CHAPTER I: Welcome To Springwood!

Piercing through the darkness, we hear a most familiar voice speaking to us...

FREDDY KRUEGER (V.O.)
They tried to forget their fear.
Lock me away like a dirty secret.

FADE UP ON:

INT. FREDDY’S UNDERWORLD – ZERO HOUR

We travel through the mist and shadow of Freddy’s Boiler Room. We come upon the dream stalker bathed in darkness, with the only light illuminating his evil eyes.

FREDDY (CONT.)

The people of Springwood have shut me out, but they haven’t shut me down. The confrontation with Jason Voorhees left me trapped and powerless in my purgatory, right back to where I started. But they can’t keep me here forever, someone new will learn my name and open me up to a whole new playground. It’s only a matter of time. This goes beyond Springwood, this time I want the world...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. ROAD – AFTERNOON

We open on a lonely road just on the outskirts of town. Soon, a car will come into view and pass us by.

INT. CAR – AFTERNOON

Inside the car, we are greeted by a classic tune from “THE CLASH” as CHRISTINE “SPIKE” NELSON rocks out while driving. Also in the car is Spike’s 16 yr old daughter EMMA NELSON, her baby son JACK SIMPSON and Emma’s best friend MANUELA “MANNY” SANTOS.

Emma tries to hide the displeasure of listening to her Mother’s “Boring” music, baby Jack sleeps and Manny is lost in a fashion magazine.

EMMA

Mom, you’ve been rocking out to 80’s punk ever since we left the airport, give it a rest.

SPIKE

Come on Em, this is the coolest music you will ever hear. And it only gets better, Gourmet Scum and The Savages are next, you’ll love it.

EMMA

No thanks, I’ll pass.

Spike turns down the volume.

MANNY

Are we there yet?

SPIKE

We’ll be there soon.

MANNY

What is this place again?

SPIKE

Springwood, Ohio. My aunt Rose and her family moved here from Toronto many years ago. I use to spend my summers here until...

EMMA

(Concerned)

Mom, don’t. You know how it makes you feel.

MANNY

Am I missing something here?

SPIKE

Its okay Emma, I can talk about it now. I’ve come to terms with it.

MANNY

With what? I don’t understand.

SPIKE

Aunt Rose’s daughter Taryn was my favorite cousin, but we were more like sisters. We were totally alike, the same fashion sense, same taste in music, same teen angst. We had big dreams too, we always dreamed of starting our own band called “Wendy O”, the first punk girl duo to take over the world.

Manny is totally enthralled with the story. Emma knows it’s heart aching for her mom but Spike tries hard to hold back the emotion.

SPIKE (CONT.)

But Taryn’s dreams turned into nightmares. She started hanging with the wrong crowd and stealing from her parents to get high. When her addictions got even worse she was sent to a mental hospital for suicidal teens, where she later took her life by overdosing on heroine.

MANNY

Oh my god, I’m so sorry.

SPIKE

I only wish that I could have been there for her, but with us being in two different countries and me going through my pregnancy drama with Shane and the school made it hard for us to keep in touch. I should have done something. She was always so paranoid, always dreaming that someone was trying to get her.

EMMA

You can’t blame yourself. There wasn’t much you could do.

SPIKE

I’m really worried about Aunt Rose, emotionally she’s not well. Having lost her husband and both of her kids it must be hell for her to even get out of bed everyday. 

MANNY

She lost her entire family?

SPIKE

Uncle Leo died a few years ago from a heart attack, and her six-year-old son Timmy was kidnapped and murdered by some lunatic in the sixties, along with a bunch of other kids in the area. The loss of a child has to be the most tragic heartbreak imaginable and she had to deal with it twice.   

MANNY

I didn’t mean to bring up such bad memories for you.

SPIKE

No, it’s alright Manny. I need to remember every now and then, it’s therapeutic. But enough about that, it’s the holidays and I don’t want to sour your first trip to the states.

EMMA

After the last three years we’ve had at Degrassi, I think we‘re all due for a therapy session or two. Besides, nothing can ruin this trip, we’re here together and that’s what matters.

EXT. ROAD – AFTERNOON

The car zooms by us as it passes the “WELCOME TO SPRINGWOOD” sign.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. AUNT ROSE’S HOUSE – AFTERNOON

The car arrives at its destination, a lovely home in a beautiful suburban neighborhood. A woman, somewhere in her mid-60s, stands watering her garden. This lady is ROSE WHITE. She notices the car pulling up and goes to greet her niece.

ROSE

Christine!

SPIKE

Aunt Rose!

They run to each other and embrace. Emma and Manny exit the car with the baby.

