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'DUSK' an Original Screenplay
by MARCUS FIELDS (Success91316@gmail.com)

Rated: R   Genre: Horror   User Review: ***
Max, the Lead, awakens to find herself alone, cold, and deep in the dark woods. Disoriented and bruised, she has to figure out her next move before she become a meal for a ravenous brood of metamorphosing creatures. P. S. This current short version is just a 'Lead-in' to the feature. Enjoy.


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



FADE IN:

EXT. DARK WOODS - DAY
                                                            
The wind howls fast and sporadically.
                                                            
An owl HOOTS.
                                                            
Max awakens to find that she in alone in the woods. Her head
slightly bruised. Blood has crusted and dried -long ago-
from the wound. Her clothes look as if they had been torn in
a tussle.
                                                            
Crickets CHIRP.
                                                            
MAX breathes HEAVILY. Looks around. Sits up and props her
self against a tree. WINCES. Looks down to her right leg.
What appears to be a BITE mark becomes visible on the back
of her calf muscle as she pulls up her right pant leg.
                                                            
An owl HOOTS.
                                                            
She WINCES. Looks in wonderment at the strange bruise on her
calf. Breathes HEAVILY. Looks around. Attempts to stand.
Struggling to her feet... MAX then supports herself up
against the tree. She then takes stock of her body's
condition. Assured that nothing is broken, MAX then checks
her pockets and looks around feverishly as to her
whereabouts.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (to self)
What- Where am I...?!
                                                            
(b. g. - FLAPPING WINGS)
                                                            
MAX nervously looks around for the source of the flapping
wings...
                                                            
                       MAX
      (gasps)
-Huh?!
                                                            
The sound of FLAPPING wings is heard to her right.
                                                            
(b. g. - FLAPPING WINGS)
                                                            
                       MAX
      (looks to right)
Huh?!
                                                            
The sound of FLAPPING wings is heard to her left.
                                                            

2.

(b. g. - FLAPPING WINGS)
                                                            
Max looks left.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (gasps)
Huh?!
                                                            
The sound of FLAPPING wings is heard behind her.
                                                            
MAX turns and slowly peers around the side of the tree. As
she cautiously does so... the sound of wings can be heard
adjusting and shuffling. MAX leans with utmost caution into
a position where she can gain first glance at whatever is on
the other side of the tree.
                                                            
SQUAWK. SQUAWK.
                                                            
A blur of BLACKNESS RUSHES directly at Max's face.
                                                            
MAX, startled, steps back, trips over a branch and falls
backwards onto the ground.
                                                            
SQUAWK. SQUAWK.
                                                            
Wings FLUTTER.
                                                            
MAX shields her face with her forearms.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (frightened)
Arrgh!! Arrgh!! No...! No! Arrgh!!
                                                            
SQUAWK.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (fearful)
No...! No! Uh-...?!
                                                            
SQUAWK.
                                                            
MAX hears the sound of wings FLUTTERING then shuffling
overhead.
                                                            
SQUAWK. SQUAWK.
                                                            
MAX breathes HEAVILY. Musters courage to look... Slowly
opens her eyes and lowers her forearms. A solemn look on her
face.
                                                            
Above her, a crow gingerly grooms himself perched upon a
tree's branch.
                                                            

3.

MAX tightens her lips together in self embarrassment. Sighs.
Looks at the crow -who appears to now be mocking MAX in a
shrewd cackle.
                                                            
SQUAWK. SQUAWK.
                                                            
The crow continues to groom himself almost oblivious to
Max's presence.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (to self)
What the hell is going on,
here...?!
                                                            
She struggles to her feet. Finds that she is able to stand
without support. Looks around in a frustratedly confused
state. Breathes HEAVILY. Starts to become irritated.
                                                            
The sun is slowly starting to set.
                                                            
MAX feverishly attempts to remember how she got into in the
woods.
                                                            
Nothing.
                                                            
Breathing HEAVILY she looks around... thinks again...
                                                            
Nothing.
                                                            
An owl HOOTS.
                                                            
Crickets CHIRP.
                                                            
MAX tries to concentrate.
                                                            
