Spooky Psychology (working title)

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY-MORNING

Panning shots of Memorial - opening credits roll.
SFX: Spooky music.
We watch students feet through the hallway. They fall,
lift, fall, lift, fall, lift.
CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS
PROFESSOR
Memory is an important aspect of
consciousness.
Legs jitter on anxious feet of students sitting in desks.
PROFESSOR (CONTD)
The unconscious mind, however, is
the unmemorable mind. To us, at
least.
One foot moves as if putting out a cigarette.
That foot belongs to SIENNA.
PROFESSOR (CONTD)
Has anyone had a dream you cant
seem to remember in the morning?
SIENNA doodles in her notebook. Flowers and boxes litter the
page.
Students nod and murmur affirmatively.
"The Unconscious Mind" is underlined on the board.
PROFESSOR (CONTD)
Thats because in your sleep, your
conscious mind is also asleep.
Letting your unconscious mind take
over.
A girl raises her hand.
PROFESSOR (TO GIRL)
Yes, Tara?
TARA
If the unconscious mind takes over
while were sleeping, then why
dont we move around?
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

SIENNA glances over to TARA. Sienna frowns.

PROFESSOR
Good question. Your brain shuts
down the motor functions that
control your muscles so you dont
move around. All of that is part of
your conscious mind that goes to
sleep at night.
TARA
Then why do people sleepwalk?
PROFESSOR
Well, for those people they dont
lose their motor movement and end
up walking around.
TARA and the rest of the class nod.
SIENNA continues doodling, her arm holding her head, her
eyes slowly closing.
The PROFESSOR rambles on.
SIENNA head falls from her arm.
INT. CLASSROOM - TIME STOP
SIENNAs eyes open. She looks up, confused.
The page in her notebook is blank. The classroom, empty. The
lights have dimmed.
SIENNA looks towards the clock. It ticks without moving.
SIENNA gets out her seat and looks around. She exits.
INT. HALLWAY SCHOOL - SPOOKY
SIENNA looks around. The hallway is bare.
A door opens.
SIENNA turns. The door swings closed.
SIENNA walks over to the door. SIENNA walks in.

3.

INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUSLY SPOOKY

The bathroom seems empty. Sienna bends and looks at the
bottom of the stalls. No one.
SIENNA, relieved, walks to a mirror.
She turns on the faucet and throws water in her face. She
looks into the mirror. She rubs her eyes.
She opens her eyes.
TARA stands in a stall behind her. Her head back, eyes
unfocused.
SIENNA turns.
SIENNA
Tara?
TARA head falls, her head heavy.
SIENNA takes a step towards her.
The stall door closes.
SCREAMS.
The stall doors and walls are being banged upon.
SIENNA tries opening the door to no avail.
Silence.
The stall at the end of the bathroom opens up.
SIENNA, terrified, turns to run.
She slips, smashing her arm into a sink.
She falls, crashing into the floor.
INT. CLASSROOM - MORNING
Sienna wakes up in the classroom. She is screaming.
TARA
Sienna, are you alright?
Sienna shakes her head and looks up. She sees Tara standing
over her.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

SIENNA
Wha-What happened?
TARA
You fell asleep during class. I
thought Id wake you up so you
wouldnt be late.
Sienna gets up and begins gathering her things.
SIENNA
Thanks you.
Sienna rubs her eyes.
TARA
Bad dream, huh?
Sienna stares at Tara.
SIENNA
Uh, yeah. Really scary.
TARA
(helpful)
I heard lack of sleep can cause
nightmares. Maybe you should try
getting more sleep.
SIENNA
Yeah, maybe I should. Thanks.
Tara smiles.
TARA
No problem. Anyway, Ive gotta head
off to class. Ill see you
Wednesday!
Sienna waves a Tara as she walks out of the classroom.
INT. THERAPISTS OFFICE - DAY
Sienna is sitting on a couch in front of a therapist.
DR. SCHULTZ
So, the last thing you remember is
Tara screaming and a loud banging
on the walls of the stall? And then
it was empty?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

5.

