OZMA OF OZ Written by Jared Battaglia

EXT. RURAL ROAD - NIGHT A full moon lights up an inky sky. ANGLE below -- as a faded ’71 CHEVY PICKUP tears down a curvy road past clusters of decaying windmills, mobile homes and ramshackle flophouses. UP AHEAD: a WATER TOWER overtaken by vines of ivy peers through the trees. The ROUND TANK on top is labeled OZARK TOWNSHIP. The DRIVER takes a hard right, rattling onto gravel then stops and kills the engine at a PRIVATE PROPERTY - NO TRESPASSING sign stuck to a chain-link fence. EXT. EMPTY TRANSIT YARD - CONTINUOUS Wham! The driver-side door SLAMS open -- a FEMALE FIGURE steps out in dark clothing with a poster tube tied to her backpack. She pops her hoodie up, secures a pair of earbuds hidden under her tresses then jumps the fence and darts ahead into the deepening woods, trampling leaves beneath her feet. EXT. WATER TOWER - CONTINUOUS The base is covered in swaths of graffiti and weeds. Our HOODED GIRL gazes at the structure with fearless eyes and moves catlike up its latticed legs onto a fixed ladder. Swift and noiselessly, climbing higher and higher with each move. Before we know it she reaches the top platform and quickly gets to work with cans of spray paint and huge foldable stencil. The camera drifts closer to her peripheral -- reveals THEO TIPTON, 17. A first-rate hellion with a troubled past after growing up in (and out of) foster care. As you can see, Theo is a burgeoning street artist. A daring emerald green streak hangs in the front of her hair. TIME CUT: After finishing, Theo slips off her hoodie and admires her work, stretching out her arms at the vast small town vista before us. We hear a LOUD THUNDER CLAP in the distance. PAN UP to FIND -- the WATER TANK letters now boldly proclaim OZ TOWN entwined in Theo’s unique designs.

2. EXT. RURAL ROAD - NIGHT Next, we REVERSE POV to the CORNFIELDS facing the tower and FOCUS on an approaching POLICE CRUISER. Woop-Woop. SIRENS FLASH. The car stops below the Water Tower. TWO UNIFORMED OFFICERS get out on each side. DANNY GALE aka DG (late-thirties), strait-laced handsome and bull-strong, looks over at DEPUTY JENKINS, 27, and rolls his eyes. A shit- eating grin creeps across the rookie’s face. DG This isn’t good. Jenkins chuckles, cranes his neck up at the WATER TOWER. JENKINS Girl’s got stones. I’ll give her that. DG grabs his bull-horn from the front seat and addresses Theo. Fierce winds howl around her as a funnel of STORM CLOUDS gather above. DG Theo, you’re smarter than this. Either get sneakier or better at not gettin’ caught. DG exhales. Theo stares down at them. She points back at the rechristened tank lettering. THEO You can’t see that and tell me it doesn’t look way cooler now. I did this town a favor. Jenkins makes a sly laugh. DG (under his breath) Don’t encourage her. DG throws his arms up. DG (CONT'D) Theo, let’s go. It’s a school night and this isn’t a negotiation. Theo shrugs. THEO Fine. I was leaving soon anyway. 2.

3. She swings her leg over the rail and starts making her way down the steep ladder. At the midway mark Theo feels a rain drop on her hand. Another pelts from the sky. One after the next. Drip, drop. Drip, drop. She closes her eyes and shakes her head. Sweating bullets. THEO (CONT'D) You’ve got to be kidding me... DG notices and quickly heads towards the ladder. Undeterred, Theo continues climbing down the rungs, halfway to the bottom. DG (calls up) Keep calm, Theo. Take it slow. Theo tilts her head to the side. THEO Great timing, DG. I could’ve waited it out if you two hadn’t shown up. DG Just stay focused. She lowers herself to the next rung. Hands shaking. Right when a RUSH OF WIND blows past Theo’s hair, momentarily blinding her. The force throws her body back. Theo reaches out and furiously grabs onto to the bar. Frightened but doing everything in her power to hold tight. THEO (disbelief) No. This is NOT happening. Theo dangles nearly a hundred feet off the ground through hard pounding rains. Without a second to loose, DG starts climbing up the ladder after her. DG I’m coming up. THEO I’ve got it -- DG -- Just stay where you are. Theo pulls herself forward and kicks her legs out below searching for firm footing. Rainwater lashes from above -- as a BRIGHT FLASH of LIGHTENING STRIKES! 3.

4. REVERSE to swaying CORNFIELDS surrounding the Water Tower. CLOSE ON a WOMAN-IN-WHITE masked by darkness, weaving purposefully through tall rows of corn stalks. Unseen and unknown. She gazes out at Theo and DG on the ladder. Determined with a reflecting glimmer in her eye. BACK ON Theo -- clung against the slick ladder. Frozen in terror. Only halfway to the bottom. Below her, DG begins closing the gap between them. DG (CONT'D) I’m right here. THEO DG, I’m slipping... DG You’re okay. It’s alright. Her voice cracks. THEO (overcome with fear) It’s not. DG Come on, we’re gonna do this together. Theo remains frozen then chances it, resuming her descent. Suddenly Theo’s foot slips and she drops onto the next rung, sliding further down the ladder. Clunk. Clunk. DG (CONT'D) Theo, hang on! All of a sudden, she completely looses grip. Her BODY HURTLES through the air like a wingless angel dropping from the sky. THEO (a dreadful scream) No! She plummets right past DG. Eyes widen with fear. DG Theo! But then in a split-second, something unimaginable happens -- an UNCANNY FORCE interrupts her descent, seemingly pulling them closer. DG throws open his arms just in time and grabs her by the wrist. United, their eyes lock with astonishment. After a beat. He nods his head. 4.

5. DG (CONT'D) You can do it, Theo. I know you can. We’re almost there. Theo concentrates. DG (CONT'D) After me. One. Two. Three. Miraculously, Theo turns her body and reaches out, taking firm hold of the next rung. Together they climb down from the last bars onto safe ground. JENKINS You two alright? Jenkins rushes up to them. DG looks over at her. THEO (BEWILDERED) Think so. DG Let’s not do that again. Theo breathes a SIGH. Beat. They exchange looks of relief and gratitude. THEO Agreed. Have a great rest of your night. Theo starts to go. DG Theo, wait. We’re not finished. DG looks back up at the Water Tower, her designs remain untouched by the rain. THEO (OFF THIS) Water proof. DG Theo, wait -- In an instant, Theo takes off on foot with a flood of adrenaline. DG flips his eyes back at Jenkins. DG (CONT'D) Don’t let her outta your sight. They bolt after her. Theo rushes several feet ahead but TRIPS over a large root protruding from a pile of ruptured concrete. She goes down hard. 5.

6. Then tries to get back up but DG is already behind her. He raises her arm back, whips out a pair of handcuffs and slaps them on her wrists. DG (CONT'D) Time to call it a night. DG and Jenkins stand Theo up and escort her towards the awaiting POLICE CRUISER. She glances back at her Pick-Up truck across the field. THEO I can’t leave my truck. DG Pick it up in the morning. I’m done, Theo. As they get into the car we PULL AWAY and REVERSE to discover the WOMAN-IN-WHITE has vanished from the cornfields. EXT. YELLOW POPLAR LANE - LATER The Police Cruiser’s headlights appear at the end of the block on a dead end tree-lined road. Originally one expansive property, sub-divided years ago into a charming enclave of quaint two-story homes. INT. POLICE CRUISER - MOVING Behind the wheel, DG steers onto the street and checks his rearview mirror, Theo is slumped stone-faced against the backseat window. He feels for her. DG I’m not going to file a report, Theo but this has to be the last time. I can’t keep turning a blind eye. Theo says nothing. DG (CONT'D) A thank you would suffice. Beat. Finally -- THEO Thank you. 6.

