GREMLINS
Written by
Chris Columbus
HONG KONG - AN OUTDOOR MARKETPLACE
Crowded. Filled with oriental and British merchants.
You can buy anything here. Electronics. Food. Any-
thing.
RAND PELTZER
walks through the owd. An American businessman.1-He
wears a tas eful g3,y suit. He's thin, with distinguished
good looks and thin brown hair. He's 56 years old.
Rand looks around; fascinated by the vast array of people
and merchandise. He stops at a booth. A tiny ORIENTAL,
WOMAN stands behind the counter. Rand gives her a polite
smile.
RAND
Hi. I'm from out of town...
on business from the U.S.
The woman nods and smiles.
AN ORIENTAL MAN
passes by. He is very old. Deep wrinkles. Long white
hair. Ragged clothes. A rotted smile. Overhearing
Rand, the man stops to eavesdrop.
RAND
(explaining to
Oriental woman)
I'm looking for a present...
for my son.
The woman nods. She searches through her wares. She
holds up a basketball. Rand shakes his head.
RAND
He's not really involved in
sports...
The woman puts away the basketball. She picks up a Sony
"Walkman". Rand again shakes his head.,
RAND
No. I want something unusual...
something he can't get at home...
something different..
.2.
A HAND
reaches out and grabs Rand's arm. Startled, he turns.
The Oriental man stands before him. He stares into Rand's
eyes.
ORIENTAL MAN
I can help you.
He leads Rand away from the booth.
ORIENTAL MAN
I offer something very different.
Very unusual.
Rand is puzzled. The Oriental leads him to a doorway.
ORIENTAL MAN
Follow me.
He opens the door, motioning for Rand to follow. Rand
pauses, skeptical.
ORIENTAL MAN
Come. Take a look. It will cost
you nothing.
(a beat)
You won't be disappointed.
The Oriental enters. Rand shrugs and follows.
INSIDE
Rand follows the man up a narrow, dark set of stairs.
At the top, they enter a room.
INT. ROOM
Dark. No windows. No furniture. Filled with cardboard
boxes and wooden crates.
Rand crinkles his nose. It su,Qlls bad in here.
The Oriental flips on a dim light bulb. He leads the
nervous, apprehensive Rand to a dark corner of the room.
The Oriental picks up a small, metal box. A HIGH PITCHED
GIGGLE echoes from inside the box.
3.
Rand is very puzzled.
The Oriental rests the box on a stack of crates. He opens
the box.
A TINY CREATURE is inside'.
The animal is eleven inches tall and stands; upright on
two legs. It has two arms, with small; four-fingered
hands. Its body is covered with fluffy brown fur. The
piercing eyes are big, sad. Its ears are long and pointed.
A tiny black nose sits above a wide mouth, with small,
square teeth.
The creature is smiling. It lets out a giggle.
Rand is delighted and surprised. He's never seen anything
like this. The animal is more charming than a Disney
character.
The Oriental claps his hands.
The creature leaps from the box, onto Rand's shoulder.
The animal licks Rand's cheek.' He laughs, amused by the
creature.
The Oriental claps his hands again.
The creature hops back into the box. It stares at Rand
with those cute green eyes'.
RAND
(to the Oriental)
What is it?
ORIENTAL MAN
It is called ' Mogwai ' .
(a beat)
A very rare and intelligent animal.
I found it in the fields near my
home It will obey all orders.
It learns fast.
The Oriental looks at Mogwai and claps his hands.
ORIENTAL MAN
(Chinese,; English
SUBTITLES)
4
--Mogwai leaps to the ground. It scurries across the floor,
to a wooden crate.
Mogwai removes a raw tuna from the crate. It tears off a
chunk of the fish and carries it to the oriental man..
He takes the fish. Mogwai hops back into the box.
Rand shakes his head. Amazed by the animal.
he Oriental takes a bit from the raw fish. Juice runs
own his chin. He smiles at Rand.
ORIENTAL MAN
And if you are ever in need of
a song...
He claps his hands to the creature.
ORIENTAL MAN.
(Chinese; English
SUBTITLES)
Music.
Mogwai begins to hum, in an unearthly falsetto. It's
beautiful.
Rand watches with wide eyes. He feels like a child again.
RAND -
How much?
ORIENTAL MAN
One hundred American Dollars.
Cash.
Rand removes five twenties from his wallet. He gives
them to the man.
The Oriental smiles and claps his hands. Mogwai jumps
onto Rand's shoulders. Rand pets it. Mogwai emits a cute
giggle.
ORIENTAL MAN
It never sleeps. It will eat any-
thing... but prefers raw meat.
(PAUSE)
It must always be kept indoors during
the day. It lives in shadow. It
hates bright light. Direct sunlight
will kill it.
Rand nods. He takes Mogwai from his shoulder and puts it
into the box. Rand puts the box under his arm. The
Oriental smiles
ORIENTAL MAN
Your son will enjoy his new friend.
Rand smiles and exits. The Oriental takes a bite from
his raw fish.
CUT TO:..
INT. HONG KONG AIRPORT
Rand is on the pay telephon His baggage rests beside
him.
Mogwai is inside of a small plastic pet box. The creature's
bright eyes shine from inside.
RAND
(into the phone)
Yes, Fred. The Tai-Chan account
is definite. MmmHmm. My plane
l eaves in twenty minutes. See
you in Pennsylvania.
He hangs up. He picks up his bags and walks to the check-
in counter.
THE CHECK-IN GIRL
tags Mogwai's box and puts it on the conveyer belt.
Rand watches the box disappear through the baggage chute.
CHECK-IN GIRL
Don't worry, sir. Your pet will
be safe.
Rand smiles.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKY
The jet flies through the clouds.
INT. AIRPLANE
Rand is eating his airline dinner. AN ORIENTAL STEWARDESS
walks up and refills his coffee. He looks at her.
with the word 'Mogwai'?
6.
She nods.
RAND
What does it mean?
STEWARDESS
Devil.
She moves to the next passenger.
Rand stares. Surprised. Confused.
DISSOLVE TO:
A GREEN ROAD SIGN:
"WELCOME TO KINGSTON FALLS, PENNYSLVANIA. POPULATION 6,122"
CREDITS BEGIN OVER VARIOUS IMAGES OF THIS SMALL TOWN.
One week before Christmas. It's snowing hard.
A man hangs Christmas lights outside of his home. His
young son helps.
Children ice skate along a large,. frozen lake.
A woman trudges through the snow, to her mailbox. A down
parka is over her pajamas.
Kingston's business district. Chilly gas station atten-
dants pump gas into cars.
A Pharmacy owner hangs "Merry Christmas" (in sparkling
gold letters) in his store window.
Telephone line workers share hot coffee from a thermos.
The Union Savings and Trust Bank. Two teenagers push a
woman s car from a ditch.
CREDITS END. CAMERA DOLLIES TO THE BANK DOORS. WE GO
INSIDE.
Crowded. Several peoplestandin line.
BILLY PELTZER
a bank teller, writes out a receipt for a customer.
7.
Billy is 26 years old. His sturdy build and good looks are
buried beneath wire rimmed glasses, slicked dirty-blonde
.hair, a red sweater vest, a loose fitting checkered shirt,
baggy corduroys and worn loafers.
r• Finishing the transaction with his customer, Billy looks to
the line of waiting people.
BILLY
Next.
MRS. DEAGLE
an elderly woman, walks to Billy's window. She's a real
prude. Tight lips. Heavy make-up. Bleached hair. Cheap
fur coat. She hands Billy a personal check.
TRACY ALLEN
another teller, works beside Billy. Tracy is pretty. Big
brown eyes. A sexy smile. Long dark hair. Perfect figure.
25 years old.
Tracy counts out some cash to a customer. She's trying
to concentrate, to keep her mind on work.. But it's diffi-
cult when
GARY LUCIA
the bank security guard, is trying to make her laugh. He
stands by the bank entrance, making funny faces at Tracy.
Gary is 30 years old. Former high school jock. Dark,
thick hair. Deep brown eyes. Muscular. A strong, handsome
face.
Meanwhile, Billy gives the check back to Mrs. Deagle.
BILLY
I can't cash this, M'am. Your
last check hasn't cleared.
MRS. DEAGLE
Don't you recognize me?
BILLY
No, M'am. I'm sorry...
8.
MRS. DEAGLE
(loud, so everyone can
HEAR)
My name is Mrs. Julia Deagle! My
husband manages the.Sparkle Market!
We've been banking here for sixteen
years!
BILLY
T at's very nice, M'am. But your
c eck hasn't cleared and...
MRS. DEAGLE
That's the problem with this world.
It's a mess because of people like
JI$
BILLY
It's not my.fault your check didn't
clear, M'am,
MRS. DEAGLE
Don't get smart with me, oung man.
BILLY
I wasn't getting smart, I was...
MRS. DEAGLE
(shouting,-looking
AROUND)
Where's the president? I want to
see the bank president!
Billy rubs his eyes. Tense. Embarrassed.
Everyone watches the scene. Tracy. Gary. The customers.
ROLAND FRESCO
the bank's Vice President, walks over to Billy and Mrs.
beagle. Roland is tall, slender with thin grey hair and
a pencil thin moustache. Friendliness and courtesy are
his job. He smiles at Mrs. Deagle.
ROLAND
What seems to be the problem,
M'am?
MRS. DEAGLE
My name is Mrs. Julia Deagle. This
young teller is being very rude! I
demand that you fire him!
9
Roland looks at Billy. Billy rolls his eyes. Roland
smiles.
ROLAND
(COMFORTING)
Now,-Mrs. Deagle...I'm sure this
isn't that serious. I'm sure an
apology would fix things right
up. Wouldn't it?
The woman shrugs.' Roland turns to Billy.
ROLAND
Apologize to the woman, Billy.
Billy leans to Roland.
BILLY
(angry whisper)
I. didn't do anything wrong.
AA;
ROLAND
(doesn't care, the
customer comes first)
Just apologize.
Roland.leans back and smiles at Mrs. Deagle.
Billy looks at her. He doesn'-t want to do this.
Everyone in the bank is watching him, waiting for him
to take a stand.
Billy sighs. He needs his job.
BILL°
(forcing himself)
I'm sorry, Mrs. Deagle.
She nods and smiles. Roland puts his hand on the woman's
shoulder.
ROLAND
Come back to my desk, Mrs. Deagle.
I'll personally take care of your
banking problems.
Roland walks back to his office with Mrs. Deagle.
Gary chuckles. Tracy goes back to work.
Billy just sits. Angry. Humiliated. He calls the next
customer.
lb.
BILLY
Next.
CUT TO:
INT. BANK - LATER
Billy puts on his brown winter coat and green scarf.
He picks up his dog eared copy of "The Once And Future
King". He walks to the bank lobby.
TRACY
stands in the lobby, putting on.her coat. Billy moves to
help her.
BILLY
Let me.
He helps her on with the coat.
BILLY
You look very pretty today.
TRACY
(FLATTERED)
Thanks, Billy.
BILLY
I mean.. .not that you don't look
pretty every day...But you look
especially pretty today.
TRACY
(CHUCKLES)
You're cute.
Gary walks up. He puts his arm through Tracy's.
GARY
Let's go. I'm hungry.
(notices Billy)
Hey, Peltzer...Whydidn't you stand.
up to that old bag, today?
I
11.
Billy shrugs. Embarrassed.
Gary notices the book. He takes it from Billy's hand.
GARY
What's this?
BILLY
It's a book. You read 1t.
Billy exchanges a smile with Tracy. Gary isn't amused.
GARY
I know that, asshole. I meant
what's it about?
BILLY
King Arthur. . .Sir Lancelot... Knights
of the Round . Table... Dragons...
GARY
Aren't you a little old for that
kinda' junk?
BILLY
(SHRUGS)
Beats T.V.
GARY-
(gives Billy the
BOOK)
I'll take 'Monday Night Football'
over this crap any day.
(takes Tracy's arm)
C'mon. Let's go.
Tracy gives a wave to Billy. She and Gary walk away.
Billy watches. He draws an imaginary sword from his side.
He lifts the sword and lunges forward. At Gary.
Billy sits at a table. Alone. He's reading his book. He
eats, but his wide eyes never leave the page. He's fas-
cinated by the story. Like a child. He gets to a funny
section.. He laughs.
12.
Gary notices Billy. Gary nudges the others.
GARY
What a nut. Laughin' to himself.
That's the kind of guy who'll shoot
a president.
TRACY
(DEFENSIVE)
I don't see anything wrong with him.
I'm sure he's very intelligent.
GARY
Yeah, and those are the guys who
always crack. The real smart guys.
6ti (pause)
He's gotta be a psycho. 26 years old,
still lives with his parents. Doesn't
have a girlfriend. He's always alone.
Real weirdo.
The others agree. Tracy doesn't. She likes Billy.
Billy continues to read, totally caught up in his book.
Totally caught up in his fantasy.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BILLY'S FORD PINTO - LATER THAT AFTERNOON
Billy drives home from work. He moves slow. The snow
still falls. The roads are icy.
CAR RADIO (V.0.)
.And the snow keeps coming, folks.
Looks like we're gonna have a White
Christmas. Another three inches is
expected tonight...
Billy looks out of his side window and sees
PETE FOUNTANE
walking home from school. Pete is 16 years old. A chunky,
pleasant baby faced kid. With his bright orange down jacket,
Pete resembles a tiny snowman.
Suddenly, Pete.slips on the ice. Bam. Right on his ass.
His school books scatter over the ground.
13.
Billy stops the car. He gets out and hurries to Pete.
BILLY
Pete...You okay?
Pete nods. Billy helps him up. Pete brushes himself off.
Billy is amused by the boy.
BILLY
You want a ride home?
