Halloween: The Series.
     Episode 4.7: The Price of Tomorrow

     We open on a high shot of Haddonfield. 

ADAM (VO)
Previously on “Halloween: The Series”.

We flash to see Helen, Lily, Rodney and Colin sat around (4.4). We see The Pale Horse bathed in shadows (4.6) A terrified looking Debra. Helen and Tommy hugging. Colin looking bitter. Colin looking at the alien technology (4.2). Lonnie and Debra parting (4.6).

Haddonfield University: Students are seen walking from the building as the day grows later.

Haddonfield University, Library: It’s pretty empty this late in the afternoon and no ones around except the Librarian, an old grey haired, thin women with rounded glasses and hawk like eyed named MISS LAKE. She sniffs around the bookcases, tutting to herself at misplaced volumes and generally being slightly creepy.
     As she goes through them we see JOE THOMAS enter the Library and head over to the desk. She pulls a large text book down quietly and turns and starts creeping out.

MISS LAKE (VO)
What do you think you’re doing?

Joe freezes. She’s been caught. She turns to the Librarian and smiles.

JOE
Just returning a book, I didn’t want to disturb you.

The Librarian gives her a dirty look, distrustful and Joe is obviously unnerved by her. Miss Lake wanders around the other side of her desk as Joe comes up to it. She swings the text book open and examines the date stamp.

MISS LAKE
This book was due back almost a week ago.

Of course it was and Joe knows that.

JOE
Really? I had no idea.

Miss Lake simply glares.

JOE
So, umm… I guess there’s a fine to pay?

Miss Lake continues to glare until, as if suddenly transformed from rock to flesh, the librarian slams the book shut.

MISS LAKE
The fine will go onto your record to be paid at the end of the semester.

Satisfied she slips the book down behind the desk and wanders off, all but ignoring a confused and somewhat creeped out Joe.

Haddonfield University, Corridor: Helen and Lilly are walking along together as other students scurry to and throe, either leaving, collecting work or off to attend some evening sessions.

LILLY
That’s why many people believe “Castle of Otrano” is even older than it actually is. It is still considered the first gothic novel but it was never a translation, Walpole just used that excuse to allow himself to get that kind of story published in a time when it wouldn’t otherwise be considered.

HELEN
(jokingly)
You like English far too much.

LILLY
Well it’s better than Math.

Lilly chuckles as Joe walks out of a side corridor and joins them. 

JOE
And where are you fine ladies going?

HELEN
Home. Once I’ve dropped off an assignment.

JOE
I better escort you, this college can get rough.

They chuckles as they head on… as they pass by we see COLIN MORITZ through a glass door leading to a technology lab. 

Technology Lab: A large room with work benches dotted around and welding equipment along the walls. Colin is stood by an open store cupboard, his bag by his side, and looking nervous. He is dressed in a large coat, really too big for him and, unusually, wears think glove son his hands as well as having his collar pulled up high. He’s obviously searching for something.

COLIN
Come on… where are you…

He spots what he’s looking forward. A box containing strips of plastic, marker pens and small electronic pieces… all you need to produce basic circuit boards. He looks around nervously and stuffs a number into his bag before turning and leaving.

Fade to black.

     The Halloween Theme begins to play as we rise up over Haddonfield. The title card appears reading:

HALLOWEEN: the series

     The music becomes a far more rock and roll version of the theme tune and various images from seasons two and three flash up. The cast characters are named as:
Paul Rudd as TOMMY DOYLE
Carrie-Anne Moss as DEBRA LOOMIS
Johnny Depp as LONNIE ELAMB
Rebecca Gayheart as HELEN JACOBS
with
Colin Baker as ADAM TRAVERS.

Fade in on Haddonfield, early morning. It’s a Saturday and already children are beginning to emerge onto the streets to play whilst their ever suffering parents try desperately to catch a few hours more in bed.

Blankenship House, Tommy’s Room: Tommy is led in bed, the quilt pulled up over his chin and lying still in the dark. The sun shines in through the gaps in his badly drawn curtains and we hear the ticking of a clock. After a few moments a loud alarm rings and Tommy rolls over, hitting it off. He reaches down to the floor, still in bed, and picks up a TV remote. His TV is on stand-bye and, with a flick of a button, bursts into life.
     As Tommy lies back we see a blond news REPORTER stood facing the camera.

REPORTER
…authorities urge people to be on the look out for the girl.

Tommy sits up, paying attention.

REPORTER
Described as “small with brown hair” the girl, aged approximately 12, has been spotted by a number of Barnsfield residents. When questioned by one person she claimed she was running from her Uncle but ran off before the authorities could be notified. The identity of the girl is still unknown.

By now Tommy is sat right up in bed, looking shocked at the screen.

TOMMY
Jamie… is that you?

FLASH: Jamie screaming for help.

Tommy jumps up out of bed and flies over to his desk and pulls a map out of a draw. He lays it out and looks over it until he finds Barnsfield. It seems to be located far east of Haddonfield.

TOMMY
About three hours drive.

He quickly grabs his clothes off the side and starts to dress.

Elamb Residence: Lonnie is seen in his kitchen pouring milk over his cereal. His is unshaven and his hairs a mess. As we follow him through into his Living Room, where he sits down in front the TV, we see he hasn’t been keeping the house in shape. The TV is on and we see wrestling is playing. He can’t be bothered to turn it over so he just sits and crunches at his breakfast.
     After a few moments his phone rings and he picks it up.

LONNIE
Hello?

TOMMY (VO)
(excitedly)
Lonnie, it’s Tommy!

LONNIE
Unless you’ve won the jackpot on the lottery you have no excuse to sound that excited.

TOMMY (VO)
Turn on the news!

LONNIE
Which one?

TOMMY (VO)
Doesn’t matter anyway. There’s a report that a young girl has been seen in Barnsville on the run from her Uncle, it could well be Jamie!

LONNIE
Or it could be Little Miss Muffet doing what all kids dream of and hiding from her family.

TOMMY (VO)
It’s worth checking out at least!

LONNIE
Is Debra going?

There’s a pause and Lonnie’s face shows he knows what is coming.

TOMMY (VO)
I phoned her first…

LONNIE
… she’s already on her way over. As much as I’d like to spend my day being accused of murder I think I’ll pass this once.

