Post on 05-Apr-2018
8/2/2019 Falling Asleep at the Wheel
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FALLING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL
a short spec script
by
Ran Cartwright
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FADE IN
INT. DONS CAR - NIGHT
DON, a young middle aged man, drives a rural road, State
Route 46, heading to East Palestine, Ohio. A female hand
suddenly rests on his shoulder from the back seat.
Frightened, Don glances in the rearview mirror, then looks
over his shoulder.
ON DON - Back seat passenger POV. Dons eyes go wide.
FEMALE GHOST (o.c.)
(soft)
Kiss me.
Don screams.
EXT. OHIO STATE ROUTE 46 - NIGHT
Dons car runs off the road, crashing, rolling over, a tire
squeaking as it turns slower and slower.
ELSEWHERE, NEARBY ALONG THE ROAD, a female figure in white
with long blonde hair, casually walks by along the side of
the road.
FADE TO BLACK
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ACT ONE
FADE IN
EXT. CEMETERY, DONS GRAVE - DAY
A small group of people are gathered at Dons grave for the
graveside services.
PRIEST (o.c.)
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust...
TIME FADE -
ELSEWHERE, A CEMETERY ROAD NEAR GRAVE, two of Dons
friends, RICK JENNINGS and GARY OLSEN, approach Ricks car
as they leave Dons grave site, the services just ended.
Rick shakes his head.
RICK
Unbelievable! Just unbelievable!
Gary nods.
GARY (v.o.)
Rick was right - unbelievable;
guess it always is when it's a
good friend and you're not
expecting his death.
Rick approaches the drivers side, Gary the passengers
side. They look at each other across the car roof.
GARY
Falling asleep at the wheel...
so said the police report.
(shakes head)
Bull...
(thinking aloud)
Ashes to ashes...
Rick looks back at the grave. A beautiful young BLONDE
WOMAN (Female Ghost) stands at the casket, her head bowed.
The casket glistens in the hot August sun.
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RICK
Whos that?
GARY
What?
Rick nods.
RICK
Her.
Gary looks.
GARY
(soft)
I dont know. Never saw her
before. Shes a looker though.
RICK
(soft)
Yeah,...
(nods)
...she is.
Rick climbs into the car. Gary pauses, his eyes on the
young Blonde Woman, then climbs into the passengers seat.
ELSEWHERE, AT THE GRAVE, the young Blonde Woman slowly
looks toward the car.
INT. RICKS CAR - DAY
Rick and Gary stare out the windshield.
RICK
How about a cup of coffee?
Gary slowly nods.
GARYYeah...
Rick starts the car and puts it in gear.
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EXT. DONS GRAVE - DAY
The young Blonde Woman watches the car drive away.
EXT. CEMETERY GATE - DAY
Rick and Gary pull up to the gate, pause for traffic, then
pull out of the cemetery and disappear down the road.
EXT. BARBS RESTAURANT ON MAIN STREET IN TOWN - DAY
People walk by on the side walk, going about their business.
Ricks car suddenly appears and turns into an alley beside
the restaurant.
EXT. PARKING LOT BEHIND BARBS RESTAURANT - DAY
Ricks car pulls into the parking lot behind the
restaurant. Rick and Gary climb out and start toward the
restaurants rear entrance.
GARY
Falling asleep at the wheel.
Thats nonsense.
Rick nods.
RICKYeah. It is.
Gary pulls the door open, then pauses.
GARY
The cops just dont want to
admit it.
A moment silence as they stare at one another, then they
disappear inside the restaurant.
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INT. BARBS RESTAURANT
A small town restaurant with booths and a long dinner bar
with barstools. Some patrons are at the bar, others in
booths. Ceiling fans slowly turn.
Rick and Gary make their way to the front of the restaurant
and take a seat in a booth where they have a window view of
the Main Street sidewalk and daily commercial business.
A pretty young WAITRESS shows up with pad and pen.
WAITRESS
Can I help you?
Smiling, Rick and Gary look up.
RICK
Ah, coffee. Black.
GARY
Me too. The same.
WAITRESS
Anything to go with the coffee?
Rolls, pie, coffee cake...?
RICK
No thanks.
