Writer's Block

FADE IN: EXT. RURAL NEW YORK TRUCK STOP - NIGHT 

It's a cool summer night. Cloudy, but the moon remains perfectly visible. A truck driver and his 10-year-old son pull into a gas pump. 

JADEN 

Dad, I'm hungry. TRUCK DRIVER Here's 20 bucks. I want some beef jerky and tea. 

JADEN 

Thanks.

Jaden gets about halfway to the convenience store before his dad calls out to him.

Jaden gets about halfway to the convenience store before his dad calls out to him. 

TRUCK DRIVER 

(Yells) 

Jaden, unsweet! 

Jaden stops for a moment to process, and then makes his way inside. His father puts a pinch of dip in his lip while he waits for the truck to finish filling up.

TRUCK DRIVER (CONT'D) 

(To himself) 

That boy better not forget my jerky.

A moment passes before the truck driver hears something hit the opposite side of his truck, followed by the sound of shattered glass. 

TRUCK DRIVER (CONT'D) 

What the? 

He walks around to investigate, and notices his right-side mirror broken, with fragments covering ground beneath it. 

TRUCK DRIVER (CONT'D) 

Damn kids.

He picks one up, catching the reflection of a figure behind him. The truck driver starts to turn around. 

TRUCK DRIVER (CONT'D) 

Did you do this?

Before he can completely turn around, the truck driver is sprayed by a stream of gasoline, loses his balance, and falls to the ground.

Drenched in gasoline, he gets up and turns around to see the figure light a match. His eyes widen as he watches the match fall from from the fingers of the figure to the ground. In an instant, the ground ignites and so does the truck driver. 

INT. THE HOME OF RON EVANS - DAY 

Ron pours himself a cup of coffee. The news is on in the background, detailing the events at the truck stop. He pays little attention to it and sits down at his desk, opening his laptop. After taking a sip of coffee, Ron catches a glimpse of a news heading that reads "Truck Driver Dies in Freak Gasoline Accident".

RON (Mutters) 

Jesus. 

Ron opens up a document with the title "Screams of Death" and begins to type. He completes a sentence then, out of frustration, he violently taps the backspace on his keyboard until the sentence disappears.

RON (CONT'D) Ugh!

Ron's phone rings. He answers it. 

RON (CONT'D) 

Hey, Matt. 

MATT 

(Excited) 

Ronny! How's the book coming along my man? 

RON 

Uh fine. It's fine, I um...

MATT 

Listen man, some reporters have been talking to me. People want to know more about the book. I know you don't get out all that often, but I thought maybe you could do some sort of interview to get this thing some more publicity? RON What did you have in mind?

CUT TO:

INT. SET OF THE TODAY SHOW STARRING JONAH LINDSEY - DAY 

ANNOUNCER 

Welcome to the today show! With your host, Jonah Lindsey!

The studio audience cheers. Jonah Lindsey walks onto the set of his talk show. 

JONAH LINDSEY 

Hey everybody, we have a very special guest tonight. Everyone give a warm welcome to horror author and icon, Ron Evans! 

Jonah sits down. The studio audience cheers again as Ron walks onto the set. He waves at them and sits down. 

JONAH LINDSEY (CONT'D) 

Hey Ron, thanks for coming. 

RON 

Thank you for inviting me. It's good to be here.

JONAH LINDSEY 

Rumor has it that you're working on a new book. 

RON 

Yes, actually. 

JONAH LINDSEY 

Ooh can you give us any details?

RON 

Well, all I can really say is that it's a work in progress and I just can't wait to finish it.

JONAH LINDSEY 

That's all we get? Is there at least a title for this book? 

Ron pauses for a moment to consider the question. 

RON 

Screams of Death. 

JONAH LINDSEY 

Wow, that sounds chilling. I can't wait to read it. 

RON 

I can't wait for you to read it. 

JONAH LINDSEY 

(Laughs)

 Come on! There has to be something else you can give us besides just the title.

RON 

Well, it's a little mix of the new and the old. You find some of my familiar stuff in there, but there's definitely something new and different about this one that I can't wait for you to see.

JONAH LINDSEY 

Speaking of your familiar stuff, it's been almost fifteen years since your Last book, Cemetery of Dreams. Will this new book be a sequel to that one, or possibly one of your others? 

RON 

(Clears Throat)

 Uh no. Nope. I want it to stand out from my other stories. It is its own thing.

JONAH LINDSEY 

Interesting! Well, Ron I just have one more question for you before we cut to commercial. 

Ron perks up. 

