by John Skipp
EXT. HELL – NIGHT
As the hordes rush toward the gate, and Ice bends over to pick up his fallen sword.
HOPE
(contemptuous)
Oh, you are the best, aren’t you?
ICE
(humiliated, angry)
Shut up!
Hope surges forward, YANKING THE CHAIN TO DRAG ICE.
HOPE
(furious)
ARE YOU COMING OR NOT?
Ice barely gets his sword before he finds himself DRAGGED FORWARD. Into the fray.
ANGLE – THE MAYOR’S PLATFORM
Where Levon and Loretta Judge stand together at the podium, around the FROZEN ICE-BODY OF MAYOR “BOB” DOBBSTOWN.
DEMON LEVON
And so you will ALL be judged! According to your SINS! Your abominable SINS, which render you UNWORTHY of inheriting the KINGDOM OF GOD!
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EXT. SANCTUARY – END OF THE NIGHT
As Rebecca and Johnny vibrate together, the epicenter of a BLINDING LIGHT.
CUT TO:
JOHNNY’S DEATH-VISION
As he REACHES OUT TO GRAB HER HAND, thereby linking himself to life.
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EXT. SANCTUARY – END OF THE NIGHT
As REBECCA LEANS DOWN AND KISSES HIM, filling him with all the force of her soul…
…and JOHNNY KISSES BACK, slowly but surely FLOODING WITH LIGHT…
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EXT. HELL – END OF THE NIGHT
As Loretta hugs Levon so hard that they begin to PHYSICALLY MERGE.
DEMON LEVON
Prepare to spend Eternity in the ONE TRUE LIVING HELL!!!
DEMON LORETTA
HALLELUJAH!!!
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EXT. SANCTUARY – END OF THE NIGHT
Rebecca and Johnny kiss, while the BATTLE RAGES around them:
• Liney, Suzie, and Kineda leading the resistance with skill and ferocity, but against all odds;
• the Hell-hordes clearly OVERRUNNING THE SURVIVOR ARMY, exacting heavy casualties;
• Marabeth leading the healers back into the Center, with demons in close pursuit;
• a demon running straight at Flip Martindale’s cameraman, before Flip decapitates it;
FLIP MARTINDALE
(at the CAMERAMAN)
YOU GETTING THIS?
• another demon grins at the video monitors in Maggie’s van as it climbs in, surveying the multiple views of chaos…
…until Maggie pops up behind it and PLUNGES A SWORD THROUGH ITS BACK, THE POINT COMING OUT ITS CHEST;
• Castle finds himself faced with THREE DEMONS. He squares off in terror, as they advance…
…and Quinn comes in from the right, The Astounding Rodney from the left. Slightly evening the odds;
• Weez continues to fight the GEEK DEMON, while others die all around them. Both of them look incredibly tired, but they’re so much alike that they’re almost HAVING FUN;
• and then QUINN’S HEAD SPLITS IN HALF, making it three against two;
• and Flip’s cameraman is dragged down, then TORN APART;
• and Grace replaces the demon-sword at Johnny’s side, then FLIES STRAIGHT UP TOWARD THE HEAVENS.
Then Rebecca’s lips disengage from Johnny’s, and his EYES OPEN at last. They stare into each other for one last moment…
…and then the DEMON APPEARS, directly above Rebecca, preparing to STRIKE…
…just as JOHNNY SURGES FORWARD, blade in hand, and IMPALES THE DEMON UPON IT.
REBECCA
Johnny!
Painfully, he stands and surveys the situation. It’s grim. He pulls up his bloody t-shirt and surveys the FAINTLY-GLOWING SCAR at the center of his belly. Much better.
JOHNNY DEATH
Thank you.
A DEMON ATTACKS. He quickly cuts it in half.
JOHNNY DEATH
Stay close to me. No matter what.
REBECCA
Johnny…
JOHNNY DEATH
Rebecca…
REBECCA
I’ll tell you later.
JOHNNY DEATH
Good.
He whirls, just in time to cut the head off of an attacking demon. She stands behind him as the NEXT WAVE OF DEMONS ATTACKS.
ANGLE – INSIDE THE GATE
A PAIR OF DEMONS UNLOCK THE GATE from the inside and proceed to throw it open, revealing a PORTAL STILL TOO BRIGHT FOR ICE to enter.
ICE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
One of the DEMONS TOUCHES THE LIGHT, and its ARM MELTS. It screams.
ICE (CONT.)
DAMN!
OTHER DEMON
Don’t worry! I think we’ve almost got the problem solved!
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INT. CENTER FOR THE HEALING ARTS – END OF THE NIGHT
The DOORS AND WINDOWS CRASH OPEN, allowing demons to enter. Ann Rule is the first of the healers to die. The rest are methodically slaughtered.
A TRIO OF FORMER PROTESTERS – now demonic – advance upon Marabeth.
DEMONIC EX-PROTESTER # 1
Thou shalt not suffer…
DEMONIC EX-PROTESTER # 2
…a witch to live.
DEMONIC EX-PROTESTER # 3
So sayeth the Lord.
