[SIC] A darkness falls script (1A) By Brian Godwin TITLE CARD OPENING CREDITS INT. OFFICE - DAY 1 Inside the spacious university office of teaching assistant WALLACE MICHAELS, college student JACOB REYNOLDS (JR) reclines on a couch. The young man is at ease, with his arms around his head. JACOB I'm glad you could meet with me this morning, Wallace. I really wanted to explain that message last night. Jacob is speaking to Wallace, who we see from the back. JACOB It's a really long story, so I guess I'll start at the very beginning. (beat) It all started with the nightmares... (trails off) DISSOLVE TO: INT. DORM ROOM - DAY 2 Jacob jerks awake, sweating profusely. He's gasping for air and has a wild look in his eyes. Beside him, his alarm blares. After surveying the room with desperate eyes, he looks at his clock. He's late again! In a panic, Jacob jumps up and slams the clock off. He immediately drops to the floor and begins rooting through a huge pile of clothes beside his bed. During this, we get out first look at his room. It's a masterpiece of college living, a monument to life on the go. Pizza boxes and clothes are piled high, and CDs are strown everywhere. A TV and Playstation sit in front of a loveseat, and one computer is on a desk. There is also a cordless phone on the desk. Jacob puts on a pair of jeans and begins pulling his T-shirt over his head as he kicks pizza boxes out of the way. Under one is a psychology book, which he snatches up as he slides his feet into some sandals. He throws open the door before running back to the bunk bed. He jerks the cover off the top bunk (he was on the bottom), but it's empty. He throws the cover back on the bed before running out the door and slamming it behind him. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 3 Jacob madly dashes across the campus as speed metal blares. Montage with: - Jacob jumping over the arms of a couple walking hand in hand - Jacob struggling up a hill, panting for breath - Jacob dropping his book and having to go retrieve it Among other things, to be determined later. Finally, he reaches the steps of Abernathy Building (psyc) and rushes inside. INT. CLASSROOM - DAY 4 Jacob hurridly steps inside the classroom and turns to shut the door. When he turns back around, he notices that half the class is crying. In confusion, he blushes and makes his way to an open seat near the rear of the classroom. Seated beside Jacob is ANGELA NORRIS, a pretty girl who smiles up at Jacob as he sits. Jacob notices this and smiles back. JACOB What's going on here? Angela opens her mouth to reply before someone at the front of the class clears their throat. It's Wallace, seen for the first time. He takes off his glasses and starts cleaning them. WALLACE As I was saying before Mr. Reynolds interrupted me, I'll be in my office after class if anyone wants to talk. Several people nod, wiping away tears, and Wallace turns to the chalkboard. Angela leans over toward Jacob. ANGELA You remember Meredith Walker? (pointing to empty seat) Sat there? JACOB Yeah? ANGELA She was murdered last night. Angela turns back to face the front as Wallace turns to the class again. Jacob is frozen in shock. EXT. ABERNATHY - DAY 5 Wallace is walking just outside Abernathy Hall when Jacob bursts out the door. JACOB Wallace! Wallace turns around, and Jacob runs up to him. JACOB I just wanted to apologize for coming in late again today. WALLACE (smiling) It's no big deal, Jacob. Walk with me a second? Wallace and Jacob start walking toward the Pit together. Behind them, Angela comes out Abernathy and walks a short distance behind. WALLACE Is something bothering you? JACOB (surprised) How did you know? WALLACE I'm a psychology major. It's my job to know when people are having problems. And then it's my job to screw them up as much as possible. Both men get a chuckle out of this before Jacob looks down at the ground. JACOB Actually, it's the nightmares. WALLACE Again? JACOB Always. I can't seem to get any sleep these last few weeks. Wallace stops in front of Hamilton Hall, and Jacob turns around. In the background, Angela slows as well. WALLACE You've been having these problems for a while, and it's beginning to affect your schoolwork. Jacob's eyes drop to the ground, but Wallace smiles. WALLACE Listen, come by my office today and maybe we can work this out. I've studied things like this - I think I could help you. JACOB (smiling) That's cool. I'll come during your office hours. WALLACE Good. (beat) Well, I have to make my class. I'll see you around three. Wallace turns and heads inside as Jacob starts back toward Davis Library. After checking that Wallace has went into the building, Angela hurries to catch up with Jacob. ANGELA Jacob! Jacob turns and stops when he sees Angela, allowing the girl to catch up with him. JACOB Hey Angela, how's it going? ANGELA Good, good. Angela looks down, a little nervous, and Jacob looks at her questioningly. Angela looks up at him. ANGELA So, are you, like, good friends with TA Michaels? JACOB Yeah, Wallace and I are pretty good friends. I'm probably the only student who goes to his office hours. ANGELA That's cool. (beat) Listen, I suck at psychology. And I need to do good on this next exam. So I was wondering... (trails off) JACOB Yes? ANGELA (in a rush) I was