GREMLINS (Jumanji, Casper, Gremlins, Small Soldiers, Super 8

Tristan, Matt, Jenna

La mère, Femme méchante snobe (va chez coiffeur et se fait raser la tête, puis électrocuter avec le
chauffe-tête), 1 emmerdeur bobo dans son gros 4x4 (), patron de la pizzeria super méprisant (),
copine de l’emmerdeur qui est une pétasse (), commissaire un enfoiré qui ne croit pas aux monstres
(), professeur qui est en fait le méchant (), mec qui bosse à l’aquarium (), maire qui est aussi leur
beau-père et un gros naze (), vendeur de sandwich black ds son camion (), jolie fleuriste blonde
(),joueur de football (va prendre une douche au vestiaire, un G fat tomber un fil électr’ sur l’eau en
riant),
Dans une boîte ils passent « Smallpoolls ; Dreaming » ils sont tous en transe hyper colorés, Tristan,
Jenna & Matt doivent se séparer pour retrouver le chef
Beau-père maire est un vrai con, joue aux courses de chevaux, raciste appelle la boniche Blanche
Neige
- Les frères trafiquent les chantiers pr empêcher les investisseurs, dt leur beau-père, de détruire 1
endroit
- Finis dans une fête foraine abandonnée (course poursuite sur carrousel, se cachent parmi des peluches
de stands, grimpe sur grande roue,

- Pendant générique : des gens se donnent des tracts pour la soirée électro dans la Grange du week-
end/des gens font du bateau sur un lac/

- Tristan conduit et remarque l’affiche du cirque, et continue de la regarder tout en roulant et accélère
sans savoir. Une voiture de flic garée là le poursuit alors, Tristan la voit et soupire, puis s’arrête. Jenna
la flic le réprimande, Tristan essaye de s’excuser, elle peut pas lui faire ça sérieux, en plus c pas sa
voiture, Jenna s’en moque elle lui met un P.V., Tristan grogne !
- Tristan rejoint son frère Matt au café où Matt lit un bouquin. La serveuse Lili lui apporte un coca en lui
souriant, Matt lui rend son sourire. Elle lui demande ce qu’il lit ? Il répond que c’est juste une histoire
d’horreur, elle dit ah ouais ? Elle adore ! Matt est content il raconte alors que c l’histoire d’un loup
garou qui se met à attaquer des ados dans les… Lili est interrompue par une bande de cons plus loin
qui l’appellent pour la commande, Lili sourit en disant qu’elle revient. Matt sourit, un peu frustré.
Tristan arrive alors, super énervé. Il voit ça et demande ce qui lui a pris autant de temps ? Tristan lui
raconte la mésaventure avec la flic,

- Vont à la foire, voient Gizmo traumatisé par les flashs des appareils [Link] est effrayée et s’éloigne,
il se prend alors l’abreuvoir dans le dos, une goutte tombe alors sur sa tête, et … devant les yeux de
tous les spectateurs, il se met à éjecter une boule de poil différente, noire. Les gens sont ébahis, Basil
et Matt aussi. Le dompteur est choqué. Le nouveau mogwaï semble vilain en se levant, Gizmo est
apeurée et veut partir, mais Zambolino fouette la cage pour le laisser là, Gizmo a peur, ce que
remarque Basil. L’autre mogwaï regarde la foule, les gens rient, mangent, sont immondes, et il grogne
et s’attaque aux barreaux. Ils ont tous peur et Zambolino arrête le numéro.

- Gizmo se glisse dans le sac de Basil, qui s’ouvre ds sa chambre, le mogwaï regarde autour de lui, Basil
le remarque, la mogwaï a peur et se cache, mais Basil le rassure et il s’approche. Il appelle son frère qui
joue à l’ordi en ligne. Il dit c important, mais sa parité aussi. Puis Matt éteint, et entre. Il arrive, et
allume la lumière. Le mogwaï hurle de peur, Matt pique une colère : il l’a piqué à la foire ? Mais non, il
est rentré ds son sac, il est mignon pas vrai ? Ils comprennent qu’il déteste les lumières brillantes. Matt
 dit qu’il faut le ramener, Basil finit par céder, ok demain à la première heure, en attendant Gizmo rit
avec eux

- La flic répd à un appel et avec sa voiture arrive à la librairie, elle entend bien qu’il y a qq chose ds son
dos. Moment de suspens long où elle est observée. Puis elle brandit son arme, allez mon vieux sortez
d’ici, et pas d’histoire ! Le gremlins sort et l’attaque, elle a peur et tire, mais le rate. Le gremlins se
cache, elle a peut et appelle du renfort mais sa radio est cassée. Elle se tourne et fait face à plusieurs
gremlins qui se jettent sur elle, quand heureusement la voiture de Basil arrive, les phares allumés. Il les
éloigne, la flic va le voir, mais qu’est-ce que c’était que ça ? Il lui expliquera plus tard, en attendant
monte !!!

