[SIC] A darkness falls script (1) By Brian Godwin TITLE CARD (with FLASH of white/ SWOOSH as needed) OPENING CREDITS/ MUSIC INT. TA'S OFFICE - DAY This office is atypical for a teaching assistant, in that it is well-furnished and is only for one teaching assistant. We get a look at a bookcase lined with psychology texts as the camera pans over to JACOB REYNOLDS (or JR) (20). Jacob is an attractive male and wears a button down shirt. He reclines on a couch, arms crossed behind his head and staring at his shoes. Finally, he lets out a sigh and turns toward the desk. JACOB You don't know how good this feels to get all this off my chest, Wallace. I need someone to talk to you about this, and I know just how much you have invested in this situation. Jacob is speaking to TA WALLACE MICHAELS, who we only see from behind. Wallace doesn't move, and Jacob looks back to his shoes. JACOB I want closure on this, and I knew you'd listen. I don't know if I can get this all out right now, because I'm still shocked by last night. But I'll try... Jacob's voice trails off. He looks at the TA for any indication to continue, but receiving none, he looks at his hands and starts his story. JACOB It all began with the nightmares... FLASH of white light/ SWOOSH INT. DORM ROOM - DAY Jacob bolts upright in bed as he wakes from his nightmare. Beside him, the alarm clock blares. He looks around in confusion, still caught in the throes of his dream, before hearing the noise and looking to his alarm. Oh shit! He's late again! Jacob jumps out of bed and begins a frantic search for some clothes. The room is a disaster of pizza boxes and dirty clothes, Playstation games and old DTH issues. Jacob kicks aside a pile of clothes before finding some jeans and putting them on. He grabs a t-shirt from on top of the room's only computer and pulls it over his head. Now for the books. He finds his psychology book under the mountain of pizza boxes and heads for the door. As he opens the door, he looks to the bed above his. It is unmade and empty. Jacob shakes his head and slams the door. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Jacob races across campus as heavy metal music screams in the background. Over the music, we see(among other things): - Jacob jumping bushes - Attractive girls checking Jacob out as he rushes past - Jacob dropping his psyc book and recovering it Finally, he reaches the steps of Abernathy building (where the psyc dept. is located) and runs through the open door. INT. CLASSROOM - DAY Jacob throws open the door and turns away from the class to close it. When he turns back around, half the class is in tears and the others just look surprised. Confused, Jacob slowly advances through the class and takes a seat next to ANGELA NORRIS, a very cute girl. At the front of the class, the previously introduced but unseen Wallace Michaels stands. He is clearly uncomfortable right now by this class display but has no where to run. Jacob leans over and nudges Angela. The girl, who is softly crying, looks over. JACOB (whispering) What's going on? ANGELA Do you remember Debbie? Jacob searches his mental Roledex. Yes, he remembers a girl named Deborah who sat near the front. Tried to be the teacher's pet. He looks over, and her usual seat is empty. JACOB (pointing to the seat) Sat there? Yeah, I know who you're talking about. What? ANGELA Last night- Wallace clears his throat and Angela jerks forward. Jacob looks up at Wallace, who is on the verge of tears himself. WALLACE Jacob, Deborah was killed last night. Jacob's jaw drops. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Jacob and Angela walk together in the area between Davis library and Lenoir. Jacob still appears in shock over the news. Angela hugs her psyc book close to her chest. JACOB Unreal. ANGELA I know. One minute she was here, the next... Her voice trails off, and the two look around uncomfortably. After a moment, Jacob looks back to Angela JACOB Wow, I'm going to sound like an asshole, but at least Wallace postponed the test... His words hang in the air and his voice fades. Angela looks at him like he's from Mars before laughing. ANGELA You're right about that. Jacob smiles back at her - at least that awkward moment is finished. ANGELA Still, it's not like I have a chance in hell of passing it anyway. JACOB I thought you were good at psychology? ANGELA You obviously don't know me very well, then. She leans over to his and puts her hand to his ear. ANGELA I'm only making a B because I've been cheating off your tests. JACOB Really?! Angela nods, and Jacob laughs. They walk along before she turns back to him. ANGELA Of course, I probably wouldn't need that, if I could get together with you and study. JACOB Do you want to? Angela pretends to be thinking about it for a second, before flashing a flirtatious smile and winking at him. ANGELA I'd like that. JACOB Well, we have two days until the exam now, so I guess we could study tonight and tomorrow night. ANGELA That would work. What's your number? JACOB 914-4788. I live in 314 Ehaus. Write down yours, too, so I can call you if I need to. Angela fishes out a pen and paper and begins writing. Jacob watches her jot down his info before he hears something faint in the breeze. VOICE Jacob. Who's calling his name? He turns and looks, but he doesn't see anyone he recognizes. It was faint, so they must be close. He keeps looking... ANGELA Jacob? 