wondering if you could tutor me. Jacob smiles broadly. JACOB It would be my pleasure. ANGELA (smiling) That's great. (beat) Let's exchange info so we can be in touch. Let me get a pen. Angela swings her backpack around and starts rooting through it for a pen. Jacob looks into her backpack as she's leafing through papers. VOICE Jacob... It's just a whisper on the wind. Jacob hears this and looks around, but doesn't see anyone he recognizes. Confused, he looks back the way he came, although the voice didn't come from a specific direction. ANGELA Jacob? Jacob jerks back around, and Angela's looking at him strangely. ANGELA Can I get your phone number? JACOB 914-4788. (looking around) Did you hear anyone call me? ANGELA (writing on hand) Nope, did you? JACOB Yeah, I thought I did. (looking back to her) That's 423 Ehaus. Angela adds this info to her hand before recapping the pen and looking up smiling. ANGELA Great. I'll probably give you a call in the next few days to set something up. JACOB That's cool. If I'm not there, just leave a message with my roommate- Jacob is abruptly cut off as a pair of arms wrap around his head in a choke hold. After a second's struggle, they let go and Jacob spins around. It's his roommate TRENTON (TRENT) DAVIS, grinning from ear to ear. Trent is the frat boy type who just can't fit rushing into his busy social life. Trent crosses his arms. TRENT Getting a little slow there, JR. Me thinks you need to spend more time in the gym and less time with the books. Jacob rubs his neck ruefully before turning to see both Angela and Trent. JACOB Angela, meet my roommate, Trenton Davis. Trent throws up his hands in mock protest. TRENT Trent, please. Or T. (looking at Jacob) Nobody calls me Trenton. Angela chuckles and they shake. She closes her backpack again and throws it over her shoulder. ANGELA Like I said, I'll give you a call in the next few days and we'll get together. (looking at watch) I'm late for my next class, so I need to split. (to Trent) It was nice meeting you. She turns and walks off toward Bingham Hall. Trent checks out her ass as she leaves. TRENT Nice. (turning to Jacob) Who was that? Jacob and Trent start walking toward the rear entrance of Lenoir. JACOB Angela, this girl in my psyc class. Trent looks back to the direction Angela just walked. TRENT Not bad at all. JACOB (shrugging) I guess. Trent grins, then his eyes widen and he jerks around his backpack. He rips it open and takes out the DTH. He points to the headline. It reads "Student Slain." TRENT Did you see this?! JACOB Actually, she was in my psyc class. TRENT (jaw dropping) No way! JACOB Yes way. She sat at the front of the class. TRENT (breaking into smile) Well, not today. Jacob looks at Trent in amazement at his callousness. Trent merely shrugs. TRENT Hey, it was a joke. (beat) Anyway, you've got to see this as an opportunity, like I do. JACOB (confused) Opportunity? TRENT Definitely. (points to paper) This way, I have a reason to "suggest" I walk chicks home. Classic Trent. Jacob just rolls his eyes and chuckles, and Trent has a good laugh. Trent claps his roommate on the shoulder and the two walk into the backside of Lenoir. INT. OFFICE - DAY 6 This is the same office from the first scene, but at an earlier time. Jacob and Wallace are both wearing the same clothing from earlier. Jacob seems uneasy on the couch. Wallace sits in his chair, but we can see him fully this time. WALLACE So the nightmares keep reoccurring? JACOB I think so. WALLACE You think so? Jacob looks down at his shoes. JACOB I'm not sure. I still can't remember them. (beat) I mean, I remember some things. I remember running a lot. I remember hearing my name. I remember seeing something. But I just can't piece anything coherent together in the morning. Wallace removes his glasses and starts cleaning them. Jacob looks up at him. WALLACE Many times, your daily stress bleeds over into your subconscious, which controls your dreams. Have you been under any pressure lately? JACOB (thinking) Not much. This test coming up. (beat) And Meredith. Wallace looks up from cleaning his glasses in interest. WALLACE Would you like to talk about that? JACOB It's just weird, I guess. One day she was here, and the next she wasn't. (looking at Wallace) I don't really think there's a lot to talk about. WALLACE If it makes you feel any better, you aren't the first student to express some feelings over this. We're all feeling this loss. JACOB (shy) I guess. Wallace smiles and replaces his glasses. WALLACE Well, if you'd like to talk more, I'll be here all week. I've got a lot of work to do on the upcoming exam. (beat) Why don't you come in tomorrow and we can talk more about these dreams? JACOB I could do that. Thanks for listening. WALLACE (smiling) It's my job, remember? JACOB (smiling) I know. Jacob gets up and throws his backpack over his shoulder. He walks over to the door and opens it. WALLACE And don't forget to study hard for that exam. It's forty percent of your final grade. JACOB (smiling) I will. