quotes from the crazies script.
Nov. 22nd, 2010 03:11 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bigsonofabitchDecided to include quotes from the movie script (which may not always follow what happened in the finished product to a t, just a warning!) for my own reference. If you're curious about Russell's character, feel free to read, however! Spoilers for the movie.
We FOLLOW David as he walks over to the sideline fence where his DEPUTY RUSSELL CLANK, mid-twenties, is leaning on a Pierce County Sheriff Dept. four-wheeler.
Russell has his sunglasses on and his fingers gently tap his handcuffs as he weaves a tale of bravery for two impressionable LOCAL GIRLS.
RUSSELL
Anyway, it's so dark I can't see
five feet in front me. And the rain
is coming down in sheets. But I can't
think about that because he's a bail
jumper, a dangerous bail jumper, and
I'm the law.
Immersed in his own story, Russell doesn't notice David now leaning on the fence right next to him.
BECCA DARLING
You really weren't scared?
Russell takes off his sunglasses, he wants to look them in eyes.
RUSSELL
I could stand here and say I wasn't.
But truth is, when you're in it, I
mean really in it, you don't have time
to be scared. Besides it was just then
that...
Russell suddenly realizes his boss is right next to him.
RUSSELL
That Sheriff Dutten arrived. A Sheriff
known for his keen sense of timing.
Anyway, uh, so then we...
Russell glances at David. David stares at him.
RUSSELL
He... the Sheriff apprehended the
bail jumper and took him...
Russell looks at David again. david's face is stone.
RUSSELL
Her... back to her... mom.
The two girls walk off. Russell turns to David. Thanks.
DAVID
Don't look at me, I was gonna back you up
David laughs and sips his coffee as the star pitcher blows a fastball past the batter. David lets out a howl.
RUSSELL
Kid throws fast.
DAVID
Just like he drives.
(yelling to field)
Nice pitch, Scotty!
---
David drops his coffee and JUMPS the fence. Russell about to follow suit until David tells him:
DAVID
Keep everybody back.
---
Russell walks in with a fresh cup of coffee for David. David nods - thanks.
DAVID
Peggy here yet?
Finley looks up from his work, studies David. Russell is a little reluctant but answers.
RUSSELL
Just walked in with the boys.
---
A lone street light flashes yellow on Main Street. It will do that all day. An A & P, a post office, a bank. No frills. No artifice. Like the people that live here.
David's cruiser and Russell's truck both parked outside the police station.
INT. POLICE STATION - SAME.
Small but functional. Russell is on the phone dealing with out of town reporters. He sorta loves it. Even has an "official voice".
RUSSELL
We can't comment on that, that's an
ongoing investigation. No, the
Sheriff is unavailable. But I can see
if the deputy will talk to you.
Russell frowns. Hangs up.
RUSSELL
Amateurs.
ACROSS THE ROOm
David gets a smile out of what his deputy is doing. Then returns his attention to the POLICE REPORT he is filling out.
THE PHONE RINGS
Russell clears his throat. Wants to get the voice right.
RUSSELL
Sheriff's department.
(puts it on hold, calls)
That's the Medical Examiner.
David nods, picks it up.
---
David decides to put the letter away for now. He closes his desk drawer just as -- in the background -- Russell comes in.
DAVID
Russ, you get in touch with Sheriff
Burns in Cedar Rapids?
RUSSELL
State Troopers are coming this
afternoon to pick him up for transfer.
Meaning BILL FARNUM -- who is now in their holding cell. Biarrely, Bill is standing straight up in the dead center of the space. A streak of dried blood from his nose. A thousand yard stare.
David joins Russell. They look at Bill.
RUSSELL
How long's he been playing statue?
DAVID
Couple hours now.
(beat)
That's the same look Rory gave me.
Same goddamn look.
---
David and Russell eye the ROTTING CORPSE which lies half-submerged, head and torso on land, legs in the water. Nathan, Red, Jesse looking on from a distance.
FINLEY
Been there at least a week by the looks
of things.
David nods.
DAVID
I'll take your word on that.
Russell turns away, gagging at the stench. FINLEY snaps a few PHOTOS and then kneels to the party, unzipping the flightsuit.
FINLEY
I'll see if there's any
identification.
DAVID
Yeah, do that.
Russell echoes David's sentiment with a discreet pointing gesture to Finley, 'yeah, do that' -- as in 'you, not me.' david coughs, the stench burning his lungs as he CROSSES to the hunters.
Behind him, Finley then WADES out into the bog. He stops and just STANDS THERE -- fully dressed in the waist deep water.
DAVID
Boys, last I checked hunting season
ended three months ago.
NATHAN
We was just out for a little taste of
nature, fresh air is all.
DAVID
Guns away till next fall.
A bit of a stand-off, but the hunters acquiesce and clear out. David heads to Russell at the police cruiser.
DAVID
Got us a pilot, where's the plane?
Russell, entering the police cruiser, recollects:
RUSSELL
Last week Travis Quinn was going
around saying he heard something
crash out by Hopman Bog. I didn't
think nothing of it on account of
his being full of shit as a general
rule.
DAVID
Maybe this is the exception.
---
The HUM of a flat-bottomed aluminum boat motoring across the bog with passengers David and Russell. TRAVIS QUINN drives in back.
RUSSELL
It sounded like a plane?
TRAVIS QUINN
How much's the reward?
RUSSELL
Big plane, little plane?
TRAVIS QUINN
You tell me the difference between
what those sound like maybe I'll
figure it out.
Russell leans forward, joins David.
RUSSELL
He's full of shit.
DAVID
People only ask for a reward when
there's something to find.
David looks up at the trees. Notices something.
TRAVIS QUINN
sheriff, about that reward.
DAVID
Travis.
TRAVIS QUINN
Yeah?
DAVID
Kill the engine.
A beat of silence as the engine dies and the boat slows.
DAVID
It was a big plane, Russ.
RUSSELL
Why's that?
DAVID
'Cause we're right on top of it.
Off Russell's look, we rise up above them, to the height of treetops and see what David sees -
THE MURKY CONTOUR OF A MILITARY TRANSPORT PLANE.
---
David and Russell head to the cruiser parked at the water's edge.
DAVID
Military plane that size goes down
and there's nothing in the paper,
nothing on the news? Make any
sense to you?
Russell shrugs.
RUSSELL
Depends what the payload is.
It's an off-hand remark -- but it starts David thinking.
DAVID
Hopman Bog, what's that drain into?
RUSSELL
Dwyer Creek.
DAVID
Which drains into...?
RUSSELL
Black Pond. Hey, you remember that
monster catfish I --
DAVID
Black Pond? Is that right?
---
David pulling open the chain link gate under the town's water tower. He walks briskly, bolt cutters still in hand. Russell, trying to keep up with him, glances to the "GOVERNMENT PROPERTY - DO NOT TRESPASS" sign.
RUSSELL
Sheriff, I'm all for a little civil
disobedience but I think this might
cost you your job.
SNAP. David cuts off the WATER CONTROL VALVE lock. He twists that valve and shuts the main line OFF.
DAVID
That's all right, Russ.
Then he swings the bolt cutters like it was a sledge hammer until he BREAKS the WATER RELEASE LEVER clean off.
DAVID
I was going to quit anyway.
--
INT. SHERIFF STATION - DAY
Russell and David enter -- david tosses the bolt cutters aside and heads for his desk.
We stay with Russell as he moves to the holding cell.
