"THE SYMBOL" (4th Draft) an original screenplay by Kera Hildebrandt Based on the "COLLECTION" series by David Perry
Kera Hildebrandt HOME: (269) 695-3943 CELL: (269) 326-0126 kerahildebrandt@yahoo.com
FADE IN: INT. BAR - NIGHT A modest bar with no attempt at modern or fashionable style. The most fashionable thing in the bar are old motorcyle and band posters and a neon beer sign. On the bar's TV, a news program is playing. MARLA No one was hurt in the flooding, but the damage was still extensive. Miraculously, the people who took shelter in St. Anthony's Church were relatively unharmed, despite the building being more than a hundred years old. Aid to the area is expected soon. An image of BESS (20's), a formally dressed man with a stylish air about him, is seen on the screen. MARLA (CONT'D) In other news, people are gathering to remember Lionel Bess, who went missing roughly a year ago. We have Sheila Kendal on location of the candle vigil. Sheila? Two average guys, MARTY (20's), an approachable man in causal dress, and JOSH (20's), a man whose dressed slightly-butnoticeably more formally dressed than Marty, are at the counter, drinking alcohol. The bottle is sitting by them. Josh takes his drink and takes a long sip. SHIELA Thanks Marla. An independant music producer, Bess had a bright future in business before his vanishing. Police have found very little evidence of his whereabout and are still accepting leads. On the television, footage of a candle vigil is seen, Among the people is WHITNEY (20's), a woman who is as beautiful as her stylish clothing and accessories. She holds the candle with an apathetic air about her, checking her phone and looking off into space. SHIELA (CONT'D) Roughly a hundred and fifty people have turned outside his home to honor his memory.
2. Josh scoffs lightly the moment the alcohol's down his throat. He wipes his mouth. JOSH Can you believe it? Bess has been gone for a year and people are still crying about him. And they only are because he vanished. Marty chuckles wryly. MARTY Well, yeah man. Vanishing into thin air would call for something like that. JOSH No, no, no. I mean, people are acting all nicey-nice towards his memory 'cause he's probably dead. Josh points to Marty in a "you know what" way. JOSH (CONT'D) Lemme tell you, this guy, the one they're crying for, he was an asshole. A complete douchebag. I should know, I worked with that jerk-off. Marty speaks with only a little attention in his voice; he's heard this rant before. MARTY I know ya did, Josh. JOSH Just boils my blood that assholes get candle vigils like they were freakin' Mother Theresa or something. Marty looks at Josh, smiling. Josh takes a drink, then looks at Marty. Marty starts laughing to himself a moment after Josh looks him in the eyes. JOSH (CONT'D) Oh laugh all you want. Josh turns back to his drink. JOSH (CONT'D) Still pisses me off. Marty turns back to his drink.
3. MARTY Whatever, man. Look at it this way. You've got all his business. JOSH Yeah, but I was also the prime suspect of this whole thing; before his psycho ex-girlfriend, his latest gold-digger bimbo, and crack-head of a brother. Josh lifts his glass, as if in a toast, and looks upwards. JOSH (CONT'D) (Sarcastic) So, yeah, thanks Bess. Appreciate the harassment by the cops. I'll be sure to send a card. He drinks. Marty smiles wryly and shakes his head. hangs in the air as they drink for bit.
Silence
MARTY Still...about his vanishing. I heard no one even saw him leave his place or anything. Marty spins the glass around slowly, staring at it in silence for a few moments. MARTY (CONT'D) Plus the symbol they found... Josh's attention is caught, forcing him to dwell on his thoughts in stillness. MARTY (CONT'D) The one drawn on his wall. It was like a pentagram or something. Josh sighs quietly and takes a drink. MARTY (CONT'D) But it was like the one found all those other times. As Josh drinks, his brow furrows in annoyance. JOSH Waittasecond...are you talking about that whole urban legend about those people disappearing?