JONAH LINDSEY (CONT'D) 

It's been a while since your last book. In fact, a lot of your fans thought you had went into retirement. You've been out of the public eye for quite a while. Can you tell us what happened and why you're back now?

Ron pauses, a little displeased by the question.

RON 

(Laughs nervously)

 That's a little personal. Well, I just had a lot of family stuff going on and I couldn't find the time to really focus on my writing. Luckily, most of it's been sorted out and now I'm back to doing what I love. 

JONAH LINDSEY 

Well we're glad you're back too, Ron. Thanks for coming. 

Ron and Jonah shake hands, then Ron makes his exit off the set. 

JONAH LINDSEY (CONT'D) 

Ron Evans, everybody!

The studio audience cheers one last time. 

INT. RON'S CAR - NIGHT 

Ron drives himself to his hotel room after the talk show. His phone rings and he answers. 

RON 

Hello?

The caller doesn't answer.

RON (CONT'D) 

Who's this? 

Still no answer, but faint breathing can be heard from the other line. Ron waits a moment before hanging up. He resumes his quiet drive to the hotel. After a moment passes, the phone rings again. Ron hesitantly answers it. 

RON (CONT'D) 

Yeah? 

MATT 

(Excited) 

Ronny! I just saw the interview man. Thanks for doing that. 

RON 

Yeah well, let's wait a while before you have me do something like that again. I don't exactly have much to talk about.

MATT 

You're the boss. Also, the people at Poach Publishing called. They wanna have a meeting. 

RON 

When?

MATT 

Tomorrow, 8 am. It's not far from the hotel you're staying in. I'll come pick you up around 7 with coffee. 

RON 

7, got it. Anything else? 

MATT 

Just get some rest man. I'll see you in the morning. 

RON 

Thanks. 

Matt hangs up as Ron reaches his hotel.

INT. THE GATES INN - NIGHT 

Ron enters the hotel where he is greeted by the hotel clerk, Scott, who stops him by the front desk. 

SCOTT 

Excuse me sir, are you Ron Evans?

RON 

Um yeah. Yeah, that's me. 

SCOTT 

(Excited) 

Mr. Evans, I am a big fan of yours! 

RON 

Well it's always nice to meet a... 

SCOTT 

(Interrupting)

 Can you sign my book? 

RON 

Uh sure. 

Scott places a book onto Ron's side of the desk. 

RON (CONT'D) 

The Lunatic, huh?

SCOTT 

It's my favorite. This is my fourth time reading it. 

RON 

Really? That's fitting, with the book taking place in a hotel and all. 

SCOTT 

Yes, it is. That's why it's my favorite.

RON 

Well uh... 

Ron spots Scott's name tag. 

RON (CONT'D) 

Scott...

Ron finishes the autograph and hands the book back to him. 

RON (CONT'D) 

Here you go. 

Scott reads what Ron wrote inside of his book while Ron makes his way towards the elevator. 

SCOTT 

Thank you sir! Have a nice night. 

Ron enters the elevator with a puzzled look on his face, and very deep in thought.

RON 

(To himself) 

Didn't I kill off the desk clerk in that one? 

The elevator doors close and Ron ascends to the second floor. He approaches his room and enters it.

CUT TO:

Ron takes a shower while the news is playing in the background, detailing the brutal murder of a couple in their penthouse. Ron walks out of the bathroom with a towel on and spots the news report on the TV. 

RON 

Damn.

INT. HOTEL LOBBY - NIGHT 

It is completely silent. The only audible sound is coming from the violent hum of the vending machines down the hall. Scott is reading his book at the front desk. Behind him, a dark figure appears. The phone rings and Scott answers. 

SCOTT 

Thank you for calling Gates Inn. How can I help you? (Pause) Our hot breakfast is served from 6 to 9 

(Pause)Yes, of course. You're welcome. Have a good night.

Before Scott can hang up the phone, the figure grabs it and wraps the chord around Scott's neck. After a long struggle, Scott stops breathing. The figure leaves the scene.

INT. RON'S ROOM - DAY 

Ron wakes up from a nightmare. Dissatisfied with the quality of his sleep, he gets out of bed with a groan. It's 6:30. He gets dressed and heads downstairs to the lobby to prepare to meet Matt. Upon getting off the elevator, he notices the lobby is flooded with police officers. 

RON 

(To himself) 

What happened here? 

Ron looks over at the front desk where he sees an officer taking pictures behind it. 

RON Hmm. 

He slowly exits the front of the hotel, where he spots Matt parked out on the street. Ron starts to venture toward the car, until he looks over to see a body bag on a stretcher getting lifted into the back of an ambulance.