TOMMY (VO)
Lonnie, it’s been three weeks. I know it was bad but she needs all the support she right now, especially with The Pale Horse out there.

LONNIE
She’ll be fine. She’s tough. Survive on her own two feet. Enjoy the trip.

Lonnie hangs up the phone and gets back to his breakfast, only a momentary expression of guilt washing across his face.

Blankenship House: Outside we see Debra waiting in her car with Adam sat in the back. Tommy comes out the house and clambers in.

ADAM
Is this it?

TOMMY
Hello to you to Adam. 

ADAM
Excuse my manners, just surprised there are so few of us.

Tommy smiles at Debra and we finally realise something about her is different. Her hair has been tied back and her clothes are less casual and more akin to a stereotypical secretary than anything else.

TOMMY
Hi Debra, how are you doing?

DEBRA
I’m doing alright, shall we go?

Tommy nods and they pull away.

Lenny’s Café: It’s large coffee house and café located on the corner of two streets, the walls of glass and the patrons can see outside just as pedestrians can see in.
     Sat at a table against the wall are Helen, RODNEY (4.4) and Lilly, each with bags, folders and a large mug of coffee in front of them. We watch them through the glass, talking and occasionally laughing when Joe is seen walking past. She too spots them.

Interior: Joe walks in through the door and heads over to the others. We now clearly she’s wearing a very low cut tank top and tight trousers buckled with a studded leather belt. She has her dark hair tied back in a pony tail.

JOE
You’re actually doing work on a Saturday? Helen, I’m shocked, I thought you knew better.

Helen smiles and moves up allowing room next to her. The other two sit on the opposite side of the table.

HELEN
You can join us if you like, we’re not actually doing any work it seems.

Joe sits and looks around at their folders.

JOE
Brought that out for the fun of it then?

LILLY
Colin was meant to meet us here half hour ago to go over some of the more complicated chemical formulas but didn’t show.

RODNEY
Again.

Helen seems to look a little concerned as she packs her folder back into her bag.

HELEN
I’m getting worried, he never came to our meeting on Wednesday night and I haven’t seen him in school since that afternoon.

LILLY
I guess he must be sick.

JOE
He’s been in.

The others look at her questioningly.

JOE
I saw him in a Science Lab Thursday, he was acting odd, going through equipment.

Lilly looks around at the others and seems unsure, as if saying something utterly impossible and simply shocking to suggest.

LILLY
You don’t… you don’t think he’s been… stealing?

RODNEY
They say it’s always the quiet ones.

Helen shakes her had, not believing.

HELEN
Come on, it’s Colin. He who lives by the Star Fleet code or whatever. But, still, I am worried about him, he hasn’t been the same since his invention was destroyed a month back. He definitely hasn’t been talking to me as much.

As they all sit around looking somewhere between concerned and depressed Lilly seems to brighten up, getting an idea.

LILLY
Perhaps we should pay him a visit?

RODNEY
Go to his house?

LILLY
Just see if everything is alright and, if not, to see if we can help.

Rodney stuff his folder away and clamber sup, his face and stance showing his disinterest.

RODNEY
I think I’ll pass, if we’re not studying I’m going home to get some actual work done. I’ll see you in school Monday.

He turns and heads out as Lilly finishes packing her bag and drinking the last of her coffee. Joe turns to Helen.

JOE
Seeing as my plans today consisted of wandering the shops for slutty clothing mind if I save my cash and join you?

HELEN
Sure, but remember, we’re there to see if Colin’s alright and he might not want to talk to you as he doesn’t know you as well.

JOE
I’ll just be your sexy morale support.

Helen and Lilly laugh as they all get up to leave as we cut to…

Debra’s Car: They are moving along the roads outside Haddonfield, driving rather fast. We cut to inside where we see them sat in relative silence. After a while Adam smiles and tries to break the ice.

ADAM
You know, it seems a long time since we last went out like this.

TOMMY
Adam, you make it sound like a day trip rather than a potential rescue mission for an abducted young girl. But I do know what you mean.

He turns to Debra who hasn’t really responded much yet.

TOMMY
Didn’t things always used to seem so much simpler? 

DEBRA
You mean back in the days when we jumped on every little coincidence and random so-called clue and usually ended up either bored in the back of beyond or nearly getting killed?

Tommy looks to Adam who shrugs and then back at Debra and grins slightly.

TOMMY
Exactly that.

DEBRA
It’s in the past now.

ADAM
The past can sometimes show clues to the future, Debra. Should always keep moving forward and learning from your mistakes.

Debra sighs almost reluctantly.

DEBRA
Guys, I’m not stupid and I appreciate the pep-talk but, really, I’m alright. I just have to deal with things on my own right now. Let’s just to this town and see if Jamie is indeed around. Just like the old days.

She keeps her eyes fixed on the road as they continue to drive towards their destination.

Mortiz Residence, Exterior: We see Helen, Lilly and Joe walking towards the house and turning in and approaching the front door. Helen steps up and knocks loudly.
     They wait a few moments. No answer.

HELEN
Weird, his Mom’s usually always in.

JOE
Try knocking harder.

Helen knocks on the door again, harder this time and, much to their surprise is swings open slightly. They look around confused and concerned at each other.

LILLY
This isn’t right.

Joe creeps forward, pushing it wider.

LILLY
We shouldn’t go in, should we?

JOE
(calling into the house)
Hello? Anyone home?

Lilly looks around, really concerned. 

LILLY
I don’t like this, shouldn’t we get someone?

HELEN
Let’s just check the house first.

They slowly enter the building. It may be the afternoon, it may be sunny and bright but the silence and stillness of the place feels unnatural. As if the very house dares not whisper in light of some unknown concern.
     Helen creeps towards the stairs, turning to the others.

HELEN
Check around, I’ll look upstairs.

The others nod their agreement as Helen slowly creeps up. The silence is momentarily broken by a single squeaking step on the stairway. Helen tenses before continuing, rounding a corner at the top into yet another empty, white hallway.
     At the end of a hall is a door on which, on a brass plate, we see the name “Colin”. Slowly Helen moves forward towards it, not daring too speak as if she too is scared to break the silence. She reaches forward, grasping the bronze handle and slowly twisting it. It ever so slightly squeals as it turns.
     Helen swings the door open and steps forward.