Nothing.
                                                            
The crow SQUAWKS.
                                                            
MAX becomes infuriated and yells at the woodland
creatures...
                                                            
                       MAX
      (furious)
SHUT UP...!! Shut UP!!
      (hands to ears)
What the-...?!
      (sighs)
Awe...! -Damn-it!
                                                            
She searches around for clues. On the ground next to her,
she sees blood stains on the tree branch she fell backwards
over. She pauses... ...kneels down and inspects the tree

4.

branch. Picks it up with her left hand. Inspects the front
and back of the branch.
                                                            
EXT - BARNYARD - NIGHT
                                                            
(b. g. - HEAVY BREATHING)
                                                            
A blurred image -as if in a memory- of something or someone
grunting and struggling in the darkness with something is
seen.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE (V. O.)
      (struggling)
Ah...!! Ah...!! Get out of
here...! Go!
                                                            
(b. g. BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
EXT. DARK WOODS - PRESENT
                                                            
SQUAWK?
                                                            
MAX is startled out of thought by the SQUAWKING crow.
Furious, she turns and lobs the tree branch at it.
                                                            
SQUAWK. SQUAWK. SQUAWK.
                                                            
The crow barely evades the flailing lumber as it flies off
into the woods.
                                                            
The sun is now visible just above the tree-line and lowering
by the minute.
                                                            
MAX breathes HEAVILY. Looks around for an exit path. Starts
to walk away from the sun.
                                                            
A chill SHIVERS through her body.
                                                            
Instinctively, MAX turns back around to face the sun. She
then moves in it's direction with purpose. Her right leg
throbs with pain. She stops and checks on her leg which is
now bleeding slightly because of the pressure applied from
walking. MAX strips off a piece her already tattered shirt,
picks up a twig and fashions them together into a makeshift
tourniquet around her right leg. She then proceeds to hobble
towards the sun.
                                                            
A sharp pain ZIPS up Max's right leg.
                                                            

5.

                       MAX
      (hurting)
Arrgh!!
                                                            
As MAX grabs her right leg and WINCES... a memory FLASHES
into her head.
                                                            
EXT. FARM - DAY
                                                            
A blurred image -as if in a memory- of something or someone
grunting and struggling in the darkness with something is
seen.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE (V. O.)
      (struggling)
Go on! -Get out of here...! Hurry!
I-... I can't hold it much longer-
                                                            
(b. g. - HEAVY BREATHING)
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (to MAX)
-Now, gone! -Get!
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
EXT. TREE STUMP - LATER
                                                            
MAX WINCES and holds her head.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (to self)
-What the hell is going on...?
      (sighs)
What the hell...?
                                                            
Crickets CHIRP.
                                                            
The dark woods cast an ominous shadow behind MAX.
                                                            
MAX looks over her shoulder then back forward. She quickens
her pace.
                                                            
The sun continues to set.
                                                            
MAX moves towards the setting sun with purpose.
                                                            
The sound of water can be heard ahead in the distance.
                                                            
MAX quickens her pace. WINCES from the pain in her leg.
Tries to hone in on the sound of the flowing water.
                                                            

6.

An owl HOOTS.
                                                            
MAX hears the sound of FLAPPING wings behind her. She
quickens her pace.
                                                            
(b. g. FLAPPING WINGS)
                                                            
MAX, now trotting along at full speed, turns and looks over
her shoulder to see the source of the FLAPPING.
                                                            
The crow emerges from the shadows of the dark woods like a
black phoenix headed straight towards MAX.
                                                            
SQUAWK. SQUAWK.
                                                            
The crow has returned for his revenge.
                                                            
MAX, still in forward momentum, ducks to avoid being struck
by the raving bird.
                                                            
A FLUTTERING blur of BLACKNESS RUSHES directly at Max's
face.
                                                            
SQUAWK.
                                                            
MAX falls forward over something and turns just in time to
land FLAT on her face.
                                                            
SQUAWK. SQUAWK.
                                                            
The crow hastily flaps it's wings as if trying to escape
something.
                                                            
MAX barely notices this as she staggers to her knees to
curse the fowl.
                                                            
SQUAWK. SQUAWK.
                                                            
The crow flies off and disappears ahead of MAX.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (angry)
Son of a...- Awe, you little-
      (winces)
-Ouch!
                                                            
The bruise on her head starts to bleed. It has been reopened
by the fall.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (still pissed)
Pffft! Oh... I can't believe
what's happening... This can't be
real.
            (MORE)

7.

