REAPER "Pilot" Written by Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters December 21, 2006 ©2006, Touchstone Television. All rights reserved. This material is the exclusive property of Touchstone Television and is intended solely for the use of its personnel. Distribution to unauthorized persons or reproduction, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Touchstone Television is strictly prohibited.

REAPER TEASER FADE IN INT. SAM’S BEDROOM - NIGHT We're creeping through the room in the dark. Ripped band and movie posters hang crookedly from the walls, piles of dirty dishes and clothes cover every available surface. A digital clock, hanging by its cord off a table, reads 3:33 am. CLOSE on the profile of a young man’s face -- he’s sitting in a chair, head dropped back, sound asleep and drooling slightly. This is SAM. He’s turning 21 today. A noise from somewhere in the room jerks Sam awake. In his hands, a video game controller. Before him, a monitor blinking GAME OVER and a video ZOMBIE repeatedly swiping at the words. The volume is low, and the Zombie taunts us. VIDEO ZOMBIE (on monitor) coming for youuuu! We'’re coming for youuuu! Sam blinks, looks around the room, wipes away drool. Then, presses start on his controller and the game begins again -- it’s a Resident Evil-type game, where the player walks through a haunted house as various monsters jump out at him. Sam is a killing machine, dispatching each attacker with ease and with an Uzi. But there’s not a lot of evidence he’s enjoying this particularly -- mostly he just looks zoned. PUSH in on Sam’s rather bored face -- we hear that noise in the room again. Only it’s louder. It sounds like a floorboard creaking. Sam looks around. The video game casts long, creepy shadows across the room, but no one is there. Sam turns back to his game. The monsters come faster and faster. We hear a distinct GROWLING -- but it’s not coming from the game. Sam turns slowly -- and standing between him and the open door to his room -- two huge, black PITBULLS. Sam tries to speak, or scream. SAM Hhhhh... CONTINUED

CONTINUED He clutches at his throat -- he has no voice. The dogs bare their teeth and growl louder. Then, one of them turns away and exits into the hallway. Sam tries to stand, but instantly CRASHES to the floor. He looks at his feet -- the cords from the game console are tangled around his legs. The dog starts barking at him. Then, from down the hallway, a new sound -- that of a woman SCREAMING. Sam’s eyes go WIDE. But still he can’t speak. SAM (CONT'D) M...mmmmh..! Sam kicks at the cords, which seem to have a life of their own, winding and strangling around his ankles, up his legs. The screaming and barking continues. He finally rips free, stands and starts to move -- only to be YANKED backwards by the game controller in his hand. He shakes his arm -- but the controller refuses to be dropped. WOMAN'S VOICE (0.S.) (yelling) Sam! Help me, Sam! Now the controller seems to be fusing with Sam, merging with his hand -- the black plastic bleeding onto his skin, traveling up his arm. The other arm is wrapped up in the cord again, which twists and squeezes hard. Sam strains, face red, sweating. The black plastic is now crawling over his torso, up his neck, down his back. The dog suddenly leaves the room -- there is something else in the hallway. SAM’'S POV Of a LARGE and DARK figure passing by the door. The woman’s screaming gets louder, more urgent. The figure steps closer, moving into the light from the video game, and Sam gets the briefest glimpse of a horrifying, evil-looking, winged DEMON. Sam opens his mouth -- and just as he is finally able to belt out a serious SCREAM, we're -- INT. SAM’'S BEDROOM - MORNING Where Sam’s face crashes onto the carpet as he tumbles out of his chair. Sunlight streams in through the windows. There is no demon. It was all a dream. CONTINUED

CONTINUED The door opens, revealing Sam’s FATHER. Bespectacled and in a sweater vest, there is a falseness in his demeanor, as if he learned how to be a dad by watching 50s TV. DAD Son! You okay? Sam tries to sit up, but the chair falls on top of him. He keeps his face buried in the carpet, gives the thumbs up. SAM (0.S.) (muffled) I'm awesome. DAD Did you fall asleep playing your game again? That’s not good for you, Sammy. SAM Uh... sorry. DAD No problem! Happy birthday, tiger! Dad goes down the hall as Sam sits up, sweating, hair all over the place. He holds up his hand, which still clasps the game controller. He glares at it. SAM (to the controller) Not cool, man. Not cool. He drops the controller, wiggles his fingers as he stands and shuffles out of the room. But we stay for a moment. PUSH IN on the monitor, which shows the GAME OVER screen, the zombie still mocking us. VIDEO ZOMBIE (on monitor) We’'re coming for youuuu! We’re coming for youuuu! PUSH PAST the monitor then, toward the closet door, which is slightly open. Inside, pitch black. PUSH in a bit more. We can’'t see anything. But we can hear it -- an unmistakable, guttural GROWL. CUT TO BLACK END OF TEASER