DAVID
Russ, get on the horn -- call
Jennings White at cedar rapids --
tell him you're bringing him some
water samples we need tested. ASAP.
Russell is staring at BILL FARNUM -- who is now lying motionless and prone in the center of the holding cell.
DAVID
Russ?
Russell gets right up close to the cell. Trying to see if Farnum's breathing.
RUSSELL
I think he's dead.
By now Russell has his KEYS OUT and he puts them in the lock and is about to turn it when --
-- David's hand stops him.
DAVID
Now hang on a sec, Russ. If he's
dead he won't mind waiting.
Russell leans in -- looking to see if Farnum's torso rises or falls with any breath at all. FARNUM SPRINGS TO LIFE -- LUNGING AT RUSSELL. SCREAMING.
RUSSELL
Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
DAVID
Did we or did we not request a
transfer to Cedar Rapids this morning?
Rhetorical question. David moves to a desk and picks up the phone. Starts to dial. Toggles the receiver. Line's dead.
Pulls out his cell phone. David hits the first two digits then sees the viewscreen - "SEARCHING FOR SIGNAL..."
DAVID
Even better.
He clicks the computer mouse. CANNOT FIND SERVER. Tries the police scanner. STATIC. Switches it off.
DAVID
You know what...
RUSSELL
What?
DAVID
We're in trouble.
---
WHIRRRR!! - THE BLADE OF A BONE SAW coming right at his face. Finley swinging it at arm's length with psychotic calm.
david goes down and Finley pounces, driving the blade at his throat. David catches Finley's wrists, barely keeping the saw at bay, forces the spinning blade against the leg of the autopsy table. SPARKS FLY as it cuts into the steel.
Finley counters. Finding his knees, he brings the saw above his head for a final plunge. But David catches him with a thrusting kiss to the gut. Sends Finley crashing into the storage cabinets.
As he jumps up for more - BANG! - David shoots him. Finley falls in a heap. But in death he has launched perhaps his most lethal attack, dropping the SAW.
Locked in the 'on' position, it COMES SKIP-BOUNCING ACROSS THE FLOOR AT DAVID, probelled by the spinning blade. David scrambles backwards on his haunches, but can't outrun it. Just as it's about to hit him in the face -
A BOOT
stomps on the saw's cord, leashing it like a wild dog. The deadly instrument hops and skips around at the end of its tether, inches from David's face. Until -
Russell, owner of the boot, yanks the plug from the wall. He comes over, helps David to his feet. and only then sees the Pastor's sad fate.
RUSSELL
Christ almighty.
---
EXT. HIGHWAY 50 - NIGHT
Russell's sheriff department PICKUP speeds down the fog-cloaked highway toward Cedar Rapids.
INT. SHERIFF DEPT. PICKUP - CONTINUOUS.
Russell humming along at eighty miles an hour. MASON JARS OF WATER in the pasenger seat. He's listening to the radio...
... When suddenly the RADIO STATION fades out. Weird.
Russell tries another station. Then another. But they're all STATIC. Suddenly, FOUR DEFEANING POPS AS --
-- ALL FOUR TIRES BLOW OUT!
A SPIKE STRIP lying across the road. The truck fishtails out of control, wobbling violently on its rims, threatening to roll...
Russell struggles, teeth-clenched, not to let it.
RUSSELL
shit!
Ruptured treads fly off. The pickup careens off the shoulder and slams to a stop in an irrigation ditch.
Russell has barely righted himself when he looks up and sees SOMETHIGN that scares him.
---
David and judy climb on board a school bus and join a dozen of their fellow citizens. The side of the windows of the bus are covered in a TRANSLUCENT PLASTIC.
RUSSELL (O.S.)
Funny thing happened on the way to
Cedar Rapids.
David and Judy see Russell near the back. They take the seat in front of him.
RUSSELL
Bastards spike stripped my tires.
A jerk of movement and the bus is on the move.
---
TICKING clock, Pot of coffee on the coffeemaker. The door FLIES open. David races to the back, where he twists open the combination lock on a cabinet labeled "ARMORY", but finds it bare - ransacked by the military.
Out of the corner of his eye, he catches sight of something horrific - BILL FARNUM HIDEOUSLY CONTORTED IN DEATH. His back arched high off the floor. Neck tendons, obscenely tight, practically tearing the jaw from his face.
Thinking fast, David moves to his desk, pulls out his key ring, and opens the bottom drawer. Shoved to the back is an old, worn box, which he takes out and sets on his desk.
Then he hears it. Someone tries to open the back door... locked. A shadow moves to the window... locked. David opens the box and takes out a vintage .357 police revolver. He moves to the front door, then swings it open FAST. David gets the jump on the intruder - gun to his head. It's Russell, hunting rifle in hand.
RUSSELL
Nice to see you too, Chief?!
DAVID
How did you get out?
The sound of a SPEEDING CAR interrpts them. They duck inside, avoiding the FLARE of its headlights. It's that same BLACK SUBURBAN TEARING PAST THE POLICE STATION at ninety miles an hour.
David gets back to loading his revolver while waiting for the Suburban to clear the area.
RUSSELL
They were holding most of us
outside. Tom Ellis ran his pick-up
through the fence. Military started
shotting. Townsfolk going
nuts, running off into the fields.
(beat)
Judy was still inside. I'm sorry, David.
DAVID
She's not sick, Russ. She's been
running a fever all month. She's
pregnant.
Russ grins.
RUSSELL
It's about time.
David snaps the cylinder closed, grits his teeth.
DAVID
I'm going to get her.
RUSSELL
Hoo-fuckin'-yah, let's go to the
high school.
---
David hustles them along. The group slowing as they encounter ONE LONE WOMAN who hunts around the area, repeating ad infinitum:
LONE WOMAN
Did Peter call? Did Peter call?
Did Peter call? Did Peter call?
RUSSELL
That's gonna be me.
DAVID
Russ, we got enough problems
without you inventing'em.
RUSSELL
Easy for you to say, you're at the
far end of the pipeline. I'm half
a mile from the Farnum's. And
you've met my family. Can you say
predisposed?
DAVID
Who's the sheriff?
RUSSELL
What?
DAVID
Who's the sheriff of Pierce County?
RUSSELL
You.
DAVID
I am. Who's the deputy?
RUSSELL
Me.
DAVID
You are. Deputy does what the
sheriff tells him, that's the
balance of power. Now I'm telling
you you're not getting sick,
understand?
Russell nods, appreciating the sentiment.
RUSSELL
Hope you're right, chief. I'm no
world beater but I had plans.
David leads them off into the night.
---
TWO TEENAGE BOYS punching the dumpster behind the pizza shop. A contest. Their hands are mutilated, missing fingers. Pure madness.
They find more cars. None that can drive.
DAVID
They're all booted.
Russell points down the street.
RUSSELL
Except that one --
They follow his line of sight to a RED 1970'S PICK-UP TRUCK. No boot. Russell sprints ahead. The others follow.
--
As they approach --
RUSSELL
(from inside the truck)
I can get this started. Just give me
a couple seconds...
David puts his hand out. Stopping Judy and Becca.
He notices a DARK LIQUID dropping off the back of the truck. Blood. And something big laying in back. Covered by a tarp.
DAVID
Russ. Get back.
RUSSELL
I'm almost there, chief.
BOOM!
A shot-gun blast echoes from inside a nearby apartment building. Followed quickly by two more.
