21.
This is an excerpt of the screenplay for a horror thriller I wrote entitled "Cold Spring." EXT.
CLARENCE’S CABIN - NIGHT
Clarence steps out onto the porch with a metal dog dish in his hand. He bangs on the rim with a fork. Buford!
CLARENCE C’mon boy. Buford!
He stands motionless for a moment, then turns around and goes back inside. INT.
THE CABIN - NIGHT
He sets the dog dish on the floor and goes to the fridge. The light bulb in the fridge illuminates his face as he hears a clatter from outside. Buford?
CLARENCE That you boy?
THE CABIN WINDOW A dark shadow passes in front of the window, temporarily blocking the light from outside, and then it’s gone. Buford?
CLARENCE
Clarence walks to the door and grabs the shotgun leaning against the wall. EXT.
THE FRONT DOOR - NIGHT
The door opens and Clarence again steps out onto the porch. Leaving the door ajar, he scans the wilderness. He proceeds out to the overgrown row of hedges in front of his cabin, looking and listening. EXT.
THE FRONT YARD - NIGHT
There is a rustle in the bushes. Clarence turns his head in the direction of the sound. Buford!
CLARENCE C’mon boy.
He approaches the area where he heard the sound. Clarence steps into the tree line, stumbling. He loses his grip on the shotgun and drops it in the dirt.
22. CLARENCE
Fuck!
He gets down on one knee and feels around for the gun. Clarence’s hands are feeling around in the dim light when he touches something soft and wet. What the…
CLARENCE
He stands and holds his hands up in the moonlight. His fingertips are covered in a thick dark liquid. He wipes his hands on his shirt and removes his lighter from his pocket. He thumbs the wheel and it flickers to life. A bloody mass of fur and tissue is spread about Clarence’s feet. God.
Buford?
CLARENCE Who would…
A twig snaps in the forest. around. Who’s there?
Clarence’s head snaps
CLARENCE
He hears two heavy footfalls. and he cocks his shotgun.
His eyes scan the forest
CLARENCE You killed my dog you son of a… A shadow passes over Clarence’s face and his expression changes to one of horror. He raises his chin and looks up at the dark shape towering over him. Jesus Christ. you? EXT.
CLARENCE What the hell are
THE WILDERNESS - NIGHT
Clarence pulls the trigger on his shotgun letting loose a deafening blast with both barrels. He staggers backward, cracks the shotgun open and fumbles with the shells in his pocket. A steady series of heavy footfalls close in on him as he attempts to reload the shotgun and retreat at the same time. A monstrous hairy hand sweeps down and strikes Clarence on the shoulder, violently knocking him to the ground. The shotgun skitters away from him and shotgun shells
23. spill out of his pockets and onto the ground. He scrambles to his feet and begins to run toward the cabin, looking back over his shoulder as the footfalls behind him begin to quicken. CLARENCE (Screaming) Help me! Somebody help me! EXT.
THE CABIN - NIGHT
He reaches the porch and trips over the top step, sprawling out on the wood planks. He gets to his knees, reaches up and grabs the doorknob. He gets to his feet and rushes inside. INT.
THE CABIN - NIGHT
Clarence shoves the deadbolt into position and backs away from the door just as a roar splits the night air. A horrendous jolt impacts the door and the deadbolt strains against the clasp. CLARENCE (terrified) Go away! Just go away! The beast outside begins to pound on the walls of the cabin. The pots and pans hanging in the kitchen begin to clatter. Dust from the rafters drifts down through the fire light. Clarence backs further into the corner opposite the door. Go away!!
CLARENCE
The shaking stops and suddenly all is quiet. Clarence is crouched in the corner of the cabin. His eyes dart back and forth. He inches forward toward the window. EXT.
THE CABIN WINDOW - NIGHT
Clarence rises up from below the window sill, his eyes searching the yard. INT.
THE CABIN - NIGHT
He is looking outside. There is a noise from inside the cabin. He stands straight up and wheels around. Buford, his German Sheppard, is sitting in the corner of the kitchen, licking a paw.
24. Buford!
CLARENCE My god I thought you were…
A giant arm of coarse, matted hair crashes through the window accompanied by a simultaneous roar. Buford stands and begins to bark furiously. Clarence’s head is entirely enveloped by the beast’s massive claw and he is yanked out the window. A moment later there is a bloodcurdling scream from outside the cabin, and the only noise is Buford’s anguished barking.