     We cut to Joe looking around an ordinary, suburban living room, plant pots and a coffee table, pictures framed on clean walls and everything pretty much tidy. As Joe heads towards the door to the kitchen a loud scream is heard from upstairs. Joe’s head snaps around to the stair case.

JOE
Helen.

She shoots off to the stairs, slamming up each step as fast as she can and rounding the corner to face Colin’s room. Helen is leant against the hallway sobbing, shaking, as Joe rushes up to her.

JOE
Helen, what is it?

Joe glances into the room. She looks shocked.
     Sprawled out on the floor are two bodies. A male and female, both around forty years of age, their skins burnt and blistered, their hair slightly singed and blackened. It seems obvious that they’ve been electrocuted, their dead faces frozen in the remnants of a shocked expression..
     Joe can’t bring herself to say anything is she stares in horror at the morbid scene presented before her. Behind her we see Lilly appear, she freezes upon witnessing the corpses.

LILLY
Co… Colins parents…

Helen sobs as she slides down the door frame to the floor.

Moritz Residence, Later: We see two stretchers being carried out of the house, the bodies hidden under sheets. A couple of cop cars are parked outside and we see Lilly, and who we assume to be her parents, talking to an Officer. Helen is sat on a stone wall as Joe has a comforting arm around her. 
     We see LONNIE pull up on his bike, jump off and quickly head over to them. Helen looks up as he comes and she gets up and hugs him.

LONNIE
Helen, slow down with the moves, I haven’t been single that long!

Helen stands back wiping away a tear, obviously still slightly distressed.

HELEN
I’m sorry, it’s just…

LONNIE
Hey, it’s ok. Poor taste. I’m glad you called me, are you doing alright?

Helen nods, as she does she notices something behind Lonnie. They all turn to look as SHERIFF JIM HOLDT steps out of his just-arrived cop car and approaches them, his face is hardened as he chews tobacco.

HOLDT
What are you doing treading on my crime scene?

LONNIE
Comforting someone whose distressed, what are you doing treading on my toes?

HOLDT
Got a smart mouth ain’t ya? 

Holdt steps forward threateningly and Lonnie, not to be beaten, steps forward to confront, both of them very close.

HOLDT
I’ve had my eye on you, Elamb.

LONNIE
Really?  Well, you’re not my type.  Sorry.

HOLDT
You’re not fooling anybody.  You’re the first person the cops alerted me to the day I took office.  Always in the middle of trouble, always having your nose where it doesn’t belong.  Well, your days of getting by because of your daddy died along with him.  I’m going to be watching you, and one day you’re going to slip up, and I’m going to nail your ass!

LONNIE
Do you mean ‘sexually’?  I’m a man that believes in the phrase ‘To each his own’, but I’m not into that.  Understand?  You can do what you want to do with your spare time, but—

HOLDT
Shut up, Elamb.  I’m warning you.  This town is trying to grow again, and I won’t have you casting a shadow over the rebirth of a once-great place to live.

LONNIE
Yes, I know.  You know me.  I’m the reason this town has gone downhill.  Everyone moved away because of me.  I am the black cloud of death that has run rampant over the entire city.  In fact, I’m probably responsible for everything that has ever gone wrong anywhere!

HOLDT
I just came over to warn you.

LONNIE
And you did, very threateningly.  I’m pissing my pants right now.

HOLDT
Smart ass.  I can’t wait until the day I have you in prison, you lowlife.

LONNIE
Never happen, sheriff.  I’m an angel.  My halo shines brightly, and besides, I’m much smarter than you are.

HOLDT
If you attempt to interfere with my job and my town, I will have your ass, one way or the other.

LONNIE
(leans up in Helens ear)
I think that Sheriff Holdt has an ass fetish.

Helen laughs.  Holdt looks angrily at Lonnie.

HOLDT
What did you just say to her?

LONNIE
If I told you, I’d have to kill you.

HOLDT
What did you say?!

LONNIE
It’s a secret.

HOLDT
Damn you, Elamb!  I’m going to have your ass!

Lonnie looks over at Helen.

LONNIE
Told ya.  Ass fetish.

	Holdt loses his temper and grabs Lonnie, ramming him back first against his car.

HOLDT
You listen to me, you son-of-a-bitch!  Things in this town are gonna change.  You and your friends are no longer gonna run free.  You hear me?!  Get in my way and find out that I’m no one you should be toying with!

	Lonnie and Holdt stare at each other with intensity before Holdt backs away from him and smirks. He turns and heads over to other cops on the scene, some of who have turned and are watching him approach with what might be either awe or fear. 
     Joe steps up next to Lonnie.

JOE
That guy seriously needs to get laid.

Random Highway: Debra’s car is pulled up on the roadside and we see Tommy changing a flat tire as Adam looks on, unimpressed. The radio is on as Debra sits looking frustrated. 

ADAM
Well this is quite a turn out.

TOMMY
It’s not my fault someone left glass in the road.

DEBRA (VO)
And it gets better!

They turn to face her where she looks rather pissed off. She slowly turns the radio up.

RADIO
…was found safe and well. She had caught a bus Russelville to run away from her Uncle after she accidentally broke his antique watch. The girl is said to be unharmed but somewhat distressed.

DEBRA
What a total waste of time this turned out to be.

RADIO
In other news two bodies were found in Haddonfield this afternoon…

Tommy and Adam rush forward to listen and even Debra’s annoyed look vanishes.

RADIO
… though the exact details are unknown it has been reported that they were discovered by a group of girls, one of whom was the daughter of the late Wayne Jac…

Tommy switches off rushes back to the tire and rapidly finishes putting it back on.

TOMMY
We have to get back to Haddonfield now.

Elamb Residence: We see Lonnie, Helen and Joe entering the Living Room, the girls sitting down next to each other. Lonnie wanders around to the kitchen.

LONNIE (VO)
Either of you want a drink?

JOE
Just a glass of water for Helen.

She puts an arm around her friend, Helen seems better but still shaken slightly.

HELEN
I know I’ve… seen a lot. But I knew them well, they were really kind, really caring. Whenever I went there to study they always smiled, cooked for us, even though they didn’t have to. I mean, what must Colin be going through? What… what if something has happened to him as well?

Lonnie enters with her drink, passing it to her as he sits down in the next chair. As he does there’s a knock at the door. Lonnie looks up, not expecting anyone.

LONNIE
Hang on a moment.

