confidential - wikileaks · shooting script confidential reader/sender name: thomas gargotta \ eve...
TRANSCRIPT
Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance
by
Scott Gimple and Seth Hoffman
Current Revisions by
Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor
Based on a Story By
David Goyer
Shooting Script
23rd October 2010CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
EXT. EASTERN EUROPEAN MOUNTAINS - DAY1 1 *
Speed. Pavement.
We are chewing up winding mountain highway... aggressive - banking, accelerating - ascending.
A 1973 Moto Guzzi takes the turns - the RIDER in worn leathers, face obscured by helmet, tinted goggles, and a scarf wrapped around his face... the twisting road overlooks yawning, gut-churning drops and spectacular mountain vistas.
He is picked up by HIGH-TECH SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS as he approaches...
EXT. MONASTERY - CONTINUOUS2 2
... an ancient stone MONASTERY nestled in the wooded Romanian cliffs. But this is no forgotten ruin - *
The perimeter is secured by an ULTRA-MODERN SECURITY NET - guard posts, HD surveillance, laser motion sensors.
PRIVATE SOLDIERS in BLACK tactical gear - and armed with P90 assault rifles - man the posts... they relay word of the RIDER’S approach as he slows before the main gate.
The gate opens to let him pass. He shuts down, climbs off and is met by BENEDICT - late 50s, clothed in an opulent hooded robe evoking ST. ANTHONY, father of all monks. He is flanked by ARMED SECURITY behind black aviators.
The RIDER pulls off his helmet and goggles to reveal salt and pepper hair cut short, a scraggly beard and piercing eyes full of spirit - this is MOREAU. Around his neck: a prominent SILVER CROSS. He strides straight up to BENEDICT.
MOREAUIs it true? You found the boy.
BENEDICT is impassive, masking contempt.
BENEDICTYes - we did what you could not.
MOREAU ignores the jab - the old MONK is irrelevant to him.
MOREAULet me see him.
INT. MONASTERY - DAY3 3
BENEDICT leads MOREAU into the heart of the MONASTERY. We see that behind the ancient facade is a modern, high-tech compound.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
They pass banks of computers manned by monks, arrays of LCD screens feeding satellite data and news streams from around the world. More ARMED MEN patrol the corridors.
BENEDICT *Raw data from a hundred *geosynchronous orbiter satellites *flows to our servers every day to *be mined and sifted - word by *word, pixel by pixel. *
INT. MONASTERY, HOLDING ROOM - CONTINUOUS4 4
They continue up a winding stone staircase to a high room *in the compound. *
BENEDICT *It was only a matter of time *beofre the child fell into out *hands. *
MOREAU steps past him - makes brief eye contact, *unimpressed. *
MOREAU *God’s will, perhaps. *
They enter a dimly lit HOLDING ROOM. Minimally furnished. *Pale white light filters in through closed windows. *BENEDICT, two SOLDIERS and several other MONKS are behind him.
A LITTLE BOY is sitting in a window sill, playing a *handheld video game. We only see him from behind at first - *he does not turn as they enter - but the WOMAN at his side does:
Late 20s, dark hair, dark lashes - beautiful - Eastern European features with a hint of olive to her complexion and eyes that could hypnotize you or burn your face off with their intensity. This is NADYA - we will see that the boy is her SON. She goes right at MOREAU.
NADYAWho the hell are you? I want to know what’s going on.
MOREAU is calm, warm. He steps closer to her, putting his back to BENEDICT and the others.
MOREAUMy name is Romaine Moreau. I am a brother of this order. Have they told you why you’re here?
2.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
NADYANo one has told us anything.
(gestures toward BENEDICT)
Who are you people?
MOREAUThey are protecting you, Nadya.
(indicating the BOY)Protecting Danny.
NADYAFrom what? We don’t want your protection.
MOREAU takes her arm and steps away from the group.
MOREAUListen to me, Nadya. I am your friend. These guys -
(he smiles)They don’t like me. I am one of them - but also not - do you understand?
NADYA is like a coiled animal - tense, desperate - but there is something sympathetic in MOREAU’S attitude that seems to put her at ease. Or is she just playing possum?
MOREAU (CONT’D)I can help you. And I can answer your questions - but I need you to trust me.
(he nods toward the BOY)May I speak to him?
She studies MOREAU intently - reluctantly nods. MOREAU approaches the BOY. *
MOREAU (CONT’D)Danny?
The BOY - DANNY - turns to face him. He is 10 - dark haired, complex. There is a profound sense of innocence to him, something almost angelic.
MOREAU seems both humbled and fascinated - we can feel his heart race.
MOREAU (CONT’D)It’s a pleasure to meet you. I know it seems crazy, but I’ve waited all my life for this moment.
DANNYYou don’t look like a monk.
3.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
MOREAU(grins)
Appearances. So deceptive.
We feel that he is talking about DANNY as much as himself.
CUT TO:
INT./EXT. MONASTERY, BALCONY - DAY5 5
MOREAU takes BENEDICT out onto a sheltered balcony overlooking the mountains. Several ARMED SECURITY hang back.
MOREAUThey’re not safe here.
BENEDICTNonsense. This is a fortress.
MOREAURespectfully - I hope you don’t underestimate the importance of this boy to the ones hunting him. *There is only one place Danny can be safe - the Sanctuary.
(BENEDICT smirks)Let me take him.
BENEDICT can’t help but chuckle at this.
BENEDICTYou do enjoy your wine, Moreau. *You really think we would give this child over to your “protection?” *
MOREAUDamn it, Benedict -
BENEDICT(cutting him off)
Understand this: we don’t need *you. You didn’t find the boy. We did. The full resources of the order are at our disposal - we have the best security money can buy. In a few days the winter *solstice will be past and with it *the hour of prophecy - and then *the boy will be of no use to *anyone - *
MOREAU(grim)
Brother... by that time you will all be dead.
4.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BENEDICTThis conversation is finished.
He’s right:
BOOM! a SONIC BLAST - whip pan to:
The air seems to WARP - inside, the lights go out... *computers power down... the laser perimeter fence cycles silent.
THUP! THUPTHUP! Silenced bullets start to pick off the ARMED SECURITY from a distance. MOREAU drops to a tactical position behind the balcony wall; BENEDICT falls to the floor, rubber legged and terrified.
BENEDICT (CONT’D)(to nearby SECURITY)
What was that?
SECURITY(checking his WALKIE)
EMP - electronics are down!
They work their way back inside, keeping low.
SECURITY (CONT’D)The emergency generators should kick in, they’re lead-shielded - don’t worry -
THUP. He DROPS DEAD - hit by a precision shot from outside - *taking a milk-pale BENEDICT down with him. MOREAU peeks through a window and catches a glimpse of the SHOOTERS - *obscure figures in DIGITAL CAMO move through the trees, advancing on the MONASTERY.
A shot flickers past his face, barely missing - MOREAU picks up the soldier’s P90 and sprints down the corridor, heading for NADYA and DANNY.
INT. MONASTERY - CONTINUOUS6 6
DARKNESS, chaos - flashlights and panic - bullets poke white shafts of daylight through the black. The EMERGENCY GENERATOR powers up, nauseous yellow/green fluorescent panels flickering to life.
MOREAU runs down a corridor, pushing past monks and *security rushing in the other direction. *
BOOM! BOOM! The floor shakes from a blast on the lower level.
SECURITY 2They’re in!
5.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
EXT. MONASTERY - SAME TIME7 7
A BLACK TOUAREG cruises through the open gate and skids to *a stop. THREE MEN get out and walk toward the monastery -
RAY CARRIGAN (30s) - wiry, scarred; leather jacket and boots - radiating equal parts sex and violence - a single greasy braid snakes down his neck. He is obviously the LEADER.
GRANNIK (40s) a stone-faced killer, CARRIGAN’S right hand. And TERROKOV (30s)- sweaty, sadistic - one ugly son of a bitch.
MARAUDERS in digi-camo break the treeline and move on the compound - they fire GRAPPLING CABLES at the balconies.
GRANNIK(taking it all in)
Too easy.
CARRIGANSay that once we’ve got the little son of a bitch.
He pulls out a MAGNUM DESERT EAGLE and KICKS IN the front doors. *
INT. MONASTERY, STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS8 8
NADYA and DANNY race down the stairs. They are spotted by - *
TWO MARAUDERS in DIGI-CAMO and balaclava masks a level *above them - they train RED LASER SIGHTS on their backs and *bark warnings in CROATIAN.
DANNY sees the RED DOT on his MOM’S head and jumps in front of her to shield - as:
An arm closes around the barrel of the MARAUDER’S gun and slams it back into his face - MOREAU takes the back of the man’s head and brings it down into the railing, knocking him out cold.
The SECOND MAN spins on him - MOREAU backhands the gun away and tosses him over the railing - the MARAUDER slams off *the railing and lands 3 levels down. *
MOREAU hops the railing in pursuit of NADYA and DANNY. *
MOREAU *Nadya! *
She spins - they make eye contact. He sees that she’s *gotten her hands on a Glok 22. *
6.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
MOREAU (CONT’D) *Stop - come with me, I can help *you! *
NADYA is having none of that. Her eyes narrow - she *squeezes two shots in his direction - MOREAU has to leap *for cover. *
MOREAU (CONT’D) *Damn it! *
NADYA throws open the door at the bottom of the stairwell and disappears through it with DANNY - MOREAU leaps the stairwell and attempts to follow but the door is pushed shut before he can reach it - LOCKED. He SLAMS HIS SHOULDER AGAINST IT.
INT. MONASTERY, CORRIDOR - SAME TIME9 9
CARRIGAN stalks the corridors, searching room to room. He comes across BENEDICT cowering - yanks him up and jams him against the wall.
CARRIGANWhere are they?
BENEDICT starts to pray in LATIN -
BENEDICTAve Maria, Gratia Plena, Dominus *tacum, benedicta tu in *mulieribus, et benedictus fructus- *
CARRIGAN slaps him hard in the face.
CARRIGANStop that. Who are you talking to? There’s no one you need to be talking to but me right now.
CARRIGAN puts the DESERT EAGLE to the old MONK’S temple when:
CRASH! From over a balcony they see wooden gates crashing *open in the courtyard. *
CARRIGAN (CONT’D) *Perfect. *
CARRIGAN tosses the MONK aside like an empty beer can and bolts toward the stairs. Sadistic TERROKOV finds the time *to CRACK the butt of his gun into BENEDICT’S face - OUT. *
7.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
EXT. MONASTERY - DAY, CONTINUOUS10 10
NADYA has smashed an SUV through wooden courtyard gates - *she corners hard, avoiding CARRIGAN’S SUV and blasts past it out the main gates.
MOREAU, close behind, jumps on his Moto Guzzi and skids out, chasing her-
CARRIGAN and GRANNIK bolt down the front steps, race to the TOUAREG and burn a fishtail out of there, right behind *them...
EXT. EASTERN EUROPEAN MOUNTAINS - DAY11 11 *
We are headed down the back side of the mountain now, descending - the curves are tighter, more dangerous than the winding road we opened on - NADYA is driving hard, skidding through hairpin turns.
MOREAU is in a racing crouch, gaining. The P90 hangs from a shoulder strap at his side.
They narrowly dodge an old RENAULT heading up the hill, sending it swerving out of control as -
CARRIGAN and GRANNIK take the corner, coming fast and ramming the little car into the shoulder.
CARRIGAN leans out the passenger window, leveling a shot at MOREAU -
- who ZAGS LEFT as CARRIGAN FIRES - the shots whistle past MOREAU’S head and blow out the back window of NADYA’S SUV - missing DANNY by inches. NADYA pushes him down in the seat; her eyes flash to the rear view mirror, heart hammering.
CARRIGAN corrects - his next shot BLOWS OUT MOREAU’S REAR TIRE -
MOREAU’S bike flies wildly out of control - he hits the rail and is THROWN FROM THE BIKE - off the edge of a cliff into the cloudy mist - time slows down -
Facing almost certain death - MOREAU whips the P90 from his side, turns his body in mid-air -
- and unloads his last clip into the front wheels of CARRIGAN’S TOUAREG! *
The TOUAREG fishtails, jack-knifes - tips on its side and *slides to a stop, slamming into the railing as MOREAU disappears over the side.
CARRIGAN climbs out of the smoking vehicle, furious. He stalks to the rail and looks over - no sign of MOREAU. NADYA’S SUV is LONG GONE down the highway.
8.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
GRANNIK crawls out of the window, half of his face road-rashed, brushing off shattered glass.
CARRIGAN(snarling)
Too easy, huh?
He narrows his eyes at the distant NADYA as we SMASH TO:
EXT. SMALL TOWN CHURCH - NIGHT12 12
EASTERN EUROPE.
A small, centuries-old church holds service - moonlight dapples cobblestone as -
A SHADOWY FIGURE stumbles toward the building, hesitant, exhausted...
INT. SMALL TOWN CHURCH - NIGHT13 13
The church is near full. An OLD PRIEST in robes of white *and burgundy stands at the altar, droning LATIN like honey... younger priests sit to one side, eyes down, attentive. Candles, incense, stained glass, and the painted eyes of Christ and his saints carved into the ornate woodwork.
The CONGREGATION is middle class, conservative - some cling to rosaries, some mouth prayers silently, others shift in the pews, bored.
The STRANGER shambles in, head down - face hidden by a hood - He slips quietly into the back row, away from the other PARISHIONERS - trying to avoid attention.
He FALLS TO HIS KNEES, penitent - clasps his hands together and presses them to his forehead, trying to force a prayer directly into the heavens. As the mass continues, we can see that his purpose is singular.
The group intones “Amen”; the service switches to ROMANIAN.
OLD PRIEST *(subtitled)
<We have all come to this place of God as innocents, as lambs, as children before our father. We do not seek to avoid judgment - we welcome it, we embrace it... >
Something is happening. Candles blow, flicker. A LITTLE GIRL glances back at the STRANGER, who is gripped into his prayer pose - then someone else follows her gaze - it’s as though they can sense a gravitational pull... and then:
9.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
Suddenly, the STRANGER feels their energy, snaps his head up - through the eyes of the STRANGER we see the faces of the CONGREGATION begin to CHANGE... VERY SUBTLE - we almost don’t notice it - skin crawls, the eyes begin to shrink closer together... something near-imperceptible... evil...
OLD PRIEST (CONT’D) *<... for we know that God always sees only our true faces - not the masks we show the world... he sees our desires and our deeds... so then it is only through JUDGMENT that we come to truly know ourselves.>
The STRANGER’S hands rest on the pew - tiny tendrils of smoke begin to seep from the pores - we sense that he is struggling for control... a LOW BASS HUM and UNVOICED WHISPERS that seem to transmit directly from the unconscious of the CONGREGATION... the old wood and stone begins to creak and rattle...
A YOUNG PRIEST, early 20s, BLACK, looks up at the STRANGER with perceptive eyes...
Dozens of flickering candle flames begin to stretch and trail toward the STRANGER...
The PRIEST at the ALTAR stops in mid-sentence - everyone in the church has turned and is looking at the STRANGER with growing dread... the old PRIEST looks up, narrows his eyes - and speaks directly to him.
OLD PRIEST (CONT’D) *<Demon.>
The closest PARISHIONER to the STRANGER jumps back suddenly - his arm bursts into flames! The PARISHIONER steps in front of the LITTLE GIRL, instinctively shielding her -
The STRANGER leaps from his seat, slams through the doors and out into the winter night, smoke trailing behind him.
EXT. SMALL TOWN CHURCH - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS14 14
The STRANGER stumbles across the cobblestones in the throws of physical convulsion - black smoke seeps from his sleeves and hood. The YOUNG PRIEST pushes through the church doors and follows him.
The STRANGER falls to his knees; the PRIEST catches up to him and puts a hand on his shoulder.
YOUNG PRIESTYou...
10.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The STRANGER spins around to face him - his hood falls back to REVEAL:
JOHN BLAZE. His face is smoking, starting to BURN... the PRIEST draws his hand back in shock.
YOUNG PRIEST (CONT’D)I know who you are.
BLAZE looks him in the eyes - his face a montage of fear, malevolence, desperation - and something else, something like SHAME. He TURNS and vanishes into the night.
The PRIEST watches him go as we SMASH TO:
BLACK.
MONTAGE15 15
Nightmares... whispers and distant crying, screaming... FERAL DOGS, eyes reflecting in the moonlight, move through the inky black... circling, hungry...
ROARKE’S VOICE (O.S.)You look like you could use alittle help.
FLASHBACK TO:
EXT. AMERICAN OUTSKIRTS - NIGHT16 16
We are somewhere between dream and memory:
A sodium vapor light sizzles and flickers, moths teaming around it... the greenish light defines ROARKE’S silhouette - he looks to be in his early 50s, an imposing presence... seductive, his eyes black pools...
ROARKEThe cancer... eating your father alive... eating him from the inside as he screams for morphine, for God, for anything - I can burn it away... I have the power...
YOUNG JOHNNY BLAZE looks up at him - there is no mistaking the face - eyes streaming tears, yet still defiant - he is on his knees.
ROARKE (CONT’D)Are you willing to make a deal, John?
YOUNG BLAZE looks down - the CONTRACT is there: NOT an antique weathered scroll but modern, legal-sized, clean.
11.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
He smashes his fist into a broken bottle, shattering it - takes a handful of shards and closes his fist tight - eyes furious, flashing, contemptuous -
YOUNG BLAZEDo it. Save his life.
He snaps his hand over the CONTRACT, flicking a slash of dark blood across the signature line like a SAMURAI flicking blood from his sword... ROARKE throws his head back and laughs, loving the youth, the brashness - the COYOTES circle -
- and now it’s the PRESENT-DAY BLAZE, manic, eyes full of madness, screaming at ROARKE as he laughs -
BLAZEDO IT!!!
Then - TWO LOUD BANGS - thunder? Shotgun blasts?
SLAM TO:
INT. ABANDONED FORT - DAY17 17
BLAZE wakes in a sweat - shivering, shirtless.
He’s in a cluttered room, lantern-lit... the floor littered with busted furniture, trash. The time is indeterminate: we are shut off from the outside world; the windows are blacked over. No way to judge day or night.
BANG! BANG! Boot meets corrugated metal. Someone wants in.
BLAZE throws himself into the deep shadow as -
BANG! The door gives way, slams open. White, raw daylight pours in. A familiar SILHOUETTE steps into the room:
MOREAU(obnoxious, bellowing)
Bonjour, hello! Je suis desole, *pour vous reveiller. *
BLAZE comes out of nowhere - he flies at MOREAU, tackling him out of the light - slamming him against the wall with his full weight - face inches from the MONK’S -
BLAZEWho are you??
