DARKNESS FALLS "BREAK UP" BY EDDIE FALCO FIRST DRAFT INT. STEVES DORM ROOM We HEAR the Goo Goo Doll's "Dizzy" playing on a stereo system and STEVE is singing along, sounding pretty bad. He holds a picture of his girlfriend in his hand and looks at it as he sings and dances around the room. Soon, he turns the volume down and picks up his phone, dialing a number and then waiting for an answer. It is apparent that no one is going to pick up. STEVE Where are you, baby? He opens his laptop, which is on his desk and sits down, in his chair, typing in some commands. He is checking his email and we see that he has gotten one from an "Ashley." He smiles upon seeing this and hangs up the phone. STEVE She must have gone out or something. Steve opens up the email and begins reading the message. The smile is still on his face. He looks like a man very much in love with this girl. He continues reading and suddenly, the smile clears from his face and a look of distress replaces it. STEVE What? He continues to read and his face shows a look of sadness and anger all at once. We can tell that he is on the verge on crying over whatever it is he is reading on the computer screen. He struggles to get out the following words. STEVE No...no...no. Steve just sits in front of his computer for a few moments, motionless in his sorrow. Suddenly, he pounds his fist onto the desk and turns off his stereo. He buries his face into his arms and sobs lightly. Three weeks later INT. STEVES DORM ROOM The room is dark and a movie is playing on the TV. Steve is sitting on his bed, next to ASHLEY. On the other bed in the room, MIKE and KRISTEN are making out with each other. The others in the room are watching the movie, but Steve can't seem to take his eyes off the making out couple. His eyes glance towards Ashley as well, but she never looks back. The movie ends and Steve turns the lights on. Everyone not on a bed gets up and begins to leave the room. STEVE Thanks for attending another fun movie night. We HEAR numerous thank you's and such as the people exit the room. Soon, it's just Steve, Ashley, Mike and Kristen remaining in the room. Steve returns to his seat on his bed. MIKE How was the movie? Kristen giggles a little and then gives Mike a kiss on the cheek. STEVE It was a good...you would've liked it. Did you enjoy, Ashley? Ashley appears surprised that Steve has addressed her and doesn't answer right away. ASHLEY Oh...yeah...it was good. I liked the end. STEVE I'm glad to hear that. I'm happy you finally made to one of my movie nights. I've been asking you to come for weeks. ASHLEY It was fun, but I think I should get going. I have a paper to write tomorrow. You know how it is? Ashley gets up from the bed. Steve looks disappointed. STEVE Oh...yeah. I know how it is. I'm sorry you have to leave so soon. Steve gets up from the bed, too. ASHLEY Yeah me, too. Thanks for inviting me, Steve. I'll see you later. Bye Mike and Kristen. Mike and Kristen are too busy with each other to hear Ashley's goodbye. Ashley walks out of the door. STEVE Bye, Ashley... Ashley is gone and Steve drops himself onto his bed, looking rather depressed. Kristen notices Steve and pushes Mike away for moment. KRISTEN You ok, Mike? STEVE She left already. She didn't even want to stay. MIKE What? You expected her to spend the night with you or something? STEVE Well...not expect...maybe wishful thinking. Mike laughs at the comment. KRISTEN Steve...go after her...if you really have feelings for her, go after her! Steve hesitates for a moment, thinking over his choices. KRISTEN Hurry up, Steve! She's gonna be gone soon. Go get her! Steve shakes his head and runs out of the room after Ashley. Mike laughs at his roommate once again. MIKE What a weirdo, huh? KRISTEN Not as big a weirdo as my little weirdo. MIKE You calling me little? KRISTEN I'm sorry baby...I know you're not little. Kristen giggles again and the two rub noses before going at it once again. EXT. DORM BALCONY We see Ashley heading towards the parking lot of the dorm and Steve coming down a stairwell, still quite a distance from her. He stops, giving up his chase and watches as Ashley vanished into the darkness. He angrily pounds his fist into the balcony railing, hurting himself in the process. STEVE Damn...that hurt. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Steve is in bed, trying to sleep through the noises coming from his roommates "love" bed. Kristen is giggling lightly. We can tell that he's somewhat annoyed as he shuts his eyes in attempt for some sleep. Dream sequence EXT. QUAD AREA ON CAMPUS-AFTERNOON Steve is seated on a stone wall looking out into a grassy opening between class buildings. He smiles as the sun hits his face. But, soon, he starts seeing numerous couples holding hands and walking together. One couple stops right in front of him and has a conversation. GUY Oh sweetie...do you know how much I love you? GIRL No...do you know how much I love you? GUY Well, I love you more, sweetie. GIRL Oh no, sweetheart...I love you more. We see Steve looking on with a weird look on his face. GUY I love you more. The guy takes a hold his girlfriend. GIRL No...I love you this much. The girl spreads her arms out and the guy kisses her. They walk away. Steve shakes his head. Another couple approaches Steve and stops just like before. GUY 2 Oh sweetie...I am the luckiest guy in the world to have met you. Do you know that? GIRL 2 Oh sweetheart...I'm the luckiest girl in the whole wide world for meeting you. I want you to know that. The couple hugs and kisses and then walks away. Another couple comes to