PETE
Thanks. That'd be nice.
Billy helps Pete pick up his schoolbooks.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR - A FEW MINUTES LATER
Billy drives, while trying to tell a story to Pete.
BILLY
(energetic, en-
THUSIASTIC)
Lancelot raises Excalibur and...
Wham! He knocks the Black Knight
down ! Then with-another swing...
Wham! He finishes him off!
PETE
(impressed by
Billy's storytelling)
Wow...
Billy digs into his pocket and gives Pete the copy of
"Once And Future King".
BILLY
Here. You can borrow it.
Pete takes the book.
PETE
Hey, Billy...You know so much about
Vikings and stuff...You should
write one of these stories yourself.
14.
PETE
Really?
BILLY
(PROUD)
'Savage Hearts Of The Round
Table'. A Trilogy Of Honor.,
Adventure nd Romance by William
:C. P.eltzer
PETE
Sounds gre t. When can I read it?
BILLY
(CHUCKLES)
I've only got about 70 pages done...
But as soon as it's published, you'll
get one of the first copies. Speci-
ally autographed by the author.
Pete smiles. Billy makes a turn. He pulls into the parking
lot of
DOUGAL'S ANTIQUES
A huge, three story home, with an antique shop set up on
the first floor.
Billy and Pete get out of the car and enter the store.
DORRY DOUGAL
the 64 year old storekeeper, stands behind the counter.
Dorry is husky, bald on top, with thick patches of red hair
on his temples. A huge, red moustache sits beneath his
bulbous nose. His arms are thick, hairy. A strong Irish-
man.
DORRY
Good afternoon to you, Billy.
BILLY
Hi, Dorry.
(eyes light)
Is it ready yet?
Dorry smiles. He reaches to a shelf behind the counter.
He removes ,a long object, wrapped in a piece of green cloth.
He rests it on the counter.
15
Billy watches with.wide eyes. Pete is curious.
Dorry slowly unwraps the object. Inside the cloth, is a
long silver sword, with a gleaming blade and an engraved
steel.holster.. - Pete is impressed..
DORRY
(to Pete)
It's an authentic replica of an
Eleventh Century sword.
Billy's eyes examine every inch of the sword. It's
beautiful.
DORRY
I got most of the rust off...But
there were a couple spots that
wouldn't budge.
Billy runs his finger along the blade.
DORRY
Careful. It's sharp.
A big smile covers Billy's face.- He's in love with the
sword.
BILLY
What do I owe you?
DORRY
Two hundred. You can pay me twenty
a week.
Billy pulls a twenty from his wallet and pays Dorry.
Billy carefully wraps the sword and puts it under his
arm.
BILLY
Thanks, Dorry.
DORRY
My pleasure, son.
Billy and Pete exit the store.
CUT TO:
EXT. MAIN STREET
The suburbs. Rows of houses. All very similar. Two
stories Aluminum siding. One car garage.
16.
All are decorated for Christmas. Some are simple and
sweet. Others are ornate and flashy.
EXT. FOUNTANE.HOME
Billy's car pulls into the driveway. He drops Pete off.
Pete thanks him and Billy drives off.
' HE PELTZER HOME
blends in with the others. But it's a little nicer,
better kept. A row of colored lights is draped across
the snowy shrubbery.
Billy's Pinto pulls into the drive. He gets out, sword
under his arm. He enters the house.
INT. FRONT HALLWAY
A small hallway, leading to a stairway.
BARNEY
a friendly Irish Setter, greets Billy. He pets the dog
and hangs his coat in the hail- closet.
INT. KITCHEN
LYNN PELTZER
Billy's Mother. 53 years old. Slightly heavy. Well
dressed. Styled brown hair. A pretty woman.
She hears Billy enter. She quickly pops a valium from
a small pill bottle. She calls to her son.
LYNN
Billy? Is the'.t you honey?
BILLY
sighs.He hates to be called "honey".
17.
LYNN (O.S.)
Dinner will be ready in ten
minutes.
Okay.
He hurries upstairs w Iith
INT. BILLY'S ROOM
1 I i
Furnished with a sing Ile bed, two chairs, ajdesk and dresser.
A manual Smith-Corona, rests on the desk top. A full-sized
mirror is fastened to[ the;closet. A few plants hang in
the window.
The walls are covered with Medieval drawings, a poster of
St. George fighting the dragon, Frazzeta.paintings of
warriors, etc. A miniature set of armor rests on the
dresser's cabinet.
Billy enters. He rests the sword on his bed. He unwraps
it. He picks up the sword.
He turns to the mirror and poses with the sword. He holds
it at a few differentangles, trying to decide which looks
best for him.
He takes a few swings with the sword.
He stops and smiles to himself. A real warrior.
CUT TO:
DINING ROOM
Billy sits at the table, eating dinner with Lynn.
LYNN
How was work?
BILLY
Okay.
LYNN
Have you asked that Tracy girl
out yet?
18.
LYNN
I was just curious.
BILLY
Yeah,.well it's none of your
business.
Nervous,Lynn popsvalfum with her wine.
.{ LYNN
(OFFENDED)
I guess it's none of my business
that your clothes are washed and
ironed, or that you have a hot
meal on the table...
BILLY
No. It isn't. I'm old enough
to take care of that stuff myself.
I'm old enough to get a place of
my own.
LYNN
Don't start that again. Your
Father's coming home tonight.
BILLY
Good. I think we should talk
about it.
LYNN
It'll put him in a bad mood.
BILLY
No, it'll put you in a bad mood.
Lynn and Billy exchange a glare. They look down at their
food.
A few silent, uncomfortable moments pass.
Lynn looks back to Billy. She smiles. Time for the
tender approach. She touches his hand.
LYNN
Billy, honey...
BILLY
(moves his hand
from hers)
Stop calling me 'honey'.
19.
She smiles and tries again.
LYNN
Dad and I just don't want you to
have to struggle like we did.
We want to help, until you can
support yourself as a writer.
BILLY
Bit it's gonna take me another-
year to finish my novel. . .and what
if it doesn't get published?
LYNN
It'll get published.
BILLY
But what if it doesn't? Are you
gonna take care of me until I'm
old and grey, working on my 25th
unpublished novel?...
LYNN
If it takes that long, yes.
BILLY
(FRUSTRATED)
Don't you understand?.. .I've got
to 'leave now! I rve got to try and
make it on my own now!
Before Lynn.can reply, A VOICE INTERRUPTS.
RAND (O . S . )
Is anybody home?
Lynn stands and whispers to Billy.
LYNN
Please, let's forget about this.
Just for tonight. Okay?
Billy pauses. Finally gives in and nods.
Lynn stands. She pops another valium and exits to greet
her husband. We hear them, exchange an excited ".hello".
They kiss and laugh, glad to be in each other's arms.
Billy just sits. Burning.
20.
INT. FRONT HALLWAY
Rand hugs his wife. Barney is jumping up and down, tugging
at Rand's coat.
Suitcases rest on the floor.' Beside them, is, Mogwai's
plastic case.
Billy enters. Rand sees him.
RAND
(SMILES)
Billy .. ,
Billy walks to his Father. They embrace.
BILLY
(happy to see him)
Hi, Dad.
They hold each other for a second. Lynn closes the front
door. Rand picks up Mogwai's case. Lynn turn's to her
husband.
RAND
(takes Lynn's hand)
Not now. I've got a surprise for
both of you. Come on.
He leads them into the living room. Lynn and. Billy exchange
a puzzled glance. They follow Rand.
INT. LIVING ROOM
Rand dims the lights. He motions for Billy and Lynn to
sit on the sofa. They do. Barney sits on Billy's lap.
Rand sits in front of them, on a leather easy chair. He
rests Mogwai's case on his lap. He opens the case.
Mogwai leaps out, onto the coffee table.
Lynn and'Bill are startled. They stare at the creature in
wonderment.
Barney hates it. He growls at Mogwai.
21.
Rand lights a cigarette. He turns to Mogwai and claps
his hands. The creature picks up an ash tray and carries
it to Rand. Mogwai hops onto Rand's lap.
Lynn and Billy are amazed...
BILLY
(staring at Mogwai)
What is it? A.monkey? A rat?.
RAND
Your new pet.
BILLY
(UNCERTAIN)
Mj Oh, yeah?...
Mogwai starts to sing, humming in that unearthly falsetto.
BILLY
What's that?
RAND
He's singing.
BILLY
Sounds kind of creepy.
Barney still growls.
RAND
Barney! Be a good dog and go up-
stairs!
Barney reluctantly hops off Billy's lap and exits.
Lynn stares at Mogwai.
LYNN
I think he's just darling.
Mogwai.
Rand holds the creature out to Billy.
22
RAND
Hold him.
BILLY
(inching back)
Maybe later.
RAND
C'mon. He won't bite.
Billy forces himself to take the creature. Mogwai nestles
close to Billy. Rand smiles at his son.
RAND
He likes you.
Billy looks nauseous. Lynn stands.
LYNN
You two look so cute together.
I have to take a picture.
Lynn walks to a nearby drawer, opens it and removes-a
Kodak Instamatic.
Mogwai is on Billy's shoulder, licking his cheek.. Billy
hates it.
RAND -
I want you to take good care
of him.
Lynn focuses the camera on Billy and Mogwai.
LYNN
Okay smile.
Billy forces a smile. Mogwai still licks his cheek.
Lynn snaps the picture. Flash!
Mogwai lets out a high scream. Frightened of the bright
light, Mogwai jumps back, accidentally scratching Billy's
cheek.
BILLY
Little bastard.
Mogwai scurries back to Rand. He pets the creature,
comforting it
11 23.
Settle down, Billy-There's no
reason to get upset. The little
fellow's scared. He hates bright
light..
Billy shrugs. He wipes his fingers along the scratch on
his face. He looks -at t em.
There's blood on his�4ingertips.
Billy looks at Mogwai.
The creature looks at Billy. It giggles.
CUT TO:
INT. BILLY'S ROOM - LATER
Billy sits at his desk, working on his novel. His typing
is fast, intense. A small desk lamp lights.his working
area.
Mogwai watches Billy. from the darkness of the book shelves.
Above Billy., The creature begins to sing.
Billy tries to ignore Mogwai's singing. No good. It gets
on his nerves. Billy slams his hand on the desk top. He
glares at the creature.
BILLY
Shut up.
Mogwai stops singing. Billy goes back to his writing.
Mogwai.hops from the shelf. Staying out of the direct
light, the creature moves across the desktop and cuddles
up to Billy's arm. He jumps back.
BILLY
Get off of me.
Mogwai just looks at him.
BILLY
Get.off`my desk.
Billy shines the bright.desk light into the creature's
eyes. Mogwai screams and jumps. off the desk, to the floor.
Billy looks down at the creature.
24
41
BILLY
Stay down there.
Billy goes back to his work.
Mogwai is-bored. The creature leaps up to the bed.. It
sees the sword. Mogwai lifts one end, examining it. It's
too heavy. The sword slips off the bed and falls to the
floor.
Billy turns.
Mogwai takes a step back. Guilty. Frightened.
Billy picks up the sword. The handle is chipped.
BILLY
(angry, to Mogwai)
You stupid little...
Billy raises the sword over.Mogwai. He's ready to kill
the tiny creature.
Mogwai loo] .s up at Billy. The creature is shivering. It
is frightened. It's big, green eyes are watery.
Billy suddenly feels sympathetic. He lowers the sword and
picks up the.creature.
BILLY
(TENDER)
I'm sorry.. .just try to be more
careful.
Billy holds Mogwai to his chest. He's petting it, com-
forting it.
CUT TO:
INT. BILLYS ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
Billy sleeps. The room is totally dark.
CAMERA PANS to another area of the room.
25
INT. BILLY'S CAR - NEXT MORNING
Outside, the snowing has stopped. Billy drives to work..
CAR. RADIO (V.0.)
It looks like the snow has stopped
for awhile. But don't put away those
ear muffs, more flurries are
scheduled for tonight...
CUT TO:
INT. BANK PARKING LOT
Billy's car pulls into the lot. He gets out.
Tracy is getting out of her car. Billy walks up to her.
BILLY
Starting work early today?
TRACY
Oh, hi. Well, I thought the
roads would be icy.
BILLY
We've got a half hour before
work. Wanna go have a cup of
coffee?
She.pauses and smiles.
CUT TO:
INT. COFFEE SHOP
Tracy and Billy sit at a table, sipping hot. coffee.
BILLY
.and if I sell the novel, I'll
•be able to quit the bank.
TRACY
I'd love to quit. I'd run straight
to the airport and buy a one way
ticket to Paris.
BILLY
Why Paris?
T
26.
TRACY
I've only seen it in movies and
T.V... . But it seems like it's
got everything that this town
doesn't...Museums...great restaur
ants... Beautiful artworks and
architecture...
(embarr-a s-s-ed )
Listen to me, talking like I've
been there 10 times. I shouldn't
get so carried away. It's only a
dream.
BILLY
Hey...Don't give up on your dreams.
They just might come true.
Tracy shrugs and takes a sip of coffee.
BILLY
Can I ask you a personal question?
(Tracy nods)
What is it with you and Gary? Is
he your boyfriend?
TRACY
He thinks he is.
BILLY
Do you think he is?
TRACY
No. I think of him more as a friend.
But he thinks of me as a lot more.
BILLY
So there's a possibility...I mean...
I.just might have a chance with you?
TRACY
(smiles),
Don't give up on your dreams. They
just might come true.
They both laugh.
CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL
Standing across the street, looking into the coffee shop
window. He watches Billy and Tracy. An angry, jealous
27
look fills Gary's eyes.
