X-Files Logo 'Scary Monsters'

Story Code '#9X12'
by Thomas Schnauz
X-Files Cast

SCENE 1 - FAIRHOPE, PENNSYLVANIA

(Night. In a bedroom, some drawings by a child hang on the wall. In his bed, TOMMY CONLON, an eight year old boy, lies in bed awake. Outside the window, tree branches scratch and TOMMY closes his eyes. The scratching stops but starts again. TOMMY gets up and looks in the mirror, seeing something under the bed, which terrifies him)

TOMMY:
Dad! Dad!

(JEFFREY CONLON, TOMMY's father, appears in the doorway)

JEFFREY CONLON:
Tommy? What is it?

TOMMY:
I'm afraid. I heard something.

JEFFREY CONLON:
It's just the wind.

TOMMY:
No. I think it's under the bed. Can you check?

JEFFREY CONLON:
Tommy, there is nothing to be scared of, I promise.

TOMMY:
No. There's something under the bed. You have to check.

(JEFFREY, who seems scared as it is, leans under the bed and looks - seeing something under there. He is shocked but calmly lies to his son)

JEFFREY CONLON:
All clear.

TOMMY:
You sure? I thought I saw something in the mirror.

JEFFREY CONLON:
Tommy, it is just your imagination. Now, let's try to get some sleep, okay?

(JEFFREY backs out the of the bedroom and closes the door. TOMMY looks back at the mirror whilst sitting on his bed and hears something scratching. He runs to the door)

TOMMY:
Dad, help! It's in here!

(TOMMY tries to get out but the door-handle won't budge)

TOMMY:
Help! Help me! Help!

(TOMMY keeps trying and screaming, but the door won't open. On the other side of the door, JEFFREY is holding the door closed)

TOMMY:
Help! Dad! It's in here! Help! Help me! Dad! Daddy! Dad!


OPENING TITLES


SCENE 2 - FBI ACADEMY, QUANTICO, VIRGINIA

(The bell rings and students rush out for a break, as does SCULLY, determined to get something to eat before class)

FBI CADET:
Doctor Scully ...

SCULLY:
After lunch. Sorry. All questions answered after lunch. Thank you.

(SCULLY enters her office and grabs her sandwich. But before she can eat it, someone enters. AGENT LEYLA HARRISON, who worked briefly with DOGGETT on the X-Files in ‘Alone’)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Agent Scully ...

SCULLY:
Leyla Harrison. What a surprise.

LEYLA HARRISON:
Oh, good. I was afraid I should have made a call first. How have you been?

SCULLY:
Oh, uh... busy. And yourself?

LEYLA HARRISON:
I'm back in accounting now. Happily, mind you. No regrets. Although I did relish my big adventure on the X-Files unit last year.

(SCULLY is about to eat)

SCULLY:
I have about five minutes uh, before my next class. Can we talk while I eat?

LEYLA HARRISON:
Not a problem.

(Just as SCULLY goes to eat, HARRISON shows her a picture of a dead woman covered in blood)

LEYLA HARRISON:
It's an X-File. I'm sure of it.

(SCULLY puts down the sandwich, and picks up the file, a little bit disturbed)

SCULLY:
Where'd you get this?

LEYLA HARRISON:
It all started when I tracked down a mileage discrepancy in the bureau's vehicle fleet. It turns out a really nice secretary from our Baltimore field office had used a Ford Taurus without authorisation.

SCULLY:
And what does that have to do with...?

LEYLA HARRISON:
Well, she was desperate to visit her grandson which is why she borrowed the car. She's the one who told me about this case. This was her daughter.

SCULLY:
And what makes you think this is an X-File?

LEYLA HARRISON:
Well, this dead woman's son - my friend's grandson - this is Tommy Conlon.

(LEYLA shows SCULLY a picture of TOMMY)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Tommy is eight years old. And Tommy told her a monster killed his mother. And his father knows all about it.

(SCULLY looks at her sceptically. She picks up her sandwich again preparing to eat it)

LEYLA HARRISON:
I know, I know. Why take the word of an eight-year-old? But ... look at the autopsy report.

(LEYLA once again opens the file and puts it in front of SCULLY before she has a chance to take a single bite)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Clearly this woman was murdered, and yet ...

SCULLY:
... and yet the coroner concludes that she stabbed herself to death.

(LEYLA nods her head)

SCULLY:
Agent Harrison I see no reason to disagree with the coroner.

LEYLA HARRISON:
But ... I mean, how could someone stab themselves sixteen times?

SCULLY:
Look, it is unusual but I have seen it before.