                       MAX (cont'd)
      (sighs)
I must be dreaming... This
just-... This is unbelievable!
      (to self)
Think, MAX. Think.
                                                            
She remembers the bloodied branch.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (to self)
Come on, Max... -think! Think,
girl. Think!
                                                            
Crickets CHIRP.
                                                            
EXT. PORCH - DAY
                                                            
The sun is setting in the woods behind the farm.
                                                            
FARMER JOE sits on his porch. Smokes on a self-rolled
cigarette.
                                                            
MAX walks up to FARMER Joe's front porch. Gas can in hand.
Tire grit on her chin. Her clothes are dirty but not torn.
She is sweaty and appears exhausted.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (to FARMER JOE)
Ex-
      (sighs)
Excuse me... Sir...?
                                                            
She gestures with the gas can.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (to FARMER JOE)
I uh...
      (takes a deep
       breath)
I ran out of gas up the road there
and -uh...
      (sighs)
I was wondering, uh... -Wondering
if you could help me out?!
                                                            
FARMER JOE stares off into space as if in deep thought.
                                                            
MAX waits for a reply.
                                                            
No reply.
                                                            
MAX lowers her head in exhaustion.
                                                            

8.

                       MAX (V. O.)
      (to self)
Crazy hill-billy.
      (to FARMER JOE)
Uh, excuse me, sir...?! Sir?!
                                                            
FARMER JOE slowly turns his gaze upon Max's gas can.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (huffs)
Sir?!
                                                            
FARMER JOE looks up at Max's face.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (to MAX)
I suppose you need gas. -That
right?
                                                            
                       MAX
      (surprised)
-Yes. Yes, sir! That's right. I- I
need gas, please... Can you help
me...?!
                                                            
FARMER JOE takes a DEEP breath. Upturns his lips, looks
ahead towards the woods and squints. Turns to MAX.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (to MAX)
Where you from -girl...?
                                                            
                       MAX
      (taken aback)
Uh...
                                                            
Looks at the gas can, then back at FARMER JOE.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (shrugs her
       shoulders)
-Uh, -Rochester, sir! Minnesota...
sir!
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
Well... I best believe you'd
better gone around the side,
there... -Got a few spare barrels
stored round there just in case I
need them.
      (to self)
Yeah, I ain't so crazy, now. -Am
I...?!
                                                            

9.

MAX looks around as if to locate the person that FARMER JOE
was speaking to...
                                                            
                       MAX (V. O.)
      (to self)
O-kay.
                                                            
FARMER JOE disappears around the left side of his house.
                                                            
MAX reluctantly follows at a distance. Whistles to herself
the theme from DELIVERANCE.
                                                            
EXT. SIDE BARN - LATER
                                                            
The smell of livestock overwhelms Max's senses almost to the
point of vomiting.
                                                            
Cows, pigs, horses, sheep, goats and chickens are in various
locales around the farm.
                                                            
As they walk past the sheep fence, MAX notices a strange
sight.
                                                            
The woods beyond the farm is pitch black.
                                                            
MAX stops. Looks intensely. Bunches up the brow of her
forehead. Vomits.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (upset)
What the- What the hell do you
think you're doing there, girl?!
Why... -you ain't never been on a
farm, before...?!
                                                            
MAX leans over the sheep fence and vomits onto the grass
below.
                                                            
BAH-AH-AH-AH.
                                                            
The sheep rush over and start to lap up the vomit.
                                                            
BAH-AH-AH-AH.
                                                            
This causes MAX to vomit even more.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (to MAX)
Awe, Sam Hell...! It can't be
that-
                                                            
He stops speaking abruptly. Looks straight ahead into the
sheep yard thought a gap in the fence and GASPS...
                                                            

10.

