DRIVER #2
Order me one clucky bucket, to go!
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
BRIDGE THRU TO:
SOUND
IN THE VAN – MOVING – LATER.
DRIVER #2
All done, boss?
DRIVER #1
One more stop.
DRIVER #2
We don’t have any more. ’Cept for College Boy. . .
DRIVER #1
GO up in the hills.
DRIVER #2
Oh, I get it. Another “accident”. But Manny, it’s too soon, after last night. . .
DRIVER #1
Take the road up the canyon, past the cemetery.
DRIVER #2
What’s up there?
DRIVER #1
You like TV, Paulie?
DRIVER #2
I guess. The ones with the car chases.
DRIVER #1
Well, where do you think they film those car chases? Not in Hollywood – too much
DRIVER #1 (cont’d)
traffic. They like to get away from it all. Do anything they want.
DRIVER #2
You mean we’re goin’ to a movie set?
DRIVER #1
Second-unit. That’s where the real action is.
DRIVER #2
Man, oh, man. . .!
DRIVER #1
Hang a right. Go till you see lights and a generator truck.
SOUND
THE VAN TURNS, BOUNCING OVER ROCKY DIRT.
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
QUICK BRIDGE THRU TO:
SOUND
EXT. – NIGHT – MOVIE LOCATION.
OUTDOOR ATMOSPHERE. IN THE B.G. AN ELECTRIC DRILL, HAMMERS ON METAL AND WOOD, FOOTSTEPS ON DIRT. AND IN THE DISTANCE, A FAINT RUMBLE OF THUNDER.
DIRECTOR
(calling) Let’s go, people! Last shot of the night.
CREW #1
(off) All set up over here.
CREW #2
(off) Give me one minute.
DIRECTOR
Camera?
CREW #3
(off) Ready.
DIRECTOR
Is the ramp clear?
CREW #3
All the way to the end.
DIRECTOR
You sure it’ll hold?
CREW #1
Definitely.
DIRECTOR
Somebody dust the hood of the car. I want it to shine.
CREW #1
Yes, sir.
DIRECTOR
Where’s the dummy? I can’t see the dummy.
CREW #2
He keeps fallin’ over.
DIRECTOR
Well, wire him up! Flares for the pyro.
CREW #2
Check.
DIRECTOR
Push the button, soon as it goes off the ramp and touches down. This isn’t a run-through. I need it in one. Now. . . let’s make it real!
CREW #2
Switches set.
CREW #1
On your count. . .
CREW #3
Wait.
DIRECTOR
Now what?
CREW #3
The dummy.
DIRECTOR
What’s wrong with it?
CREW #3
Check the monitor. He’s not lookin’ so real.
DIRECTOR
What happened to the hat? Somebody put it on him. Pull it down low.
CREW #3
Can’t. It won’t match.
DIRECTOR
Why not?
CREW #3
He lost the hat in the previous scene.
DIRECTOR
So turn the head away.
CREW #3
He’s supposed to be watchin’ the road.
DIRECTOR
Then – think of something. That’s your job!
CREW #3
Give me a hint.
DIRECTOR
Let the car go by. Pan from behind, so the face doesn’t show.
CREW #3
Then they’ll see the end of the ramp.
CREW #1
I can lay a few more feet.
DIRECTOR
There’s no time. One more hour and we lose the dark.
CREW #2
How’s this? Camera angle from in front. When the burn starts, we can’t see him through the windshield, ’cause of all the smoke.
DIRECTOR
Then what’s the point of the shot? Read the script! He goes off the end, comes down, and catches fire! We see him burning in the wreck! This isn’t some Old Starsky and Hutch – it’s hi-def!
SOUND
THE VAN ARRIVES OVER A BUMPY ACCESS ROAD, PUMPING MUFFLED MUSIC, AND STOPS.
CREW #1
Who’s that?
DIRECTOR
(surprised) I don’t believe it. The cavalry.
SOUND
THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND THE DRIVERS GET OUT. THEY WALK UP TO THE DIRECTOR.
DRIVER #1
Hey, big guy.
DIRECTOR
How did you know?
DRIVER #1
I got ESP. This is Paulino, my new boy.
DRIVER #2
Hi! I seen your show lots of times. . .!