7. DG nods and parks the car outside a LARGE BARN up high on a hill overlooking the road, which has been restored into a unique home. A light pops on inside. DG Here we go again... This gets a smile from Theo. DG steps out of the police car and opens the backseat door. Theo leans forward and DG uncuffs her, like ritualized practice. I/E. THE BARN - SAME A Great Room-style space with a kitchen that opens up into an airy living area. Little bit country, little bit shabby chic. There are salvaged antique furnishings, stacks of second hand books, frames on the weathered walls and a funky stained glass bulls-eye window above the entrance. We hear: a KNOCK at the door and follow a VANTAGE SHOT from behind a YOUNG WOMAN walking down the corridor. She answers the door and finds DG standing on the stoop with Theo. He tips his hat. DG Evenin’, Lyric. Reveal -- LYRIC GOOD, 30s, Theo’s longtime case worker and fiercely protective guardian. Strong-willed and intelligent. Wears a sleeveless cable knit sweater over a white skirt. There is a warmness about Lyric but the kind that comes with walls that need breaking down. LYRIC (caught off guard) Danny, what’s goin’ on? DG Well, Theo here, elected to do a little unauthorized redesign on the Water Tower. DG smiles. Lyric cold eyes Theo. LYRIC You said you were going to the library. Theo nods. THEO I did. Libraries close early. 7.

8. She brushes past Lyric, moves inside down the hallway and bounds upstairs. Lyric looks back at DG, it’s clear they’ve been here before. LYRIC I’m sorry. DG shrugs. DG Happens. She’s a handful but she’ll turn it around. One of these days. Lyric nods, not so sure. LYRIC Thanks for taking her home. DG I live across the street. That’s what neighbors do, right? Look out for each other. He smiles. She smiles back. LYRIC You’re a good guy Danny. Means a lot. DG glances over her shoulder. DG Don’t go too hard on her. She’s talented. Hopefully we won’t do this again anytime soon. LYRIC I’ll make sure of it. His portable radio crackles. DG I should get goin’. You have a nice night, Lyric. LYRIC ‘Night. DG turns to go. Lyric closes the door behind her and heads back inside with a smile on her face, which quickly fades -- LYRIC (CONT'D) Theo?! 8.

9. She continues into the hallway. LYRIC (FUMES) (CONT'D) I wanna talk. After a few seconds, Theo appears behind the bannister at the loft-style landing on the second floor. They meet eyes. These two share a sisterly bond but lately that dynamic has been tested. THEO Talk. LYRIC Thought we moved past all this. You could’ve killed yourself up there. THEO I didn’t. LYRIC I’m doing the best I can, Theo. I’m trying really hard here to make this work. THEO You don’t need to Lyric. I’ve always been fine on my own. Theo flips around, disappearing from view. Stung, Lyric takes out her phone and makes a call. A beat on the other end. LYRIC Wherever you are. I need you here. HOLD on Lyric. A glimmer of light flickers in her eye, becomes apparent almost instantaneously that Lyric was the WOMAN-IN-WHITE from our previous scene. EXT. YELLOW POPLAR LANE - SOON AFTER DG follows down a stone foot path and returns to the Police Cruiser. He glances across the street, sees a bedroom light on in his house. He removes his portable from its holder, squeezes the talk button and puts it to his lips. DG This is Gale. I’m clear. 9.

10. OPERATOR (O.S.) Officer we have an anonymous call on a ten fifty-four possible dead body in Crum Woods. He takes a long breath. DG I’m on it. INT. THE BARN - SIMULTANEOUS From the window behind him, Lyric watches DG drive away in the Police Cruiser. She pulls the curtains tight. Then turns and grabs her keys off the console table. E/I. THEO’S BEDROOM - LATER From outside, we FLOAT through a pair of fluttering mandala curtains into an open window at the crow’s nest of the barn. A room within the skeleton of a large cupola. Shelves cluttered with bound books, cool prints and a vintage post-card collection canvases the walls. A shag-carpet lies at the foot of a stilt bed. Theo is on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Headphones on, listening to a dark wave mix. With perplexity, her eyes pop open unable to forget -- EXT. WATER TOWER - AS BEFORE The IMAGES flood back in a SERIES OF QUICK CUTS. High in the air -- Theo slips through thick vines strangling the Water Tower ladder. Next, DG throws open his arms and grabs Theo by the wrist. INT. THEO’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS Theo shoots up in bed. Breathing heavily. Beads of sweat crawl from her pores. The lifelike vision felt much more real than any memory. It’s unlike anything she’s experienced before and the feeling scares her. LIGHTNING DUST’S LOADED GUN shuffles onto her play list and continues under: EXT. RUGGEDO MANSION - ESTABLISHING A Robber Baron-style white columned classical revival surrounded by tall hedges stands on a stately street. 10.

11. INT. RUGGEDO MANSION - GRAND FOYER/SECOND FLOOR Moving boxes stack on the floor beside a choice collection of high-end taxidermy animals positioned in the GRAND FOYER. We TRACK up a winding staircase, stalking down towards a light behind a door at the end of the hallway. INT. RUGGEDO MANSION - MASTER BEDROOM Inside, CLARE RUGGEDO (38), stares out from a terrace with a picture perfect view of RUBY FALLS. Dark hair pulled back tight in an antique hair clip. An elegant and refined woman who seems to have been plucked from another time or another place altogether. Yet she’s very aware of this new setting, attuned to her surroundings like an apex predator. She taps her long manicured fingernails against the wrought iron railing and turns to find her husband RICHARD RUGGEDO (38), a dashingly handsome and well-dressed man in a trim suit with stone-cold eyes. He appears at her side through the breezy curtains. CLARE Welcome to our new home, Richard. He smiles at her. RICHARD I love what you’ve done with the place. Clare looks around. CLARE Oh, this is just the beginning. There’s much more work to be done. She smiles. CLARE (CONT'D) Everything will come together with time, Richard. You’ll see. Richard gives her a knowing glance. He runs his hands down her waist, kisses her neck from behind. Whispers in her ear. RICHARD I think we’re gonna like it here... She gazes off at the PREDAWN SUNRISE. 11.

12. EXT. THE WOODS - SOON AFTER The buzz of cicadas fill the air. DG appears at the edge of a trail head leading through a heavily wooded area. With caution, DG moves forward through an enveloping fog surrounding the dense trees. His eyes scour the area. Ahead, moonlight discloses a lifeless FEMALE BODY undisturbed on a bed of dead leaves. DG (under his breath) My God... DG kneels down on the ground beside the body. Regretful, he takes a long breath and looks her over. Mouth swollen, blood drained from her face. He draws his flashlight closer. Puzzled, he notices a series of dark markings across her face down to the neck. Thick, hardened black spider veins patterned across her skin like a virus. The disturbing lines are pronounced and makes her skin appear to be divided like pieces of horrific patchwork. We PULL OUT and REVERSE to an UNKNOWN POV watching... EXT. THE WOODS - PREDAWN Light creeps through a phalanx of withering trees. The entire surrounding area has been cordoned-off with crime scene tape. Alive in POLICE PERSONNEL and CSI TECHS. A sheet covers the YOUNG WOMAN’S BODY unmoved at the center of the activity. JENKINS Is she anyone you know? JENKINS and DG move away from the circus. They head towards the POLICE CRUISER parked at the edge of the woods. DG Can’t say. I didn’t recognize her. But doubt anyone could after what was done to her. DG is chilled. JENKINS Same markings as our John Doe? DG ‘Fraid so. But let’s keep that information in house. Jenkins nods. 12.

13. JENKINS Of course. EXT. RUBY FALLS, KANSAS - ESTABLISHING RISE OVER a quiet hamlet with a timeless town center. English Tudor-style shops line the avenue on either side leading to a small TRAIN STATION by the tracks. Flowers adorn several light posts dotted up the street near a half-circle of park benches positioned next to a Town Clock. EXT. YELLOW POPLAR LANE - ESTABLISHING We’re FLYING above golden trees hanging over this residential road, a picturesque slice of Americana that would make Rockwell proud. INT. GALE HOME - BATHROOM - NEXT DAY DG splashes water on his face at the sink. He checks dark bags under his eyes in the mirror. Then catches the reflection of his high-school sweetheart and wife EMMA GALE, 38. Make-up free, naturally pretty. If Ruby Falls had a Junior League chapter she’d be president but it doesn’t so Emma is left searching for community action wherever she can get it. EMMA I didn’t hear you come home last night, Danny. She leans against the doorway and eyes him like a slow burning fire. DG Long night. EMMA Let me guess. The Tipton girl, again? DG This early, Em? Man, we’re hittin’ a new level. Least gimme a chance to make coffee first. DG smiles, turns the valve off and wipes his face with a towel. Emma grabs her tooth brush from the holder. 13.

