Jericho Page #7

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ROD HAWKINS (CONT’D)

To cover that. Look, I know you’retelling people it was an accident.

And I hope it was. But if it was

an attack, and there is chaos out

there... you might not want the

wrong people to know that Jericho

is still here.

Rod starts to leave.

SHERIFF:

Mr. Hawkins... The fire department

could use an extra man. Next time,

you’re with us.

Rod nods at the sheriff. Respect. As Rod leaves, Stephanie,

Alvie, and his mother, Teresa Clemons, approach.

SHERIFF (CONT'D)

Mrs. Clemons. I already told you.

TERESA CLEMONS:

But my daughter, Stacy-

32.

SHERIFF:

You want to help your daughter? Go

rustle up some black spray paint.

She nods, eager to contribute in any way she can. They startrunning the other way, passing... Gray Anderson as he talks

to the FATHERS in the pick-ups.

IRATE FATHER:

But my son is out there!

GRAY ANDERSON:

If it were up to me, I’d let you.

But those are the Mayor’s orders.

69 INT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE - NIGHT 69

Mayor Green and Peter sit with the radio operator, trying

channel after channel. Static. Static.

RADIO OPERATOR:

We have our frequencies, sir. But

outside. It’s like no one’s there.

MAYOR GREEN:

Is the problem digital?

RADIO OPERATOR:

Maybe. We could switch to CB but

it only has a radius of 15 miles.

That doesn’t get us to the highway.

MAYOR GREEN:

What about analog? A ham radio?

RADIO OPERATOR:

That’s better, but we sold those

off when we switched to digital.

MAYOR GREEN:

I know where we can get one. Come

on, Peter.

PETER:

Dad, stay. We’ll send somebody.

MAYOR GREEN:

No. He won’t talk to anybody else.

(to radio operator)

Try the CB. We’ll be back.

33.

70 INT. GRACIE LEIGH’S SUPERMARKET - NIGHT 70

GRACIE LEIGH, her gossip long forgotten, throws black spray

paint in a bag. Alvie’s mother digs in her purse for money.

GRACIE LEIGH:

Mrs. Clemons, put your money away.

We’re in this together, right?

She nods. Grateful. Gracie turns to Stephanie, staring

absently at the cosmetics section. Thinking of her mother.

GRACIE LEIGH (CONT’D)

Stephanie, remember what the Mayor

said. One explosion isn’t an

attack. Right now, your mom could

be calling you, worried.

Stephanie nods. Somewhat comforted.

71 INT. DALE TURNER’S TRAILER - NIGHT 71

The ramshackle trailer is cold and messy. One photograph of

Dale Turner and his mother at a little league game. Even in

the picture, his mother is holding a beer. Dale Turner sits

motionless in front of the answering machine. We hear his

mother’s voice on tape...

DALE’S MOTHER (V.O.)

(drunk)

... sorry I didn’t call sooner,

Dale, but we decided to stay a

couple extra days in Boulder.

BOYFRIEND (V.O.)

(drunker)

Put down the phone and come to bed.

DALE’S MOTHER (V.O.)

(laughs)

Stop that. It’s my kid. Honey?

Honey, what are you starin’ at...

A low rumble. Glass shattering. And then... silence. Dale

hits rewind. Then, he presses play. From the look on his

face, we get the feeling he’s been doing this for an hour.

DALE’S MOTHER (V.O.) (CONT'D)

(drunk)

... sorry I didn’t call sooner,

Dale, but we decided to stay-Mercifully

for Dale, the power blows.

34.

72 EXT. JERICHO - SKY ANGLE - NIGHT 72

73

We see the power grid begin to cut off across town from

above, and then we move to specific locations...

EXT. JERICHO - VARIOUS LOCATIONS - NIGHT 73

Quick shots like a ricochet...

- The street lights turn off like a kick line.

- The radio operator’s static turns to... silence.

- The FIRE CHIEF shouting into a bullhorn “Folks, there is no

fallout. We think it was an acci--” The streetlights turn

dark. People scream. “We’re under attack.”

- The Shell gas station. Packed with cars. Some townspeopleget what gas they can in the panic. The numbers click off.

Gallons. Dollars. Cents. And then... complete darkness.

The pumps stop. No more gas.

- Mimi Clark in her hotel room. Trying the landline phone

for the 100th time. Losing it. Darkness.

- Road Out of Jericho. Jimmy and Bill spray paint the sides

of the cars. Darkness. The EMT Crew Chief turns to the

Sheriff. “Don’t worry. We’ll handle the town. Move.”

- The Mayor and Peter in the Oldsmobile as the traffic lights

go black. “Hurry, Peter.”

- Stanley in his pick-up truck with Bonnie driving into the

dark town. “I guess they already know.”

- Gracie Leigh alone in her store. Darkness. The broom in

the corner now looks like an attacker. “Who is that?”

And then...

74 EXT. RURAL ROAD - NIGHT 74

Jake’s eyes go wide. Near a cluster of trees, he sees... the

Jericho elementary SCHOOL BUS. A flat tire on the rear axle.

The hood smashed from the tree the bus hit.

75 INT. SCHOOL BUS - NIGHT 75

Jake enters the bus and looks around.

his face tells us the whole picture...

JAKE:

Jesus.

We don’t see it, but

35.

76 EXT. ROAD OUT OF JERICHO - NIGHT 76

Two police cars head out into the night. Lights flashing.

Passing the tall water tower that reads: Jericho. The

police cars each split in a different direction.

77 INT. SCHOOL BUS - NIGHT 77

The image darts around with Jake as he takes in the sights of

the bus. The BUS DRIVER is passed out on the driver’s seat

with a severe concussion. Jake checks his pulse. Alive.

WOMAN’S VOICE (O.S.)

What’s happening?

Jake turns to his left. The pretty teacher, HEATHER

LISINSKI, 26, slammed into the metal partition when the bus

collided with the tree. She’s breathing shallow. Bleedingfrom the forehead. But still conscious. Frightened.

JAKE:

I don’t know. Are you okay?

HEATHER:

I can’t move.

JAKE:

Can you feel your toes?

HEATHER:

Yes. But I think... my insides.

Are we under attack?

JAKE:

It was one explosion.

an attack yet.

That’s not

Jake takes off his coat. Puts it on her to keep her warm.

HEATHER:

Don’t worry about me.

them.

Worry about

Jake turns his attention to the school bus. The children are

terrified. Some cry. With a never-ending chorus of...

DIFFERENT KIDS:

“Mister, I want to go home.” “I

want my mommy.” “I’m hungry.”

“Please, Mister.” “I’m scared.”

“They’re coming to kill us.”

And through the din, one little boy shouts at Jake.

36.

LITTLE BOY:

Mister, she’s sick. Mister, she

can’t breathe.

Jake finally focuses on the little boy.

JAKE:

What?

The little boy gestures to a little BLONDE GIRL, shaking with

terror, her hands holding her neck. Jake rushes over.

JAKE (CONT’D)

What’s wrong? What’s wrong with

her?

LITTLE BOY:

When the bus stopped, Stacy was

like this...

The little boy puts his chin on the seat in front of him.

Jake moves his gaze to the frightened Blonde Girl. In a

flash, Jake’s mind puts the pieces together. The little

Blonde Girl took the whole impact on her throat.

JAKE:

Are you okay? Let me see.

The little Blonde Girl removes her hands. Her throat is

severely swollen. Jake does his best to stay calm.

JAKE (CONT'D)

(to Heather)

Do you have an ice pack? We have

to stop the swelling now.

Heather weakly points to the first aid kit. The little Blond

Girl starts panting. Jake turns back to her.

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