ROSE

Oh, it’s been so long. You look fantastic Christine.

SPIKE

How is everything?

ROSE

Everything is fine. I feel fine.

SPIKE

That’s great to hear.

ROSE

Oh my, this can’t be Emma?

EMMA

Good to see you Aunt Rose.

ROSE

You’re a beautiful young lady now, you were just a wee little girl the last time I saw you.

EMMA

This is Manny Santos, my best friend.

MANNY

Can I call you Aunt Rose too?

ROSE

Of course you can, sweetie. I see Canada still breeds the most beautiful people, and speaking of beautiful, this must be Jack.

SPIKE

That’s him.

ROSE

Come inside, I have a great lunch prepared for us.

As Emma glances around at the neighborhood, she notices something...

INSERT SHOT – EMMA’S POV.

We see a little girl, with pigtails and a pretty white dress, riding a TRICYCLE in SLOW MOTION. All the while staring directly at us. As she passes by, we PAN up to the street sign that reads ELM ST.

MANNY

Emma, are you coming?

EMMA

Yeah.

Emma has a strange feeling about this place; she doesn’t quite know what it is yet. Emma then follows Manny into the house.

INT. AUNT ROSE’S HOUSE – AFTERNOON

Spike, Emma and Manny sit at the dining table as Aunt Rose serves the meal.

INSERT – CLOSE-UP SHOT

Rose stirs a white powdered substance into the lemonade. Next to the lemonade pitcher we see a medicine bottle labeled HYPNOCIL, which is an experimental drug to stop dreams.

Rose brings the lemonade to the table and hands everyone a glass. Emma’s mind is somewhere else as she stares out of the window, not eating nor drinking.

AUNT ROSE

Some freshly squeezed lemonade?

SPIKE

Thanks

AUNT ROSE

So tell me Christine, how are things with you and Archie?

SPIKE

We’ve hit a rough spot recently. Snake and I are...

AUNT ROSE

Snake?

SPIKE

It’s his nickname.

AUNT ROSE

I almost forgot, all of you kids had weird nicknames. It’s been so long, I...I really miss having kids around the house.

SPIKE

Come back to Toronto with us Aunt Rose, I don’t like leaving you alone down here.

AUNT ROSE

I can’t leave Springwood Christine, all of my memories are here. My family’s remains are here and I want to be buried next to them.

Jack grabs for Emma’s untouched drink and it spills all over her.

SPIKE

Oh, Jack.

EMMA

It’s okay Mom, really.

(To Rose)

Is there a place where I can clean up?

AUNT ROSE

Upstairs, first door to the right.

EMMA

Thanks.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY – AFTERNOON

Emma walks up the stairs to the hallway. Just as she is about enter the bathroom a noise peers from the door at the end of the hall.

Ever the curious, Emma slowly makes her way to the door. She reaches the door and opens it to find...another set of stairs leading up. She proceeds up.

INT. ATTIC – AFTERNOON

Emma finds a neatly stacked attic filled with clothes, books and various old relics.

She rummages around the attic until she comes upon a box marked TARYN’S ROOM. Emma opens the box and inside is  Taryn’s DIARY and a bunch of old photos.

ANGLE ON – OLD PHOTOS

It’s a picture of classic “Degrassi Junior High” Spike and “Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” era Taryn White.

She switches to another photo and it is of a young boy smiling as he holds a birthday cake, on the back it reads “TIMMY’S SIXTH BIRTHDAY”

Emma smiles at the old pictures. But off to the side, something else catches her eye. A dusty old PHOTO ALBUM, which she opens to find a bunch of NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS that read:

“LOCAL BOY MISSING”

“BODY OF MISSING BOY TIMOTHY WHITE FOUND”

“SPRINGWOOD SLASHER STILL AT LARGE”

“CHILD KILLER SET FREE”

“FRED KRUEGER FREED ON TECHNICALITY”

Emma can’t believe what she is reading. Fear is building within her.

EMMA

Fred Krueger?

When the name is spoken, a strong ECHO carries the name.

INSERT SHOT – FREDDY

We zoom straight through the mist of Freddy’s Underworld right onto his ghastly face where a sinister grin appears as his BLOODSHOT eyes flash open. His trademark laugh is heard.

INSERT – UNKNOWN POV

Someone unknown stalks behind Emma, ready to strike! Emma turns and SCREAMS!

MANNY

BOO!

EMMA

Are you crazy! You almost gave me a heart attack.

MANNY

What are you doing up here?

Emma quickly picks up the Photo Album and Diary and holds it close to her.

EMMA

Nothing. Just looking around.