914-4788? Jacob? Jacob snaps back in to reality, then nods as he gets what Angela's saying. JACOB Oh yeah. I should be there any time, so just ask- Jacob's sentence is cut off as a book suddenly whacks him in the back of the head. Jacob stumbles forward and turns to see what's going on. TRENTON (TRENT) DAVIS is laughing at his awkwardness. A frat boy in training, Trent is Jacob's roommate and what passes for a best friend. He points a gun-finger at Jacob. TRENT Better keep on your toes, JR, that was way too easy. Jacob shakes the cobwebs of the bookshot out and smiles at his roommate. He's used to treatment like this. Then he notices Angela, just standing there. JACOB Angela Norris, meet my roommate, Trenton Davis. Trent holds up his hands in protest. TRENT Trent, please, just Trent. They shake hands. ANGELA Nice to meet you, Trent. (to Jacob) Just call me when you want to get together. I need to run to class. JACOB Okay, have a nice day. Angela heads toward Main Campus as Trent and Jacob stop outside Lenoir. Trent jerks his thumb at Angela's retreating form. TRENT Who's that? JACOB Just a girl from my psychology class. TRENT Nice ass. (beat) Really nice ass. JACOB (rolling his eyes) Whatever. Suddenly, Trent reaches down and snatches up today's DTH. On the front page, it reads "UNC Student Killed." TRENT Did you see this shit? Some chick got killed last night while she was walking around campus! They found her body this morning in the Arboretum, cut to pieces with some knife. JACOB (softly) She was in my psyc class. TRENT (surprised) No shit? (beat) So how was class today? JACOB Not funny. (beat) Does it say if the police have any leads on this? TRENT (shaking his head) Nope. Not one. I'm sure they'll find something soon, though. Not that I'm in a hurry for them too. Jacob looks at him, confused. TRENT This scheme is the bomb! Just chillin' with some chick, and I'll be like, "Baby, let me walk you home. You know that it's not safe outside right now." Then it's back to their place and I'm in! (beat) Now that's the shit! Jacob can't believe how insensitive his roommate. Meanwhile, Trent is laughing it up. INT. TA'S OFFICE - DAY Although this isn't the same as the first scene, Jacob and Wallace sit in the same places. Jacob is noticeably more uptight now. Wallace smiles at him. WALLACE I understand what you're going through Jacob. Let me tell you that you aren't the first student that's visited my office hours today because of this. JACOB I don't know why this got to me so bad. I've just never know anyone who's been killed. WALLACE (smiling at him) We're all feeling this right now, Jacob. If you need someone to talk to, you can always come to me. JACOB Thanks, Wallace. Jacob sits in silence as Wallace gives him the opportunity to continue. Jacob just looks to the ground. WALLACE How is everything else? Jacob looks up. WALLACE The class...? (trailing off) JACOB (brightening) Oh, the class is fine. I'm studying for the exam that got pushed back a week. Wallace looks unhappy and sighs. WALLACE I don't enjoy that I couldn't postpone it indefinitely, but we have to take it before the class drop date. JACOB I understand that, I wasn't complaining. (smiling) Not that I'll be dropping this class anyway. Wallace smiles at Jacob. WALLACE That's good, you're good at this. (beat) What about the nightmares? Jacob instantly becomes self conscious and looks down to his shoes. JACOB Still having them. (beat) It's like my life hasn't stopped for weeks. I'm out all day, and then I have these dreams all night and don't sleep much. WALLACE Do you remember them? JACOB Nope. So I have no idea what I'm so scared of. I just know that I wake up and never want to go back to sleep. WALLACE Hopefully we can continue to talk and work through them together. (looking at clock) Well, it seems that I have to leave. Grad students take classes too, you know? Jacob and Wallace laugh as they rise. Jacob grabs a backpack and throws it over his shoulder. JACOB I'll see you on Wednesday at the review session, then. With that, he's out the door. Wallace listens to his footsteps going down the hall before picking up his small notepad and making a few notes in it. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Jacob and Trent sit in front of the television, totally engrossed in a game of Tekken. Trent, being a very skilled player, makes short work of Jacob. Jacob looks over at the clock and stands up. JACOB I'm going to get a shower. TRENT Yeah, you need to wash that loser feeling out. I understand. I don't know how it feels, but I understand. Jacob tosses the controller at Trent, causing him to lose his concentration and get his ass kicked by the computer. TRENT Hey! JACOB (laughing) Rematch when I get out. Jacob strips off his t-shirt, grabs a towel, and darts out the door. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT Jacob turns the shower on and tests the water. Not quite hot enough yet. While it warms up, he starts taking off his jeans. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Inside the room, Trent continues his Tekken game when the phone rings. Without pausing the action, he lifts the cordless phone and switches it on. TRENT T here. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT Sitting on her bed, Angela smiles. ANGELA Is Jacob there? INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Trent looks toward the bathroom. TRENT He's getting a shower. Hold on. (yelling) Jacob! Phone! INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT Jacob has stripped down to his boxers. The water is still warming when he hears Trent calling him. He grabs his jeans and runs out the bathroom door. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Jacob comes through the door, carrying his jeans. Without looking away from his video game, Trent holds the phone out for Jacob. Jacob drops his jeans and takes the cordless. JACOB Hello? INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT As Angela's roommate, VICKY, waves and runs out the door, Angela gets up from the bed and goes to the mirror. ANGELA Hi, Jacob, it's me, Angela. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Jacob looks surprised that Angela has called him so quickly. JACOB Angela? What's going on? ANGELA (V.O.) I wanted to see if you wanted to start that studying tonight. JACOB Tonight? Isn't it a little early to be studying for the test? It's a week away. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT Inside the bathroom, the water continues to run and has now heated up. As the steam begins to fill the room, something on the mirror starts to become visible. ANGELA (V.O.) The earlier we start, the better we'll get on the exam. Besides, I need some company for the night. JACOB (V.O.) Company? INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Trent raises an eyebrow at this question. He turns around from his game to face Jacob. Jacob notices his friend's interest and looks embarassed. JACOB Sure, I'm not doing anything tonight. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT Angela is combing her hair in front of the mirror. She smirks. ANGELA I just can't study on an empty stomach. Let's get some dinner. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Trent continues to study Jacob as Jacob looks for his jeans. ANGELA (V.O.) Meet me downstairs in five minutes. JACOB Well, I need- ANGELA (V.O.) (interrupting) See you in five! And with that, she's gone. Jacob lowers the phone from his ear and looks at it in confusion. TRENT Look at the pimp! Trent's remark shakes Jacob out of his stupor. He grabs his jeans and begins putting them back on. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT Inside the bathroom, the mirror has fully fogged up, revealing one word: LISTEN. TRENT (V.O.) That girl works fast. JACOB (V.O.) She's not interested in me. She just wants to get together and study for the psyc exam. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Jacob has thrown on a clean shirt and grabs his wallet. Trent smirks at him. TRENT I'm sure that's all she wants. JACOB That's it. (beat) And dinner. TRENT (grinning) Pimp. Jacob starts to head out the door. TRENT Don't forget your backpack, Cassonova. Jacob blushes, grabs his backpack, and darts out the room door. Trent turns back to his game before realization hits him. TRENT And you left the shower running! There is no response - Jacob is long gone. TRENT Oh well, there's no water bill on campus. He turns around and goes back to his game, unconcerned by the running shower. INT. EHAUS LOBBY - NIGHT Jacob steps off the elevator and into the Ehaus lobby. Around him, a few students mull around. Some get on the elevator when he gets off, others talk amongst themselves. Jacob scans the room for Angela, but she's nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, he spies TA Wallace Michaels and two uniformed POLICEMEN talking to the desk clerk. Jacob's eyebrows furrow in confusion and he steps in that direction. ANGELA Where are you running off to? Jacob spins as Angela surprises him. She's smirking, obviously enjoying catching him off guard. JACOB Well, it's just- Jacob turns back around and points to the desk. The TA and policemen are gone. He looks around the room, but they're not in the room. Shrugging, he turns back to Angela. JACOB It's nothing. ANGELA (grinning) Good! I'm starving! She turns and heads for the door. With one last look back to confirm that the police are gone, he follows her. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT Angela and Jacob sit on Angela's bed, facing each other. Both have their books open in front of them. However, where Jacob seems to be riveted to the page and its contents, Angela appears disinterested and looks up at Jacob frequently. JACOB So the whole exam's on Freud and his theories of id, ego, and superego. How much do you already know? ANGELA That Freud did a lot of coke? Jacob looks up. Angela was serious. He pauses, then chuckles. She blushes briefly before joining in laughing. JACOB This might take a while. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT Angela and Jacob are talking very animatedly. He's pointing at a book and explaining something, and she nods in agreement before reaching over for a drink. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT Jacob has gotten up and is talking while walking. Angela lies reclined on the bed, staring up at him. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT Angela has now moved to sit beside Jacob. Jacob is still talking about Freud and his theories. Angela, however, seems less interested in the book and more interested in the teacher. DISSOVLE TO: Angela is still seated beside Jacob. He finishes talking and closes the book. JACOB So does it make a little more sense now? ANGELA Definitely. (beat) Freud did a lot of drugs. JACOB (laughing) Definitely. Angela and Jacob share a laugh. Angela finishes while Jacob is still laughing, and she looks over at him flirtatiously. ANGELA You make it all seem so clear. JACOB (blushing) I try. ANGELA You do a good job. (beat) So what do I owe you for the tutoring session? JACOB (not getting it) Oh, nothing. I don't charge. Angela looks at him seductively. ANGELA Are you sure there's nothing I can do? JACOB Not really- He's cut off by the phone RINGing. Both Jacob and Angela look over at it before Angela sighs and picks it up. ANGELA Yes? (beat) Yeah, hold on. (to Jacob) It's for you. Jacob appears confused as Angela hands him the phone. JACOB Yes? INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Trent is on the edge of his seat, glued to the television. He has the phone between his ear and his shoulder while he's looking for a t-shirt on the floor. TRENT Turn the TV to channel 5 right now. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT Jacob finds a TV in the room. JACOB (to Angela) Can we turn that to channel 5? ANGELA Sure. Angela gets up and turns the television on. There's a NEWSCASTER broadcasting outside of Ehringhaus dorm. EXT. EHAUS - NIGHT A newscaster stands bathed in poor light as the broadcast continues around her. Several people have gathered behind her, curious as to what is going on. NEWSCASTER It was confirmed that the blood trail though to be from last night's murders ended here. Police speculate that Deborah Winters may have been slain by someone related to this building. As of now, police have no suspects and this building is under tight security. When more information is released, we will come back here live. Reporting from Ehringhaus dorm in Chapel Hill, this is Megan Gallagher. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT Both Angela and Jacob are in shock as the broadcast goes back to the studio. Neither can say anything or stop staring at the television. TRENT (V.O.) Jacob? Jacob jumps. JACOB Yeah? INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT Trent has switched off the television and found a shirt. TRENT The hall's being summoned for a mandatory emergency meeting. You better get back here quick. DISSOLVE TO: INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT There's a large crowd gathered in the Ehaus lounge. The room is packed with students, who cluster together and are curious as to what is going on. Trent is talking to another male close to the door. Jacob comes to the door and is checked off the list by BRAD WILSON, the floor's resident assistant. Jacob enters and spots Trent. He makes his way over to his roommate. JACOB What's the deal? TRENT You guess is as good as mine. BRAD (O.S.) Ladies and gentlemen, could you please quieten down? All heads turn to where Brad has moved to the front of the room. On both sides of him are uniformed police officers. BRAD This really shouldn't take but a second. (beat) I'm sure everyone's been keeping up with the news on the murder last night. Well, there's been a breakthrough. I'm going to bring up police chief Niles Potter to discuss this. Brad steps to one side and NILES PORTER steps forward. The chief is in his early 30s and is on the verge of showing that age. He looks over the assembled crowd before speaking. NILES At 7:33 this evening, resident Nathan Alexander discovered a blood trail in a back stairwell. Rushed tests proved that this blood belonged to Deborah Winters. (beat) Police have requested that all residents exercise extreme caution around this area and be on the lookout for any suspicious characters. If anyone sees anything out of the ordinary, they are to report it to their resident assistant immediately. (to Brad) Is there anything further you'd like to say? Brad nods and returns to the front of the room while the chief steps back. BRAD We're concerned for the safety of our residents. All we ask is that you be careful. EXT. HALL - NIGHT The residents have filtered out of the lounge. Trent and Jacob walk together. Trent is yelling at some guy ahead of them while Jacob looks down at his shoes. Trent looks to Jacob. TRENT What's wrong with you, JR? JACOB Just thinking about what Brad said. 1 1