MOREAU stays calm - no small feat considering the PURE INTENSITY that is BLAZE - it’s like being attacked by a SEMI-TRUCK. We see that MOREAU’S face is bruised, bandaged.
12.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
MOREAUMy name is Moreau - the last survivor of the Monastic Order of Michael, l'Ange de Guerrier - the Warrior Angel... my brothers are dead, as I should be, but for God's intervention.
(studies his eyes)And you are John Blaze.
BLAZE FLINCHES at the sound of his own name - he shoves MOREAU into the wall hard and backs into the dark.
BLAZEGo away.
MOREAUI can’t do that.
BLAZEHow did you find me?
MOREAUGod found you.
MOREAU shakes a busted shelf off of his shoulder and kicks the debris across the room, LOUD - BLAZE glares at him, almost snarls.
MOREAU (CONT’D)The church, it is a pumping heart - the blood flows to a thousand veins and tiny capillaries across the world - the young priest recognized you, and soon word got back to me.
(shrugs)A demon can't expect to wander into a church unnoticed...
MOREAU slides open a rusted window, letting in WHITE SUN - brushes dust off his coat, sniffs the air - grimaces.
MOREAU (CONT’D)It's like hell's shit station in here. When’s the last time you had a shower, Blaze?
BLAZEYou don’t like it? Leave.
MOREAU notices what looks to be a perfectly good bottle of local Jidvei wine on a table - picks it up, curious - has a sniff - grimaces.
13.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZE throws on a beat-to-hell black leather jacket - he grabs a worn military duffel bag and throws it on a table - starts to toss supplies into it. The hell with this French freak, he’s OUT OF THERE.
MOREAU shakes the bottle upside-down - empty; flips the nose end into his fist - and THROWS IT through one of the blacked-out windows -
- a shaft of WHITE DAYLIGHT cuts through and slams into BLAZE - who JUMPS BACK into the dark. The LIGHT is a shock to his system - disorienting... his mind still echoes with the reverberation of his nightmare. He looks toward MOREAU with doubled vision, MOREAU’S voice a thousand miles away.
MOREAUIt likes the dark places, doesn’t it?
BLAZE shakes his head, snaps out of it.
BLAZEI don’t know what you’re talking about.
MOREAUThe thing inside you - the rider...
BLAZE flinches at this, everything hyper-sensitive - he grabs the duffel off the table and walks away from MOREAU - there are big steel LOADING DOORS at the far end of the room.
MOREAU (CONT’D)Where are you going, Blaze? You can’t keep running forever.
BLAZE stops.
BLAZEIf you know what this thing is, then you know I have to move on. I can’t stay here.
He breathes deep, grabs hold of the massive, rusty door - SLIDES IT OPEN and walks out into the sun. MOREAU follows.
EXT. ABANDONED FORT - DAY, CONTINUOUS18 18
They walk out into the ruins of a long abandoned factory. Massive silos, smokestacks, collapsed structures. BLAZE squints in the dishwater sun...
He drops the duffel and pulls a BIG CANVAS TARP away, revealing:
14.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
His BIKE - an oil-blackened BEAST of a CROTCH ROCKET... the frame of a Yamaha VMAX gone FRANKENSTEIN. Tuned, modified and retooled out of found parts by what had to be one hell of a mechanic - this thing looks like it could chew up a showroom DUCATI and piss it out.
BLAZE kneels beside the bike and gives it a once over - checking for damage? Oil drips from a still-warm engine.
MOREAU comes up behind him - notices a heavy leather bag filled with what looks to be BLACK, RUSTY CHAINS - gives it a kick - they rattle for a second too long, like snakes coiling before a strike.
MOREAUYou thought you could control it - make it work for you, Yes? That you were stronger than this dark, hungry thing, this sickness.
BLAZE avoids eye contact - grabs the bag of CHAINS and hefts it up, tossing it into his duffel bag. *
MOREAU (CONT’D)Now look at what you have become: isolated, a recluse - hiding from the world, from people. You’ve lost everything. Your body is changing... sometimes you think you're going insane... you contemplate suicide but the hunger won’t let you off so easy... or maybe you just can’t die...
BLAZE snaps. He RIPS A HANDFUL OF CHAIN out of the leather bag and springs at MOREAU - EXPERTLY COILING THE CHAIN AROUND MOREAU’S NECK - like a cowboy hog-tying a calf. BLAZE DRIVES HIM BACK against the burnt-out shell of a car.
BLAZEWhy are you here? What do you want from me?
MOREAU wraps the loose end of the CHAIN around his fist and - with SPECIAL FORCES dexterity - flips the chain around BLAZE’S neck and pulls him FACE TO FACE.
BLAZE’S face burns VIOLENCE... with overpowering strength he adeptly TWISTS the chain and drives MOREAU to his knees... MOREAU is at his mercy.
MOREAUI need your help. And you need your soul. So we make a deal. You know about making deals - don’t you, Blaze?
15.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
This stings more than any blow. BLAZE drops the chains - MOREAU pushes himself to his feet. He goes into his coat pocket and pulls out a PHOTO - drops it next to BLAZE: DANNY, in a printed SCREEN CAPTURE from a SURVEILLANCE VIDEO. NADYA is with him, somewhat out of focus - her arm *protectively around his shoulder. *
MOREAU (CONT’D)This child - he is in great danger. And for more than his life... you are going to save him.
BLAZE *From what? *
MOREAU studies him, shakes his head. *
MOREAU *In time. For now, the less you *know, it’s better. *
BLAZE takes the photo - incredulous.
BLAZEThe church - last night... even there, I could feel the change coming. Just people - normal people, praying - but In the eyes of that thing, they were wicked. All of them. I had to get out - because if I stayed...
(he laughs, without humor)
... they were all going to die. (looks at the picture)
I don’t save things, Moreau - I destroy them. Do you understand that?
MOREAUI know the danger in what I am asking - perhaps even more than you. But with great stakes come great risk. We can both take some comfort in the knowledge that all of this - your presence here, my finding you - was preordained.
BLAZEOK. And may I ask what the hell that’s supposed to mean?
MOREAU(chuckles)
What brought you to this place, John Blaze?
16.
(MORE)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
Thousands of miles from the land of your birth - and dark rebirth. Were you running from demons? Searching for an answer? For salvation? For oblivion?
(shakes his head - points to the picture in BLAZE’S hand)
No. You were brought here for this.
BLAZE looks at the picture, trying to wrap his head around MOREAU’S words, to test their truth.
BLAZEThis little kid - what makes you think I can find him?
MOREAUYou can’t. But the rider can. The man you met - the one who put this thing in you... years ago...
A SHADOW seems to pass over DANNY’S face - a whisper of the dead...
BLAZE(quiet)
Roarke.
MOREAUHe has many names. Let the rider follow his stench - it will lead you to the boy.
(studies him)You sense the truth in this?
He does. BLAZE locks eyes with MOREAU.
BLAZEYou said a deal.
MOREAUThe church of my masters is an ancient one, Blaze. The men who sent me are powerful beyond what you can conceive... I am prepared to offer you nothing less than the thing you want most in the world.
(he steps forward, GRINNING, to meet him eye to eye)
Bring us the boy - and we will lift your curse.
17.
MOREAU (CONT'D)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
This SHOCKS BLAZE like a slap in the face - the full weight of what MOREAU is saying burns into him - build MUSIC and - *
SLAM TO:
EXT. URBAN SQUARE - DUSK19 19
CROWDS of locals and tourists swarm over a busy public square like teeming ants. We are in the midst of it, surrounded by movement, texture, color.
NADYA is seated outside,at a cafe - she sips an espresso. *There is no sign of DANNY.
A man enters frame - GREY SUIT. We don’t see his face yet. *He turns his back toward her and we see that he is *carefully REMOVING HIS WEDDING RING and slipping it into *his coat pocket. *
He walks over and sits down across from NADYA. *
GREY SUIT *Hello. *
NADYA looks up. *
NADYA *(friendly) *
Hello. *
GREY SUIT *(a little nervous - *she’s beautiful) *
I noticed that... you were *looking at me, yes? *
NADYA(coy) *
Was I? Maybe. I like your suit. *
GREY SUITThank you - it’s, um - *
(blushing) *Are you... Roma? Gypsy? *
NADYA *(evenly) *
Why do you ask that? *
GREY SUIT *What they say about... listen. I *am a businessman. I have a lot of *money. *
Just then DANNY walks up and sits down right next to him. *
18.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
DANNYHey mom. I couldn’t find you. *
DANNY looks up at GREY SUIT *
DANNY (CONT’D) *Where’s dad? *
GREY SUIT(flustered) *
I - excuse me- *
He can’t get out of there fast enough - pushes past DANNY, *almost knocking over the table. He hurries down an adjacent *alley. *
NADYA and DANNY look at each other, deadpan serious -
- and both BREAK UP LAUGHING. DANNY pulls GREY SUIT’S wallet from out of his back pocket.
DANNYSucker.
She leaves a 5 LEI note for the coffee and they hurry out *of the cafe, toward the square - opposite the direction *GREY SUIT went. She pokes a finger at DANNY, gently *scolding. *
NADYARemember: bad people only.
DANNY(rolling his eyes - he’s heard this before)
Mom, I know.
NADYA looks behind them as they go, paranoid - and hustles them around the corner.
They dart through bustling traffic, avoiding the street cops scanning the area. DANNY senses eyes on him - turns to see:
A BLACK TOUAREG parked down the street, crossed and *obscured by crowds... he barely has time to register it before NADYA takes his wrist and pulls him away.
They climb into the SUV they took from the MONASTERY...
CUT TO:
INT. CARRIGAN’S TOUAREG - SAME TIME20 20 *
KURDISH is at the wheel. In back, one tough: TERROKOV. *Sitting shotgun: CARRIGAN, manipulating a deck of cards with one hand.
19.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
KURDISHWell, I for one am impressed. *
GRANNICK pulls up in Duster, driving. *
GRANNIKNeedle in a haystack, boss - you found ‘em.
CARRIGAN(smirks, dismissive)
They’re on their own and she needs money. How does she get it? Same way she always does. Find the closest tourist trap from where she took off, that’s where she’ll be.
CARRIGAN'S TOUAREG pulls out slowing following Nayda into *traffic. GRANNIK follows in the duster. *
CUT TO:
INT. NADYA’S SUV - SAME TIME21 21
NADYA navigates the maze as DANNY goes through GREY SUIT’S wallet. He counts out the cash like a pro.
DANNYNot bad. Ten, twenty - Five-fifty Euro...
(looks over the CREDIT CARDS)
Plus a Cirrus and a Eurocard, pretty sure I can find these on the database... Oh yeah - and *this. *
He pulls out GREY SUIT’S wedding ring from his jacket *pocket. He looks it over. *
DANNY (CONT’D) *Expensive. *
He flicks it to her - NADYA catches it out of the air. *
DANNY (CONT’D) *Guess someone’s gonna have some *explaining to do. *
He pulls out his iPhone and uses a bootlegged APP to scan *the cards using the phone’s camera. NADYA watches - torn *between pride and regret.
NADYADanny.
20.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
He clicks SEARCH on the iPhone browser and looks up at her as the progress bar crawls.
DANNY4G sucks here...
NADYAWe’re not always going to have to do this.
(she strokes his hair)I’m gonna make a life for you someday.
DANNY searches her moist eyes.
DANNYThis is a life.
She finds a smile.
NADYAYou know I love you more than anything, chava.
DANNYI love you too, mama.
(checks the iPhone)Nice - got a match for the Cirrus! Think we can find a cash machine before homeboy figures out his wallet is gone?
CUT TO:
EXT. URBAN SQUARE - DUSK, CONTINUOUS22 22
As NADYA weaves into traffic - CARRIGAN and the others a stealthy distance behind - we CRANE UP to a spectacular sunset... thunder rumbles... and then the LIGHTNING: a flickering lantern-show behind purple clouds on the horizon...
TRANSITION TO:
EXT. ABANDONED FORT - NIGHTFALL23 23
The same LIGHTNING flashes as NIGHT FALLS over the hills.
MOREAU sits outside on top of a toppled concrete pillar, taking in the gathering dark. The moon is high. He knocks back a shot of BOURBON from his vintage flask.
21.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
INT. ABANDONED FORT - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS24 24
BLAZE sits on a crate in front of a makeshift table - a fluorescent lamp flickers in front of him. He stares at the photo of the BOY.
His BIKE rests nearby - engine ticking, waiting...
BLAZE’S breathing is heavy - he seems to be entering a sort of hypnotic state... we SLOWLY push in on the picture of DANNY...
ROARKE’S voice - ghost-like - whispers somewhere, like a spider running up BLAZE’S back:
ROARKE (O.S.)... you willing to make a deal, John?
... and - like in the church - tendrils of smoke begin to seep from the pores in his hands...
EXT. ABANDONED FORT - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS25 25
MOREAU rolls a cigarette - he becomes aware of movement in the trees... night sounds... as if the hills are alive with dark creatures. His eyes narrow.
He lights the cigarette - and watches the flame of the match stretch... drift... toward the steel building where BLAZE is locked...
BANG!
The flame snuffs out - a sound from inside like a heavy weight POUNDING INTO THE WALL - BANG! BANG!
INT. ABANDONED FORT - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS26 26
BLAZE overturns the table and SMASHES AGAINST THE STEEL WALL with his full weight - in the violent agony of TRANSFORMATION - he is SCREAMING - or LAUGHING - or both... BLACK SMOKE streams from under his LEATHERS...
EXT. ABANDONED FORT - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS27 27
MOREAU jumps off the car and advances toward the building as:
An ORANGE GLOW bursts from inside the building, visible through the cracks and seams like JACK O’LANTERN FLAME! The fire glow is moving fast through the building - MOREAU *runs after it - *
He rounds the corner as - *
22.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
WHITE HOT. MOREAU is rocked back by the heat and flame. He *looks back to see a fireball disappearing around the corner *of a second building, leaving a liquid trail of fire behind *it. *
MOREAU jumps on his Moto Guzzi - it is damaged from his *spill over the cliff: mirrors broken off, lights broken. He *burns out, following the comet’s trail. *
EXT. NIGHT ROAD - CONTINUOUS28 28
MOREAU skids onto the road and GUNS IT - ahead of him and vanishing into the distance: the FIERY GLOW of BLAZE’S bike. A trail of burning liquid smolders down the highway *in its wake.
MOREAU pushes the Moto with everything it’s got - but it’s no use... like trying to catch a UFO. He gives up, pulls to the shoulder and watches the fireball disappear.
Lightning flashes on the horizon...
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSKIRTS HIGHWAY - NIGHT29 29
The same lightning reflects in NADYA’S rear-view mirror, illuminating her face. Thunder rumbles.
NADYA is exhausted. The lines on the road go on and on - her eyelids flutter -
She twists the dial on the radio. Static, fuzz, bits of talk that almost seem aimed at her - then music: Ace of Base, “I Saw The Sign.” She leaves it.
DANNY is sleeping - she steals a glance at him.
He’s perfectly ANGELIC. Nadya smiles; it’s something we can tell she doesn’t let herself do often. LIGHT FLASHES in her rear view mirror again, flickering across his face - more lightning?
She glances up - her eyes go wide: holy shit!
HEADLIGHTS fill the mirror, coming up fast -
WHAM! The SUV is RAMMED from behind! Danny LURCHES forward.
NADYAHOLD ON!
CRASH! They’re rammed again. She fights to keep control. Aims for a turn-off. She hauls the SUV into the turn, *fights the roll-over, barely makes it -
23.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
- but it’s not fast enough. HEADLIGHTS blaze into the cab.
WHAM! The ESCALADE collides with NADYA’S door again. Glass shatters. DANNY SHOUTS, terrified.
NADYA loses it, careens right, carves OFF THE SHOULDER, DOWN AN INCLINE and into a muddy culvert...
Finally, the ESCALADE PINS the SUV against the concrete *wall. CARRIGAN’S TOUAREG cruises up. A second ESCALADE *follows, triangulating the crash.
IN THE SUV
NADYA rips her seatbelt off - snatches a GLOK 22 from the glove box. She looks to DANNY:
NADYA (CONT’D)Lock the doors. And STAY HERE!
NADYA climbs out and SLAMS the door.
She is blinded by high-beams. She drops to one knee, shielding her face - and fires four shots into the light. Glass spiderwebs.
DANNY bangs on the window with his fists - warning her - she spins, too late:
GRANNIK comes from left of nowhere, twists the gun from her hand. Forces her to the ground. The TOUAREG door opens; a *SILHOUETTE breaks the high-beams, walking toward her -
CARRIGAN. NADYA recognizes him instantly. She’s shocked; he doesn’t break stride.
CARRIGANNadya. Been a long time, baby. I see you’re still an unbelievable pain in the ass.
NADYARay? What are you doing here?
CARRIGAN just chuckles, smirks to his boys.
NADYA (CONT’D)(desperate)
Look - there are people after Danny and me. Whatever you want-
CARRIGAN shoves the DESERT EAGLE beneath her chin. *
CARRIGANI’m the people after you, Nadya.
The blood drains from NADYA’S face. GRANNIK drags her away from the SUV, struggling.
24.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The TWO MEN from the Escalade have formed a military-style *perimeter around the action, holding AK-47s. These are KRAKCHEV and CARBONE - military trained, crime-hardened *guns for hire.
GRANNIK and KURDISH descend on DANNY, rifles over their shoulders. He tries to start the engine. But the driver’s door is wrenched open and the men are on him -
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)Careful! We need the kid alive.
DANNY is dragged kicking and screaming from the cab.
ON NADYA,
Struggling to free herself, desperate to help her child.
NADYACarrigan! I left... because I was scared... I couldn’t deal with what we had but I never stopped loving you-
CARRIGAN claps, sarcastic - but his eyes say something *else. He wants to believe it, and he is far from over her. *Some of the men clap along with him.
CARRIGANDamn! What a little actor you are. Don’t flatter yourself - you were good, but not that good. I’m getting paid some real nice bread for tracking you down.
DANNY plants a perfect elbow in TERROKOV’S balls - he’s got his mother’s fight apparently. TERROKOV doubles over - DANNY slugs him in the jaw.
KURDISHHey, hey-
TERROKOV throws DANNY to the ground. Enraged, NADYA breaks *free -
NADYAYOU SON OF A BITCH!
- and goes straight for GRANNIK’S GUN. She struggles with him - silenced shots spray the ground: THWUP THWUP THWUP.
And then it’s over. GRANNIK brings the stock of the gun up into NADYA’S chin - she sees stars, her legs go rubbery - she drops to her knees.
