"HARD RAIN"
Screenplay by
Graham Yost
1998
SHOOTING DRAFT
FADE IN
RAIN
Falls from low grey clouds. Down below we see...
THE RIVER
Muddy, slow and powerful, overflowing its banks. In the near
distance is...
THE RESERVOIR
Filled to the maximum, water thundering out of two open gates.
We close in on...
THE DAM
There's a Dam Control Office in the middle of the dam. We
MOVE OFF the reservoir and head out over...
THE TOWN OF HUNTINGBURG
We see "NO FEAR" spelled out in stones on one man's roof. We
go down and into...
EXT. STREETS OF HUNTINGBURG - DUSK
Storefronts are sandbagged and closed. A sign on one store
reads: GONE FISHING. A sign on another: HEY LOOTER. NOTHING
OF VALUE HERE. TRY NEXT DOOR. And on the next store: HE'S
LYING.
A CHURCH
Beautiful, old, ringed with a five-foot-high wall of sandbags.
The floodwater is up to the first level of sandbags.
CARS AND PICKUP TRUCKS
Loaded down, are heading out of town on streets covered in
the first water of the flood.
A STATUE
On an island in the middle of the street. It's Civil War-
era, of a general on a horse, sword held high. The floodwater
is over the curb, lapping at the base of statue's pedestal.
Near the statue stands...
THE SHERIFF
50s, with soft edges and friendly eyes. He's talking into
his radio mike.
SHERIFF
So, are we all going to die?
EXT. RESERVOIR DAM
HANK, the dam control officer, is on the radio with the
Sheriff.
HANK
Not right now. But I'm gonna have to
let out a little more.
EXT. MAIN STREET
WAYNE and PHIL, two deputies, 30s, are near the Sheriff,
shoring up a sandbag wall that has partially collapsed.
PHIL
I think my best was when I turned
twelve. My Dad set up a treasure
hunt. It was really cool.
(off Wayne's disdainful
look)
Well, it was.
Wayne shrugs a "whatever" and pulls a sandbag up out of the
water. There's unpleasant-looking muck all over his arms. He
drops the sandbag back into the water and shakes off the
crud with disgust.
WAYNE
This blows.
PHIL
My most awful birthday was sweet
sixteen. I had mono. How about you?
What was your worst?
WAYNE
You kidding? You think I could've
possibly had a birthday worse than
this? What kind of loser do you think
I am?
SHERIFF (O.S.)
Don't answer that, Phil.
The Sheriff walks over.
SHERIFF
Hank says he's gonna open another
gate. We're gonna get another rise.
They turn at the sound of honking. The MAYOR drives up.
MAYOR
Gentlemen. Hey -- happy birthday,
Wayne.
Wayne nods. Phil stiffens. They do not like this guy.
MAYOR
(to the Sheriff)
Mike, I gotta say, what you're
doing... I don't know if I'd be here,
considering.
SHERIFF
(good-natured)
Well, you would be if you wanted to
get the last couple of paychecks
some bastard owed you.
MAYOR
(grins, then:)
I just want you to know I think the
people 'round here made a big mistake.
Phil grumbles to himself.
PHIL
"The people"? You're the one who
screwed him.
MAYOR
Sorry, Phil?
PHIL
(blushes)
I, uh --
SHERIFF
(to Mayor, saving
Phil)
You know, Bob, as much as I'd love
to stand here all day talking about
how great I am, if you don't get
moving I'm gonna have to haul your
sorry ass off to jail.
MAYOR
(laughs)
Okay, okay, I'm going. Keep up the
good work, boys. It's appreciated.
The Mayor rolls up his window and heads off.
WAYNE
Whaddya say we go torch the fucker's
house and blame it on looters. Or
how about we put a dead cow in his
living room. He comes back after
it's been in the water a couple of
days. Hello!
SHERIFF
(shakes head)
You wanna know how to get the best
revenge on the Mayor and his boys?
You do exactly what we're doing. You
protect the town. You protect it
better than they would. Better than
they ever could.
WAYNE
(thinks, shrugs)
I think the dead cow's better.
SHERIFF
(ignores Wayne)
Any looter that comes in here is in
for a big surprise, cause as long as
I'm still wearing this pointy thing...
(indicates badge)
...nobody's taking anything from
this town.
INT. BANK VAULT
Nervous assistant bank manager WELLMAN is hurriedly tossing
stacks of money into two canvas bags.
A MAN'S SHADOW
Washes up on Wellman.
CHARLIE (O.S.)
Do you think you could go a little
faster, pal?
WELLMAN
I -- I'm going as fast as I can.
SECOND SHADOW COMES UP
TOM (O.S.)
Well, it's not fast enough.
Wellman is about to speak, then sees something, gulps.
A SHOTGUN
Is held by one of the men, pointed at the floor.
WELLMAN
Sweeps the money off the shelves and into the bags.
SECOND MAN (O.S.)
That it?
WELLMAN
Yes. We don't keep any of our --
THE TWO MEN
Ignore Wellman, grab the canvas bags and stride off.
EXT. BANK - DAY
CLOSE ON the lower half of the front doors as they fly open.
Out come TWO MEN in long dark raincoats.
WELLMAN
Runs up, stopping in the open door.
WELLMAN
Hey, wait!
VERY CLOSE ON THE TWO MEN
As they slowly turn to face Wellman. We just see their faces,
shielded from the rain by hat brims. Meet...
TOM AND CHARLIE
Tom, 30, handsome, with an easy smile. Charlie, 50, with a
tough, red face.
CHARLIE
Excuse me?
WELLMAN
Looks nervous for a second, then holds up a clipboard.
WELLMAN
You forgot to sign.
TOM AND CHARLIE
We see, for the first time, by their hats and uniforms, that
they are armored car drivers. There's an armored car parked
at the curb, on the other side of a low wall of sandbags.
Charlie sighs, goes back to Wellman and perfunctorily signs
the form. Then he and Tom go to the sandbag wall. Tom holds
both bags in one hand and the shotgun in the other. Charlie
doesn't want to get wet.
He steps from the sandbag wall onto the rear bumper of the
truck, then keys open the doors.
CHARLIE
Okay.
Charlie reaches out for the money bags. Tom jumps off the
sandbag wall and lands in the water, splashing Charlie.
CHARLIE
For Christsakes!
TOM
It's a flood, Charlie. You're gonna
get wet.
Charlie takes the bags, tosses them in then shuts the back.
He moves toward the front, still trying to keep out of the
water. Tom splashes him some more.
CHARLIE
Hey! Do you know what kind of crap
is in that water?
TOM
(of course he knows)
Well, yeah.
Tom kicks some more water at Charlie. Charlie gives Tom a
withering look and climbs in the truck.
INT. ARMORED TRUCK
Charlie gets into the driver's seat; Tom climbs into the
shotgun seat. They shut and bolt the doors. Charlie gets on
the radio.
CHARLIE
Dispatch, this is 31.
DISPATCHER (V.O.)
Go ahead, 31.
CHARLIE
We're leaving Huntingburg. We'll be
back in an hour.
DISPATCHER (V.O.)
Ten-four. Get out of there.
CHARLIE
We're gone. Over and out.
Charlie hangs up the radio. He starts writing on a clipboard.
Silence for a few moments, and then Charlie notices Tom
staring at him.
CHARLIE
What?
TOM
Your ear.
CHARLIE
What about my ear?
TOM
You've got a major hair growth going
on.
CHARLIE
Shut up.
TOM
I'm serious. You're gonna need
somebody to go in there with a weed
whacker.
Charlie grabs a donut bag off the seat and tosses it to Tom.
CHARLIE
Here.
TOM
You're offering me one of your donuts?
I don't know what to say. I'm getting
all misty.
CHARLIE
If it'll shut your mouth you can
have the whole bag.
Charlie starts the truck. Tom thinks about it, then tosses
the bag back.
TOM
Nah. I start eating donuts and I'll
never get out of this truck.
CHARLIE
(disgusted)
I love how you think you're better
than this.
TOM
Don't get me wrong, Charlie. There's
a lot to like about this job -- and
I don't just mean the dashing
polyester ensemble and the solid
three-figure income.
CHARLIE
(angry)
You ungrateful shit! I don't believe
you!
TOM
(surprised)
Charlie, relax! I was kidding!
CHARLIE
You don't wanna do this? Fine. Go
back to selling hot construction
machinery. That's a helluva career.
TOM
It had better hours.
Charlie slams the clipboard down on the seat.
CHARLIE
You think this is a joke? This is
funny? Jesus Christ! You know how
lucky you are you could get in here?
Thirty years old and all the crap
you pulled and you never got caught?
TOM
(angry)
That wasn't luck, old man. That was
skill. I was good at it.
CHARLIE
Oh, yeah, it takes a lot of skill to
fence bulldozers. That's goddamn
genius time.
TOM
About as much skill as it takes to
sit in a truck and get fat eating
donuts.
CHARLIE
Oh, so that's all I've been doing,
huh? Just wasting my life away.
TOM
I didn't say that.
CHARLIE
Yeah, building a home, raising a
family -- that's just stupid.
TOM
I didn't say that!
CHARLIE
You know what, Tom? I really don't
give a shit what you said.
Tom doesn't reply. Charlie puts the truck in gear; starts
off. Tom looks at Charlie, shakes his head -- what was that
about?
EXT. ROADSIDE BAR - ESTABLISHING - DUSK
INT. ROADSIDE BAR - DUSK ECU PEN ON PAPER
Writing letters in a crossword puzzle. Holding the pen is...
JIM
Late 50s, with a creased face and piercing eyes. He's sitting
at the bar, drinking coffee. Rain sheets down outside. The
BARTENDER watches TV, sound off. Next to Jim at the bar are...
RAY, KENNY AND MR. MEHLOR
Ray, 40s, has lank hair, rheumy eyes and a glass of Irish
whisky in front of him. Kenny, 20s, long hair, has the energy
of a puppy -- unfortunately he has about as much smarts as a
puppy. Mr. Mehlor. 40s, looks like -- and was -- a high school
teacher.
ON TV
Sound off, a MAN is crying about what he has lost in the
flood.
RAY
"Thus saith the Lord; Behold, waters
shall rise up out of the north and
be an overflowing flood and all the
inhabitants of the land shall howl."
Jeremiah 47:2.
Ray takes a drink. Kenny leans over to Ray, sotto.
KENNY
You're gonna be able to buy a helluva
lot of bibles, huh, Ray? Me? First
thing I'm gonna do is get my brother
a lawyer. Best that money can buy.
A thought comes to Jim -- an answer to a clue in the crossword --
and he starts filling in words as Ray and Kenny talk.
RAY
What's he facing?
KENNY
Thirty in.
RAY
He cap a cop or something...?
KENNY
Security guard. "In the commission..."
All he's got is a piece of shit P.D.
Now I'm gonna be able to afford him
a good lawyer -- a guy with a haircut.
Jim leans over to Kenny.
JIM
'Scuse me a second. Take a look at
thirty-one across.
Jim slides the newspaper in front of Kenny.
KENNY
Shit, Jim. I don't do crossword
puzzles.
MR. MEHLOR
I'll take a look, Jim.
JIM
Kenny can read.
(to Kenny)
Just look at it. You know when you
write down a word and suddenly it
looks all wrong? Maybe it's right,
but it doesn't look right?
Jim points at the newspaper.
JIM
Thirty-one across.
Kenny shrugs and looks down at the newspaper.
KENNY
(mumbles as he reads)
Mention money again and...
His eyes go wide.
ECU CROSSWORD PUZZLE
In an uncompleted part of the puzzle, Jim has written a
message in the boxes. It reads: MENTION MONEY AND I'LL KILL
YOU.
JIM AND KENNY
Kenny looks up at Jim. Jim glances over at the bartender
then back at Kenny. Understand?
JIM
Did I get it right?
KENNY
Yeah, Jim. You got it right.
INT. ARMORED TRUCK - DUSK
Charlie and Tom continue to drive in silence. They both sneak
looks at each other. Their eyes meet for a second, then they
look away. A moment's pause then...
TOM
Jerk.
CHARLIE
Jack-ass.
A hint of a smile on both of them. Tom reaches for Charlie.
TOM
Give us a kiss. Come on.
Charlie goes red in the face, pushes Tom away.
CHARLIE
Get out of here.
TOM
(laughs, beat)
You really are a cranky old fart,
you know that?
CHARLIE
I'm sorry.
TOM
What was that about? I mean, I'm
just sitting here and all of a sudden
you go postal on me.
CHARLIE
I don't know, I... It's just this
weather. I... I want to get back.
TOM
You know, I really do appreciate
what you've done for me. This is a
good job.
CHARLIE
No, it's not. It stinks. It's putting
your life on the line for someone
else's money.
EXT. ROAD OUT OF TOWN - DUSK
Looking away from town, the HIGH SCHOOL is on the left. On
the right is the CEMETERY. Farther on, on the left, is a CAR
AND BOAT DEALERSHIP. The road is covered in water.
THE ARMORED TRUCK
Goes by the entrance to the high school, water shooting up
from the wheels, pushing out in a wide wake.
INT. TRUCK
Tom glances ahead and sees that the road is covered in water.
TOM
Jesus. Where's the road?
THEIR POV
Stretching out ahead of them are reflector bars on the
telephone poles, a few feet above the rippling surface of
the floodwater.
CHARLIE
It's there.
(beat)
Somewhere. I hope.
(beat)
Look, Tom, I don't care what it is
you end up doing.
TOM
Oh, God, here we go again.
CHARLIE
This is the last time, I swear.
Tom sees something ahead. He doesn't understand at first.
HIS POV
The reflector bar on the pole two poles ahead is lower than
the others. No reflector bars for a hundred yards, then they
resume.
CHARLIE
(looks at Tom)
I just think, whatever it is you do,
it's time you did some heavy lifting.
Tom figures out what's going on with the reflector bars.
TOM
Stop!
CHARLIE
No, you gotta hear this. You're better
than --
TOM
Stop the truck! We're going down!
OUTSIDE THE TRUCK
The water rises fast up the grille as the truck angles down.
INSIDE THE TRUCK
CHARLIE
Jesus!
Charlie stands on the brakes.
THEIR POV
A wave of water rushes forward from the truck, then comes
back and washes over the hood, splashing up on the windshield.
TOM
Back up!
Charlie throws the truck into reverse but gives it too much
power. They hear the rear wheels spinning underwater. Charlie
eases off, the tires start to catch, they start moving
backwards.