LEYLA HARRISON:
Tommy's father took the boy to some mountaintop in Pennsylvania in the middle of nowhere. He took him away from his friends - his family. They don't even have a phone. Tommy's own grandmother isn't allowed to see him anymore.

SCULLY:
I'm sorry, Agent Harrison but unless you have other evidence ...

LEYLA HARRISON:
Wait, wait. Tommy said that the same monster that killed his mother killed Spanky, his pet cat.

SCULLY:
Uh, unless you bring me Spanky, there's nothing I can do.

(The bell rings and SCULLY wraps up her lunch, handing it to LEYLA)

SCULLY:
Apple and tuna salad?

(SCULLY leaves)


SCENE 3 - SCULLY'S APARTMENT, 6:42 PM

(The phone rings and SCULLY answers. It is REYES)

SCULLY:
Hello.

REYES:
Dana, it's Monica Reyes. Did I catch you at a bad time?

(REYES is in the car. DOGGETT is next to her driving)

SCULLY:
I was just putting the baby down. What is it?

REYES:
I wanted to get your opinion on an autopsy finding. It's pretty unusual. A woman who stabbed herself sixteen times.

SCULLY:
Last name Conlon? I assume you've been talking to Leyla Harrison?

(REYES looks at LEYLA, a little interested to know SCULLY has already been consulted)

REYES:
Yeah. The three of us are headed to Pennsylvania, in fact. It sounds like you're familiar with the case.

(REYES listens to SCULLY on the other end of the phone)

REYES:
What do you mean, ‘there is no case’? Oh, right. Thanks.

(REYES hangs up)

REYES:
Why didn't you tell us you'd already gone to Agent Scully?

LEYLA HARRISON:
I didn't know that's who you were going to call.

DOGGETT:
That's not the point, Leyla. You misled us.

(DOGGETT'S not happy with what he's hearing. He turns the car around)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Agent Doggett, we're almost there.

DOGGETT:
‘How'd you spend your Friday night, John?’ Ran around like an idiot.

LEYLA HARRISON:
Agent Doggett ... both of you got in this car believing a little boy may be in danger. What's changed since then? Even if this isn't an X-File - which it is - what will it hurt to keep going? If Agent Mulder were here, he'd keep going.

(REYES and DOGGETT exchange looks and DOGGETT turns the car back around)


SCENE 4 - FAIRHOPE, PENNSYLVANIA

(It is night as JEFFREY CONLON buries something outside his house. He finishes his job and looks up to see a car arriving. It stops and REYES, DOGGETT and HARRISON step out)

REYES:
Jeffrey Conlon?

JEFFREY CONLON:
Yeah. Can I help you?

REYES:
Hi. I'm Agent Monica Reyes. This is Agent John Doggett and Agent Harrison. We're with the FBI.

(DOGGETT holds out his ID)

JEFFREY CONLON:
FBI. Really? What are you...?

LEYLA HARRISON:
We're here at the request of Dorothy- your mother-in-law. She's worried about her grandson.

JEFFREY CONLON:
Tommy is fine. I told Dorothy over and over. There's really nothing more to say.

DOGGETT:
Is that blood on your hand, Mister Conlon?

JEFFREY CONLON:
Yeah, I cut myself.

DOGGETT:
On what?

JEFFREY CONLON:
A piece of broken glass.

REYES:
Sir, can we speak with your son?

JEFFREY CONLON:
He's asleep.

DOGGETT:
It's not even 7:00. It's kind of early for bedtime, isn't it?

JEFFREY CONLON:
Not for Tommy. And I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your voice down.

DOGGETT:
Look, I'm going to be straight with you. We drove a long way.

REYES:
Agent Doggett is very stubborn. I don't think you'll get him to leave until we see your son.

TOMMY:
Dad?

(TOMMY is on the porch. JEFFREY and the AGENTS go over to him)

JEFFREY CONLON:
Tommy, go back inside, please.

TOMMY:
I heard something. I got afraid.

REYES:
Hi, Tommy. I'm Monica. This is John, and this is Leyla.

LEYLA HARRISON:
I'm friends with your Grandmom. She wanted us to come see how you were doing.

JEFFREY CONLON:
Tommy, it's too cold out here. Go back inside the house, please.

REYES:
Do you remember what you said to your Grandmom? Something about your mother. Do you remember?

LEYLA HARRISON:
Monsters. You said there were monsters, right?

TOMMY:
No such thing as monsters.

