Cliffhanger Page #17

GABE:

is driven forward by a fresh burst of bullets -- he dives to

the edge of the ice field and ducks behind a boulder -- the

sole source of cover.

ELSEWHERE ON THE SUMMIT

Kristel, Qualen and Kynette, having heard the gunshots, are

now rushing to Gabe's position --

RYAN:

almost casually emerges from the woods. He can see there is

nowhere for Gabe to have gone -- except behind the boulder. He

walks toward it as if he had all the time in the world.

GABE:

fumbles in his backpack and pulls out something from the

Douglas exhibit -- an ancient flare that looks like a can of

sterno. Gabe pulls out his lighter and tries to light it -- it

resists and looks like a dud, but finally it catches, and as

it ignites Gabe heaves it over the boulder at Ryan --

RYAN - "NIGHTFINDER" POV - THE FLARE

arcs over the boulder to fully ignite, turning everything

into a blinding, agonizing flash of white --

RYAN:

SCREAMS, putting one hand over the goggles, trying to rip them

off --

GABE:

bolts out from behind the boulder to rush him --

RYAN:

instantly aware of what Gabe's doing, blindly shoots, fanning

out in a semi-circle as he gets the goggles off --

GABE:

just runs straight ahead to Ryan, getting to him before the

machine gun field of fire can intersect his path -- Gabe

tackles Ryan as he manages to get the goggles off -- both men

fall to the ground, and --

The machine gun CLATTERS away, landing on the edge of the ice,

just out of reach -- Ryan, now recovered from the blinding

flash, pulls an ice axe out of a pack sheath and swings it at

Gabe -- Gabe rolls away in time, and gets to the machine gun,

grabbing it -- But Ryan dives for Gabe, slamming into him --

the force of it knocks the machine gun loose -- it skips down

the ice slope -- but the momentum of Ryan's hit also carries

both Gabe and Ryan over the edge, onto --

THE ICE SLOPE:

Gabe and Ryan both tumble over the edge and start sliding

down, Ryan face first on his stomach, Gabe head first and on

his back -- both are in immediate agony, because

CLOSE ON THE ICE

-- it's covered with razor sharp, irregular ridges, both large

and small, that slice through clothing and shred skin as they

pick up speed --

GABE'S UPSIDE-DOWN POV - THE ICE FIELD

The edge and a five thousand foot drop are less than a hundred

yards away --

GABE AND RYAN SLIDING

Ryan flails and SCREAMS as the ice gashes him from

underneath -- Gabe, however, manages to flip over and to the

side -- he lunges on top of Ryan and rides him down like a

bobsled --

GABE'S POV - END OF THE ICE SLOPS

is coming up too fast --

GABE:

tries to maintain his perch on Ryan, who is SCREAMING and not

yet used to the idea of being a human sled -- he isn't

remaining still enough to provide a smooth ride -- Gabe

frantically reaches behind to Ryan's wrist to get the ice axe,

trailing from a wrist strap, but Ryan's arm is thrashing away,

threatening to toss off the axe --

ON SUMMIT:

Qualen, Kristel and Kynette arrive at the lip, and look down,

incredulous --

QUALEN POV - GABE RIDING RYAN

Gabe and Ryan, accelerating, have almost reached the edge --

GABE:

finally grabs the ice axe, pulling it off Ryan's wrist -- just

as they reach the precipice edge, Gabe loops the axe to his

wrist and swings toward the ice with everything he's got --

The axe's scythe-like blade catches on the ice, right at the

lip of the precipice -- Gabe is wrenched to a painful halt,

suspended over the drop, as what's left of Ryan, still

SCREAMING, shoots over the edge --

Gabe unhooks the axe, and gets another handhold. Gabe uses the

axe to climb further down the ice to some rock -- finding

easier hand holds, he quickly disappears into the darkness.

QUALEN, KRISTEL AND KYNETTE

look down -- Ryan's death scream is still echoing. Qualen is

furious -- Gabe has escaped with the second case.

QUALEN:

(to Kynette)

Follow him!

Kynette shines his flashlight below, illuminating the long,

frozen streak of blood on the ice.

KYNETTE:

(gestures with light)

After you.

INT. DOUGLAS TOURIST SHACK - NIGHT

The expedition has holed up here for the night -- Travers and

Qualen look upset. Things aren't going as well as they'd

hoped. Kristel tries to get some candy out of a vending

machine that's obviously empty. Kynette saws at some camp food

with a distinctive knife -- the handle is a set of brass

knuckles. Delmer guards Hal, who is bound, and seated by the

souvenir photo stand.

HAL:

Well -- look at the bright side.

(beat)

At least you've only got to make the

split five ways now.

EXT. MOUNTAIN LEDGE - NIGHT

Gabe confidently drops down onto a large ledge that juts out

from the wall -- obviously familiar territory for him. The

ledge leads to a small, enclosed cave. Gabe takes out his

penlight and shines it -- but the light looks dim. Batteries

are low. Gabe pockets it, flicks his lighter and goes in --

THE CAVE:

in the flickering light, we can see that no one has been in

here for a while -- snow, dust, rocks -- but we should also

recognize this from the photo seen earlier as Gabe, Maggie and

Hal's hangout.

GABE:

smiles with the memories -- then his face brightens with one

memory in particular. Gabe rushes to a corner of the cave and

opens a rock-lid to a hiding place.

GABE:

Please still be there -- oh,

please --

Gabe reaches in the stash and finds an ancient half-full pint

of Jack Daniels. The first thing to go right all day. Gabe

uncaps it and gratefully gulps down a double shot. Peace, at

last. Gabe smiles and leans against the wall, closing his eyes

-- but he's startled instantly by a SCREECH -- Gabe's eyes

shoot open --

An aggressive rat scurries toward him on the floor.

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