CARRIGANUnbelievable.
25.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
TERROKOV zipties DANNY’S hands, then picks him up and throws him toward the back of the TOUAREG. DANNY stumbles - *his face hits the bumper, opening up a cut under his eye. TERROKOV laughs.
TERROKOV(sarcastic)
Oops.
NADYA looks up to CARRIGAN with pleading eyes.
NADYARay... please - he’s my son...
CARRIGANHe ain’t mine.
CARRIGAN walks over to her, wraps his hand around her throat and puts the barrel of the DESERT EAGLE to her temple.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)You’ve been a bad girl Nadya - you done bad things... hell, you had to know someday it was gonna end like this.
His eyes are moist. We can see that he still loves her but *that he’ll pull the trigger anyway - because he hates *himself that much more. His finger tightens, when - *
A SOUND: like a cross between a DINOSAUR and a giant semi-truck being dragged into HELL... unearthly, horrible -
TERROKOV(spooked)
What was that?
The ground rumbles beneath them like the tremor before a 7.0 - puddles ripple, gravel shakes loose from the canyon walls - and then -
An ear-shattering CONCERT OF METAL and CHAINSAWS rips up the night -
FIRELIGHT dances on the back of CARRIGAN'S neck - the other *men are looking past him - UP - jaws dropped - he reads their eyes, spins in time to see:
Something... ON FIRE - like a black, molten comet - launches from the ridge of the road - over their heads -
In an unbroken shot it ARCS OVER THEM, down into the culvert and -
SLAMS TO THE GROUND, skidding, ripping up busted concrete and black mud. A BLAST WAVE of heat and flame billow outward.
26.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
A MOTORCYCLE - BLAZE’S motorcycle - but transformed: blacker, meaner - consumed by orange/white flame and belching foul black smoke... the SOUND from its infernal engine a low bass, teeth-rattling growl...
AND THE RIDER -
THE EYES are the worst: just black holes without conscience, without empathy - you are an insect in those eyes, or less...
THE SKULL: a burnt, blackened thing - from hell... somehow ancient...
Its clothes are something not leather, though they recall *the cut and line of BLAZE’S well-worn gear - black jacket, pants, boots... but like the bike, transformed: they are almost like hot tar - alive, wet, heat-distorted.
Clinking coils of MOLTEN BLACK CHAIN slip link-by-link through its skeletal flickering fingers.
A QUIET descends on the scene - there is the sound of flames, the rumble of the engine. KURDISH falls to his *knees. No one knows what they are in the presence of - it’s like a fissure has split open in the reality they knew.
CARRIGANKill it.
One of the MERCENARIES - KRAKCHEV - face covered in Russian PRISON TATTOOS - walks toward the RIDER; not afraid of death or some freak with a flaming skull or anything else.
He OPENS UP with the AK-47, emptying a clip into the RIDER’S chest - BULLETS punch through the RIDER, coming out his back as RED-HOT SLAG.
The RIDER pulls the hell-bike up into a BURNOUT WHEELIE - it’s like a horse rearing up - spins on him - the MOLTEN BLACK CHAIN comes to life in his fist. He lashes it up into the air - and lets it fly -
The HEAVY CHAIN
- sizzles in a wide arc, slicing the air - it licks NADYA’S left shoulder, searing it... She SCREAMS OUT in pain, *knocked to the ground -
- then hits the MERCENARY, wrapping around him and consuming him in flame! He is BURNED TO BLACK instantly - the RIDER pulls it taut and YANKS IT BACK hard - as the chain UNRAVELS it disintegrates KRAKCHEV into ash and embers.
CARRIGAN’S eyes go wide.
27.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)Jesus Christ!
HE’S TERRIFIED - but he kind of loves this. KURDISH is *actually crying.
The CHAIN returns to the RIDER as he settles his BIKE to a dead stop - he gets off and stands beside it: tall, imperious - like a PHARAOH might’ve stood before his subjects. And then - he starts to walk toward TERROKOV. *
DANNY - in back of the ESCALADE - watches... almost hypnotized. *
SUDDENLY - the RIDER IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF TERROKOV. *
TERROKOVOh God, please, please God -
The RIDER grabs TERROKOV - rips him off the ground and holds the man’s face inches from his, forcing him to look right into -
THE GHOST RIDER’S EYES
The yawning black sockets seem to suck the fire from the air - you could fall a thousand miles into that black and never stop screaming.
And then - with a VOICE that is more growl than resonance, and in a language it has mostly forgotten - the RIDER SPEAKS:
GHOST RIDERHungry...
CARRIGAN grabs GRANNIK’S shoulder, snapping him out of it.
CARRIGANSlug throwers... now.
Freaked as hell and moving on pure adrenaline they back toward the rear of the ESCALADE, throw open the doors and rip up the floor-mats to reveal HIDDEN METAL PANELS.
The RIDER stares into TERROKOV’S eyes - the violence has given way to quiet again - the crackling flame, and TERROKOV’S whimpers - then the RIDER opens his mouth -
- and begins to SCREAM - but not a human sound - it’s like a hurricane from hell - in it, we hear the screams of a thousand victims, a thousand souls tortured by men like TERROKOV. It’s horrible.
TERROKOV cannot look away - the flesh of his face starts to tighten, as if an invisible gravity is sucking it back -
28.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
DANNY, CARBONE, KURDISH and NADYA are transfixed with horror - CARBONE’S lips move in silent prayer, involuntary...
CARRIGAN shoves GRANNIK hard, forcing his attention to the back of the TOUAREG - *
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)Don’t look at that.
They throw open the metal panels to reveal EIGHT-GAUGE SHOTGUNS, next to them, READY-LOCK M203 GRENADE LAUNCHERS. They grab the short-barrelled launchers and SLAM-CLIP them *onto the shotguns.
The RIDER roars into TERROKOV’S face - his eyes stream tears, glass over - we actually almost begin feel sorry for the scumbag... Then IT’S OVER. The GHOST RIDER drops TERROKOV into the mud. He lies there, shuddering, eyes like empty saucers, brain overloaded.
We go CLOSE on DANNY - practically in a TRANCE, his eyes glued to the RIDER. A DROP OF BLOOD from the bleeding cut on the boy’s cheek falls... HITS the dirt -
AND THE RIDER SENSES IT. The RIDER turns quickly and LOCKS EYES (or in his case, SOCKETS) with DANNY. Amidst all the chaos, the burning, the fear... It’s a moment of a strange recognition of power.
With insect-like speed he shamble/leaps toward the TOUAREG, *crossing the distance in an impossible instant - he backhands CARBONE out of his way, sending the big man twenty feet to smack into the side of the ESCALADE, a ragdoll - NADYA screams -
The RIDER spins on her, crouching down to face her - and for a flash she can see the same fate as TERROKOV’S staring her in the eye.
NADYANo...
CARRIGAN (O.C.)Still hungry?
The RIDER snarls - looks up at CARRIGAN and GRANNIK - who are leveling their SHOTGUNS straight at him. He springs - *as they FIRE - PHOOM, PHOOM - BOTH GRENADES find him and NAIL him dead in the chest! *
The RIDER is blown out of the air to smash hard into THE *ESCALADE, which is crumpled in and shoved back by the *impact. *
CARRIGAN and GRANNIK have already reloaded - the RIDER struggles to his feet - his jaws open in an unholy ROAR as the next wave hits -
29.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The first pounds the RIDER deeper into the crushed ESCALADE - the second hits the GAS TANK.
A MAMMOTH EXPLOSION - igniting both the gas tank and the weapons inside the SUV - envelops him. Nothing is moving in there.
CARRIGAN understands instinctively: this is as good as it’s gonna get.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)COME ON - MOVE - NOW!
He shoves GRANNIK into the driver’s side of the TOUAREG and *goes around to the passenger’s -
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)(to KURDISH)
The kid!
KURDISH tosses DANNY into the back, slams the doors, and jumps into the back seat as GRANNIK is burning rubber out of there.
NADYA - half conscious - stumbles after them.
NADYADanny!
But they are LONG GONE. She makes it as far as the highway, leaving the burning wreckage behind... the sounds of SIRENS in the distance, approaching... she collapses by the side of the road, UNCONSCIOUS - we SMASH TO:
BLACK.
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY30 30
IVs, tubes, machines - beep... beep... beep... the world slips in and out of focus.
BLAZE is in a hazy, nicotine-white hospital room - nothing fancy. Movement outside curtains... foreign voices. Daylight blasts through the window blinds.
He tries to sit up - OUCH. Screaming pain shoots through him. He looks down - his body is bruised, bandaged... an IV tube taped to his arm. He is still wearing his pants and boots, a hospital-blue apron over his upper body - his jacket hangs by the bed.
He moves the apron and has a look at his RIBCAGE - where KRAKCHEV emptied half a clip of an AK-47 into him the night *before - and sees the source of the worst of the pain:
The BULLET WOUNDS are there, scarred over - cauterized.
30.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
He pulls the blues back down; scans the glass cases on the wall - something, anything for the pain...
The curtain opens - A YOUNG NURSE walks in. All business - she checks the IV; doesn’t seem to notice that he’s awake.
BLAZEHi.
NURSE(startled)
Oh! You wake up.
BLAZE(attempting a smile)
Funny, when you walked in I thought I was still dreaming.
She looks at him, brow furrowed - not getting it. We are feeling that BLAZE hasn’t been exactly social for awhile.
NURSEYou have hallucinate?
BLAZENo - I mean... look: I’m flirting with you.
Her expression doesn’t change.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Morphine? How about some morphine.
This she understands. She shakes her head, goes back to checking his vitals.
NURSENo morphine, you already have.
(nods toward the IV bag)Your wounds - very weird, mister. The Politia want to talk to you when you wake up.
(puts his chart under her armpit)
I tell them you wake.
BLAZENo, please - I just-
She leaves.
Grimacing with pain he struggles upright - he untapes the IV and pulls it out; throws on his jacket and heads straight for the cabinets.
He forces the glass case open - grabs a syringe, fills it from a VIAL of liquid, jams it into his stomach.
31.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
Voices are approaching - he grabs pill bottles - antibiotics, vicodin - and shoves them in his pockets - gets the hell out of there.
Looking over his shoulder - he avoids the a couple of POLICEMEN but runs right into:
NADYA, who is pushing away from two ORDERLIES.
NADYALet me go.
She spins, comes face to face with BLAZE - there is a moment of RECOGNITION - she sees his MELTED CLOTHES, smells him - BLAZE sees her bandaged shoulder - in an AUDIO FLASH we recall the moment she got the wound: the CHAIN snaps, burns.
She says nothing - but we can feel her mind working it out - she turns her eyes away and pushes past him.
BLAZE watches her walk out the front doors - his eyes lock on, pure intensity - she’s the key to finding the kid.
EXT. ROADSIDE - DAY31 31
CARRIGAN and his men have pulled over to stretch their legs and empty their bladders.
Everyone is out of the TOUAREG except DANNY. He stays *sitting in the backseat, staring at the seat in front of him, sullen. He looks like he’s been crying. CARRIGAN pounds on the window; DANNY barely flinches.
CARRIGANPiss break, kid.
DANNY doesn’t acknowledge him.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)Fine. Stay there if you want but we’re not stopping for the rest of the day. You piss your pants, you’re sitting in it ‘til dinner.
KURDISH unwraps a TWINKIE and stuffs it in his face. The men are behaving a little strangely - They are all dealing with their own Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the events of the previous night.
KURDISHBoss, you got cloth seats.
CARRIGAN looks at him. KURDISH shrugs, nods toward DANNY.
KURDISH (CONT’D)I’m just saying.
32.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGAN throws the car door open, pulls DANNY out.
CARRIGANTAKE A PISS!
DANNY breathes hard, angry... is he going to cry? Then -
CARRIGAN’S SHADOW falls on the rocks in DANNY’S line of sight. His breathing slows... A look of CALM crosses his face.
DANNYHe’s coming for you, Carrigan. You’re a dead man.
CARRIGANOh yeah? Who?
DANNYThe one who attacked you on the road. The demon... He’s coming for you.
His calm affect, his confidence... The guys are struck dumb.
KURDISHHe’s freaking me out.
CARRIGANShut up.
DANNYMy mom taught me to read shadows. Yours is dead. Same with your friends. You have maybe one, two days to live.
CARRIGANAlright. OK. We’re dead. What do you suggest we do about that?
An eerie smile spreads across Danny’s face.
DANNYDig three graves.
Silence. Even CARRIGAN can’t help but get shivers down his spine. He takes a beat, then pulls out his cellphone.
CUT TO:
EXT. TRAIN PLATFORM - DAY32 32
Somewhere in Europe... a TRAIN has just arrived. People crowd the platform, off to their destinations. We pick up a particular set of shoes and follow them.
33.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The man’s CELLPHONE rings. He checks it - CARRIGAN - and answers... NOW WE MOVE INTO SPLIT-SCREEN with CARRIGAN.
CARRIGAN has walked down the road a ways for privacy - we still do not see the face of the man with the shoes, but we get that it’s ROARKE.
ROARKE(good natured)
Carrigan. What’s the good word?
CARRIGANI got your package. But the cost of doing business just went up.
ROARKEI don’t understand.
CARRIGANI want more, freak. Do you understand that?
ROARKEWe had an agreement, Carrigan. Changing the defined terms of an agreement is something we just don’t do.
ROARKE buys a local paper from a news stand, pays in coins and folds it under his arm.
CARRIGANYou told me get a kid - no problem, I done that for people before - and you know I got history with his bitch mom so I’m a way good man for the job - hell, I should be paying you, right? But what you didn’t tell me is that I was WALKING INTO THE MIDDLE OF SOME GOD DAMN HORROR MOVIE!!
ROARKE can’t help but laugh.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)Oh, this is funny? I got four of my guys turned into matchsticks last night by some dude on a motorcycle with his head on fire. You want to explain that, Roarke?
The CAMERA comes up to ROARKE’S FACE for the first time. He is different from the ROARKE in BLAZE’S dream - not older necessarily, but weaker, somehow sick - and suddenly: DEAD SERIOUS.
34.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
ROARKECome again?
CARRIGANYou heard me. And you know what this is, don’t try to tell me you don’t. My name’s Billy, not silly.
(glances toward his BOYS; lowers his voice)
Listen Roarke: I been around, man. I seen things you wouldn’t believe - weird shit, bad shit - but that thing last night - no. You want the kid? I want double.
ROARKE turns away from camera - seems to SIMMER.
ROARKEPut the boy on the phone.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROADSIDE - DAY33 33
CARRIGAN puts the phone to DANNY’S ear.
CARRIGANTalk.
ROARKE (O.S.)Danny? Do you hear me?
DANNY nods involuntarily - a subtle movement.
ROARKE (CONT’D)I want you to listen very closely.
GRANNIK and the boys shift nervously, glance at each other, as:
ROARKE begins to whisper in DANNY’S ear. Intercut with the train platform - in partially silhouetted profile we see ROARKE’S lips move...
The words are too quiet to make out, and in some unknown language - if it is even a language. Sometimes it seems almost as if there are two voices at once...
DANNY is hypnotized... his eyes roll back in his head... there is a sense of building tension as we pull back... back... back... until -
SHOCK: for a SPLIT SECOND - did we really see that?? - DANNY CHANGES - HIS HEAD SNAPS BACK IN A VIOLENT, DEMONIC SNARL -
35.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The phone flies out of CARRIGAN’S hand - the guys jump back, scared shitless -
DANNY slumps, collapses into the dirt - asleep, comatose maybe - breathing quick and shallow like a sleeping animal.
CARRIGAN grabs the phone.
CARRIGANWhat the hell was that?
ROARKEThink of the child as a sort of computer. You know computers? I just uploaded a little program. A... firewall, if you will. Our friend on the motorcycle won’t be able to sense him now... to track him - of course, he still may be able to track you. So I’d suggest you keep moving.
CARRIGANHe wants to come after me? Bring it. I’ll be ready.
ROARKEThat’s the spirit.
CARRIGAN turns away from the others.
CARRIGANAbout the terms - we ain’t done talking.
ROARKENo?
ROARKE clicks off.
CARRIGAN loses it - he slams his phone into the dirt, kicks a dent in the side of the TOUAREG. *
PUSH IN on DANNY, sleeping - ROARKE’S whispers cycling and reverberating -
BUILD TO:
EXT. HOSPITAL PARKING AREA - DAY34 34
A jarring MATCH CUT to BLAZE - he seems to have been hit with some sort of psychic shock. What the hell was that? He is outside the HOSPITAL - the sun is blinding, disorienting -
He shakes it off, looks around -
36.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
- and spots NADYA. She is walking with a purpose - disappears into a broken down PARKING AREA.
BLAZE’S eyes steel - determined. He follows.
He moves around a corner - the parking area is empty, quiet - he spots her.
NADYA is moving from car to car, trying doors - looking for a one to steal. BLAZE stalks her, ducking out of sight.
NADYA stops in front of one car and looks down at the side mirror. We don’t see what she sees. She seems to tense but gives nothing away - moves forward and disappears around a corner.
BLAZE makes his move - he follows her, turning the corner - but she’s not there. Instead, from behind him:
CLICK.
BLAZE spins - NADYA is holding the GLOK 22 leveled at his forehead.
NADYAWho sent you to find me? Was it the devil? The devil that walks among men?
He ignores the question.
BLAZEThe kid - Danny... he’s your son.
She steps closer.
NADYAI know what you are - nechistyi dux, the unclean spirit. The devil made you...
(searching his eyes)but I think... he does not own you.
BLAZE reads the vulnerability in her eyes, the desperation.
NADYA (CONT’D)Does the devil own you? Answer me!
BLAZENo.
NADYA’S eyes are wet. She wants to believe him.
BLAZE (CONT’D)The people that sent me - I don’t know what Danny means to them.
37.
(MORE)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
And I don’t know what kind of trouble you two are in, but I think they’re trying to get you out of it.
NADYAAnd you?
He comes straight up to her, face to face - she jams the gun to his head.
BLAZE(intense)
I don’t care what they want.
NADYABullets can’t hurt you when you walk with the demon - but I think they’ll do what they’re supposed to do right now.
(presses the gun to his temple - HARD)
Tell me why I can trust you.
BLAZEYou can’t.
He doesn’t fight it, in fact he grabs her wrist and helps her aim.
BLAZE (CONT’D)But if I don’t find your son I’d just as soon be dead - so if you want to pull that trigger... do it.
He’s not bluffing. For a frozen moment it looks like she actually will - then: her hand drops.
NADYAYou tracked us last night - can you do it again?
BLAZE shakes his head.
