The Guest/Transcript

===== EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - EARLY MORNING =====
In the light of early morning, a young man RUNS along the side of a country road. He has a MILITARY RUCKSACK slung over his shoulders and is wearing a GREY sweatshirt.
The young man’s hair is cropped short and he has an athletic build. Although he is running steadily at a fast rate, the man’s breathing is quiet and regular.
CUT TO: A purple title card reading "THE GUEST".
===== EXT. PETERSON HOUSE - EARLY MORNING - A HALF HOUR LATER =====
A CARVED JACK-O'LANTERN with a WITCH'S HAT, cloaked in a PURPLE CAPE hangs outside of a single-story house surrounded by fields of dead grass. The sun is beginning to rise, filling the sky with pale light.
SPENCER (O.S.): You done with your breakfast?
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - DINING ROOM - MORNING =====
LUKE PETERSON looks up from his bowl of cereal towards his father, SPENCER PETERSON.
LUKE: Yeah.
SPENCER: Let's do this thing.
Spencer leans over and kisses LAURA, his wife, on the forehead.
SPENCER: I'll see you later.
LAURA: Okay. Drive safe!
Luke gets up from the table, shouldering his backpack.
LUKE: Bye, mom.
Spencer and Luke walk away from the dining room table.
SPENCER: You got your lunch?
LUKE: Yep.
The front door opens and shuts offscreen.
For a long moment, Laura stands in the suddenly quiet room, staring off into space as she passes a skinless apple between her hands.
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - FRONT ROOM - DAY =====
A single photo of a young man in an army uniform, CALEB PETERSON, stands on the mantle. Enclosed within the frame are several metals and to the photo's left is a SMALL DEPICTION OF A COFFIN, COVERED IN THE STARS AND STRIPES, framed by the motto "ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL". An AMERICAN FLAG is folded into a glass frame that hangs over these photos.
Laura sits on her recliner, looking at the memorial, teary-eyed.
The doorbell RINGS.
Laura looks up, confused. She laboriously rises to her feet and moves to the front door while straightening her hair, then opens it.
The YOUNG MAN in the sweatshirt faces away from the door, as if surveying the front yard. He is still carrying his rucksack, his back to Laura.
The young man turns to her, smiling politely. He is very good looking, in a boyish way, with very short blond hair and a genuine smile permanently affixed to his visage. This is DAVID.
DAVID: Mrs. Peterson?
Laura blinks, swallowing.
LAURA: Yes? Can I, um... Help you?
DAVID: My name is David, Mrs. Peterson, I, uh... I knew your son, Caleb. We trained together and served together and, uh... well, we came to be good friends.
Laura takes this in.
LAURA: Oh, um... Wo- Uh, would you like to come inside?
DAVID: Thank you, ma'am.
She lets him in.
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - DINING ROOM - MINUTES LATER =====
David walks into the dining room, with Laura busying herself around the kitchen island.
LAURA: So, are you sure I can't get you anything? 
DAVID: Maybe just some water would be nice.
Laura hums in agreement and pulls out a glass before turning on the faucet. David sits at the dining room table and shrugs off his rucksack, setting it on the floor next to him. His hands are folded on the table in front of him.
LAURA: How did you get here?
DAVID: I ran. Needed the exercise. (off Laura's look) From the bus station, I mean, in town.
Laura walks over to him, clearly astonished at the claim.
LAURA: You ran that whole way?
DAVID: Yes, ma'am.
Laura hands the glass to David.
LAURA: Here you go.
DAVID: Thank you, ma'am.
David drinks the water, obviously very thirsty.
LAURA: When'd you get out?
DAVID: Well, I was discharged on Wednesday, and I came here straight from Fort Kennelworth.
LAURA: You came straight here, first thing?
DAVID: Yeah, I wanted to come by sooner, but I couldn't get leave.
LAURA: Why?
DAVID: Well, I was discharged because I was wounded. I was in a... A military hospital for a bit, so it wasn’t really the kind of thing you could get leave from. Oh, but don’t worry, it's just a bit of shrapnel in my back. I’m right as rain now.
LAURA: No, I- I meant, um, why did you come here first thing?
DAVID: Oh, um, well... Like I said, me and your son, Caleb, we were, uh... We were pretty close. I was with him when he died.
Laura shifts, intrigued.
LAURA: Really?
DAVID: Yes, ma'am. And... One of the things he asked was for me to check on y'all. You, and your whole family here. Uh... He wanted me to tell you that he loved you. He specifically wanted me to tell each one of you that... He loved you, and he was thinking of you guys up until the end. I said I’d do that, and so... here I am.
Laura nods slowly.
LAURA: (strained) Would you excuse me, please?
David nods. Laura rises from her chair, exiting the room.