CUT TO:
INT.-BILLY'S ROOM - THAT EVENING-
Dimly lint with Billy's small desk lamp. Billy waters his
pl)ants_ ith a.spray bottle.,
Mggwai's case sits on the ed. The creature is inside.
Billy finishes his watering. He sits at his desk. He
takes adrink from glass of milk and snacks from a plate
of brownies. He proofreads some pages from his novel.
PETE (O.S.)
Hello? Is anybody home?
BILLY
(SHOUTS)
n here, Pete.
Billy holds the tray of brownies to him.
BILLY
Want some?
PETE _
I'm s'posed to be on a diet...
He grabs a brownie. He notices Mogwai's case.
PETE
What's in there?
Pete walks over and opens the case. Mogwai hops out, onto
the bed. The creature giggles. Pete is, taken aback.
PETE
What is it?
BILLY
A present from my Dad.
Pete picks up the creature and pets it. Pete likes Mogwai.
PETE
It's neat.
Billy shrugs. Mogwai sees the brownies. The creature hops
from Pete's hands, onto the desk. Mogwai grabs a brownie
and starts to eat.
28.
PETE
Hey, Billy.. .You think I might
be able to borrow it? Just for
a night?
BILLY
I dunno, Pete...
PETE
C'mon...My Mom will never know.
I'll hide it under my bed.
Pete reaches down to pick up Mogwai. His hand clumsily
knocks over the water bottle.
A few drops of water splash Mogwai.
The creature arches its back and lets out a high pitched
scream.
Billy is surprised. Pete takes a step back. Scared.
Mogwai tenses up. The spots on its body that were hit with
water begin to bubble... .expand...'
Billy can't believe his eyes.
Mogwai writhes in pain. The spots on its body expand more,
getting bigger, bigger.. .ready to explode.
Billy and Pete stare. Fascinated.
The spots burst.
FOUR NEW CREATURES
popout. Clones of Mogwai.
The spots on Mogwai's body bond together and disappear, as
if they were never there.
There are now five identical creatures on the desktop.
Billy and Pete share a shocked glance.
Billy grabs the water bottle. He has to be certain that
he wasn't halucinating. He splashes a little more water
on one of the new creatures.
The process begins again. The creature's body,contorts.
A few lumps form. The lumps expand until...they burst.
REV. 4/30/82 29
LI
THREE MORE CREATURES ARE BORN.
Billy tries to make sense out of it all.
EIGHT CREATURES stand on.the desk top, examining their
new world.
Billy picks up his glass of milk. He splashes some milk
on one of the crealtures.
Nothing happens.
BILLY
They must only multiply with plain
tap water.
PETE
(AMAZED)
M
Wow..•.this•is better than "Twilight Zone ( )
Pete looks at Billy.
PETE
Now can I have one?
BILLY
(still dazed)
Huh? Well, yeah. I guess so.
Pete grabs one of the creatures, taking it from the group.
It cries out. In a high, piercing scream.
The other creatures leap at Pete. They grab the creature
and bring it back to their group.
PETE
(SCARED)
Maybe I won't take one.
The creatures have moved to the brownies. They rip the
brownies to pieces, devouring them. They're giggling.
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
Rand sits in a chair, opposite Billy. The 8 creatures
climb all over Rand. Playfully tugging at his hair and
30.
clothes, licking his face. Rand loves the adorable
little things.
Billy has a worried look on his face.
Barney, the dog, sits in a corner of the rood. He glare
at;the creatures. Jealous that they're gettjng all the
atjtention .I
I
I RAND
(to Billy)
What are you so worried abot?
BILLY
Dad...We don't know anything about
these things.
RAND
We know they're cute.. We know.."
they're intelligent. And now we
know they multiply by water.
BILLY
Yeah, but isn't that pretty weird?
I mean, if I throw water on�Barney
over there, we're not gonna;getjten
copies.
A creature licks Rand's ear. He chuckles.
RAND
All I know, is that I've got a million
dollars sitting in my lap.
BILLY
Huh?
RAND
I'm going to market these things.
BILLY
(hates the idea)
Oh, Christ. C'mo'i,Dad...that's ...
RAND
Just imagine the excitement when
word gets out. Everyone will want
a Mogwai of their very own.
BILLY
Don't you think we should have them
checked out first? Just to make
sure...
31
RAND
No. If we want to make a big
profit, we have to move:fast
I have some investors coming over
to the house on Thursday.
(a . beat)
Who,knows?...Mogwai could replace
dog as man's best friend.
wls from his corner.
Rand continues to play with the creatures. Billy watches.
Skeptical.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANK PARKING LOT - THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON
It's snowing., Very hard. The bank has just closed.
Billy hurries to his car. Gary walks up. Billy turns to
him.
BILLY
Oh, hi Gary. Look, I'm kind of
in a hurry.
Gary grabs Billy by the collar and throws him against
the car.
GARY
a< ; Listen, Peltzer...she's my girl-
friend. Keep your hands off. Under-
stand?
Billy nods.Gary lets him go.He turns and walks away.
Billy straightens his clothes. He glares at Gary.
CUT TO:
EXT. FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL - A FEW MINUTES LATER
Students hurry from the school, anxious to get home.
0 Billy's car pulls into the parking lot. He gets out. Pete
waits in front of the school. Billy walks up to him. They
enter the school,
32.
J INT. SCHOOL - BIOLOGY LAB
The last of the students exits the classroom.
ROY HANSON'
the Biology teacher, stands at the sink. He's washing out
some used glass j4rs and basins Roy is 35 years old. Tall.
Thin. Black. Good looking.
Pete knocks on the door. Billy enters with him. Roy turns.
ROY
Hey, Pete-what's up?
PETE
Mr. Hanson...this is my friend
Billy. He wants to talk to you
about somethin'.
ROY
(friendly smile)
Well, sure...
(shakes Billy's hand)
.I'm Roy Hanson. What can I do
F
or you?
BILLY
Well, you're the closest thing
this town's got to a scientist...
and I need some information about an
animal.
ROY
What kind of animal?
BILLY
That's what I'm trying to figure
out.
CUT TO:
INTBILLY'S ROOM - LATER
The curtains are drawn. The lights are dim. The eight
creatures are on the desk top. Giggling. Humming in
falsetto.
Billy enters with Roy and Pete. Roy stares at the
creatures. He is shocked. Delighted.
33
ROY
I've never seen anything like this.
Billy grabs the water bottle.
BILLY
Watch this.
Billy squeezes a drop of water on one creature. Mogwa'
lets out a scream. A lump appears on the creature's back.
The lump gets bigger...bigger...bigger ...
Roy watches with wide eyes.
Suddenly, another creature bursts from Mogwai's body.
NINE IDENTICAL CREATURES now stand on the desk top.
.ROY
(startled, shaken)
Holy shit.
He remains-speechless for a few moments. He looks at Billy.
ROY
May.I stay for a while?...Run a
few tests?...
BILLY
(nods, checks his
WATCH)
My parents won't be home until
7:00. You've got three hours.
Roy takes off his coat and opens his black leather case.
Billy exits with Pete.
CUT TO:
T.V. SCREEN
"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" plays.
BILLY AND PETE
sit on the sofa, watching the T.V. Roy enters. He sits
across from Billy.
I
34.
ROY
I discovered some interesting
things...
(CONTINUING)
The creatures are drawn to water.
if they sense water nearby...
they'll go to it.
(a beat)
Als , unless)th y're hunting for
foo or water.. they hate to be
separated. I t ied to move one
from the others. They cried out.
Clawing. Screeching.
PETE
Yeah...that's what happened when
I tried to take one.
ROY
If one is separated. The others
will follow.
BILLY
Anything else?
ROY
They qan't multiply by water if
their environment temperature is
below '25 degrees-
(a beat)
It's amazing. They have no bio-
logical link with any other species
of animal...in the whole world.
Billy gives an uncertain nod.-
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BILLY'S ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
Silent. Dark. Billy sleeps.
Distant sounds are heard. Animal-like noises. Gurgling.
Slurping. Chewing.
Billy wakes. He sits up in bed. The sounds continue.
He looks around the room.
The creatures are gone.
Billy notices his room door.
REV. 4/30/82 35.
He gets out of bed. He looks at his sword, hanging above
the bed. He takes the sword from the wall. He walks out
of the.room.
HALLWAY
Billy walks. Sword in hand.
The noises get louder. Crisper. Clearer.
Nervous, Billy descends the dark stairs. He arrives at
the bottom. He stops to listen.
The sounds are coming from the living room.
LIVING ROOM
Billy enters. He looks to the floor. Beneath the'Christmas
tree.
The creatures surround Barney.
They have killed the dog.
Billy tries to move. He's frozen.
The creatures are eating the dog.
They look up at Billy.
Their bright green eyes are fiery.
Blood covers their mouths.
They smile.
They giggle.
Billy screams.
CUT TO:
CLOSE UP - A CANVAS MAIL BAG
The bag moves. Squirms. Shakes. The creatures are
inside.
Rand carries the bag up a ladder that leads into the
attic.
36
Lynn and Billy stand a few feet away, in the hallway.
Rand lets the creatures loose in the attic. He quickly
latches the attic's trap door, securing it with a padlock.
He climbs down the ladder.
RAND
This should keep them out for
the rest of the niht...
INT. ATTIC
Dark. The Mogwai cluster around the trap door. They
scratch at the door. They want out.
RAND (0. S . )
Tomorrow we'll take them out in
the sun...
INT. HALLWAY
RAND
.and.finish them off.
Lynn nods. Rand looks at Billy.
RAND
I'm sorry, son. I never expected
to...
BILLY
Forget it.
Billy stares coldly at his Father. Embarrassed, Rand looks
away.
RAND
We should all get back to sleep.
Rand puts his arm around Lynn. They walk to their bed-
room.
Billy looks up at the attic door.
The creatures' scratching is heard.
DISSOLVE TO:
37
EXT. PELTZER HOUSE - MORNING
The sun rises behind the house. Snow is falling.
INT. ATTIC
The tr p door opens. Billy and Rand climb inside. They
.both carry flashlights.
They s ine the lights through the attic, looking for the
creatu es. They see nothing.
Billy spots something. He nudges his Father.
There are NINE INDIVIDUAL PODS, stuck to various places-on
the floor. The pods are 16 inches long, 12 inches in dia-
meter. They are wrapped with a vein-like wire and covered
with a thick, syrupy glaze.
RAND
What in the hell?...
Billy picks up a broomstick andl pokes one of the things.
Won't budge. Hard as a rock.
BILLY
Damn things are stuck to the
floor.
Rand picks up a baseball bat. He raises it over his head
and swings down, hard. Against the pod.
The bat snaps in two.
The pod is unblemished.
Rand rubs his stinging hands. Billy and Rand just look
at each other. Puzzled.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN LATER THAT EVENING
Roy Hanson sits with Billy and Rand. Lynn pours them
coffee. Roy has just examined the pods.
38.
A.
r?1ND
Like a butterfly?
ROY
Exactly. Those things in the
attic-are cocoons. Inside,. the
creatures are going through some
sort of change...a metamorphosis.
BILLY
Why did they attack my dog?
ROY
Simple. They're animals. They
were hungry. Aside from water,
food is their main concern.
RAND
How long until they hatch?
ROY
A week...a month...I really can't
say.
BILLY
(STANDS)
I'm not waiting around to find
out.
ROY
Billy, don't be hasty...You've
stumbled onto a new life form.
What comes out of those cocoons
could be a major scientific
discovery...
BILLY
Screw'science. I want them des-
troyed.
RAND
Billy ...Maybe Mr. Hanson's got
a point...
BILLY
(stern, bitter)
Dad, they killed Barney. Or
have you already forgotten?
Rand just looks'at his son. Lynn pops a valium in the
background.
39.
CLOSE-UP
Red hot light. The flame of a torch.
CAMERA PANS UP TO
RAND. He's holding the gas torch, aiming it at the cocoon.
Billy stands beside him. They're inside-theattic.
Rand shuts off the torch. He touches the cocoon. It
appears unharmed.
RAND
Not even warm.
(shakes his head,
SURPRISED)
They're indestructible.
BILLY
Now what do we do?
RAND
I get back from Seattle on
Wednesday. I'll call some con-
struction people. They'll come
in next week and cut these things
out of the floor.
BILLY
I don't think we should wait. Let's
do it ourselves.
RAND
No. It's late. I've got an early
plane to catch.
(PAUSE)
The attic door is locked. There are
no windows up here. Nothing can get
in or out.
Rand pats Billy on the back.
RAND
Son, you've got to stop worrying.
CLOSE UP - BILLY
A doubtful, uncertain expression on his face.
40.
THE FOLLOWING DAY - LATE AFTERNOON
I
VARIOUS SHOTS. OF. THE.-TOWN
Snow comes down. Fast and hard. RADIO (V O.)
Heavier nowfalls are cheduled
Cas swerve on the; road. for this evening. Sto and
-blizzard warnings are in effect.
Little children build snbwmen. So if yoi don't have t go out,
1
please stay indoors.
Tricksiplow the roIgds.
Anjelderly man snow-blow his
driveway.
CUT TO:
a sign hangs on the-door:
OPEN LATE FOR HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL
CHRISTMAS HOURS: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
INSIDE
A wall clock reads 5:25. Billy counts out money to a
customer. Tracy works beside him.
Finished with the customer, Billy looks to the line of
waiting people.
BILLY
Next.
MRS. DEAGLE
walks to Billy's window.
BILLY
(forced smile)
Hello, Mrs. Deagle. How are you
this afternoon?
MRS. DEAGLE
(SOUR)
Horrible. My arthritis acts up
when it snows.
(MORE)
41
MRS. DEAGLE (CONT'D)
(glares at Billy)
see they still haven't fired you.
Billy shrugs, trying to remain-ca-lm.