Charlie and Tom exchange a quick look of relief... and then
the engine dies. Charlie tries to restart it, but there's
nothing.
OUTSIDE THE TRUCK
It's stopped on a downgrade -- it's a dip in the road.
The water is up to the top of the front tires: up to the
hubcaps on the rear wheels. The headlights are underwater,
spots of yellow glowing. They've stopped next to a lighted
sign.
CLOSE ON SIGN
WELCOME TO HUNTINGBURG.
HOME OF THE 1987 STATE CHAMPION WARRIORS.
IN THE TRUCK
CHARLIE
Goddammit!
TOM
It's a little dip in the road or
something. You can see the reflectors
come up the other side.
CHARLIE
(curses to himself)
I knew this would happen.
(grabs radio mike)
TOM
I'll see if there's anyone coming.
Maybe we can get pulled out.
Tom opens the door. Charlie adjusts the radio frequency
selection button; clicks on.
CHARLIE
Dispatch, this is 31. 31 calling
dispatch.
DISPATCHER (V.O.)
(over radio)
31, this is dispatch.
CHARLIE
(into radio)
Dispatch, we're stuck outside of
Huntingburg. Truck's dead.
DISPATCHER (V.O.)
Where are you?
CHARLIE
We're on 231, headed for the
Interstate. Right by a sign saying
"Welcome to Huntingburg."
Tom climbs out and up on top of the truck.
OUTSIDE THE TRUCK
Tom stands on top of the truck. In one direction, nothing
but blackness. The other way he can see the lights of the
town. But there are no cars coming.
IN THE TRUCK
Charlie looks over as Tom appears, upside-down, in the
doorway.
TOM
The town's been evacuated. We won't
get any help from there.
CHARLIE
Dispatch can't get anyone out.
TOM
They are aware we're carrying a
shitload of money...?
CHARLIE
They called the National Guard.
They're gonna be here in about ninety
minutes.
TOM
Ninety minutes? Jesus.
CHARLIE
(nods; into radio)
Dispatch, we're gonna need help a
little sooner than --
There's a sudden sparking sound and the radio cuts out and
interior lights and the headlights go out.
TOM
Oh, shit.
INT. HOUSE - DUSK POV THROUGH WINDOW
Looking out as the Sheriff's car rolls past on the water-
covered street. A HAND lets go of a curtain and it swings
across the window.
EXT. STREET - DUSK IN THE SHERIFF'S CAR
The Sheriff motions Wayne to stop the car, then he grabs the
radio mike and clicks it on as a megaphone.
SHERIFF
(into mike)
Henry, I saw you. Come on out.
No one comes out of the house.
SHERIFF
Henry, I'm not leaving until you
come out.
A few moments pass and then...
HENRY AND DOREEN SWERZKY
Late 70s, step out onto their porch.
DOREEN
Jesus H. Christ, Henry, I told you
to stay away from the damn window.
THE SHERIFF
Gets out of the car.
SHERIFF
What are you still doing here?
HENRY
We're just --
DOREEN
We're setting traps.
SHERIFF
That's illegal, Doreen.
DOREEN
You gonna arrest us, Sheriff? Hell,
are you even sheriff anymore, Sheriff?
Didn't you lose an election? I sure
as hell know I didn't vote for you,
and neither did Henry.
HENRY
Doreen...
SHERIFF
You don't need to set traps.
DOREEN
That's what they said in '73. When
we got back, anything the bastards
didn't steal they broke, just for
the hell of it.
SHERIFF
That's not happening this time.
DOREEN
Damn right it's not.
SHERIFF
You can't stay, you know that.
HENRY
We're going to my sister's.
SHERIFF
Good.
DOREEN
Soon as we finish setting the traps.
The Sheriff wants to say something more, but he's not about
to argue with Doreen. He just nods and gets back into the
car.
IN THE CAR
The Sheriff climbs back in. He and Wayne watch Henry and
Doreen go back into the house, Doreen still nagging at Henry.
SHERIFF
God'll understand if you have to
drown her in the basement, Henry.
The Sheriff sighs, nods to Wayne. Wayne puts the car in gear.
EXT. ARMORED TRUCK - NIGHT
The water is creeping up the sloping hood of the truck.
CHARLIE
We gotta get out of here.
TOM
What about the money?
CHARLIE
The money's safe; we're not. Water
rose about a foot in the last twenty
minutes. The National Guard isn't
going to be here for another hour.
You do the math.
Tom shrugs -- Charlie's right. They're about to get out when
light washes up on them. They look out to see...
THE HEADLIGHTS OF A GMC SUBURBAN
Approaching on the other side of the dip, a quarter-mile
away.
CHARLIE AND TOM
Look at each other then get out of the truck.
THE SUBURBAN
Stops on the far side of the dip -- a hundred yards away.
The headlights shine across the water. Doors open and MEN
get out.
TOM AND CHARLIE
Come around the front of the truck. They can't see through
the glare of the Suburban's bright headlights.
CHARLIE
Hello!
MAN'S VOICE
You okay? You stuck?
CHARLIE
Yes!
MAN'S VOICE
We'll see if we can get you out!
We'll be right over!
Charlie looks at Tom, relieved.
CHARLIE
Looks like we might just --
THE SUBURBAN
Headlights go on high beam.
CHARLIE AND TOM
Squint, blinded by the high beams.
TOM
Why'd they do that?
CHARLIE
Probably so they can see better.
TOM
Or so we can't see at all.
Charlie looks at him -- what does he mean? Tom puts his hand
on his pistol.
IN THE WATER
Assembled by the Suburban are...
JIM AND HIS MEN
All holding guns. He speaks to them quietly.
JIM
This is my retirement fund, boys,
and if any one of you screws up, I
swear to God I'll kill you. Let's
go.
They start wading down into the dip in the road. Kenny carries
a rifle.
TOM AND CHARLIE
Tom squints through the bright light.
CHARLIE
Company dispatch and the National
Guard are the only ones who know
we're here.
TOM
Anyone with a scanner from Radio
Shack could've intercepted your call,
Charlie.
CHARLIE
(realizes)
Jesus.
TOM
(to Jim and men)
Could you turn down your lights?!
JIM
We're bringing a rope!
TOM
Turn down your lights!
JIM
We'll be right there!
Tom starts to pull his gun.
KENNY
is fired up on adrenalin. He has his rifle up and is aiming
it.
HIS POV
Tom with his hand on his pistol, starting to pull it out.
TOM AND CHARLIE
Charlie sees Tom going for his gun. He moves close to Tom,
half in front of him, putting his hand on Tom's.
CHARLIE
Take it easy, Tom.
KENNY
Stiffens.
KENNY'S FINGER
Squeezes the trigger of his rifle.
TOM
Jumps at the sound of the rifle crack.
CHARLIE
Is knocked back.
TOM
Yanks out his gun and starts shooting back.
JIM AND HIS MEN
Duck down in the water.
TOM
Shooting blindly, looks over and sees...
CHARLIE
A horrible look on his face, blood coming out of his neck.
He sinks into the water.
KENNY
Shoots off another few quick rounds.
TOM
Drops into the water, bullets plugging in around him. Just
his hand and pistol are visible, shooting blindly back toward
Jim and his men. THE SUBURBAN
Is hit by Tom's fire.
TOM
Runs out of bullets. A beat later we see Charlie start moving
through the water -- Tom is pulling him.
JIM
STOP SHOOTING!
KENNY
Doesn't hear Jim and keeps firing.
JIM
Aims his pistol at Kenny's head.
JIM
Stop.
Kenny stops.
BEHIND THE ARMORED TRUCK
Tom comes up in the water behind the truck, gasping, holding
Charlie. Tom rests his gun on the truck bumper.
CHARLIE
I'm sorry, Tom.
Charlie's gone.
JIM AND HIS MEN
Jim glares at Kenny, his eyes on fire.
KENNY
He was going for his gun!
JIM
He wasn't gonna shoot, Kenny.
Goddamnit!
(shakes head, calls
to Tom)
We just want the money! Get away and
we won't have to kill you!
TOM
Shuts his eyes, thinking, scared.
JIM (O.S.)
Now!
Tom opens his eyes. He looks down at...
CHARLIE
Floating in the water.
TOM
What the hell is he going to do?
JIM AND HIS MEN
Jim's men look at him. Jim motions them to wait some more.
JIM
You got thirty seconds to get the
hell away!
Jim and the others wait, but there's no answer from Tom.
JIM
The clock's running! Go!
Still no response from Tom.
THEIR POV
All they can see is the front of the truck, in the light of
the "Welcome" sign. They can't see the back.
JIM AND HIS MEN
Jim nods to his men. They head for the truck, down into the
deeper water at the bottom of the dip in the road. All have
guns up and ready.
Jim sends Mr. Mehlor and Ray out to circle around. They all
move quietly. The only sound is the rain.
JIM
Gets to the truck and moves along its side, Kenny right behind
him. Jim gets to the back of the truck, nods for Kenny to
cover him, then steps out behind the truck, gun up.
JIM'S POV
Tom is gone.
CHARLIE
Is floating in the water, eyes of glass.
KENNY, MR. MEHLOR AND RAY
Step into the circle of light thrown by the "Welcome" sign.
JIM
(eyes Charlie)
Ah, Jesus.
(to Kenny)
Your dad'd be real proud of you,
Kenny.
KENNY
He was going for his gun!
JIM
Mr. Mehlor, I believe we're gonna
need your science project.
Mr. Mehlor nods and digs into his pack. Ray looks down at
Charlie in the water.
RAY
"I shall bring floodwaters upon the
earth to destroy all that lives under
the heavens and every creature that
has the breath of life in it shall
perish." Genesis 6:17.
KENNY
Were you a preacher or something?
Ray laughs.
MR. MEHLOR
Ray did five years in the hole at
Joliet. The only thing you get to
read in the hole is the Bible.
KENNY
(to Ray)
You got religion?
RAY
Obviously.
Mr. Mehlor laughs as he pulls something out of his pack.
It's...
SMALL EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
A half-stick of dynamite with a timer, mounted on a magnet.
MR. MEHLOR
When you hit the switch you've got
thirty seconds.
RAY
You teach your students how to make
things like that?
Mr. Mehlor puts the device on the back door.
MR. MEHLOR
You been to a high school recently,
Ray? My students taught me how to
make things like that. Ready?
JIM
Hold on.
Something's wrong. Jim touches the handle on the door. It
moves. Uh-oh. He raises his pistol, grabs the door handle
and pulls. The door swings open. We don't need to see what
he sees -- we can tell from the expression on his face.
EXT. ON THE ROAD
Tom is running hard through the knee-deep water, pulling a
string of canvas money bags buckled together. The truck and
"Welcome" sign are two hundred yards behind him. Tom hears
an angry yell.
EXT. BY THE ARMORED TRUCK
Kenny is the one yelling.
JIM
Shut up. Everyone.
They quiet. The patter of the rain is too loud -- they can't
hear anything. Jim scans the horizon, but sees nothing.
RAY
Now why'd he have to go and do a
thing like that?
JIM
To stay alive.
(off their looks)
He thinks we'll kill him -- unless
he knows where the money is and we
don't.
MR. MEHLOR
There is another possibility.
(off their looks)
He's thinking of keeping it for
himself.
JIM
There's always that. Either way, we
got ourselves a sharp one.
KENNY
What do we do?
Jim is looking at something in the distance.
JIM
Pretty soon the water'll be too deep
for him to run. But for us it'll be
just deep enough.
KENNY
(unclear)
Deep enough for what?
INT. CAR AND BOAT DEALERSHIP - SHOWROOM
A glass window is smashed and water floods into the boat
showroom. Jim and his men stride in. Kenny ogles a
particularly nice cruiser. Jim stops at a smallish ski-boat.
JIM
Here we go.
KENNY
(re: cruiser)
What about this monster?
JIM
(re: ski-boat)
This is all we need.
RAY
Shit, Jim, we're stealing. Can't we
take anything we want?
JIM
The water isn't very deep yet. We
need something with a low draft. Mr.
Mehlor -- find us some gasoline.
Mr. Mehlor heads off.
KENNY
Sees something else he likes. We don't see what it is.
KENNY
Oh, Jim...?
EXT. CEMETERY
The name WILLIAM PORTMAN is chiseled into a crypt. Tom appears
from underwater, gasping for breath. He gets to his feet and
trudges off through the water.
EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE CEMETERY
Tom comes out through the gates of the cemetery, splashing
through the knee-deep water. He's running when he hears,
from behind him, boat engines firing up. He turns to see...
LIGHTS
Racing toward him over the water, a hundred and fifty yards
back.
TOM
Sprints off.
THE SKI-BOAT
Jim is steering the ski-boat. Mr. Mellor hunkers down beside
him. We PULL BACK to see...
TWO JET-SKIS
Flanking the ski-boat, piloted by Kenny and Ray.
ON THE ROAD
Tom is running as fast as he can. He looks back, sees the
ski-boat and jet-skis closing. They'll get him before he
gets to town. He suddenly veers off the road toward...
THE HIGH SCHOOL
The sign out front reads: GO WARRIORS!
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL
Tom runs around the side of the high school.
JIM AND HIS MEN
Ride up on the ski-boat and jet-skis and round the corner.
THEIR POV
No sign of Tom.
JIM
Cut your engines!
The engines are shut down. They all drift. Jim shines a
flashlight over onto...
WINDOWS
There's a hole in a window large enough to climb through.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL - CLASSROOM
Tom wades through the classroom, pushing floating desks aside.
Flashlight beams stab into the room. Tom hurries to the hall.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL
Jim turns to his men.
JIM
Let's get him out. But for Godsake,
whatever you do...
(with a hard look at
Kenny)
...don't kill him. Not until we find
out where he hid that money.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY
Tom makes his way past banks of lockers, trying to get as
far as he can from the probing flashlight beams.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - FRONT DOORS
Kenny drifts up to the front doors. He pulls on them. Locked.
JIM
Mr. Mehlor?
MR. MEHLOR
Reaches into his pack.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY
Tom tries lockers, looking for a place to hide.
EXT. FRONT DOORS
Kenny rides his jet-ski fast away from the front doors and
the doors explode.
INT. SCHOOL FRONT LOBBY
Tom ducks down as...
A FIREBALL
Shoots over him.
KENNY AND RAY
Ride the jet-skis into the flooded school.
UNDERWATER
Tom is swimming as hard as he can, out of breath. KENNY AND
RAY
Ray goes off down a hall while Kenny idles in the lobby.