He heads out and we hear the door open. We hear something said just off screen and so we can’t quite make it. Moments later Lonnie walks back in… followed by DEPUTY ROBBIE REDMAN. Lonnie sits back down as they turn to look at him.

HELEN
Deputy Robbie, is there any news?

ROBBIE
Not yet and I wouldn’t count on much.

LONNIE
What’s that supposed to mean?

ROBBIE
Holdt. He wants this thing sorted as quickly and quietly as possible. He’s got a few people out looking for the son but otherwise he’s more worried about appearance than anything else. 

LONNIE
I never thought I’d see the day when I missed a cop but I sure as hell miss Cody right now.

ROBBIE
A lot of us do. I came here because of that, I know what you guys are involved in and figured if anyone could help find Colin Moritz it’d be you lot.

HELEN
Do… do you think he might be in trouble?

ROBBIE
Not a clue, seems the current line he’s wanted for questioning.

HELEN
(shocked)
They don’t think he had anything… to do with it?

ROBBIE
Holdt won’t tell me much, he doesn’t like me I know that. All I know is that he’s keeping this quiet and got those of us, like me, he wants out the way searching for the kid.

Lonnie gets up, having decided a course of action.

LONNIE
Alright, Robbie, we can go try and find this kid, check out the usual haunts first and the like and these two can stay here…

Helen interrupts.

HELEN
No, we’re coming too!

LONNIE
Helen, look, you’ve been through a lot today, let us deal with this. Someone needs to be here to ring Tommy and let him know soon as he gets back.

HELEN
I guess. But that’ll only take one of us, Joe can still go with you.

JOE
(concerned)
Are you sure you’ll be alright here on your own?

Helen nods.

LONNIE
Great, now that’s sorted, let’s head out.

Haddonfield University, Library: It’s entirely empty, the windows are shut and most of the lights are off. After all, it’s Saturday and the only person to be seen is the librarian Miss Lake sorting over a pile of books. This women has no life.

POV Shot: We look down on Miss Lake from behind a stack of shelves. We move away, quietly to another section. Our gloved hand reaches out and pulls a large book off of a shelf, it’s a book on electronics. As we do another smaller book falls out along with it and hits the floor.

Miss Lake looks up.

MISS LAKE
Whose there?

She gets up and walks up a few steps to the next row of shelves. She turns a corner to see the book on the floor and no sign of the intruder. She walks over, reaches down and picks up the book, it’s a book about new technology called “Mechanical Man”.

Haddonfield’s Warehouse district: We see Lonnie, Robbie and Joe walking the streets towards an abandoned looking building.

LONNIE
I really hate this part of town. I swear, anytime anything bad happens in Haddonfield it can be traced back to this area.

ROBBIE
No wonder it’s abandoned then.

They reach the locked doorway of the building, it’s old and dilapidated. Lonnie looks at it in semi-disgust.

LONNIE
Come on, even I wouldn’t have gone in their when I was his age. And me at sixteen was scary.

JOE
Really? I heard you at sixteen was either wasted, in jail or sleeping with the best working girls Chicago had to offer.

LONNIE
Yeah, that to. 

ROBBIE
Still, we’ve picked up a few kids who’ve run away lurking in here. However much we board it up they seem to find a way in.

JOE
It isn’t too hard.

She slams forward, barging into the old, weak wood and splintering it, leaving a gap just large enough for them to prise the door open with. Robbie sighs.

ROBBIE
Ya know, I actually have a key for the side entrance...

Elamb Residence: We see Tommy and Debra pull up outside and get out. They rush to the door, Debra pulling out a key.

DEBRA
Just as well I still have this I guess.

She unlocks the door and head in. Once inside they move straight into the Living Room where Helen is sat, upon seeing them she jumps up, runs and hugs Tommy tightly, burying her head in his shoulder.

HELEN
Tommy, I’m so glad you came! I’ve been calling you all afternoon!

Tommy, somewhat uncertainly, steps a small bit away and looks at Helen.

TOMMY
I heard about the murders on the news and we came right back, went straight to yours. Adam took your Mom back to his to look after her and she said you were here so, umm, here we are. Who was it, who…

HELEN
(slightly panicky)
The Moritz’s. Colins parents. And now he’s disappeared and I don’t know what happened.

Tommy puts a hand to her cheek, actually surprising Helen  and he smiles at her in a reassuring and friendly fashion.

TOMMY
Need to calm down, it’ll be alright. Where’s Lonnie?

HELEN
He went out with Robbie and Joe to try and find Colin. I hope nothing’s happened to him.

TOMMY
And you have no idea where he could be?

HELEN
I just don’t…

Helen freezes. Her eyes kind of glaze over and we see goose bumps appear down her arm.

HELEN
Cold, very cold. It…. Can you smell that?

Tommy slowly sits Helen down, looking at Debra indicating to each other that they smell nothing out of the ordinary.

HELEN
Must and dust and dirt, stale air. I can smell it, I can feel the cold and everything is so dark.

Helen starts blinking and suddenly she seems “back” in the room and normal. Tommy seems intrigued and concerned at the same time.

TOMMY
Helen do you know where Colin is? Were you there?

HELEN
No.. I… I was just feeling like I was somewhere else. The atmosphere, if it was him, he’s somewhere isolated, somewhere hidden.

TOMMY
I think we should head back to his house and see if we can find any clues.

DEBRA
Tommy, that isn’t a good idea. They’ll still be investigating the place and if Holdt catches you I don’t doubt he’d toss you in a cell and throw away the key.

HELEN
(suddenly)
Shit, I should have thought of that!

Tommy and Debra turn to her, shocked by the sudden outburst.

HELEN
Colin keeps nearly all his notes and stuff on his computer. If he’s just run away, there might be a clue amongst them.

TOMMY
But we can’t get to his…

HELEN
He told me he backs them all up in the University Library, they have a small computer section there.

TOMMY
We’d need to hack into his folder and I don’t think I have the skills to do that, it’s most likely a tough system.

HELEN
Joe does.

DEBRA
Joe?

HELEN
Yeah, she was always doing it, getting into the work of other people who’d been pushing us around and changing bits and pieces. Not exactly ethical, I know, but she knew what she was doing.

TOMMY
Alright, we’ll head over and pick her up on the way to the library.

HELEN
She went with Lonnie and Robbie, remember. We’ll have to find them first.