CUT TO:
R
INTJPELTZE� HOME
Lynn removes freshly bakedSanta Claus sugar cookies from
the Microwave oven.
INT. ATTIC
Small lumps have formed over all of the cocoons. Slowly,
the lumps rise up and down-. Bubbling,. Breathing. Coming
to life.
CUT TO:
INT. BANK
Mrs. Deagle is screaming at Billy.
MRS. - DEAGLE
Do not try and tell me what to
do, young man!
BILLY
(trying to stay
CALM)
M'am...I'm only suggesting that
you see a bank officer to...
MRS. DEAGLE
I want to speak to Mr.. Fresco!
(loudly calling out)
Mr.Fresco! ...Mr. Fresco!.
Roland Fresco, the Vice President, gets.up from his desk.
He walks over to Mrs. Deagle and Billy.
Everyonein the bank is watching.
Billy bites his bottom lip, holding in his anger.
CUT TO:
42.
C ) INT. PELTZER HOME - KITCHEN
Lynn decorates the cookies. She adds white icing to Santa's
beard. She dips her butterknife into the large blender that
has made the icing.
INT. ATTIC
The cocoons are bubbling furiously; as if they were being
baked in an oven.
Suddenly, a crack appears on one. Then another. And
another. Cracks begin to cover all the cocoons.
Green smoke seeps from the thin openings. A slow soft
hiss is heard.
They're hatching.
CUT TO:
INT. BANK
Roland stands beside Billy. Mrs. Deagle patiently waits.
ROLAND
(whispers to Billy)
Apologize to the woman, Billy.
BILLY
(HONEST)
But, sir...I didn't do anything
wrong. Really.
ROLAND
Apologize. Now.
Billy turns to the woman.
Everyone in the bank is.watching. Especially Tracy.
BILLY
(forcing himself)
Mrs. Deagle, I...
43
BILLY
Mrs. Deagle, I...
(He can't do it.
He lets out his
honest feelings)
I think you're an-ugly old fart
and I; hope yo u fall down on the
ice a td breath your fucking neck!
Mrs. Deagle is sho ked. fi e other customers hide their
laughter.
Gary smiles. Tracy is proud.
ROLADN
(BOILING)
Peltzer, you:are fired! Do you
understand me?!? You're fired!
Billy smiles.
CUT TO:
INT. PELTZER ATTIC
Green smoke has filled the room. The cocoons quiver.
Shake. Each one is covered with cracks.
A THREE FINGERED BLACK CLAW
suddenly breaks out of one cocoon. It clutches at the
air.
ANOTHER CLAW
breaks through the shell of another cocoon.
They all begin to hatch., Claws emerge from each one,
reaching for the air.
INT. KITCHEN
Lynn. slowly arranges the finished cookies on a tray.
A LOUD RATTLING NOISE ECHOES FROM UPSTAIRS.
to listen.
CUT TO:
44.
0 EXT. ATTIC DOOR
The door rattles. The lock shakes. The creatures want out.
LYNN
slowly moves to the kitch n doorway. Sh listens.
THE ATTIC DOOR
The wood surrounding the lock begins to splinter. It finally
snaps.
The door pops open. The lock falls to the floor. A loud
thump.
LYNN
jumps at the noise. Scared, she runs to the kitchen phone.
INT. BANK
Billy puts on his coat, preparing to leave.
In the background, Mr. Fresco consoles Mrs. Deagle.
Tracy walks up to Billy.
TRACY '
Billy...I thought you were great.
He smiles. Gary watches the two of them.
ANOTHER TELLER
(calling to Billy)
Billy...You have a phone call.
Billy hurries to the phone. He answers.
BILLY
Yeah?...
LYNN
stands in the kitchen, tightly holding the phone receiver.
45.
LY'N
Billy-those things in the
attic... They're alive...I hear
noises upstairs...
gets scared. His face goes white.(
BILLY
Mom...stay downstairs. I'll be
right home.
He drops the phone and runs out of the bank.
Gary exchanges a puzzled glance with Tracy.
CUT TO:
LYNN
standing in the kitchen. Frightened. She downs two
valiums from her bottle.
LOUD THUMPS. RATTLING. VARIOUS OTHER NOISES ECHO FROM
THE ATTIC.
Lynn exits the kitchen and slowly walks upstairs.
CUT TO:
BILLY
Nervous. Sweating. Behind the wheel of his car. He tries
to drive fast, but the heavy snowfall and icy roads prevent
it.
Outside, the sun is going down.
CUT TO:
LYNN
She's arrived at the top of the stairs. It's dark up here.
She looks to the end of the hallway.
46
Lynn--gets -a chill. She slowly walks to the door.
CUT TO:
BILLY
still driving. He tries to pass a slow truck. He hits
a is spot.
}
THE CAR
swerves and spins off the road. It lands in a ditch. The
engine stops.
BILLY
tries to start it. Nothing happens. It's stalled.
BILLY
No...Not now...
He tries again. No good. It's dead. Frustrated, Billy
slams his fist on the steering wheel. °
CUT TO:
LYNN
standing below the open attic door. She tightly clutches
her valium bottle. She looks up.
Nothing but darkness.
Lynn pops another valium. She climbs theladder, into
the attic.
TRACKING SHOT
Billy. He runs home through the snow.
It's dusk. People have begun to turn on their Christmas
lights.
Billy runs harder. Faster. His house comes into view.
At the e nd o f the block.
CUT TO
REV. 4/30/82 r 47.
INT. ATTIC
Lynn pokes her head inside, looking around.
Everything looks fine. Calm.
She sighs. Relieved.
SUDDENLY
Something leaps out and grabs Lynn by the throat.
A creature. We can't see it clearly. - It moves too fast.
It is hiddenby the shadows.
Other dark figures come at Lynn. More creatures. They
want their share of the food.
Lynn watches in horror as the creatures surround her head.
She screams.
EXT. ATTIC
Lynn's body jumps and twists. Her feet kick as she is
pulled up into the attic.
There are a few seconds of silence.
Then we hear the sounds.
Chewing. Swallowing. Giggling.
CUT TO:
BILLY
sprints down his driveway.
He arrives at the porch of his home.
He opens the front door.
INSIDE
Dark. Silent.
Billy calls out before entering.
EM,000
48
BILLY
Mom?..
Scattered giggling echoes from inside.
Billy flips on the'front hall..light..
A few tiny shadows scatter. They dash into other rooms.
Afraid of the light.
Billy'slowly enters. He's scared.
He looks to the top of the stairs.
BILLY
Mom?...
More giggling.
Shaking'. Nervous. Billy climbs the stairs.
At the top, he quickly flips on the bright hall light.
Something darts up into the darkness of the attic. Escap-
ing the light.
Billy spots the open attic door.
He walks beneath it.
He looks up into the dark attic.
BILLY.
(shaking voice)
Mom?...
AN OBJECT
is thrown out of the attic. It lands at Billy's feet.
He jumps back. He looks at the object.
LYNN'S VALIUM BOTTLE
Stained with her blood.
Billy picks it up.
A giggle from the attic.
Billy takes a few stepsback. He dashes into
49
INSIDE
Billy grabs the sword off his wall.
He walks back. into the. hallway.
HALLWAY --
Billy stands several feet from the open attic doo
He clutches the sword.
He takes a deep breath and flips out the hall light.
Darkness.
Billy waits. A few seconds pass.
A CREATURE
leaps from the attic, into the hallway.
Billy jumps back.
Mogwai snarls at him.
Mogwai has changed.
It stands two feet tall.
The brown fur is gone, replaced by rock hard, rippled armor.
The arms and legs are muscular, covered with the same armor.
The paws have been replaced by claws. The fingernails are
sharp.
The tail is long and pointed. Reptilian. It thrashes
back and forth.
Sharp white horns have replaced the ears.
The green eyes are larger. They bulge. Evil. Angry.
A:huge mouth distorts the face with its wide grin. The
countless teeth are long and sharp. Gleaming white. Fresh
blood drips from them.
The giggle remains, undercut with a hungry animalistic growl
REV. 4/30/82 50.
THE CREATURE
leaps at Billy.
Billy raises his sword and swings. He hits the. creature
in mid-air.
Mogwai fal is to the gro4nd. Thick green blood pours from
a. deep• wou nd ;in its the t.
Billy stabs the creatur Mogwai dies with a long hiss.
Billy looks back to thelattic.
Sword extended, he rushes to the ladder and climbs into the
attic. I
INSIDE
Billy sees Lynn's body. She lies on the floor. Dead.
Billy walks to her.
Lynn is covered with bites and scratches.
Billy looks away. Angry. Saddened.
He notices the cocoons. All hatched.
Sounds echo from downstairs. Thumps. Giggles.
Billy's face goes white with fear. There's more.
He dashes out of the attic.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
Billy walks slowly. Clutching his sword. Ready for an
attack.
He descends the stairs.
FRONT HALLWAY
51.
A CREATURE
leaps from the overhead chandelier. It lands on Billy's
back.
The creature tries to bite Billy's neck.
Billy slams his blade 'nto Mogwai. He whacks the creature.
Again and again.
Finally, Mogwai falls to the floor.
Billy brings down his blade. Hard.
It slices Mogwai's head off. The creature's body quivers.
It dies.
Billy moves to the living room.
LIVING ROOM
Dimly lit. The fireplace burns. The Christmas tree lights
flash.
Billy enters.
AN OBJECT
flies at Billy from across the room. He ducks.
A DINNER PLATE smashes against the wall behind him.
Billy looks to the
CHINA CABINET.
A CREATURE sits on the middle shelf. Giggling. It throws
another plate at-Billy.
He bats the plate away with his sword.
Mogwai continues to throw plates at him.
Billy dodges the plates, making his way to the China Cabinet.
There, he lunges forward with his sword. Bullseye. Mogwai
is stabbed. Straight through the chest.
REV. 4/30/82
The creature screams, writhing in pain. It falls from the
China shelf to the floor. Dead.
Billy slowly moves across the room. His eyes dart back
and forth, looking for creatures.'
He walks by the fireplace.
Three large RED VELVET STOCKINGS hang from the mantle.
Each one is inscribed with a name: BILLY, RAND and LYNN.
A-CREATURE
pops out of each stocking. Growling. Snarling.
Startled, Billy jumps back.
The three creatures hop to the floor and move towards
BILLY:
He clutches his sword. Tight.
Two creatures leap at him.
He spears one in mid-air.
He quickly spins around, knocking the other Mogwai to the
ground. He stabs the creature in the throat. He twists
the sword until Mogwai chokes to death on its own blood.
The remaining creature attaches itself to Billy's leg.
It takes a bite from his calf.
Billy cries out in pair.
Mogwai stays on. Biting hard.
Billy kicks his leg near the fireplace.
Scared of the firelight, Mogwai lets go.
Billy stabs the creature.. He holds Mogwai in the roaring
flames of the fireplace. Mogwai screams until it burns to
a crisp.
Billy removes his steaming sword.
The charred creature collapses into the flames. Dead.
Billy checks his leg. A small bite.
He walks to the kitchen.
53.
CAMERA PANS TO THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
Its tiny lights flash. THE CAMERA MOVES closer to the
tree.
TWO LARGER GREEN EYES„shine from inside the tree. The eyes
of ANOTHER CREATURE.;
CUT TO.:.
INT. KITCHEN
Billy stands quietly!'in the doorway.
TWO CREATURES
are inside. They don't notice Billy.
One has crawled into the large blender. It laps up the
left over white icing.
The other sits on the table. It nibbles on the Santa cookies.
Billy looks at the bl!ende1r. It's' unplugged.
Billy moves quickly. He dashes across the room and plugs
in the blender. It starts with'a loud whirr.
The startled creature spins inside.. Mogwai's screams
die as it is chopped into a green mush.
The remaining creature growls at Billy.
Billy lunges forward with his sword.
Mogwai leaps out of the way, onto the kitchen cabinet.
Billy turns to the creature.
Mogwai stands in front of the open microwave oven.
Billy pokes at the creature with his sword.
Mogwai takes a few steps back.
Billy still pokes at Mogwai, forcing the creature into
the oven.
Billy quickly closes theoven door.
Mogwai is trapped inside.
54
Billy flips the oven switch to "bake". The microwave
purrs.
Inside, Mogwai screams and pounds against the glass door.
Soon, the creature falls.' Its body quivers. The armor-,.
like skin bubbles and pops. Mogwai boils to death.
Bill wipes the swea from hs brow and exits the kitchen.
LIVING ROOM
Billy enters. He looks at the dead creatures. He sighs.
Relieved. They're all gone.
Billy rests his sword against the wall. He picks up the
telephone and dials "0".
BILLY
Yes, could you connect me with
the Sheriff's Office?...
A SWIFT SHADOW
moves across the floor, behind Billy.
BILLY
Hello? ...Is this Sheriff Lucia?...
A CLAW
tears the phone cord from the wall.
BILLY
(DISCONNECTED)
Hello?...Hello?...
THE CREATURE
walks toward Billy, ready to attack from behind.
BILLY
(clicking the phone)
Hello?...
It hisses.
REV. 4/30/82
Billy turns. Face to face with Mogwai.
Billy glances to his sword. A few feet away. Against
the wall.
Mogwai takes a step closer.
Billy reaches for the sword.
The creature leaps and lands on Billy's chest, knocking
him to the floor. {
.Billy wrestles with the creature. He tries to grab the
sword, but Mogwai is clawing and biting at him.
Billy's hand finally reaches the sword. He snatches it.
He brings down the blade, into the creature's arm.
Mogwai jumps back. Wounded.
Billy stands. He raises his sword to finish off the creature.
Mogwai dodges theblade, jumping to the window ledge.