ACT ONE FADE IN INT. UPSTAIRS BATHROOM/SAM’S BEDROOM - MORNING In a series of shots, we see Sam’s morning routine. He is never hurried or rushed. Sam in the shower scrubbing under his armpits. Sam at the bathroom mirror applying hair product, trying to make his hair stick up in a cool way. It just looks sticky. Sam foraging through clothes on his floor, picking up shirts and sniffing. He chooses the least offensive one. Finally, Sam dons a bright orange work apron, emblazoned with The Home Depot logo. He clips on a nametag, upside down. It reads: Sam Oliver. He checks himself out in the mirror. Sticky hair. Wrinkly clothes. An apron. It’s depressing. Sam’s face falls. INT. KITCHEN - DAY Sam comes down the stairs and enters, but stops when he sees his father huddled with his MOM, a sweet woman who spends a lot of time avoiding conflict. We can’t hear them. But Dad is mad, jabbing his finger in the air. Mom is crying. SAM Hey... uh, hey. They jump apart. Mom wipes her eyes and turns away as Dad straightens his tie. Dad is able to change his demeanor instantaneously -- he’s back to his super-fake-happy self. DAD Tiger! Grrr! Up early! SAM Got a meeting. You, uh, okay? DAD Never better! Dad sits and buries his nose in the paper. Sam joins his mom at the counter, pours himself coffee. SAM (sotto) What’s going on? CONTINUED

CONTINUED Without warning, Mom throws her arms around Sam. MOM Happy birthday. I love you so much. And I want you to have a wonderful day. No matter what happens. SAM Uh... thanks. Sam sits as his 1l7-year-old brother KEITH enters, an angry bundle of nerves. DAD Wish your brother a happy birthday. KEITH That why you’'re up before noon? SAM Actually, your girlfriend woke me up. With her tongue. MOM Sam has a very important meeting! KEITH He’s gonna learn how to use a hammer. SAM (casually) What was that envelope from Stanford I saw yesterday? Keith eyefucks Sam. Dad drops his paper. DAD You heard from Stanford? KEITH (reluctantly) Rejected. Dad’s demeanor with Keith is markedly different than how he speaks to Sam -- with Keith, he’s stern, demanding. DAD Keith. How is that possible? KEITH Sam didn’t even go to college! CONTINUED

CONTINUED (2) SAM I did so! KEITH You dropped out after a month! DAD Keith, I told you to retake the SATs and you refused. I’'m disappointed. KEITH This is amazing. He plays video games all day and wears a nametag for a living, but I'm disappointing. Through the open back door walks a slightly overweight 26- year-old in a Home Depot apron, scratching his belly and yawning —- this is Bert Wysocki, but most people call him -- MOM Sock! Good morning, dear! SOCK Mrs. O. Mr. O. Birthday Boy. Sock takes a seat. He has done this hundreds of times. SOCK (CONT’D) Keith. Too stupid for Stanford, huh? Keith jumps away from the table. KEITH You suck! Keith leaves the room, irate. SOCK It’s too easy. Seriously. I feel bad sometimes. DAD You boys have big birthday plans? SAM Nothing too crazy. DAD You should cut loose, Sam. Do what you want. You’'re only this age once. CONTINUED

CONTINUED (3) SOCK Well, alright. Let’s get some smack and kill a hooker in Vegas. Why do you look like crap? SAM I had a nightmare. My game ate me. Mom and Dad both react to this. MOM What else did you dream —- DAD Enough, Linda. Mom and Dad glare at each other. Something is really wrong. SOCK Awkward. Yet I can’t turn away. SAM (getting up) We're going. MOM (urgent) Sam -- DAD NO, Linda. Everybody looks at Dad. DAD (CONT’'D) No. Sam is going to have a great day. A great day! A beat of total weirdness. Mom turns away. Sam and Sock exchange a look. SAM Will somebody tell me what the HELL is going on here? MOM Happy birthday, darling. She smiles. But there are tears in her eyes.

EXT. SAM’'S HOUSE - MORNING Sam and Sock exit the house, head toward Sam’s Mini Cooper. SAM Weird. SOCK They’re always weird, dude. SAM Weird-er. Than usual. I wonder if they’re gonna split up. SOCK Sweet. I’m gonna rock Linda’s world. I'11 be the rebound guy. SAM Why do you make me vomit? A low GROWL stops Sam in his tracks. He looks around. SAM (CONT'D) Where is it? Do you see it? SOCK (pointing) You mean that little rat right there? Sam looks down at a tiny, black Chihuahua, bearing its teeth, just as it CHARGES, yipping maniacally. It launches itself right at Sam and clamps onto his pantleg. SAM Whoa -- SOCK Holy crap. Look at him go. SAM Dude, help me. SOCK (mesmerized) This dog rocks. This is the best dog ever. Sam reaches down and YANKS the Chihuahua off. Then leans back and tosses the animal like a quarterback. It sails over the fence into the neighbor’s yard -- we hear a soft BUMP and SQUEAL as it hits the lawn. CONTINUED

CONTINUED SOCK (CONT'D) Nice spiral. SAM Thanks. But Sam is troubled. They get in the car and go. INT. SAM’'S CAR - DRIVING - MORNING Sam’s car winds through pretty, sunny San Diego suburbs. Sock tries to find a radio station. SOCK Listen, I think we should just establish now that by this time tomorrow, you’ll probably have a little alcohol poisoning. Probably not hospital-grade or anything. But we are tearin’ it up, bro, we are -- SAM -- going to a crappy bar and drinking? SOCK Yes. Yes we are. And you are gonna love it because you are SO LEGAL now it’s insane. SAM Sounds awesome. Sam’s not exactly enthusiastic -- in fact, he’s a bit of a buzzkill. Sock turns to him, folding his arms. SOCK I am totally about to kick your ass right now. What is your problem? SAM It’s like, I'm 21. It’'s the last important birthday until forty. SOCK So? It’s the most awesome one. SAM I don’'t know. My life is pretty much the same as it was in high school. And I'm fine with that. But now... I just feel like something’s changing. I guess that dream just messed me up. CONTINUED