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 7 CU of a Tekken video game. Someone is really getting their ass kicked here. After the final move and victory, the camera pulls back to reveal Jacob and Trent playing. Trent throws up his arms in victory. TRENT How did I get so good? Jacob tosses over his controller and stands up. JACOB Probably from skipping so much class to play. (looking at clock) Damn, I need a shower. Be back in a few minutes. Jacob grabs some clothes and a towel from the floor and walks out the door. Trent starts the game again. TRENT Hurry up. I want to kick your ass with all the characters in this game. Beside him, the phone rings. Without pausing his game or looking over, he picks it up and wedges it between his shoulder and his ear. TRENT T. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 8 Angela is on the other end. She looks confused. ANGELA Hello? TRENT (V.0.) Yeah? ANGELA Trent? Is Jacob there? INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 9 Trent is still playing the video game and doesn't look away from the television. TRENT Hold on. (yelling) Jacob! INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 10 Inside the suite bathroom, Jacob has stripped down to his boxers. He's turned the shower on and is testing the water with his hand to see how warm it is. TRENT (V.O.) Jacob! Phone! Jacob wraps the towel around his waist and runs out, leaving the water on. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 11 Jacob walks in and takes the phone from Trent, who can't stop the game long enough to take it away from his ear. He puts the phone to his ear. JACOB Hello? INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 12 Angela smiles and walks over to the mirror to check out her hair. ANGELA Jacob? JACOB (V.O.) Yes? ANGELA Hi, it's Angela. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 13 Jacob is surprised that Angela has called him so soon. He looks at the game Trent is playing. JACOB Angela? With that, Trent pauses the game and turns to look at Jacob on the phone. Jacob just shrugs. JACOB Wow, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. ANGELA Well, I thought I'd just give you a call. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 14 Inside the bathroom, the water has gotten hot. On the mirror, something starts to come through because of the steam. JACOB (V.O.) That's cool. What's up? ANGELA (V.O) Not much. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 15 Angela is brushing her hair and smiles as she looks at herself. ANGELA Actually, I wanted to see what you were doing tonight. I thought we might get together for dinner and start that studying. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 16 Jacob grins nervously as Trent continues to stare at him in interest. JACOB Dinner and studying tonight? That would be great. ANGELA (V.O.) Cool. You live in Ehaus? I'll come by. I'll be downstairs in five minutes. JACOB Okay. I'll be there. ANGELA (V.O.) Great. The phone clicks, and she's gone. Jacob cuts off the phone and starts looking for some jeans on the floor. Trent looks at him expectantly. TRENT Well? INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 17 The steam has gotten thicker, and it's definite that something is written on the mirror. JACOB (V.O.) That was Angela. We're meeting for dinner and some studying in about five minutes. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 18 Trent's eyebrows raise at this info. Jacob has found some jeans and put them on, and now he's grabbing a T-shirt from the floor and slipping his feet into a pair of sandals. TRENT Already? Didn't you just give that girl your number today? JACOB Yeah. I guess she wants to start early. TRENT (turning back to game) Creepy. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 19 Inside the bathroom, the steam has revealed a single word on the mirror: LISTEN. JACOB (V.O.) Creepy? What do you mean, creepy? TRENT (V.O.) Just creepy. You gave her your number today, and she's calling right away. How long is it until that exam. JACOB (V.O.) A week. TRENT (V.O.) That's just weird to me. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 20 Jacob looks at his friend with concern and confusion. Trent breaks into a smile but doesn't turn away from his game. TRENT Or maybe I just find any woman calling you a little weird. Trent laughs, and Jacob kicks some clothes from the floor on him. JACOB Funny, funny. (pulling on shirt) I might be in late. Think you can manage. TRENT Yeah, I think I can, Romeo. Later on. JACOB Later. Jacob is about to step out the door. TRENT Hey, forgetting something? Like your backpack? Jacob rushes back, snatches up his pack, and darts out the door. Trent continues playing the game as Jacob's footsteps go away. Trent looks at their window. TRENT (shouting) And you forgot to shut off the shower! No answer - Jacob is long gone. Trent doesn't really care; he goes back to concentrating on his video game. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 21 Jacob and Angela burst through the door to her room, laughing like children. She throws her pocketbook on a nearby chair and picks up a brush near the mirror. While she's combing her hair, Jacob looks around the room. This is a typical college female's room. There's the obligatory poster of Ben Affleck from Armageddon and a lovely Blink 182 one too. The room is clean and much nicer than Jacob and Trent's. Jacob nods his approval and sits down on the bed. Angela flops on the bed beside him and looks up at Jacob with a flirtatious smirk. ANGELA So where do we start? Jacob takes his psyc book out of his pack and opens it. JACOB Since the exam is mostly on Freud, that's probably the best place to start. ANGELA (confused) What? JACOB Freud developed the theory of personality that involves the id, ego, and superego... (trailing off) DISSOLVE TO: INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 22 Angela is still lying beside Jacob and seems more interested in the floor than his lecture. In contrast, Jacob is animated and has his nose buried in the book. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 23 As Jacob drones on, Angela has taken an interest and moves up to sit beside her teacher on the bed. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 24 Angela brings Jacob a drink. He takes it and nods, then takes a sip before putting it down and going back to the text. Having also gotten a drink for herself, Angela takes a drink and sits back down beside Jacob. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 25 Jacob looks up at Angela, and she is nodding and pointing to the text, asking a question. He smiles and starts talking again. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 26 Angela has taken the book from Jacob and points at it while talking. Jacob looks at her in interest. ANGELA So id controls the unconscious, the superego is society, and the ego has to regulate this struggle. JACOB (nodding) Basically. And Freud believed that an imbalance in either the id or the superego caused mental problems in the subject. ANGELA That's easy to remember, I guess. (smiling at Jacob) How do you remember this? JACOB I just associate each part with someone you know. Then when you think of the part, you'll think of the person that's a good example of it. ANGELA (nodding) I think I could do that. I'll have to think about who would stand for what. Who do you use? JACOB Well- The phone rings, cutting him off. Angela holds up her hand to halt his thought, then walks over and picks up the phone. ANGELA Hello? (pause for reply) Yeah, he's right here. She hands the phone to Jacob, who seems confused as to who could be calling him here. JACOB Hello? INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 27 Trent sits on the edge of his seat, watching television. The phone is wedged between his shoulder and ear again. TRENT JR, it's T. Turn the TV on to channel 5. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 28 Jacob looks at Angela. JACOB Could you turn the TV on to channel 5? Angela nods and turns on her small television. It is a newscast from the front of Ehringhaus dorm. REPORTER (on TV) Police speculate that Ms. Walker was in this vicinity last night when the attack occurred. EXT. EHAUS DORM - NIGHT 29 Outside Ehringhaus dorm, a small crowd has gathered behind the female reporter. The reporter looks like she's just ran outside to catch the latest scoop, and looks from the camera to a piece of paper in her hand. REPORTER Ehringhaus dorm has not been without controversy in the past, as a student fell to his death only a few years previous. This is the first fatality on the UNC campus since that time, and police are hard at work looking for any clues as to the attacker. As of right now, however, there are no suspects. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 30 Jacob's jaw has dropped with this newscast. Angela stands, frozen in shock. REPORTER (on TV) From channel five, this is Leslie Marshall reporting from the UNC campus. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 31 Trent switches off the TV and leans back on the couch. He takes the phone from its wedge and holds it to his ear with his hand now. TRENT There's been an emergency hall meeting called. It starts in five minutes. INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT 32 As Jacob steps into the crowded lounge, a male police officer gives him a card. Jacob looks at it in interest. It has the police phone number and address on it, as well as a special hotline number that has been written in on the bottom. The lounge is crowded with anxious male and female students. Jacob sees Trent near the center of the room, hitting on some women. Trent turns and sees Jacob enter, and he waves him over. Jacob makes his way through the crowd and goes to stand with Trent. JACOB Heard anything? TRENT Nope, but I think we're about to. There's Brad. He points to the front of the room, and Jacob turns to see what he's indicating. At the front of the room, resident assistant BRADLEY (BRAD) WILSON is holding up his hands and asking for quiet. Behind him are two uniformed officers. BRAD (shouting) Could I please have your attention? (beat, then normally) Now, I've called this meeting because of what's happening on campus. This shouldn't take very long, but I need all of you to listen up. Brad pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and starts reading from it. BRAD At 8:47 tonight, a resident found blood in a stairwell. Police speculate that this is the blood of Meredith Walker, killed last night near this dorm. (to crowd) Remember that this is speculation at this time. (back to paper) Police have issued a state of emergency for the campus, and Ehringhaus dorm in particular. Effectively immediately, all residents are under house arrest. The lounge erupts. People