4. MARTY They said they found a symbol just like it at with all those people. That college kid, that film producer, those two thieves in the woodsJOSH Dude, are you serious? Marty raises the drink to his mouth. somewhat hushed.
Marty's voice is
MARTY They say a demon took them away. Marty drinks.
Josh rolls his eyes.
JOSH Don't be stupid. That doesn't happen. MARTY There's some pretty nasty shit in this world. You of all people should know that. You're into that sorta thing. You've talked the ears off me and Liam more than once. JOSH I'm just interested in stuff like that. It doesn't mean that I believe in it. Josh takes a drink. JOSH (CONT'D) Speaking of...I wonder where he is. MARTY Who? JOSH Liam...I haven't seen him for weeks. I've stopped by his place and tried calling him; no go. MARTY Maybe he's been pulling long shifts. You know his coworkers like to call off like crazy. JOSH But it's been weeks, Marty. Months probably. I know Liam works long shifts, but this is crazy. (MORE)
5. JOSH (CONT'D) I mean, I'm finally back in town, I wanted to hang out with the both of you. MARTY Right... JOSH What about you? You talk to him recently? MARTY Haven't seen him since the wedding. Been on our honeymoon to Cancun, then we had to go to the funeral in Arizona, then the odd hours I work...Never really had a chance to talk to him. Josh and Marty are silent for a few moments. JOSH You don't think he got himself in trouble, did he? MARTY Liam? No, man. He's not like that anymore. If he did get in trouble, it's probably because of that sister of his. Josh seems bitter and annoyed at the mentioning of Liam's sister. JOSH Ugh, don't bring her up. He had to leave your wedding early because of her. Didn't even get to have a slice of cake. Josh takes a drink. JOSH (CONT'D) I'm telling you, there's too many people disappearing. Marty finishes his drink. MARTY Well, it's getting late. Becky's probably going to have my ass on a silver platter if I don't come home soon.
6. Marty gets up. JOSH (Snidly) Whipped. Marty smiles wryly and mocks offense. MARTY Well excuse me for having a woman in my life that doesn't charge twenty bucks for twenty minutes. JOSH Still whipped. Marty takes out his wallet and fishes out a few dollar bills. MARTY She's just worried about me. Doesn't want me to fall into the wrong crowd. Marty looks at Josh and smiles wryly. MARTY (CONT'D) Ha...yeah....too late, right? Marty puts down the money on the counter. wrist.
Josh grabs Marty's
JOSH Hey man, let me cover the bill. MARTY Seriously? JOSH Yeah...go buy Becky some flowers or something. Marty's a bit concerned at Josh, and looks at him as if checking for signs of sickness. MARTY You alright? JOSH Yeah, sure, why? MARTY Why are you paying for my drinks? JOSH 'Cause we're friends.
7. Marty raises and eyebrow in suspicion. MARTY Okay, so where was this all the rest of the years we were friends? JOSH You want me to pay or not? MARTY No, no, just whenever you do something like this, you're just trying to butter me up. JOSH You want Becky to worry about you? Marty smiles. MARTY No. You're right. out.
I should head
Marty begins walking out. The concern he has for his friend's actions is shown in his expression. He stops halfway and turns to Josh. MARTY (CONT'D) Do you want me to stay for a couple more minutes? JOSH Weren't you just heading out? Marty sighs and, smoothing over his concern, allows a smile. MARTY Right. Marty starts going for the door again. MARTY (CONT'D) Call me one of these days, okay? JOSH Sure, man. MARTY Take it easy. You too.
JOSH Watch out for them demons.
Marty waves as he walks out, but doesn't look at Josh. Josh is gone, he turns back to his drink.
After
8. Slowly, his expression becomes tired and despaired. JOSH (CONT'D) (To self) Yeah...gotta watch out for them demons. He finishes his drink. INT. BAR BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER A toilet flushes off screen before Josh approaches the sink and begins washing his hands. Josh looks at himself in the mirror. He glares at his reflection, as if he's trying to stare it down. JOSH (To self) Get it together, asshole...You're not dead yet. INT. BAR - NIGHT The TV is still playing the news program. it cuts out to static.
