“UNDER THE CHERRY TREE”
“UNDER THE CHERRY TREE”
By Aldonnius Carter
CONTACT:
Aldonnius Carter
1757 Monday Court
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(786) 759-2115
(850) 566-9749
aldonniuscarter@
WGA Registered: 1256397
EXT. WOODS – EVENING
Windy Fall evening, as CASTER (18) and JIMMIE (20) search for their lost hound dogs.
CASTER
Jimmie we don been calling fer them dogs
all day now…and we ain’t heard a bark. I’m
telling you Jimmie somin wrong!!
JIMMIE
You right, somin is wrong. My prize hounds
is lost and I’ma gonna find dem. I ain’t leavin
dem out here!
CASTER
Out her, where we at any how? We left the
old road a ways back. We lost too Jimmie.
JIMMIE
Caster McDowall, I would never in a million
years imagine you turning back from a hunt.
CASTER
Let’s be real, the dogs don run off and
something is wrong. The sun is about to
set and my feet are killing me. Maybe
the dogs don run back to the truck.
JIMMIE
Tell you what, you go back to the truck and if the dogs are there, you give off 3 shots. I’ma
keep looking a lil bit longer. Then I will meet ya
back at the truck.
CASTER
Easier said than done; and how am I gon
find the truck?
2
JIMMIE
Just follow the branches I been breaking off.
You should find ya way.
CASTER
Are you shoo bout this?
JIMMIE
Just as shoo, as the country blood
that flows in ma veins. Now get going fer
night catch you.
CASTER
Ok, I’ll see ya back at the truck.
Caster makes his way through the thicket of bushes back to the truck.
EXT. TRUCK - MOMENT’S LATER
CASTER
I should’na left him……
EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS
Jimmie continues the search for his lost hound dogs.
JIMMIE
Leave ma dogs. I could neva leave ma
precious darlings out here. I’ma stays out
here til I find’um.
EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS
Jimmie finds bloody dog collar at base of tree. Jimmie picks up collar. Blood droplets bounce off the top of Jimmie’s hat. Jimmie looks up and blood drops in Jimmie’s mouth; and body of dead mutilated dogs fall on top of Jimmie. Jimmie’s screams are muffled by shock. Jimmie so terrified can’t even stand. Jimmie crawls away in shock. Jimmie is suddenly beheaded from behind.
3
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Caption on Screen reads 80 years later. Sunny day in Miami, as KAT BROOKS (40) multi-millionaire developer irons out last second details of big business venture.
KAT
I know, I know we think this is
the best investment we here at
Brooks has ever inked.
-Yes, so have I been told.
-I am going to fly up there tomorrow
morning for the cutting of the ribbon.
-Yes sir, I know I am going to love “Cherry Hills”
I even purchased a home in “Cherry Hills” for me
and my family. Yes the cherry tree sits directly
in front of our new home.
EXT. AIRPORT – DAY
Kat’s private airplane leaves Miami’s airport headed to Citrus County in central Florida.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Kat, his wife ANNE (40), his secretary SUSAN (20’s), his son ADAM (17), his daughter CHRISTY (8), and HENRY ORTIZ (60) CEO of Ortiz Construction drives to “Cherry Hills”.
EXT. CHERRY HILLS ESTATES – MOMENT’S LATER
The first 10 families stand at the front gate of the “Cherry Hills” estates for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
EXT. CHERRY HILLS ENTERANCE – MOMENT’S LATER
Henry Ortiz gives short speech prior to the cutting of the ribbon.
4
HENRY
I am so honored to be here today with all
you wonderful people, in the cutting of the
ribbon. Cherry Hills Estates is and will be
the new Beverly Hills of the south. Every family
here today and families of tomorrow, will witness
the growth of Cherry Hills; and the economic
success each family will bring here to Cherry
hills. Well I am not going to talk any longer
because I am quite sure the families here today
are eager to move into your new homes. I
shall now cut the ribbon.
Henry he cuts ribbon; and the crowd gives off a round of applauses.
EXT.CHERRY HILLS ENTERANCE GATE.CONTINUOUS
KAT
I know Cherry Hills will be a big success.
ANNE
I simply can not wait to get settled into
our new home.
KAT (hugs Anne)
The kids will love it here.
SUSAN
I think I’m going to cry.
KAT
Sue it isn’t that dramatic is it?
SUSAN
No, but to see all the happy faces of these
new home owners just brings tears to my eyes.
ANNE
Stop, you are about to make me cry as well.
5
KAT
Well just hold back those crocodile tears ladies,
we have a lot of moving and unpacking to do.
HENRY
Well while you are holding back your tears,
I am going to try some of these delicious
looking Cherry’s.
KAT
Take enough for the wife.
HENRY
Carmen is on another one of her diets. She
probably won’t even eat anything. I will take
only enough for myself.
EXT. CHERRY HILLS – MOMENT’S LATER
All the families unpack vehicles; and start moving their belongings into their new homes.
EXT. KAT’S DRIVEWAY – MOMENT’S LATER
Mover’s drive into Kat’s driveway, as Kat greets them.
TOMMY MOVER # 1 (20) and MOVER # 2 (20’s)
MOVER #1
Hi, are you Mr. Brooks?
KAT
Mr. Brooks at your service and you must be
the movers?
MOVER #2
Yes sir we are and all we need is the good
ahead to get things rolling.
6
KAT
I am giving you the ok, but you have to check
with my wife to where and how she wants
things to be arranged inside.
MOVER #2
Ok……
EXT. DRIVEWAY – MOMENT’S LATER
Anne directs movers on what to move first.
INT. LIVING ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
Anne shows the movers where to put their furniture and belongings.
ANNE
This is going to be pretty fun. You can start
with unloading all the things in the van first,
then you can unload the trucks after.
MOVER # 1
Yes maam….
KAT
Well honey is seems like you have everything
here under control. So by saying that, I think
I will venture out among our new neighbors
and to see the outside of Cherry Hills.
ANNE
Ok honey, just don’t be to long and be careful.
EXT. CHERRY HILLS - CONTINUOUS
Kat walks through Cherry Hills Estates greeting all the new homeowners.
Kat ventures outside the gates of Cherry Hills.
7
INT. KAT’S HOME – CONTINUOUS
Movers unpack the furniture in Kat’s new home.
EXT. FOREST – MOMENT’S LATER
Kat ventures into nearby forest surrounding Cherry Hills. Kat stumbles on an old trail; and Kat follows trail which run into an old shack.
EXT. SHACK (DOOR) – EARLY EVENING
Kat knocks on the front door. No answer. Kat turns doorknob and door opens.
KAT
Hello, anyone home.
INT. SHACK - CONTINUOUS
Kat opens door and calls out to see if anyone is home. Kat slowly creeps into shack. Kat walks in front door and falls through trap in floor.
INT. KITCKEN (KAT’S HOME) – MOMENT’S LATER
Anne and Susan put away dishes.
SUSAN
Mrs. Brooks, I really do admire you.
ANNE
Thank you Susan, and where did that
come from?
SUSAN
Just look. You have a wonderful husband,
two of the loveliest kids, the dream home
in one of Florida’s new upscale
communities. What else could any
woman ask for?
8
ANNE
It wasn’t just this easy. Kat has worked
hard to get us here where we are today.
If it wasn’t for Kat, we wouldn’t be here
now.
SUSAN
Yeah right and I wouldn’t be here with
a job talking to you.
(They both laugh)
ANNE
I remember the day when Kat told me
he was going to make it as a developer.
That day has come Susan; and one day
The same will happen with you.
SUSAN
And I am waiting.
(They both laugh)
SUSAN
By the way, what’s for dinner?
ANNE
Good question. I know Kat and the
kids will be starved.
SUSAN
Starved I to Mateie. (Acts like a pirate)
(Laugh)
ANNE
I wonder if Mr. Ortiz made it to the
airport safely?
9
EXT. ROAD – EVENING
Henry Ortiz drives to the Airport. Henry stops along side the road to relieve himself.
EXT. SHOULDER OF ROAD - CONTINUOUS
HENRY
Ah, ah, ah this feels like I’m worth
50 million bucks, oh I am worth 50
million bucks.
(Laughs)
Eerie winds blows, Henry looks over his shoulder. Henry turns back his eyes widen. Henry is suddenly snatched into bushes by his penis.
INT. KITCHEN - EVENING
Christy runs into kitchen where Anne and Susan sit talking.
CHRISTY
Mom, can I please go outside?
ANNE
Have you finished helping your
brother unpack things?
CHRISTY
He told me to get out, cause I
was only in his way.
ANNE
Ok, then yes you can go outside.
Just don’t wonder off anywhere;
and you better be back before your
father comes home.
CHRISTY
Ok mommie…….
10
Christy runs off.
ANNE
Kids.
SUSAN
You just have to love them.
INT. BASEMENT – MOMENT’S LATER
Adam and mover # 1 smoke pot in the basement.
ADAM
Had to get my sister outta the house.
She’s nosey. She would have busted
us for sure.