TOM
Surfaces, gasping.
KENNY
Hears the gasp, turns, grinning.
KENNY
Enemy sub off the port bow!
TOM
Gets to his feet runs as fast as he can down the hall. He
rounds a corner and keeps going.
KENNY
Guns his engine and takes off after Tom.
TOM
Runs another thirty feet, then trips on something and goes
down.
KENNY
Comes around the corner, grinning when he sees...
TOM
Halfway down the hall, standing frozen, caught in Kenny's
light.
KENNY
Guns it, racing forward down the hall toward Tom.
KENNY
Full steam ahead!
THE JET-SKI
Hits something underwater and stops.
KENNY
Keeps going. He flies through the air, slams headfirst into
a trophy case and drops into the water.
TOM
Stands up -- he was kneeling.
TOM
Low tide, sailor.
A HANDRAIL
On the wall, angles down into the water. Underwater there
are a couple of steps leading up to a change in level in the
hall -- that's what the jet-ski grounded on.
HALLWAY
Ray motors down the hallway toward the corner.
RAY
Kenny?
HIS POV
Around the corner comes a jet-ski. Ray assumes it's Kenny.
RAY
See him?
Then the jet-ski speeds up and shoots by him. Ray sees it's...
TOM
Wearing Kenny's hat and jacket.
RAY
Gives chase.
SCHOOL HALLWAYS
Ray races after Tom along the flooded hallways, taking the
turns fast. Ray pulls a gun, starts shooting.
TOM'S POV
Tearing through the halls, flashlight lighting the way.
Bullets hit the walls, ceiling, water around him.
TOM
Comes around a corner, sees the open front doors ahead of
him.
JIM AND MR. MEHLOR
Come into view in the ski-boat, blocking the exit.
TOM
Turns hard and speeds down a side hall.
TOM'S POV
A wall of windows at the end. No way out. Trapped. Then...
KENNY
Rises out of the water, blood running down his face, pistol
up.
TOM
Looks back.
RAY
Is on his tail.
TOM
Makes his choice and guns the jet-ski straight at Kenny.
TOM
Yee-hah!
KENNY
Fires, misses and is knocked to the side as...
TOM
Hunches down on the jet-ski and crashes through the windows.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL
Jim and Mr. Mehlor are moving right outside the windows just
as Tom blasts out of the school and races off into the dark.
EXT. OPEN WATER
Tom moves fast over the water. He yanks off his clip-on tie.
JIM AND THE OTHERS
Chase Tom's light, behind by fifty yards, heading out into
farm fields. They get closer and closer and then watch as...
TOM'S JET-SKI
Runs straight into a tree and explodes.
JIM AND THE OTHERS
Race up to find the burning, flaming wreckage of the jet-
ski. Ray circles on the other jet-ski. Kenny, still bleeding
from the head, is in the boat with Jim and Mr. Mehlor.
KENNY
(laughing)
Nice driving, buttwipe!
RAY
I'm glad you're enjoying this, Kenny,
but if he's dead, how do we find the
money?
Kenny reacts -- oh, right.
JIM
Oh, he's still alive.
We see what Jim sees.
ECU THROTTLE OF JET-SKI
Tom used his tie to wrap the throttle open.
HUNDRED YARDS AWAY
Tom is hiding in the branches of a floating tree, watching
the distant lights of Jim and his men. The current carries
Tom away.
WITH JIM AND HIS MEN
Jim scans the horizon; sees nothing.
JIM
Ray, I'm in need of a little
inspiration.
RAY
"With a raging flood he makes an end
of those who oppose him, and pursues
his enemies into darkness." From one
of the more obscure --
KENNY
Sorry to interrupt Bible study and
all, but has no one but me noticed
how completely screwed we are? We
should be back in the motel room,
counting out the money. Instead --
Jim lashes out with a fist, hard and fast, hitting Kenny in
the chest, knocking him out of the ski-boat, into the water.
Kenny comes up in the thigh-deep water, sputtering.
JIM
No one likes this particular turn of
events, Kenny, but we have a choice --
we can can either deal with it or we
can walk away. There's a lot of money
out there, so I choose to deal with
it. If you want to go, that's fine --
start swimming. You want to stay,
that's fine, too -- just stop your
damn whining.
Jim pushes the throttle forward and the ski-boat takes off,
leaving Ray on the jet-ski, with Kenny in the water.
KENNY
What the hell's his problem? All the
money in the world ain't worth a
goddamn nickel if you get caught.
It's not like there won't be other
jobs.
RAY
You may have more of these in you,
Kenny, but Jim doesn't.
Ray pulls Kenny up onto the jet-ski and takes off after Jim.
EXT. BACK OF CHURCH - SANDBAG WALL
The water level is creeping up a five-foot-high wall of
sandbags.
REVERSE ANGLE
Looking out over the top of the sandbag wall. A tree floats
by on the water.
HANDS
Suddenly appear on the top of the wall and...
TOM
Pulls himself into view. He climbs over the wall, exhausted.
BEHIND THE SANDBAG WALL
Gasoline-powered pumps are sucking up any rainwater. The
sandbags have kept the floodwater at bay.
TOM
He hurries up the back steps and goes into the church.
INT. CHURCH - BACK ROOM
Tom walks through a small room lined with closed cupboards.
He goes through a door.
INT. CHURCH - MAIN HALL
Tom comes out into the altar. He looks around, impressed.
It's a beautiful church. Scaffolding goes up one wall -- the
church is being restored. Tom is startled by a sound from
above. He grabs a heavy silver candlestick as a weapon and
looks up to see...
BIRDS
Fluttering up in the rafters.
TOM
Takes a breath. Just as he relaxes, he hears a whooshing
sound from behind him and turns to see...
A LARGE CRUCIFIX
Being swung at his head. Thunk and...
THE SCREEN GOES BLACK
FADE IN:
INT. SHERIFF'S STATION
Tom slowly regains consciousness, blinking his eyes. He
hears...
SHERIFF (O.S.)
What are you doing here?
But the Sheriff isn't asking Tom, he's asking...
KAREN
30, pretty, even in head-to-toe rain gear.
KAREN
I was setting up pumps.
WAYNE
I sure as hell don't get what you
see in that church.
KAREN
I wouldn't expect you to, Wayne.
WAYNE
What's that supposed to mean?
SHERIFF
Karen, did you think the order was
for everyone but you to evacuate?
KAREN
I was gonna go as soon as I filled
the pumps, but the next thing I know,
I've got a looter on my hands. Now,
maybe I'm crazy, but I was expecting
a little gratitude?
PHIL
I think it's great what you did.
WAYNE
That's it, Phil. That'll finally get
you into her pants.
PHIL
Shut up.
SHERIFF
What if he'd had a gun, Karen? A lot
of these looters carry guns.
TOM (O.S.)
I'm not a looter.
TOM
Sits up on a cot, behind bars in the holding cell, woozy.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL
Jim and his men are searching the school for the money.
RAY
Jim, it could be anywhere. It might
not even be in the school.
JIM
Keep looking.
EXT. MAIN STREET
The rain sheets down hard. A lightning flash reveals...
THE STATUE
The water is up to the horse's knees. The lightning passes
and a second later thunder rolls.
INT. SHERIFF'S STATION
The Sheriff, Phil, Wayne and Karen stand outside the cell.
Tom is inside, on the cot. He touches the cut on his forehead.
WAYNE
What were you doing at the church?
KAREN
I told you -- he was looting it.
TOM
I just said I'm not a looter!
(to Karen)
You're the one who nailed me?
(Karen nods)
You got a better arm than my ex-wife.
What the hell did you hit me with --
a statue? I saw a flash of some guy
coming at me.
KAREN
(mumbles, embarrassed)
It was a crucifix.
(to others)
It was the only thing there!
TOM
Oh, great. Now I'm gonna have people
coming from around the world to see
the face of Jesus on my forehead.
SHERIFF
Look, son, what were you doing in
the church?
TOM
Looking for a place to hide out.
WAYNE
From who -- Swamp Thing?
TOM
The bastards who killed my partner.
That stops the room.
TOM
We were driving an armored truck.
The truck got stuck out past the
high school. They must've picked up
our call to dispatch, 'cause they
knew where we were. Charlie and I
were just standing there and all
hell broke loose.
SHERIFF
How much money did you have?
TOM
A little over three million.
They all exchange a look -- that's a lot of money.
TOM
The bank was afraid of looters. They
had us cleaning out their branches
up and down the river.
WAYNE
They stole three million dollars?
SHERIFF
No, I don't think so.
They all look at the Sheriff. He looks at Tom.
SHERIFF
You took the money, didn't you.
TOM
I hid it in the cemetery. Tied it to
a crypt for a guy named Portman.
WAYNE
What the hell'd you do that for?
TOM
I don't like to carry around that
much cash.
SHERIFF
Jesus, Wayne, use your head. If he
hadn't hidden it, they woulda killed
him, too.
The Sheriff looks at Tom -- is that it? Tom nods.
SHERIFF
You got any ID?
TOM
No, it was in my jacket and I --
WAYNE
Color me surprised.
The Sheriff thinks for a beat, then tosses some keys to Phil.
SHERIFF
Get out two rifles and a shotgun.
Phil nods and goes to it. The Sheriff opens a desk drawer,
pulls out an ankle holster.
WAYNE
You believe him?
SHERIFF
Well, yes, Wayne, I do. And even if
I didn't, I'd say we sure as hell
had an obligation to check it out,
don't you think?
The Sheriff starts strapping on the ankle holster.
TOM
I'll go with you. I can show you
where --
SHERIFF
No, I think you better stay put. But
that was --
WAYNE
Yeah, all we need is an armored car
guy helping us out.
The Sheriff thwacks Wayne in the ear.
WAYNE
Ow!
SHERIFF
Wayne, what's the worst that's ever
happened to you? When old Mrs. Dugan
went after you with a knife? This
guy just got shot at!
(dismisses Wayne; to
Tom)
Smart move with the money.
Phil comes over with the guns.
SHERIFF
(to Phil)
Wayne and I'll check out the cemetery.
You escort Slugger...
(nods at Karen)
...out of town. Get her to some high
ground, then come on back.
The Sheriff jams a small pistol into his ankle holster.
KAREN
I have to fill the pumps --
SHERIFF
(pulling her out)
Not any more you don't.
The Sheriff straightens up, grabs a rifle from Phil and pulls
Karen to the door. Wayne goes to Tom's cell door and pulls
it shut with a click.
SHERIFF
Wayne...
WAYNE
He could still be lying!
The Sheriff rolls his eyes and gestures for Wayne to come
along. He opens the door for Karen, Wayne and Phil to go
through.
TOM
Sheriff -- they killed my partner
without any warning.
SHERIFF
And they're gonna regret that, I
guarantee you. They're gonna regret
coming anywhere near this town
tonight. And out he goes.
EXT. SHERIFF'S STATION
Water is halfway up the four-foot high wall of sandbags around
the station. There are three outboard motorboats moored to
the sandbags.
SHERIFF
Phil, take Karen's boat.
The Sheriff and Wayne climb toward their boats.
WAYNE
You can do it, Phil. The men of
Huntingburg are counting on you.
PHIL
Just bite me.
Wayne laughs as he and the Sheriff fire up their boat engines.
INT. SHERIFF'S STATION
Tom hears boat engines start up and move away. He lays back
down on the cot, listening to the rain.
INT. DAM CONTROL OFFICE
Empty. Light comes out from under the door to the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM
Hank is on the can reading a copy of "American Survivalist"
magazine. An odd reaction comes over his face. He feels
something weird. He looks down.
ON THE FLOOR
Water is seeping in under the door.
HANK
Holy shit!
INT. DAM CONTROL OFFICE
The bathroom door flies open and Hank waddles out, pants
around his feet. He shuffles fast to the control wheels and
starts spinning them.
EXT. RESERVOIR DAM
Two gates open fast, all the way, and water thunders out.
INT. DAM CONTROL OFFICE
Hank pulls up his pants as he gets on the radio.
HANK
Sheriff! Sheriff!
EXT. PARK AREA
The Sheriff and Wayne are motoring in their boats, zooming
through the trees, engine noise obliterating anything coming
in over the radio.
INT. DAM CONTROL OFFICE
HANK
(on the radio)
Sheriff, come in!
EXT. MAIN STREET - MOVING BOAT
Phil steers Karen's small boat down Main Street, past the
statue. The water is up to the rider's stirrups.
KAREN
(pleading)
Did you see the stained glass windows,
Phil? Did you see what a good job
they did? I can't let anything happen
to the church, not after all I've
put into it.
PHIL
Karen, you know I'd do anything for
you, but the Sheriff told me to get
you out of town. I'm sorry. It's for
your own good.
Karen stands up.
PHIL
What're you doing?
KAREN
If you're not going to take me back
to the church, then I'll swim.
Karen moves to get out of the boat.
PHIL
No. Hey, hold on.
Phil lets go of the throttle and stands, moving toward Karen.
KAREN
What am I saying?
Karen suddenly turns on Phil and pushes him out of the boat.
KAREN
This is my boat. You swim.
Karen guns the engine and shoots off down a side street.
Phil stands in the waist-deep water and watches her go,
flabbergasted.
EXT. CHURCH
Karen comes around a corner and drives her boat up to the
church. The water is swirling quietly, still a good three
feet below the top of the wall.
EXT. ROAD OUT OF TOWN - WELCOME SIGN
Close on the lighted "Welcome to Huntingburg" sign. There's
a rushing sound and a two-foot-high wall of water hits the
sign. The lights explode in geysers of sparks and the water
rushes on.
EXT. PARK AREA
The Sheriff and Wayne are racing through a grove of half-
submerged trees. There's a rushing sound above the sound of
the engines. WHAM! and they're hit by the wall of water.
Wayne falls out of his boat and is lost in the swirling water.
EXT. ALLEYWAY
Jim and his men are motoring down an alleyway when...
THE WALL OF WATER
Rushes down the alley.
RAY
The water hits him hard, knocking him off the jet-ski. He's
swept away by the water.
CLOSE ON A FENCE LACED WITH CONCERTINA WIRE
The surge water shoots through it. And suddenly there's...
RAY
Slammed up against the fence, pinned to it, water rushing
over and around and by him. He yells as the wire cuts into
him.
EXT. CHURCH
Karen is pouring gasoline into the pumps.
She hears the rushing and looks up as the surge hits. Water
shoots over the top.
INT. SHERIFF'S STATION
Tom hears the sound and opens his eyes -- what the hell is
that?