BLAZENo. He’s gone. I could feel him before - I could sense him - and then... nothing.
(off the look on her face)
He’s not dead. Just...(struggles to express it)
Blocked.
He locks eye contact with her, sensing that there’s something she’s holding back.
38.
BLAZE (CONT’D)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZE (CONT’D)But you know something.
NADYA searches his face - how much can she tell him? - finally realizes she has no choice.
NADYALet’s go.
INT. NADYA’S FLATBED - DAY35 35 *
BLAZE rides shotgun. His BIKE is chained to the bed. The *Euro FLATBED is something of a relic.
BLAZESo let me get this straight - the guy who kidnapped Danny, tried to kill you and blew me up with grenades... you two were like, boyfriend-girlfriend?
NADYAI grew up in a bad world, Blaze. War was all I ever knew. Carrigan was a gun runner, drug dealer, a mercenary - I didn’t care about any of that. All I saw was a ticket out.
BLAZESo Danny is...
NADYACarrigan’s son? No.
The question sits there, unspoken - the miles tick by. NADYA seems to search for words.
NADYA (CONT’D)When you met chërnyi, the black one, the seducer - he offered you something.
BLAZEMy father’s life.
(beat)Shocker: he lied.
BLAZE grimaces; pulls out a bottle and rubs his thumb over the label: ANTIBIOTIC. He pops a few.
NADYAHe is the wind spirit - the trickster... to lie is his nature. He walks in the world like other people but he is not one of them.
39.
(MORE)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
Look at him straight on, you see a man - but from the corner of your eye, at the in-between times - dusk, dawn... you might see something else.
(beat)You tried to save your father, almost noble. For me, it was only myself.
BLAZE watches her intently - her eyes are glued to the road.
NADYA (CONT’D)It should’ve been a big score for Carrigan but it went bad - we were set up. I made it out of a third floor window but I was choking on my own blood - I could feel death closing its fingers over my mouth... when the shadow fell I thought they’d found me and I just closed my eyes, praying for a bullet.
The clouds rumble in the distance - in the pale reflection of the window, we see ROARKE saying:
ROARKEYou look like you could use a little help.
BLAZE(a whisper)
Roarke...
Shafts of sunlight streaking through the trees wipe ROARKE from the window.
NADYAHe promised to take the pain away... save my life... but I had to give him something in return.
BLAZE slowly turns to her - the weight of it hitting him:
BLAZEA son.
They drive silently - BLAZE letting it sink in. He’s been so wrapped up in his own situation - it never registered that someone else could be even more screwed over than him.
NADYAMaybe you can never understand.
40.
NADYA (CONT'D)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZENo - I get it. You’re the Devil’s babymama.
(beat)Jerry Springer? Do they have that over here? Do you watch TV?
NADYA just nods, taking it. She glances up at a highway sign and -
VEERS sharp off an EXIT RAMP.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Where are we going?
NADYASomeone I know. If anyone can tell us where Carrigan is, he can.
EXT. RENT-A-CAR - NIGHT36 36
Bitter cold. The wind rattles rusted signs. The TRAIN STATION is in the distance - we are past the end of the line.
The streets are deserted except for one solitary figure. ROARKE steps up to a low-budget Eurotrash RENTAL CAR OFFICE.
INT. RENT-A-CAR - NIGHT37 37
Behind the counter, closing up shop - PETR PETROWSKY, 40s, unkempt, smoking. The door chimes - ROARKE enters, carrying a single suitcase.
PETROWSKY(in Russian)
<Sorry, closing up.>
ROARKE looks to a clock on the wall - 4:55.
ROARKEAccording to the hours posted outside, you’re still open.
PETROWSKY(In English)
Buddy. Come on.
ROARKE stares at PETROWSKY, examines his name tag.
ROARKEI would like to rent a car, “Petr.”
41.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
Something in ROARKE’s tone gives PETROWSKY pause. He glances to the window and the gathering storm beyond. Something seems to move through the dark outside - eyes glint, reflecting light - a dog?
PETROWSKYSit. Please.
ROARKE sits. PETROWSKY moves behind his desk.
PETROWSKY (CONT’D)What type of car you like?
ROARKE picks up a laminated card.
ROARKEHmmm. These prices seem a little high to me.
ROARKE deliberates. Outside, the storm grows stronger. PETROWSKY shifts in his seat, trying to mask his impatience.
PETROWSKYYou want Taurus? Give you small car price. 38 Euro a day.
ROARKEThat’s the best you can do?
PETROWSKY(annoyed now)
I’ll throw in GPS. Deal?
Another beat as ROARKE stares PETROWSKY down. After an agonizing beat, ROARKE nods. PETROWSKY smiles, relieved.
PETROWSKY (CONT’D)May I see passport? Driving license?
ROARKE reaches into his jacket, hands over his papers. PETROWSKY types in the required information, trying to ignore the vague feeling of uneasiness settling over him.
ROARKE notices a picture of a little girl smiling on the *desk. *
ROARKEYou have a daughter?
PETROWSKY nods. ROARKE smiles, not saying a word. PETROWSKY looks at him a BEAT. The exchange sets him further on edge.
42.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
ROARKE (CONT’D)Children. We’re given such a short time here... The only way we can live on is through them...
PETROWSKY makes a few sloppy notations on the CONTRACT - slides the agreement to ROARKE, takes out a pen.
PETROWSKYSign please.
PETROWSKY offers ROARKE a pen. He doesn’t take it. Instead, he pulls out a pair of bifocals, begins to read the contract.
PETROWSKY (CONT’D)Is there problem?
ROARKE does not answer - he briefly looks up at PETROWSKI over the top of the bifocals.
PETROWSKY (CONT’D)It is a standard contract.
ROARKE takes off his glasses.
ROARKEPetr. Trust me: if there’s one thing I know, it’s contracts. There’s no such thing as a standard one - every formalized legal agreement is, at it’s essence, a transfer of power.
(glances to the paper)Now, the price you quoted was 38 - the “small car” rate. But you’ve listed the daily rate here as 63.
ROARKE turns the agreement around for PETROWSKY to see.
PETROWSKYI apologize. You are correct. A simple mistake -
Petrowsky reaches for the contract. ROARKE grabs his wrist.
ROARKE locks eyes with PETROWSKI, stopping him cold - out of nowhere the tension in the room is now palpable.
ROARKEWere you trying to defraud me?
PETROWSKY(suddenly more than nervous)
Buddy. No -
43.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
ROARKEIt seems to get harder and harder *for people to stick to the terms *of an agreement these days... *
PETROWSKY *is just stupid mistake- *
ROARKEThen I’d like a new contract specifying the appropriate rate.
PETROWSKI just wants to be anywhere but here. *
PETROWSKYTo do this I need to enter all your information again... Look. Buddy:
PETROWSKY points to the existing contract.
PETROWSKY (CONT’D)We use this contract. Yes? I make note of the change and give you one day free. What do you say?
A rumble has begun subtly to build in the room - glass *rattles, paper clips shift... *
ROARKEI say - the Devil’s in the details.
Suddenly an unseen force grabs PETROWSKI from his chair and *wrenches him STRAIGHT UP. He flies up and SLAMS INTO THE *CEILING, crushed into it like a bug. *
ROARKE never even looks up. He is calm collected - but deep *beneath there is a violence that knows no limit. *
A blood vessel bursts in ONE EYE - the white has gone pure *red. DARK AGE SPOTS appear along the sides of his face, down to his neck - as though summoning the power of hell through this mortal vessel has caused it to burn from *within... and AGE...
ROARKE calmly slides the rental agreement to his side of *the table, folds it up and places it in his coat pocket. He *dusts off his sleeves, picks up his case and - *
EXITS into the cold night. *
SCENE OMITTED 38 38
44.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
INT. CARRIGAN’S TOUAREG - NIGHT39 39 *
GRANNIK drives. CARRIGAN shotgun. DANNY is next to KURDISH in the back. KURDISH puts away another TWINKIE.
Tedium. CARRIGAN stares out at the dark trees, passing. Up ahead: a BRIDGE.
DANNYCan I open a window?
CARRIGAN looks back at him, and points his finger into DANNY’S EYE - almost touching his cornea.
CARRIGANYou think you can just talk? Your mom thought she could just talk - so I kicked her little Gypsy face in.
DANNY pushes his head an inch closer so CARRIGAN’S finger is touching the white of his eye. CARRIGAN pulls his finger back with something like revulsion. *
DANNY just stares at him. Calm, cold.
DANNYHe’s coming for you.
CARRIGAN looks over at GRANNIK like, can you believe this? GRANNIK just shrugs, nervous.
DANNY (CONT’D)The rider is coming. And he’s hungry.
KURDISH gulps the last of the TWINKIE; he shifts away from DANNY in the back seat, clearly freaked out.
DANNY (CONT’D)If you let me go right now, I’m sure he’ll kill you fast.
CARRIGAN pulls out his DESERT EAGLE, cocks it and holds it *up for DANNY to see. He is showing him the profile of the *weapon that will take his life. *
CARRIGANSpeak. Say a word. Anything. Do it.
It’s somehow creepier than if he put the gun to DANNY’S *face. CARRIGAN turns back toward the road. *
DANNY looks up at KURDISH, pitiful - he’s a kid again. KURDISH shoots a look at the back of CARRIGAN’S head - reaches over and rolls the window down.
45.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)What the hell are you doing?
KURDISHHe said he needed air.
CARRIGANAnd?
KURDISHI don’t want him to puke! He pukes, I puke, everybody pukes!
The breeze from the open window tousles DANNY’S hair. He sits up... all symptoms of being injured are gone.
DANNYThanks, Kurdish.
(beat)I’ll tell him you were useful.
In a flash, Danny is LEAPING to the FRONT SEATS -- he GRABS GRANNIK’S arm and YANKS, PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL SHARP-
EXT. BRIDGE - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS40 40
The TOUAREG JERKS to the right, screeching straight into *the blunt end of a concrete divider - *
The TOUAREG clips the divider hard, sending the rear end *fishtailing out across the narrow bridge - the SUV does a *270 on the icy road, the nose SMASHING THROUGH THE RAILING *at the opposite side. *
The wheels skid out over the drop - the TOUAREG is *teetering on the brink - CARRIGAN has a frozen moment to *spin back on DANNY, furious - they lock eyes. *
DANNY, with a ghost of a smile, clicks his seat belt locked *as - *
The TOUAREG ROLLS OVER the side of the bridge and FALLS *nose-first towards the CONCRETE FOOTERS - *
CRUNCH. The front hits hard, slamming GRANNIK and CARRIGAN into the AIRBAGS.
A gas-line bursts and FLAMES start to crawl around the SUV - *the front end is smashed jet-flat into the concrete... DANNY’S open window is angled toward the sky. He calmly undoes his seatbelt and starts to climb out the window.
KURDISHLittle bastard- !
46.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
KURDISH grabs DANNY’S leg. DANNY kicks KURDISH in the mouth with his other leg. KURDISH’s grip weakens... DANNY *is FREE. *
DANNY starts walking down the shoreline between the water and the trees - KURDISH tries to follow... but he’s TOO FAT to fit through the window - STUCK, like Winnie the Pooh in Rabbit’s door.
CARRIGAN tries to open the door but it’s jammed into the frame of the vehicle making it impossible to open. FLAMES START TO COME THROUGH THE VENTS!!!
He tries rolling down his window - it opens just a crack - then STOPS. He bangs on the button. The TOUAREG’S radio *suddenly turns on, starts BLARING Blue Oyster Cult “I’m Burnin For You.”
KURDISH (CONT’D)GET ME OUT OF HERE!
CARRIGANScrew this.
CARRIGAN unloads a clip through airbag and windshield. It SHATTERS.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)(to GRANNIK)
Come on!!
They climb out - behind them, KURDISH’S legs bicycle desperately in the backseat - the flames crawl up his *pants. The TOUAREG now fully engulfed in flame. *
KURDISHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
SCENE OMITTED 41 41
EXT. UNDER THE BRIDGE - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS42 42
DANNY turns around when he hears KURDISH.
He stops, KURDISH is on fire inside the car, it looks like *his end... DANNY’S eyes are DEAD BLANK. Clinical. Creepy. *
They get safely down the shore as KURDISH goes SILENT, crispy. CARRIGAN shakes his head.
CARRIGANTwinkies.
The TOUAREG EXPLODES!! - lighting up the shoreline as they *spot DANNY in the trees and start to run after him.
47.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGAN goes hard, closing on DANNY... a hundred meters, fifty, twenty five.
DANNY pushes through the thick brush, CARRIGAN only seconds behind.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS43 43
DANNY reaches an opening. He’s spent, running on fumes.
His ANKLE gets caught in some branches - it SNAPS - broken - DANNY goes down. YOWLS in pain. CARRIGAN walks up behind him, soaked in sweat - gun in hand - NOT HAPPY.
Just then: a figure emerges from the woods. Two SKINNY TWENTYSOMETHINGS walk up - the DUDE wears a CHOP TOP HEAD BANDANA and an INSANE CLOWN POSSE JERSEY, the girl CUT OFF DAISY DUKES and a tube top - stoners.
DUDE(German)
<Dude - what happened?>
CARRIGAN turns towards him, feigning panic - hides his gun behind his back.
CARRIGANYou speak English?
DUDEYeah man. Are you okay?
GIRLWe saw the car go off the bridge, we were like woaaahhh.
CARRIGAN sees a VAN parked by the water about a hundred meters away, a campfire burning.
CARRIGANHey - that your van?
GRANNIK emerges from the trees holding an AK. CARRIGAN flips the DESERT EAGLE in his hand, gripping it by the barrel, and smiles good-naturedly. DANNY looks up at the STONERS with a mixture of fear and resignation. And suddenly it all becomes crystal clear to the DUDE and his GIRL:
Their time is up.
INT. VAN - NIGHT44 44
CARRIGAN rides shotgun, burning with intensity - somehow *haunted. GRANNIK shifts gears, fighting the piece of shit *shifter and annoyed. *
48.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
Clearly he has become accustomed to a better class of *vehicle. We can only imagine what happened to the STONERS; *Danny is bound up with the DUDE’S BANDANA.
GRANNIKWe’re slipping, Ray. *
CARRIGAN looks over at him. *
GRANNIK (CONT’D) *(only half joking) *
We shoulda left the kid and took *the girl instead. *
CARRIGAN is not amused. He gives him a glare and looks back *out toward the road, the night. *
EXT. VAN - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS45 45
We get a good look at the exterior of the van now: A beat-up 1970s VW.
CUT TO:
EXT. UNDERGROUND WAREHOUSE - NIGHT46 46
A smoke-filled, floodlit industrial space... people crowded in - bad people. Drinking, shoving, money changing hands - it’s an UNDERGROUND FIGHTING RING.
We focus in on ONE MAN in particular - 40s, overweight, tattooed - sweaty... he is taking money and giving out markers - seems to be the ringleader of the operation: this is VASIL. Armed muscle backs him up.
A swell of noise rises as the combatants are led in - on one side, a scarred up, skinhead brawler... on the other, at the end of a chain - a WILD BOAR.
As they launch at each other VASIL motions to two bodyguards - they make their way through the crowd and out a back door with the money in a locked box.
They pass through a sodium vapor-lit maze of concrete - unaware that:
They are being watched.
NADYA and BLAZE keep to the shadows, tracking VASIL and the men from a distance.
BLAZE(quietly)
I’ve been thinking about our guy - you know, the Devil?
49.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
She gives him a deadpan look - here we go.
BLAZE (CONT’D)With all the deadbeat dads out there, it’s kind of sweet to see a father take such an active interest in his son’s upbringing.
NADYAAm I going to regret taking you?
BLAZE(serious)
Yeah - probably.
INT./EXT. BACK AREA - NIGHT47 47
VASIL hands the locked box to a pair of OLD GUYS in a fluorescent-lit backroom - then mumbles orders to his two men and walks down a stairway by himself, into the cold night air.
He pulls out a cheap cigar and lights up - the fire reveals:
NADYA - in the shadows right in front of him.
NADYAHi Vasil.
VASIL jumps out of his skin - he spins and runs right into -
BLAZE - who grabs VASIL’S face and SLAMS him up against the concrete wall. NADYA holds a blade to VASIL’S neck as she goes through his pockets and pulls out his CELL PHONE.
VASILLong time, Nadya... you look good.
BLAZEShhhh.
VASILWho’s the junkie?
BLAZE is sweating, shaking - glaring into VASIL’S face with some crazy eyes - proximity to this SCUMBAG is provoking a physical reaction in him, like an ADDICT needing a FIX.
NADYA(checking VASIL’S phone)
He’s been talking to Ray. The past two days... and a few hours ago.
50.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
VASIL is getting seriously weirded out by BLAZE... NADYA looks concerned.
NADYA (CONT’D)John?
BLAZE(to VASIL)
You talked to Carrigan.
VASILI talk to a lot of people.
(re: BLAZE’S shaking)I got what you need for those shakes, my friend.
BLAZE has to LAUGH at the irony of this - he jams his eyes shut, struggling in pain - SMOKE begins to seep from his pores. VASIL’S cold eyes grow wide.
BLAZECarrigan must’ve told you about the thing that killed his men last night... that thing is inside of me.
NADYA watches BLAZE, wide-eyed... scared - but transfixed.
BLAZE (CONT’D)You’re a bad man... And this “thing” - the Rider - he feeds on bad men... and he’s hungry... hungrier than he’s been in years. See, that’s why I’m shaking...
BLAZE’S face is starting to sear and burn - VASIL is seriously freaking out. He can feel the heat on his own face, just inches away from BLAZE’S.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Right now, the only thing standing between you... and the rider... is me. He’s scraping at the door... And if you don’t tell me what I want to know, I’m going to let him out.
Despite the threat, BLAZE’S eyes almost seem to plead with VASIL... embers start to crackle as BLAZE’S face starts to burn - and the skin tightens, pulls back, skeletal...
VASIL recoils from the heat, his face dripping sweat - the cigar in his hand BURNS DOWN to his fingers... he drops it.
BLAZE (CONT’D)When he’s done with you... There won’t be anything left. Understand?
51.
(MORE)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
(beat)Where’s Carrigan?
VASIL swallows, defiant - fighting his fear. BLAZE slams him hard into the wall, rattling his teeth.
BLAZE (CONT’D)I NEED THAT KID - the kid Carrigan has - you’re gonna tell me where they are - you’re gonna tell me or I will eat your stinking soul-
And in the gaunt lines of BLAZE’S face VASIL can see the skeletal outline of the RIDER - he breaks.
VASILThe quarry. For more guns... More men. He’s putting together a God damned army.