DIRECTOR
I should’ve called you in the first place. Walk with me.
SOUND
THEY WALK OVER TWIGS AND GRAVEL, BACK TO THE VAN.
DRIVER #1
What do you need?
DIRECTOR
What’s in the van tonight?
DRIVER #2
One male. Fresh as a daisy.
DIRECTOR
You want him back?
DRIVER #1
Why? You gonna take him home?
DIRECTOR
Car crash. A real torch job.
DRIVER #1
Crispy-critter time.
DIRECTOR
There won’t be much left.
DRIVER #1
No problem. He was gonna get cremated anyway.
DRIVER #2
Is this for Streets of Pacoima? That’s
DRIVER #2 (cont’d)
my favorite show. I watch it all the time. . .
DRIVER #1
Shut up, Paulie. (to the director) One time only, huh? Cost you extra.
DIRECTOR
Invoice the studio. Make it for “Overtime craft services.”
DRIVER #1
This one’s off the books.
DIRECTOR
Then send the bill to my secretary.
DRIVER #1
Aren’t you gonna ask how much?
DIRECTOR
What choice do I have? We’re over-schedule. Either it’s in the can tonight – or I am. (calling) Donnie!
CREW #4
(off) Yo!
DIRECTOR
Wannna earn a bonus?
SOUND
A CREWMAN HURRIES OVER.
CREW #4
Sure!
SOUND
THE BACK DOOR OF THE VAN OPENS.
DRIVER #1
He’s all yours.
CREW #4
Huh?
DIRECTOR
Strap him in the car.
DRIVER #2
Let’s go, sweetmeat.
SOUND
DRAGGING JIM OUT.
JIM
(groggy) What. . .
DIRECTOR
Take the mask off the dummy and put it
DIRECTOR (cont’d)
over his head.
CREW #4
Him? But – but he’s. . .
DIRECTOR
You’ve got a lot to learn about the business, son. Let me explain it to you. (confidentially) The man is a terminal cancer patient, all right? He wants to cash in his life insurance policy. Or would you rather see his family on the street?
CREW #4
No, but – I mean –
SOUND
UNFOLDING AND SNAPPING CRISP PAPER MONEY.
DIRECTOR
Here’s five hundred cash, out of my own pocket. I consider it a charitable contribution. Now keep your mouth shut and do your job.
JIM
Please. . .
SOUND
THE CREWMAN HALF-CARRIES JIM AWAY.
CREW #4
(to Jim) You are one brave son of a bitch.
JIM
What. . .?
CREW #4
Don’t know if I could do what you’re doin’. Just keep thinkin’ about that beautiful wife and kids. A minute from now it’ll all be over. I’ll use extra
CREW #4 (cont’d)
pyro – you won’t feel a thing. (moving off, emotional) God bless you, man. . .
DIRECTOR
(calling) Fire extinguishers!
CREW #1
(off) Here, boss!
DIRECTOR
Who wants to wrap this sucker?
CREW VOICES
Me!
DIRECTOR
Places! Once I yell “action,” we won’t have a second chance! Get ready to burn, baby, burn! Let’s light up the sky like the Fourth of July!
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE UP.
FADE DOWN.
ANNOUNCER
We’ll return with the conclusion of Dreadtime Stories. . . after these words.
MUSIC
THEME.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
MUSIC
THEME.
ANNOUNCER
And now back to Dreadtime Stories and Act Three of. . . “The Late Shift.”
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
THRU TO:
SOUND
EXT. NIGHT – FILM SHOOT – IN THE PROP CAR.
JIM
(groggy) Unhh. . .
SOUND
THE PROP CAR DOOR SLAMS.
SOUND (cont’d)
FOOTSTEPS OF A CREWMAN RUNNING AWAY.
CREW #4
(moving off) Clear!
NARRATOR
He opened his eyes again to blinding light. He was behind the wheel of a car pointed into darkness. He tried to move but the harness held him firmly to the seat. . .
SOUND
THE CAR SEAT CREAKS AS JIM STRUGGLES.
NARRATOR
Then there was only the night and the sound of his breathing. The sky was black above the end of the ramp. The trees stopped moving and the crickets fell silent – as the first crack