EXT. SHERIFF'S STATION
The wall of water slams in hard, cascading over the sandbag
wall.
INT. SHERIFF'S STATION
TOM SITS UP, SWINGING HIS LEGS OVER THE SIDE OF THE COT. HE
REACTS, LOOKS DOWN. HIS POV
There's two feet of water in the station.
EXT. SHERIFF'S STATION
The building is like a rock in a stream, with the water
rushing up high against one wall, roiling and swirling around
the sides.
INT. SHERIFF'S STATION
Tom looks over, stunned, to see... THE DOOR
As a fine stream spits in through the keyhole.
THE WINDOWS
Are heaving as the water rises up against them.
TOM
Gets to his feet, woozy and goes to get out of the cell. He
remembers -- uh-oh: the cell door is locked.
EXT. ALLEYWAY
Jim pulls Ray, coughing, choking, bleeding, into the ski-
boat.
INT. SHERIFF'S STATION
The water level inside is rising fast. It hits the wall
sockets and there's a spit of sparks, then all the desk lamps
go dark. Light still comes from overhead fluorescent panels.
Tom sees...
TWO KEYS ON A KEY RING
Laying on the Sheriff's wooden desk. They're four feet away --
too far to reach.
EXT. CHURCH
Karen suddenly has a horrible thought and stops. She shakes
it off -- doesn't want to think about it -- and mutters to
herself.
KAREN
They'll get him out.
EXT. MAIN STREET
Phil is clinging to the statue as the water surges by below
him.
EXT. PARK AREA
Wayne gets back into his boat. The Sheriff realizes something.
SHERIFF
Wayne... You locked him in.
INT. SHERIFF'S STATION
Tom looks through the cell bars at wooden chairs bobbing in
the water. The Sheriff's desk lifts up, starts floating. Tom
gets an idea. He takes his belt off.
EXT. NEAR SHERIFF'S STATION
A telephone pole is half-submerged, being pulled along fast
by the current.
INT. SHERIFF'S STATION
Tom holds one end of the belt and tosses the rest of it at...
THE DESK
Bobbing in the rising water. He misses the keys.
TOM AND THE DESK
Tom tries again. The belt lands on the desk top.
Tom very gently starts pulling. Too hard; the belt starts
slipping off the desk. He gets it just right and the desk
starts moving toward Tom. He reaches out with his hand,
stretching.
HIS FINGERS
Touch the top of the desk, start pulling it toward him, and
he just gets a firm grip on the desk when...
THE TELEPHONE POLE
Smashes into a window, bending in the bars on the window,
shattering the glass, letting a torrent of water into the
room.
THE DESK
Is moved by the rush of water, but not before Tom grabs...
THE KEYS
And grips them tight.
TOM
Tries the keys in the lock. They don't fit. He looks at them.
CU KEYS
The tag is emblazoned with the Ford logo.
TOM
Great! I can drive out of here!
Tom tosses the keys into the water and looks around at...
THE WATER LEVEL
Rising very fast. A foot in ten seconds.
TOM
Climbs up the cell bars, the water rising with him. He's
running out of room between himself and the ceiling. Three
feet. Two feet. He's being pushed up by the water toward...
FLUORESCENT LIGHT FIXTURE
On the ceiling, caged in a wire cover.
TOM
Is terrified, about to die. The water rises up past his face.
TOM'S HANDS
Pull his Maglite flashlight from his belt. He takes off the
lens and the battery cap, then shakes the batteries out.
TOM
Sticks the flashlight tube up through the wire grate over
the light fixture.
He blows out the water -- like clearing a snorkel -- then
breathes. Reprieve for a few moments and then...
THE WATER
Reaches the top of the flashlight tube and starts to trickle
in when...
THE FLUORESCENT LIGHT FIXTURE
Goes dark. In the darkness, there's the sound of tubes
breaking and metal being wrenched.
TOM
Looks up, astonished, to see...
THE FLUORESCENT FIXTURE
Being lifted up and away from above. Streetlight comes in,
silhouetting...
A FIGURE
Standing on the roof. The figure leans down and starts tugging
at the wire cage over the inside of the fixture. In the light,
Tom sees that it's...
KAREN
And she's pulling as hard as she can, but the wire cage isn't
budging. She pulls out a Swiss Army knife, unfolds a small
knife and starts taking out the screws holding the cage in
place. She gets two screws out.
TOM
Pulls on the cage and it swings down. He climbs up it.
EXT. SHERIFF'S STATION ROOF
Tom surfaces in a hole in the roof. There's a vent duct laying
on the roof -- Karen must've kicked that over to get to the
light fixture. Karen helps Tom up. She sits and he lays down
on the roof, catching his breath.
TOM
Thank you.
KAREN
I owed you -- for hitting you and
all. But we're even now, okay?
TOM
Even.
(beat, looks around)
What happened?
KAREN
I don't know.
They get up.
KAREN
Maybe another levee broke upriver.
They've been --
Just then...
A PROPANE TANK
Explodes. The fireball rips across the dark sky, illuminating
everything, showing...
JIM AND HIS MEN
Fifty feet away -- Jim, Mr. Mehlor and Ray in the ski-boat
and Kenny on the jet-ski -- guns aimed at Tom and Karen.
TOM
Oh, God.
DARKNESS
As the lightning passes, and in the darkness, the thunder
rolls.
JIM AND HIS MEN
Switch on their lights and move forward. They pass...
CARS
Floating down the street with other debris. The cars have
been damaged by the flood -- one is missing a door.
JIM AND HIS MEN
When they get closer to the Sheriff's station, what they see --
or don't see -- makes them stop.
THEIR POV
Tom and Karen have disappeared. Karen's boat is still moored
to the Sheriff's station roof, empty.
JIM
They're in the water! Kenny, cut
your engine!
Kenny shuts off the engine of the one remaining jet-ski. Jim
shuts down the boat engine. They float in silence, scanning
the water with their flashlights. There's no sign of Tom and
Karen.
UNDERWATER
Tom motions Karen to follow him. She's freaked and hesitates.
Tom grabs her hand and pulls her.
THEIR POV
The ski-boat and jet-ski are right above them, flashlights
playing over the water.
JIM AND HIS MEN
Reach the roof of the Sheriff's station. Jim looks around.
JIM
Kenny, go that way. We'll go down
here.
LONG SHOT POV THROUGH CAR WINDSHIELD
Of Kenny and Jim heading off in different directions.
TOM AND KAREN
Rise into view in a car. They gasp for air and keep low.
KAREN
Tell them where the money is.
TOM
I can't.
KAREN
Well, I can.
She's about to call out. Tom grabs her hard.
TOM
If they know where the money is,
they will kill us.
Before Karen can say anything, a flashlight beam comes
swinging toward them and they have to duck underwater.
JIM
Watches as his flashlight beam washes over the car. Nothing
there. He guns his engine and heads off down the street.
THE CAR
Floats off around a corner.
IN THE CAR
Tom and Karen surface, catch their breath. Quiet for a few
moments as they both look around to see that Jim and his men
are gone.
KAREN
So what do we do?
TOM
I guess just drive around until we
run out of gas.
KAREN
(pissed)
Look, I've spent the last eight months
of my life restoring that church,
and I just left it to come save your
ass, so spare me, okay?
TOM
(beat)
When we get down here a little further
we'll find a place for you to hide.
(off her look)
I'm gonna get back to the truck and
wait for the National Guard.
(checks watch)
They should be there pretty soon.
Karen nods. Tom looks at her. She's shivering.
TOM
Cold?
KAREN
No, I'm fine. The heater just kicked
in.
Tom looks at her, gives a little grin. Their eyes meet for a
second, then they look away.
EXT. SHERIFF'S STATION
Phil climbs up onto the roof, exhausted. He sees the hole in
the roof and goes to look at it. As he's looking down...
SHERIFF (O.S.)
Is he dead?
Phil turns to see...
THE SHERIFF AND WAYNE
Coasting up in their boats.
PHIL
No. Someone got him out.
SHERIFF
Who?
PHIL
(hesitates)
Maybe Karen.
WAYNE
Karen? How could she get him out?
You took her out of town.
PHIL
I -- It --
SHERIFF
Let's hear it, Phil.
PHIL
It happened real fast, okay?
EXT. ALLEYWAY
Tom and Karen float down the alley in the car.
KAREN
You ever been robbed before?
TOM
No. The scariest thing that ever
happened before was Charlie running
out of donuts.
(off her look)
I've only been doing this for a couple
months.
KAREN
(not what she wanted
to hear)
Oh.
Silence for a few moments.
KAREN
What'd you do before this?
TOM
I, uh... I sold construction
machinery.
(off her look)
I was making good money, it just...
I don't know. It just didn't seem
right for me anymore.
KAREN
How'd you end up in this?
TOM
My uncle did me a favor; got me in.
KAREN
Nice favor. How's he gonna feel after
tonight?
TOM
My uncle was Charlie -- my partner
in the truck.
KAREN
Oh, God. I'm sorry.
Tom nods -- so is he.
EXT. SHERIFF'S STATION
Phil climbs into the Sheriff's boat.
WAYNE
She know karate or something, Phil?
Maybe kung fu? I mean, I can't see
how else she could overpower the
likes of you.
PHIL
Shut up, Wayne.
SHERIFF
Shut up, both of you. Let's go find
Karen; see if she's got him.
The Sheriff fires up his engine and heads off, Wayne
following.
EXT. ALLEYWAY
Karen and Tom are still in the car. They freeze at the sound
of engines in the distance. The sounds fade. Tom looks around.
TOM
God, I wonder whose car this is.
Karen plucks some cassette tapes out of the water.
KAREN
Well, whoever it is, he listens to
Pat Benatar, Eddie Money and the
soundtrack to "Footloose."
TOM
Really?
(looks at tapes)
Hold on...
(looks around car)
...I think this is my car from high
school.
Karen laughs. Just then...
THE CAR
Gets caught on something and stops.
TOM
Looks like we get out here.
(Karen hesitates)
Come on -- I told your father I'd
have you home by ten.
Karen grins. Just then...
A TRANSFORMER
down the street explodes.
TOM AND KAREN
Hear a sparking sound and look over to see...
A TRANSFORMER
On a telephone/power pole close to them. Rain hits it, causing
the sparking sound. The floodwater is inching up the pole
toward it.
The water will reach the transformer in a matter of seconds.
And while they're staring at that...
ANOTHER TRANSFORMER
At the end of the street explodes as water hits it.
TOM AND KAREN
Look around -- what to do? Tom points.
TOM
There!
They climb out of the car and start swimming toward a house.
THE TRANSFORMER
Water is three inches from the transformer; two inches...
TOM AND KAREN
Swimming as hard as they can.
THE TRANSFORMER
One inch from the water...
TOM AND KAREN
Reach the house. They pull themselves up onto a television
antenna/ladder running up the side of the house. Karen's
feet are still in the water.
TOM
Get your feet up!
THE TRANSFORMER
The water is about to touch. There's a sizzling sound.
TOM AND KAREN
They heave a huge sigh of relief -- but then Tom realizes...
TOM
Oh, shit!
KAREN
What?
TOM
(re: antenna/ladder)
It's metal!
Tom pushes Karen over onto a window ledge. Then, just as
Tom's about to step over...
KENNY
Comes screaming in on the jet-ski. He dives off the jetski,
gets a hold of Tom and pulls him under.
KENNY AND TOM
Surface. Kenny is stronger and he has Tom in a tight grip.
One problem -- Kenny doesn't know the danger they're in.
TOM
We've gotta --!
Kenny shoves Tom underwater.
KENNY
HEY! I GOT HIM!
Tom comes up, looks over at...
THE TRANSFORMER
The sizzling is getting louder.
TOM
We have to --!
Kenny dunks Tom again.
KENNY
I GOT HIM!
UNDERWATER
Tom grabs Kenny's arms and pulls himself up fast.
KENNY AND TOM
Tom's head comes out of the water and slams into Kenny's
chin. Kenny is stunned. Tom gets free of his grasp.
KAREN
Hurry!
Tom does the backstroke, pulling hard toward Karen.
KENNY
Still stunned, finally hears the sizzling and looks over
at...
THE TRANSFORMER
The water touches the outer casing of the transformer.
KENNY
Starts swimming fast toward...
TOM AND KAREN
Karen grabs Tom's arm and Tom gets a hold of the windowsill
and pulls himself up.
KENNY
Grabs onto...
THE TV ANTENNA
And starts pulling himself out of the water.
THE TRANSFORMER
Explodes.
KENNY
Feels pretty pleased with himself until...
THE TV ANTENNA
Starts dancing with electricity and...
KENNY
Is hit by the voltage and his teeth clamp shut and his body
goes rigid and his clothes explode in flames.
TOM AND KAREN
Look away.
THE WATER
Dead fish start floating to the surface.
KENNY
Is fried, smoking. He falls off the TV antenna and hits the
water with a loud and ugly hiss. He floats away, his body
shaking spasmodically.
TOM AND KAREN
Tom hears an engine approaching. He looks around, then smashes
the window with his elbow.
INT. HOUSE
The window glass tumbles in. Tom reaches in, undoes the latch
and slides up the window. He climbs in, straddling the window
sill. The camera moves down Tom's leg to show...
A WOLF TRAP
Laying on the floor, just below the window.
TOM
Is oblivious. He starts to put his foot down into the trap.
Just then he knocks...
A POTTED CACTUS
Off the windowsill. It falls straight down into...
THE WOLF TRAP
Hitting the trigger. The jaws snap, obliterating the cactus.
TOM
Jesus Christ!
A SHOTGUN BARREL
Snaps into view, pointing right at Tom's head.
WOMAN (O.S.)
You so much as breathe funny and
your head is going back out that
window without you.
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET
Jim drives the boat down the street. Mr. Mehlor is scanning
the water with a flashlight.
MR. MEHLOR
Jim! Over there!
Jim looks over to see...
THE JET-SKI
Floating in the water. And not far from it is...
KENNY
Still twitching.
OMITTED
Sequence omitted from original script.
INT. HOUSE - BEDROOM
Doreen holds the shotgun on Tom and Karen as they move away
from the window, hands raised.
DOREEN
Real slow now. Like you were in a
big jar of molasses. That's it.
They hear footsteps coming down old wood stairs.
MAN (O.S.)
Doreen? You haven't killed anybody,
have you?
DOREEN
I've got everything under control,
Henry. You go back up.
Henry enters.
HENRY
Jesus, Doreen, you caught a whole
gang.