(The way he said that was very wooden, like it was planned. DOGGETT is suspicious)

JEFFREY CONLON:
Tell Dorothy this is exactly why she's not allowed to visit anymore. Now, good night. Come on.

(JEFFREY and TOMMY go back inside. REYES and HARRISON give in and begin moving back to the car, DOGGETT, thoughtful, follows)

LEYLA HARRISON:
I apologise. I let my imagination run wild and I ruined both your evenings. Thank you in advance for not yelling at me.

DOGGETT:
Something's going on here.

(LEYLA looks surprised)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Wait ... there is?

REYES:
That little boy only said what his father wanted him to say.

DOGGETT:
Did you notice the dirt on that guy's hands and knees? He's been digging. This time of the year he sure as hell ain't gardening. I say we find a judge get a warrant ... search the place.

(LEYLA can't believe she was right. Upstairs, JEFFREY stares out the window at where the agents are moving toward the car. TOMMY is behind him)

TOMMY:
Dad? The monsters aren't going to let those people leave are they?

JEFFREY CONLON:
They're leaving, Tommy. They're leaving right now.

TOMMY:
It's too late.

(The agents have already gotten in the car, but JEFFREY turns to stare at his son. Inside the car, the engine splutters as DOGGETT tries it)

DOGGETT:
What the hell?

(DOGGETT tries it again and a strange blood-like liquid comes from the air conditioning. REYES screams. Later, outside, DOGGETT opens the car bonnet. Blood is all over the engine)

REYES:
Oh, God. A possum, maybe?

DOGGETT:
That doesn't make any sense. How'd it get from here into the vents?


SCENE 5 - SCULLY'S APARTMENT

(Someone knocks on the door. SCULLY turns on a light and rushes to the door. A man who she hasn't seen before is out there. He is young with dark hair...and holding something)

SCULLY:
Who is it?

GABE ROTTER:
It's Gabe Rotter. I have the thing you've been waiting for.

SCULLY:
Who?

GABE ROTTER:
Gabe ... Rotter. I'm a friend of Leyla Harrison.

(SCULLY opens the door, wondering what in hell is going on)

SCULLY:
Do you know what time it is?

GABE ROTTER:
Hey, I just do as I'm told. Enjoy.

(GABE hands SCULLY the box, and she steps back at the stench)

SCULLY:
Whoa. What the hell is that?

GABE ROTTER:
A dead cat.

SCULLY:
Come again?

GABE ROTTER:
Yeah, his name's Spanky. Leyla said you're helping her out on a case and you needed it ASAP, so ... hey, you're welcome.

SCULLY:
I am going to be exceptionally polite. Leave. Now. Leave now and take that with you.

(SCULLY goes to close the door but GABE steps in)

GABE ROTTER:
Do you have any idea what I went through to get this thing? I snuck onto the property where your perp there used to live and I dug up the whole thing looking for it.

(SCULLY stands near the door. It's still wide open)

SCULLY:
I don't care. Leave! Now! Please!

GABE ROTTER:
Uh-uh. Leyla said she'd go out with me only if I got you the cat, and damn it, I got it.

(GABE opens the box ,showing SCULLY the cat. She backs away, covering her mouth and then looks closer. She moves past GABE and to the phone)

GABE ROTTER:
Oh, god ... you calling the cops on me?

SCULLY:
If only. God help me but Agent Harrison might be on to something after all.


SCENE 6 - FAIRHOPE, PENNSYLVANIA

(REYES' cell phone isn't working. LEYLA and REYES are sitting inside when DOGGETT and JEFFREY enter)

REYES:
Any luck?

DOGGETT:
Our engine's completely shot. His truck won't start even though I can't find one damn thing wrong with it. Looks like we're here for the night.

JEFFREY CONLON:
I'd better get Tommy back to sleep.

(JEFFREY CONLON leaves the room)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Phones that won't work, cars that won't start. It reminds me of a case Mulder and Scully investigated. A teenager who was struck by lightning - his body affected the electrical workings of everything around him.

REYES:
I don't think that's what we're dealing with here, Leyla.

LEYLA HARRISON:
Agent Mulder wasted no time closing that case. I just try to think like him. What would Agents Mulder and Scully do if they were in this situation?

DOGGETT:
Agents Mulder and Scully aren't in this situation. Agents Doggett and Reyes are. I don't know about Agent Reyes but Agent Doggett's going to sit his tired ass down.

LEYLA HARRISON:
What kind of a course of action is that?

REYES:
I think Agent Doggett is saying that right now, we're in the best possible place.

DOGGETT:
Exactly. Bottom line we're all concerned for this boy's safety. As long as we're here, nothing's going to happen to him, right?