- Teste de la bière sur un mogwaï, mais rien ne se passe !

- Voyant les coquons : oh bon sang c’est comme Alien !

- Le jardinier aperçoit Gizmo ds le jardin quand il arrose les fleurs, il prend peur et envoie un jet sur lui.
Gizmo hurle, les frères débarquent vite en entendant les cris. Eux et le jardinier s’approchent et voient
Gizmo qui se multiplie, il y en a quatre nouveaux. En même temps, le mogwaÏ dans la cage au cirque
sent ces nouveaux mogwaïs qui viennent de naître.

- Matt veut montrer Gizmo à la serveuse et l’appelle pour qu’elle vienne chez lui, il veut lui faire une
surprise. Mais qd elle débarque, le mogwaï s’est déjà multiplié, les frères tentent de lui cacher, mais un
mogwaï se glisse délicatement ds son sac à main. Elle ne pige pas, Matt est navré, puis elle s’en va en
boudant ! En les recomptant le soir, les frères remarquent qu’il en manque un…

- Le soir même, chez la serveuse, qui dort dans son lit, le mogwai se faufile ds la cuisine. Il essaye
d’attraper les cookies au-dessus du frigo, mais n’y arrive pas. Il va ds les placards et trouve des trucs
pour le régime, il fait beurk, mais els mange quand même… l’horloge indique minuit moins dix.

GREMLINS La Vengeance

Écrit par
Roland MALVAUT

1) Quartier chinois, MATIN

Des camions et voitures de cirque entrent dans un marché
asiatique. Luigi Zambolino, le directeur du cirque sort de son
camion pour s’approcher des marchands chinois. Il passe devant
des cages de lions, singes, tigres qui lui grognent après.
Accompagné de son second Paolo, un homme grand et costaud, ils
accostent un des marchands.
Zambolino
(prend le paysan par l’épaule)
Alors mon vieux Hou-Chi comme on se retrouve !
Hou-Chi
(Il l’air apeuré et mal à l’aise et parle en chinois)
Zambolino
Ne commence pas avec ton chinetoque Hou-Chi tu sais que ça
m’énerve !
Hou-Chi
Non, non… moi pas Hou-Chi, moi… Jian Li… monsieur !
Zambolino
Je te donne deux secondes pour retrouver ta langue ou je
laisserai ce cher monsieur Paolo régler ton cas.
(Le chinois regarde Paolo qui sert les poings et se fait
craquer les os)
Hou-Chi
Ah monsieur Zambolino ! Mais quel bonheur revoir vous ! Avez-
vous fait bon voyage ? Oui, oui ?
Zambolino
Non, non. Je n’ai pas de temps à perdre riz cantonais ! Ces
tigres que tu m’as vendus le mois dernier, on a tout essayé
pour les faire s’accoupler, de la bonne viande, de la
musique… mais ils n’ont fait que se battre. Et puis ce cher
Paolo que voilà a eu la bonne idée de vérifier quel était
leur sexe. Et tu sais ce qu’on a découvert ?
Hou-Chi
Qu’eux pas aimer musique classique ?
Zambolino
Que tu m’as vendu deux femelles espèce d’ordure ! On s’en est
rendu compte quand l’un d’eux s’est retrouvé à manger une
saucisse qui sortait de nulle part.
(Pleins de marchands autour se mettent à rire, seul Hou-Chi a
de plus en plus peur à la vue de Paolo qui enlève sa chemise,
montrant des muscles terrifiants)
Zambolino
Maintenant parlons un pue affaire tu veux ? Tu pensais que je
repartirai sur le Continent sans te rendre une petite dernière
 visite ?
Hou-Chi
Pour être honnête moi l’espérais en fait… Aïe !
(Paolo le saisit à l’épaule, prêt à lui briser un muscle)
Zambolino
Voilà ce qui va se passer, je pourrais demander à ce cher
Paolo de te briser disons un… ou même deux doigts à l’instant.
Ou tu pourrais aussi bien me rembourser immédiatement, et y
rajouter quelques intérêts. Qu’est-ce que tu décides ?
(Hou-Chi a de la sueur qui lui coule sur le visage, mort de
peur il finit par céder)
Hou-Chi
Très bien… Veuillez suivre moi…
(Paolo le lâche et les deux hommes le suivent jusque dans sa
tente)