MATT 

What the hell happened here?

RON 

I'm not too sure, but it looks like somebody died. 

MATT 

Jesus, really? 

Ron gets in the car and Matt drives him to their meeting with Poach Publishing. 

CUT TO:

INT. POACH PUBLISHING - DAY Ron and Matt sit outside the conference room and wait for the meeting to start. Matt is on the phone with another client. Ron looks up to see the news report on Scott's murder.

RON 

(To himself)

Oh my god! 

Unsure of how to react, Ron takes a fast-paced walk to the nearest bathroom. Inside, he starts to hyperventilate, and splashes cold water onto his face. He pulls out his laptop and sets it down on the sink. In a panic, he opens it. With his fingers trembling, Ron begins to research the reports on the recent murder victims.

RON (CONT'D) 

(To himself) 

This has to be a coincidence. 

Back in the waiting room, Matt is still on the phone. The secretary enters. 

SECRETARY 

They're ready for you. Where's Mr. Evans? 

MATT 

(To his client on the phone) 

Look, I'll call you back, but don't sign anything yet unless I'm there with you. Got it? 

Matt hangs up the phone.

MATT (CONT'D) 

I think he went to the bathroom. I'll just go check on him. 

Matt ventures to the bathroom in search of Ron. 

MATT (CONT'D) 

Ronny? You in here buddy?

Matt hears Ron throwing up and darts in to see Ron pacing through the bathroom in a panic.

MATT (CONT'D) 

What's going on man? They're ready for us in there. 

RON 

Look. Just look. 

Ron points at the laptop. Matt takes a look at it.

MATT 

Is that the guy they found dead this morning. 

Ron nods while staring at the floor. 

MATT (CONT'D) 

Who are these other people? 

RON 

I don't know any of them personally, but I met Scott last night. 

MATT 

I don't understand.

RON 

(Yelling) 

These people Matt, their deaths were all fashioned to look like they came out of my books and movies.

MATT 

What? Are you serious? That's crazy! Look, we need to get in there before they say they don't want the book anymore. Come on! 

Ron quickly grabs his things and follows Matt to the conference room. 

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 

Matt enters the conference room, followed by Ron.

MATT 

(Excited) 

Hey! Trina! Kevin! How are you? 

KEVIN 

Please, have a seat. 

Ron and Matt take a seat at the table. There is an awkward silence that is eventually broken by Matt speaking.

MATT 

Ron, this is Kevin and Trina. They represent Poach publishing. As you know, they'll be the ones distributing your book after it's finished. 

KEVIN 

I believe we've already met.

MATT 

Oh, right. So, what is this about? 

KEVIN 

As you might have guessed, Ms. Sutton and I have some concerns with Ron's book. We just wanted to clear the air so that all of us can be on the same page. 

MATT 

What concerns exactly?

KEVIN 

Have you seen the news? 

RON 

The murders? You noticed those too? 

Trina (Ms. Sutton) and Kevin give Matt a confused look. Matt clears his throat, unsure of what to say at first.

MATT 

Uh, you'll have to excuse him. He didn't get much sleep last night. So, what about the news?

KEVIN 

That's the thing, Ron's book isn't in the news. As far as we can tell, his new book is more or less a rumor to most of the public.

MATT 

What about that interview with Jonah Lindsey?

TRINA 

(Rolling her eyes) 

Oh please, like anyone watches that guy anymore. 

KEVIN 

We need to get this thing cooking. People need to know for a fact that it exists. 

MATT 

So what are you suggesting exactly? More interviews? 

KEVIN 

That would definitely be a start. 

MATT 

Look, I don't know. Ron is a very busy man. He needs to stay focused on actually writing the book.

TRINA 

We couldn't agree more. That's why we would like to know how much of the book Mr. Evans has actually written.

Ron nervously perks up.

MATT 

Tell em Ron. 

RON 

Are you serious? 

TRINA 

It's a simple question, Mr. Evans. Half? More? 

Matt looks over at Ron, expecting an answer. 

TRINA (CONT'D) 

Less? 

RON 

Look, I'm not sure that this is what's important right now. People are dying! 

Kevin and Trina look at each other.

KEVIN 

What is he talking about? 

MATT 

(Nervous)

 Uh, nothing. Right Ron? 

RON 

No, it's not nothing. Look, I don't know why, but I have a reason to suspect that someone is out there using my old books as some sort of inspiration to commit murder.

Kevin laughs. 

KEVIN 

You can't be serious. 