take their place. GUY 3 Oh sweetie...I love feeling what love is like. GIRL 3 I love you so much. GUY 3 I feel so sorry for the people who can't find love. The couple turns their heads towards Steve. He looks kind of angry. GIRL 3 I wish everyone could feel love. GUY 3 Well, at least we have our love. The couple kisses and walks off. Steve looks very annoyed. He gets up and walks down a walkway. Another couple passes him on the walkway. GUY 4 Where's your girlfriend, Steve? STEVE Who the hell are you? GIRL 4 Where is she, Steve? STEVE I don't have one right now. I did three weeks ago. She left me for another guy. The couple laughs and walks off. STEVE Jerks... Steve continues walking. As he does, more and more couples pass him. GUY 5 He doesn't have a girlfriend. GIRL 5 What a loser. STEVE I had one! GUY 6 He must like other guys. GIRL 6 Disgusting. STEVE I had a girlfriend three weeks ago! The bitch left me, ok! GUY 7 He must be the only guy on campus without a girl. GIRL 7 What a dork. Steve stops, standing alone on the walkway. He looks very angry and then all the couples we have seen surround him and embrace their significant others. Steve spins in a circle, looking at all the couples kissing each other and starts screaming. STEVE I had one! I had one three weeks ago! End of dream sequence INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Steve jumps up from his sleeping position, sweating and looking all around the dark room. Mike and Kristen are sleeping and Steve breathes heavily. He soon calms down, shaking his head. We see numerous shots of the college campus as we HEAR ROB talking over these shots. ROB (O.S.) Hey man...just listen to me on this one. I don't care what you say. They like brawn, not brains. They like money. They like cars, nice cars. They like tall individuals. What they don't want are guys like you and me. Sure we're smart and have a future. But we're not tall. We're not big. We're not rich and we sure don't have nice rides. It's that simple. EXT. QUAD AREA ON CAMPUS-AFTERNOON We see Rob's face as he say's a last sentence in his monologue. ROB It's that simple, my friend. Steve is seated on a stone wall next to Rob and looks at his friend for a moment, taking in what he has just said. He looks down at the ground and responds. STEVE I don't know, man. I think maybe you're just angry. ROB Angry at what? That I can't get any? No sir. Not me. Why? Because I know why I can't get any. Because women are just like what I just said. They'll tell you all day long how they want a sensitive guy. Give me a break. If that were the case, you'd have a line around the library of every girl on this damn campus. You know that's true. STEVE I know they say that a lot, but they can't all be into brawn, or money, or cars. There are some like that, but they can't all be. I know for a fact that there are some girls out there who want a nice guy like me, or like you. Trust me, Rob. ROB Oh yeah? Like Ashley? STEVE My old Ashley? ROB Yeah...the girl that emailed you to say she found another guy she'd rather be with. Who was that guy anyway? Did you know him? STEVE I knew him...he was the quarterback of my old high school football team. ROB Ok...there you have it. She left you, a nice and sensitive guy, for brawn and probably a nice car, too. STEVE Well, I don't know what he drives, but I see you point. Just let me believe that I can still find a girl who cares about me because of who I am and not what I have. ROB You sound way too dramatic, Steve. Give the acting job a rest and get over Ashley! She's gone...move on! STEVE I'm trying to move on and you're not helping by telling me that no woman on this campus would give me a second look. ROB Sometimes the truth hurts. STEVE Well, I'm glad that's not true then. Don't worry about me. I have my eye on one particular girl at the moment. I don't think she's one for brawn and money, either. ROB Oh really? Who might this be? STEVE Well, I had her over my room the other night to watch a movie... ROB Oh...interesting. What happened? STEVE Well, we were with about ten other people. Besides, she left before we could even talk. ROB That's too bad...what's her name? STEVE Ashley Stevenson. Rob pauses for a moment and then puts a slight smile on his face. ROB You have a thing for Ashley's, don't you? STEVE Coincidence. But this girl is amazing. Beautiful, smart, friendly... hopefully she's not like the girls you described. ROB You know...I think I might know her. Blonde hair, nice eyes, right? About this tall? Rob puts his hand into the air to show how tall he thinks the girl is. STEVE Yeah...that's right. ROB Cool...you're right. She is nice. Maybe she can prove me wrong after all. But I doubt it. She better not wind up hurting you. Watch yourself. STEVE No one's ever going to hurt me again. I'll hurt them first. It's the not the best feeling. I know that now. ROB Good...so, you're over Ashley, right? I'm gonna have my best friend back in his normal mood again? STEVE Yeah...I'm back. I'll find myself another girl. Maybe a second Ashley, huh? ROB Yeah...maybe. She'd be a nice catch. Steve looks at his watch. STEVE Hey, Rob...I have to get going. My class starts in about five minutes. Steve gets up from the stone wall and pulls backpack over his shoulders. ROB That's cool, man. I'll see you later. STEVE Damn...we get our papers back today. Forty percent of our grade. Wish me luck. ROB Ouch...good luck man. STEVE C'ya Rob... ROB Adios, amigo... Steve leaves the scene and Rob remains on the stone wall, pondering something in his mind. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Mike and Kristen are on the bed with each other, watching TV. Mike has his arms around his girlfriend and she turns her head towards him. KRISTEN You've known Steve for a long time, right? MIKE Since our junior year of high school. Why? KRISTEN Was he with Ashley back then? MIKE Yeah...they had just started going out when I met him. They were really great together...you should've seen them. KRISTEN That's so sad, though...you know...what she did to him. Breaking up over an email. That wasn't right. MIKE Hey...some women are bitches. KRISTEN Some... MIKE I said that, honey. I never thought she'd be someone who'd do that. Why'd you bring this up anyway? KRISTEN Well, have you noticed the way Steve's been acting since that day? I don't think he's taking it well. I'm just worried about him. He's my friend, too... MIKE It's tough on him...they were going on three years when she did it. He's not himself, but I think he just needs some time. INT. CLASSROOM Steve is sitting at a desk, waiting for his paper. His professor is passing them out to the students. We HEAR Mike and Kristen's conversation over the shot. KRISTEN He told me the other day that he has something for Ashley...the Ashley here. MIKE He has a thing for Ashley's. She's nice... KRISTEN I think he's afraid to approach her because of what happened with the other Ashley. Steve gets his paper from the professor. MIKE I'd be afraid, too. Do you know how much money he spent on the first Ashley? INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Kristen gives Mike a look. KRISTEN Stop playing around. I'm being serious. MIKE I am, too. Give him some time. Steve's a sensitive guy. He'll be fine in a few weeks or so. If he wants to pursue this next Ashley, he'll decide for himself. KRISTEN I guess you're right. I just wish I could help him somehow. EXT. OUTSIDE CLASSROOM Steve is looking through the paper, trying to find the grade. We HEAR Mike and Kristen's conversation over the shot once again. MIKE Let him handle the situation. You don't want to make Steve mad and trying to help him might make him mad. KRISTEN Why wouldn't I want to make him mad? Steve pauses on a page and begins to read whatever is on it. He looks up from the paper with a blank expression on his face, staring into the distance. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM MIKE You've never seen it, but he has a very... EXT. OUTSIDE CLASSROOM Steve's face turns into an angry expression and he begins to breathe heavily, crumbling up the paper in his hands. We HEAR Mike talking over the shot. MIKE ...very... INT. STEVES DORM ROOM MIKE ...very bad temper. Trust me, you don't want to see it. EXT. OUTSIDE CLASSROOM Steve throws the crumbled paper on the ground with much force and yells out at the top of his lungs. STEVE God Dammit! Steve pushes over a trashcan and leaves the scene. A few people look on as he does this. We see that he has made a "D" on the paper, the grade showing on the paper crumbled up on the ground. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM We see a microwave oven and the timer reaches zero, sounding a loud beep. Kristen opens the oven and removes a microwavable dinner. Mike is on his bed, waiting for his meal. MIKE I love a woman who can cook! KRISTEN Oh...shut up. I'm not cooking for you. I pushed a few buttons. MIKE Can you open it for me? There's a plate up there, baby? KRISTEN Whatever... Kristen tries to open the package, but cannot. She struggle with it and Mike laughs at her. MIKE Just use Steve's scissors. Over there on his desk. Mike points towards Steve's desk. Kristen gives up and gets the scissors, opening the package, but dirtying the scissors in the process. KRISTEN Here...just eat it out of the package. Kristen gives the dinner to Mike and walks towards Steve's desk, returning the scissors. She lays them on the desk, still dirty. At that moment, Steve opens the door and enters the dorm room. He is still kind of angry over his bad grade on the paper. KRISTEN Hey, Steve...what's up? STEVE How low can my GPA go? That's the big mystery this semester. Any guesses? Mike talks with a full mouth. MIKE I guess that paper didn't go so well, hey man? STEVE That's one way to put it. That asshole hates me. I can't please him. You saw how long I spent on that damn thing. Kristen has returned to her place on Mike's bed. KRISTEN Don't worry about it, Steve. Thing will turn out ok. One bad grade won't take you down all the way. Steve says his next statement in an extremely angry tone. STEVE Yeah...it took a bitch to do that. Mike and Kristen look up at Steve and say nothing. Steve stares at them for a moment and then looks at his desk, noticing the dirty scissors. STEVE Why are my scissors covered in crap? Mike is still eating and talks with his mouth full again. MIKE You're right...it is crap. KRISTEN I used them to open this dinner for Mike. Sorry... Steve gets up, picks up the scissors and leaves the room for the bathroom. Kristen and Mike look at each other after he leaves. KRISTEN I told you he needs some kind of help. MIKE Ok...and I told you don't do anything. He'll be ok. Kristen looks towards the door with a worried look. INT. BATHROOM Steve turns the faucet on and places the scissors under the water. He looks into the mirror as he cleans them and begins talking to himself. STEVE Damn paper...I'm not going to let it ruin my day. Steve opens the scissors and washes them there. STEVE I have to call her...I shouldn't wait forever. I'll put Ashley number one behind and move on. I need to put my life back together...soon! The bathroom door opens