After some moments,
INT. BAR BATHROOM - NIGHT Josh hears the static and turns to the door. to himself and begins walking for the door.
He sighs quietly
INT. BAR - NIGHT Josh enters the area. He looks to where he was sitting and discovers that there is a bill waiting for him. He looks at it. Insert, bill "$324" Josh is shocked and mad. JOSH What the hell?! He picks up the bill. JOSH (CONT'D) This can't be right! I didn't drink that mu-! One of the neon lights reveals the demon's symbol to be drawn on the other side. Josh's eyes go wide in shock. Hand trembling, he slowly turns the bill and sees the symbol.
9. AROMNHOJ, the demon, is heard growling, making Josh jump a bit. He slowly looks up and sees the demon in front of him. He screams and immediately makes a run for it. He frantically pulls out a GUN. The demon's gone. He spins around, scanning the area and holding his gun out as he's still backing up towards the back door. JOSH (CONT'D) You're...You're not taking me yet! Josh's POV as he scans the bar.
Nothing.
JOSH (CONT'D) You can collect later.... Out of Josh's POV. right, nervously.
Josh is frantically looking left and
JOSH (CONT'D) Just give me more time! Back to Josh's POV. Aromnhoj is nowhere to be seen. Out of his POV. Josh scans the bar a bit more before running out of the building. An alleyway. Josh runs out into the alley and takes cover behind a dumpster. He holds the gun ready and presses his back against the dumpster, trying to stifle his heavy breathing. He closes his eyes. JOSH (CONT'D) (Quietly) Keep it together, asshole... He opens his eyes. JOSH (CONT'D) (Quietly) You're not dead yet... He peers around the corner of the dumpster. Josh's POV. He scans the alley in the direction of the back door. Aromnhoj is nowhere to be seen. Out of Josh's POV. Josh goes back to his original position, leaning up against the dumpster. After a few moments, he rushes to his feet and makes a run down the ally. He takes cover behind another dumpster. A shiver runs down his spine. Suddenly, footsteps are heard, bringing Josh's full focus to attention. The footsteps get closer and closer, but the terrified Josh cannot move from his spot.
10. Then the footsteps stop. Silence. Josh slowly begins to bring himself to look around the corner of the dumpster. Before he can see, a glass bottle is heard breaking. Josh jerks himself back. His breaths are somewhat quick, but profound. A different noise is starting to be heard; the sound of meat being stabbed. Josh raises an eyebrow, his expression that of puzzlement. He shuts his eyes and opens them as he looks up. He slows his breathing as he gathers his thoughts. After a few moments, she get to his feet. He spins around, gun ready to shoot to kill. But wide-eyed, gasping shock crosses his face. He almost drops the gun. His body is against the first dumpster he hid behind, slumped and gun still in hand. At the body, back turned to Josh and broken bottle stabbing the body is Bess. After Bess stabs and grins the bottle into the body for a while, he stops. Slowly and lopsidedly, like a doll or marionette with only a few strings or hands holding it up, Bess stands. (His face is unseen.) Josh is shaking and partially forming words in his mouth, which only come out as bits and beginnings of words. Eventually, after a big gulp, Josh finds it in him to speak. JOSH (CONT'D) (Very quiet/Shocked) Bess... Suddenly, the growling is heard behind him. Josh turns, but is over taken by the demon.
Aim his gun,
INT. BAR - NIGHT Josh's scream is heard. television screen.
Aromnhoj's symbol cuts onto the
Black. Josh's scream echoes. INT. APARTMENT, LIAM'S ROOM - DAY A typical, 20-something-year-old's room; not clean, but not messy. Pictures are seen among the owner's effects and include photos of LIAM (20's), a less-than-clean shaven man with a friendly air about him, with Marty, Josh, and DELILAH (20's, younger than Liam), cute with vibrant dyed streaks in her long hair, are seen. Marty and Josh are never in the same picture with Delilah. Liam is lying on his bed, fully clothed. groggy and stiffly as he does so.
