Lesson 11

[Deb Johnson]

Deb’s Level 2 Horror Emotion Scene

What I learned… Emotions ratchet up in Act 2 and must include Fear, Suspense, and Dread. The essence of these emotions will be an expectation of torture or death.

Tunney, 23, athletic type with spiky short hair speeds down a desolate tree-lined road. The MUSIC BLARES and the WIND SCREAMS. His back seat is full of his camera drone and other recording equipment.

Tunney texts as he drives.

INSERT PHONE:

Text Reads: You in?

TUNNEY

On my way. Gotta get my bungee on. Chaos Calls.

He ‘sends’ and then sets his phone down.

SEAN (V.O.)

Tunney.

Tunney glances at his rearview mirror.

SEAN (V.O.)

I know you, Tunney.

Tunney turns OFF the MUSIC. The WIND HOWLS.

In Tunney’s rear-view mirror is the mangled body of SEAN, 11 years old. He smiles through a bloody mouth. Tunney’s eyes widen.

TUNNEY

What the…?

Tunney brakes and screeches to a halt. He turns around; in the back seat is his recording equipment.

EXT – CAR/ROAD – CONTINUOUS

Tunney stumbles out of the car.

SEAN (V.O.)

Remember me?

Tunney watches this scene play out in front of him:

EXT – LONELY TREE LINED ROAD – DAY

SEAN, 11 years old, rides his bike. Tunney’s car comes screaming over the hill, hitting Sean, and sending him flying. Tunney jumps out of his car and races to the boy.

TUNNEY

No, man! No! This can’t be happening. Oh, god. I’m ruined. I’m ruined.

Sean reaches a feeble hand up to Tunney.

SEAN

Hey, I know you!

Tunney is beyond distressed. He screams, paces, and looks about frantically.

TUNNEY

Oh, man. Oh, man.

SEAN

What happened?

Tunney gets a look of determination on his face. He leans down to Sean.

TUNNEY

I don’t know man. I don’t know. But the ambulance will be here real soon.

Tunney wraps his hands around Sean’s neck and chokes the life out of him.

BACK TO

EXT. CAR/ROAD – DAY

The engine ticks. Tunney clutches his head, hits himself several times, and jumps back in the car.

INT/EXT – TUNNEY’S CAR – DAY

SEAN (V.O.)

Where’s the fire, Tunney?

EXT – BRIDGE – DAY – CONTINUOUS

Tunney speeds towards a bridge. A small group of people are gathered, engaged in lively conversation. Tunney screeches to a halt, his disheveled appearance alarms the group. He grabs a bungee rope, his eyes wild.

TUNNEY

I need a rush, a jolt! Gotta get out of my head!

FRIEND

Wait, Tunney, we haven’t measured the lines yet. It’s not safe!

Tunney attaches the bungee cord to his leg.

TUNNEY

Chaos Calls

He leaps off the bridge.

The bungee cord snaps.

Tunney plummets.

The group gasps.

The impact is fatal.