Tommy just gets a complete look of “oh for God’s sake” pass across his face. Suddenly Josh appears in the doorway behind them.

JOSH
Have to find who first?

Haddonfield High School: We see Lonnie, Robbie and Joe heading out of the grounds, seemingly having just searched the place.

JOE
That place really has manage to go down hill since I was there. And it was a shit hole to start with.

ROBBIE
Still no kid though. I’m running out of ideas, everywhere else is being searched or has been searched already.

LONNIE
We haven’t searched the women’s lockers at the gym and what better place to hide? No one would think of looking for a geek there.

Robbie gives him a dirty look. He shrugs.

LONNIE
I’m out of suggestions.

As they reach Robbie’s car we see Tommy pulling up in his Jeep. They turn to face him as he, Debra, Helen and Josh approach. Debra avoids eye contact with Lonnie who instantly changes his stance to look more harsh.

ROBBIE
Tommy, good to see you made it back, how did you find us?

TOMMY
Paid one of you officers to tell me where you were. Surprising how willing cops are to betray others.

Between this and Lonnie and Debra, things seem a little uncomfortable. Tommy seems still annoyed about Robbies actions in 4.5.

HELEN
Robbie, do you think really think Colin was involved with the deaths?

LONNIE
Why not ask Debra? She seems good at pointing the finger.

Debra gives Lonnie the dirtiest look and turns to Tommy.

DEBRA
I’ll wait in the Jeep.

Tommy looks annoyed at Lonnie.

TOMMY
Look, let’s forget all this arguing and the like, we got someone to find and let’s just concentrate on that!

LONNIE
Fine, what do you think we’ve been doing? Having a picnic?

TOMMY
Look, we think we may have a way of finding Colin and we need Joe’s help.

ROBBIE
Can I ask what that is?

TOMMY
You can ask.

Robbie looks frustrated.

ROBBIE
Tommy, can I have a word with you a second. Alone.

Tommy seems some what cynical at this but nods. They turns and walk a few feet away and Tommy sighs.

TOMMY
So what is it, going to lock me up again?

ROBBIE
Tommy, you know, I was just doing my job. I know, that doesn’t help. Point is, I wanted to live up to Cody and to earn respect with the others. I knew it wasn’t a permanent post but I still felt I had to not let anyone think I was weak.

He looks somewhat uncomfortable but Tommy seems to soften somewhat.

ROBBIE
What I’m badly trying to say is I’m sorry that it had to happen. I was an ass and we’ve been through a lot together and I don’t want there to be bad blood between us.

Tommy smiles and takes Robbies offered hand and they shake.

TOMMY
We all do things we regret.

ROBBIE
Going to tell me this lead you have on Colin?

TOMMY
Not a chance.

ROBBIE
(grins)
Doesn’t surprise me at all.

They turn and head back to the others where we see Helen’s been talking to Joe.

JOE
Helen’s filled me in, I’m up for it.

JOSH
Me and Lonnie will stay with Robbie and help him continue to look. Let us know if you find anything.

TOMMY
Will do. Let’s get going.

The group breaks up, climbing into the different vehicles before driving off.

Moritz Residence: We are in Colins room which is a taped off crime scene. The bodies have been removed. We move in on Colins desk where we see a few strips of metal led, we move across it and down the side to a small box stuffed under his bed. In the box we see a complex looking circuit board, part of what Colin stole from the alien ship.

Haddonfield University, Afternoon: We see Tommy pulling up in his Jeep and parking around the back of the school down a road that isn’t too busy and where they won’t be obvious. Everyone climbs out and looks around.

TOMMY
Seems deserted enough.

JOE
The library is just over there.

She points towards a nearby building. Tommy nods and they head towards it. As they move past a building they get a view of the parking bay where a single, old, worn car sits. Joe and Helen recognise it.

HELEN
This isn’t good.

DEBRA
What isn’t?

JOE
That’s Miss Lakes car, she’s the head Librarian. Fuck, I knew the rumours were true.

TOMMY
Rumours?

JOE
That she actually lives in that library.

HELEN
She doesn’t seem to have much of life, spending her weekend where she spends her entire week…

TOMMY
Question is, how do we get around this?

Haddonfield University, Library: We see Miss Lake sat down at a table drinking a mug of tea, somewhat relaxed in a “tiger ready to strike any moment” kind of way. There’s no sign of any noise and everything is relatively peaceful.
     Suddenly their comes a loud crashing sound and she darts up, instantly to her feet and looking around.

MISS LAKE
Whose that? I heard you earlier you know!

With no reply she heads towards the doors to the Library. She unlocks them and steps out into the corridor. She looks up and down, fist she sees nothing and then she notices an open doorway. She heads over to it, looking around and making sure no one else can be seen. The hall ends on a junction but no one is around as far as she can see.
     She reaches the door and looks in to pitch black. She steps inside and we hear something crack under feet.

MISS LAKE
What is that?

She fumbles for a light switch and finds it and we realise she is in a store cupboard. We realise the source of the noise was a falling shelf and she’s stood on pencils all over the floor, snapping them.
     The door swings shut with a slam and she jumps around. There’s a click as it’s locked and Miss Lake dashes up to it.

MISS LAKE
Let me out this instant! You’re in an awful lot of trouble whoever you are.

Hallway: We see Helen and Joe walking away from the store, looking at each other and trying desperately not to laugh as we hear the door rattling behind them.

Library: We see Tommy and Debra waiting for them in the main entranceway. 

TOMMY
I trust she’s alright?

JOE
Just going to be really pissed off which, to be honest, won’t make much of a difference. Would it be childish to say that was a lot of fun?

TOMMY
Let’s just get to work, where are the computers?

HELEN
Over here.

She guides them through a row of book stacks to a small area hidden away in a corner where four computers sit. Three are very old, very basic and one looks rather state of the art in comparison, the best a 1992 University could afford.
     Joe pulls out a seat and sits at the newer console and switches it on.

JOE
The University doesn’t seem to concerned in investing with new technology but they got a few of the more advanced computers for their offices and the spare was put here. Shouldn’t take too long to load.

Debra stands over her shoulder watching, Helen by her side. Tommy looks around the library and wanders off down one aisle. He reaches the end and spots the main desk, obviously thinking something, he heads over to it.
     He walks behind the desk and searches around a little, opening a large draw which is full of cards arranged into alphabetical sections. He goes to “M” and flips through.
     He finds a card and pulls it out, closing the drawer and sits down on one of two stools behind the desk. He looks over it and we see it belongs to, of course, Colin Moritz.