NADYA(to BLAZE)
I know the place.
BLAZE(to VASIL)
You’re not going to mention this conversation to anyone.
VASIL shakes his head - NO.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Good... good answer...
The two BODYGUARDS appear from around the corner, barking in RUSSIAN. BLAZE - inhumanly strong - throws VASIL at them like a bag of fertilizer, knocking them back. He spins to NADYA, burning, choking on black smoke, eyes desperate.
BLAZE (CONT’D)(to NADYA)
We gotta go.
He takes off running - NADYA looks back at the RUSSIANS, then runs after him.
She can’t catch up to him - BLAZE stumbles toward a back exit, trailing smoke and flickering orange like the Headless Horseman... a THUG steps up to block his way -
BLAZE bats him aside like nothing - the THUG bursts into flame! NADYA blows by him, out into the night, where - *
EXT. UNDERGROUND WAREHOUSE - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS48 48
- the flatbed is waiting... *
52.
BLAZE (CONT’D)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The CHAINS holding BLAZE’S bike have unraveled - they are roiling in the back like a nest of snakes... the BIKE is BLACK, rumbling, glowing MOLTEN HOT inside the engine workings...
As BLAZE staggers toward the flatbed THE BIKE LURCHES *FORWARD - the back tire starts to spin, burning rubber - A CLOUD OF SMOKE envelops the flatbed... *
The BIKE launches out of the flatbed, onto concrete - BLAZE *LEAPS FOR IT with the last of his control, grabbing the handlebars - letting the beast drag him...
The BIKE explodes out of there, BLAZE dragging along the side, boots scraping the concrete - like a stunt-rider SKITCHIN - throwing up burning embers... he forces himself up and onto the seat - guns it - full throttle...
NADYA jumps in the flatbed and fishtails it out of there - *BLAZE is just a comet in the distance.
EXT. THE DARK CITY - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS49 49
MADNESS.
BLAZE is like a rocket through the dark city - screaming, laughing - fighting to hold back the demon inside with every ounce of will - he is burning flesh, then skull - then flesh...
The speed of the bike is incalculable - he rides to the EDGE OF THE CITY and burns to a stop, leaving a smoking, melted trench in the ground - and leaps off the bike...
... staggers forward, looking out into the dark unknown, distant lightning flashing in the clouds - and unleashes a PRIMAL ROAR into the heavens... it echoes through the city and beyond...
BLAZE falls to his knees, trailing smoke - exhausted, drained to the core - but HUMAN...
He’s won... for now.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. NADYA’S FLATBED - NIGHT50 50 *
They are travelling - the road lines come out of the dark.
NADYA drives - BLAZE drifts in and out, feverish. He watches her.
BLAZEHow much longer?
53.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
NADYANot long.
Silence.
BLAZEWhen we get where we’re going - the rider is going to come out. I won’t be able to control it. And when he does, he’ll destroy whoever’s got it coming.
She meets his eyes.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Nadya - this thing, there’s no reason, no conscience - just hunger. In his eyes, you’re no different than Carrigan, than any of them.
NADYAI’m not afraid of that.
BLAZEYou should be..
They drive through the night -
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. QUARRY - NIGHT51 51
The quarry is a floodlit industrial nightmare - a vast raw wound cut into the earth.
Towering above it all - a massive STRIP MINER: a 13,000 ton manned excavator on caterpillar treads, 700 ft long and over 300 ft high. At the end of its extended arm is what looks like a giant saw blade - a spinning excavator head capable of carving out the side of a mountain.
Long conveyor belts sprawl out from it for miles.
A complex of STEEL BUILDINGS is built into a ridge overlooking the STRIP MINER. A convoy of TWO BMW’s followed by a pair of BOX TRUCKS makes its way down the steep drive toward it.
The cars park, cut their engines, and their ten or so occupants step out: soldiers of the Nikasevic Organization: cold, efficient up-and-comers in the Montenegrin Mafia. We see the BOX TRUCKS have CRATES in their cargo.
The PLACE IS CRAWLING with ARMED MERCENARIES.
54.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
TOMA NIKASEVIC, the suited “made man” of the group, approaches GRANNIK - who escorts TOMA inside - along with TWO of his MEN, carrying one of the CRATES.
CARRIGAN is there, along with a half dozen MERCENARIES. He nods to GRANNIK, who returns the nod and disappears into the back.
One of TOMA’S men opens the crate. A particularly kickass-looking SHOULDER LAUNCHER is inside.
TOMAFGM-148 Javelin. Lock on, fire and forget.
He gestures to another of his men, who opens a second case - *high tech warheads, BIG. *
TOMA (CONT’D) *The warhead is thermobaric, American bunker buster. Two stage *detonation - the first: *
He makes a WOOSHING sound and demonstrates with his hands - *
TOMA (CONT’D) *Make super-vacuum, suck the *oxygen out of the god damn air. *The second- *
CARRIGAN *I know what it does. *
CARRIGAN looks them over - puts his face right up to one of *the shiny warheads, intimate. *
CARRIGAN (CONT’D) *(talking to the warhead) *I got plans with you, sexy. *
(looks up at TOMA) *Gimme four of em. And extra *heads. *
TOMA is impressed - that’s a serious order. *
TOMAIs no joke, brother. How many men *you go up against?
CARRIGANOne.
(off TOMA’S look)Trust me. What about bodies? I’m going to need fifty of your best - in Istanbul - in 48 hours. I need *ex-military - trained guns, no street trash.
55.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
TOMAIt’s not a problem. And the package you deliver - you will need escort?
CARRIGANNo. Everyone meets up at ground zero at the time designated by my employer. What I’m delivering needs to be extremely low profile - understand?
TOMAOf course, but - if you don’t mind my asking - what is it that you are delivering?
CARRIGANActually - I do mind.
INT. STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT52 52
A dark storage room... the delivery - DANNY - sitting... *hands zip-tied behind his back, the bandana wrapped around his face, obscuring it.
He doesn’t move; barely seems to breathe - but as we SLOW PUSH in on his masked face we hear the faint, unknowable WHISPERS that move through his unconscious...
Then - from out of the shadows behind him -
NADYADanny.
His head snaps up - she pulls away the bandana - his eyes are glassy, trauma-shocked - she takes his head in her arms and pulls him close to her... NADYA’S eyes are wet with relief; she holds him breathlessly tight... we see the life start to return to his face.
DANNYMom?
NADYA(tears start to flow)
I’m sorry... chava... we’re gonna get out of here...
She forces herself to quit the hug long enough to cut his hands loose - tries to pull him to his feet -
DANNYOw!
(he buckles)I think my ankle is broken.
56.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
NADYA toughens up.
NADYAOK. Lean on me - come on...
The LIGHTS come on. GRANNIK is standing there. He just shakes his head.
NADYA swings at him but GRANNIK catches her fist easily - *twists her arm back and brings her up close to him - *
The BIG MAN has her completely controlled - he grins, takes *a moment to plant a big kiss on her cheek - then tosses her *across the room. *
DANNYMom!!
GRANNIK has an AK strapped over his shoulder - he brings it up - *
GRANNIK(perceptive)
You know I think Ray might be a bit too sweet on you to pull the trigger when the time is right, but me -
(unclips the safety)I’m not the sentimental type.
And then -
THE SOUND: same as the first time they saw the RIDER - like something escaping from HELL... color drains from GRANNIK’S face.
GRANNIK (CONT’D)Uh oh.
He turns back toward NADYA just in time to die - NADYA sends her blade flickering across the room into the SHADOWS where it lodges in GRANNIK’S throat - a perfect throw, clean hit - bloodless. He crumples to his knees, not even able to cough.
CUT TO:
INT./EXT. QUARRY, LOADING AREA - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS53 53
THE CHAINSAW NOISE FROM HELL bounces off the quarry walls - CARRIGAN looks up - grim: he knows what this means - the rest of the men are just confused.
57.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGAN(to TOMA, indicating the *JAVELIN) *
Showtime. *
The men rush out the front of the loading area to see:
The RIDER, on a ridge overlooking the QUARRY, a hundred meters off - he launches off the edge and starts riding toward them.
TOMAWhat is it?
CARRIGANI don’t care.
TOMA’S men thump down cases in the mud - they’ve got a *JAVELIN loaded. CARRIGAN grabs it from them and swings it *up onto his shoulder - powers up and eyeballs the SCOPE: *
In GREEN NIGHTVISION we get a creepy telephoto view of the RIDER’S SKULL... a BLACK MASK OF EVIL inside a white hot CORONA.
The SCOPE registers a LOCK-ON.
CARRIGAN pulls the trigger.
A JAVELIN launch is an awesome thing to see - the warhead is HEAVY - on release it takes a dip down from gravity, then the rocket propulsion takes over, lifts it... the missile does not take a straight line path to the target - it is designed to kill from ABOVE, where tank armor is the most vulnerable...
The RIDER watches the missile veer straight up in the air -
- and then come straight back down, right at him. The RIDER punches it, ripping up gravel - the bike blasts into the air as -
BOOM! The area is engulfed in flame.
The MEN explode into whoops and hollers... then silence - is it over?
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)(pissed off)
Reload it.
A RUMBLE BUILDS... fear spreads through the men -
THE RIDER WALKS OUT OF THE INFERNO, BLACK CHAINS dragging from his skeletal fist.
58.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The closest group of MEN opens fire - the RIDER cocks his head toward them, fires up - and lashes out with the CHAINS, disintegrating them to ash.
The RIDER leaps into the thick of it - preternaturally fast, like a DEMONIC PRAYING MANTIS - he rakes through the air with his hand, a flaming claw - sends MERCENARIES flying, on fire.
A MERC comes right up to him with an UZI - the RIDER turns, ROARING - the MERC UNLOADS A CLIP POINT BLANK INTO HIS FACE - the RIDER just opens his jaws wider, SWALLOWING THE SLUGS -
- BELCHES - the foulest brimstone belch from hell imaginable - and VOMITS MOLTEN FIRE BACK AT THE MERC, OBLITERATING HIM.
The RIDER spins on another MERC - freezing him in his glare... we can almost hear the MERC’S mind SNAP as his grasp of reality slips loose - ANYTHING would be better than to look in those eyes... he puts his .45 to his head and (OFF CAMERA) pulls the trigger. *
CARRIGAN is trying to level a close-range shot at the RIDER *but he can’t get a lock. The RIDER spins, sensing it - and *in a heartbeat - *
Is on him. CARRIGAN staggers back, hits the ground - he *brings up the JAVELIN and slams the trigger button - *
The JAVELIN launches point-blank into the RIDER’S GUT, *lifting him off his feet - the rocket propulsion kicks in *and carries him -
STRAIGHT up... Like a ROMAN CANDLE... then, arcing - *
BACK DOWN. Gravity separates the RIDER from the warhead *just before impact as - *
In ultra SLO-MO we see the DETONATION frozen in time:
- the first stage creates a SUPER-VACUUM - the RIDER’S flames are instantly snuffed out, extinguished... without his superheated shell he seems vulnerable, just raw bones...
- the second stage ignites the air itself in a CONCUSSIVE SHOCKWAVE of fire - FOOOOOMMMM!!!
The RIDER is consumed.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)(pleased)
That hurt him...(to TOMA)
Another thermo, come on!
59.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The RIDER crawls from the impact zone this time - broken, staggered. His flames sputter back on. He GLARES back toward CARRIGAN - threatened - clambers backwards, insect-like - toward...
... the STRIP MINER. He climbs up into the glass walled control pod built into the arm of the excavator.
As the RIDER puts his hands on the controls the vehicle transforms... just like BLAZE’S bike. But instead of a hell-cycle, the RIDER now wields the most badass mode of destruction anyone’s ever seen.
The SAW BLADE HEAD of the strip miner bursts into molten *flames and starts to SPIN.
The men look up in AWE as the massive arm swings around, too fast - rises up -
- and then SLAMS DOWN, chewing into the earth, sending bodies flying - CARRIGAN is blasted off of his feet - the JAVELIN disappears, ripped from his hands.
TOMA picks up the launcher, attempts to ready another shot - *he looks up in time to see the massive blade coming *straight down at him - *
BOOM! *
NADYA and DANNY emerge from the side of the complex - they come around the corner to witness:
The awesome sight of GHOST RIDER laying waste to the entire quarry with the demonic STRIP MINER... the massive arm rises and falls, crushing buildings, vehicles - the claws of the blade like black skeletal fingers.
DANNY stops for a frozen moment - transfixed by the destruction -
NADYACome on!
She yanks him away - half carrying him up the hill, making a run for the far ridge -
CARRIGAN, crawling - burnt up and covered in dust - spots them fleeing - he pulls the DESERT EAGLE from his shoulder holster and gets a bead on NADYA’S BACK - his eyes burning - when:
BLACK CHAIN whips out and grabs his leg. CARRIGAN screams in agony.
The RIDER DRAGS HIM FIFTY FEET through the dirt to where he stands. He grabs CARRIGAN by the wrist - the DESERT EAGLE drops to the dust - and wrenches him up, feet dangling, bringing him face-to-face.
60.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGAN spits at the Rider; it EVAPORATES before it can hit.
CARRIGANGo ahead. Kill me.
CARRIGAN’S skin is sizzling, searing where the RIDER’S hands and CHAINS hold it. He is determined not to give the DEMON the satisfaction of seeing him squirm, but it’s hard when you’re being burned alive.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)What are you waiting for, you eyeless freak - DO IT!!
Finally, Carrigan can no longer take it. He SCREAMS in agony.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)PLEASE...
Just then the RIDER seems to sense something - he looks away - in the direction that NADYA and DANNY fled - growls... the black sockets seem to almost narrow -
He tosses CARRIGAN away like a ragdoll, into the burning wreckage -
CUT TO:
EXT. INDUSTRIAL ROAD - NIGHT, CONTINUOUS54 54
NADYA gets DANNY into the flatbed, starts up and burns out *of there.
She is breathing hard, glistening with sweat from the effort - checking the fireworks show in the rearview mirror, paranoid... DANNY is watching her, eerily calm.
DANNYHe’s coming.
She looks to him, then the mirror - the hell-cycle is behind them, tearing up fast!
She panics - slams on the gas - checks the mirror again -
- and he’s gone? The road behind them is empty... she looks to her left -
THE GHOST RIDER is RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WINDOW. He reaches in, grabs her - and RIPS HER OUT OF THE FLATBED! *
The RIDER skids to a stop, leaving the flatbead to roll *down the road, driverless. He picks up NADYA and looks into her eyes.
61.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
NADYANo...
We know what’s about to happen - he is freezing her in the PENANCE STARE - the ghostly howls of tortured souls begin to drift through the silence... as -
The FLATBED rolls to a stop. The passenger door opens. *
The RIDER’S JAWS begin to open - NADYA’S eyes go wide in horror - when -
DANNYEnough.
DANNY is standing in the middle of the road - perfectly still - a center of gravity. His eyes are locked on the RIDER - he shows no sign of his injured leg - it is seemingly HEALED.
DANNY (CONT’D)Let her go.
There is something underneath DANNY’S little boy voice - something deep, guttural. The RIDER does as he is told - NADYA drops meaninglessly from his grasp. He steps toward the BOY -
- and drops to his knees. The BOY’S power seems to hold him. He doubles over, smoke trailing from his skull - and the fire begins to extinguish - it’s as though an unseen hand is crushing him to the ground - and then it’s done.
Note - shoot BLAZE/GHOST RIDER’S collapse and transformation IN REVERSE - should feel unnatural, not ruled by gravity but by supernatural force.
BLAZE looks down at his hands, HUMAN... then up at DANNY.
BLAZESo... that happened.
NADYA stares at her son in astonishment.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. TRUCKSTOP - MORNING55 55
DANNY sits at a table by himself. A few tables away a FAMILY sits, on vacation. The DAD tousles his son’s hair, affectionate - the KID plays with a PSP, munching snacks - it’s a simple life that DANNY will never know.
BLAZE is heading back to the table - he follows DANNY’S eyes, sees the scene at the other table - heartbreaking. The kid is a means to an end for BLAZE but he can’t help but think of his own dad, of all that he’s lost or never had.
62.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZE sits down across from him, blocking DANNY’S view of the family. He pushes over a plastic basket of food - breaded fish, fries, a COKE -
Then, even surprising himself - tries to tousle DANNY’S hair like the DAD at the other table. DANNY pulls back, looks at BLAZE’S hand - lame.
BLAZE(playing it off)
Bee - thought it was gonna... sting your head. You feeling better?
DANNY nods. Mm hm. He digs into the fries.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Your leg is all healed, huh? Like, all by itself? That’s weird.
DANNY shrugs, slurps the drink.
DANNYWhere’s my mom?
BLAZEGassing up the truck. Hey.
(beat)I know it’s a little - awkward, me rolling with you guys - I mean, after all the stuff you two have been through - don’t think I expect you to just automatically trust me - what I’m saying is-
DANNYDude. You’re way cooler than the guys she usually hangs out with.
BLAZE has to laugh. Based on the ones he’s met, the kid has a point.
BLAZEOK.
NADYA comes up, sits down next to DANNY, hugs him hard.
NADYA(to BLAZE)
What’s next?
BLAZEFrom what I can tell you’ve got good guys after you and bad guys after you. We need to get you to the good guys.
63.
(MORE)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
(to DANNY re: his FRIES)Do you mind?
DANNY shakes his head - go for it. BLAZE takes a fry, dips it in MAYO, Euro-style, munches down.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Not bad... OK, the guy that contacted me said he belonged to some kind of religious order...
NADYAMoreau.
BLAZE(taken aback)
You know him?
NADYAHe tried to help us.
(beat)Maybe I should’ve let him.
BLAZERight. We’re gonna work on our decision-making.
(dips a FRY)Moreau seems to think the danger will pass in a few days - that if we can get Danny someplace safe - a holy place, where his people can protect us - that we can ride it out. That’s where we’re headed.
(crunch - never going back to ketchup)
The important thing is to keep moving. We finish this -
DANNY- and GTHO. *
BLAZEI’ve already contacted Moreau - he’s going to catch up with us on the road.
NADYA(accepting)
Alright.
BLAZEWe need to move fast. The ones hunting us - believe me: they’re not done.
CUT TO:
64.
BLAZE (CONT'D)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
EXT. QUARRY - MORNING56 56
Aftermath.
By the light of day the devastation is stunning. Fire and ambulance teams are beginning to tackle the disaster area. Only the building’s frame remains, but small fires continue to burn throughout the compound.
EXT. QUARRY, RUBBLE PIT - DAY57 57
In a scorched, smoking pit filled with wreckage and rubble lies what’s left of CARRIGAN. He’s not much more than a carcass, mostly covered by a massive block of concrete - burned, crushed - face half-buried in dirt and grey as dishwater.
