The Dead Ed Project Day Four

September 4, 1:53 A.M.

[It is dark. There’s no moon tonight. The light on the camera shines directly onto Melissa’s teary face as she leans against a tree.]

Melissa: If … this is the last thing anyone ever hears from me, I want to let everyone know that I am sorry.

I’m sorry to Mike, who’s already dead.

I’m sorry to Chad, who I’ve always been mean to for no good reason. It’s my fault. I didn’t tell Chad to fill up the car; I didn’t tell him to take the right exit. I’m the one who crashed the car. I’m the one that’s been hampering this hike toward civilization by needing to take so many breaks. I’m the one that left the equipment behind. I’m the one that can’t stop talking about our doomed fate. I want everyone to know that I’m sorry.

I’m sorry to my ex-boyfriend. We had great times, and I wish I didn’t cheat on you with that chick.

I’m sorry to her for always choosing my ex-boyfriend over her. It wasn’t fair.

I’m sorry to the Killer. My night with you was the greatest night of my life.

I’m sorry to Dirk Ryan. I’ll never know what it was like.

I’m sorry to the fans of the UWC who wanted to see me in action.

I’m sorry to my parents; I didn’t want their life.

[sobbing]

Melissa: That’s all …

[and she reaches over and hits stop …]


September 4, 1999, 2:20 A.M.

[It is dark. There’s no moon tonight. The light on the camera shines directly onto Foster’s teary face as he leans against a tree.]

Foster: If … this is the last thing anyone ever hears from me, I want to let everyone know that I am sorry.

I’m sorry to Mike, who’s already dead.

I’m sorry to Melissa, who I’ve always been mean to for no good reason. It’s my fault. I didn’t fill up the car; I didn’t take the right exit. I’m the one who crashed the car. I’m the one that’s been hampering this hike toward civilization by not knowing which way to go. I’m the one that left the equipment behind. I’m the one that can’t stop talking about our doomed fate. I want everyone to know that I’m sorry.

I’m sorry to my ex-wife. We had great times, and I wish I didn’t cheat on you with that chick.

I’m sorry to her for always choosing my ex-wife over her. It wasn’t fair.

I’m sorry to Sean Shanoski. Our Boston Street Fight would have made my life.

I’m sorry to Dirk Ryan. He’ll have to carry on with the show without me …

I’m sorry to the fans of the UWC who wanted to see me in action.

I’m sorry to my parents; I didn’t want their life.

[sobbing]

Foster: That’s all …

[and he reaches over and hits stop …]


September 4, 1999, 3:33 A.M.

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

[Foster behind the lens shakes Melissa awake. Someone, something is calling them.]

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

Melissa: Mike? MIKE? MIKE!

*MELISSA!*

Melissa: It’s Mike! We’ve got to find him!

[Melissa gets up and starts running in an indeterminate direction]

Foster: Melissa … WAIT! Don’t run into the night like that! I’ve got a light on the camera!

[Foster chases Melissa in Shaky-vision]

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

[Melissa stops, allowing Foster to catch up with her]

Melissa: Where is he calling us from? Give me the camera!

[Melissa commandeers the camera from Foster, using the light to survey the area …]

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

Melissa: This way!

[She runs forward, Foster presumably behind]

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

[Melissa stops. Before her is a house … where no house in its right mind would be]

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

[Foster catches up]

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

Foster: He’s in there! Let’s get him and get the fuck out of here!

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

Melissa: No. I ain’t going in that house. No. I’m not.

*CHAD! MELISSA!*

Foster: He’s calling us! He needs our help!

*CHAD! MELISSA!*
*CHAD! MELISSA!*
*CHAD! MELISSA!*

Melissa: I’m not going.

Foster: Then I’ll go. Give me the camera. Stay close to a tree and keep your eyes open. I’ll be right back …

Melissa: Be careful.

Foster: A kiss for good luck?

Melissa: Just be safe.

[Foster takes the camera, focusing for one last split second on Melissa’s angel of a face, and then he’s off, into the house.]

*CHAD!*

[Foster enters the house, careful to avoid the various debris on the floor]

*CHAD!*

[Foster heads up the stairs into the darkness, the light on the camera his only guide.]

*CHAD!*

[Foster backtracks and races down the stairs and around the corner in the house. There are stairs here, leading down.]

*CHAD!*

[Foster takes the steps two at a time to the basement. He surveys it and finds it empty.]

[THWUNK!]

[The camera falls, going out of focus …]

*MELISSA!*

*MELISSA!*

*MELISSA!*




*MELISSA!*





*MELISSA!*



Melissa (just her voice): Chad? Mike?

*MELISSA!*


Melissa (louder): Chad?

*MELISSA!*


*MELISSA!*
*MELISSA!*
*MELISSA!*


Melissa: OH MY GOD …


[THWUNK!]



[Who uplinked this tape to the satellite?]


[How will it end?]

How will it end?