and Mike pokes his head in. MIKE Someone else in here? Steve turns the faucet off. STEVE No...I was talking to myself. MIKE Ok... Mike puts one of his hands through the door, displaying a phone. STEVE Ashley? MIKE Mommy... Steve looks disappointed and takes the phone from Mike. As Steve leaves the bathroom, he places the scissors on the counter, leaving them there as he leaves the room. We HEAR part of Steve's conversation as the bathroom door closes. STEVE Hey, mom...yes, it's good to hear you voice, too. How's dad? The door closes completely and we HEAR nothing more of the conversation. We see the scissors on the counter, still wet from their wash. EXT. QUAD AREA ON CAMPUS-AFTERNOON As we HEAR Rob's voice, we see a CLOSE SHOT of Steve's hands, nervously twitching as he talks with his best friend. ROB (O.S.) So, this hasn't been the best week for you, huh? We see Steve's face with a look of distress and tiredness on it. He answers the question. STEVE Week? Try month. This has been the worse month of my life. Let's go down the list, shall we? First Ashley breaks up with...then I bomb my paper...my grandfather dies...and now, today. ROB What happened today? STEVE I called Ashley...I finally called her, Rob! Rob looks surprised at this. ROB What did she say? STEVE She completely brushed me off, man. She said she had some exam tomorrow. I asked her out for ice cream and all I got was a brief slap in the face. Figuratively, of course. ROB Maybe she does have an exam tomorrow...you're not giving her a chance. It takes more than one phone call to start something with a girl like that. STEVE I guess you're right...I'm just really wanting to be with a girl right now. It's been a moth! ROB What are you talking about? I thought you were...you know? STEVE A virgin? I am...but that doesn't mean I haven't had fun in my life. I'm not a total virgin. ROB A total virgin? Good term...what are you? Half a virgin? Three quarters virgin? STEVE Ok...I'm just saying that I'm not a little boy when it comes to women. I like being with them and right now, I need one. Call me a sexist pig, but I need one. ROB Hey man...I'm in the same boat my friend. Just don't let Ashley put you down too far. Keep calling her and things will turn out your way. STEVE You know...I'm sorry. You have problems too, Rob. Anything you want to talk about. ROB I'm just saying that I'm looking for a girl just like you are. I know that what went through with Ashley number one is tough, but...well, you said it...we all have problems. STEVE Well, together we will find our women. Hopefully I'll have Ashley number two...and you'll have someone just as perfect. ROB Hopefully... STEVE Rob...I have too meet my roommate and his girlfriend for dinner, ok? I'll see you tonight...come on over around...umm...8:30. Is that cool? ROB Sounds good...see you then. STEVE Buh bye... Steve gets up and begins to walks away. Rob has an angry face on, but it not apparent why he does. INT. DINING HALL Steve, Mike and Kristen are eating dinner with each other at a small table against a wall. Steve looks depressed as he eats. KRISTEN At least you tried to call her, Steve. Try again tomorrow. STEVE Maybe...there are other girls out there. Maybe I shouldn't be focusing in on just one? MIKE But how many of them want you? Kristen hits Mike on the arm. He pretends it hurts and rubs it. KRISTEN If I didn't already have this jerk, I'd be happy with you. Honest. MIKE What? STEVE Thanks. I feel a lot better now. KRISTEN I'm just trying to cheer you up. MIKE You'd go out with him, honey? Kristen reaches over and kisses Mike. Steve sees this and then begins to notice other couples in the dining hall. He looks all around and sees the couples everywhere. Mike and Kristen kiss in front of him and he tries to block everything out by eating. KRISTEN You know Steve. I know Ashley pretty well. I could talk to her if you want me to. That always makes it easier. STEVE Maybe...but not tonight. She's studying for some exam. KRISTEN Ok...all you have to do is ask. Steve nods and takes a bite to eat. He still looks depressed, especially after the episode he just had where he noticed all the couples in the dining hall. INT. DINING HALL Steve, Mike and Kristen are leaving the dining hall. They walk past the ice cream shop and then around a wall. Steve stops and backs up so he can see past the wall. Apparently he has seen something of interest. Steve sees Rob and Ashley sitting at a small table, eating ice cream together. His face becomes expressionless and he just stares for a moment. He begins to slowly shake his head in disbelief. Rob takes Ashley's hand and holds it on the table. Steve just continues to look, hiding behind the wall. Finally, Steve walks away, but not in a fit of rage. He seems calm, like he accepts what he has just seen. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM The TV is on, Mike and Kristen are on his bed, and Steve lies on his bed, looking at the ceiling. There is an eerie feeling in the room, but Mike and Kristen are doing what they normally do; having fun on the bed. We see Steve's face, which is sweaty and blank. His eyes show hatred and instability. We HEAR voices in Steve's head from his dreams and conversations in real life. We HEAR laughing and "What a loser." "You'll find someone...trust me." "Just take chance, Steve. Go get her." "He must be the only guy on campus without a girlfriend." "You shouldn't give up after one bad night." We HEAR more laughing. Mike and Kristen are making noises from his bed, adding to the mix of noises. We HEAR more voices over laughing. "Ashley's pretty hot." "You'll find someone...trust me." "First Ashley leaves me." "At least you tried to call." "I love you." "My grandfather died." "I love you more." "Guess you didn't do so well on that paper, huh?" "What a loser." "Take a chance, Steve." "I bombed my huge term paper." "You shouldn't give up." We HEAR laughing and the noises of Mike and Kristen. Suddenly, all of the sounds stop and Steve's eyes get wide, like he has just snapped. He slowly gets up from his bed and exits the room. Mike and Kristen don't even notice. INT. BATHROOM Steve enters the bathroom and looks at himself in the mirror. He seems to be crazy and he breathes heavily. He runs his hands through his hair and turns the faucet on. He puts water on his face and looks in the mirror again. As he glances down, he notices the scissors on the counter. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Mike and Kristen are making annoying noises on the bed. Kristen runs her hand through Mike's hair. KRISTEN I love you. MIKE I love you. They continue to kiss. INT. BATHROOM Steve has the scissors in his hands. He looks at the tool with a crazy stare. He snips the scissors twice and then looks at them again. He places one of the blades near his wrist, like he's going to commit suicide. He pulls them back. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Mike gets up from his bed, to the disapproval of Kristen. KRISTEN Where are you going, sweetie? MIKE I need a shower. I'll be back shortly. Mike bends down and gives Kristen a peck on the cheek. INT. BATHROOM Steve still has the scissors in his hand when Mike enters the room holding his shower supplies. MIKE What's up, man? Steve doesn't answer and Mike gets into the shower. Mike throws his clothes onto the counter and turns the water on. Steve puts the blade near his wrist again and it seems like he will kill himself. We see his crazy eyes and blank face. Suddenly, Mike begins to sing from inside the shower. Steve snaps his head up upon hearing his singing. MIKE I love you, baby. Ohhhhh...yes I do. I love you baby! I hope you love me too. Can you hear me baby? INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Kristen can hear her boyfriend's terrible singing and she laughs. INT. BATHROOM Steve looks at himself in the mirror, listening to Mike's singing. MIKE Baby, baby, baby...I love you. You're my girl...I love you more than life itself. I love you, baby! Love you, baby! Love you baby! Steve turns around and approaches the shower curtain. He opens the curtain and the singing stops. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Kristen is reading a book and doesn't even notice the silence from the bathroom. All we HEAR is the shower water. INT. BATHROOM Steve stares Mike in the eyes and Mike looks freaked out by Steve's actions. MIKE What the hell are you doing? Steve lunges forward, scissors in hand, at Mike. Steve puts his hand over Mike's mouth and stabs him with the scissors in the abdomen. Mike's face shows the pain he feels and he tries to break free, but Steve won't let him. Steve stabs Mike again. Blood flows into the drain and some smears on the wall. Steve pushed Mike's dying body into the stream of water and stabs him again and again. He HEAR desperate, but useless cries from Mike as he is being stabbed to death. Steve steps out of the shower with the scissors in his hand, red with blood. Steve's hands are bloody and his clothes wet from the water in the shower. He closes the curtain, acting calm and normal. He goes to the sink and washes his hands and scissors. He turns the faucet off and dries his hands and scissors. He leaves the bathroom. The shower is still running. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Steve enters his dorm room. Kristen is still reading her book. Steve places the scissors on the desk and takes a seat on his bed, watching the TV with a blank expression. Time passes and Steve is in the same position. Kristen looks up from her book and has a questioning look on her face. KRISTEN Mike's been in there a long time. Steve doesn't respond. Kristen gets up from the bed. KRISTEN It's been like twenty minutes, hasn't it? Steve doesn't respond again. Kristen exits the room, going to check on Mike. INT. BATHROOM Kristen slowly enters the bathroom, poking her head in to check things out. KRISTEN Mike? All we HEAR is the showerhead spraying water. Kristen enters the bathroom completely. She notices red colored footsteps near the shower. She goes up to the shower curtain. KRISTEN Mike? Are you in there? Mike? She gets no response and begins to open the shower curtain. She takes a peek in and sees Mike's body. She screams at the top of her lungs. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Steve hears Kristen's screaming and gets up from his bed, taking the scissors in his hand. Kristen comes running into the room. KRISTEN Oh my God...Steve! He's...the shower...Steve! Kristen's cries are met by Steve's scissors to the abdomen. She falls to her knees and Steve finishes her off. We don't see the full stabbing attack. He leaves the room with Kristen dead on the floor and the scissors in his hand. Her shocked eyes are still opened. INT. BATHROOM Steve is cleaning the shower out with a large white towel, which is covered with water diluted blood. His face is still blank and that crazy look in his eyes remains. Steve gets up from his cleaning and washes the blood from his hands in the sink. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM Steve is scrubbing the carpet of his room with a towel. He lifts it up and we see it's covered by blood as well. He gets up and puts the bloody towel underneath Mike's bed comforter. There is a large lump under Mike's comforter, most likely Mike and Kristen's lifeless bodies. Steve takes a seat on his bed and stares at the TV with a blank expression. His head falls and then jumps back up quickly. He looks at his hands, bloody from the carpet cleaning and a look of terror comes over his face. He jumps up to his feet. STEVE Oh my God...Oh my God. Steve walks to Mike's bed and peeks under the comforter. He staggers back, after realizing what he has done fully. His breathing grows heavy. STEVE Oh God...Oh God. What did I do? Oh God. Steve staggers into his desk chair and turns away from the bodies on Mike's bed. He puts his head in his hands and his elbows on the desk. He is confused and scared at the same time. He sees the scissors on the desk and becomes even more nervous. STEVE Oh God...I'm sorry. Oh God... Steve looks at the phone on his desk. He grabs the receiver and starts dialing a number. STEVE Mom...I'm sorry Mom. Steve listens to the ringing sound, waiting for his mom to answer. STEVE Mom...be there, mom. I'm sorry. Oh God, I'm sorry. Mom, please answer. The answering machine picks up and we HEAR Steve's mom on the machine. MOM Sorry, no one can answer the phone right now, but if you leave your name and short message, we'll get back to you. We HEAR the loud beep and Steve tries to gather himself. STEVE Mom...mom, I wish you were there. Mom...I'm sorry, mom. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I'm sorry. Steve pauses and tries to gather himself again. STEVE Oh God, mom...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. You have to believe me, mom. I'm so scared...help me, mom. It wasn't my fault. I'm sorry. It wasn't my fault. Steve stops once again and looks up at a photograph of Rob and him. He stares at the picture for a moment. STEVE It was him, mom. He did this to me. I told you it wasn't my fault. It was him. I love you, mom. I love you. Steve slowly hangs up the phone and gets up from his chair, taking the scissors in his hands. He gets his keys and turns out the lights. He exits the room, closing and locking the door behind him. Just as he leaves the room, the phone rings. After two rings, the machine picks it up. We HEAR Steve's voice on the machine. STEVE (VO) Hello...you've reached the dorm of Steve and Mike. Leave a message please. Thank you much. We HEAR the beep on the machine and then we HEAR Rob's voice leaving a message. ROB (VO) Steve...this is Rob. I thought you said you were going to be there tonight. I'm gonna come on by, ok? Be there soon. Rob hangs up and the machine turns off. The room is dark and silent. EXT. DARK WALKWAY We see Steve walking slowly on a walkway near a street. He carries the scissors in his pocket. EXT. OUTSIDE ROBS DORM Rob exits his dorm building and begins his journey to Steve's room. Ashley is with him as they walk together down the walkway. ROB You know he really likes you. ASHLEY You don't have anything to worry about. You know that. ROB It's just that he's my friend. It's going to be hard to keep you and me a secret. He'll be really hurt when he finds out. ASHLEY Well, I think he can handle it. He's a big boy. ROB He has a bad temper, though. You don't know him like I do. I couldn't imagine what Steve would do if he found out. Back in high school, he once punched this guy out cold because the guy said something about some girl Steve was interested in. ASHLEY I'm sure he won't hurt you too bad if he finds out. Stop worrying, sweetie. ROB Ok...you're right. He'll just have to except it. Ashley leans over as they walk and kisses Rob on the cheek. Rob notices something in the distance and stops. Ashley looks at him with a questioning look. ASHLEY Rob? ROB That's Steve...that's Steve walking over there We Steve on the other side of the street, walking with a quick step. ASHLEY Is he going to your dorm? ROB I don't know. I thought he told me to come to his room. Stay here, ok? I'm gonna go talk with him. ASHLEY Ok...but hurry up. Rob leaves Ashley and crosses the street to meet Rob. We see Rob running behind Steve, trying to catch up with him. ROB Steve! Steve turns around, putting his scissors inside his jacket. Rob gets to where Steve is. ROB Hey man...I tried calling you a few minutes ago. Were you going to see me? STEVE Oh...yeah I was. I wanted to talk about something with you. Rob notices that Steve is kind of shaky and weak in his voice. ROB Are you ok, man? STEVE I'm fine. I'm was just thinking of Ashley earlier and how she turned me down. She must have a boyfriend or something. Rob appears taken aback from the suddenness of this statement. ROB Ashley? That would be a very lucky guy. Where'd that come from anyway? STEVE Yes...very lucky. ROB I told you before...just forget about it. It's no big deal. STEVE I think it's a big deal when my best friend steals the girl I'm interested in. Don't you? Rob is stunned that Steve knows and cannot find anything to say. STEVE It's your fault. You made me do it. It's your fault. Steve begins walking toward Rob and Rob backs up slowly, afraid of Steve's anger. We see Ashley cross the street and get behind a car for a better view. She sees Rob backing up. ROB Steve, let's calm down, ok? STEVE You thought you could hide it from me? ROB I was gonna tell. Honestly. It just happened like this, man. Give me a break. STEVE Oh really...that makes me feel better. Steve stops his advancing and remains motionless. Rob relaxes some. We see Ashley still looking on from her hidden vantage point. ROB Look...I'm