The Next Scream Writer: Season 1 Objective 3 The Ghost of Christmas Past: Scene name - "Secret Santa" By DaveIsGhost

Supernatural horror movies with a Christmas twist.

Note_To_Self1989@hotmail.com

FADE IN: We open on a full moon high above a city.We hear the sounds of sleigh bells ringing. As we watch the moon we notice that snow is beginning to fall. We zoom in on one of the snow flakes and we follow it down as it makes its descent into the city below . Once the fake reaches the buildings we see that it turns a crimson red... the color of blood.. right before it hits the ground. The camera then pans up and we see a building with the words "STULTS INC." on a sign above the door. We then begin to rise from the ground until we reach the fourth floor of the building. We come to a window with the blinds closed. CUT TO: INT: STULTS INC. - SECONDS LATER We first see a picture of a young boy smiling with a present in his hands. We then zoom out to see the rest of the wall which is covered in awards and pictures of smiling face. The camera then turns and we see that the rest of the office is very plain. We then see SAM JOHNSON (25, handsome, very clean cut)sitting at a desk across the room. His eyes are focused on a computer monitor that sits on his desk. We then hear a knock at the door. Sam looks away from the screen and forces a smile onto his face. SAM Come on in! The sound of Christmas music and laughing comes ringing into the room as the door opens to reveal NATALIE REED (25, red hair, petite, cute). We see a smile spread across Natalies face as she makes her way over to Sams desk. NATALIE Hey! What are you doing in here? SAM Ohh nothing. Just trying to finish up some work before I leave. Natalie walks around the desk and sits on on the corner of it. Sam looks up at Natalie and smiles. NATALIE Why dont you just come enjoy the party. Its Christmas time! No one wants to be alone. A quick flash of pain crosses Sams face but quickly disappears. (CONTINUED)

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SAM I would love to. I just need to get this stuff done. NATALIE Cant it wait? I mean.. its the holidays. Were all your friends! Natalie reaches down and puts her hand on Sams. NATALIE (flirty) Plus.. you deserve a little fun every now and then. Sam tries to keep a straight face but his smile only grows wider. SAM Alright. I could use a drink and some food anyway. We watch as Natalies hand closes around Sams. She then leads Sam out of his office and into a bigger room filled with desks and cubicals. The walls in the room are lined with Christmas decorations and a single Christmas tree sits in the corner of the room. The twinkle of the tree lights illuminate colors of red, green, white and blue on the walls nearest to it. Natalie walks Sam into the center of the room where he is greeted by a group of smiling faces. CUT TO: INT: STULTS INC. - AN HOUR LATER We see Sam standing at a table of food with a Christmas cookie in his hand as he talks to a tall, older man with gray hair. SAM Sometimes I wonder if I will ever live to see The Browns win a Superbowl. MAN Hell... I dont even care if they win. If they even made it into the playoffs then I could die happy!

(CONTINUED)

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A small laugh escapes Sams lips. We watch as his eyes are caught by something near by. Sam laughs again even harder. SAM Hey Jim.. check that out. Jim turns his head and a laugh escapes his lips. We then see what they see.. Natalie dancing drunkenly in a cubical near by with a cup in her hand. SAM Someones had too much eggnog! JIM Who knew that someone so sweet and innocent looking would end up being such a party girl. "Silent Night" begins to play softly through the office when all of a sudden we hear 3 loud knocks on the door. A heavy set woman with slort black hair makes her way over to the door and opens it. WOMAN Merry Christmas! There is no one there. The woman sticks her head into the hallway and looks both ways but there is no one to be seen. Just then she sees the doors of the elevator close shut. A look of confusion crosses her face. WOMAN Hmm. The woman pulls her head back into the room and is about to close the door when she notices something on the ground just outside the door. The package is wrapped and green wrapping paper with red ribbon on all sides which connect on the top of the package. The woman picks up the package and looks at the tag to see "SAMUEL JOHNSON". The woman smiles before turning and making her way across the room to the table of food where sam still stands. WOMAN Looks like weve got a last minute package for you sweety. Sam turns and sees the package. Confusion overcomes Sams face as he reaches out and takes the beautifly decorated box into his hands.

(CONTINUED)

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SAM Thanks Doris. Sam smiles. DORIS No problem honey. Merry Christmas. Doris smiles before turning and walking away. Sam walks over to a near by desk and sits the package down. He then looks at the tag to confirm that it is for him. SAM Hmm... Who could this be from? Sam looks over the package for a few more seconds before carefully untieing the ribbon and removing the paper from the outside. Sam grabs a pair of scissors off of the desk and slices through the tape which held the package shut. He slowly puts his hands on the lid of the box and opens it. Sams face grows even more confused as he looks into the box to see a big, old looking book. Sam reaches in and and grabs the book. He opens the book to the first page to see the title "THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST". Sam shuts his eyes and we watch as images of his past flash quickly. We see livingroom with vintage looking furniture, a Christmas tree with a star on top, and then caution tape in the doorway of the room. Sams eyes well up in tears and he sits down in the chair beside him. He looks back at the book to notice that someone has written a neat looking message under the title of the book. "To whom ever reads this: Tis the season to be merry and bright.. but something will haunt you on this darkest of nights. When the past and present become the same and you find yourself as part of a game. You cant escapse the past which will visit you tonight. So Merry Christmas to all and to all a good fright." Sam dropps the book to the ground and jumps up from his chair. Tears stream quickly down his face. Sam looks around at the other people in the room. SAM Who sent this? WHO SENT THIS!?