TOMMY:
Help! It's in here! Dad!

(DOGGETT and REYES run upstairs quickly)

TOMMY:
Help! Help me!

(LEYLA follows)

TOMMY:
Dad!

(DOGGETT sees JEFFREY holding the door closed)

DOGGETT:
Hey!

JEFFREY CONLON:
No, don't do it!

(DOGGETT pushes JEFFREY aside and REYES opens the door. TOMMY is on the bed with two large creatures, like earwigs, on the floor)

REYES:
John ...

(REYES pulls TOMMY into her arms and DOGGETT fires at an earwig, just as LEYLA arrives at the door. The earwig breaks up into two creatures which climb under the wall and away. Everyone stares in shock)


SCENE 7 - CONLON HOUSE

(TOMMY is colouring a picture of a woman and a boy. REYES is watching him. DOGGETT enters)

DOGGETT:
How's he doing?

REYES:
He's a hell of a lot calmer than I'd be.

DOGGETT:
I checked the place top to bottom. Whatever the hell those things were, they're gone. I have no idea where they went.

(DOGGETT glances down at TOMMY who is still colouring. He approaches the table and sits down in the chair next to TOMMY)

DOGGETT:
That's really good, Tommy.

(TOMMY doesn't say anything)

DOGGETT:
Is that you?

(TOMMY nods. DOGGETT looks at the woman)

DOGGETT:
Who's that?

TOMMY:
That's her.

(REYES smiles as TOMMY points at her)

REYES:
Tommy, tell John what you told me about what we saw in your room tonight.

TOMMY:
Those are the monsters that hurt my mommy. But my dad says I'm not supposed to talk about it.


SCENE 8 - TOMMY'S BEDROOM

(JEFFREY is looking at a picture TOMMY drew. DOGGETT and LEYLA are interrogating him)

JEFFREY CONLON:
This is my house. Why do I have to sit here?

DOGGETT:
Tell me what we're dealing with.

JEFFREY CONLON:
I don't ...

DOGGETT:
Don't tell me you don't know because you're not going to like what happens next. These things were in the room with your son and you knew it. You held the door shut, you son of a bitch.

JEFFREY CONLON:
Want to see something? Look at that.

(JEFFREY CONLON rolls up his shirt sleeves to reveal large welting scars on his forearms)

JEFFREY CONLON:
Look at that. That's what they did to me. They almost killed me one time before.

DOGGETT:
They? What are they? Some kind of animal? What?

JEFFREY CONLON:
All I know is that they won't leave us alone and I'm dealing with this the best way I can. Now it's too late.

DOGGETT:
How's that?

JEFFREY CONLON:
They mean to kill every one of you and there's nothing you can do to stop it.

(LEYLA just looks at him)

JEFFREY CONLON:
Oh, come on. You saw what happens. You think you've killed one and then it becomes two.

LEYLA HARRISON:
I don't think Mister Conlon is telling us the whole truth.

DOGGETT:
No kidding.

LEYLA HARRISON:
I mean, I think you can kill them because I don't know what else he would have been burying when we showed up tonight.


SCENE 9 - SCULLY'S KITCHEN

(SCULLY has a set of utensils on the kitchen bench. She is doing an autopsy on Spanky the cat. GABE watches. SCULLY wears an apron saying "Something Smells Gooo-ooood!")

GABE ROTTER:
You got to be freaking kidding me. I can't believe you're cutting up a dead cat on your kitchen table.

SCULLY:
Will you keep your voice down, please? You're going to wake my baby.

GABE ROTTER:
This... this just isn't right. Can you clue me in here as to why the cat's so important?

SCULLY:
Because it would seem that poor Spanky here may have chewed a hole in his own stomach ... which you'll admit is unusual behaviour.

GABE ROTTER:
You mean ... he killed himself.

SCULLY:
Just like his owner, Mrs. Conlon stabbed herself with a knife. The wounds are in the same place and if we figure out why ... well, then, you'll have something really good to share with your good friend Leyla Harrison, won't you?

GABE ROTTER:
True that.

(The phone rings)

SCULLY:
Can you hold the ribs open while I grab that, please? Just... Now. Thank you.

(GABE hesitantly does so. SCULLY answers the phone. It is SHERIFF JACK COOGAN)

SCULLY:
Agent Scully.

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
Yeah, ma'am, this is Sheriff Jack Coogan. I got a message to call this number.

SCULLY:
Hi, Sheriff. Thanks for getting back to me. I appreciate it. I'm an FBI agent and I've been trying to reach three of my colleagues that are up in your area.

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
Were they on some kind of case?

SCULLY:
Well, they're looking into some concerns expressed by the grandmother of a child. The family name is Conlon and I have an address ...

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
No need. I was back up there a couple of weeks ago. Got into a kind of a shouting match with the father.

SCULLY:
Over what?

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
The grandmother asked me to look in on the boy. Father told me to get the hell off his property. Boy seemed fine, so I did.

SCULLY:
Well, as I say, sheriff, I need to contact my colleagues.

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
I'm happy to take a drive up there but can't promise much tonight. The roads are icing up as we speak. Won't be easy getting in.

SCULLY:
Look, sheriff, they may be in danger. Could you please find a way?


SCENE 10 - FAIRHOPE, PENNSYLVANIA

(JEFFREY and LEYLA watch as DOGGETT digs. He hits something and reaches in, cutting his finger on glass)

DOGGETT:
Ow!

LEYLA HARRISON:
Oh, my god.

DOGGETT:
It's no monster, Agent Harrison. Dead or alive. You want to explain this, Mister Conlon?

(DOGGETT pulls out part of TOMMY's mirror)

JEFFREY CONLON:
It's just a mirror from my son's room.

DOGGETT:
Why'd you bury it?

JEFFREY CONLON:
'Cause he was afraid of it.

DOGGETT:
I want you to get Tommy bundled up in warm clothes. I want you to pack anything you think he might need.

JEFFREY CONLON:
Why?

DOGGETT:
'Cause I don't believe one damn thing you've told me except that we're in danger and we're walking out of here, all five of us.

(LEYLA looks into the hole and JEFFREY leaves. DOGGETT turns to her)

LEYLA HARRISON:
I know what you're thinking. Black magic. Mirrors are powerful symbols in conjuring in the dark arts. That's what this is. Right?

(DOGGETT just stands there sceptically)

DOGGETT:
(Dryly) Uh-huh.

(DOGGETT walks away leaving LEYLA standing next to the shallow hole. LEYLA follows him inside, where we find everyone packing)

DOGGETT:
We passed a sheriff's station maybe six miles down the mountain. It'll be a hike, but we can make it.

TOMMY:
Dad, the sheriff...

JEFFREY CONLON:
No. Tommy ... don't worry about the sheriff. He's going to help us.

(The agents seem surprised at the reaction of TOMMY. He comes around and hugs REYES)

REYES:
What's up, Tommy? What's the matter?

(Someone is knocking on the door downstairs. DOGGETT reaches for his gun)

DOGGETT:
Stay here.

(JEFFREY stares at his son. DOGGETT looks out the window and sees the SHERIFF, so he opens the door)

DOGGETT:
Man, you're a sight for sore eyes. John Doggett.

(DOGGETT lets the SHERIFF in, he seems unsure of himself)

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
I'm the Sheriff.

DOGGETT:
Who called you?

(JEFFREY, TOMMY, REYES and LEYLA come downstairs)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Perfect timing.

REYES:
We were just leaving, sheriff. We need a ride.

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
Sorry, you can't leave.

DOGGETT:
What do you mean?

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
You can't go anywhere. It's too cold.

JEFFREY CONLON:
It's not him.

(DOGGETT turns around)

DOGGETT:
What?

(While his back is turned, the Sheriff reaches for his gun. REYES calls out a warning to DOGGETT)

REYES:
Gun!

(DOGGETT manages to knock the gun out of the Sheriff's hands. The two men fight. REYES moves in closer but doesn't interfere with the fighting. TOMMY watches with interest)

REYES:
Let him go!

(DOGGETT punches the SHERIFF in his middle area and his fist goes through, covered in blood. JEFFREY shields TOMMY while the SHERIFF falls on the ground motionless. REYES lowers her gun, everyone staring at DOGGETT's fist)


SCENE 11 - SCULLY'S APARTMENT

(SCULLY is on the phone. GABE is holding MULDER's badge, and muttering to himself)

GABE ROTTER:
So, this is Johnny Fabulous, huh? Oh... ‘Mulder's so smart. Mulder's so dreamy’. That's all Leyla ever talks about. Mulder and Scully, Scully and Mulder, blah, blah, blah.

(SCULLY hangs up the phone and sighs)

SCULLY:
This Sheriff, Jack Coogan, I'm just getting his answering machine.

GABE ROTTER:
Hey, you're really worried. I thought you didn't find anything. You told me there wasn't anything inside that cat.

SCULLY:
No, there wasn't. But it certainly seems like there should have been.