David pulls Russell away from the truck. The group backs into shadow. Ducks down behind a burnt out car.
As --
A flashlight beam becomes visible.
---
David watches the tail lights disappear. Russell turns to him.
RUSSELL
It's a hell of a walk to Quik Phil's.
David thinks.
DAVID
I got the old cruiser on blocks.
RUSSELL
That thing still works?
DAVID
Yeah, and you can't boot a car
without wheels.
RUSSELL
it's about five miles to your place.
If we cut through the McGreggor farm.
---
The MUZZLE OF AN M-4 enters first. Then the soldier's GASMASKED FACE. To the left he sees nothing, to the right -
RUSSELL who smacks him in the head with his rifle butt, knocking him down. Russell grabs the soldier's weapon and the two of them drag the semi-conscious soldier into the back of the barn, past several COWS in STALLS.
--
David gets in Babcock's face.
DAVID
What the fuck was that?
PVT. BILLY BABCOCK.
Orders, sir.
RUSSELL
From who?!
PVT. BILLY BABCOCK
Whoever gives'em, I dunno.
--
Testing the waters, he starts to stand up. Russell cocks the rifle.
RUSSELL
Sit down.
DAVID
put the gun down, Russ.
Russell looks defiant for a moment.
RUSSELL
Chief?
Judy watches through the farm equipment as the soldier continues to move towards their hiding spot.
David inches closer to Billy. Keeping his voice low.
DAVID
I'm a sheriff. That's my deputy.
My wife's a doctor. She's pregnant.
Becca here's not even eighteen.
Russell realizes what David is doing.
RUSSELL
when he blabs they'll find us.
DAVID
We don't let him go they find us
for sure.
David hands Babcokc the mask. Russell still clutching Babcock's gun.
DAVID
(to Billy)
Besides, he's not gonna blab.
BILLY
No sir.
A tense beat.
DAVID
Russ -- you gotta give it to him.
Russell relents and hands the soldier back his weapon.
---
Now on the property, David is inclined to stay with Judy, who is walking towards the back porch. He looks at Russell.
RUSSELL
Becca and I will get the cruiser up
and running.
David nods. Thanks.
---
BLAM. Peggy explodes.
As what's left of her falls to the baby's room floor. david stands up to look out the WINDOW directly behind her, where Russell is stand with his rifle aiming right at him.
David collapses with relief. Instantly, Judy is binding his wound, tying to stem the bleeding.
JUDY
You're going to be okay.
David nods. Stoic.
Becca enters, first aid kit in hand. Gets to work helping Judy.
No one notices that Russell, upon seeing David is okay, walks over and STARES at the three Hamill bodies. Watches them. Notices that Curt is still breathing, gravely injured and not a threat, but still alive.
And then things get WEIRD: Russell chambers another round in his rifle and puts a bullet in curt.
DAVID
Russell
then he puts a bullet in Jake.
DAVID
Russell?
Then he puts a bullet in Peggy.
JUDY
STOP!!!
Russell looks over at the three of them.
RUSSELL
(beat)
Just making sure.
It hangs there a long, long beat.
---
They drive. Quite. David has one eye on the road and one eye on Russell.
A long beat of tense silence.
Broken by Becca -- who coughs a couple times. It registers with everyone.
Russell looks at her sideways.
RUSSELL
You feeling okay?
Judy turns.
JUDY
She's fine.
David and Judy share a look.
More silence.
Russ taps the end of his rifle on the back of Judy's seat. Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.
RUSSELL
I'm just saying if she's getting
sick we don't want to be in the car
with her.
DAVID
Russ, don't lose your head.
RUSSELL
What do you mean by that?
DAVID
I mean -- don't lose your head.
RUSSELL
But, what do you mean by that?
DAVID
I mean, she's fine. Put the gun away.
When --
A military helicopter screams overhead.
RUSSELL
Holy shit!!!!
---
SCREEEECH!! A burst of acceleration followed by a sudden stop as David pulls the car off the road -
into the wash bay of an automated car wash.
David kills the engine, everybody listening for the fast-approaching ROAR overheard -
VROOM! - the Chopper comes screaming down the highway. Follows the road to its vanishing point. Gone.
---
A DARK SHAPE zips past Russell's window. He freaks. Rolls it down and fires his shotgun, spraying bullets everywhere. David and the others cover their ears, the DEAFENING GUNFIRE only adding to the terror.
DAVID
RUSSELL!!!
BLAM! BLAM! Crazed, Russell keeps firing. He leans further out the window when -- SHOOP! A brush snatches the shotgun out of his hands, tossing it away. He up the window. Turning to tell David:
RUSSELL
I saw movement!
DAVID
EVERYTHING'S FUCKING MOVING!!
WHAM! - the SWAYING CHAMOIS DRYERS hit the windshield making everybody jump. David fires a reflexive shot through the windshield then steadies himself.
---
Pressing on. No end in sight. Judy looks ready to give up.
Ahead is a FAMILY STATION WAGON stopped by a spike strip. All four tires are blown.
RUSSELL
Spiked the tires.
DAVID
It'll drive on the rims.
David checks the ignition.
KEYS.
He reaches in, tries to start the engine, it clicks, won't start.
--
Russell looks up. Squints into the distance. Sees -- A CAR APPROACHING.
RUSSELL
Car coming.
It's coming fast.
RUSSELL
Guys, car coming!
David and Judy look up. Fuck.
---
David has a different idea. He kneels down in the street. Draws his gun.
Russell steps casually into the road. Stands there. Between David and the car.
JUDY
What are you doing?
DAVID
We're taking that car.
David looks up, sees Russell.
DAVID
Russell. Get back.
David checks his gun. ONE BULLET. One shot. He blows trough the chamber. Checks the firing mechanism. Lines up his shot.
To find that --
Russell is blocking his shot. The car almost upon them. Still speeding.
David tries to aim around Russell. Doesn't have a clean shot.
DAVID
Fucking get back.
The car is close now. Almost in range.
RUSSELL
I'll stop it.
DAVID
Move! Move! Move!
Russell stands his ground -- as the onrushing car closes the distance. Increasng in speed. Heading straight for him.
Just before impact -
Russell leaps to the shoulder, pulling hard on a previously unsean tether cord. Held tight in his hand.
The cord is attached to a second SPIKE STRIP.
The strip -- unfurls across the blacktop.
As --
THE SUBURBAN HITS IT AT A HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR, SKIDS SIDEWAYS AND GOES INTO A BARREL ROLL.
Heading straight for David. David -- dives to safety as the suburban rolls by -- Pieces flying off as it tumbles. A bumper. A door. It comes to rest on its side.
David gets up. Bruised but okay.
Russell howls his approval before jumping up and racing towards the destroyed vehicle, chambering a round in his rifle as he moves.
David is quick to follow.
A nondescript man of fifty who crawls from the wreckage. Buzzcut. Shattered gasmask hanging from his face. A MILITARY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.
He's pn his hands and knees, bleeding from the mouth, from a gash in his hairline.
RUSSELL
Welcome to Pierce County.
Friendliest place on Earth!
David hustles over. Getting in front of Russell, looking him right in the eyes.
DAVID
Russ, I want to talk to him!
Russell mulls it over, backs off. The Intelligence Officer spits blood, looks up at David, dazed, angry.
--
JUDY
What's the incubation period?
He sighs -- happy for a question he can answer.
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
Forty-eight hours. After that,
you're either dead or you don't
have it.
