Jericho Page #6

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27.

Then, he grabs a golf club. Finally, he grabs the overcoat.

When he picks it up, something goes clunk on his hand. He

reaches into the coat and pulls out... a flask.

61 EXT. RURAL ROAD - SECONDS LATER 61

Jake, using the 5 wood as a makeshift crutch, begins to walk

down the road toward a hill. A small body in a massive sea

of black. He’s in the middle of nowhere.

62 INT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE - NIGHT 62

We see the Mayor in silence for a breath. His face registers

a flash of resigned sadness and worry about Jake. He looks

over at the crowded room. Townspeople asking questions,

panicked, some just wanting to help. Then, the volume comes

back up, and it's right back to business. The Mayor points

to the map of the surrounding counties.

MAYOR GREEN:

Okay. The school bus was here at

the caves. Who can tell me where

they might have gone for repairs?

FIRE CHIEF:

There’s Wilson’s garage off 183.

EMT CREW CHIEF:

Or maybe Cedar Run Road. They saidthey took a detour before the phone

cut off. What do you think, Sheriff?

The crowd is getting louder. “What about fallout?” “Are we

under attack?” “Can we help?” Peter steps up and shouts.

PETER GREEN:

FOLKS! WE CAN’T HEAR OURSELVES

THINK OVER HERE!

MAYOR GREEN:

Peter, enough.

SHERIFF:

I figure two teams. There are only

so many places it could be.

The Mayor nods. Good work, sheriff. And then, Gray Anderson

throws in his two cents. Just loud enough for the crowd.

GRAY ANDERSON:

What about the parents?

Parts of the crowd react. “Yeah.” “We want to help.”

Green looks at the Sheriff. Sotto voice.

Mayor

28.

SHERIFF:

It’s your call, but we don’t know

what’s out there. Could be

fallout. Could be the Chinese army

for all we know.

The Mayor thinks. Makes the tough call.

MAYOR GREEN:

Folks, I’m sorry, but I want the

police out there finding your kids.

Not you.

(off their outrage)

You’re safe here. And God forbid

you go out there, get stranded, and

your child comes back an orphan.

We’ll get your kids. I promise.

The parents are furious. Peter stares daggers at Gray

Anderson. The Mayor pulls the sheriff aside. Whispers.

MAYOR GREEN (CONT’D)

I know the school bus has to come

first, but Jake...

SHERIFF:

We’ll get your son, Mr. Mayor.

The sheriff pats his shoulder and moves. Gray approaches.

GRAY ANDERSON:

What can I do, sir?

MAYOR GREEN:

Peter and I will find a way to call

the governor. I need you tocoordinate with the fire department

to make sure no citizens leave

town. It could be a death trap out

there. No one’s dying on my watch.

GRAY ANDERSON:

Anything I can do, Mr. Mayor.

Gray leaves. The Mayor watches him. The look on his face

gives new meaning to the word mistrust.

63 INT. EMILY SPENSER'S HOUSE - NIGHT 63

In stark contrast to the chaos we’ve seen, Emily Spenser is

still in her own world. Her iPod is still playing romantic

music. She's still smiling at the champagne, the candles,

the "Welcome Home, Roger" sign. And suddenly...

29.

Oh, God!

EMILY:

We might think she just reacted to the tragedy. But no. The

clock on the wall reads: 9:30pm. She takes off her iPod,

rushes over to the table, and grabs her keys, revealing...

The Post-It note. Roger’s flight. Kansas City Airport.

11:
00pm. In a dash, Emily is out the door.

64 INT. EMILY’S VW JETTA - NIGHT 64

Emily turns the key. The radio plays static. But she has a

CD in there before it even registers to her that something is

wrong. The romantic music continues.

65 EXT. THE PINES - NIGHT 65

Emily drives through the Pines - Jericho’s community on the

East Side of Town. Quite ritzy. Quite isolated. Behind

trees. In the dark of night.

She turns right and takes the East Road out of town. Her

Jetta gets smaller and smaller in the distance until it

disappears. And then, finally, the Fire Truck arrives to

block the East road out of town.

66 EXT. RURAL ROAD - NIGHT 66

Jake turns around. Did he hear something? He looks at the

woods. The breeze rustles the leaves. He turns around and

keeps walking. Three steps. He stops. He hears feet

running at him. His imagination gets the better of him. The

feet are getting closer. Jake holds up the 5 wood, ready to

defend himself. And just when he - and we - were sure he

was going to be attacked... two little kids run up to him.

One boy. One girl. Terrified.

GIRL:

Mister, please.

JAKE:

What is it, kids? What’s wrong?

BOY:

I think they’re dying.

END OF ACT TWO:

30.

ACT THREE:

67 EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY - NIGHT 67

The kids drag a limping Jake onto an isolated rural road.

GIRL:

Please, mister. Hurry.

68 EXT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE - PARKING LOT - NIGHT 68

The police gear up to go on the search and rescue mission.

Guns. Ammunition. Extra batteries. The Sheriff looks at a

jittery YOUNG COP, who’s obviously terrified.

SHERIFF:

Don’t worry, son. There’s nothingout there we can’t handle.

ROD HAWKINS, the new man in town, passes some townspeople,

asking questions. “Folks, it could have been an accident.

test. Please.” Rod approaches one of the younger cops, an

African American guy, about 25.

A:

ROD HAWKINS:

Excuse me, son? Who’s in charge?

The cop points at the Sheriff, who is busy barking orders.

SHERIFF:

... Jimmy, get on the bullhorn and

calm the folks down.

Jimmy clicks on the bullhorn. As he tries to quiet the

crowd... Rod approaches the sheriff.

ROD HAWKINS:

You the sheriff? Rod Hawkins.

SHERIFF:

Good to meet you, Mr. Hawkins, but

I’m afraid we got our hands full

right now... Damn fools!

Just then, the Sheriff sees 2 pick-up trucks enter the

parking lot. Inside the trucks are the FATHERS of the

missing school kids with rifles.

SHERIFF (CONT’D)

Gray, will you tell the weekend

warriors the drill, please?

Gray Anderson nods and approaches the trucks.

31.

ROD HAWKINS:

Could you use an extra man?

SHERIFF:

No civilians. Mayor’s orders.

ROD HAWKINS:

I used to be a cop. St. Louis.

SHERIFF:

You know those roads out there?

ROD HAWKINS:

No. Just moved to town.

SHERIFF:

Then, I’m afraid you’d only slow us

down. Sorry.

The Sheriff pats his shoulder, then turns. The only thingRod hates more than machismo is a mistake.

ROD HAWKINS:

Sheriff. You might want to get

some black spray paint.

The Sheriff is confused. Rod points at the big Jericho

emblem on the sides of the police car.

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