He slowly awakens,
11. LIAM (Groggily) Jesus...what did....? He sits up a bit and sees he's still wearing his street clothes. He sighs with exasperation and falls back, rubbing his eyes. LIAM (CONT'D) (To self) You just fell right asleep in your clothes again, didn't you? He slowly and stiffly makes his way to his feet. the room.
Liam leaves
INT. APARTMENT, BY DELILAH'S ROOM - DAY Walking down a hall, Liam stops by a door. LIAM Delilah? He knocks. LIAM (CONT'D) Sis, you up? There's no answer. Liam waits a few moments, then turns the knob, finding it to be locked. LIAM (CONT'D) (To self) Okay, whatever. Liam rubs his head as he suffles down the hallway. LIAM (CONT'D) (To self) I was going to offer to take you out to breakfast, but your loss. INT. APARTMENT, KITCHEN - DAY Liam walks over to his refrigerator. He pulls out a carton of orange juice. He shakes it, hearing the swishing of the liquid inside. Satisfied, he sets it down and gets a glass. Setting the glass down, he pours the juice. However, the juice is a sick brown; like bile. LIAM Uch! Liam cautiously picks up the glass and inspects the liquid, disgusted as he does so.
12. As he looks at the glass, he catches sight of the window. To his surprise, the outside is dark and stormy. He sets the glass down and walks over to the window, looking at the stormy outside. INT. APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - DAY He stares out the window. shakes his head a bit.
He scoffs at the cloudy sky and
Liam suddenly catches the reflection of the Demon in the glass. Surprised, he gasps and spins around, ready to fight. There's nothing. He's silent as he tries to regain his cool. He rubs his eyes, hating himself for freaking out. LIAM (To self) Stupid idiot. He turns and closes the curtains. LIAM (CONT'D) (To self) This is what you get for working long shifts on no sleep. You're seeing things. He sits down on the couch in front of the TV and reaches for the remote. He flips on the television, only finding static. His brow furrows at the sight. He sighs. LIAM (CONT'D) (To self) Goddamit. (To other room) Delilah? He gets up and walks over to the hallway's threshold. LIAM (CONT'D) (To Delilah) Delilah, TV's out. Did you send the TV bill? No response. LIAM (CONT'D) (To Delilah) I didn't see it on the fridge where I put it, so you've must've taken it. No response.
13. LIAM (CONT'D) (To Delilah) Delilah, please tell me you sent it out. He begins walking towards the TV. LIAM (CONT'D) (To Delilah) If you spent it on something else again... His voice trails off. On the television is the demon Aromnhoj's symbol; shown with some film grain and alongside a quiet, whining sound that fades in and out. Unnerved, Liam stares at it, fixated and silent for a few moments. He rubs his neck nervously. It's as if he is locked in a staring contest with a growling tiger. Suddenly, Liam's cell phone rings, startling Liam. He looks around his pockets until he finds in cell phone in one of them. LIAM (CONT'D) Hello? There's static on the other end. LIAM (CONT'D) Hello? After a few moments, Delilah's voice crackles through the noise. DELILAH (V.O.) Li...am? LIAM Delilah? DELILAH (V.O.) Liam... LIAM What are you doing calling me? you in your-? DELILAH (V.O.) He..lp...me... Liam's eyes widen.