GABE ROTTER:
What does that mean?

SCULLY:
Well, the pattern of bite marks. I mean, it seems to me that the cat was trying to get at something in its stomach to chew something out.

GABE ROTTER:
Something. What?

SCULLY:
I don't know. I mean, there wasn't any sign of it but it obviously caused a great deal of pain. And I'm thinking maybe it goes the same for the woman who tried to stab herself. I mean, what if that was a frantic attempt to... to cut something out.

GABE ROTTER:
Wait a minute. Is Leyla in danger up there?

SCULLY:
All I know is we're wasting our time talking about this.

(SCULLY picks up the phone one more time and begins dialling)

GABE ROTTER:
Who are you calling now?

SCULLY:
My mom. I'm going to beg her to baby-sit.


SCENE 12 - CONLON HOUSE

(REYES is playing with what is inside the SHERIFF, with a salad spoon. DOGGETT comes up behind her)

DOGGETT:
Got anything?

REYES:
Yeah. A salad spoons no one's ever going to use again. And the sheriff here? Do not ask me to explain it but he's got absolutely no internal organs. He's like, he's like a big bag.

DOGGETT:
You know what else? This isn't blood. Whatever it is, I bet it's the same crap that's all over the inside of our car.

(DOGGETT lays the towel he was wiping his hands with on the SHERIFF's face)

DOGGETT:
I've been thinking. You know, I hate to sound like Agent Harrison but Mulder and Scully had a case like this that I remember where they were trapped underground with these mushroom spores that caused hallucinations. Never mind.

REYES:
I don't know what to say, either. Maybe Mulder and Scully would see something that we don't.

DOGGETT:
How? Nothing here makes any sense. Unless that's the very thing that we need to see.

(A perplexed REYES follows DOGGETT into the next room where TOMMY is drawing a picture of himself fishing. AGENT HARRISON and JEFFREY are also there)

DOGGETT:
Agent Harrison, you want to take Tommy up to his room?

AGENT HARRISON:
Sure. Come on, Tommy.

(TOMMY ignores LEYLA)

REYES:
What's the matter? You like Leyla, don't you?

(REYES has moved closer to him, TOMMY has sussed out the weakest link in the agent's chain)

TOMMY:
Can you stay with me instead?

(TOMMY gives REYES a hug)

REYES:
Sure. Come on.

(The two leave the room)

DOGGETT:
I'm just a cop, Mister Conlon. Maybe I don't have the imagination to connect all the pieces of this insanity together. You said that wasn't exactly the Sheriff in there and I want to know what you meant. In fact, you tried to warn us that bag of goo wasn't the sheriff. You were trying to help us.

LEYLA HARRISON:
Yeah, so why not help us now? Tell us what you know, Mister Conlon for Tommy's sake.

DOGGETT:
Your son Tommy ... you move him up here in the middle of nowhere and you lock him in the room with those things. Now, if you're just trying to get rid of him is that all this is?

JEFFREY CONLON:
I love my son. I love my son, you bastard.

DOGGETT:
Well, you locked him in the room with those things.

JEFFREY CONLON:
Because I knew they wouldn't hurt him.

DOGGETT:
Now why is that? They hurt you, they certainly hurt your wife. Why didn't they hurt Tommy?


SCENE 13 - TOMMY'S BEDROOM

(TOMMY gives REYES some drawings he made, and says, exactly like the little boy at the end of each episode's credits:)

TOMMY:
I made this.

REYES:
You drew all these?

(REYES looks through them. One of TOMMY, the next of the earwigs, and the next of REYES with an earwig inside her stomach. TOMMY points at it)

TOMMY:
This one's you.

REYES:
Why would you draw this, Tommy? Why would you imagine such awful things?

(TOMMY looks at REYES, he knows what will happen next but he is having fun pretending)

TOMMY:
Because I'm afraid.


SCENE 14 - SHERIFF'S STATION, SOMERSET COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

(SCULLY and GABE enter. SHERIFF COOGAN is there)

SCULLY:
Sheriff Coogan? Sheriff?

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
Are you Agent Scully?

SCULLY:
Yeah. I, uh, I still can't contact my partners. Were you able to get up there?

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
I just got back from trying. The roads at that elevation are way too dangerous right now.

SCULLY:
Well, Sheriff, there are three FBI agents who may be in grave danger.

GABE ROTTER:
That's my girlfriend up there, Hoss.

(The SHERIFF turns to a map on the wall)

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
This is the only road up to that mountain. We've got ice leading all the way up to the peak.

SCULLY:
Well, we have to get up there. I mean, there must be a way.

SHERIFF JACK COOGAN:
I'm sorry. Helicopter, snowplough or pack mule - unfortunately, I'm fresh out of all three.

(GABE and SCULLY look at the SHERIFF, not impressed but worried for their friends)


SCENE 15 - CONLON HOUSE

(LEYLA and DOGGETT are in the Conlon house)

LEYLA HARRISON:
What if Tommy were at the centre of this somehow? The monsters ... the Sheriff.

(As HARRISON turns to indicate the dead body, she realises something)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Agent Doggett?

(DOGGETT follows her as they walk to the rug - SHERIFF COOGAN'S body is no longer there - something new is about to happen)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Where the hell is the body?

(REYES comes down the stairs, clutching her stomach in agony)

DOGGETT:
Monica, what happened?!

(DOGGETT turns toward the stairs and makes it barely in time to catch REYES as she collapses onto the ground floor)

REYES:
The boy! The boy, it's all him.

(DOGGETT lifts up REYES' shirt - something is moving around in her abdomen. HARRISON sees it as well. REYES is screaming in pain)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Oh, my god.

(As REYES screams, a horrified LEYLA turns. JEFFREY CONLON is moving towards them. DOGGETT turns around to confront him)

DOGGETT:
Is your son doing this?!

JEFFREY CONLON:
I told you. I told you to leave.

(DOGGETT grabs JEFFREY)

DOGGETT:
If this is your son, make him stop!

JEFFREY CONLON:
I can't. You don't think I've tried? I can't stop him from .. from imagining things. I can't stop him from being afraid. He's just a little boy! He doesn't mean to do these things.

REYES:
The hell he doesn't!

DOGGETT:
If you won't stop him, I will.

(DOGGETT runs upstairs to the second floor corridor. TOMMY is walking away, he was watching them. He turns when he hears DOGGETT coming)

DOGGETT:
Tommy? Stay right there.

(TOMMY is smiling a cheeky grin and runs back to his bedroom, DOGGETT gives chase but gets the door shut in his face. He opens the door and runs in, falling into darkness - a long darkness that finally ends when he hits the bottom. The door is high above him and there is an odd scratching noise. DOGGETT starts screaming as hundreds of giant earwigs cover him up)


SCENE 16 - CONLON HOUSE

(It is lightly snowing. The car is parked in the driveway and we can hear REYES screaming. Inside, LEYLA is holding REYES down, trying to look after her)

REYES:
Please! Please! You have to get it out! Get it out of me!

LEYLA HARRISON:
Agent Reyes, hold on. Please, hold on.

(HARRISON turns to JEFFREY, while still holding REYES)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Mister Conlon, help us.

(JEFFREY is scared and doesn't know what to do. LEYLA lets go of REYES and covers her eyes with her hands, in pain. She pulls them away - her eyes are bleeding)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Oh, my god!

REYES:
Please!

(JEFFREY runs upstairs. In his bedroom, TOMMY is drawing a picture of LEYLA's eyes bleeding. JEFFREY, outside, walks determined to go into TOMMY's bedroom but DOGGETT stops him. He is unharmed)

DOGGETT:
Listen to me and listen good. These things - these things aren't happening.

JEFFREY CONLON:
What?

DOGGETT:
How the hell could the it's like I've been saying all along. It's not possible.

JEFFREY CONLON:
No, this is all real. My wife is dead.

DOGGETT:
She believed it was real and she stabbed herself. But because I couldn't believe it ... not really ... it couldn't hurt me.

(JEFFREY lunges for the door handle, perhaps knowing that TOMMY killed his wife. DOGGETT stops him)

DOGGETT:
Now, come on. You're going to help me.

(TOMMY has finished drawing LEYLA's eyes and stops. There is no noise)

TOMMY:
Dad? Dad!

(No one answers, and TOMMY is confused)

TOMMY:
Dad, get in here!

(TOMMY goes over to the window. DOGGETT is helping REYES outside, making towards the car. JEFFREY is helping AGENT HARRISON. TOMMY watches from the window as they climb into the car, determined that they will stay. Inside the car, REYES and LEYLA are inside while DOGGETT turns toward the house picking up a can of gasoline)

JEFFREY CONLON:
Wait. Wait ... wait a minute. Where are you going?

DOGGETT:
You wait here.

(DOGGETT enters the house again, leaving the other three outside. TOMMY is at the top of the staircase, watching as DOGGETT begins pouring the liquid around the place. He isn't afraid but he is definitely confused)

TOMMY:
What are you doing?