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET
Jim and Mr. Mehlor pull Kenny into the ski-boat. Kenny is
shivering. Part of his hair has been burned away.
KENNY
Jesus, God, it hurts!
JIM
You're gonna be okay, Ken. Mr. Mehlor
knows these things and he thinks
you're gonna be okay.
Mr. Mehlor looks at Jim. Mr. Mehlor knows these things and
he thinks Kenny is going to die.
KENNY
It hurts!
JIM
Don't you, Mr. Mehlor? Don't you
think Kenny's gonna be okay?
MR. MEHLOR
Yeah, Kenny. You're gonna be fine.
KENNY
Jesus, I can't stop shivering.
Mr. Mehlor moves aside. Jim puts his arms around Kenny.
KENNY
I know you didn't want me to come.
JIM
You kidding? We couldn't've done
anything without you.
KENNY
My dad'd sure be pissed off, huh?
JIM
Your dad'd just want you to lay still
while we got you some help.
KENNY
Hey -- hey the pain's goin'.
(relief)
Oh, man.
He looks up at Jim and grins.
KENNY
When you said I was gonna be okay, I
thought you were just shittin' me.
JIM
See? You gotta trust me.
Kenny's shivering stops. It stops because he's dead. Jim
slowly lets go.
INT. HENRY AND DOREEN'S ATTIC
Henry and Doreen have brought everything into their attic --
a TV, some silver and china, bowling trophies. A Coleman
lantern lights the room.
DOREEN
(sarcastic)
Well, isn't that just wonderful! Now
these bastards are gonna want to
kill us, too! Why the hell did you
have to come to this house?
KAREN
We thought it was empty.
DOREEN
You know what? The house next door
is empty. So whaddya say we go back
downstairs and you two keep moving?
HENRY
We are not going to send these people
out to the wolves.
DOREEN
Oh, we're not, are we? Then what's
your plan, General Schwartzkopf?
HENRY
I -- I just don't think --
TOM
It's okay. I have to go anyway.
They look at him, surprised.
TOM
The National Guard'll be at the truck
in about fifteen minutes. I'm gonna
go wait for them.
DOREEN
You can't swim that far in fifteen
minutes.
HENRY
He could take our boat.
DOREEN
Henry!
HENRY
(to Tom)
I'll go get it ready for you.
DOREEN
Henry, he is not taking our boat.
Henry ignores Doreen. He pushes the attic stairs down, heads
down them.
DOREEN
(grabs TV; to Tom)
Here. You want a TV too? How about
some china? Maybe our silver?
(sets TV down)
Henry! Henry, you leave the boat
where it is!
Doreen heads off down the stairs. Tom starts down the stairs,
stops.
TOM
Karen?
(she looks at him)
I'm Tom.
They shake hands.
KAREN
Watch yourself, Tom. I really don't
wanna have to save your life again.
Tom nods and goes down the stairs.
EXT. HENRY'S HOUSE
Henry stands on the roof of the back porch, steadying a small
rowboat as Tom gets in. Doreen nags from the window.
DOREEN
You give away our only boat in the
middle of a flood. You are a genius,
Henry. A goddamn genius.
TOM
(whispers to Henry,
re: Doreen)
You wanna come with me?
Henry looks at Tom, entertaining the notion...
DOREEN
Jesus, Henry, what are you waiting
for -- a kiss goodbye? Get back in
here.
Henry sighs and lets go of the boat. Tom rows off.
LONG SHOT OF TOM
We see him in silhouette, crossing the gap between two houses.
JIM AND HIS MEN
Are watching, from the shadows on the dark side of the street.
RAY
Why don't we just get him?
JIM
If our resourceful young friend hears
us coming, he'll electrocute us or
sink us or one of you'll shoot him.
Besides...
(glances at watch)
...I know where he's going. What I'd
like to know is where he came from.
EXT. CHURCH
The Sheriff sits in his boat, moored to the wall of sandbags
around the church. Wayne's boat is tied up next to it. The
floodwater is trickling over the top of the wall. The gas-
powered pumps inside the wall are keeping the waters at bay.
WAYNE AND PHIL
Come out of the front doors of the church.
WAYNE
They're not here.
EXT. ROAD OUT OF TOWN - WELCOME SIGN
Tom rows up to the truck and "Welcome" sign. His flashlight
shows just the top of the truck and sign. Tom looks at his
watch, ties the rowboat to the sign, jumps into the water.
A few moments pass, then Tom surfaces, holding a shotgun.
Then he senses something behind him and turns to see...
A COW
Floating in the water, tongue out, eyes glassy.
TOM
Kicks away, horrified. And then he hears an engine. He looks.
TOM'S POV
Jim's ski-boat is coming over the water. The engine cuts out
and the ski-boat drifts, a hundred feet from Tom.
JIM
(yelling)
Son, before you go underwater and do
something tricky, there's something
I'd like you to see!
A flashlight comes on, the beam swivels, illuminating...
HENRY AND DOREEN
Standing in the ski-boat, blinking in the light.
TOM
Slumps.
JIM
Now, I know it's your job to protect
that money, and maybe you'd even be
foolish enough to give your life for
it. The question is, are you willing
to give their lives for it?
Jim puts a pistol to Doreen's head.
JIM
Drop the gun and get into the boat.
TOM
Thinks for a second, then throws the shotgun away and pulls
himself into the rowboat.
JIM
Excellent choice.
TOM, JIM, HENRY AND DOREEN
As Tom and Jim call to each other across the water, Doreen
goes at Henry.
TOM
I'll take you to the money, but you
gotta let them go.
DOREEN
I hope you're proud of yourself,
Henry Sears.
HENRY
Shh.
JIM
I think it'd be best if --
DOREEN
I told you not to give him the goddamn
boat.
HENRY
Doreen, please.
JIM
I think it'd be best if we all stayed
together.
TOM
You say all you want is the money?
Prove it. Let them go.
JIM
I don't know if that's --
DOREEN
We could be safe in our home instead
of out here in a boat with these low-
life scumbags!
JIM
(after a look at
Doreen, nods to Mr.
Mehlor)
Let 'em go.
EXT. MAIN STREET
The Sheriff, Wayne and Phil motor past the statue. Wayne is
driving his boat; Phil is with the Sheriff. The water is up
to the General's neck.
EXT. ROAD OUT OF TOWN
Tom helps Henry and Doreen over into the rowboat. As he does,
his face comes close to Henry's for a second.
TOM
(whisper)
Karen?
HENRY
(shakes head, whispers)
In the attic. They never saw her.
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET
Karen swims down the center of the street.
EXT. ROAD OUT OF TOWN
Tom is in the ski-boat with Jim. He looks out at...
HENRY AND DOREEN
As Henry rows them off into the darkness.
DOREEN
(disappearing in dark)
Faster, Henry! The bastards might
change their minds! Stop lily- dipping
and move it!
Henry starts to turn the boat around.
DOREEN
What're you doing?
HENRY
I'm gonna row back there and see if
he'll shoot you. Or me. Fine either
way.
DOREEN
Henry...?
HENRY
Do you want me to get us out of here?
DOREEN
Yes, of course, I --
HENRY
Then shut the fuck up.
Henry turns the boat around and rows off. Doreen is silent.
JIM'S SKI-BOAT
Jim shakes his head. Tom looks at Ray, coughing and at Kenny,
dead. Tom doesn't know what to say.
TOM
I...
JIM
The only thing I want to hear from
you is where the money is.
EXT. STREET
The Sheriff and Wayne are motoring fast down a street, the
Sheriff leading. The Sheriff sees something in the water in
front of him. He curses and throttles down fast.
KAREN
Is in the water, exhausted and cold.
EXT. CEMETERY
Jim pilots the ski-boat into the cemetery. All are aghast.
A DOZEN CASKETS
Are floating in the water. Half of them have drifted up
against the fence; the others are headed that way.
JIM
I wonder where they think they're
going.
RAY
What the hell's going on?
MR. MEHLOR
This happened in a flood in Georgia.
The ground gets soggy, and the caskets
are air-tight -- anyone who hasn't
been planted too long just pops up.
RAY
You teach your students stuff like
that? No wonder they kicked you out.
MR. MEHLOR
I didn't teach my students anything
at all.
JIM
(to Tom)
Where is it?
TOM
It's hard to tell now with the water
so deep.
Jim cocks the hammer on his pistol. Tom gets the hint.
TOM
It's down there a little further.
Jim nods, gives the engine some juice and they move on.
TOM
Takes a quick look at his watch.
JIM
Sees Tom looking at his watch.
EXT. STREET
Karen is in the Sheriff's boat, wearing Phil's jacket, trying
to warm up.
KAREN
Tom went off in their rowboat.
WAYNE
(to Phil)
It's Tom now. Looks like you lost
out, pal.
SHERIFF
Where was he going?
KAREN
Back to the armored truck.
EXT. CEMETERY
Jim throttles down the ski-boat engine.
JIM
Here?
TOM
Uh... no. A little farther --
JIM
They're not coming, son.
Tom looks over at Jim, pretending to be confused.
TOM
What?
JIM
The National Guard. They're not
coming.
TOM
I don't --
JIM
I know you've been trying to stall
until they show up, but they're not
coming.
TOM
(pause as he realizes)
Oh, God. You intercepted Charlie's
call, then you called them off.
JIM
No, son, I didn't call them off.
They never were coming. We didn't
"intercept" Charlie's call. He called
us direct.
And on Tom's look of disbelief...
INT. DAM CONTROL OFFICE
Hank is on the radio.
HANK
I'd love to help you, Sheriff, but I
can't leave! If the water goes over
the top again it's bye-bye, dam! Bye-
bye, town! In fact, I could use a
little help up here myself.
EXT. PARK AREA
The Sheriff is in his boat; Wayne is back in his own. The
Sheriff is on the radio.
SHERIFF
Hank, remember when Mike Crane holed
up in Jack Finch's barn and said he
was gonna burn it down?
CROSSCUT WITH HANK
HANK
Hey, I was the one who got the dumb
son-of-a-bitch to come out.
SHERIFF
Right. And before you went in, I
deputized you, you dumb son-of-a-
bitch! So when I say get down here,
it's not a request, it's an order.
So get down here! Now! I won't need
you for long. And bring your gun.
EXT. CEMETERY
JIM
We were gonna hit you just before
you got on the Interstate, but then
you got stuck so we had to change
our plans and take you --
TOM
Bullshit. This is all bullshit.
JIM
I knew Charlie when we were both
working construction for the Johnstown
company. His middle name was McCarthy
because his parents loved Charlie
McCarthy on the radio. His wife's
name was Mary. She died of a heart-
attack last year. He has a daughter
and a son, both grown with children
of their own. I'm afraid I don't
know the names of the grandchildren.
Tom looks down, not wanting to believe.
JIM
What else do I know...? Oh, yes. I
know Uncle Charlie was trying to
steer his favorite nephew away from
a life of crime.
Tom suddenly lunges for Jim. Ray yanks Tom back.
TOM
Why'd you shoot him? Kill Charlie
and you get to keep another share?
JIM
No, That was an accident. Ken shot
him.
(eyes Kenny sadly)
I never told him Charlie was on my
side. Ken liked to talk.
(shakes head)
He shouldn't've been here. But his
dad asked me to watch over him. I
guess I didn't do the best job.
RAY
Excuse me, Jim. I hate to interrupt
and all, but could we just get the
money and get the hell out of here?
JIM
(nods; to Tom)
I'm gonna ask you one more time. And
before you think of bullshitting me
again, keep in mind I have had a
very frustrating night. And while I
know I'll never get the money if I
kill you, it's getting to the point
where I just don't care.
Jim casually aims his gun at Tom.
TOM
I'll tell you where it is. But it's
not going to do you any good.
Jim arches an eyebrow.
TOM
The Guard may not be coming, but
someone else sure as hell is.
EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN THE SHERIFF
At the controls of his boat, moving fast, sprayed by rain.
Karen and Phil are in the back of the boat. Wayne is close
behind in his boat.
EXT. CEMETERY
JIM
I'll take my chances.
Tom pauses, looks over to...
THE CRYPT
Just the top of it is visible. Two more COFFINS float nearby.
TOM
There.
Jim steers the ski-boat over, hands Tom a flashlight.
JIM
Well, go get it.
Tom climbs over the edge of the ski-boat and into the water.
He turns on the flashlight and drops below the surface.
RAY
(eyeing Tom in water)
"At night we'd go down to the river
and into the river we'd dive."
(off Jim and Mehlor's
looks)
Springsteen, "The River." I'm all
out of bible quotes.
UNDERWATER
Tom shines his light on...
THE CRYPT
One end of a rope is tied to the crypt. The other end, cut
and frayed, is suspended in the water, waving in the current.
ON THE WATER
Jim watches Tom's light rise. Tom comes up fast, takes a
breath.
TOM
It's gone.
JIM
What?
TOM
(smug)
Looks like somebody beat you to it.
RAY
Oh for Christs -- I'm gonna shoot
him, Jim.
Ray grabs pistol in his belt. Before he can pull it out,
holes puff out of his chest, followed by blood and then the
sound of the rifle-shots. Ray tumbles into the water. A half-
second later there's...
HAIL OF BULLETS
Ripping into the ski-boat, water, trees, crypt.
THE SHERIFF'S BOAT, WAYNE'S BOAT
Are outside the fence, a hundred feet from the crypt. PUSH
IN FAST on...
THE SHERIFF
To the rescue. He and Wayne and Phil fire their guns.
TOM
Ducks underwater.
JIM
Pulls his pistol, returns fire.
MR. MEHLOR
Opens fire with a shotgun, shooting wild, yelling. Then he's
hit and knocked out of the boat, dead.
IN THE SHERIFF'S BOAT
KAREN
Stop! You'll hit Tom!
The Sheriff stops shooting, yells at the others.
SHERIFF
Hold your fire!
Wayne and Phil stop shooting.
BY THE CRYPT
Tom is holding onto a coffin, out of view of the Sheriff. He
hears a rush of bubbles and turns as...
JIM
Comes to the surface, breathing deep.
JIM'S GUN
Comes out of the water fast and the barrel goes to Tom's
forehead.
THE SHERIFF'S BOAT
There's an adrenal fire in the Sheriff's eyes. He starts his
boat forward, Wayne following. Their lights find...
JIM'S BOAT
No sign of life. Then there's a sound and the lights sweep
over to find...
JIM AND TOM
Climbing up on top of the mostly-submerged crypt. Jim is
behind Tom with his gun to Tom's head.