There is only a glimmer of glassy consciousness in his eyes. He watches the RESCUE CREWS sift through the rubble, WITHOUT SOUND, vision doubling and flaring to white. They don’t see him. Distantly, we are aware of a heartbeat - CARRIGAN’S heartbeat - slowing, slowing... then -
ROARKE (O.S.)You’re not done, Carrigan.
CARRIGAN’S eyes flicker upward. ROARKE is there, standing above him, immaculately dressed in an expensive grey suit. The EMTs do not seem to notice him.
ROARKE (CONT’D)We had an agreement, you and I. You were to bring me Nadya’s son.
CARRIGAN’S lips - impossibly - form words.
CARRIGANThe thing - the... monster... you didn’t warn me...
ROARKEFair enough. I admit, you were overmatched. After all, I made him. Nevertheless, I do expect you to fulfill your obligation.
CARRIGAN(ASSHOLE to the bitter end)
Sorry, jackass... love to help you but... I’m dead...
ROARKE(irritated)
Inconvenient.
ROARKE kneels, TOUCHING A HAND to CARRIGAN’S chest. He closes his eyes.
65.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
ROARKE begins to tremble. Blood vessels burst in his neck, his cheek - a purple bruise starts to form along the side of his face - whatever transfer of energy is occurring is draining ROARKE, maybe almost killing him...
For CARRIGAN it’s agony - not pain, but something worse - a *perversion of his very cells, an atrocity. *
CARRIGAN *No... please don’t... *
CARRIGAN’S charred skin begins to LOSE ITS COLOR... The *BURNS DISAPPEAR as his skin shifts to a GHOSTLY WHITE.
With a burst of violent energy ROARKE takes the edge of the GIANT CONCRETE SLAB that covers CARRIGAN and throws it aside. The effort cripples him.
CARRIGAN is exposed to the light - he recoils - he is literally something you’d find under a rock - clammy, albino - like a potato bug, a poison mushroom - a fungus. His tongue tests the teeth in his mouth - decaying fangs. His eyes are pink, wet, blinking... horrible.
But he’s breathing - alive. He rises to his knees.
CARRIGANWhat the hell did you do to me?
ROARKE steadies himself.
ROARKEGave you a second chance.
ROARKE stands up straight - composed, DOMINANT - although he is clearly destroying the body he inhabits.
ROARKE (CONT’D)You are less than alive now - but also more...
He picks up a smoldering hunk of wood, tosses it to CARRIGAN - who catches it - the wood MOLDS, DECAYS, disintegrates in his hand, falling away to dust.
ROARKE (CONT’D)You see, Carrigan? I’ve given you power. The power of decay... of darkness...
CARRIGAN is stunned - exhilarated - he spots a nearby EMT WORKER and grabs him by the wrist -
The EMT WORKER spins around - looks in CARRIGAN’S face - and is suddenly thrown into DARKNESS. He looks around, confused, TERRIFIED - in the blink of an eye it’s as BLACK AS MIDNIGHT - and he is ALONE in the darkness with the pale white terror in front of him -
66.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
From ROARKE’S point of view - broad daylight - we see CARRIGAN bring the EMT WORKER to his knees - the EMT is speechless, in horror - the darkness CARRIGAN has created is SUBJECTIVE to the victim.
The EMT slumps, decaying, muscles constricting - he starts to clump over with thick, moldy fur, like a peach rotting in timelapse - it’s fascinating. Finally CARRIGAN draws his hands away - it’s over. He spins back at ROARKE, wild eyed - overwhelmed.
ROARKE (CONT’D)That’s right. Happy?
CARRIGAN finds himself smiling - almost laughing.
ROARKE (CONT’D)I thought so.
(looks around at the wreckage)
Looks like you’re going to need more men. It’s less than two days til the solstice - the hour of *prophecy.
He dusts the ash off his suit. CARRIGAN looks around, blinking - and when he looks back ROARKE is right in front of him.
ROARKE (CONT’D)I want that boy, Carrigan. Now you’ve got no excuses.
A NOISE - like a billion insects swarming - builds to a crescendo -
SLAM TO:
EXT. NADYA’S FLATBED - DAY58 58 *
NADYA chews up the open highway. BLAZE and DANNY are riding in the bed, wind whipping their hair. BLAZE is working on his bike. Wrenches, black grease. DANNY is watching him intently.
DANNYHey, Blaze.
BLAZEYeah?
DANNYThe machine - last night. You made it change.
BLAZE shrugs.
67.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZEThat’s how it works. Whatever he rides changes with him.
DANNY thinks for a minute. BLAZE swings around the outside of the flatbed to work on the other side of the bike. *
DANNYWhat if he took a taxi?
BLAZE I... don’t know. Why?
DANNYWhat about a roller coaster?
(BLAZE rolls his eyes)What about a ski lift?
(beat)A camel?
BLAZEDude.
BLAZE swings around, sits next to him.
DANNYWhat if you have to pee when you’re on fire?
BLAZE plays along.
BLAZEIt’s awesome - it’s like a flame thrower -
(pretends to unleash insane destruction with his PEE-THROWER)
FOOOOOOSSSSSHHH!
DANNY busts up -
CUT TO:
The image in DANNY’S HEAD: we are on GHOST RIDER’S back in an undefined dark location - he sprays a fountain of dragon-fire left to right... then turns, looks to CAMERA, terrifying.
CUT back to:
BLAZE is laughing too. They are forming a bond - and maybe the kid is starting to trust him a little. DANNY looks away, gets quiet.
DANNYWhen you change - when you’re him. Does it feel good?
68.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZE sees that they are done joking. DANNY looks up at him.
DANNY (CONT’D)Because it does... when I change.
(looks down)I know I’m not supposed to like it. I know it’s bad to do those things. But it’s like...
(searching for it)It’s like you’re hungry. Like you were always hungry, your whole life, and nothing ever made you full. And then... when you change into the other thing... you finally get to eat.
The words hit BLAZE like a shot to the gut. *
DANNY (CONT’D)Is that what it’s like for you?
BLAZE(somber)
Sometimes.
DANNY looks up at him, pure honesty.
DANNYWhat does it mean? Are we just bad?
BLAZENo.
(he is trying to convince himself as much as DANNY)
This power that we have comes from a dark place - but that’s not who we are. It never will be.
(spinning it)We can use it to do good - to help people. Like I’m helping you and your mom.
DANNYI know why you’re helping us. She told me you want to get rid of it.
BLAZE is stuck for words.
DANNY (CONT’D)I can’t ever do that.
Then -
69.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
They both look up at the sound of a MOTORCYCLE coming up on them - we know that bike - it’s MOREAU’S ‘73 Moto Guzzi! He catches up and pulls alongside.
MOREAUBonjour!
BLAZE smiles. MOREAU waves to them; banks left and pulls along the DRIVER’S SIDE.
MOREAU (CONT’D)Nadya! I hope you are finished shooting at me!
He pulls ahead - waves for her to follow. They veer down the highway, southbound.
DANNY leans over the side of the flatbed, watching MOREAU, *smiling... BLAZE looks at him - DANNY’S just an innocent kid again with the wind in his face. He gets an idea.
BLAZEYou wanna have some fun?
CUT TO:
EXT. OPEN ROAD - DAY59 59
BLAZE roars up around the back of the flatbed on his BIKE - *with DANNY sitting in front of him on the seat! DANNY is beaming, eyes wide - it’s the happiest we’ve seen him.
NADYA looks over from behind the wheel. She can’t help but smile.
NADYABe careful!
DANNYBoring!
NADYA rolls her eyes. BLAZE gives her a wink and accelerates ahead, catching up with MOREAU. They weave around each other, chewing up the highway, a poetry of speed. MOREAU’S scarf is like white flame in the wind.
BLAZEHang on!
He picks up speed - pulls the bike up into a wheelie and holds it! They are riding on one wheel at 100+, smooth as butter. DANNY loves it.
BLAZE drops the front wheel, swerves to the next lane to let NADYA pass - and pops an ENDO - the back wheel comes up and DANNY is looking straight down at the pavement!
70.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The FLATBED zooms by, blowing DANNY’S hair as they glide to *a stop - then - KATHUNK. BLAZE lets the back wheel drop back onto the asphalt
DANNYWoah.
BLAZE is laughing. He punches it, HARD - burning black rubber and kicking up gravel - and they blast off down the highway, catching up to NADYA and MOREAU, chasing the sun.
INT. CARRIGAN’S RIDE - DAY60 60
Meanwhile - CARRIGAN rides the back roads, alone - in an AMBULANCE stolen from the QUARRY. He notices a LUNCH PAIL *on the seat next to him - dumps it out - a sandwich, a small bit of cheese and a TWINKIE.
CARRIGAN reaches for the food... the sandwich ROTS away to nothingness. The cheese SPROUTS mold. The TWINKIE... well, actually nothing at all happens to the TWINKIE.
CARRIGAN shrugs, eats the whole thing in a single messy bite.
He punches a number into a cellphone.
CARRIGANVasil.
VASIL (O.S.)Carrigan - you’re alive.
CARRIGANYeah - kinda-sorta.
(beat)You don’t sound too overjoyed about it.
VASIL (O.S.)I- I...
CARRIGANForget it. Listen: I need more men.
VASIL (O.S.)Ray - it’s not so easy to find people - everyone who works for you ends up dead.
71.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGANDon’t tell me your problems. There’s always men out there with nothing left to lose - the world breeds them like mushrooms - you just find me fifty of them by tomorrow - or maybe the next one that ends up dead is wearing your shoes and socks, you borscht-eating maggot.
VASIL (O.S.)OK, OK...
CARRIGANDon’t piss me off now, VASIL - you thought I was bad before, you have no idea.
He clicks off.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)Alright Danny boy... time for you to come to papa...
CUT TO:
EXT. SANCTUARY - DAY61 61
The SANCTUARY is an ancient thing - hewn into the mountain rock - part ancient city, part monastery, part fortress. The courtyard is unguarded - there are no armed patrols, no surveillance - yet the sense that you are in a place of impenetrable power and protection hangs heavy in the air.
MOREAU, BLAZE, NADYA and DANNY walk humbly through the interior of a valley - strange cliff faces of carved rock loom up on either side - where they are met by:
The ELDER PRIESTS. The men move with ascetic simplicity - their robes are simple, unadorned - not like the ceremonial robes of the MONKS.
One PRIEST - the LEADER - steps forward - he pulls back his hood to reveal a bald head completely covered by tattoos... his flesh is text. Their bodies, books. This is METHODIUS.
MOREAU, uncharacteristically reverent, takes a knee and bows before him without a trace of irony. BLAZE and NADYA share a sidelong glance; she pulls DANNY close to her.
METHODIUS speaks softly to MOREAU in LATIN. MOREAU nods.
MOREAUThank you, father.
72.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
METHODIUS has more to say, then steps back. A half dozen more of the hooded men come forward, surrounding NADYA and DANNY - NADYA bristles. METHODIUS speaks to her in English.
METHODIUSPlease - you mustn’t be afraid. It was God that led you here.
NADYA looks to BLAZE - then MOREAU.
MOREAUI know - a little uptight, but not so bad when you get to know them. Go on - they will take good care of you.
NADYAWhat about you two?
MOREAU looks to BLAZE.
MOREAUWe will join you - but first, there is business to be completed between us.
He walks over to him.
MOREAU (CONT’D)I made you a promise, John.
BLAZE nods - heavy.
DANNYWhy can’t he come with us?
NADYA puts her arm over his shoulder to comfort him - he’s not having it - he pushes away.
DANNY (CONT’D)No.
BLAZE takes a knee, rests his hand on DANNY’S neck and looks at him eye to eye. Not awkward, like in the DINER - but natural, real. It’s the first time we’ve seen BLAZE allow himself to bond with someone on this level.
BLAZEDanny - you’re safe here. We made it. The only thing that can hurt you or your mother now... is me. Do you understand? I need to make sure that will never happen.
DANNY shakes his head - he doesn’t like it. BLAZE makes eye *contact with METHODIUS, then MOREAU - who nods, assuring. *
73.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZE (CONT’D)(to DANNY)
It’ll be alright - I promise.
BLAZE wants a smile from DANNY. He nods toward the PRIESTS. *
BLAZE (CONT’D) *Get a feeling these guys don’t *date much? *
DANNY gives in to a chuckle. BLAZE gives DANNY’S head a *tousle, then stands to join MOREAU. *
BLAZE (CONT’D) *Alright. *
BLAZE looks to NADYA, resolute - nods. The PRIESTS lead her and DANNY away - DANNY turns for a last look at BLAZE, tentative, before he disappears behind the gates.
The PRIESTS follow. METHODIUS is the last to go - with a nod to MOREAU he turns and enters the sanctuary.
BLAZE is uneasy - he realizes he has made a promise to DANNY without full knowledge of who he has entrusted him to.
BLAZE (CONT’D)(to MOREAU)
You sure about this? *
MOREAUCome on.
CUT TO:
INT. CATACOMBS - TIME INDETERMINATE62 62
MOREAU leads BLAZE through an underground maze of CATACOMBS.
MOREAUThe Church in Rome - it is a political organism. Its concerns are war, economies, treaties - they don’t deal with angels and devils - they deal with presidents, prime ministers, bankers, lawyers.
(indicates the SANCTUARY above them)
This is the Church behind the Church... it has persisted across the ages, before Rome, before Christ - these are ancient battles, John; we are only passing soldiers.
74.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZEWhere are we going?
MOREAUMy favorite room...
INT. WINE CELLAR - TIME INDETERMINATE63 63
They enter a massive stone WINE CELLAR. MOREAU picks a bottle off the shelf - blows dust off, reads the label.
MOREAUIf there’s one thing these sons of bitches know it’s wine. This bottle would fetch 50,000 euro at an auction.
BLAZE chuckles, shakes his head. But there’s no escaping the gravity of the moment.
BLAZEMoreau... before we do this.
(he has his attention)What is it? The thing inside me... I have to know.
MOREAU opens the bottle - offers BLAZE the first hit. He declines. MOREAU sits down, takes a draw of the sweet red... sublime.
MOREAUThe truth of what you are is something no man can know. I can tell you what I have been taught, nothing more.
BLAZEFair enough.
MOREAUZarathos was an angel - a Spirit of Justice - sent to protect the world of men. But he was tricked, captured, drawn down into hell - corrupted... driven insane. His mission to protect the innocent was perverted into a lust to punish the guilty... he became a Spirit of Vengeance.
MOREAU takes a long draw on the bottle.
MOREAU (CONT’D)His violence, his wrath - his hunger, know no bounds... a thousand souls could not satisfy it, or a million.
75.
(MORE)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
He is cursed to ride the earth - a shame to Heaven - swallowing up the souls of the wicked and feeding them to Hell.
BLAZE lets this sink in.
BLAZEThe angel - the Spirit of Justice - he’s still alive in there, somewhere?
MOREAU shrugs.
MOREAUCould be. You feel him?
BLAZE seems to search himself - then, finally:
BLAZENo.
MOREAU gets up, claps him on the shoulder.
MOREAUCheer up, my friend - soon you will be a free man.
MOREAU goes quiet. He selects a particularly ancient bottle from the wall - no label.
MOREAU (CONT’D)This bottle is more than 2000 years old. Priceless. I’ve had my eye on it for awhile.
(slips it into the leather pack on his shoulder)
When this is all done - we share it, you and me - eh, my friend?
BLAZEI’m down.
MOREAU looks him in the eye - hard, swallows.
BLAZE (CONT’D)(reading him)
There’s something else.
MOREAUJohn - the thing that Roarke did to you is not easily undone. You risk death, or worse than death.
BLAZE considers this, stoic - determined.
76.
MOREAU (CONT’D)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
MOREAU (CONT’D)I feel that I should offer you your last rites.
BLAZE looks up - didn’t see that coming.
MOREAU (CONT’D)Just in case.
BLAZEOK. Wow.
MOREAU takes BLAZE’S hand and puts it on his cross.
MOREAUFirst, you must to confess to something before you receive the Eucharist. The thing that is the most difficult to confess.
BLAZE stares him down - MOREAU isn’t joking. Finally:
BLAZEMy dad. I didn’t do it for him - I made the deal for me.
(he starts to break)I didn’t want to lose him...
(a tear forms)I couldn’t let him go... I still can’t. It was selfish. He was ready to die, knew it was his time, and I thought I could change that.
(he wipes the tear away, resolute)
I’m sorry.
MOREAU nods, satisfied. BLAZE removes his hand. MOREAU opens his leather pack, takes out a hard chunk of BAGUETTE and breaks it.
MOREAUThis is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
(beat - BLAZE doesn’t know he’s supposed to talk here)
Say you are not worthy to receive him.
BLAZEI’m not.
MOREAUGood enough.
77.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
MOREAU holds up the piece of bread.
MOREAU (CONT’D)The Body of Christ.
John takes it.
BLAZEAmen.
(CRUNCH - the bread is not exactly delicious)
You’ve been carrying this bread around for awhile.
MOREAUMay the Lord protect you and lead you to eternal life... that is, John, if today is indeed your last.
BLAZE nods, accepting it. MOREAU has done all he can.
MOREAU (CONT’D)Ready?
INT. EXORCISM CHAMBER - TIME INDETERMINATE64 64
BLAZE enters a subterranean room - alone. The door closes behind him, reverberating.
The room is simple stone - no adornments - and NO CEILING. Above is pure black - there is no sense of how far up it goes.
BLAZE(calling into the black)
HELLO!(to NO ONE:)
Boy am I lame if the plan was to *lock me up and throw away the key...
BLAZE SLAMS the stone wall with his fist.
BLAZE (CONT’D)HELLO!!
LIGHT.
PURE WHITE LIGHT blasts down from above, replacing the undefined darkness - it staggers him to his knees, overwhelming -
- and with it - voices... an atonal chorus, ascending...
BLAZE screams out, SOUNDLESS - the LIGHT becomes even more intense - he drops to the ground, writhing, burning in agony.
78.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The details of the room have completely dissolved into the WHITE - the space could be a thousand miles, a million. BLAZE flips over, onto his back -
He has TRANSFORMED.
The RIDER writhes, thrashes - the BLACK SKULL working its jaw - it seems to ROAR, but the sound is consumed by the light and the chorus of voices - there is NO FLAME - and then:
HANDS, arms - a hundred of them, not solid, but ghostly shadows - snaking up from beneath the RIDER - holding him down -
He lashes out - thrashing his skull back and forth, straining against the immaterial hands that hold him - and -
VOMITS BLACK CHAIN straight out into the VOID.