Gary shakes his head.
GARY
Naw.
The Waitress smiles.
WAITRESS
All rightie. Be right back
with your coffee.
The two friends nod and smile as she turns away.
Rick watches the departing Waitress as Gary takes out a
cigarette, lights it, then drags a clear glass ashtray in
front of him.
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RICK
So, what are you doing these days?
GARY
Working on a new book. A
followup to my last one.
RICK
Ghost Stories of Columbiana
County, Ohio.
GARY
Yeah. Im calling this one More
Ghost Stories of Columbiana
County, Ohio.
Rick chuckles.
RICK
Why am I not surprised?
The Waitress suddenly reappears, interrupting as she places
steaming coffee cups in front of them.
WAITRESS
There you go.
RICK
Thanks.
Gary nods. The Waitress smiles and winks as she turns away.
RICK
Well, what do you think?
GARY
The waitress?
Rick chuckles, momentary glancing at the departing waitress.
RICK
No, not her.
(looks at Gary)
I mean Don and his so-called
accident.
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Rick sips his coffee, his eyes on Gary. Gary shakes his
head.
GARY
I dont buy it.
RICK
Neither do I.
GARY
On that curve between New
Waterford and East Palestine?
It was no accident.
RICK
You're thinking the same
thing I am.
GARY
The girl, you mean.
RICK
Yeah, that's what I mean.
GARY
You know, it's ironic...
(stubs his cigarette)
...all that ghost hunting
bullshit back in our schooldays...
ON Rick as he glances out the window just as the young
Blonde Woman walks by outside. She turns her head, peering
in at Rick, and smiles.
GARY (o.c.)
Whod have ever thought that
the ghost out on 46...
Ricks snared by her sudden appearance; his thoughts wander.
TIME AND VOICE FADE -
Gary shakes Rick by the shoulder.
GARY
Hey! Rick! Hey man!
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Rick shakes his head, comes back to reality, and glances at
Gary.
RICK
Huh? Wha...?
GARY
Are you all right? You spaced
out there for a sec?!
Rick, still gathering his thoughts, glances at his coffee.
RICK
Yeah...yeah. Im fine. Well,
anyway,...I hate to drink and
run; gotta be headin' home.
Rick starts to rise from the booth; he glances at Gary.
RICK
The traffic to Enon Valley...
Ah, want me to drop you
off someplace?
Gary, suspicious, raises his eyebrows.
GARY
No, No, its all right. I can
walk home from here.
Rick downs the rest of his coffee, digs into his pocket for
money and lays it on the table.
RICK
For the coffee.
GARY
Sure.
Rick hurriedly turns toward the front door.
GARY (o.c.)
Hey Rick!
Rick stops, turns. Gary gestures toward the back of the
restaurant.
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GARY
You parked out back.
A momentary pause, then...
RICK
Oh...yeah.
He nods, then starts toward the back of the restaurant.
Gary watches, sees Rick beginning to hurry as he nears the
back door.
EXT. BARBS RESTAURANT - DAY
The door swings open against the outside wall with a bang.
Rick hurries into the parking lot and to his car.
INT. BARBS RESTAURANT - DAY
Gary shakes his head, sighs, grabs the money and rises from
the booth. He walks to the cash register. The Waitress
steps up. Gary hands her the ticket and money.
WAITRESS
Will that be all?
GARY
Yeah; keep the change.
WAITRESS
Thanks and have a good day.
Gary nods and starts toward the front door as the Waitress
rings up the charge. He leaves the restaurant.
EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY
Rick pulls up to a red light at a street corner.
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INT. RICKS CAR - DAY
Rick glances out of the corner of his eye, sees the young
Blonde Woman standing there on the sidewalk. She smiles and
stares back at him.
The light changes. Rick watches her while slowly pulling
forward, then around the corner.
EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY
The young Blonde Woman, still smiling, watches Rick drive
away.
EXT. STATE ROUTE 46 ENTERING NEW WATERFORD, OHIO - DAY
A sign along the road - Welcome to New Waterford. Ricks
car passes the sign, heading toward the only street light
in the tiny crossroad village.
EXT. STREET LIGHT AT NEW WATERFORD INTERSECTION - DAY
Ricks car pulls up to the red light.