THE SHERIFF
Stops his boat. Wayne stops, too. They are thirty yards from
Jim and Tom.
KAREN AND TOM
A look passes between them.
JIM
(to Sheriff)
Now, sir, I can imagine you'd love
nothing more than to shoot me, but I
caution you -- in order to do that,
you're gonna have to shoot through
young Tom here.
THE SHERIFF
Thinks for a second, then shrugs.
SHERIFF
Okay.
He raises his rifle.
KAREN
Realizes what is about to happen.
TOM AND JIM
Also clue in, but before they can move...
THE SHERIFF
Squeezes the trigger as...
KAREN
Hits the gun with her arm.
THE RIFLE
Fires.
TOM
is grazed in the arm by the bullet.
THE SHERIFF
Smacks Karen hard with his rifle and she tumbles out of the
boat, unconscious.
TOM AND JIM
Throw themselves back off the crypt as...
THE SHERIFF AND WAYNE
Empty their guns in their direction.
JIM
Returns fire, shooting blindly over the top of the crypt.
PHIL
Reaches for Karen, floating limp in the water, but...
WAYNE
Is closer. He grabs Karen and pulls her into his boat, then
grins at Phil.
TOM AND JIM
Are behind the crypt. Tom holds his bleeding arm. Jim reloads.
TOM
Well, that was unexpected.
JIM
Is he the one you thought was coming
to your rescue?
No answer from Tom, but the answer is clear.
WITH THE SHERIFF AND HIS MEN
The Sheriff and Wayne reload.
HANK (O.S.)
Anyone mind telling me what the hell
is going on?
The Sheriff, Wayne and Phil turn to see...
HANK
In his boat, right behind them, all dressed up in hunting
gear, rifle at the ready.
SHERIFF
Hey, Hank. That money I told you
about? From the armored car? We're
gonna keep it. Three million dollars.
Four ways.
(shoots at crypt)
Seven fifty apiece. You okay with
that?
Hank is stunned. He doesn't answer.
SHERIFF
Hank? You okay with that?
HANK
Seven hundred and fifty thousand
dollars?
(beat, grins)
Damn straight I'm okay with that.
WAYNE
(grumbling, re: Hank)
Don't see what we needed him for.
SHERIFF
Then I guess you've never been hunting
with Hank.
(to Hank)
We got two behind that crypt. Get
'em.
Hank nods. He motions for Wayne to go one way; he'll go the
other. They start off. A blind shot comes from Jim behind
the crypt. The Sheriff shoots back. Phil finally musters up
the courage to say something.
PHIL
Maybe I'm not okay with it.
SHERIFF
Come on now, Phil.
PHIL
You're gonna kill people?
SHERIFF
They're looters, Phil! They come and
steal from an armored truck in our
town -- they're looters.
(fires two shots)
PHIL
What about Tom? What about Karen?
They're not looters.
SHERIFF
No, they're witnesses.
The Sheriff fires off a flurry of bullets.
TOM AND JIM
Behind the crypt, bullets winging by. Jim looks over, sees...
HANK
Motor into view.
JIM
Opens fire.
HANK
Shoots back.
TOM
Flattens against the crypt, then turns to see...
WAYNE
Coming into view on the other side.
TOM
Looks at Jim, sees he's occupied in the fight with Hank.
Then he sees...
RAY
Floating in the water, dead, pistol still jammed in his pants.
TOM
Thinks, decides, and reaches out for Ray.
CLOSE ON JIM
Shooting at Hank. He hears gunfire from Wayne and is about
to swivel to shoot in that direction when he hears a gun
firing from right next to him. He turns to see...
TOM
Shooting back at Wayne with Ray's gun.
WAYNE
Pulls back out of the line of fire.
HANK
Curses and pulls back, too.
TOM AND JIM
Exchange a look.
THE SHERIFF'S BOAT
PHIL
How can you do this?
SHERIFF
Jeez, Phil, I always thought Wayne
was the stupid one. Read my lips.
(slowly)
Three million dollars. Look at it!
The Sheriff reaches down into a forward storage area of the
boat and pulls back a tarp revealing the bags of money.
SHERIFF
A couple of those bags are gonna be
yours, Phil.
PHIL
But -- but -- you're the Sheriff!
The Sheriff rips his badge off and throws it away.
SHERIFF
I'm the what?
TOM AND JIM
Jim looks at Tom, then hands Tom his pistol. Tom doesn't
know what Jim's doing. Jim slips beneath the water.
HANK
Whistles and gets Wayne's attention. He motions Wayne to try
it again.
THE SHERIFF'S BOAT
PHIL
For twenty years you've been --
SHERIFF
For twenty years I've been eating
shit, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Well, tonight I'm changing the menu!
From now on everything I eat is gonna
be shit-free!
BEHIND THE CRYPT
Tom is looking for Jim, to see what he's doing. And then...
WAYNE AND HANK
Come around on both sides.
TOM
Starts shooting at them with the two pistols.
WAYNE AND HANK
Pull back. As they go...
TOM
Sees...
KAREN'S ARM
Draped over the side of Wayne's boat.
TOM
Takes another shot at Hank but stops firing at Wayne.
CLOSE ON JIM'S SKI-BOAT
Jim's hand appears over the gunwale. He reaches in and
grabs...
MR. MEHLOR'S PACK
And pulls it out of the boat.
THE SHERIFF'S BOAT
SHERIFF
Can I make it any clearer, Phil? Do
you want me to draw pictures?
Phil pulls out his revolver and points it at the Sheriff.
PHIL
I can't let you do it.
SHERIFF
Oh for --
(beat)
Okay, Phil. But here's how it's gonna
go. I'm gonna hear one of two things
out of you. Either I'm gonna hear
you say you're in with us, or...
(moves close to Phil's
gun)
...I'm gonna hear a bullet come out
of that gun and go into me.
Phil is incredulous. The Sheriff weighs his hands like scales.
SHERIFF
(one hand)
Seven hundred and fifty thousand
dollars or...
(other hand)
...you kill me. Your choice.
The Sheriff weighs the hands a couple more times. Phil slumps,
lowers the gun.
SHERIFF
There we go.
SOMETHING
Flies through the air; lands in the water by the Sheriff.
It's...
MR. MEHLOR'S PACK
And it starts sinking in the water.
BEHIND THE CRYPT
Tom sees...
JIM
Haul himself into the ski-boat.
WAYNE (O.S.)
In the boat!
THE SHERIFF, WAYNE AND HANK
Start shooting at Jim in the ski-boat.
JIM
Sticks the shotgun over the gunwale and returns fire.
TOM
Starts swimming for the boat.
THE SHERIFF, WAYNE AND HANK
See Tom and start shooting at both he and Jim when...
MR. MEHLOR'S PACK
Explodes and...
THE WATER
Erupts in a huge geyser.
THE SHERIFF, WAYNE, PHIL AND HANK
Are knocked off their feet. The Sheriff, Phil and Hank are
thrown into the water. Their boats are rocked up and back
and swamped with falling water.
JIM
Fires up his engine.
TOM
Is almost to the boat.
WAYNE
Gets to his knees in his boat and starts shooting.
TOM
Gets to Jim's boat and grabs onto it.
JIM
Cranks the throttle, and, dragging Tom, tears off under the
hail of Wayne's bullets.
TOM'S POV
As Jim races through the tombstones, barely missing
halfsubmerged stone crosses and crypt roofs.
TOM
Rams into one cross.
HIS HANDS
Start to slip from the boat.
JIM
Grabs Tom's hand and holds on as they shoot off across the
water.
THE SHERIFF, PHIL AND HANK
Get back in the boats.
EXT. ON THE WATER - MOVING
Jim hauls Tom into the boat. Tom lays on the bottom, catching
his breath. Blood is dripping down from his arm.
TOM
(beat, looks up at
Jim)
You really want that money?
Jim gives Tom a look -- of course he wants that money.
TOM
'Cause the only way you're ever gonna
see it is if you help me get Karen.
Before Jim can answer, gunshots ring out behind them. They
look back to see...
THE SHERIFF AND HIS MEN
Coming after them in the three boats, shooting, closing.
TOM
We're too slow.
JIM
(thinks, then:)
Here.
Jim moves away from the wheel, giving it to Tom. Tom gets up
and takes over. Jim bends and picks up...
KENNY
Lifeless and limp.
JIM
Looks at Kenny for a moment, then pushes his body overboard.
WITH THE SHERIFF AND HIS MEN
Flying over the water.
THEIR POV
They see a body tumble out of the ski-boat.
WITH JIM AND TOM
Jim looks back, following Kenny with his eyes.
EXT. MAIN STREET
Jim and Tom make the turn onto Main Street. They look back
as...
THE SHERIFF AND HIS MEN
Come around the corner, two hundred yards back.
TOM
They're not going to catch us now.
LOW ANGLE
Of the ski-boat, racing toward camera. As it gets closer,
the camera BOOMS DOWN underwater to reveal...
THE STATUE
The sword tip just below the surface. THE SKI-BOAT
There's a jarring metal on metal clank as the sword tip slams
into the propeller.
JIM AND TOM
Are thrown forward.
JIM
Slams head-first into the dash.
UNDERWATER
The propeller has stopped.
TOM
Looks back to see that...
THE OUTBOARD MOTOR
Has almost been ripped from its moorings.
TOM
Okay, so maybe they are gonna catch
us now.
No answer from Jim. Tom looks down.
JIM
Is laying on the deck, unconscious. Just then... BAM! BAM!
BAM!
HANK
Has his rifle resting on his boat's windshield and is firing
off a clip on automatic as he, Wayne and the Sheriff close
in.
TOM
Ducks down and tries to start the engine. No go. Again. It
catches on the third try. Tom guns it and the boat tears
off.
THE OUTBOARD ENGINE
Is wobbling, vibrating.
HANK
Keeps up his stream of gunfire.
TOM
Stays down, driving blind, as the bullets fly in, blowing
holes in the windshield. He looks at Jim, at the engine and
curses. He steers the boat toward...
THE CHURCH
All lit-up, brilliant white in the darkness, a quarter-mile
away.
EXT. THE CHURCH
The water is now over the sandbag wall. The first several
feet of the church are flooded.
THE SKI-BOAT
Comes up fast. Tom grounds it on top of the sandbag wall.
Tom hesitates for a half second before grabbing Jim and
pushing him out of the boat and into the water.
JIM
Hits the cold water and comes to, sputtering.
TOM
Grabs guns and ammo and jumps out of the boat and into the
water. He lays a rifle on the top of the sandbag wall and
fires off a clip.
THE SHERIFF, HANK AND WAYNE
Jim's bullets plug into their boats. They circle back.
AT THE CHURCH
Tom pushes Jim, still groggy, into the flooded church.
INT. CHURCH
Tom shuts the door. He piles the weapons on a shelf. He sees
Jim touch his head.
TOM
That hurt?
JIM
Yeah.
TOM
Good.
EXT. MAIN STREET
Wayne and Hank are alongside the Sheriff, engines idling as
they look at the church.
SHERIFF
(nods, to Hank)
Then go get some bottles.
Hank nods, guns his engine.
PHIL
(to Hank)
Wait -- what about the dam?
SHERIFF
It'll be fine.
PHIL
You said if it goes it'll wipe out
the town.
SHERIFF
Fuck the town.
Hank nods in agreement and takes off.
INT. CHURCH
Jim and Tom are by one of the stained glass windows, looking
out through a pale-colored pane at the Sheriff and his men
across the street. They watch Hank race off.
JIM
Does he have the girl?
TOM
(shakes head)
She's in the small boat.
Tom touches the wound on his head.
TOM
Jesus, I'm gonna get hepatitis.
JIM
Hepatitis, hell. You probably already
got cholera.
Tom gives Jim a look then starts for the back of the church.
JIM
What're you doing?
TOM
There's a back room.
(touches wound)
Maybe they've got something I can
use on this.
JIM
You been in here before?
TOM
(bad memory)
Oh, yeah.
JIM
What happened?
TOM
I saw Jesus.
EXT. DAM
Water is starting to go over the top again. It pours down in
sheets over the face of the dam.
INT. CHURCH
Jim is by the window, looking out at the Sheriff and Wayne
across the street in the shadows. He turns as...
TOM
Enters from the back. He's got a bottle of rubbing alcohol
and a towel. He splashes some of the alcohol on the towel,
then touches it to his wound. It hurts like a sonofabitch.
After a beat...
TOM
So, has this all gone pretty much
how you thought it would?
Jim turns on Tom.
JIM
Everything would have gone fine if
you'd've just walked away from the
truck.
TOM
Oh, yeah? Well, everything would've
gone even better if you hadn't decided
to rob the damn truck in the first
place!
Jim looks away. After another silence...
TOM
Did Charlie have cancer or something?
JIM
You mean why was he doing this?
(thinks, shrugs)
No cancer.
(beat)
Didn't you ever think about taking
the money?
TOM
No.
JIM
Come now. A man who used to make his
living fencing hot jackhammers never
thought about what he'd do with three
million dollars?
TOM
Sorry to disappoint you.
(beat)
What are you gonna do with it?
JIM
As little as possible.
Silence for a few moments, then...
TOM
Belize.
Jim looks at him.
TOM
It's this small country in Central
America, on the Atlantic side.
JIM
I know where Belize is. What about
it?
TOM
They speak English and the dollar
goes a long way. Beautiful beaches;
friendly people. And they've got
liberal banking laws. Very liberal.
JIM
No, you didn't think about taking
that money at all.
TOM
(busted)
You can't ride in the truck and not
think about it.
JIM
I'm sure. And I guess that's pretty
much how it started with Charlie.
Tom thinks, nods and presses the towel to his wound again.
EXT. MAIN STREET
Wayne is thinking about something. He makes a decision and
flicks on his engine.
SHERIFF
What're you doing?
WAYNE
We got too many bodies with bullets
in 'em.
(nods at Karen)
I'm gonna put her in her house, make
it look like she fell down the stairs
and drowned.
PHIL
Don't you touch her!
WAYNE
Saving her life... Hmm... You know,
that might have actually gotten you
laid.
SHERIFF
Oh, for Christsakes, just dump her
here.
WAYNE
We got a few minutes before Hank
gets back.
SHERIFF
Just dump her here!
Wayne ignores the Sheriff and motors off.
SHERIFF
Wayne! Goddamnit, we've gotta get
them outta there! Wayne!
But Wayne keeps going.
INT. CHURCH
Tom watches Wayne drive off with Karen.