SIENNA
Yeah, then I woke up.
Dr. Schultz makes a note on his clipboard.
DR. SCHULTZ
I thought we were done with Tara,
why is she coming back?
SIENNA
I dont know. Talking about it with
you helps, and Ive done the
self-esteem exercises you gave me.
Ive known her for years, and every
time I look at her it just keeps
coming back.
FLASHBACK INT. HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
Sienna stands in her graduation gown. She looks into the
distance.
At Tara, in her graduation gown, stands with a group of
family members around her. Theyre all hugging her, and
congratulating her.
Tara turns and waves to Sienna.
Sienna gives a weak wave back. Her mom tugs on her arm, a
angry glare in her eyes.
INT. THERAPIST OFFICE - MORNING
Sienna is rubbing at her arms, anxious. The bruises show
beneath her fingers. She looks away from the Doctor.
SIENNA
Its hard. I wish I had a family
like that. A life like that. I can
try all the exercises I want but it
doesnt change life. Something
always gets in the way. Keeps me
coming back.
DR. SCHULTZ
You have bruises. What happened to
your arm?
Sienna turns back to Dr. Schultz, surprised.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

6.

SIENNA
Oh, I, uh-I fell in the shower
this morning.
DR. SCHULTZ
You dont need to lie to me,
Sienna. Im here to help.
Sienna gives a conflicted look.
SIENNA
I just fell this time, really.
Dr. Schultz nods his head. He puts his clipboard down.
DR. SCHULTZ
I know youre feeling some
discomfort. Its something well
have to work on in the future, but
well get there. For now, I am
going to increase your medication.
Sienna looks at the Doctor, confused.
DR. SCHULTZ (CONTD)
Dont worry, we dont have to
change your prescription.
Sienna seems relieved.
Dr. Schultz stands up. Sienna follows. They walk to the
door.
DR. SCHULTZ (CONTD)
Just take 3 pills instead of two.
Well see if that helps. If not we
can always increase or decrease.
SIENNA
Okay.
Sienna turns to leave.
Dr. Schultz puts his hand on Siennas shoulder. She turns to
him.
DR. SCHULTZ
Dont worry too much, Sienna.
Youll be okay.
Sienna gives a weak smile and exits.

7.
INT. SIENNAS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Two red pills lay in Siennas hand.
Siennas eyes are drawn to her bruises. She brushes a hand
over them, worried. She looks to the pill bottle for
salvation.
She takes one more red pill and add it to her hand.
She shakes her head and adds another. Four red pills sit in
her hand. She cups them into her mouth and swallows.
Sienna lies down on her bed. She watches the blades of fan
spin in hypnotic circles.
Her eyes close.
A scream.
They open. The fan blades have stopped. Everything is tinted
a deep blue. Time has no meaning.
Sienna rises from her bed. From her window she sees two
small figures, small as ants from here, in the distance.
EXT. SIENNAS DORM ROOM/CAMPUS PARKING LOT CONTINUOUS NIGHT
Sienna walks out of her dorm hall. She wears only a white
shirt and black shorts. A cold breeze blows past her.
Sienna hold herself for warmth as she walks, barefoot,
towards the figures.
UNNAMED VOICE (VO)
HELP ME!
Sienna increases her pace. The figures in the distance
become clearer.
A girl. No, not any girl, Tara, has hands wrapped around her
throat. Long hands, hands that lead to a body wearing the
same outfit as Sienna. Tara thrashes violently.
SIENNA
Tara!
Sienna rushes towards Tara and the Assailant. Sienna pushes
at the assailant, who stumbles to the ground.
Tara kneels on the ground, trying to catch her breath.
Sienna approaches.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

SIENNA
(to Tara)
Are you alright?
Siennas hand goes to touch Tara.
A hand swings at Sienna from behind her.
Sienna takes the blow, falling into the muddy-grass.
EXT. SIENNAS DORM ROOM/CAMPUS PARKING LOT - LATER
Siennas eyes open.
She gets up and looks around. No Tara. No mystery assailant.
She looks down at herself; her white shirt stained brown and
green from the grass, dirt drying beneath her fingernails,
her arms covered.
Sienna runs. She runs and runs, one foot then the next, back
the way she came, bare feet scraping against the concrete.
Pulse pounding. Lungs burning. She runs until she can no
longer. There is her door. She trips. She falls.
Everything is black.
INT. SIENNAS DORMHALL - MORNING
Sienna lies crumpled against a door.
The door opens. Siennas body falls forward. She awakens.
INT. SIENNAS DORMROOM - CONTINOUS
JACLYN
You alright there, bud?
Sienna looks up and sees her roommate Jaclyn.
SIENNA
(groggy)
Yeah, fine.
Jaclyn helps Sienna up.
JACLYN
What happened to you?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

9.