INT. RICKS CAR - DAY
Rick waits for the light to change. His eyes drift to a
nearby road sign announcing the route number.
INSERT: OHIO ROAD SIGN.
A black number 46" on a white Ohio shield.
BACK TO SCENE.
Rick taps his fingers on the steering wheel as he glances
at the street light.
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EXT. STREET LIGHT AT NEW WATERFORD INTERSECTION - DAY
The light changes. Rick drives on.
INT. RICKS CAR - DAY
Leaving New Waterford, Rick follows the curve in the road.
His eyes go wide and he leans forward, noticing a hitch
hiker, the young Blonde Woman. As Rick nears, she begins to
turn, sticking out a thumb.
EXT. OHIO STATE ROUTE 46 - DAY
The young Blonde Woman turns, sticking out her thumb, hitch
hiking. She smiles as Rick approaches in his car.
END ACT ONE
FADE OUT
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ACT TWO
FADE IN
INT. GARYS STUDY
Cluttered - books lying here and there; printed manuscript
pages in disarray; an overflowing wastepaper basket; a
couch haphazardly draped in blanket with pillow.
A storm outside; theres thunder. Lightning flashes through
a window.
Gary sits at his desk, lit by a small desk lamp, typing on
his computer, working on a manuscript. Next to the computer
- a telephone and book.
INSERT: THE BOOK
The title reads: Ghost Stories of Columbiana County, Ohio.
The author: Gary Olsen.
BACK TO SCENE.
Gary stops typing, lights a cigarette. A flash of
lightning; Gary glances at the window, then continues
typing. He reads in VOICE OVER what he writes, cigarette
dangling from the corner of his mouth.
GARY (v.o.)
The legend is an old one, the
same kind of ghost story youd
find in any rural American town.
The legend is of a young woman...
(pause)
...in her early twenties. She
walks along a road, is hit by
a drunk driver, and her ghost
haunts the site of her death.
(places cigarettein ashtray)
Here, the road in question is
State Route 46 between East
Palestine and New Waterford.
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The phone rings. Gary glances at the phone, then continues
typing. The phones recorder kicks in and takes a silent
message.
GARY (v.o.)
The story isnt complex. People
see the ghost walking along the
road near the bridge where...
TIME FADE -
Gary typing - he stops, lights another cigarette, then sits
back and stares at the screen. His stare becomes distant,
not focusing.
GARY
(soft, dreamy)
Ashes to ashes...dust to dust.
A peel of thunder interrupts him. He glances at the window.
Theres a flash of lightning.
INSERT: WINDOW
In the flash of lightning, a silhouette of a female stands
at the window outside, her long hair wind blown.
BACK TO SCENE.
Gary lays the cigarette in the ashtray and slowly rises
from his desk chair, his eyes on the window.
The thunder continues to roll. Another flash of lightning
illuminates the window. Theres no one there.
Gary shakes his head, turns to the phone, hits the message
button. The voice in the message is distraught.
JACKIE (o.f.)
Hello Gary, this is JackieJennings, Ricks wife...
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INT. FUNERAL HOME - NIGHT
Several are gathered for calling hours. The door opens;
Gary enters. He peers around, turns to the guest book,
signs it, then starts through those gather toward the
casket.
Hearing the voice of the Funeral Home DIRECTOR, Gary stops.
DIRECTOR (o.c.)
...the look on his face...like he saw
something that frightened him to death.
Gary sees the Director talking to the mysterious young
Blonde Female. The Blonde Female nods, then turns away. Her
eyes catch Gary in a lingering glance. She smiles, then
disappears amidst the people.
Gary approaches the Director.
DIRECTOR
Ah, Mister Olsen.
They shake hands, Gary scanning the crowd, trying to find
the Blonde Female.
GARY
Who was that young woman
you were just talking to?
DIRECTOR
To tell you the truth, I dont
know. She never told me her
name and I neglected to ask.
I presumed she was a friend of
the deceased.
GARY
(distracted)
Yes, well...
ELSEWHERE IN THE ROOM, Ricks wife, JACKIE JENNINGS, sees
Gary and makes her way to him just as the Director turns
away.