DAVID
Fine. It's day three and we're
still talking so get us the fuck
out of--
BANG! - The MIO's head jerks back as a bullet rips through his forehead. Russell just shot him from behind David.
DAVID
NO!
Judy is SCREAMING. Falls down as she staggers backwards. David grabs Russell two-fisted by the shirt and walks him backwards into the field, yelling in his face.
DAVID
WHAT THE FUCK'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?!
I SAID I WANTED TO TALK TO HIM!!
Russell holds David's stare, coldly indifferent.
RUSSELL
You talked.
Russell shoulders his rifle and walks off, picking up a portable MILITARY RADIO from the debris along the way. David watches him then helps Judy to her feet as they turn away, what David doesn't see is Russell also picks up a GLOCK PISTOL off the dead body.
--
David and Judy walk the sun-scorched highway, eyes trained on Russell who walks fifty paces in front, a man to fear.
DAVID
I'll get the guns from him.
JUDY
What if he tries to stop you?
Russell, out of earshot, glances back at them as if knowing their private thoughts. Turns forward again. And we get David's reply:
DAVID
Look, I love the kid, but I'll kill
him if I have to.
Russell starts to jog. David and Judy match his stride, maintaining that fifty-pace separation.
A white peaked-roof bingo hall sits alone on the prairie like a church without a steeple.
Russell goes inside. David and Judy arrive moments later and follow him. Tense. Moment of truth. A haunting VOICE echoes inside the building, stops them dead in their tracks.
MAN'S VOICE
B-14.
David and Judy enter. Framed pictures of happy winners on the wall.
MAN'S VOICE
(over PA system)
I-21
Standing in the sahdows at the far end, under the big illuminated Bingo flashboard, an OLD MAN IN A SHRINER'S HAT is reading the numbers off png bong balls as they fl up the chut into his hand from an electric blower-tumbler.
RUSSELL
Hey, you guys got any bottled water?
No reply, no acknowledgement whatsoever from the old man. He reads another ball.
OLD BINGO SHRINER.
(over PA system)
N-32...
Russell approaches him.
RUSSELL
Where's the water at?
The old shriner holds out his hand, palm downturned, as if to offer Russell something. A beat then -- FSSHHTUNK - a ping pong ball flies into it.
OLD BINGO SHRINER
(over PA system)
I-29
RUSSELL
(to himself)
Freak.
Russell looks around and spies a large refrigerator by the bar. He moves to it and pulls out several bottles of water.
He drinks deeply, the entire bottle in one gulp.
He tosses David and Judy bottles of water.
DAVID
Thanks.
They guzzle while watching Russell as he SCANS THE CHANNELS on the military radio. STATIC. Russell shrugs and puts his stuff down, heads for the men's room. David sees Russell's mistake.
the radio and HIS RIFLE are all sitting on the floor.
--
Russell, at the urninal, flushes, zips, steps to the sink where he blows his nose into his handkerchief.
THE WHITE CLOTH TURNS DARK RED, FILLING WITH BLOOD.
He tucks it away, seemingly unaware. Stares at himself in the cracked mirror. Dead-eyed. Sweat rivering down his cheeks.
Madness.
--
Russell comes back and sees -- his stuff and David and Judy -- all gone.
David and Judy haven't left him though. They're waiting for him. Russell comes out, he heads straight for David, who has the rifle.
RUSSELL
I'm gonna need that back.
DAVID
I'll carry the guns for a while.
You've been carrying'em the whole time.
RUSSELL
Yeah, thanks anyway.
Russell reaches for the rifle. David shakes his head, stony.
DAVID
I got'em.
RUSSELL
You sure about that?
DAVID
Yeah.
Russell nods, nods again, then draws from behind his back the Officer's GLOCK. David is hopelessly outdrawn. Judy white with terror.
JUDY
Russell, we're on your side...
RUSSELL
My side? I didn't even know there
was sides.
JUDY
There's not, I didn't --
RUSSELL
Tell her to shut up.
David gestures. Judy stops talking. Russell presses the gun to David's chest.
JUDY
RUSSELL NO!!
RUSSELL
TELL HER TO SHUT HER MOUTH OR I'LL
KILL HER TOO!
DAVID
(to Judy while looking at Russell)
Stop talking. Let him think about
what he's doing.
Russell stares at David in the face. Finger on the trigger. Taps him bluntly on the chest with the barrel.
RUSSELL
One...
(taps him again)
Two...
(taps him again)
Three!
You're waiting for the gunshot but Russell just shakes his head in reproach.
RUSSELL
That's how many times I saved your life.
---
Russell now has his hunting rifle, David's .357, and the Glock.
David and Judy start down the road, Russell behind them. They talk under their breath.
JUDY
Let's just run.
DAVID
No. Give him a target, he'll hit
it every time.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! David and Judy turn to see Russell shooting the rifle in the air until it clicks empty.
RUSSELL
Heavy.
And with that he drops the spent rifle to the road.
Nerves on edge, they continue to walk on, weighting their options. David realiing - they have none.
DAVID
Fuck it, I'm gonna confront him.
JUDY
David, no -
DAVID
We don't get to that truck stop
we're dead anyway
He walks back towards Russell. Russell raises the .357.
RUSSELL
Back off.
DAVID
I want to talk to you.
RUSSELL
BACK OFF!
Russell takes aim at David's face.
DAVID
Just wanna talk.
JUDY
DAVID, STOP!
DAVID
Put the gun down.
Russell tightens on the trigger.
RUSSELL
You better listen to me.
JUDY
DAVID!
DAVID
Put it down.
RUSSELL
FINAL WARNING, CHIEF.
DAVID
I just want to talk to you.
David walks right up to him. The gun pointed at his throat. Russell staring down the barrel.
DAVID
Can we talk? Man to man?
A long tense moment then Russell lowers his weapon.
DAVID
Okay. Here's the deal --
David PUNCHES HIM swuare in the face, lays him out flat. Russell, dazed, offers no resistance as David quietly disarms him, just stares at the sky like he's daydreaming:
RUSSELL
(hazy)
Remember that monster catfish I
caught last summer?
DAVID
(disarming him)
Yeah.
RUSSELL
(hazy)
What'd he weigh, you reckon?
DAVID
(disarming him)
Ten, fifteen pounds.
Faint smile from Russell.
RUSSELL
(hazy)
Big son of a bitch.
Judy arrives, her shadow falling across Russell who sits up now, semi-lucid, the suckerpunch helping clear his head.
RUSSELL
I'm not right, am I?
David shakes his head no. Russell nods in confirmation. Unexpectedly, his voice cracks with emotion.
RUSSELL
Can I keep walking with you guys?
A little while longer?
David trades looks with Judy.
---
They're jogging again. Russell struggling to keep up. Judy drinks from a water bottle, passes it to David. He finishes it, tosses it. And before the bottle hits the ground - he grabs her and pulls her into tall grass. They peer through it. Both crouching.
TWO MILITARY TRUCKS butted together form a CHECKPOINT two hundred yards down the road. SIX HEAVILY ARMED SOLDIERS IN BIOSUITS. No way past.
Russell arrives beside them, huffing. Sizes up the checkpoint. Indicates a route through the adjoining field.
RUSSELL
cut through there, you can pick up
the highway on the other side.
DAVID
They'll see us.
RUSSELL
they'll be focusin' on me.
David looks at Russell. He's offering to sacrifice himself.