The CHAIN seems to stretch out infinitely, disappearing into the white - until -
- it SNAPS TAUT - as if pulled tight by some GREAT, UNSEEN HAND...
Violently, the unseen hand seems to TIGHTEN ON THE CHAINS - as the RIDER screams - and with a brutal strength -
RIPS THE DARK SPIRIT OUT OF HIM.
In an instant, it’s all OVER. The LIGHT is gone - the chorus silent - BLAZE is alone in the room he started in, curled up on the ground - HUMAN.
Motionless, unbreathing - is he dead?? Then -
His eyes SNAP OPEN - a VIOLENT RELEASE OF AIR ejects from his lungs, tiny particulates of dry, black ash flush out to relieve his passageway - the final remnants of a dark past... he convulses, coughing - breath shallow, ragged - bathed in sweat - he’s ALIVE.
He gets to his feet - the feeling in his body is indescribable... for the first time in years the weight has been lifted - he’s clean. His fingertips tingle, every sense alive and new.
The door to the chamber is open.
INT. CATACOMBS - TIME INDETERMINATE65 65
BLAZE moves quickly through the catacombs, back the way he came.
BLAZEMoreau!
79.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
EXT. SANCTUARY - DUSK 66 66
BLAZE emerges into the last light of day.
BLAZEMoreau! It worked - !
Then -
He hears SCREAMS echoing through the sanctuary - NADYA?
He runs toward the sound -
CUT TO:
INT./EXT. SANCTUARY - DUSK 67 67
BLAZE runs into a high-ceilinged room in time to see ROBED PRIESTS dragging MOREAU and NADYA away - she is thrashing and screaming - MOREAU makes desperate eye contact with BLAZE as he struggles to free himself.
Two other priests have DANNY - he is tied up, a hood thrown over his head - he fights against them hopelessly -
METHODIUS is there, with several others - they are making their way toward a massive doorway that opens onto a courtyard.
BLAZEWhat is this? What are you doing?
He is intercepted by more PRIESTS - they seem to be skilled in some subtle MARTIAL ART - they are able to subdue with almost no expense of energy.
METHODIUSWhat will be done. The boy must not ascend to the throne.
MOREAUThe day of the prophecy is tomorrow! We were to hold him here until the danger passes!
METHODIUSThe danger will not pass with the avoidance of one prophecy, Moreau... as long as the boy exists the power will always be inside him.
MOREAU(furious)
You lied to me...!
BLAZEDamn it, Moreau!
80.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZE gets loose, attempts to take out the nearest PRIEST with a wild haymaker - it is easily deflected - they overpower him.
The PRIESTS are carrying DANNY down the corridor, into the open air. NADYA throws herself toward them, meaninglessly.
BLAZE (CONT’D)LET THEM GO!
METHODIUS(calmly)
This child must be destroyed.
NADYANO!!!
METHODIUS clamps a hand gently around her neck - her legs go limp - she is speechless, paralyzed.
METHODIUSYou might’ve protested when the dragon was conceived... now - it is too late.
MOREAUTHAT BOY IS ONE OF GOD’S CHILDREN!
METHODIUSNo. He is not.
NADYA looks to BLAZE, wild eyed. It all comes crashing down on him: he has led DANNY straight to his death.
BLAZEDANNY!!!
METHODIUS(to the PRIESTS holding MOREAU and NADYA - in LATIN, subtitled:)
<Lock them in the catacombs until the thing is done.>
One by one BLAZE, MOREAU and NADYA are dropped to unconsciousness by the PRIESTS using subtle pressure - they are dragged away - as METHODIUS follows the others to -
EXT. SANCTUARY, COURTYARD - SUNSET68 68
- the COURTYARD. DANNY is thrown onto the ground. The PRIESTS surround him on all sides.
METHODIUS approaches - unsheathing a NASTY LOOKING SWORD - golden, ancient. He nods to the PRIEST nearest DANNY.
81.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The PRIEST removes DANNY’S HOOD - the BOY has stopped *struggling. He is cold, calm. This is the OTHER DANNY. He stares up at METHODIUS with dark eyes - and SPEAKS:
DANNY(in LATIN, subtitled)
<You are worms. All of you.>
METHODIUS is unaffected - he wipes the blade clean against his robe and motions to the PRIESTS. They take DANNY and hold his head to a flat hewn stone, neck exposed.
DANNY (CONT’D)(LATIN)
<Your suffering will taste like sweet honey. You will burn forever in the maggot rivers of hell.>
The PRIESTS begin to chant prayers - METHODIUS steps forward - calmly raises the blade... DANNY spits at him - and then:
Everything goes DARK.
The PRIESTS are thrown into confusion - even the calm METHODIUS seems shocked. He looks around, sees nothing but black. Each of the PRIESTS is cast into their own personal darkness - none can see the others -
and then, out of the black - a phantom: CARRIGAN. He takes out one PRIEST, then another - striking without warning from the inky darkness - withering them away -
Finally - only METHODIUS is left - he slashes blindly with his sword - then he turns to find himself face to face with CARRIGAN.
CARRIGANI tried going to church once. Didn’t really take to it.
They grab hold of one another - but CARRIGAN’S power is superior... METHODIUS’ eyes fill with horror as he wastes away.
METHODIUS drops to the ground - in the FADING DAYLIGHT we reveal:
CARRIGAN stands in the middle of the courtyard - a dozen PRIESTS strewn around him - slumped to their knees and covered over with fuzzy moss - like a petrified forest in the twilight.
CARRIGAN looks at DANNY, smiling - a decayed, horrible thing.
82.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)Guess you’re pretty glad to see me.
DANNY just stares at CARRIGAN as behind him - the SUN drops over the horizon, the night gathering impossibly fast...
SLAM TO:
BLACK.69 69
EXT. SANCTUARY, COURTYARD - MORNING70 70
A stone door lies toppled next to a black tunnel leading down into the catacombs.
NADYA and MOREAU are in the courtyard. MOREAU sits on the steps to the SANCTUARY - he’s shattered, betrayed. Humbled.
NADYA crouches over to the decayed remnant that was METHODIUS, her anger tempered by a feeling that somehow this is all her fault.
NADYADid Danny do this?
MOREAUI don’t think so. Something got to them - before they could...
He can’t say it.
NADYABefore they could kill him.
BLAZE emerges from the SANCTUARY.
BLAZENo sign of Danny.
MOREAUWhoever did this wanted him alive.
BLAZEWell I think we all have a pretty good idea who that would be.
NADYA looks from one to the other.
NADYASo now he’s with Roarke.
(bitter)Some protectors you turned out to be. We should’ve stayed on our own.
BLAZE just takes it. What can he say?
83.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZELook. This prophecy...
(to MOREAU)You said whatever was going to happen, it was happening tonight. That means there’s still time. Do you know where Roarke has him?
MOREAU(quiet)
I think so.
BLAZE nods, resolved.
BLAZEAlright then.
NADYA(contemptuous)
Oh, now you want to play hero? Why? You got what you wanted.
BLAZE is silent, weighing her words. Then -
BLAZEYou’re right. I did.
(to MOREAU)Thank you for holding up your end of the bargain - if I can spend the last day of my life as a free man, without a curse from hell hanging over my head - I’ll take that.
(he turns to NADYA)But I promised Danny he’d be safe, and if I walk away now I’m just trading one demon for another.
(beat. He stares them both down)
So let’s go.
CUT TO:
EXT. SEA OF MARMARA - DAY71 71
CARRIGAN blasts down the highway in the commandeered AMBULANCE. DANNY is tied up in back, sitting up - staring *out the rear window - we only see the back of his head. CARRIGAN checks him in the mirror - pleased. He is ALL SMILES since getting ROARKE’S second chance.
He heads through barren, remote territory, down a canyon at the edge of the sea - to...
84.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
EXT. THE TEMPLE - DAY72 72
THE TEMPLE is a thousand years old - maybe more... the untouched ruins of a vast, open amphitheater... it is a center of gravity - the sky seems to bruise where it touches it.
Armed MERCENARIES patrol the perimeter - CARRIGAN cruises past them, down a winding road.
He pulls up front alongside - a dozen black, unmarked vehicles; several military HUMVEES with mounted .50 machine guns... and a tan FORD TAURUS with rental plates.
He is met by ROARKE - backed by a group of MERCENARIES - VASIL is with them; VASIL looks like this the last place on Earth he wants to be.
CARRIGAN hops out, grinning ear to ear, as several men move around to the back of the AMBULANCE. *
CARRIGANWas there ever any doubt?
He moves to clap ROARKE on the back.
ROARKEDon’t touch me.
(beat)Cutting it a little close, aren’t we?
CARRIGANHey - you don’t know what I had to go through to get this little turd... what am I saying, of course you do.
(nods toward the ambulance) *
The clock on the dash says December twenty one, twelve and *forty two... the planets don’t *line up for your little pagan *party til daybreak - so I’d say I’m way ahead of schedule.
The MEN pull DANNY out of the back and lead him toward ROARKE.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)Only thing better would’ve been driving up with his mommy’s skull as a hood ornament...
ROARKE steps past CARRIGAN to meet DANNY - he takes a knee, facing DANNY eye to eye, and looks him over... his eyes glisten; he plays the role of the proud father - like all of his roles - very well.
85.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
ROARKEDanny. Do you know who I am?
DANNY is sullen - silent.
ROARKE (CONT’D)Hm. Well - I’m sure your mother has told you a lot of things about me. And maybe some of them were true - and other things, you’ll have to decide for-
DANNYWhat’s wrong with your face?
ROARKE’S face is half bruised purple, one eye red with busted blood vessels - he looks fucking horrible.
ROARKE stares at DANNY for a long beat - he seems to be fighting the urge to rip the child’s head from his body. Finally:
ROARKEYou’re tired. Driving all night.
He gestures to the MEN.
ROARKE (CONT’D)Take him inside, let him lie down.
(to DANNY)We’ll talk more later.
They lead DANNY away.
CARRIGANI think that went really well.
(beat)What about Blaze?
ROARKEYou won’t have to worry about him any more, Carrigan... he’s gone.
CARRIGANGone. Whatta you mean gone?
ROARKE takes a CIGAR from his coat pocket and pinches off the end with his NAILS.
ROARKE(shrugs, considering)
The Spirit of Vengeance has been cast back to hell - I can sense it.
CARRIGANHow?
86.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
ROARKE considers.
ROARKEIt can only have been done by the priests - the ones that you destroyed.
He cups his hand - using the other to block the wind... a tendril of black smoke curls out, then a controlled tongue of flame that licks the tip of the CIGAR, lighting it. He winces - blood vessels burst in his nose - he takes a long deep draw on the stick.
ROARKE (CONT’D)It would seem we have nothing left to fear.
Pull back to a God’s-eye view of the TEMPLE - and PRE-LAP:
MOREAU (O.S.)The lowest place on earth is thought to be the Dead Sea, but there is another - forgotten by all but the most ancient map makers... Uzak Gökten - the farthest point from heaven.
INT. SANCTUARY - DAY73 73
MOREAU is leading BLAZE and NADYA into a new wing of the SANCTUARY - surprisingly modern.
MOREAUThat’s where the ritual must be performed - according to prophecy, of course.
NADYA(cynical)
Of course.
MOREAU(to BLAZE)
You understand, John - without Zarathos, we will have very little chance against Roarke.
BLAZEAren’t you supposed to have faith?
MOREAUI do - but I think we should also have weapons.
He throws open a door - they enter -
87.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
INT. ARSENAL - DAY, CONTINUOUS74 74
- an ARSENAL. It’s a living encyclopedia of weaponry.
BLAZEGuns, booze - some collectors, these priests.
BLAZE runs his hands across priceless, ancient swords, in AWE - MOREAU goes straight for the MINI-UZIS.
NADYA pulls a CheyTac M200 INTERVENTION SNIPER RIFLE off the wall.
NADYAI’m starting to like you again, Moreau.
She winks at him and then SLAMS the BOLT BACK -
CUT TO:
EXT. THE ROAD - DAY75 75
SPEED.
BLAZE, NADYA and MOREAU burn up highway - on a MISSION. NADYA rides with BLAZE, arms around him - the INTERVENTION cased up, strapped to her shoulder.
They race toward the horizon, sun at their backs - into the gathering dark.
INT. THE TEMPLE - SUNSET76 76
ROARKE sits down in front of DANNY and gives him a smile.
ROARKEYou wanted to know why I look this way.
Behind ROARKE’S imitation of warmth is a meanness that knows no bounds - he’s pure poison.
ROARKE (CONT’D)Think of... a flame thrower.
DANNY can’t help but laugh - the mental image of the GHOST RIDER’S PEE-THROWER is hard to forget.
ROARKE smiles - charming, like a father curious about his child’s secret joke.
ROARKE (CONT’D)Is it funny? Well then... a flame thrower -
(grin)made of paper mache. You see?
88.
(MORE)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
All that power... but try to use it, you burn up. That’s like me, Danny. This body that I’m living in - it’s weak. Human... dying. It was never meant to do the things that I can do. But -
(taps a finger to DANNY’S forehead)
you - you’re only part human. You have all the same power that I have, inside of you - like father, like son - but this
(pinches DANNY’S arm)corporeal form can wield that power without burning itself up.
He strokes DANNY’S hair.
ROARKE (CONT’D)Your mother loves you - so much, Danny. But she can’t protect you. Think of it: she brought you to those priests. If not for me, you’d be dead right now.
He has a point. We can see DANNY’S resolve starting to break down.
ROARKE (CONT’D)When you accept this gift of love that I’ve passed on to you, from father to son - you’ll be a force like the world has never seen - and hold in these hands an unimaginable power. The power to protect your mother - to destroy your enemies. You won’t ever have to run again. And you won’t ever have to be afraid. No. From now on, they’ll all be afraid of you.
DANNY’S eyes spark. It’s irresistible.
ROARKE (CONT’D)Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?
A NURSE enters, flanked by two MERCS - hands ROARKE a folding leather folio - he opens it, removes a SYRINGE and bottle of clear liquid. Fills, taps.
ROARKE (CONT’D)(kind)
To help you relax.
He jabs the syringe into DANNY’S neck - DANNY winces, slumps.
89.
ROARKE (CONT’D)
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
ROARKE (CONT’D)(to the NURSE)
This will keep him sedated til the ceremony.
Outside - the sound of HELICOPTER BLADES.
ROARKE (CONT’D)Look after him. My guests are arriving.
EXT. THE TEMPLE - SUNSET77 77
LIMOS and BLACK SUVS pull up to the temple.
The GUESTS are a multi-cultural group - all elegantly fitted in dark suits and darker dresses. MALE and FEMALE, young and old - they seem to represent a pan-global POLITICAL, FINANCIAL and CULTURAL ELITE.
BLAZE (O.S.)Who are they?
MOREAU (O.S.)Poets, politicians, murderers - *people of influence - the Devil’s *soldiers.
INTERCUT WITH:
EXT. RIDGE - SUNSET, CONTINUOUS78 78
BLAZE, NADYA and MOREAU are standing on a ridge overlooking the TEMPLE. The BIKES are parked behind them.
MOREAUThey’ve come from around the world to witness the anointing of the new king.
NADYADanny...
MOREAUNo.
On BLAZE -
MOREAU (CONT’D)Roarke fathered the boy to be a vessel for his power, a container. The ceremony will transfer his soul, his essence, into the child’s body - when it’s done, there will be no Danny - only Roarke.
90.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
NADYAOh my God...
BLAZE is shaken to the core. *
BLAZE *Damn it - why didn’t you tell us? *
MOREAU calls them out. *
MOREAU *You entered into contract with *Roarke. Both of you. Something I *could never do. I told you what *you needed to know, and nothing *more. *
BLAZE has no choice but to accept this. He looks down at *the temple - bottled rage, simmering. *
BLAZE *This is bad, Moreau. Real bad. *
MOREAU *If Roarke succeeds the Beast will *have a new form, one more powerful than he has ever known -
EXT. THE TEMPLE - SUNSET, CONTINUOUS79 79
The GUESTS are greeted and led inside the AMPHITHEATER.
MOREAU (O.S.)- and a shadow will fall over the world.
VASIL watches them arrive from a distance - he is trying hard not to be noticed. Then - from behind him:
CARRIGANHey, pal.
VASIL almost jumps out of his skin.
VASILCarrigan... you-
CARRIGANI know. I look great. Good to see you too. Listen...
(he runs a finger up VASIL’S arm, creepy)
You did very well for me, rounding up all these guns on such short notice.
VASIL nods nervously - CARRIGAN is a horror to be near.
91.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)But... I have to ask - how did the skull and my ex find me so easy...? You know, at the quarry. Where... you knew I would be.
VASIL shakes his head, sweating bullets. CARRIGAN just smiles, seeing right through him.
CARRIGAN (CONT’D)I had a feeling. It’s kind of insane, what Roarke did to me. I never sleep, but I dream... Like a shark. And I can do so many things, amazing things... but the part that sucks is - I’m... always... hungry.
VASIL is in the DARK - CARRIGAN’S hands are on him, crumbling him to dust as he struggles...
BUILD TO:
EXT. THE TEMPLE - NIGHT80 80
NIGHT. The moon is high and bloody - the sky a diamond-field of stars.
INT. THE TEMPLE - NIGHT81 81
The GUESTS are all seated. The CEREMONY is about to begin. MERCENARIES take positions at the sides of the altar and the rear of the proscenium.
DANNY is led forward - he seems groggy, disoriented - legs rubbery. He falls to his knees.
ROARKE eyeballs him hungrily - his eyes are bright but the body holding them is fading fast, breaking down... the transfer of power cannot happen soon enough.
CUT TO:
EXT. RIDGE - NIGHT82 82
We scan the TEMPLE GROUNDS through a THERMAL SCOPE:
Armed MERCENARIES are visible as PURE WHITE SILHOUETTES against the black. Move from one to another as NADYA picks out their positions.
BLAZE, NADYA and MOREAU are standing on a ridge overlooking the TEMPLE. The BIKES are parked behind them. NADYA has the INTERVENTION assembled and mounted on a TRIPOD - she is kneeling, looking through the scope.
92.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
NADYATwenty five, thirty men. More inside.
MOREAUThe ritual has already begun. Roarke will take the child’s body at dawn, as the sun rises in the East.
BLAZEThe in-between time...
NADYA gets up and walks away from them - she seems overwhelmed. BLAZE goes to her - puts a hand on her shoulder.
BLAZE (CONT’D)You alright?
She turns, eyes wet. NADYA is as tough as they come, but the burden of it is crushing her.