SIENNA
(panicked)
I got really drunk at a party and
mustve passed out.
Jaclyn looks at Siennas clothes.
JACLYN
Passed out in the mud, ay? Stranger
things have happened I guess.
Explains why you werent in the
room when I got back.
Jaclyn guides Sienna to the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Sienna rubs her head and groans.
JACLYN(CONTD)
Youve probably got a hangover.
Wash your arms and hair, Ill grab
you some clothes.
SIENNA
Thanks, Jaclyn.
Jaclyn walks to another part of the room.
Sienna washes her arms in the sink. The mud and grass stir
in the sink water.
Jaclyn enters, clothes in hand.
Sienna looks at her in the mirror. She splashes her face
with water.
SHE WILL KNOW , written in mud, stains the mirror.
Sienna turns to Jaclyn. Jaclyn looks to Sienna.
JACLYN
Stop wasting time, were gonna be
late for class at this rate.
Jaclyn exits.
Sienna looks back to the mirror. The message gone.

10.
INT. SIENNAS DORMROOM
Jaclyn gathers books and places them into a bag.
Sienna walks out of the bathroom in her clean set of
clothes.
Jaclyn hands Sienna the bag.
JACLYN
I put your books in your bag for
you. Come on, lets go.
Jaclyn takes Siennas hand and pulls her out of the room.
EXT. COLLEGE PARKING LOT SIDEWALK
Jaclyn and Sienna walk along the sidewalk.
JACLYN
Holy shit, what happened over
there?
Sienna looks. Police and caution tape surround where she
laid last night.
Sienna panics.
Another onlooker walks towards Jaclyn and Sienna.
ONLOOKER
(in a hushed tone)
They say some girl got strangled to
death early this morning.
JACLYN
Know her name?
ONLOOKER
Tara, I think her name was. Tragic,
if you ask me. She was so young.
Siennas face turns red, her eyes dart back and forth
between the two next to her and the crime scene in the
distance.
JACLYN
Its awful.
ONLOOKER
They sent an e-mail canceling class
today. Give people some time to
digest it all, I guess.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

11.

Sienna shakes uncontrollably. Tears stream down her face.

SIENNA
Ive gotta go.
Sienna runs off from the others.
JACLYN
Sienna...
Jaclyn and the onlooker watch as Sienna runs off.
INT. THERAPISTS OFFICE - DAY
Sienna bangs on the Dr. Shultzs door, sobbing
uncontrollably. No response.
Sienna backs away, her back against a wall, and slumps down.
There is a ping from Siennas phone: a text.
Siennas sobbing takes a small reprieve as she checks her
phone.
The texts reads: SHE KNOWS
Sienna is horrified.
Another ping. SHE KNOWS
Another. SHE KNOWS
SHE KNOWS
SHE KNOWS SHE KNOWS SHE KNOWS SHE KNOWS SHE KNOWS

SHEKNOWSSHEKNOWSHEKNOWSSHEKNOWSSHEKNOWSSHEKNOWSSHEKNOWSHEKNOWSSHEKNOWSS
Sienna screams and throws her phone against the door.
Just then, the door opens.
DR. SCHULTZ
(alarmed)
Sienna, Sienna are you alright?
SIENNA

MyphonemyphoneitkeepsgoingoffandShejustwontstopbotheringmewh

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

12.