14. EMMA I need your help around here. DG I had a call. We got a lead. Emma looks at him undecidedly in the mirror. EMMA About the investigation? DG Yes. We’ll talk about it later. DG moves towards the door. OFF EMMA -- unsettled. INT. GALE HOME - KITCHEN DG goes downstairs into the kitchen and finds their son ZACK GALE (17) at the stove, digging a spatula into a pan full of scrambled eggs. An athletic kid with shaggy hair. Wears a Filson flannel, thrift jeans. He swings his head over his shoulder and throws a smile DG’s way. ZACK Hey Dad, heard you come in late. Made some breakfast. Get a plate. Know you’ve been working hard. DG shakes his head. DG Never like this. ZACK Glad you’re working on the case. Anyone identify the body they found last week in the woods? DG Not yet. But I don’t want you worrying yourself about it. Zack nods, fair enough. ZACK I mean, I’m not really. But everyone is talking about what Theo did last night to the Water Tower. You can see from all over. 14.

15. DG That girl’s gonna get herself in big trouble one of these days. ZACK I think she’ll be alright. Zack smirks. DG Glad you’re nice to her, Zack. I know how the kids at school can get. She could use a friend like you. ZACK We are friends. Kind of. DG Good. Emma enters the room and glances over at them, clearly odd woman out here. She shoots a look at Zack. He barely acknowledges her as he plates eggs for two. EMMA Zack, home after practice. Okay? ZACK I’ve got study group. EMMA Have it here. I’m serious. A man was killed last week. Zack looks at her funny. ZACK What’s that got to do with me? EMMA Do I have to spell it out? I don’t wanna visit my son in the county morgue. End of discussion. Zack raises his hands defensively. ZACK Fine. He takes his plate, hands the other one off to DG and leaves the kitchen. ZACK (CONT'D) Bye, Dad. Emma throws DG a look. 15.

16. EMMA What’s with his attitude towards me lately? Ever since summer. DG Let it go. That’s just his way of sayin’ he cares. Emma makes a face. They trade smiles. EMMA Oh, really? DG walks over and kisses her on the forehead. DG And this is mine. INT. THE BARN - WORK SHOP Theo flips the lights on. Neat stacks of bike supplies fill walls of metal shelving. A vintage Moto Guzzi Robin Moped re- built from acquired parts hangs upside down on a stand. Theo goes over, checks her gears and turns the barrel adjuster clockwise, adding tension to the cables. Satisfied, Theo spins her front wheel. Until, a FIGURE silhouetted in the cold morning light passes outside and catches her attention through the window. EXT. YELLOW POPLAR LANE - SIMULTANEOUS THEO’S POV: as a YOUNG MAN pulls up to the edge of the street on a rust bucket motorbike. Classic Triumph. Wears a trim brown bomber and boots. He removes his helmet and takes inventory of his surroundings. Handsome with slicked-up Rockabilly hair, little self-satisfied. This is CROW, 20s or at least appears to be. INT. WORK SHOP - INTERCUT Theo does not recognize him. They make eye contact through the glass. He smiles slight, piques her curiosity. She quickly turns away. Bit flushed. He’s a catch. When Theo looks back out the window -- CROW is already gone. EXT. GALE HOME - DRIVEWAY An open-topped MINI-COOPER CONVERTIBLE pulls into the driveway. 16.

17. Inside we FIND -- GINGER GRIFFITHS (17) at the wheel in a gauzy skirt. Wavy curls and a fit body. Popular with a little too much Type-A in her blood. She blows the horn, rolls down the driver side window and sticks her head out. GINGER Zack, let’s go. We’re late. Zack heads out towards the car. ZACK You mean on time. Like when most people arrive at school. GINGER I’m not most people. He walks around to the passenger side, not before seeing Theo push her gas bike onto the street from across the way. Zack smiles and stretches his neck at her. ZACK (TO THEO) Love your work. She thinks a moment, then makes the connection. THEO (GRINS) Thanks. ZACK Want a ride? Ginger watches them. From the corner of her eye, Theo can see Ginger’s reflection in the side mirror. She looks back at Zack and motions at her handle bars. THEO Got my bike. Zack nods. Smiles, cool-guy smooth. ZACK No worries. Catch ya at school I guess. THEO See ya, Zack. Theo takes off on her gas bike. Zack gets in the car and kisses Ginger on the cheek. She shoots him a surly look, shifts into reverse and backs out of the driveway. GINGER What was that? 17.

18. Zack raises an eyebrow. ZACK What was what? She’s my neighbor. GINGER This is our time together, Zack. Ginger looks over at him. He smiles back, charmed. ZACK Whatever you want, baby. She smirks and drives off down the road. INT. THE BARN - LATER PUSH IN as a FIGURE moves deftly into the main corridor. Shades are drawn on the first floor but a crack of light reveals CROW at the center of the large room. He flashes his eyes around, impressed with the set-up. Right when Lyric appears behind him in the shadows. Crow spins around. But it’s too late. Lyric takes him by the throat and kicks his leg out from under him, dropping Crow to the floor. She jams her boot on the nape of his neck and quickly realizes who he is. LYRIC You’ve got a lot of nerve... Lyric lifts her boot and rolls her eyes. Impressed, Crow stands and brushes himself off. CROW Expecting someone else? Crow cracks a smile. Lyric doesn’t. LYRIC How’d you get in? CROW You sent a key. Remember? He dangles a key chain in his hand. LYRIC Didn’t know you’d get here this fast. 18.

19. CROW Then you underestimate me. But we’ve got bigger issues. Lyric shoots him a look. LYRIC What do you know? CROW Two dead bodies and local Ruby Falls police in way over their heads. It’s a start. Lyric manages a smile. LYRIC I’m glad you’re here, Crow. Feels like everything’s been unraveling right before my eyes lately. CROW I’m not gonna let that happen. Besides, the two of us always make a great double play. Crow looks around. CROW (CONT'D) But for now, why don’t you give me the tour? Bout time I got acquainted with the infamous Ruby Falls... OFF LYRIC -- unsure of what she’s signed up for. INT. COUNTY MORGUE - DAY DG and a MEDICAL EXAMINER stand over a toe-tagged JOHN DOE from cold storage laid out on a slab next to the new JANE DOE. Both bodies are riddled with inflamed black spider veins webbing across the skin in haphazard patches. DG Never seen anything like it before. MEDICAL EXAMINER Neither have I. I processed our John Doe last week. He shares the same unusual markings with our Jane. Almost identical. 19.

20. DG watches the Medical Examiner guide a gloved finger over Jane Doe’s neck. MEDICAL EXAMINER (CONT'D) Could be a reaction. Maybe not. But interesting because it seems to resemble a sort of deliberate signature. With the effect looking something like -- He can’t quite find the words. DG Patchwork? DG raises an eyebrow. The Medical Examiner nods. MEDICAL EXAMINER Exactly. DG No one’s come forward yet. It’s like these two just dropped out of nowhere. We’ll need to appeal for the public’s help in identifying them. Not so fast. MEDICAL EXAMINER I have a possible match on a missing person. Student teacher at the high school. Her photos were sent over from the principal. The Medical Examiner removes his rubber gloves and picks up an I-PAD from the table. He flips the case open, clicks on a JPEG file and taps the IMAGE to enlarge it. MEDICAL EXAMINER (CONT'D) Margo Lotte was supposed to be back at work three days ago from a wedding. Never called in. Early twenties, brunette. DG doesn’t need a moment more to know that the YOUNG WOMAN in the photograph is the same person on the table. DG (regretful) Looks like our Jane. 20.

