Note: This story will be featured at the 2016 Ghost Walk on the Blue Tour.
(inspired by The Purge franchise)
EXT. FRONT OF HISTORIC COURTHOUSE
There is a podium in the middle of the stage decorated with American decor. Looks like a political speech will be made that is of great importance.
ANNOUNCER (well dressed) walks out to the podium.
Announcer: Hello and welcome. Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to support a man we know will be the game changer in our country. It is clear, by you being here, you hold the same values as we do in preserving and keeping our country pure. So without further ado please welcome our future president,Senator John Morgan!
Applause
John Morgan: Thank you. Thank you. It is my pleasure to be here and share this glorious moment with you. We are here today, on this election year to discuss the future success of America. In the past, I’m sure many of us can remember the substandard way of life many Americans had to endure. Parents without jobs, criminals running the streets, children so scared they can’t even learn in school. That was a time no one wants to go back to. And thanks to our new founding fathers we won’t have to. Having a night of reckoning eliminates this in our society by allowing a period of time for people to release their stress and get back at those who have betrayed them! Statistics have shown a great decrease in crime and unemployment since the purge has begun; and it is my great pleasure to share with you that I will gladly be supporting the continuation of The Purge!
Plants in the crowd begin to hoot and holler
John Morgan (con’t): With your support I promise to keep this country on the straight and narrow. No more lies! No more corruption! By ridding the streets of the weak we can focus on keeping us strong!
More cheering
John Morgan (con’t): Never forget the wonders the purge brings us. Purge and purify! Purge and Purify!
JOHN MORGAN raises fist in the air. Plants in the crowd join in
Everyone: PURGE AND PURIFY! PURGE AND PURIFY!
Goes black for 3 seconds. Then red lights turn on. JOHN MORGAN is gone and the purge siren begins to sound. Then gets cut off. JULIET runs up to the podium clearly nervous and rushed.
Juliet: Excuse me! Please! The Purge is a disgusting tradition that has gone on for far too long! Burglary, Murder, Rape! How can you stand by and allow this to happen to people. Our country cannot continue like this. We have lost what it means to be a true American and even worse, we have lost what makes us human.
Someone in a mask pops up from behind her, and slits her throat with a fake knife. The Siren turns back on and the “Emergency Broadcast System” stating what the purge is begins to play. People in masks and weapons come from around the corner all creepy like. Some of the plants pull out their weapons and masks and begin to circle the crowd and taunt them.
JACK runs out in battle gear up to the crowd
JACK: What are you guys doing here!? Don’t you know it’s Purge night!(starts to leave)
Plant: Please help us! We don’t know what’s going on!
Jack: I can’t promise you anything but if you want to live follow me! If you are too slow YOU WILL DIE. SO COME ON!
The group follows Jack to the next destination.
Purgers will be hidden throughout the path he leads them through so they can scare the group. Some can follow and taunt them but will not touch them.
A Purger can grab a plant , dressed normally, and drag them away.
DESTINATION 2
INT. BIG ROOM WITH WINDOW
The group enters a darkened room with a window to the front of them. For now the window is just considered a wall.
Jack: Of all nights a group of (states approximate number of people) decides to go wandering in the streets with no weapons, no protective gear and not one D —
JACK gets interrupted by shooshing from Plant #2. The lights on the other side of the widow turn on.
The room is a fancy decorated upper class dining room with a wooden table in the middle and a chandelier hanging over it.
People (The aristocrats) dressed for an evening dinner enter the room loudly talking to each other and find their seats and continue to chatter.
OLIVIA wearing a grey wig and nice red dress stands and begins to tap her glass with a fork to get their attention.
Olivia: I am so glad to have you all come here tonight to celebrate with us.
Jack: Can they see us? Why can’t they see us?
Plant #1: Maybe it’s like one way glass or something
Plant #2: SHHH!!! They might hear us!
Olivia: Are we all enjoying the refreshments?
Aristocrats respond with a murmur
Olivia: Wonderful! Now for the main course.
One of the waiters bring someone that is gagged and moving erratically. They are screaming through the gag.
Olivia: Did everyone bring their utensils?
People begin to take out different weapons. These weapons are different than the ones the Purgers have because they are very nice and expensive. (i.e. knives/blades)
Olivia: Oh! Splendid!
Plant #1 scream and then quickly cover their mouths
Olivia: What was that? There’s someone behind the wall!
The aristocrats slowly turn their heads to the glass in unison
Jack: They can see us! We have to leave!
