Slasher

EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD - 8:00pm

Nearby entrance to THORNGROVE SECONDARY SCHOOL. Pretty standard place.

AMY WINTERS, 16. Pretty. Independent. Knows what she's talking about.

She's talking to her boyfriend, SHAUN BROOKES, and she's pissed. Looking.. different - a Cleopatra costume, and adorned with not-so-expensive jewels.

AMY - I can't believe you.

SHAUN - What? You asked and I said no.

AMY - No. I asked you two days ago and you said you'd *think* about it. I got my answer two minutes ago!

SHAUN - You actually thought I was gonna be a part of this shit?

AMY - Well, you could've at least phoned me!

Numerous teenagers are seen walking past. All dressed up. Troublemakers in the making.

AMY - If you're not coming in, why are you even here?

SHAUN - 'cause you asked me to meet outside of school.

AMY - So we could go in together, dumbass! It's a party, we could've had fun!

SHAUN - And who'd I be? Your lusty Egyptian prince?

AMY (sighs) - Anyone. I need to go show them my ticket.

SHAUN - Have fun, I guess. I just don't do shit like this.

AMY - I'm gonna go in. See ya tomorrow.

SHAUN - Yeah, see ya.

She walks off to the entrance, while Shaun stays put.

FROM HIS P.O.V. - Amy handing a member of staff her ticket. Her entering the place. Gone from sight.

INT. RECEPTION - 8:03pm

Well-lit. Teachers all around. Classic costumes (Peter Pan, witches, and other basic shit). Other teens wander.

One teacher, MR REYNOLDS, is holding a charity box.

MR REYNOLDS - Any spare change, Amy?

AMY - One sec..

Rooting in her pocket, she finds a 50p coin. She drops it in the box.

MR REYNOLDS - Thank you. You never know, this may make a difference.

AMY - What's the charity?

MR REYNOLDS - We don't know for sure yet, but the first we find in the area.

AMY- Ah. I hope a lot of people bring spare cash then

MRS PIPER steps in.

MRS PIPER - If anyone who hasn't got a ticket turns up, they can donate in exchange for going in.

AMY- Good idea.

MR REYNOLDS (unnerved) - Amy.. don't turn around.

MRS PIPER - Oh my...

AMY - What is it?

MR REYNOLDS - Just.. don't look. Don't move.

MRS PIPER (backing away) - It's getting closer, Amy!

AMY - Oh, you do frighten me.

She is 'scared'. The kind of scared you are when you know people are playing you. She turns around, to see THE GRIM REAPER!

Not really. Some dude in a costume. Good quality though. His acting is too much, but it kinda works.

REAPER (rasping) - You take care. Death has marked you.

The dude's voice is sibilant. Oooh spooky..

AMY - You mean.. I could actually die?

REAPER - The Grim Reaper cannot tell deceit. Death's finger is imprinted upon you!

AMY - Oh my god.. I'm gonna die!

Our little friend Reapy stays quiet.

AMY (melodramatic) - Just like.. every other person on this Earth?! I thought I was different..

No words from Reapy. Then - oh my - he speaks with a normal voice!

REAPER - Damn, can't you at least play along?

AMY - Sorry bud, I came here to have fun, not to scream and cry.

MR REYNOLDS - Where'd you get that costume, Mikey?

MICHAEL TENNYSON, a joker. Nice guy, but a corny sense of humour.

MIKEY - Barney's Shack in town. His selection was mint.

AMY - I was gonna go there, but my mate was a step ahead. This costume is hers; she said I could borrow it.

MIKEY - At least you didn't have to pay anythin'.

MR REYNOLDS - Mine's the result of an old suit drenched in fake blood.

Not much else to say. The conversation feels finished.

AMY - I'm gonna get in there. See ya.

MRS PIPER - Have fun, a lot of effort was put into it. 

MIKEY - Oh yeah, we've got fog and everything!

AMY - Joy

Time for the party.

SCHOOL HALL - 8:05pm

Dozens of students chatting, all in costumes. Some better than others. All around 15 or 16, or at least they look it.

A few decorations - spiderweb drapes across the wall, etc etc etc. Pretty basic stuff.

The room's lit up. Not a great atmosphere for Halloween, but good enough for a party. The stage is empty, apart from a microphone. Maybe there's a singer or something.

JADE (sinister) - Time for surgery!

JADE MURRAY, 15. Full of life. A little odd, but aren't we all?

AMY - Hey Jade! Nice costume.

JADE - Thanks. I am a demented surgeon!

AMY - How many deaths this evening?

JADE - As if I count my victims. Better watch out...