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JACKIE
Gary, Im so glad you made it.
Im sorry I couldnt make
Dons funeral.
They hug.
GARY
Sorry you had to make this
one.
Gary glances around the room, then turns back to Jackie.
GARY
Youre going to think Im crazy,
but theres this woman that...
well...
His words trail off as he attempts to find a way to tell
Jackie.
JACKIE
What woman?
Gary glances around the room again, then turns back to
Jackie.
GARY
Never mind. Shes gone.
CLOSE ON Ricks open casket.
MATCH CUT:
EXT. RICKS GRAVE - DAY
CLOSE ON Ricks closed casket.
Gary, Jackie, the Priest, a few others are gathered as
grave side services are held.
Gary looks past those gathered. In the distance he sees the
young Blonde Woman walking amidst the graves. He slips away
from the service and goes after her.
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ELSEWHERE IN THE CEMETERY, winded and frustrated, Gary
stops his pursuit and peers about. The Blonde Woman is
gone.
JACKIE (o.c.)
Gary...?
Gary turns to find a questioning Jackie standing behind
him, no more than ten feet away.
JACKIE
Was she the one you were talking
about last night at the funeral
home?
GARY
You saw her?
She nods.
JACKIE
Yes. Long blonde hair. Long white gown.
He sighs and nods.
GARY
Yeah, thats her.
JACKIEAll right. Whats this all
about?
TIME FADE -
ELSEWHERE IN THE CEMETERY, Gary and Jackie slowly walk side
by side.
JACKIE
So this ghost walks along the
road hitchhiking. If you dontpick her up, youre dead.
Gary nods.
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GARY
Thats about the size of it.
But with a new twist I hadnt
counted on. Apparently shes
not restricted to the site of
her death.
JACKIE
And you saw her at the funeral
home last night and that was
her we saw here in the cemetery.
GARY
And at Dons funeral and in
town on main street where
Rick saw her.
JACKIE
Sorry, Gary, but it does sound
rather crazy.
They stop walking as Gary turns to face Jackie.
GARY
Maybe so, but Im going to
test the theory.
EXT. STATE ROUTE 46 - DAY
Garys car heads toward New Waterford.
EXT. STATE ROUTE 46/STATE ROUTE 7 INTERSECTION - DAY
Garys car pulls up to the stop sign.
INT. GARYS CAR
Gary glances up and down Route 7.
GARY(soft, thinking aloud)
Ashes to ashes...
He crosses the intersection and continues toward New
Waterford on 46.
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EXT. STATE ROUTE 46 - DAY
Garys car continues toward New Waterford.
EXT. STATE ROUTE 46 ENTERING NEW WATERFORD, OHIO - DAY
ON the Welcome to New Waterford sign along the road.
Garys car passes by.
EXT. STREET LIGHT AT NEW WATERFORD INTERSECTION - DAY
Garys car pulls up to the red light. He glances at the
Ohio 46" road sign while waiting on the light to change.
GARY (v.o.)
Two miles; straight ahead; two
more miles. Ashes to ashes.
INT. GARYS CAR
His breath is short, rapid. He grips the steering wheel,
his knuckles white. His eyes are glued to the road ahead.
EXT. STREET LIGHT AT NEW WATERFORD INTERSECTION - DAY
The light changes.
GARY
Well, this is it.
He drives on.
EXT. STATE ROUTE 46 LEAVING NEW WATERFORD - DAY
Gary tops a rise in the road, sees the curve with the short
span of the bridge.
GARY (v.o.)
Three quarters of a mile...
nothing's there, nothing at all.(mutters)
Falling asleep at the wheel Hell.
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He sighs, then starts to laugh, but stops as he notices a
young Blonde Woman walking along the road. He leans forward
over the steering wheel.
GARY
Well, Ill be damned.
Gary stares as he draws closer to the bridge. His fear
rises; sweat trickles down his forehead. His mind plays
tricks on him. He hears her voice, soft and ethereal.
BLONDE FEMALE (v.o.)
Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust...
Gary chuckles as his bravado begins to rise in challenge to
the young blondes presence.
GARY
Well, baby, you going to kill
me if I don't pick you up?!