CONTINUED SOCK I know what you can change. SAM No -- SOCK Yes. Ask her out. Ask Andi out. She’'s coming with us tonight. You get her wasted and ask her to a MOVIE, man. SAM The window is closed. We're friends. She wants to be friends. SOCK You don’t know that. You never tried. SAM I was going to. But then her dad died. SOCK So? (off Sam’s look) I mean, that’s sad. But so? SAM You don’t do that... jump in after something like that. You look like a dick. SOCK And that was what, two years ago? SAM Look, she’ll never be interested anyway. She’s in college, super smart, really nice. Half the time I don’t even know why she hangs out with us. Compared to her, we’'re losers. Sam shakes his head. He’s clearly thought a lot about SAM (CONT’'D) rather be her friend than ask her out and make it all weird and awkward. (sighs) No. Window'’s closed. Sock looks away, contemplative. 10. this. CONTINUED

11. CONTINUED (2) SOCK Well, I just want to congratulate you on coming out of the closet, man. SAM Screw you. SOCK No, seriously. It’s really brave. I totally support you. I love the gays. EXT. THE HOME DEPOT - PARKING LOT - DAY HIGH over the vast, mostly empty parking lot. Sam’s car pulls in and parks at the far end, where the employees park. He and Sock start the long, slow walk to the front doors. INT. THE HOME DEPOT - MEETING ROOM - DAY Sam and Sock enter. About two dozen employees the room. The meeting has already started, but no one pays much attention. TED, the manager, addresses them. TED ... complaints about the bathrooms. May I remind you they’re separated by gender for a reason. Sam’s eyes find ANDI. Short for Andrea. Lovely in a completely effortless sort of way. She waves Sam over to the empty seat next to her. And we see Sam melt, just a little. Sam takes his seat between Andi and their friend BEN, who writes in the margins of an accounting textbook. ANDT Your nametag’s upside down. Sam looks, then shrugs. SAM Yeah, it is. ANDI Happy birthday. Sam is clearly pleased she remembered. But he’s a little stupid around her, and can only say -- SAM Oh. Thanks. Thanks a lot. CONTINUED

12. CONTINUED ANDI Might want to think about getting on the liver transplant list now. Sam laughs as Andi stretches and yawns. It’s an innocent gesture, but Sam’s jaw locks. He turns to Ben. SAM What’s the deal? BEN Accounting exam. I’'m flunking. Sam cocks his head to see what Ben is writing. SAM But you’re drawing a super muscular frog with an afro. Nice. BEN I'm gonna study right after. (sympathetic) Ben, why don’t you just switch to an art major? BEN Reverend Dad will pay for seminary school or accounting school. I’'m not so much about the holiness, so... SAM That is an awesome frog. Can I have that? Ben considers his drawing, then rips the page right out of the textbook and hands it to Sam. BEN I don’'t understand this chapter anyway. (then) I wish my parents were more like yours, Sam. They don’t care what you do. Sam nods, but you can tell he doesn’t think it’s that great. SAM Yeah. I’'m pretty lucky. At the front of the room, Ted has produced a sales chart. CONTINUED

CONTINUED (2) TED ... everybody still has a great chance of winning our sales contest. Sam and Sock fill out the bottom of the list. Sock has in sales. TED (CONT'D) Mostly everybody. SOCK I've been biding my time. I'm a snake ready to pounce! TED forget, the winner receives a twenty pound spiral cut ham! ANDI (to Sam) I hope you have tomorrow off. SAM Not ‘til Saturday. What about you? ANDI No, my day off’s Saturday too. Sam glances at Andi -- is she just sharing information? is she giving him an opening? SAM (cautiously) Oh, well... uh... do you have any... plans? On Saturday? Your day off? ANDI Sitting in the library working on a huge psych paper. Lame. 13. $53 Or Andi seems clueless to Sam’s intentions. He tries to switch gears smoothly. It doesn’t quite happen that way. Mostly he’s just unintelligible. People are starting to rise —- meeting’s over. SAM Right... yeah, I’ve got plans also. You know. Sleeping. More sleeping. ANDI See you on the floor. CONTINUED

14. CONTINUED (3) SAM (trails off) Probably some X-BoX... She waves and moves off. Sam turns to Ben, who has started another drawing. SAM (CONT'D) I need you to punch me in the face. Right now. BEN (not looking up) Okay. INT. THE HOME DEPOT - MAJOR APPLIANCES - DAY Sam is approached by a customer. CUSTOMER Tell me everything you know about your refrigerators. Sam blinks. Then points to the row of refrigerators. SAM They’re right there. (beat) They’re... cold. CUSTOMER That’s it? That’s the extent of your knowledge? SAM Pretty much. Sam’s not being an asshole -- that actually is all he knows. CUSTOMER an idiot. The customer walks away as Ted approaches. TED You were late today, Sam. And your nametag’s upside down. SAM I heard. CONTINUED