start talking to one another. Jacob turns to Trent, and he shrugs and gestures to Brad, who is getting people to quieten down so he can continue. BRAD This doesn't mean you're stuck here! (quietening) Police have asked that all residents simply check in and out of the door with their UNC One Card. The officers will ask your destination and provide escort to that place, regardless of the time of day. (looking at crowd) All residents are asked to comply with this temporary, and I stress temporary, policy. Any resident not complying will be fined and written up. The lounge again becomes a hub of activity, but Brad knows this is coming and raises his hands for quiet. BRAD This is for your own safety! (beat) This policy is effectively immediately. If you have any questions, I'll be here after this and we can talk. (looking at residents) All we ask is that you be careful while this is going on. We do not want to see another tragedy like we had last night. EXT. LOUNGE - NIGHT 33 Jacob and Trent file out of the lounge. From over their shoulder, we can see that many residents took up the opportunity to speak with Brad - the RA is surrounded by people. Trent and Jacob walks down the hall, toward their room. TRENT Amazing. Definitely amazing. JACOB (shocked) Can they do that? TRENT It seems so. (beat) Damn, this puts a cramp in my plan to walk chicks home for their safety. Jacob stops in shock as his roommate walks on, chuckling at his wit. Jacob watches his roommate walk, and Brad's words echo in his head. BRAD (V.O.) All we ask is that you be careful while this is going on. We do not want to see another tragedy like we had last night. FADE TO BLACK FLASH/ SWOOSH INT. DORM ROOM - DAY 34 Jacob sits bolt upright in his bed, sweating profusely and panting. He puts his head and leans forward. Outside we hear shouts. Jacob peeks through his fingers, hearing the sounds and curious. EXT. SUITE - DAY 35 Jacob steps outside the suite. It's chaos. Police are darting back and forth, and several residents stand together in conspiratorial groups. Jacob walks up to a male. JACOB What's going on? RESIDENT It's Brad. He was murdered in his room last night. INT. OFFICE - DAY 36 Jacob is sitting on the couch in Wallace's office again. He's on the verge of tears this time. Wallace looks concerned for his student, and leans forward as Jacob speaks with animation. JACOB And so the police think someone must have broken into his room last night and killed him while he slept there. (looking up) The killer could have come into any of our rooms and done the same thing. He could have been in my room and killed me. WALLACE Have the police done anything since then? JACOB (shaking his head) They're still dusting for clues and such. It was a mess. The place was swamped with police. Wallace nods his head. WALLACE Did you hear anything unusual? JACOB (shaking his head) I was stuck in that dream again. Dead to the world. WALLACE Any breakthroughs there? JACOB None. I do think I'm getting closer, though. I know that I'm running toward someone. I saw them standing by a tree, but I woke up before I could reach them. WALLACE Interesting. Wallace looks down at his watch, and his eyes widen. WALLACE Wow, we've been talking for amost an hour! JACOB (surprised) Really? WALLACE Yep. I hate to kick you out, but I have to run to my next class in a minute. (beat) Listen, I'm going to be in the office all night. If there's anything you need, give me a call here. He hands out a business card, which Jacob takes and puts into his pocket. JACOB Thanks. WALLACE (smiling) It's not a problem. I wish we could talk longer, but there's always something else that has to be done. (both stand) You sound like you're getting closer on this dream. Call me when you get it and we'll talk more. As for the murders, all I can tell you is to be careful. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. QUAD - DAY 37 Jacob is sitting alone on the Quad, reading his psyc text book. He can't seem to concentrate on it, however, as he is constantly thinking about the murders. Brad's words echo again. BRAD (V.O.) All we ask is that you be careful while this is going on. We do not want to see another tragedy like we had last night. With a sigh of frustration, Jacob closes the book and places it beside him. He lies down in the grass. VOICE Jacob... (trailing off) And he's up like a jackrabbit. He frantically looks around, already panicked by the current state of the campus. His search, however, reveals no one. Confused, he lies back down. VOICE Jacob... (trailing off) He shoots up again, looking around. Again, no one is there. Panicked, he picks up his backpack and turns to put it in his backpack. He struggles with the zipper. ANGELA Jacob? Jacob whirls, half-crazed. It's Trent and Angela. Both take a step back, shocked by the frantic look in Jacob's eye. TRENT JR, buddy, what's going on? JACOB (looking around) Have you heard anyone calling my name? ANGELA (confused) Ah, no. We just walked up. JACOB I thought I heard someone calling me... His voice trails off as he continues to look around. Both Trent and Angela start looking around as well, but there's no one out now. Trent turns back to Jacob. TRENT You're cracking up, JR. (to Angela) Do they give you any leeway on grades if your roommate goes