TOMMY
Well you know where you can get
the good bud from.
ADAM
That I do know. What I do want to know is,
where are the chicks?
TOMMY
They don’t call me Tommy the tiger for
nothing you know. Matter of fact I got
a cute cousin you will just like.
ADAM (Smile on face)
I think I am going to like it here after
all.
INT. SHACK - NIGHT
Kat yells out from the trap in the floor. Old man CASTER points double barrel shotgun down at Kat.
11
CASTER
Who are you; and what ya doin
here?
KAT
My name is KAT Brooks and I am the
developer for Cherry Hills Estates, on the
other side of here.
CASTER (Eyes widen)
So what’cha wants round here? Ain’t
no land fer sale here!
KAT
I am not here to purchase land. I was
just exploring the surroundings; and
I happened upon your home. I did not
intend on coming in, but when I knocked
on the door it just opened.
CASTER
So does that mean just walk into a man’s
home?
KAT
No sir it didn’t, but I did call out for
someone prior to me entering your home.
CASTER
Yeah I heard’ya, but that didn’t mean fer
you to come in. You will never know what
you may walk in on or into. All you
city folk alike; you just invade where
you see fit.
KAT
It isn’t like that at all sir. I was just
exploring that is all. I saw your home,
I knocked, the door opened, I came in
and here we are. I just want a little
12
KAT (cont’d)
history on this area; and what better
way to get it from someone who has
been here all their life, I suppose.
CASTER
Ain’t nothing to tell but horror.
KAT
What?
CASTER
No mind, let me help you outta that hole.
EXT. CHERRY TREE - NIGHT
Christy is about to pluck cherry from tree, when Anne calls out to Christy. Christy jumps down from platform and runs home.
EXT. CASTER’S PORCH – MOMENT’S LATER
The stars are plentiful as Caster and Kat sit on Caster’s front porch.
KAT
98 years old. You sure have lived a long
time.
CASTER
Not long enough to find peace on this
God forsaken planet. I ain’t ever
left the county.
KAT
If you don’t mind me saying, you are pretty
fit for a man at your age.
CASTER
Eattin right, livin right, which most
city folk like yourself can’t do.
13
KAT
Wife or kids?
CASTER (with sad frown)
Are you askin me a question?
KAT
Yes sir, I am asking you a question.
CASTER
I was married once and I had two little
ones. Sarah Jane and Henry Elisha.
KAT
Can I ask where they are?
CASTER (Getting up from chair)
No you may not and I think it is time
for you to go city boy.
KAT
I am truly sorry if I offended you in any
way.
CASTER
The only way you need to go, is that’a
way, before the night catches you.
Caster walks into the shack.
KAT
Nice neighbor.
EXT. FOREST – CONTINUOUS
Kat makes his way through the darkness of the forest back to Cherry Hills.
INT. DINING ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
14
Kat, Anne, Susan, Adam, and Christy sit at dinner table getting ready to eat dinner.
KAT
Dear Father, I pray to thee to bless
this nourishing meal that you have
placed before us; and to our new
found community “Cherry Hills”.
Amen……
Everybody say Amen
ANNE
So where did you go today?
KAT
I just took a little trek through the brush.
ADAM
Through the brush?
KAT
Yes I ventured out into the forest.
ANNE
Find anything interesting?
KAT
I Ran across this old guy who lives nearby.
ANNE
An old man?
KAT
Old man Mr. Caster. He has been living
in this area for almost 100 years.
CHRISTY
How old is he dad?
15
KAT
Mr. Caster told me he is 98.
ADAM
Now that’s old.
ANNE
Why didn’t you invite him to dinner?
KAT
Mr. Caster had other engagements.
ANNE
Susan you haven’t uttered a word.
SUSAN
Oh, this food is deliciouso………….
INT. BED ROOM - NIGHT
Kat tucks Christy in for bed.
KAT
Good night peaches.
CHRISTY
Daddy what is that tree outside
good for?
KAT
Nothing, it’s just there for decorations.
CHRISTY
Decorations?
KAT
Just for decorations, to give the
community a delicious feel. Doesn’t
it look good out there?
16
CHRISTY
Is sure does dad. Can I eat some of the
cherries?
KAT
Why sure peaches, you can eat some of the
cherries; but I do not want to catch you
climbing up there to get any of the cherries!
Get me, your mother, Susan, or your brother
to get the cherries for you, understand?
CHRISTY
Yes daddy, I understand. I love you daddy!
KAT
I love you too peaches…..
Kat kisses Christy on her forehead.
Kat turns out light and exit’s bedroom.
INT. ADAM’S ROOM (DOORWAY) - CONTINUOUS
Kat walks into Adams room. Kat gestures with his finger for Adam to come to him.
ADAM
What’s up dad?
KAT
Follow me.
EXT. COURTYARD – MOMENT’S LATER
Adam and Kat sit in courtyard near Cherry tree.
KAT
Son all my life I have worked so diligently to
develop a community. My dream has come true
17
KAT (cont’d)
with Cherry Hills. This is the first community
of many that will be developed by me over time.
This son is your future, our future. That cherry
tree will be our symbol of longevity.
ADAM
What’s so significant about that old tree?
KAT
Exactly, It is old. That tree is rumored to be
over 500 years old; and you see how pretty
and fruitful it is today. That is how I want
Cherry Hills to grow and over time, Cherry
Hills will age with beauty…just like this
tree here.
ADAM
If it’s so old, why isn’t it stretching high
into the sky.
KAT
That I do not have the answer for, but when
you go to school Monday, you can ask your
science teacher.
ADAM
Aw dad.
KAT
No aw dad, school Monday.
ADAM
Just one more week out dad!
KAT
School Monday; and one other thing!
18
ADAM
What?
KAT
No more smoking ever in my house!
ADAM
How’d you know?
KAT
I have had the feeling for a while now
that you were smoking pot. So I paid the
mover to smoke with you; and now my feelings
are proven true.
ADAM
Damn!
KAT
Now you curse in front of me.
ADAM
I am sorry dad. Am I in trouble?
KAT
You would have be, had I never smoked
pot before.
ADAM
Dad you smoked pot?
KAT
I was a kid who rebelled once upon a
time; but I never did let my pot
smoking habit control my life in
any negative way. I did it to relax
my mind.
19
ADAM
Same here dad.
KAT
No not the same. Not when you are
doing it in my home. I never smoked
in grandpa and granny’s house. I would
go out back. Adam I am not condoning
you smoking pot, but if you ever smoke
in my house, let it affect school and either
you mental and or social life, I will kill you!
Understood?
ADAM
Understood and I hear you very loud
and clear.
KAT
I do hope so.
INT. CASTER’S SHACK - NIGHT
As sweat pours from Caster’s body, he cowers nude in corner with loaded shotgun.
CASTER
It ain’t my fault, I didn’t ask these people
to come here. Why you torment me?
You got ma Bess and ma kids. Leave
me be, leave me be.
Caster fires into the ceiling.
EXT. VAN - NIGHT
Four teens PATRICK (19), MORGAN female (19), JOHN (19), and EMMA female (19) ride in van headed to vandalize Cherry Hills.
20
INT. VAN - CONTINUOUS
PATRICK
Man we are going to paint this place up.
MORGAN
City folk ain’t gonna take a liken to us
country bumpkins.
JOHN
Who gives a damn, they shouldn’t
have moved here.
EMMA
Come on let’s paint this place up.
Cherry Hills my ass.
JOHN
Then after this baby, we gone play
mommy and daddy.
EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS
They park Van in nearby wood. John and Emma show their affection for each other with a series of hugs and kisses.
EXT.GATE.CONTINUOUS
The four gather their spray cans.
PATRICK
Ok, we all have our cans. So let’s split
up and paint the town.
MORGAN
I am so ready to paint up the new Cherry Hills.
21
JOHN
Let’s do it!
Morgan goes off in one direction to paint.
EXT. COURTYARD – MOMENT’S LATER
Morgan paints gate in courtyard.
MORGAN
Paint, paint, paint. I love destruction
so very much. Destruction is the best
damn art form it is. (Laugh)
EXT. GATE - CONTINUOUS
Patrick spray paints front gate and front gate entrance walls.
EXT. SIDE OF HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
John and Emma have sex before they paint.
EMMA (looking at watch)
Oh baby hurry up….
JOHN
I’m cumin, I’m cumin, babeeeee….
I came! Ahh….
EMMA
Shhh be quite; you wanna get us caught?
JOHN
Come on, I’m ready to paint now.
EXT. CHERRYTREE – MOMENT’S LATER
John, Patrick, Emma, and Morgan meet up at the cherry tree in the center of Cherry Hills.
22
JOHN
Well, well, well.
PATRICK
What do we have here?
EMMA
Luscious cherries…..
MORGAN
A Christmas tree have we?
EMMA
It’s a cherry tree dummy.
MORGAN
I know It is a cherry tree, but let’s
paint the motherfucker like we gone
decorate a Christmas tree.
JOHN
Painters mount up and start painting.
They all start painting the cherry tree.