RUSSELL
Deputy does what the sheriff tells him.
you're the sheriff.
Permission. David can't give it. Russell holds out his hand for a gun.
RUSSELL
I'm done, chief. I'm going to die
here no matter what. Let it mean
something. Let it mean you two
made it. Give me that.
Moment of delberation then David puts the GLOCK in Russell's hand, making sure it's fully loaded. Russell eyes the checkpoint. Steeling himself. Looks at David one last time.
RUSSELL
Hoo-fuckin'-yah.
And takes off through the field toward the checkpoint. We run with him, immersed in the sounds - the SWISHING GRASS, his POUNDING STEPS.
He OPENS FIRE, veering out of the field in a dead sprint at the checkpoint. BANG BANG BANG -- Bullets find Russell's torso -- but he keeps going. BANG BANG BANG. He still doesn't stop. It takes more than a dozen before Russell falls to the ground. He feels the soil.
RUSSELL'S POV.
Looks up at a beautiful sky. Then he's surrounded by SPACE-SUITED SOLDIERS looking down at him. One of them puts their M-4 to his forehead.
RUSSELL
Fuck you for what you did.
END.
We FOLLOW David as he walks over to the sideline fence where his DEPUTY RUSSELL CLANK, mid-twenties, is leaning on a Pierce County Sheriff Dept. four-wheeler.
Russell has his sunglasses on and his fingers gently tap his handcuffs as he weaves a tale of bravery for two impressionable LOCAL GIRLS.
Anyway, it's so dark I can't see
five feet in front me. And the rain
is coming down in sheets. But I can't
think about that because he's a bail
jumper, a dangerous bail jumper, and
I'm the law.
Immersed in his own story, Russell doesn't notice David now leaning on the fence right next to him.
You really weren't scared?
Russell takes off his sunglasses, he wants to look them in eyes.
I could stand here and say I wasn't.
But truth is, when you're in it, I
mean really in it, you don't have time
to be scared. Besides it was just then
that...
Russell suddenly realizes his boss is right next to him.
That Sheriff Dutten arrived. A Sheriff
known for his keen sense of timing.
Anyway, uh, so then we...
Russell glances at David. David stares at him.
He... the Sheriff apprehended the
bail jumper and took him...
Russell looks at David again. david's face is stone.
Her... back to her... mom.
The two girls walk off. Russell turns to David. Thanks.
Don't look at me, I was gonna back you up
David laughs and sips his coffee as the star pitcher blows a fastball past the batter. David lets out a howl.
Kid throws fast.
Just like he drives.
(yelling to field)
Nice pitch, Scotty!
---
David drops his coffee and JUMPS the fence. Russell about to follow suit until David tells him:
Keep everybody back.
---
Russell walks in with a fresh cup of coffee for David. David nods - thanks.
Peggy here yet?
Finley looks up from his work, studies David. Russell is a little reluctant but answers.
Just walked in with the boys.
---
A lone street light flashes yellow on Main Street. It will do that all day. An A & P, a post office, a bank. No frills. No artifice. Like the people that live here.
David's cruiser and Russell's truck both parked outside the police station.
INT. POLICE STATION - SAME.
Small but functional. Russell is on the phone dealing with out of town reporters. He sorta loves it. Even has an "official voice".
We can't comment on that, that's an
ongoing investigation. No, the
Sheriff is unavailable. But I can see
if the deputy will talk to you.
Russell frowns. Hangs up.
Amateurs.
ACROSS THE ROOm
David gets a smile out of what his deputy is doing. Then returns his attention to the POLICE REPORT he is filling out.
THE PHONE RINGS
Russell clears his throat. Wants to get the voice right.
Sheriff's department.
(puts it on hold, calls)
That's the Medical Examiner.
David nods, picks it up.
---
David decides to put the letter away for now. He closes his desk drawer just as -- in the background -- Russell comes in.
Russ, you get in touch with Sheriff
Burns in Cedar Rapids?
RUSSELL
State Troopers are coming this
afternoon to pick him up for transfer.
Meaning BILL FARNUM -- who is now in their holding cell. Biarrely, Bill is standing straight up in the dead center of the space. A streak of dried blood from his nose. A thousand yard stare.
David joins Russell. They look at Bill.
How long's he been playing statue?
DAVID
Couple hours now.
(beat)
That's the same look Rory gave me.
Same goddamn look.
---
David and Russell eye the ROTTING CORPSE which lies half-submerged, head and torso on land, legs in the water. Nathan, Red, Jesse looking on from a distance.
Been there at least a week by the looks
of things.
David nods.
I'll take your word on that.
Russell turns away, gagging at the stench. FINLEY snaps a few PHOTOS and then kneels to the party, unzipping the flightsuit.
I'll see if there's any
identification.
DAVID
Yeah, do that.
Russell echoes David's sentiment with a discreet pointing gesture to Finley, 'yeah, do that' -- as in 'you, not me.' david coughs, the stench burning his lungs as he CROSSES to the hunters.
Behind him, Finley then WADES out into the bog. He stops and just STANDS THERE -- fully dressed in the waist deep water.
Boys, last I checked hunting season
ended three months ago.
NATHAN
We was just out for a little taste of
nature, fresh air is all.
DAVID
Guns away till next fall.
A bit of a stand-off, but the hunters acquiesce and clear out. David heads to Russell at the police cruiser.
Got us a pilot, where's the plane?
Russell, entering the police cruiser, recollects:
Last week Travis Quinn was going
around saying he heard something
crash out by Hopman Bog. I didn't
think nothing of it on account of
his being full of shit as a general
rule.
DAVID
Maybe this is the exception.
---
The HUM of a flat-bottomed aluminum boat motoring across the bog with passengers David and Russell. TRAVIS QUINN drives in back.
It sounded like a plane?
TRAVIS QUINN
How much's the reward?
RUSSELL
Big plane, little plane?
TRAVIS QUINN
You tell me the difference between
what those sound like maybe I'll
figure it out.
Russell leans forward, joins David.
He's full of shit.
DAVID
People only ask for a reward when
there's something to find.
David looks up at the trees. Notices something.
sheriff, about that reward.
DAVID
Travis.
TRAVIS QUINN
Yeah?
DAVID
Kill the engine.
A beat of silence as the engine dies and the boat slows.
It was a big plane, Russ.
RUSSELL
Why's that?
DAVID
'Cause we're right on top of it.
Off Russell's look, we rise up above them, to the height of treetops and see what David sees -
THE MURKY CONTOUR OF A MILITARY TRANSPORT PLANE.
---
David and Russell head to the cruiser parked at the water's edge.
Military plane that size goes down
and there's nothing in the paper,
nothing on the news? Make any
sense to you?
Russell shrugs.
Depends what the payload is.
It's an off-hand remark -- but it starts David thinking.
Hopman Bog, what's that drain into?
RUSSELL
Dwyer Creek.
DAVID
Which drains into...?
RUSSELL
Black Pond. Hey, you remember that
monster catfish I --
DAVID
Black Pond? Is that right?
---
David pulling open the chain link gate under the town's water tower. He walks briskly, bolt cutters still in hand. Russell, trying to keep up with him, glances to the "GOVERNMENT PROPERTY - DO NOT TRESPASS" sign.
Sheriff, I'm all for a little civil
disobedience but I think this might
cost you your job.
SNAP. David cuts off the WATER CONTROL VALVE lock. He twists that valve and shuts the main line OFF.
That's all right, Russ.