TOM
Shit. Where's he going?
Tom grabs a rifle, frustrated and angry.
EXT. MAIN STREET
Hank motors up to the Sheriff and Phil.
HANK
Where's Wayne going?
SHERIFF
On a date. You all set?
HANK
Yeah, but --
SHERIFF
Then let's go.
HANK
Aren't we gonna wait for Wayne?
SHERIFF
We can get started without him, the
dumb shit. He won't be long. Besides,
we got Phil. Phil's gonna earn his
money on this, aren't you Phil?
Phil looks scared shitless.
EXT. RESERVOIR DAM
Water continues to pour over the top. CLOSE ON CONCRETE
Chunks of cement are starting to wash away.
INT. CHURCH
Tom finishes reloading a gun.
JIM
What -- you're gonna swim after her?
Tom doesn't answer. He moves toward the front door. Jim cuts
him off.
JIM
You ain't gonna help her by getting
shot. He's gone and you don't know
where.
TOM
The Sheriff knows. I think maybe
I'll go ask him.
JIM
You'll be dead before you get over
the sandbags.
(beat)
Look, he'll be coming for us. You
can ask him then.
Jim sees something out the window.
TOM
What if he doesn't come?
JIM
I wouldn't worry about that.
Tom sees what Jim sees.
THEIR POV
The Sheriff, Phil and Hank are heading toward the church,
flaming Molotov cocktails in their hands.
EXT. SIDE OF CHURCH
The Sheriff, Phil and Hank heave the flaming Molotov
cocktails.
THE ROOF
The bottles hit, explode. Sheets of fire rain down the roof.
ONE BOTTLE
Smashes through a window.
INT. CHURCH
Tom and Jim duck down as...
THE BOTTLE
Flies across the inside of the church and smashes against a
wall, sending sheets of fire down the wall.
EXT. CHURCH
The roof is on fire.
EXT. KAREN'S HOUSE
Modest, two-story, on a side street. The front door is open;
the boat tied up outside. There's a light on in the front
hall.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
Karen is unconscious. Wayne has her laying on the stairs
leading up from the entry area to the second floor. There's
three feet of water in the house. Karen's legs are in the
water. Her hands are handcuffed to a railing attached to the
wall, running up the stairs. Wayne stands over Karen, pats
her face.
WAYNE
Wakey-wakey.
Karen stirs, then starts slipping back into unconsciousness,
so Wayne splashes her face with water. Karen comes to,
sputtering. Her eyes focus. She looks up at Wayne. Wayne
grins.
WAYNE
Dear Penthouse: I always thought
your letters were fake, until the
wildest thing happened to me. I'm a
policeman in a small town. In the
middle of the big flood last year, I
was patrolling the streets in a boat,
feeling kind of sorry for myself --
'cause it was my birthday and all --
when I saw the front door to a house
was open. I pulled my gun -- afraid
it might be looters. Imagine my
surprise when, instead of a looter,
I find a young woman handcuffed to
the railing of her stairs. Her name
was Karen, and ever since she came
back from college she'd made it clear
she was too good for any of us local
folk. Now here she was, in handcuffs!
I said, "What the heck is going on
here, ma'am?" And she said...
Karen says nothing. Wayne leans in close.
WAYNE
And she said...
KAREN
Sorry, Wayne, but I'm not playing a
part in your sick little play.
Wayne pulls his gun, puts it to Karen's head.
WAYNE
You're perfect for the role. I suggest
you reconsider.
KAREN
Or what? You'll kill me? You're gonna
do that anyway.
WAYNE
I might get clumsy. It might take a
while.
KAREN
I'm sure you can hurt me. But it's
all going to be the same when I'm
dead.
Wayne straightens up, looks at her, then launches back into
it.
WAYNE
And she said, "Happy Birthday, Wayne.
I've got something for you." Well,
I'm not stupid. I knew what she wanted
to give me and I knew she wanted to
give it bad, so I --
THE OVERHEAD LIGHT
Sparks and goes out.
WAYNE
(looks up at light)
That won't do. Man's gotta see what
he's doing. 'Scuse me.
Wayne heads off for the kitchen. The second he's gone...
KAREN
Raises her hips and digs a hand into her pocket and pulls
out her Swiss Army knife. She pries open the big blade. She
hears Wayne sloshing back toward her. She gets back into the
position Wayne left her in as...
WAYNE
Re-enters carrying two burning candles in candle-holders.
WAYNE
I got the candles. All's we need is
a cake.
He sets the candles down on a dry step above Karen's head.
He leans in close.
WAYNE
Mood lighting. You in the mood yet?
(no answer from Karen;
back into Penthouse
letter)
And then she said, "My present's
ready and waiting. All's you gotta
do is unwrap it."
Wayne reaches into the water, undoes Karen's rain pants,
yanks off her shoes, then pulls off her pants. He throws
them over the banister. Karen remains passive, blank. Wayne
takes off his holster; hangs it on the banister. Then he
pushes his pants down to his ankles. His shirttail is long
enough so that we don't have to see his wretched little
pecker. He climbs on top of Karen in the water, brings his
face close to hers.
WAYNE
It was cold and rainy that birthday
night, and all I wanted was to get
someplace warm and dry. As it turned
out, what I really wanted was
something warm and wet. Wayne grins
and closes for a kiss and...
KAREN'S HAND
Moves fast with the knife and...
WAYNE'S EYES
Pop open wide.
WAYNE
His head jerks back. He tries to shout, but all that comes
out is an awful gurgle. He tries to push off Karen, but...
KAREN
Wraps her legs around him, holds him close, pinning him.
WAYNE
Finally breaks free. He tries to stop the bleeding with a
hand, but the blood spurts through his fingers. He reaches
for his gun in his holster on the banister, but just as he
grabs it...
KAREN
Lashes out of the water with her legs, kicking Wayne in the
groin, pushing him back.
WAYNE
Tries to get his balance, but his feet can't move -- his
pants are around his ankles. He falls back into the water,
firing his pistol.
BULLETS
Blow chunks out of the wall next to Karen, hit the ceiling
and...
WAYNE
Is floating on his back, trying to lift the pistol, but his
strength is fading fast. He gets off one last shot and...
THE CANDLE
Nearest Karen is blown to pieces.
WAYNE
The gun drops into the water. No more shots. No more life.
He floats, pants around his ankles, covered in blood, dead.
KAREN
Happy Birthday, Wayne.
EXT. STREET AND CHURCH
The church roof is on fire.
THE SHERIFF, PHIL AND HANK
Are across the street.
INT. CHURCH
Jim and Tom hear a creaking and look up.
THE CEILING
The fire has eaten holes in the roof. Embers come down.
EXT. CHURCH AND STREET
The Sheriff is getting very agitated.
SHERIFF
They're not coming out, Hank!
HANK
The fire's not catching. The rain's
too --
SHERIFF
We have to get them! We have to kill
them! Do you understand? If they're
not dead, we got jack shit!
INT. CHURCH
A small chunk of burning ceiling drops down. Jim and Tom
look up. Just then...
BRIGHT LIGHT
Floods into the church through...
THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
Filling the church with a kaleidoscope of colors.
TOM AND JIM
Look out the windows.
TOM
My God they're beautiful.
THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
Remain beautiful for a few more seconds until they shatter
and blow inwards as...
THE SHERIFF'S BOAT AND HANK'S BOAT
Come crashing through.
THE BOATS
Land, stop fast. The Sheriff's boat lands closer to the
pulpit; Hank's boat closer to the balcony.
THE SHERIFF, HANK AND PHIL
Look around. It's quiet for a moment. There's no sign of Tom
and Jim.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
Karen has her pants back on. She reaches out with one foot
and hooks Wayne's holster off the banister. She flips it
through the air and catches it with her hands. She opens
little leather pockets -- mace, more bullets. No keys. Karen
starts to panic.
KAREN
There have to be keys. There --
She sees...
WAYNE
Still floating on his back, still dead. She looks closer
at...
WAYNE'S PANTS
Bunched around his ankles. And there, hanging from a belt-
loop is a ring of keys.
KAREN
Reaches out with her foot for Wayne's pants. She can't reach.
WAYNE
Is slowly drifting out the open door. Beyond the door, in
the light of the streetlamp, the water is riffling, moving,
and Wayne is heading toward it.
KAREN
Slides down further on the stairs, into the water, then stops.
CLOSE ON HANDCUFFS AND RAILING
There are metal supports going from the railing to the wall,
every three feet. Karen is prevented from going any further
down the stairs by one of these supports.
KAREN
Reaches out with a foot, straining, stretching her body,
almost dislocating her shoulder and...
HER FOOT
Just barely touches one of Wayne's feet, but then Wayne's
foot slips away and...
KAREN
Can only watch as...
WAYNE
Drifts out the door and is pulled away by the current.
EXT. RESERVOIR DAM
Water is cascading over the top of the dam. Chunks of concrete
are washing away.
INT. CHURCH
The Sheriff, Phil and Wayne scan the water, looking for
movement.
SHERIFF
Where are they?! Jesus!
UNDERWATER POV
Looking up through a tangle of floating pews at the wavering
silhouettes of the boats and the men in them against the
burning timbers above.
TWO PISTOLS
Come into view, pointed up through the water.
ON THE WATER
The Sheriff, Phil and Hank have let down their guard for a
second when there's a series of dull, muted clacks from
underwater as...
BULLETS
Come streaking out of the water, winging by them, plugging
into the boats.
UNDERWATER
Jim fires the pistols, the bullets' bubble streaks knifing
up through the water.
THE SHERIFF, PHIL AND HANK
hit the deck in their boats, returning fire over the gunwales.
TOM
Surfaces over by the stairs up to the balcony, gasping for
air. He runs for the stairs.
BLAZING TIMBERS
Start to fall from the burning roof frame, hitting the water
with loud sizzling hisses.
THE SHERIFF, PHIL AND HANK
Turn to shoot at tom through the dropping flaming debris.
TOM
Disappears up the stairs, the bullets just missing him.
UNDERWATER
Jim runs out of bullets. He's long since run out of air. He
drops his guns and swims under the pews.
HANK
Looks up, realizing that Tom will be able to shoot down on
him. He reverses his boat fast under the balcony as...
TOM
Shoots down from the balcony, blowing a chunk out of the
prow of Hank's boat.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
The water is up to Karen's chin. Her hands are working
frantically beneath the water.
UNDERWATER
She's using the tip of the knife blade to unscrew the screws
holding the support to the railing. She's on the last one.
The blade slips, misses, gets a quarter turn, another quarter
turn...
KAREN
Spits out the water that spills into her mouth.
UNDERWATER
Another quarter-turn and the screw is loose enough to turn
by hand.
KAREN
Holds her breath with the water touching her nose. She gets
the screw loose, pulls up on the railing and pulls the
handcuff through the gap between the support and the railing.
INT. CHURCH
The Sheriff turns to Phil and nods re: Jim.
SHERIFF
You take care of him!
The Sheriff aims at the balcony as Phil scans the water,
looking for Jim.
UNDERWATER
Jim pulls an electrical cord out of a wall socket.
ON THE BALCONY
Tom ducks down as the Sheriff's bullets start plugging through
the wood front of the balcony. Tom moves away from the bullet
strikes, splashing through the water in the balcony.
CLOSE ON BALCONY FLOOR
As BANG BANG BANG -- bullets start shooting up from below.
HANK
Is firing up at Tom through the floor of the balcony.
TOM
Jumps back, startled, looking down at...
THE BALCONY FLOOR
Holes explode in the floor, sending up small geysers of water.
The water then starts whirlpooling down through the holes.
TOM
Moves back from hank's advancing bullet holes.
THE SHERIFF
Keeps firing.
TOM
Is caught between Hank's bullets and the Sheriff's bullets.
So he racks a load in the shotgun and dives backwards off
the balcony.
HANK
Is still shooting up as...
TOM
Arcs off the balcony, firing the shotgun under the balcony
at Hank.
HANK
Dives to the floor of his boat as Tom's shotgun blasts blow
plate-sized holes in the church doors.
TOM
Lands in the water and goes under.
THE SHERIFF AND PHIL
Look for Tom in the water.
HANK
Starts to get up from the bottom of his boat, searching for
a clip for his gun.
THE SHERIFF
Sees Tom's shape in the water and is about to shoot when...
JIM
Jumps up out of the water with the electrical cord. He tosses
a loop of the cord around the Sheriff's neck and pulls,
yanking the Sheriff out of the boat.
TOM
Comes out of the water, aiming his shotgun at...
PHIL
Who is aiming his pistol at Tom. Phil freezes.
THE SHERIFF AND JIM
Struggle in the water. Jim pulls the cord tightly around the
Sheriff's neck as the Sheriff tries to get a shot off at Jim --
he can't get the barrel pointed at Jim.
HANK
Fumbles with the bullet clip.
HANK
(to Phil)
Kill him!
TOM
Turns his shotgun on Hank and pulls the trigger -- click. Uh-
oh.
HANK
Kill him!
TOM AND PHIL
Exchange a look.
HANK
Slams the clip into his gun and levels it at Tom.
PHIL
Points his gun at Hank.
PHIL
No! We can't --
BANG! and hank shoots Phil. Phil pitches back out of the
Sheriff's boat.
PHIL
Lands between Jim and the Sheriff, knocking them apart.
THE SHERIFF
Is free of Jim's grasp. He shakes off the electrical cord
and turns to shoot...
JIM
Who moves a little faster. He grabs Phil's pistol and puts
it to the Sheriff's head before the Sheriff can bring his
gun around.
HANK
Draws a bead on Jim and is about to shoot when...
TOM
Comes out of the water on the other side of Hank's boat. Tom
pushes down hard on the side of the boat.
HANK
Is rocked back, thrown off balance. He starts to spin and
bring his gun around when...
TOM
Swings with the shotgun, catching...
HANK
In the side of the head. Hank crumples and falls into the
water, taking his rifle with him.
JIM AND THE SHERIFF
Jim nods at the Sheriff's rifle.
JIM
In the boat.
THE SHERIFF
Hesitates, then tosses his rifle into the boat.
TOM
Grabs Hank's rifle and aims it at the Sheriff.
TOM
Where's Karen?
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
Karen undoes a last screw in a metal support.
She pulls the handcuff through the gap between the support
and railing. She's at the top of the stairs.
THE END OF THE RAILING
Curves and goes into the wall.
KAREN
Tugs at the railing, tries rocking it up and down. It doesn't
budge. She starts chipping at the plaster with the knife.