21. EXT. WATER TOWER - LATER Theo rides her gas bike back to where the PICK-UP TRUCK was left. She turns off the ignition, lifts the bike off the ground and slides it onto the long bed of her truck. Theo pauses, hears the faint crackle of leaves nearby. She turns, looks around and gets an uneasy feeling as if someone’s watching her. EXT. THE WOODS - REVERSE ANGLE Not far from her -- a FIGURE moves through the high hedges and makes himself known. This is JACK (17). Boyish face with a shock of orange flame in his hair. A jacket hangs over his skinny shoulders with a checkered button-down shirt on underneath. There’s an earnestness and a slight awkwardness about him. The kind of kid that doesn’t always fare well in small towns. He smiles at Theo and looks up at the Water Tower edifice. JACK I had to see it for myself up close. Jack comes towards her. JACK (CONT'D) Before they take it down. Theo gives him a curious glance. THEO Glad you could make it. With that, Theo heads towards the driver’s side of her PICK- UP. Jack stands in place, not too far away. JACK I’m Jack by the way. Theo glances back, pretends not to care but something about him holds her interest. She gives in. THEO Theo. JACK Nice to meet ya, Theo. He looks around. 21.

22. JACK (CONT'D) Just trying to make new friends, don’t know many people around here. Theo pauses, faces him. THEO I didn’t mean to be a bitch. JACK Didn’t think you were. THEO That was definitely me being a bitch. They trade smiles. JACK Duly noted. She smiles, studies him for a moment and tries to place him but can’t quite figure it out. THEO Have we met before? Jack looks over at her. JACK Would’ve remembered if we had. Besides, I just moved to Ruby Falls. THEO It’s an interesting place. JACK I like what I’ve seen so far. He smiles at her. THEO Give it time. Theo smiles back, goes and gets into her Pick-Up. Jack motions back towards the Water Tower before she shuts the door. JACK Look forward to more. THEO See what I can do. 22.

23. Theo smirks. Jack stands and watches Theo drive off down the bumpy road. She checks her rearview and notices him, cautiously intrigued. The leaves around him start to stir, as if drawn to him. EXT. THE BARN - DRIVEWAY Lyric and Crow exit from the BACK STEPS into a circular motor court towards a weather-worn PLYMOUTH VALIANT sitting in the driveway. Crow eyes the car. CROW Nice ride. Lyric gives him a look. LYRIC What’d you expect me to drive a station wagon? They trade smiles. They get in. He looks at her. CROW You keep me on my toes. Change your look, change your hair. You’re good at chameleon. Lyric puts the keys in the ignition and starts up the car, backing out of the driveway. LYRIC It’s part of the job. EXT. YELLOW POPLAR LANE - CONTINUOUS Lyric drives past an assortment of homes. Crow watches the road, intrigued by the sprawling townscape. CROW How is she? He looks over at her. LYRIC You want to talk about someone that keeps you on your toes it’s Theo. Crow nods. CROW She’ll figure it out eventually. It’s in her blood. 23.

24. LYRIC And I’ll do whatever it takes to delay that for as long as I can. CROW I believe it. Where we headed? LYRIC I wanna search the area where they found Margo. See if we can pick up on anything that the police can’t. CROW You knew her name? LYRIC We met. Let’s just keep things on a need to know basis for now. CROW Alright, we’ll do it your way. INT. HIGH SCHOOL - CAFETERIA - LATER Ginger scrolls on her phone at a circular lunch table which she shares with Zack. GINGER I can’t believe they found another body in the woods. Zack shifts in his chair. ZACK It’s pretty surreal. GINGER But that’s usually how these things go, right? Anyway, they think it’s that student teacher Margo. No one’s heard from her in days. ZACK Yeah? Well, my Mom’s freaking out. GINGER Tell me about it, mine too. Ginger takes her phone. GINGER (CONT'D) I gotta call her back. 24.

25. Zack nods, stares over at Theo as she parts from the lunch line with a tray in her hands. He smiles over at her. She smiles back, then disappears into the crush of students. CLOSE ON -- THEO. Hears whispers in the bg. She can feel her classmates talking about her from all angles. Enough. Theo places her tray down on a table. Has to escape. Anywhere but here. All of a sudden, a piercing pain falls over her. Theo touches her temples, unable to bear the pressure. She backs against the wall and catches herself in a GLASS PARTITION across the room. But it’s not her reflection. The FIGURE appears to be THEO. Dressed in a long emerald gown, staring back at THEO with a forlorn smile. Scared and confused. The THEO that we know looks back in shock. Right as she drops to the floor, struck by a sudden seizure. INSERT -- a FLASH of HYPER-FAST PSYCHOTROPIC SHOTS. Unclear, hazy sepia-toned memories are brought to crystal-clear life. -- Darkness devours miles of BEASTLY FERNS. Bathed in mist, rustling under a FULL MOON. Suddenly, an UNKNOWN POV knifes through the tunnels of foliage before us which carve out onto an open meadow where the broken remains of a road made up of what appears to be YELLOW BRICK scatter into view. -- LIGHTENING cracks above as the sky. The camera traverses several leaps ahead, switching course like a bloodhound as the disturbing cackles of an UNSEEN ASSAILANT stalks closer. -- QUICK POP: a BABY CRIES alone, hidden under the moonlight in a nest of blankets which slowly lifts from the ground, encapsulated in a translucent sphere-like capsule that begins to rise into the air, disappearing from view. Suddenly, the IMAGES are swallowed up by BLACKNESS. ZACK (O.S.) Theo? SNAP BACK to PRESENT. Theo’s body violently twists and turns on the floor. Zack rushes beside her, drops down and attempts to hold Theo still. He claps his eyes ON GINGER. ZACK (CONT'D) Ginger, call 911! Shaken, GINGER gets back on her phone. A handful of STUDENTS and FACULTY rush towards them. Everyone moves around Theo’s body which is now unmoving. Seconds before, THEO lurches awake. Sweating, disoriented. Breathing heavily. 25.

26. Her eyes dart from side-to-side and studies the faces standing over her, struck with confusion. ZACK (CONT'D) Theo, are you okay? Theo nods her head, slowly becoming lucid again. Body flushed with a powerful rush of adrenaline. She looks around. THEO ...I think so. INT. POLICE STATION - SQUAD ROOM Emma rounds the corner and directs her gaze at DG in his office. He sees her coming down the hall. DG stands up from his desk, goes to the door and holds it open for her. DG Em, what’s goin’ on? Emma gives him a hard look. EMMA You tell me. INT. DG’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS DG closes the door behind her and sits down behind his desk. Emma remains standing, fired up. EMMA You found a woman’s body in Crum Woods last night? Yet neglected to share that detail this morning. DG Emma, the investigation is ongoing. Emma shakes her head. EMMA No. Don’t give me that, Danny. This is the town we grew up in. DG Which is why I’m not sounding any alarms. I’m following protocol. We’ll release an official announcement later today. End of story. 26.

27. EMMA Does she have the same markings as the John Doe? DG relents. DG Yes but keep that between us. Until, I figure out more. Then you’ll have what you need for your column. Alright? EMMA Don’t lie to me again, Danny. She turns and goes. EXT. POLICE STATION - ENTRANCE Meanwhile, Emma hurries down the front steps of POLICE HQ. She makes a call. EMMA I’ve got our lead story. I can confirm the other body is Margo Lotte. Student teacher at the high school. (then) Two dead bodies in Crum Woods. No motives. No suspects. Emma continues onto the sidewalk and makes her way into the busy shopping district ahead. EXT. THE WOODS - LATER Lyric and Crow head into the woods together, feet crunching against hard earth. Crow’s attention draws a few feet ahead, sunlight flashes off a silver charm bracelet. He leans down and picks it up off the ground. Eyes the bracelet curiously and runs his fingers along the unusual charms. CROW Looks like the police missed something. Lyric takes the charm bracelet from his hand, gets a feeling. LYRIC It’s hers. 27.