Billy moves toward the creature.
Mogwai smashes through'the window, escaping into the night.
Billy hurries out of the house.
OUTSIDE
The blizzard is starting up.
Billy arrives at the broken window. He looks to the ground
and sees
MOGWAI'S FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW
They stretch across the backyards of suburbia, disappearing
into the darkness.
Following the footprints, Billy runs after the creature.
a cute, blonde-haired, blue-eyed 8 year old
backyard. She is building A snowman.
56.
PEGGY'S MOTHER
opens the back door of their home. She calls to her daughter.
MOTHER
Peggy! Come inside! It's too
dark! You'll ruin your eyes
building the snowman!
PEGGY
Just five more minutes.. And
'Skippy The Snowman' will be
finished. Please, Mommy?
MOTHER
(SIGHS)
Alright, young lady. But if you're
not inside this house in five,'
minutes...
PEGGY
(.smiles)
Thanks, Mommy.
She goes back inside.
Peggy inserts pebbles for "Skippy's" eyes.
CUT TO:
BILLY
running through the snow. Following Mogwai's footprints.
CUT TO:
PEGGY
inserting the final pebble for "Skippy's" smile.
Peggy takes a step back. She looks over her creation. She
smiles.
PEGGY 0
Gee, Skippy...You look cute.
SUDDENLY
MOGWAIBURSTS OUT OF THE SNOWMAN'S CHEST.
57.
Before Peggy can scream, Mogwai grabs her.
The creature pulls Peggy inside the snowman.
Peggy puts up afight. But she isn't strong enough. Her
little feet kick as she is pulled inside of the snowman.
BILLY(
arrives in Peggy's backyard. He sees the young girl's
legs kicking from the snowman's torso.
Billy rushes over. He grabs Peggy's legs. A tug of war.
Billy pulls Peggy out of the snowman.
Peggy brushes the snow from her face.
A
E BILLY
Are you okay?
PEGGY
(unharmed, shaken)
A monster came out of Skippy
the Snowman.
Billy quickly attacks the snowman with his sword.
He swings and swings until "Skippy" is nothing but a pile
of snow.
But there is no sign of Mogwai.
Billy spots footprints leading away from the snowman.
Mogwai has escaped.
Billy runs after the footprints.
Peggy watches him disappear around the corner of the house.
Peggy's Mother opens the door. She is puzzled by the pile of
snow in front of Peggy.
MOTHER
Peggy...What happened to your
snowman?
PEGGY
(wide eyed)
This ugly little monster came
out of Skippy's chest! It tried
(MORE)
000��.
58
PEGGY (CONT'D)
to pull me inside and eat me!
But this man with a big sword
came over and saved me!
Peggy's Mother just.stares at her. She shakes her head.
MOTHER
I think you've been playing too
many of those video games.
CUT TO:
CAROLERS
A group of thirty high school students stand on the front
lawn of a home. They happily belt out a Christmas Carol.
CAROLERS
'Joy To The World, the Lord'-has
come...
CAMERA PANS
their bright cheery faces.
PETE
stands in the back row, wearing his orange down jacket and
a long checkered scarf. He stands in the back row, singing
tenor.
THE CREATURE
pops out of a snow drift, behind the carolers. Mogwai eyes
the kids. Pete stands closest to, Mogwai.
The creature smiles.
CUT TO:
BILLY
running through the backyards, following Mogwai's footprints
The carolers' singing echoes in the distance.
THE CAROLERS
loudly singing.
CAROLERS
"And heav'n and nature sing...
A ,tenor voi a sudde ly drops out.
A few of th carol s xchange puzzled glances. But they
resume their singin
PETE
is being dragged from the group by his checkered scarf.
Mogwai pulls the youth into a nearby wooded area.
Pete kicks and shouts. But the caroler's singing drowns
out his cries for help.
Mogwai jumps onto Pete's chest.
The creature's razor sharp teeth bite into the boy's
neck, tearing out a huge chunk.
Pete screams.
No one hears.
CUT TO:
BILLY
running to the group of carolers.
They are puzzled by the.sword in his hand, his tattered,
bloody appearance. But they continue singing.
Billy follows the creatures' footprints behind the carolers ,
into the woods.
Several feet away, Billy so-es Mogwai The creature is on
top of,Pete's body
Billy rushes, to the scene.
Mogwai sees Billy. The creature gets scared and dashes off.
Billy stops
REV. 4/30/82 60.
Pete is dead.
Billy covers Pete's body with his coat. Billy is angry.
Sickened.
He quickly runs after the. creature.
CUT TO:
TRACKING SHOT.
BILLY
chasing the creature through the snow covered woods.
MOGWAI
runs out of the wooded area, into the parking lot of
THE Y.M.C.A.
The building is deserted. Closed because of heavy snow-
fall.
Billy comes out of the woods and sees the creature ahead.
Mogwai runs to the building.
Billy follows.
Mogwai scales up the building's side, to the roof.
Billy runs-up. Frustrated. He can't get to the roof.
He watches Mogwai climb into-the building through
small chimney.
Billy runs to the front door. He tries to open it.
Locked.
He notices a window, a few feet above him.
He hops to the window. He breaks the glass with his sword.
He opens the window and climbs inside.
Y.M.C.A. HALLWAY
Billy jumps inside from the window. He looks around.
It.':s_ dark in here
Billy sees a closet marked "Janitor". He opens it.
Inside,1he finds a flashlight. He turns on tie flash-
light. { It's 'upright.
GYMNASIUM - SWIMMING POOL
The door is sightly open.
Billy walks to the door.
INT. GYMNASIUM
Divided into two sections. One side: A basketball court.
The other: A swimming pool.
It's dark. Billy enters.
TWO GREEN EYES BURN
from the far side of the gym.- Mogwai sits at the top of
the stacked bleachers.
Billy doesn't see the creature. He shines his flashlight
across the gym floor.
BILLY
know you're here.
The flashlight stops on the gymnasium light box. The box
is attached to a.farwall, beside. the swimming pool.
DASHES
Billy hears the creature move. He flashes his light to
the bleacher. tops.. He sees nothing.
feet. He. screams and shines
REV. 4/30/82 62
V.
A BASKETBALL
rolls to a stop at Billy's feet.
Mogwai's giggle echoes through the gymnasium.
Billy looks into the vast darkness.
BILLY
Colme on out...you bastard...
It is silent again. Billy is frightened. He walks
faster, moving to the light box.
Billy hears another sound. He shines the light to another
area.
Again. Nothing.
Billy starts to tremble. He runs to the light box.
gets there and quickly flips open the box.
Billy drops the flashlight and sword.
The creature's sharp fingernails clutch onto Billy's chest.
Billy falls backward, with Mogwai holding onto him.
They tumble into the swimming pool. The deep end.
THE. WATER
Billy separates himself from the creature. He swims to the
side of the pool and gets out.
He runs and picks up his sword. He looks at the scratches
on his chest. They bleed. But he'll live.
SUDDENLY
A small rumbling sound echoes from
Billy locks to the pool.
The water is moving. Bubbling. Rippling
Billy is scared. He runs to the exit doorway.
The rumblinggets.louder. The pool's water gets
violent.
63.
Billy looks back to the pool.
A CREATURE
crawls out of the swimming pool.
It is followed by anoth'r creature.
They are followed by three more.
Then five more. Eight more. Ten more.
They keep coming. In droves.
BILLY
watches from the doorway.
BILLY
(SHOCK)
Oh my God.
HUNDREDS OF CREATURES
are now coming out of the pool.- The huge amount of water
forces them to multiply at an-incredibly fast rate.
BILLY
runs outof thegymnasium.
HALLWAY
Billy closes and locks the door.
He runs to the window, boosts himself up and crawly out.
EXT. Y.M.C.A
Billy runs from the building.
CUT TO:
R �'
0000
64
INT. POLICE STATION
SHERIFF FRANK LUCIA
sits' behind his desk..:'. He's
Frank is 4 years old. His
wears glas es. H deputy
OFFICER BRENT
a scrawny, weasel'' ike man in his mid-thirties, Standd's
;
beside the! Sheriff i. Brent is also laughing.
117
BILLY
sits in front of the two men. A serious, helpless look
covers his face.
Frank leans toward Billy.
FRANK
(holding back a
LAUGH)
Let me get this straight... You're
telling me that 'little monsters'
are multiplying by the hundreds,
down at the 'Y'?
BILLY
Yes... that's right...
FRANK
These little things killed your
Mother and the Fountane boy?
Billy nods.
FRANK
And they eat human flesh?
BILLY
(nods, displaying
the bite on his
CALF)
They did this.
FRANK
(SKEPTICAL)
Looks like a dog.
E
E, 0 0 0
65.
BILLY
It wasn't a dog, sir.
(NERVOUS)
Look... these things are deadly
when they're alone. but if a
couple hundred get loose.. . They'll
be hungry. Real hungry. They'll
head straight fo the town.. You' 1
h ve a major dis ster on you
h�nds
Frank looks at Billy.
FRANK
Look, Billy...We all know that you
have a very active imagination. My
brother told me about the books you
read down there at the bank ...Now,
Dungeons and Dragons are fine if
you're five years old, but...
Billy stands. Upset.
BILLY
My Mother is dead. So is my friend.
I am not imagining things.
Billy glares at Frank. The Sheriff sighs. He looks at
Officer Brent.
FRANK
Brent, go with Peltzer...check
out the 'Y'...then his house.
BILLY
(not satisfied)
Sheriff... you should radio for
more help. . .warn the people in
FRANK
(ANGRY)
Listen P?ltzer, now you're getting
me pissed off. You're lucky I don't
just throw vuu out on your ass for
telling me stories.
Frustrated, Billy exits with Officer Brent.
Frank shakes his head. He picks up the phone and dials.
66
EXT. Y.M.C.A.
The building appears calm. Peaceful. No sign of the
creatures.
The police car pulls.into the parking lot. I
INT. POLICE CAR
Officer Brent parks the 'car. Billy silts beside him.
Brent looks at the building.
BRENT
Looks fine. I don't see anything.
BILLY
They're inside.
Brent checks his pistol. It's loaded.
BILLY
Look...You can't go in there
alone. It's'suicide. You've
got to radio for more help...
BRENT
(holds up the
PISTOL)
I've got, all the help I need.
Brent handcuffsBilly to the grating of the police car.
BILLY
(PLEADING)
Please... listen to me...You can't
go- in there...
Brent gets out of the car and walks to the building.
A nervous, frustrated Billy watches.
BRENT
walks to the building's front door. Locked. He smiles.
He takes astep back, draws his gun and shoots off the
door lock.
He enters.
BILLY
waits in the car. Frightened. Restless.
) 0T
67.
His sword lies on the back seat. Billy grabs it.
He begins to pound at the handcuff chain with his blade.
INT. Y.M.C.A. HALLWAY
Pistol drawn, Brent walks down the hallway, to the gym
doors.
He can hear the sounds from inside. Gurgling. Breathing.
Giggling.
He takes a drink from his hip flask. He enters the gym.
INSIDE
Brent is shocked by what he sees.
HUNDREDS OF PAIRS OF BURNING GREEN EYES
fill the gymnasium, shining in the darkness. Like a
starry night.
DROVES OF MOGWAI
are still coming out of the swimming pool.
Brent is frozen. He tries to scream.
The creatures notice him. Several move towards him.
Brent fires his pistol. Useless. There are too many
creatures.
BILLY
He hears the gunshots. He moves faster, desperately
hacking at the handcuff chain with his sword.
CUT TO:
INSIDE - BRENT
drops his gun. Out of bullets. He turns to run.
68.
A creature leaps. It lands on his back.
Another leaps at him. He falls to the ground.
Brent screams-as the:creatures jump him.
They cover him like a blanket.
They feast.
CUT TO:
BILLY
Sweating. Nervous. Hacking away at the handcuff chain.
Brent's screams fade in the background.
Billy looks out the side window. He sees
THE Y.M.C.A.'S FRONT DOORS BURST OPEN
Droves of creatures pour out into the night.
BILLY
panics. He hacks at the chain. Harder. Faster.
THE CREATURES
move toward the police car.
BILLY
finally breaks the handcuff chain. He quickly moves to
the driver's seat and starts the car.
THE POLICE CAR
tears out of the parking lot
The creatures still pour out of the 'Y'.
drives. He looks to the rearview mirror. The
69
reflection of
COUNTLESS GREEN EYES
'burns in the mirror. The creatures are following'him.
BILLY
drives faster.
BILLY
(PANIC)
I gotta warn people. . .1 gotta tell
THEM
He flips on the police siren and heads for town.
CUT TO:
THE SUBURBS
Peaceful. Calm. Christmas lights twinkle.
THE POLICE CAR
suddenly squeals down the main road. Lights flashing.
Siren blaring.
BILLY
steers the patrol car into the first driveway.
The car screeches to a stop. Billy gets out. Sword in
hand, he runs to the front door of the house. He
knocks. Hard.
MR. FUTTERS
a balding, middle-aged man, wearing a bathrobe and pajamas,
answers the door.
MR. FUTTERS
(PUZZLED)
Billy Peltzer?...What's going on
here?..
70.
BILLY
(BREATHLESS)
They're coming.
MR. FUTTERS
Huh?..
BILLY
(fast, hyper)
You've got to keep your wind ws
locked. Or better yet...boa d them
up! And your lights... You've got
to leave them on!
f+ MR. FUTTERS
What are you talking about, boy?
BILLY
There are these little things...
animals...They're all over the
place! They'll kill you and your
family!...
Mr. Futters starts to laugh.
MR. FUTTERS
Have you been drinking?
BILLY
No sir, I...
MR. FUTTERS
And what the hell is that? A
sword?
BILLY
Yes...