15. CONTINUED TED Sam, I'm gonna have to talk to you about your attitude again. SAM Uh... TED You don’t care about anything. You care about the sales contest. I did this contest for people like you. And it's not just about ham -- it’s about self- respect. Now I’'m docking you for being late. And you’re gonna have to work a double tonight because Mandy has a doctor’s appointment. SAM I can’t work tonight -- TED Well that’s just tough tacks. You need to learn responsibility, Sam. You need to learn that you can’t just skate by anymore. Because that’s what you’ve been doing since you were sixteen, and that’s just not going to cut it at the Home Depot. And this nametag -- Ted reaches down in an attempt to adjust Sam’s tag. Sam SLAPS his hand away. SAM Ted. Don’'t touch me. TED Excuse me? And Sam is suddenly IRATE. And SHOUTING. It’s a completely disproportionate reaction. SAM I SAID DON'T TOUCH ME! You are not allowed to touch me. Ever. Sam starts backing Ted up into the shelves. Ted is terrified. SAM (CONT'D) I'm not working a double! I don’t care about ham! 2And I don’t care what you think of my attitude! CONTINUED

16. CONTINUED (2) A small crowd has gathered, including Andi and Sock. Ted can’t back up any more. TED You need to calm down -- SAM WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME? Say that again, Ted. Say it again! Just as we think Sam might kick the shit out of Ted, we hear a low RUMBLE. Then EVERYTHING STARTS SHAKING. TERRIFIED SHOPPER (0.S.) Earthquake! The tall shelves around them start to sway, small items fall to the floor. Customers cry out, some take off running. Then it’s over. Sock and Andi right themselves. Sam is just breathing hard, looking at the floor. TED I’'11 get somebody else to work the double... And Ted rushes off. Sam finally looks up at Sock and Andi -- All anger is gone. Now he’s just as surprised as everyone. SOCK You... are disgruntled. And I love that. From 0.C., we hear a woman’s scream. WOMAN Look out! Sam looks up in time to catch sight of a huge, industrial- sized A/C unit on a wooden palette, high on the shelf. It teeters on the edge, about to fall -- directly onto Andi. The unit slips. Sam doesn’t think. He dives, arms outstretched, and pushes the unit clear of Andi. It lands next to her with a huge CRASH. Sam hits the floor hard. A big reaction from the crowd -- he saved her! How did he do that? Andi is too shocked to say anything. Sock is amazed. SOCK Did you see that? Did you SEE THAT?? CONTINUED

17. CONTINUED (3) Sam just sits there, an odd expression on his face. Then gets up and pushes his way through the crowd. Sock follows. INT. THE HOME DEPOT - EMPLOYEE BREAKROOM - DAY Sam bursts through the door and starts pacing. Sock enters soon afterwards -- he is elated. SOCK THAT WAS AWESOME! like that thing, where a car or whatever falls on a kid and the mom gets all pumped with adrenaline and lifts it? You just totally Bruce Bannered it, dude! SAM No... Sock plops down on the ratty couch. SOCK Yes! You saved Andi! How much will she go out with you now? SAM (quietly) I didn’t touch it. SOCK What do you mean? SAM I touch it. It was too far. It’s like I moved it... with my mind. A beat as this sinks in. Sam hardly believes it himself. Then, without a word, Sock reaches for the ceramic table lamp next to him and FIRES IT with all his might. It CRACKS Sam right in the skull and he drops instantly to the ground. SAM (CONT'D) OWWW ! Sam writhes on the floor, cradling his head. Sock just looks at him, disappointed. SOCK What happened? SAM WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? CONTINUED

18. CONTINUED SOCK You were supposed to move it with your mind! INT. THE HOME DEPOT - FRONT REGISTERS - DAY Andi rings out a customer. She spots Sam, ambling by in a stupor, a nice purple welt springing from his forehead. ANDI Oh my god, Sam! What happened? Sam blinks, trying to shake the cobwebs. SAM There was a lamp... something... Andi pulls him over, rips open a small first aid kit hanging next to the registers, punches the ice pack, over -- ANDI I don’t even know how to thank you. You saved my life. How did you do it? SAM Uh... I think probably one of those weird adrenaline car mom things? ANDT I don’t know what that means. SAM Okay... She places the icepack over Sam’s goose egg. ANDI Well, thank you. It was really brave. Sam realizes Andi’s face is quite close. He's suddenly feeling a lot better. He takes the icepack from Andi’s hand. SAM Listen, Andi... Sam doesn’t notice the growing commotion behind him -- customers point, back away. Andi looks -- and her jaw drops. SAM (CONT'D) What? Then he hears the LOW GROWL. He turns, annoyed. CONTINUED

19. CONTINUED SAM’S POV Of the black Chihuahua. It brought friends. Including two very familiar PIT BULLS. Behind them, other BLACK DOGS of various breeds and sizes. All growling. All looking right at Sam. SAM (CONT’D) (whispered) Andi... don’t move. And Sam takes off. Every single dog gives chase. They run around the registers, then out to -- EXT. THE HOME DEPOT - ENTRANCE - DAY -- where Sock is waiting. Plastic eye goggles on. And wielding a big, LOUD, gas-powered leaf blower. SOCK COME ON YOU BASTARDS! Sock revs it and runs directly at the dogs. It works. They run away. Sam bends over, gasping for breath. SAM I'm sick. going home. Sam limps off into the parking lot. INT. SAM’'S CAR - DRIVING - DAY Sam grips the wheel. There are a few moments of silence, allowing him to relax, just a little. Then —- VOICE (0.S.) This car is really nice. Sam jumps, looks in the rearview -- and there is a MAN sitting in his back seat. Middle aged, nice hair, nice suit. SAM WHO ARE YOU?? MAN (looking around) much bigger on the inside. And that’s about the end of Sam’s sanity. He FREAKS, speeding up and driving all over the road. CONTINUED

