Class is already in session. The students are seated, Mr. Ryan is planted on top of his desk, and Student #1 stands before the class, reading his protest song.

Thel quietly enters the room, and slips into his desk. Mr. Ryan acknowledges his presence. Thel notices that Kelly is absent.

STUDENT #1

The cops, my folks, the principal.

They just don’t understand.

The way I feel, Is so unreal.

When I’m doing a handstand.

They lock me up, knock me down.

Make me do hard time.

Please remember this simple fact.

Skateboarding is not a crime.

Student #1 one flashes a dopey grin. Mr. Ryan gives a reassuring nod.

MR. RYAN

It has anger. It questions the system. Very good.

Mr. Ryan looks at Thel.

MR. RYAN

Okay, Mr. Tardy. Let’s hear your protest song.

Thel grabs his notebook, and walks to the front of the class. He looks nervously at the students. He clears his throat, then begins reading.

THEL

There’s a lonely kid, an only kid.

He lives in the neighborhood.

He has no friends, just dead ends.

He always does as he should.

You’ll never know, he’ll never show.

The pain that burns within his soul.

He’ll hold it in, again and again.

One day that pain will blow.

Without looking up, Thel pauses. His expression turns angry.

THEL

Know that I’m a fucking monster.

Say my name with death.

I’ll rip out your entrails.

And pull out your fingernails.

I’ll suck out your final breath.

Crush your skull with an iron fist.

Your life is just a blur.

I always spell my name in blood.

Cause I’m a fucking monster.

The class and Mr. Ryan stare at Thel in a state of shock. Their mouths hang open. The room is completely silent.

INT. SCHOOL/PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE - DAY

Thel sits in the Principal’s office. In front of him, stands Mr. Ryan and a very upset PRINCIPAL JAMES. James is looking at Mr. Ryan.

JAMES

The kid’s a psychopath. I want him out of the school.

MR. RYAN

Principal James, we, as educators, are supposed to be here for our students.

Mr. Ryan kneels in front of Thel.

MR. RYAN

Is everything okay at home, Thel?

THEL

I guess.

MR. RYAN

You know, if you ever need a friend, I’m here for you.

James cuts in.

JAMES

Cut the new age crap, Ryan. I can’t have my students writing poetry about human mutilation.

Mr. Ryan stands up and faces James. Crutch appears behind Mr. Ryan and James. Only Thel can see Crutch. Thel is nervously surprised.

MR. RYAN

I’m trying to reach out to him. You could do the same.

James thinks for a moment. Crutch speaks to Thel.

CRUTCH

Why don’t we drop root tonight and kill the treehugger?

Thel shakes his head negatively.

JAMES

(To Mr. Ryan)

He’s never gotten in trouble before. I suppose I could go easy on him.

CRUTCH

(To Thel)

We can chop him up and put him in the recycling bin.

Crutch starts doing a bizarre dance behind Mr. Ryan. James looks at Thel.

JAMES

Why don’t you get back to class.

Thel ignores James and yells at Crutch.

THEL

Would you get the fuck out of here?

Mr. Ryan is shocked and James goes ballistic. Crutch is laughing hysterically.

JAMES

Okay, Mr. You just bought yourself a weeks worth of in-house suspension. Now get out of my office, before I really get mad.

Giving off heavy attitude, Thel rises and exits the office.

INT. SCHOOL/LIBRARY - DAY

Pam and Thel sit opposite of each other, at a table in the library. Pam has a stack of books next to her. She is looking through a book about plants. Thel looks worried.

THEL

It’s not going to be in that one either.

Pam puts the book down and looks at Thel.

PAM

Would you please tell me why you want to know about African roots?

Thel looks around, then leans into Pam.

THEL

You have to promise that you won’t hate me.

PAM

I could never hate you, Thel.

THEL

I’ve been taking this root that makes my head go all crazy. Now I’m starting to have flashbacks, and I’m getting scared.

Pam is surprised.