Then he swings the bolt cutters like it was a sledge hammer until he BREAKS the WATER RELEASE LEVER clean off.
I was going to quit anyway.
--
INT. SHERIFF STATION - DAY
Russell and David enter -- david tosses the bolt cutters aside and heads for his desk.
We stay with Russell as he moves to the holding cell.
Russ, get on the horn -- call
Jennings White at cedar rapids --
tell him you're bringing him some
water samples we need tested. ASAP.
Russell is staring at BILL FARNUM -- who is now lying motionless and prone in the center of the holding cell.
Russ?
Russell gets right up close to the cell. Trying to see if Farnum's breathing.
I think he's dead.
By now Russell has his KEYS OUT and he puts them in the lock and is about to turn it when --
-- David's hand stops him.
Now hang on a sec, Russ. If he's
dead he won't mind waiting.
Russell leans in -- looking to see if Farnum's torso rises or falls with any breath at all. FARNUM SPRINGS TO LIFE -- LUNGING AT RUSSELL. SCREAMING.
Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
DAVID
Did we or did we not request a
transfer to Cedar Rapids this morning?
Rhetorical question. David moves to a desk and picks up the phone. Starts to dial. Toggles the receiver. Line's dead.
Pulls out his cell phone. David hits the first two digits then sees the viewscreen - "SEARCHING FOR SIGNAL..."
Even better.
He clicks the computer mouse. CANNOT FIND SERVER. Tries the police scanner. STATIC. Switches it off.
You know what...
RUSSELL
What?
DAVID
We're in trouble.
---
WHIRRRR!! - THE BLADE OF A BONE SAW coming right at his face. Finley swinging it at arm's length with psychotic calm.
david goes down and Finley pounces, driving the blade at his throat. David catches Finley's wrists, barely keeping the saw at bay, forces the spinning blade against the leg of the autopsy table. SPARKS FLY as it cuts into the steel.
Finley counters. Finding his knees, he brings the saw above his head for a final plunge. But David catches him with a thrusting kiss to the gut. Sends Finley crashing into the storage cabinets.
As he jumps up for more - BANG! - David shoots him. Finley falls in a heap. But in death he has launched perhaps his most lethal attack, dropping the SAW.
Locked in the 'on' position, it COMES SKIP-BOUNCING ACROSS THE FLOOR AT DAVID, probelled by the spinning blade. David scrambles backwards on his haunches, but can't outrun it. Just as it's about to hit him in the face -
A BOOT
stomps on the saw's cord, leashing it like a wild dog. The deadly instrument hops and skips around at the end of its tether, inches from David's face. Until -
Russell, owner of the boot, yanks the plug from the wall. He comes over, helps David to his feet. and only then sees the Pastor's sad fate.
Christ almighty.
---
EXT. HIGHWAY 50 - NIGHT
Russell's sheriff department PICKUP speeds down the fog-cloaked highway toward Cedar Rapids.
INT. SHERIFF DEPT. PICKUP - CONTINUOUS.
Russell humming along at eighty miles an hour. MASON JARS OF WATER in the pasenger seat. He's listening to the radio...
... When suddenly the RADIO STATION fades out. Weird.
Russell tries another station. Then another. But they're all STATIC. Suddenly, FOUR DEFEANING POPS AS --
-- ALL FOUR TIRES BLOW OUT!
A SPIKE STRIP lying across the road. The truck fishtails out of control, wobbling violently on its rims, threatening to roll...
Russell struggles, teeth-clenched, not to let it.
shit!
Ruptured treads fly off. The pickup careens off the shoulder and slams to a stop in an irrigation ditch.
Russell has barely righted himself when he looks up and sees SOMETHIGN that scares him.
---
David and judy climb on board a school bus and join a dozen of their fellow citizens. The side of the windows of the bus are covered in a TRANSLUCENT PLASTIC.
Funny thing happened on the way to
Cedar Rapids.
David and Judy see Russell near the back. They take the seat in front of him.
Bastards spike stripped my tires.
A jerk of movement and the bus is on the move.
---
TICKING clock, Pot of coffee on the coffeemaker. The door FLIES open. David races to the back, where he twists open the combination lock on a cabinet labeled "ARMORY", but finds it bare - ransacked by the military.
Out of the corner of his eye, he catches sight of something horrific - BILL FARNUM HIDEOUSLY CONTORTED IN DEATH. His back arched high off the floor. Neck tendons, obscenely tight, practically tearing the jaw from his face.
Thinking fast, David moves to his desk, pulls out his key ring, and opens the bottom drawer. Shoved to the back is an old, worn box, which he takes out and sets on his desk.
Then he hears it. Someone tries to open the back door... locked. A shadow moves to the window... locked. David opens the box and takes out a vintage .357 police revolver. He moves to the front door, then swings it open FAST. David gets the jump on the intruder - gun to his head. It's Russell, hunting rifle in hand.
Nice to see you too, Chief?!
DAVID
How did you get out?
The sound of a SPEEDING CAR interrpts them. They duck inside, avoiding the FLARE of its headlights. It's that same BLACK SUBURBAN TEARING PAST THE POLICE STATION at ninety miles an hour.
David gets back to loading his revolver while waiting for the Suburban to clear the area.
They were holding most of us
outside. Tom Ellis ran his pick-up
through the fence. Military started
shotting. Townsfolk going
nuts, running off into the fields.
(beat)
Judy was still inside. I'm sorry, David.
DAVID
She's not sick, Russ. She's been
running a fever all month. She's
pregnant.
Russ grins.
It's about time.
David snaps the cylinder closed, grits his teeth.
I'm going to get her.
RUSSELL
Hoo-fuckin'-yah, let's go to the
high school.
---
David hustles them along. The group slowing as they encounter ONE LONE WOMAN who hunts around the area, repeating ad infinitum:
Did Peter call? Did Peter call?
Did Peter call? Did Peter call?
RUSSELL
That's gonna be me.
DAVID
Russ, we got enough problems
without you inventing'em.
RUSSELL
Easy for you to say, you're at the
far end of the pipeline. I'm half
a mile from the Farnum's. And
you've met my family. Can you say
predisposed?
DAVID
Who's the sheriff?
RUSSELL
What?
DAVID
Who's the sheriff of Pierce County?
RUSSELL
You.
DAVID
I am. Who's the deputy?
RUSSELL
Me.
DAVID
You are. Deputy does what the
sheriff tells him, that's the
balance of power. Now I'm telling
you you're not getting sick,
understand?
Russell nods, appreciating the sentiment.
Hope you're right, chief. I'm no
world beater but I had plans.
David leads them off into the night.
---
TWO TEENAGE BOYS punching the dumpster behind the pizza shop. A contest. Their hands are mutilated, missing fingers. Pure madness.
They find more cars. None that can drive.
They're all booted.
Russell points down the street.
Except that one --
They follow his line of sight to a RED 1970'S PICK-UP TRUCK. No boot. Russell sprints ahead. The others follow.
--
As they approach --
(from inside the truck)
I can get this started. Just give me
a couple seconds...
David puts his hand out. Stopping Judy and Becca.
He notices a DARK LIQUID dropping off the back of the truck. Blood. And something big laying in back. Covered by a tarp.
Russ. Get back.
RUSSELL
I'm almost there, chief.
BOOM!
A shot-gun blast echoes from inside a nearby apartment building. Followed quickly by two more.
David pulls Russell away from the truck. The group backs into shadow. Ducks down behind a burnt out car.