28. Crow looks off at a fissure in a patch of bramble, as if watching past events unfold in his mind. CROW She took it off. Threw it. Didn’t want whoever did this to see those charms. LYRIC She knew they were onto her. Lyric’s phone chirps. She checks the text. LYRIC (CONT'D) Service is horrible out here. Theo’s school called. I need to go. Are you alright on your own? CROW I’ll be fine. I’m going to meet a contact. Lyric eyes him skeptically. LYRIC You shouldn’t have let anyone know you were here. Keep me in the loop about anyone you have access to. CROW Sure thing, boss. I got a room at the motel off the highway, I’ll be working out of. She looks at him. LYRIC Come over for dinner tonight. CROW You learned to cook? I’m impressed. LYRIC Don’t get any ideas. Off Lyric’s wry smile. INT. HIGH SCHOOL - HEALTH CENTER - DAY Theo sits up in a chair and receives a capsule pill from MS. SHOEMAKER, the school nurse on the verge of retirement. 28.

29. MS. SHOEMAKER Take this, hon. Theo dry swallows. Right as Lyric rushes into the room and shoots her eyes at Theo with heightened concern. LYRIC Theo, what happened? Are you alright? MS. SHOEMAKER She had a seizure. Ms. Shoemaker’s eyes fall upon Lyric. There is a moment of hesitation between them. THEO Lyric, you didn’t have to come. I’m fine. LYRIC No. I’m taking you home. Theo stands. THEO I said I’m fine. I’ve had seizures before. More times than I can count. But from the look on Theo’s face, Lyric can tell this one was much different from any others. Lyric backs down and relents. LYRIC Okay, if you wanna stay then I’ll see you after school. Lyric smiles at Ms. Shoemaker. Their eyes meet, a little longer than you’d expect. MS. SHOEMAKER She’s handling it well. Don’t worry yourself too much. LYRIC Thank you, Ms. Shoemaker. Ms. Shoemaker smiles. MS. SHOEMAKER Just doin’ my job. 29.

30. E/I. RUGGEDO MANSION - DAY Clare exits from a LUXURY SUV and heads up the driveway towards the front door. She removes a pair of dark sunglasses and steps into the galleried entrance. The home is elegantly furnished and surrounded by tall vases packed with heliotropes. FRENCH DOORS stand at the end of the hall, leading out to a veranda where STAFF prepare for a fund raising event with circular tables and chairs surrounding a black bottom pool. CLARE Richard? Richard emerges from the activity consuming the outside grounds. RICHARD Yes, Clare? CLARE Is everything in order for tonight? RICHARD All our ducks are lined up. Clare fixes his tie. CLARE Perfect. Clare notices a gift box in his hand. She smiles. CLARE (CONT'D) Richard, what’s that? RICHARD A new acquisition for your collection. Richard opens the velvet box in the palm of his hand and reveals an exquisite EMERALD NECKLACE inside. Amazed, Clare gazes over the stunning piece of jewelry. Clearly, her weakness. CLARE The emerald necklace. Richard, it’s beautiful. How did you find it? RICHARD Doesn’t matter. Now it’s with its rightful owner. 30.

31. Richard moves behind her, pulls her hair back over her shoulders, takes the necklace and drapes it over her neck. She places her fingers to the emeralds, enlivened by it. RICHARD (CONT'D) They’ll come to us, Clare. You’ll see. Then we remove the final pieces from the chess board... Satisfied, Clare smiles. Richard looks towards a cellar door in his sight line. A shadow crosses under it then disappears in a flash. He makes his distaste known. RICHARD (CONT'D) (off this moment) You brought him here? Clare’s expression makes it known that this topic isn’t up for negotiation. CLARE He’s an essential piece of the puzzle, Richard. They have a connection. He’ll lead us to her. He’ll lead us to all of them. Clare moves off and leaves Richard’s side, slinking down the corridor as he watches her go with darkness in his eyes. INT. JUMPING COW - COFFEE SHOP - LATER A cool spot with a series of pews painted in retro colors against the wall like a banquette. Lyric preps behind the counter of this local hang she traded social work to run a few years back. Behind her, THEO ties an apron around her waist. LYRIC You shouldn’t have come in. THEO Can we not? LYRIC Just take down orders. I could use an extra hand. Tyler quit. THEO Again? LYRIC This time for good. 31.

32. A shop bell on the door jingles. Theo glances up from the espresso machine, notices Zack and Ginger glide in with a group of friends. They file onto the pews bordering the wall. Theo avoids eye contact with them. Lyric immediately senses something is off. THEO (under her breath) Great. LYRIC I thought you liked Zack? THEO He’s fine. They were there today when I had my seizure. LYRIC Good someone was. Theo rolls her eyes and checks the supply drawer. THEO We’re low on beans. Lyric flips a look at the SUPPLY ROOM. LYRIC Got a new shipment in this morning. Can you fill it? THEO Fair trade? Lyric nods. LYRIC Fair trade. Theo grabs a key chain from the counter and heads to the Supply Room. Lyric instantly picks up on Theo’s longing to be part of a group. Kills her. She watches Zack flirt with Ginger, wheels turn in her head. GINGER So, is everyone ready for the drive- in re-opening tonight? We need to celebrate. It was our Go Fund Me campaign that put the lights back on. 32.

33. Ginger looks at the group which includes TUGG, a star athlete on the soccer team and his twin sister ANNIE, a pseudo- hipster in Warby Parkers, along with their gay friend OJO, who is experimenting with a Japanese anime look. ZACK Should be fun. Tugg gapes. TUGG But Astro-Zombies? Could they have picked a more antiquated title to play? Ginger pats his knee. GINGER Look at you. Antiquated? Good word, Tugg. TUGG SAT prep. Boo-yah. Tugg fist pounds Zack. Ojo shakes his head. OJO It’s a camp classic! Even though I was lobbying for Splendor in the Grass. Annie rolls her eyes. ANNIE I’m just over nostalgia in general. Retromania fatigue has sucked the marrow out of my enthusiasm. I say futurists -- bring it on. ZACK Okay. But does anyone really go to a drive-in to watch the movie? Ginger smiles, flirtatiously. GINGER He’s got a point. Everyone laughs. Their voices trail off. Lyric watches them. Hesitant at first but then gives into temptation. She closes her eyes a moment and slowly concentrates. Whatever she’s done instantly has an effect ON ZACK. Seconds later when Theo emerges from the back room, he looks over and gives her a concentrated smile. 33.

34. GINGER (CONT'D) We’re studying. Remember? Ginger notices, takes his chin and turns his head back to her. Zack snaps out of it. ZACK Gimme a sec. Ginger sits back and crosses her arms. GINGER This again? ZACK I just want to see how she’s doing. Ginger turns to the group for moral support. Zack rises up from his chair and leaves his friends, heading over to where Theo stands by the register. ZACK (CONT'D) Hey Theo. Theo smiles. ZACK (CONT'D) This place is cool. I love the vibe. You here every day after school? THEO Basically. I was saving up for NYU but I don’t see that happening anymore. Not after last semester chewed me up and spit me out. ZACK You’ve got time. Admission officers love a comeback story and I’m sure you’d fit right in at NYU. Theo gives him a look. THEO What’s that supposed to mean? ZACK I didn’t mean it as a knock. She breaks a smile, leans over the counter towards Zack. 34.

35. THEO I’m kidding. But see my hair? I dyed it to sway NYU in my favor. They eat that individualistic non- conformist stuff up. It’s my ticket to Greenwich Village. Zack laughs. ZACK Then you’ve got it in the bag. They trade smiles. ZACK (CONT'D) Do you wanna come to the drive-in tonight? We did the whole crowd source thing to get it up and running again. THEO I saw that. Sure. Why not? Zack smiles. ZACK Great. I’ll text you details. Lyric watches from nearby and smiles with a hint of satisfaction. INT. LOCAL BAR - DAY An old hole in the wall dragged down by time. The crowd is raw and real. ELTON JOHN’S GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD seeps in from a dim-lit juke box. At the bar DEPUTY JENKINS knocks back a cold one on the house. Just as CROW arrives through the front door. The air is thick with a tense undercurrent of suspicion towards anyone who isn’t local. Regulars eye him up and down suspiciously. JENKINS Who’s that guy? Jenkins looks over at the Bartender. Their eyes drift in Crow’s direction. BARTENDER No clue. But the freaks have been comin’ out of the woodwork lately. 35.