20. CONTINUED SAM Is this a carjacking? Are you carjacking me? MAN Sam... Sam... take it easy -- Sam narrowly misses several accidents, but hardly notices. SAM You can have it! Please don’t kill me! MAN I'm not a carjacker! I’'m the Devil! Didn’t they tell you I was coming? SAM WHAT?? With that, the car SMASHES into a tree. The airbags deploy. EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS Sam’s Mini is accordioned against a large tree. Smoke rises from the hood. Other motorists pull over, approach the car. Inside, Sam raises his head, dazed. MOTORIST (0.S.) Hey, are you okay? Sam suddenly remembers his passenger -- he spins around. But the back seat is empty. Off Sam, feeling truly crazy -- FADE OUT END OF ACT ONE

21. ACT TWO INT. SAM’'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT The only light comes from the large television set, where Sam is once again playing his video game. He stares mindlessly at the screen, the only noise being the click-click-click of the controller buttons. We hear the front door OPEN, and Dad appears. He points in the direction of the street. DAD Sam, what happened to your car? Sam doesn’t look away from the game. He is numb, speaks without affect. SAM There was an accident. DAD Are you okay? SAM Kind of. DAD Weren’'t you going out with your friends tonight? SAM I decided to stay home and go insane. You might want to call a cop or something. Dad watches Sam as he slays zombies and werewolves. We see evidence of real concern on Dad’'s part -- he sits down. DAD What happened? On screen, the monsters pile up on Sam’s player, who dies a horrible death. Sam tosses the controller. He’s profoundly worried, his responses mechanical. SAM I caused an earthquake. I moved an air conditioner with my mind. And the devil tried to carjack me. Dad takes on that. CONTINUED

22. CONTINUED DAD Seriously? SAM No, Dad. I’'m hallucinating. None of it was real. That’s why you should just call the cops, because I don’t know what I'm capable of now. A beat. Sam is in real torment. Dad considers him. DAD It was all real. SAM This isn’t a joke. DAD I know it’s not, Sam. There’s something I have to tell you... maybe I should’ve told you a long time ago. I just didn’t know how. Now, I don’t have a choice. (beat) Your mother and I sold your soul to the devil. SAM Oh. Well it makes sense now. Thanks, Dad. That really helped. But Dad is dead serious. This is more emotion than Sam has ever seen from him. DAD Before you were born... there was something wrong with me. Something that there was no cure for. And the Devil came to us and offered us a cure. (beat) It seemed so simple, because we planned on never having kids. But I should’ve realized you can’t cheat the Devil. After a few years, your mom started to regret... Dad trails off, not finishing the thought. This is now making Sam angry. He rises to his feet. SAM Stop screwing around. CONTINUED

23, CONTINUED (2) DAD Your mother wanted to tell you this morning. But I thought you’d rather have one more normal day. SAM That wasn’t normal! DAD I know. But at least you’'re not going crazy, right? You know the truth. SAM What TRUTH? DAD See any black dogs today? The question stops Sam dead -- he stares at his father, incredulous. DAD They’'re the hounds of hell. They pursue the souls of the damned. We were allowed to have you for the first twenty-one years. Now... you belong to him. SAM Belong. To. Who. DAD Isaiah calls him the ‘son of the (beat) I'd apologize. But I don’t really know how you apologize for something like this. You won’t forgive me anyway. Off Sam, his head about to explode -- INT. BAR - ENTRANCE - NIGHT A few steps above shithole. Sam walks in the front entrance. He has to IMMEDIATELY hit the deck as a beer bottle CRASHES into the door. SOCK (0.S.) Come on! Why can’t you do it? Sam picks himself up, trudges over to the booth where Sock, Andi and Ben wait.

24. INT. BAR - BOOTH - CONTINUOUS Sock joins the trio, who are well on their way to getting wrecked. The table is strewn with beer bottles and shot glasses. Sam is preoccupied. SOCK Dude, you’'re late. ANDI We started without you. Happy birthday! BEN Where were you, Sam? SAM I got hung up. He sits and Andi leans on him. ANDI We started without you. SAM I can see that. Andi digs in her purse, producing a small gift bag. ANDI Happy birthday! Even in his current mental state, Sam is touched by this. He starts to open the bag. SAM You didn’‘t have to do that... ANDI No! Don’t open in front of me! I’'m too nervous. SAM Okay... Sock sloshes a couple shot glasses in front of Sam. SOCK I got you that. SAM Thanks, man. CONTINUED