HELEN (VO)
What are you doing?

Tommy looks up to see Helen come and sit down on the stool next to him. She lens in, looking at the card, and her head almost touching his.

HELEN
Colin’s library card?

TOMMY
Interesting list of books he’s been getting out. Look at these, advanced science and modern technology texts I can understand. But there’s a large number of books on extraterrestrial and supernatural phenomenon that he started getting out around January. 

HELEN
Colin’s always been into all that, I mean he’s everything everyone thinks of when they hear “geek”.

TOMMY
Maybe. But he hasn’t returned half the books here and many are long over due. And with everything going on I just have a feeling there’s something I’m missing, something obvious.

Helen lets an arm slide down by Tommy as she looks at him, very close to each other.

HELEN
You don’t think he’s involved in the his parents death in any way do you?

TOMMY
I don’t know.

HELEN
I’ve known him for over a year and I’ve never seen him so much as hurt a fly. I mean, lately, he’s been getting, I don’t know, more angry at things but still…

TOMMY
There’s a lot of unanswered questions Helen. Don’t worry, we’ll work it out, it’s going to be alright.

HELEN
I hope so.

They stare at each other, there eyes meeting. Helen seems some what saddened.

TOMMY
What is it?

HELEN
So much is going wrong and everyone’s going through so much. After last year I thought things would be quieter but… but they haven’t been. And no one seems to simple relationships. Lonnie and Debra have broke up. Garry pines after Sue. Adam and Mom both seem to be dancing around the issue. Is nothing ever simple?

TOMMY
(sadly)
I guess not.

Helen suddenly looks horrified and looks away, as if realising a terrible mistake.

HELEN
(panicking)
Oh Tommy, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think of what you’ve gone through with Carly and here I am bitching about tiny little things. I’m such an idiot.

Tommy puts an arm around her and moves her back to face him and smiles reassuringly.

TOMMY
It’s ok Helen, I understand. I know, we’ve all had our share of loss, we can still be strong. Things can still work out for all of us, we just have to stay confident.

They sit, staring at each other, their faces very close. Helen lets her hand slip into Tommy’s holding it tight for comfort. 

TOMMY
I…

They lean closer to each other, as if moving in towards a slow kiss. As they do Helen’s hand brushes against Colin’s library record card.
     Suddenly we have a flash of the burning alien space craft (Episode 4.2). Helen jumps and slips off her stool. She manages to catch herself and get her legs out and Tommy jumps up.

TOMMY
Are you alright?

HELEN
I… I don’t… the travellers… they…

She seems confused at first but slowly she seems more sure of what she’s saying. However she also sounds more rambling and rapid in her words.

HELEN
From another world…. Their tech… technology from another world. He used it. He used it. Technology from another world. Legacy. Tommy? Tommy, you see?

Tommy shakes Helen gently.

TOMMY
Helen, calm down. Relax.

Helen seems to snap out of it and looks at Tommy in worry.

HELEN
Tommy, there was a UFO crash. Littleton. 

Tommy nods, he obviously knows all this. However, something seems to dawn on him, realisation spreading across his face.
     We flash to see Tommy Doyle sprinting through a corn field, coming up on the burning alien ship and stopping as a figure is spotted moving by the side of the ship. As he goes to help he takes in the intricate design of the circuitry amongst the wreckage ahead.
     We flash to Tommy looking over Colin’s Simulated Reality Machine (4.4) and we see the same design and spiral patterns in the technology of it.
     WE cut back to reality as Helen looks confused.

HELEN
What is it?

TOMMY
Did Colin go to Littleton? Did he go to the crash site?

HELEN
I think so… why?

TOMMY
He’s got his hands on the alien technology, that’s how he was able to construct the Simulated Reality machine. If he’s been using this stuff who knows what damage it may have been responsible for.

Tommy seems to think over things a moment and looks back at the library card.

TOMMY
He’s got out a lot of books dealing with spiritual healing and supernatural phenomenon. If he’s combining magics with technology… he’s messing in things he can’t hope to comprehend.

HELEN
Oh Colin… we have to find him.

JOE (VO)
Yo!

They both turn to the sound of her voice and get up, running to the back of the library whether Joe is sat working and Debra faces them, waiting for their arrival.

DEBRA
She’s done it, she’s in.

JOE
I swear they’ve improved the system. Guess you can’t halt the advance of modern tech. I’m just accessing his user area now.

TOMMY
Good, we have to hurry.

DEBRA
What’s the even bigger rush all of a sudden?

TOMMY
I’ll tell you once we get moving, let’s just get this information now. Trust me, if I’m right we have no idea of the scale of what’s going on.

JOE
Alright, I’m in.

The other quickly gather around as Joe opens up several folders on the screen.

JOE
Wow.

The screen fills up with what look to be plans, maps and diagrams.

HELEN
What is this?

JOE
These are all the files from City Hall! Colin must have cracked into their system, that smart ass bastard. He’s got building reports, inspection notices, sewer plans. 

HELEN
Knowing Colin, he probably only done this for the challenge of it.

TOMMY
Have you got the plans for Haddonfield? Is there anything there that might give us a clue as to where he is? Anything unusual?

Joe brings up a full screen map showing the lay out of Haddonfield and the surrounding area. On the outskirts she notices a red patch and zooms in.

JOE
You learn something new every day…

DEBRA
What is that?

JOE
I’m not sure but it’s quite large, outside of Haddonfield and underground. I’m cross referencing it with the notes…. Wow.

TOMMY
Well?

JOE
It’s a Nuclear Bunker made back when the Cold War was a lot hotter. Apparently was designed to be a refuge for all the important people from Chicago and other major cities in the area. Pretty much closed down and all knowledge of it covered up. And, by the looks of things, someone accessed these files recently. Like, yesterday, recently.

TOMMY
That has to be it. 

DEBRA
Tommy, the entrance isn’t too far from Adam’s camp. We should phone him, let him know what’s up.

TOMMY
Good idea. Joe and I will head up there, you two go find Robbie and Lonnie.

Joe shuts the computer down and the monitor goes to black as does the entire screen.