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - LAUNDRY AREA - MOMENTS LATER =====
In a small laundry area, Laura leans over the washing machine, SOBBING.
After a moment, Laura straightens, as if trying to compose herself.
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - FRONT ROOM - MOMENTS LATER =====
Laura enters from the hallway, her face dry but still flushed.
David is no longer in the dining room. Laura looks around.
David is standing in the front room, in front of the mantle. He is looking at a group photo containing Caleb.
Laura moves into the room behind David. He turns to her.
DAVID: That’s me.
David points at the photo of the soldiers posing in front of the military truck.
DAVID: Right there.
Laura moves up closer to look. She blinks, examining the photo.
LAURA: Well, I'll be...
In the photo, arm in arm with the other soldiers, is a YOUNGER VERSION OF DAVID, holding a gun. He is grinning into the camera.
DAVID: I remember that day.
David looks over to Laura, smirking, but the smile quickly fades, replaced with a look of consternation.
DAVID: It wasn't my intention to upset you, ma'am. I probably should've called first, but I don’t own a cell phone yet and, um... I guess I just wasn’t thinking. I'm-I’m going to be on my way now, but I’d like it if we could exchange emails or--
As David turns away and grabs his rucksack, Laura reaches out and grabs his arm.
LAURA: What- What- No!
David turns towards her, surprised.
LAURA (CONT’D): Anna, Ca- Caleb’s sister, she- she works nights, and she sleeps late, and I know she would love to meet you. Can- Um, would you stay a little while longer?
DAVID: Well, you're not just saying that to be polite, now? Because you don't need to be.
LAURA: No, I'm not. Please, stay. It's... It's nice having you here, and I would love to hear more about you and Caleb.
DAVID: Well, alright.
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - ANNA’S ROOM - MINUTES LATER =====
ANNA PETERSON lies on her bedsheets in her underwear, her eyes closed. The sound of LAUGHTER echoes in the house.
Anna’s eyes blink open. She looks around, puzzled.
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - FRONT ROOM - MINUTES LATER =====
Anna creeps into the room, wearing a short-skirted DINER UNIFORM.
DAVID: ...Caleb and me, well, we figure that sounds more like a challenge than anything else. So that night, after he falls asleep, we kind of crept over to his cot with a tube of superglue--
LAURA: Oh no!
Laura and David are on the sofa. Laura is smiling, listening to David tell a story.
DAVID: Oh, nah, we didn’t do anything too bad to him - though, uh... Though we could have, y'know. Uh...
David immediately rises to his feet. Anna regards him with confusion.
LAURA: Hey, there you are! Anna, this is David.
David walks over to Anna, extending his hand.
DAVID: Very nice to meet you. Caleb told me a lot about you.
LAURA: David just got discharged this week. He was a friend of your brother's.
Anna politely takes David’s hand and releases it.
ANNA: You knew Caleb?
DAVID: Uh, yes, ma'am.
Laura snorts.
LAURA: "Yes, ma'am"? Okay. So, um... Where are you staying?
DAVID: Well, I- I noticed a motel off the highway on the way here, so...
LAURA: Oh, no, no, no, no, no. You will stay with us while you’re here.
DAVID: (shakes his head) Oh, no, I, I, I couldn’t put y'all out.
LAURA: It- Nonsense! We, We would love to have you. We have plenty of room. In fact, you could stay in Caleb’s old room.
Anna stares at her mother.
LAURA: (CONT'D) We insist.
DAVID: Well, I won’t argue. Just for tonight, though.
Anna clears her throat.
ANNA: Well, I've gotta head to the diner. It was great meeting you.
DAVID: Likewise, it was nice meeting you.
ANNA: Guess I'll see you later.
LAURA: Bye!
Anna leaves the house through the front door. David stares after her.
LAURA: (CONT'D) Um, can I show you to your room?
David turns to her and politely smirks.
DAVID: Great.
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - CALEB’S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER =====
The door to a small bedroom opens and Laura steps inside, followed by David, who surveys the room.
The bedroom is adorned with sports posters and trophies, as well as a framed high school diploma. The bed is made. A stack of folded clothes rests on the floor.
LAURA: Um, there are clean towels in the bathroom if you’d like to freshen up.
Laura throws open the curtains on a large window.
DAVID: Mrs. Peterson, are you sure you’re comfortable with me staying in here?
LAURA: Of course! I mean, it- It's... not like it’s going to any use. (blinks) I- I think it’ll be a good thing for us. Uh... I'm gonna go and let you get settled in. If you need anything, just holler.
Laura exits the room, shutting the door behind her.
David stands completely still, alone in the bedroom. He then slowly turns, looking around the room.