25. CONTINUED Sam knocks the drinks back. BEN I didn’t get anything. ANDI Yes you did! You gave him the super frog drawing! BEN Oh. Right. See? Happy birthday. Sam smiles and leans back, stares at the table, lost in thought. Sock narrows his eyes. SOCK Can I speak to you in my office please? Sock doesn’t wait for an answer, instead climbs out of the booth and drags Sam with him. INT. MEN'S ROOM - NIGHT Sock shoves Sam inside the cramped space. Another GUY is at the urinal. Sock rants as he unzips his fly and stands at the other urinal. SOCK Dude, I am so close to pummeling you right now. What is wrong with you? SAM I've got a lot on my mind. SOCK I don’t care! The girl of your dreams is falling all over you and giving you presents and thinking about flowers or fairies or whatever? Snap out of it! SAM Something happened. Bad. SOCK What? Sam shakes his head, indicates the guy at the urinal next to Sock, who is staring at them. Sock turns to him. SOCK (CONT'D) Dude, seriously, stop staring at my junk. CONTINUED

26. CONTINUED GUY AT URINAL (zipping up) I’'m not! He hurries away and out the door. As the door shuts —- SOCK (yelling) Didn’t wash his hands! (then, to sam) Speak. Sam considers his reflection in the mirror. It’s almost as if saying this aloud makes it real. SAM All day... I’'ve had this feeling like something’s off. Different. And then the dogs. And the dude in my car. And the moving things with my mind... SOCK Still need more proof of that, bro. SAM (beat) My parents sold my soul to the devil. Dad told me tonight. Either I'm a lunatic. Or it’s all true. Sock... I think it’s true. There is a long pause as Sam waits for Sock’s reaction. Sock’s face is inscrutable as he zips up his pants. Then, softly -- SOCK Sam. Buddy. That is... He PUNCHES Sam in the arm happily, knocking him into the sink. SOCK (CONT'D) SO AWESOME! That’s the best thing ever! SAM Sock -- no. This sucks. SOCK What are you talking about? You wanted a change? Check it out! Wish granted! CONTINUED

27. CONTINUED (2) SAM Do you know what that means? I don’t even know what that means. SOCK It means you are Magic Devil Guy with the kung-fu mind grip. (then) You gonna tell Andi? Sam hadn’t thought of that. He pulls the still-unopened gift bag from Andi out of his pocket. SAM No. She can’t ever know. SOCK You gonna use your evil powers to bang her? Sam doesn’t laugh. In fact, he’s more depressed than before. SAM I think I'm just gonna go home. Off Sock, watching as Sam exits -- INT. SAM’'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Sam enters, shuts the door. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out the gift from Andi. Sits on the bed and opens it. Inside is a bracelet -- a thin, black cord and a silver bead with a Sanskrit symbol carved into it. It’s beautiful. Sam looks at it for a moment, then fastens the bracelet around his wrist and lies back on the bed. The door to his closet immediately opens. Out walks the guy from Sam’s car -- The Devil. He’s wrinkling up his nose and waving his hand in front of his face. THE DEVIL I don’t want to bum you out, but something took a dump in there. CUT TO BLACK END OF ACT TWO

28. ACT THREE FADE IN INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT CLOSE on a frying pan, where a thick slab of some kind of breaded meat sizzles. Sam sits at the counter, watching as the Devil flips the meat onto a plate. THE DEVIL Look, I get it. This is a big deal and you didn’t choose it. fair. Nobody'’s blaming you for freaking out. The Devil takes a fork and samples his creation. THE DEVIL (CONT'D) Oh, yeah. Chicken fried steak. I am so glad I don’t have arteries. (to Sam) Try? Just a bite. Sam can only shake his head. The Devil pulls his plate over and sits next to him. He seems genuinely sympathetic. THE DEVIL (CONT’'D) Sam. This doesn’t have to be so bad. Sam finally finds his voice. SAM So, uh... what happens? Do I have to go to hell now? THE DEVIL Now? ©No. No, no, no. Not now. You're gonna work for me here, in the earthly realm. SAM (feeling sick) Like, kill people and stuff? The Devil frowns, practically aghast at the notion. THE DEVIL Wow. You're a real pessimist. Of course you won’t be murdering people. You have a much better gig -- find souls that escaped from hell and bring them back. (then) Got any root beer? CONTINUED

29. CONTINUED The Devil goes to the fridge and rummages around. SAM I don’t get it. Find souls? THE DEVIL You know. Like a bounty hunter. SAM People can get out of hell? The Devil pulls out some 0J and drinks from the container. THE DEVIL Yeah... that’s kind of a problem we’ve been having. Overcrowding and so forth. Honestly, we were underprepared for the influx. I blame myself. There’s a cageyness in how the Devil describes this. You get the sense he’s not telling the whole truth. THE DEVIL (CONT'D) But that’s not your problem. All you need to do is track down fugitives and haul their asses to the portal. Easy. SAM What portal? THE DEVIL (thinks) Let’s see, in this sector, closest portal to hell is the DMV on Mission Street. Turn in a fugitive, get your license renewed. I’'m all about the perks. (looks) Hey, Frank. Sam looks up -- his father stands at the entryway to the kitchen, in his P.J.s, holding an empty water glass. THE DEVIL (CONT'D) I'm giving Sam the lowdown. You hungry? Dad shakes his head. He looks at Sam for a beat, opens his mouth to speak, but can’t. He simply drops his eyes and walks away. Sam holds his head in his hands. SAM Why did they do this? CONTINUED

30. CONTINUED (2) THE DEVIL I just draw up the contract. I don’t ask for personal motivations. Tends to be a deal killer. Sam looks depressed. The Devil pats his shoulder. THE DEVIL (CONT'D) Kiddo, it’s okay. I’'ve seen how this all ends. Don’t worry, God wins. You’ll be doing humanity a favor by putting bad guys where they belong. Sam sighs. He’s tired of fighting it. SAM What do I have to do? And suddenly, we’'re -- EXT. FIREHOUSE - BROAD DAYLIGHT To Sam’s utter confusion he and the Devil are now standing in front of a fire station and it’s daytime. The Devil holds his plate of chicken fried steak. Sam is briefly dizzy. SAM Where are we? THE DEVIL Seat of all that is good and pretty in suburbia. Also known as Escondido —- about 10 miles away from your house. (points) your fugitive. POV Of a shirtless, muscled, tanned and incredibly gorgeous FIREMAN, washing a firetruck. It’s like a calendar spread. THE DEVIL (CONT'’'D) Broke out of hell after doing fifty years. Wanna guess why he was damned? SAM Not really. THE DEVIL Get this -- arson. In life he was a big time pyro. Hello ironic. CONTINUED

CONTINUED SAM So he’s a good guy now? THE DEVIL (shakes his head) Even worse than before. He’s still an arsonist, but now he can see the results of his work up close. It’s pretty ingenious, I‘1ll give him that. SAM Then why do you want to take him back to hell? If he’s being evil, isn’t that what you want? THE DEVIL The truth is, I'm a very misunderstood guy. I don’'t advocate these huge, showy, evil acts. People blowing up buildings or killing twenty-five prostitutes -- while I can appreciate the sentiment -- is actually bad for me. It scares people, and when they’re scared they tend to seek out God or Buddha or Vishnu or whoever. My job is to get people to embrace me. (points) Guys like this make me look bad. 31. The Fireman arches his back and sprays water from the hose all over himself. The Devil shakes his head. THE DEVIL (CONT’'D) Look at this tool. Could he have chosen a more obvious human form? SAM He doesn’t look like that? THE DEVIL He does now. When he was alive -- huge dork. Ninety pound weakling. But once you’'re dead, your earthly appearance dies with you. The Fireman goes inside, and the Devil and Sam walk. THE DEVIL (CONT'D) There it is. Your first assignment. SAM You want me to kill a fireman. CONTINUED

32. CONTINUED (2) THE DEVIL What is this obsession with murder? The guy’s already dead. Sam stops walking. SAM I'm not doing it. THE DEVIL Not getting the fireman? SAM Not doing any of it. I’'m not gonna be your stupid bounty hunter. Period. The Devil stares at Sam. It’s unnerving, and scary. But then, he just starts laughing. THE DEVIL You’re hilarious! SAM I'm not kidding. This is my decision. That only makes the Devil laugh harder. THE DEVIL Sure it is, Sam. Whatever you say... And then, the Devil is gone. And Sam is —- INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT Sitting at the counter. dark out once more. The chicken fried steak is back in the pan, burned black as coal. Sam looks around. That might have been a little too easy. INT. THE HOME DEPOT - SALES FLOOR - DAY Sock is winding yards and yards of duct tape around his left hand. Sam approaches, urgent. SAM (pointed) Had a visitor last night. SOCK Nice. SAM No, it’s not nice. It bites my ass. CONTINUED —

33. CONTINUED SOCK (shows Sam) Tape hand. (then) We should tell Ben. He knows all about this garbage. Sam thinks, then relents. SAM Fine. But nobody else can know. INT. THE HOME DEPOT - STOCKROOM - DAY Sock, Sam and Ben sit at an industrial desk in a relatively remote area. Ben idly sketches superheroes on the side of a box. Sock’s still working on the tape hand, which now has the circumference of a good-sized melon. BEN I believe this... SOCK So you need proof. Sock picks up a stapler and throws it. It plugs Sam right in the chest. Sam’s so used to it now he hardly reacts. SAM Yeah, we’'re already past the not believing it part. We’ve moved on to the part where it’s true and it sucks. BEN I believe you’re telling the truth. I just don’t understand how your parents sold your soul out from under you. SAM What do you mean? BEN God'’'s greatest gift to humanity is Free Will. what separates us from the heavenly hosts. Sam just blinks. Sock shakes out his left hand. SOCK Pins and needles now. CONTINUED

34. CONTINUED BEN Think about it -- your soul, your essence, is the only thing that makes you you. How can your parents give it away? SAM I know, but I told him no way. Ben and Sock exchange a look. BEN You said no to the Devil? What’d he do? SAM Nothing. (beat) Laughed at me. But then nothing. SOCK I like you, Sam. I like you because you're crazy. SAM Look, I don’t care. Dude will just have to find escaped souls himself. BEN Actually, the Devil and his minions don’t have physical power on earth. They can lure, lie, compel. But think about the Bible story —-- the Devil meets Jesus, and what does he do? Talk, talk, talk. SOCK Pussy. Sam is considering Ben, impressed. SAM Thought you hated all the religious stuff. You’'re like the expert now. BEN No. My father’s just drummed it into my skull for so many years I can regurgitate it at will. Sock is trying to rip the roll of duct tape off with his teeth. It’s getting all in his hair. CONTINUED