KAREN
God, I am really beginning to hate
fine craftsmanship.
THE WATER
It's up to her chest.
INT. CHURCH
The Sheriff hesitates.
TOM
Where is she?
SHERIFF
They went back to her house.
TOM
Where's her house?
SHERIFF
It's --
And just then they all hear something truly ominous -- a
siren pierces the night.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
She reacts to the siren -- uh-oh.
INT. CHURCH
The siren wails.
JIM
What in God's name is that?
SHERIFF
Hank?
HANK
(woozy but okay)
It's topped out.
SHERIFF
How much time we got?
HANK
How should I know?
SHERIFF
Guess!
HANK
It's an old dam! Not long.
SHERIFF
(to Tom)
Then I'd say you boys better drop
your guns.
TOM
What?
SHERIFF
That's the deal! You let me and Hank
go -- with a few of these bags --
and I'll tell you where to find Karen.
JIM
(to the Sheriff)
Get out of the boat.
TOM
Hold on.
Jim turns to look at Tom.
JIM
Hold on?
SHERIFF
It's the only way you're gonna find
her!
TOM
It's only a couple of bags.
JIM
No.
TOM
But I thought --
JIM
Look, I don't know what you thought
but I told you, I'm here for the
money; that's all.
Tom doesn't know what to do. The Sheriff looks pretty pleased
with himself. He might just get out of this. And then...
PHIL (O.S.)
She lives on Boyd Street.
They all look over at...
PHIL
Alive, but barely.
PHIL
Three over. Two-story, blue shutters.
TOM
Looks at Jim, disappointed, angry, then hurries to Hank's
boat.
JIM
Climbs into the Sheriff's boat.
TOM
Climbs into Hank's boat. He starts the engine, looks down
at...
PHIL
Floating in the water, dying. A brief look between them,
then...
TOM
Drives the boat out through a shattered window.
JIM
Pushes the Sheriff out of the boat.
EXT. RESERVOIR DAM
A large V is being cut in the top of the dam by the raging
water.
A QUARTER-MILE AWAY
Looking back at the dam. The line of lights on top of the
dam start to fall over, then go dark, snuffed out by an unseen
force.
INT. CHURCH
Jim keeps his gun leveled at the Sheriff and Hank, standing
in the water, as he pulls the money bags up from the forward
hold.
SHERIFF
So, you just gonna kill me?
JIM
Lord knows I should.
Jim opens a money bag and smiles at what he sees.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
Karen tilts her head back to keep her lips and nose above
water. And then she hears a window smash. She turns as...
TOM
Wades in along the upper hall.
TOM
I'm guessing you can't get up.
KAREN
I'm handcuffed.
Tom reaches into the water for the railing.
KAREN
The railing's bolted to the wall.
He looks at her.
KAREN
I've got a saw.
TOM
Where?
KAREN
In the kitchen. In the tall cupboard
beside the --
And then they hear a sound more ominous than the siren --
they hear the siren stop.
TOM
Is that good or bad?
INT. CHURCH
Jim, the Sheriff and Hank react to the silence. Jim looks
off.
THE SHERIFF
Drops underwater.
JIM
Turns back at the sound of the Sheriff going under.
UNDERWATER
The Sheriff pulls up his pant leg.
JIM
Is aiming his gun at the water and is about to fire as...
THE SHERIFF'S HAND
Comes out of the water shooting a pistol.
JIM
Is shot in the gut and the thigh and high on the chest and
he stumbles back, bellowing, and falls out of the Sheriff's
boat and into the water.
SHERIFF
You should've just killed me.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
KAREN
You gotta go!
Tom starts hyperventilating.
KAREN
The dam's gone! You gotta go!
TOM
(shakes head)
I owe you one.
Tom breathes deep then ducks underwater.
UNDERWATER
Tom flicks on his flashlight and starts swimming down the
stairs.
KAREN
Watches Tom and his light get swallowed up in the murky water.
INT. CHURCH
Phil is grabbing for the Sheriff's boat as the Sheriff and
Hank zoom out of the church, leaving him behind.
PHIL
NOOOO!
EXT. MAIN STREET
The Sheriff's boat comes onto Main Street, moving fast.
IN THE BOAT
Hank is looking back, in the direction the flood will come.
HANK
We gotta go faster!
SHERIFF
Yeah, you're right.
The Sheriff pushes Hank out of the boat.
HANK
Goes skipping over the water and slams into a streetlight
post.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
Tom swims down into the living room. His light shows a couch,
chairs, TV set. Books and newspapers are suspended in the
water.
EXT. THE CHURCH
The damaged ski-boat that Jim and Tom took to the church has
slipped off the sandbag wall and is drifting. A peaceful
scene. But then, from the distance, comes a rushing roar.
INT. CHURCH
Phil hears the roar. He looks around, lost.
EXT. STREET
Hank, groggy in the water, also hears the distant roar.
INT. CHURCH
The roar is building, getting louder. Phil sees something in
the water and reaches for it, frantically. He gets it. It's...
A BIBLE
And he clutches it to his chest as...
THE FLOOD
Hits the church.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN
Tom swims into the kitchen. He looks for the tall cupboard
by the fridge. He opens it.
INSIDE THE CUPBOARD
Hanging on a hook on the back wall is a saw. Tom grabs it.
EXT. MAIN STREET
Hank unwraps himself from around the lamp post. He looks
back.
HIS POV
Streetlights in the distance, winking out one by one, marking
the advance of the wall of water.
HANK
Oh my God.
Hank looks around for safety. He sees it.
HIS POV
There's an alleyway.
HANK
Swims for the alley.
EXT. THE ADVANCING FLOOD
Roars through the town, pushing a rolling wave of debris,
obliterating anything in its path.
EXT. ALLEY
Hank swims into the alley. Hank looks for something to climb
up on, to hold onto. There's...
FIRE ESCAPE LADDER
At the end of the alley.
HANK
Swims for it. He hears the rushing roar of the advancing
flood. He expects the flood to blow by the end of the alley.
Wrong.
WALL OF WATER
Comes into the alley, banking high on the far wall before
coming down and barreling toward Hank. And what makes it
worse for Hank is that there's...
A CAR
At the front of the wave, being pushed by the water.
HANK
Dives clear just as...
THE CAR
Smashes into the wall, right where Hank had just been.
HANK
Relief in his eyes. He gets to the fire escape and is climbing
to safety when...
PROPANE TANK
Comes into the alley, rolling in the flood, spraying propane
from a torn hose. It explodes.
HANK
Barely has time to scream.
INT. KAREN'S KITCHEN - BREAK OF DAWN
Tom is threading his belt through the handle of the saw to
secure it. He gets it done and starts to swim out of the
kitchen.
BACK TO KAREN
Just Karen's lips and nose are above water.
IN THE KITCHEN
Tom is about to leave when everything starts to move --
rocking, from side to side, as if in a slow motion earthquake.
Cupboards and the fridge open and bottles and food and plates
tumble out.
EXT. KAREN'S HOUSE
The house has been hit by the flood. It's being pulled by
the massive current, stretching overhead phone and power
lines.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
Karen hears the groaning, ripping as the house tears free
from water and sewer lines. She's looking down for Tom when
there's a snap and the light above her goes out.
EXT. KAREN'S HOUSE
The house is carried on the current, turning in the water.
IN THE KITCHEN
Tom watches, astounded, as the room starts to turn around
him. He kicks fast for the door to...
THE LIVING ROOM
Tom swims in, fast, toward the stairs when...
A WINDOW
Caves in and...
HUGE TREE BRANCH
Smashes in, filling the room, blocking Tom's route to the
stairs.
TOM
Tries to get through the tangle of branches and leaves, but
can't. He swims over to another window and slides it up.
KAREN
Keeps looking down for Tom.
EXT. KAREN'S HOUSE
The house is impaled on a tree, the current sluicing around
it.
TOM
Surfaces near the side of the house, gasping. The current
starts ripping him past the house. He swims as hard as he
can back to the house, reaches out and grabs onto a gutter.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE
Karen doesn't have much time left. The water is washing over
her mouth and nose. And just as she's about to go under...
TOM
Swims in with the saw. He starts sawing on the handrail.
Everything's going fine. And then...
THE SAWBLADE
Snaps.
TOM AND KAREN
Look at each other. Oh no. Karen's going under.
TOM
Sees something. He dives into the water.
KAREN
Can only watch and wait. What's he doing? Oh, Jesus. And
then...
TOM
Surfaces, holding Wayne's pistol. He puts the mouth of the
barrel to the handcuff chain, shields Karen's face, looks
away and pulls the trigger.
EXT. A TREE IN WATER
The water swirls through the branches of a half-submerged
tree.
HENRY AND DOREEN
Are in the tree. Henry is either unconscious or dead. Doreen
cradles him.
DOREEN
Come on, Henry. Forget that "Go to
the light" crap. Come back to me.
You're all I've got.
And Henry starts to come to.
DOREEN
Oh, Henry. Thank God.
Henry opens his eyes.
HENRY
Next time, when I say "Let's
evacuate," we're gonna evacuate.
DOREEN
Whatever you say, honey.
She hugs him tight and after a beat he hugs her back.
EXT. KAREN'S HOUSE
Tom and Karen swim out of a second floor window, grab the
rain gutter. Tom pulls himself onto the roof then grabs Karen
and helps her up. They crawl until they're clear of the edge.
Only the sloped roof of the house is visible in the swirling
water. They are just catching their breath when they are hit
by...
BRIGHT WHITE LIGHT
And they look to see...
THE SHERIFF
In his boat, shining a searchlight on them with one hand, a
gun in the other. He starts shooting.
TOM AND KAREN
Tom pushes Karen toward the peak of the roof as the bullets
plug in around them. Tom pushes Karen over the top then turns
and dives off the roof and into the water.
KAREN
Hears an engine behind her and turns.
A BOAT
Racing toward the house. It's...
THE SKI-BOAT
And at the controls is...
JIM
Barely alive.
THE OUTBOARD MOTOR
Is wobbling, vibrating at the back of the boat, almost loose
from its moorings.
JIM'S POV
He sees Karen, crouched below the peak of the house, a bright
light coming from the other side along with gunshots.
JIM
Pushes the throttle all the way forward.
THE SKI-BOAT
Shoots forward.
UNDERWATER
Tom swims hard toward the Sheriff's boat.
THE SHERIFF
Is shooting down into the water at Tom's moving shape.
THE SKI-BOAT
With Jim at the wheel, comes racing straight toward the house.
KAREN
Thinks he's going to turn.
KAREN
No! No!
THE SKI-BOAT
Doesn't turn.
KAREN
Rolls to the side, just getting clear as...
THE SKI-BOAT
Hits the sloping roof of Karen's house and ramps up it.
THE OUTBOARD MOTOR
Digs into the shingles of the roof and tears free from the
back of the boat.
THE SHERIFF
Hears the sound and looks up as...
THE SKI-BOAT
Comes over the peak of the roof.
TOM
Surfaces to see...
THE SKI-BOAT
Fly right over him, heading straight for...
THE SHERIFF
Who ducks down, just in time as...
THE SKI-BOAT
Misses him, landing just past him in the water.
THE SHERIFF
Straightens up, grinning with glee that the boat missed him.
And then he hears a piercing whine coming from behind him.
He turns, just in time to see...
THE OUTBOARD MOTOR
Flipping end over end, propeller whirring, heading straight
for him.
THE SHERIFF
Starts to scream.
CLOSE ON KAREN
Looking over the peak of the roof in horror. She hears the
Sheriff's scream and the scream of the propeller and then a
horrible ugly ripping and both screams stop.
THE SHERIFF'S BOAT
The Sheriff is gone. The side has been smashed out of the
boat and the boat is flooding with water.
THE SHERIFF
Is just some misshapen thing trailing red, floating in the
water.
JIM
Tries to restart the ski-boat but it's dead. He slumps
forward.
TOM
Sees Jim slump against the side of the boat.
TOM
You okay?
JIM
Fine.
Tom can tell Jim's anything but. Tom swims for the boat.
THE BOAT
Tom swims up, pulls himself in. He pulls Jim back off the
controls, sees the blood.
TOM
Oh, God. We gotta get you to --
Jim looks at Tom. Tom understands -- Jim's not going anywhere.
TOM
Thanks.
JIM
For what?
TOM
You just saved our lives.
JIM
I did? I just came for the money.
Tom looks at Jim -- he knows Jim's lying.
KAREN (O.S.)
Do you need any help?
JIM
(grabs Tom's arm)
No. Tell her to stay back.
TOM
(to Karen)
It's okay!
Jim lets go of Tom.
JIM
You're going to turn it in?
TOM
Sorry to disappoint you.
JIM
Well, hell, then I guess I better
take it after all. I figure the
river'll carry me down to the Gulf
of Mexico. If I catch the right
currents, maybe I'll end up in...
Belize?
(Tom nods)
You come look me up. I'll buy you a
drink.
TOM
I'll do that.
Jim grimaces as he's hit by a wave of pain. He looks away.
JIM
Go.
Tom hesitates for a second.
JIM
Please.
Tom turns and slides into the water and swims away.
JIM
Son, don't think too badly of your
Uncle Charlie. He always said you
were capable of remarkable things.
(beat)
He was right.
There's a last look between Jim and Tom, then Tom swims away.
JIM
(smiles)
The rain's stopped.
(breathes deep)
The air after a rain...
Jim slowly topples forward and is still.
TOM
Swims through the swirling current toward Karen's roof.
JIM'S BOAT
Sinks below the surface and is gone.
TOM AND KAREN
Karen is down at the water's edge with her arm extended to
Tom. Tom grabs it, and as Karen pulls...
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. CHURCH - SUNSET
Karen pulls Tom up onto scaffolding running along the edge
of the new roof under construction. Tom holds a paper bag.
He's wearing work gear -- tool belt, work boots, etc. Tom
looks at the work being done on the roof.
TOM
They got a lot done today.
KAREN
It's coming along.
(re: bag)
What'd you get?
TOM
Barbecue chicken from Lilly's.
KAREN
Yum.
TOM
You want some? I wish you'd told me.
I woulda got more.
KAREN
Ha ha.
And as they sit down and start to eat, the camera begins to
PULL BACK.
TOM
I talked to Mikey. He says the
flooring should be in by Friday.
KAREN
That's what he said last week.
TOM
I said if it wasn't here by Friday
at six that you were going to go
over and beat the crap out of him.
KAREN
And I will.
FADE OUT:
THE END
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