MR. FUTTERS
And what are-you doing with the
Sheriff's car? Are you on drugs?
Billy starts to explain when
MR. DEAGLE
the next door neighbor, walks onto his porch.
Deagle is a portly man, with curly grey hair and a beard.
He calls to Mr. Futters
71.
MR. DEAGLE
Hey, Joe...I saw the police car.
You in some kind of trouble?
MR. FUTTERS
,No, it's this Peltzer kid. He
thinks we're gonna get: eaten up
by wild animals. And he's
carrying a sword.
MR. DEAGLE
Did you say 'Peltzer'? Billy
Peltzer?
MR. FUTTERS
1 Yeah...
MR. DEAGLE
(shakes his head)
He's a nut. Went crazy in the
bank today. Called my wife all
kinds of names.
(to Billy)
You smartass son of a bitch. If
I was ten years younger I'd beat
the crap out of you.
Billy sighs, frustrated.
MRS. DEAGLE
joins her husband on the porch.
MRS. DEAGLE
What's the matter?...
(she sees Billy)
Oh, it's you. Here to
apologize?
MRS. DEAGLE
MR. DEAGLE
The boy went crazy, dear.
carrying a sword.
REV. 4/30/82 72.
MRS. DEFILE
(SMILES)
I knew he was crazy from the
start.
(glares at Billy)
I hope they lock you up for
good, and throw away the key.
Mr. Deagle puts his arm around his wife.
MR. DEAGLE
C'mon back inside, dear. Let's
finish watching 'Dallas'.
(to Mr. Futters)
G'night, Joe.
MR. FUTTERS
Good night, Ed.
(to Billy)
You've got ten seconds to get
the hell out of my yard. Then
I'm.calling the Sheriff...if he
isn't out looking for you already.
He slams the door and goes inside.
Billy just stands there. Defeated. Frustrated.
A CREATURE
hisses. Behind Billy.
Billy turns. Mogwai leaps at him.
Billy raises his sword and swings.
He knocks the creature down. He stabs Mogwai.
Mogwai dies with a long scream.
Billy looks up and sees
THE PACK OF CREATURES
moving down Main Street. They have arrived. Looking for
food.
Many break into the house across the street. There are
some human screams. Then the house lights go out.
REV. 4/30/82 73
Several creatures come towards Billy.
Billy runs to the police car. He opens the door and gets
inside.
A creature leaps at him.
Billy slams the car door. It severs the creature4si-rand..
Several creatures surround the car.
Billy hears a familiar voice. Screaming. He looks out
the window.
MRS. DEAGLE
comes running out of her house, towards the police car.
f_ She-'s screaming for help.
I
A creature is on her back.
Another creature leaps at her.
She falls. Into the snow.
Several creatures attack Mrs. Deagle. Her screams fade.
So does her life.
BILLY
looks away. More creatures are. surrounding the car.
They pound against the windows. They want in.
A scared Billy flips on the police radio.
BILLY
Sheriff?...It's Billy Peltzer...
Can you hear me?!?...
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Frank plays cards with his brother, Gary. Gary is still
in his bank security guard uniform.
radio.
BILLY M.O.)
Please answer! It's me;--Billy...
GREi�;►ooo05
74
Frankgrabs the mike. Gary smiles.
GRANK
What's going on Peltzer? Where's
Officer-Brent?.
BILLY (V.0.)
He was kiljed by.ithe creatures.
What? Whe
THE POL�CE C AR
is blanketed by creatures, trying to get in at Billy.
Billy screams into the radio mike.
BILLY
(panic, screaming
into the radio mike)
The creatures are all over town...
breaking into houses... killing
people... You've got to get help!...
THE READ WINDOW SMASHES.
The creatures start to rip away at the glass.
A creature's arm smashes through the passenger window.
Billy drops the radio mike.
SHERIFF (V.0.)
Peltzer?!?...Peltzer?!?...
Billy thinks fast. He flips on the siren and flashing
roof lights.
THE CREATURES
are scared of the bright lights. They scatter away from
she car.
BILLY
starts the engine. He squeals out of the driveway.
75.
INT. SHERIFFS OFFICE
FRANK
(into the mike)
Peltzer?...Peltzer?...
(slams down the
MIKE)
Damn.
GARY
(SMILING)
Sounds like he really flipped
out this time.
Frank stands. He straps on his gun holster.
FRANK
Looks like I'm gonna have to
straighten this out myself. Want
to go for a ride?
GARY
(eyes light)
Can I drive?
Frank. reluctantly nods. Gary stands.
GARY
(SARCASTIC)
But, Frank...With everybody out...
Who's gonna be here to answer the
Emergency phone calls?
(FALSETTO)
'Help! The little gremlins are
eating my baby!'
Gary laughs hard at his joke. They exit the police station.
CAMERA STAYS BEHIND
in the deserted police station. We hear Frank and Gary get
into the car and drive off.
THEN
A telephone rings. And another phone rings. And.another.
People need help.
76
BILLY
Shaky. Nervous. Behind the wheel of the police car.
OUTSIDE
The creatures are making their way down M in Street.
They are everywhere.
On rooftops. Front lawns. Smashing through windows.
Breaking into homes.
Scattered human screams echo through the night.
People are dying.
Mogwai is taking over the. town'.
BILLY
looks through his windshield. Up ahead, he sees
TRACY
screaming for help, from a third floor window of her home.
BILLY
steers the police car into her driveway. He squeals to
a stop.
He grabs his sword and gets out of the car.
OUTSIDE
Billy runs to below Tracy's window. He shouts to her.
BILLY
Tracy!...It's me! Billy!
TRACY
stands in her bedroom. The bedroom door is closed. Locked.
The creatures pound against it.. They want in.
77
Tracy shouts down to Billy.
TRACY
Billy! These things are all over
my house... I'm trapped!
(a beat) 1
There's a ladder beside the garage...
Billy runs to the garage side. e reaches down and picks
up a rusty aluminum ladd r.
I
He puts the ladder up to Tracy's window and climbs to her.
INT. TRACY'S ROOM
THE BEDROOM DOOR BURSTS OPEN.
Two creatures stand there Growling. 'Hungry. They,
move to Tracy.
She screams.
Billy gets to Tracy. He quickly pulls her out of the
window. They begin to climb down the ladder.
ON THE GROUND BELOW
a creature jumps onto the ladder.
Tracy. is startled. She nearly falls. Billy grabs. a. better
hold of her. He drops his sword. It falls to the ground
and lands in the snow.
The creature looks up and sees Billy and Tracy. A few
feet above. Mogwai begins to climb the ladder, going
after them.
Billy and Tracy start to climb up the ladder.
But the two other creatures come out of Tracy'.s bedroom
window. They see Billy and Tracy below. They climb oft
after them, down the ladder.
Billy and Tracy are trapped. Sandwiched between the
creatures.
Billy looks to his sword on the ground. So far away.
REV. 4/30/82 78
Thinking fast, Billy pulls the ladder back.
It sways. He pulls harder.
The ladder tilts to the ground. Falling.
The three creatures are thrown to the ground, into the
deep snow.
Billy and Tracy ride the ladder down. The snow breaks
their fall.
The creatures dig their way out of the snow. They move
towards Billy and Tracy.
Billy snaps up his sword and jumps to his feet. Ready
to fight. He keeps one protective arm around Tracy.
The creatures surround them. Waiting for the right moment
to attack.
One of the creatures moves forward.
Another leaps behind Billy.
Billy lunges forward and spears the first creature.
He quickly reels around, slicing the other creature in
two.
Both creatures lie in the snow. Dead.
Billy turns to the last Mogwai. With two swings of his
blade, he kills the creature.
Billy wipes the green blood off his sword with his coat
sleeve. Breathless, he looks at Tracy .
Hair .hangs in his eyes. Blood runs down the side of his.
sweaty, unshaven face. His dark brown eyes stare at Tracy.
The transformation from meek bank clerk to sexy hero is
complete.
He embraces her. They run to the police car and get inside.
Billy'starts the car. He and Tracy drive off into the
night.
79.
INT. SHERIFF'S CAR
Gary drives. Frank sits beside him. Gary flips on the siren
and lights. He smiles. Like a little kid. Frank reaches
over and.turns off the siren. Gary complains.
GARY
Hey, C'mon...
FRANK
I got a headache.
GARY
(SARCASTIC)
But this is an emergency. We
gotta warn everybody! The gremlins
are coming!
Gary laughs. Frank sighs
GARY
So when are you gonna make me
Deputy?
FRANK
When you grow up.
GARY
Why don't you fire Brent. He's
nothin' but a drunk. I'could do
a lot better.
They arrive at the outskirts of town. Frank notices some-
thing up ahead.
He can see the shadows of the creatures. Crawling on
houses. Running across the front lawns.
Frank motions for Gary to slow down.
FRANK
Something looks weird.
(rolls Jown. his
WINDOW)
Damn windshield.`:: frozen. Can't
see a thing.
He sticks his head out the window to look out.
Gary continuesto drive.
Frank turns from outside, back to Gary.
REV. 4/30/82 80.
FRANK
Snow's too'heavy. I can't...
A CREATURE
leaps onto the car's passenger' side. The creature grabs
Frank' arm. He tries to shake off the creature.
Gary gl nce over. Shocked. Horrified.
Mogwai takes a huge bite out of Frank's arm. He screams.
Gary turns to help him.
THE POLICE-CAR
slides on the ice. It slams-into a guard rail, flips over
a ditch and spins to a stop.
CUT TO:
BILLY'S CAR
Billy drives, as fast as possible through the heavy snow.
He's headed out of town. Tracy sits beside him. She
looks out the window..
OUTSIDE
The rows of once peaceful, cheerful homes are now the
scenes of frenzied horror.
People run out into the night, screaming for help, only
to be dragged to the ground by creatures.
Ravaged bodies lie in the snow. Frozen.
An ambulance is overturned on the roadside.
Phone lines are town down.
The creatures have made their way across town. They now
attack the last few houseson the block.
REV. 4/30/82 81.
TRACY
looks away from her window. Tears fill her eyes. She's
sickened by all of it. Billy holds Tracy's hand, comforting
her.. Billy notices something.up ahead. He.stops the ( ::
police car. ( '
{
(
(
OUTSIDE
The headlights shine on Frank's overturned police car.
Gary is inside. Still alive. He screams for help.
REV. 4/30/82
BILLY
I'll get him out.
Billy quickly opens the police car door. He jumps out.
OUTSIDE
He closes the door. Tracy is safe inside.
Billy walks to the.sheriff's car. He stays in the safety
of the headlight's beam.
Billy stops a few feet from the sheriff's car.
The passenger side is crushed. The driver's side is
barely damaged, save for a dented, jammed door.
Gary pounds against-the door. He wants out.
Billy grabs the car handle. He pulls hard. The door
pops open. He pulls Gary out.
Gary gets to his feet. He's okay. Billy looks inside
the car.
Billy closes the door.
GARY
What.about my brother? Can we
get him out?
BILLY
He's dead.
Tears fill Gary's eyes. Billy leads Gary to the car.
BILLY
C'mon. Just stay in the light.
They're afraid of the light.
Gary walks. He looks scared. Helpless.
They get to the police car. Billy opens the door.
INT. POLICE CAR
83.
GARY
Tracy.
She smiles. Glad to see him alive. They kiss. Gary puts
his arm around her..
Billy hops into the driver's seat. He rests the sword
beside him.--He--starts the car and continues to drive.,
Gary gives Tracy another kiss. He needs her comfort.
Billy just stares ahead, at the snowy road.
CUT TO:
DOUGAL'S ANTIQUE STORE - ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN
Closed.. But the upstairs lights are on. Someone is
home.
Everything here looks calm. Untouched. Safe.
The police car pulls into the driveway.
INSIDE
Billy turns to Gary and Tracy.
BILLY
We're just outside of town...
Doesn't look like the creature's
got here yet.
(a beat)
Let's go inside and warm up.
They exit the police car.
DORRY
comes to the door. He sees the worn, hollow faces of Gary
and Tracy. He sees the bruised and bloodied Billy.
84.
DORRY
What the hell happened to you?
Billy looks at Dorry.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. DOTJGAL'S LIVING ROOM- LATER
Dorry bandages Billy's calf. Gary sits with Tracy on
the sofa.
Billy finishes telling the full story to everyone.
BILLY
.and they originate from this
marketplace in Hong Kong.
Dorrystands and shakes his head.
DORRY
Hard to believe. Like Satan's
come to walk the earth.
BILLY
(looks at everyone)
You see...they''re drawn to water.
Now, if my hunch is correct... They'll
be leaving town, and heading for the
water tower-which means they'll have
to pass by here tonight.
(a beat)
We have to get help. These things
have to be kept under control. If
they get to the water tower .they
could spread all over the St ate...
maybe the Country. They're like
inhuman divining rods.
GARY
Why didn't you think of that before,
Peltzer?
BILLY
I did. But nobody would listen.
GARY .
Maybe if you weren't such a nut
people would believe you.
85.
Dorry intervenes.
DORRY
Nowt boys...arguing won't get us
anywhere.
Gary still glares at Billy.
GARY
This is your fau t, Peltzer.
BILLY
That's not true.
GARY
My brother's dead because of
you.
BILLY
That isn't..
GARY
The people in town. They're
• dead because of you.
BILLY
(ANGRY)
Stop it.
GARY
You did it. You killed all
those people.. You're. a murderer,
Peltzer.
Billy lunges at Gary. They fall to the ground. Fighting.
Dorry and Tracy break it up.
TRACY
If we want to stay . alive... We
have to stick together.
Billy turns away. Cooling off.
Gary is comforted by Tracy. But she keeps her eye on
Billy. Dorry looks at everyone.