Marabeth has time for a final scream.
And then they are upon her.
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EXT. HELL – END OF THE NIGHT
As suddenly the WALL OF LIGHT FLUTTERS, FADES, VANISHES ALTOGETHER.
ICE
Ah! Much better! After you…?
He graciously defers to Hope, who passes under the gate.
And into SANCTUARY LOST.
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EXT. SANCTUARY LOST – END OF THE NIGHT
As the PROTECTIVE CIRCLE DIES WITH MARABETH, enshrouding all in a terrifying darkness, lit only by the hellfire still flickering in the dead city beyond.
That, and the FIRST BEAMS OF DAWN.
And in that darkness, the following happens:
• the TERRIBLE COLD that accompanies Ice now spreads over what once was Sanctuary;
• Liney, Suzie, and Kineda are PINNED BACK by the THREE TURBO-DEMONS, who could not be deadlier;
• The Astounding Rodney kills a demon, only to be GUTTED BY ANOTHER: suspended on the end of the sword, while the demon leans close and speaks.
DEMON
So. Do you believe in us now…?
Rodney opens his mouth, but only blood comes out;
• While JOHNNY KILLS IN SILENCE, grim features glowing in the light from his sword.
Rebecca turns away from the slaughter, just in time to watch Ice and his procession pass through the gate.
All the hordes of Hell, advancing.
ICE
IT WOULD SEEM…
REBECCA
Oh, no…
ICE
…THAT THE MOMENT OF TRUTH HAS FINALLY…
Suddenly, there is a sound from above. The sound of MANY WINGS. And it is coming closer.
Ice looks up, and shock transfixes his features. Everyone else who looks up has the same reaction.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE HEAVENS ABOVE
As GRACE DESCENDS, followed by a GRIM-FACED LEGION OF WINGED, SWORD-BEARING WARRIOR ANGELS.
These are not cute angels or chubby cherubs; some of them look more like HINDU, ASIAN OR PAGAN DEITIES than they do like traditional winged Barbies and Kens. They are, one and all, fierce-eyed and deadly-determined.
CUT TO:
EXT. SANCTUARY LOST – END OF THE NIGHT
On the ground, everyone stops. And looks up.
REBECCA
(in awe)
Omigod.
JOHNNY DEATH
It’s about fucking time.
A TERRIBLE MOAN spreads through the demon ranks – a purely supernatural terror. Already, they begin to SHRINK BACK, dreading the encounter to come.
ANGLE – FLIP MARTINDALE
As he backs into his c
ameraman’s body. Grabs the CAMERA. And aims it STRAIGHT UP…
FLIP MARTINDALE
Oh my God…
ANGLE – THE ASTOUNDING RODNEY
Dying in the dirt. On his back. Staring up at the sky. It’s clear, from his eyes, that’s he’s waited all his life to see something like this. And here it is now.
The last thing he sees is an ANGEL, LANDING DIRECTLY BESIDE HIM. She takes his hand, and winks at him.
He closes his eyes to LIGHT…
ANGLE – JOHNNY DEATH
He returns his attention to Ice, who’s been struck mute by this turn of events. The grin on Johnny’s face is one of unmitigated savagery.
JOHNNY DEATH (CONT.)
So. You were saying?
ANGLE – THE WARRIOR ANGELS
As they SWOOP DOWN on the battlefield, immediately entering into the fray. Within moments, angels and demons are engaged in mortal struggle.
This substantially evens the odds, and the twenty-odd survivors now push back with renewed vigor. Liney, Suzie, and Kineda launch a fresh offensive on the THREE TURBO-DEMONS, TAKING THEM DOWN.
And the battle, at last, begins to turn.
ANGLE – REBECCA AND JOHNNY
As Grace descends to join them.
JOHNNY DEATH
Stay with her, will ya?
Grace nods. Rebecca quickly NAILS JOHNNY with a very hot kiss, then looks directly at Hope.
Who now looks COMPLETELY INSANE.
Johnny doesn’t miss this. Gently, he cups Rebecca’s face and pulls her gaze back to him.
JOHNNY DEATH
Thanks again.
REBECCA
Don’t mention it.
Johnny grins, then begins striding with terrible deliberation toward Ice, Hope, and the now-cowering procession. His sword is almost blinding. And all the while, he does not take his eyes off Hope.
JOHNNY DEATH
(to HOPE)
You know, a lot can happen in a couple of years. People change. Develop other interests. Wind up in Hell. It happens.
Hope takes a frightened step behind Ice, who motions for a couple of TERRIFIED DEMONS to go attack Johnny. Reluctantly, they do.
Johnny slaughters them with barely a second glance. His gaze returns instantly to Hope.
JOHNNY DEATH (CONT.)
And if I’d been stuck in Hell for two years – instead of just fighting it, trying to get back to you –
More demons are thrown in the breach, to die horribly. Johnny doesn’t even break his stride.
JOHNNY DEATH (CONT.)
…I don’t know how I’d feel about things. Like, for instance, you and me.
