Nora closes the door, checks herself in the mirror, and opens her small suitcase on the bed.
She is shocked when she sees a bloodied amputated head of a woman. Repulsed, she peddles back.
Nora (groans): EHH!
She races out of the room and into the hall. Nora walks up to a closed curtain. She opens it and enters another corridor, coming up to a wall.
She slowly turns, looking around the area. Suddenly, a hand reaches around and wraps around her mouth, yanking her back.
An old man holds her tightly . . .
Old Man: Come with us. Come with us before he kills you.
She breaks free and lets out her signature piercing scream as she runs away. We cut to the main room where the others are waiting, the clock shows 11:45. Lance enters the room.
Lance: Where's Nora? Miss Manning?
Before anyone can answer, the hysteric Nora comes charging in and storms up to Frederick.
Nora: I don't want to stay here.
Frederick: Nora, what happened?
The double doors slowly creak open. Standing there is the same old man that grabbed Nora in the hall. With him, is the old hag, though not quite as monstrous-looking as what Nora saw in the cellar. Nora is nevertheless still frightened of them.
Frederick: That's Jonas Slydes and his wife. They've been caretakers here for years. She's blind, you know.
Nora (imploring to Lance): I'm not going to stay here!
Frederick (turns to David): Doctor, it looks like we have a real case of hysteria on our hands.
David: I thinks she's just a little upset, not hysterical.
Another door opens and Annabelle makes her grand entrance.
Annabelle: Good evening.
Frederick: Hello, my dear. This is my wife. These are out guests. Ruth Bridgers, Dr. Trent, you know Watson Pritchard, of course. Nora Manning, and this is Lance Schroeder.
Nora and Lance whisper to each other.
Nora: Get me out of here.
Lance: What about the 10,000?
Nora: I don't care. He wants to kill me.
Lance: Who wants to kill you?
Nora: Mr. Loren.
The clock shows 11:54 and Frederick calls their attention.
Frederick: May I have your attention, please? I think you all remember the bargain we made about staying all night. $10,000 a piece. If any of you don't survive, $50,000 will be divided amongst the rest of you. If I should die, you will be paid by my estate. When the door is locked from the outside by the caretakers, we'll all be forced to stay in this house until morning. If any of you decide not to stay, you must leave with the caretakers now. You won't have a chance to change your minds later, because there will be no way to get out.
Nora (to Lance): I don't want to stay.
Lance: Wait.
Suddenly a whistling wind rushes through the room, the chandelier candle flames begin to flicker.
They all look up as the chandelier starts to sway. And then they hear the sound of a door shutting and locking.
|