Caleb’s old bedroom has a large window, through which trees in the front yard are visible. Power lines lead along the narrow road that passes the house.
After a moment, David moves to sit on the bed. He sits without moving, looking straight ahead.
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING =====
Wearing an undershirt and pajama pants, Anna walks into the kitchen and starts making herself tea.
DAVID: (O.S.) No, I want to proceed as we discussed. No one can be able to recognize me, that's important.
Glancing outside, Anna sees David pacing in the backyard, speaking into his disposable cell phone. His voice is barely audible from inside, but it lacks his signature accent.
DAVID: (CONT'D) What- What do you mean, "dental records"? (pause) An orthodontist?! No, I don't need that! Fingers. Yes. (pause) As soon as possible. I'm off the grid for now, but there are people trying to look for me.
David turns, pacing as he speaks into the phone. Anna moves to the side of the window, out of view.
DAVID: (CONT'D) I understand it'll take some time, but this is urgent. I just need a new face. (pause) I can be there. I’ll keep this phone in case anything comes up and you need to reach me. Alright, copy that.
David hangs up. He looks towards the house.
===== INT. PETERSON HOUSE - ANNA’S ROOM - DAY - MINUTES LATER =====
Anna sits on her bed, her netbook propped in front of her. A military webpage is up on the screen. Anna speaks into her cell phone.
ANNA: Yes, his name is David Andersen Collins? I think I can tell you what unit he served in, if that helps. (pause) No, nothing’s wrong, um... He was friends with my brother and we heard that he was back, so, uh... Any contact information would be great.
===== INT. FORT KENILWORTH - VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE - DAY =====
rA woman wearing an army uniform, SERGEANT HALWAY, speaks into a telephone headset. She is facing a computer.
SGT. HALWAY: Okay, ma’am. I’ll call you when we have any details. Goodbye.
Sergeant Halway taps a button on her headset, terminating the call. She looks at her computer screen.
The screen shows a records search form for a David Andersen Collins, with his rank and Social Security number displayed. Across the screen is a red alert banner that reads:
“RECORD CLASSIFIED - CONTACT KPG CORP. IMMEDIATELY.”
Sergeant Halway reaches for her phone.
===== INT. KPG BUILDING - HALWAY - DAY - MINUTES LATER =====
AUSTIN, a KPG employee in his 30s, strides quickly down a hallway. He is carrying a FOLDER bearing a KPG logo and speaking into a cell phone.
AUSTIN: Tell Fort Kenilworth that David Collins is dead. Just give them the official version. We’ll take it from here.
Austin hangs up and slips the phone into his pocket as he continues down the hallway.
===== INT. KPG BUILDING - MEETING ROOM - DAY - CONTINUOUS =====
In a meeting room with two guards posted at the doors, a man in a black suit, MAJOR CARVER, sits at a long table across from three KPG EXECUTIVES in similar attire. One of them, HENDRICKS, is speaking.
HENDRICKS: Next week, I’m meeting with the rest of our board next week to discuss the future of our work with the military in light of Project Aegolius’ dissolution. Richard has more information on that subject. Richard?
Major Carver nods.
MAJOR CARVER: I can’t get into too many details, nor would you want me to. However, I can say that--
There is a KNOCK on the door, interrupting Carver.
AUSTIN: Sorry to interrupt. Something’s come up.
Major Carver looks at Austin, then nods, rising.
MAJOR CARVER: My apologies, but you’ll have to excuse me.
Hendricks nods curtly. Major Carver exits the room.
===== INT. KPG BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY - MOMENTS LATER =====
Major Carver walks alongside Austin down the hallway, rapidly perusing the contents of the folder.
MAJOR CARVER: When did Fort Kenilworth receive this call?
AUSTIN: About an hour ago, sir.
MAJOR CARVER: Have you I.D.ed the caller?
AUSTIN: Not confirmed, but she gave her name as Anna Peterson.
Major Carver stops walking.
MAJOR CARVER: Peterson...? As in, Caleb Peterson?
AUSTIN: His sister. Home address is in there.
MAJOR CARVER: Book me on the next flight. If we need to charter something, do it. And I’m going to need some shooters.
Major Carver closes the folder and begins walking again, quickly. Austin hurries after him.
AUSTIN: If anyone asks what's happening, what do I tell them?
Major Carver halts and looks quickly at Austin.
MAJOR CARVER: Make something up. No one outside this circle can know that any of our subjects are still active. If KPG gets any blowback on this, you and I will both be hung out to dry. Got that?
Austin nods.
MAJOR CARVER: (CONT’D) Call me when you have a plane booked.
Austin quickly turns and heads down the hall as Carver continues in the other direction.