EXT. SIDE OF HOUSE – MOMENT’S LATER
Morgan paints outside of house.
MORGAN
I wish I could paint the whole wide, wide
world. I wish I could paint all things that
are white to pitch ass darkness. Yes that
would be just peachy.
Morgan hears noise from the rear of the house. Morgan goes to investigate noise.
MORGAN
Who’s back there? Emma, John, Pat?
I know I heard something. I know someone
23
MORGAN (cont’d)
is playing tricks.
Morgan sees empty spray cans propped up in a pyramid form.
MORGAN
Ok who is the wise ass, who wants to play
little games? I know it’s you Pat. I see how
you want to play. Prop up these cans and then
you give me the silent treatment; or maybe just
maybe you want to take me right here in the bushes.
Yes that would be nice. Pat baby I am going to get
Naked and lay right here for you.
Morgan disrobes; and then lay on the ground.
MORGAN
Ok, Pat where are you? You better hurry up
before I change my mind. I am going to
close my eyes now and when I open them,
I want to feel you inside me. Okkkkk…….
Morgan closes her eyes
MORGAN
Ok, my eyes are closed tight.
In a quick flash, mangled looking hand covers Morgan’s mouth. Morgan eyes widen in horror. Morgan’s head is snatched from here upper torso.
EXT. BACK OF HOUSE – MOMENT’S LATER
John and Emma have sex on lawn chair behind one of the homes.
EMMA
Who’s your mama?
JOHN
You baby.
24
EMMA
Say it again.
JOHN
You the mama, you the mama. I’m about
to cummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
EMMA
So am Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii……..
Emma and John climax together.
Emma sees grisly figure standing over her and John. John’s head is whacked off before Emma could scream. Blood splatters into Emma’s mouth causing her to gag. Killer then pulls John’s body off of Emma and throws it aside. Killer grabs Emma by her throat and snatches out here entire skeleton through her neck.
EXT. BACK YARD – MOMENT’S LATER
Patrick creeps around corner of house looking for Morgan.
PATRICK
Morgan, Morgan. Come on Morgan I know you
are round here somewhere. Why do you always
play hard to get? Why can’t you be as easy as
Emma?
Patrick sees Morgan’s nude body on the ground. Patrick starts to disrobe.
PATRICK
Yes, this is more like it. No chase this time,
just straight to the point.
Patrick lay on top of Morgan and tries to have sex with her Morgan.
PATRICK
Pretty tight tonight aren’t we?
25
Patrick pulls for Morgan body and her head rolls off. Patrick goes into a panic, but he’s unable to scream. Patrick runs away stumbling without his cloths.
EXT. VAN - CONTINUOUS
Patrick manages to makes it to the van parked nearby. Patrick jumps into van and speeds off.
INT. VAN - CONTINUOUS
Patrick hears thump sound on van. Patrick looks all around with fright. Killer smashes entire arm through roof of van crashing into the top of Patrick’s skull. Killer snatches Patrick through the roof of van.
EXT. OAK TREE - CONTINUOUS
Van crashes into oak tree and burst into flames.
EXT. OAK TREE - MORNING
DEPUTY COLLINS (20’), SHERIFF OTIS (50’s), along with EMS examines the scene of the accident.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Look here Sheriff. Someone or something
tore right through the roof of this son-of-a-gun.
SHERIFF OTIS
I can see that deputy, but where’s the body?
INT. CHERRY HILLS - MORNING
Graffiti is spread throughout Cherry Hills.
INT. KAT’S HOME OFFICE – MOMENT’S LATER
SHERIFF OTIS
So as far as you know, on one around here
heard any strange noises or seen anything
suspicious?
26
KAT
As I stated before Sheriff, my son and I were
outside at around 11 O’clock; and we didn’t
hear and or see anything suspicious. When we
went in every thing was fine. When we awoke
this is what we opened our eyes to.
SHERIFF OTIS
Well we found a burned out van that a kid
from Cottonwood named Patrick drives.
He and a few of his friends are known
spray painters.
KAT
So go arrest them or interrogate them to
see who did all this.
SHERIFF OTIS
The reason why I am here! We found
his van, but no one was inside.
KAT
So what are you saying Sheriff?
SHERIFF OTIS
I’m saying we have some missing teens
and until they are found, Cherry Hills are
filled with suspects. Catch ma drift?
That means no one is to leave with all
confirming it through me! By the way,
you say the cherry tree wasn’t touched?
KAT
Only the cherry tree was spared.
SHERIFF OTIS
Ok, my business here is done. Have a
good day sir and you too ma’am.
27
EXT. CHERRY TREE – MOMENT’S LATER
Sheriff Otis observes cherry tree. Sheriff Otis plucks cherry from tree.
SHERIFF OTIS
Umm, umm, good.
EXT. ROAD – MOMENT’S LATER
Sheriff Otis drives back to Sheriff Station.
INT. SHERIFF CAR - CONTINUOUS
Sheriff Otis starts sweating. Sheriff Otis starts hallucinating and seeing demonic images in rearview and side mirrors.
EXT. ROAD - CONTINUOUS
Sheriff Otis dives out running car and rolls on the pavement. Car crashes in ditch. Sheriff Otis pulls out his gun and start shooting randomly into the air and into his patrol car. Sheriff Otis runs out of bullets, he then starts beating his head on the hood of his patrol car.
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Sheriff Otis lays in hospital bed, with his head all bandaged up. Sheriff Otis awakens with a jolt and a muffled scream. Sheriff Otis is confined to the hospital bed.
INT. HOSPITAL WAITINGROOM – EVENING
Deputy Collins and DEPUTY ARNOLD (30’s) interview the trucker HENRY (50’s) who witnessed Sheriff Otis beating his head on his patrol car.
HENRY
That’s how he was when I rounded the corner.
The Sheriff was just hitting and hitting
his head on the hood of his car. I jumped out
to help him, but when I approached him
he pulled out his gun squeezing the trigger.
Luckily he was outta bullets or I would be
28
HENRY (cont’d)
in the morgue.
Both deputies look at each other.
DEPUTY COLLINS
This ain’t like the Sheriff Otis.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
All I do know, all this happened
after he left Cherry Hills.
DEPUTY COLLINS
I think we need to pay Cherry Hills a visit.
Sheriff Otis lay in hospital bed with his eyes closed. Sheriff Otis’ eyes widen, then a pause. Blood starts coming out of Sheriff Otis’s mouth. Sheriff Otis’s is pulled through the bed.
INT. KAT’S HOME OFFICE - EVENING
Kat paces back and forth.
KAT
I simply can not fathom why someone
would want to paint up Cherry Hills!
ANNE
Just calm down honey, you do know what
Dr. Jacobs said about you blood pressure.
KAT
I know I know. I just wish I could
I could get my hands on the ones who
did this.
ANNE
That is what the Sheriff is for. Let them
handle this.
29
SUSAN
Would you like something to drink
sir?
KAT
No thanks; I may just throw the cup at
the wall. I just feel like hitting something!
ANNE
There’s no need for all this. The Sheriff said
they had an idea to who did all this and
I am sure they will catch them. So just calm
down honey. No need for this. Besides the
cleaners will be here to clean everything.
KAT
The idiots who did this should be the ones
cleaning up around here.
ANNE
Well at least they spared the cherry tree.
KAT
That is a relief to all this.
Doorbell rings
SUSAN
I’ll get it.
INT. FRONT DOOR WAY - CONTINUOUS
Susan as she answers door.
SUSAN
Who is it?
EXT. FRONT DOOR – CONTINUOUS
30
Deputy Collins stands at the other side of the door.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Deputy Collins Ma’am.
Susan opens front door. Susan and Deputy Collins make eye contact.
INT.FRONT DOOR WAY.CONTINUOUS
SUSAN
And how can I help you deputy?
DEPUTY COLLINS
Is Mr. Brooks in?
SUSAN
He is in.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Well I would like to talk to him
if that is possible.
SUSAN
That can be arranged. Come in.
INT. KAT’S HOME OFFICE – MOMENT’S LATER
Deputy Collins questions Kat talking in his office.
KAT
I have no clue to what’s going on!
DEPUTY COLLINS
The sheriff is in pretty bad condition.
KAT
I am truly sorry to hear what has
happened to the sheriff!
31
DEPUTY COLLINS
That is why I am paying you a visit. All
these strange occurrences started happening
after the Sheriff left here. I just want
some answers.
KAT
Answers to what, I have no clue as to what the
hell is going on! We here in Cherry Hills
awoke this morning to find the entire place
spray painted; and now you tell me the
Sheriff is in the hospital. I’m beat, I don’t
have any clues or ideas to any of this.
DEPUTY COLLINS
I think you may know more than what
you are telling me!
KAT
Are you insinuating that I may have had
something to do with the Sheriff’s bizarre
behavior.
DEPUTY COLLINS
No sir, I am not insinuating that you
had anything to do with all this; but
what I do know is that all these strange
occurrences started after the Sheriff
left here. Sir we have four missing teens,
and a missing sheriff. Something
strange is going on. Everything seems
to point back here to Cherry Hills. So
you tell me?