Everyone in the room stops and looks over at Sam with concern. Sam looks back down at the box and begins to (CONTINUED)

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franticly dig through the packing peanuts which the book was rested upon. Sam becomes frustrated and turns the box over to dumb out the peanuts when something hits the floor. Sam reached down to pick up a small picture frame which is face down on the floor. As he brings it closer he sees a small tag stuck to the back. "Merry Christmas. Love: Secret Santa." Sam takes a deep breath. We can see the fear on Sams face. Sam slowly turns over the picture. We see his eyes grow wide as he dropps the picture to the floor and backs away from the desk. We zoom in on the picture to see a small boy in a womans arms. They both have wide smiles on their faces. We then cut back to Sams face. We watch as he puts his hand on his forehead. We then see a flash of the woman standing in the livingroom from the last flashback. SAM No... Sam then turns and runs toward his office door. He gets inside and grabs his jacket and briefcase before turning to leave. Just then we see Natalie step into the doorway. She leans against the doorway.. obviously drunk. NATALIE Sam... whats wrong? Where are you going? SAM (frantically) I cant talk right now Nat. I have to go. I have to leave. Sam turns and makes his way over toward the door but Natalie leans against him and puts her hands on his chest. NATALIE (pouty) Please dont leave me Sam. All I want for Christmas is you. Sam stops and looks Natalie in the eyes. He then pushes her hands away lightly. SAM Im sorry... I have to go. Sam makes his way passed Natalie and rushes toward the door. A bunch of his friends and co-workers try to call after him but Sam ignores them and rushes out the door.

6. CUT TO: CITY STREET - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER Sam walks down the street with a cigarette in his hand. SAM (to himself) Its just a joke. A sick fucking joke. Thats all it is. Shes gone Sam. Its been 20 years. Sam takes a drag off of his cigarette before throwing it to the ground. Sam walks over to a stoop near by and sits down on the steps. He then realizes that the sidewalk is abnormally barren for this time of year. There is hardly anyone walking on either side of the street. Sam looks at the street to see there arent many cars either. A look of concern comes across Sams face. SAM Something isnt right.. Sam slowly gets to his feet and looks around him before turning and continuing to make his way down the street. We watch as Sam takes deep breaths as he walks to calm himself. He continues to tell himself that it was just a joke and that everything is okay when he begins to get a feeling like someone is following him. Sam stops and turns around. He looks for any signs of movement but there is no one to be seen. SAM Hello? Sam listens carefully for a response but it never comes. Sam turns and is about to begin walking when he hears whispers coming from an ally near by. Sam listens closely to try and tell what the voice is saying but he cant make it out. SAM Whose there? Just then the laugh of a woman rings out from the ally. Sams eyes well up with tears again as he notices that the voice is a familiar one. SAM This isnt happening! This isnt real! Sam turns to run away from the ally when the voice speaks again.

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WOMAN(O.S.) Samuel.. is that you? Come here... The voice then almost turns into a growl. WOMAN(O.S.) Come here.... Sam puts his hands over his ears and begins to yell back. SAM Your dead! Your not real! Leave me alone! LEAVE ME ALONE! Sam then turns and sprints away from the ally. CUT TO: EXT: SAMS APARTMENT - TEN MINUTES LATER Sam doesnt stop running until he reaches his apartment building. Sam stops and puts his hands on his knees and bends over to try and catch his breath. After a few seconds Sam stands straight up and looks around him. He listens closely for the voice from before but there is nothing. Sam then turns and makes his way into the building. We watch as Sam enters the building and looks over to the front desk but the door man is no where to be seen. We then see him move quickly over to the elevator and press the up button. The doors of the elevator open almost immediately and Sam walks inside and pressed the button that reads "5". Sam stands in silence for a few moments until the elevator makes a ding and the doors open. We see that the hallway is almost completely dark except for some red and green Christmas lights which line the top of the walls. Sam steps out of the elevator and quickly makes his way down the hall. We seem him stop a few seconds later at a door that reads "58 B". Sam quickly slips his key into the door handle to unlock the door before opening and slipping inside. INT: SAMS APARTMENT - SECONDS LATER We watch as Sam turns and quickly locks the dead bolt on his door. He then rests his back on the door and takes a deep breath. The camera turns to show Sams point of view. We see that the apartment is very modern and nice. The walls of the apartment are a subtle tan color with faint designs of red. There are no Christmas decorations in sight.

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We then see Sam walk him to the bathroom. and pulls out a pill the lable which says

in front of the camera and we follow He quickly opens the medicine cabinet bottle. We zoom in on the bottle to see "Take 1 pill when needed for anxiety."

