHYSICIAN
Then I think we're all done.
They arrive at a door to a padded room. The Physician punches in
another code.
KIMBERLY
Wait. Is she...dangerous or
something?
PHYSICIAN
No honey, but she expects you are.
KIMBERLY
Jesus, how long are you going to
keep her locked up this way?
PHYSICIAN
Depends on her, I guess. She's
voluntary.
The door hisses open.
INT. CLEAR'S PADDED ROOM - CONTINUOUS
REVEAL CLEAR RIVERS
While still beautiful, this young woman bears few traces of her
former self. Her eyes dart around suspiciously, maddened by chronic
paranoia. Her hair is patchy, her eyes dark and haunted. Bordering
on savage. Her movements are fidgety, erratic, always distracted
by something unseen.
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