Cut to: Darkness. Slowly images start to appear, as if we’re becoming used to the black. We still can’t make out details but there is a shape wrapped up in a cloth hunched in a corner. 

Adam’s Trailer: We see Adam hanging up his phone and turning to Rose who is sat down at the small table holding a cup of hot tea in her hands.

ADAM
Rose, that was Tommy, he thinks he has an idea as to where this young boy may be. I’m going to go on ahead and see if I can find him. Will you be alright here?

ROSE
Yes, but I could come with you….

ADAM
I think it’d be best if you waited here, Helen will come up and also I don’t think we want to crowd Colin. If I find him I’m just going to talk to him. Hopefully make sure he’s alright.

Rose nods her head, understanding.

ROSE
Alright. Good luck.

Adam smiles his thanks and walks to the door and climbs out.

Outside we realise it’s very much dusk, the sun setting in the horizon and from this hillside it all looks very beautiful. He looks around, seemingly confirming his bearings before heading off towards a small wooded area overlooking Haddonfield.

Moritz House: There’s only one cop car parked outside now and a small barrier erected up around it. We see another car, Holdt’s, pull up and the Sheriff climb out and approach DEPUTY CAL KINMONT.

HOLDT
Anything Deputy?

CAL
There seems to have been some kind of power surge in the bedroom, best the experts can tell. Nothing to suggest foul play.

HOLDT
Just what I wanted to hear.

WOMEN (VO)
Sheriff Holdt?

They both turn to see a women in her late forties, maybe early fifties, approaching. She’s dressed in a very classy dress, carry’s a leather bag and has her greying hair tied up. She has an air of arrogance to her. This is GERTRUDE MORITZ.

HOLDT
I’m Holdt.

GERTRUDE
I spoke to one of your deputy’s on the phone earlier. I am Gertrude Moritz, Colin’s Aunt. I hear you are out looking for my Nephew? 

HOLDT
I got some of my officers onto it. You don’t seem too distressed about the death of your brother.

GERTRUDE
Well, we all go when our time comes! Should make the best of the situation. I just came to ask how long the until I can move in?

Holdt gets a “what the fuck” look on his face and looks at Cal who shrugs.

HOLDT
What do you mean,  move in?

GERTRUDE
My own place is a lot smaller and this is a nicer neighbourhood. I’ve contacted my lawyers, it’s all been arranged. If you could just find Colin it can all be sorted.

Holdt and Cal just stare at this women who seems far more concerned about getting everything sorted out for her than anyone’s well being.

Woodland: We see Adam approaching a steep embankment which rises up to another level where the woods continues. A large area of dirt and leaves seems to have been disturbed, like it’s slid down. Around the area are a number of rocks and disturbed ground and a large pile vegetation all of which seems to be uprooted and pulled around.  Adam approaches and slowly scrapes away a layer of dirt. Before more dirt falls down to cover it we get the gleam of metal.

ADAM
This must be it.

He moves along, scraping away and feeling through the mud until he comes to something that sticks out from the rest. It’s metal “case” embedded onto the surface of whatever is hidden. He examines it and discoveries it slides open to reveal two switches. Adam stares at them a moment.

ADAM
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

He flicks the first one and there is a low rumbling and the earth begins to slide down. He steps back as the metal doorway opens inwards.
     As the light pours in we see a small alcove bathed in the orange light of dusk. It’s a small room with another metal door, unopened. Sat, hunched in the corner, is Colin Moritz, a blanket over him. He looks up at Adam.

ADAM
Colin Moritz, I assume?

Colin picks himself up, he has his collar pulled up high and the sheet wrapped around his self, covering his arms and hands. He steps forward, partly in light and partly in shadow. 

COLIN
What do you want?

He doesn’t speak like the happy, chirpy kid we know or even in an angered or bitter tone. Just empty and somewhat emotionless.

ADAM
There’s a lot of people out looking for you Colin. They found your parents you know? You do know what’s happened?

COLIN
Of course I do.

ADAM
Colin, can you tell me what happened? Why are you hiding up here? You can’t stay here forever.

COLIN
Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do? We’re all free to do what we choose.

ADAM
So it seems, but that isn’t always the case. There are rules and laws and compromises we all have to make in order to exist in society.

COLIN
Then societies wrong.

ADAM
How did your parents die Colin?

Adam’s Home: We see Tommy’s Jeep pulling up outside as Rose comes out to greet them. Helen clambers out and runs over to hug her mother.

ROSE
Helen, I’m so glad you’re alright, it must have been so upsetting to discover them.

HELEN
It’s alright Mom. Is Adam here?

ROSE
He’s gone to find Colin, I thought you knew that?

Helen looks over at Tommy who comes over.

TOMMY
I should go and catch up with them.

HELEN
I’m coming too.

Helen kisses her mom on the cheek and rushes off after Tommy whose already making his way towards the woods.

The Bunker: Colin is still stood in both the dark and the light as Adam has stepped closer to the entranceway so they are only a few metres apart.

ADAM
Colin, people are out everywhere looking for you, they want to know what’s happened. Everyone’s after answers and you can provide them.

Colin lets a hint of bitterness come through his voice with his next sentence.

COLIN
It wasn’t my fault.

ADAM
Pardon?

COLIN
That’s what this is all about, isn’t it? You all think I killed my parents, you think I did it! It wasn’t me, I… it was an accident. An accident.

TOMMY (VO)
(shouting)
Adam! Adam!!

Colin steps back completely into the shadows, his voice now more angry as emotion starts seeping through into his dialogue. 

COLIN
What’s he doing here? He’s always around. And let me guess, Helen is with him.

Tommy and Helen are seen approaching. Colin smirks as Adam turns and looks at them, holding out a hand to indicate for them to stop.

ADAM
Stay there Tommy.

TOMMY
Why, what’s going on?

ADAM
Colin’s here, we’re just talking. I don’t think he wants to see you. Just keep your distance.

TOMMY
Alright.

Tommy and Helen stand a few metres back as Adam steps forward into The Bunker, only a couple of metres away from Colin now. Colin stands up against the wall, watching Adam carefully.

COLIN
Why won’t you all just leave me alone? I want to be left alone!

ADAM
I’m afraid that isn’t possible. The truth needs to be known and…

Colin steps forward angrily, out of the dark. He seems a little out of it.

COLIN
The truth! Will you leave me alone then, yeah? When you have the truth?! 