Pissing about is over now. They wander, talking - mostly random shit.

SCHOOL HALL - a little later

The lights shut off. Clearly it's a setup - something's happening. The stage is pitch black, but someone is speaking through the microphone.

VOICE - You kids don't know what you've gotten yourselves into...

The voice is deep, maybe modified through the speakers. Either way, not scary.

Amy and Jade are sat in the corner. They're not convinced.

AMY - What is this shit? They tryin' to be scary or something?

JADE - No clue. And I don't really care. I need the toilet anyway, see ya in a few minutes.

She stands up.

JADE - Hopefully this shite is over by the time I get back.

AMY (chuckles) - We can only hope.

Jade wanders out the hall.

VOICE - Tonight is going to be...

The stage lights up, a man, mid 20s, in a gambler costume. He's enjoying this, like, a lot. Must be a teacher.

The voice is now his own - less deep

MAN - ...the best night of your lives!

MUSIC BLARES FROM ALL DIRECTIONS, 00s PUNK

MULTICOLOUR FLASHING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE THE ENTIRE HALL

SOME PEOPLE DANCE, SOME CHEER, SOME PISS ABOUT AND SCARE OTHERS. A LIVELY CROWD

RECEPTION HALL - 8:15pm

Mrs Piper and Mr Reynolds are chatting

MRS PIPER - It's getting rowdy in there.

MR REYNOLDS - They're just excited. Let them have fun.

MRS PIPER - Is any faculty in there?

MR REYNOLDS (smirks) - William is, but he's on Gambler / Partyrumner Mode at the moment.

MRS PIPER - Right.. if it gets too frantic, we're going in, okay?

MR REYNOLDS - Okay.

Now they just.. do stuff. Maybe accumulate the money in the charity box. They don't go in the main hall. How convenient for the kids.

SCHOOL HALL - Not long later

Amy is where she was before, drinking something (probably spiked). Jade has not returned.

A FIGURE, dressed in a BLACK ROBE and a FACELESS MASK, appears and sits in Jade's chair, next to Amy. Creepy moment.

AMY - Jade?

Everything is so loud.

AMY (shouting) - Jade!

No response

AMY (under breath) - Fuck, I can't hear shit

THE FIGURE is staring at her, but she doesn't notice at first, but when she does--

VERY TENSE moment. No words (as if they'd hear each other), and then--

THE FIGURE PULLS OUT A KNIFE - NOT A FAKE OR A PROP, LIKE SOME OF THE TEENS HAVE - A REAL MOTHERFUCKING KNIFE

Amy SCREAMS, and instantly, the blade is swung straight into her stomach - a perfect hit

She barely gets out a whimper, as THE FIGURE sits, emotionless, faceless, and seemingly about to do more damage...

--- IN THE CROWD ---

Everyone's having fun. Lots of dancing, and an awful lot of toying around. Some CHASE others, FAKE BLOOD and FAKE WEAPONS are all round. A VERY excitable group of people -- and about 50 / 60 of them.

But none of them notice..

--- AMY'S P.O.V. ---

Amy staggers to her feet, not taking her eyes off THE FIGURE. She starts to limp away, blood leaking from her mouth, and then--

THE FIGURE follows

--- IN THE CROWD ---

A cacophony of music and fake screams and attempted conversations.

SCREAMS - FAKE, all except ONE

--- AMY'S P.O.V. ---

Amy reaches out to someone dancing, but THE FIGURE pushes her away, and almost instantly she is STABBED again

Her back now has a huge WOUND, blood is coming out. A LOT.

-- IN THE CROWD ---

People smiling. People laughing. People spooking each other and play-fighting.

--- AMY'S P.O.V. ---

Before she can reach someone else, THE FIGURE strikes again, and the WOUND is now bigger, more BLOODY.

--- IN THE CROWD ---

Some dude, being chased by some other dude. How fun for them. The chaser has a plastic knife.

The other dude bumps into Amy.

She is now in a FRENZY of tears and blood coming from both sides.. her face shows TRUE TERROR

DUDE (yelling) - Shit, you're better than me!

THE FIGURE JUMPS IN FOR ONE LAST STAB

AMY IS HELPLESS

DUDE (yelling - loud all round) - That blood looks so real!

Some teens start noticing THE FIGURE

How amazing the effects are! The *fake* blood, the wound makeup, Amy's incredible acting!

Amy's life starts creaking out of her DRENCHED body. Her last sight.. about TEN teens standing round, admiring the *skills* and *talent* of THE FIGURE and HERSELF

Then she drops. Very much dead.

THE FIGURE FLEES INSTANTLY, TOO FAST FOR ANYONE TO REACT