36. JENKINS Well, if you notice anything -- The Bartender nods his head. BARTENDER Gotta be vigilant, Jenks. This is bad for business. I’m already seein’ a downtick in customers. JENKINS We’ve got it under control. Keep an eye on that guy. Lemme know if he gives you any trouble. Jenkins takes his draft over to the pool table and starts racking balls. Crow maneuvers through the bar, instinctively feels the patrons’ uneasiness. HEARS whispers, grumbles and thoughts. The Bartender mean mugs him. BARTENDER (IN HIS HEAD) Fairy. Crow pops an eyebrow. We now learn that Crow can at times hear people’s thoughts. The power can be both a blessing and a curse. He glances over at a well-dressed MAN IN A SUIT at a back table in the corner. The kind of guy that sticks out among the grizzled locals. CLOSE IN on Crow’s dilating eye which turns like black solid marble. The room suddenly stills as if frozen in time. Crow leaves the bar and goes to join him. The Man looks up at Crow from the table and gives him a once over. MAN IN A SUIT Haven’t seen you around before. Crow sits down across from him. CROW I’m new in town. MAN IN A SUIT Well, always nice to see a new face from the other side. Crow rolls his eyes, cuts to the chase. CROW And here’s how this is gonna work. You tell me exactly what you know about the alliance and I let you walk out of here alive. 36.

37. The Man absorbs the blow of candor as best he can. MAN IN A SUIT That kind of talk really isn’t necessary. Tense beat. MAN IN A SUIT (CONT'D) I want a deal before I say another word. Crow puts his hands together on the table. CROW Think you deserve one? MAN IN A SUIT You don’t have a lot of options. The plans are already in motion. There’s very little you can do now to stop them. Crow gives him a hard look. CROW What is it that you want? MAN IN A SUIT Full amnesty. CROW Not gonna happen without a name. MAN IN A SUIT I don’t know their identities. I never did. But my employers would be interested to learn about your presence in Ruby Falls, the legendary Scarecrow. Reduced to a pathetic bounty hunter. Still carrying a flag for your disgraced Emerald City. CROW Don’t threaten me. Crow’s eyes drift to the Man’s wrist and discovers faint traces of a symbol etched on his skin. He grabs his arm and flips it over. TIGHT on a faded tribal tattoo marking on his inner wrist. They share a look. CROW (CONT'D) Mark of the Kalidah. 37.

38. The Kalidah smiles sinisterly. MAN IN A SUIT You never learn. With that, the KALIDAH springs to his feet and takes a sudden bound from the table. Crow lurches up and decks him hard across the face. Hits him in the ribs. BAM! BAM! BAM! The Kalidah flips around and sends a PATRON tumbling into Crow, fleeing out a side door. Crow recovers quick and chases after him into: EXT. BACK ALLEY - CONTINUOUS FOLLOW THEM -- the Kalidah sprints down a coffin-slim alley. Crow breaks out after him with blazing speed. He grabs his jacket lapels and SLAMS him against the brick wall. They trade blows. Left right. Left right. Hit after hit. Ugly, mean and nasty blows. The Kalidah breaks loose, flies up into the air and jumps parkour-style from different angles of red-brick. He knocks Crow down with a vicious kick to the head. Crow instantly bounces back, ducks and PUMMELS his face. Contact! Again and again! The Kalidah goes down hard but unsheathes a twisted blade from his boot and lunges at Crow. Before he can slash with it, Crow hammers his foot down on the Kalidah’s leg and kicks the knife away, reaches his arm up and twists his fingers back, subduing the Kalidah to the ground. Boot to head, grinding face against the alley floor. CROW That wasn’t smart. The Kalidah rips his head out from under Crow’s foot and lurches back against the wall with catlike reflexes. He MORPHS. Nose curls snout-like, beastly fangs sharpen from his canines. Spliced physical traits resembling both human and animal (particularly in his movements). KALIDAH You’re on the wrong side of history, Ozite. LYRIC appears at the other end of the alley, coming towards them in a series of fast teleport-like blinks. CROW He’s a Kalidah. 38.

39. She shoots him a look. LYRIC I can tell. CROW (to the Kalidah) Move again and I’ll break you between the teeth. There’s no way out of this. The Kalidah knows it and becomes incensed. He grits his teeth. KALIDAH You poor misunderstood creatures. You have no idea what fools you are... Crow pushes him up against a dumpster, grips his neck tight and looks over at Lyric. She stares back at the Kalidah. LYRIC Keep him alive. For now. INT. ABANDONED SHED - LATER A sorry-looking tobacco barn, returned to nature with seasons- ago leaves strewn on the floor. Lyric and Crow stand facing the KALIDAH who has morphed back to human form -- his hands & feet bound to a wooden chair. He squints his eyes, aching from a blazing light hung by a wire from the ceiling. KALIDAH There’s no use fighting anymore. It’s time you figured it out. Lyric glares at him. LYRIC This is far from over. KALIDAH They have their emissaries in Ruby Falls just like you. There’s no escaping them. Crow stands in front of him. He studies him. CROW You’re a Kalidah. Your tribe has mostly been our partners, why would you change sides? 39.

40. A long pause. KALIDAH Because there is no resistance. We have no spine. But yet you still fight. The girl cannot stop them. OZ will NEVER be reclaimed from the darkness... CROW Enough! DID. YOU. KILL Margo Lotte and the Quadling? With a roar of rage -- KALIDAH No! I told you -- Lyric walks behind the Kalidah and twists his arm back viciously. He cries out in horror. She knocks the chair onto the dirt Kalidah, scans her eyes over him a floor and stands over the moment. LYRIC (then) I believe him. Crow lifts the chair back upright. KALIDAH Mombi has her underlings here. She creates more every day with the Powder of Life. It’s only a matter of time until they find the girl. CROW They won’t. Crow summons a power within and uses his FURY to violently toss the Kalidah across the room. The WOOD CHAIR shatters into pieces against the wall. The Kalidah comes loose on the floor, looks up at Crow with blood on his teeth and smiles. KALIDAH I’ve seen things that will blow your mind wide apart. You have no idea what’s coming next... Suddenly, his admission triggers a violent eruption inside him, like a ticking time bomb set off. Instantly his body COMBUSTS into an explosion of shadows and rips his body away in a dust whirl. Shocked, Crow flashes his eyes at an equally alarmed Lyric. 40.

41. CROW What the hell was that? LYRIC They set him up. We need to leave. Now. EXT. THE WOODS - NEXT MOMENT Lyric follows Crow out from the TOBACCO BARN, the recent developments have clearly unnerved her. Crow senses it. She keeps moving. LYRIC This has to stop. Theo deserves a chance to create her own path. CROW If we provoke them, they’ll only get closer. Sure that’s a good idea? LYRIC No. I’m not sure of anything anymore. It’s all moving fast. Theo’s pathways are happening more frequently. She’s coming into her own and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. CROW Well, someone’s accessed the Book of Records and deciphered their identities. I’m sure of it. They’ll find more of us. We need to be prepared. The revelation instantly strikes a nerve. LYRIC I am. CROW I think I should stay with you for a little while. An extra pair of eyes and ears around the house can’t hurt. LYRIC That’s not a good idea, Crow. He looks at her. 41.

42. CROW What options do we have? Lyric knows he’s right. INT. GALE HOME - MASTER BEDROOM - LATER DG stands at a full-length mirror, dapper in a navy blazer and blue oxford. Hair slicked back. He looks over at Emma who puts on jewelry at her boudoir. DG This jacket fits funny. Emma takes note. EMMA Fits fine. DG I should’ve tried it on before you bought it. You know I fluctuate. Emma breaks a smile. EMMA You’re not getting out of this, Danny. The event is too important. The Ruggedos are gonna put this town on the map. DG Who wants to be on the map? She smirks. EMMA It’s for a good cause. The funds raised are going to rebuild all those tornado damaged homes outside of Ruby Falls. DG relents. DG I’ll go for you but you know these things aren’t my bag. EMMA I’ll make it up to you. She smiles, suggestive. DG’s eyes perk. 42.