KAT
Well deputy, I wish I could be of
assistance to you but just as clueless
to all of this, I am as well. I know
nothing and to my knowledge, know one
here in Cherry Hills know or have
32
KAT (cont’d)
any clue to who did this, why is was done
and who went missing. We know
nothing here and that’s the truth
deputy.
Deputy Collins is radioed Sheriff Dispatcher TAMMY (40).
INTRA/CUT PHONE:
DISPATCER
Emmett?
DEPUTY COLLINS
Go head Tammy, what is it?
DISPATCER
You need to get to the hospital ASAP.
DEPUTY COLLINS
What is it?
DISPATCER
It’s the Sheriff. He’s gone.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Gone!
EXT. YARD – EVENING
Christy and EMILY (8) neighbors kid, plays tag in front yard. Christy chases Emily through their yard.
EXT. CHERRY TREE - CONTINUOUS
Emily hides behind the cherry tree. Christy finds Emily behind the cherry tree.
CHRISTY
My father said no one is suppose to be
playing around the cherry tree.
33
EMILY
I say your father don’t know everything.
CHRISTY
Why do you say that?
EMILY
Cause I did. Besides he’s not here now
and if I just ate one little cherry, it
wouldn’t hurt anything. Yum. (Eating cherry)
Emily pulls cherry from branch and eats it.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
Deputy Collins, Kat, two other deputies, doctor and nurse stands by blood soaked bed in the Sheriff’s hospital room.
DEPUTY COLLINS
So no one saw a thing!
DEPUTY MICHEALS (20’s), Sheriff on duty at the hospital.
DEPUTY MICHEALS
I was at the front entrance since
yesterday; and trust me no one
left this hospital except for the staff.
DOCTOR BURKE (50’s), lead doctor at the hospital.
DOCTOR BURKE
The nurse and I were at the nurses’
station; and no one entered or left
this room.
34
KAT
The windows are sealed shut. No
one went out this way for sure.
Deputy Collins checks the window.
DEPUTY COLLINS
This is getting weirder by the second.
A blood soaked bed, a missing sheriff,
missing teens and no one has seen or
heard nothing! What’s wrong with this
picture?
Kat cell phone rings.
KAY
Hello. (Pause) Excuse me it is my wife.
INT. HALLY WAY - CONTINUOUS
Kat exits hospital room.
KAT
Yes dear?
INTRA/CUT PHONE
ANNE
I just wanted to let you know that
Christy will be staying the night
at the Kramer’s.
KAT
Who are the Kramer’s?
ANNE
They are our neighbors who moved
in across the street from us.
35
KAT
That should be fine. Give her a kiss
for me. Honey I want you, Susan
and Adam to be careful because
there has been some very strange
things happening around here.
INT. HALLYWAY - CONTINUOUS
Deputy Collins exits hospital room.
DEPUTY COLLINS
We have a situation here!
ANNE (VO)
What’s going on?
KAT
I’ll call you later, bye.
INT. SHERIFF’S STATION – MOMENT’S LATER
Kat and Deputy Collins sit at desk at Sheriff’s station.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Mr. Brooks I have been living around
here all my life and I have never
witnessed this many missing people or
any missing people ever. It’s like they
all just up and vanished. Just vanished!
nothing!
KAT
Deputy I have the faintest of clues
as to what is going on here. I am as
mystified as you are.
36
DEPUTY COLLINS
Everything was fine until the day we
received word you folk were planning
on building over there.
KAT
I take it none of the town people here
was happy about us building Cherry
Hills?
DEPUTY COLLINS
No one here did!
KAT
Why is that? Cherry Hills has brought
more revenue to your town and jobs.
Why wouldn’t someone want that kind
of change? Cherry Hills is the future.
DEPUTY COLLINS
The future, the future, if you ask me I think
you have stirred up something now, that
the future can’t explain. Cause I sure as
hell can’t. Can you Mr. Brooks? Don’t
answer that, cause you can’t. If you could
we would know where all the missing are.
I ask myself is the old saying true about
what they say about that place. “Never go
to the place you don’t know cause if
you eat, death will be at your feet”.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Kat and Anne lay in bed.
ANNE
I am sure everything is going to
be fine.
37
KAT
I sure do hope so! Where’s Adam?
INT. TRUCK – NIGHT
Adam ride around drinking and smoking pot with new found friends Tommy, TIM (19), AMY (19), PAMELA (19), and KATIE (19).
TOMMY
Adam don’t be mad dude. Your dad paid
me man. Everybody here knows I’m no
rat, but for a $1000, I couldn’t turn that
down. (Laugh)
ADAM
It’s cool. My dad didn’t flip out on me.
Actually he already knew I was smoking
pot.
KATIE
I wish my dad were cool like that. If
he knew I smoked pot, he would kill
me.
TIM
Who wouldn’t your dad kill? He is El loco.
KATIE
Fuck you Tim!
TIM
Do I sense a lil hostility?
AMY
Tim leave Katie alone.
TIM
I was just kidding. Sorry.
38
KATIE
Still fuck you Tim!
PAMELA
Slow down. We’re here.
ADAM
What is this place?
INT. VAN – CONTINUOUS
Adam, Katie, Pamela, Tim, Tommy, and Amy exit the van.
TOMMY
Woo it’s scary out here tonight!
PAMELA
Nobody’s as scary as you are Tommy.
The five of them unpack there goods and head off down trail in the woods.
INT. BED ROOM – NIGHT
JAMES BIVS (50) and his wife BEV (50) argue over their finances.
JAMES
Well Bev if you don’t like how I
spend our money, to bad!
BEV
James I was just saying we did not
have to purchase this house and you
just filed for bankruptcy.
JAMES
I never complained when you went on
all those expensive shopping sprees; or
the weekend trips to the islands!
39
JAMES (cont’d)
Now it is a problem I brought this
house!
BEV
I just feel we should have waited
until we heard back from the lawyers.
JAMES
It is my money and it has always been
my money; so I can spend it the way I
see fit! Buying the house did not place
me in bankruptcy court, you did!
BEV
How could you say that?
JAMES
I am not going to argue with you any
longer. I need to get some fresh air
and a drink.
James storms out of the bed room and down the stairs to the kitchen. James retrieves bottle of vodka from pantry.
INT. KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS
James cuddles his bottle of vodka.
JAMES
You have never let me down.
James exits his home.
INT. BAR – NIGHT
As the bar hoppers dance away, Deputy Collins and Deputy Arnold have a few drinks.
40
DEPUTY COLLINS
Tell you the truth Arnie, I needed
this drink. With all this weird shit
going on, a man would think he’s
crazy to have missing people to
simply drop off the face of the earth
right in front of your eyes.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
I’m gonna get as drunk as ole Charley
over there; and just maybe this nightmare
will be over.
DEPUTY COLLINS
I wish all this was just a nightmare.
INT. MS. JANICE’S KITCHEN – NIGHT
MS. JANICE (60) feeds her cat Paws cherry pie.
MS. JANICE
Here you go Paws. Mommy made
you some sweet delicious cherry pie.
You are going to love cherry pie. It’s
better than apple pie. Here eat up, I
made it just for you.
Ms. Janice then places some pie in small bowl for Paws. Ms. Janice turns off the lights and head upstairs to her room.
INT. BED ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Ms. Janice sings Oldie Goldie, as she sits in front of mirror to take off her make-up.
INT. KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS
41
Paws licks bowl clean of all the cherry pie. Pantry door opens and Paws goes to explore. Killer stumps Paws head in flat, as Paws peeks into the pantry.
INT. BED ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Paws’ moan of terror alarms Ms. Janice.
MS. JANICE
Paws was that you honey?
Ms. Janice exits her room and walks down the stairs.
INT. STAIRS – CONTINUOUS
MS. JANICE
Mommy is on her way. I know you
want some more of that delicious
cherry pie.
Killer pulls Ms. Janice through the stairs. A piece of wood from the stairs lungs into Ms. Janice’s throat. Blood splatters everywhere.
EXT. CHERRY TREE – MOMENT’S LATER
In drunken stupor, James pours vodka all over the cherry tree.
JAMES
You nothing but a tree! Trees don’t
have no feelings! All you trees do it
sit still day in and day out! Try being
married; no try running a business! Yeah
I would love to see a tree running a big
corporation. Everyone in the world
would just laugh at you. Then again
you may not go bankrupt.
James trips to the ground.
42
JAMES
God dammit. I can’t even stand
on my feet as a man!
Killer grabs James by one of his legs. James looks on in terror. Killer swings James by one of his legs into concrete beam near the cherry tree. James’ head explodes.
EXT. OLD MANSION – NIGHT
Adam, Tommy, Tim, Katie, Pamela, and Amy finally arrive at old Mansion tucked deep off in the dark forest.
TOMMY AND TIM
This is safe haven.
ADAM
Safe haven…What is this place?
TOMMY
This is where we come to get fucked
up without any hassles from the Sheriff.