(DOGGETT ignores him as he continues pouring the stuff around the place. TOMMY moves down further, perplexed by what is going on)

TOMMY:
What are you doing?

DOGGETT:
You're a smart boy, Tommy. What's it look like I'm doing?

TOMMY:
No way.

DOGGETT:
If I don't stop you, my friends are going to die.

(DOGGETT tosses the empty can on the ground as TOMMY descends to the bottom)

DOGGETT:
You think I'm going to let that happen?

TOMMY:
You won't do it. You're lying. You'd get burned, too. You're just trying to scare me.

(DOGGETT lights a match, holding it in front of him)

DOGGETT:
Scared yet?

(DOGGETT throws the match to the ground as everything catches fire and the flames roll across the room. DOGGETT doesn't move, but keeps his gaze on TOMMY. The flames rise but DOGGETT isn't scared. TOMMY is. DOGGETT doesn't move, but TOMMY realises this isn't a joke. Meanwhile, outside, LEYLA realises her eyes aren't bleeding: in fact there is no blood at all)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Oh, thank god.

REYES:
Agent Harrison?

(REYES is no longer in pain)

LEYLA HARRISON:
Monica, are you all right?

REYES:
Where's John?

(A jeep pulls up and GABE and SCULLY run out. LEYLA and REYES follow, as does JEFFREY CONLON. GABE gets there first, bursting through the door and falling over as he hurts himself)

GABE ROTTER:
Ow! Ow.

(DOGGETT picks up TOMMY and gives him to JEFFREY as SCULLY, REYES and HARRISON enter)

JEFFREY CONLON:
Tommy.

(HARRISON helps GABE up)

DOGGETT:
He's breathing. Passed out.

SCULLY:
I'm a medical doctor.

(DOGGETT checks out REYES' abdomen, as she walks around the living room, noticing the empty gas can. There is no fire damage to the place, nor any fire)

DOGGETT:
You're all right?

(REYES examines the liquid)

REYES:
Water. You filled it with water.

DOGGETT:
That's not what Tommy believed.


SCENE 17 - X-FILES OFFICE

(We see the 'I WANT TO BELIEVE POSTER', which LEYLA HARRISON is staring at. GABE comes up next to her, smiling as he reads the poster out loud)

GABE ROTTER:
“I want to believe”.

(The two of them look around the office. SCULLY is there as well)

GABE ROTTER:
So, this is where the magic happens?

(LEYLA HARRISON smiles)

LEYLA HARRISON:
It still happens.

(LEYLA and SCULLY smile at each other)

LEYLA HARRISON:
I'm happy it's in good hands.

(REYES and DOGGETT arrive at this very moment)

REYES:
Hey.

SCULLY:
Speak of the devil.

DOGGETT:
That so?

GABE ROTTER:
Leyla keeps going on and on about how you saved the day.

LEYLA HARRISON:
I really do have to commend you, Agent Doggett. You solved this case. If it weren't for you ... I don't even like to think what would have happened. I have to say, it's clear to me now that you were better-equipped for this challenge than even Agent Mulder would have been. Absolutely. I mean your lack of imagination saved our lives.

DOGGETT:
Gee, thanks.

LEYLA HARRISON:
That... didn't come out right. Did it?

SCULLY:
So, any news on the boy?

REYES:
We just got back from the psych centre. Their doctors don't quite know what to make of him. I think it goes without saying. However, they have come up with a stopgap treatment.


SCENE 18 - PSYCHIATRIC CENTER

(JEFFREY CONLON walks down a corridor. He stops at a closed door, and looks through the window, as we hear SCULLY and DOGGETT's voices)

SCULLY V.O.:
What's that?

DOGGETT V.O.:
A way to stifle his imagination.

(JEFFREY looks in the window. TOMMY is sitting there, happily engrossed with watching dozens of television sets…)

[THE END]



Gillian Anderson (Special Agent Dana Scully), Robert Patrick (Special Agent John Doggett), Mitch Pileggi (A.D Skinner), Annabeth Gish (Special Agent Monica Reyes), Robert Beckwith (FBI Cadet), Gavin Fink (Tommy Conlon), Jolie Jenkins (Agent Leyla Harrison), Scott Paulin (Jeffrey Conlon), Brian Poth (Gabe Rotter), Steve Ryan (Sheriff Jack Coogan)

Directed by Dwight Little

TX:
US TX - 14th April 2002

Notes:
*Featuring Special Special Agent Dana Scully, Special Agent John Doggett and Special Agent Monica Reyes