(shakes head)
I don't think so. You're just
a legend; one of those stories
told around campfires all over
this damn country! You can just
keep on walking, honey.
EXT. STATE ROUTE 46 - DAY
The girl turns, sticks out a thumb as Gary passes her by.
At that instant...
INT. GARYS CAR - DAY
Gary's eyes locked on hers.
EXT. STATE ROUTE 46 - DAY
A gleam in her eyes, she smiles as Gary passes.
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INT. GARYS CAR
Gary glances in the rearview mirror, sees the young Blonde
Woman walking along the road. He smiles, then chuckles
again.
GARY (v.o.)
So much for that. Falling
asleep at the wheel. Maybe...
He breathes a sigh of relief, laughs to himself, and shakes
his head.
GARY
Whew! Damn! For a minute there...
tempting fate...
He reaches for the car radio. A hand suddenly grasps his
wrist.
Gary stares at the hand in wide eyed terror. The hand is
female, dried of death, shriveled and decayed. Finger bones
show through cracked and peeling skin. And it protrudes
from the sleeve of a white moldy dress.
FEMALE GHOST (o.c.)
You didn't stop for me.
Gary still staring at the hand.
GARY
You can't be real! You can't
be real!
FEMALE GHOST (o.c.)
I am and Im here for you.
Kiss me.
Gary slowly turns his eyes to the ghost seated in the
passengers seat.
A dead moldering face stares back - parched and cracked
skin clings tight to her skull, the skull showing through
at several places. Long blonde hair hangs matted and
stringy in thin strands from dried skin atop her skull.
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The left eye shines bright in its socket while the right
eye hangs on her cheek. Her lips are shriveled back and
nearly gone; jaws crack open and squeak like a rusted door
hinge.
FEMALE GHOST
Kiss me.
The grinning skull leans toward Gary. He reels in terror,
sits back, trying to push away from the dead thing.
Face to face, the dead things shriveled lips touch Garys.
He closes his eyes, feels the car lurch sideways.
EXT. STATE ROUTE 46 BRIDGE - DUSK
The car glances off the bridge guard rail, then leaves the
road.
INT. GARYS CAR - DUSK
The car bounces off the road as the dead thing presses Gary
back in the seat, the cold kiss of death on his lips. The
car suddenly lurches sideways and begins to roll.
EXT. OPEN FIELD OFF STATE ROUTE 46 - DUSK
Garys car rolls in the field, bounding end over end, dirt
careening through the air, then finally comes to rest.
ELSEWHERE IN THE FIELD, an apparently unharmed Gary finds
himself standing there, staring back at the bridge.
Three cars are pulled off the road, their headlights
glaring. People run toward him, then pass by as though he
isnt there.
He turns and sees his car several yards away, lying upside
down, steam from the ruptured radiator pouring into the
air. The people gather around the wreck as Gary hesitantlyapproaches them.
PASSERBY
Look at his face. Damn, looks
like hes scared to death.
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Gary joins them, sees himself lying on his back half out of
the car. His eyes are open, staring, lifeless. His face
covered in blood, he wears an expression as if he had seen
something horrible.
FEMALE GHOST (o.c.)
Don't concern yourself. Youre
at peace.
Gary turns to find her standing next to him, no longer the
face of death he had seen in the passenger's seat. She
smiles and he smiles back, realizing she was right.
Confused and uncertain, though not frightened, Gary feels
his own arms, head, chest.
GARY
Im warm...no pain, no blood,
I feel...fine...
RICK (o.c.)
Well, you look no worse for wear.
Gary spins around to see Rick and Don approaching, both
smiling. Behind them stand hundreds of others on the gentle
sloping hillside. Don offers a hand.
DON
Good to see you again, Gary.
GARY
Eh, ye...yeah.
...shaking hands.
FEMALE GHOST
Yes. Welcome.
She kisses Gary's cheek, then turns away. Don, Gary, and
Rick watch as she walks toward the bridge.
RICK
Well, someone else will be
joining us soon.
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Somewhere far off theres a siren.
GARY (v.o.)
Police, maybe an ambulance.
They're coming to get me.
He smiles.
THE END
FADE TO BLACK