PAMELA
And we can get freaky here for all you
freaky folks. Opps, someone here is a vir
excuse me gin.
KATIE
Fuck you Pamela and double fuck you
Timothy if you have anything to say.
TIM
I am outta that.
ADAM
I think it is ok to be a virgin.
43
TOMMY
Are you buddy?
ADAM
I think I will plea the fifth on that.
TIM
Enough of all the small chit chat, let’s
party.
Tim starts dancing with Pamela.
TOMMY
It’s every man and women for
yaselves.
EXT. FRONT DOOR MANSION – CONTINUOUS
They all enter the mansion.
AMY
Find a room and let the party began.
INT. OLD MANSION – CONTINUOUS
The inside of the old mansion is decked out with some of the finest furnishings.
ADAM
Man I never expected it to look
like this in here. You guys have
everything in here.
AMY
Thanks to Tommy’s sticky fingers.
We have everything.
44
TOMMY
And not to mention with your help
baby. Anyway here I want everybody
to try some of this.
TIM
What’s this?
PAMELA
Yeah, what is it?
TIM
Just some homemade alcohol I made
from some of the cherries. Man I tell
you this the best shit I ever drank.
AMY
Let me taste.
PAMELA
How is it?
AMY
Umm, it’s pretty good. Give me some
more.
TIM
Let a real man taste this. (PAUSE) Damn
man it is good.
TOMMY
I told you. Do you want any Amy?
AMY
I do. Do you Adam?
45
ADAM
No I’m fine, just pot for me tonight.
Tommy, Tim, Pamela, Amy, and Katie drink all the cherry concoction. Tommy turns on music. As they drink the concoction they all dance and sing. Adam finds a spot in the room and lights up a joint.
ADAM
So how it is?
KATIE
It’s just great. Can I have some
more?
ADAM
Don’t you think you have had
enough already?
KATIE
Maybe you’re right. I do feel a bit
light headed.
ADAM
Why don’t we get out of here and
take a walk. Maybe that will help
clear up your head.
KATIE
The only way I will go with you,
is if you promise to protect me.
ADAM
Madame I promise to protect you
from any of the monsters of the night.
Adam and Katie walks to the front door.
46
TOMMY
Where are you two going?
ADAM
Just to get some fresh air.
TIM
Get all the air that you need, the
party is in here.
KATIE
Come on.
Adam and Katie exit the old mansion.
EXT. FRONT YARD OLD MANSION – CONTINUOUS
ADAM
Which way do you want to go?
KATIE
Come on let’s go this way.
Katie pulls Adam by his hand and they head off into the darkness of the woods/forest.
INT. POLICE CAR – MOMENT’S LATER
Deputy Arnold swerves across the highway drunk. Deer leaps in front of Deputy Arnold’s patrol car. Deputy Arnold strikes the dear, thus wrecking his car into a ditch.
EXT. DITCH – CONTINUOUS
Deputy Arnold jumps out of his wrecked patrol car cussing.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
Got damn you deer! Out of all
the nights you want to jump your
47
DEPUTY ARNOLD (cont’d)
ass right on ma hood.
Deputy Arnold pulls deer carcass out of his windshield.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
You just done fucked up ma
entire night. I got to get
some one out here to give me
a ride back to the station.
INT. PATROL CAR - CONTINUOUS
Deputy Arnold enters his patrol car to call for help. Deputy Arnold dispatches Tammy at the Sheriff’s station.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
Tammy are you there? Got damn,
where are you Tammy?
INT. SHERIFF STATION – CONTINUOUS
Tammy exits the bathroom with cherry pie in hand to answer the Sheriff’s radio.
TAMMY
I’m here Arnie, just cool your
horses. What’s the matter?
INT. PATROL CAR – CONTINUOUS
DEPUTY ARNOLD
I done hit a damn deer and I need
for someone to come out here on
State Rd. 666 and pick me up.
48
INT. SHERIFF STATION – CONTINUOUS
TAMMY
There’s not a sole here. Everyone’s
out looking for those missing kids.
INT. PATROL CAR - CONTINUOUS
DEPUTY ARNOLD
Well I need someone out here fast!
INT. SHERIFF STSTION - CONTINUOUS
TAMMY
I will get someone to you as
soon as a deputy is available.
INT. PATROL CAR - CONTINUOUS
DEPUTY ARNOLD
What were you doing anyhow?
INT. SHERIFF STATION - CONTINUOUS
TAMMY
Eating some of this delicious
cherry pie, Ms. Janice brought
up here to me.
INT. PATROL CAR - CONTINUOUS
DEPUTY ARNOLD
You always stuffing your mouth
with something.
Deputy Arnold turns off his radio and hits the steering wheel of his wrecked patrol car. Deputy Arnold exits the car.
49
EXT. PATROL CAR – CONTINUOUS
Deputy Arnold kicks patrol car tire.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
Damn you deer. I might as well
walk to the station.
INT. SHERIFF STATION – MOMENT’S LATER
Tammy sits at the dispatcher’s desk eating some of the cherry pie and painting her finger nails. Broom falls from hallway closet. Tammy creeps down the dimly lit hallway to investigate the noise.
TAMMY
Is there anyone in here? Deputy
Collins, Roger. I know I heard
a noise. Who’s trying to scare me?
Come out, come out wherever
you are. Ms. Tammy will find you.
Tammy notices broom on the floor and closet door ajar.
TAMMY
Ole broom. You were the cause
of all this commotion? Let me
put you back in here where you
belong.
Tammy bends down and picks up the broom. Tammy then places the broom in the closet and closes the closet door. When Tammy turns around, killer grabs her by her throat and rams her head through the ceiling. Tammy’s body hangs from the ceiling, as blood drips to the floor. Tammy’s body jolts.
50
EXT. WOODS – MOMENT’S LATER
KATIE
So why did you want to walk?
ADAM
Well I am a man of values and I respect
women who have values for themselves; and
with you being a virgin and me being a virgin
I just thought it would be manlier like
or should I say gentlemen like to want to get to
know more about you, than just trying to score
with you.
KATIE
The world needs more men like you Adam. I
really do admire the fact that you aren’t just
out to sex me. (Saying it drunkenly)
ADAM
Sounds like Tommy’s homemade alcohol is
taking affect on you.
KATIE
I am so, so woozy.
EXT. SHERIFF STATION – MOMENT’S LATER
Deputy Arnold is dropped off in front of the Sheriff’s Station, after getting a ride from SKIP (30).
DEPUTY ARNOLD
Thank you Skip, I don’t know
what I would have done had you
not come along when you did.
SKIP
No problemo Arnie. Anytime.
51
Deputy Arnold closes the truck door; and walks to the front doors of the Sheriff Station.
INT. SHERIFF STATION – CONTINUOUS
Deputy enters Sheriff Station. Deputy Arnold calls out to Tammy.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
Tammy where are you? Anyone in
here? I know that girl better be around
here somewhere.
Deputy Arnold nears dispatcher’s desk. Deputy Arnold notices slice of cherry pie on the desk.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
I see she left me some pie.
Deputy Arnold eats some of the pie.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
Umm, umm good. This is some
delicious pie. But where is that girl?
She has to be around here somewhere.
She’s never to far away from her food.
Tammy you in here?
Deputy Arnold walks down dimly lit hallway. Deputy Arnold slips on pool of blood on the floor.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
What the fuck?
Deputy Arnold realizes he has fallen into some blood. Deputy Arnold slips through blob and manages to get to his feet. Deputy Arnold pulls out his gun.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
Ok, whoever the fuck is in here you
need to show yourself! I will shoot!
52
Deputy Arnold creeps throughout Sheriff Station seeking Tammy and the source of the blood. Deputy Arnold checks entire building but no sign of Tammy.
INT. DESK SHERIFF STATION - CONTINUOUS
Deputy Arnold sits down at desk. Deputy Arnold lays his gun in the desk and rubs his head.
DEPUTY ARNOLD
This is some weird shit going on
here. Tammy has never been away
from the radio. I need to let Deputy
Collins know about this.
Deputy Arnold reaches for the Sheriff radio. At that very moment, killer picks up Deputy Arnold’s gun and rams through Deputy Arnold’s mouth exiting the back of his neck.
EXT. KAT’S FRONT PORCH – MOMENT’S LATER
Deputy Collins sits on front porch of the Brooks. Susan brings Deputy Collins some coffee.
SUSAN
Here you go. I know you would
love some coffee!
DEPUTY COLLINS
Thank you ma’am.
SUSAN
Thank you ma’am, is pretty
much all I have heard you say.
Are you always this polite to
women or is it just a country
way?
53
DEPUTY COLLINS
Tell you the truth; it’s a bit of both.
Sure you know my good ole southern
upbringing is part; and my mama
always and still do tell me to treat
women with kindness. Something I
see myself doing for a good long
time.
SUSAN
Well I find it to be most charming; makes
me see there’s still chivalry in men.
DEPUTY COLLINS
So what brings you here? I see women like
you in those big city magazines.