43. DG Then tonight I’m ready to rub elbows with the new elite. Gale- style. INT. RUGGEDO MANSION - FIRST FLOOR With the final touches on the gala preparations in order, Clare moves into a hallway but stops when she realizes the cellar latch is undone. CLARE Jack? Silence. She looks back at the FRENCH DOORS leading outside. JACK appears in the doorway framed by twilight. JACK Yes, mother? Clare exhales, relieved. CLARE Did you leave the house earlier? JACK You asked that I didn’t. She glances at him, knows he’s lying. CLARE But you did, Jack. JACK I’m sorry. I needed to get out. I didn’t go too far. CLARE Jack, you know people here aren’t used to things they don’t understand. I need you to keep a low profile for now. JACK I know. It won’t happen again. Clare nods. CLARE Thank you. He smiles back at her with a hint of fear in his eyes and a bitter resentment that’s begun to rise to the surface. 43.

44. INT. THE BARN - EVENING Lyric and Crow head inside. THEO is doing homework at the kitchen table. She looks up and sees Crow, instantly makes a connection from this morning. LYRIC Theo, I have someone I’d like you to meet. Lyric smiles. LYRIC (CONT'D) This is Crow. My cousin. He’s going to stay with us for a few weeks. Theo stands up from the table with an eyebrow raised. THEO Crow? Is that really what you want me to call you? Crow smiles. CROW Call me whatever you want. Just a nickname. Sorta. Theo shrugs. She looks at him oddly. THEO An enigmatic one. LYRIC (OFF THIS) Crow’s in town for awhile helping him lay the ground a bit of a career change. Crow nods, manages a grin. CROW Yep, it’s gonna be a whole incarnation for me. OFF THEO... intrigued to know more. INT. KITCHEN - LATER Theo, Lyric and Crow sit around together at an island table with a panned casserole and a bowl of salad. Theo studies them, like a puzzle waiting to be solved. 44.

45. THEO I’m still trying to wrap my head around this. He’s your cousin? I thought you were estranged from your whole family. Theo shoots Lyric a look. LYRIC Not everyone. CROW Our family has a bit of a complicated history. THEO Oh? Theo rests her fork on her plate, waits for more. Lyric looks to Crow, smiles. LYRIC One that binds us. CROW Let’s just say I’ve always been able to count on Lyric whenever I’m in a jam -- INSERT: VARIOUS SHOTS of Crow and Lyric in the alley fighting off the Kalidah with a rapid-succession of movements. Then BACK WITH: THEO Interesting. Lyric pours a glass of sweet tea from a pitcher and puts it down in front of Crow, as if to say, “stop talking.” LYRIC I think you two will get along great. With an air of skepticism -- THEO I’m just glad I could finally meet someone from Lyric’s mysterious lineage. She keeps her past very close to the vest. Crow grows a smile. 45.

46. CROW Likewise and I’ve heard a lot about you, Theo. Theo smiles. THEO My reputation usually precedes me. INT. THE BARN - KITCHEN After dinner, Theo helps Lyric load the dish washer. Crow clears off the rest of the kitchen table. Theo glances at her side next to Lyric by the sink. THEO (ON THE SLY) Your cousin is kinda hot. I’m not gonna lie. Lyric gives her a look, “don’t go there.” LYRIC Crow’s staying in the guest room. Try not to bother him. THEO Whatever. Theo grabs a dish towel and dries off her hands. THEO (CONT'D) I need to get ready for tonight. (CALLS OUT) Nice meeting you, Crow. Look forward to picking your brain for revealing new tidbits on Lyric’s backstory. They trade smiles. CROW Have fun. She exits the room. Lyric looks up and locks eyes on Crow. LYRIC If you’re gonna stay here then I need a night off. Follow her. 46.

47. INT. THEO’S BEDROOM - LATER Theo drops her messenger bag on the bed. Her phone chirps. She checks a text from Zack -- 7 p, Tonight. Meet outside w/ your truck :). Theo looks at it, smiles. EXT. YELLOW POPLAR LANE - SOON AFTER A cavalcade of cars, trucks and SUVs crowd the street. Zack and Ginger pull into the line-up in her MINI-COOPER, like the homecoming king and queen. The cars are packed with TEENS. Girls in bikini-tops & daisy dukes. Guys in tanks and denim cut-offs. All making the most of the Indian Summer weather. Meanwhile, DG moves down a footpath path towards the family car in the driveway. He sees Lyric across the street at her mailbox. She looks over at him in his blazer and tie. LYRIC Look at you. You clean up well, DG. He laughs, comes over. DG Hard to believe, huh? LYRIC Wouldn’t say that. DG regards the action on the street. DG Can you believe these kids? LYRIC Definitely never got this wild for me growing up. DG shakes his head. DG Me neither. Where ya from again? LYRIC Out of the country. We moved around a lot. DG Almost like a different world, huh? 47.

48. Lyric smiles, subtle. LYRIC You could say that. He notices Crow exit from a side door and head towards his motorbike. DG takes note. DG (off Crow) House guest? Lyric glances over at Crow. LYRIC Cousin. Helping him get back on his feet. Big plans tonight with Emma? DG rolls his eyes. DG There’s an event at the Ruggedo’s. She’s draggin’ me kickin’ and screamin’ to. Lyric takes pause. LYRIC Ruggedos? I don’t think I know them. DG New family in town. Emma finagled her way onto the guest list. Real showy types. Big contributors to the governor’s campaign. Emma walks outside from the FRONT DOOR, eyes them together and throws a wave towards Lyric. A pensive smile falls over her face. EMMA Hi, Lyric. They exchange polite smiles. LYRIC Hey Emma. Enjoyed your column this week. EMMA Thanks. Despite the unfortunate subject matter. 48.

49. LYRIC Well, we’re in good hands. The police are going to catch whoever’s behind this. She smiles at DG. Emma nods. EMMA Danny, we should go. Emma makes her way towards their car. DG gives Lyric a hopeless smile. DG Lemme know if you notice anything out of sorts. Lyric nods. LYRIC Will do. He turns. OFF LYRIC -- if you only knew. EXT. RUBY FALLS - ESTABLISHING The sun sinks low over RUBY FALLS. Storefronts are closed. Streetlights dim to darkness. We RISE OVER the townscape towards -- EXT. RUGGEDO MANSION - VERANDA Bathed in light on a hilltop. Clare holds court among her guests and glows in a clinging emerald gown. The vast grounds are full of energy, elaborately decorated with uniformed catering staff circling the premises. For a small town, it’s officially gotten real. Emma enters onto the veranda, star struck by the scene. All unfolding before her like a gilded age throwback. DG Pretty impressive digs. DG trails behind her. EMMA Can you believe this place? DG Short answer? Wow. 49.

50. Emma looks at DG, smiles. EMMA See? I just needed to get you out of the house. He scans his eyes around. DG Well, I’m glad they finally opened this place up to the public. EMMA It’s invite only. We’re not exactly general population, Danny. CLARE (O.S.) Emma Gale? They turn to find CLARE in their midst. She eyes them curiously. Emma puts on the best pageant queen smile that she can conjure in a moment’s notice. EMMA Yes that’s me. You must be Clare, great to finally meet you! Clare nods, a grin. CLARE I thought I recognized you from your column photo. Even more beautiful in person. Emma smiles, flushed. EMMA Thank you. Clare draws closer and extends her hand. She regards DG. CLARE And your husband, Daniel is it? DG takes her hand. DG Danny or DG is fine. EMMA Phenomenal dress, Clare. Did you get it in town? 50.

51. Clare glances down at her dress with a hint of “bitch, please.” CLARE It’s Alexander Wang. Emma perks. EMMA I love that designer. DG Clare, everyone’s really excited to have you and your husband here in Ruby Falls. CLARE We do love the town already. With our businesses and philanthropy, my husband and I can really live anywhere in the world but we chose Ruby Falls for a reason. EMMA It’s a great town. CLARE Because of people like you. The Gales smile, touched. CLARE (CONT'D) Please, enjoy the night. I have to do the rounds. But let’s set up a more personal meet and greet. High tea, next week? Emma nods, enthusiastically. EMMA Love to. CLARE Sorry Danny, just the girls. She smiles at DG, picks off a champagne flute from a passing WAITER and makes a flawless exit. DG and Emma trade wide eyes. DG She’s good. 51.