DORRY
We should get in touch with
the authorities.
86
BILLY
Yeah, and then I'd like to try and
get in touch with my Dad. If we
can...
THE LIGHTS GO OUT.
Total darkness.
CUT TO:
EXT. DORRY'S STORE
Mogwai's claw tears at the wires in the electrical box.
CUT TO:
LIVING-ROOM
Gary's cigarette lighter illuminates the room. Everyone
stays quiet. They listen.
THE GIGGLING of several creatures echoes from outside.
BILLY
They're here.
A frightened Gary holds Tracy.
GARY
Now what do we do?
The giggling gets louder. Closer. Billy turns to Dorry.
BILLY
Do you have a place without win
dows?... .A place where we could be
safe?
Dorry pauses to think.
DORRY
The storage room
The sound of breaking glass is heard.
87
BILLY
(clutching his sword)
We have to hurry.
Dorry leads everyone.out of the.room...
INT. STORAGE ROOM
Large area. Crowded wit.. an#i.ques.
Dorry leads everyone inside. He closes and lo'ks the
door. He lights two can¢1es.,,
BILLY
We'll stay ere until daybreak.
Gary sits with Tracy on an old sofa.
Dorry sits beside them in an�old rocking chair.
Billy pulls up an old wooden'chair.
LOUD NOISES, CRASHES. BANGS, THUMPS, GIGGLES..
They echo from OFFSCREEN. The creatures rummage through
the antique store.
CLOSE-UP - BILLY, GARY, TRACY, DORRY
listening to the sounds. Frightened.
DORRY
Mischevious little devils,
aren't they?
No one disagrees.
Tracy suddenly notices something. She cries out.
TRACY
(pointing to the
DOOR)
Billy!
SEVERAL CREATURES' CLAWS
scratch through the thin wood of the storage room door.
Thinking fast, Billy moves to a large cabinet. He
turns to Gary.
88.
BILLY
Help me with this.
Gary and Billy slide the cabinet in front of the door.
BILLY
That'llkeep them out. We're
safe now..
Billy sits back. The �oipjs contipue.
Dorrylook at ever y on
DORRY
I've only been this scared two
other times in my life. Once
was when I got drafted. The
other, was when I was six years
old.
(everyone listens)
It.was Christmas Eve. My sisters
and I were decorating the tree
with our Mother. We were singing
caroles...happy ...excited...
waiting for Dad to get home from
work.
(a beat)
A few hours passed, and we started
to worry. Dad wasn't home yet. My
Mother called the office. They said
he left.
(PAUSE)
After about a week... the police gave
up. My Mother was close to a nervous
breakdown... The rest of us weren't
eating.. .we couldn't sleep.. .Every-
thing was falling apart.
(PAUSE)
It was snowing outside. The house
was cold. I threw some logs on
the fire.--..That's when I noticed
the smell.
(a beat)
The firemen came. They broke
through the chimney top. We were
all waiting, expecting them to
pull out some dead cat or bird...
Instead, they pulled out my Father.
(PAUSE)
He was dressed in a Santa Claus
suit. He had been climbing down
the chimney on Christmas Eve,
his arms loaded with presents.
AMORE)
89.
DORRY (CONT'D)
He was going to surprise us.
(PAUSE)
The coroner said that he lost
his footing. He slipped and
broke his neck. Died instantly.
His body was lodged in the narrow
chimney shaft.
(PAUSE)
,That how I found out there was
no Sahta Claus.
Everyone has a chilled look on their faces. Dorry just
stares.
Billy stands and clears his throat..
BILLY
Well...I think you should all
try and get some sleep.
(a beat)
I'll watch the door.
Everyone agrees. Billy moves his chair in front of the
door.
.Dorry relaxes.inhis rocking chair.
Gary stretches out on the sofa, expecting Tracy to cuddle
with him. Instead,"she walks:over to Billy.
TRACY
Billy...
He looks at her. She gives him a comforting smile.
TRACY
I just wanted to say thanks...
I mean...If it wasn't for you, I
don't know what any of us would
have done.
Billy smiles.
TRACY
is it okay if I sleep here? On
the floor beside you?...I'd feel
a lot safer.
Billy nods. Tracy moves a carpet next to Billy's chair.
She lies on the carpet. She closes her eyes.
Gary watches from the sofa. Jealous.
Dorry has fallen asleep in his chair.
Billy sits. Sword on his lap. He guards the door.
Sounds still echo-from downstair•s,.throughout the antique
store.
CLOSE-UP - BILLY
The horror of it all finally hits him.
His eyes fill with tears.
He cries. Alone.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
BILLY
sleeping in his chair. His hand still holds the sword on
his lap.
The others are asleep.
Billy's hand quivers. The sword drops to the floor. He
wakes. Startled. He quickly grabs the sword.
Everyone else wakes from the sound.
BILLY
(looking at their
scared faces)
Everything's okay...I just
dropped my sword.
Gary rubs his eyes.
GARY
What time is it?
DORRY
(checks his pocket-
WATCH)
9:15.
Billy stands. He pushes the wood cabinet from the door
The door is covered with scratches. Billy slowly opens it.
91
The room is bathed with light, coming from a window
facing the door.
Everyone smiles. The light feels good. Safe.
They exit-the storage room.
INT LIVING 7 0
Destroyed by lithe creatures. Furniture. is overturned.
Windows are broken. Curtains are torn.
Billy, Dcrry, Gary and Tracy enter.
CAMERA FOLLOWS
the four people through the house. Into the kitchen, the
bedrooms, the hallways.
Every room has been destroyed by the creatures.
INT.. STORE AREA
All of the antiques have been smashed or broken by the
creatures.
Dorry is shocked to see his store in this state.
Billy walks to the front door. He tries to open it. It's
jammed. He pulls hard. Finally., it opens.
OUTSIDE
A blanket of snow. covers everything. It snowed hard last
night.. Three feet's worth.
BILLY
Try. the phone. .see if we can
get help...
Dorry walks back inside. Gary flips on a transistor radio
that has been sitting on the shelf.
RADIO (O . S . )
All major highways and roads are
closed. Driving is close to
(MORE)
92
RADIO (O.S.) (CONT'D)
impossible. It looks like we're
gonna be snowbound for the Holidays.
Dorry returns.
DORRY
Phone's. dead.
BILLY
Damn.
TRACY
We're trapped.
GARY
I think we should get out.
Now.
BILLY
How? The nearest town is fifteen
miles away.
GARY
I'll walk.
BILLY
In this? You won't get far.
GARY -
It's worth'a try.
BILLY
And-what happens when it gets
dark? ...And you're on the road.
Alone.
Gary says nothing.
BILLY
No. We have to stick together
and fight these things. At least
until we can get help...
Tracy folds her arms.
TRACY
I'm cold.
Gary puts his arm around her. She'd rather have Billy's.
REV. 4/30/82 93.
DORRY -
There's a McDonald's about a
block away.
BILLY
Okay. We 11 get something to
eat.
(a beat),
Them we go 1 to wJork.
CUT TO:
EXT. MC DONALDS - LATER
The police car is parked outside. Many of the restaurant
windows are broken. A few deserted cars are in the parking
lot.
INSIDE
The creatures have been here.
The dead body of an old man is slumped across a table.
A half eaten Big Mac is still in his hand.
In a booth, sits a dead family: Mother, Father, boy and
girl. Their food still sits-in front of them. Untouched.
A dead cashier girl lies on the counter.
BILLY, TRACY, GARY AND DORRY
sit at a table in the rear of the restaurant. Away from
the grisly sights.-
They eat burgers and fries. Gary takes a bite of his
burger and nods to Billy.
GARY
Not bad, Peltzer. I-didn't
know you could cook.
94.
DORRY
Could there be other people in
town? Alive?
BILLY
It's.possible. But it's more
important to get at the creatures.
We've got the advantage now. It's
daylight.
GARY I
You know where they are, Peltzer?
BILLY
No...But they're all gathered in
one place. And the sun rose before
they could make it to the water
tower. So they must be holed up
between here and there.
TRACY
The old church?
BILLY
(shakes his head)
Too many windows. Too much light.
it's got to be someplace dark.
Totally dark.
DORRY
How about somebody's garage?...
Or tool shed?...
BILLY
No. There's too many of them..
They'd need a huge area...
TRACY
Ridge's movie house.
Everyone pauses to think.
GARY
It's a big place. No windows.
DORRY
Always dark. Pitch black.
Billy nods to himself. That's the place.
CUT TO:
95.
EXT. RIDGE'S MOVIE THEATER - LATE AFTERNOON
The sun is going down.
Walt-Disney's "Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs" is
playing. A written sign is posed in the box office window.
TONIGHT'S SHOW CANCELLED BECAUSE OF SNOW
Billy and the others walk up-to the theater. Gary is
carrying a flashlight. Billy turns to him.
BILLY
You used to work here, right?
GARY
(SHRUGS)
When I was a kid.
BILLY
You're coming in with me., You can
show me around.
TRACY
What are you going to do if they're
inside?
BILLY
Blow up the theater.
Everyone seems puzzled. Billy turns to Gary.
BILLY
This place has some kind of boiler
room...with a furnace... right?
GARY
(NODS)
In the basement.
BILLY
(to the others)
I'll use the gas lines as a bomb.
The fire will destroy the creatures.
Dorry looks at Billy.
DORRY
I want to come in with you.You'11
need the extra hand.
96
TRACY
Well I'm not staying out here
alone. It's getting dark.
Billy nods. -They'll all go in together.
BILLY
Okay...just remember;.We've got
to stick together. And keep close
to the flashlight. They're scared
of the light.
Everyone nods. Gary turns on the flashlight.
Tracy takes Billy's hand. Gary is jealous.
They enter the theater.
INT. THEATER LOBBY
Gary shines the flashlight.
The candy counter has been smashed. All of the candy is
gone.
The popcorn machine is empty. The soda machine has been
emptied and turned on its side.
Billy walks to the theater entrance door. He looks into
the small window.
INT. THEATER
Countless pairs of green eyes shine in the darkness. The
creatures murmur among themselves.
Billy whispers to the others.
BILLY
They're inside the theater.
The others peer into the window.
BILLY
(to Gary)
How do we get to the boiler
room?
97.
BILLY
Damn. There's too many of those
things. They'll- see us.
(PAUSE)
1 If we could. just distract them...
Tracy perks up.
•TRAC Y-
I have an 'idea'.-
They look .t her .
CUT TO:
PROJECTION BOOTH
Billy, Tracy, Dorry and Gary enter. Tracy walks to the
projector.. She finds the forward switch. She flips it.
The projector purrs. The lamp goes on. The reels turn.
INT. THEATER
The second reel of "Snow White" fills the screen.
The seven dwarfs are singing "Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it's off to
work we go..." The song echoes through the theater.
THE CREATURES
are frightened by the images on screen. The light hurts
their eyes. But gradually, they become interested in the
movie.
PROJECTION BOOTH
CUT TO:
INT. THEATER
The creatures are clustered in their seats. Puzzled.
Fascinated by the animated screen
98
Billy and the others move through the darkness. They crawl
on the floor, on the outside aisle of the theater, to the
Exit door.
They move carefully. Slowly. Silently. They make it
to the Exit. They Crawl out. safe.-
The creatures still watchthe movie.
INT. HALLWAY
Out of the theater, BillyTracy, Dorry and Gary run to
the boiler room.
INT. BOILER ROOM
Billy walks to the large gas furnace. He examines the
gas line. He finds the shut-of.f valve and turns off the
gas.
Billy takes off his coat and shirt. He removes his T-shirt.
He looks at Gary.
BILLY
Give me your T-shirt.
Gary reluctantly takes. off his T-shirt. Billy ties the
two shirts together. He winds them into a cord.
He finds a connection in the gas line. He begins to
pound against it with the handle of his sword. The. sounds
of metal ring out.
CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.
CUT TO:
INT. THEATER
The film's reel ends. The screen goes blank.
The creatures are puzzled. Distracted. They throw
their candy boxes and paper cups at the screen.
The CLANG of Billy's sword hitting the pipe is heard.
Several of the creatures group together. They move from
their seats, to the exit door. They follow the sound.
99.
INT. BOILER ROOM
Billy gives one final hit to. the gas line. The connection
snaps. He stuffs the line with his and Gary's shirt. He
turns the gas back on and lights the end of the crumpled.
shirt with a match. The flame slowly creeps up the shirt,
to the line.
BILLY
We have to get out. Fast.
Gary points to a rear exit.
GARY
That leads outside.
SEVERAL CREATURES
burst into the room.
Gary panics. He pulls out a gun and starts shooting.
BILLY
Not your gun. There's too
many. Use the light.
Gary stops shooting and fumbles for his flashlight.
A creature leaps atDorry, pinning the old man to the
ground. Other creatures attack Dorry. Biting. Scratching.
Tearing.
Billy picks up his sword and begins to knock the creatures
off Dorry.
Creatures come at Tracy. She picks up a section of thick
lead pipe and bats off the oncoming Mogwai.
Gary finally turns on the flashlight beam. It keeps some
of the Mogwai at bay.
Fire creeps up the T-shirt, getting closer to the gas
line.
Billy gets all-the creatures off Dorry.
More creatures come through the door.
Gary gets scared. He drops the flashlight and runs
for the rear exit.
100
BILLY
(screams to Gary)
Get back here! We need you!
.Gary runs out, leaving the others alone.
Billy and Tracy continue to fight the creatures.
I
Dorr7 lies the ground.
EXT . ! BEHIND "HEATER
Gary`] rushes] but. It's dark. He runs throi}gh the snow-
filled alle'i, to the front of the theater.
INT. BOILER ROOM
The fire is`o'nly a few inches from the gas line. Soon
the place will blow.