PAM

I can’t believe you’re messing around with drugs.

THEL

It’s not drugs. It’s a root.

PAM

It’s a psychedelic root, and it most certainly is drugs.

THEL

Please Pam, don’t give me any shit. I’m in a lot of trouble.

Pam gives an understanding look.

PAM

I guess the first thing we should do is find out what we’re dealing with.

Pam picks a book up from the pile.

PAM

I think I have just the thing.

Pam shows the book to Thel. It is entitled: A SPACEMAN’S GUILD TO HERBAL FREEDOM. Pam begins to flip through the book. Thel glances at the back cover, and sees a picture of Evan.

THEL

That’s the guy who gave me the root.

PAM

Then, this is definitely the right book.

Pam spots something in the book that grabs her interest. She folds the book in half, and shows a picture of the root to Thel.

PAM

Is this the root?

THEL

That’s it. What does it say about it?

Pam unfolds the book and shows the text, next to the root picture, to Thel. The text, in big bold lettering, simple reads: THIS SHIT WILL BLOW YOUR FUCKING MIND.

PAM

Do you have any other ideas?

Pam looks over Thel’s shoulder and sees Howard walking towards Thel.

PAM

Look out. Howard's coming.

Howard, who is despondent, walks uneventfully past Thel. Pam looks confused.

PAM

That was strange. He didn’t punch you, spit on you, or anything.

Pam looks over her shoulder at Howard, who’s still walking away.

PAM

And another thing. Where’s his Siamese twin. I’ve never seen the two of them apart before.

Thel, disinterested, gets up, and mopes away. Pam tries to reason with all of the oddness around her.

INT. THEL’S HOUSE/BATHROOM - DAY

Thel is standing over the toilet, holding the woven bag. He thinks very carefully about his next move. The decision is made. Thel opens the bag and dumps the remaining roots into the toilet.

He flushes. Happy with his choice, he tosses the woven bag in the trash. He watches as the roots disappear down the drain, then exits the bathroom.

INT. THEL’S HOUSE/BEDROOM - DAY

Thel enters his bedroom. He immediately notices that the woven bag is on top of his dresser. He becomes alarmed and slowly approaches the bag. He picks up the bag and reaches inside. To his amazement, the bag is full of roots.

Thel feels the fear setting in. He is startled by a loud KNOCK at the front door. He drops the woven bag and runs to answer the door.

INT. THEL’S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - DAY

Thel walks to the front door and cautiously opens it. To his relief, there is an angelic female SOLICITOR, at the door. She smiles.

SOLICITOR

Hi. Are your parents home?

THEL

No. I’m sorry.

SOLICITOR

Maybe you can help. We’re trying to raise money to send disadvantaged youths to camp. For a small donation...

Suddenly, the Solicitor is violently forced into the house. Behind her, doing the forcing, is Crutch. She screams as Crutch throws her to the floor. He slams the door. Thel is horrified.

THEL

What are you doing?

Crutch grins an evil grin.

CRUTCH

Do you want to fuck her first, or shall I?

In a panic, the Solicitor tries to get up. Crutch bashes her in the face with his elbow, and she hits the floor again.

THEL

No, Crutch. This is wrong.

CRUTCH

But it feels so good.

Crutch picks the solicitor up. He is behind her, with his arm locked around her neck. At this point, she is beginning to hyperventilate.

THEL

Let her go.

CRUTCH

I can’t. She’s seen too much.

A switchblade knife appears in Crutch’s hand. He slashes the Solicitor’s throat. She grasps the gaping neck wound and sinks to her knees, as blood shoots out at maximum psi. Thel is mortified.

THEL

What the fuck is the matter with you?

CRUTCH

I did this for you.

THEL

I didn’t want her killed. I don’t even know her.

Crutch gets angry.

CRUTCH

You still don’t get it. They are all out to fuck you over. Every last one of these motherfuckers are your mortal enemy. If you let your guard down for a second, you’re fucked.