DR. SCHULTZ
Calm down, Sienna. Ill go turn off
your phone.
Dr. Schultz grabs Siennas phone. He gives a strange look to
the phone.
DR. SCHULTZ
You said your phone kept going off.
Sienna nods.
He shows the phone to Sienna.
DR. SCHULTZ
Theres only one message on here.
The phone shows a message from Jaclyn: Sienna, are you okay?
If you need anything, please call me. Im worried.
Siennas eyes widen.
DR. SCHULTZ
Here, come on in, come on in.
Dr. Schultz leads Sienna into his office and sits her down.
He hands her a class of water from his water cooler and then
sits in front of her.
DR. SCHULTZ
Tell me what happened.
Sienna looks to the ground.
SIENNA
I had a dream, again.
DR. SCHULTZ
And what happened in this dream?
SIENNA
ISiennas eyes go distant, her mind putting all the pieces
together.
SIENNA
There was a scream and I woke up. I
went outside and it was cold and I
saw people in the distance and I
walked towards them and Tara was
being choked by...by...
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

13.

Siennas feet jitter.

DR. SCHULTZ
By who?
SIENNA
By me. I was there strangling Tara
and I was far away watching myself.
I stopped her, and Tara was okay,
but then I got hit in the head and
blacked out. I woke up in the field
and I ran to my dorm room and fell
again and then my roommate woke me
up in front of the door and I
changed and then I went to class
and...andSienna is shaking. Tears flow down her face again.
DR. SCHULTZ
And what?
Sienna eyes turn to Dr. Schultz.
SIENNA
And she was dead. Tara was dead,
lying in the mud where I saw her in
my dream. And Jaclyn. Jaclyn she
knows. She has to know I mean the
dirt and the mud andDr. Schultz Siennas hand in his.
DR. SCHULTZ
Sienna, calm down. Take a deep
breath.
Sienna takes a deep breath.
DR. SCHULTZ
A girl died at your campus today?
And youre it was Tara?
Sienna nods.
SIENNA
Jaclyn and I were looking far away
from it and a girl came up and told
us it was her.
Dr. Schultz lets go of Siennas hands and adjusts himself in
his chair.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

14.

DR. SCHULTZ
Okay. You say youve killed her. I
dont particularly believe youSienna looks disheartened.
DR. SCHULTZ (CONTD)
-But youre clearly distressed.
Dr. Schultz stands and walks to a bookshelf. He skims
through the titles.
DR. SCHULTZ (CONTD)
There is a theory about this sort
of thing.
He finds the one he is looking for and pulls it out of the
shelf.
DR. SCHULTZ (CONTD)
Never held much scientific weight
in the psychological community, but
its worth a shot.
Sienna nods, attention focuses on the Dr.
Dr. Schultz sits back down in his chair.
DR. SCHULTZ (CONTD)
Again, this is a theory.
Dr. Schultz opens the book and finds a page.
He reads.
DR. SCHULTZ
The id, ego, and super ego. Freuds
idea of the three mental controls
of the mind. The super-ego, the one
that is critical and moralizes our
actions. Our conscious, if you
will. The id, our animalistic urges
that constantly assault our minds
with impulses. I want that, I want
to do this, etc. The id and
super-ego are in constant conflict,
and only quelled by our ego: the
organized, realistic part of our
mind.
Dr Schultz closes the book.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

15.

SIENNA
What does this have to do with me?
DR. SCHULTZ
Ah, well, it seems that your id is
much stronger than most peoples and
is manifesting in your dreams.
Sienna looks to the ground.
DR. SCHULTZ
All of this could be complete bunk,
though. It is just a theory, after
all. But, if it would give you
piece of mind, and I can try
something a bit *pause* unorthodox.
Sienna looks to the Doctor.
SIENNA
What do you have to do?
DR. SCHULTZ
Hypnosis. Not often used in
psychology, but there have been
studies that show it allow us to
get deep into the subconcious and
extract information. It could work.
Sienna nods.
SIENNA
Whatever works.
The Doctor nods, and goes to his desk. He scuffles around a
bit, taking out a pair of SCISSORS, some TAPE, and, with a
look of joy, finds a little glass mirror at the end of the
string.
DR. SCHULTZ
Hypnosis will send you into a dream
like state. Once there, you will
attempt to communicate with your
Id.
Dr. Schultz sits back down. He begins waving the mirror
slowly in front of Siennas face.
DR. SCHULTZ (CONTD)
Just relax and focus on the mirror.
Listen to my voice. Ill count back
from 10.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

16.