Sam opens the bottle and quickly pops a pill into his mouth. He fills the cut sitting on the sink with water and then swallows the pill before turning and making his way out of the bathroom. Sam walks into the living room and sits down on the couch. He takes a deep breath and rests his head on the back of the couch for a moment. SAM (to himself) Its okay. Its just the time of the year. Everything is okay. Sam then raises his head and his eyes grow wide. We then see what he sees.. there on the table in front of him sits a package almost identical to the one that was delivered to him at work. Sam reaches out and grabs the package. We watch as he then tears into the box like a mad man. Sam turns and now open box upside down. Packing peanuts fall all around his feet and then there is something else... something heavier. Sam looks down to reveal a noose made of rope at his feet. We then see another flashback of the woman from the picutre and a noose. Sam jumps to his feet and tears begin to flow freely down his face. SAM (hysterical) Whose in here!? Who brought this!? Sam jumps up and pulls his phone out of his pocket and dials "911". He listens as a voice picks up on the other end. VOICE(O.S.) 911.. What is your emergency. Sam is about to talk when he realizes that he knows the voice on the other end.. the voice from the ally. Sams mouth drops open. VOICE(O.S.) Samuel.. tell Mommy whats wrong? The voice then turns into a growl.

(CONTINUED)

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VOICE(O.S.) Dont you miss me Samuel? Dont you miss your mother? Sam turns punches the wall next to him. We watch as he wipes the tears from his eyes before speaking. SAM Your dead! I saw you with my own two eyes. VOICE(O.S.) Why didnt you save me Samuel? We then watch as Sam throws his phone at a wall across the room. We then see him run over to the door and unlock the dead bold. He then reaches out, turns the door handle and rushes through the doorway. SAM No... Sam realizes that he is not in the hallway. He is now in his childhood home. The walls are a dim yellow color and they are lined with Christmas decorations. SAM (hysterically) Wake up Sam! WAKE UP! Sam then precedes to slap himself across the face.. but its no use. We now know that this is not a dream. Sam turns and tries to open the door again but when he opens it.. he finds himself walking back into the same home. Sam takes a deep breath and slowly makes his way over to the living room. We first see a huge Christmas tree sitting in the corner of the room with an angel shining brightly on top. We then watch as Sam enters the room completely. He takes a deep breah. SAM You can do this. Confront your past. Sam opens his eyes slowly but winces when he does. The camera then turns and we see what he sees. In the doorway to the kitchen is the woman from the picture hanging lifelessly from a noose by her neck. SAM No.. Mom... Sam closes his eyes again and shakes his head as if to bring him self back to reality. Sam opens his eyes again and lets (CONTINUED)

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out a scream. We then zoom across to the hanging body to notice that the eyes of his mother have opened wide and are staring straight at him. The puples of her eyes are huge and black and the area arond the puple is a blood red color. Sam turns and quickly runs out of the room and back to the door. He tries to pull it open with all his might but its not use. We then head a big bang.. like the sound of something falling. Sam turns and grabs a baseball bat which is propped againt the wall near the front door before slowly making his way back toward the doorway. Sam peeks into the room to notice that the noose is now empty. Sams mouth drops open and he looks around the room for any sign of movement but there is nothing. Just then Sam feels a hand close around his ankle and the bat is pulled from his hand. Sam looks down and begins to scream immediately when he sees his mothers wide eyes staring up at him. Sam turns and tries to pull his foot free from the womans grasp but its no use. We then watch as he turns to try and kick her off.. but she quickly tightens her grip and breaks Sams ankle. Same screams in pain as he falls to the ground. Just then he feels his the grip release from his ankle. Sam closes his eyes and cries in pain and fear. WOMAN Samuel. Why didnt you save me Samuel? Its your fault that I am dead. Sam opens his eyes to see his mother now standing over him. SAM FUCK YOU! You killed yourself! I woke up Christmas morning to find you hanging. MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS TO ME! The woman then reaches down and grabs ahold of Sam. We watch as same screams and she picks him up. She walks him slowly across the room and we notice that a chair has no appeared under the noose. WOMAN Your a bad boy Samuel. You always were. You were the reason I killed myself. I couldnt bare another day with you. SAM Your not my mother! She loved me!

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We then watch as Sam struggles to get away from the woman. She puts stands him up on the chair and puts his neck inside the noose. Sam begins to scream again as he tries to free his neck from the rope binding around it. SAM Fuck you! Just then the woman kicks out the chair from beneath Sam. We watch as Sam gasps for breath and recheas up for any way to free himself from the noose. WOMAN You didnt save me Sam... now I wont save you. Goodnight my boy. The camera then moves to Sams now motionless body. His eyes are now wide, the color of blood. Just then the room flashes back to Sams apartment. Everything looks like it did when he got home that night except for his hanging body in the doorway. We then hear the woman laugh and the camera turns and we see her with a giant smile spread across her face. The sound of the womans laugh quickly turns into a low bellow as we watch the figure transform into a tall black form. The form then loves over to Sam and the screen cuts to black. WOMAN/FORM Goodnight my son. Mommy loves you CUT SCENE: