FINAL CHAPTER: This Ends Now! – Is It Ever Really Over?

INT. HALLWAY – ZERO HOUR

Craig wanders the hallways of the Elm Street House calling for his friends. He hears ROCK MUSIC coming from a door at the end of the hall. Craig goes to the room and enters it.

INT. NIGHTCLUB – ZERO HOUR

Craig enters to find a packed hard rock, death metal, NIGHTCLUB called “THE BOILER ROOM” complete with PYRO EFFECTS. Punks, broads and freaks all do their thing as a BAND on the stage rock the place.

Craig is shocked at the whole thing. As he gets closer to the stage, Craig notices that the lead singer of the band is none other than...his extremely abusive Father, ALBERT MANNING, now deceased. Craig can’t believe his eyes.

CRAIG

Dad?

Albert winks directly at Craig as the band end their song. The HOST of the Boiler Room Club steps on the stage, with a drink and cigarette in hand, and takes to the mic. We know who it is...ROBERT ENGLUND (Human Freddy) in “GOTH GUY” attire.

THE HOST

Give it up for “The Headstones” and their cover of Warren Zevon’s “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Their first time here at the boiler room. And now kiddies, you’re in for a special treat. We have a star in the audience tonight...

The crowd looks around to see “Who?”

THE HOST (CONT.)

A man so bipolar he needs two introductions, give a steamy boiler room welcome for Craig Manning, bitches!

A SPOTLIGHT shines on Craig and the audience turns directly to him with cheering and applause. Craig is uneasy at the attention.

THE HOST (CONT.)

Mosh his ass on up here.

The crowd picks Craig up and floats him to the stage. Craig tries to stand as far away from him as possible, but The Host moves closer every time.

THE HOST (CONT.)

We have a surprise for our guest of honor...Craig Manning, this is your afterlife! Oh you’re gonna love this. First up, the reunion tour you’ve all been waiting for. Craig’s first and only band, the Downtown Sasquatch!

The curtain opens and to Craig’s horror the dead and GORY remains of Jimmy (with a Guitar), Marco (with a Bass) and Spinner, whose body parts are scattered over a drum set and his head placed on the stool.

THE HOST (CONT.)

You should hear them...Live!

CRAIG

Stop it!

THE HOST

The party’s just starting. Next up, the man responsible for Craig’s existence as well as the many beatings and ass kicking’s he’s received. Make room for daddy, Albert Manning.

Craig’s Father walks out with a BELT in hand and heads straight for him. Albert’s appearance reflects his demise, a car wreck victim. Craig, trying to face his fears head on, does not move an inch.

ALBERT

Daddy’s home, miss me?

CRAIG

My Father is dead.   

ALBERT

But isn’t that what you wanted, so you could live happily ever after with Joey Jeremiah?

CRAIG

Joey has been more of a Father to me than you ever were.

Albert lifts his belt, ready to strike!

ALBERT

Come to Daddy...

Albert swings the belt down and Craig catches his arm midway. Craig then grabs Albert by the collar and pulls him close.

CRAIG

(angrily)

Never again.

The Host is amazed at Craig’s resistance.

THE HOST

Impressive.

Craig pushes his Father off the stage and into the crowd, where they proceed to tear him apart.

THE HOST (CONT.)

Last, but certainly not least. The man who will change Craig’s life forever. The one, the only, man of your dreams...

The Host MORPHS into Freddy.

FREDDY

Freddy...

THE CROWD GOES WILD.

The camera circles Freddy and Craig as Krueger himself circles Craig during their dialogue. Pyro effects still blazing.

FREDDY (CONT.)

Your strength is impressive kid, I like that.

CRAIG

Glad you approve, can’t say I feel the same.

FREDDY

Why not? We’re the same, you and I. We’re both chemically imbalanced, fucked in the head and have parental issues. I’d say we’re a match made in hell.

CRAIG

Hate to disappoint you Freddy, but I don’t believe in torturing little kids.

FREDDY

Nobody’s perfect. I see the potential in you Craig, it’s the only reason you’re still alive...

Freddy motions and a RAZOR-GLOVE appears on Craig’s hand. Craig flexes the glove and is bewildered by it.

INSERT SHOT – REFLECTION

Craig catches the reflection of his EYES in the shiny steel blades.

CLOSE-UP – CRAIG’S EYES

Craig gazes at the glove as if he is holding “The One Ring”

Freddy can almost taste victory as Craig’s seduction to the darkside is almost complete.

FREDDY (CONT.)

Under me, you will become the killer elite. Reborn in my image, just like a son...Kill for me.

Craig kneels before Freddy. A sinister smile forms on the dream stalker’s face.

CRAIG

I pledge myself...

Craig swiftly rises and thrusts the knives into Krueger’s stomach...HARD. Freddy screams and staggers back.

CRAIG (CONT.)

...To seeing that you burn in hell.

Freddy snarls at Craig, then disappears. The crowd is trying to rush the stage and grab Craig. He picks up a guitar, cranks up the amp and strikes a chord...

INSERT SHOT – CROWD

The LOUDEST SOUNDWAVE EVER knocks the crowd on their backs. Craig jumps off stage and exits the club.

INT. HALLWAY – ZERO HOUR

Ellie is lost in the corridors of the Elm Street House. She cautiously roams the halls looking for her friends and a way out. Soon, she bumps into Craig.

ELLIE

Craig! Thank God I found you.

She jumps in his arms and kisses him. He just stands there.

CRAIG

He’s close...

ELLIE

Freddy?

CRAIG

He’s heavy in the halls.

ELLIE

We have to find everyone and get out of this place.

CRAIG

There’s no rush. You’re safe here with me.

ELLIE

(confused)

Craig?

CRAIG

Shh...not so loud, voices carry.

Craig squeezes Ellie tighter in his arms and she begins to wonder if it really is Craig. She looks up and it’s Freddy, ready to strike!

FREDDY

I’m your boyfriend now, Ellie.

The REAL Craig arrives.

CRAIG

Ellie!

Craig pushes Ellie out of the way in the nick of time...but sacrifices himself in the process as he meets the end of Krueger’s blades.

ELLIE

(screams)

Craig! No!

Freddy’s face expresses a look of satisfaction at this turn of events. Craig, accepting his fate, takes one last glance and smiles at the love he leaves behind. Ellie, receiving his message of love, smiles back to him. Craig dies.

Freddy, with a most pissed off look upon his face, quickly turns to Ellie.

FREDDY

You’re next.

Ellie takes off running, Freddy does not move. She turns a corner and Freddy is right there, he scrapes the wall, creating a horrible screeching sound. Ellie runs the other way.

INT. SHADOWY CHAMBER – ZERO HOUR

Ellie ends up in a empty chamber of shadows. She looks around for an alternate way out, with no luck. Freddy suddenly appears behind her and they wrestle to the ground.

FREDDY

I’m going to kill you slow Ellie Nash, and steal your innocence at the same time.

He rips her shirt open(Only her Bra is seen). Ellie fights to get away but Freddy is too powerful for her. Emma runs in.

EMMA

Krueger! This ends now.

FREDDY

Down for a threesome, Emma?

The door vanishes and Freddy moves toward Emma. Ellie attempts to help but Emma motions for her not to.

EMMA

This was all my fault, I brought you to Degrassi and now my friends are dead.

FREDDY

You’ve done your job well. Now my name is whispered through the halls of Degrassi, and soon everyone will know the nightmares of Freddy. But I do have to say, you’re all the most problematic bunch of shits I’ve ever terrorized.

EMMA

I have to undo what I’ve done.

Emma has backed herself into a wall, with nowhere else to go. Freddy nears her, ready to make the kill.

FREDDY

School’s out.

CLOSE UP – EMMA

Emma shuts her eyes as the camera closes in tight on her. In her mind, she hears...

SPIKE (V.O.)

When your dreams become nightmares just concentrate, wish upon the dream and it will come true. The nightmare will go away.

Emma opens her eyes, which now reflects confidence.

EMMA

Hey Freddy, ever wish upon a dream? I have...

Freddy looks at Emma with confusion and wanders what the hell...?

EMMA (CONT.)

I wish we never went to Springwood for Christmas break.

Nothing happens.

FREDDY

(laughs)

You really make me laugh, kid...sweet dreams.

Just as Freddy is about to strike, a RAY OF WHITE LIGHT shoot from his chest. And another, then another. Freddy eyes widen in disbelief.

FREDDY (CONT.)

You tricky little bitch!

Emma winks and grins at Krueger, just to drive the point home, she has beaten him at his own game. Freddy screams as the light totally consumes him. The light bends, twists and fades away, taking Freddy Krueger with it. His glove falls and hits the ground.

ANGLE ON – FREDDY’S GLOVE

Emma and Ellie walk upon the glove, still not quite relieved of their horrific nightmare.

EMMA

Don’t dream...it’s over.

She kicks the glove and it vanishes into thin air. TWO HUGE DOORS open, with nothing but brightness shining through. Emma and Ellie, now satisfied, walks side by side through the doors...their nightmare is over.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. EMMA’S ROOM – MORNING

Spike awakens Emma, by shining whatever daylight she can get into her basement room.

SPIKE

Rise and shine sleepy head, it’s the first day of holiday break.

EMMA

(sleepily)

What time is it?

SPIKE

Time to get up and enjoy this beautiful day.

EMMA

Mom, I had the most awful dream...but I can’t remember any of it.

SPIKE

If it were that awful, you probably weren’t meant to remember it.

EMMA

I have a bad feeling about Springwood, maybe we shouldn’t go.

SPIKE

Aunt Rose decided to spend Christmas here with us. No worries.

EMMA

How do you manage to keep it together? Even after all you’ve been through with Snake...and me.

SPIKE

Emma, our lives are filled with tough times, and yet we’re still here, the bad times help to make us stronger. And trust me, the bad times aren’t over just yet, but how we deal with them is up to us. Brighter times are always ahead. 

EMMA

I love you Mom.

SPIKE

I love you more. Now you get dressed young lady.

EMMA

I’ll be right down.

Spike leaves.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM – MORNING

Emma emerges from the basement to find Manny, Toby and JT waiting for her. She goes to hug each of them, and they are taken aback.

MANNY

What was that for?

EMMA

I don’t know, I just felt like I needed to.

TOBY

Anytime you want to give out hugs, kisses or anything else, I’m your guy.

JT

So, what’s the agenda, Em?

EMMA

We’ll save our troubles for tomorrow, but today, let’s just enjoy...life.

Emma, Manny, JT and Toby walk out to enjoy their day, everything has returned to normal at Degrassi. Little Jack sits alone with crayons and a pad, humming FREDDY’S NURSERY RHYME. We close in on the picture he is drawing and it is of a MAN in a RED & GREEN sweater with KNIVES for fingers. We then...

QUICK CUT TO BLACK.

THE END