                       FARMER JOE
      (awed)
-...bad...
                                                            
MAX is now keeled over with disgust.
                                                            
BAH-AH-AH-AH.
                                                            
The sheep hungrily lap up the remaining vomit.
                                                            
FARMER JOE again has the blank expression on his face from
earlier.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (to self)
Well, I'll be Sam Hell...!
                                                            
He turns and storms towards his house with purpose.
                                                            
Still reeling from her ordeal, MAX can hear FARMER JOE
rummaging through closets and drawers inside of the house.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE (O. C.)
      (angry)
Not again...! Damn it! Not...
a-gain!
                                                            
MAX looks around as if preparing to run away but is unsure
of which way to run or what actually to do.
                                                            
WHOOP-BAT.
                                                            
FARMER JOE BURSTS through the back door with shotgun in
hand.
                                                            
CLICK-CLICK.
                                                            
He loads a round into the chamber.
                                                            
MAX is dumbfounded.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (yelling)
NO MORE!!
                                                            
He moves towards MAX with purpose.
                                                            
MAX outstretches her hands.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (nervous)
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hold
on...!
                                                            

11.

FARMER JOE marches towards MAX.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (afraid)
Hey, man! Be cool! I'm sorry! I
didn't mean to do it! I'm sorry-
                                                            
FARMER JOE pushes MAX to the side.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (pissed off)
-Get out of the way!
                                                            
He then aims the shotgun forward and fires...
                                                            
KER-BLOOM.
                                                            
CLICK-CLICK.
                                                            
KER-BLOOM.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (yelling)
We'll see who's crazy, now! You
-SONS OF...-!
      (pause)
I got you, now...!
                                                            
MAX turns to see what the crazy FARMER is shooting at...
                                                            
SHRIEK.
                                                            
In the far end of the field, a loud SHRIEK is heard.
                                                            
MAX GASPS.
                                                            
From the far end of the woods a sheep's bloodied body flies
towards the fence.
                                                            
CLICK-CLICK.
                                                            
FARMER JOE loads another round into the chamber but before
he could get off another shot, the flying sheep hits him and
knocks him to the ground.
                                                            
The shotgun flies out of his hands.
                                                            
As the sun continues to set, the shadow of the woods creep
towards the farmhouse at a steady pace.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
A piercing SHRIEK bellows from the shadows.
                                                            

12.

MAX is PETRIFIED.
                                                            
FARMER JOE, dazed and in pain, MOANS.
                                                            
MAX RUSHES to his side.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (frantic)
-Are you okay?! -Are you okay?!
                                                            
She helps FARMER JOE to his feet.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (dazed)
I'm-... I'm fine. Where's my gun?!
I needs my gun!
                                                            
                       MAX
      (freaked out)
Please! Let's get out of here...!
-We have to get out of here...!
      (scared)
-What the hell was that...?!
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (to MAX)
-Look! You just get me my gun!!
Hurry!
                                                            
                       MAX
      (frantic)
But -What WAS that...?! What the
hell is it?!
                                                            
FARMER JOE grabs MAX by the shoulders and looks her SQUARE
in the eyes...
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (to MAX)
Look... As long as you stay in the
light... -you'll be alright. -You
hear me...?! They can't...
go-in-the-light!
                                                            
The shadow has now crept to the fence and is now nearing the
house.
                                                            
SHRIEK.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            

13.

SHRIEK. SHRIEK.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (to MAX)
-Now, get me my damned GUN! I
ain't got all day!
                                                            
MAX searches around and finds the shotgun. She turns to give
it to FARMER JOE when a slimy decayed hand grapples the bunt
of it.
                                                            
The sun has disappeared completely behind the woods.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
The farm is now under the cover of a dark night sky.
                                                            
Directly in front of MAX, a ghoulish figure slowly rears
itself into a towering position over Max's head. It'S BONES
can be heard CRACKLING as it arches back and prepares to
POUNCE on MAX...
                                                            
MAX nearly pisses herself.
                                                            
The ghoulish figure LUNGES itself at MAX...
                                                            