As --
A flashlight beam becomes visible.
---
David watches the tail lights disappear. Russell turns to him.
It's a hell of a walk to Quik Phil's.
David thinks.
I got the old cruiser on blocks.
RUSSELL
That thing still works?
DAVID
Yeah, and you can't boot a car
without wheels.
RUSSELL
it's about five miles to your place.
If we cut through the McGreggor farm.
---
The MUZZLE OF AN M-4 enters first. Then the soldier's GASMASKED FACE. To the left he sees nothing, to the right -
RUSSELL who smacks him in the head with his rifle butt, knocking him down. Russell grabs the soldier's weapon and the two of them drag the semi-conscious soldier into the back of the barn, past several COWS in STALLS.
--
David gets in Babcock's face.
What the fuck was that?
PVT. BILLY BABCOCK.
Orders, sir.
RUSSELL
From who?!
PVT. BILLY BABCOCK
Whoever gives'em, I dunno.
--
Testing the waters, he starts to stand up. Russell cocks the rifle.
Sit down.
DAVID
put the gun down, Russ.
Russell looks defiant for a moment.
Chief?
Judy watches through the farm equipment as the soldier continues to move towards their hiding spot.
David inches closer to Billy. Keeping his voice low.
I'm a sheriff. That's my deputy.
My wife's a doctor. She's pregnant.
Becca here's not even eighteen.
Russell realizes what David is doing.
when he blabs they'll find us.
DAVID
We don't let him go they find us
for sure.
David hands Babcokc the mask. Russell still clutching Babcock's gun.
(to Billy)
Besides, he's not gonna blab.
BILLY
No sir.
A tense beat.
Russ -- you gotta give it to him.
Russell relents and hands the soldier back his weapon.
---
Now on the property, David is inclined to stay with Judy, who is walking towards the back porch. He looks at Russell.
Becca and I will get the cruiser up
and running.
David nods. Thanks.
---
BLAM. Peggy explodes.
As what's left of her falls to the baby's room floor. david stands up to look out the WINDOW directly behind her, where Russell is stand with his rifle aiming right at him.
David collapses with relief. Instantly, Judy is binding his wound, tying to stem the bleeding.
You're going to be okay.
David nods. Stoic.
Becca enters, first aid kit in hand. Gets to work helping Judy.
No one notices that Russell, upon seeing David is okay, walks over and STARES at the three Hamill bodies. Watches them. Notices that Curt is still breathing, gravely injured and not a threat, but still alive.
And then things get WEIRD: Russell chambers another round in his rifle and puts a bullet in curt.
Russell
then he puts a bullet in Jake.
Russell?
Then he puts a bullet in Peggy.
STOP!!!
Russell looks over at the three of them.
(beat)
Just making sure.
It hangs there a long, long beat.
---
They drive. Quite. David has one eye on the road and one eye on Russell.
A long beat of tense silence.
Broken by Becca -- who coughs a couple times. It registers with everyone.
Russell looks at her sideways.
You feeling okay?
Judy turns.
She's fine.
David and Judy share a look.
More silence.
Russ taps the end of his rifle on the back of Judy's seat. Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.
I'm just saying if she's getting
sick we don't want to be in the car
with her.
DAVID
Russ, don't lose your head.
RUSSELL
What do you mean by that?
DAVID
I mean -- don't lose your head.
RUSSELL
But, what do you mean by that?
DAVID
I mean, she's fine. Put the gun away.
When --
A military helicopter screams overhead.
Holy shit!!!!
---
SCREEEECH!! A burst of acceleration followed by a sudden stop as David pulls the car off the road -
into the wash bay of an automated car wash.
David kills the engine, everybody listening for the fast-approaching ROAR overheard -
VROOM! - the Chopper comes screaming down the highway. Follows the road to its vanishing point. Gone.
---
A DARK SHAPE zips past Russell's window. He freaks. Rolls it down and fires his shotgun, spraying bullets everywhere. David and the others cover their ears, the DEAFENING GUNFIRE only adding to the terror.
RUSSELL!!!
BLAM! BLAM! Crazed, Russell keeps firing. He leans further out the window when -- SHOOP! A brush snatches the shotgun out of his hands, tossing it away. He up the window. Turning to tell David:
I saw movement!
DAVID
EVERYTHING'S FUCKING MOVING!!
WHAM! - the SWAYING CHAMOIS DRYERS hit the windshield making everybody jump. David fires a reflexive shot through the windshield then steadies himself.
---
Pressing on. No end in sight. Judy looks ready to give up.
Ahead is a FAMILY STATION WAGON stopped by a spike strip. All four tires are blown.
Spiked the tires.
DAVID
It'll drive on the rims.
David checks the ignition.
KEYS.
He reaches in, tries to start the engine, it clicks, won't start.
--
Russell looks up. Squints into the distance. Sees -- A CAR APPROACHING.
Car coming.
It's coming fast.
Guys, car coming!
David and Judy look up. Fuck.
---
David has a different idea. He kneels down in the street. Draws his gun.
Russell steps casually into the road. Stands there. Between David and the car.
What are you doing?
DAVID
We're taking that car.
David looks up, sees Russell.
Russell. Get back.
David checks his gun. ONE BULLET. One shot. He blows trough the chamber. Checks the firing mechanism. Lines up his shot.
To find that --
Russell is blocking his shot. The car almost upon them. Still speeding.
David tries to aim around Russell. Doesn't have a clean shot.
Fucking get back.
The car is close now. Almost in range.
I'll stop it.
DAVID
Move! Move! Move!
Russell stands his ground -- as the onrushing car closes the distance. Increasng in speed. Heading straight for him.
Just before impact -
Russell leaps to the shoulder, pulling hard on a previously unsean tether cord. Held tight in his hand.
The cord is attached to a second SPIKE STRIP.
The strip -- unfurls across the blacktop.
As --
THE SUBURBAN HITS IT AT A HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR, SKIDS SIDEWAYS AND GOES INTO A BARREL ROLL.
Heading straight for David. David -- dives to safety as the suburban rolls by -- Pieces flying off as it tumbles. A bumper. A door. It comes to rest on its side.
David gets up. Bruised but okay.
Russell howls his approval before jumping up and racing towards the destroyed vehicle, chambering a round in his rifle as he moves.
David is quick to follow.
A nondescript man of fifty who crawls from the wreckage. Buzzcut. Shattered gasmask hanging from his face. A MILITARY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.
He's pn his hands and knees, bleeding from the mouth, from a gash in his hairline.
Welcome to Pierce County.
Friendliest place on Earth!
David hustles over. Getting in front of Russell, looking him right in the eyes.
Russ, I want to talk to him!
Russell mulls it over, backs off. The Intelligence Officer spits blood, looks up at David, dazed, angry.
--
What's the incubation period?
He sighs -- happy for a question he can answer.
Forty-eight hours. After that,
you're either dead or you don't
have it.
DAVID
Fine. It's day three and we're
still talking so get us the fuck
out of--
BANG! - The MIO's head jerks back as a bullet rips through his forehead. Russell just shot him from behind David.
NO!
Judy is SCREAMING. Falls down as she staggers backwards. David grabs Russell two-fisted by the shirt and walks him backwards into the field, yelling in his face.
WHAT THE FUCK'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?!
I SAID I WANTED TO TALK TO HIM!!
Russell holds David's stare, coldly indifferent.
You talked.