JACK runs out and the door quickly closes behind him leaving the group in the room.
The aristocrats come from around the window and circle the crowd with their weapons in hand.
Olivia: Well, well, well. Do we have anyone to thank for this gift? (silence) No one wants to take credit for this? This is the biggest purge we’ve ever had!
The aristocrats shrug and say nothing
Olivia: Well if no one will take the credit, I will (laughs) Now before we begin, let’s get to know our new guests. Let’s start with you! (points)
At this point there can be some improv with the group.
OLIVIA will stay in character while she interacts with the group.
After being signaled by one of the aristocrats who is keeping the time she delivers her line.
Olivia: Well we’ve wasted enough time. Let’s get to it!
Everyone raises their weapons and then there is loud gunfire.
All the aristocrats are on the floor dead.
JACK is at the door way with a big gun in his hands.
Jack: What did I say about keeping up!? Do you want to die? I mean I can kill you right now if that’s what you want. And I won’t even get in trouble for it with the Purge and all. (sighs) Let’s go.(pause) Fall behind again and you’re gonna look like Mrs. Claus over there.
At this point the group will move on to the next destination.
Purgers will be set up around the path to scare the group The group goes into a building for shelter. The building looks abandoned so Jack tells the group to go in.
Destination #3
INT. ABANDONED ROOM
The group enters the abandoned room. Then two people behind the group pop up with chainsaws. Then three more people dressed like bikers show up in front of them. They are surrounded. Then a man in a nice leather jacket comes out of the doorway holding a bat with barbed wire on it.
Niegan: Man you guys just make it too easy. Before we would have to hunt you down and break into your security systems. Now. NOW YOU JUST SHOW UP!(laughs) ON OUR DOOR STEP! (laughs) Now does anyone want to explain why a group of confused idiots are walking around on Purge night? How about you. (Points to someone in the audience with bat) Or you. (points) Or maybe—
Jack: Wait! They’re with me. Please don’t do anything. We thought this place was empty. We’re just trying to find a place to hide out for the night.
Niegan: Do you know who I am?
Jack: Um. An Ed Harley fan club? (tries to chuckle to diffuse the situation)
Niegan: So you think you’re funny? Well let me show you what I think is funny. Take her!
Niegan points to on of the female plants in the group and they grab her by her hair (fake of course) and pull her into the room next to them. The men turn on the chainsaws in excitement and jump around. Niegan joins them in the room and all you can see is the bat swinging through the door frame. There is a loud screaming then silence. Niegan returns with blood all over his face.
Niegan: I think we’ve made it pretty clear what we plan to do with you so let’s not make this any harder than it needs to be.
Jack: PLEASE DON’T KILL US! I HAVE A LIFE! I STILL HAVEN’T GRADUATED HIGH SHCOOL YET! I HAVE A 3.0 GPA!!!!
Niegan: You have a 3.0? Man I graduated with a 3.8. And look at me. Killing people for fun. Struggling to pay for my tuition. That’s half the reason why I’m voting for John Morgan. Free college? I’d do anything for that! No more Top Ramen, no more —
Jack: Um, so are you saying I’m going to end up like you?
Niegan: You would be lucky to end up like me! I got a posse! Do you know how hard it is to get a Purge Posse? (thinks) Well, half of these guys are my frat brothers.
Chainsaw Guy: (lifts up mask) Don’t forget we have a party next week on Friday at Jenny’s place.
Jack: Aw man you’re right! I was going to go and see Doctor Strange that night!
Jack: That looks like a good movie.
Niegan: Right! I love Benedict Cumberbatch! He was great in Imitation Game and he should’ve won that Oscar. I’m also feeling some, like, Inception vibes from it and that movie messed me up!
The Biker Gang guys murmur and shake their heads in agreement
Niegan: What were we talking about again? OH yea your death.
Jack: No wait! Maybe we can all join your posse? And it can be like a Mega Purge Posse.
Niegan: No that’s too many people. That will be real dangerous, try again.
Jack: Uh okay. Maybe we can clean your jackets or something?
Niegan: (gets an idea) Or maybe I can buy nicer jackets with the money I get from selling you to Senator Morgan!
Jack: Wait what? No please! Not that! Do you know what they’d do to us?! It’s disgusting! There’s women and children here! You can’t do that to children.
Niegan: I can and I will. If you think about it. It’s a lot less work. Beating people with bats, then having to clean it all up later. The Purge is starting to feel like a 12 hour workout at LA Fitness. Plus, as I said, I’m low on the funds right now.