SUSAN
Mr. Brooks is my boss; he pays me good
money, and despite me being a city girl, I
just love the country. That is what brought
me here.
DEPUTY COLLINS
I still say you should be modeling
somewhere or in somebody’s magazine.
SUSAN
I did want to model once upon a time. I tried
it, didn’t like it. To model you have to stay
slim and I just love to eat. So, here we
are.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Husband?
54
SUSAN
You’re funny. No husband, but I was
engaged as of two months ago.
DEPUTY COLLINS
What happened, if you don’t mind
me asking?
SUSAN
I don’t mind. My fiancé was killed
in a sky diving accident.
DEPUTY COLLINS
I am very sorry to hear that ma’am!
SUSAN
It’s fine. I’m over it.
INT. EMILY’S ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
Emily and Christy play hide-n-seek in Emily’s bedroom.
CHRISTY
Ok, you go hide this time and I
will count to ten.
INT. OLD MANSION – MOMENT’S LATER
Timothy and Amy sit in the corner of room in the old mansion doing mushrooms.
Voice over of Christy counting to ten during this scene.
55
AMY
My god either these mushrooms or
that damn cherry liquor got me
seeing doubles and triples and fours. (Slurring)
TIM
Trust meeeeeee, it’s the cherriesssss….
AMY
Hey look at that ugly man! (Slurring with a giggle)
JEREMIAH TROTTER (killer) takes axe and chops Tim in the center of his head and slices his body down to his waist. First time killers face will be shown.
Amy so terrified with horror and stoned can, not even scream. Amy tries to crawl away; Jeremiah Trotter (killer) grabs Amy by the back of her hair and pulls it from her scalp. Jeremiah Trotter (killer) holds up bloody scalp. Amy screams startles Tommy and Pamela in the other room.
INT. ROOM IN OLD MANSION
Tommy and Pamela in adjunct room in the old mansion turn down the blasting music.
TOMMY
Did you hear that?
PAMELA
Sounded like a scream!
TOMMY
Let’s go check it out!
INT. HALLWAY OLD MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Tommy and Pamela creeps out of the room to find the source of the screams.
56
TOMMY
Tim…..
PAMELA
Amy….
TOMMY
Where are you guys?
INT. LIVING ROOM OLD MANSION- CONTINUOUS
Tommy and Pamela enter the living room. They see the carnage in the living room and Jeremiah Trotter (killer) lapping up the blood from Amy’s scalp.
TOMMY
What the fuck is that?
PAMELA
My god!!!!!
Tommy picks up 2X4 and rushes Jeremiah Trotter (killer). Tommy swings 2x4 and Jeremiah Trotter (killer) catches 2x4 and snatches Tommy’s entire arm from the socket. Blood squirts out everywhere. Tommy falls back screaming. Jeremiah Trotter (killer) takes the 2x4 with arm still attached and jams it down in Tommy’s mouth, piercing wooden floor. Pamela tries to make a run for the front door; Jeremiah Trotter (killer) turns around and with one swift swing of the axe, cuts Pamela down to her ankles. Pamela falls in the doorway.
EXT. FRONT DOOR OLD MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Jeremiah Trotter (killer) pulls Pamela back inside the old mansion. Pamela claws at the wood on the front porch as she is pulled back inside, leaving claw marks in the wood.
57
EXT. WOODS – MOMENT’S LATER
Adam and Katie run back to old mansion from the woods, after hearing the screams.
EXT. FRONT DOOR OLD MANSION - CONTINUOUS
They both stop at the front door and stares at Pamela’s bloody feet still in her shoes.
ADAM
I’m not going in there! No way!
KATIE
Why not?
ADAM
You heard the screams and look there!
I’m not going in there. Let’s go get the
cops!
KATIE
But what about our friends?
ADAM
Don’t you watch scary movies?
Let’s just get out of here.
Adam grabs Katie’s hand and they start running away.
EXT. PATH - CONTINUOUS
Adam and Katie run down path. Jeremiah Trotter (killer) emerges from the darkness, chops off Katie’s hand and disappears into the woods with her body. Adam falls to the ground, not knowing Katie is no longer running with him.
ADAM
Katie?
58
Adam looks down at Katie’s bloody hand. Adam throws hand to the ground and yells out to Katie.
ADAM
Katie!!!!!!!!!!
Adam runs off.
INT. EMILY’S ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
Christy searches for Emily who has hidden from her. Christy looks under bed, behind the curtains, and then in the closet.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Christy exits room and looks in hallway closet. No Emily.
INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Christy then enters bathroom. Christy looks behind door. No Emily. Christy looks behind shower curtains. No Emily. Christy creeps up on big cloths hamper/basket. Christy eases up the top of the hamper/basket.
CHRISTY
I found you.
Emily eyes widen. Jeremiah Trotter (killer) snatches Emily out of the hamper/basket. Christy turns to see who snatched Emily out of the hamper/basket. Christy and Jeremiah Trotter (killer) makes eye contact. Jeremiah Trotter (killer) snaps Emily’s neck.
INT. KAT’S LIVING ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
Kat, Susan, Anne, Deputy Collins, and Emily’s parents listen to Christy as she tells of what happened to Emily. Christy is visibly shaken.
59
ANNE
All she keeps repeating is that man.
EMILY’S MOTHER (40’s) speaks.
EMILY’S MOTHER
She was in a total state of shock. She was just
sitting there on the floor just trembling.
KAT
Honey what happened over there, where
is Emily? Talk to me baby. Daddy is here
now. Everything is ok.
CHRISTY
The man took her. (Christy bursts out into tears)
DEPUTY COLLINS
It’s obvious something is going on around here.
EMILY’S DAD (40’s) speaks.
EMILY’S DAD
I was down stairs and I didn’t hear anyone
enter or leave the house.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Exactly, no one have seen or heard anything
when all these strange things have taken place!
We have to find this little girl!
INT. FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS
Adam runs into the house and collapses on floor from exhaustion.
60
KAY
Adam what is it?
ADAM
Dad I think something bad has
happened to Tommy and the rest
the rest of them at the old mansion
in the woods
DEPUTY COLLINS
That’s private property. No one is suppose
to be messin around up there. What were
you kids doing up there?
ADAM
We only went up there to get away from
things; and something bad has happened
up there.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Ok, that’s it I have heard enough. I know
what I’m going to do!
EXT. YARD – MOMENT’S LATER
Deputy Collins delegates duties to the other deputies.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Michaels you and Dave stay here. Dave
keep an eye at the front entrance. Don’t
let a sole leave or come in here. If they do
shot’um! Michaels I want you to stay here,
I think all these strange things has
something to do with this family.
61
KAT
Deputy I am quite sure, you do not
really feel all these strange occurrences
has anything to do with my family?
DEPUTY COLLINS
Right about now, I don’t know what
to think or believe. I do know that
something bad is going on around
here; and a lot of it has started with
this house. I also do know I am going
to get to the bottom of it all. I’m going
back to the old mansion with the kid to see
what’s going on up there. So the rest
of you just say put.
KAT
If I am not going, my son isn’t
going either!
DEPUTY COLLINS
Mr. Brooks, I know you want to be of
service, but I need you here with your
family.
KAT
My son is part of my family; and he’s not
going if I’m not going! So what is it
going to be deputy? Time is wasting.
INT. OLD MANSION – MOMENT’S LATER
Kat, Deputy Collins, and Adam search for clues inside old mansion.
62
ADAM
Dad I’m telling the truth. There
were a pair of bloody shoes with
the feet still in them, right here! I
know what I saw!!
EXT. WOOD’S – MOMENT’S LATER
Kat, Deputy Collins, and Adam searches for clues in the woods.
ADAM
We were running, I fell here and
I had Katie’s hand when I fell.
That’s all I had, but no body!
DEPUTY COLLINS
What did you do with the hand?
ADAM
I throw it over there.
Deputy Collins searches the area. Deputy Collins does not find Katie’s hand or any signs of blood.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Are you sure all this really did happen?
ADAM
Yes I am sure. I know what I saw and
I know what I heard and I ain’t crazy!
KAT
Adam have you been smoking again?
ADAM
We all were smoking, but it
happened dad, I honestly telling you
and the deputy the damn truth.
63
Kat eyes widen.
KAT
The old man!
DEPUTY COLLINS
What old man?
KAT
The old man who lives in the old
cabin near Cherry Hills.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Who, old man Caster?
EXT. KAT’S FRONT DOOR – MOMENT’S LATER
Anne gives DEPUTY DAVE (30’s) slice of cherry pie she just prepared.
EXT. ENTRANCE GATE – CONTINUOUS
Anne gives Deputy Michaels piece of cherry pie.
ANNE
Here’s a piece of cherry pie I just
made.
DEPUTY MICHAELS
No thank you ma’am.
ANNE
It is quite delicious.
DEPUTY MICHAELS
I would ma’am, but I don’t
think my dentist would like
to hear I’ve been eating sweets.
I got to have some oral surgery
64
DEPUTY MICHAELS (cont’d)
done bright and early tomorrow
morning.