RON 

No really, I'll prove it. 

Ron gets up and brings his laptop over to the end of the table where Trina and Kevin are sitting. He sets it down in front of Trina. 

RON (CONT'D) 

Look, see there. See, he was found strangled with a telephone chord. Look at the rich couple, the Rambeaus. They died in their Penthouse, supposedly decapitated. Now, look at the truck driver at the truck stop. He was burned alive in what they thought was a freak gasoline accident. Don't you see what's going on here?

Kevin gives Matt a confused look. Matt shrugs.

TRINA 

Why don't you enlighten us, Mr. Evans?

RON 

Did any of you even read my books?

KEVIN 

I watched the movie version of Inanimate Objects. 

Trina gives Kevin a look meant to discourage him from continuing to talk. 

RON 

Seriously? None of you? Look, obviously I can't know for sure, but these people were all murdered with techniques that came out of my books. 

KEVIN 

(Sarcastic) 

Yeah, right. 

Trina kicks Kevin from underneath the table. 

TRINA 

So, what you're suggesting is that someone is using your stories to murder people?

RON 

Yes. 

TRINA 

I see.

MATT 

(Sarcastically) 

There's your publicity. 

Trina and Kevin look at each other and nod. 

TRINA 

We want the book done by August, Mr. Evans, and you will do more interviews in the meantime. 

RON 

You can't be serious! 

TRINA 

Of course I am. Is there a problem?

RON 

(Yells) 

There's a fucking psychopath out there, using my books for inspiration, and you want the book done by August?! 

Matt and Kevin jump at Ron's outburst, surprised by his uncharacteristic behavior.

TRINA 

August 1st, Mr. Evans. 

Ron looks at Matt to see if he plans to back him up. Matt gives Ron a discouraging look.

RON 

No, you know what? Screw this. I am not going to write a damn thing! Not until I know for sure the reason why these people were murdered! 

Ron storms out of the conference room. 

MATT 

Wait a minute now. Ron? Ronny? 

Matt looks back at Trina and Kevin. 

MATT (CONT'D) 

(Nervous) 

Don't worry, I'll make sure he gets it done. 

Matt chases after Ron. 

KEVIN 

(Yelling to Matt) 

August 1st! 

Trina glares at Kevin.

CUT TO:

INT. MATT'S CAR - DAY 

Ron and Matt are driving from the meeting.

MATT 

So what the hell was that?

RON 

I can't just go about writing this book when someone is out there using my ideas for murder. 

MATT 

You don't know that. It could just be a coincidence. 

RON 

Yeah well, what if it's not? 

Matt doesn't know what to say. There's a moment of silence before he chooses to break it by pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. 

MATT 

Look, I'm not saying that I believe you, but whoever did kill these people, same person or not, is a real fucked up son of a bitch.

Matt takes a drag off his cigarette. 

MATT (CONT'D) 

(Mutters) 

'Man dies right in front of his kid. That isn't right.

Matt shakes his head. 

RON 

Wait a minute. What did you say? 

MATT 

You know, the kid. The truck driver's son? I can't imagine watching my own father... 

RON 

Shit! The truck driver's son! 

MATT 

What about him? 

RON 

He dies in the Interstate Stalker!

MATT 

I remember that! From the movie version. 

RON 

Matt, we have to find this kid! 

CUT TO:

INT. JADEN'S ROOM 

Jaden is laying on his bed wearing a black suit and tie. He stares at the ceiling fan. Then, his mother walks in, but he doesn't acknowledge her.

JADEN'S MOM Hey sweetie. 

He still doesn't acknowledge her. 

JADEN'S MOM (CONT'D) 

I brought you a sandwich. 

Jaden continues to stare at the ceiling. 

JADEN'S MOM (CONT'D) 

I'll leave it here for you when you're ready for it. 

Jaden's mom places the sandwich plate on his desk. She starts to exit the room, then Jaden sits up.

JADEN 

Mom? 

She re-enters the room. 

JADEN'S MOM 

Yes, sweetie? 

JADEN 

Can you bring me some milk? 

JADEN'S MOM 

Sure honey. Chocolate?

Jaden nods his head. After his mother leaves the room, he gets out of bed and walks toward the desk where his sandwich is sitting. He sits down and opens the desk drawer, pulling out a trucker's cap and a miniature toy semi-truck.

Jaden looks at the two items for a moment and places them on the desk with a deep sigh. He takes a bite of his sandwich and sets it back down. Then, his mother screams from downstairs. 

JADEN 

(Yells) 

Mom?! 

Jaden runs downstairs.