Aren't
14. DELILAH (V.O.) (CONT'D) Help m...e...Liam. The line cuts off. Growling from behind is heard. Slowly, Liam turns, behind him is the demon. It reaches for him. Liam jerks back and, dropping the phone and almost falling down, scrambles to the door. He grabs the handle, glancing at the demon that's making its way for him, and opens the door, not even looking forward as he runs out. EXT. WOODS - DAY The moment Liam looks forward, he's in some dense, dark woods. He looks back, the door he entered through is gone. Naturally, he's confused and alarmed at the change in scenery. He looks around for the demon for a few moments, but he's nowhere to be seen. He's turning as he jerks his head around, looking for any movement. He's trying to calm himself down (rubbing his neck again), but won't let his voice get higher than a whisper. LIAM (To self/Assuring) Okay...you're safe...You'll be waking up soon...Probably in a puddle of your own urine...but in you bed. Liam's eyes widen in realization. He reaches into his pockets, but suddenly becomes burdened by dread. He looks up and sighs. LIAM (CONT'D) (To self) Nice one, idiot. Dropped your phone. He looks down a path and looks down either direction for any signs of life. Looking around for any signs of humans or demons, he cautiously begins walking down the path. He continues to scan the woods as he walks down the path, stroking his neck. Suddenly, someone is heard walking through the path. Liam stops in his tracks and turns his attention to the woods as the footsteps grow louder. He hides behind some cover in the forest, still keeping an eye out towards the direction of the noise. Fearful anticipation is seen on his face. A few tense moments pass before VANESSA (20's), a girl with long hair and a long dress, face unseen, walks between the trees.
15. LIAM (CONT'D) Hey! Vanessa continues walking, not even looking in Liam's direction. Liam starts running after her. LIAM (CONT'D) Hold on! Liam gets onto the path Vanessa was walking on and discovers that she had vanished. He starts jogging down the path, looking for a trace of Vanessa. LIAM (CONT'D) (Calling) Hello?! He keeps jogging, scanning the woods. on another path.
Suddenly, Vanessa is
LIAM (CONT'D) Hey! He gets to the path Vanessa's on and starts running for her. LIAM (CONT'D) I just wanna talk to you! I have no idea what'sVanessa fades away, leaving Liam shocked at what he had just saw. He only stands and stares for a few moments. Slowly, he looks around for any trace of the girl or any signs of stage magic. He crouches and looks at the patch of ground closely, as if looking for creases of a trap door or any sign that it's an illusion. Aromnhoj's growl echoes in the distance, making Liam snap up and look behind him. The growl echoes again, this time a bit closer. Liam begins to run down the path; slowly at first, then picking up speed. As he runs, the growl continues to echo. Liam, dares not look back as he sprints in panic across the woods, muttering a plea to God under his breath. Eventually he gets the courage to look over his shoulder. Liam's POV. There is no one behind him. Out of Liam's POV. Liam slows down, turning the path he came from. He's panting a bit hard. In an another person's POV, they approach Liam as he looks down the path, holds his side, tries to catch his breath,
16. and strokes his neck nervously. The person reaches out to Liam, who cries out and spins around. He raises a fist to punch whoever's behind him. Out of POV. Behind him is JEROME (30-40's), dressed in a bit more formal clothing than Liam, shop-bought flowers in hand. Jerome drops the flowers as he cries out and stumbles back, hands raised. They look at each other, Liam breathing heavier than Jerome. Jerome looks at Liam with wide, alarmed eyes, while relief slowly appears on Liam's face. JEROME I...I'm sorry...You looked like you needed help... LIAM Oh my god...I so glad to see you! Jerome is silent for a moment. JEROME O-Oh...Well, I wouldn't think you were. Liam raised an eyebrow, then realizes what Jerome is talking about. LIAM Oh shi...sorry...I thought you were...I was being chased and... JEROME Chased? Liam's eyes widen and he reaches out for Jerome. LIAM Wait, are you real?! Surprised and confused, Jerome recoils a bit and steps back from Liam as he reaches for him. JEROME What?! LIAM There was a girl in these woods! Jerome is unnerved at the strange young man trying to touch him. LIAM (CONT'D) She just vanished and...!
17. Wait, what?!
JEROME Slow down!