ANNE
I am sorry to hear that cause this
is some delicious pie. Take
care of your mouth and I am going
to leave the pie here, just in case
you get the urge to try it.
EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS
Kat, Adam, and Deputy Collins walk through the woods heading to Old Man Caster’s place.
EXT. OLD MAN CASTER’S SHACK – MOMENT’S LATER
Deputy Collins knocks on Old Man Caster’s front door.
DEPUTY COLLINS (knocking)
Mr. Caster, Mr. Caster its Deputy Collins
Mrs. Lue’s son.
Door opens slowly. Kat, Adam, and Deputy Collins look at each other. They all enter Old Man Caster’s home slowly.
INT. CASTER’S SHACK – CONTINUOUS
Old Man Caster sits in chair facing wall.
OLD MAN CASTER
It’s happening, you should
have never built over there!
INT. CASTER’S SHACK – MOMENT’S LATER
65
Old man Caster tells Kat, Deputy Collins, and Adam the story of ELENORA CHERRY (dead owner of the old mansion in the woods) and the curse she put on Jeremiah Trotter.
OLD MAN CASTER
As the story goes; old lady Elenora
Cherry lived in that old mansion in
the woods by her lonesome. The tale
has it that she was an evil gypsy, others
say she was the daughter of the devil himself.
OLD MAN CASTER (vo)
My grandmother told me no one
would ever go near that place because
of the evil spirits said to roam there.
It was said to have started with
Jeremiah Trotter, who would sneak onto
her property stealing her cherries. Until the
day she caught him red handed.
FLASHBACK:
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Caption on screen reads circa central Florida 1840. JEREMIAH TROTTER creeps through forest and into Miss Cherry’s yard.
EXT. ELENORA CHERRY’S YARD - CONTINUOUS
Jeremiah steals cherries from Elenora Cherry’s cherry tree.
EXT. YARD - CONTINUOUS
Miss Cherry creeps up on Jeremiah stealing her cherries. Jeremiah is startled by Miss Cherry.
EXT. CHERRYTREE - CONTINUOUS
66
ELENORA CHERRY
Damn you, you ratchet beast. I curse
you, to hell with you.
Miss Cherry cast’s spell, throws dust on sword, and drives it through Jeremiah’s heart pining him to the cherry tree. Jeremiah screams old in agony.
INT. OLD MAN CASTER’S HOME - CONTINUOUS
Old man Caster gets up from his chair
OLD MAN CASTER
It is said; Jeremiah’s soul lives in that
damn cherry tree. Watching over it for
that evil witch gypsy. Killing whoever
eats the cherries from it’s branches. Now
you have built your homes around the tree!
The evil is unleashed!
KAT
I don’t believe this entire cherry tree
nonsense.
ADAM
Dad believe him, please dad. Something
fuckin strange is happening around here.
OLD MAN CASTER
You don’t have to believe me, but she
will send him back to get your little
girl.
KAT
I don’t believe this shit at all. Christy has
done nothing, she never touched any
of the cherries.
67
OLD MAN CASTER
You are right, but she saw his face. He
will come back for her. That witch will
send him.
KAT
We have to get back to my place.
INT. PATROL CAR – MOMENT’S LATER
Deputy Michaels sits in patrol car at the entrance gate to Cherry Hills eating cherry pie.
DEPUTY MICHAELS
Umm, umm good. These city folk can
cook.
Deputy drops piece of pie in his lap.
DEPUTY MICHAELS
God dammit! I just got this uniform
out of the cleaners.
Deputy picks up piece of pie from his lap with fork. As Deputy raises fork to put piece of pie in his mouth, Deputy notices in rearview mirror strange figure sitting in the back seat of the patrol car. Jeremiah smashes deputy in the back of his skull with such force; his fist exits deputy’s mouth, with fork stuck in Jeremiah’s knuckles.
INT. CHRISTY’S ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
Christy lay in bed asleep.
INT. STUDY (KAT’S HOME) - CONTINUOUS
Deputy Dave, Susan, and Anne sit in the study drinking tea and eating cherry pie.
DEPUTY DAVE
Michaels come in Michaels. Michaels you
there?
68
ANNE
What is wrong?
DEPUTY DAVE
I don’t really know, just Michaels the
other deputy isn’t answering his
radio. I think I need to go check
on him. He is known to go to sleep
on duty.
ANNE (Laugh)
At least someone can fall asleep
around here.
INT. DOORWAY - CONTINUOUS
Deputy Dave walks to front door. Dave turns back to where Anne and Susan are standing.
DEPUTY DAVE
Do not open this door to anyone
unless it’s Deputy Collins or me.
ANNE
We got you!
Deputy Dave opens front door and standing in front of deputy, is Jeremiah Trotter. Deputy reaches for his gun. Jeremiah stabs deputy with pitch fork. Spikes exit deputy’s back. Jeremiah then raises the pitchfork with deputy’s body still on other end; and sticks it into the ceiling.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Anne and Susan both are startled with shock. Susan screams. Anne takes off running for the stairs to get Christy; and Susan makes a run for the back door through the kitchen.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
As Susan tries to open the back door, Jeremiah pulls Susan by her hair pulling hair and skin away from her scalp. Susan screams in pain.
69
INT. CHRISTY’S ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
Anne and Christy hide under bed in terror. Both Anne and Christy tremble with fear. Jeremiah enters the bedroom looking for Anne and Christy. Jeremiah walks around the room searching, but never under the bed. Anne and Christy lose sight of Jeremiah. Bedroom door closes. Anne thinks Jeremiah has left the room.
INT.UNDER THE BED.CONTINUOUS
ANNE
Baby, stay here and do not make a
sound.
CHRISTY
Mom don’t go!
ANNE
Trust me I will be ok.
Anne crawls from under the bed. Standing on top of the bed, Jeremiah stabs Anne in the back of her neck with pitchfork pinning Anne to the floor. Christy screams. Jeremiah pulls Christy from under the bed.
INT. KAT’S HOME – MOMENT’S LATER
Kat, Deputy Collins, Old Man Caster, and Adam enter Kat’s house. Kat calls out to Anne, Susan, and Christy. Kat, Adam, and the deputy search downstairs for Anne, Christy, and Susan.
INT. BEDROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
KAT
Oh my god. What has happened
here?
Deputy Collins calls out to Kat from downstairs.
INT. KITCHEN – MOMENT’S LATER
70
Kat runs into the kitchen and Deputy Collins points to blood on the floor; and Old Man Caster points to cherry pie which Anne baked.
KAT
Oh my God!
INT. LIVING ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
KAT
Old man, what do I have to do? I want
my family back!
OLD MAN CASTER
Sir if your family ate any of that cherry
pie, there is no getting them back.
ADAM
Dad Christy was asleep when mom
baked the pies. Maybe she is still
alive.
KAT
You’re right son, but we have to
have hope they all are ok! Old man
what do I have to do to get my
family back?
OLD MAN CASTER
You have to cut that cherry tree out
there at it’s root.
DEPUTY COLLINS
So why don’t we just go out there
and cut it now?
ADAM
Yeah, we should have been cut the
damn thing down!
71
OLD MAN CASTER
It’s not that simple. You have to cut
the tree’s roots from within it’s
core.
KAT, ADAM, & DEPUTY COLLINS
Meaning?
OLD MAN CASTER
Meaning, you will have to go inside the
cherry tree to reach it’s roots. By cutting the
tree’s roots from the inside, you will also
kill the soul of Jeremiah Trotter; and you
will get you daughter back, if she’s alive.
DEPUTY COLLINS
This is getting weirder by the second.
KAT
And how are we suppose to do this?
INT. SHERIFF’S STATION – MOMENT’S LATER
Kat, Old Man Caster, Deputy Collins, and Adam gear up with supplies to enter cherry tree.
EXT. CHERRY TREE – MOMENT’S LATER
Old Man Caster cuts the top of the cherry tree. Blood squirts out of tree with each cut. Blood splatters in the faces of Kat, Adam, and Deputy Collins.
ADAM
Damn all this blood!
DEPUTY COLLINS
You can say that again!
KAT
Where is all this blood coming from?
72
OLD MAN CASTER
From all the souls of the ones who were
butchered by that evil witch. Here look,
I hope you believe me now.
Old Man Caster cuts out an opening in the top of the cherry tree, exposing stairwell leading down inside the cherry tree.
EXT. TOP OF CHERRY TREE - CONTINUOUS
KAT
Let’s go in.
ADAM
Dad are you sure? It looks pretty
creepy down there.
KAT
Yes I am sure; and you are staying put.
ADAM
But dad I wanna help.
KAT
You are helping, by staying here. Your
mother, Susan, and Christy are missing. I
do not want anything to happen to you,
if something happens to me down there.
ADAM
But dad……
KAT
No buts, it is final. You’re staying put.
Kat looks at Old Man Caster.
KAT
Let’s go.
73
INT. CHERRY TREE – CONTINUOUS
Old Man Caster, Kat, and Deputy Collins enter stairwell leading down inside the cherry tree.