Jack: Here take my money! (talks to group members) Guys come on give him your money! Anything will work! Based on past knowledge I’m sure the audience will do nothing. Which is not hard to believe because I wouldn’t give a bunch of kids money either.
Jack: Why are you just standing there! I know you have to have jewelry or something! (points to one person) I saw you at the ATM. I know you have money!
Niegan: Please don’t even bother. Senator Morgan will give us one grand for every head. So unless you have ten grand, you can keep your pocket lint.
Jack continues to plead
Niegan: Hey Sawyer. (points to one of his men) Walk these people to Morgan’s place. Tell them it’s a gift from Niegan.
Sawyer: You got it Boss. Alright everybody’s hands in the air! I don’t want to deal with any heroes around here.
SAWYER continues telling them to put their hands up until they do
Sawyer: Alright now lets get goin!
Niegan: Don’t forget my money!
Sawyer: I won’t Boss!
The group is now being lead by Sawyer to the next destination while Jack pleads in the background.
They arrive at a place that looks really dirty and gross. (possibly the ally)
DESTINATION #4
EXT. or INT. ALLEY OR CREEPY BUILDING
Sawyer: Alright guys keep them hands up! Now line up against the wall! Shoulder to shoulder!
Two men in black suits and shades walk up to him with another man following them. The two men are blocking the main leader that is behind him. SAM WALTON. The two men then move aside with SAM in between them.
Sawyer: Sam Walton! Is that you?! Oh my gosh! It’s a real honor. But where is Senator Morgan? That’s who Niegan told me to sell them to.
Sam: He’s out campaigning.
Sawyer: On purge night?
Sam: (says nonchalantly) Yes. He’s leading a group of people who carve J.M. into the chests of the people they kill. Then they hang their bodies around the city.
Sawyer: (creeped out) Oh. So does he still want these people?
Sam: ARE YOU AN IDIOT? OF COURSE HE DOES! What do you think he will use as target practice for the P.P.P?
Sawyer: (chuckles) what’s the P.P.P?
Sam is becoming visually annoyed by Sawyer
Sam: (aside) Do I have to explain everything to this idiot? The Post Purge Party.
Sawyer: OHHHHHHH! I thought it had to do with. (pause) Somethin’ with the. (to the group) well you know what I’m talking about right?
Sam: I can’t stand him anymore. It’s like sand paper on my ear drums! Get him out of here!
The men then start to grab Sawyer by his arms and drag him away.
Sawyer: But what about the money? Niegan won’t be happy if I’m dead!
Sam: Tell Niegan not to get involved if he can’t carry his own weight. Now. Who am I going to pick?
Guard: I think he wanted us to take all of them Sir.
Sam: All of them!? No. that’s just too many. How about I get rid of a few. You. (points)
Plant #3: (takes a moment to respond) Me. No. I’m not in this thing.
Sam: What thing? The Reckoning? I don’t think you get to choose honey.
Plant #3: NO. Like Ghost Walk. I’m not in the play.
Sam: HA! So you think this is a play. So I must be Romeo and, and who are you? Juliet! (laughs loudly) It’s people like you that allow me to enjoy my job. I pick her/him!
The guards drag Plant #3 away while they yell “stop touching me” “Im not in Ghost Walk” etc.
Sam: (happy sigh) So who’s next?
Jack: Who are you anyway?
Sam: Who am I? You can stop joking now. It’s not funny anymore.
Jack: No seriously. Who is Sam Walton?
Sam: (stares at Jack for a second and begins to get angry)Don’t act like you don’t know who I am. My name is everywhere!
Plant #4: I don’t know who he is either.
Sam: My name is Sam Walton! (pause) Sam’s Club! Walmart!
Both Plants and Jack: OHHHHHHHH!
Sam: How do you not know who gave you one of the best stores in America!? And look at you! It’s not like you shop at Tiffany’s or Ralph Lauren! You should know very well who I am!
Plant #4: Okay let’s not get rude here. We are all just here for fun.
Sam: FUN! I’ll show you what’s fun.
Sam pulls out a nerf gun spray painted black to look real. And right when he does that bright lights turn on and the siren rings again. The voice speaks again saying how “the purge has ended and everyone must stop purging immediately.”
Sam gets furious.
Sam: I’LL GET YOU NEXT YEAR! DON’T YOU WORRY! Sam storms off with his men. Then Jack thanks everyone for coming to Ghost Walk and shows them back to where they started.
The End
Inlandia: A Literary Journey 