Thel eyes the front door. He makes a move towards the door, but Crutch blocks his way. Thel reverses direction, and heads for the basement.

INT. THEL’S HOUSE/BASEMENT - DAY

Thel runs terrified, down the basement steps. He flicks on the light, and finds himself standing in a pile of human corpses. The corpses include, that of Kelly, Craig, Mrs. Ginty, Lucky, Clerk, as well as many unrecognizable ones. Thel screams out.

THEL

Nooooooo!

Crutch stands before Thel.

CRUTCH

What’s your problem?

THEL

What is this?

CRUTCH

It’s your handiwork.

Thel is becoming unglued.

THEL

No. That was make-believe. It was just the drug. How could this be?

CRUTCH

This is what you wanted. This is what you dreamed for.

THEL

I didn’t know. It’s not what I wanted. This can’t be real.

Crutch chuckles.

CRUTCH

There’s a very fine line between fantasy and reality. That line becomes harder to see, when it’s covered in blood.

Thel stares glassy-eyed at the corpses. He is in total disbelief. Crutch puts his arm around Thel.

CRUTCH

You asked for, you got. Them’s the facts. What we need to talk about now, is getting rid of the evidence. It’s not going to do either one of us any good, if you go to the gas chamber.

THEL

What gas chamber?

Crutch pulls Thel’s head to his shoulder, and pats him gently on the head.

CRUTCH

There, there. You won’t have to worry about anything, as long as you listen to your good buddy Crutch.

Crutch walks Thel over to a workbench, and hands him a cross-cut hand saw.

INT. THEL’S HOUSE/BASEMENT - NIGHT

Thel is knee-deep in blood and human body parts. He is trying to saw through a leg. Crutch sits nearby, smoking a pipe. The sheer gruesomeness finally gets to Thel. He stops sawing and looks to Crutch.

THEL

I cant do this anymore.

CRUTCH

Sure you can. I believe in you, Thel.

THEL

I really am a monster.

Crutch jumps up from his seat.

CRUTCH

That’s where you are wrong. You are a victim. A victim of society. Where you were once weak and feeble, you are now strong. The elitist social class can no longer use you as a doormat. You are simply taking back what was stolen from you.

Crutch gets very close to Thel.

CRUTCH

This is about dignity.

Crutch takes the saw from Thel.

CRUTCH

Why don’t you rest for a while. I can handle it from here.

Crutch gleefully saws away at a torso. Thel plops down on the ground, still unable to accept his new reality.

INT. THEL’S HOUSE/BATHROOM - NIGHT

Thel is taking a shower. He frantically scrubs, but he cant wash away the pain and anguish. He sinks to the tub floor and cries. He has visions of the dead faces of his victims. He cries harder as his torment grows.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THEL’S HOUSE/BATHROOM - NIGHT

Thel steps out of the shower. Crutch is sitting on the top of the toilet.

CRUTCH

That was a pretty long shower. I’m going to have to start calling you the Mad Beater.

Thel ignores Crutch, as he wraps a towel around his waist.

CRUTCH

Don’t worry. I buried the bodies in a shallow grave, out by the interstate. Pretty clichéd, huh?

Thel still ignores Crutch. Thel applies deodorant. Crutch gets off the toilet, and goes to Thel. He grabs Thel’s face.

CRUTCH

What’s going on?

THEL

If I ignore you, maybe you’ll go away.

Crutch releases Thel’s face.

CRUTCH

That’s the thanks I get, for being your friend?

THEL

I just want to be left alone.

CRUTCH

Put on some clothes, and meet me out front.

THEL

Why?

CRUTCH

Just do it.

Crutch exits the bathroom. Thel slams his fists on the sink counter.

EXT. THEL’S HOUSE/DRIVEWAY - NIGHT

Crutch and Thel stand before a magnificent Sub-lime colored 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T convertible. Thel is mesmerized by the car.

THEL

This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.

CRUTCH

I figured you for a rag-top man.

Thel walks closer for a better look.