1) Intérieur tente MATIN

(Hou-Chi ouvre son tiroir, y prend es billets qu’il compte
avant de les donner à Zambolino. En même temps, Paolo regarde
un peu partout dans la tente, voit des bibelots asiatiques, et
se met soudain à entendre un drôle de son. Il s’avance et
entre dans le stockage d’animaux en cages. Il y trouve des
singes, des serpents, des tigres du Bengal, mais suit toujours
la mélodie)
Paolo
Vous avez quoi comme animaux ici au juste ?
Marchand chinois
Animaux avec de beaucoup de rareté monsieur. Animaux uniques,
très chers !
(Hou-Chi arrive alors avec Zambalino)
Hou-Chi
Ne l’écoutez pas ! Tais-toi
(Hou-Chi tape le marchand)
Hou-Chi
Animaux uniques oui, mais pour vous ça sera prix d’ami.
Zambalino
Après tout pourquoi pas, disons que ça fera partie de tes
intérêts.
 (Hou-Chi lui fait un grand sourire)
(Paolo entend toujours la musique et s’approche d’une cage
couverte d’une couverture, d’où provient la mélodie. Il
s’approche et sourit)
Paolo
C’est quoi cette chose ?
Marchand chinois
Ça… non ça ne pas être à vend…
(Hou-Chi le frappe à nouveau du pied, puis sourit)
Hou-Chi
Ça être unique au monde messieurs. Être Mogwaï.
(Zambolino semble intrigué par la créature qu’on ne voit pas)
Zambolino
Et ça sait faire autre chose que chanter ?
Hou-Chi
Oh oui monsieur. Ça adore jouer, très joueur oui, oui. Ça sait
faire des cabrioles, et ça adore la compagnie des autres
animaux.
(Paolo continue à écouter la musique, la sifflant avec lui)
Zambalino
Combien il coûterait cet animal ?
Hou-Chi
Pour vous, prix d’amis. Rien du tout, cadeau de moi. Cadeau.
Zambalino
Cadeau vraiment ? Où est l’arnaque ?
Hou-Chi
Pas arnaque monsieur. Lui animal très gentil, très fidèle, si
vous occupez bien de lui, lui vous aimera pour toute la vie.
Marchand chinois
Mais monsieur…
(Hou-Chi le frappe à nouveau pour le faire taire. Zambolino
regarde une fois encore le Mogwaï puis expire)
 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 [Link] 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 [Link] 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.
[Link] 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 [Link] 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?

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, [Link] 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. [Link]

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 [Link] eyes. Pete is curious.
Dorry slowly unwraps the object. Inside the
cloth, is a
long silver sword, with a gleaming blade and an
engraved
[Link].. - 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. [Link]

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
[Link] 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,
[Link] 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 [Link] 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? [Link]? 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 [Link]
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.
[Link] 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
[Link]`my desk.
Billy shines the [Link] 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 [Link]. 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 [Link].

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?
[Link] 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...
[Link] 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 [Link] 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 [Link] 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 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 [Link] lets him [Link] 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 For 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 [Link].

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
.[Link] 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

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)
[Link]! ...Mr. Fresco!.
Roland Fresco, the Vice President, [Link] 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 [Link]. 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.

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 [Link] 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 [Link] 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 [Link], 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 [Link]. 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, 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 [Link] 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'[Link] 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 [Link] 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.
[Link].
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 [Link] 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 [Link] ahead.
[Link] 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 [Link]'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
[Link] 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 [Link] of [Link]...

INT. STORAGE ROOM

Large area. Crowded wit.. an#[Link].

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)
[Link] 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 [Link] 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'[Link]. 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 [Link]'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.
[Link] 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.
[Link] 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 [Link]. 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.

Gremlins

Writers : Chris Columbus

Genres : Comedy Fantasy Horror

User Comments

Back to IMSDb

Index | Submit | Links | Link to us | RSS Feeds | Disclaimer | Privacy

policy