DR. SCHULTZ (CONTD) (contd)

10. 9. 8. 7.
Siennas eyes are droopy.
DR. SCHULTZ
6. 5. 4.
Siennas eyes close.
INTERCUT BETWEEN INT. SIENNAS MIND & INT. THERAPIST OFFICE
- DAY
Time has stopped.
Sienna opens her eyes. In front of her is herself, but bluer
and wearing her mud covered shirt. The Others fingernails
are clotted with dirt. Theyre in the a room identical to
Dr. Schultzs office, but bleaker.
Sienna grips her chair.
THERAPIST OFFICE
Dr. Schultz stands, watching Sienna sitting in her chair.
DR. SCHULTZ
Do not be afraid, Sienna.
SIENNAS MIND
Sienna gulps.
SIENNA
Why are you doing this to me? Why
did you kill Tara?
The Other, face dirty with a smile from ear to ear, looks at
Sienna.
THE OTHER
Im helping you, girl.
SIENNA
Helping me how? You killed someone.
THE OTHER
No, no, no. We. WE killed someone.
She had everything you wanted: a
stable life, a good family. And I
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

17.

THE OTHER (contd)

got her out of your way. All of her
opportunities can be yours now.
Take what is rightfully yours.
Assume her position. Ascend.
THERAPIST OFFICE
Dr. Schultz looks at Sienna. Her eyes are closed. A
horrified look on her face.
SIENNAS MIND
DR. SCHULTZ (VO)
Keep going, Sienna.
Sienna nods. She looks to The Other.
THE OTHER
He knows, too, now. Because of you.
Well have to deal with him.
SIENNA
No. No I dont want this. I didnt
want this. I didnt want anyone
dead. I mightve been jealous, but
she didnt deserve to die. And
neither does Dr. Schultz.
The Other laughs.
THE OTHER
Not your choice to make, dearie. I
chose. And Ill keep choosing.
Whether you like it or not.
Sienna stands.
SIENNA
No. No, I wont let you.
THE OTHER
You dont have a choice. Join me,
or get out of my way.
Sienna shakes her head. No.
The Other lashes out at Sienna.
Sienna screams.

18.

INT. THERAPISTS OFFICE - DAY

Siennas body lies on the floor. Dr. Schultz kneels beside
it, shaking her gently.
DR. SCHULTZ
Sienna. Sienna wake up.
Siennas eyes open slowly.
DR. SCHULTZ (CONTD)
Thank God youre awake. You fell
over. I thought you mightve hurt
yourself.
Sienna rubs her eyes.
SIENNA
No, no Im okay.
DR. SCHULTZ
Good, good. Ill get you some
water. Tell me what you saw.
Dr. Schultz turns and walks to his water cooler.
SIENNA
Well, I saw her there.
Sienna walks towards Dr. Schultzs desk.
SIENNA (CONTD)
And we talked.
DR. SCHULTZ
(facing the water cooler)
Thats good. Do you feel any
better?
She glides her hand across the desk, placing her hands
around the SCISSORS.
SIENNA
Oh, yes. Much, much better.
She walks behind him and raises the scissors in her hand.
She swings.
CUT TO BLACK

19.

INT. SIENNAS DORMROOM - AFTERNOON

There is a red throw carpet. A bright red. Red like ruby.
A girl lays on the carpet. Her bare feet slightly beyond the
edge of it. She wears pink shorts and a white shirt. Or it
wouldve been, had blood not soaked into it; the deep blood
red a stark contrast to the ruby of the carpet.
Her blood, pooling beneath her. Spilling from her back.
On her neck a bloody hand print remains.
Her face is unscathed, sans the blood running from her
forehead and into her hair.
The girl, named Jaclyn, lies on the carpet. Her eyes are
cloudy and lifeless.
On the edge of the bed, just above Jaclyns bloodied head,
is a being.
The beings legs are a special brown, that of blood mixed
with dirt, as are her arms.She wears a white shirt, too,
though it was not white now. It was dirt brown with stains
of green and splotches of red.
The Others face, blood splatter sprinkled on, stares at us.
It smiles.
CUT TO BLACK
ROLL CREDITS