Liam turns to the woods. LIAM Where am I?! JEROME (Calmly) Take it easy. Liam looks at Jerome, breathing heavily from hysteria. JEROME (CONT'D) (Calmly) Take it easy. Liam's breathing gradually slows down, becoming deeper and less rushed. JEROME (CONT'D) You're in some woods outside of Bell Hill Memorial. Liam is surpised by the news. LIAM What?! Bell Hill Memorial?! But that's outside the city! I was just inside my apartment! Jerome raises an eyebrow. he absorbs Liam's claim.
He's silent for a few moment as
JEROME Did you just say you were just inside your apartment? I was!
LIAM I was just...!
Liam groans with frustration as he starts rubbing his eyes. LIAM (CONT'D) I just don't know what the hell is going on! Jerome walks over, palms out defensively/in a "calm down" manner. JEROME It's okay. Just tell me what happened. Liam takes a deep breath.
18. LIAM (Calmly) Okay...You need to hear me out on this...I was in my apartment and big cloaked thing came out of nowhere and chased me out my front door. Then I just ended up here. Jerome is silent. say.
He glances to the side, unsure of what to
JEROME Ah...I see...Hey, do you have any family I can call or...? Liam's eyes suddenly widen. LIAM Delilah! He grasps Jerome by the shoulders. this.
Jerome is alarmed by
LIAM (CONT'D) My sister! She called me! she's in trouble!
I think
Jerome's voice is cautious, like taking to a person with an explosive temper. JEROME Hey, let's just get you someplace where people can help you. Liam reads Jerome's voice and expression and frowns. lets Jerome go as he stares at him. LIAM You think I'm crazy... Liam is more outraged. Of course! I'm crazy!
LIAM (CONT'D) Of course you'd think
JEROME Just come with me. LIAM But I'm not crazy! JEROME Please-
I'm not!
Liam
19. Liam runs into the woods. LIAM I've got to find my sister! JEROME (Under breath) Oh for the love of... Jerome takes after Liam. C'mon!
JEROME (CONT'D) Stop!
LIAM I have to find Delilah! EXT. WOODS - DAY Another part of the woods. JEROME Come back with me to the hospital and they'll help you find her! Liam just keeps running. JEROME (CONT'D) Hey! Liam is running through the woods. He glances back, he has lost Jerome. He slows down, panting a bit and still checking around the area to see if Jerome's still around. Then he turns to the woods. Dread crosses his face as he looks around. He may have lost Jerome, but he had also lost the only human he saw. He runs a hand through his hair as he surveys his surroundings. Suddenly, his cell phone is heard again. direction it's heard in.
He turns to the
Something catches his eye twenty feet away. He jogs towards what will turn out to be a gravestone. The moment he realizes what it is (halfway to it), he slows down to stop. There is a look of anxiety on his face. He takes a deep breath and walks over. On the grave are used candles, dried up flowers, some letters, and a small porcelain doll. In the dolls arms in Liam's cell phone. He takes it from it's hands and answers it. LIAM Hello?
20. Static blares through the phone.
He jerks it away.
LIAM (CONT'D) Jesus! He hangs up. He dials a number and holds it up to his ear. After a few moments, static comes through it. He is unpleasantly surprised by the noise. He's about to pull the phone away when something faint begins seeping through the static. It's Liam and Delilah arguing; muffled and quiet. Liam's full attention is put into trying to figure out what the noise is. Eventually, it cuts out. Liam dials the number again. He puts the phone to his ear. He begins to listen to the static again, trying to figure out what it is. As he listens, he looks at the things on the grave. up a handwritten poem on it.
He picks
Insert, poem "Though you have tarnished your soul, though the path you have treaded was impure and filled with garbage, always know that you can still reach for the light and be forgiven." Something comes through the static. The eerie sound of three girls singing, distorted through the noise. SONG-SINGERS The...de...mon...will... Liam frowns at the noise.
He's still looking at the poem.
SONG-SINGERS (CONT'D) The dem...ill come... Liam looks at the doll. tears.
Blood is running from its eyes like
Liam cries out and falls backwards.