52. EMMA Like I said, they’re gonna change this town in a big way. Mark my words. OFF DG -- not one for change. SWISH PAN to Clare who joins a watchful Richard at a balconied terrace overlooking the veranda. RICHARD Who were they? CLARE The Gales. The name strikes a nerve. RICHARD Gale? As in -- CLARE Now’s not the time, Richard. We have guests to attend to. Residents of Ruby Falls to get to know and weed out one by one... Clare twines her arms around his waist and rejoins the crowd. The quintessential power couple, maneuvering between all corners of local politics, business, culture and from the tone of this exchange something quite sinister... EXT. SKYLINE DRIVE-IN - NIGHT Strobe lights dance with the stars. CAMERA PANS across rows of cars at this RESTORED DRIVE-IN movie theater. A nostalgia- feel with a modern twist of teen lawlessness. Skull-faced ASTRO-ZOMBIES strike blindly at living flesh ON SCREEN. An Afro’d DJ keystrokes on a Macbook, cranking out thumping beats from a make-shift booth. Glow-sticks swing at the air from a writhing crowd of sweaty bodies decked in neon rave glasses and hippie head bands. Meanwhile, Crow is weaving at a distance behind her on foot. She senses him near then realizes he’s following her. THEO What are you doing here? He walks over to her and opens up his arms. CROW I couldn’t pass this up. 52.

53. She looks at him quizzically. THEO Lyric sent you to follow me? CROW I’m not a baby sitter. THEO Then what’s your deal? CROW I don’t have one. Theo shakes her head. THEO You and Lyric are up to something. I’ll find out what. As for me? I don’t need another spy around. Have a nice night, “Crow.” Theo moves off and leaves Crow charmed by her moxie. She walks back towards her PICK-UP truck. Too stirred to notice Ginger’s MINI-COOPER up ahead. LIGHTS from the SCREEN flash against the car windshield. INT. MINI COOPER - SAME Ginger pulls Zack close in the backseat and roughs up his hair. GINGER I love your hair. ZACK And I can’t get enough of you. His back hits the power window switch. The window slides down. They laugh. After a beat. Ginger takes a long breath, looks back at Zack. GINGER Do you have some sort of crush on Theo? Zack sits up. ZACK Way to kill the mood, Ging. GINGER I see the way you look at her. 53.

54. ZACK It’s not like that. You know it isn’t. Ginger gives him a look. GINGER Then what’s it like? Zack exhales. A distressed silence. He thinks about it. ZACK I don’t know. I guess I just feel sorry for her. GINGER Okay. Fair. Remember I’m your main bitch, don’t forget it. Smiles. She flips around, leans back against the door. Zack comes towards her then bangs his head on the roof. He grabs his head and laughs out loud. ZACK Ow! This mini-cooper is killing my game. GINGER I like to make you work for it. Ginger arches her back, takes Zack's face and kisses him. EXT. SKYLINE DRIVE-IN - SIMULTANEOUS We REVERSE to discover THEO in ear shot. She heard what Zack said. Stings. Theo starts walking away feeling the burn. EXT. OLD MILL - ESTABLISHING A Civil War-era structure with rusty machinery still in tact. We FIND Lyric moving sharp-eyed throughout the gutted skeleton of the building. She holds Margo’s charm bracelet in her hand. Her head rolls back as she RECALLS -- EXT. OLD MILL - MONTHS BEFORE In the exact same spot, Lyric swings around and finds a very much alive -- MARGO LOTTE, 20s, a willowy young woman in a bit of a tailspin at the moment. 54.

55. MARGO I don’t know if I’m cut out for this, Lyric. Lyric eyes her compassionately. LYRIC You’re gonna be fine, Margo. MARGO Someone knows about me. I feel like I’m being followed and watched wherever I go. LYRIC Keep it together, Margo. I’ve got your back. PUSH IN ON a silver charm bracelet dangling from her wrist.On closer inspection, we realize that these are no ordinary charms. Each one hangs on the bracelet like a story waiting to be told (a Pumpkinhead, a Scarecrow, a Lion bust, a sphere- like globe, an emerald stone, etc.). EXT. OLD MILL - BACK TO PRESENT Lyric shakes the memory, guilt eats at her soul. Her eyes search around the area and fall upon an over-sized WATER WHEEL rising from the river bend. Triggers a VISION: TWO FIGURES manifest in vapor-like SILHOUETTES struggling at the exact same spot. Before she can see more -- JENKINS (O.S.) What are you doing out here? Alarmed, Lyric turns around and finds Jenkins stepping off a trail that fissures through the trees. LYRIC Just taking an evening jog. Is that illegal? Jenkins shakes his head. JENKINS Nope. But you know our circumstances. You’re not too far from the scene of a crime. Gotta take better precaution, ma’m. RUBY FALLS is a safe town but times like these remind you that ya really never know who your neighbors are, right? 55.

56. He looks at her. Lyric nods in agreement. LYRIC Suppose everyone has some skeletons they’re keeping from the world. She starts to go. JENKINS Get home safe. EXT. THE WOODS - SIMULTANEOUS Nearby, footprints APPEAR on a dirt path. Then disappear. A FORM darts in and out from the tangled trees. Leaves gather off the ground in the air, where an outline of a FACE and BODY comes into view. Right before, sinking completely out of shot. Just when a collocation of branches, twigs and leaves whirl to form a FIGURE. Sinews taking shape into flesh before our eyes. INT. RUGGEDO MANSION - SOON AFTER The GALA is over. Clare walks down the marble steps leading to the black bottom pool. CLARE Richard, together, we can find her. People will come to us. Open their homes to us. RICHARD And as for her protectors? Richard stares at her from the last step, intoxicated by her beauty. CLARE We’re watching them just as they watch us. Wherever she is, the LANDS OF OZ will always consider her their true leader. That we can’t tolerate. RICHARD And we won’t. He takes her face in his hands and kisses her. Everything is not what it seems at RUGGEDO MANSION. 56.

57. EXT. RUBY FALLS - NIGHT GRAY CLOUDS fade to blackness. We WIDEN to REVEAL a funnel of winds on the horizon. INT. THE BARN - NIGHT Lyric shuts the front door behind her. She finds CROW at the center of the room, waiting for her. Lyric moves towards him, visibly exhausted. LYRIC ...I’ve been on my own for so long, swimming in the unknown. It’s like a shot of oxygen having you back here. He puts his hand on her shoulder. CROW You never were alone, Lyric. You’re not the only one. People in this town, whether they know it or not were put here to protect her. They’ve always been among you. LYRIC You have to know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. He smiles assuredly at her. CROW You’ll always be her greatest protector, Lyric. You are the daughter of Glinda and the Wizard. At this time, we discover THEO listening from upstairs, moving elusively at the balconied second floor. Her heart beats fast. Crow glances back at Lyric. CROW (CONT'D) Theo is more powerful than you know. But she needs us, like we need her... INT. GALE HOME - MASTER BEDROOM DG hangs his navy blazer on a hanger. Emma pulls down the comforter from the bed and smiles lovingly at him. 57.

58. CROW (O.S.) Ruby Falls is our safe haven, it always has been. EXT. THE WOODS - AS BEFORE NOW the FIGURE stands at a clearing. The face is unmistakably JACK PUMPKINHEAD. His body is stronger and sturdier. He gazes out at the WATER TOWER, still reads OZ TOWN. Determined as an emerald glimmer flashes in his eye. CROW (O.S.) But they can never know that OZ isn’t a story. That it’s a real place with real people, woven into the heritage of this town. INT. THE BARN - AS BEFORE Crow stares deeply into Lyric’s eyes, not wanting her to come undone. CROW And Theo will come to know this because accepting the impossible is the key to her survival. She’s the last of the royal bloodline. The one person who can restore the Lands of OZ. That’s why we do this, Lyric. Because Theo is OZMA. She’s the one... OZMA OF OZ. Off THEO -- astonishment washes over her face as her world comes undone with this stunning revelation as Maybe It’s A Fantasy by Johnny Goth seeps in. EXT. RUBY FALS - WIDE SHOT Right as a STORM WARNING siren SHRIEKS around town. We PUSH OUT and SHOOT UP into the SKY as a mystery deepens and an uncertain future looms for all residents of RUBY FALLS. TO BE CONTINUED... 58.