35. CONTINUED (2) { SOCK R There’s a guy who can swallow a quarter, a dime, and a penny and regurgitate them in order. You should work on that. Andi appears around a corner, carrying a box. The guys all snap to attention, but she doesn’t seem to notice weird. ANDT Hey. (to Sock) Nice tape hand. SOCK Thank you, Andi. Andi walks along the shelves, looking for the place to restock the box. Sam follows her, holds up his wrist, showing Andi the bracelet. SAM Hey... I just wanted to thank you for this. I really love it. . ANDI ( Great! You never know with guys and jewelry. SAM Also... I'm sorry I was so lame last night. Andi finds the proper place for the box, sets it on the shelf. ANDI It’s cool. You seemed down about your birthday. I get it. Last important one before forty. SAM (surprised) Yeah... ANDI Then I'm really glad you like your present. been such a good friend to me, Sam. I appreciate it. She gives Sam a friendly pat on the arm and goes back out ( toward the sales floor. Sam’s shoulder slump. CONTINUED

36. CONTINUED (3) SAM Such a good friend. Really good friends. Sock and Ben watch from the desk. SOCK (whispers) Use your powers of evil... use them... Sam shakes his head and walks away. INT. SAM’'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT CLOSE on Sam’s face -- we can almost see the reflection of the video game in his eyes. He slumps on the couch, numb, trying to shut everything else out. We hear the sound of someone entering the house, walking towards us. A figure passes behind Sam -- we get a glimpse of a RED HUED body, a flutter of wings. The figure sits down 0.S. at the end of the couch. Sam finally turns his head -- and his eyes BUG. SAM’S POV a DEMON -- winged, horned much like the demon from his dream. Only this one -- named BUD -- just sits quietly, wearing reading glasses, consulting a clipboard. Sam drops his controller and slowly gets up from the couch. SAM Wh... what..? Bud looks up from his paperwork. BUD It’s okay, you can play your game. Doesn’t bother me. SAM Who are you? BUD I'm Bud. Here for a pick-up. SAM Pick up what? BUD (reads) Linda Oliver. CONTINUED —

CONTINUED Sam reacts. SAM That’s my mom. BUD Oh. She here? SAM No. BUD I'11 wait. SAM What do you want with her? Bud flips through the pages of his clipboard. BUD Looks like she’s the collateral on a breached contract. SAM What does that mean? BUD She didn’t fulfill her end of the deal. She’s gotta go to hell. (re: the TV) You’'re dead. Sam looks -- indeed, his player is being sucked by a vampire. SAM Wait. Wait, wait, wait. (thinking) You can’t do that, you can’t take her. You don’t have powers on earth. You can only like lure and propel and stuff. Bud considers Sam for a beat. BUD Wow, you’re a real theologian, Sam. (then) All those rules get thrown out the window when you enter a deal with the Devil. ON SCREEN, the video game goes into demo mode -- it plays itself. Only this time, it seems darker, scarier. 37. CONTINUED

38. CONTINUED (2) Monsters prowl about, chasing humans. And, there is a woman screaming -- it sounds familiar. Sam can’t tear his eyes away. SAM What will happen to her? BUD You know. The usual. Dismemberment. Burning. Various things inserted into various orifices. The screaming on the game continues it shows a woman being chased by demons. Sam sinks onto the couch, devastated. Bud sighs, seems to take pity on him. BUD Look, I don’t care one way or another. This is just my job -- either the contract is settled or I have to collect payment -- your mom’s soul. SAM (beat) So if I agree to do the bounty hunter thing, my mom is safe. BUD Pretty much. SAM I don’'t even know what to do... I know how to catch souls. Bud points to the coffee table in front of them -- where there now rests an ancient-looking, wooden box. BUD That’s a vessel. It’ll help. Sam just looks at the box, but doesn’t touch it. Bud rises from the couch, stretches. BUD (CONT'D) Look, I've got a couple other pick-ups to make, so I’'ll come back tomorrow. You think about it. Bud points to the screen. BUD (CONT’'D) Or, you can just play your game. That's how you deal, right? Things get hard. (MORE) CONTINUED

39. CONTINUED (3) BUD Sam checks out. (shrugs) Like I said, doesn’t really make a difference to me either way. Sam hardly reacts as Bud exits. He’'s fixated on the screen, where demons pile on the woman and tear her apart. As the screaming grows to a crescendo —- CUT TO BLACK END OF ACT THREE

40. ACT FOUR INT. THE HOME DEPOT - EMPLOYEE BREAKROOM - DAY CLOSE on the wooden box as it is placed on a table. The wood is worn smooth and distressed. There is a hinged 1lid on top, latched shut, the iron fastenings ancient. The three guys stand around it. SOCK What is it? SAM A vessel. SOCK You open it? SAM Too chicken. BEN It’s a tool of the Devil. Could be something unspeakably evil. SOCK Or unspeakably awesome. I’ll open it. SAM No... this is my deal. do it. Sam touches the latch -- it takes a moment to force the metal free. He grips the 1lid and pulls. Finally, it pops open. We hear air get sucked inside, a small puff of dust escaping. Ben and Sock step backwards. Sam opens the creaking lid the rest of the way. He looks down. Then cocks his head. SAM (CONT'D) Huh. BEN What? What is it? Sam reaches, pulls out a plastic lunchbox thermos. Pictured on the side -- a black Pontiac Trans Am and the words —- SAM Knight Rider. A Knight Rider thermos. A beat as the guys consider it. CONTINUED