===== INT. PARKING GARAGE - NIGHT =====
A limousine rapidly drives into the parking garage. Major Carver and Austin emerge from an elevator into a dimly lit parking garage, carrying a small suitcase. He is holding his phone with his other hand, rapidly SPEAKING into it.
MAJOR CARVER: I want every contractor within a hundred mile radius, and I don’t care where they come from, KPG, ex-military or whatever. I need a team mobilized by the time I land.
Major Carver briefly listens to the phone as he crosses over to the limo. Austin opens the door and Major Carver climbs in.
MAJOR CARVER: (CONT’D) I’ll give them the necessary mission specs in person. We can’t risk a leak on this.
Major Carver hangs up the phone.
AUSTIN: Good luck.
Austin hits the roof twice The driver starts the limo's engine and drives out of the garage.
===== EXT. ROCK QUARRY - DAY - CONTINUOUS =====
A pick-up truck is parked inside an abandoned rock quarry. Craig stands next to the truck, along with an older man, HIGGINS, who is has several tattoos on his torso.
David walks down into the quarry, appearing over its horizon, carrying his rucksack. Craig and Higgins turn at his approach. Craig nods and raises a hand in greeting.
DAVID: I’m not late, am I?
HIGGINS: No. No, you’re just on time.
DAVID: Good.
HIGGINS: Look, before we get started, I just wanna make sure that you've got the cash on you, no offense.
David drops his rucksack and takes a thick envelope of $100 bills out of his waistband, opening it for Higgins to see.
DAVID: That should be good?
HIGGINS: It'll do.
David pockets the envelope. Higgins faces the truck and unlocks an aluminum box in the rear bed of the pick-up truck, raising its lid. It is filled with FIREARMS and boxes of BULLETS.
HIGGINS: Let's get started.
Higgins reaches into the box and removes four handguns. Higgins sets down the guns, laying them out.
HIGGINS (CONT’D): Let's start with this. I mean, it's your standard Beretta. I'm sure you're familiar with this. You want my opinion? You've seen one of these, you've seen them all.
Higgins sets the Beretta down.
HIGGINS (CONT’D): But. This baby,
Higgins hands David a chrome pistol.
HIGGINS (CONT’D): Now, this here is the 9 Millimeter Witness Elite. It's a very similar weapon to the Beretta, but I prefer the recoil. I mean, it's got absolutely no kick at all.
David opens the chamber, checking the gun, then begins rapidly TAKING THE GUN APART, checking each piece. Higgins watches him.
HIGGINS (CONT’D): You army?
DAVID: Yes, sir.
HIGGINS: Yeah, I'm Navy, myself.
David snaps the pieces of the pistol together, reassembling it. He nods.
DAVID: Yeah, that's fine.
He steps away from the truck.
HIGGINS: You want- You want the Elite?
DAVID: Oh, I'll take 'em all.
HIGGINS: Wh- All the... All the handguns?
DAVID: No, everything. All your guns.
CRAIG: Shit!
Higgins laughs, delighted.
HIGGINS: That's what I was thinking! Look, man, uh, yeah! If you brought money for all of 'em, I- I'll cut you a deal. You can take 'em all off my hands,
DAVID: No, I’m going to kill you.
Craig goes still.
CRAIG: Hey. What the fuck, David?
Higgins reaches behind himself and pulls a SMALL REVOLVER from a holster in his belt. He aims the gun at David.
HIGGINS: Now you listen here one fuckin' second--
David reaches out and YANKS the small revolver out of Higgins’ grasp and aims it at Higgins, COCKING IT. Higgins’ face goes slack.
CRAIG: Wait, wait, wait--!
David pulls the trigger on the revolver aimed at Higgins, SHOOTING HIGGINS IN THE FACE, BLOWING THE BACK OF HIS HEAD OFF and SPLATTERING CRAIG WITH HIS BLOOD. Higgins' body jerks back and collapses to the floor.
David immediately turns to Craig, who cowers away.
CRAIG: No, no, no, no!
David pulls the triggger again. EMPTY. He opens the cartridge to see one bullet still left in the chamber, but it's useless.
Craig spins and starts RUNNING towards the quarry’s exit.
David tilts the gun so that the bullet falls to the ground and pulls out a box of revolver ammunition, reloading the gun.
David aims the small revolver out.
Craig is RUNNING AWAY in the distance, nearing the exit to the quarry.
David PULLS THE TRIGGER.
The gun FIRES.
For a fraction of a second, nothing happens. Then the back of Craig’s head EXPLODES from the bullet’s impact and Craig falls to the ground, his dead body skidding through the gravel from its momentum.
David turns around and examines the inside of the aluminum box.
The box contains an ASSAULT RIFLE, as well as boxes of bullets. David lifts the rifle out.
Beneath the assault rifle are two GRENADES.
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