Russell shoulders his rifle and walks off, picking up a portable MILITARY RADIO from the debris along the way. David watches him then helps Judy to her feet as they turn away, what David doesn't see is Russell also picks up a GLOCK PISTOL off the dead body.
--
David and Judy walk the sun-scorched highway, eyes trained on Russell who walks fifty paces in front, a man to fear.
I'll get the guns from him.
JUDY
What if he tries to stop you?
Russell, out of earshot, glances back at them as if knowing their private thoughts. Turns forward again. And we get David's reply:
Look, I love the kid, but I'll kill
him if I have to.
Russell starts to jog. David and Judy match his stride, maintaining that fifty-pace separation.
A white peaked-roof bingo hall sits alone on the prairie like a church without a steeple.
Russell goes inside. David and Judy arrive moments later and follow him. Tense. Moment of truth. A haunting VOICE echoes inside the building, stops them dead in their tracks.
B-14.
David and Judy enter. Framed pictures of happy winners on the wall.
(over PA system)
I-21
Standing in the sahdows at the far end, under the big illuminated Bingo flashboard, an OLD MAN IN A SHRINER'S HAT is reading the numbers off png bong balls as they fl up the chut into his hand from an electric blower-tumbler.
Hey, you guys got any bottled water?
No reply, no acknowledgement whatsoever from the old man. He reads another ball.
(over PA system)
N-32...
Russell approaches him.
Where's the water at?
The old shriner holds out his hand, palm downturned, as if to offer Russell something. A beat then -- FSSHHTUNK - a ping pong ball flies into it.
(over PA system)
I-29
RUSSELL
(to himself)
Freak.
Russell looks around and spies a large refrigerator by the bar. He moves to it and pulls out several bottles of water.
He drinks deeply, the entire bottle in one gulp.
He tosses David and Judy bottles of water.
Thanks.
They guzzle while watching Russell as he SCANS THE CHANNELS on the military radio. STATIC. Russell shrugs and puts his stuff down, heads for the men's room. David sees Russell's mistake.
the radio and HIS RIFLE are all sitting on the floor.
--
Russell, at the urninal, flushes, zips, steps to the sink where he blows his nose into his handkerchief.
THE WHITE CLOTH TURNS DARK RED, FILLING WITH BLOOD.
He tucks it away, seemingly unaware. Stares at himself in the cracked mirror. Dead-eyed. Sweat rivering down his cheeks.
Madness.
--
Russell comes back and sees -- his stuff and David and Judy -- all gone.
David and Judy haven't left him though. They're waiting for him. Russell comes out, he heads straight for David, who has the rifle.
I'm gonna need that back.
DAVID
I'll carry the guns for a while.
You've been carrying'em the whole time.
RUSSELL
Yeah, thanks anyway.
Russell reaches for the rifle. David shakes his head, stony.
I got'em.
RUSSELL
You sure about that?
DAVID
Yeah.
Russell nods, nods again, then draws from behind his back the Officer's GLOCK. David is hopelessly outdrawn. Judy white with terror.
Russell, we're on your side...
RUSSELL
My side? I didn't even know there
was sides.
JUDY
There's not, I didn't --
RUSSELL
Tell her to shut up.
David gestures. Judy stops talking. Russell presses the gun to David's chest.
RUSSELL NO!!
RUSSELL
TELL HER TO SHUT HER MOUTH OR I'LL
KILL HER TOO!
DAVID
(to Judy while looking at Russell)
Stop talking. Let him think about
what he's doing.
Russell stares at David in the face. Finger on the trigger. Taps him bluntly on the chest with the barrel.
One...
(taps him again)
Two...
(taps him again)
Three!
You're waiting for the gunshot but Russell just shakes his head in reproach.
That's how many times I saved your life.
---
Russell now has his hunting rifle, David's .357, and the Glock.
David and Judy start down the road, Russell behind them. They talk under their breath.
Let's just run.
DAVID
No. Give him a target, he'll hit
it every time.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! David and Judy turn to see Russell shooting the rifle in the air until it clicks empty.
Heavy.
And with that he drops the spent rifle to the road.
Nerves on edge, they continue to walk on, weighting their options. David realiing - they have none.
Fuck it, I'm gonna confront him.
JUDY
David, no -
DAVID
We don't get to that truck stop
we're dead anyway
He walks back towards Russell. Russell raises the .357.
Back off.
DAVID
I want to talk to you.
RUSSELL
BACK OFF!
Russell takes aim at David's face.
Just wanna talk.
JUDY
DAVID, STOP!
DAVID
Put the gun down.
Russell tightens on the trigger.
You better listen to me.
JUDY
DAVID!
DAVID
Put it down.
RUSSELL
FINAL WARNING, CHIEF.
DAVID
I just want to talk to you.
David walks right up to him. The gun pointed at his throat. Russell staring down the barrel.
Can we talk? Man to man?
A long tense moment then Russell lowers his weapon.
Okay. Here's the deal --
David PUNCHES HIM swuare in the face, lays him out flat. Russell, dazed, offers no resistance as David quietly disarms him, just stares at the sky like he's daydreaming:
(hazy)
Remember that monster catfish I
caught last summer?
DAVID
(disarming him)
Yeah.
RUSSELL
(hazy)
What'd he weigh, you reckon?
DAVID
(disarming him)
Ten, fifteen pounds.
Faint smile from Russell.
(hazy)
Big son of a bitch.
Judy arrives, her shadow falling across Russell who sits up now, semi-lucid, the suckerpunch helping clear his head.
I'm not right, am I?
David shakes his head no. Russell nods in confirmation. Unexpectedly, his voice cracks with emotion.
Can I keep walking with you guys?
A little while longer?
David trades looks with Judy.
---
They're jogging again. Russell struggling to keep up. Judy drinks from a water bottle, passes it to David. He finishes it, tosses it. And before the bottle hits the ground - he grabs her and pulls her into tall grass. They peer through it. Both crouching.
TWO MILITARY TRUCKS butted together form a CHECKPOINT two hundred yards down the road. SIX HEAVILY ARMED SOLDIERS IN BIOSUITS. No way past.
Russell arrives beside them, huffing. Sizes up the checkpoint. Indicates a route through the adjoining field.
cut through there, you can pick up
the highway on the other side.
DAVID
They'll see us.
RUSSELL
they'll be focusin' on me.
David looks at Russell. He's offering to sacrifice himself.
Deputy does what the sheriff tells him.
you're the sheriff.
Permission. David can't give it. Russell holds out his hand for a gun.
I'm done, chief. I'm going to die
here no matter what. Let it mean
something. Let it mean you two
made it. Give me that.
Moment of delberation then David puts the GLOCK in Russell's hand, making sure it's fully loaded. Russell eyes the checkpoint. Steeling himself. Looks at David one last time.
Hoo-fuckin'-yah.
And takes off through the field toward the checkpoint. We run with him, immersed in the sounds - the SWISHING GRASS, his POUNDING STEPS.
He OPENS FIRE, veering out of the field in a dead sprint at the checkpoint. BANG BANG BANG -- Bullets find Russell's torso -- but he keeps going. BANG BANG BANG. He still doesn't stop. It takes more than a dozen before Russell falls to the ground. He feels the soil.
RUSSELL'S POV.
Looks up at a beautiful sky. Then he's surrounded by SPACE-SUITED SOLDIERS looking down at him. One of them puts their M-4 to his forehead.
Fuck you for what you did.
END.