CRUTCH

This is my gift to you. For all the hard work you’ve put in.

THEL

Really?

Thel opens the door, and hops in the drivers seat.

CRUTCH

Take it for a spin. Cruise some chicks. I’m giving you the night off.

Thel starts the car up, and grins when he hears the sound of the engine.

THEL

Fuck yeah!

Thel revs the engine. Crutch is proud that he can so easily control Thel.

INT. THEL’S CAR - NIGHT

Thel is rolling down the street in the Coronet R/T. Sitting beside him, is Pam. The top is down and the MUSIC is loud.

PAM

I can’t believe you bought this. This car is so un-you.

THEL

I figured I was due for an image change.

PAM

Where’d you get the money?

THEL

I’ve been saving up for a while.

Thel looks Pam over.

THEL

What do you think?

Pam smiles.

PAM

I like.

Pam puts her hand on Thel’s knee. Thel smiles and enjoys the ride. A police car, with lights flashing, is behind Thel. He turns the radio off.

THEL

Shit. We’re busted.

Thel pulls the car over and stops. He looks at Pam.

THEL

Just be cool and pretend we aren’t doing anything.

PAM

We’re not.

The PATROLMAN gets out of his car and approaches Thel’s side off the car.

PATROLMAN

License and registration, please.

Thel takes his license out, then grabs the registration from the glove box. He hands them to the Patrolman.

THEL

Is there a problem, officer?

PATROLMAN

You ran a stop sign, back there.

THEL

Actually, I did come to a rolling stop.

Completely straight-faced, the Patrolman responds.

PATROLMAN

Rolling stop? That’s funny. Stay put. I’ll be with you in a moment.

The Patrolman walks back to his car. Thel is nervous. He looks at Pam.

THEL

What if he runs my plates?

PAM

Who cares? This your car.

THEL

(Uncomforted)

Yeah, you’re right.

Thel is fretting uncontrollably.

PAM

Would you calm down. It’s only a traffic ticket. It’s no big deal.

THEL

I’m just nervous, that’s all. I’ve never been pulled over before.

As Thel is shaking in his boots, the Patrolman returns to Thel’s side of the car. But, it’s not the Patrolman, it’s Crutch, dressed as the Patrolman.

CRUTCH

I’m going to let you off with a warning.

Thel looks up and recognizes Crutch. Pam doesn’t realize that it’s not the Patrolman.

CRUTCH

Buckle up and drive safe.

Crutch smiles as he hands the license and registration back to Thel. Crutch winks, then walks back to the police car. Thel breathes a sigh of relief.

INT. THEL’S CAR - NIGHT

Thel and Pam are parked in Pam’s driveway. They are looking at each other.

PAM

I had a really nice time tonight.

THEL

Me too.

Pam studies Thel’s face.

PAM

There’s something different about you.

THEL

Like what?

PAM

You’re more confident. You’re happier.

Before Thel can say anything, Pam plants a big sloppy kiss on his lips. She breaks from the kiss, stares deep into his eyes, then exits the car, without a word. Thel smiles as he watches Pam walk towards her front door.

He starts up the car, and backs out of the driveway. Pam waves to Thel, and he waves back. Thel drives down the street. He turns up the RADIO. After a block or so, CRUTCH appears in the passenger seat.

CRUTCH

You have some explaining to do, young man.

Thel looks over to Crutch.

THEL

About what?

CRUTCH

What are you doing, kissing that girl? She looks like a thrift store took a shit on her. I think she’s a dyke.

THEL

Pam’s a great girl.

CRUTCH

You can do better.

THEL

Maybe I don’t want to do better.

Crutch turns the radio down.

CRUTCH

I don’t want to see you slumming. With a bitchin’ car like this, the babes will be forming a line to do chin-ups on your dick.

Thel ignores Crutch and turns the radio back up.

CRUTCH

We’ll talk about this later. I have to get some sleep.

Crutch leaps from the car, into a dumpster by the street. Thel enjoys the ride.