crazy? Trent starts laughing as Jacob stands and glares at him. JACOB I'm fine. What's going on? ANGELA I ran into Trent in the Pit and he was looking for you. I wanted to see if you wanted to study again tonight. Behind her, Trent raises his eyebrow. Jacob notices his friend but his attention is on Angela. JACOB I don't have anything to do tonight. ANGELA (smiling) Great. Be at your place around eight o'clock? JACOB (frowning) That might not be the best idea- ANGELA (interrupting) I already heard about your RA. (flirtatiously) I'm sure you could take good care of me. Jacob blushes and looks at his shoes. Angela smiles broadly. ANGELA That settles it. Your place at eight. I need to run to class, so I'll see you then. (to Trent) Later, Trent-ON. (to Jacob, flirting) Later, genius. She walks off, and Jacob and Trent watch her turn the corner and disappear. TRENT I don't like her. Jacob turns to Trent, smirking. JACOB She only called you Trenton because she knew you didn't like it. TRENT (frowning) No, it's not that. (beat) I can't quite put my foot on it, but there's just something about that girl I can't get. (shrugging) Ah well, she obviously like you. JACOB (surprised) What are you talking about? I've got no chance with that girl. Trent looks back at Jacob, and after a brief stare breaks out into laughter. Jacob just stares at him, confused. TRENT Whatever you say, Cassonova. Whatever you say. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 38 Jacob and Angela sit together on the dorm couch, talking with their books on their laps. The television is off and Trent is no where to be seen. JACOB Any luck with Freud? ANGELA I think so. I've been studying most of the day. (beat) I'd really like some luck with Jacob, though. JACOB (confused) Huh? ANGELA (smiling) Well, I don't know anything about you. Where are you from? JACOB From a little town called Bunnlevel... (trailing off) DISSOLVE TO: INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 39 Jacob has his arms spread like he's measuring a fish. Angela is laughing histerically. DISSOLVE TO: INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 40 Angela is walking like she's drunk. Jacob watches, laughing. She laughs and collapses beside him back on the couch. DISSOLVE TO: INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 41 Jacob is mimicking Trent, from where we saw him earlier on the couch. Angela laughs as Jacob pretends to flip channels. The phone is wedged between Jacob's shoulder and ear. DISSOLVE TO: INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 42 Jacob and Angela are eating chips. Angela throws a small handful at Jacob, however, and it soon becomes a potato chip food fight. On the floor, we see a closed psyc book. Looks like studying was done before it started tonight. Zoom in on the book. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 43 The book is picked up by a rising Angela. She stuffs it in her backpack. On the wall, the clock reads close to two in the morning. Jacob yawns as he rises and walks Angela to the door. He opens it for her, and she stops in the doorway. ANGELA (smiling) Wow, I can't remember when I've had such a great time. Thanks for having me over. JACOB I had a good time too. I just hate we didn't have more of a chance to study. Angela smiles flirtatiously. ANGELA Quiz me. Use that game you told me about last night. JACOB Ok. Id? ANGELA Animals. Next? JACOB Ego? ANGELA Normal people. (grinning) Like me. JACOB Oh, how humble. Superego? Angela smiles and laughs a little. ANGELA You. Jacob doesn't know what to say about this. He stands there, and the two share a silence. ANGELA Aren't you ever just going to go for it? JACOB Go for what? Angela rolls her eyes, then looks at him flirtatiously. She grabs him and pulls him close. Then she sticks her tongue down his throat. Jacob is shocked by this. He doesn't know how to respond, but after a second starts making out with her. The two kiss for a good deal of time before Angela draws away smiling. ANGELA You know, I have a ninety-four average in psychology. Jacob is confused. Angela smiles and kisses him on the cheek. ANGELA Don't forget about the review session tomorrow at two. I'll see you then. And with that, she walks out the doorway, closing the door behind her. Jacob stands there, staring at the closed door with a stupefied look on his face, before that gives way to a huge grin. Jacob does a little dance step over to his bed. Lying down, he folds his arms behind his head. His grin takes up most of the screen (not literally!). FADE OUT FLASH/ SWOOSH INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT (B&W) 44 Jacob sits up in the bed. The room is very dark now, and Trent is no where to be seen. He stands up from his bed and walks out the door without a look back. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT (B&W) 45 Jacob walks into the bathroom and turns to the mirror. He studies his face closely in the mirror and runs his hand over the mirror. He starts writing his name on the mirror, in exactly the same way as we saw earlier when the shower fogged the mirror. VOICE Jacob... The voice fades out. Jacob brushes his hand over what he just wrote, then turns and walks out the door. EXT. WOODS - NIGHT (B&W) 46 And he's outside. Jacob looks around, for the first time confused by his surroundings. There is no sign of any civilization here. VOICE Jacob... There it is again, a ghost on the wind. Jacob has a definite direction for the voice now, and he starts running through the woods toward it. Series of shots where Jacob continues to run through the woods. Dissolve between them. Occassionally we hear the voice calling him, getting stronger. EXT. CLEARING - NIGHT (B&W) 47 Jacob reaches a clearing and slows. In the clearing, someone is slumped against a tree, their head down to obscure their identity. VOICE Jacob... Jacob rushes ahead, to the figure near the tree. He takes the person by the sides and helps them stand. It is HIMSELF. Jacob withdraws and shrinks back. His injured alter-ego is wounded deeply and bleeding heavily. Jacob looks at his hands and they're covered in blood. He looks back to his alter-ego, and it looks back at him with pleading eyes. VOICE Jacob... Jacob freezes. The voice is now behind him. His eyes widen as the camera moves. There is a figure standing behind him, at the edge of the woods. The darkness masks its identity. FLASH/ SWOOSH INT. DORM ROOM - DAY 48 Jacob bolts awake and turns as if looking at someone behind him. He is momentarily shocked to find himself back in his room, and he looks around in confusion for a minute before checking the alarm clock. It reads 2:15. He jumps out of bed and grabs his psyc book from the couch before rushing out the door. INT. ABERNATHY - DAY 49 Jacob rushes up to the classroom door and attempts to turn the knob. It's locked. Confused, he looks at the door. On it is a sign that reads "Review Session and Psyc Exam Indefinitely Delayed." Jacob stares at the sign for a moment, not knowing what to make of this. Then his expression changes to one of joy. He darts away from the door, back the way he came in. INT. ANGELA'S SUITE - DAY 50 Jacob rushes to Angela's door, an elated expression on his face. He pounds on the door. JACOB Angela, open up! It's Jacob! I've got great news! The door opens, but instead of Angela, he is met by a crying MADISON BRIDGES, Angela's roommate. She's sobbing uncontrollably. Jacob looks past her, searching the room for Angela. JACOB Is Angela around? MADISON Oh God, no one told you. (crying harder) Angela was murdered last night. Jacob's features slowly turn from happiness to shock. He backs away, shaking his head, as Madison leans against the door and continues to bawl. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 51 Jacob wanders the campus, shocked that Angela was killed. He can't seem to believe it, and spends the entire day walking around. Intercut scenes of Angela and Jacob together with scenes of Jacob wandering as the day slowly closes. Put all over somber music (Perfect Circle, "Over"). INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 52 Jacob slowly opens the door and walks into the room. At this point he's just an automation, only continuing out of instinct. He collapses down in front of the computer. It is then that he looks down and notices that there are blood prints on his keyboard. Not knowing what's going on, he turns on the monitor. "YOU ARE NEXT" has been written over and over. Jacob's jaw drops, and he switches off the monitor. He pushes the keyboard away and stands, slowly backing away from the threat. FLASH/ SWOOSH EXT. CLEARING - NIGHT (B&W) 53 A bloody form of Trent steps out of the shadows, grinning menacingly. In his hand is a bloody knife. Jacob is frozen in fear. FLASH/ SWOOSH INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 54 Back in the room, Jacob continues to stare at the screen. Suddenly, the door opens, and Trent walks in. TRENT JR, you wouldn't believe what happened last night! Jacob spins to face his roommate, desperation in his eyes. Trent doesn't notice, instead walking over to the mirror to check out his hair. TRENT There was this girl- Trent turns and stops midsentence when he sees his roommate's discomfort. He peers at Jacob. TRENT What's going on? JACOB (freaked out) Nothing. Nothing's going on. Jacob looks past Trent at the cordless phone. He darts over, picks it up, then heads for the door. JACOB Nothing's going on. I just need to use the phone. And with that, he's gone, flying out the door, toward the bathroom. Trent watches him in confusion, then shakes his head in amusement. He picks up a portable CD player, puts on the headphones, and turns it on. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 55 Jacob rushes in and immediately begins pacing the floor. He runs his hand through his hair while looking at himself in the mirror. In desperation, he reaches into his pocket, looking for something. He pulls out the number Wallace gave him for his office. Wanting someone to talk to, he hastily dials it and places it to his ear. INT. OFFICE - NIGHT 56 Wallace is asleep at his desk, his head down. The answering machine comes on after two rings. MACHINE This is the office of Wallace Michaels. I'm not in at the moment. Leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 57 Jacob's heart breaks when he hears the machine. He curses under his breath, on the verge of tears. The machine beeps. JACOB Wallace, pick up! I thought you were going to be there all night! (beat, more frantic) It's Jacob. I found the killer! It's