NADYAI’ve made mistakes, Blaze. A lot of them. I’ve lived the wrong way. Hurt people. Stolen, cheated, took whatever I could get. Every dream I ever thought I had a shot at has gone bad.
(she looks away)Danny is the one good thing - the one good thing I ever did. Do you understand?
Heavy. BLAZE processes it.
BLAZEWell - that being the case we’d better make sure he doesn’t turn out to be the Antichrist then, hadn’t we?
INT. THE TEMPLE - NIGHT83 83
A deep bass rumble begins to grow from beneath the TEMPLE - almost mechanical, like the oscillation of mountain-sized tuning forks...
The GUESTS begin to whisper as one, a chant - it is like ROARKE’S whispers to DANNY - beyond language, unknowable.
DANNY swoons on the proscenium - as if blown by invisible winds - his eyes:
SNAP OPEN. No pupils.
93.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
His lips begin to move with the whispering chants, falling in rhythm with them...
EXT. RIDGE - NIGHT84 84
THUP. THUP.
NADYA drops two MERCENARIES with the silenced INTERVENTION. We see their white silhouettes jerk and fall.
She slides back the BOLT, scans the dark - TWO MORE.
THUP. THUP THUP.
They DROP. She finds TWO MORE - is about to pull the trigger when -
Two familiar WHITE SHAPES - BLAZE and MOREAU, come out from behind cover and take them out hand-to-hand.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE TEMPLE - NIGHT85 85
BLAZE and MOREAU take cover behind a row of parked vehicles, two fallen MERCENARIES face down in the dirt nearby. They can hear the sound of the RITUAL growing inside.
MOREAUNot much time.
He reaches into his leather pack, pulls out the 2000 year old bottle. He digs a blade in to extract the cork.
BLAZEWhat’s the plan?
MOREAUYou find a back way in. Get your hands on the boy - and when you do, run and don’t stop.
BLAZEWhat about you?
MOREAU holds the cork to his nose, taking a deep whiff.
MOREAUMe? I’m going in the front.
It sinks in - for MOREAU, this is a suicide mission.
MOREAU (CONT’D)I may not act like a monk, Blaze - but I’ve never lost my faith.
94.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
He takes a swig from the bottle - sloshes it around his palate - closes his eyes... and swallows.
MOREAU (CONT’D)Hm. Not bad.
(belches)And now - we go with God, my friend.
He claps BLAZE on the shoulder - gives him a kiss on each cheek - and SLIPS AWAY.
BLAZE watches him go - steels himself - then takes off in the other direction.
EXT. RIDGE - NIGHT86 86
NADYA hears sounds behind her - something moving in the dark. She spins the THERMAL SCOPE around - in time to catch a glimpse of a dog-shape as it flashes by.
She pans the SCOPE to the left... more dogs - white shapes, circling, stalking her.
She pulls the trigger - a YELP, then whimpering - they scatter.
INT. TEMPLE - NIGHT87 87
BLAZE drops down onto the marble floor - he works his way down, following the rising sound... finally - he creeps around a pillar to reveal:
THE RITUAL, reaching a crescendo. The GUESTS are swaying, chanting as one...
DANNY and ROARKE are both on their knees, enraptured - their backs are to him... it’s happening.
CUT TO:
EXT. TEMPLE - NIGHT88 88
TWO MERCENARIES guard the front entrance - smoking, NERVOUS. This is some weird shit. Then -
MOREAU walks right up, friendly - holding the bottle of wine.
MOREAUBonsoir, mes amis. Drink?
He tosses the bottle to ONE MERC - pulls out a SILENCED MINI-UZI and takes out the second... then turns and SHOOTS THROUGH THE BOTTLE at the first as he fumbles to catch it -
95.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
Red wine splashes the stones.
MOREAU (CONT’D)(shaking his head)
Waste of good wine.
He walks past them, takes a deep breath - kisses the SILVER CROSS around his neck and -
INT. THE TEMPLE - NIGHT89 89
- KICKS IN THE FRONT DOORS.
MOREAU barges straight into the RITUAL, bellowing in LATIN. The GUESTS spin, shocked out of their trance-state. He rips the SILVER CROSS from its chain and holds it up -
- it begins to GLOW, white hot... a REFRACTION of some unseen energy... it is PURE FAITH. The GUESTS shrink back *from it instinctively. *
DANNY’S pupils roll down - he snaps out of it -
- as does ROARKE, simultaneously.
He spins toward DANNY - the boy must be protected at all costs - and sees, for a split second:
BLAZE RUNNING AT HIM FULL SPRINT, arm cocked back -
BOOM - BLAZE connects with a UFC HAYMAKER that practically knocks ROARKE out of his shoes. ROARKE goes down.
BLAZEThat felt good.
He takes a breath to soak in that the he just knocked out the devil - then turns and rushes to DANNY.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Come on, we gotta get out of here.
BUT - as he reaches to grab him he is PULLED BACK BY AN UNSEEN FORCE - quick and violent, a toy held by a child. DANNY’S eyes are cold, detached. *
BLAZE (CONT’D)Danny!
DANNY seems to struggle to recognize him. He looks to ROARKE, half unconscious on the floor - then back to BLAZE... as if torn between two gravitational pulls.
The GUESTS have MOREAU surrounded - he is holding them off, wielding the CROSS as a shield.
96.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
A GUEST rushes at him with preternatural speed - MOREAU whips the glowing cross around, forcing him back - then makes DOUBLE DAMN SURE by giving him a burst in the chest with the MINI-UZI.
BLAZE struggles to break through to DANNY - he puts out his hand but it’s pushed back and twisted - manipulated by invisible force.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Listen to me - all this power - do you think he would just give it away? Just die and let you take over? No. He’s going to erase you, Danny.
DANNY just studies him, giving away nothing - is he even hearing his words?
MOREAU is holding his ground as they break off from the group to come at him one by one - cross, UZI. All the while bellowing in LATIN like a madman. And then -
CARRIGAN drops down behind him.
MOREAU spins, shoves the cross at him - CARRIGAN catches MOREAU’S hand and closes his clammy white fingers over it - grabs the CROSS -
The GLOW is snuffed out - it rusts and corrodes to dust in his fingers...
CARRIGAN has his other hand on MOREAU’S gun, which is rusting and disintegrating - the decay is spreading up MOREAU’S arm, consuming his body... MOREAU looks around, momentarily lost - he is blind, in darkness - and then -
He steels himself - focuses on the horror in front of him... then, DEFIANTLY:
MOREAUI can still see the light.
He almost smiles - and as the decay reaches his face - in a last act of defiance: he HEADBUTTS CARRIGAN, exploding into dust. CARRIGAN swipes at the air, blinded - wipes the dust from his wet, blinking eyes -
BLAZEMoreau...!
As ROARKE pulls himself to his feet, eyes locked on BLAZE -
EXT. RIDGE - NIGHT90 90
NADYA slides back the BOLT - empty.
Uh oh. Growling, mewling in the dark...
97.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
NADYA strikes a FLARE, waves it in the night - animal eyes reflect, orange - feral dogs, coyotes... closing in...
The horizon is turning purple with the first glint of DAWN.
INT. THE TEMPLE - NIGHT91 91
ROARKE swings his arms around - an invisible hand lifts BLAZE away from DANNY and slams him onto the TEMPLE floor - the GUESTS move to surround him. ROARKE staggers; this took a lot out of him.
ROARKEYou have no power, Blaze - You’re nothing... nothing but an insect, like the rest... food for the mills of hell...!
DANNY looks from ROARKE to BLAZE, then back - his brain calculating, working it out.
CARRIGAN tosses MOREAU’S shell aside and pushes through the GUESTS to get at BLAZE. He’s flush, exhilarated.
CARRIGANI love it.
CARRIGAN leaps - lands right behind BLAZE, light as a *butterfly. *
He crouches down and runs his fingertips across BLAZE’S *cheek - tenderly - where he touches, little blooms of grey *mold appear, like whisper traces of decay. CARRIGAN is *going to enjoy this one. *
Then - *
A hush falls over the room - DANNY is walking calmly toward *BLAZE, eyes dark - the GUESTS parting to let him pass, in a sort of religious awe.
ROARKE watches, breathlessly - with something like pride? - as DANNY walks right up to BLAZE. ROARKE makes eye contact *with CARRIGAN, gestures to him - wait. *
DANNY stands over BLAZE, impassively. The same look on his *face as when he watched KURDISH burn. CARRIGAN chuckles. *
CARRIGAN (CONT’D) *Oh, you want to watch? *
(to ROARKE) *Apple doesn’t rot far from the *tree, does it Roarke? *
CARRIGAN takes BLAZE’S head between his two palms and *wrenches it up, pointing BLAZE’S face to DANNY’S. *
98.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZE’S face begins to go grey - we can feel him dying in *front of us, powerless. *
CARRIGAN (CONT’D) *(loving it, wanting the *moment to last) *
Slow... slow... *
BLAZE locks eyes with DANNY - and then - an echo of a talk *they had in what seems like another lifetime:
BLAZEThis is not who you are. It never will be.
DANNY stands over BLAZE - his eyes black and malevolent - then looks up at ROARKE. When he speaks, it is with a child’s voice, simple.
DANNYMy power and yours are the same. That's what you said - right, dad? Like father... like son.
ROARKE'S eyes narrow. DANNY looks back to BLAZE.
DANNY (CONT’D)He turned you into the ghost rider. I guess that means... I can too.
ROARKENO!
In a FLASH, DANNY transforms - DEMONIC - he springs on BLAZE - opens his mouth... WIDE... inhuman -
- AND BREATHS FIRE INTO BLAZE’S FACE, CONSUMING IT COMPLETELY!
BLAZE is rocked back - he flings himself away, holding his burning head in his arms - coiling his strength - and then:
With a PRIMAL ROAR - that SHAKES EVERY FUCKING THEATRE SEAT and the POPCORN GIRL OUTSIDE TOO - the GHOST RIDER unleashes an inferno of MOLTEN BLACK CHAIN, ripping through the GUESTS, leaving them writhing in flames. CARRIGAN is *thrown off into the dark. *
He’s BACK.
DANNY collapses, unconscious...
CUT TO:
EXT. RIDGE - DAYBREAK92 92
NADYA’S flare sputters and dies as -
99.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
BLAZE’S HELL-BIKE BURSTS INTO FLAME and RUMBLES TO LIFE - the circling beasts scatter like cockroaches.
INT. THE TEMPLE - DAYBREAK93 93
The RIDER stands in the center of the amphitheater - he seems confused. This is the first time we have seen him in the daylight - we didn’t even know it was possible. By the looks of it, neither did Zarathos.
Black smoke trails off him. It’s a stunning sight - he looks around, as if in another world - studies his burning hands. Then -
ROARKE grabs DANNY - begins to drag him away as -
CARRIGAN leaps onto the RIDER.
Instantly, the RIDER is thrown into inky darkness - his FLAME is snuffed out! CARRIGAN clings to him, vampire-like, as the rider thrashes to shake him loose.
They roll across the ground, tearing at each other -
CARRIGAN pins him for a moment - fingers digging into the RIDER’S skull - the SOUND of a thousand tiny fissures cracking -
The RIDER claps a skeletal hand over CARRIGAN’S face, searing it - CARRIGAN shrieks, flies off - the RIDER’S flame returns, sputtering...
He waits - coiled... SOUND: CARRIGAN gibbers through the inky black like a bat - then -
SHOOTS chains out into the dark, snaring CARRIGAN - he SWINGS HIM AROUND and releases - sending CARRIGAN flying off into the void...
The darkness evaporates - the RIDER cocks his head, tenses - seems to sense something.
GHOST RIDERRoarke...
EXT. THE TEMPLE - DAWN94 94
ROARKE throws DANNY into the passenger seat of an SUV and tears out.
MERCENARIES are jumping into more vehicles, including the HUMVEES - and peeling out after him.
The RIDER stalks out the front of the TEMPLE as:
The HELL-CYCLE roars in, skidding to a stop behind him, throwing up blackened gravel.
100.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
He climbs on and takes off after ROARKE.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAWN95 95
ROARKE takes a hot turn - DANNY, unconscious in the passenger seat, slumps against the window. ROARKE reaches over - snarling - and violently wrenches the seatbelt shut over DANNY’S chest. He jams the pedal.
There are five vehicles behind ROARKE - a black caravan, burning up highway -
The RIDER roars up behind them, trailing NOXIOUS BLACK SMOKE. He blasts by the rear HUMVEE, heading for ROARKE at the front of the caravan.
A MERC climbs behind the .50 On the rear HUMVEE and starts to unload heavy rounds into the RIDERS back - then -
NADYA comes tearing up behind them on MOREAU’S Moto Guzzi - she is pushing the bike to its limit.
She jumps onto the back of the HUMVEE, letting the BIKE tumble and roll - throws the MERC behind the gun off of the moving humvee - and levels the .50 at the DRIVER, RAMBO- *style. He spots the barrel of the .50 in his rear view - eyes wide - opens the door and BAILS OUT.
NADYA jumps up into the driver’s seat and FLOORS IT.
Another MERC is unloading heavy artillery on the RIDER - the RIDER jumps up onto his gas tank (stunt biker style), coiled like a mantis, then leaps across to a RUSSIAN-MADE GAZ TIGER TRUCK. This thing is a BEAST. He tosses the terrified DRIVER out and takes the wheel -
- the GAZ blackens, bursts into flame...
It’s a HELL-TRUCK.
The RIDER accelerates, swerves - and RAMS THE HUMVEE OFF THE ROAD.
Then -
Climbing up from under NADYA’S HUMVEE like a white cockroach - CARRIGAN. He climbs onto the hood.
For NADYA, everything goes black - she is driving blind - CARRIGAN reaches around, through the DRIVER’S window - when -
CHAINS wrap around him. The RIDER rips CARRIGAN off the hood from fifty feet away and hauls him over to his HELL-RIDE.
The DARKNESS lifts just in time - NADYA swerves to avoid driving off a cliff.
101.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
CARRIGAN crumbles the black chains to charcoal in his hands - he leaps on the RIDER, ripping him from the seat - they fly off of the GAZ -
- into pure BLACK -
- and CRASH onto the top of a trailing LIMO. The RIDER half melts through the HOOD, CARRIGAN clinging to him.
The RIDER PUNCHES CARRIGAN into DAY...
Then CARRIGAN ELBOWS the RIDER back into NIGHT - he has him pinned down - the RIDER’S FLAMES sputter out, extinguished - he is inches from the RIDER’S horrible face.
CARRIGANNever... afraid... of YOU...
He’s not lying. He UNLEASHES everything he’s got on the RIDER, attempting to wither him to ash - AND THEN:
Silence. The RIDER locks eyes with CARRIGAN.
In a heartbeat they are back in DAYLIGHT - the road rushing by, soundless...
CARRIGAN cannot look away - the RIDER ROARS IN HIS FACE, jaws opening wide - the tortured wails of a thousand victims - and CARRIGAN learns how to be afraid... the skin of his face pulls taut, his eyes swim -
He goes limp - the RIDER throws him off - he flies straight under -
- NADYA’S wheels, which CHEW HIM UP AND SPIT HIM OUT.
CARRIGAN’S CARCASS lands on the side of the road and disintegrates, like a time-lapse of a dead animal.
GHOST RIDER(looking back)
Roadkill...
The RIDER lights back up like a struck match. The LIMO is on fire, belching smoke - just then -
The RIDER’S HELL BIKE comes blazing up, passing NADYA - the RIDER leaps from the burning LIMO back onto his bike and accelerates after -
ROARKE.
... who checks his rearview mirror in time to see:
The RIDER’S chains whipping toward him.
The CHAINS grab the FRONT AXLE of ROARKE’S SUV - the RIDER PULLS - and RIPS the AXLE OFF.
102.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
NADYAOh my God - Danny!!
The SUV jackknifes, gets airborne - with the RIDER pacing it, burning alongside - sheers asphalt and starts to BARREL-ROLL.
The SUV slides to a stop - finally - burning and pouring smoke. ROARKE crawls from the wreckage.
The RIDER walks up behind him. Rips him off the ground.
ROARKE is more dead than alive.
ROARKE(barely)
You...
The RIDER ROARS IN HIS FACE with PRIMAL, ANIMAL FURY. ROARKE swallows. He knows his time is up.
ROARKE (CONT’D)Worst deal... I ever made...
The RIDER LASHES ROARKE UP IN BLACK CHAIN and lifts him high into the air - 50 feet up - like a serpent rearing its head to strike - and then:
- with UNTHINKABLE VIOLENCE - brings him down HARD - SMASHING ROARKE DEEP INTO THE EARTH.
There is only a SMOKING HOLE... how far down does it go? Unknown.
Maybe to HELL.
The RIDER ROARS TO the SKY, TRIUMPHANT - belching, coughing up BLACK SMOKE - a dinosaur, a dragon - he is in a MAD RAPTURE OF VIOLENCE.
And then -
There is silence - just the sound of crackling flames - and NADYA, weeping... on her knees.
The RIDER looks to the burning SUV - he walks to it - takes hold of the BUMPER and - with terrible strength - just tosses it aside. He kneels down...
... and lifts DANNY from the wreckage.
He holds him almost tenderly - DANNY’S head resting on his broad shoulder... protected by a cocoon of flame. The RIDER’S flames do not burn the child - it’s HELLFIRE after all.
He walks to NADYA and - gently - hands the lifeless body down to her. She holds it tight.
103.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll
The RIDER drops to her side -
Only now it’s BLAZE. He is laughing, or crying - or both.
BLAZEThe Angel...
She looks in his eyes, devastated - seeing only madness... shakes her head.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Moreau said the Rider was an Angel... that went crazy...
He brings up his hand - it is SKELETAL... but crawling with BLUE-WHITE FLAME. This is different.
BLAZE (CONT’D)I can feel him... the Angel... I can feel him...
He reaches out to touch DANNY’S face - she pulls him away, instinctively - then something in his eyes gives her pause. He touches DANNY’S cheek with burning fingers...
Blue flame crawls across his skin. DANNY’S eyelashes flutter - he blinks.
DANNY’S eyes open - he looks at BLAZE, pupils tiny as pinholes, face bathed in a blue-white glow.
DANNYDid we win?
BLAZE laughs -
BLAZEI’m gonna say yes...
- and now NADYA is laughing too.
BLAZE (CONT’D)Hell yes we did.
We SOAR HIGH above the scorched aftermath of the battle - black smoke trailing into the sky...
SLAM TO BLACK
104.
CONFIDENTIA
L
READER/SENDER N
AME: T
hom
as G
argo
tta \
Eve S
wanne
ll