sorry. These kinds of things just happen. We met and well, we were perfect for each other. You know, we both like exactly the same food...you know...my favorite that your mom always used to make for me. Chicken and dumplings... For a moment, Steve stares at Rob with an odd smile on his face. Suddenly, Steve brandishes the scissors and lunges toward Rob, stabbing him in the abdomen. We see Ashley's eyes widen though she can't scream. Steve continues to stab away like a madman and Rob lets out a few last weak screams before they cease. After the madness, Steve gets on his knees near Rob and drops the scissors on the walkway. He's breathing heavy and crying some. STEVE Look what you made me do, dumb ass. This didn't have to happen. I told you. It's your fault. Steve pauses, wiping his bloody hands on his shirt. STEVE I think Ashley's gonna be angry with me. That bitch...you were too good for her anyway. Steve's crying becomes louder. We see Ashley, still in shock, looking on, trying to remain as still as possible. Steve picks up the scissors and holds them in his hands. He looks at Rob's dead body and continues his crying. STEVE My God...Rob. I'm sorry. Rob...oh my God. What did I do? Steve puts his hands over his face out of anger and shame. STEVE I'm sorry, Rob. I'm sorry... Steve points the tip of the scissors at his chest and holds them there. Ashley looks on, but does nothing. STEVE I'm sorry. I'm so messed up. Oh God. I'm sorry. Steve is about to kill himself when he notices Ashley hiding. He pauses and stares. Ashley realizes she has been spotted. ASHLEY Oh my God. Steve gets up and starts walking towards Ashley slowly. She runs away, tempting Steve to start running after her. STEVE Ashley! Wait! I'm sorry! I want to apologize! I'll make this up to you. I promise... EXT. MAIN CAMPUS AREA Ashley runs up a flight of stairs and into and main campus area. There are a few students here, but none that take an interest in this running girl. Steve follows behind, scissors in his hand. Ashley resorts to entering the library. INT. LIBRARY-FIRST FLOOR Ashley runs toward and then pushes the button for the elevator to take her up to safety. As the doors of one of the elevators open, we see Steve enter the library, hiding the bloody scissors. Ashley enters the elevator and the doors close. Steve sees Ashley enter the elevator and pushes the "up" button as well. INT. ELEVATOR Ashley is alone in the elevator. She is scared and motionless, even in the solitude of the elevator. We see she has pushed floor six as her stopping point. INT. LIBRARY-FIRST FLOOR Steve watches the floor counters above the elevator door Ashley entered. He is smiling in a crazy way. INT. LIBRARY-SIXTH FLOOR The elevator doors open with a bell and Ashley steps out, looking around, expecting her follower to be there waiting with his scissors. The doors close behind her. INT. LIBRARY-FIRST FLOOR Steve sees that Ashley has stopped on the sixth floor and enters an elevator. He pushes the "six" button. INT. LIBRARY-SIXTH FLOOR Ashley walks among a row of books, concealing herself as best she can. Suddenly, she hears the elevator bell and stops in her tracks. We see Steve walk out of an elevator, looking around much like Ashley did moments earlier. He brandishes the bloody scissors and walks towards the book rows. Ashley hears the footsteps and remains motionless, too scared to move. Finally, she makes an effort to find a better hiding place. She moves to the end of a book row and stops there, her back against the shelf. We see Steve peek into a row of books, the smile still on his face. STEVE Ashley? Are you up here, honey? Ashley remains silent in her hiding place. STEVE I just want to apologize. Steve begins walking down the row of books. He walks slowly, looking all around as he does. STEVE I want to apologize in person. I'm sorry I killed your boyfriend. He was my friend too, you know. How do you think I feel? I'll tell you. I feel like shit. I really do. Ashley realizes that Steve will see her if she stays in her current hiding place and begins to move down the book row right across from Steve. The two walk past each other without Steve spotting Ashley. Steve pokes his head around the corner, right where Ashley used to be hiding. He then pokes his head down the book row Ashley used to escape, catching a glimpse of her fleeing feet. He smiles upon seeing this. Steve begins walking down this book row. STEVE If you accept my apology, maybe we could go out some time. Just you and me...maybe some ice cream or something. Ashley turns down a book row about five rows from where Steve is walking. She slows her pace once behind the concealing books. STEVE I think you're really pretty, Ashley. I kind of like you. Rob's a great guy and all, but I'm really a lot better than he is. Well, he was a great guy. Damn...almost forgot. Ashley reaches the end of the book row and heads back to where Steve is walking. Steve reaches the end of his book row and begins walking towards the row Ashley just walked up. Ashley stops against a shelf, just like before. Steve begins walking up another book row. STEVE Come on. Just give me a chance. Don't you ever give the nice guy a chance? All my life I've been looking for that perfect girl. I think you're perfect, Ashley. Just give me a chance. Forgive and forget. We see Ashley's frightened face. She is starting to cry because of the fear. She begins to fall down, her back sliding against the shelf. Her arms are across her chest. STEVE Please answer me, Ashley. Steve is almost at the end of the book row, almost to where Ashley is