Ice is backing away now, sword uplifted defensively, while the last of his procession FLEES behind him. Johnny refuses to look at him.
Johnny only looks at Hope.
JOHNNY DEATH (CONT.)
But I’ll tell you one thing…
RAISING HIS BLADE to face Ice’s.
JOHNNY DEATH (CONT.)
…I would NEVER have done…
PARRYING ICE’S FIRST BLOW, without so much as looking his way.
ICE (infuriated)
Look at me!
JOHNNY DEATH
(as if uninterrupted)
…and that would be to TURN on you…
PARRYING THREE VICIOUS THRUSTS, in rapid succession: forcing Ice back while staring only at the increasingly-nervous Hope.
ICE
(beside himself)
Damn you! LOOK at me!
HOPE
(shrieking)
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE!
Johnny launches a brutal counter-assault, SLICING ICE TWICE in a matter of seconds without looking at him once. Johnny’s blade is burning hot; and Ice is sweating like an ice cube in the summer sun.
ICE
NO!
HOPE
Why didn’t you SAVE ME?
JOHNNY DEATH
Why didn’t you LET ME?
At that moment, Ice takes a ferocious overhand swing at Johnny, which Johnny parries and holds in trembling stasis.
ICE
(berserk)
WHY WON’T YOU FUCKING LOOK AT ME?
And suddenly, Johnny does: staring straight into Ice’s eyes, in the moment before the coup de grace.
JOHNNY DEATH
Because you…
Breaking the stalemate, then STABBING ICE DIRECTLY IN THE HEART.
JOHNNY DEATH (CONT.)
…don’t…
As Ice begins to MELT: his features going slippery, running down the front of his head, even as he screams.
JOHNNY DEATH (CONT.)
…matter.
As ICE MELTS DOWN: and we see that even his bones and internal organs are frozen. He’s like one of those “Visible Man” models, made entirely of ice: as EACH LAYER OF FLESH, MUSCLE, ORGAN OR BONE MELTS DOWN, THE LAYER BENEATH IS EXPOSED, AND THEN BEGINS ITS OWN MELTDOWN.
This reduces Ice to a puddle in very short order.
Then Johnny looks back at Hope, who is backing away with terror in her eyes. The spirit-chains that entangle her now CLATTER TO THE GROUND; there is no longer any Ice on the other end to be attached to.
Johnny watches the chains drag on the ground as Hope retreats.
She is backing out the gate now, back to the plaza and the remains of the parade. Johnny follows her: always within reach of the end of the chain, but never grabbing it.
He stops.
She keeps going.
Then he watches her join the RETREATING HORDES OF HELL, now moving back down Main Street toward the cemetery from whence they came. Liney, Suzie, Kineda, the remaining survivors and the WARRIOR-ANGELS are driving them back.
ANGLE – DEMON LEVON AND LORETTA JUDGE
They hiss at the angels as they retreat: a two-headed monstrosity, shielding its eyes from the painful light.
ANGLE – WEEZ AND THE GEEKY DEMON
Weez is chasing it back into Hell, with a big grin on his face.
WEEZ
Yeah! Yeah! RUN, you fucker!
The Geeky Demon catches up with the others, looks over its shoulder with a grateful goofy grin on its own.
Weez gives it a sneaky little goodbye wave, then stops, looks around to make sure no one noticed.
ANGLE – JOHNNY DEATH
Just standing there. Looking around. Seeing it all.
Johnny watches an angel die. It twitches, then lays still upon its vanquished demon foe. And there’s something so weird about watching angels die that he just stares at it for a moment, lost in thought.
He turns, and his FOOT KICKS SOMETHING in the debris of the plaza. He bends down and picks it up.
It’s a CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST MASK. SPLATTERED WITH BLOOD.
The kind of mask a kid would wear.
Would never wear again.
Johnny looks at the bloody Casper mask in his hand, as if he were doing Shakespeare with, perhaps, his best friend’s skull. Then he looks at the burning world around him.
It would be too easy for him to cry.
And then Rebecca is there, and she is wrapping her arms around him, and that is nice, that’s much better; the truth is all over his face.
REBECCA
Thank you.
JOHNNY DEATH
Don’t mention it.
PAN BACK, for one last mastershot of the devastation that was Sleepy Hollow. Where angels drive demons back to hell. For now.
And the first hell-scavengers gather on the perimeters.
Waiting for their chance at the fallen.
Before the sun rises once again.
Meet the Author
John Skipp is a New York Times bestselling author and editor-turned-filmmaker, zombie godfather, compulsive collaborator, musical pornographer, sardonic optimist and all-around Renaissance mutant. His early novels from the 1980s and 90s pioneered the graphic, subversive, high-energy form known as splatterpunk. His anthology Book of the Dead was the beginning of modern post-Romero zombie literature. H
is work ranges from hardcore horror to whacked-out Bizarro to scathing social satire, all brought together with his trademark cinematic pace and intimate, unflinching, unmistakable voice. From young agitator to hilarious elder statesman, Skipp remains one of genre art-o-tainment's most colorful characters.