He throws the blanket he had wrapped around him at Adam, it hits the older man in the chest lightly and falls to the floor.

COLIN
There’s your truth.

ADAM
Dear Lord…

We focus on Colin’s right hand. Each finger tip seems capped with a metal stub that’s perfectly slotted over his skin, so much so that it seems to be almost a natural part of him. From there what appear as metallic veins, like a circuit board, travel down each finger to the palm where they interweave. The metallic veins carry on up his arms and under his clothes, they aren’t over his skin as so much seemingly part of his skin. There’s dried blood along the edges of them. Adam stares in shock as Colin folds his colour down and we see a wire protruding from his shoulder and going up and back into the skin just behind his ear and the metallic lines seemingly disappearing beneath the skin around his neck area. The other arm is similar but there is no wire.
     He steps forward further into the light, only just over a metre away from Adam and he turns and looks out at Helen. She and Tommy have slowly edged closer and are only a number of metres away now. Helen looks shocked and turns and buries her head in Tommy’s shoulder as Tommy looks horrified.

ADAM
Oh my God…

COLIN
This was no act of God, this was me.

TOMMY
What did you do? The alien technology, I knew you got hold of it, but how did you…?

COLIN
You think I haven’t seen what’s been happening in this town? Things beyond science. No one else seemed to notice, at least I thought at first. But it seemed Helen did and it seemed you did. I investigated, I researched. The supernatural is real.

ADAM
I don’t understand.

COLIN
The alien technology worked partially on a symbiotic nature. Organic and Machine. It… it would have been a scientific breakthrough if it could work. But the body would reject any implants…

TOMMY
You used some kind of supernatural healing.

COLIN
(getting angry and upset)
I turned myself into a freak! Look at me! I’m a monster!

ADAM
Colin, what happened to your parents?

Flash to Colin’s Room: His door is shut and he’s sat at his desk, he has his right hand led there with four of his fingers “capped” and another cap, with a long spike on its base, held in his other hand. He slowly stabs it down into his finger, wincing, until it’s in place. There comes a banging at the door.

MRS MORITZ (VO)
Colin, I’ve told you three times now, your dinner is ready! This isn’t like you to be like this now will you come out?

COLIN
I’m busy!

We see him remove a plot from it’s socket and, carefully, using wooden tongs, inserts three strips of metal into it. He breaths out slowly and nervously, he reaches to touch the live socket. As he does blue energy flashes from it and up his arm, following the course of the metal veins. He jolts and the lights flash but he’s otherwise alright.
     He looks in wonder at his head, as he presses his fingers together they spark with electric energy. He grins.

COLIN
I did it.

Suddenly his door slams open and we see the hall lights flicking on and off and his mother bursts in angrily.

MRS MORITZ
Colin, what have you done, the lights…

She sees his hands and his shocked, guilty look.

MRS MORITZ
Colin! What is this!

She rushes forward and grabs him by the hand.

COLIN
NO!

She suddenly screams out as a huge wave of electrical energy surges over her, the connection holds her, even as Colin tries to pull away the contact isn’t broken. Everything happens so rapidly, Colin is panicking and tears form in his eyes. Suddenly Mr Moritz bursts in as Colin watches on in horror.

MR MORITZ
What in damnation!? 

COLIN
(begging)
Dad, don’t!

Mr Moritz grabs his wife and the huge amounts of electrical energy flow between them. Colin flings his hand back, but his mom’s hand won’t let go, joined by the current. He stagger sup pulling them, as they cry out and their flesh burns. He stands there, eyes screwed shut, as steam rises off the smouldering bodies of his parents.

The Bunker: Colin stands there, tears running down his cheeks as the others look on in horror. In the background we see Robbie’s cop car pulling up and Debra, Lonnie and Joe climb out and run over.
     Robbie goes to get out and we see his radio buzz and he goes to answer it.
     Colin holds his arms out to his sides.

COLIN
Can you imagine the amount of energy generated by the human mind? I thought… I could harness it. I’d be famous! The kids couldn’t bully me then could they? Not the rich kid! Look of what they did to me! Fucking look!

ADAM
Colin, you did this to yourself, you cannot blame others. You have to go to the police with this.

COLIN
I just want to go home!

Suddenly he falls to the floor on his knees, sobbing. The metal finger tips clank against the floor as tears well up and drip to the floor.

COLIN
I can’t remove them. I’m stuck like this, like some freakish… freakish cyborg. I just wanted to be liked.

Tommy walks forward and stands by Adam.

ADAM
Colin, you’re still responsible. 

COLIN
What’s going to happen to me?

TOMMY
I don’t know. What you’ve done to yourself, isn’t explainable by our science. But you have to go to the police.

ROBBIE (VO)
He doesn’t.

The others all turn to face an approaching Robbie.

ROBBIE
That was Holdt. Seems they’ve decided it was an accident causes by faulty electric’s. The search has been called off, Colin’s free to go home.

Colin slowly picks himself up and looks at Helen. She just stares back and shakes her head, perhaps in sadness but perhaps in disgust. She then turns and walks away. Joe follows her. Robbie looks at Tommy sadly.

ROBBIE
There’s nothing more we can do.

Robbie turns and heads away. Colin looks at Tommy and we get a montage of flashing images: the invention being blown up, Tommy and Helen hugging, Helen smiling at Colin, Tommy looking angry.
     Tommy looks at Colin.

TOMMY
I can try and help you…

COLIN
(interrupting)
Leave.

TOMMY
What?

COLIN
Get the Hell away from me.

Colin turns and stumbles back into the shadows where he sits.

COLIN
Fuck Off!

Adam takes Tommy’s arm and guides him away. Tommy watches Colin before turning and walking away as do Debra and Lonnie.

We slowly zoom in on Colin, he’s crying, the tears, falling down his cheeks and wetting his clothes. 

We slowly pull out, showing the empty Bunker around him, then the empty slope, the empty woodlands, we see hear the car driving off and we see Colin hunched up in the dark, all alone.
    
 Fade to Black.

Halloween: The Series
Season Four
Episode 7
The Price of Tomorrow
By Scarecrow
Script Editor: Scarecrow Cenobite
Creative Consultant: Robbie.red666
Creative Consultant: Screamer009
Assistant Producer: MysterioMan007
Produced by: Scarecrow Cenobite
Based on Characters created by John Carpenter & Debra Hill