EXT. CHERRY TREE - CONTINUOUS
Adam remains outside the cherry tree with an axe.
INT. CHERRY TREE - CONTINUOUS
Old Man Caster, Kat, and Deputy Collins ascend deeper into the cherry tree. The further they go, they hotter it gets. All three are sweating profusely. Finally they come to the end of the stairwell and walk into a room filled with old coffins. Deputy Collins opens some of the coffins.
DEPUTY COLLINS
This is so unreal. Where did all these
coffins come from? Who are these
people?
OLD MAN CASTER
This is that witch’s hell. The souls
of the people she has killed for
years.
They find the bodies of the missing spray painters, Adam’s friends, Susan, Anne, the Sheriff, the 2 deputies, Emily, the body of Caster friend Jimmie and Caster’s two kids. Kat screams out in anger and hurt. Old Man Caster cries at the foot of the coffins containing his two kids. The bodies are in various forms of decomposition; from skeletal to rotting corpses.
KAT
My god, this place just can’t be real.
What the is this place? Who would
do such horror?
74
OLD MAN CASTER (Sobbing)
All my life I prayed you would come back
to me, but not like this. (Looking up, screaming)
Lord, they didn’t hurt nobody, they didn’t
deserve to die like this. Whyyyyy….(sobbing)
Kat and Deputy Collins console Old Man Caster.
KAT
Come on old man. We all have lost
someone we love. We have to be
strong.
DEPUTY COLLINS
We’ve come this far, and I be damn
if we don’t get the son of a bitch who’s
behind this.
KAT
We have looked in every coffin and I
haven’t found my daughter.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Which means?
OLD MAN CASTER
Which means she is still alive.
KAT
But where; there are no more doors.
DEPUTY COLLINS
The only exit is the one we came down.
OLD MAN CASTER
We have to go back to each coffin and find
the two with stairs.
75
DEPUTY COLLINS
Not again.
Kat, Deputy Collins, and Old Man Caster look in the coffins for the two stairways. Deputy Collins finds a flight of stairs in the coffin containing Sheriff Otis’ body.
DEPUTY COLLINS
Here, I found some stairs.
Kat finds flight of stairs in the coffin containing Jimmie.
KAT
Over here, I found the other stairs.
They all stand over the first coffins with stairs.
OLD MAN CASTER
The time has come for us to either
stop this evil or perish down here
soulless. One of these stairways lead
to the heart of the cherry tree were
the roots are; and the other mister
will lead you to him and your daughter.
I’m going down here and you two
take the other stairs.
KAT
What’s so significant about you taking
these stairs?
OLD MAN CASTER
Because I can smell the roots of
the devil down there; and I am going
to cut the heart out of this damn
tree for my Sara Jane and Henry Elisha.
Trust me; your daughter is down there
and he is down there. If you want your
daughter back alive, you have to trust me!
God bless us all!!!!!
76
Old Man Caster climbs into coffin and ascends down stairs.
Kat and Deputy Collins climb into other coffin and ascend down the stairs.
INT. CHERRY TREE – MOMENT’S LATER
KAT
I hope that old man know what he’s
talking about.
DEPUTY COLLINS
If he doesn’t, I hope these bullets
do!
EXT. CHERRY TREE – MOMENT’S LATER
Adam paces back and forth outside the cherry tree.
ADAM
Fuck this!
Adam grabs axe and enters cherry tree
ADAM
Here goes everything!
INT. CHERRY TREE - CONTINUOUS
Adam ascends down into the cherry tree.
INT. COFFIN ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER
Adam stands at open coffins with stairs; choosing which coffin to enter.
ADAM
Ennie, meanie, mynie, mo, which
coffin door. Damn it, might as well
take this one.
77
Adam climbs inside the coffin which Old Man caster entered.
INT. DEEPER INTO CHERRY TREE – MOMENT’S LATER
Kat and Deputy Collins continue their decent down stairs. They come to the end of the stairway and enter into gigantic eerie looking room. They scan room. Kat sees Christy tied up to the wall across the room.
INT. DEEPER INTO THE CHERRY TREE - CONTINUOUS
Old Man Caster finds the roots of the cherry tree.
OLD MAN CASTER
Finally, the end has come for you,
you evil bastard.
INT. DEEPER INSIDE THE CHERRY TREE - CONTINUOUS
Kat and Deputy Collins run to aide Christy. Kat starts to untie Christy. Christy’s eyes widen and she screams. Kat and Deputy Collins turn; and towering behind them, stands Jeremiah Trotter.
DEPUTY COLLINS (Raising shotgun)
Damn you is ugly.
Deputy Collins pulls shotgun trigger pumping round after round into Jeremiah’s body. Jeremiah keeps coming, only stopping momentarily after each shotgun shell hits him. Jeremiah picks up old sword and stabs Deputy Collins in the chest raising him into the air. Deputy Collins dangles from the sword. Jeremiah throws the deputy clear across the room. Jeremiah then turns his attention to Kat and Christy. Kat quickly picks up shotgun and pumps slugs into Jeremiah’s body. Jeremiah suddenly stops and exits room fast.
INT. ROOT OF THE CHERRY TREE – MOMENT’S LATER
Old Man Caster cuts away at the roots of the cherry tree. Sparks of fire; and blood gushes from the root.
INT. DEEPER INSIDE THE CHERRY TREE – CONTINUOUS
78
Jeremiah hurry’s to stop Old Man Caster from cutting the main root. Each time Old Man Caster cut into main root, Jeremiah fall to the walls in pain.
INT. ROOT - CONTINUOUS
Old Man Caster continues cutting away at the root of the cherry tree.
OLD MAN CASTER
And by the hands of God, I shall release
the evils and horrors you have brought
to the souls of mankind!
INT. DEEPER INSIDE THE CHERRY TREE - CONTINUOUS
Adam rounds the corner and sees Old Man Caster cutting away at the main root of the cherry tree.
OLD MAN CASTER
Have mercy on the souls of those
who were forsaken to meet their
ends by the hands of this evil tree!
ADAM
Do you need help?
Old Man Caster eyes widen as he notices Adam.
OLD MAN CASTER
Get out of here, he’s on his way!
As soon as Old Man Caster finishes sentence, Jeremiah rounds corner. Old Man Caster, Adam, and Jeremiah make eye contact. Adam runs away.
OLD MAN CASTER
Come on you demon of that witch!
Old Man Caster continues to cut away at the main root. Jeremiah grabs Caster and throws him all around like a rag doll.
79
INT ROOT - CONTINUOUS
Adam comes back to the scene. Old Man Caster yells to Adam to finish cutting the main root. Caster manages to cut off one of Jeremiah’s arms with chainsaw. Adam grabs axe and chops away at last piece of root. Jeremiah squirms and yells with pain. As soon as Adam chops away last piece of root, Jeremiah slams Old Man Caster into the wall crushing his chest. Blood squirts out of his mouth, while his ribs stick out his back. Entire place starts to rumble and shrink. Jeremiah screams in pain. Jeremiah tries to get Adam.
ADAM
I thought if you cut the root,
this motherfucker suppose to die!
Adam drops axe and runs for the stairway out. As Adam runs pass the dying Old Man Caster he whispers.
OLD MAN CASTER
His head……
Old Man Caster dies with his eyes open and blood running out of his mouth.
INT. CHERRY TREE – MOMENT’S LATER
Kat and Christy exit coffin. Adam exits other coffin. Entire place is getting smaller by the second.
KAT
Adam what are you doing down here?
ADAM
Dad no time to talk, the root is cut
and that thing isn’t dead!
KAT
He’s not dead?
ADAM
No dad and he’s right….
80
Jeremiah bursts out of the coffin behind Adam.
ADAM
behind me!
Christy screams.
KAT
Lets go!
Kat carrying Christy and Adam run up stairway heading out of the cherry tree. Adam shots Jeremiah as he gives chase in obvious pain.
ADAM
He just won’t fuckin die!
Jeremiah falls to his knees every time Adam shoots him. Jeremiah falls to the stairs one last time and he doesn’t move. Kat, Adam, and Christy manage to put some space in between them and Jeremiah. They manage to exit the cherry tree.
EXT. CHERRY TREE - CONTINUOUS
Once outside the cherry tree they lay on the ground in exhaustion. Jeremiah bursts out the top of the cherry tree.
JEREMIAH TROTTER
I must have your souls!
Deputy Collins emerges for the tree behind Jeremiah and chops off his head with axe. Deputy Collins falls to the ground side ways, dropping axe. Jeremiah falls to the ground knees first, and then his body slumps to the grass. Jeremiah’s head catches on fire as well as the cherry tree.
EXT. CHERRY HILLS - CONTINUOUS
All the homeowners exit their homes in sight of the fire.
EXT. OLD MANSION – CONTINUOUS
81
Skeletal figure of Elenora Cherry sits in rocking chair on the porch of the old mansion, watching as the cherry tree burns
FADE TO BLACK:
THE END
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