Billy and Tracy still fight. Billy inches back to the
rear exit. His arm blindly gropes for the 'door handle.
The fire is�almost at the gas line.
Billy's hand reaches the door handle. He opens it.
He turns to Tracy.
BILLY
Let's go.
Billy picks up Dorry's body. Tracy protects him by batting
away any oncoming creatures.
They hurry out of the boiler room.
INT. HALLWAY
Tracy closes the boiler room door. locking the creatures
inside.
Billy.carries Dorry's body. He and Tracy run to the exit.
EXT. ALLEY - BEHIND THEATER
Tracy and Billy burst through the door. They fall into
a snow p l e
REV. 4/30/82 101
THE THEATER EXPLODES.
Doors fly off., Windows break. The entire theater is
engulfed in flames.
Loud high pitched screaming is'heard. Creatures are
dying.
Billy stands up from the sn w drift. H loo s at T acy.
She's okay. They look to Dcrry.
I
His body is covered with scratches and bites. He's dead. (
Billy picks up Dorry's body. He carries it to the front
of the theater. Tracy follows.
CUT TO:
INT. THEATER
TRACKING SHOT
Camera moves through the flames. Some creatures scream,
burning to death. Others try to avoid the flames.
Camera moves to the ceiling.
THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM TURNS ON.
CUT TO:
CLOSE-UP - GARY
sweating. Scared. Out of breath.
He stands across the street from the theater. Watching.
BILLY AND TRACY
emerge from behind the building. They walk towards Gary.
Billy walks up. He's holding Dorry's body. He lowers
the body-to the ground. He glares at Gary.
BILLY
You bastard. You ran out on us.
Left us alone. To die.
Billy drops his sword and jumps Gary. They fall to the
ground. Fighting. Punching.
REV. 4/30/82 102.
Gary knees Billy in the groin. Billy is bent over,
catching his wind.
Gary snatches the sword. He lunges at Billy with the
blade.
TRACY
Gary! ...No!...
Billy dodges the blad�.
Gary moves closer to Billy. The sword is inches away
from Billy's chest.
Gary swings. Billy steps back. The tip of the sword
scratches across his chest.
Tracy cries out.
Gary lunges at him again. Billy is scratched across the
s tomach-.
Billy is backed against,a building wall.
Gary pulls back his sword, ready to spear Billy..
A CREATURE
leaps out of the darkness and grabs Gary by the throat.
Gary screams. He drops the sword.
Another creature attacks Gary. Followed by another.
And another.
They bring him to the ground. They eat. He dies.
Billy quickly picks up his sword, before the creatures
get to hi_m and Tracy. He grabs her hand. They.run to
the police car.
They get inside and lock the doors.
INT. POLICE CAR
Billy and Tracy look across the street.
103.
CcUNTLESS CREATURES
are pouring out of the theater. Into the night.
THE POLICE CAR
squeals away into the night.
INT. CAR
Tracy examines Billy's shoulder. A deep cut.
THE CREATURE ON THE BACK SEAT
opens its eyes. It lets out a high pitched, wounded cry.
Tracy picks up the sword, ready to kill the creature.
Billy stops her.
BILLY
Wait...
He looks out the rear window.
THE PACK OF CREATURES
are following the police car.
BILLY
looks at the creature on the back seat. It still cries
out in that high pitched scream.
BILLY
(to Tracy)
Hear that? He's calling his
friends for help. They're
following us. As long as
he's alive and screaming... they'll
come after him.
TRACY
104.
BILLY
We can't kill him. He's our
bait. We'll be able to lead them
away from the water tower.
(points to the
back seat)
Just keep an eye on the thing...
make s re it doe n' hurt us.
Tracy keeps the swo d on the cre ture. Billy guns the
engine and screeches off. He looks to the rearview
mirror.
THE COUNTLESS GREEN EYES FOLLOW..
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. EXXON STATION - LATER THAT NIGHT
The station is deserted. A clock in the window reads
5:27 AM.
THE POLICE CAR
pulls into the station'lot.
Billy and Tracy get out. They look tired. Worn. They've
been driving all night. Billy pumps gas into the car.
THE WOUNDED CREATURE
still lies on the back seat. Mogwai still screams in
its high pitched wail.
TRACY
looks into the distance.
THE PACK OF GREEN EYES
is visible. A few miles away.. They move to Tracy and
Billy's direction.
REV. 4/30/82
BILLY
We'd better hurry. They're
getting close.
They.. get into the car..
INSIDE
Billy starts the car. Tracy looks into the back seat.
TRACY
Billy!...
THE CREATURE IS GONE.
Billy and Tracy are shocked. Puzzled.
CUT TO:
BEHIND THE POLICE CAR
The creature has crawled outside, through the rear
window. It crawls BENEATH THE CAR, moving into the engine.
BILLY AND TRACY
look around. Puzzled. Confused.
BILLY
Where in the hell?...
SUDDENLY
The car stalls. Billy tries to re-start it. No good.
Dead engine.
GIGGLING echoes from under the hood.
Billy and Tracy get out of the car.
OUTSIDE
THE PACK OF CREATURES ARE GETTING CLOSER.
Billy and Tracy move to the-car's hood. Billy opens it.
REV. 4/30/82
MOGWAI
is inside. Its mouth is full of tangled wires and plugs
that the creature has ripped from the engine. Mogwai
giggles at Billy.
BILLY
(to Tracy)
Check the garage... ee if
there's a bag...a b x...
something we can keep this
little bastard locked up in.
Tracyhurries to the garage.
INT. STATION GARAGE
Tracy finds a small, red metal toolbox., She empties
it and carries the box back to the car.
BILLY
grabs the creature. Mogwai is still wounded and dazed.
But it manages to bite and scratch at Billy.
Tracy holds the tool box open. Billy forces Mogwai inside.
He closes the tool box and locks it shut.
Mogwai is trapped inside. The creature pounds against
the metal. Its loud cry echoes from inside.
Billy checks the car's engine.
BILLY
Damn! He ripped out the
coil wires! The car won't
run without them!
TRACY
Can you fix it?
Billy looks into the distance. The creatures are getting
very close..
BILLY
There's no time.
(grabs her
HAND )
Come on.
REV. 4/30/.82
Billy and Tracy run. Billy carries the tool box. Mogwai
cries from inside.
Billy looks behind him.
THEGWAI
!through the snow, moving closer to Billy anTracy. plow
TRACKING SHOT
of Billy and Tracy. Running fast. Out of breath. Trying
to keep ahead of the droves of Mogwai.
Billy looks into the distance, at the top of a hill.
A GREENHOUSE
sits in a large open area. It overlooks the entire town
of Kingston Falls.
BILLY AND TRACY
run up the hill, towards the Greenhouse.
THE MOGWAI
move fast. They're getting closer to Billy and Tracy.
Some of the creatures travel beneath the snow. Others
hop through it.
BILLY AND TRACY
arrive at. the top of the hill. They run to the
Greenhouse entrance. They open the doors and enter.
INSIDE
Billy drops the toolbox on top of a Greenhouse table..
OUTSIDE
The creatures arrive at the top of the hill. They move
to the Greenhouse doors
REV. 4/30/82
INSIDE
Billy spots a huge tree. It grows up, through the
center of the Greenhouse.
Billy takes Tracy's hand. They run to the tree. They
begin to climb to the top.
THE CREATURES
crash through the Greenhouse doors. Several of them
surround the tool box. Mogwai screams from inside. Others
tear through the Greenhouse, smashing plants, overturning
tables, etc.
The creatures spot Billy and Tracy, climbing the tree.
The Mogwai move to the tree.
BILLY AND TRACY
climb. Billy looks to the sky.
Dawn is approaching.
Billy looks below him.
THE CREATURES
climb the tree, scurrying up to Billy and Tracy.
Billy fights off the oncoming Mogwai with his sword.
AT THE TREE'S BOTTOM
Several creatures have begun to gnaw at the tree trunk.
BILLY AND TRACY
are near the treetop. They cling to a large, thick branch.
The creatures still chase after them. Billy keeps them
at bay.
AT THE TREE'S BOTTOM
The creatures have almost-completely gnawed:through the
tree trunk.
REV. 4/30/82
The tree sways.
The trunk snaps.
.Billy and Tracy hold tight as the tree falls to the
ground.
Billy smacks to the Greenhouse floor. Slightly.-dazed.
Tracy lands beside him. Unconscious.
A few creatures jump on her.
Billy stands. He knocks the creatures off Tracy.
Several creatures attack him.
Billy fights. But there are too many.
They keep coming. Surrounding him.
Billy can't keep up with them.
OUTSIDE
The sun is coming up. The darkness fades.
INSIDE
The creatures still attack.
Billy tries to fight.
A creature grabs his wounded leg.
Billy cries out in pain.
Another creature rips at his arm.
Billy drops the sword.
He's f inis;'ed
He falls to the ground. Beside Tracy.
The hungry creatures surround Billy.
Weak. Defeated. Billy closes his eyes.
He finally gives
REV. 4/30/82 110.
( )
THE SUN RISES.
The creatures move to finish off Billy...
Suddenly, ,they stop. They become weak..
Brigh' sunlight shines into the Greenhouse.
The c eatures try toun owhere,to hide.
Billyopenjs his eyes. He watches.
The sun shines brighter.
1
Sweatpours from the creatures' bodies.
They cry out in pain. Unearthly screams.
"Their bodies start to smolder.
Cracks appear in their skin.
The creatures begin to melt. Like candles.
Billy,wat'hes in horror.
Their'bodies collapse to the floor.
The become mounds of unrecognizable liquid.
Their screams fade. Die out.
Billy gets to his feet. He looks around.
All that remains are pools of smoldering liquid.
The nightmare is over. Mogwai is dead.
Billy takes a breath.
Cuts. Bites. Scratches. Theycoverhisbody.
He looks down at Tracy.
Billy kneels, resting her head and shoulders in his lap.
She opens her eyes.
She gives a weak smile to Billy.
He lightly kisses her on the lips. He holds her tight.
He helps Tracy to her feet. He picks up his sword.
Billy and Tracy exit the Greenhouse.
REV. 4/30/82
OUTSIDE
Billy and Tracy stand in the snow.. They look out over
Kingston Falls. Now a ghost town.
Billy looks at his sword.
He pull back ,nd throws the sword.
it flip throw h the air. {
It lands. Several feet away. Speared upright. In the
snow.
Billy collapses in the snow. Exhausted.
Tracy kneels beside him.--
It CLOSE-UP
Billy's face. Lying in the snow.. Unconscious.
Hard. Lonely. Worn.
The face of a warrior. The face of ahero.
DISSOLVE TO:
CLOSE-UP
RAND PELTZER.
A pensive, tired look covers his face.
CAMERA PULLS BACK
We'.re inside of a hospital room. Rand sits in a chair,
across the room from
BILLY
He lies in bed. His wounds are bandaged. An I.V. needle
is in his arm.
REV. 4/30/82
RAND
(COMFORTING)
It's okay, Billy...It's
over...
Billy holds his Father tightly.
BILLY
How's Tracy?
RAND.
Fine. She's in a room o{f
her own. You can see her
tomorrow.
Billy nods.
SUDDENLY
Billy's head pops up. His eyes are wide. Hysterical.
A shocked expression covers his face.
BILLY
Oh my God! No!...No!...
RAND
Billy?...What is it?...
BILLY
The tool box! It's locked! I
didn't open it!...It's dark
inside!...
RAND
What?...
Billy jumps out of bed. He tears the I.V. out of his arm.
He opens the closet and starts to get dressed.
2 NURSES AND A DOCTOR
hurry into the room. They grab. Billy. and wrestle him
back to bed'. The doctor gives Billy a 'shot.
BILLY
(fighting,
SCREAMING)
Waitl...You've got to let
me gol... .1 didn't', open the
tool boxl...I didn't get the...
REV. 4/30/82
Billy's words begin to mush.together. His eyelids get
heavy. He falls to sleep.
The Doctor turns to Rand.
DOCTOR
He'll be okay. He's still
in shoc .exhiausted. He
needs m re reslt�.
L
Rand nods. The nurses and Dlo ctor exit.
Rand just stares at Biliy.
i CUT TO:
CLOSE-UP:
THE RED METAL TOOL BOX.
Still locked. Still sitting on the Greenhouse table,
where Billy left it.
CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL
SEVERAL WORKERS cleaning up the debris, repairing the
broken Greenhouse windows.
The workers load the trash onto a dump truck.
Outside, the snow is melting. The sun shines bright.
A BURLY, MUSCULAR WORKER
walks up to the table and picks up the tool box. He shouts
to another worker.
ANOTHER WORKER
Throw it out. • .with the
other trash.
The worker is ready to throw it out. He examines the tool
box. Fairly new. In good condition. He decides to
keep it.
He walks to his van -and rests the tool box on the front
passenger seat.
REV. 4/30/82 114.
( )
THE WORKER
driving home in his van. Later that afternoon. The radio
plays a Country tune.
THE TOOL BOX
rests on the seat beside him.
SUDDENLY
the tool box begins to shake. Something pounds against it
from inside.
THE WORKER
pulls his van to the roadside. He stares at the shaking
tool box. His eyes are wide. Scared.
The worker grabs the tool box. He gets out of his van.
OUTSIDE
The tool box shakes and rattles in the worker's hand.
Frightened, he throws the box-over a hilly, wooded area
at the side of the road.
THE TOOL BOX
tumbles down a steep hill.
It lands at the bottom and bounces into a
LAKE
The tool box stays afloat for a few seconds. Then it
slowly sinks into the lake water.
INT. WATER
The tool box sinks to the bottom of the lake.
MOGWAI'S GIGGLE
the soundtrack.