sitting on the floor, too scared to move. However, she manages to crawl into another book row just as Steve pokes his head around the corner. She still sits on the floor, silently crying. Steve goes down the book row right before the one Ashley is hiding in and Ashley sits as still as she can. Steve walks down the other book row, moving away from Ashley. She calms down a little because of this and sits still for a few more moments. Suddenly, Steve pokes his head from the book row corner where Ashley sits. STEVE Boo. Ashley screams and Steve lunges at her with the scissors. Somehow, Ashley manages to dodge the attack and Steve falls on the floor, losing his grip on the scissors. Ashley lunges for and takes hold of the weapon, turning around to face Steve. He looks up from the floor to see Ashley holding the scissors. STEVE You are so beautiful. Steve smiles and gets to his feet. He takes a few steps towards Ashley and she backs away, pointing the scissors at him. STEVE Those are dangerous, sweetie. Put them down. He continues walking forward, making Ashley back peddle. STEVE How about you and I go into that study lounge down there and have some fun. There's no one else up here. ASHLEY You're crazy, you fucking asshole. Steve stops and looks annoyed. STEVE That wasn't nice. You shouldn't say that to the man that loves you. Put down those scissors. I thought it could be you and I forever...happily ever after. ASHLEY Shut up! Stay right there, Steve. You need help. STEVE I have you. That's all I need. ASHLEY You're fucking psycho. Steve begins walking toward her again. This time, she doesn't back up much. STEVE Are you trying to tell me that you want to break up? Ashley stops backing up and Steve stops too. ASHLEY Yes, Steve. We're gonna break up, ok? We both need some space from each other. A lot of space. STEVE Why didn't you say that from the beginning? The two are motionless for a moment. STEVE You bitch! Steve lunges at Ashley and gets a scissors stab in the chest. Ashley let's her grip of the weapon go and Steve staggers back, in obvious pain. He removes the scissors from his chest and drops them onto the floor, causing blood to splatter around. Ashley watches this with her hands covering her face. STEVE Oh shit...that hurt.. Steve falls to his knees and staggers back to his feet, leaving the scene. Ashley falls to ground, crying because of what has just occurred. Steve staggers in the elevator area and pushes the down button. EXT. OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY Steve staggers out of the library and into open air, walking back toward his dorm. There is some blood visible on his shirt and some people notice. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM The door to the dark room opens and Steve falls through the doorway, onto the hard floor. His blood quickly dirties the floor. Steve reaches for the phone and it drops onto the floor near his head. He manages to dial a number and as we HEAR ringing, his breath becomes faint. We HEAR someone on the other end of the line pick up. It is Steve's mom. MOM (VO) Hello. STEVE Mom. Mom. MOM (VO) Hello? Who's this? Steve? Steve never gets another word out of his mouth and he dies there on the floor with his mom on the phone. MOM (VO) Steve? Was that you? I got your message. I'm worried about you, Steve. Steve? Come on, baby...talk to me. Steve? Please...talk to me. We see a few shots of Mike and Kristen, still in Mike's bed where Steve placed them after his murderous rampage. The room has an eerie feeling to it, especially with Steve's mom trying to talk to her son. EXT. STEVES DORM ROOM A large group of students has gathered around the area outside of Steve's dorm room. They are being held back by police tape and police officers. Near the front of the police line are two students, one MAN and one WOMAN, standing near each other, trying to get a peek into the room. WOMAN I heard he killed ten people with a pair of scissors. MAN I thought it was closer to fifteen. WOMAN He could've used a knife...scissors are more painful. That was really inconsiderate of him. MAN He killed people...that was the inconsiderate part. WOMAN I'm sure he had a good reason. The man turns his head towards the woman and gives her an odd look. He is somewhat disturbed by the woman's odd remarks. INT. STEVES DORM ROOM There is much activity going on in the room. The bed where Steve laid out Mike and Kristen is covered by a bloody cloth, their bodies still under it. Another body cloth covers the body of Steve, still on the floor. Numerous police personal are taking pictures, writing in notebooks and chatting amongst themselves. Two OFFICERS are looking at items on Steve's desk. POLICEMAN 1 This is incredible. This kid was a mental case. POLICEMAN 2 Yeah, but there weren't any warning signs. Just a bad temper...at least that's what the girl told us last night. What was her name? Ashley, right? POLICEMAN 2 Yeah, he had a thing for Ashley's. That's what his friends said, at least. One of the officers picks up a picture of Ashley (the first Ashley) and looks at it, holding it up for the other officer, too. POLICEMAN 1 You think this is that other Ashley? The one that dumped him? POLICEMAN 2 Could be...this guy had good taste...look at her. She's really something. Both policemen examine the photo for a moment. POLICEMAN 1 Well, at least he had a good reason to do what he did. What a bitch. Wait until she finds out what she caused here. Both officers chuckle and move onto another part of the room, leaving the picture on the desk. The work continues in the dorm room. Fade out 1