my roommate, Trent! I don't know what to do. This was the first number I could find. If you get this, please call the police. I'll try to call them and keep him here as long as possible. He murdered Angela! He murdered her last night! And he left a message- The phone beeps, cutting his message off. Jacob curses and cuts the phone off. He paces back and forth before resuming his search for the police number. His face lights up as he finds it. He takes it out and starts dialing when he notices something beside the toilet. It is a bloody knife. Jacob clicks off the phone and lowers it as he slowly walks over to the knife. He gingerly picks it up and studies it. The blade is covered in dried blood from countless victims. He turns it over slowly in his hands. FLASH/ SWOOSH INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 58 Inside the dorm room, Trent is listening to his headphone full blast. He is singing along with the music, and his back is to the door. And so he doesn't see Jacob in the hall, through the open door. He has the knife in his hands, poised to attack. INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT 59 Jacob creeps down the hall with the knife. He steps inside the dorm room door. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 60 Trent continues to sing along, oblivious to the danger behind him. He has a slight smile on his face. Jacob raises the knife to chest level and continues to close. And it's at that moment that Trent turns around. Trent's eyes register confusion for a moment before the knife shoots out and pierces his chest. He opens his mouth to scream, but nothing comes out and the knife comes down again. Jacob shows no emotion as he stabs his best friend. He stabs over and over, the knife coming back bloodier and bloodier. Stab after stab after stab, and Trent can't even scream. FLASH/ SWOOSH Jacob lowers the knife and blinks like he's waking up from a dream. Confused, he looks at Trent. Trent is mangled, in agony and unable to speak. He seems to be bleeding everywhere. He looks up at Jacob in pain and confusion. Jacob backs away and drops the knife to the floor. He jumps when it hits the ground, making a noise. He looks down at the knife, and it's barely visible through the massive amount of blood on it. He staggers against the desk and reaches back. His hand comes to rest on the phone, which he replaced as he came in. He looks at it and picks it up. JACOB I know you did it. I know you did it. Trent looks up at him and groans softly. TRENT Please, Jacob... help... JACOB I'm calling the police. He dials the number again, but it hits him again. VOICE Jacob... He lowers the phone and looks around the room frantically. VOICE Jacob... VOICE Jacob... VOICE Jacob... The voices multiply, seeming to come from everywhere and getting louder. Jacob spins around frantically, looking everywhere, but he can't pinpoint where the voices are coming from. He sinks to his knees and the phone falls from his hands and to the floor. Trent continues to bleed as Jacob starts crying. JACOB Jacob... The voices continue, closing in, and Jacob shuts his eyes tightly. FLASH/ SWOOSH EXT. CLEARING - NIGHT (B&W) 61 Same as the nightmare and flashback before, but instead of Trent covered in blood, it is himself. FLASH/ SWOOSH INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 62 Jacob's eyes fly open. The voices continue to speak, calling him over and over. He keeps seeing himself in that clearing, like his nightmare, covered in blood and holding the knife. The VOICE was always HIS. The voices keep calling, but one by one, they start changing their message. VOICE Listen to us... The voices start chanting this, one by one, until it's all Jacob hears. He shuts his eyes and starts nodding. The voices spur him on, and he rises to his feet. On the floor, Trent is almost dead. He is in a lot of pain but cannot help himself at this point. Jacob reaches down and picks up the knife. He is still nodding his head. Slowly, he walks over to Trent. Trent looks up at his best friend with pain-wracked eyes. Jacob raises the knife high. CUT TO BLACK JACOB And so I obeyed the voice. INT. OFFICE - DAY 63 And we're back at the very first scene. Jacob is still reclined on the couch. His arms are crossed over his chest, and he breathes normally. JACOB I knew you'd be here in the morning, so I came over before you and met you here. I just had to talk to someone about this. Jacob looks at his watch. JACOB Well, you're a busy man, so I'm going to get out of your way now. I don't think I'll be back - I've got an idea that the nightmares aren't coming back. (thoughtfully) I guess Freud was right. Everyone needs balance. I didn't realize what that meant until now. (shrugging) Oh well, I've got plenty of time to think about that later. I just wanted to say thank you for all your help. Jacob stands and turns for the door. He walks to it, opens it, but pauses in the doorway. He turns back around and holds something up. It's the answering machine tape. JACOB I couldn't forget this. After all, I think the voice wouldn't like that very much. (smiling) Goodbye, Wallace. Jacob walks out and closes the door behind him. The music swells, and the camera moves to look at Wallace, seated in the chair. His throat has been slit. BLACK CREDITS 1 1