Manny goes through the old clothes as Emma follows behind.

MANNY

Look at these old rags, vintage supreme.

EMMA

Like a moth to a flame.

MANNY

I love this stuff. Oh, look at this...

She picks up an authentic 1950’s leather jacket, very worn but still cool.

MANNY (CONT.)

This is totally Craig.

EMMA

Manny, these things are older than both of us combined.

MANNY

That’s why they’re so cool.

They come upon a skinny beat-up old Mannequin with a hideous blond wig on. Manny Laughs.

MANNY (CONT.)

Look, it’s Heather Sinclair.

EMMA

(Chuckles)

We’d better get out of here.

The girls exit the attic. Emma takes the photo album and diary with her.

CUT TO:

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

Midnight falls on Springwood, and everyone sleeps. A cool breeze blows through the window and awakens Emma.

As she gets up to close it something outside catches her eye.

INSERT SHOT – TIMMY WHITE

Once again Emma cannot believe what her eyes are seeing. Timmy motions for her to come outside.

EXT. ELM STREET – NIGHT

The pale moonlight shines as Emma, barefoot and in a flowing nightgown, exits the house. Not a soul to be seen on the street as Emma follows Timmy.

EMMA

Timmy?...Timmy wait!

Timmy goes into the yard of a house, but this is not just any house, it’s THE house. Emma now stands in front of...

INSERT SHOT – 1428 ELM STREET

The Elm Street House, Freddy’s house. Not the remodeled house from “FREDDY vs. JASON” but the ORIGINAL, boarded up and abandoned house from the “Nightmare” films.

Emma enters the yard and goes to Timmy, who stands on the front step.

EMMA (CONT.)

What is this place?

TIMMY

(Giggles)

He runs inside the house and Emma pursues him. Just as she enters the door, Emma turns to find more little children in the yard, jumping rope and singing a familiar tune...

CHILDREN

One, Two, Freddy’s coming for you. Three, Four, better lock your door. Five, Six, grab your crucifix. Seven, Eight, better stay up late. Nine, Ten, never sleep again.

THE DOOR SLAMS.

INT. ELM STREET HOUSE – ZERO HOUR

Inside the house, everything is very much the same as it has always been. Dirty, grimy and frightening. The basement door swings open, inviting Emma down.

INT. BASEMENT – ZERO HOUR

Emma reluctantly makes her way down to the old and dusty basement. Emma stalks around looking for Timmy, who is no where to be seen.

ANGLE ON – THE FURNACE

As it unexpectedly lights up on its own. SKULLS and BONES populate the old fire pit.

Terrified beyond belief, Emma has seen enough. As she turns to make a run for it, the GHOST of Timmy White stands behind her.

EMMA

You can’t be here, you’re not alive. I’m dreaming, and none of this is real.

TIMMY

This is real, Freddy is real. This is where he lives.

EMMA

The guy from the newspaper clippings?

TIMMY

Freddy’s coming back Emma, and he wants you. You have to tell all of your friends about him, it’s the only way.

ANGLE ON – DRAWING

Timmy hands Emma a child’s drawing of Freddy Krueger, drawn in pencil and crayon.

The sound of RAZORS scratching against METAL is heard.

TIMMY (CONT.)

You should go now, and remember what I have told you.

EMMA

But...

TIMMY

Go, now! Before it’s too late.

Emma runs back up the stairs and out of the house. A sinister grin rises on Timmy’s face as it MORPHS into the gruesome visage of Freddy Krueger.

FREDDY

That’s right Emma, bring them to me.

With a laugh and a sharp flex of Freddy’s glove, we...

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. CAR – EVENING

Emma quickly jumps up out of the dream. Spike and Manny surprised.

SPIKE

Emma, honey are you alright?

EMMA

I’m fine Mom. Wait, why are we in the car?

SPIKE

Huh?

EMMA

We were at Aunt Rose’s house, I was in bed.

SPIKE

We left Springwood this morning.

EMMA

What?

MANNY

We’re back in T-Dot, on our way home. You basically slept the entire way, we almost had to carry you off the plane.

SPIKE

Are you ok, Em?

EMMA

Yeah, I guess I am.

Emma feels quite uneasy about the dream she just had, and about how time has seemingly eluded her. To make matters worse, in her hand is the drawing that Timmy gave her in the dream.

ZOOM CLOSE-UP – EMMA’S EYES

“This can’t be possible” screams from Emma’s eyes as she wonders exactly how something a dead child gave her in a dream is in her hands now, in the waking world. Could this Krueger guy be for real?

QUICK CUT TO BLACK.