FARMER JOE tackles the creature and snatches the gun from
Max's grip.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (to MAX)
Awe, hell, girl!! -Run!!
      (struggling)
Ah...!! Ah...!! Get out of
here...! Go!
                                                            
MAX is TERRIFIED.
                                                            
The creatures EYES MAX and SHRIEKS.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (struggling)
Go on! -Get out of here...! Hurry!
I-... I can't hold it much longer-
Run!
                                                            
MAX turns to run.
                                                            
                       FARMER JOE
      (struggling)
Go!!
                                                            
MAX RUNS away as fast as she could.
                                                            

14.

                       FARMER JOE
      (to MAX)
-And stay in the-
                                                            
SHRIEK.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
CRUNCH.
                                                            
The ghoulish creature has BIT off his head.
                                                            
MAX continues to RUN.
                                                            
SHRIEK.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
She can hear the creature RIPPING out CHUNKS of the Farmer's
flesh behind him.
                                                            
As MAX RUNS she finds that she doesn't know where to go. She
can't see a road and at this point wouldn't want to be on an
open road out of the fear of being run down by the ghoulish
creature.
                                                            
The creature SHRIEKS out a war cry. Then proceeds with it's
hunt for MAX.
                                                            
MAX runs into the cover of the dark woods.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
MAX runs long and hard for what seems to be hours. She stops
to rest at a nearby brook.
                                                            
Exhausted and parched, MAX sips the cool crisp water,
pausing occasionally to gain her bearings and check her
surroundings.
                                                            
Crickets CHIRP.
                                                            
An owl HOOTS.
                                                            
MAX breathes HEAVILY. Her body aches and is severely in need
of rest. She can barely keep herself from falling asleep.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            
The creature SHRIEKS off in the distance. It has kept pace
with MAX and now lags about a 1/4 mile behind her.
                                                            

15.

MAX SPRINGS to her feet. Driven by fear and anger, she
presses on.
                                                            
                       MAX
      (to self)
Damn it!
                                                            
SHRIEK.
                                                            
A ghoulish creature is ahead of MAX.
                                                            
MAX, now realizing that there is more than one creature in
the woods, begins to loose her nerve.
                                                            
SUDDENLY...
                                                            
Behind MAX, another creatures grabs her right ankle.
                                                            
She falls to the ground. Turns. Grabs the nearest blunt
object that she could find (A tree branch) and swings it
-hitting the ghoulish creature in the left eye.
                                                            
SHRIEK.
                                                            
The creature backhands MAX and sends her rolling down a
steep embankment.
                                                            
Her clothes RIP and TEAR on twigs and branches as she
tumbles down the steep embankment. She hits her head on a
rock and is KNOCKED unconscious. Her body rolls to a stop
near a tree.
                                                            
The branch that she hit the ghoulish creature in the eye
with rolls down the steep embankment and comes to a stop
beside MAX.
                                                            
DARKNESS.
                                                            
SILENCE.
                                                            
EXT. DARK WOODS - PRESENT DAY
                                                            
MAX stands to her feet.
                                                            
SQUAWK.
                                                            
The crow lets out one last SQUAWK as it dissipates into the
shadows of the dark woods.
                                                            
MAX fully recalls her dilemma. Looks down to see that what
she has fell over was someones dismembered right arm.
                                                            
An owl HOOTS.
                                                            

16.

The sun has now fully set, leaving MAX to the shadows of the
night.
                                                            
MAX realizes that she has been unconscious since the night
before and has only now awaken...
                                                            
...AT DUSK.
                                                            
(b. g. - BLAIR WITCH-LIKE SOUNDS)
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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From Mark Date 3/16/2006 **
I have seen this movie its called "Darkness Falls" ..."stay in the light" good script but feels to familiar

From George Date 4/28/2005 ****
As a Horror lover I have to say, this screenplay was a bit of a letdown. It reminded me of TCM and Saw but, was lacking in suspense. Also, I don't think you want to be mentioning other movies in your screenplay constantly. Too short, too discriptive in the directing and too much like the last ten horror flicks we've seen in theatres.


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